Fantasy/SF Book Reviews
Page One of TwoThe Arm of the Stone by Victoria Strauss
Eos, April, 1998.Paperback, 426 pages.
ISBN: 0380797518.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Long ago, the world was united and one family had great
power as the keeper and protector of the Stone -- the world's
most powerful object. But after a terrible conflict the world
was split into two worlds -- the world of Mindpower where
technology is forbidden and the Stone is guarded by
terrible Guardians, and the other world where the skills of the
mind have been lost and technology, or Handpower, rules.
In the world of Mindpower,
a young boy, Bron, is the last of the line of the ancient family
who are the true keepers of the Stone. It is prophesied that Bron
will recapture the Stone and return the world to order, freeing
it from the terrible, Draconian rule of the Guardians. When Bron's family
is destroyed by the Guardians, he vows to become a Guardian himself
in order to reach the Stone from the inside of the Guardian temple. His Quest
will take him to the heights of power in his world. He will also come face to
face with the Stone and the awesome power that pulls him to it and
will find love in a very unexpected place. Bron fulfills a great destiny,
but in a very unusual and powerful way.
The Arm of the Stone is a powerful novel from Victoria Strauss. Neatly avoiding many of the cliches that seem to permeate the epic fantasy subgenre, Strauss creates a world from a fascinating premise. The description of a world without technology where Luddite laws impose harsh penalties on anyone who even improves on the simple technology of the time (such as making a better plow) is intriguing, as is the description of Bron's inner powers which are linked to the Stone. The subplot of a wealthy girl who has empathic abilities who also becomes a Guardian adds texture to the tale and is woven neatly into the Quest story. An exciting and unusual novel which lovers of epic fantasy will not want to miss.
Jericho Moon by Matthew Woodring Stover
Roc, April 1998.Trade paperback, 480 pages.
ISBN: 0451456785.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Long, long ago, before the birth of Christ,
three mercenaries were making a decent living in the
war-torn area where modern day Israel stands.
Barbarian princess Barra the Pict along with
her pet wolf, Graegduz, the magician Kheperu
of Thebes and the warrior Leucas
of Athens set
off to the desert of Caanan to rescue the Jebusite
prince in order to receive the reward offered by
his Father-King. They rescue the prince, but end
up right in the middle of the siege of Jebusi by the
Hebrews who worship one God, Yahweh. The
city dwellers worship a female Goddess and the two
Gods have declared war upon one another with the humans
stuck in the middle. It will take all of Barra's considerable
fighting and diplomatic skills, as well as a little sorcery,
to rescue her and her friends and return home to
her two little boys. But with the
Gods themselves taking a hand, it is far from clear
whether anyone at all will make it out alive from
the siege of Jebusi.
Jericho Moon is set in a much-underused time period of history which provides an excellent backdrop for this tale of action, adventure and magic. The description of the ancient cultures including the idol-worshipping Baal followers and the Hebrews who march to war with the Ark of the Covenant is as fascinating as it is slyly amusing. The wry commentary of Barra the Pict, who reminds one a bit of Xena, Warrior Princess, is especially entertaining. An excellent, intriguing tale that will have readers longing for more adventures with Barra and company.
Return to the July 1998 issue of The IWJ.
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