Miles Cameron (1) (1962–)

This book was good, but not incredible. Some of its flaws: (i) the characters, while interesting and likable, were not as deep as I think the author was hoping for (ii) the subplots didn't often progress in an interesting manner, even if the progressed in the sense that they followed the main storyline (i.e. things like the romance angle, the relationship between the queen and the magus, the reason for the sossag being in the book were introduced and then not developed, which was a bit awkward) (iii) the perspective switching was fine, but inconsistent. Sometimes the author would tell you when he was switching to someone new, sometimes not.

Overall, I'll read the next one, and hope it's as good or better!… (mere)

A free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Having escaped the destruction of the Thera/Delos analogue (which was the seat of the previous pantheon deposed by the current bunch), our heroes split into 2 bands. One band heads to the Egypt analogue meeting up with the Tiamat analogue (released by the eruption) on the way, and then end up raiding the seat of the current pantheon. They liberate an insectoid hive enslaved by the pantheon to produce resin - which is used to create ambrosia to power themselves.

The second band travels to the North to find more sky metal - which is poisonous to the gods. Here we find an Aztec culture and possibly a Norse culture (maybe a sub-Arctic shamistic culture?)

I'm actually enjoying this a lot, although I think adding the New World cultures into the mix may be a bit too much of a stretch. The fight scenes are believable (not surprising as Cameron is a re-enactor), and despite the cinematic plot, it does not read like a script (as many novels do seem to now). Hesiod is coming through more strongly - I'm ashamed to say I didn't quite pick up on that for a while; at least 3 of the characters may be proto-Olympians.

Recommended, and I'm eagerly waiting for book 3.… (mere)

I enjoyed this. A fun mash-up of Bronze Age mythologies set in a world which appears to be the Eastern Mediterranean writ small. The gods are fighting amongst themselves and the disparate characters are being manipulated by some rebels against the ruling pantheon.

What I am seeing is the current pantheon is based on Sumerian or Babylonean deities and are literally monstrous. They may well be aliens and the world an alien planet. I'm also picking up on Hesiod's Theogeny as well as Zelazny's Lord of Light, and other creation myths. It's interesting to see the Hittite elements too.

Recommended.… (mere)