Order “Two Serpents Rise” HERE
Read An Excerpt HERE
Read FBC’s
Review of “Three Parts Dead”
If you've seen my
review of Three Parts Dead, you
know that I had high hopes for Two
Serpents Rise, and Max Gladstone
completely delivered.
Two Serpents Rise is not exactly a sequel; it's set
in the same world but in another part of it. There are occasional references to
the city Alt Coulumb, but this book stands
on its own. It also works as some sort of blend of epic and urban fantasy: epic
in scope yet grounded very specifically in a secondary world city.
The city of Dresediel Lex is clearly inspired by Aztec mythology, but Max didn't limit himself to just Aztec
ideas. The history of priests sacrificing to gods is certainly present, but
then again, in the very first scene the goddess of gambling also makes an
appearance, setting up the motif of balancing risk that runs throughout.
And the running! It's like Parkour
gone insane, and Parkour is not exactly the safest sport to begin with.
Structurally this book is a bit different
particularly in regards to POV, in that, except for some interludes, there's
only one POV up until the end. For a couple of chapters I was waiting for it to
switch, but in retrospect I see why that couldn't have worked.
Like Three
Parts Dead, another craft/law firm is central to this story, even though
the protagonist this time around isn't a craft user. We get to see a different
magic that is more tied to the gods. And I loved seeing technology like
elevators in this setting, because technological development shouldn't stop
just because a world is mostly powered by magic. This book gives a lot to think
about in regards to the notions of progress and civilization without giving any
easy answers.
Really, the author did a wonderful job of not
making any character the straw man, especially in regards to dealing with
religion. The issue here is not a matter of whether people believe in gods, but
what they owe gods, what they owe us,
and how those interact. Is being a diehard believer the right approach, or is
it better to completely renounce the gods? Is there some middle ground, and if
so, what is that in-between road, and how do you navigate it? What is the value
of knowing your place in society contrasted with the uncertainty of having to
struggle to find it?
Every character has completely valid points and
reasons for believing mutually exclusive views. No argument about the issue of
religion is ever “won,” because everyone knows how much more complicated it is,
how personal it is, and it's personal for these characters.
And the characters' personal ties
really are integral to everything else going on, all the kinds of ties that
bind: contractually, romantically, philosophically, filially, religiously — how
they all intertwine and how far, how deep those ties can go, and what that
means for us.
I love how organically all of
these issues work in the social and political framework, the characters,
everything. I love that there are no taboos on sexual orientation or on having
sex at all. The characters are all riveting, even when I don't like them — I
particularly loved the Red King, who
is creepy as anything and completely amazing.
All this and I haven't even gotten
around to mentioning the whole story is built around economics and the
logistical realities of providing water to an urban settlement in the desert
and the risks of water conflict — I challenge anyone who thinks fantasy doesn't
deal with reality and is purely about escapism to take a harder look at this
one.
I really can't recommend this book
and this series highly enough. Give it a shot.
No comments:
Post a Comment