This was certainly one of the primary strengths of the novel, which kept it compelling and interesting even when the plot developments where somewhat expected. The book has something of a table setter feel to it... a primer into the world and the primary characters before the story really gets started. From reading the second novel, I stand firm in that assessment.



The magic was more of a physical element to it, like a apothecary/alchemist... but that was almost more specifically the Earth Magic that the Androfrancines permitted to be used and studied.



I really enjoyed Isaak as a character as well. I guess we shouldn't be surprised by that, as the series is called The Psalms of Isaak. He is something of the pivot point of the story. Scholes did a great job making him both alien and very human... always compelling.

You get to see more of the mechanicals in CANTICLE, but not in the ways you were expecting... unless you read the little prologue included at the end of the paperback copy of the book.



That scene, as well the scene between the old Pope and Li Tam was rather well done if short.



Man, you need to read CANTICLE.



As far as I can piece together, the Churning Wastes and the Age of Laughing Madness was the result of the magical apocalypse caused by the Death Choirs singing the 7 Cacophonic Deaths after P'Andro Whym killed the Wizard kings. Whym was trying to bring back the age of Science from before the previous cataclysm... that age is called the Age of the Younger Gods, and I think it correlates with our today or a similar civilization and technology. The mechanicals and some of the other technology was originally generated during that age, recovered by Rufello during the Science renaissance, and recovered by the Androfrancines.

The moon seems to have been inhabited, it is referred to as green and blue and there being a tower on it. There is a whole lot more of this in Canticle.



5 books in total, with two out. Scholes is finished with the 3rd, with an expected publication early next year. I've talked to him a couple times, and he's very confident that all 5 will be published and available by late winter/early spring of 2011, a year and some months from now.

CANTICLE is so much better than Lamentation. It has some actual surprises and twists to it. The writing is better, as is the characterization. So, if you liked it, you'll really enjoy CANTICLE. Just, don't rush out and buy it if you haven't already. You've been entered into the drawing to win it for free. I will announce the winners early next week.