Release Date: 08/10/15
Publisher: Gollancz
SYNOPSIS:
With his rich evocation of the Italian Renaissance-like realm of Landfall, his uniquely appealing way with flawed yet empathic characters and his ability to write gripping scenes of both action and subterfuge, Den Patrick has already established himself as a new favourite for fans of Scott Lynch and Robin Hobb alike.
Ten years have passed since the disappearence of Lucien and his protege, the young swordsman Dino, is struggling to live up to Lucien's legacy. Sworn to protect the silent queen Anea as she struggles to bring a new democracy to Demesne, Dino finds himself drawn into a deadly game of political intrigue as the aristocratic families of Landfall conspire to protect their privilege. Always ready to prove himself as a swordsman Dino is anguished to discover that in order to fulfil his vow he must become both spy and assassion.
And all the while the dark secret at the heart of Demesne is growing towards fulfilment.
REVIEW:
The follow on book from Den in his Erebus series (the first being The Boy with the Porcelain Blade) and whilst I gave the previous book a solid review, I wasn’t enamoured enough to rate it any higher. However with a lot of the hard work done on the world building in the first, this title helps not only expand on character development but also gives additional dimensions to the authors work. Its well written, the action is crisp and all round I enjoyed this book way more and as such think its not only better than the first but also establishes a solid world for future outings for Den to twist and turn to his own devices. Cracking.
With his first full length novel out today (previously we reviewed Den Patrick's Elves and Orc's War Fighting Manual, we thought it was time for readers to get to know the author. So without further ado, here is Den with how he constructed the epic world for "The Boy with the Porcelain Sword."
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Creating new worlds for Fantasy novels can be a double edged sword, pun intended. At one extreme you need to have a clear idea of what the world contains and how those different elements interact with each other. The other end of the spectrum means you can leave things so vague the reader never really feels immersed in the setting. What’s the use of Fantasy if you can’t indulge in the ‘Wow!’ factor every so often?
Once created the temptation is write large sections of text telling the reader just how amazing it all is, demonstrating how much work you’ve done. No one loves an info dumper, unless you’re reading a source book for a Dungeons and Dragons setting, or War-Fighting Manual. Far better to explain the world as the protagonist experiences it, skewing it with their opinions and bias.
The world building for The Erebus Sequence was very light initially. The vast castle of Demesne is arranged like maltese cross, each spoke home to one of the major families, Fontein, Contadino and Prospero. The exception to the rule is House Erudito who are a gathering of scholars, rather than a hereditary family. At the center of this cross is the vast circular keep where the king resides in seclusion. Each House and keep of Demesne is seven lofty stories of gothic architecture, with courtyards thrown into the mix. Labyrinthine corridors connect the many apartments, kitchens, pantries, great halls, practice chambers and classrooms. Some corridors lead only to cobwebby dead ends and few if any are sufficiently lit else Demesne bankrupt itself buying candles.
The great Houses also shelter minor Houses under their roof, forming alliances with other estates, scattered across the island of Landfall. I wouldn’t ‘discover’ these estates until I’d written book 2. There wasn’t any need for this information, and so it remained uninvented. I’d written a good deal of book two before the final edits of The Boy with the Porcelain Blade were turned in, so I was able to go back and seed this new worldbuilding into descriptions and conversations. I ret-conned my own world in a minor way, but only the handful of test readers, my agent, and my editor could tell the difference.
Possibly the greatest part of worldbuilding is not the world itself, but the traditions of Landfall. The Orfano are misshapen foundlings, discovered on the steps of the great Houses every few years. So why aren’t they killed or left to the elements? No one wants an extra mouth to feed, and physical difference has ever been barrier to acceptance. On Landfall, and specifically in Demesne, the king has passed an edict declaring that Orfano must be cared for by a great House until their sixteenth birthday where they may apply to be adopted by another House. This is an important distinction as the Houses are divided by function. Contadino, the famers. Fontein, the soldiers. Prospero, the merchants and artisans. Erudito, the seat of learning. But why has the king set the edict at all? It’s good to set up mysteries, questions that will receive answers over the course of the novel.
I’ve always loved creating and interacting with fictional worlds. From Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay to the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, from Greyhawk to Forgotten Realms, and the city of Corvis in the Iron Kingdoms will always have a place in my heart. It’s by studying these fictional worlds (and not discounting our own) that we can become inspired to try and play God ourselves. And there are the worlds in books. The Erebus Sequence owes a debt to Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast, but also to the culture and mood of Florence and Sienna (I visited these long before the first coders started on Assassin’s Creed). The Houses of Landfall were inspired in part by the feuding Atreides and Harkonnens of Dune, but quickly took on their own personalities and histories.
Landfall wasn’t created in seven days, or even seven months. I hope I’ll continue unearthing new facts about this fictional world, I hope I leave in plenty of mystery too. I hope you’ll join me in discovering it.
Release Date: 20/03/14
Publisher: Gollancz
SYNOPSIS:
An ornate yet dark fantasy, with echoes of Mervyn Peake, Robin Hobb and Jon Courtenay Grimwood. An original and beautifully imagined world, populated by unforgettable characters. Lucien de Fontein has grown up different. One of the mysterious and misshapen Orfano who appear around the Kingdom of Landfall, he is a talented fighter yet constantly lonely, tormented by his deformity, and well aware that he is a mere pawn in a political game. Ruled by an insane King and the venomous Majordomo, it is a world where corruption and decay are deeply rooted - but to a degree Lucien never dreams possible when he first discovers the plight of the 'insane' women kept in the haunting Sanatoria. Told in a continuous narrative interspersed with flashbacks we see Lucien grow up under the care of his tutors. We watch him forced through rigorous Testings, and fall in love, set against his yearning to discover where he comes from, and how his fate is tied to that of every one of the deformed Orfano in the Kingdom, and of the eerie Sanatoria itself.
REVIEW:
With this being Den’s first full length novel (his other three releases being the Art of War Manuals for Dwarves, Elves and Orcs) I was really interested to see what he’d bring to the fore and whilst this had aspects of Jon Courtenay Grimwoods Assassini trilogy I found that it stood out upon its own two feet as we’re thrust into a strange new fantasy world that seeks to bring the readers a touch of believable history that will transport you with ease into Den’s world.
The book features a very interesting protagonist who has his illusions thrust to one side as he seeks to find his place with cracking action sequences, some wonderful turns of phrase and all round allows the reader to explore the world at their leisure. Back this up with a solid supporting cast and a few twists as the authors sleight of hand plays away in the background all round generates a tale that left me hanging for more. Great stuff
Release Date: 19/09/13
Publisher: Gollancz
SYNOPSIS:
A manual, complete with illustrations, that looks at the Elvish race and the way they fight war. With a history of the race, an assessment on how they, as immortals, face death, and accounts of famous engagements, this is the perfect companion for any fantasy wargamer or roleplayer, as well as being a door into a wonderful and original fantasy world.
REVIEW:
Having read and loved the Orc Fighting Manual, I really couldn’t wait to see what Den would bring to the fore with the pointy eared ones. OK, so they’re a different flavour to the Orcs but the way that the book is put together works really well. I love the way that the manual is modified for the various strengths of their culture and of course works wonderfully well on all levels.
Add to the mix a strong voice in bringing it all together alongside some cracking artwork, all round gives you something fun to sit back and enjoy. A definite collection that will be tons of fun for the fan and fantasy writer in all of us.
Release Date: 22/08/13
Publisher: Gollancz
SYNOPSIS:
Written in the form of a soldier's manual on strategy, tactics and weapons THE ORCS WAR-FIGHTING MANUAL is an innovative and fun way for readers and gamers to add colour and excitement to their knowledge of fantasy's premier villains.
Translated from the original Orcish the book contains details on Orc strengths and weakness, key tactics, survival and field tips and accounts of notorious battles from Orc history as well as key tips on defeating Elves and Dwarves. Puny humans are not considered worth discussing.
With companion volumes for Elves and Dwarves, gaming and comics writer Den Patrick builds up his very own fantasy world and tells its history in a unique and entertaining way.
Illustrated throughout and comes complete with battle and formation maps.
REVIEW:
Ah, fighting manuals for the various races in the Fantasy world and something that is not only fun but imaginative. With the pointy eared ones and stunties to follow (Elves and Dwarves to most people) I’m a firm fan of the Greenskins who often get the bad side of the press except from authors like Stan Nicholls who gives them a whole host of adventures that are a joy to read.
Here within this book is an inventive history, battle tactics and of course details of them as a whole told from their own point of view. All round it’s a good bit of fun and a series that is going to hold price and place in my own collection for quite some time. (Provided I can make sure that some sneaky so and so doesn’t nip in and steal it.)
