Review: Fresh, captivating, brilliant
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 3, 2012
I usually stay away from fantasy trilogies, because they require a certain time investment to enjoy them (if they are even enjoyable). Still, the description of the book was interesting, and the mention of the author that she is a fan of Robert Jordan's works caught me. Also, I have received a free copy for review, so I decided to buy the book, and the two prequels. I'm glad I did it.Even if the action starts right away, it still picks up somewhat slowly, which is quite to be expected from a fantasy trilogy. What I've found smart and well done was the way the author introduces us into the world. She doesn't do a long history of the world, but tells tidbits through the mouths of various characters, who don't know everything themselves, and only the reader gets to see the whole picture.And speaking of the world and history, it's a wonderful world. I'm still not 100% sure, but it seems that the world is our world in a distant future, with the humanity transformed by an ice age and a cataclysm which brought a strange chemical element, "velarium" and a second Moon. The velarium is somehow connected to a source of magic. These are all thing we learn step by step, and it's clear that there are still lots of things in the background of the story. And I can say that I'm eager to know them.The characters are full of life, well individualized, and very realistic. I only have one thing against them: they are all very American. From the way they speak, to the way they act towards one another and their relationships, everything is screaming "American culture". Despite that, they are very enjoyable.All in all, a very good book, and I recommend reading the two prequels too (after reading the first book in the series, of course).