Blood of an Exile
by Brian Naslund
Macmillan-Tor/Forge
Tor Books
Sci Fi & Fantasy
Curious about the description, I picked this novel up, dreading overblown language and macho posturing. But this had none of that.
It begins with a fine description from the viewpoint of an Almiran apprentice apothecary, Jolan, who lives in a village, but once he encounters the hungover "Flawless Berhad" the narrative kicks off with a bang--not just action but character. Bershad is initially revealed as the lovechild of Kevin Hearne's Atticus O'Sullivan and Charles Bukowski. The excitement in a Bukowski character is his lack of inhibitions--probably fueled by alcohol (not that alcohol is by itself a good thing, but we readers are curious about those socially uninhibited if we are not).
Jolan meets Bershad:
"Is the dragonslayer in here?" Jolan asked. The bartender jerked his head to the left.... There was a man there, passed out cold with his head and hands flat on the table....
"Him," the bartender responded. "Was at it most of the night. Passed out an hour ago...."
Jolan reached out to shake the man awake, but the dragonslayer spoke before Jolan's hand reached his shoulder.
"What time is it?" he asked, not moving anything except his lips.... In no way did his dark, rough features bring to mind the handsome, perfect dragonslayer of the poem and songs and stories.
"Are you the the Flawless Bershad?" Jolan asked.
"I am the Late and Hungover Bershad," he growled.
There's not only the adventure plot but the comic attention to character that enthralls the reader in this opening. It was so stunning and I was eager to pronounce the writer as soon to be beloved, but the attention to character at this higher level slows to a more everyday fantasy novel, albeit with plenty of intrigue.
Bershad battles the dragon and sustains injuries that might have killed others. But he survives and the king who had exiled him, King Hertzog, summons him. He want Bershad to rescue his kidnapped daughter Kira and assassinate the Balarian emperor. They have long been at war with their neighbor.
While Bershad is unbeloved in his former kingdom, the king's other daughter, Ashlyn, has a fancy for him and would like to see him restored once he carries out this mission. When Hertzog dies, Ashlyn becomes the defacto queen, but ruling won't be easy. Factions within Almira are being fanned to drive it into civil war. Meanwhile, a Balarian assassin roams the Almira countyside, murdering noblemen, whose motives we await to be revealed.
I like what I've read although I did have to reread since I felt a little mislead about the type of novel we were given. On the other hand, novelists like J K Rowling also worked hard on a novel opening. Harry Potter also began with character--albeit Dickensian, not Bukowskian--which she later abandoned for plot.
Still many readers will stick around for the thick-layered intrigue, part of which you can sense above.
You can check out a free sample of this Tor novel here and see if this is a novel for you.
I like what I've read although I did have to reread since I felt a little mislead about the type of novel we were given. On the other hand, novelists like J K Rowling also worked hard on a novel opening. Harry Potter also began with character--albeit Dickensian, not Bukowskian--which she later abandoned for plot.
Still many readers will stick around for the thick-layered intrigue, part of which you can sense above.
You can check out a free sample of this Tor novel here and see if this is a novel for you.
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