Fairly good Overall, I enjoyed this novel. Innowen and Razkili (Razkili, especially, as I'm a sucker for devotion and he has it in spades) are very likable characters and the world created here is dark and interesting. I'll admit it did take me a little bit to get into the book--the initial hook doesn't carry well beyond the first chapter--and I even put it aside for a while, unsure if I'd give it another go. But, I did pick it back up and before long was sucked in--in a way the first several chapters hadn't grab me.
Admittedly, the plot is a bit weak--it's more of a personal quest on the part of Innowen than a true plot--but it still makes the novel work, nonetheless. And the point in which Innowen breaks away and seeks his quest alone--finding the witch who both blessed and cursed him with the ability to walk--the novel slows down considerably. The 3 or 4 chapters that deal with his travel, encounters and seeking the witch could have been handled in about a half of chapter far more potently and effectively. As it was, very little happens during these chapters and it's a long drawn out phase of the book. That said, it is worth getting through for the exciting push towards the end.
I would have liked to see a more definitive declaration between Innowen and Razkili. While you never doubt the love that exists between them, there's very little emotional payoff for all the underlying sexual tension that exists earlier in the book. However, for a quality relationship between two men that does develop into more (if lacking in any clear, 'yes, they did it'), Innowen and Razkili (called Rascal (did I mention how much I liked him?)) have it.
From a writing standpoint, there are some vivid and beautiful descriptions, complicated and compelling relationships, and a fair amount of political push and pull that is clearly done (as political conflicts in novels are too often fuzzy). All threads are tied up in the end, and not in annoying and perfect ways either, which is nice. If I do have to say something outright negative, it's that the book isn't exactly gripping, but I couldn't really put my finger on why. It may have just been due to the weakness of the plot, but you're pulled through by the characters. It's a good read, certainly, but I couldn't call it a compelling one, which is why I gave it 4 stars.
grim mycenaean fantasy Mixed are my impressions on this most peculiar book: the five stars is homage to the writer's skill and originality.
Set in a world clearly going back to a pre-historical Greece, a fact supported also by the choice of garments, warfares and proper names, this book stands out of the several novelizations of past history because of the supernatural touch in it.
The plot itself is not particularly interesting: the quest of the main character, a crippled boy healed by a mysterious witch, for his past and for his true self. As another reviewer pointed out the plot twists are such as to shame any soap opera writer and this flaw taints the novel so much as to make it very slow at times.
On the other hand we are faced with a most talented writer: his descriptions are minute, detailed to the point of being fastidious. His use of the language is simply beautiful: night and shadow are a constant background but every description he conceives is lyrical at least. Mr Bailey pays much attention to all everyday aspects of life but in a way he manages to sublimate them into poetical images.
His treatment of characters is a subtle one: in a most dark, ambiguous, grim atmosphere which stifles even the most gruesome deaths (and there is a lot of violence in this book, only muted) Innowen and the others slide silently as if afraid to stir the wrath of the rarely mentioned but omnipresent gods of their land. Only in time we are explicitly told that the deep attachment of Innowen and Razkili is love: though we understand this love to be an extremely passionate one, we watch it on tip toe, fearful of disturbing the hero while he discovers he does not love the witch as he believed before and he slowly comes to admit he cares for his friend and companion of five years. By the way here is a major contradiction: in this world homosexuality is no issue for anyone and still Innowen seems ashamed to love his companion: I guess Mr Bailey wanted this to be a fear to love in general but he omitted any explanation and it looks like he fears his love of men. Luckily enough he does not forget anything else and though sex between the two is never graphic, well it is never mentioned as such, actually, we look with pleasure at the growing intimacy of their touching.
An original, interesting read suited for anyone (gay or straight) who is at least 16 y.o. provided s/he has some superficial knowledge of history and a love for beautiful writing.
Dancing through the night..... Shadowdance was my first introduction to the world of SciFi & Fantasy. Few books I've read have brought both tears and joy to my eyes. I loved Robin's poetic words to describe ordinary objects and the way the author took me to the dark side of sex and mankind. Robin's character development and use of gay overtones added a beautiful dimension to the fantasy. The love between Innowen and Razkilli gave me, a gay reader, an emotional feeling I could identify with.
Dark Fantasy Taken to a Whole New Level I just found and read this book, and I'm completely in awe. It's dark and grim, and yet ultimately uplifting. Bailey's prose is tight and lush. His scenes are visual and intense, and he sustains a level of poetry throughout the entire book that few writers achieve. The magic is subtle and beautiful. No lightning bolts shooting from fingertips here, no fireballs or flashy stuff. In fact, one of the things I like best about this book is that it completely avoids all the cliches of most fantasy. I really like the bronze-age setting, and Bailey's research really shows. But most of all, I like the intensity of the building relationship between Innowen and Razkili. Like everything else about this book, the characters are subtle. They develop and grow as the story progresses. This book is definitely one to keep and reread again and again, and I'm delighted to have discovered this author.
Dive into the dance Delightful mind morsel. Innowen and Razkili are very lovable main characters, the plot is thrilling, the beauty of it will leave you floating in a cloud of euphoria for days. My only gripe is, after I finished the book, I lusted for more about the lovers. Dangit, they never did the deed...
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