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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
reviews.metaphorosis.com
3.5 stars
Sent away from the capital in a nominal propmtion, Shonto Motoru finds the threat from barbarian tribes to be a very real danger to the Empire of Wa. The barbarians have support from unexpected places, and Shonto must decide how to respond, when any course looks like treachery to the suspicious Emperor. Shonto's Spiritual Advisor, the talented monk Shuyun, faces his own dilemmas as he questions aspects of his faith just as others look to him for guidance.
The prequel to this book, The Initiate Brother, was a vast, highly political book that succeeded through expert worldbuilding and a narrow focus on people. This book takes the relationships further, but with less success.
Russell has a lot to work with here - all those interesting characters he established in the first book, growing gradually more closely knit - and he does a lot with it. The individuals and their relationships remain a big draw, and Russell does an excellent job of showing larger events without ever losing his focus on the people affected by them. But the political side of the story simply went on too long for my taste. There's movement is more of troops than of spirits, and the logistical machinations take their toll. While Russell's choices are credible, after a while they cease to be interesting. This may be because he shifts his focus away from some of the action heroes of the first book, and more toward other, more social actors. Shuyun plays in both realms.
Disappointingly, Russell wraps things up fairly quickly (for a book this size), as if he recognized that he'd gone on too long. I'd have much preferred much less lead up, and a much longer winding down. That said, the books' central mystery is credibly explained, and Russell credits his readers with reasonable intelligence; there's a lot implied but unspoken, in line with the understated nature of the prose.
All in all, a good book and a good series. It's probably best read and purchased as a single volume. If you've read Russell's other (very good) books, you'll like this earlier work. If you haven't this is a good place to start. Recommended for anyone who enjoys subtlety in their fantasy.
This book (both books actually) consider loyalty, courage, faith and compassion and more besides. I particularly liked that the last 20% or so of this book dealt with the aftermath of the war. There are consequences even for the winners that can't be ignored.
It isn't perfect. It does drag a little in the middle and I never really bought into the main love story but it is well worth reading all the same.
It isn't perfect. It does drag a little in the middle and I never really bought into the main love story but it is well worth reading all the same.
This book, while an interesting, well-thought out, deep tale suffers from a lack of knowledge of Japanese culture (on which it is 90% based) on the part of the writer.
Touted as set in a "magical fantasy Orient" (a word I personally despise), it tells the story of Brother Shuyun (from The Initiate brother), Lord Shonto (governor of the province of Seh) and a large cast of others as they discover and fight off a massive invasion by desert clans who live to the north. Claiming to the be the saviors of the Empire of Wa (via dethroning the Emperor), the desert warriors mount an attack in Seh first.
A tale of war, deception, trechery, bravery, battle, and mystic intrigue, it is a well written tale. Colorful and vivid, it will leave an impression on readers. Too bad it's marred by the lack of knowledge or disgarding of knowledge by the author. For this, it loses 2 stars.
Touted as set in a "magical fantasy Orient" (a word I personally despise), it tells the story of Brother Shuyun (from The Initiate brother), Lord Shonto (governor of the province of Seh) and a large cast of others as they discover and fight off a massive invasion by desert clans who live to the north. Claiming to the be the saviors of the Empire of Wa (via dethroning the Emperor), the desert warriors mount an attack in Seh first.
A tale of war, deception, trechery, bravery, battle, and mystic intrigue, it is a well written tale. Colorful and vivid, it will leave an impression on readers. Too bad it's marred by the lack of knowledge or disgarding of knowledge by the author. For this, it loses 2 stars.
The conclusion to Russell's duology is faster-paced than the first volume, The Initiate Brother, but does take a bit of time to get going. The barbarian invasion of Wa, which Shonto and his household realize is fast approaching, finally starts--but not before the majority of the lords of Seh mock Komawara for his insistence that the Great Khan has amassed an army of 100,000 warriors. Ultimately, Shonto and his allies--some newly awakened to the danger--retreat down the canal, back toward the Imperial Capital, where Emperor Akantsu II waits, convinced that Shonto is lying about--or at least grossly exaggerating--the barbarian threat in order to lead a rebellion against him.
Russell continues to pursue two major plots: (1) the barbarian invasion, Shonto's defense of Wa, and the Emperor's plan to destroy Shonto and (2) Brother Shuyun's spiritual journey, as he comes to full understanding of the corruption of his Order and the presence of the Teacher--someone who has achieved enlightenment and is prophesied to be a second Botahara (possibly his reincarnation). The two major developments--the war and the coming of the Teacher--are independent of each other; either could happen without the other, and neither is dependent on the existence of the other. But Shuyun is the bridge between them. It is his experience as Lord Shonto's Spiritual Advisor that brings him into contact with two teachers who prepare him for the Teacher--Shonto and his adopted daughter, Nishima. Shuyun's journey leads him to demonstrate even greater compassion than he shows in the first novel (though he's a good guy there, too), and it provides the means to resolve the invasion plotline.
For those who crave strategy and action, there is far more of it in this novel. For a time, Shonto pursues a strategy designed to delay the Khan's army and deprive it of food. But there are some battles, starting with the doomed defense of Rhojo-Ma, Seh's capital, and then a daring raid led by Komawara that is part of a larger strategic maneuver. But it all leads to the final confrontations between Akantsu and Shonto, and the barbarians and armies of Wa.
Russell has a lot of strengths. Most notably, his world-building is superb--detailed, rich with possibility, and internally consistent. His characters are, for the most part, well-drawn, with complex motives. Each has an interesting arc. There are a handful (Nishima, in particular) for whom some developments are relatively easy to predict, but others, such as Komawara and Sister Tesseko/Shimeko, are surprising. For Komowara, he achieves feats and recognition beyond that which he ever expected, but the cost is bitter. It is Sister Tesseko/Shimeko's decisions and fate that resonate with me. It is only late in the novel that we understand what she did, and, although it's never spelled out, it's clear that her decision came at great personal cost. It is also strongly implied that she imperiled her soul. And, yet, she could be considered the true savior of Wa.
In some ways, the two chief antagonists--Shonto and Akantsu--are the least complex characters. Both are engaging--I was never bored when they were on the page--and they are not single-dimensional. But both are, in essentials, the same men at the end of the novel that they were at the beginning. Akantsu, in particular, becomes a bit of a caricature of himself. Although the reader knows Akantsu is wrong about the relative threats posed by Shonto and the Khan, there are in-text reasons that provide some justification for him to persist in his error. But he never grows beyond it. It's not so much that I wanted to see him transform in character--he is fundamentally selfish and destructive in that selfishness. But he's not stupid, yet he never seems to intellectually grasp his error.
Nonetheless, Gatherer of Clouds brings the stories to powerful and frequently moving conclusions. This was only Russell's second published novel (The Initiate Brother was first), but it is so detailed, complex, and accomplished in execution that it feels as if it is the work of a more experienced author.
Russell continues to pursue two major plots: (1) the barbarian invasion, Shonto's defense of Wa, and the Emperor's plan to destroy Shonto and (2) Brother Shuyun's spiritual journey, as he comes to full understanding of the corruption of his Order and the presence of the Teacher--someone who has achieved enlightenment and is prophesied to be a second Botahara (possibly his reincarnation). The two major developments--the war and the coming of the Teacher--are independent of each other; either could happen without the other, and neither is dependent on the existence of the other. But Shuyun is the bridge between them. It is his experience as Lord Shonto's Spiritual Advisor that brings him into contact with two teachers who prepare him for the Teacher--Shonto and his adopted daughter, Nishima. Shuyun's journey leads him to demonstrate even greater compassion than he shows in the first novel (though he's a good guy there, too), and it provides the means to resolve the invasion plotline.
For those who crave strategy and action, there is far more of it in this novel. For a time, Shonto pursues a strategy designed to delay the Khan's army and deprive it of food. But there are some battles, starting with the doomed defense of Rhojo-Ma, Seh's capital, and then a daring raid led by Komawara that is part of a larger strategic maneuver. But it all leads to the final confrontations between Akantsu and Shonto, and the barbarians and armies of Wa.
Russell has a lot of strengths. Most notably, his world-building is superb--detailed, rich with possibility, and internally consistent. His characters are, for the most part, well-drawn, with complex motives. Each has an interesting arc. There are a handful (Nishima, in particular) for whom some developments are relatively easy to predict, but others, such as Komawara and Sister Tesseko/Shimeko, are surprising. For Komowara, he achieves feats and recognition beyond that which he ever expected, but the cost is bitter. It is Sister Tesseko/Shimeko's decisions and fate that resonate with me. It is only late in the novel that we understand what she did, and, although it's never spelled out, it's clear that her decision came at great personal cost. It is also strongly implied that she imperiled her soul. And, yet, she could be considered the true savior of Wa.
In some ways, the two chief antagonists--Shonto and Akantsu--are the least complex characters. Both are engaging--I was never bored when they were on the page--and they are not single-dimensional. But both are, in essentials, the same men at the end of the novel that they were at the beginning. Akantsu, in particular, becomes a bit of a caricature of himself. Although the reader knows Akantsu is wrong about the relative threats posed by Shonto and the Khan, there are in-text reasons that provide some justification for him to persist in his error. But he never grows beyond it. It's not so much that I wanted to see him transform in character--he is fundamentally selfish and destructive in that selfishness. But he's not stupid, yet he never seems to intellectually grasp his error.
Nonetheless, Gatherer of Clouds brings the stories to powerful and frequently moving conclusions. This was only Russell's second published novel (The Initiate Brother was first), but it is so detailed, complex, and accomplished in execution that it feels as if it is the work of a more experienced author.
Mini-Review:
Review covers both books in the Initiate Brother Duology
3.5 Stars for Narration by Elijah Alexander
4 Stars for Clever Prose (Fits within Asian Culture)
4 Stars for Brother Shuyun
3.5 Stars for Plot & Other Characters
The duology is a quiet story. There's political entanglements, fighting, betrayals, romance and spirituality but they are all posed in a composed manner with multiple layers.
I loved the elegant and visceral turns of phrases that gave several meaning and yet posed a singular visual. The story is like poetry in some ways and a historical recording in others. There's a lot of details provided to give you an idea of the world setting, the characters involved and the mental & emotional state of each.
Alexander has a great narration voice but the "character accents" detracted from the story. I laughed at one of them in this book because it was basically the normal speaking voice of Yoda. While his character voices threw me off a bit, I enjoyed the cadence of his regular narration and how it fit the story well there.
I think it missed the mark a bit on one of the main points but it was close enough to work for me. Religion and the paths of enlightenment are not simple ideas. It was more well done than not.
I enjoyed the handful of fighting & sex scenes that were in the books. They had great atmosphere and a clear emotion or image. Good examples of how you don't have to have pages to describe a moment or event.
The books are a thoughtful journey with great characters. I'm glad I took a chance and read these books.
Review covers both books in the Initiate Brother Duology
3.5 Stars for Narration by Elijah Alexander
4 Stars for Clever Prose (Fits within Asian Culture)
4 Stars for Brother Shuyun
3.5 Stars for Plot & Other Characters
The duology is a quiet story. There's political entanglements, fighting, betrayals, romance and spirituality but they are all posed in a composed manner with multiple layers.
I loved the elegant and visceral turns of phrases that gave several meaning and yet posed a singular visual. The story is like poetry in some ways and a historical recording in others. There's a lot of details provided to give you an idea of the world setting, the characters involved and the mental & emotional state of each.
Alexander has a great narration voice but the "character accents" detracted from the story. I laughed at one of them in this book because it was basically the normal speaking voice of Yoda. While his character voices threw me off a bit, I enjoyed the cadence of his regular narration and how it fit the story well there.
I think it missed the mark a bit on one of the main points but it was close enough to work for me. Religion and the paths of enlightenment are not simple ideas. It was more well done than not.
I enjoyed the handful of fighting & sex scenes that were in the books. They had great atmosphere and a clear emotion or image. Good examples of how you don't have to have pages to describe a moment or event.
The books are a thoughtful journey with great characters. I'm glad I took a chance and read these books.
A flawed but beloved old favorite from college, one I worry will pass from the collective memory sooner than it ought. That said, I must confess that I'm giving it stars based, I suppose, on a separate scale from that I might apply to Beowulf, say, or Dubliners. Perhaps--and I am realizing this as I consider the question of how many stars to award here--I use a five-star scale not so much as an absolute range of value applicable across all books, but as a measure of the extent to which a book met the expectations with which I came to it. Making it all doubly subjective, but I think that really is a more honest assessment of how I've been thinking of it. Nice to realize that.
And in that light, having approached Initiate Brother as a fantasy novel (I regard it and its nominal sequel, Gatherer of Clouds, as one novel broken into parts for publisher's purposes), it acquitted itself very well indeed. Russell seems to be finding his way as he writes the chapters in order, so that the first is the wobbliest. The plot, baroque enough to require real care in following it, has some points that don't quite add up. But there is also a subtlety there that is probably the book's greatest strength: you really do need to pay attention to the action as the pieces move around the broad board of imperial intrigue, or you won't notice when this or that agent reports to his superior with small lies and omissions that are our only warning of that agent's secret agenda, which may matter down the road. After one misstep in that first chapter, Russell has the authorial assurance necessary to lie to the reader--rather than try and tiptoe around a narrative lie, and thereby betray his plans for what will follow.
It's a large ensemble cast, with significant characters still being introduced well over halfway through the action, and the main characters are pretty good. Shonto, almost as much the main character as titular Brother Shuyun, is an interesting compromise--he is presented as a master strategist, but never in the book will he execute any masterful strategies. Mostly he shows himself to be resolute, coolheaded, principled, blessed with superlative staff, and skilled at divining the truth among rumors. Which will do for a hero, surely. But in battle the credit always goes to his retainers, or to his good fortune in having Shuyun at his service. Small matter. The nature of his repute going into the story isn't as important as his lordly mien, and his position as lightning rod for the wrath of a vindictive emperor.
And so on. Our Lady Nishima is compelling, if something of a feminist anachronism (if it makes any sense to cry anachronism in a backdrop that's a curious blend of Japanese language, dress and culture on a Chinese geographic and political map). Lord Komawara is fine as a spirited young romantic lead. The emperor brings a lively menace to everything. The brothers Jaku, his servants, are vivid, perhaps at the cost of watching the author enjoy himself too much in describing them. The many supporting characters are deftly and carefully drawn.
I'm rereading this just lately, in an intermittent way. We'll see if it stands up. I am noticing right away, though, the the book slows for a few chapters after the second, and before Shuyun reappears I am impatient for his arrival. He is the life of the story, his predicament as he ventures from his cloister into a world that seems like more than illusion. Half Zen master and half Shaolin monk, he is the only one on the trail of the big wheel that's turning, virtually forgotten behind all the machinations of warfare. And his character, despite being wrapped in something of a martial arts caricature, is probably the most nuanced of the lot.
Immensely enjoyable, warts and all. I'll update if reading through it again should change my view of it.
And in that light, having approached Initiate Brother as a fantasy novel (I regard it and its nominal sequel, Gatherer of Clouds, as one novel broken into parts for publisher's purposes), it acquitted itself very well indeed. Russell seems to be finding his way as he writes the chapters in order, so that the first is the wobbliest. The plot, baroque enough to require real care in following it, has some points that don't quite add up. But there is also a subtlety there that is probably the book's greatest strength: you really do need to pay attention to the action as the pieces move around the broad board of imperial intrigue, or you won't notice when this or that agent reports to his superior with small lies and omissions that are our only warning of that agent's secret agenda, which may matter down the road. After one misstep in that first chapter, Russell has the authorial assurance necessary to lie to the reader--rather than try and tiptoe around a narrative lie, and thereby betray his plans for what will follow.
It's a large ensemble cast, with significant characters still being introduced well over halfway through the action, and the main characters are pretty good. Shonto, almost as much the main character as titular Brother Shuyun, is an interesting compromise--he is presented as a master strategist, but never in the book will he execute any masterful strategies. Mostly he shows himself to be resolute, coolheaded, principled, blessed with superlative staff, and skilled at divining the truth among rumors. Which will do for a hero, surely. But in battle the credit always goes to his retainers, or to his good fortune in having Shuyun at his service. Small matter. The nature of his repute going into the story isn't as important as his lordly mien, and his position as lightning rod for the wrath of a vindictive emperor.
And so on. Our Lady Nishima is compelling, if something of a feminist anachronism (if it makes any sense to cry anachronism in a backdrop that's a curious blend of Japanese language, dress and culture on a Chinese geographic and political map). Lord Komawara is fine as a spirited young romantic lead. The emperor brings a lively menace to everything. The brothers Jaku, his servants, are vivid, perhaps at the cost of watching the author enjoy himself too much in describing them. The many supporting characters are deftly and carefully drawn.
I'm rereading this just lately, in an intermittent way. We'll see if it stands up. I am noticing right away, though, the the book slows for a few chapters after the second, and before Shuyun reappears I am impatient for his arrival. He is the life of the story, his predicament as he ventures from his cloister into a world that seems like more than illusion. Half Zen master and half Shaolin monk, he is the only one on the trail of the big wheel that's turning, virtually forgotten behind all the machinations of warfare. And his character, despite being wrapped in something of a martial arts caricature, is probably the most nuanced of the lot.
Immensely enjoyable, warts and all. I'll update if reading through it again should change my view of it.
This is the finally to this duology and while it had a lot of change and upheval especially in regards to the characters. It was very middle of the road because of the very opened ending. Almost every string of this story is left untied and it wasn't enough conclusion and info for an ending for me.
Mini-Review:
Review covers both books in the Initiate Brother Duology
3.5 Stars for Narration by Elijah Alexander
4 Stars for Clever Prose (Fits within Asian Culture)
4 Stars for Brother Shuyun
3.5 Stars for Plot & Other Characters
The duology is a quiet story. There's political entanglements, fighting, betrayals, romance and spirituality but they are all posed in a composed manner with multiple layers.
I loved the elegant and visceral turns of phrases that gave several meaning and yet posed a singular visual. The story is like poetry in some ways and a historical recording in others. There's a lot of details provided to give you an idea of the world setting, the characters involved and the mental & emotional state of each.
Alexander has a great narration voice but the "character accents" detracted from the story. I laughed at one of them in this book because it was basically the normal speaking voice of Yoda. While his character voices threw me off a bit, I enjoyed the cadence of his regular narration and how it fit the story well there.
I think it missed the mark a bit on one of the main points but it was close enough to work for me. Religion and the paths of enlightenment are not simple ideas. It was more well done than not.
I enjoyed the handful of fighting & sex scenes that were in the books. They had great atmosphere and a clear emotion or image. Good examples of how you don't have to have pages to describe a moment or event.
The books are a thoughtful journey with great characters. I'm glad I took a chance and read these books.
Review covers both books in the Initiate Brother Duology
3.5 Stars for Narration by Elijah Alexander
4 Stars for Clever Prose (Fits within Asian Culture)
4 Stars for Brother Shuyun
3.5 Stars for Plot & Other Characters
The duology is a quiet story. There's political entanglements, fighting, betrayals, romance and spirituality but they are all posed in a composed manner with multiple layers.
I loved the elegant and visceral turns of phrases that gave several meaning and yet posed a singular visual. The story is like poetry in some ways and a historical recording in others. There's a lot of details provided to give you an idea of the world setting, the characters involved and the mental & emotional state of each.
Alexander has a great narration voice but the "character accents" detracted from the story. I laughed at one of them in this book because it was basically the normal speaking voice of Yoda. While his character voices threw me off a bit, I enjoyed the cadence of his regular narration and how it fit the story well there.
I think it missed the mark a bit on one of the main points but it was close enough to work for me. Religion and the paths of enlightenment are not simple ideas. It was more well done than not.
I enjoyed the handful of fighting & sex scenes that were in the books. They had great atmosphere and a clear emotion or image. Good examples of how you don't have to have pages to describe a moment or event.
The books are a thoughtful journey with great characters. I'm glad I took a chance and read these books.
The sequel to The Initiate Brother, the story picks up immediately after the conclusion of the first book. This book contains more action and concludes the plotline of the first book, though I have to say that I found the wrap-up of the story-line of the invading desert army, to be very short and ultimately disappointing. Though I can understand that it was really just a thematic reason to drive the events of the story, the character of "The Great Khan" of the barbarians, so far unglimpsed, was given a very brief moment in the sunlight before disappearing again.
Also, one of the main characters of the story - Lord Shanto Motoru, is given a very unsatisfying ending, dying "off camera" in a way that may be heroic, but seems futile. Perhaps that was part of the message, about the random horror of war, where death plays no favorites.
I don't want to leave an impression of disappointment. The book has many flaws, especially for someone who wants to see loose threads tied up, and I am hoping (though 20+ years later, perhaps in vain) for a continuation of the story in another duology. Its definitely a book to add to your list of must-reads.
A bonus for us Canadians, the author is a Toronto boy, though now is lives in Vancouver. Its always great to read fellow Canadian authors.
Also, one of the main characters of the story - Lord Shanto Motoru, is given a very unsatisfying ending, dying "off camera" in a way that may be heroic, but seems futile. Perhaps that was part of the message, about the random horror of war, where death plays no favorites.
I don't want to leave an impression of disappointment. The book has many flaws, especially for someone who wants to see loose threads tied up, and I am hoping (though 20+ years later, perhaps in vain) for a continuation of the story in another duology. Its definitely a book to add to your list of must-reads.
A bonus for us Canadians, the author is a Toronto boy, though now is lives in Vancouver. Its always great to read fellow Canadian authors.