Review: Continues a Fine Tradition of Superior Storytelling
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 26, 2013
Like its predecessor novel, Nostrum continues the story of Edward and Tristan in fine form. Let's hit the basics: the pacing is first rate, the characterizations (as I noted in my review of the first novel) are excellent, and the plot twists exciting and surprising. In short, Calas's skill draws you into the story and playfully teases you into turning the next page.I don't want to go into too much detail here for fear of revealing spoilers, but I do want to hit upon a few things that really impressed me. Calas's obvious love for history--particularly medieval history and, particularly-particularly medieval English history--shines through. An amateur military historian myself, I really appreciate the fine details (e.g., the reason stairs wind upward in castles, namely to maximize sword-swinging potential for the defenders). Yet the author's details are not all martial...he paints medieval society with the dull, often desperate colors of the times and the bright possibilities of individual lives to show real people in dire situations. Yes, zombies are fantastical, but Calas sets that fantasy alongside actual illnesses of the time (I won't give details, again spoilers) to frame fantasy within historical fact, making it more believable. Substitute the Black Death for zombies and I can easily see many of the motivations, actions, base human behaviors, and shining (if more rare) instances of heroism playing out exactly as we see them here. (Once specific: the plot point re: the dragon was masterfully done!)For returning readers, Tristan's irreverence remains in full flower, though tempered somewhat by circumstances (slight spoiler: he finds someone he cares about more than either Edward or himself!). Edward's dedication to finding the cure for Elizabeth is unflagging throughout and drives the story forward, even when hope seems lost. And Calas weaves together actual people, places, and events with fantastical circumstances to create a first-rate novel of fun, thrills, and ultimately hope.Fan of zombies? Like knights questing? Enjoy the first novel? Then look no further for your next read.