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The Nessantico Cycle #1
A Magic of Twilight
A masterwork of fantasy, The Nessantico Cycle is the epic tale of an empire at its height, yet poised on the brink of what could be a devastating descent into ruin. Told from the viewpoints of numerous characters, it is a sweeping saga of murder and magic (portrayed both as a powerful religion and a forbidden art), of deception and betrayal, of Machiavellian politics, star-crossed lovers, and a realm facing war on every front.
The opening novel in an intricate and spellbinding fantasy series. "One of the rising stars of Celtic fantasy."
The opening novel in an intricate and spellbinding fantasy series. "One of the rising stars of Celtic fantasy."
546 pages, Hardcover
First published February 5, 2008
25 people are currently reading
1217 people want to read
About the author
S.L. Farrell
12 books50 followersS.L. Farrell also writes as Stephen Leigh and Matthew Farrell.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 18, 2013
Não lembro ao certo onde li pela primeira vez sobre O Trono do Sol... Mas lembro que o que mais me chamou a atenção foi a arte da capa. Linda! Impossível não se interessar. Lendo a sinopse, eu já tinha uma certeza: eu queria aquele livro.
Porém, havia uma declaração de George Martin, que me deixou com uma pulga atrás da orelha. Mesmo me prometendo não criar expectativas muito altas para a nova série, denominada Ciclo Nessântico, tinha muito medo de me decepcionar. Afinal, a Leya fez de tudo para associar a obra de S.L Farrel ao novo fenômeno mundial As Crônicas de Gelo e Fogo. Até acrescentaram um título “extra” no tomo. O Trono do Sol não faz parte do título original, que se chama, em tradução livre, Uma Magia do Crepúsculo. Devido à desgraça em que caiu a palavra crepúsculo nos últimos tempos, aqui no Brasil não quiseram se arriscar e resolveram chamar o livro de A Magia da Alvorada.
Espera aí! A série é denominada Ciclo Nessântico, o título do livro é A Magia da Alvorada, então para quê outro subtítulo, O Trono do Sol? Pois é. Alusão a certo trono de ferro, em... Deixa para lá. O fato é que estava temeroso em encontrar uma cópia mal executada da obra de Martin, mas acabei comprando mesmo assim. Confesso que essa minha preocupação foi desnecessária.
Existem poucas semelhanças entre o Ciclo Nessântico e a obra de G. R. R Martin. Quase nenhuma. A Magia da Alvorada – O Trono do Sol, narra os acontecimentos em Nessântico, uma cidade inspirada nas cidades renascentistas européias, e o foco da trama é voltado para as disputas religiosas e pelo controle da cidade de Nessântico, símbolo de poder e riqueza.
S. L. Farrel criou toda uma estrutura hierárquica para a sociedade, o que pode confundir o leitor, principalmente no início. Além disso, vários termos foram cunhados excepcionalmente para a obra, fazendo que tenhamos que recorrer ao glossário inúmeras vezes, até nos adaptarmos. Os nomes dos personagens também são complicados, e com uma pronúncia esquisita. Mas em compensação, a narrativa é rápida e fluente, e apesar do número de páginas, é uma leitura fácil.
Infelizmente, os personagens com algumas exceções, como o mendigo Mahri e o Archigos (espécie de papa da Concézia) Dhosti Ca’Millac, são apagados e mediocremente desenvolvidos, e para mim, foi impossível simpatizar com a causa destes. A protagonista Ana Co’Seranta é apática, sem motivação própria, sempre sendo manipulada, e sofre algumas alterações comportamentais inexplicáveis. Outro ponto que me incomodou foi o destino de vários personagens. Além de primar por uma boa concepção, eu acredito que um autor deve saber sacrificá-los, para que a morte não seja algo superficial e sem importância para o restante da história, e Farrel parece não ter se aprimorado muito nisso...
Porém, o livro tem seus méritos, e um dos pontos mais interessante na obra é a crítica a algumas religiões, e aos malefícios de se considerar um livro escrito e alterado pelos homens ao longo dos séculos como algo sagrado e tê-lo como uma lei para ditar os costumes da sociedade. Fiquei decepcionado, porém, no final, porque toda essa crítica parece ter sido descartada pelo autor ao trazer os numetodos (ateus?) como inferiores, e quase se (re)convertendo à Concézia.
O final do livro, aliás, é bem fraquinho. Tenho o (mau) hábito de adotar certos autores como modelos de excelência para determinados assuntos, Bernard Cornwell é o meu modelo para batalhas, e Farrel falha miseravelmente ao escrever a guerra por Nessântico. Em toda a contenda, nada faz muito sentido, principalmente o comportamento dos generais. Além disso, o autor opta por um final preguiçoso, absurdo e incoerente, deixando vários acontecimentos sem explicações. Pode-se alegar que, como sendo parte de uma série, essas explicações virão nos próximos volumes. Pode ser, mas o epílogo dá a entender que o próximo livro se passará algumas décadas depois. E a menos que Farrel ressuscite certos personagens, algumas perguntas permanecerão sem respostas.
Talvez minhas impressões tenham sido influenciadas pelo final lastimável, e por isto dou três estrelas, mas poderia ter sido quatro (editado - reduzi minha avaliação para ficar condizente com a resenha). Mas quero deixar claro que, se tivesse a opção, três e meio seria a minha avaliação. Um bom livro - com problemas, é verdade - que promete uma série com potencial.
Porém, havia uma declaração de George Martin, que me deixou com uma pulga atrás da orelha. Mesmo me prometendo não criar expectativas muito altas para a nova série, denominada Ciclo Nessântico, tinha muito medo de me decepcionar. Afinal, a Leya fez de tudo para associar a obra de S.L Farrel ao novo fenômeno mundial As Crônicas de Gelo e Fogo. Até acrescentaram um título “extra” no tomo. O Trono do Sol não faz parte do título original, que se chama, em tradução livre, Uma Magia do Crepúsculo. Devido à desgraça em que caiu a palavra crepúsculo nos últimos tempos, aqui no Brasil não quiseram se arriscar e resolveram chamar o livro de A Magia da Alvorada.
Espera aí! A série é denominada Ciclo Nessântico, o título do livro é A Magia da Alvorada, então para quê outro subtítulo, O Trono do Sol? Pois é. Alusão a certo trono de ferro, em... Deixa para lá. O fato é que estava temeroso em encontrar uma cópia mal executada da obra de Martin, mas acabei comprando mesmo assim. Confesso que essa minha preocupação foi desnecessária.
Existem poucas semelhanças entre o Ciclo Nessântico e a obra de G. R. R Martin. Quase nenhuma. A Magia da Alvorada – O Trono do Sol, narra os acontecimentos em Nessântico, uma cidade inspirada nas cidades renascentistas européias, e o foco da trama é voltado para as disputas religiosas e pelo controle da cidade de Nessântico, símbolo de poder e riqueza.
S. L. Farrel criou toda uma estrutura hierárquica para a sociedade, o que pode confundir o leitor, principalmente no início. Além disso, vários termos foram cunhados excepcionalmente para a obra, fazendo que tenhamos que recorrer ao glossário inúmeras vezes, até nos adaptarmos. Os nomes dos personagens também são complicados, e com uma pronúncia esquisita. Mas em compensação, a narrativa é rápida e fluente, e apesar do número de páginas, é uma leitura fácil.
Infelizmente, os personagens com algumas exceções, como o mendigo Mahri e o Archigos (espécie de papa da Concézia) Dhosti Ca’Millac, são apagados e mediocremente desenvolvidos, e para mim, foi impossível simpatizar com a causa destes. A protagonista Ana Co’Seranta é apática, sem motivação própria, sempre sendo manipulada, e sofre algumas alterações comportamentais inexplicáveis. Outro ponto que me incomodou foi o destino de vários personagens. Além de primar por uma boa concepção, eu acredito que um autor deve saber sacrificá-los, para que a morte não seja algo superficial e sem importância para o restante da história, e Farrel parece não ter se aprimorado muito nisso...
Porém, o livro tem seus méritos, e um dos pontos mais interessante na obra é a crítica a algumas religiões, e aos malefícios de se considerar um livro escrito e alterado pelos homens ao longo dos séculos como algo sagrado e tê-lo como uma lei para ditar os costumes da sociedade. Fiquei decepcionado, porém, no final, porque toda essa crítica parece ter sido descartada pelo autor ao trazer os numetodos (ateus?) como inferiores, e quase se (re)convertendo à Concézia.
O final do livro, aliás, é bem fraquinho. Tenho o (mau) hábito de adotar certos autores como modelos de excelência para determinados assuntos, Bernard Cornwell é o meu modelo para batalhas, e Farrel falha miseravelmente ao escrever a guerra por Nessântico. Em toda a contenda, nada faz muito sentido, principalmente o comportamento dos generais. Além disso, o autor opta por um final preguiçoso, absurdo e incoerente, deixando vários acontecimentos sem explicações. Pode-se alegar que, como sendo parte de uma série, essas explicações virão nos próximos volumes. Pode ser, mas o epílogo dá a entender que o próximo livro se passará algumas décadas depois. E a menos que Farrel ressuscite certos personagens, algumas perguntas permanecerão sem respostas.
Talvez minhas impressões tenham sido influenciadas pelo final lastimável, e por isto dou três estrelas, mas poderia ter sido quatro (editado - reduzi minha avaliação para ficar condizente com a resenha). Mas quero deixar claro que, se tivesse a opção, três e meio seria a minha avaliação. Um bom livro - com problemas, é verdade - que promete uma série com potencial.
January 28, 2009
A Magic of Twilight by S L Farrell
Book 1 of the Nessantico Cycle
Published by DAW Books
Published February 2008
ISBN: 9780756404666
624 pages
You know, there’s an essay to be written somewhere about the influence of history on Fantasy writers. Its influence is often rather clear. The usual template is the medieval model, with the societal trimmings and hierarchy throughout many Fantasy classics. Examples are too numerous to count.
For many, however, it is the influence of the Roman society that predominates: try Sophia McDougall’s Romanitas or Robert Silverberg’s Eterna Roma as recent examples.
Lastly, and most important here, however, is the Renaissance model. For it is such an outline that is a clear influence here. Even the cover of the novel reflects this: though there are figures there, the picture is dominated by a huge ornate throne, next to a global statue, within a bigger domed room. The impression is of Italian architecture, power and sovereignty (though the writer in his Acknowledgements suggests an influence of the French Loire valley.)
Nevertheless, whatever the origins, the story here is of a city: the vast, complex, ornate Nessantico, capital of the Holdings, and the complex machinations (politically and societally) that exist within it. Like the Renaissance period of our history, the story begins at a time, paradoxically, of both stability and change. To this are introduced a broad list of characters, each giving different perspectives on the events that follow.
The novel begins at the point where the ruling leader / Kraljica, Marguerite ca’ Ludovici, is about to celebrate fifty years of power in the city while simultaneously there is unrest in the Kraljica’s dominion. This is partly led by external unrest from the Numetodo, a revolutionary group with a heretical humanistic viewpoint, determined to force change by whatever means necessary. Internally, unrest is also generated at the apex of society by Justi ca’Mazzak, son of the Kraljica and ruler-in-waiting, who feels that it is his time to rule and looks for means of heralding his mother’s retirement.
Away from the royal family, society is powered by its use of magic. This is formulated into society as a religion. Ana cu’Seranta is a Teni acolyte finishing her training in the use of the Ilmodo (the pervasive magic energy changed by its user into a healing power or a weapon of war) as a priestess of the Concenzia Faith (worshipping the god Cenzi.). The leader of the Faith, Dhosti ca’Millac, is a dwarf, the Archigos of the religious group whose main purpose appears to be defending the faith against stagnation and decline. On the opposing side, Orlandi ca’Cellibrecca postulates a traditional view above all others and actively encourages the removal of Dhosti and anyone who veers from the standard rhetoric. Karl ci’Vliomani is one of those who suggests an alternative, if heretical development in society. A Numetodo envoy in the midrange of the societies’ hierarchical structure, he is tolerated as an eccentric outcast.
The day to day running of the city is also examined through the viewpoint of Sergei ca’Rudka, the Commandant of the Garde Kralji and head of the city’s security operations, who attempts to monitor such outbursts of unrest.
Though the city is large, events happen outside the city and give the impression of a greater Empire. Outside the city, the Kraljica’s Garde Civile is supported by the Firenzcian army, commanded by Jan ca’Vorl, Hirzg of Firenzcia. It was due to his army that the Kraljica won her last war, but now, after many years of peace, the Hirzg feels it is time to reassert his position.
Clearly with such a large character list (of which the above is but a short summary), this is a big fat fantasy and the first book in a trilogy to boot. So what does this have to offer, more than the (many) others, that makes it worthy of your attention?
Well, firstly, the world-building is most impressive. Though the Renaissance is an influence, the city and the society within, and without, it are well realised. There is a sense of place, of worldly decadence and decline, which is subtly though well realised. The city has a presence throughout the book, a character as well as a place.
Secondly, for such a lengthy list of characters, the characterisation is also surprisingly rounded. People are not always as positive, nor as negative as is sometimes portrayed. Steve, like many of the currently better-known Fantasy writers, is not afraid to play with our perceptions here. Characters unexpectedly die or have enough ambiguity to make them worth reading.
After the first hundred or so pages of the book, the skilful multiple-person narrative and world building had dragged me in enough to make this book difficult to put down. The events at the end of the book were everything you could hope for in a book of this type, without being totally predictable.
My biggest problem was getting my head around the complicated familial and societal structures, the complicated mouthful of seemingly random letters used to portray nomenclature. This took me a little time to get my head round, though they do follow a system devised around a clearly well thought out hierarchical system (which is explained in the twenty or so pages of the Appendix at the back of the book.)
In summary, if you can get round the complexities of the society and environment, this novel is an engaging mix of schemes, plots and action that many will enjoy. Secure in its own Renaissance-style environment, this novel was a pleasant surprise, and one which deserves greater recognition.
Book 1 of the Nessantico Cycle
Published by DAW Books
Published February 2008
ISBN: 9780756404666
624 pages
You know, there’s an essay to be written somewhere about the influence of history on Fantasy writers. Its influence is often rather clear. The usual template is the medieval model, with the societal trimmings and hierarchy throughout many Fantasy classics. Examples are too numerous to count.
For many, however, it is the influence of the Roman society that predominates: try Sophia McDougall’s Romanitas or Robert Silverberg’s Eterna Roma as recent examples.
Lastly, and most important here, however, is the Renaissance model. For it is such an outline that is a clear influence here. Even the cover of the novel reflects this: though there are figures there, the picture is dominated by a huge ornate throne, next to a global statue, within a bigger domed room. The impression is of Italian architecture, power and sovereignty (though the writer in his Acknowledgements suggests an influence of the French Loire valley.)
Nevertheless, whatever the origins, the story here is of a city: the vast, complex, ornate Nessantico, capital of the Holdings, and the complex machinations (politically and societally) that exist within it. Like the Renaissance period of our history, the story begins at a time, paradoxically, of both stability and change. To this are introduced a broad list of characters, each giving different perspectives on the events that follow.
The novel begins at the point where the ruling leader / Kraljica, Marguerite ca’ Ludovici, is about to celebrate fifty years of power in the city while simultaneously there is unrest in the Kraljica’s dominion. This is partly led by external unrest from the Numetodo, a revolutionary group with a heretical humanistic viewpoint, determined to force change by whatever means necessary. Internally, unrest is also generated at the apex of society by Justi ca’Mazzak, son of the Kraljica and ruler-in-waiting, who feels that it is his time to rule and looks for means of heralding his mother’s retirement.
Away from the royal family, society is powered by its use of magic. This is formulated into society as a religion. Ana cu’Seranta is a Teni acolyte finishing her training in the use of the Ilmodo (the pervasive magic energy changed by its user into a healing power or a weapon of war) as a priestess of the Concenzia Faith (worshipping the god Cenzi.). The leader of the Faith, Dhosti ca’Millac, is a dwarf, the Archigos of the religious group whose main purpose appears to be defending the faith against stagnation and decline. On the opposing side, Orlandi ca’Cellibrecca postulates a traditional view above all others and actively encourages the removal of Dhosti and anyone who veers from the standard rhetoric. Karl ci’Vliomani is one of those who suggests an alternative, if heretical development in society. A Numetodo envoy in the midrange of the societies’ hierarchical structure, he is tolerated as an eccentric outcast.
The day to day running of the city is also examined through the viewpoint of Sergei ca’Rudka, the Commandant of the Garde Kralji and head of the city’s security operations, who attempts to monitor such outbursts of unrest.
Though the city is large, events happen outside the city and give the impression of a greater Empire. Outside the city, the Kraljica’s Garde Civile is supported by the Firenzcian army, commanded by Jan ca’Vorl, Hirzg of Firenzcia. It was due to his army that the Kraljica won her last war, but now, after many years of peace, the Hirzg feels it is time to reassert his position.
Clearly with such a large character list (of which the above is but a short summary), this is a big fat fantasy and the first book in a trilogy to boot. So what does this have to offer, more than the (many) others, that makes it worthy of your attention?
Well, firstly, the world-building is most impressive. Though the Renaissance is an influence, the city and the society within, and without, it are well realised. There is a sense of place, of worldly decadence and decline, which is subtly though well realised. The city has a presence throughout the book, a character as well as a place.
Secondly, for such a lengthy list of characters, the characterisation is also surprisingly rounded. People are not always as positive, nor as negative as is sometimes portrayed. Steve, like many of the currently better-known Fantasy writers, is not afraid to play with our perceptions here. Characters unexpectedly die or have enough ambiguity to make them worth reading.
After the first hundred or so pages of the book, the skilful multiple-person narrative and world building had dragged me in enough to make this book difficult to put down. The events at the end of the book were everything you could hope for in a book of this type, without being totally predictable.
My biggest problem was getting my head around the complicated familial and societal structures, the complicated mouthful of seemingly random letters used to portray nomenclature. This took me a little time to get my head round, though they do follow a system devised around a clearly well thought out hierarchical system (which is explained in the twenty or so pages of the Appendix at the back of the book.)
In summary, if you can get round the complexities of the society and environment, this novel is an engaging mix of schemes, plots and action that many will enjoy. Secure in its own Renaissance-style environment, this novel was a pleasant surprise, and one which deserves greater recognition.
May 9, 2009
I have one phrase for this book: Fantasy Word Salad. I’m sure there’s a more traditional term for the phenomenon, as it’s ridiculously common in fantasy, but if there is, it’s slipped my mind. All you need to know is that this is one of those books that has new words for almost everything and it is completely overwhelming. In addition to all the relevant titles and locations one needs to absorb, the naming conventions of the nobility (all their names start with cu’, ca’, or ci’) made it so I was halfway through the book before I could tell characters apart by names instead of context. Now granted, I’m a (too-)fast reader, and I’ve dealt with this issue before, but I didn’t really have the patience for it this time around. There’s some possibility here - it’s a fantasy in the GRRM everything-is-okay-so-let’s-take-it-to-shit tradition - but I’m afraid my irritation overruled it.
November 17, 2011
I'm not really sure how to rate this book. It was wonderfully written and that's mainly what kept me going. It was easy to read and it just seemed to flow beautifully. I’ve never read anything by Farrell before so everything was very new and fresh for me and I really did enjoy the book.
But. . .
(and isn’t that always the case?)
I truly enjoyed reading about Ana. She was probably my favorite character in the book and her and Karl really worked well together. I wish that her story had been explored a little more in depth. She has this amazing ability with the Ilmodo to a point where she can almost see it around her. She can sense when spells are being made and shape her own spells faster than others. She makes up her own spells and is able to expand them to proportions that others cannot.
Why was this not explored?
I’m not really sure why Farrell chose to give her this amount of power that others can’t reach and barely go into depths about why. I would’ve loved to know more about this part and I would’ve enjoyed following Ana’s story a little more than the others.
Another thing that sat wrong with me was the view points. Not that there was a lot of them. They were handled very well in certain terms; I suppose for the political intrigue part they served their purpose to the best of their ability. However, for characterization it fell flat. There were so many characters and I found myself wanted to know more about certain ones: Ana, Karl and Sergie for example. It’s just a personal wish but I wish that the characters were more the focus.
The ending. What was up with that!? It’s all tied together so neatly and the climax is so. . . dull. Its dealt with quickly and silently with no elaboration on it. I realize this is only the first book but the ending just seemed so cleaned up. I would’ve liked the book to continue for a little bit after, or for the climax to be drawn out just a little bit more.
The A, E, I, O, U. It just sat weird with me. I read the ci and ce the same. Is it supposed to be “sigh” instead of “see” cause “sigh” just seems to throw off the flow of the others. (Side Note: I am aware that it's supposed to be a hard C but I didn't like that as much. So I can use a soft C if I want cause it's my mind :P) Ce, cu, ca all fit well but “sigh” just stands awkwardly for me. So I end up reading ci and ce the same. Which means that in my world if it isn’t written down and you don’t personally know the family it’s unlikely you can tell the difference between ci and ce when spoken. And why throw in the O with the teni’s instead of the I? Not sure what the point of that was. Also the ca, cu, ci and ce are always in lower case, but there were a couple instances in the book when the teni’s got a little confused. It was always capitalized before a name: O’teni Ana. But other times it was written with both upper and lower case. The E’teni walked away, the o’teni danced. Obviously not real examples but they bothered me.
I guess those are really my only issues, and they seem a bit picky but the ending is what really brought this book down for me. I don’t have that feeling of anticipation to read the next book, or the satisfied feeling of a completed book. It’s like I’m in some odd limbo after reading this.
But. . .
(and isn’t that always the case?)
I truly enjoyed reading about Ana. She was probably my favorite character in the book and her and Karl really worked well together. I wish that her story had been explored a little more in depth. She has this amazing ability with the Ilmodo to a point where she can almost see it around her. She can sense when spells are being made and shape her own spells faster than others. She makes up her own spells and is able to expand them to proportions that others cannot.
Why was this not explored?
I’m not really sure why Farrell chose to give her this amount of power that others can’t reach and barely go into depths about why. I would’ve loved to know more about this part and I would’ve enjoyed following Ana’s story a little more than the others.
Another thing that sat wrong with me was the view points. Not that there was a lot of them. They were handled very well in certain terms; I suppose for the political intrigue part they served their purpose to the best of their ability. However, for characterization it fell flat. There were so many characters and I found myself wanted to know more about certain ones: Ana, Karl and Sergie for example. It’s just a personal wish but I wish that the characters were more the focus.
The ending. What was up with that!? It’s all tied together so neatly and the climax is so. . . dull. Its dealt with quickly and silently with no elaboration on it. I realize this is only the first book but the ending just seemed so cleaned up. I would’ve liked the book to continue for a little bit after, or for the climax to be drawn out just a little bit more.
The A, E, I, O, U. It just sat weird with me. I read the ci and ce the same. Is it supposed to be “sigh” instead of “see” cause “sigh” just seems to throw off the flow of the others. (Side Note: I am aware that it's supposed to be a hard C but I didn't like that as much. So I can use a soft C if I want cause it's my mind :P) Ce, cu, ca all fit well but “sigh” just stands awkwardly for me. So I end up reading ci and ce the same. Which means that in my world if it isn’t written down and you don’t personally know the family it’s unlikely you can tell the difference between ci and ce when spoken. And why throw in the O with the teni’s instead of the I? Not sure what the point of that was. Also the ca, cu, ci and ce are always in lower case, but there were a couple instances in the book when the teni’s got a little confused. It was always capitalized before a name: O’teni Ana. But other times it was written with both upper and lower case. The E’teni walked away, the o’teni danced. Obviously not real examples but they bothered me.
I guess those are really my only issues, and they seem a bit picky but the ending is what really brought this book down for me. I don’t have that feeling of anticipation to read the next book, or the satisfied feeling of a completed book. It’s like I’m in some odd limbo after reading this.
November 16, 2021
Eu realmente amei esse livro!
A construção do mundo e e do enredo é muito bem executada e há nos personagens uma certa duplicidade que os humaniza sem os descaracterizar. Todas as suas comparações com GOT são, pelo que sei, bem merecidas, nesses aspectos.
Contudo, também achei que o final foi corrido demais e, por isso, algo confuso... e talvez Essa Falta de "amarração das pontas" se deva ao facto de ele ser o primeiro livro de uma trilogia, no entanto, essa ausência de uma finalização mais concreta para os acontecimentos nele narrados foi, basicamente, o que me levou a não lhe dar as cinco estrelas, de facto.
A construção do mundo e e do enredo é muito bem executada e há nos personagens uma certa duplicidade que os humaniza sem os descaracterizar. Todas as suas comparações com GOT são, pelo que sei, bem merecidas, nesses aspectos.
Contudo, também achei que o final foi corrido demais e, por isso, algo confuso... e talvez Essa Falta de "amarração das pontas" se deva ao facto de ele ser o primeiro livro de uma trilogia, no entanto, essa ausência de uma finalização mais concreta para os acontecimentos nele narrados foi, basicamente, o que me levou a não lhe dar as cinco estrelas, de facto.
April 15, 2017
I greatly enjoyed this book and the intrigue is elaborate and often unpredictable (not always, but often). I am curious to see if more of the western lands make an appearance in the following books, but we shall see. Ana Cu'Seranta is an ingenious character and her forced evolution is refreshing. I believe Farrell is a very talented author and I look forward to the next installments.
April 20, 2010
Excellent start to an epic trilogy about faith, magic, power set in an intriguing Italian like decadent city Nessantico that rules an empire on the point of collapse.
The book takes a while to get into, but there is a detailed glossary that helps ease the transition into the familiar and yet strange world of Nessantico, and then it follows a fairly conventional fantasy plot, though with no side that can be said it's "right".
The pages turn by themselves and the book flows very smoothly, so it's a relative fast read despite its length.
The ending wraps the main threads and makes the book self-contained. The story picks up some years later in Magic of Nightfall which became an asap read for me.
The book takes a while to get into, but there is a detailed glossary that helps ease the transition into the familiar and yet strange world of Nessantico, and then it follows a fairly conventional fantasy plot, though with no side that can be said it's "right".
The pages turn by themselves and the book flows very smoothly, so it's a relative fast read despite its length.
The ending wraps the main threads and makes the book self-contained. The story picks up some years later in Magic of Nightfall which became an asap read for me.
December 31, 2017
You can always tell a fantasy novel by the number of words that you don’t understand. There’s always some kind of made up language and made up words. Alternatively, the words ‘magic’ or ‘twilight’ appear in the title.
This wasn’t too bad. It was fairly well-constructed, there was a fair amount of world-building and yes, I worked out what those words meant after a couple of pages (the recurring ones anyway) but I simply couldn’t bring myself to care very much about any of the characters and that is where it lost me.
This wasn’t too bad. It was fairly well-constructed, there was a fair amount of world-building and yes, I worked out what those words meant after a couple of pages (the recurring ones anyway) but I simply couldn’t bring myself to care very much about any of the characters and that is where it lost me.
July 9, 2021
I've owned A Magic of Twilight for a couple years now and I finally read it.
I was looking for a story about a girl with faith in this political high fantasy, but Ana's faith is very different than mine, so we didn't really connect. I was sympathetic to her as a young woman in politics who was used by many of her superiors, but she didn't have a strong enough personality other than saying "yes" for me to connect to her.
The back of the book also makes this seem as a single character book, but there are multiple POVs throughout the political landscape. I did manage to keep everyone straight, but it lost a singular focus on any of the characters to allow for an emotional bond to develop. I also didn't develop an appreciation for the city or culture, so it was just a bunch of characters scheming over stuff that wasn't important to me. I really lacked a sense of purpose from the world building.
There are a number of loose ends throughout this which bother me. The villain at the ending specifically, fails to make sense with any of the previous 500 pages, which is really odd. I definitely felt on a whole that very little of the book was properly concluded, allowing for proper resolution of the story. I know that this is the first book in the series, but also that the second book takes place 20 years later, so knowing that that satisfaction never comes is disappointing.
Not getting any passion from any of the characters, I won't be continuing the series.
I was looking for a story about a girl with faith in this political high fantasy, but Ana's faith is very different than mine, so we didn't really connect. I was sympathetic to her as a young woman in politics who was used by many of her superiors, but she didn't have a strong enough personality other than saying "yes" for me to connect to her.
The back of the book also makes this seem as a single character book, but there are multiple POVs throughout the political landscape. I did manage to keep everyone straight, but it lost a singular focus on any of the characters to allow for an emotional bond to develop. I also didn't develop an appreciation for the city or culture, so it was just a bunch of characters scheming over stuff that wasn't important to me. I really lacked a sense of purpose from the world building.
There are a number of loose ends throughout this which bother me. The villain at the ending specifically, fails to make sense with any of the previous 500 pages, which is really odd. I definitely felt on a whole that very little of the book was properly concluded, allowing for proper resolution of the story. I know that this is the first book in the series, but also that the second book takes place 20 years later, so knowing that that satisfaction never comes is disappointing.
Not getting any passion from any of the characters, I won't be continuing the series.
May 26, 2021
Eu esperava bem mais desse livro. Gostei de alguns aspectos dentro da trama e considerei bem interessantes, como a fé desse mundo restringir o uso da magia aos seus adeptos, e até mesmo punir quem tenta usá-la fora da crença, inclusive perseguindo e assassinando essas pessoas, mas eu não consegui me apegar a nenhum personagem desse livro.
A começar pela protagonista, Anna, que é ingênua demais para o meu gosto. Por várias vezes durante a trama ela é usada e traída por confiar muito facilmente nas pessoas. Era de se esperar que depois da primeira traição ela se tornasse mais desconfiada e arisca, mas isso não acontece.
Quanto aos demais personagens, nenhum deles foi marcante demais e, portanto, digno de nota.
Achei algumas coisas apressadas e o desfecho da guerra foi um imenso balde de água fria por ser todo narrado no epílogo.
Enfim, não é uma leitura que eu recomendo muito. Existem livros mais legais e mais bem desenvolvidos e trabalhados.
A começar pela protagonista, Anna, que é ingênua demais para o meu gosto. Por várias vezes durante a trama ela é usada e traída por confiar muito facilmente nas pessoas. Era de se esperar que depois da primeira traição ela se tornasse mais desconfiada e arisca, mas isso não acontece.
Quanto aos demais personagens, nenhum deles foi marcante demais e, portanto, digno de nota.
Achei algumas coisas apressadas e o desfecho da guerra foi um imenso balde de água fria por ser todo narrado no epílogo.
Enfim, não é uma leitura que eu recomendo muito. Existem livros mais legais e mais bem desenvolvidos e trabalhados.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2009
A Magic of Twilight by S L Farrell
Book 1 of the Nessantico Cycle
Published by DAW Books
Published February 2008
ISBN: 9780756404666
624 pages
You know, there’s an essay to be written somewhere about the influence of history on Fantasy writers. Its influence is often rather clear. The usual template is the medieval model, with the societal trimmings and hierarchy throughout many Fantasy classics. Examples are too numerous to count.
For many, however, it is the influence of the Roman society that predominates: try Sophia McDougall’s Romanitas or Robert Silverberg’s Eterna Roma as recent examples.
Lastly, and most important here, however, is the Renaissance model. For it is such an outline that is a clear influence here. Even the cover of the novel reflects this: though there are figures there, the picture is dominated by a huge ornate throne, next to a global statue, within a bigger domed room. The impression is of Italian architecture, power and sovereignty (though the writer in his Acknowledgements suggests an influence of the French Loire valley.)
Nevertheless, whatever the origins, the story here is of a city: the vast, complex, ornate Nessantico, capital of the Holdings, and the complex machinations (politically and societally) that exist within it. Like the Renaissance period of our history, the story begins at a time, paradoxically, of both stability and change. To this are introduced a broad list of characters, each giving different perspectives on the events that follow.
The novel begins at the point where the ruling leader / Kraljica, Marguerite ca’ Ludovici, is about to celebrate fifty years of power in the city while simultaneously there is unrest in the Kraljica’s dominion. This is partly led by external unrest from the Numetodo, a revolutionary group with a heretical humanistic viewpoint, determined to force change by whatever means necessary. Internally, unrest is also generated at the apex of society by Justi ca’Mazzak, son of the Kraljica and ruler-in-waiting, who feels that it is his time to rule and looks for means of heralding his mother’s retirement.
Away from the royal family, society is powered by its use of magic. This is formulated into society as a religion. Ana cu’Seranta is a Teni acolyte finishing her training in the use of the Ilmodo (the pervasive magic energy changed by its user into a healing power or a weapon of war) as a priestess of the Concenzia Faith (worshipping the god Cenzi.). The leader of the Faith, Dhosti ca’Millac, is a dwarf, the Archigos of the religious group whose main purpose appears to be defending the faith against stagnation and decline. On the opposing side, Orlandi ca’Cellibrecca postulates a traditional view above all others and actively encourages the removal of Dhosti and anyone who veers from the standard rhetoric. Karl ci’Vliomani is one of those who suggests an alternative, if heretical development in society. A Numetodo envoy in the midrange of the societies’ hierarchical structure, he is tolerated as an eccentric outcast.
The day to day running of the city is also examined through the viewpoint of Sergei ca’Rudka, the Commandant of the Garde Kralji and head of the city’s security operations, who attempts to monitor such outbursts of unrest.
Though the city is large, events happen outside the city and give the impression of a greater Empire. Outside the city, the Kraljica’s Garde Civile is supported by the Firenzcian army, commanded by Jan ca’Vorl, Hirzg of Firenzcia. It was due to his army that the Kraljica won her last war, but now, after many years of peace, the Hirzg feels it is time to reassert his position.
Clearly with such a large character list (of which the above is but a short summary), this is a big fat fantasy and the first book in a trilogy to boot. So what does this have to offer, more than the (many) others, that makes it worthy of your attention?
Well, firstly, the world-building is most impressive. Though the Renaissance is an influence, the city and the society within, and without, it are well realised. There is a sense of place, of worldly decadence and decline, which is subtly though well realised. The city has a presence throughout the book, a character as well as a place.
Secondly, for such a lengthy list of characters, the characterisation is also surprisingly rounded. People are not always as positive, nor as negative as is sometimes portrayed. Steve, like many of the currently better-known Fantasy writers, is not afraid to play with our perceptions here. Characters unexpectedly die or have enough ambiguity to make them worth reading.
After the first hundred or so pages of the book, the skilful multiple-person narrative and world building had dragged me in enough to make this book difficult to put down. The events at the end of the book were everything you could hope for in a book of this type, without being totally predictable.
My biggest problem was getting my head around the complicated familial and societal structures, the complicated mouthful of seemingly random letters used to portray nomenclature. This took me a little time to get my head round, though they do follow a system devised around a clearly well thought out hierarchical system (which is explained in the twenty or so pages of the Appendix at the back of the book.)
In summary, if you can get round the complexities of the society and environment, this novel is an engaging mix of schemes, plots and action that many will enjoy. Secure in its own Renaissance-style environment, this novel was a pleasant surprise, and one which deserves greater recognition.
Book 1 of the Nessantico Cycle
Published by DAW Books
Published February 2008
ISBN: 9780756404666
624 pages
You know, there’s an essay to be written somewhere about the influence of history on Fantasy writers. Its influence is often rather clear. The usual template is the medieval model, with the societal trimmings and hierarchy throughout many Fantasy classics. Examples are too numerous to count.
For many, however, it is the influence of the Roman society that predominates: try Sophia McDougall’s Romanitas or Robert Silverberg’s Eterna Roma as recent examples.
Lastly, and most important here, however, is the Renaissance model. For it is such an outline that is a clear influence here. Even the cover of the novel reflects this: though there are figures there, the picture is dominated by a huge ornate throne, next to a global statue, within a bigger domed room. The impression is of Italian architecture, power and sovereignty (though the writer in his Acknowledgements suggests an influence of the French Loire valley.)
Nevertheless, whatever the origins, the story here is of a city: the vast, complex, ornate Nessantico, capital of the Holdings, and the complex machinations (politically and societally) that exist within it. Like the Renaissance period of our history, the story begins at a time, paradoxically, of both stability and change. To this are introduced a broad list of characters, each giving different perspectives on the events that follow.
The novel begins at the point where the ruling leader / Kraljica, Marguerite ca’ Ludovici, is about to celebrate fifty years of power in the city while simultaneously there is unrest in the Kraljica’s dominion. This is partly led by external unrest from the Numetodo, a revolutionary group with a heretical humanistic viewpoint, determined to force change by whatever means necessary. Internally, unrest is also generated at the apex of society by Justi ca’Mazzak, son of the Kraljica and ruler-in-waiting, who feels that it is his time to rule and looks for means of heralding his mother’s retirement.
Away from the royal family, society is powered by its use of magic. This is formulated into society as a religion. Ana cu’Seranta is a Teni acolyte finishing her training in the use of the Ilmodo (the pervasive magic energy changed by its user into a healing power or a weapon of war) as a priestess of the Concenzia Faith (worshipping the god Cenzi.). The leader of the Faith, Dhosti ca’Millac, is a dwarf, the Archigos of the religious group whose main purpose appears to be defending the faith against stagnation and decline. On the opposing side, Orlandi ca’Cellibrecca postulates a traditional view above all others and actively encourages the removal of Dhosti and anyone who veers from the standard rhetoric. Karl ci’Vliomani is one of those who suggests an alternative, if heretical development in society. A Numetodo envoy in the midrange of the societies’ hierarchical structure, he is tolerated as an eccentric outcast.
The day to day running of the city is also examined through the viewpoint of Sergei ca’Rudka, the Commandant of the Garde Kralji and head of the city’s security operations, who attempts to monitor such outbursts of unrest.
Though the city is large, events happen outside the city and give the impression of a greater Empire. Outside the city, the Kraljica’s Garde Civile is supported by the Firenzcian army, commanded by Jan ca’Vorl, Hirzg of Firenzcia. It was due to his army that the Kraljica won her last war, but now, after many years of peace, the Hirzg feels it is time to reassert his position.
Clearly with such a large character list (of which the above is but a short summary), this is a big fat fantasy and the first book in a trilogy to boot. So what does this have to offer, more than the (many) others, that makes it worthy of your attention?
Well, firstly, the world-building is most impressive. Though the Renaissance is an influence, the city and the society within, and without, it are well realised. There is a sense of place, of worldly decadence and decline, which is subtly though well realised. The city has a presence throughout the book, a character as well as a place.
Secondly, for such a lengthy list of characters, the characterisation is also surprisingly rounded. People are not always as positive, nor as negative as is sometimes portrayed. Steve, like many of the currently better-known Fantasy writers, is not afraid to play with our perceptions here. Characters unexpectedly die or have enough ambiguity to make them worth reading.
After the first hundred or so pages of the book, the skilful multiple-person narrative and world building had dragged me in enough to make this book difficult to put down. The events at the end of the book were everything you could hope for in a book of this type, without being totally predictable.
My biggest problem was getting my head around the complicated familial and societal structures, the complicated mouthful of seemingly random letters used to portray nomenclature. This took me a little time to get my head round, though they do follow a system devised around a clearly well thought out hierarchical system (which is explained in the twenty or so pages of the Appendix at the back of the book.)
In summary, if you can get round the complexities of the society and environment, this novel is an engaging mix of schemes, plots and action that many will enjoy. Secure in its own Renaissance-style environment, this novel was a pleasant surprise, and one which deserves greater recognition.
January 6, 2023
Full disclosure. I could not finish this book. This book had such weird pacing and it’s main issue was it had a new word for everything. It was so unnecessary and so confusing just trying to figure out what they were talking about. The main reviews for this book were 5 stars: it’s amazing! Or 1 star: this book is so confusing. I thought I would be quick enough to pick up the book and enjoy it but it was just absurd. Also the book jumped characters way too much and I didn’t know who they were without context clues because they all had made up ways of naming and hierarchy. Pacing was also weird
December 17, 2022
Esquecível, a leitura é bem complicada com vários personagens e alguns se destacam mais que os outros e esse é um daqueles livros que possuem vocabulário próprio então espere ficar indo ao fim da livro para ler as traduções, não é lá aquilo que algumas das reviews falam mas também não é tão ruim. Livro razoável, leia se quiser.
January 2, 2019
Loving this series!
May 8, 2023
I thought it was well written, with plenty of plot twists and solid if not spectacular character development.
September 14, 2025
Já li piores, mas você entende um pouco porque o livro está sendo vendido em sebos ou feiras do livro, e infelizmente não é porque a Leya faliu.
December 29, 2009
More like two and a half stars for me. There were some fairly interesting characters in the story, but the plot was just okay. In fact, I seem to recall the characters very well, but I don't quite remember the plot except in a very general way. The Queen of Nessantico has held on to the longest reign of peace in history through a lifetime of deft politics and ruthlessness. Her power is on the wane, however. That, combined with barely controlled surges in religious violence provide an opening for those with ambition to make a bid for the throne and for Nessantico itself.
All of the primary characters had some sort of intriguing background, but I don't think they were developed as well as promised. Ana, the heroine of the story, was actually the least interesting person by the end of the book. She started as an incest survivor who became a high ranking member of her faith, only to encounter a crisis of that faith early on. It seems like there's potential for a lot of character growth, along with insights into what motivates her to develop in a certain direction, but there's little of that in the book. Mostly, she just reacts to events and is not proactive until near the end. She's not really put in situations where she has to demonstrate her power or skills at politics or otherwise prove to that she's the heroine. As for her loss of faith, it wasn't clear to me, by the end, whether she'd actually managed to find it again, or whether she just replaced it with whatever the Numetodo believed in.
Again, promising characters, not as fleshed out as they could be. The plot is not bad, but not memorable for me either. It would be nice for the sequel to continue where this one left off, perhaps making the characters and plot more complex, but from what I read, the sequel takes places one or two decades into the future and follows a different set of people around.
All of the primary characters had some sort of intriguing background, but I don't think they were developed as well as promised. Ana, the heroine of the story, was actually the least interesting person by the end of the book. She started as an incest survivor who became a high ranking member of her faith, only to encounter a crisis of that faith early on. It seems like there's potential for a lot of character growth, along with insights into what motivates her to develop in a certain direction, but there's little of that in the book. Mostly, she just reacts to events and is not proactive until near the end. She's not really put in situations where she has to demonstrate her power or skills at politics or otherwise prove to that she's the heroine. As for her loss of faith, it wasn't clear to me, by the end, whether she'd actually managed to find it again, or whether she just replaced it with whatever the Numetodo believed in.
Again, promising characters, not as fleshed out as they could be. The plot is not bad, but not memorable for me either. It would be nice for the sequel to continue where this one left off, perhaps making the characters and plot more complex, but from what I read, the sequel takes places one or two decades into the future and follows a different set of people around.
August 20, 2022
Took a while to get into this book. This concerns a rather hierarchical city, Nessantico, which has known long time peace under their longstanding ruler, the Kraljica. There are the nobility (denoted in their names: ca and cu). There are is the religion, Concenzia Faith, and faith in that allows people to perform magic.
The main plot line follows Ana, who is magically gifted
Read this for: lots of political plotting
Unfortunately, a lot of fantasy made-up names; not sure what’s the point of saying eg “Kraljica” instead of “king”, for example.
The main plot line follows Ana, who is magically gifted
Read this for: lots of political plotting
Unfortunately, a lot of fantasy made-up names; not sure what’s the point of saying eg “Kraljica” instead of “king”, for example.
July 23, 2020
The city of Nessantico may rule over a vast empire, but all is not well there. The wise and beloved empress is old and losing her grip on the city while her son and other courtiers scheme for power. A religious minority is being oppressed and serving as one of several causes of conflict within The Church. At the edge of Nessantico's holdings, a powerful vassal prepares his own bid for power in collusion with forces within the capital. In the midst of all of this, a young girl from a downtrodden family comes to sudden prominence.
Most of the plot elements are common in fantasy novels these days, which, can be both a bad thing (if the author relies on cliches rather than doing anything new) and a good thing (if I didn't enjoy these plots I wouldn't read so many of these books). Fortunately, SL Farrell manages to create a unique setting, an appropriately mysterious magic system and enough twists on the standard plot elements to create what started out as an engaging story. Unfortunately, I had trouble connecting with all but one of the major characters and found myself struggling with the latter half of the book.
Still, the positives outweighed the negatives and I look forward to reading the remaining books in this trilogy.
Most of the plot elements are common in fantasy novels these days, which, can be both a bad thing (if the author relies on cliches rather than doing anything new) and a good thing (if I didn't enjoy these plots I wouldn't read so many of these books). Fortunately, SL Farrell manages to create a unique setting, an appropriately mysterious magic system and enough twists on the standard plot elements to create what started out as an engaging story. Unfortunately, I had trouble connecting with all but one of the major characters and found myself struggling with the latter half of the book.
Still, the positives outweighed the negatives and I look forward to reading the remaining books in this trilogy.
December 2, 2010
A Magic Of Twilight (not to be confused with sparkly vampires) is the first book in S. L. Farrell's Nessantico Cycle. I suppose that the series' name should have been the first clue of what I was in for. The second should have been that the cover quote was from George R. R. Martin.
The book opens with what is no doubt intended to be an enticing insight into the world of Nessantico, but the plethora of pseudo-Italian for names, terms, everything had me frustrated before the end of the first page. Don't get me wrong - I like fantasy languages when used tastefully and moderately, to add flavour and realism to a world.
I was willing to give the first section the benefit of the doubt, in case the author was attempting an immersive scene to catch the reader's attention and would back off and provide some context after that, but no. In fact, it seemed to get worse as I progressed through the first chapter, and a switch in view-point every few pages only frustrated me further.
I couldn't get any further. This book completely failed to capture my interest, and trying to keep the ridiculous terms straight gave me a headache, and I didn't even get that far in the book.
The book opens with what is no doubt intended to be an enticing insight into the world of Nessantico, but the plethora of pseudo-Italian for names, terms, everything had me frustrated before the end of the first page. Don't get me wrong - I like fantasy languages when used tastefully and moderately, to add flavour and realism to a world.
I was willing to give the first section the benefit of the doubt, in case the author was attempting an immersive scene to catch the reader's attention and would back off and provide some context after that, but no. In fact, it seemed to get worse as I progressed through the first chapter, and a switch in view-point every few pages only frustrated me further.
I couldn't get any further. This book completely failed to capture my interest, and trying to keep the ridiculous terms straight gave me a headache, and I didn't even get that far in the book.
July 17, 2011
This book has me torn.
The writing is very, very good. As far as writing syle, imagination, tying things together, S.L. Farrell has lived up to the Cloudmages trilogy (which I loved, btw). The world he has created is a very imaginative and well-done society, part fantasy and part renaissance. However, this is definitely a different type of book.
It's true that there is a LOT of new terminology in this book that can get confusing, but once I got into the book, I didn't have too much trouble keeping it straight. The thing that made me struggle to finish this book was the fact that it was all politics. Things on a large scale, like the loyalties of countries and beginning of war, I suppose progressed quickly enough; but as far as the actual characters, the action was slow-moving.
If political intrigue is your thing, you will love this book. In the Cloudmages trilogy there was some political intrigue, just the right amount for me; but this one was just too much. It took me forever to finish this book, not because it is a bad book, but just not for me. I would recommend this book to those who do love politics in their fiction.
The writing is very, very good. As far as writing syle, imagination, tying things together, S.L. Farrell has lived up to the Cloudmages trilogy (which I loved, btw). The world he has created is a very imaginative and well-done society, part fantasy and part renaissance. However, this is definitely a different type of book.
It's true that there is a LOT of new terminology in this book that can get confusing, but once I got into the book, I didn't have too much trouble keeping it straight. The thing that made me struggle to finish this book was the fact that it was all politics. Things on a large scale, like the loyalties of countries and beginning of war, I suppose progressed quickly enough; but as far as the actual characters, the action was slow-moving.
If political intrigue is your thing, you will love this book. In the Cloudmages trilogy there was some political intrigue, just the right amount for me; but this one was just too much. It took me forever to finish this book, not because it is a bad book, but just not for me. I would recommend this book to those who do love politics in their fiction.
January 14, 2021
That was a very intriguing reading. I believe that this first book serves as a world-building to set the stage for something much bigger. So in this first volume we get to know a lot of characters from different levels of the Nessantic's society. Every main character has its own chapter and POV, in a very similar way to A Song of Ice and Fire. At first it may be a bit complicated to learn some of the new vocabulary that the writer introduces, as well as all the ca's, ci's and cu's titles, but as the story unfolds we get used to all of it. Many twists and turns happen as people struggle to occupy the different positions of power. There's a lot of politics and religion, which is something I most enjoy in Fantasy novels.
By the end of the book the pages flow easily and the scenery is set for what promises to be a great second book, which I imagine I will be able to navigate through much more readily, having learned all the world construction.
A very enjoyable reading that I advise for all the Fantasy lovers.
By the end of the book the pages flow easily and the scenery is set for what promises to be a great second book, which I imagine I will be able to navigate through much more readily, having learned all the world construction.
A very enjoyable reading that I advise for all the Fantasy lovers.
March 5, 2011
A really engaging, really clever fantasy novel.
I enjoyed it because its world is more Renaissance-Europe-y than "The Fay and the Elven Folk cavorted by the Dingly Dell."
It's really about faith, power, and politics, but there's magic, too. One thing I really enjoyed was the way the book was told in relatively short chapters from multiple viewpoints. This helped the first third of the book, which was, in typical fantasy fashion, kind of heavy on the exposition, flow quickly, and really made the last two thirds fly.
This will probably be compared to the George R.R. Martin series since its heavy on the political maneuvering, but I actually liked this one better than A Game of Thrones. I knew at the end of that one that I wasn't going any further with that series, whereas I will probably pick up the next volume of this one.
I enjoyed it because its world is more Renaissance-Europe-y than "The Fay and the Elven Folk cavorted by the Dingly Dell."
It's really about faith, power, and politics, but there's magic, too. One thing I really enjoyed was the way the book was told in relatively short chapters from multiple viewpoints. This helped the first third of the book, which was, in typical fantasy fashion, kind of heavy on the exposition, flow quickly, and really made the last two thirds fly.
This will probably be compared to the George R.R. Martin series since its heavy on the political maneuvering, but I actually liked this one better than A Game of Thrones. I knew at the end of that one that I wasn't going any further with that series, whereas I will probably pick up the next volume of this one.
July 12, 2013
Wow, that was one of the shortest post-climaxes ever, and I've read a lot of Neal Stephenson.
I do actually get to the end of the book curious to see where the rest of the series takes the world, but I can't say I really enjoyed reading the book much. It really lacked narrative drive - it was less "the character wants x but y intervenes" and more "here are a bunch of character who want conflicting things - let's watch what happens!" Added to this, I didn't particularly like any of the viewpoint characters (with the exception of Dhosti, but he mostly spent his time going, "Alas! If only I'd moved sooner!") and I didn't particularly care about them, which made the whole thing decidedly underwhelming.
I do actually get to the end of the book curious to see where the rest of the series takes the world, but I can't say I really enjoyed reading the book much. It really lacked narrative drive - it was less "the character wants x but y intervenes" and more "here are a bunch of character who want conflicting things - let's watch what happens!" Added to this, I didn't particularly like any of the viewpoint characters (with the exception of Dhosti, but he mostly spent his time going, "Alas! If only I'd moved sooner!") and I didn't particularly care about them, which made the whole thing decidedly underwhelming.
Want to read
September 10, 2010Described to me as "S. L. Farrel's A Magic of Twilight trilogy does deal with the conflict between people who think their power comes from the gods and people who can use this same power and are atheists; I haven't finished it, but I think the atheists are in the right (as the acknowledgments credits Richard Dawkins with some of the ideas explored in the book). It's interesting stuff that I would put in the 'castle opera' subgenre, where it's conflict between nations that's political and pragmatic, instead of being about "evil shit coming from the north" or "catastrophe from beyond threatens everyone" or "kill the evil sorcerer overlord". "
March 4, 2016
I felt satisfyingly submersed in the world. A lot of stories try to paint a new world but only touch the surface of it, leaving it feeling vague. This book didn't dive into a new world like LOTR, but I wasn't left wondering either. I liked how the story was told from many angles/view points, and it was very easy to keep turning the page. There was a nice mix of suspense, intrigue, mystery, magic, social systems, war strategy, and character relations spread equally throughout the book without ever lingering too much and eventually dragging out any aspect of the story. It's the best I've read in about the last 30 books.
November 1, 2011
So far so good. Traditional fantasy, which is the ultimate escapist literature for me. My only gripe is the awkward naming system for just about everthing gets confusing enough at times that I am thinking about making a list.
Frankly, this was the longest novel I've read in a long time. I didn't mind the hopping perspectives as much, as I just didn't care much for the characters, and found precious little redeeming in any of them, including Ana...
However, the story is there, and I would likely seek out a later work by this author once they get their feet under them.
Frankly, this was the longest novel I've read in a long time. I didn't mind the hopping perspectives as much, as I just didn't care much for the characters, and found precious little redeeming in any of them, including Ana...
However, the story is there, and I would likely seek out a later work by this author once they get their feet under them.
January 3, 2017
A truly original and deviously complex political fantasy,
A Magic of Twilight has all the politics of A Song of Ice and Fire, along with elegance, beauty, refined world building, deeply nuanced characters and not a cliched fantasy trope in sight.
Each chapter has you looking forward to the next uncovering of the intricate political machinery between the factions and houses.
The writing is also superlative and Farrell's eloquence adds to the splendor of the world of Nessantico.
A true gem of fantasy literature.
January 5, 2009
The first in a new series called the Nessantico Cycle, this fantasy melds religion and magic in imaginative and thought-provoking ways. Lots of parallels to various issues, times, and places in our history, the most obvious being the role of Catholicism. There is enough here to hold most readers' interest, but more careful (and subtle) character development would have enhanced my enjoyment of the intricate plot.
April 14, 2011
The "Cloudmages" wasn't bad at all, but I really liked this trilogy. Normally, I hate any mention of religions, real or invented, but this was somehow different. For a start, the different religions were tied to a different use of magic, but the same magic used in a different way. Secondly, there is an atheist or agnostic group that uses the magic in yet a third way. Thirdly, I found the characters quite absorbing.
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