Recently Read: Shadowmarch

Shadowmarch by Tad Williams

Funny, how Tad Williams does a piece about computers, and I just flat out don't like it. My wife, who doesn't work with computers, loves it. I just can't get into it - but this series! This is closer in spirit to his first trilogy - a fantasy piece with absolutely no computers - and I love it.

It gets harder and harder to imagine a world of classical fantasy and still have it stand out as unique from all the other Tolkienesque worlds of classic fantasy. There are a couple of different size folks - dwarves and quarterlings (hey, they're much smaller than halflings...) - but they're nothing like the common rendition. The smallest of the two is really more like the Littles, sans tails. The dwarves are more like the halflings, except they like to dig. And then, there's the elves. These are played out as demons, night creatures. Whereas the first two races are more like man, the elves are completely different - and they're the enemy.

This story is just the opening - not sure if it's going for the tradition trilogy length, or what the scope will be - which is somewhat unfortunate. Because it takes longer to warm up, and has the tales of several different groups interwoven, by the time I become fully emotionally invested, poof, it's over - wait for the next book to come out.

Sometimes, the best plan is to wait for the next book - but then, there are too many series that crumble because people don't jump into them and the publishers look at the cold, hard facts of sales figures before committing to the next book, or the book after that.

So, everyone go out and buy a few copies so we'll convince them to make sure to pick up the next - and quick! - so I can read it! =)

MacBathory Act One Scene Seven

"Why if I didn't see it with me own eyes..." John Jilkey stood on the main deck of the Bloodhawk ordering the cannons into silence as the spectral, blazing bowsprit of the l'Abattoir broke through the Spanish ship, which was crumbling fast, the bow already dipping below the waves. When the stern followed suit, and the fires had faded so that the strange ship was barely visible, it began to move forward with nary a single sail, and pull alongside the port rails of the 'hawk.

Since the fires had died out, Jilkey wasn't able to see a man on board the decks of the devilish ship, and until he heard familiar voices call out as they came out from below decks cheering, he wasn't sure any of his shipmates were aboard her.

"Captain Pelham!" Jilkey called out upon seeing him, and was filled with relief.

"Captain Jilkey, how fares the Bloodhawk?"

"Not near as bad as she should be, if you hadn't arrived. They were toying with us, and that's why we're afloat still."

"Can you make for Tortuga? I can't see the Governor of Port Royal welcoming you into the dry dock after this little affair."

"Aye! We can get the 'hawk there without difficulty, even should they come looking for us."

The two men shook hands as the ships were made fast together.

"So, I take it you're signing on with l'Abattoir?" Worsley asked, a wry smile on his lips. When Captain Pelham nodded, Worsley introduced himself, "I am, as you no doubt have guessed, the inventor of l'Abattoir, and her master. My former employer saw no reason that his clerk's musings should see light of day; I've been laughed out of the offices of the naval powers. I have seen ships made by the former and those bearing the flags of the latter to the bottom of the sea, and shall continue to do so."

The work aboard was simple, as he sailed the ship himself - man the guns, serving more as marines than sailors. Even shares for all, and that was that. In addition to those who had already served, they took on more crew to bring her to a full complement of sixty men, in addition to the four officers, the captain, and Worsley himself.

As they made the Bloodhawk ready to sail, the first thing they did was raise anchor, and allow l'Abattoir to tow them to sea. Despite the early hour, they could see stirrings ashore, and knew it would not be long before several Navy vessels were sent to investigate, including, most likely, the Alahandra's sister ship. As soon as the 'hawk had sails out, they cut the line and l'Abattoir set out her sails as well, racing from Port Royal before the sun rose over the wreckage of the man o' war.


End of Act I