Synopsis
Where there is light, there must always be shadow… The fifth volume in Janny Wurts’s spectacular epic fantasy, now re-released with a striking new cover design along with the rest of the series.
The wars began when two half-brothers, gifted of light and shadow, stood shoulder to shoulder to defeat the Mistwraith. Their foe cast a lifelong curse of enmity between them that has so far woven three bitter conflicts and uncounted deadly intrigues.
It is a time of political upheavel, fanaticism and rampaging armies. Distrust of sorcery has set off a purge of the talented mageborn – none reviled more than Arithon, Master of Shadow. Through clever manipulation of events at the hands of his half-brother Lysaer, Lord of Light, Arithon’s very name has become anathema. Now the volatile hatreds that spearheaded the campaign against Shadow have overtaken all reason.
Those that still stand in Arithon’s desperate defence are downtrodden, in retreat and close to annihilation. The stage is set for the ultimate betrayal.
Review
“Grand Conspiracy” by Janny Wurts is another ambitious addition to this incredible series, “The Wars of Light and Shadow.” Wurts is consistently true to the world she has built with such care and precision. This volume finally features my favorite and previously under-represented but hugely important faction in the balance of power: the Koriani enchantresses. I loved every second of their story.
The sorcerers are featured as well, and when the two power centers come head to head… well, you can imagine that sparks will fly.
And the brothers. The bright and shiny one doesn’t show his face much, and when he does, I want to throw mud in it. My favorite brother does what he does best… lurks in shadows and warms my heart.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Wars of Light and Shadow book without epic and masterful magic battles. Wurts’s talent shines in these episodes, and I am constantly awed by her depictions of spellcraft and the inherent power and sentience of the natural world. Her sensitivities to grounding forces, cosmic reaches, and esoteric realms are deeply perceptive and masterful, and make one ponder the mysteries of our own world.
The plot is clearly structured and follows a fairly predictable path, though with twists and turns aplenty. By this point, I am invested in the many characters, and following their development, foibles, heartache, and heroics feels comfortable and suspenseful all at the same time.
As the layers of the story unfold, intriguing aspects are opened up, teasing us with what’s to come in later installments.
Wurts’s prose, as usual, is dense and descriptive. It carries equal weight with plot, character, and world building. Almost an entity unto itself, the spellbinding prose creates a mood akin to an altered state of mind, transporting me to another realm. While driving the story forward, the prose also sometimes bogs me down, as though I’m caught in a somnolent slurry of Asandir’s or Dakar’s making. It is said that one’s greatest strength is also one’s weakness, and I would say that is true here. I am someone who reads and considers every word. In this case, it means I am sometimes the poured lead sky or the thorny brambles or the Paravian stone or Dakar’s drunken hangover, unable to progress quickly. That said, this series is a ride like no other, and I will joyfully dive into the next book.
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