James Calbraith

2.5 stars. The first part of the book, that featured Bran at school and fighting with his father, was more annoying than enjoyable. When we moved to Yamato and focused on the two girls, one of whom is primarily functioning as her father's son and heir, the story engaged me. Unfortunately there's a cliff-hanger ending, and it looks like there's going to be a lot of political intrigue before we get back to the level of the story I find enjoyable. So I'm not sure whether I'll pursue the sequel.

Also, pet peeves:
- there is no such word as "wizardess." Did we really need to invent that word so as to more deeply inscribe gender roles in a fantasy world?
- This book, and the last fantasy novel I read, both seem to have been infected by the Harry Potter style of magical invocations. Ugh. I guess this is a trend? It's not one I had encountered before.… (mehr)

The Saxon Spears opens to a scene of tumult as a young man remembers his early years but he isn’t sure if the memories are real or due to the stories he’s been told. He is a slave and all he has left from this old life he remembers is rune that he wears around his neck. He is living with old servants who tolerate his presence but he finds he wants more. This young boy has been given the name Ash and he sets out to make his future brighter.

Soon Ash is learning to read and write with the master’s son and they become like brothers. He proves to be adept as a warrior and takes this to be his calling. The politics of the time are complicated and his heritage is fraught as Ash has to decide if he is going to follow the path of his adopted family or of the family of his birth.

This was such a richly detailed book full of really great characters. A little gory at times – we are dealing with war and such but nothing super disgusting. I found myself wanting to know more about the time period – as much as I love English history I’m really lacking in my knowledge of these early days. The early tribes have such fascinating stories attached to them and Mr. Calbraith does a wonderful job of bringing the time period alive. There is another book coming as a follow up to this one and I will look forward to reading it.… (mehr)