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 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!