Shadow and Betrayal: Book One of The Long Price
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Product Description
Review
Enjoyable, intelligent, original fantasy (Starburst )
One of the most elegant and engaging fantasies I've read in years, based on an intriguing, original premise. I eagerly await the remaining volumes in Daniel Abraham's The Long Price Quartet (Jacqueline Carey )
In addition to the creation of an architecturally-perfect fantasy world filled with a fascinating, highly distinctive set of characters, Daniel Abraham has introduced into fantasy one brilliant, stunning new idea, a magic system in which the Word is made Flesh (Walter Jon Williams on A Shadow in Summer )
There's something genuinely new here. . . Fascinating (Locus )
One of the most elegant and engaging fantasies I've read in years, based on an intriguing, original premise. I eagerly await the remaining volumes in Daniel Abraham's The Long Price Quartet (Jacqueline Carey )
In addition to the creation of an architecturally-perfect fantasy world filled with a fascinating, highly distinctive set of characters, Daniel Abraham has introduced into fantasy one brilliant, stunning new idea, a magic system in which the Word is made Flesh (Walter Jon Williams on A Shadow in Summer )
There's something genuinely new here. . . Fascinating (Locus )
Book Description
A powerful and elegant fantasy debut from an author destined to become a major new name in the field.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The world is in a state of flux. The old Empire has fallen and the new upstart nation of Galt is flexing its muscles, making inroads on three continents. Yet the city-states of the Khaiem are not concerned. They wield the power of the andat, concepts and ideas that through the magic of those known as poets are given humanoid form and wield tremendous power, enough to give the rulers of Galt pause. To be a poet is one of the most prestigious jobs it is possible to achieve, but for every one who makes it many drop out in their training. A very promising young poet-to-be named Otah learns some unpalatable truths about his destiny and disappears during training, but leaves a vivid impression on another student, Maati. Many years later their paths cross in the fabled city of Saraykeht as they confront a dark conspiracy that could shatter the power of the Khaiem and cost one man his soul and self-respect.
Daniel Abraham's debut two novels are a tremendous breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre. Abraham hasn't gained as much attention as some other high-profile recent debuts (Abercrombie, Lynch and Rothfuss in particular), possibly as his European debut has some some time after his American, but hopefully this will be rectified. These two books are inventive, clever and possess a strong moral core. That Abraham attended writing courses led by George R.R. Martin should come as no surprise, but echoes of other fantasists (particularly the emotional resonance of Guy Gavriel Kay) can be detected as well in his work. His characters are deeply flawed and human, but also utterly convincing in motivation and deed. His fantasy landscape is well-realised, with summer-blessed Saraykeht and cold, distant Machi becoming as much characters as any of the humans (or magical andat) in the tales.
An area where Abraham wins out is his description of hierarchy. A lot of fantasy writers decide to have their heroes in a feudal society come to some pretty radical ideas (equal rights between the sexes, universal sufferage, even republicanism) very quickly, possibly out of fear that they'll be seen as endorsing feudalism or serfdom if they don't. Abraham doesn't do this. His is a world of rigid hierarchal layers with each person fitting into their allotted place, underlined by an alternate method of communication which relies on poses and hand-signals. When one character does start to question how his world does things, it is as logical development of his background and his upbringing.
Are there flaws? Some. The underlying 'threat' in both books is pretty similar and it could be argued that Betrayal is somewhat of a rewrite of Shadow but in a different season and setting. However, the emotional cost to the characters is much greater in the second volume and its ending propels the series onto a different tack altogether. Another potential problem for readers is that Abraham adopts a Columbo-like approach to the story, giving us both the protagonist and antagonists' point-of-view so that the reader is (mostly) in full knowledge of all aspects of the plot. This is an idea I haven't seen pursued in SF&F much and I found it quite intriguing, but I can see some complaining that it reduces tension. Another problem is a fault of the publisher, not the author, and that is that the sudden twelve-odd year leap forward between the two books is a bit jarring.
The Long Price: Shadow and Betrayal is a superb, resonant story that catches the attention and engages both the intellect and heart.
Daniel Abraham's debut two novels are a tremendous breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre. Abraham hasn't gained as much attention as some other high-profile recent debuts (Abercrombie, Lynch and Rothfuss in particular), possibly as his European debut has some some time after his American, but hopefully this will be rectified. These two books are inventive, clever and possess a strong moral core. That Abraham attended writing courses led by George R.R. Martin should come as no surprise, but echoes of other fantasists (particularly the emotional resonance of Guy Gavriel Kay) can be detected as well in his work. His characters are deeply flawed and human, but also utterly convincing in motivation and deed. His fantasy landscape is well-realised, with summer-blessed Saraykeht and cold, distant Machi becoming as much characters as any of the humans (or magical andat) in the tales.
An area where Abraham wins out is his description of hierarchy. A lot of fantasy writers decide to have their heroes in a feudal society come to some pretty radical ideas (equal rights between the sexes, universal sufferage, even republicanism) very quickly, possibly out of fear that they'll be seen as endorsing feudalism or serfdom if they don't. Abraham doesn't do this. His is a world of rigid hierarchal layers with each person fitting into their allotted place, underlined by an alternate method of communication which relies on poses and hand-signals. When one character does start to question how his world does things, it is as logical development of his background and his upbringing.
Are there flaws? Some. The underlying 'threat' in both books is pretty similar and it could be argued that Betrayal is somewhat of a rewrite of Shadow but in a different season and setting. However, the emotional cost to the characters is much greater in the second volume and its ending propels the series onto a different tack altogether. Another potential problem for readers is that Abraham adopts a Columbo-like approach to the story, giving us both the protagonist and antagonists' point-of-view so that the reader is (mostly) in full knowledge of all aspects of the plot. This is an idea I haven't seen pursued in SF&F much and I found it quite intriguing, but I can see some complaining that it reduces tension. Another problem is a fault of the publisher, not the author, and that is that the sudden twelve-odd year leap forward between the two books is a bit jarring.
The Long Price: Shadow and Betrayal is a superb, resonant story that catches the attention and engages both the intellect and heart.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
First off this contains two books, so is excellent value for money.
This is one of the most original fantasies I've read in terms of execution. Far less epic and more concerned with economics and relationships than huge battles and murder. I think it could have done with something more substantial to it but I can see how many people may love this approach to fantasy. I did enjoy the concept of the Andat, thoughts/forces made corporeal, and Seedless was very interesting in his motives and behaviour. I thought the poses were a nice touch although they sometimes took me out of the story as i was wondering what a pose of "respectful query", etc might look like.
The second book has even more in common with a shakespearean tragedy and while the characterisation is excellent the plotting is still a little pedestrian. Part of the problem is that the readers know exactly who is behind the murders, leaving the characters trying to solve the mystery look a little stupid and leaving me a little frustrated in places. I hope the remaining half of the series starts to address the bigger machinations at work within this world. Excellently written but could do with a sharper execution.
For people who are tired of the "grim and gritty" fantasy trend but still want an intelligent and mature story, they should really check this out. I enjoyed it enough to try out the second collection but I suspect many will love the approach far more.
This is one of the most original fantasies I've read in terms of execution. Far less epic and more concerned with economics and relationships than huge battles and murder. I think it could have done with something more substantial to it but I can see how many people may love this approach to fantasy. I did enjoy the concept of the Andat, thoughts/forces made corporeal, and Seedless was very interesting in his motives and behaviour. I thought the poses were a nice touch although they sometimes took me out of the story as i was wondering what a pose of "respectful query", etc might look like.
The second book has even more in common with a shakespearean tragedy and while the characterisation is excellent the plotting is still a little pedestrian. Part of the problem is that the readers know exactly who is behind the murders, leaving the characters trying to solve the mystery look a little stupid and leaving me a little frustrated in places. I hope the remaining half of the series starts to address the bigger machinations at work within this world. Excellently written but could do with a sharper execution.
For people who are tired of the "grim and gritty" fantasy trend but still want an intelligent and mature story, they should really check this out. I enjoyed it enough to try out the second collection but I suspect many will love the approach far more.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's been a very long time since I've read such an enjoyably complete story - although technically 4 books it's sold in 2 tomes and thus (brilliantly to my mind) avoids the hackneyed cliche of the middle volume of a trilogy that often seems there just to draw a plot over too many pages and to get you to buy another book.
Whatever, Daniel Abraham tells a fine story with an engagingly original style - I'm not a fan of giving away best bits and the like, but would add that it's one of the only books where I've slowed up in the final chapters to take in the enormity of the journeys that the surviving characters have been on.
Buy it and find some quiet time and places to have disbelief suspended.
:o)
Whatever, Daniel Abraham tells a fine story with an engagingly original style - I'm not a fan of giving away best bits and the like, but would add that it's one of the only books where I've slowed up in the final chapters to take in the enormity of the journeys that the surviving characters have been on.
Buy it and find some quiet time and places to have disbelief suspended.
:o)
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Grows on you!
Five months ago I would have given this book 3 stars and not have bothered buying the next as I thought it was rather slow. Read more
Published 12 months ago by rithskaya
Poetic and enthralling
Well written and thought provoking, this is an amazing debut novel. The author has created a world that you can imagine living in, peopled with characters that have realistic and... Read more
Published 15 months ago by MKL Yoong
Slow build, but a stunning story.
I have to say I loved this book, or duo of books, they were not the fastest action paced books I've read, but I think these books would have been spoiled that way. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Lewis J. King
Slow, dull, tedious, unpleasant
I use books for a chance to escape into a different world, but have developed such a dislike of the story and the characters that reading it is a chore. Read more
Published 17 months ago by katdee
Different
I am not sure about this book, I love it one minute and hate the next. Lots of intrigue, love and supernatural spirits in a story that reminds me of an early Japanese movie.
Published 17 months ago by Mr. Hugh Allen
An excellent debut
There are a number of aspects that can help one fantasy novel stand out. Excellent prose. Deft, inventive worldbuilding. Read more
Published 20 months ago by James Long (Speculative Horizons blog)
Good Story But a Bit Slow
This is a well written novel with an interesting background and a well constructed plot. However most of the book plods along at a very slow pace with dreary dialogue between some... Read more
Published 21 months ago by F. White
New ideas and good execution
If you're looking for the same old fantasy of elves and orcs with clean lines between the good and the bad, this is not the book for you. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Saihyol
Worth a look
This is a well written book. I bought it on a bit of a punt as running out of books by authors I have read previously and wan't disappointed. Read more
Published on 9 April 2010 by B. Cowan
Something new for a change
An interesting book (actually a compendium of the first two books in a series). A fantasy novel set in a vaguely Japanese / oriental setting. Read more
Published on 5 May 2009 by Corvinus
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