Of Weft and Weave

The Dica Series #2

by Clive S. Johnson

This second book in the Dica Series, Of Weft and Weave, takes up where Leiyatel’s Embrace left off—but nearly two-thousand years into that ending’s new future. To a time when an army of Nouwelm has long been overdue setting foot south of the Gray Mountains. A time when the Certain Power, Leiyatel, is again drawing close to her end. And when Lord Nephril’s long wilderness years are also set to be drawn to their own end by a strange message delivered by the maverick Galgaverran, Pettar Garradish.

Written in the old Bazarran language, no longer remembered by the ancient and ailing Nephril, he and Pettar begin a quest to discover the meaning of the message. This takes them first to the nefarious Bazarral district of Yuhlm, where they search out Nephril’s old acquaintance, Melkin Mudark. There, they find Yuhlm to have been greatly changed over recent years—on the cusp of a new mechanicking age, promising a rebirth of the ingenuity of the original ancient Bazarran people.

But Nephril is rapidly declining, ill equipped for the rigours of any quest other than the reinvigoration of his own weft and weave of Leiyatel. And so begins a journey of many ambitions, as the tale weaves its way through political upheavals and vested interests, on the way to rediscovering the essential riches of knowledge long ago secreted away beyond the Gray Mountains. Can a way be found to save Leiyatel? To complete Nephril’s newfound purpose? To satisfy all the needs of those drawn into the quest’s long and arduous travails? Life, though, has a habit of surprising—no less so than in the quite literally wonderful Castle Realm of Dica…and beyond.

Genres: Fantasy

307 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 17, 2012

About the author

British author of Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction and Timeslip Historical Fiction, as well as Poetry and Short Stories.

Reviews

[Helen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

First a disclosure. I have to admit that in order to fully appreciate this book I did have some dialogue with the author on Twitter. Out of this conversation I can confirm my view that the reader needs to pay close attention to detail and exercise imagination when reading this book. I would recommend reading at a leisurely pace, taking time to backtrack and re-read if this seems necessary. This will reward the reader immeasurably, and allow them to fully appreciate the poetic and singing prose, as well as the intriguing, sometimes humorous, sometimes enthralling & thrilling plot.

This is the second book in a trilogy concerning the Castle realm of Dica & Leiyatel, the Living Green Stone Tree. As with the first book the prose is exquisite, almost poetical. There are no quick phrases or slang, but an underlying love and joy of words which comes through in the way the characters engage with eachother, conversing as opposed to simply talking. The plot is complex and intricate, the reader really needs to pay attention at every point, and as advised above, if you loose the threads backtracking and re-reading is advised. The book is a masterly accompaniment to the first of the trilogy, and readers who felt there was nowhere left for the author to go at the end of Leiyatel's Embrace will be surprised and intrigued by the novel approach the author has taken.

The once great realm of Dica is falling, and the characters involved in the dissolution of the old regime and resurrection of a new are familiar to anyone who has read the first book. As before the characters are complex and act from a variety of motives, making them relatable to. They are allowed to be good, bad, ambivalent, happy, sad, or sometimes several things at once. The depth of the character depiction is skilled, and the reader should take time to appreciate and befriend them (all over again if you have read the first book).

The pace of the plot of this second in the trilogy is quicker than in Leiyatel's Embrace, however it never feels hurried. I felt that in some ways the author appeared to have become more comfortable with the world he had created, there are moments of almost slapstick humour, which can quickly segue into horror and fright, especially at the point where the old monarchic heiracy of the castle kingdom eventually disintegrates. Lord Nephril, Dica’s Master of Ceremonies is forced by circumstances to undertake a long journey in order to save the kingdom's fortunes. As in the first book the course and eventual outcome of the journey has surprising twists and turns of fate. The ending of the book is both oddly right, and disconcerting. It is also a very pointed contrast to book 1.

Again, do not expect traditional sword waving battles and sorcery, simply take the time to sink into a magical world you will find hard to leave.

[Angela Mortimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book, Leiyatels Embrace, was full of decaying splendour that took my breath away. It asked me to walk the paths and roads and poke my head into the dusty, sometimes ruined buildings and for all that enjoyment of poking through the mysterious crumbling edifices, like the the child I still am - running around every ruined castle and monastery I can find, something else gnawed at me. Where was I, when, how and why? At first Leiyatels Embrace was in a time and place I was familiar with and then....so very suddenly....
Now reading the second book I'm taken rather brutally away from my comfortable, if slightly disturbing trip around Dica. I'm not the slightest bit surprised as to what happens next, not surprised at a new journey of the soul through ancient lands unknown to those who live so close. I always felt the strange insular site of Dica was suspect; what - no trade routes and sea trips to places new and far and no visitors from those places, all of which I'm finding so deeply worrying and tenuously unreal and then....well it starts to make sense and it's no longer Fantasy but Science Fiction.
Of course there will be further twists to the soul searching, the author will make sure of that, thanks to him for stirring the waters of complacency and making us look through much needed new eyes. I am beautifully, magically haunted by Dica.

[Regina Puckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author, Clive Johnson, once again takes the reader on a long journey in search of answers in this beautifully written tale of Speculative Fiction. After reading his first novel, Leiyatel’s Embrace, I had no doubt Mr. Johnson has had a long love affair with the written word, and I was truly impressed with the Dica’s Series first novel’s rich style and prose. I was a little nervous for Mr. Johnson since Leiyate’s Embrace had already raised the bar so high for the next two books in this series. Fortunately he not only met those high expectations in Of Weft and Weave but surpassed them.

The second tale’s journey takes Mr. Johnson’s characters in search of help for the dying Living Green Stone Tree. Each and every obstacle they encounter brings them closer to face some cold hard truths about themselves and about the world they thought they knew.

I personally believe this tale's meaning ran much deeper than trying to help save the preserver of the realm of Dica. Mr. Johnson seemed to be asking the age old question about why humans really exist and if that existence really matters in the long run.

Of Weft and Weave is a rich tale that is bound to find its place in the world of great literature.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't my normal genre but Mr. Johnson writes so beautifully it is a joy to read his books. I was transported to another realm and immersed in the quest of these characters. I look forward to continuing this series.

[Mackenzie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Clive Johnson's writing and in particular his Dica series. For me they're something to savour and like a good wine they never disappoint. Clive has created a world where the action moves at a sedate pace, but the wonderful writing washes over you and you're transported to the realm of Dica, a place the author has constructed with great love and care.
Nephryl who is the central character from the first two books is somebody I bonded with and cared deeply for and this I can once more applaud the author for. For any reader interested in the best fiction can offer; or any student interested in the art of writing, this author and his books are must reads.
One of the finest fantasy novels I have read and most ardently recommended to anyone who appreciates great literature.