Review: Great Book
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 19, 2011
This was a really good book.It tells the story of an exiled barbarian (think Native American -type) who, contrary to law and custom, has his life saved by an enigmatic woman warrior from an advanced civilization (think feudal Japan or medieval China with both male and female warriors).  The two then embark on a near-hopeless mission to save her homeland and civilization from destruction by a demon-inspired civil war.I enjoyed everything about this book.The world the author has built is unique and very compelling.  The clashes of culture, from the opening scenes where the barbarian and woman warrior can barely communicate due to their differing world views, to the constraints placed on both when they return to the warrior's homeland are just one of many aspects of the book I enjoyed.  Equally interesting is the development throughout the book of the back-stories of these cultures, the "magic" system (such as exists), and the unfolding of the history of the world that predates the cultures of the present era and that is influencing the conflict that now has arisen.The book moves at a brisk pace throughout; no dull moments here.  Yet it does so in a way that is logical and unrushed and not at the expense of character development.  While this is not a strictly military-focused fantasy novel, the descriptions of combat, both by individuals and massed armies are well presented.Speaking of character development, in my opinion it is likewise excellent.  The two primary characters are fleshed out nicely.  We understand their motivations.  Neither of the primary characters is infallible.  Neither is a Mary Sue.  And as the two grow to respect and rely upon one another, while one might anticipate a certain romantic element to appear, as it does it is unrushed and it is left to the end of the book to resolve itself (and notice I didn't say how it was resolved).  No bodice-ripper here masquerading as epic fantasy, thank god.Now I do have one criticism of the book.  And it will be astonishing so the faint of heart need to stop reading now.  Ready?  Here it is:I wish this book had been longer: a duology or a trilogy.  There I said it.  I actually wish a fantasy book had been longer and spread over two or three books.Why do I wish it had been longer?  Because I really liked these characters.  And I really liked their struggle.  And I really enjoyed the world in which this story takes place.  And while I know I said the world building and character development were very good, I really wish I had been given more of the two characters' histories and I wish I knew more about the two cultures from which they both came.  Now this is a fine line.  The author DOES give us enough world building, character development, and story to make this a very interesting book without the all too frequent bloat of many fantasy books.  I am not complaining about their lack making the book not good.  I'm stating my greed for wanting more of a good thing.This is a stand-alone book.  BUT, there is potential, I suppose, for a sequel.  I actually would find a prequel developing how these two main characters and their cultures came to be as they are fascinating and suggest the author consider it.I would buy a prequel or sequel.