Series Review: The Chathrand Voyage - Robert V. S. Redick

SERIES RATING: FIVE STARS
AWARD: SHELF OF FAME

The Chathrand Voyage is an epic fantasy set in the world of Alifros, which is going through a period of imperial colonisation very similar to the real-life conquests by Europe in the 16th Century. Two great superpowers have risen in the north and the book begins with the initiation of an elaborate plot that will allow Arqual to overthrow the Mzithrin Empire once and for all. It is here that Pazel Pathkendle - one of the series major characters - is introduced, who is working as a tarboy aboard the Chathrand - a giant ship built by magic and engineering techniques that were forgotten when a cataclysm separated the north from the hundreds of years ago.

The Chathrand is the only ship known that may have a chance at crossing the Ruling Sea and into the south and Sandor Ott - the Emperor's spymaster and head of the Secret Fist - means to use Captain Rose's ship to unleash the Shaggat Ness into Mzithrin. Believed to be dead, the Shaggart Ness is considered a god in that strange empire and his return will cause a war that will shake the foundations of its cities. When that happens, Ott will be waiting and means to begin one of the bloodiest campaigns Alifros has ever seen. He will eradicate the Mzithrin, even as they struggle to quell revolution in their own people.

But as the series progresses, the story evolves and it soon becomes clear that much more is at stake that the fall of an empire. Arunis - a sorcerer infamous for his evil and cruelty - is somehow entangled with the plot. But Arunis has no interested in Arqual's dominion over the north and has but one aim - the end of all life on Alifros. Arunis knows his goal is within his grasp, but he needs to find and unlock the secrets of an ancient and powerful artifact called the Nilstone first. Pazel, along with a powerful mage called Ramanchi and the friends he makes aboard the Chathrand, are resolute in their vows to stop Arunis and stubbornly fight him throughout the four books of the series:

Book 1: The Red Wolf Conspiracy
Book 2: The Rats and the Ruling Sea
Book 3: The River of Shadows
Book 4: The Night of the Swarm

I'll admit that I was a little skeptical about reading The Red Wolf Conspiracy when I first picked it up. The title's not that amazing, the cover makes it look a little like a children's book and the newspaper clipping that effectively forms the book's prologue isn't that great either. But I was hastily scanning the shelves in the library for something to read before a long train journey and, not finding anything better, I borrowed it and gave it a go. Words cannot express how glad I am that I did and I began to fall in love with the world Robert V. S. Redick painted after just a few chapters!

In fact, the quadrilogy has become one of my favourite series ever and I have a feeling that the story and it's larger-than-life characters will continue to resonate in my mind for many years to come. Redick has managed to develop his characters like a true master of writing and they almost seem like real people. Each person is distinct from the others and each has their own personality and motivations behind what they do. This makes for excellent reading and really engaged me in the story. I really feared for the characters during battles and on the many, many occasions they were in danger. I think good characterisation is the difference between a great author and a good one, and, with his writing having depths to it that many authors lack, Redick is certainly among the greats!

I honestly think the characters alone would be enough to carry this story, but Redick's world is even better and the series is told against a backdrop of stunning locations that are a true testament to his imagination. From the decks of a giant ship to lush jungles and a forest of giant, carnivorous fungi, the series never gets stale and his characters are never in the same place for long! And Redick does more than just describe these locations, having really thought about the challenges such adverse environments would have for his characters. This means that Pazel Pathkendle, the Lady Thasha Isiq and their little group of ragtag heroes are often out of their depth and they really suffer as they desperately try to defeat Arunis and keep the Nilstone from his clutches . . .

Redick's prose is fantastic as well and he writes with a strange blend of modern and archaic styles that really adds to the story and helps reinforce the idea that Pazel and his companions are living in a world of great, naval-time empires. He also writes with an uncommon enthusiasm that ties all of the other aspects of the series together nicely to create an epic story that's a true gem amidst a genre that (rather sadly), has been swamped by very mediocre works.

I strongly suggest that you give The Chathrand Voyage a go if you enjoy fantasy. It's an example of the genre at its best and keeps getting better with each book! This series marked Redick's debut into the writing world (which I guess is why he's so little known), but I am already a dedicated fan and am really looking forward to reading what he produces over the years to come!

The Night of the Swarm - Robert V. S. Redick

RATING: FIVE STARS

Rather sadly, The Night of the Swarm is the last instalment of Robert V. S. Redick's Chathrand Voyage Quartet – one of my favourite series' ever! It continues the epic adventure of Lady Thasha Isiq, Pazel Pathkendle and the rest of their brave companions as they continue their quest to cast the Nilstone out of Alifros once and for all.

Their adventure is now more dangerous than ever before as they were unable to prevent the evil sorcerer Arunis from unleashing the Swarm – a sentient cloud from the Land of the Dad that feeds off violence and murder. The Swarm draws its power from the Nilstone and they must race across Alifros to cast it back into the River of Shadows before the cloud engulfs their world entirely, leaving it as nothing more than a barren and desolate wasteland.

But there are those that seek to use the power of the Nilstone for their own ends and they are now pursued by Macadra, Arunis' dark sister and ruler of the Ravens – the terrible magical covenant that is the true power behind Bali Adro. Even as Arqual, Mzithrin and Gurishal begin their terrible three way war and the soaring death toll begins to attract the Swarm, Macadra is scouring the wildernesses of Bali Adro for Thasha and the Nilstone . . .

The Good

Once again, Redick has written the book with a flair of his unrivalled imagination and it is filled with action and heartbreak; set against a stunning backdrop of inventive locales that are beautiful to visualise. His prose is superb, once again carrying his enthusiasm for his story and he continues to write with that strangely modernised style that I have enjoyed in his earlier books. His language really drew me into the story and helped to make his setting of great naval ships in a colonial era very believable (as did his research into naval jargon and technologies, which is stunningly detailed).

As ever, Redick’s characterisation is superb. As well as continuing to develop his main characters from earlier books, he also begins to explore his antagonists. As the book progresses, it becomes increasingly obvious that the entire world really is in danger of being destroyed and it's interesting to read how old enemies begin to set aside their past grudges and stand together to resist the Swarm and the darkness that chases them as best as they as able! 

The Bad

I only have one fault with The Night of the Swarm, which is the series being over! The first book in the series, The Red Wold Conspiracy, was Redick's debut novel and, unfortunately, I don't think he has anything else published as of yet . . . Come on Redick!

My Thoughts

The Night of the Swarm is a truly remarkable book that ends a fantastic series in a satisfying and epic manner. All of the loose ends of the story were tied up well and, I have to say, that this was one of the most creative and interesting stories that I've read in a long time. I strongly urge you to read this series and recommend it to your friends and families as it's surprisingly unknown, despite being a true gem of the fantasy genre!

The River of Shadows - Robert V. S. Redick

RATING: FIVE STARS

The Chathrand, the greatest ship of the Aquarli Empire, has finally crossed the Ruling Sea – being the first to do so in hundreds of years. Its crew had envisioned welcome; help from a people that is sorely need as their thirst for water begins to tear them apart. But the shores they find are inhospitable, being full of violence as the empire of Bali Adro seeks control of the south. Strangeness is everywhere and revelations are forced on the crew that are as terrifying as they are heart-breaking. 

And, amidst it all, the fight against Arunis—the terrible sorcerer and destroyer of empires—continues. The nilstone still needs protecting, evil still seeks to free the Shaggat Ness from his prison of stone and Arunis’ eyes are fixed on unleashing the Swarm to cover the whole of Alifros in darkness and death.

But Pazel Pathkendle, the Lady Thasha Isiq and the rest of those sworn to resist Arunis are no less resolute in their mission. Even as their group begins to fracture, they must work together as never before as they fight for their freedom against servants of the Bali Adro Empire and find Arunis before he reaches the River of Shadows . . . 

The Good

Once again, I find myself astounded by Robert V. S. Redick's imagination and with the enthusiasm with which he writes. Both of these attributes combine to give a story that is exciting and extremely unique. He has invented a whole host of different creatures and cultures, his own lore of magic, the structure of the universe and even a few landscapes that (as far as I have read), no other authors have penned. The result of this is a fast-paced, gripping story that is extremely enjoyable to read.

Redick’s characterisation also continues to be superb and I am really beginning to know the characters - it's almost as if I have met them in real life! He has set up their past so thoroughly, that I can even understand the different motivations and thought process behind their actions (even though they all seek the same end).

In addition, Redick’s slightly dated style of writing really adds to the feel of the story and is perfect for a novel about great ships sailing through the high seas. His language is reminiscent of Robert Louis Stephenson and he has clearly researched the running of empire-style ships in great detail, confidently describing parts and process that I have no idea about!

The Bad

As with its predecessors, I really have nothing to fault with The River of Shadows! And my only disappointment is that I only have one book left in the series!

My Thoughts

I have to say that The River Of Shadows has been the best instalment of The Chathrand Voyage yet! It is exciting, filled with twists and turns and I had great difficulty in putting it down (much to the annoyance of my managers at work). The book (and series as a whole), is certainly worthy of its place on my Shelf of Fame and is a must read of all fans of fantasy – I can see this novel becoming a lasting classic.

The Rats and the Ruling Sea - Robert V. S. Redick

RATING: FOUR STARS

The Nilstone still hasn't been destroyed and the evil sorcerer Arunis has his eyes fixed on it as a prize. Before he can claim it as his own, however, and use its mysterious power to unleash the ageless Swarm unto the world, he must work out who the spell keeper is to restore the Shaggat Ness to flesh and blood.

The revered mage Ramachni, Pazel Pathkendle, the young lady Thasha Isiq and the rest of their companions are determined that this will not happen. Even as life becomes more dangerous for them aboard the Chathrand, they are becoming ever more determined to stop Arunis and the sinister spymaster Sandor Ott. Their lives are threatened, mutiny is whispered, but the conspirers know that much more is at stake than their own existence - they cannot lose and allow the Chathrand to navigate the Ruling Sea...

The Good

As in The Red Wolf Conspiracy, I was extremely impressed by the enthusiasm of Robert V. S. Redick’s writing. He has a knack of really being able to immerse me in both his story and the lives of his characters. His vivid descriptions do have a slightly ‘old’ feel to their style, but it really works with the sailing theme of the book. I could really tell that he had as much fun in writing it as I did in reading it!

Redick has also managed to keep the creative flair going from the first book of the series. And, once again, he has managed to keep the story interesting throughout the book, despite much of it being set on the Chathrand. Other than this rather epic ship, The Rats and the Ruling Sea whirls through a whole host of lavish locations; ranging from dark, forgotten dungeons that are filled with death and horror to forbidding rainforests that teem with life. He has continued to invent his own monsters, staying away from those authors’ typically use, which really gives the book a fresh, vibrant feel throughout.

The Bad

Once again, I don't really have anything to fault with Redick's book. He has clearly invested a great deal of time in its writing and planning, and this was really evident to me as I read it. The Rats and the Ruling Sea is exciting, well described and has a balanced pace - if Redick didn't invest a significant amount of thought into this book, he is either an accidental master or has a fantastic editor.

My Thoughts

I have to say that there is definitely something special about The Red Wolf Conspiracy and The Rats and the Ruling Sea. Both books read more like fairy tales for adults than typical fantasy novels and I am extremely excited about reading the third book in The Chathrand Voyage series in the near future. But don’t take my word for it – start the series and see for yourself!

The Red Wolf Conspiracy - Robert V. S. Redick

RATING: FOUR STARS

The Chathrand is the last of the great ships, built by a race whose secrets have long since been lost. It is huge, dwarfing any other vessel in the sea, and has been sent on a secret mission by the Emperor of Arqual. Few people know what this mission actually is, but it is known that Thasha Isiq – the daughter of a renowned ambassador – is sailing to wed a Mzithrin prince.

To Pazel Pathkendle, a young tarboy who manages to find work aboard the Chathrand, the true purpose of the voyage matters not. He cares nothing for conspiracies and magic - that is until he hears the plots of a minute race of humans called the Ixchel. Pazel quickly finds himself drawn into a plot on a staggering scale and begins to understand that dark forces are at work – forces that would see the two great empires of Alifros destroy each other in a brutal war; forces that must be stopped at any cost.

The Good

Robert V. S. Redick writes The Red Wolf Conspiracy with an enthusiasm that really comes through in his prose. Few authors manage this and it made me really enjoy reading the book, which was over all too soon! In fact, his enthusiasm and good natured writing helped me to immerse in the story and really bond with his characters.

The story of The Red Wolf Conspiracy is also very good, being based around a mystery that Redick is very good at keeping against his chest. This makes it very hard to predict and I never knew what trouble Pazel and the rest of the main characters would be in next!

The Bad

I actually have very little to fault with The Red Wolf Conspiracy – certainly nothing worth mentioning here anyway. The book is enjoyable to read, imaginative and has a very fresh feel to it that helped make it stand out to me.

My Thoughts

Due to this, I would recommend that you give The Red Wolf Conspiracy a go. It’s certainly a series that is well worth investing in if you're looking for an escapist fantasy and I'm very eager to read the remaining three books in the Chathrand Voyage series!