When reading a fantasy story, have you ever wept for a slain dragon? Thought an Orc was ‘cute?’ Groaned when Providence tossed answers and solutions in the naïve heroes’ laps just because they’re ‘good,’ while they blunder stupidly through the plot and ruin all the villain’s hard work and careful planning almost without realizing it? Thought the wise old wizard was a callous, manipulative jerk?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then Jacqueline Carey’s “Sundering” duology is the series for you.

The two novels, “Banewreaker” and “Godslayer,” tell a classic fantasy epic in the style of Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” and “The Silmarillion.” In the face of a world at war, nations gather under the banner of an exiled king to see the long-prophesized union of man and Ellylon (Elves) in marriage and to march on the stronghold of the Dark Lord Satoris. Meanwhile, a small band of intrepid heroes under the guidance of Malthus (a wizard dispatched by Haomone, Satoris’ brother, who rules the paradise-like land of the gods across the Sundered Sea) make their way slowly toward Satoris’ land of Darkhaven with a weapon that will guarantee the fulfillment of prophecy and the destruction of the Dark Lord’s realm.

However, key difference is that the story is told as a tragedy, from the POV of the losing side. More, through brilliant use of shifting, subjective viewpoints, the reader comes to understand (Carey is a master of showing, not telling) that story is not about the battle between evil and good, but between freedom and control.

Haomone is the god of thought and intellect, while Satoris embodies passion and creativity. While the heroes (under Malthus’ adept and manipulative guidance) fight to bring about a perfect world, Satoris and his followers struggle for free will.

Far from the domain of evil it is purported to be, Darkhaven is a sanctuary for the mad, the misbegotten, and all those who have no place in paradise, and if it appears a hellish realm, it is due in no small part to the cruelties and persecution inflicted on its inhabitants by the outside world.

In this conflict, neither side is perfect. In contrast to the uncompromising perfection of the heroes, Sartoris’ followers’ actions stem from extremes of passion and carry all the associated flaws.

Most ironic of all, if the story was told entirely from the heroes’ POV then even the reader would have every reason to believe Satoris’ and his followers to be the evil monsters they have been painted to be.

Meanwhile Haomone, the ‘good’ god, is the image of righteous perfection. However, when seen from a different POV he comes across as something else altogether: a control freak who will not tolerate dissent and has no patience for anyone who will not be forced into the geometrically-perfect pigeonhole society has made for them.

Perhaps the most tragic thing of all is that none of the heroic characters even consider that in the supposed ‘perfect’ world that will come about in the aftermath of Satoris’ defeat, freedom will cease to exist.

Free will and utopia don’t go together.

In terms of narrative style, the books are flawless. With her background in myth and language, Carey has the credentials to take on the daunting challenge of writing a novel in the style of Tolkien.

However, these books are short on surprises. Keep in mind that this series is a tragedy and should be read as such, and in a tragedy the ending is a foregone conclusion. At one point, I was able to predict how one plotline would be resolved fifty pages ahead, but I read on anyway, every bit as engrossed, knowing what tragic and painful event would take place but helpless to stop it.

These books are a modern masterpiece and deserve to be read as companion pieces to standard fantasy. They challenge the reader to question unthinking assumptions about good and evil and reveal the dangers of absolutism.

Longtime readers of epic fantasy looking for something different.

The manner in which classical conventions were turned on their head with deft elegance.

Re-read "Lord of the Rings."

Emotionally drained.

An immensely talented bestseller who deserves all her success and more.

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Created May 22, 2006 at 1:12am • Submit your own review...