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The Chathrand Voyage #4
The Night of the Swarm
The mighty centuries old ship, Chathrand, is long gone...
At the centre of an infernal forest there is clearing. Above it looms a seven hundred foot tall fragment of a vast tower. At its base, a group of friends. Exhausted, terrified. They stand around the body of a sorcerer, Arunis. In his wizened hand lies the Nilstone.
The Nilstone. An ancient artifact that has unleashed the Night of the Swarm; an ever growing cloud of darkness that is, even now, racing across the world of Alifros, threatening annihilation to all.
The only thing that can banish the Swarm is to take the Nilstone out of this world. But to do this the friends, Pazel, Thasha, Neeps and the mage Ramachni, must make a perilous voyage down the River of Shadows to where it leaves the world. Only there, far from any hope of rescue, can the Nilstone be cast away.
But the Sorceress Macadra is hunting for the Nilstone as well. This is not the end...
HERE ENDS THE CHATHRAND VOYAGE QUARTET
At the centre of an infernal forest there is clearing. Above it looms a seven hundred foot tall fragment of a vast tower. At its base, a group of friends. Exhausted, terrified. They stand around the body of a sorcerer, Arunis. In his wizened hand lies the Nilstone.
The Nilstone. An ancient artifact that has unleashed the Night of the Swarm; an ever growing cloud of darkness that is, even now, racing across the world of Alifros, threatening annihilation to all.
The only thing that can banish the Swarm is to take the Nilstone out of this world. But to do this the friends, Pazel, Thasha, Neeps and the mage Ramachni, must make a perilous voyage down the River of Shadows to where it leaves the world. Only there, far from any hope of rescue, can the Nilstone be cast away.
But the Sorceress Macadra is hunting for the Nilstone as well. This is not the end...
HERE ENDS THE CHATHRAND VOYAGE QUARTET
696 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
43 people are currently reading
1141 people want to read
About the author
Robert V.S. Redick
13 books746 followersRobert V.S. Redick is the author of Master Assassins and Sidewinders (July 2021), the first two novels in The Fire Sacraments epic fantasy series. Master Assassins (2018) was a finalist for the European Booknest Award for Best Novel, and was featured on numerous Best of the Year lists. Patrick Rothfuss said of it, "I like this book so much I wish I could have written it, but deep down I know I couldn't have written it so well."
Robert is also the author of the Chathrand Voyage Quartet (The Red Wolf Conspiracy and sequels), among the most beloved and critically acclaimed epic fantasy series of recent years. He is a former instructor in the Stonecoast and University of Nevada Reno MFA programs.
Redick is also an environmental justice consultant, and has lived and worked in Indonesia, Argentina, Colombia and many other countries. He and his partner, Dr. Kiran Asher, pick wild blueberries in Western Massachusetts.
Robert is also the author of the Chathrand Voyage Quartet (The Red Wolf Conspiracy and sequels), among the most beloved and critically acclaimed epic fantasy series of recent years. He is a former instructor in the Stonecoast and University of Nevada Reno MFA programs.
Redick is also an environmental justice consultant, and has lived and worked in Indonesia, Argentina, Colombia and many other countries. He and his partner, Dr. Kiran Asher, pick wild blueberries in Western Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
April 10, 2015
The Imperial Great Ship Chathrand, also known as the Wind-Palace, carrying more than 800 souls under the command of Captain Nilus Rose, has finally reached the end of its travels across the turbulent seas of Alifros. After four books, I found it incredible when I came acoss a comment by Felthrup, the woken rat, that only one astronomical year has passed since its departure from the Etherhorde docks. So much has happened, so many friends I have made aboard and beyond this great ship, that I am left with an overwhelming sadness there isn't an island shore left to explore, some new magical creature to encounter, some previously hidden passage or door in the bowels of the ship to pass through.
Such a bittersweet reaction of saying good bye to [...] I can't really name names, I don't want to spoil the ending, but the price paid to save the world has been high. What has started as a fun adventure with teenage protagonists has become deadly serious as the voyage progressed and the sheer magnitude of the threat is revealed. I am usually turned off by these evil overlords bent on destroying whole civilizations, even entire planets to fed their insatiable ego, but I found it easy to make an exception for the Chathrand crew. In part because the resolution is anything but predictable and clicheed, but mostly because I've become invested in the fate of the characters. These final chapters had about the same impact to me as saying goodbye to Fitzchivalry Farseer or to Frodo setting sail from the Grey Havens.
Never hide your darkness from us, sister. We will meet it with whatever light we can. There is no shame in sadness. But also, there is no sadness that may claimus as its rightful prey. This lesson I myself struggle to remember. We dwell in pain, and journey from loss to loss, but there is also love and wonder about us, and bright sunlight on peaks. For today I am merely glad that you choose to on at our side.
Which brings me to the point I was trying to reach. I see this fourth book as an hommage paid to the granddaddy of all fantasy Epics, J R R Tolkien, a proof across several generations that his themes of courage and honour and friendship endure. To give several examples: Ularamyth - the selk sanctuary can be seen as the Alifros equivalent of Rivendell with the selk of course standing in for elves; the trek through the Nine Peaks Road echoes the attempt to pass the Misty Mountains over the Caradhas pass; there's even a Balrog type of demonic fiend - a maukhslar, and the Nillstone appears to me every bit as powerful as the One Ring. To push the analogy further, the youths - Pazel and Neeps - could be the gentle hobbits caught up in world shattering events, Tasha a stand-in for Aragorn, Ramachni could be the wise Gandalf, Arunis becomes Saruman. I am forcing the similitudes here for a purpose: the Chathrand books are truly original and the plot is not a pastiche of Tolkien, unless you consider all "fellowship on a quest" epics derivative. But I wonder what makes some books endure from one generation to another and others go out of print in a decade. IMHO, this series has what it takes to become a classic, but after the first three books it received little attention outside specialized forums, it is still waiting to "be discovered". I think today the market is oversaturated with quality series, and the audience is shrinking. A movie adaptation would help, for sure, but the budget for special effects and casting would be huge. So I'm doing my bit to bring it to your attention.
On a side note, now that I've brought Tolkien into the mix, the one valid complaint that I could make about his work is that it subscribes to some old-fashioned views about the role of women in society (I'm trying to avoid the word sexist). His company is almost exclusively masculine, with a few decorative presences and the spectacular exception of Eowyn. Not so with the Chathrand fellowship: both Neda and Tasha fight side by side with their partners, in fact they surpassed them easily. The sorceress Macadra, Suthinia Pathkendle, Empress Maisa, Marila, Lady Oggostk, Lunja the dlomu fighter, lady Diadrelu and her Ixchel warriors Myett and Ensyl, even the feral cat Sniraga - none of them ask for special treatment and will accomplish everything their men do, frequently besting them. I find this modern approach of mr. Reddick refreshing, to be added to his other strongpoints as a storyteller: smooth passages from the humorous to the dramatic; a fine dosage of explicit language and gory details that make the story dark yet keep it suitable for a younger audience (euphemisms work well in this case); a deft hand at describing action scenes, both one on one duels and sea battles involving hundreds of ships. Best thing I could say about the quality of the prose is that it didn't stand in the way of the action, it blended into the story, and it rised to the occassion when emotions ran high and a rousing speech or a tender moment needed to be rendered.
Biggest question I have right now, is where do we go from here? What will come next from a debut author that has proved he can handle a huge plot with hundreds of characters, worldbuilding and politic twists covering both hemispheres world and three major empires with their dependent nations? I can't wait to find out. I wouldn't mind a return to the world of Alifros, also.
[edit for spelling]
October 13, 2021
This was so blary good! Please buy this man's books. We need him to keep writing!
A magnificent conclusion to the Chathrand Voyages quartet. After a major triumph in book three, our heroes immediately find themselves at their lowest point yet. Lost, abandoned by their ship, without resources and at wit's end, how can they possibly save all life on Alifros from the stomach-churning, hope-devouring, unwordly threat of the Swarm?
The pulse-pounding adventure continues to take the reader to unique locations, emotional highs, heartfelt character moments, sweet genuine romance (and I hate romance, unless it's authentic like it is here), and many surprises that are wholly earned. Every chapter was a joy and an adventure in itself. There was no rush to the end. I was worried as I entered the final hundred pages; so much still had to happen! But I needn't have worried; it was all handled beautifully.
I don't know what else I need to say to convince others to try this series, or just jump ahead to the author's newest works, Master Assassins and Sidewinders. If you love great fantasy, full of endearing characters, imaginative adventure, and above all just plain great writing, you have found the right place.
Oh, and that Sandor Ott character? Absolutely my new most hated literary villain.
********************
Given how I rag on under- or non-edited self-published books for their quality control failings, it would be remiss of me not to mention that the Gollancz trade paperback (October 2012) has a few more typos than I expect to find, even in a 300,000 word epic or whatever the count is for this book. They are concentrated towards the end of the book, and not just basic slips. For example, "NN" is used instead of a character's name (Nolcyndar) at one point.
A magnificent conclusion to the Chathrand Voyages quartet. After a major triumph in book three, our heroes immediately find themselves at their lowest point yet. Lost, abandoned by their ship, without resources and at wit's end, how can they possibly save all life on Alifros from the stomach-churning, hope-devouring, unwordly threat of the Swarm?
The pulse-pounding adventure continues to take the reader to unique locations, emotional highs, heartfelt character moments, sweet genuine romance (and I hate romance, unless it's authentic like it is here), and many surprises that are wholly earned. Every chapter was a joy and an adventure in itself. There was no rush to the end. I was worried as I entered the final hundred pages; so much still had to happen! But I needn't have worried; it was all handled beautifully.
I don't know what else I need to say to convince others to try this series, or just jump ahead to the author's newest works, Master Assassins and Sidewinders. If you love great fantasy, full of endearing characters, imaginative adventure, and above all just plain great writing, you have found the right place.
Oh, and that Sandor Ott character? Absolutely my new most hated literary villain.
********************
Given how I rag on under- or non-edited self-published books for their quality control failings, it would be remiss of me not to mention that the Gollancz trade paperback (October 2012) has a few more typos than I expect to find, even in a 300,000 word epic or whatever the count is for this book. They are concentrated towards the end of the book, and not just basic slips. For example, "NN" is used instead of a character's name (Nolcyndar) at one point.
April 13, 2020
This was a great fantasy series! Nicely different in it's setting and story telling. I really enjoyed the way the characters changed and evolved through the 4 books. Nice action and some very interesting magic concepts and fantasy creatures. Overall every book in the series is a solid 4, but taken as a whole series gets 5 star from me. Highly recommended
December 17, 2012
5 Stars
The overall series warrants 5 stars as well.
This was an amazing adventure and wonderful series. Non-stop action, epic adventure, and wonders and mystery to discover are all here waiting for you to discover as you embark on these voyages of the Chathrand. I loved every one of these books including this final installment. The epitomize the adventure story and I got lost in the world created by Robert V.S. Redick. The Night of the Swarm is the fourth and final book in the series that starts with The Red Wolf Conspiracy (my review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
The characters, the setting, the story, and the writing are all top notch. This is a series penned for the adult and the young adult crowd.
“Historians battle for the future, not the past. Our tales of who we were shape what we believe we can become. When I began to write, the story of theChathrand was a collection of fragments and folk-tellings, yarns shared at bedtime or beer-time, or Rin spare us, to prove some moral point. It was a myth; and now as copies circulate it may become scripture, for a benighted few. The chancellor would gild it, peddle it with nine parts sugar to one part truth. Or else burn it and bury me. I must work faster, before I cease to have hands, before he calls a doctor or a dogcatcher and has me led away. I must finish the tale, lest they finish it for me. And that would be horrific, a mashed-together monster, a lord or lady with the head of a beast.”
Captain Rose will be a very memorable protagonist / antagonist!!!
“Rose studied the two men at his feet. He felt a bottomless disgust. The mastermind of Arqual and his tool. Better for everyone if they had strangled each other, if that sleep were the sleep of death. But what of Nilus Rose? He had sworn to his father that he would bend these creatures to his will. But that was only hubris – the kind of talk his father wanted to hear, demanded to hear. Over and over, decade after decade. The long, daft proof of their power. The family epic. Rose had never stopped writing it, even though a fool could tell you that the premise was absurd.”
This book is not for the faint of heart as our story comes together in ways that will leave some out in the cold. There are no punches pulled and things can turn out pretty bleak. However, all this makes the story that much richer and worth your time to read…
These are massive adventures that will take you away and leave you wanting more. My highest recommendations!!!
The overall series warrants 5 stars as well.
This was an amazing adventure and wonderful series. Non-stop action, epic adventure, and wonders and mystery to discover are all here waiting for you to discover as you embark on these voyages of the Chathrand. I loved every one of these books including this final installment. The epitomize the adventure story and I got lost in the world created by Robert V.S. Redick. The Night of the Swarm is the fourth and final book in the series that starts with The Red Wolf Conspiracy (my review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
The characters, the setting, the story, and the writing are all top notch. This is a series penned for the adult and the young adult crowd.
“Historians battle for the future, not the past. Our tales of who we were shape what we believe we can become. When I began to write, the story of theChathrand was a collection of fragments and folk-tellings, yarns shared at bedtime or beer-time, or Rin spare us, to prove some moral point. It was a myth; and now as copies circulate it may become scripture, for a benighted few. The chancellor would gild it, peddle it with nine parts sugar to one part truth. Or else burn it and bury me. I must work faster, before I cease to have hands, before he calls a doctor or a dogcatcher and has me led away. I must finish the tale, lest they finish it for me. And that would be horrific, a mashed-together monster, a lord or lady with the head of a beast.”
Captain Rose will be a very memorable protagonist / antagonist!!!
“Rose studied the two men at his feet. He felt a bottomless disgust. The mastermind of Arqual and his tool. Better for everyone if they had strangled each other, if that sleep were the sleep of death. But what of Nilus Rose? He had sworn to his father that he would bend these creatures to his will. But that was only hubris – the kind of talk his father wanted to hear, demanded to hear. Over and over, decade after decade. The long, daft proof of their power. The family epic. Rose had never stopped writing it, even though a fool could tell you that the premise was absurd.”
This book is not for the faint of heart as our story comes together in ways that will leave some out in the cold. There are no punches pulled and things can turn out pretty bleak. However, all this makes the story that much richer and worth your time to read…
These are massive adventures that will take you away and leave you wanting more. My highest recommendations!!!
October 31, 2021
Probably one of the best Fantasy's I have read-ever!
4 books, 2,374 pages and I still want more! The characters, the world building, everything is spot on.
The Chathrand , one of largest ships ever built, set sail on a mission of peace. Or so the 800 souls on board thought. The secrets of the Kingdom were never known, except by a select few. The journey they took turned into un-pleasurable cruise that took them to the other side of the world.
And now they return to their home, one year in their life, 5 lost years in time. Their mission now turned into something unimaginable: Saving the world.
I cannot rave about this adventure enough. Read this author, buy his books. The man knows how to write and tell a story that will keep you guessing and have you wanting more.
4 books, 2,374 pages and I still want more! The characters, the world building, everything is spot on.
The Chathrand , one of largest ships ever built, set sail on a mission of peace. Or so the 800 souls on board thought. The secrets of the Kingdom were never known, except by a select few. The journey they took turned into un-pleasurable cruise that took them to the other side of the world.
And now they return to their home, one year in their life, 5 lost years in time. Their mission now turned into something unimaginable: Saving the world.
I cannot rave about this adventure enough. Read this author, buy his books. The man knows how to write and tell a story that will keep you guessing and have you wanting more.
December 16, 2020
WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED. I mean, it ended, I can't deny that. But what the hell, man.
Things to say, I'll come back tomorrow.
--------------------
I have a lot of emotions about this right now.
On the one hand, there are so many great characters in this series of books. Most of them felt 3-dimensional and varied and complicated. However, there got to be a lot of characters introduced that DIDN'T feel that way, especially any that were introduced from book 3 or book 4. I don't know why, but the Bali Adrins never felt alive to me. I couldn't really cared about them (especially not Lunja who it seems Redick really wanted us to care about). I think the problem is that the cast became so varied, that even when we were traveling with a relatively small group of people, like 8 or 9, people still faded into the background because there were so many stories to tell. The characters just couldn't keep up.
There was a lot of time spent describing weird landscapes. This has become a pet peeve of mine: when authors go on and on describing whatever crazy and deadly landscape they've devised for their poor characters to wallow through. This was especially bad in the last book, as the descriptions of the Infernal Forest drove me to distraction. I hated that whole part of the book, which included the climax, so I was very meh about The River of Shadows. After a certain point, it seemed like there were just too many ideas to fit into only a 4 book series.
While we're talking about climaxes, holy crap books 3 and 4 were TERRIBLE about that. The bad guys are gotten rid of so unceremoniously that I could hardly bring myself to care.
A lot of other characters are also gotten rid of unceremoniously, characters that I LOVED, but when they were dead I just kept on reading without hardly blinking. All the big important deaths just seemed rather clinical.
The problem here is that the whole series just couldn't reach "epic" for me. There were a lot of crazy things that happened, but it never got my blood moving or made me cry or make me say "oh my god" or anything like that. I sat down and read from beginning to end and that was that. No emotions really came into.
Except for one thing.
That epilogue.
I am still kind of speechless about it. It was either severe writer's block, the publishing company saying "No you MAY NOT have another book," or, my preferred option, BALLS OF GODDAMN STEEL. I've never read an epic fantasy series that decided to end on such a bittersweet note, and I kind of hope I never do again.
Overall, this series is a solid 3 star series. The Red Wolf Conspiracy was by far the best installment, and I recommend it to people all the time. The rest of the series is quite a time commitment without much of a payoff.
Things to say, I'll come back tomorrow.
--------------------
I have a lot of emotions about this right now.
On the one hand, there are so many great characters in this series of books. Most of them felt 3-dimensional and varied and complicated. However, there got to be a lot of characters introduced that DIDN'T feel that way, especially any that were introduced from book 3 or book 4. I don't know why, but the Bali Adrins never felt alive to me. I couldn't really cared about them (especially not Lunja who it seems Redick really wanted us to care about). I think the problem is that the cast became so varied, that even when we were traveling with a relatively small group of people, like 8 or 9, people still faded into the background because there were so many stories to tell. The characters just couldn't keep up.
There was a lot of time spent describing weird landscapes. This has become a pet peeve of mine: when authors go on and on describing whatever crazy and deadly landscape they've devised for their poor characters to wallow through. This was especially bad in the last book, as the descriptions of the Infernal Forest drove me to distraction. I hated that whole part of the book, which included the climax, so I was very meh about The River of Shadows. After a certain point, it seemed like there were just too many ideas to fit into only a 4 book series.
While we're talking about climaxes, holy crap books 3 and 4 were TERRIBLE about that. The bad guys are gotten rid of so unceremoniously that I could hardly bring myself to care.
A lot of other characters are also gotten rid of unceremoniously, characters that I LOVED, but when they were dead I just kept on reading without hardly blinking. All the big important deaths just seemed rather clinical.
The problem here is that the whole series just couldn't reach "epic" for me. There were a lot of crazy things that happened, but it never got my blood moving or made me cry or make me say "oh my god" or anything like that. I sat down and read from beginning to end and that was that. No emotions really came into.
Except for one thing.
That epilogue.
I am still kind of speechless about it. It was either severe writer's block, the publishing company saying "No you MAY NOT have another book," or, my preferred option, BALLS OF GODDAMN STEEL. I've never read an epic fantasy series that decided to end on such a bittersweet note, and I kind of hope I never do again.
Overall, this series is a solid 3 star series. The Red Wolf Conspiracy was by far the best installment, and I recommend it to people all the time. The rest of the series is quite a time commitment without much of a payoff.
July 23, 2014
read some 100+ pages and on the one hand the book moves well and I enjoy reading about Pazel, Tasha and the rest, but on the other the whole "doom time and we are the saviors' subject makes taking it seriously a bit hard
I finished The Night of the Swarm and the one thing I want to emphasize for now is that the ending may be the best ever to a fantasy series I've read; the book itself moves well and *a lot* happens - would not do to spoil as there are a ton of wow moments, however its general theme of heroes having to prevent the doom time gives it a bit too much predictability as the big picture goes with the Alifros conflicts that seem so important,being of course all subsumed in the race to prevent The Night Swarm sterilizing the planet, so all those (where many of the characters participate) are secondary until close to the end and hence lose a lot of tension and power.
The main thread following the group that chased Arunis (Pazel, Thasha and the rest) is also predictable to a large extent though the local events have flavor; this "box in" prevents the book to be as superb as the previous three until the last part where as mentioned the ending is indeed awesome and with that the book raises itself to a special place
I wish the series would have been structured differently to avoid the forced box-in of the last volume (personally i felt the ending of volume 3 was awesome and would have served well as an ending to the series though of course it couldn't the way things were structured), while on the other hand the clear (in retrospect) build-up to the ending may compensate for that
I finished The Night of the Swarm and the one thing I want to emphasize for now is that the ending may be the best ever to a fantasy series I've read; the book itself moves well and *a lot* happens - would not do to spoil as there are a ton of wow moments, however its general theme of heroes having to prevent the doom time gives it a bit too much predictability as the big picture goes with the Alifros conflicts that seem so important,being of course all subsumed in the race to prevent The Night Swarm sterilizing the planet, so all those (where many of the characters participate) are secondary until close to the end and hence lose a lot of tension and power.
The main thread following the group that chased Arunis (Pazel, Thasha and the rest) is also predictable to a large extent though the local events have flavor; this "box in" prevents the book to be as superb as the previous three until the last part where as mentioned the ending is indeed awesome and with that the book raises itself to a special place
I wish the series would have been structured differently to avoid the forced box-in of the last volume (personally i felt the ending of volume 3 was awesome and would have served well as an ending to the series though of course it couldn't the way things were structured), while on the other hand the clear (in retrospect) build-up to the ending may compensate for that
January 4, 2013
The Nilstone has released the Night of the Swarm. This cloud of darkness will destroy the world of Alifros. The only hope for survival is removing the Nilstone from Alifros. To do this, the friends must band together and take the perilous journey on the River of Shadows. Not only must the friends face the River of Shadows but they are being hunted by the Sorceress Macadra, she will stop at nothing to possess the Nilstone.
The Night of the Swarm is a nail biting, non-stop action adventure that would thrill any fantasy novel reader! I was sucked into this world created by Robert V. S. Redick. The plot is complex, the characters well developed and this new world was brilliant! I highly recommend reading The Night of the Swarm! 5 Stars.
This copy of The Night of the Swarm was given to me by Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
The Night of the Swarm is a nail biting, non-stop action adventure that would thrill any fantasy novel reader! I was sucked into this world created by Robert V. S. Redick. The plot is complex, the characters well developed and this new world was brilliant! I highly recommend reading The Night of the Swarm! 5 Stars.
This copy of The Night of the Swarm was given to me by Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2013
The tetralogy is concluded and we lay to rest Pazel and Thasha, Neeps and Mirila, Hercol and Neda and dozens of other well developed characters. Some we set aside, this story has concluded but their lives are unfinished and others we lay to rest in the ‘proverbial’ (Felthrup disapproves of this usage) sense of the word. In four books so well written in the parting from such distinct and unique personalities there is the feeling of having developed a rich relationship and then having to say goodbye and walk away, perhaps for good. It is hard to find characters as well developed as these in any work of fiction. Not merely the main players, but even those such as Dr. Ignus Chadfallow, Lady Oggosk, Suthinia Pathkendle and many others. Each one is a believable character, filled with life and detail. Every avid reader experiences that last moment of reading a truly good book when they finish the last words and put the book down with a sigh and a wisp of a smile, and bittersweet regret at the parting.
We have taken a great journey together, across great seas, over ice and fire, great cities and stark wilderness, even under the sea. We traveled the length and breadth of a fantastic, yet organic land full of the wonders of imagination. Pazel’s gift for languages gives us unique insight in to the eguar, a beast like no other in fantasy literature. An empire in cancerous decay. A captain of one of that world’s mightiest ships, who just like his ship, the Chatrand, is full of secrets. The murth, a mage confined to the bodies of willing sacrifices, the Polylex and the River of Shadows and too many others to mention.
Of course, Mr. Redick does not create ex nihilo, the selk may be in some ways like elves in Rivendell. Their mul seems like lembas. The meeting at the aqueduct may be reminiscent of a certain meeting the Fellowship of the Ring had in the Mines of Moria. But, there is no need for defense or apology. The author has imbued each of his creations, the people, the races and the situations with more than enough creativity to make it his own, something that feels original and fresh.
Here endeth many of the myriad story lines that have been woven in to the fabric of the series, like metallic fiber woven in to a cloth of cotton. One may trace these lines from beginning to end as they sparkle and shine, diving out of sight for a time, yet resurfacing a little farther on. I congratulate the author that he did not choose the easy way out in many of these stories. He has chosen a more realistic path for our journey in an unapologetic manner. (Of course what is ‘realistic’ in fantasy?) Even in the end the fairy-tale is eschewed, the moment that you leave with, that moment of finality and closure, Mr. Redick has made a hard choice and done the right thing and let us down in a way we know is right. Not only the end but the entire span of the Chatrand Voyage deserves a standing ovation and cries of, ‘Encore’!
We have taken a great journey together, across great seas, over ice and fire, great cities and stark wilderness, even under the sea. We traveled the length and breadth of a fantastic, yet organic land full of the wonders of imagination. Pazel’s gift for languages gives us unique insight in to the eguar, a beast like no other in fantasy literature. An empire in cancerous decay. A captain of one of that world’s mightiest ships, who just like his ship, the Chatrand, is full of secrets. The murth, a mage confined to the bodies of willing sacrifices, the Polylex and the River of Shadows and too many others to mention.
Of course, Mr. Redick does not create ex nihilo, the selk may be in some ways like elves in Rivendell. Their mul seems like lembas. The meeting at the aqueduct may be reminiscent of a certain meeting the Fellowship of the Ring had in the Mines of Moria. But, there is no need for defense or apology. The author has imbued each of his creations, the people, the races and the situations with more than enough creativity to make it his own, something that feels original and fresh.
Here endeth many of the myriad story lines that have been woven in to the fabric of the series, like metallic fiber woven in to a cloth of cotton. One may trace these lines from beginning to end as they sparkle and shine, diving out of sight for a time, yet resurfacing a little farther on. I congratulate the author that he did not choose the easy way out in many of these stories. He has chosen a more realistic path for our journey in an unapologetic manner. (Of course what is ‘realistic’ in fantasy?) Even in the end the fairy-tale is eschewed, the moment that you leave with, that moment of finality and closure, Mr. Redick has made a hard choice and done the right thing and let us down in a way we know is right. Not only the end but the entire span of the Chatrand Voyage deserves a standing ovation and cries of, ‘Encore’!
July 13, 2013
The Night of the Swarm, as a book alone, deserves 5 stars. The Chathrand Quartet deserves 5+ stars and warrants any fan of fantasy fiction to read, absorb and radiate in awe to the talent of author Robert VS Redick. I cannot recommend these books anymore than to say this is a MUST read.
The books weave a roller coaster story. The environment is detailed beautifully. Fast action scenes. Great characterisation and characters you really care for and probably one of the best endings to any series. It is compelling. Sure this series will be compared to other " like stories " - it is inevitable. But when it has been written with so much commitment, care and attention, is it really that important? The answer is no.
Purchase the four books and immerse yourself in the land of Alifros, and Bali Adro. Follow the company and adventures of Pazel Pathkendle, Thasa Isiq, Neeps, Marila, Hercol and Sandor Ott. Laugh and shed a tear. Cheer and curse. Enjoy. The ISS Chathrand is welcome to sail anytime in my repeated reading list. I cannot wait.
Thank you to Robert VS Redick. A welcome new talent to the fantasy genre. It was real.
The books weave a roller coaster story. The environment is detailed beautifully. Fast action scenes. Great characterisation and characters you really care for and probably one of the best endings to any series. It is compelling. Sure this series will be compared to other " like stories " - it is inevitable. But when it has been written with so much commitment, care and attention, is it really that important? The answer is no.
Purchase the four books and immerse yourself in the land of Alifros, and Bali Adro. Follow the company and adventures of Pazel Pathkendle, Thasa Isiq, Neeps, Marila, Hercol and Sandor Ott. Laugh and shed a tear. Cheer and curse. Enjoy. The ISS Chathrand is welcome to sail anytime in my repeated reading list. I cannot wait.
Thank you to Robert VS Redick. A welcome new talent to the fantasy genre. It was real.
February 15, 2016
Fantastic ending to a great fantasy story. Scary as hell monsters, surprise deaths, strange ending. I read the epilogue several times because my first take on it was dissatisfaction but it was somewhat more palatable with extra readings. I am still not happy about the fate of the primary character in the epilogue. I kept saying "You need to wait, just wait a while longer!" The Night of the Swarm is a gripping read. Mr. Redick is so wonderfully skilled at character development. I found myself caring about the fate of even some of the despicable characters. I couldn't put it down except to sleep because it was so nerve racking. Very highly recommend the whole series. I see where a future book could be written in this world awhile after after the apocalypse. I hope Mr. Redick will consider this.
March 16, 2013
I love Mr. Redick's writing, and I have loved the inventiveness and depth and vibrance of the world of Alifros over the course of the Cathrand Voyage Quartet. But I would be lying if I said I enjoyed this final installment as much as The Red Wolf Conspiracy or The Ruling Sea. Many of the facets of the story that drew me into Pazel and Thasha's world have been a bit lacking in the last two volumes, The River of Shadows and The Night of the Swarm. The grand sea voyage aboard the great and venerable Cathrand was replaced by land adventures in strange, exotic places, and I did miss the plots and intrigue special to a crew brought together and kept together on the ancient vessel. I also felt that, especially in this last volume, the plot marched toward the end rather predictably, with favorite characters falling, one by one, in two precise and ordered a fashion to properly mourn their passing. The end is triumphant in the sense we knew it would be, given the narrator, whom we can guess at perhaps a little earlier than we should have been able to. The ending is left somewhat ambivalent, without a proper sense of closure for those characters that have become dearest in our hearts. And finally, and perhaps most disconcertingly, the central relationship, the love upon which the series is truly based, and upon which the fate of Alifros actually relied, is left so up in the air as to be maddening, and maddeningly perplexing. I still cannot decide if Mr. Redick is leaving open the possibility of another book dealing with our star-crossed lovers, or whether the underlying them, at bottom, has become "when you can't be with the one you love, love the one your'e with." I can't really accept that, even though I am, at present, forced to. In all honesty, the final page of the series has left me somewhat bitter and disillusioned. But perhaps there is indeed more to come.
This is not to say that anyone should hesitate in embarking on their own journey aboard the Cathrand. The series is powerful and engaging and extremely well-written, deserving of mention alongside the likes of Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicles. In these dark days when so much fantasy has devolved to a simpering recitation of the anxst-filled love affairs between vampires and werewolves, or vampires and humans, or humans and werewolves, or all three together, series like The Cathrand Quartet are truly sparkly jewels in the genre, four leaf clovers we must seek out and find and cherish. I will indeed treasure the rich bounty that has been this series, final misgivings aside. Thank you Mr. Redick, for sharing your imagine and story with us. I will miss Alifros, though perhaps I won't have to for long?
This is not to say that anyone should hesitate in embarking on their own journey aboard the Cathrand. The series is powerful and engaging and extremely well-written, deserving of mention alongside the likes of Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicles. In these dark days when so much fantasy has devolved to a simpering recitation of the anxst-filled love affairs between vampires and werewolves, or vampires and humans, or humans and werewolves, or all three together, series like The Cathrand Quartet are truly sparkly jewels in the genre, four leaf clovers we must seek out and find and cherish. I will indeed treasure the rich bounty that has been this series, final misgivings aside. Thank you Mr. Redick, for sharing your imagine and story with us. I will miss Alifros, though perhaps I won't have to for long?
Read
August 6, 2025!!!!!!!
THIS REVIEW HAS A LOT OF SPOILERS. I usually discuss story elements openly and don't spoiler-hide my reviews, but this is book 4 of 4 and I'm openly going to mention spoiler-y plot points here, because otherwise I will simply forget what I've read.
!!!!!!
Why I read it: Review for book 1. Review for book 2. Review for book 3
Thoughts: I can't believe it's over. This whole series is some 2300 pages long and I read it all and it's over. This book alone is 700 pages long, so I'm not going to do an in-depth review, but I guess I'll briefly touch on a few points.
1. Parts of this final instalment felt very Tolkien-like and as far as I'm concerned, that's a good thing. I like the roles the characters took (Ramachni is so obviously Gandalf, Arunis and Macadra are Saruman, Hercol is Gandalf, Neeps is Pippin), and the enemies they faced, and the places they went to (Ularamyth is Rivendell and they even had their own meaningful council before the fellowship had to strike out on their own again, the Urakan trail is "what if the fellowship went over Caradhras instead of through Moria?"). I really, really enjoyed spotting the similarities, and I especially liked the differences. But it's not a 1:1 comparison, which leads me to the next point.
2. Redick is far more eager to kill off members of his fellowship, both on- and off-Chathrand. Whenever I thought I couldn't be more sad about the state of things in the book, some character I liked carked it. I even wanted Dastu to have a better ending - what I imagined for him was sort of what Niriviel got, a sort of learning and turning away from Sandor Ott. There are also a few characters I wish hadn't died, because that closed off some interesting storylines. Ignus is one of those characters: he lied to Pazel, and Pazel left the Chathrand thinking Gregory was his father after all. It's nice that Pazel later goes by Pazel Chadfallow, but I don't think he understands who his real father is. Lunja is another character who shouldn't have died. Her involvement with Neeps was touching and gripping in turns, and I was really invested in their relationship. I wanted to see how Neeps and Marila could make a third person in their marriage work. Captain Rose's death was expected, but tragic nonetheless. I was rooting for him the entire time, and the whole damn thing was unfair.
3. By the end, I liked that Erithusme was a stone cold bitch. It really subverts expectations of mages and wizards always being kindly, Gandalf-like beings -- though, again, Ramachni is totally Gandalf, I feel like he's an exception to the rule in this story setting. It makes perfect sense for beings who can wield immense powers to be remote, far above and beyond the concerns of mortals, to not care about feelings like love, especially after they sacrificed their first selves in order to gain knowledge and powers. Even so, I thought taking Thasha away through the River of Shadows with the promise that she'll come back out the other end of the river someday, someplace, was not really in the spirit of the promise she made.
4. Speaking of mages, Macadra was the weakest point of this book. She was simply not a very interesting character and not even a good adversary compared to Arunis. One way to improve that would have been to give her more page time; though that would've really blown out the page count, once you hit the high six hundreds, what can 50 more pages hurt? I fully expected more scenes of Taliktrum on Macadra's ship, and that would've been a good way to show more of her and more of how she conducts herself and her ship. Arunis, on the other hand, did get a full three books to develop -- and the blasted man continued to make a difference in the story even after death. There really wasn't room enough in the book for both Arunis and Macadra. Still, the ending she got was perfect.
5. The ixchel storyline...it was okay? I did want to know more about the future Chathrand they took refuge in while on the ship, expected Felthrup to make further trips to it. But he didn't, and that's fine. I did expect Stath Balfyr to be a disappointment, and I was so glad when Rose took them back in. I wasn't so glad that they were the cause of Rose's death, but he died being morally (and physically) upright. Taliktrum's ending was also a downer. I expected... hoped for more.
6. I really liked the war/political sideplot. I liked being shown who took a stand and how. I liked Ormael being set free again. I liked Maisa and Eberzam's speeches. Too many times I've read speeches in fantasy novels, speeches delivered by important characters, and thought "This is so poorly written, it couldn't persuade or inspire anyone to join a cause", but in this book I was convinced and inspired along with the locals. I was impressed that the Empress and her forces kept up the rebellion for the entire five years the Chathrand was gone (it was very smart, having the timeskip through the storm be only five years).
7. The ending was... bittersweet. It played on a number of previously mentioned and previously established things, which was good. It finally fulfilled Pazel's desire to be with his alleged father, who turned out to be both good and bad, as most people are. It also sort of solved Pazel's continuing turmoil over never having any agency in his own life. He spent a few years going wherever he pleased, seeing Northern Alifros as a free man. Eventually, that freedom also turned sour, and he turned to drink. Can't say I blame him, considering he was literally forgotten by everyone, so he suddenly found himself without family or friends, with none of the support structures he could rely on even when things were rough. Do I like that he went off with Klyst, in the end? I think it's fine. I think it was an ending that was set up by multiple things -- all the mentions of Klyst, the mystery woman in Vasparhaven, the conversation he had with Neeps about Lunja -- and after all the things Pazel has gone through, it's finally an ending that will bring him some measure of peace... at least until Thasha returns from where she's gone to, at which point what will happen? Who knows.
8. The Editor was Felthrup Stargraven. I was right, which is the only important takeaway here.
9. Okay there were a lot of important takeaways in this series about war, about peace, about justice, about truth, about sacrifice, about love, about friendship, about healing.
10. But I was right about the Editor, and that's the most important thing.
Would I read more from this author: Yes. The first of his Fire Sacraments series seems very fun, based on the blurb, though I'm sure it will have so much heartache + the two books that are currently out are as long as the Chathrand books, so I'll... give it a while.
Would I recommend it: Yes. If you want to read a complete fantasy series with an actual ending, yes. If you want to read about young people saving and changing the world, yes. If you want to read about old people realising they've made a mess of things in the world and now they have to clean it up, yes.
Would I reread it: I wouldn't mind reading it again. Knowing how things pan out might make earlier events interesting.
THIS REVIEW HAS A LOT OF SPOILERS. I usually discuss story elements openly and don't spoiler-hide my reviews, but this is book 4 of 4 and I'm openly going to mention spoiler-y plot points here, because otherwise I will simply forget what I've read.
!!!!!!
Why I read it: Review for book 1. Review for book 2. Review for book 3
Thoughts: I can't believe it's over. This whole series is some 2300 pages long and I read it all and it's over. This book alone is 700 pages long, so I'm not going to do an in-depth review, but I guess I'll briefly touch on a few points.
1. Parts of this final instalment felt very Tolkien-like and as far as I'm concerned, that's a good thing. I like the roles the characters took (Ramachni is so obviously Gandalf, Arunis and Macadra are Saruman, Hercol is Gandalf, Neeps is Pippin), and the enemies they faced, and the places they went to (Ularamyth is Rivendell and they even had their own meaningful council before the fellowship had to strike out on their own again, the Urakan trail is "what if the fellowship went over Caradhras instead of through Moria?"). I really, really enjoyed spotting the similarities, and I especially liked the differences. But it's not a 1:1 comparison, which leads me to the next point.
2. Redick is far more eager to kill off members of his fellowship, both on- and off-Chathrand. Whenever I thought I couldn't be more sad about the state of things in the book, some character I liked carked it. I even wanted Dastu to have a better ending - what I imagined for him was sort of what Niriviel got, a sort of learning and turning away from Sandor Ott. There are also a few characters I wish hadn't died, because that closed off some interesting storylines. Ignus is one of those characters: he lied to Pazel, and Pazel left the Chathrand thinking Gregory was his father after all. It's nice that Pazel later goes by Pazel Chadfallow, but I don't think he understands who his real father is. Lunja is another character who shouldn't have died. Her involvement with Neeps was touching and gripping in turns, and I was really invested in their relationship. I wanted to see how Neeps and Marila could make a third person in their marriage work. Captain Rose's death was expected, but tragic nonetheless. I was rooting for him the entire time, and the whole damn thing was unfair.
3. By the end, I liked that Erithusme was a stone cold bitch. It really subverts expectations of mages and wizards always being kindly, Gandalf-like beings -- though, again, Ramachni is totally Gandalf, I feel like he's an exception to the rule in this story setting. It makes perfect sense for beings who can wield immense powers to be remote, far above and beyond the concerns of mortals, to not care about feelings like love, especially after they sacrificed their first selves in order to gain knowledge and powers. Even so, I thought taking Thasha away through the River of Shadows with the promise that she'll come back out the other end of the river someday, someplace, was not really in the spirit of the promise she made.
4. Speaking of mages, Macadra was the weakest point of this book. She was simply not a very interesting character and not even a good adversary compared to Arunis. One way to improve that would have been to give her more page time; though that would've really blown out the page count, once you hit the high six hundreds, what can 50 more pages hurt? I fully expected more scenes of Taliktrum on Macadra's ship, and that would've been a good way to show more of her and more of how she conducts herself and her ship. Arunis, on the other hand, did get a full three books to develop -- and the blasted man continued to make a difference in the story even after death. There really wasn't room enough in the book for both Arunis and Macadra. Still, the ending she got was perfect.
5. The ixchel storyline...it was okay? I did want to know more about the future Chathrand they took refuge in while on the ship, expected Felthrup to make further trips to it. But he didn't, and that's fine. I did expect Stath Balfyr to be a disappointment, and I was so glad when Rose took them back in. I wasn't so glad that they were the cause of Rose's death, but he died being morally (and physically) upright. Taliktrum's ending was also a downer. I expected... hoped for more.
6. I really liked the war/political sideplot. I liked being shown who took a stand and how. I liked Ormael being set free again. I liked Maisa and Eberzam's speeches. Too many times I've read speeches in fantasy novels, speeches delivered by important characters, and thought "This is so poorly written, it couldn't persuade or inspire anyone to join a cause", but in this book I was convinced and inspired along with the locals. I was impressed that the Empress and her forces kept up the rebellion for the entire five years the Chathrand was gone (it was very smart, having the timeskip through the storm be only five years).
7. The ending was... bittersweet. It played on a number of previously mentioned and previously established things, which was good. It finally fulfilled Pazel's desire to be with his alleged father, who turned out to be both good and bad, as most people are. It also sort of solved Pazel's continuing turmoil over never having any agency in his own life. He spent a few years going wherever he pleased, seeing Northern Alifros as a free man. Eventually, that freedom also turned sour, and he turned to drink. Can't say I blame him, considering he was literally forgotten by everyone, so he suddenly found himself without family or friends, with none of the support structures he could rely on even when things were rough. Do I like that he went off with Klyst, in the end? I think it's fine. I think it was an ending that was set up by multiple things -- all the mentions of Klyst, the mystery woman in Vasparhaven, the conversation he had with Neeps about Lunja -- and after all the things Pazel has gone through, it's finally an ending that will bring him some measure of peace... at least until Thasha returns from where she's gone to, at which point what will happen? Who knows.
8. The Editor was Felthrup Stargraven. I was right, which is the only important takeaway here.
9. Okay there were a lot of important takeaways in this series about war, about peace, about justice, about truth, about sacrifice, about love, about friendship, about healing.
10. But I was right about the Editor, and that's the most important thing.
Would I read more from this author: Yes. The first of his Fire Sacraments series seems very fun, based on the blurb, though I'm sure it will have so much heartache + the two books that are currently out are as long as the Chathrand books, so I'll... give it a while.
Would I recommend it: Yes. If you want to read a complete fantasy series with an actual ending, yes. If you want to read about young people saving and changing the world, yes. If you want to read about old people realising they've made a mess of things in the world and now they have to clean it up, yes.
Would I reread it: I wouldn't mind reading it again. Knowing how things pan out might make earlier events interesting.
March 15, 2013
Update:
OUTSTANDING! A review is forthcoming!
Not a review (yet - I will write one after I read it) but I had to share some sad news...
I’m ticked. I just found out that Victor Gollancz Publishing (@gollancz on twitter) has cancelled the hardback edition of the last book of a series I have been reading and patiently awaiting to complete my collection of. The Night of the Swarm by Robert V. S. Redick promises to be an awesome culmination to an epic fantasy series, but Gollancz/The Orion Group has decided to snub its most dedicated customers – the collectors of their authors’ fine works – by cancelling the hardcover edition.
Haven’t heard of Robert V.S. Redick? Don’t take my word on how awesome he is, go check out fantasybookcritic and read Liviu’s reviews of The Red Wolf Conspiracy, The Rats and the Ruling Sea, and The River of Shadows. Then get pissed at VG for doing this and let them know. Perhaps it’s not too late for them to change this decision…
OUTSTANDING! A review is forthcoming!
Not a review (yet - I will write one after I read it) but I had to share some sad news...
I’m ticked. I just found out that Victor Gollancz Publishing (@gollancz on twitter) has cancelled the hardback edition of the last book of a series I have been reading and patiently awaiting to complete my collection of. The Night of the Swarm by Robert V. S. Redick promises to be an awesome culmination to an epic fantasy series, but Gollancz/The Orion Group has decided to snub its most dedicated customers – the collectors of their authors’ fine works – by cancelling the hardcover edition.
Haven’t heard of Robert V.S. Redick? Don’t take my word on how awesome he is, go check out fantasybookcritic and read Liviu’s reviews of The Red Wolf Conspiracy, The Rats and the Ruling Sea, and The River of Shadows. Then get pissed at VG for doing this and let them know. Perhaps it’s not too late for them to change this decision…
March 26, 2013
Loved it and wished it would continue since I really got attached to the characters. The ending really pissed me off though and I thought that it was a horrid ending. It rather confused me too. Felt like the author didn't want to write more so just did a quick weird wrap up.
November 1, 2013
I really enjoyed this series, but I guess my rose colored glasses always expect a happy ending. Well.... it was not my choice for an ending and sort of ruined all the reading of 4 books to get to such a poor ending.
July 8, 2016
Exceptional! A truly satisfying end to a great series. Fabulous pacing throughout, meaningful character development...I didn't want it to end. Yet I cherish the ending. Lovely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2021
The most incredible fantasy story I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading – and now it’s done.
I’ve had a difficult relationship with this series. I think I mentioned at least once or twice in all my previous reviews of Book 1, Book 2 and Book 3, how difficult I found it to grasp Redick’s writing, at least in the beginning. I don’t think I ever managed to put my finger on what it is exactly, but I think it’s a combination of run-on sentences, difficult weird choices, and convoluted language. This, combined with the fact that almost every other character is part of some conspiracy and thus has secrets to hide from one another, make the series occasionally difficult to follow.
It was particularly noticeable in the beginning with Book 1. I still kept running into the same issue as the series progressed, but you kind of get used to it, and you learn to know how an author writes, how they structure their words and sentences as you read more of them.
But anyway, I’m glad I stuck with it – because it was absolutely worth it!
Because whatever difficulties I had with Redick’s writing or language, it was entirely made up for by his incredible world building.
I think it’s not unfair to say that this epic fantasy series is completely unique. Most times, when you read a relatively recent fantasy work, you recognize things. Orcs or elves, a certain brand of magic, dragons, whatever it is – you can trace it back to the same source (usually Tolkien, but there are others). With Robert Redick and the Red Wolf Conspiracy I never felt like that once.
The short summary of the plot is that Pazel Pathkendle, a tarboy on the Chathrand, one of the most impressive ships ever constructed, is drawn into a complex political and magical conspiracy. Cue: Adventure! And yeah, it might sound like something you’ve read before, but personally at least, I was completely blown away. The world the Chathrand sails through is unique, and the plot that unfolds onboard the ship is captivating and original. I found myself being pulled in more and more, past the difficult writing and annoying language, to a story that was truly amazing.
It’s sad to see that there aren’t many people talking about these books. I couldn’t find many online forums or Wiki’s, and no one I know has even heard of them. Because I would love to sit down with someone and discuss these books, perhaps particularly this last one. It’s truly great.
I’ve had a difficult relationship with this series. I think I mentioned at least once or twice in all my previous reviews of Book 1, Book 2 and Book 3, how difficult I found it to grasp Redick’s writing, at least in the beginning. I don’t think I ever managed to put my finger on what it is exactly, but I think it’s a combination of run-on sentences, difficult weird choices, and convoluted language. This, combined with the fact that almost every other character is part of some conspiracy and thus has secrets to hide from one another, make the series occasionally difficult to follow.
It was particularly noticeable in the beginning with Book 1. I still kept running into the same issue as the series progressed, but you kind of get used to it, and you learn to know how an author writes, how they structure their words and sentences as you read more of them.
But anyway, I’m glad I stuck with it – because it was absolutely worth it!
Because whatever difficulties I had with Redick’s writing or language, it was entirely made up for by his incredible world building.
I think it’s not unfair to say that this epic fantasy series is completely unique. Most times, when you read a relatively recent fantasy work, you recognize things. Orcs or elves, a certain brand of magic, dragons, whatever it is – you can trace it back to the same source (usually Tolkien, but there are others). With Robert Redick and the Red Wolf Conspiracy I never felt like that once.
The short summary of the plot is that Pazel Pathkendle, a tarboy on the Chathrand, one of the most impressive ships ever constructed, is drawn into a complex political and magical conspiracy. Cue: Adventure! And yeah, it might sound like something you’ve read before, but personally at least, I was completely blown away. The world the Chathrand sails through is unique, and the plot that unfolds onboard the ship is captivating and original. I found myself being pulled in more and more, past the difficult writing and annoying language, to a story that was truly amazing.
It’s sad to see that there aren’t many people talking about these books. I couldn’t find many online forums or Wiki’s, and no one I know has even heard of them. Because I would love to sit down with someone and discuss these books, perhaps particularly this last one. It’s truly great.
January 20, 2013
Thee Night of the Swarm is the the fourth and final book in RV Redick's epic fantasy series, The Chathrand Voyage Quartet, and what a fitting end to a brilliant series. This will be a short review because I don't want to give anything away except to say most of the characters have survived the long voyage but what has happened so far is child's play to what is coming and it's coming fast.
Often, in long epics like this (this last book alone is over 700 pages), the author loses focus somewhere in the middle but not so Redick. The story never flags or loses its way. Although the story takes place mainly on board ship, Redick has built a world as complex and fascinating as any I have encountered in fantasy and I read a lot of fantasy, the characters are well developed and not the usual suspects of fantasy epics, and the story is a real page turner. My one criticism of the book - too short, I want more!
Often, in long epics like this (this last book alone is over 700 pages), the author loses focus somewhere in the middle but not so Redick. The story never flags or loses its way. Although the story takes place mainly on board ship, Redick has built a world as complex and fascinating as any I have encountered in fantasy and I read a lot of fantasy, the characters are well developed and not the usual suspects of fantasy epics, and the story is a real page turner. My one criticism of the book - too short, I want more!
November 4, 2015
I have finished the last book. And with it came the parting of some characters that had become friends for a while. It feels a bit like I lost something. But I will probably get over it. :)
If you have read the other 3 books, you will definitely read this one. If you have not read the other three books yet, you had better get started. :)
This last part of the series is just as good as part three. Enough adventures and emotions. And a fitting end. I have enjoyed reading this series.
If you have read the other 3 books, you will definitely read this one. If you have not read the other three books yet, you had better get started. :)
This last part of the series is just as good as part three. Enough adventures and emotions. And a fitting end. I have enjoyed reading this series.
February 18, 2013
When it comes to fantasy I have a tendency to rate books higher since I am an epic fantasy author myself. I started this book with the mind set of being as critical as I could be. I quickly found a problem, I simply loved it. The pacing is just right and the story in engaging. I found myself unable to put this book down at times. What a great finish to a great series.
June 30, 2014
Great final book to a great series. I'm not a big fan of books that take place on ships or are about ships but this series doesn't get bogged down with a lot of nautical terms. It focuses mainly on the great cast of characters. Underrated series that I recommend to everyone.
April 14, 2013
"I'm still speechless over the unexpected ending of final book in the series. Probably the best book of the four and I'm sad to see the story end. "
May 31, 2023
I loved Red Wolf Conspiracy, still do, I intend to keep it on my shelf and pretend like there never were any sequels to it. In fairness I will say I only got 1/3rd of the way through this book and then I jumped forward and read the ending, after which I abandoned it. I only got through a third because I became increasingly frustrated with the teen angst soap-opera-y melodrama surrounding the main characters and the bloody foreshadowing of doom that the authorial persona kept dropping. It wore me out, and I just couldn't motivate myself to read more. I certainly tried. I'd open the book and look at the next chapter and try to motivate myself to buckle down and read it, but... after nearly a year, I wanted it off my reading shelf so I took the option of last resort today. I read the ending. A terrible thing to do, but if the ending gave me hope that the book would be worth reading, I might have the strength to push through... such was not the case. As I'd suspected I still gave it three stars because although I disagree with his story choices, Redick CAN write and he does have a vivid imagination. If only his story had an actual payoff to justify all the bloody melodramatic melancholy. So, yeah... a shame, but not for me.
March 21, 2018
From Robert Redick’s first published fantasy title, The Red Wolf Conspiracy (RW) to his most recent work, Master Assassins (MA) we see an author that has honed new tools without suffering the weaknesses common to authors whose creative life must satisfy deadlines.
RW loves to surprise. This was its least attractive feature. New elements were added in each of the early chapters, often in a fashion that stopped me and pulled me out of the story. MA makes as many twists and turns, but does a much better job of dropping clues for what is coming so that the moves are welcome instead of jarring. The presentation of the world in MA is a well-curated gallery, introducing in an ordered progression, a foreign and fantastic world—a desert kaleidoscope of otherworldly wonder.
Also new to Robert’s style is the inclusion of the gob-smacking turn of phrase or plot twist that stopped me cold and forced me to think.
More than once, Robert hits so hard, the bond between reader and story becomes immutable. MA’s world is not what it seems at first blush and the hook it sets is sharp indeed.
MA also tried something new in terms of delivery - switching back and forth from the present to the past. My first thought each time the point of view departed the present story, was that it was too much and the plot of the main story was bogging down. I prefer to learn character back-story through the narrative and dialogue—or so I had thought. Each flashback journey Robert delivers in MA is a silver staple that binds the reader back to the main tale. The second storyline stands on its own, and I have not previously seen a flashback point of view carried off so well. MA treats the reader to two tales that cultivate each other and rewards a careful reader again and again.
The way sword fighting and action carried between the two titles did not change. Sequences remain disjoined glimpses–like the shaking camera of a news correspondent running behind a platoon. It is not my favorite style, but Robert’s delivery is solid and did not weaken.
Crawling under the hood a bit more, I must make mention of the marketing copy for the new series and its reference to MA’s exploration of feminism, race, and religion. There is much to say on Robert’s evolution here.
MA does not shy away, in sharp contrast to RW, from recognizing and exploring the inequities that exist in its cultures. MA includes dynamic and powerful POC and female characters without stepping out of the story to wave and point at their inclusion. The view we are given of these rich and fantastic characters does suffer a touch from our limited view of them. The story’s perspective throughout is male and that of the oppressor never the oppressed. The emotions and struggles of these rich characters is that of the alien. We see them but from the outside, like boys peering through a crack in the wall of women’s bath.
As a final note, I must point out the one thing that did not change between RW and MA. Robert is now an author who must meet deadlines, but his work has not suffered for it. This matters and is the reason I give him 5 stars instead of 4.
I will be buying everything Robert writes, regardless of genre.
RW loves to surprise. This was its least attractive feature. New elements were added in each of the early chapters, often in a fashion that stopped me and pulled me out of the story. MA makes as many twists and turns, but does a much better job of dropping clues for what is coming so that the moves are welcome instead of jarring. The presentation of the world in MA is a well-curated gallery, introducing in an ordered progression, a foreign and fantastic world—a desert kaleidoscope of otherworldly wonder.
Also new to Robert’s style is the inclusion of the gob-smacking turn of phrase or plot twist that stopped me cold and forced me to think.
More than once, Robert hits so hard, the bond between reader and story becomes immutable. MA’s world is not what it seems at first blush and the hook it sets is sharp indeed.
MA also tried something new in terms of delivery - switching back and forth from the present to the past. My first thought each time the point of view departed the present story, was that it was too much and the plot of the main story was bogging down. I prefer to learn character back-story through the narrative and dialogue—or so I had thought. Each flashback journey Robert delivers in MA is a silver staple that binds the reader back to the main tale. The second storyline stands on its own, and I have not previously seen a flashback point of view carried off so well. MA treats the reader to two tales that cultivate each other and rewards a careful reader again and again.
The way sword fighting and action carried between the two titles did not change. Sequences remain disjoined glimpses–like the shaking camera of a news correspondent running behind a platoon. It is not my favorite style, but Robert’s delivery is solid and did not weaken.
Crawling under the hood a bit more, I must make mention of the marketing copy for the new series and its reference to MA’s exploration of feminism, race, and religion. There is much to say on Robert’s evolution here.
MA does not shy away, in sharp contrast to RW, from recognizing and exploring the inequities that exist in its cultures. MA includes dynamic and powerful POC and female characters without stepping out of the story to wave and point at their inclusion. The view we are given of these rich and fantastic characters does suffer a touch from our limited view of them. The story’s perspective throughout is male and that of the oppressor never the oppressed. The emotions and struggles of these rich characters is that of the alien. We see them but from the outside, like boys peering through a crack in the wall of women’s bath.
As a final note, I must point out the one thing that did not change between RW and MA. Robert is now an author who must meet deadlines, but his work has not suffered for it. This matters and is the reason I give him 5 stars instead of 4.
I will be buying everything Robert writes, regardless of genre.
November 26, 2024
This is a strong ending to the series. Having finally recovered the Nilstone, the party is heading to Gurishal to destroy it. But the first problem is that Pazel's gang, who are holding the Nilstone, are in the middle of the continent while the Chathrand is already heading North! So a large part of the story is about Pazel and co travelling cross-country to get to the shore and aboard a ship, any ship. Their path is dangerous because the sorceress Macadra wants the Nilstone for herself, so her minions are looking for them. This leads to many tense moments.
Along the way the party is rescued by Selks, a race which appear to be this world's equivalent of elves. Even the writing becomes Tolkien-like: the Selks are graceful and deadly and long-lived, and they impart lore through songs. I didn't like it: I prefer the modern voice. The party spends a long time with them and it's very boring. The Selks' speech is very formal, and nothing happens.
When they finally do press on, there's good action. A particular highlight is an effort to cross a high mountain bridge, when Macadra's forces are holding the far side. It's a good battle, with lots of strategy and twists.
Meanwhile the Chathrand is moving North, but very slowly, as they're still hoping that the rest of the party will catch up. Sandor Ott is still a bastard, but Captain Rose is redeemed. The Ixchels' long plan to reach their ancestral homeland finally reaches its conclusion, to the detriment of all. The secret of the green door, which had appeared occasionally in previous books, is revealed. Felthrup the rat is resourceful.
Even when the Chathrand does end up in the northern part of the world, getting to Gurishal is difficult because there's a three-way war going on. Meanwhile, the Swarm of Night threatens to engulf all of Alifros.
Relationships between the teenage characters are YA-like. Pazel and Tasha do love each other, but Tasha's struggles with her identity (there's a sorceress inside her) keep them distant. Neeps comes to love another woman besides his wife Marila, and she's not even human.
The ending is good. It's bittersweet; not a "happily ever after" trope.
Along the way the party is rescued by Selks, a race which appear to be this world's equivalent of elves. Even the writing becomes Tolkien-like: the Selks are graceful and deadly and long-lived, and they impart lore through songs. I didn't like it: I prefer the modern voice. The party spends a long time with them and it's very boring. The Selks' speech is very formal, and nothing happens.
When they finally do press on, there's good action. A particular highlight is an effort to cross a high mountain bridge, when Macadra's forces are holding the far side. It's a good battle, with lots of strategy and twists.
Meanwhile the Chathrand is moving North, but very slowly, as they're still hoping that the rest of the party will catch up. Sandor Ott is still a bastard, but Captain Rose is redeemed. The Ixchels' long plan to reach their ancestral homeland finally reaches its conclusion, to the detriment of all. The secret of the green door, which had appeared occasionally in previous books, is revealed. Felthrup the rat is resourceful.
Even when the Chathrand does end up in the northern part of the world, getting to Gurishal is difficult because there's a three-way war going on. Meanwhile, the Swarm of Night threatens to engulf all of Alifros.
Relationships between the teenage characters are YA-like. Pazel and Tasha do love each other, but Tasha's struggles with her identity (there's a sorceress inside her) keep them distant. Neeps comes to love another woman besides his wife Marila, and she's not even human.
The ending is good. It's bittersweet; not a "happily ever after" trope.
February 16, 2018
It’s taken me a while to get through the 4 book series but my fault not the author’s! However, the review covers not just this last book, which concluded the series well, but also touches on the earlier books as a series and the plot line.
In general an excellent fantasy series. After a starting storyline involved with local empire politics it evolves to explain a wider tale associated with extinction of the entire world and what the hero’s must do to deal with it. In particular the last book ends nicely, not setting the entire world to rights, with everyone living happily every after. It finishes with some remaining issues and conflicts but settles the critical world threatening problem.
Over the series there are some excellent characters, especially Captain Rose and the rat, Feltrup (who has the best of the writing used on him!). Not all characters last the course, in best GRRM ‘killing off’ style, but not to the same degree as GRRM harvests his cast list.
There is some irritating writing from an author who is normally first rate in expressing himself and the story. For example, the hardened and gang ridden ships crew and marines sometimes prostrate themselves in gratitude to the heroes when they do something to save the situation especially in the last book. Not consistent in defining their character, I think. Perhaps Pazel’s love for Thasa is just a little too puppy like, though that is an issue that ties in with the story’s climax. Also a few too many ‘noble’ non-human characters who are just a little too undeveloped but perfect in morals and behaviour (unlike the bulk of the main human characters!).
But this is not enough to affect my 5* rating, both of this book and probably the series overall. A complicated world, with complicated politics and forces at work. Some excellent characters, unexpected twists and a reasonably consistent story through to the ending.
In general an excellent fantasy series. After a starting storyline involved with local empire politics it evolves to explain a wider tale associated with extinction of the entire world and what the hero’s must do to deal with it. In particular the last book ends nicely, not setting the entire world to rights, with everyone living happily every after. It finishes with some remaining issues and conflicts but settles the critical world threatening problem.
Over the series there are some excellent characters, especially Captain Rose and the rat, Feltrup (who has the best of the writing used on him!). Not all characters last the course, in best GRRM ‘killing off’ style, but not to the same degree as GRRM harvests his cast list.
There is some irritating writing from an author who is normally first rate in expressing himself and the story. For example, the hardened and gang ridden ships crew and marines sometimes prostrate themselves in gratitude to the heroes when they do something to save the situation especially in the last book. Not consistent in defining their character, I think. Perhaps Pazel’s love for Thasa is just a little too puppy like, though that is an issue that ties in with the story’s climax. Also a few too many ‘noble’ non-human characters who are just a little too undeveloped but perfect in morals and behaviour (unlike the bulk of the main human characters!).
But this is not enough to affect my 5* rating, both of this book and probably the series overall. A complicated world, with complicated politics and forces at work. Some excellent characters, unexpected twists and a reasonably consistent story through to the ending.
September 15, 2017
A fine conclusion to an all-in-all very different kind of fantasy quartet. The last book is massive, but brings the story to a fine, and mostly satisfying conclusion.
The epilogue in particular made me quite sad, which is a good thing, because a series is only great if you truly care about the characters. By the end, I cared deeply about the fate of Pazel, Thasha, Felthrup, all the other wondrous and unique characters introduced in this long series.
The book strangely reminded me The Fellowship of the Ring in many places. The first half of the book details the story of the conclusion to the quest to retrieve the Nilstone in Bali Adro, and the parallels to LotR are a bit overwhelming, with the selk replacing the elves, to the point of being stopped by a balrog, or rather demon, with Gandalf aka Ramachni saving the day. But once the crew has returned to the Chathrand and the voyage finds its conclusion, the book returns to its more unique flavor.
In any case, The Chathrand Voyages is an excellent and unusual quartet, the only weak point being the sluggish second book. The series could have done with some more editing because it was a bit on the long side, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time.
The epilogue in particular made me quite sad, which is a good thing, because a series is only great if you truly care about the characters. By the end, I cared deeply about the fate of Pazel, Thasha, Felthrup, all the other wondrous and unique characters introduced in this long series.
The book strangely reminded me The Fellowship of the Ring in many places. The first half of the book details the story of the conclusion to the quest to retrieve the Nilstone in Bali Adro, and the parallels to LotR are a bit overwhelming, with the selk replacing the elves, to the point of being stopped by a balrog, or rather demon, with Gandalf aka Ramachni saving the day. But once the crew has returned to the Chathrand and the voyage finds its conclusion, the book returns to its more unique flavor.
In any case, The Chathrand Voyages is an excellent and unusual quartet, the only weak point being the sluggish second book. The series could have done with some more editing because it was a bit on the long side, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time.
September 30, 2017
The final book but a great disappointment. I found that it was disjointed and the narrative forced. What made the first two books brilliant slowly disappeared in the third. In the this the fourth it felt as if the author lost interest. The book plodded on and even the end was contrived. Horrendous in that all that I liked about the main characters was lost in the final pages. I do think it is becoming a trend to extend fantasy to four novels where good editing would make for a better three volume read. I was captivated by the first two and recommended the books to many friend. As a reader I accept that not all books will enthuse me,and this book is a bitter disappointment.
March 26, 2019
This probably deserves more than 3 stars, but I don't know how else to display my irritation with the last book in this series. It's not an awful ending, but it was so close to being amazing that I just can't.
*fuller notes to follow*
- regardless of book 4 this was never going to be a 5 star series for me
- abandonment of major plot points from earlier in the series
- wtf was that epilogue, please do not read it
- what point did killing my fave character serve???? (Refer to point 2: spoiler - it's Rose)
*fuller notes to follow*
- regardless of book 4 this was never going to be a 5 star series for me
- abandonment of major plot points from earlier in the series
- wtf was that epilogue, please do not read it
- what point did killing my fave character serve???? (Refer to point 2: spoiler - it's Rose)
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