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Cargando... Cantata in Coral and Ivorypor L. Shelby
Actualmente no hay Conversaciones sobre este libro. 1   reading_fox | May 7, 2013 |  sin reseñas | añadir una reseña
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Ikhsior never expected to inherit the family title, and would rather return to the roving life of a sea captain than remain a part of the Imperial Court. But it isn't easy to withdraw from emperor's service without damaging his family's honor. To regain his freedom, he must first master the intricacies of his new position. But a courtier's skills do not come easily to the former sailor, and the Coral Palace holds far more mysteries than he was expecting. How has he won the enmity of the court's most fashionable lord? Why did a young lady give him a device that shouldn't even exist? What is this moving statue that everyone seems to have seen but him? Could he possibly have lost his heart to one of the throng of art-obsessed courtiers? And does the future of the country really depend on what he does next? He has always been confident of his ability to achieve his goals, but this is the hardest and most confusing challenge he has ever faced. How can he succeed when he's no longer certain what he's trying to do? No se han encontrado descripciones de biblioteca. |
Autor de LibraryThingL. Shelby es un Autor de LibraryThing, un autor que tiene listada su biblioteca personal en LibraryThing. Debates activosNingunoCubiertas populares  
 Google Books — Cargando...GénerosSistema Decimal Melvil (DDC)813Literature English (North America) American fictionClasificación de la Biblioteca del CongresoValoraciónPromedio: (4.5)
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Set in a magical (slightly) otherworld Africa, this is the tale, as told by the scribe, of the rise to eminence of one of the lords of the Emperor's court. No-one would believe the the sophisticated lords and ladies could ever have come from anything less than Celestially noble beginnings, but Families have widespread branches even so. Etiquette at court has any significant statement announced in song. Circumscribed by this practice our captain has a lot to learn, and a vast array of servitors to help him, but misunderstandings arise so readily. Even those experienced in such matters can make mistakes, and not everyone who claims to be is really your friend - although in that at least the captain has some degree of awareness.
The inclusions of lots of the songs, and their formal names for them, should have been a major turn-off. It didn't work for Tolkien, and it has seldom worked for anyone else that I've read. But because these are so integral to the plot it actually worked really well. The balance and pacing were good, with the captain about to make progress then suffering reverses in unpredictable but wholly believable manners. The viewpoint from the scribe who couldn't acknowledge anything improper tempered all actions wonderfully, keeping the feel of delicate court life, whilst maintaining the accuracy of events. If I was going to be really picky then at times there is a little repetition of language - the use of 'ajar' for behavior that might considered at the bounds of decency (describing a brother lord in slightly unflattering language) was the worst offender. The romance is gentle and as you might expect, confused between different parties. But the sincerity of feelings always comes through with understated passion. - a brief glimpse and a lingering smile.
An author to watch out for. (