|
 Dark
Thane by Miller Lau
List Price: £7.99
Hardcover 608pp, (April
2nd 2002)
Earthlight; ISBN: 0743404017
Review by Iain Elmsley
Check out this book at:
Amazon
US /
Amazon
UK
Talisker, Miller Lau’s debut novel, was one of
last years finest epic fantasy books to be published, clearly
demonstrating how a sub-genre generally noted for its tiredness, could
be powerfully revitalized. Rather than focus entirely on action, Lau
brings a strong sense of characterization and world building as well as
a sense of full on action.
Sixteen years after Talikser, Talisker’s children, Tristan and
Regan are due to become the Thanes of Soulis Mor. However, Regan,
already tainted by the shadow of Corvus, falls under the influence of
Jahl, an advisor adept at manipulation. Having been cast out of Soulis
Mor, Tristan learns the depth of Jahl’s deceit and the low standing of
the Thanes and vows to fight back. Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, Nathan
assumes control of the Children of the Deluge cult, soon becoming
enthralled by a vision of their own supposed Messiah. Chaplin and
Talisker must leave Sutra and confront the truth which underlies the
appearance in Edinburgh, in so doing, making enormous sacrifices.
Lau makes no bones about the difficult situations and choices that must
be made, delivering a solution which exacts its toll. Her characters are
recognizably good and evil but also deliver strong personae to capture
the reader. As in the last volume, each character must deal with their
own problems eventually, there is no sidelining of issues. This is Lau’s
strength within the Sword and Sorcery field, as well as her ability to
create a stunning world, where the landscape invokes a sense of grandeur
whilst also interacting with the plot. The grandeur of Sutra offsets the
mundanity of Edinburgh, each contributing to the novel, changing rhythm,
yet always entwined.
Dark Thane continues the rip-roaring action of the Last
Clansman series as begun in Talisker. Lau is developing
as a stronger writer and she is certainly a voice to be mentioned in the
same breath as David Gemell.
(Iain Emsley is the Group
Book and Video Buyer for Forbidden Planet Ltd. he has also writes for
Vector, Interzone and The Third Alternative.) |