*This is an analytical review; for plot overview please read
the book description or other reviews. My goal here is to help you understand
in which ways you will be influenced by this book (in addition to offering a
few suggestions at a literary level).
Merchant of Alyss is the second in Thomas Locke’s “Legends
of the Realm” series, and the book picks up right where the first one left off…
in fact, it picks up almost too quickly expecting you to remember the names and
relationships of half a dozen characters in the first several pages. Perhaps
that’s my fault, but having read the first one a year previous, I would like some overlap reminding me of past events
and persons. Nonetheless, the book begins with a couple interesting scenes that
‘hook’ and then progresses into a plot structure best described as a ‘journey’
motif. The cohort of primary characters (which features a slight upgrade in diverse
characterization from the first book) journeys from one place to another, and
another—experiencing new locations and persons everywhere they go.
Evil is on the rise again, and a mysterious dream spurs Hyam
into action. In fact one of the major themes revealed through these pages is “Purpose”
or “Motivation.” They do something because
they must. The impetus shifts in several
key moments, but the motivation always boils down to responsibility: I do this
because I must do this, and I must do this because I ought to do this. In painting this theme throughout Merchant becomes an interesting narrative
of ‘doing’ even if sometimes I don’t
understand why I’m ‘doing’, how I’m doing, or even what I’m doing!
Sometimes this works; it provides an interesting compulsion
for the characters to do. But other times
it sets up the narrative to show its gears—moments when it becomes clear this
event happened simply to move the story along, or when there’s a logic gap in
the lore (and I’m left wondering with the characters who don’t see the obvious…because
it’s not there). And other times it forces the characters to discover certain
innate abilities far too easily. This character suddenly finds he can
understand and speak a language after hearing it 6 times. That character
suddenly discovers they have mage ability to rival the masters of a school and
thwart a hag who’s spent decades in practice. And that one is suddenly thrust
into rulership when never would an earthly kingdom have been so hasty. All
because the plot and the timeline demand this character be so capable.
I think the second primary theme expounded and woven throughout the book is
the ’need for newness’ in pursuit of future hope. Time and again the characters
proclaim, “Wonder upon wonder,” or “The legends come alive” or “A thousand
years of decrees and more have been broken,” and all of them serve to point us
to the fact that the times are changing. A new time requires new rules; the traditions
were good for the time that is now passed, but they aren’t sufficient to guide
us in the new days. This too is an uncommon theme which I found refreshing in
the narrative. Unlike the first theme, however, this theme is consistent
throughout and doesn’t create plot holes or logic gaps. The world is in tension…
the old still exists and to a certain extent binds the world and characters to
it, but there is a newness that supersedes the old—in what ways it can. And it
sets the stage for a momentous occasion that will color “the Realm” for all
time to come.
Other themes play lesser roles, but nonetheless add color to
the characters and actions. Themes of temptation, true knowledge of others,
love, sacrifice, unification; each affords memorable, surprising scenes and are
quick to illuminate similar scenes in my own life. Each serves to engrain the
readers with the book’s philosophy of life and the world:
Selfless love for others exceeds all trials and paves new avenues of
hope for a better life.
And the broader philosophy of the whole series:
Evil threatens to overtake life and good, but through the bonds of
love, friendship, and hope, evil is vanquished.
Both are much needed in our culture. And I think the influence
this book will have upon readers of fantasy is “not every temptation is worth
the cost; selfless sacrifice achieves more good than selfish indulgence” even
while every hopeless romantic is taught “not every desire receives its own
happy ending”—truths well worth my time and consideration.
A few final thoughts before I offer my commendation.
1. It’s
often hard to track the physical surroundings. Now, I’m a fan of Tolkien’s
pages on trees, so I know I’m partly biased, and yet I found myself unable to
imagine where the characters were and what things looked like. Oftentimes there
would be a quick 1-2 sentence description and the dialogue would move on… then
it would refer to some physical aspect I never even realized was there. This
was particularly troublesome in battle scenes when something would interact
with the landscape and I had to go back three pages to reread the brief
sentence describing the area.
2. At
the risk of sounding contradictory, I really enjoyed the portion of the book
that took place in the desert. I often find desert travel skimmed or avoided
completely, and found Locke’s description about desert navigation fantastic!
And yet… I still couldn’t quite imagine the whole surrounding area, or the
physical trauma the characters experienced.
3. Too
often the characters seemed to know all the same information. Page after page
characters would finish one another’s sentences. There was hardly any learning from character-character
interaction. Everybody already knew it all (the exception being when Hyam would
connect the dots and I was left with the characters still ‘not getting it’).
Give us a good monologue or two, or five! In fact, there was a distinct lack of
long paragraphs, long thoughts started and carried to conclusion, no soliloquys.
And again, I recognize my bias: I enjoy Shakespeare. And characters can be left
in mystery, uncertainty, and ignorance—it is no flaw or sin.
So, how does this compare to the first? Pretty similar in
plot and style, though better in characterization; fresh and exciting in
themes; lacking in dialogue; disjointed at times, and yet the ‘big picture’
fits surprisingly well with the mosaics. Most of the book feels like it’s
setting us up for something bigger,
and so in the way of many sequels: it’s a slight dip in anticipation of
something pretty remarkable.
I give it 3.5/5 stars, but I round up (particularly because
how credible the temptation element was, and powerful the scenes of
self-revelation).
I recommend this book to readers of high fantasy, with an
emphasis toward the 15-21 age range.
Despite its flaws, this book helps me evaluate decisions I make
in my own life; relationships I have, and what they are built upon. And I with
Hyam and the others look forward with hope beyond the evil, where every foe is
vanquished and life restored.
I will be raffling off a free copy of Merchant of Alyss January 25-29.
This review is crosslisted on Amazon, Goodreads, and my
blog.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my
honest review.
