Análisis de diario de la biblioteca
| Avra Helvaçi is a mediocre spy with astounding luck. While fleeing Araşt after copying state secrets, Avra is luckily captured by the pirate ship captained by the mysterious underdog Teveri az-Haffār, his ex-lover. They also just happen to have a new crewman, the beautiful and celibate scholar Brother Julian, who can decode the secret. Now all the crew needs to land a huge payday is to make it to the pirate island before serpent season, sell it under added scrutiny from the island's eager new Araşti ambassador, and survive being around each other. Rowland's return to Araşt is both comedic and complex. Pathetic, horny, attention-seeking Avra is oddly refreshing as a protagonist, aware that he's the problem. Using luck as a theme both introduces conflict and provides a delightfully unlikely resolution. Relationships between people, religions, and nations are handled with both levity and respect. Casey Jones's voices for the main three characters are distinct and consistent, though the side characters' voices wander in some of the crowded scenes. VERDICT Rowland (A Taste of Gold and Iron) writes a weird, delightful, and layered fantasy romp for anyone interested in nested puzzles, unhinged characters, and sexy pirates.--Katherine Sleyko |
Análisis semanal de editoriales
| This humorous if dense pirate fantasy adventure marks another ambitious outing from Rowland (A Taste of Gold and Iron). Avra Helvaçi, an agent with the nation of Araşt's Ministry of Intelligence, stumbles upon, then absconds with, coveted classified information he believes explains how Araşti ships avoid the swarms of mating sea serpents that keep rival ships ashore for weeks every year. He brings the information to his best frenemy and sometime lover, Teveri az-Ḥaffār, captain of The Running Sun, and their new crew member Julian, who would be the perfect person to decipher the information Avra stole, except he's so attractive Avra immediately distrusts him. With serpent season approaching, the unlikely trio must work together to fence the pilfered intel without putting themselves in further danger. The characters and the world they inhabit are developed in striking detail, though extended descriptions, along with the protagonists' many quirks, occasionally drag the pace down to a crawl in the first act. However, many trivial elements become important later on, meaning readers who stick with this will be richly rewarded. Fans of Our Flag Means Death will want to check it out. (June) |
