Fierce originality, gripping intrigue and rich characterisation all distinguish this opening book of what promises to be an outstanding new fantsy sequence for older children and YA.
The basic premise of the story is an imaginative coup de force. It is a real delight to stumble across an author who has found such a novel and fascinating take on the 'classic' children's fantasy scenario. Here the situation of protagonist, Kellen, is essentially the polar opposite of that of Harry Potter. Harry grows up in a 'Muggle' world without magic, only to discover that he has very special powers, has been singled out for greatness and is to develop a prominent role in a wizarding world. How many fictional youths have since followed in these footsteps? Kellen, in stark contrast, has grown up in a world dominated by magic, hoping his destiny is to become a great mage, only to discover that his potential for magic is poor and his destiny is to be that of a despised underling. Nor is this some authorial ploy with a heartwarming twist awaiting when our hero finds his power after all. Kellen's story is not about becoming a wizard. It is about not becoming a wizard. It is quite a shock to the fantasy reader's sytem, but is is both a refreshing and a deeply engrossing one.
A fascinating pack
The Spellslinger story is then enriched by a quite wonderful cast of characters, many hugely rich in concept and description. Surrounding Kellen are his immediate world of spell-casters, young and old, mages and trainees. Some are good, others amost purely malevolent, but many are ambivalent in their morality and allegiences. Not least amogst these are Kellen's own family and some of his 'friends'. Added to these are a couple of characters breathtaking in their originality, invention and fascination. Not least is Ferrius Parfax, an emigmatic traveller with more than a passing resemblance to a maverick card sharp from the American Wild West. She is strong, cynical and utterly fascinating to both Kellen and the reader. She has no spell magic and as such stands opposed to the Mages of his world, yet she achieves much through her confidence and worldly-wise guile. She is a butt-kicker par excellence. A description as a 'card sharp' is, indeed, very apt for her too; she sometimes uses steel egded playing cards as very effective throwing weapons. However, she also used cards in other ways, but her decks are not those of conventional games. They are something more arcane, loosely related, perhaps, to The Tarot. She represents a rich and fascinatng exploration of ambiguity in both gender and magic. She is the antithesis of the stereotype for both the female and the wizard in fantasy. Enthralling.
Equally engaging is the embittered and vicious creature, Reichis, who becomes Kellen's 'familiar', even though the little monster deplores the term and insists that he is merely a 'business partner'. Reichis is an 'overgrown avaricious part-feline rodent,' with attitude (double plus), and is undoubtedly one of the most delicious, entertaining and original sidekicks in children's fantasy. A clear rival for Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus.
Masterful gameplay
Yet what is so completely compelling about this fantasy narrative is that it achieves its power and hold without extensive swashbuckling, or massive pitched battles. Rather it is Kellen's ongoing struggle with himself, his family and his world which is so compulsively page-turning. It is a journey through character and relationships, through self-discovery. True there are revelations about the politics and history of the complex, but not confusing, world in which Kellen lives. But it is his place within that world, his future within, or perhaps even outside it, which is always most at stake. And even when the book races towards its truly exciting climactic events, Kellen's destiny is always the outcome we most desparately want to know.
All in all, Spellslinger is one of the finest example I have come across recently of a book about a young person's journey to discover who they are, to begin to carve out their own, proper place in the world. This is not only because of the ingenious premis of its story but owes equal thanks to the writerly and narrative skill with which the author develops it. His contraposing of the spell magic of the mages with the card (con?) magic of Ferrius is fascinating and revelatory, not least because its conflict rages within Kellen as much as it does in the world around him. Further, this book's enigmatic and often provocative imagery leaves plenty of scope for each reader to see themselves in it, and to understand it, or feel it, in their own particular way. This is the essence of fine fiction.
Kellern is approaching his fifteenth birthday in this first book, somewhat older than Harry Potter is in his, and this story is probably for slightly older readers. Kellern's conflicts and ordeals can be traumatic and somewhat disturbing at times. But nor does this book necessarily belong only on the YA/adult cusp, in the way of many fantasies. Its violence is never too gruesomely graphic and is occasional dalliance with romance is of a distinctly innocent, early adolescent nature. It is a story accessible to a wide young readership and will I am sure bring huge enjoyment to many.
Thanks are due to publishers Hot Key Books for bringing us the work of this fine Canadian fantasist. It is also published in the US by Zaffre Books, which should greatly enhance and speed its reputation. The second volume, Shadowblack, due out this Autumn, is awaited eagerly.