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Dreamtime #2
Quicksilver Zenith: 'Gripping … has all the ingredients to become a classic' David Gemmell
From the author of the internationally accalaimed Orcs series comes a powerful new epic fantasy to rival the work of Raymond E. Feist and David Gemmell.
Cursed with immortality and episodes of uncontrollable, berserk fury, Reeth Caldason is desperate to find a cure for his magical affliction. His search has brought him to the island state of Bhealfa, ruled by a despot and trapped between two powerful rival empires. Here, after decades of carefully avoiding all personal attachments, he finds himself entangled with a Resistance movement intent on founding a utopia free from tyranny.
The paladin clans, a fearsome order of mercenary knights who provide government security, are determined to crush the growing rebellion. Devlor Bastorran, the cruel, and possibly mad, heir apparent to the clan leadership, is plotting a grotesque revenge against Caldason, having been bested by him in a humiliating and very public swordfight.
But Caldason has other problems to contend with. The rebels have decided on the location of their new state – a remote island. Before it can be occupied, a large quantity of gold must be delivered to its legal owner. Caldason is the natural choice to head this sensitive mission – but he soon discovers that a powerful new enemy covets both the gold and the island, threatening to destroy the whole fragile venture before it's even underway.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
7 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Stan Nicholls
66 books189 followersStan Nicholls (born 1949) is a British author and journalist, working full-time since 1981. He is the author of many novels and short stories but is best known for the internationally acclaimed Orcs: First Blood series.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 24, 2021
Im not sure what it is about this series but it just isnt hitting the spot for me.
My particular edition has a spelling error appearing multiple times, which won't have helped my enjoyment of the book. That may not be the authors fault but it really puts me off and leaves me distracted by the concept that a professional publishing company will publish a book with spelling mistakes!
I'm a big fan of fantasy novels, it's pretty much all I read, but for me this book doesn't have enough meat on the bones to be amongst the classic fantasy series. Few of the characters seem particularly well built and the love stories emerging just don't feel that believeable.
I did feel that the story moved on slightly better in this book than the first one, but equally i was left wondering where the story was going as the only real happenings occur in the final 2 chapters.
This isn't a book to avoid if you're a fantasy fan, just don't pile too much expectation on it.
My particular edition has a spelling error appearing multiple times, which won't have helped my enjoyment of the book. That may not be the authors fault but it really puts me off and leaves me distracted by the concept that a professional publishing company will publish a book with spelling mistakes!
I'm a big fan of fantasy novels, it's pretty much all I read, but for me this book doesn't have enough meat on the bones to be amongst the classic fantasy series. Few of the characters seem particularly well built and the love stories emerging just don't feel that believeable.
I did feel that the story moved on slightly better in this book than the first one, but equally i was left wondering where the story was going as the only real happenings occur in the final 2 chapters.
This isn't a book to avoid if you're a fantasy fan, just don't pile too much expectation on it.
December 16, 2013
You can also find this review posted on my blog Another World.
Quicksilver Zenith is the second part of Stan Nicholls’ underrated Quicksilver Trilogy, and readers who enjoyed the first book should be pleased to discover that book two delivers more of the same, in terms of great characterisation and action-packed narrative. It even sheds just a little more light on some of the mysteries first touched upon in Quicksilver Rising.
Any concerns that Quicksilver Zenith might succumb to the weak second instalment of a trilogy problem, are adeptly dispelled by author, Stan Nicholls. Once more he writes in a manner that is always engaging, the plot is well paced—eliminating the possibility that any part of the book drags—and his characters continue to be compelling.
Though it shares, more or less, all of Quicksilver Rising’s positives, there is some welcome evolution in the tale, as book two’s narrative diverges—to some extent—from that told by its predecessor, which focussed on the Resistance taking the fight to the empires of Gath Tampoor and Rintarah.
Quicksilver Zenith on the other hand follows the Resistance’s plans and preparations to migrate en mass from Bhealfa to the island of Batariss—more commonly referred to as the Diamond Isle—in order to establish an independent state. It is hoped that once there, the Resistance will be able initiate plans to mount an expedition in search of a mythical artefact said to have been left behind by an advanced, prehistoric, magical civilisation known as the Founders. The location of this artefact, The Clepsydra, is also said to be home to The Source; a store of all the knowledge of The Founders, which may provide the Resistance with a potent weapon against the empires.
As the story commences, only three months have elapsed between the conclusion of Quicksilver Rising and the beginning of Quicksilver Zenith, and as Stan Nicholls re-introduces the rag-tag group of protagonists from book one, it is readily apparent that each one has undergone varying degrees of personal change in that time. This is especially true of Serrah Ardacris.
Having survived her suicide attempt at the end of Quicksilver Rising, Serrah’s has become even more of a concern to the Resistance. Her reckless and potentially self-destructive behaviour has some people convinced that she might be hoping to bring about her own demise through other means.
Reeth Caldason, meanwhile, is causing a different type of concern. He has become increasingly impatient at carrying out missions for the Resistance, and getting nothing in return. His only reason for joining in the first place, was the promise that the Resistance would help him find The Source which he believes will provide him with a cure to his condition.
Just like its predecessor, there are multiple story-lines to follow from the viewpoint of several characters. Some of these plots and characters are given more prominence than others, so depending on which character(s) any given reader favours at this stage, may have a bearing on how enjoyable the story proves to be.
While on the surface all these story-lines are interconnected, one plot in particular seems rather disconnected from the others; to the extent that it appears as though it won’t ultimately have any bearing on the conclusion of the trilogy. The plot in question revolves around the character Prince Melyobar, the puppet Head of State of Bhealfa, and his obsession with death—who he believes is a living breathing person out to get him—and the lengths he will go to in order to escape his clutches.
Throughout book one, Melyobar seemed to be little more than comic relief, to lighten the mood at various intervals, and Quicksilver Zenith pretty much cements that impression; which is a shame. Prince Melyobar is clearly a lunatic, and while it is amusing how none of his subjects are prepared to let him know just how crazy he is, the potential for the portrayal of a disturbingly scary character is wasted.
At the end of the day it’s probably of no real consequence, as I don’t expect this story-line to have any relevance to the overall tale.
As mentioned at the start of this review, the author does shine a little more light on some of the mysteries briefly touched upon in book one, but without giving anything away. Though only playing a relatively minor role throughout the novel, it is very apparent that the northern warlord, Zerreiss, is going to have a major part to play in how the story ultimately reaches its conclusion. It becomes increasingly obvious that Zerreiss and Reeth are linked in some way, and that they are destined to meet during book three.
Stan Nicholls also gives several subtle clues about the ruling class of both empires. He often makes mention of how old the various individuals among them appear to be, quite possibly indicating at their true origins. It is also hinted that the ruling class of the two empires are more closely connected than their perceived rivalry would seem to imply.
The only real sour note of the book—if it can be considered as such—is the ending. While the conclusion is unquestionably dramatic and unexpected, having the story end in the manner it does severely limits what can happen in the final instalment of the trilogy. Certainly, the conclusion that I had been envisioning is no longer possible. Whether or not this ends up being detrimental to book three, Quicksilver Twilight, remains to be seen.
To conclude, Quicksilver Zenith is a worthy sequel, infused with magic, mystery, adventure, and a raving lunatic who thinks death is a flesh and blood man, out to get him.
Quicksilver Zenith is the second part of Stan Nicholls’ underrated Quicksilver Trilogy, and readers who enjoyed the first book should be pleased to discover that book two delivers more of the same, in terms of great characterisation and action-packed narrative. It even sheds just a little more light on some of the mysteries first touched upon in Quicksilver Rising.
Any concerns that Quicksilver Zenith might succumb to the weak second instalment of a trilogy problem, are adeptly dispelled by author, Stan Nicholls. Once more he writes in a manner that is always engaging, the plot is well paced—eliminating the possibility that any part of the book drags—and his characters continue to be compelling.
Though it shares, more or less, all of Quicksilver Rising’s positives, there is some welcome evolution in the tale, as book two’s narrative diverges—to some extent—from that told by its predecessor, which focussed on the Resistance taking the fight to the empires of Gath Tampoor and Rintarah.
Quicksilver Zenith on the other hand follows the Resistance’s plans and preparations to migrate en mass from Bhealfa to the island of Batariss—more commonly referred to as the Diamond Isle—in order to establish an independent state. It is hoped that once there, the Resistance will be able initiate plans to mount an expedition in search of a mythical artefact said to have been left behind by an advanced, prehistoric, magical civilisation known as the Founders. The location of this artefact, The Clepsydra, is also said to be home to The Source; a store of all the knowledge of The Founders, which may provide the Resistance with a potent weapon against the empires.
As the story commences, only three months have elapsed between the conclusion of Quicksilver Rising and the beginning of Quicksilver Zenith, and as Stan Nicholls re-introduces the rag-tag group of protagonists from book one, it is readily apparent that each one has undergone varying degrees of personal change in that time. This is especially true of Serrah Ardacris.
Having survived her suicide attempt at the end of Quicksilver Rising, Serrah’s has become even more of a concern to the Resistance. Her reckless and potentially self-destructive behaviour has some people convinced that she might be hoping to bring about her own demise through other means.
Reeth Caldason, meanwhile, is causing a different type of concern. He has become increasingly impatient at carrying out missions for the Resistance, and getting nothing in return. His only reason for joining in the first place, was the promise that the Resistance would help him find The Source which he believes will provide him with a cure to his condition.
Just like its predecessor, there are multiple story-lines to follow from the viewpoint of several characters. Some of these plots and characters are given more prominence than others, so depending on which character(s) any given reader favours at this stage, may have a bearing on how enjoyable the story proves to be.
While on the surface all these story-lines are interconnected, one plot in particular seems rather disconnected from the others; to the extent that it appears as though it won’t ultimately have any bearing on the conclusion of the trilogy. The plot in question revolves around the character Prince Melyobar, the puppet Head of State of Bhealfa, and his obsession with death—who he believes is a living breathing person out to get him—and the lengths he will go to in order to escape his clutches.
Throughout book one, Melyobar seemed to be little more than comic relief, to lighten the mood at various intervals, and Quicksilver Zenith pretty much cements that impression; which is a shame. Prince Melyobar is clearly a lunatic, and while it is amusing how none of his subjects are prepared to let him know just how crazy he is, the potential for the portrayal of a disturbingly scary character is wasted.
At the end of the day it’s probably of no real consequence, as I don’t expect this story-line to have any relevance to the overall tale.
As mentioned at the start of this review, the author does shine a little more light on some of the mysteries briefly touched upon in book one, but without giving anything away. Though only playing a relatively minor role throughout the novel, it is very apparent that the northern warlord, Zerreiss, is going to have a major part to play in how the story ultimately reaches its conclusion. It becomes increasingly obvious that Zerreiss and Reeth are linked in some way, and that they are destined to meet during book three.
Stan Nicholls also gives several subtle clues about the ruling class of both empires. He often makes mention of how old the various individuals among them appear to be, quite possibly indicating at their true origins. It is also hinted that the ruling class of the two empires are more closely connected than their perceived rivalry would seem to imply.
The only real sour note of the book—if it can be considered as such—is the ending. While the conclusion is unquestionably dramatic and unexpected, having the story end in the manner it does severely limits what can happen in the final instalment of the trilogy. Certainly, the conclusion that I had been envisioning is no longer possible. Whether or not this ends up being detrimental to book three, Quicksilver Twilight, remains to be seen.
To conclude, Quicksilver Zenith is a worthy sequel, infused with magic, mystery, adventure, and a raving lunatic who thinks death is a flesh and blood man, out to get him.
October 13, 2020
Die Geschichte wird spannend weitererzählt und erhält eine sehr interessante Wendung gegen Ende des Buchs, als
Außerdem werden ein paar interessante Zusammenhänge zwischen Caldason und dem Barbaren-Kriegsherrn Zerreiss anschnitten - und ganz nebenbei frage ich mich immer noch, was Zerreiss für eine Rolle in dieser Geschichte hat. Ganz zu schweigen von Prinz Melyobar, der bisher irgendwie nur zur Unterhaltung dient.
Außerdem werden ein paar interessante Zusammenhänge zwischen Caldason und dem Barbaren-Kriegsherrn Zerreiss anschnitten - und ganz nebenbei frage ich mich immer noch, was Zerreiss für eine Rolle in dieser Geschichte hat. Ganz zu schweigen von Prinz Melyobar, der bisher irgendwie nur zur Unterhaltung dient.
June 2, 2018
Wanted to like it more, but it just didn't quite work. The first book introduced a character/situation that's seemingly designed to play a major role in the overall arc of the story, but this volume spent a total of 2 of 31 chapters on him. I get slow build-ups, I've read Robert Jordan, but don't introduce a major player and then completely lose track of them.
March 11, 2023
Enjoyable fantasy tale with political intrigue as its main focus.
June 25, 2023
Le tome 2 est sympa, il se lit vite. Il y a des plow twist auquel je m'attendais pas... par contre on oublie totalement la quête de base de Caldason XD
September 25, 2012
In this book, and its prequel, The Covenant Rising, Nicholls has seemingly set out make a world where magic is a part of everyday life. However, he's made some strange choices that cause immersion in the world to be difficult. 1) very few people can make magic, though everyone can use it. It's not clear who's creating all this magic, since very few of the story's characters have any skill with it at all. 2) magic replaces everyday modern devices; as another reviewer notes, the characters even talk about 'hacking' into a communications line. 3) all this while limiting technology to mostly standard medieval fantasy, with a hint of steampunk. The combination is hard to swallow.
Equally difficult is the central plot concept of this book - that the Resistance, caught in a client state between two competing empires, buy an island and plan to move thousands of people to live there in freedom and harmony. It's just not a realistic idea, especially when we learn that the new island is a tenth the size of the existing client state. It's not close to credible that the evil empires would a) not notice, and b) leave the new land alone.
The plot in this middle book does move along rapidly, and most characters remain likeable. There are more than a few too many easy coincidences, and some facile gap fillers that don't really work.
I had planned to give this book three stars for readability, and explain that it was really 2.5 stars. But on writing this and thinking back, I have to go the other way, and give it two stars, but explain that it was somewhat better than that score implies.
I'll still be moving on to the third and last book, The Diamond Isle , and I have hopes for a satisfying finale, but it's likely not going to be quite as grand as I had hoped, and I find it a bit hard to recommend the series on what I've seen so far.
Equally difficult is the central plot concept of this book - that the Resistance, caught in a client state between two competing empires, buy an island and plan to move thousands of people to live there in freedom and harmony. It's just not a realistic idea, especially when we learn that the new island is a tenth the size of the existing client state. It's not close to credible that the evil empires would a) not notice, and b) leave the new land alone.
The plot in this middle book does move along rapidly, and most characters remain likeable. There are more than a few too many easy coincidences, and some facile gap fillers that don't really work.
I had planned to give this book three stars for readability, and explain that it was really 2.5 stars. But on writing this and thinking back, I have to go the other way, and give it two stars, but explain that it was somewhat better than that score implies.
I'll still be moving on to the third and last book, The Diamond Isle , and I have hopes for a satisfying finale, but it's likely not going to be quite as grand as I had hoped, and I find it a bit hard to recommend the series on what I've seen so far.
April 27, 2009
A bridge novel and you can see the setups for the finial story building here. While you could read this alone as the author usefully has a recap at the beginning, it does follow on from the previous novel.
Reeth Caldason is still trying to work out where he comes in the scheme of things and why he is so difficult to kill. The rebels are trying to find themselves a utopia away from tyrrany and the madness of some kings is getting worse.
Overall interesting, made me want to read book three now and I wondered what was happening. However there are a profusion of characters and it was occasionally difficult to care for them all.
Reeth Caldason is still trying to work out where he comes in the scheme of things and why he is so difficult to kill. The rebels are trying to find themselves a utopia away from tyrrany and the madness of some kings is getting worse.
Overall interesting, made me want to read book three now and I wondered what was happening. However there are a profusion of characters and it was occasionally difficult to care for them all.
August 13, 2007
an excellent sequel to 'quicksilver rising'. i cannot wait to read the conclusion. 'quicksilver zenith' is a slightly shorter book, but none-the-less intense and paced. these books aren't the best written, but the action involved is fantastic. and the underlying themes that i am amazingly picking out are very realy and true. i definitely recommend these book to be read by fans of david eddings, david gemmel or robin hobb.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews