Official Review: Chains of Mist by T.C. Metivier
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Aithne
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- Latest Review: "Chains of Mist" by T.C. Metivier
Official Review: Chains of Mist by T.C. Metivier
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Chains of Mist" by T.C. Metivier.]
3 out of 4 stars
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If you have not yet read the first book in the series, be warned T C Metivier’s Chains of Mist has a steep learning curve. It is, however, a jolly good, magical sci-fi adventure story, filled with space technology and magical artefacts.
Plot
The second book in the ‘Chalas Peruvas’ series, this novel follows characters who are disparate in terms of their temperament, military rank, and magical ability – or lack thereof – as they take on, or contribute towards, a battle against an unrivalled evil power that just won’t die. Our heroes suspect this villain plans to wipe out millions of species throughout the universe.
Structure
Characters are introduced with little preamble and are narrated from a fairly limited third person perspective. Simple stars are used to mark POV breaks, which can be confusing, especially towards the beginning of the book when many new characters and story streams are first introduced.
The major and minor POV characters have differing allegiances in the battle the book builds towards (most surprisingly selfish or proud, considering the grand scale of possible consequences should they lose). Their originally separate story streams are woven together as the story progresses.
Setting
Setting is used to good effect, particularly in terms of the small details. For example, alien animals with strange names are used for comparisons and references, which is often an immersive experience. However, sometimes, especially when there is little context, these references can be confusing or disorientating. (For those interested in learning about the full array of creatures and races, a thoughtful glossary is provided at the back of the book.)
When looking at characters with military backgrounds, military ranks and the power plays between them are realistic and the procedures for emergency landings or unforeseen encounters appear to have been well thought through.
Worlds themselves are described in minute detail, with types of foliage, smells, the cultures of indigenous species and the native dangers being integrated into the narrative without info dumping. Magical and technological devices are merged into the plot extremely well and there appears to be no conflict between them. Prophecies sit side by side with military strategy and spaceships here!
Description and Dialogue
Metivier’s descriptive style is thick, but thick without irrelevance. Well before I was halfway through the book, I was immersed in the storytelling. A good example of Metivier’s description would be ‘moons had already risen, hanging low in the sky like ripe luma fruits’. Here, the exoticism of the area is introduced alongside the time of day, painting a vibrant picture of the land described.
However, on occasion, description was overdone and brought me out of the story and into the author’s voice. This was usually when clunky phrasing was used, such as: ‘expression of euphoria crept across her face’ (‘expression’ could be omitted without losing the meaning), or when complicated words were used for relatively simple experiences, for example, ‘verdant scents’ and ‘soporific power’. These words are rare to come across in ordinary vernacular, and so are a jolt to read.
Metivier’s dialogue, however, has brilliant verisimilitude, or life-like similarity, to real speech. For example, ‘“This is different, and you know it. This isn’t just some SmugCo op gone wrong. This wasn’t bad intel, or bad planning, or plain old bad luck. We never had a chance— it was a suicide mission right from the start.”’ The rhythm behind the constructed speech is good, as is the to-the-point plain speaking Metivier uses.
Summary
On the whole, I thoroughly enjoyed the build up to the big, conclusive battle in this novel. I rooted for characters and particularly enjoyed exploring the ‘planet of G’Char’ and its mysterious inner intricacies. I feel this book would appeal to those who like fully immersive and descriptive fantasy or sci-fi, such as readers of Tolkien or fans of The City and the City by China Miéville. If you mainly read low fantasy, urban fantasy or more straightforward sci-fi, this may be one to avoid.
Faults were few and far between, particularly once I got into the meat of the book, while settings were imaginative and the plot was solid, keeping to well established tropes in the genre. I would give this novel 3 out of 4 stars.
******
Chains of Mist
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Aithne's review? Post a comment saying so!
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
If you have not yet read the first book in the series, be warned T C Metivier’s Chains of Mist has a steep learning curve. It is, however, a jolly good, magical sci-fi adventure story, filled with space technology and magical artefacts.
Plot
The second book in the ‘Chalas Peruvas’ series, this novel follows characters who are disparate in terms of their temperament, military rank, and magical ability – or lack thereof – as they take on, or contribute towards, a battle against an unrivalled evil power that just won’t die. Our heroes suspect this villain plans to wipe out millions of species throughout the universe.
Structure
Characters are introduced with little preamble and are narrated from a fairly limited third person perspective. Simple stars are used to mark POV breaks, which can be confusing, especially towards the beginning of the book when many new characters and story streams are first introduced.
The major and minor POV characters have differing allegiances in the battle the book builds towards (most surprisingly selfish or proud, considering the grand scale of possible consequences should they lose). Their originally separate story streams are woven together as the story progresses.
Setting
Setting is used to good effect, particularly in terms of the small details. For example, alien animals with strange names are used for comparisons and references, which is often an immersive experience. However, sometimes, especially when there is little context, these references can be confusing or disorientating. (For those interested in learning about the full array of creatures and races, a thoughtful glossary is provided at the back of the book.)
When looking at characters with military backgrounds, military ranks and the power plays between them are realistic and the procedures for emergency landings or unforeseen encounters appear to have been well thought through.
Worlds themselves are described in minute detail, with types of foliage, smells, the cultures of indigenous species and the native dangers being integrated into the narrative without info dumping. Magical and technological devices are merged into the plot extremely well and there appears to be no conflict between them. Prophecies sit side by side with military strategy and spaceships here!
Description and Dialogue
Metivier’s descriptive style is thick, but thick without irrelevance. Well before I was halfway through the book, I was immersed in the storytelling. A good example of Metivier’s description would be ‘moons had already risen, hanging low in the sky like ripe luma fruits’. Here, the exoticism of the area is introduced alongside the time of day, painting a vibrant picture of the land described.
However, on occasion, description was overdone and brought me out of the story and into the author’s voice. This was usually when clunky phrasing was used, such as: ‘expression of euphoria crept across her face’ (‘expression’ could be omitted without losing the meaning), or when complicated words were used for relatively simple experiences, for example, ‘verdant scents’ and ‘soporific power’. These words are rare to come across in ordinary vernacular, and so are a jolt to read.
Metivier’s dialogue, however, has brilliant verisimilitude, or life-like similarity, to real speech. For example, ‘“This is different, and you know it. This isn’t just some SmugCo op gone wrong. This wasn’t bad intel, or bad planning, or plain old bad luck. We never had a chance— it was a suicide mission right from the start.”’ The rhythm behind the constructed speech is good, as is the to-the-point plain speaking Metivier uses.
Summary
On the whole, I thoroughly enjoyed the build up to the big, conclusive battle in this novel. I rooted for characters and particularly enjoyed exploring the ‘planet of G’Char’ and its mysterious inner intricacies. I feel this book would appeal to those who like fully immersive and descriptive fantasy or sci-fi, such as readers of Tolkien or fans of The City and the City by China Miéville. If you mainly read low fantasy, urban fantasy or more straightforward sci-fi, this may be one to avoid.
Faults were few and far between, particularly once I got into the meat of the book, while settings were imaginative and the plot was solid, keeping to well established tropes in the genre. I would give this novel 3 out of 4 stars.
******
Chains of Mist
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Latest Review: "Chains of Mist" by T.C. Metivier
