Light Stealer by James Barclay

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Light Stealer by James Barclay
pub: PS Publishing. 89 page enlarged paperback. Price: Ł 8.00 (UK), $14.00 (US). ISBN: 1-902-880-617 (softcover); 1-902-880-62-5 (hardback)

check out website: www.pspublishing.co.uk

‘Light Stealer’ is a tie-in to an almost-completed two-trilogy fantasy series featuring The Raven, a group of mercenaries. I have to confess that I've never read any of the books that comprise these series, since this fact obviously coloured my response to ‘Light Stealer’.

The story takes place 300 years before ‘Dawnthief’, the first book in the first trilogy. It's set in the land of Balaia, which is at war: the Wytch Lords, users of a taboo form of magic, want revenge for their expulsion from the magical colleges by destroying those colleges and the modern magic they promulgate. (It almost goes without saying that they also want dominion over Balaia and with their ruthless but non-magic-using minions, the Wesmen, are causing considerable havoc across the land.)

The mage Septern, self-promoting genius and arrogantly naïve with it, has developed the ultimate spell, the Dawnthief, which will create perpetual darkness and perfect vacuum - it is, in other words, the perfect weapon. Naturally he has to proclaim his discovery to the mages of the colleges, who understandably, want to use the spell - just as a deterrent, of course - to end the war. And to ensure that they are victorious. Septern has a different purpose in mind.

"Dawnthief is not a spell to be cast, which is why I will be leaving you with incomplete information. It is a spell to open your eyes. Do you really not have the wit to study its shape and apply it to castings that can be used against the Wytch Lords?" (page 36)

Which is, I suppose, a little like suggesting using nuclear fission to propel bullets from a gun.

What is annoying about this is that it isn't the first time Septern's blithe disregard of - or inability to recognise - the nature of the beings with whom he shares the world has caused disruption (that story is contained within the story: I'm not going to give any spoilers).

It raises the question: Can such an intellect be called genius if it fails to learn from mistakes, its own or others'? Personally I'd say no, but then, I didn't write the book.

‘Light Stealer’ is the story of the discovery, Septern's announcement and its consequences. The book's magic is explained in pseudo-scientific terms, which works extremely well, bringing a nice pragmatism to a subject that's all-too-often couched in mystical impossibilities.

The characters are skilfully drawn, which is no mean feat in a book of this length, although I'm afraid couldn't sympathise with any of them. There is an attempt to make Septern a less insensitive individual at one point but by then the damage was done for me and I really couldn't bring myself to care.

‘Light Stealer’ is competently written, with occasional sparks of humour and some genuine wit - but, read in isolation, ultimately pointless. I have no doubt that devotees of the series' will enjoy the book.

Unfortunately, on this showing, I won't be one of their number.

Joules Taylor

www.wordwrights.co.uk

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