The Iron Chain

Legends of the Land #2

by Steve Cockayne

1st edition Orbit 2004 paperback, new In stock shipped from our UK warehouse

Genres: Fantasy

Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Judith Blaauw-Klaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a better read than Islanders and Wanderers. Somehow the storyline was clearer and a lot was explained in this book. I still think the plot is too complicated for it's own good.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

From what I recall, this book is much darker than its predecessor. It opens with Tom Harper, an unwanted young boy who is tied to a table leg by his father with the titular "iron chain" whenever he misbehaves and the depressing tone doesn't let up from there. Characters from the first novel return including Rusty Brown and Leornardo Pegasus and Cockayne seemlessly weaves the story threads together.

Be warned, this is not swords and sorcery fantasy- it is quite psychological, introspective and eastern influenced. I'd view it as closer to LeGuin's Earthsea novels than anything else I've read.

The novel deals with quite a few interesting themes; the dangers of new technology, jealousy, frustrated admiration, but on the whole it's bleakness means I can't give it 5 stars.

[Liviu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second part of the Legends of the Land trilogy continues to twist and turn, bringing a lot of what came before both in sharper focus and into a different light; the same trio of expositions as in Wanderers and islanders, following Tom Harper, Rusty Brown and Leonard Pegasus this time with interludes here and there.

Very original and addictive like the first installment I could not put it down until i finished it