Re: My thoughts. (i.e. <insert generic subject here>)
Gher Send a noteboard - 07/11/2009 01:28:51 AM
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.
Excellent. That was one thing I noticed, that most new developments or plot twists was so expected, it was almost like we'd moved on before we got there.
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.
Yes, but the Blood Magick that the Marsh King gave Neb was in a vial. It could be liquid but it was described as spiced with powders from things that grow in dark places. So still alchemy, from what we've seen in Lamentation.
By the way this has got to be annoying trying to keep the discussion solely on Lamentation and not mention anything from Canticle
.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.
Definitely. I remember when Rudolfo named him Isaak I smiled, knowing we'd see a lot more of him.
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. 
Yeah... I read that. Really need to get to Canticle.
That scene, as well the scene between the old Pope and Li Tam was rather well done if short.
Yeah, I liked that Vlad Li Tam wasn't always all knowing and in control. He let his guard down and let you see how much everything cost him. Unless that was more manipulation on his part...
Neb was the young boy who will become the savior of the world, while the Marsh Folk were the mysterious savages who turn out to be much more. It will be interesting to see where this storyline goes though.
Man, you need to read CANTICLE.
And is it a given that this is all in the far future? That we are the Old World, that the Age of Laughing Madness and Churning Wastes are a result of Nukes or chemical agents? At times it hinted that they had come to a new world, but whether that means another planet or another continent is debatable. The Moon Wizard was hinted at, and it will be interesting to see if that plays a bigger part in the story.
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.
Yeah that's right. Sorry, I was in Name of the Wind mode there for a minute. The Age of Laughing Madness may or may not have been the work of the Seven Cacophonic Deaths (it was even referred to as a possible Eighth Death built into the spell), the Younger Gods were before that. The Old World was in or beyond the Churning Wastes, and the World of the Younger Gods seemed to be separate from that. So possibly another planet.
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.
Yes sorry, this is what I meant when I said it was hinted at. If I'd read the phrase Moon Wizard or even just Moon Wizard's Tower I would have figured it to be a specific wizard who draws his power from the moon or related rituals. But to present the Moon as inhabited, that's really cool. Really good example of a world that's moved beyond science to magic, and then beyond magic almost.
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.
Awesome.
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. 
Ha, I don't even dare to hope to win two contests in a row. Although (Un)fortunately the odds look pretty good right now.
"And it breaks my heart to look around, and see the unimpressed; who can't believe the emperor is dressed"~Fastball
2-7-1
2-7-1
Lamentation by Ken Scholes the Discussion Thread
- 06/11/2009 04:57:27 PM
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The setting/created world of the Psalms of Isaak.
- 06/11/2009 06:43:57 PM
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Reminded me of WoT...
- 06/11/2009 09:41:44 PM
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Same here, at least as far as the world creation goes.
- 12/11/2009 05:18:27 PM
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Can't believe I never noticed that...
- 13/11/2009 05:04:27 AM
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Complete with salty sayings, even!
- 13/11/2009 04:05:45 PM
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- 13/11/2009 04:05:45 PM
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At least it wasn't as heavy-handed in LAMENTATION.
- 13/11/2009 08:42:36 PM
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But Siuan's fish talk is fun!
- 13/11/2009 10:22:23 PM
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As in most cases with Jordan...
- 16/11/2009 05:02:21 PM
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He did not...
- 16/11/2009 10:21:15 PM
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/Setting: codes and ciphers
- 10/11/2009 12:19:27 AM
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My thoughts. (i.e. <insert generic subject here>)
- 06/11/2009 07:38:26 PM
775 Views
Re: My thoughts. (i.e. <insert generic subject here>)
- 06/11/2009 08:56:55 PM
867 Views
Re: My thoughts. (i.e. <insert generic subject here>)
- 07/11/2009 01:28:51 AM
837 Views
Themes...
- 06/11/2009 09:00:23 PM
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I feel like I should have posted a reveiw but I really such at reveiws. Anyway...
- 07/11/2009 04:53:15 AM
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If you don't mind me asking, what series/books in particular have characters you don't care for?
- 10/11/2009 08:12:52 PM
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Characters...
- 08/11/2009 02:30:30 AM
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Isaak, or "he who laughs".
- 08/11/2009 02:54:44 AM
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Indeed.
- 10/11/2009 05:31:55 PM
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Personally I can't wait to see how Neb developes... *NM*
- 10/11/2009 12:05:05 AM
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Winters & Neb
- 11/11/2009 04:56:35 PM
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Should you ever conduct an interview with Scholes, would you ask him...
- 12/11/2009 05:51:52 PM
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That's a great question.
- 12/11/2009 07:38:13 PM
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Thanks in advance. And please let me know his answer one way or the other.
- 13/11/2009 03:40:19 AM
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