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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 1032 Views
The setting/created world of the Psalms of Isaak. - 06/11/2009 06:43:57 PM 757 Views
Reminded me of WoT... - 06/11/2009 09:41:44 PM 777 Views
There are some definite similarities. - 07/11/2009 07:57:38 PM 706 Views
Same here, at least as far as the world creation goes. - 12/11/2009 05:18:27 PM 703 Views
Can't believe I never noticed that... - 13/11/2009 05:04:27 AM 746 Views
Complete with salty sayings, even! - 13/11/2009 04:05:45 PM 677 Views
At least it wasn't as heavy-handed in LAMENTATION. - 13/11/2009 08:42:36 PM 707 Views
But Siuan's fish talk is fun! - 13/11/2009 10:22:23 PM 729 Views
As in most cases with Jordan... - 16/11/2009 05:02:21 PM 759 Views
He did not... - 16/11/2009 10:21:15 PM 779 Views
Yes, he most certainly did. - 17/11/2009 02:20:28 PM 798 Views
What? - 18/11/2009 07:58:21 AM 799 Views
Re: The setting/created world of the Psalms of Isaak. - 07/11/2009 05:07:08 AM 751 Views
Well, if it isn't.. - 07/11/2009 07:54:36 PM 707 Views
/Setting: codes and ciphers - 10/11/2009 12:19:27 AM 709 Views
That did bug me a bit... - 10/11/2009 01:31:04 AM 775 Views
I certainly liked the idea... - 10/11/2009 05:22:00 PM 688 Views
Glad to know I wasn't the only way who noticed this - 12/11/2009 01:40:53 AM 675 Views
Nonverbal languages - 12/11/2009 05:28:38 PM 766 Views
Re: Nonverbal languages - 13/11/2009 05:09:25 PM 650 Views
It does require... - 13/11/2009 08:51:46 PM 670 Views
Magic System... or is there one? - 06/11/2009 07:07:20 PM 815 Views
My thoughts. (i.e. <insert generic subject here>) - 06/11/2009 07:38:26 PM 897 Views
Re: My thoughts. (i.e. <insert generic subject here>) - 06/11/2009 08:56:55 PM 992 Views
Re: My thoughts. (i.e. <insert generic subject here>) - 07/11/2009 01:28:51 AM 939 Views
Themes... - 06/11/2009 09:00:23 PM 818 Views
Loss of innocents... - 07/11/2009 05:15:40 AM 832 Views
Absolutely. - 10/11/2009 07:39:29 PM 692 Views
Re: Themes... - 07/11/2009 04:34:12 PM 807 Views
I think... - 07/11/2009 07:52:12 PM 726 Views
Re: I think... - 08/11/2009 12:42:05 AM 704 Views
I purchased this as an afterthought. - 07/11/2009 04:00:42 PM 777 Views
Characters... - 08/11/2009 02:30:30 AM 773 Views
Isaak, or "he who laughs". - 08/11/2009 02:54:44 AM 833 Views
Indeed. - 10/11/2009 05:31:55 PM 645 Views
I hope we never do get a POV from him. - 10/11/2009 09:10:49 PM 730 Views
Me too. - 11/11/2009 02:20:04 PM 705 Views
That's funny... - 11/11/2009 06:04:13 PM 700 Views
Personally I can't wait to see how Neb developes... *NM* - 10/11/2009 12:05:05 AM 366 Views
Yes, - 10/11/2009 05:27:04 PM 736 Views
Re: Yes, - 10/11/2009 08:01:14 PM 898 Views
Well... hold out. - 10/11/2009 08:23:39 PM 685 Views
- 11/11/2009 01:22:07 AM 735 Views
Winters & Neb - 11/11/2009 04:56:35 PM 729 Views
Being, deep down, a romantic at heart... - 12/11/2009 05:31:54 PM 884 Views
I like it too. - 12/11/2009 07:52:05 PM 711 Views
Climactic events and the let down... - 11/11/2009 06:56:33 AM 733 Views
In such a way, the book is a Lament. - 11/11/2009 02:18:17 PM 757 Views
Should you ever conduct an interview with Scholes, would you ask him... - 12/11/2009 05:51:52 PM 719 Views
That's a great question. - 12/11/2009 07:38:13 PM 703 Views

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