Baour: Strands of Death by Dirk Vandereyken reviewed on Fantasy Book Review
What the reader expects from a fantasy novel is usually a bit of sword and sorcery. They do not expect a courtroom drama involving a necromancer. In this novel the necromancer is Baour and he is accused of blasphemy against a god, and of bringing to life that which should stay dead. Baour uses his hands to weave strands (the strands of death referred to in the book’s title are the essential parts of non-life force that he manipulates to re-animate the once-corpse into a living, breathing human or sprite once again) like a spider weaves a web.
This novel consists of twelve chapters, plus an epilogue, in which characters give testimony of their own dealings with the necromancer. He is considered, by all, to be the most evil kind of man and fully deserving of the greatest punishment that can be given to one convicted of witchcraft.
There is an intense emotion exuded by the well-written characters, especially in the testimony given by Esmeralda. The reader must ascertain whether the villagers testimonies are rumour or truth and this leads to great tension and uncertainty. This is a compelling read, in-depth and intriguing.
Whether Baour is an honest man or a dangerous necromancer is never known until the verdict is given, just as it would be delivered in a court room today. Those who were were quick to condemn him find that the conflicting testimonies and the words of Baour himself lead to drastically changing thoughts.
Baour: Strands of Death is the work of would be genius Dirk Vandereyken. Vandereyken who wrote his first fantasy piece at the not so tender age of eleven and has never looked back. His other interests include being a critic, editor and journalist.
A big thank you to Blackwyrm Books for the review copy.
Posted: November 8th, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Blackwyrm Books
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