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01: Skirmish by Michelle West
Jan. 9th, 2012 07:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
inkstoneThis is the fourth novel in Michelle Sagara's (writing under the Michelle West name) House War series, which in turn is part of her larger traditional fantasy milieu about the continuing struggle against the impending arrival of the Lord of Hell. While the previous three novels in this particular series filled in the gaps of Jewel's background and past, this book is set in the present timeline.
While I liked the previous three books well enough -- especially the first one though not so much the third -- this book reminds me of why I love Michelle West's brand of epic fantasy. Unlike the previous three books, you don't know what's going to happen so there's a lot more dramatic tension which suits her narrative style. You can see the groundwork being laid down for the end of the world, although we're a few books away from that yet.
In this book, Jewel (finally) comes into her own as her house prepares the funeral rites for their fallen lord, The Terafin. There's the usual demonic interference, magical battles and since it's Jewel, we learn more about the kind of powers the seerborn of old used to have. We also learn a little more about Haval's background -- or rather, a lot more -- and it confirms why he's so good at he does. (And I'm not talking about the dressmaking.) The talking cats make a return and while I can understand why some people would find them twee, they cracked me up and lighten what would otherwise be such a solemn, griefstricken book. They acted so much like cats: "I'm bored. Entertain me!!"
As a reader who was a little disappointed by the last book in this series, this one really re-energized my interest again so I'm really excited to see what happens next. Unfortunately, the next installment is not due out for another year. Le sigh.
On the downside, it would be nice if the cover artist would try to take into consideration that Jewel is biracial in this world's context and unless I've been reading the books wrong all these years, actually has darker skin than that.
[Mods: As you can see, I tried to tag this post but I must not be awake yet this morning because I'm not entirely confident I did it correctly despite having read the FAQ. D:]
While I liked the previous three books well enough -- especially the first one though not so much the third -- this book reminds me of why I love Michelle West's brand of epic fantasy. Unlike the previous three books, you don't know what's going to happen so there's a lot more dramatic tension which suits her narrative style. You can see the groundwork being laid down for the end of the world, although we're a few books away from that yet.
In this book, Jewel (finally) comes into her own as her house prepares the funeral rites for their fallen lord, The Terafin. There's the usual demonic interference, magical battles and since it's Jewel, we learn more about the kind of powers the seerborn of old used to have. We also learn a little more about Haval's background -- or rather, a lot more -- and it confirms why he's so good at he does. (And I'm not talking about the dressmaking.) The talking cats make a return and while I can understand why some people would find them twee, they cracked me up and lighten what would otherwise be such a solemn, griefstricken book. They acted so much like cats: "I'm bored. Entertain me!!"
As a reader who was a little disappointed by the last book in this series, this one really re-energized my interest again so I'm really excited to see what happens next. Unfortunately, the next installment is not due out for another year. Le sigh.
On the downside, it would be nice if the cover artist would try to take into consideration that Jewel is biracial in this world's context and unless I've been reading the books wrong all these years, actually has darker skin than that.
[Mods: As you can see, I tried to tag this post but I must not be awake yet this morning because I'm not entirely confident I did it correctly despite having read the FAQ. D:]
