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Title: The Shadow of the Lion by Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint, Dave Freer ISBN: 0-7434-3523-0 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 March, 2002 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $27.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.53 (43 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Not entirely original
Comment: This novel borrows substantial character and plot material from the Merovingen Nights series (C.J. Cherryh, et al.), but with some new characters and situations. The setting has been moved to 16th century Venice, although in an alternate timeline where the Library at Alexandria was saved, and where magic exists along with demons. People are caught up in political struggles between rival empires, city states, and rival families, with vendettas and assassinations being common. All of that is complicated by demons from the underworld trying to take control and feed on people's souls.
The setting is not entirely clear at the beginning, and it is necessary to read a few chapters to get a clear picture of the situation. After that, the story becomes more interesting. It was easy to set aside while reading the early chapters, but I stayed up late to finish the book when I reached the final chapers. Overall, an interesting story.
Rating: 5
Summary: Ringing Changes on the Middle Ages!
Comment: I love historical novels, especially the really well researched and lushly written kind, like the late, and very much lamented Dame Dorothy Dunnett wrote, and I love science fiction, fantasy and alternate history. Mercedes Lackey, Dave Freer and Eric Flint have managed to write an alternative historical fantasy about 16th century Venice. So I got three of my favorites in one shot.
This novel is long. But it never flags. The pace is headlong, but the descriptions are clear, crisp and detailed. And the characters are wonderful, especially the little people, the spearcarriers, and the supporting cast.
A case in point is the use of a certain Basque priest as a main supporting character. It plays great without knowing who that character is based on, but it adds piquancy indeed to know that the character is really St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits.
The magic isn't intrusive where it shouldn't be, and is organic... that is, it doesn't just come from anywhere, and there are clear rules about how it works.
The magic isn't nearly as important to the plot as the convoluted and terrifyingly complex politics in the story. Remember, this is the same part of Europe that was still reading Macchiavelli as a "How To" textbook.
I read snippets before publication, and I can't wait for the next one. The collaboration of Lackey, Freer and Flint is greater than each of them alone. And since Lackey and Flint are known for being extremely good on their own, and Freer is too, just not as well known, that's saying a lot.
Buy this book. You will be swept away.
The Bananaslug. at Baen's Bar.
Rating: 5
Summary: No Shadow, only shine
Comment: SHADOW OF THE LION is an excellent, wide-ranging fantasy novel that makes best use out of three fine authors: Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint, and Dave Freer. It's a historical epic fantasy with many settings, many characters, and many interwoven plots, but it never, ever falters.
SHADOW OF THE LION is mostly the story of Marco and Benito, two brothers who go from rags to riches amidst war, intrigue, magic, and more war in 16th century Venice. In this alternate history, because magic works, the alliances among countries and kings aren't always what you'd expect.
At any rate, Marco and Benito are engaging characters, and I enjoyed reading about their adventures. I don't want to go into too much detail about these adventures, either; suffice it to say that who they meet, what they find out, and what they do along the way with that information is too much fun for me to spoil.
Go read this impressive book for yourself already!
Five stars plus, highly recommended.
Barb Caffrey
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Title: Sun In Glory (A Valdemar Anthology) by Mercedes Lackey ISBN: 0756401666 Publisher: DAW Books Pub. Date: 02 December, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: This Rough Magic by Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint, Dave Freer ISBN: 0743471490 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 December, 2003 List Price(USD): $26.00 |
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Title: Charmed Destinies: 3 Novels in 1 by Mercedes Lackey, Rachel Lee, Catherine Asaro ISBN: 0373218338 Publisher: Silhouette Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title: Exile's Honor: A Novel of Valdemar (Daw Book Collectors, No. 1235) by Mercedes Lackey ISBN: 0756401135 Publisher: DAW Books Pub. Date: 07 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Exile's Valor: A Novel of Valdemar by Mercedes Lackey ISBN: 0756402069 Publisher: DAW Books Pub. Date: 04 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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