Nights of Villjamur

Starred review from May 10, 2010
Newton opens a complex epic fantasy series with this impressive debut. The ancient fortress city of Villjamur is filled with human and nonhuman inhabitants, many of them refugees seeking shelter from a predicted decades-long ice age. The untimely death of the mad emperor Jamur Johynn forces his unworldly elder daughter, Rika, to assume the throne as her sister, Eir, gains a perspective beyond her palace walls and the members of the council make their own power plays. War and religious conflicts as well as more personal matters of desires for power and immortality set the scene for acts of compassion and betrayal. Newton handles his multilayered world and diverse cast of characters with the assurance of an experienced author and balances his fantasy tropes with elements of horror and political commentary in vividly descriptive, compelling prose.

April 15, 2010
The first book of a promising fantasy series.

An oncoming ice age, known as the Freeze, is bringing masses of refugees from a string of islands to the fortress city of Villjamur, seat of the authoritarian Empire. Far outside the walls, battles rage and strange happenings abound; inside, Villjamur is often a rough and violent place. A politician is mysteriously killed, and city investigator Rumex Jeryd—part of a strange race called the rumel—must solve the crime. Meanwhile, the emperor himself suddenly commits suicide, sparking political intrigue; a thief, Randur Estevu, consults with cultists—users of seemingly magical technology—on a mission to save his mother's life; and far outside the city, Empire Commander Brynd Lathraea confronts a terrifying and inhuman enemy. The novel is fast-moving and intricately plotted, though sometimes a bit gory; one character is ripped apart by grotesque blood beetles, who toss bits of his flesh into the air"in a fine pink mist." In general, however, the violence serves the story and contributes to the dark tone.

Readers who don't mind occasional violence will enjoy exploring this impressive world.

(COPYRIGHT (2010) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

Starred review from May 15, 2010
As an ice age encroaches upon the world, the magnificent city of Villjamur becomes the refuge for those with nowhere else to go. When an important politician is brutally murdered, a senior member of the Inquisition uncovers an unexpected conspiracy; at the same time, a stranger using a false name secures a place for himself among the royal family just as another death empties the throne. VERDICT Launching a series reminiscent in scope and texture of the novels of China Miville and Sarah Monette, Newton's compelling and visionary debut approaches epic fantasy with a fresh eye. Highly recommended. [Ebook ISBN 978-0-345-52086-9.]

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2010
Newtons debut is the first in an epic fantasy series, Legends of the Red Sun, and it adds a murder mystery to the usual epic-fantasy mix. The inhabitants of the city of Villjamur are preparing for an upcoming ice age when a member of the ruling Council is gruesomely murdered. Jeryd, a nonhuman Rumel, is the citys senior investigator, and after nearly 200 years, he thinks he has seen it all. Meanwhile, island boy Randur has come to the city in hopes of persuading the magic-wielding cultists to extend his mothers life. As the ice tightens its grip on the island empire, enemies strike and an unknown force kills most of the Night Guard, an elite force led by Brynd, the kings most trusted advisor and fighter. Because the mystery isnt the only plotline, this is best recommended to fantasy fans who also enjoy mysteries; there may be too much fantasy for most mystery readers. Unusual characters, including those from nonhuman races and a compelling gay protagonist, give this genre-bender plenty of appeal for a variety of readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)