|
THE KING AND QUEEN OF
SWORDS Jem has escaped from the dreary village of Irion and his wild love Catayane is now under the guidance of wicked Aunt Umbecca and remembers nothing of her past life. In the town of Varby she is being turned into a lady and has just left Miss Quick's Academy. Jem has to find the enigmatic Lord Empster and has fallen in with a troupe of Vagas including his best friend Rajal. On their heels is the sadistic Polty and also the King and Queen of Swords. But who are they? Figures on playing cards out of long-ago legend or something that will lead to the second crystal in Jem's quest? Fantasy readers are used to a mediaeval setting but this is more like a cross between the 18th century and the Regency. Varby is obviously supposed to be Bath and Agondon London, men wear powdered wigs and young ladies have Seasons and simper behind their fans. This makes a welcome change to the more usual settings but if you like a fast-paced story you won't find one here. Arden likes to take his time over the tale and he is a meticulous describer of details. At the end of the story you will feel that you have been immersed in his created world and I applaud his breaking away from the inevitable world of castles, dungeons and orcs. More action and pace would make it an even more admirable feat. |