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?
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?
Lamentation by Ken Scholes the Discussion Thread
06/11/2009 04:57:27 PM
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The setting/created world of the Psalms of Isaak.
06/11/2009 06:43:57 PM
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Reminded me of WoT...
06/11/2009 09:41:44 PM
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Same here, at least as far as the world creation goes.
12/11/2009 05:18:27 PM
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Can't believe I never noticed that...
13/11/2009 05:04:27 AM
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Complete with salty sayings, even!
13/11/2009 04:05:45 PM
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![](/site_media/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
At least it wasn't as heavy-handed in LAMENTATION.
13/11/2009 08:42:36 PM
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But Siuan's fish talk is fun!
13/11/2009 10:22:23 PM
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As in most cases with Jordan...
16/11/2009 05:02:21 PM
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He did not...
16/11/2009 10:21:15 PM
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/Setting: codes and ciphers
10/11/2009 12:19:27 AM
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Magic System... or is there one?
06/11/2009 07:07:20 PM
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My thoughts. (i.e. <insert generic subject here>)
06/11/2009 07:38:26 PM
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Themes...
06/11/2009 09:00:23 PM
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I feel like I should have posted a reveiw but I really such at reveiws. Anyway...
07/11/2009 04:53:15 AM
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If you don't mind me asking, what series/books in particular have characters you don't care for?
10/11/2009 08:12:52 PM
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Characters...
08/11/2009 02:30:30 AM
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Isaak, or "he who laughs".
08/11/2009 02:54:44 AM
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Indeed.
10/11/2009 05:31:55 PM
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Personally I can't wait to see how Neb developes... *NM*
10/11/2009 12:05:05 AM
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Winters & Neb
11/11/2009 04:56:35 PM
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Should you ever conduct an interview with Scholes, would you ask him...
12/11/2009 05:51:52 PM
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That's a great question.
12/11/2009 07:38:13 PM
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Thanks in advance. And please let me know his answer one way or the other.
13/11/2009 03:40:19 AM
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