Ironcraft

by Pedro Gabriel

In the beginning, a peaceful race of giants populated the world of Dumah. But a sylphid, a spirit from the stars, came down from the heavens to deliver a dreadful a new race of beings, called men, will one day dethrone the giants and destroy them. To protect them from this threat, the sylphid will teach the giants the art of ironcraft. But this gift will unleash war upon the land of mortals, as the giants try to conquer a mythical city where men are foretold to appear...

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2021

About the author

Pedro Gabriel is a Portuguese oncology doctor, with a penchant for Shakespeare, Milton, Chesterton, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams. As a published writer of fantasy novels, he seeks to better understand the relationship of God and Man by focusing on the frailty of the human condition, be it physical and spiritual.

Also since his younger years, Pedro has been fascinated by ancient myths and legends, and dreamed of creating his own full mythology one day.

Reviews

[Fonch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ladies and gentlemen the criticism of this book was a consequence of providence, and completely unexpected is an occasion that arises, and it has been a very interesting experience. The author asked me to read his book, and not only that, but he also had the detail of sending it home. Of course it was impossible for me to resist writing him a review. It seems that this is the author's second book. What little I know about Pedro Gabriel in terms of his biographical data are those he has in his account at Goodreads, and those he shares in his final pages. He is a Portuguese oncologist, who is an admirer of G.K. Chesterton https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... and is also an admirer of the Inklings in particular the three most representative authors of this literary group J.R.R. Tolkien https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., C.S. Lewis https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... and the always mysterious, but interesting Charles Williams https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... However, I agree with the person who wrote the first review of Ironcraft (I am referring to Mr. Dominic Da Souza, who wrote a very intelligent, and accurate review of this book). It cannot be said that this book is related to any of the authors previously cited. Yes, perhaps a little more with J.R.R. Tolkien, and not with his two most outstanding works, but with"The Silmarillion" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... and let's be honest we would be moving away from the truth. The only thing that this story has in common with J.R.R. Tolkien is that it occurs in a fantasy world that is not ours, and that more than in the allegory of C.S. Lewis the author opts for the Tolkienian myth. In fact, if I may give my opinion, for me the book, which has most influenced the making of this great novel. It has been one of the most important books in history, if not the most important, and only hatred against the faith prevents it from being given the category, which in my opinion it deserves. I am referring to what in my opinion has been the book, which has influenced Western civilization. The Holy Bible https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/series/2034... particularly one of the most beautiful books of it, and also one of the most mysterious. The book of Genesis. In fact, the world in which this Thebel story takes place could not have been created, without taking into account the book of Genesis. I am not going to recommend reading the Bible, or even the Old Testament, although it would be very useful, to familiarize yourself, and know the terms of this book, because most of them are biblical. But I would recommend you read the book of Genesis at least until Noah's Flood. For me literarily the Biblical flood is the best of all surpassing including Gil Gamesh https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... or the Hellenic version of Deucalion. However, there is a meeting point in all myths, and that is that in almost all religions there seems to be a flood. They differ in one thing, whereas for most religions the world is created from something already pre-existing both in Judeo-Christianity, and in Platonism it is created out of nothing, and by means of the word. Much like the Big Bang as Lemaitre pointed out https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... Genesis is one of the most beautiful books, and also the most difficult to interpret, so there has always been some caution to use it as a source of inspiration. For fear of falling into a certain gnosis contrary to religion, despite being one of the richest books, and having very powerful myths such as the Garden of Eden, its nature, the description of Nephelims, and Giants. In fact, that's where Pedro Gabriel's great creative work comes from. The first thing that can be said about the book is that it is very original, and has a strength that more exalted authors lack, and that being acclaimed authors usually have the approval of publishers. It is true that I was very critical of the writer and science fiction theorist Miquel Barceló https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... for his attacks on J.R.R. Tolkien. Especially in his prologue to Brandon Sanderson's Warbreaker https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..., but on one thing, if he should be proved right. It is the laziness (especially in Spanish publishers) to go easy, and to edit authors already known, but who write second-level works, while people like Pedro Gabriel, and others, I think of the monumental work of Sergio Araujo Cruz https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... with his"Legend of the broken sword" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... rom_search=true&qid=Ggf1jGVWNI&rank=1 . Although both authors are very different, and very opposite both share one thing in common, apart from being new writers, who have had to edit their prayers themselves. Here they share the theme of sylphs. In this case the sylphs, although they have a very different role. Mythological characters, which he did not see since Grimelhausen's"The Adventurer Simples Simpliccisimus" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9..., or returning to another German-language writer"The Interminishable Story" by Michael Ende https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2.... People like Sergio, or Pedro Gabriel could go to brave publishers I think of Victor Gollancz, Unwin, Pemberton, who were meritocratic, and patrons, and art lovers. Something that my admirable Juan Manuel de Prada https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... has insisted on. They were people, who valued the work, and promoted it. Now they are only moved to earn easy money, and flatter the ideological currents in vogue, which are the result of ominous cultural currents, and which are doing art a very disservice. One of the fears of my good friend Manuel Alfonseca https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... has come true, and has been seen in that Canadian school, and that takes us back to the darkest times in history. We have seen how books have been burned. Something, which seemed to be the result of dystopias such as"Farenheit 451"by Ray Bradbury https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... or"Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5..., maybe the publishers don't burn them, although I do know that if the books don't sell them they don't keep them, they throw them away. In addition to restricting the author's freedom, and imposing that there are x female characters, of a certain ethnicity, of a certain sexual condition, that the bad guy must be. This restricts the freedom of the writer, and prevents us from enjoying the creative mind of the author. There are times when editors do a great job of telling the author to make certain modifications, but today, and it must be said, they are only looking for easy money, and that nothing goes out of the channels of current orthodoxy. So, and this is very politically incorrect, but someone must rattle the cat. The best books don't reach readers. If you think that the best authors are the Nobel Prize winners, Booker, Goncourt, or the Prince of Asturias, you are very wrong. The best book is the one a person likes. I personally like books like the one written by Pedro Gabriel. Not written neither the messiada, nor the Cristiada of Klopstock, nor of Girolamo Vida https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... but he has written a great book influenced by the Judeo-Christian tradition, and Greek myths as Augustine Wetta did with"The Eighth Arrow: Odysseus in the Underworld", A Novel" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4.... In fact, his novel does not cease to have a twilight tone, narrating the twilight of the giants, or so it seems. At least this novel does not stop having its wit, and its Mcguffins. I, for example, when I read it, thought that the novel would go, on the one hand, and actually goes on the other. In fact, when a group of signals in this case the darkening of a star seems to indicate the end of a civilization, or of a world as Goethe would say. I certainly appreciated with delectation the biblical flavor that Ironcraft gave off. In the first place, Pedro Gabriel describes the society of the giants, which is not governed by a King, but by a Republic. It is seen that there are divisions between the giants of the south that will end up being the Nehilians and those of the north, and those of the south the hyperboreans, and more than a Republic is a theocracy led by a Supreme Pontiff (in fact the holy city called Melchizedek, and the Salem Shrine names that appear with Abraham). That, for example, is going to be an interesting sub-pity of the nationalist struggles between the north and the south. The disagreements between Skillotz, and Bilidio the successor of the mythical Supreme Pontiff Faris Rhomel. In fact, the prelude is very important describes the giants, as bearded beings with three eyes (like the Ten si han of Dragon Ball), only slightly taller than humans. We are told about his struggles against some mythical monsters of the wastelands (it is a pity that he did not take advantage of that subsea of the monsters, which could have given as much play as the white walkers of A Song of Ice, and fire https://www.goodreads.com/series/4379.... I actually bet that they would win, and in the end the west would be a gigantic necropolis, as if it were the sixth sense of Shyamalan, or the others of Amenabar). In fact, it seemed very strange to me, that lamech was at war with Ophir (which is supposed to be where Solomon takes out his treasures, in fact, it is often said of the Virgin Mary that she is a queen versed with ophir's gold). The book begins with some very worrying signs, with the disappearance of a star, and with the Supreme Pontiff unable to interpret the signs, and with a boy named Oiskal and sent by Salem. At the same time the impulsive, arrogant, and indomitable Skillotz. Ambitious, and superb to me reminded me a lot of the Feanor del Silmarillion is going to start his company to become a man together with his friend Kolinzio, and the more expert warrior Moruzio, and they will meet a star. A sylph called Nod daughter of Meggido (another name of biblical resonances there king Josiah of Judah was defeated by the pharaoh Nekao placed by the Assyrians, when he was going to help the last Assyrian king Assur U Bayid II, who would be defeated by Nabopalasar, and Ciaxares of Media). The sylph will take advantage of Enoch's pride, pride, and ambition, and also fear to lead them into conflict. There are magnificent moments such as when Nod goes to visit the temple of Horeb, and when he instructs the venal priest Malvizio. First she tells them that there is a catastrophe, and then when she has been dazzled by Ophir's wealth she incites nephil's giants to attack Ophir claiming that ruin will come from the seed of Queen Inimois. Which will make the ambitious, and superb Skillotz, who will use all his resources to seize power. It will take advantage of the use of iron (which was key to certifying hittite superiority, and that of the peoples of the sea). He will also receive gifts, and terrible instruments of power. Ophir reminded me a lot of J.R.R. Tolkien's Beleriand, or Gondolin. The separation of Nephil is concretized (because the giants of the south prefer to be called Nephilims, in front of the hyperboreans, and they will adopt the monarchy, they will subjugate peoples). In fact Dominic Da Souza, and I agree, that Peter Gabriel has also drunk from Greek myths. In fact Ophir apart from Beleriand, will remind us of Troy, and the Nephilim league almost looks like that of the Achaeans. Ophir's ally will be Bilidio, who will inherit the position of Pharis Romel who decides to resign. There are things, which surprise me, like that it takes so long until the attack on Ophir. Seventy, or eighty years are thrown away to attack an impregnable city. The chronology almost seems from genesis. Faris Romel is almost five hundred years as pontiff. It is surprising that there are characters that come out of history, such as Talizima, or Kunizio's son, Korzintio who does not come out again, also rare the disappearance of Faris Rhomel, and I am also surprised that the monsters do not attack Ophir, or the cities of the League. Pedro Gabriel without falling into the nihilism of the grimdark style tells us betrayals, power struggles, and all kinds of events. Anyway, it seems that the novel is going to go on one side, and then it goes on the other. He tells us about a family saga at times. The final battle is great, and fascinating, coming out of the dawn of history, or series like Neon Evangelion, although perhaps the ending, or the succession of endings is too sudden, and it was not what I expected. What I expected was that this story would be linked to Genesis, and humans would end up defeating the giants, but it seems that the author had other intentions. All in all, this is a novel, powerful, epic, and masterful, that the user of Goodreads should not miss, and I would recommend that you take a look at this new author, because it can give many pleasant surprises in the future.

[Dominic De · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deep and imaginative

Pedro Gabriel has crafted a legendarium that is both familiar and strange. He introduces us to a world filled with weird and wonderful creatures, and varieties of characters from sylphs to Pharaohs to magicians.

After one reading of the book, I'm still trying to grapple with what I've finished. His mythic world is a nod to his literary heroes, like Tolkein, but also rugged with the dark epic tones of Greek myth, and the seeming whimsy of fairy tales. The style echoes great literary epics, so it feels almost Biblical. And saying that, there's a very real sense that this is an ancient fantasy epic set in the deep past of human history. It feels like high fantasy, replete with Hebrewish names and hints of ancient gods and places. We find themes that echo out of the gaps in our own human story.

Expect to enjoy a narrative that sees all of reality as deeply sacred and deeply damned, where living beings thread their way through wonder and war as playthings of the gods or forgers of their own freedom.

[Hanzel]

As a rule, I always believed the stories written by any author comes from their heart, their soul, their identity, so DNFing any books is a waste of their effort, the time they spent rolling around ideas.......but sometimes you can not agree with what is presented........

Giants, Dragons, Gods/Goddesses, Demi Gods, Devils, Demons.........the most powerful, noble, despicable creatures anyone can ever think of.........Unfortunately, in this particular world, they are just plain BORING and inconsequential, Giants.......... timid, fearful, I have no words to describe how inconceivable this concept is/was.......then there is the language, thees, thous, thy, I have been weaned on such language, I consider them the highest in my pedestal, this is the angelic, demonic, chtonic vernacular, but again, it falls as awkward.....even laughable...........

Book rate.......the hardest for me for this particular novel, I wanted to like it, the first few pages........but I can not........not even a 1 or a .5, this concept/idea was really, really, bad.........

Mr. Pedro Gabriel, I sincerely apologize for a no rate.........but for me this one was a waste of time.

[Isabelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ironcraft // by Pedro Gabriel

Giants, hippogriffs, Gods, humans, prophecies, destruction, and more! This book sounded like a lot of fun when I first saw it for SPFBO8 and since it is pretty short, I decided to squeeze it into my TBR right away. Sadly though, this was very much a situation of missed expectations. I didn't realize just how much time would be covered in this book and what the writing style would be like. It felt much like the Bible and historical texts for the majority of the book and I struggled to care for the characters on an individual basis. It was almost like the author wanted to keep distance between the characters and the reader. Once I read the "About the Author" in the back of the book, that made a lot more sense. It says that he has always dreamt of creating his own full mythology and I do think that this has the feel of that. Sadly, that didn't come across in the description that I read on Amazon (Goodreads description was not available). I think if there was a reference to that, my expectations would've been different going into this book and I may have enjoyed it a bit more for what it is.

[Judy Ferrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A land of giants.

An epic of mythological proportions. Pedro Gabriel has written this most unusual first book that takes things of mythology and created a mystery. The end is unseen but the clues are there. A very impressive first book!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Gabriel’s first novel in English and he does exceptionally, considering. The plot is a little twisty but it is exquisitely crafted.

[Bjørn]

SPFBO review – original: Queen's Asylum

One of Ironcraft’s reviews on Goodreads compares it to The Silmarillion and The Holy Bible. Those comparisons are apt. The word “epic” was invented to describe books like this. In Ironcraft, a title appealing to a blacksmith, the arrival of the Iron Age is not a positive development – think Tolkien’s Shire turning into Mordor. The book was inspired by Egyptian and Mesopotamian mythology, rather than the “usual” Greek/Roman/Norse/Slavic. This, combined with Gabriel’s deep interest in the Church affairs and Catholic theology, creates something truly unique. Unfortunately, the Bible comparison is correct because of the writing style.

In Hollywood movies actors will initially exaggerate their, say, Irish accent, dialling it down as the movie progresses. It’s no longer necessary, as our subconscious registered this character’s Irish. Ironcraft does the opposite. The language, accessible in the beginning, grows more and more archaic as the book progresses, until the text becomes unintentionally funny. “And yet… you are so far away, and they so near at hand! I already smell in my very nostrils the fumes of their attacks! The floral odour of your aid is so tenuous, so distant, it cannot dissipate these noxious vapours at my doorstep!” would have been an amazing paragraph if the novel was a send up of itself.

The story held my interest long enough for me to reach the 39% mark, but as the prose became more and more florid, I found myself reading more and more slowly. Finally, the style wrestled the story (or me) to the ground. I wanted to find out how the book ended, though. I skipped to 90%, glanced at the page, saw the sentence “If thou wishest to survive with thine army, thou must flee at once!” and did not continue. Unfortunately, Ironcraft’s prose saw its face in a pool of water and never looked away again.

Recommended for people who enjoy truly unique, deep, bittersweet, non-graphic (in the first 39% at least) literary fantasy that reads like the King James version of the Old Testament.

(DNF, therefore no rating.)