- Paperback: 480 pages
- Publisher: Tor; New edition edition (16 April 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0330492071
- ISBN-13: 978-0330492072
- Product Dimensions: 17.2 x 11 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,538,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
A glowing fantasy unfolds in a magical alternative Venice
Book Description
In an ancient maritime city full of beauty and wealth, the people are ruled by an elderly duke - and also by the Church. From the mysterious Empire to the north are imported products of amazing technology, including 'genics' - the genetically engineered people coveted by the wealthy as their servants and playthings. Since the Church refuses to recognize genics as human, they lead an existence of degradation and virtual slavery. Yet, beyond the city itself, sea genics live in freedom on and around the outer islands of the lagoon, placed there by the Council to regulate the city's water levels. Long ignored and unrecognized, they have come to form among themselves a second republic of the sea.This is the story of four genics in their quest for fulfilment, following the discovery of a ring containing a holy relic of immense significance. 'Baldry's greatest skill is in sketching the contrast between the city's jewelled surface and the corruption underneath' Guardian 'Colourful and entertaining' The Alien Online
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
This book has a strong opening: lots of interesting concepts, a fascinating setting and a fair few mysteries to ponder. And then to my eye it runs out of steam - I really want to know what happens, but find the style - lots of courtly manners and formal dialogue - dreadfully hard going. There are good plot developments, but they seemed a long time coming. If you like your intrigue to be developed slowly, perhaps to illustrate more clearly a society bogged down in tradition, then this is worth a try. If you're into rebellion and off-the-wall ideas, then perhaps not.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is an adult fairy story with some horror and hinted sexuality blended in. It is narrated in a very simple almost prudish style (reminded me very slightly of Jane Austin), I thought it would appeal to 12-13 year olds. The story style is refreshing and overall the ideas in the book are entertaining. It is obvious who the goodies and baddies are, though the characters are subtly drawn showing flaws and leading the reader to like and dislike individuals as the story develops. As with all fairytales this can be understood on a number of levels, unfortunately the writer did not use the opportunity to develop this well, so only the clear storyline is obvious. If you look deeper there is nothing there. However as a well written escapist tale it transports you for a short time into an alternative Venice that many would enjoy a visit to.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I saw this reviewed well in the Guardian and bought it. Nothing wrong with the plot outline: renaissance society in a timeless 'Venice' is changed through the influence of genetically modified human slaves brought in from a foreign state. Church and tradition regard the genics as sub-human, how will four of them find their places in this water-lapped city? I got inreasingly fed-up, though, with the over simplifications running through the book. The evil count - Count Dracone, puhleese - is nothing but a cypher trafficking with devils, all that is needed to deal with his machinations is faith, and all the presumably deep-ingrained prejudice against the genics is smoothly washed away by a few people speaking out against it. For me, the bones of a good story, but lacking shades of grey and enough character detail to believe in them.
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