Vincalis the Agitator / Holly Lisle

Vincalis the Agitator

category: fantasy, author:

Holly Lisle

book 0 (prequel) of Secret Texts
original copyright 2002

read in May 2012

Agamedes' opinion: 6 out of 10: read to pass the time

There's a rich and happy society. Ruled by people who are not as nice as they pretend. Who are, in turn, ruled by a secret society who are cruel, evil and known of by a surprising number of people, considering that they are a "secret society". Then there's the underclass; the people who exist to suffer and to supply the power to support the good life of those above.

This book provides the background to Lisle's Secret Texts trilogy. It's an enjoyable book which can be read alone. It's a while since I read the trilogy and I enjoyed some of the new explanation of where it all began. I suspect that it would be a mistake to read the prequel before the trilogy; too much suspense would be lost.

As a standalone book, Vincalis is average. The plot drifts along in a logical progression... unbelievable beyond the excuse of fantasy but logical. The characters are soap opera: each one is a mixture of good and bad, with mixed motives and a tendency to shift allegiance under pressure.

There are four main characters, with the story following the point of view of two of them. Those two live a charmed life. There are threats, there are dangers, there are narrow escapes... these two avoid the worst of the torments. When characters do suffer -- it is seen, safely, from a third-person perspective. I like that! There's a limit to how much I want my heroes to suffer.

There are also social messages. The main message is, that those on top preserve their own energy-wasting lifestyles at the expense of those at the bottom. That comfort -- and the desire for continued comfort -- corrupts. It's a measure of the shallowness of the book that when a few people do take a stand against continued oppression of the poor... They take a stand, make no difference, disappear from the story.

Perhaps there is just too much in this book: The best part of a lifetime for the heroes; an empire from its dizzy heights to its sudden fall; the back story to a trilogy all in one book... A large number of sudden but satisfactory endings in the last few chapters. Is there too much to do in one book? Though I suspect that a second prequel would only stretch the plot too thin.

If you have just read the Secret Texts trilogy, then Vincalis is now worth reading. For others, it's enjoyable enough to pass the time.

The cover picture, really, says it all:

There's the hero, manacled, but otherwise unhurt. Surrounded by suspicious characters in robes, pointing, thinking, accusing but not really hurting. (Sticks and stones...) Now look again at the hero: he has the hands of a Lego person... Plastic.

Courage of Falcons / Holly Lisle

Courage of Falcons

category: fantasy, author:

Holly Lisle

book 3 of The Secret Texts
published by Gollancz in 2000,
read in November 2009 (and before, in March 2007)

Agamedes' opinion:

When I read this, at first I did not realise that I had read it before (in March 2007). The start was just so unfamiliar... About half way through I did begin to suspect. In fact, it was in my reading of book 2, that I first began to suspect -- because the big battle that I vaguely remembered just did not happen! But here it is, in book 3. Ah well, so much for memory. Anyway, it's a good book. Lots of fun, likeable characters, sympathetic baddies who still get their come-uppance. A satisfying conclusion -- every set problem solved -- but strong suggestions that today's victory will bring new adventures for more books. I do like Lisle's approach to plot and conclusions: disposal of the various baddies is done at various logical points in the book, rather than dragged out to a grand finale. I mean, the "Dragons" from 1000 years ago are wiped out very early. The three evil torturers from book 1 are killed just past the middle. The "evil device" is then destroyed. And there is still time -- and tension -- to battle a final few bad guys, right to the last few pages. No extremes of tension, perhaps, but good action and adventure from beginning to end.

Agamedes' rating: 7 out of 10

..o0o..

This blog is supported by Agamedes Consulting. For an independent and thoughtful review of your own documents, email nick leth at gmail dot com.

Vengeance of Dragons / Holly Lisle

Vengeance of Dragons

by

Holly Lisle

published by Victor Gollancz/Millennium in 1999
read in July 2009 and previously in March 2002
fantasy
book 2 of The Secret Texts

A hero & heroine with great magical powers, a strong supporting cast, the threat of the end of civilisation as we (well, they) know it... Great fun. Yet there is a touch, a feeling, of separate adventures all strung together. The Secret Texts are prophecies which tell of the coming of a peace guru and his ultimate, total success. I do like the way that the great guru is suddenly -- and unexpectedly -- killed. Much better than prophetic determinism! On this, admittedly second, reading, book 2 seems to stand alone quite well. At the end, all three cliff-hangers are left at a point at which the good guys could well survive. Yet there is still some doubt -- plus indications of major actions still to come...

Agamedes' rating: 6 out of 10