Review: Absorbing, stylish fantasy novel
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 4, 2013
The story of The Song of Andiene is birthed in the tragic, bloody overthrow of a kingdom and the slaughter of her family and relatives by the new king. Andiene escapes with the help of a dragon. She lives for a period of time with a poor fisherman's family, but when her secret is discovered Andiene must flee for her life. She learns her magic at the dragon's tutelage, and must gather supporters around her and return to take back the kingdom which is rightfully hers.Such a summary of the plot does not do sufficient justice to the quality of the writing. The Song of Andiene is well-written and edited, absorbing, and intelligent. But for me the outstanding feature of this work is the world-building - I have seldom read a finer example of the craft. The world is detailed and nuanced without ever coming across as contrived or unbelievable, and the writer sustains it throughout with novel and well thought-through twists that maintain the reader's interest. There are no false notes.If there is any weakness in the treatment, I felt it might be in the depth of characterization afforded Andiene. To me she felt aloof, a little one-dimensional. I thought she might have been a more tortured individual, that her responses to her situation would have been more complex. Ilbran in contrast is a more completely drawn character yet occupies a more minor role in the novel.This is a very fine novel that will not disappoint lovers of this genre and I was pleased to be given a copy in exchange for an unbiased, non-reciprocal review.