The Republic of Thieves

   Fans, Scott Lynch's 'The Republic of Thieves' is out in shops today! Non-fans, take note: this is the latest in a highly entertaining fantasy series which you absolutely should read! Unfortunately, this is yet another of those fantasy series with delays of years between installments, so prepare yourselves for a long wait after reading 'The Lies of Locke Lamora', 'Red Seas Under Red Skies', and this excellent third part. I may have possibly seen a tentative date of 2017 for the fourth novel, 'The Thorn of Emberlain' earlier on today, so during the wait you'll have to occupy yourselves with excellent novels such as Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicles, Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series and Stormlight Archive (the latter if you really LOOVE waiting), Peter V. Brett's Demon Cycle... (If you still need more recommendations, leave a comment!). 

   'The Republic of Thieves' continues the story of a group of master con artists known as the Gentlemen Bastards. I know that this novel is one which the fans have been waiting an awfully long time for, so, in case you haven't read it yet, and in an attempt to be completely spoiler-free, I won't go into any detail regarding plot. Republic does feature our two favourite criminals Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen as they embark on a new adventure. Once again, the narrative is divided as alternate chapters focus on the present-day storyline of Locke and Jean's latest project and the backstory of Locke's childhood and unusual apprenticeship with the previous leader of the Gentlemen Bastards, a priest of the Crooked Warden known as Chains. Republic is as intricate and enthralling an undertaking as its predecessors, and just as satisfying. It does introduce a new aspect of Locke's personality which is somewhat surprising but very rewarding, if a tiny bit forced at times. (Aagh it's difficult to be so vague!). If you've ever enjoyed a fantasy novel, and probably even if you never have, go out and try these. It's great fun wrapped up in some beautifully detailed locations, shrewd scheming, and plentiful evidence of the wild and devious imagination of the author. 

   This week I also read 'Starters' by Lissa Price, which I thought was quite a good new Young Adult dystopian thriller. In a future world where the use of biological weapons have killed everyone on Earth between the ages of 20 and 60, the old-age 'Enders' have all the power. Legislation has been passed banning young 'Starters' from working, so minors who have not been sponsored by an 'Ender' are liable to be rounded up by law enforcement and institutionalised, leading to a huge gulf between Enders and their families and the homeless and disenfranchised Starter children. Callie is an unsponsored minor, and in an attempt to earn some money to pay for medical treatment for her sick brother, she goes to a company which offers wealthy Enders the opportunity to hire, and temporarily transfer their consciousness to, the body of a beautiful and healthy young Starter. This process is not legal, but Callie's problems quickly become much more severe than getting caught when she comes to realise that the Ender who is renting her body has some sinister plans for it. This is an entertaining read, with some of the consequences of such an inequal and lopsided society seeming only too possible in reality. The female protagonist is having a strong moment in teen literature right now, but there's always room for more, and Callie fits in well with this trend. Teens who enjoyed 'The Hunger Games' and anyone who enjoys a nice dystopia (!) should check this one out. 

   Until next time!

  

Here be Dragons

   Two of the books I read this week concerned one of my main loves in fantasy literature - dragons. They were 'Blood of Tyrants' by Naomi Novik and 'Joust' by Mercedes Lackey. 

  'Blood of Tyrants' is the eighth book in the Temeraire series, briefly mentioned previously by me here. It was released yesterday by Del Rey in the US, but the UK publication date has not been decided yet, as far as I can tell. The series has been optioned by Peter Jackson, so we'll have to just keep our fingers crossed that something ends up being done with this terrific source material.

    In this penultimate adventure, Laurence and Temeraire find themselves in Japan, China, and then Russia as they head towards a final showdown with Napoleon. The novel opens in Japan, as we discover that poor Laurence has been subjected to the somewhat tired plot device of an accident causing amnesia. He has forgotten everything which has occurred in the years since he captured Temeraire's egg. Luckily, in this case the device does serve the interesting purpose of illustrating very clearly the major changes of opinion which Laurence has experienced, primarily towards dragons and aviators. When he is first reunited with Temeraire early on in the novel, his behaviour towards that noble beast shows a stark contrast to that of the previous years of adventure. It's a neat way of showing rather than telling the reader to what an extent the character has developed.

   Temeraire is his usual self - brave, sometimes capricious, always loyal. We are introduced to yet more fascinating species of dragons - in this case Japanese species - and intriguing concepts of how they fit into Japanese society. The action escalates nicely towards what will be the final volume in this series, as Laurence, Temeraire, and their Chinese and Russian allies prepare for a climactic final battle with Napoleon. However, I felt that the major strength of this book is in the thought it provokes on some more serious issues. By introducing dragons in various societies (those owned by rebels in Western China and the Russian dragons, in particular) which are treated poorly, or like animals, the reader is forced to consider issues of self-determination and of natural rights and justice. Throughout this series, readers will have come to know dragons, through Temeraire, to have the same potential for compassion, bravery, and cruelty,  to respond as well to education and justice, as their human counterparts. How then can the we approve of the treatment of these creatures, for example in Russia, where massive metal pins may be driven deep into the animals' muscles to enable them to be chained up? How can we approve of human 'masters', for example the British, forcing the animals to fly into battle and fight fiercely, without respect for the animals wellbeing beyond physical fitness and without any pay? Of course, while these are valid questions in the world of the novel, they are worthless in the real world except in so far as they prompt the reader to think about the thinly-veiled analogy of slavery. If we object so viscerally to the treatment of these animals in the novel, how much more strongly must we react to these events in the real world. Slavery is a worse problem in the world at the moment than it ever has been in the past - today an estimated 12-27 million people remain slaves worldwide.  
   To briefly return to my purpose - a few words about 'Joust' by Mercedes Lackey. I picked this

up secondhand in Raven Books in Blackrock, Dublin - a haven for bibliophiles, if you're ever in the area! It was published in 2003, and unfortunately my search for more standalone fantasy novels is not yet over, as it is the first of four. It combines alternative history of Ancient Egypt with animal husbandry - in this case of dragons. 
   Vetch is an indentured serf, bound to serve a master who took his family's farm and was responsible for the death of his father. This master is particularly cruel to Vetch, doing just barely enough to keep the boy alive. One day, a passing Jouster (dragon rider) observes this cruelty, and as a way of taking Vetch away from his master, claims the serf (as property of the Great King) in order to make Vetch his dragon boy, caring for the dragon and its equipment. Of course, as a farmer's son, Vetch shows a great aptitude for this work. He becomes intrigued with the accomplishment of his new master Ari, who is the only Jouster whose dragon is genuinely tame, and not simply drugged into docility. 
   In the detailed descriptions of dragon behaviour, training methods, and husbandry, 'Joust' reminds me somewhat of another fantasy I've read recently - 'Zenn Scarlett' by Christian Schoon, discussed here. I'd recommend both of these novels to any young person interested in animals. Also, interestingly, while the slavery aspect of 'Joust' is actually much more explicit and discussed more frequently than in 'Blood of Tyrants', I didn't feel that it was as thought-provoking. Altogether a very fun read. 
   Exciting news - I've just received my advance reading copy of Scott Lynch's long-awaited follow-up to 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' and 'Red Seas Under Red Skies' - 'The Republic of Thieves'. I can't wait to read, and I'll let you know (spoiler-free) closer to the release date!