Darkspawn [Paperback]

One of the interesting aspects of the novel is its well-imagined take on the vampire legend. The vampires in the nation of Kharithnya are the long time rulers of that land. Their blood-drinking is tied to the obedience their subjects owe them, but also implied is loyalty of the rulers to the ruled. In a sense, the vampirism can be seen as a metaphor encompassing the feudal obligations of ruler to subject and vice-versa. Emre Bakhány is introduced as the last in a long line of Bakhánys, who appear to have been mostly just, if harsh, rulers: taking blood only voluntarily (in small amounts) or from condemned prisoners. Only a few people can become vampires, that is to say, undead/immortal. The transformation also results in the loss of the ability to have children. Emre's children are long dead, having failed to make the transformation. As the book opens, Emre is worried about the possibility of a successor, and also about the incursion of Sun-worshippers into this Moon-worshipping reason. But suddenly he is betrayed by one of his Wardens, and he is imprisoned in chains beneath the earth.

Hundreds of years pass. Kharithnya has been run over by the Sun-worshippers, and Emre remains trapped in his "grave". But then Kharithnya is invaded by the Circhaks, horse raiders resembling the Mongols. The invading force accidentally frees Emre, and he finds himself making his way to his old castle, seeking revenge at the sun-priests who captured and imprisoned him, as well as trying to find a way to rally the few people still loyal to his religion to him, to take back his country and repel the invaders.

The story follows four point-of-view characters: Emre Bakhány himself; a warrior-turned-shaman of the invading Circhaks; a priest of the sun-worshippers, Milósz Vakhószy; and the priest's sister Milóny. Thus we see the action from the point of view of the nominal hero, from representatives of his two opponents, and from a character torn between the hero and one of his enemies. The main action, then, interweaves a solid action story about the war with an even better personal conflict story about Emre's efforts to continue his line, to deal with his (rather excessive) lust for revenge, and to deal with Milósz' antipathy to Emre and to what he represents.

I thought this was a fine fantasy novel. The action is well done and exciting. The main characters are well-depicted and involving. They are all morally complex, sometimes hard to like (certainly including the hero), and their fates are treated uncompromisingly. Oddly, and even is some ways disturbingly, I found myself sympathizing with even the worst characters. The fantasy elements are interesting and well-imagined, and this particular take on the vampire legend makes good use of the traditional elements with logical and consistent variations.

Neither is the story, which grips you by the viscera within the first few pages, and does not let you go until the end.

Highly recommended.