- Paperback: 429 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Press; paperback / softback edition (5 Dec 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0593049853
- ISBN-13: 978-0593049853
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 15.4 x 4.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,002,304 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Review
'This is no run-of-the-mill good-versus-evil fantasy potboiler....this is complex, ambitious writing with an engrossing plot.' - SFX. 'Ash does it in style...she has given us a superb interweaving of character and context, seamless enough to carry us past the threshold of disbelief into a world both magical and firmly, unwaveringly human.' - TOM HOLT. 'Darkly delicious...takes elements from Eastern European folklore and combines them with vampirism, dragons and politics to create an unusual and rich new landscape...filled with surprises and exciting twists. It is a deeply textured read that I found utterly entrancing.' - SF SITE. 'A gem of a fantasy novel that shouldn't be missed. From the moment I read the first page I was hooked and couldn't put it down. She has breathed new life into the familiar scenario...it makes for a very exciting read.' - OUTLAND"
Product Description
Gavril Nagarian, Lord Drakhaon of Azhkendir, is believed dead - perished in the heat of battle. Yet he still lives, and is entrusted with a sacred mission: to rescue the aged Magus, who has been kidnapped and in whose possession are the five priceless rubies that compose the fabled Tears of Artamon. Ancient law decrees that whoever possesses the stones has the power to impose his will over the Empire of New Rossiya. But the task exacts a cost. The drakhaoul that destroyed his forebears has penetrated Gavril's psyche and is gaining power over his soul. As these dark forces seek immortality inside him, so Gavril must feed on the blood of innocents - or die. Toppled by the loss of the Tears of Artamon, Emperor Eugene of Tielen is tormented by his own daemon, but he must defend his lands against King Enguerrand of Francia who claims ownership of the Tears. Yet both men share a common goal: to destroy Gavril Nagarian and the Drakhaoul that lives within him once and for all. Ingenious and unforgettable, "Children of the Serpent Gate" delivers a thrilling conclusion to the epic trials of a man of honour in a world in chaos - one that can only be laid to rest by an Emperor's Tears.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
In this last act of the saga that began with Lord of Snow and Shadows, the Rossiyan Empire stands at a crucial moment in its history. Science and reason have begun to displace an older magical way of the looking at the world. But the release of the Drakhaoul, demonic (or angelic) beings who can take possession of human hosts, threatens to plunge the empire into a new dark age. Also threatening to turn the clock back is the Francian Commanderie - a military order of religious fanatics that effectively controls King Enguerrand of Francia.
In this third act of the drama, Ash continues to work with multiple points of view. By doing this she succeeds in creating a much richer narrative than would have been possible with the omniscient narrator of traditional fantasy. However, the resultant complexity does threaten to overwhelm the narrative flow at times.
Among the several viewpoint characters that Ash has used over the course of the trilogy two stood out for me in this volume: Gavril and Kiukiu. As I read through Children of the Serpent Gate I was struck by how these characters seemed to represent two complementary aspects of the narrative action. Gavril's story takes place entirely within the physical world of Rossiya. Meanwhile Kiukiu, as befits her role as shaman, becomes the protagonist of a parallel story unfolding on a spiritual realm. While Gavril struggles with the Drakhaoul on the physical level, she is working to release the spirits of a number of children who were sacrificed to open a gate to the realm of the Drakhaoul.
Ash has commented that there are no Dark Lords in this fantasy trilogy. In my review of the previous volume, I suggested that while this might be true, the Tielen court alchemist Kaspar Linnaius seemed to be a Rasputin-like figure. However that assessment was premature. In this volume, we see another more sympathetic side of Linnaius. In contrast to the black-and-white characterization of so much contemporary fantasy, Ash has very effectively painted all her characters - even the apparent villains - in various shades of grey.
While the characterization is satisfyingly complex, there is also plenty to satisfy lovers of action: sea battles, sword fights, daring escapes, arcane encounters. Indeed, there is perhaps too much action towards the end of the novel as the various strands of the narrative come rushing together to create a climactic conclusion.
In summary, this is a very satisfying conclusion to a refreshingly different take on the fantasy trilogy. Sarah Ash is definitely a writer to keep an eye on.
In this third act of the drama, Ash continues to work with multiple points of view. By doing this she succeeds in creating a much richer narrative than would have been possible with the omniscient narrator of traditional fantasy. However, the resultant complexity does threaten to overwhelm the narrative flow at times.
Among the several viewpoint characters that Ash has used over the course of the trilogy two stood out for me in this volume: Gavril and Kiukiu. As I read through Children of the Serpent Gate I was struck by how these characters seemed to represent two complementary aspects of the narrative action. Gavril's story takes place entirely within the physical world of Rossiya. Meanwhile Kiukiu, as befits her role as shaman, becomes the protagonist of a parallel story unfolding on a spiritual realm. While Gavril struggles with the Drakhaoul on the physical level, she is working to release the spirits of a number of children who were sacrificed to open a gate to the realm of the Drakhaoul.
Ash has commented that there are no Dark Lords in this fantasy trilogy. In my review of the previous volume, I suggested that while this might be true, the Tielen court alchemist Kaspar Linnaius seemed to be a Rasputin-like figure. However that assessment was premature. In this volume, we see another more sympathetic side of Linnaius. In contrast to the black-and-white characterization of so much contemporary fantasy, Ash has very effectively painted all her characters - even the apparent villains - in various shades of grey.
While the characterization is satisfyingly complex, there is also plenty to satisfy lovers of action: sea battles, sword fights, daring escapes, arcane encounters. Indeed, there is perhaps too much action towards the end of the novel as the various strands of the narrative come rushing together to create a climactic conclusion.
In summary, this is a very satisfying conclusion to a refreshingly different take on the fantasy trilogy. Sarah Ash is definitely a writer to keep an eye on.
Format:Paperback
After waiting for ages to get my hands on the conclusion to this fantastic trilogy it did not disappoint. It kept me gripped, right to then end, and I'm interested to see if Sarah manages to to anything with the characters beyond the trilogy, the ending is certainly open enough. The trilogy is, all in all, a very satisfying read, with complex characters, a gripping story and all set in an imaginative world with a beautiful landscape.
Format:Paperback
I have been waiting for ages for the final part of the trilogy and finally it was here! All the ends were neatly tied up and most of these were happy ones, which I always like. I re-read the first two parts and then the final part over Christmas - a great present! I would recommend this trilogy wholeheartedly.
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