FANTASY REVIEW: Harbinger of the Storm - Aliette De Bodard

Release Date: 12/01/11

SYNOPSIS:

The year is Two House and the Mexica Empire teeters on the brink of destruction, lying vulnerable to the flesh-eating star-demons – and to the return of their creator, a malevolent goddess only held in check by the Protector God’s power.

The council is convening to choose a new emperor, but when a councilman is found dead, only Acatl, High Priest of the Dead, can solve the mystery.

When he hears rumours of a sinister cabal of sorcerors he must face up to demons, not all of them his own.


REVIEW:

Having had problems with Aliette’s principle character in her original release, I wondered how this next title would improve upon what has gone before. Here, Aliette has gone back and done some major reworking which when backed with the depth to which this tale develops allows the reader to find some hooks to get behind for this, the principle player which when added to the hard work and world building of what has gone before makes this something pretty special. Its unique it has a great concept behind and above all else it has mystery and magic which takes this crime thriller into a whole new theatre.

Back that up with some seriously descent prose, some cracking story telling as well as a serious sense of pace which allows the lulls and peaks to take you by surprise and it’s a treat all the way through. Finally back that up with characters that the reader can associate with and you know that Aliette is an author to not only watch but one to set your standards by. Great stuff.