Will Sargent reviewed Sword of Fire and Sea by Erin Hoffman
Review of 'Sword of Fire and Sea' on 'Storygraph'
3 stars
The problem with this book comes in the first paragraph:
"Though the coastal island of Siane's Eye was lush with whispering palms and tropical flowers too exotic for the names of men, the wind that swept ever outward from its alabaster monuments came chill as a lifetime of penance. It prickled Vidarian's skin, but he hardened himself to it; the Sisters would not see a Rulorat captain hiding his hands like a saltless boy."
When it comes to describing a scene, the sentences are overegged ("came chill as a lifetime of penance?"). When it comes to describing personality and character, the book tells rather than shows. And when it comes to the plot, it's not at all clear exactly why Vidarian believes anyone when it comes to the prophecy -- for someone who starts off doing this as a job under pressure and has his own mind, he's disturbingly easy …
The problem with this book comes in the first paragraph:
"Though the coastal island of Siane's Eye was lush with whispering palms and tropical flowers too exotic for the names of men, the wind that swept ever outward from its alabaster monuments came chill as a lifetime of penance. It prickled Vidarian's skin, but he hardened himself to it; the Sisters would not see a Rulorat captain hiding his hands like a saltless boy."
When it comes to describing a scene, the sentences are overegged ("came chill as a lifetime of penance?"). When it comes to describing personality and character, the book tells rather than shows. And when it comes to the plot, it's not at all clear exactly why Vidarian believes anyone when it comes to the prophecy -- for someone who starts off doing this as a job under pressure and has his own mind, he's disturbingly easy to lean on, first because he's fallen for a girl he's just met, and second... well, I'm not quite sure why he makes for the Great Gate.
Is it Gene Wolfe, Jack Vance or Diana Wynne Jones? Nope, but the cover clearly indicates what this is, and you either you like this or you don't. Is it fun? Yes. There's good old fashioned facemelty magic, gryphons, hapless spear carrying minions who get mowed down by the protagonist, and mean old women. It's better than David Eddings or Piers Anthony, and leagues better than Twilight.