Review: MUST read, DON'T MISS, HIGHLY recommended dark fantasy adventure!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 13, 2011
I have to start out by saying, this is an incredible novella and I hope Clement writes many, many more stories in this world.  It is a dark world, a somewhat grim place, and there are threads and branches to this story that are barely touched in this initial entrance to the world - but there is no doubt that it is going to be a crazy ride, and one with which any dark fantasy fan will fall in love.I can't think of a way to summarize the plot very well without giving away large bunches of information, as this is a novella, which means it is not terribly long.  We are briefly introduced to the Shantari, whose Mother (leader) begins a mysterious quest based upon dreams she is having.  We spend a great deal of time in Scarlock, a dirty and depressing town that is firmly under the thumb of the rich and malicious moneylender, Copeland.  We meet Nereia - a thief, forced to steal to pay Copeland a tithe, although she is a distant cousin - and her sister, Mary.  They were left in Copeland's care after their parents' deaths at sea.  We also meet various denizens of the town - prostitutes and smugglers and sailors and fences, almost all of whom have some secret they are keeping to themselves.  We witness a most unusual birth from the waves of the Dark Sea.  The amount of plot that Clement has managed to pour into such a short story is amazing, and a sign of a true talent.  I, for one, am looking forward very eagerly to seeing more of these stories.  You should definitely get this novella, and anything else Clement has written if this is any indication of quality - trust me, you will not be sorry!