Book Review: Icefalcon's Quest by Barbara Hambly

[kilroy]

I was not expecting to like this book, even though I know the author and everything she writes is thoroughly readable. I like this book.

It's an adventure story set in a postapocalyptic non-Earth that has magic, technology, and visitors from our world who make references to Forbidden Planet. (Note: the visitors from our world are emphatically not the main characters, which is a nice change. They're just there for background color.) It's a setting that's interesting without being confusing, which is always a delicate balance to strike. The story moves briskly, keeping the tension up while varying the source of it-- pulling you along for the ride the whole way.

But the characterization is worth special note-- it's frankly amazing across the board. Even the villain, who is as dark as they come, has shading. One of the main characters is a child who (*gasp*) sounds like a child. Almost precisely half the people in the story are women, including warriors, wizards, and nobles. Everyone has prejudices and flaws. There is banter. The main character is adorably egotistical in a way that I have difficulty explaining-- he strives so hard for perfection that he comes off as arrogant, but you learn to love him anyway. These are people that I want to know, people that I'm glad I got to read about.

In short, the book was fun. It's a solidly imagined and well written adventure, and I'm pleased to have it on my shelf.


Print date: 1998 (20s: 1, 60s: 1, 70s: 1, 80s: 2, 90s: 1, 00s: 2)
Page count: 356 (3178 total)

Verdict: Keep. (4/8 keepers)

Next book due: 4/10