I have read and enjoyed each volume of the author’s previous series, but it appears I have come late to “The Cartographer” Series. The basic premise has a familiarity. The discovery of sorcerous activity in a world supposedly free of dark magic.
The dynamic swordsman, who happens to be of the blood royal, may seem to be a stock character. However, he is a world famous explorer and mapmaker as well as a Duke without portfolio. The sultry priestess is another stock character from conventional “Swords and Sorcery, but this character is not what you would ordinarily expect. She is expert in armed and unarmed combat, and an adept in some type of white or defensive magic.
These differences arise because they are not participating in a normal barbarian sword and sorcery story, even if there are swords, and some measure of sorcery. From the first line this is a mystery novel. It begins with a vicious murderous ritual mutilation of a once beautiful woman, and proceeds at breakneck speed over vast portions of their planet. They further the Duke and the Priestess proceed, the more complicated the plot gets, the fewer answers seem to fit their questions. It is a great whodunnit, and maybe a great whatdunnit!
The other source of wonder in this novel is the world in which it is set. It is an incongruous mix of Elizabethan England, and early Victorian England with oddly advanced technology added in. In all as I said in my title, somewhat “steampunk” in nature. The kingdom involved stretches from East to West and from temperate to Tropic. The economy is reminiscent of the Great East India Company in history. The best bit is the flying ships straight out of Edgar Rice Boroughs’ John Carter on Barsoom, without the Green Martians of course.
The climactic portion of this plot revolves around an ominous prophecy, arcane supernatural rituals, human sacrifice, and the ultimate evil. Two dauntless supernatural detectives versus he whose name must never be invoked. The suspense will have you on the edge of your seat - okay maybe it was just my imagination kicking in. As odd as the setting is, I has no problem with suspending disbelief for the length of this novel. No spoilers in my reviews. Just enjoy. Just one thing the shattering climax of this novel is a tense battle between our protagonists and ultimate evil. When the battle is over, they find that the war goes on.
This book is a great read, and I would heartily recommend it to any SciFi, or Epic Fantasy fan. The exact genre involved still escapes me, and that is a good thing. Don’t miss this one. I am going to move right along to the next volume, just released.
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All 3 for you in this series
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From the Publisher
A Dark Fantasy Thriller
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The CartographerDuke Oliver Wellesley is the son of the king, but he's given up that life to make a name on his own and to explore the world. When tasked with solving a heinous crime, how will he react when the trail leads home? |
The InspectorInspector Patrick McCready has seen horrors that haunt his dreams, but he's never seen anything like this. His quiet coastal hamlet is upended when the body of a noblewoman is found, killed in a foul, occult ritual. |
The PriestessSamantha, a priestess and assassin for the Church, serves an organization that considers her talent anathema. Her existence is a death sentence. She knows they will turn on her, but not until they've drawn every drop of blood. |
The AdventureThe Cartographer is a fast-paced, dark and sexy fantasy thriller. If you like world-spanning travel, Holmesian mystery, high seas adventure, occult rituals, and epic fantasy, this series is for you! |
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Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer
Engaging, Enthralling and Excellent read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2019
