Fantasy/SF Book Reviews
Page One of TwoThe Physiognomy by Jeffrey Ford
Eos, 1998.Paperback, 244 pages.
ISBN: 0380793326.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
The Well-Built City is ruled by a mysterious, powerful
and utterly evil overlord known as Drachton Below.
Cley, a favorite of Drachton Below, is a famous
physiognomist who, following the science of
physiognomy, can determine a person's personality,
criminal tendencies, future prospects and
darkest secrets merely by observing and measuring the
unfortunate subject's appearance. Too long a nose,
with a chin that is a millimeter off-center? Clearly,
the man is a depraved criminal. Cley is sent to a rural
town to investigate the theft of a magical fruit found
in a tomb. The fruit is said to grant immortality and
Drachton Below wants that fruit. Cley sets out on a journey
which will have profound effects on his life and the
future of the Well-Built City when he finds some
nasty secrets which Drachton would prefer remain hidden.
Part fantasy, part SF, part literary novel, Physiognomy won the 1998 World Fantasy Award, and it is easy to see why. In a stunning debut, author Jeffrey Ford has concocted a complex tale which explores the fight between good and evil and science and religion (and science AS religion) which is absolutely enthralling to read. Cley himself is an unbelievably arrogant narrator who is as repellant as he is unintentionally amusing. But there is more to Cley than meets the eye, and his character evolves in unusual ways before the story's end. An outstanding novel. Highly Recommended.
The Rivan Codex by David and Leigh Eddings
Del Ray, 1998.Hardcover, 394 pages.
ISBN: 0345424026.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Over twenty years ago, David Eddings doodled a
map of a strange country. Little did he know that it would
be the starting point for the two fantastically popular
fantasy series: The Belgariad and The Malloreon.
The Rivan Codex is a collection of the extensive
background materials which make up the world
created by David and Leigh Eddings. The Rivan Codex
includes a fascinating introduction by David Eddings,
information about how the Eddings' created the
world used in The Belgariad and The Malloreon,
the holy books of the major cultures of both series,
geographical information, background and history of the
characters, and wonderful illustrations by Geoff Taylor.
Maps are also included, as well as interesting footnotes
about how the authors used these materials and changed
them during the actual writing of the books.
A must-read for fans of The Belgariad and The Malloreon.
Fantasy Reviews
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