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Magic System... or is there one? Jacob Send a noteboard - 06/11/2009 07:07:20 PM
Readers are introduced to Scholes world with a very powerful and destructive display of magical power. A city is destroyed completely by a single massive attack. Yet, what do we know about magic in this world by the end of the novel?

Scholes delineates a few types of magic, earth magic and blood magic for example. We get several examples of earth magic being practiced. The Scout Magics are earth magic, while the Marsher's voice magic, is blood magic. We are told that blood magics where outlawed by the Order and all allied nations, and it is mentioned that a terrible and 'evil' price was paid to access the powers of blood magic.

I find the earth magics that show up in LAMENTATION to be pretty well integrated into the story, and plausible enough. The voice magic, unexplained, still worked for me. It's when I think about that major spell, the The Seven Polyphonic Deaths (or whatever it's called), where I start having questions. Earth magic is derived from properties of the earth, and blood magic... from elements of ritual surrounding the blood. Still, the spell the Isaak sings is words and he is a robot. We are told that this is a most terrible of blood magics, but my question is how? There probably isn't an answer to that one, perhaps a story hole, but it's something to think about.

The elements of dreaming and mysticism fit well with in the story style, and again were well utilized by Scholes in the narrative.

Anyway, what do you think? What did you enjoy about the 'magic' of LAMENTATION? What did you find lacking?
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Lamentation by Ken Scholes the Discussion Thread - 06/11/2009 04:57:27 PM 1035 Views
The setting/created world of the Psalms of Isaak. - 06/11/2009 06:43:57 PM 759 Views
Reminded me of WoT... - 06/11/2009 09:41:44 PM 778 Views
There are some definite similarities. - 07/11/2009 07:57:38 PM 707 Views
Same here, at least as far as the world creation goes. - 12/11/2009 05:18:27 PM 705 Views
Can't believe I never noticed that... - 13/11/2009 05:04:27 AM 748 Views
Complete with salty sayings, even! - 13/11/2009 04:05:45 PM 678 Views
At least it wasn't as heavy-handed in LAMENTATION. - 13/11/2009 08:42:36 PM 708 Views
But Siuan's fish talk is fun! - 13/11/2009 10:22:23 PM 730 Views
As in most cases with Jordan... - 16/11/2009 05:02:21 PM 760 Views
He did not... - 16/11/2009 10:21:15 PM 780 Views
Yes, he most certainly did. - 17/11/2009 02:20:28 PM 803 Views
What? - 18/11/2009 07:58:21 AM 800 Views
Re: The setting/created world of the Psalms of Isaak. - 07/11/2009 05:07:08 AM 752 Views
Well, if it isn't.. - 07/11/2009 07:54:36 PM 708 Views
/Setting: codes and ciphers - 10/11/2009 12:19:27 AM 710 Views
That did bug me a bit... - 10/11/2009 01:31:04 AM 776 Views
I certainly liked the idea... - 10/11/2009 05:22:00 PM 689 Views
Glad to know I wasn't the only way who noticed this - 12/11/2009 01:40:53 AM 676 Views
Nonverbal languages - 12/11/2009 05:28:38 PM 767 Views
Re: Nonverbal languages - 13/11/2009 05:09:25 PM 651 Views
It does require... - 13/11/2009 08:51:46 PM 671 Views
Magic System... or is there one? - 06/11/2009 07:07:20 PM 820 Views
My thoughts. (i.e. <insert generic subject here>) - 06/11/2009 07:38:26 PM 898 Views
Re: My thoughts. (i.e. <insert generic subject here>) - 06/11/2009 08:56:55 PM 994 Views
Re: My thoughts. (i.e. <insert generic subject here>) - 07/11/2009 01:28:51 AM 943 Views
Themes... - 06/11/2009 09:00:23 PM 819 Views
Loss of innocents... - 07/11/2009 05:15:40 AM 833 Views
Absolutely. - 10/11/2009 07:39:29 PM 693 Views
Re: Themes... - 07/11/2009 04:34:12 PM 808 Views
I think... - 07/11/2009 07:52:12 PM 727 Views
Re: I think... - 08/11/2009 12:42:05 AM 706 Views
I purchased this as an afterthought. - 07/11/2009 04:00:42 PM 779 Views
Characters... - 08/11/2009 02:30:30 AM 775 Views
Isaak, or "he who laughs". - 08/11/2009 02:54:44 AM 834 Views
Indeed. - 10/11/2009 05:31:55 PM 646 Views
I hope we never do get a POV from him. - 10/11/2009 09:10:49 PM 731 Views
Me too. - 11/11/2009 02:20:04 PM 707 Views
That's funny... - 11/11/2009 06:04:13 PM 701 Views
Personally I can't wait to see how Neb developes... *NM* - 10/11/2009 12:05:05 AM 367 Views
Yes, - 10/11/2009 05:27:04 PM 737 Views
Re: Yes, - 10/11/2009 08:01:14 PM 899 Views
Well... hold out. - 10/11/2009 08:23:39 PM 687 Views
- 11/11/2009 01:22:07 AM 736 Views
Winters & Neb - 11/11/2009 04:56:35 PM 733 Views
Being, deep down, a romantic at heart... - 12/11/2009 05:31:54 PM 885 Views
I like it too. - 12/11/2009 07:52:05 PM 712 Views
Climactic events and the let down... - 11/11/2009 06:56:33 AM 734 Views
In such a way, the book is a Lament. - 11/11/2009 02:18:17 PM 759 Views
Should you ever conduct an interview with Scholes, would you ask him... - 12/11/2009 05:51:52 PM 720 Views
That's a great question. - 12/11/2009 07:38:13 PM 704 Views

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