Blood's Pride

December 10, 2012
This hefty fantasy, first in a series from debut author Manieri, presents the tangled dynamics of two cultures at war with each other and within themselves. The peaceful fisherfolk of the Shadar were overrun by albino, telepathic Norlander warriors, who forced the Shadari to mine the local dark ore necessary to forge the Norlanders’ deadly, thought-sensitive black metal weaponry. A generation later, the Norlander governor has placed the mines and garrison under the control of his eldest surviving daughter, Frea. Frea’s brother, Eofar, is upset about the treatment of the Shadari slaves and worried about his younger sister’s obsessive concern for old-fashioned traditions that have little place in their new land. Meanwhile, the Shadari scheme to overthrow their oppressors with the help of the Mongrel, an infamous mercenary leader whose real motivations are hidden. Plot twists, romantic entanglements, and political rivalries make for lots of melodrama in this dense, complicated series setup, which leaves many plot threads dangling for later books. Agent: Becca Stumpf, Prospect Agency.

December 1, 2012
Fantasy debut from New Yorker Manieri, previously published in the U.K. A generation ago, the Norlanders came in their ships to attack Shadar, a peaceful city lodged between the desert and the sea. The Shadari ashas, or wizard-priests, all jumped into the sea (having, we later learn, taken a drug that enabled them to see the future), leaving the city all but defenseless. The Norlanders, or Dead Ones--they're telepathic among themselves, have frigid blue blood and sunlight is lethal to them--enslaved the survivors. The Norlanders set the Shadari to toil in the mines for the metal which, smelted and tempered with Norlander blood, imbues weapons forged from it with magic powers. Now, the Norlander governor lies dying. Of his three warrior children, ice-maiden Frea nurses ambitions to return to Norland and conquer it; Isa yearns to challenge Frea and win the right to name her sword; and Eofar has fallen in love with a Shadari, Harotha, and impregnated her, though to protect the baby, Harotha claims the father is Daryan, the Shadari daimon or king. Underground leader Faroth, Harotha's twin brother, sees opportunity in the Norlander's internecine struggles and negotiates with the Mongrel, a mysterious and reputedly unbeatable mercenary warrior, to lead a rebellion. Dramash, Faroth's young son, has the magic powers of an asha, and Jachad, king of the desert-dwelling Nomas, can summon flames. The stage is set, then, for a fine brouhaha. There's plenty of action, most of it physically improbable, computer-game style. As for the characters, apart from their confusingly similar names, you'll rarely encounter a more conflicted, emotive, impulsive, secretive, garrulous bunch whose favorite phrase seems to be "No, wait." Flawed and overinvolved, but highly imaginative; an encouraging foundation on which to build future efforts.

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Starred review from February 15, 2013

Without warning, the warlike Norlanders invaded the lands of the Shadar, enslaving the people and reaping the profits from the black ore mined to make the enchanted swords of the Norlander warriors. Unable to defend themselves against the pale-skinned, undead conquerors, the Shadar nevertheless attempt a rebellion and hire a fierce mercenary known only as The Mongrel, a woman whose body bears the ravages of previous wars and whose temperament is both volatile and, some say, mad. VERDICT Manieri's debut, the first of a projected epic fantasy series, presents a striking world with civilizations similar to those of the Vikings and the nomadic cultures of the Middle East, and with the Mediterranean sensibilities of the ancient Greeks. Her characters are passionate and memorable, lending a personal touch to a complex tale of clashing cultures and philosophies. Fans of Sharon Shinn, Elspeth Cooper, and Gail Z. Martin should enjoy Manieri's approach to culture and drama.

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