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Summary
Summary
First in a new fantasy series from the author of the Cloudmages trilogy. An intricate tale of murder and magic, deception and betrayal, Machiavellian politics, star-crossed lovers, and a world on the brink of devastating war.... Over the decades and slow centuries, the city of Nessantico spread its influence in all directions, subsuming and converting the majority of other religions and lesser gods within the Holdings. Always strong even as the borders of the Holdings ebbed and flowed under the effects of war and commerce, always magnificent even as tastes and styles changed, always seductive and desirable no matter what other exotic lands and places might briefly come into fashion, Nessantico gathered to itself all that was intellectual, all that was rich, all that was powerful. There was no city in the known world that could rival it. But there were many who envied it...
Reviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Farrell (the Cloudmages trilogy) entices fantasy readers into the lush--and dangerous--land of Nessantico, where aging ruler Marguerite ca'Ludovici prepares to celebrate her Jubilee. Marguerite's son, Justi, schemes to take her place, while Jan ca'Varl, a powerful noble at the edge of the empire, plots armed rebellion. Archigos Dhosti ca'Millac, leader of the Concenzia Faith and Marguerite's staunch ally, struggles to control fundamentalists like Orlandi ca'Cellibrecca as they clamor for action against the Numetodo heretics, who claim the magic talent called Cenzi's Gift has nothing to do with religious faith. Trapped in the middle of all this is young priestess Ana cu'Seranta, whose impressive magical ability has made her a pawn in the multilayered power struggle. Farrell easily wields an immense cast of characters, many of whom take narrative turns. Readers who appreciate intricate world building, intrigue and action will immerse themselves effortlessly in this rich and complex story. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
Farrell (Heir of Stone, 2005, etc.) starts a new series with this agreeable political fantasy, set in a city reminiscent of Renaissance-era Venice. Over the centuries, the city of Nessantico has conquered most of the surrounding territory. Now, religious fanaticism and social tensions threaten to fracture the patched-together empire as its ruler, the Kraljica Marguerite ca'Ludovici, approaches the 50th year of her glorious reign. Unfortunately, there are those who are too impatient to wait for Marguerite's natural death, including her son and heir, A'Kralj Justi ca'Mazzak, and the vassal king who commands the bulk of Nessantico's army, H™rzg Jan ca'Vörl. Caught between these two combatants are a heretic, a rising cleric with incredible magical power, a general whose duty smothers his conscience, a religious leader who's playing both sides and a scarred beggar with a hidden and very threatening agenda. Telling the story from multiple perspectives, Farrell (aka Stephen Leigh) attempts to make a fairly direct plot seem more complex than it truly is. Similarly, his invented language sounds artificial. However, the book retains considerable charm and appeal. It's always refreshing to read a fantasy where neither side in a conflict has much of a moral edge on the other, and the cast of characters is an enjoyable mix of the sympathetic, the villainous and the ambiguous. There's definite potential here for a satisfying series. A solid read with ambitions it doesn't quite reach. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Library Journal Review
The author of the "Cloudmages" trilogy launches a new fantasy series with a Renaissance-like setting and traces of czarist Russian court life. The 50th anniversary of the reign of Kraljica (empress) Marguerite ca'Ludovici serves as a focal point for the intrigues that make up the life of the city of Nessantico, capital of the empire. The city's fate hangs by a thread as problems mount from dissension within the Concenzia Faith. The head of the church, an aging dwarf with his own religious conflicts, must shield his protegee, young Ana cu'Seranta, from those who would question her use of the magic of the god Cenzi in unorthodox ways to assassinate the Kraljica and stage a military coup. Intriguing characters and a complex socio-political background make this a strong addition to most fantasy collections. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.