Well presented, with enough knowledgeable characters still frequenting the tale from the times of the created prophecies, to bring the mythical knowledge to fruition in the present. This time, the history of the world seems deeper and completely focused. Not that you would, but if you read this book first - you would not recognise most of the characters when reading Malice. So many of the characters have grown and some have fallen following the narrative. Without us necessarily acknowledging, in our subconscious (going scientific now!) Gwynne makes us remember what happened and that aids the characters progression arcs' by clever reminders of what happened earlier in the story. When the tales progression places the characters and numerous factions to familiar, known territory where they frequented prior, what must seem to them after the hardships perhaps witnessed or received years ago, we remember what happened to them in these areas previously, overtly sympathising following past hardships, or the opposite depending on who we are following, and it helps the development of the characters. Whereas Valour followed three main battles, mostly in the West of this amazing fictional world, Ruin seems like it adheres to present and cover the majority of this huge fantastical landscape that Gwynne has created. Just a few quick points, character thoughts predominantly that make the reader go, "oh yeah I remember", then back to the tale. This is not intimidating in a "hold-your-hand whilst I tell you my tale" way. *Raises a glass* There are 100's of characters throughout this tale and when we do metaphorically vault 1000's of miles across the world to see happenings elsewhere, without dumbing it down, as fantasy readers are known for their intelligence, Gwynne will ingeniously give brief updates from previous happenings.
Where not only are my eyes and my mind affected by what is happening in the pages but my whole body is shaken, nervous, in awe and whatever emotion Gwynne wishes to put across he does it admirably. I felt emotions whilst reading this book that I have only been given by a handful of stories. Gwynne, with the overlapping character perspective chapters, makes us feel like we are truly privy to all that is taking place. Quite often in fantasy, when a point of view perspective is concluded at the end of a chapter then the writer moves on to an unrelated event perhaps thousands of miles away. How ingenious his knowledge of the mechanics and how well written the battles scenes are, I think that if there happened to be a medieval war these days (it is an interesting thought), I would want Gwynne and his magnificent war mind on my alliances team, sitting next to me in the strategy tent, perhaps having a sip of mead wine before the morrow's engagement.Ī lot of the point of views overlap and it keeps the action flowing at a frighteningly exhilarating pace with the events for example, in simplified form three chapters could be summarised being similar to the below:ġ) View from Warrior 1 as he fights in an unbelievable breathtaking duel.Ģ) View from Warrior 2, who is a member of the other army who watches and fathoms his views of the portrayed action in his mind - "The greatest duel between two men that I have ever seen" then decides how his army will respond.ģ) View from a young member of Warrior 1's side who sees the events unfolding and we then hear his thoughts and views and observe the consequential acts in a way that progresses the narrative.
Haunting this tale are huge battle scenes, epic sieges and legendary warrior showdowns and the way Gwynne writes makes the narrative extravagantly awesome.
These additions seemed more of a device for explaining events so that we get views and opinions of the ongoing action from both sides of the God wars alliances. These new characters, although vital to the progression and telling of the narrative did not seem as interesting to me as the existing cast many readers already love. We have a few new additions to the point of views including King Jael's war captain Ulfilas and the youthful rightful heir to Isiltir's throne, Haelan. Corban, Maquin, Envis, Cywen, Camlin etc. The perspectives we follow are the previous characters whose minds we have been flaunting through for the last 1500 or so pages in this series. The fabled God-War is no longer a mythical looming prophecy it is very real and the events unfolding within The Banished Lands are presented to us by a plethora of vivid and dramatic characters. Ruin is Gwynne's third novel in his stunning epic fantasy saga, The Faithful and the Fallen.
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