- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: 47North (Jan 24 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1612182038
- ISBN-13: 978-1612182032
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 13.7 x 3.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 567 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #50,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Product Description
The Hierarchy, high priests of the religious order the Light, has installed King Ethan as the monarchical figurehead, ruling both the magical kingdom of Albi and its predominant religion. Scattered throughout the land, worshippers in the old ways of the Earth Mother are persecuted as heretics. And when young missionary student Rollo Woodbridge returns home to Albi, he is immediately arrested for heresy and treason, setting off a chain of events that plunges the land into utter chaos.
The Hierarchy has more treacherous motives, however, and when Rollo is rescued from jail, his family’s home is destroyed—but Rollo and his siblings are left alive. While Rollo tries diplomacy to end the religious and political conflict, his brother and sister swear vengeance. With the hours to deliverance counting down and their lives hanging in the balance, they must decide whether to stay and fight or leave Albi forever in the suspenseful, action-packed Against the Light.
About the Author
Dave Duncan is a prolific writer of fantasy and science fiction, best known for his fantasy series, particularly The Seventh Sword, A Man of His Word, and The King’s Blades. He and his wife Janet, his in-house editor and partner for over fifty years, live in Victoria, British Columbia. They have three children and four grandchildren.
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Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.9 out of 5 stars (64 customer reviews)
140 of 145 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid, Underappreciated Author Delivers Again!, Feb 4 2012
By Daniel Dillon - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Against the Light (Paperback)
Reading the last two or three Dave Duncan books I've been struck by a common feeling; the author writes good, solid, rewarding books. His style is smooth, and never intrusive; there are no infelicitous phrases to stumble over, no names that cannot be remembered or mistaken for one another, no barriers to a happy reading experience. His descriptions of the society and the physical environment are extensive enough that the characters are not moving in a sterile world, and are spare enough that the reader is not bored by padding and bloat.This is the first in an apparent series; the basic plot is not especially original. An oppressive dominant religion suppresses an older, more humane religion that welcomes and shelters gifted individuals. An attractive set of four siblings, adherents of the old religion, follow individual paths set by their distinctive personalities and gifts. Their actions plausibly follow from their personalities, which are deftly described, differentiated, and convincing, with a skill that is too often lacking in genre fiction.
The plot moves along steadily and clearly. The book is a good length, with enough in it to solidly fill a proper book without adulterating additives. The ending is fine, a bit open-ended, which results from its need to provide hooks for the next volume in the series.
I'm sorry to see that there are so few reviews for DD's recent books; he's been doing this for a long time, and his craft is thoroughly polished. He doesn't need to experiment, or flail around "finding his voice". He just reliably turns out one satisfying read after another, and "Against the Light" is another success.
41 of 45 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable fast read, Feb 5 2012
By Dave D. - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Against the Light (Paperback)
I don't have much to add than has already been written by the first two reviewers quite eloquently. The basic plotline is not a completely original one in the fantasy field but the characters are fully fleshed out and the writing is very engaging. I would recommend you try the sample, as that sucked me in and the rest of the novel was just as quick with excellent timing. It makes for an excellent read overall. As already stated, this may be part of a new series, however, the novel stands on its own without a cliffhanger finale.
38 of 45 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
When the Witches are the good guys, Feb 7 2012
By R. Bagula "Roger L. Bagula" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Against the Light (Paperback)
Pre-release customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program
In this alternate reality in a very 16th century worlda family of "witches" faces prejudice and persecution.
Finally they end up having to flee England like the Pilgrims
did. The witches have PSI abilities that can be trained
and have familiars that attach themselves to them at an early age.
One family in particular has very power inherited powers:
the Woodbridges. It is their passage though the Earth Mother cult's mole holes
that comprise a lot of this story. Much like Christians in
Rome, an underground society exists in parallel
to the orthodox Light church that the King supports.
Not quite a sword and sorcery fantasy adventure
this novel is still very entertaining and well written.
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