The Key to Creation

May 9, 2011
Mobs of squabbling humans and superhumans struggle to animate this big lump of sword and sorcery adventure, completing the trilogy that began with The Edge of the World (2009) and The Map of All Things (2010). The war between Uraba and Tierra is blazing, fanned by religious fanatics and atrocities committed on both sides. Explorers from both nations are sailing unknown seas to find the magical Key to Creation, which could determine which side gets to annihilate the other. There are some fresh ideas, including the discovery that the Key to Creation is not an object but a person, but the whole feels mechanical and labored; even the way the action bounces between the many characters and settings is a triumph of engineering rather than inspiration. The result is a long, undemanding wallow in generic tropes.

April 15, 2011

The war between Tierra and Uraba escalates, as the flames of religious fervor feed hatred and violence on both sides. Saan, the son of the solden-shah of Uraba, sails to a new continent in search of the Key to Creation, a legendary item that may give Uraba the power to defeat its enemy. Also traveling to this land is Tierran captain Cristan Vora, who seeks vengeance for the loss of his wife on a previous voyage. In this third series outing (after The Edge of the World and The Map of All Things), the author of "The Saga of Seven Suns" series applies his storytelling expertise to a fantasy of jihad and exploration, where sea monsters threaten ships and armies fight to defend their faith. VERDICT Many story lines converge to carry this fantasy saga forward. Series followers and fans of the author will enjoy the newest developments in this tale of war and discovery.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.