Fantasy Review: Dreamwielder by Garrett Calcaterra


Dreamwielder by Garrett Calcaterra


review request from the author

Synopsis from Goodreads
In a world shrouded by soot and smoke, young Makarria has literally been forbidden to dream…

Legend has foretold the demise of Emperor Thedric Guderian at the hands of a sorceress with royal blood, and the Emperor has made it his legacy to stamp out all magic from the Sargothian Empire in favor of primitive coal fired smelters and steam powered machines. When Guderian’s minions discover a Dreamwielder on a seaside farmstead, a chain of events forces Guderian’s new threat—the young Makarria—to flee from her home and embark upon an epic journey where her path intertwines with that of Princess Taera, her headstrong brother, Prince Caile, and the northman Siegbjorn, who captains a night-flying airship.

Dogging their every step is the part-wolf, part-raven sorcerer, Wulfram, and Emperor Guderian, himself, a man who has the ability to stint magic and a vision to create a world where the laws of nature are beholden to men and machines. Only by learning to control the power she wields can Makarria save her newfound companions and stop the Emperor from irreversibly exterminating both the magic in humans and their bond with nature.

 Amazon  US | Amazon kindle US($2.99)/UK(£2.05)

7.5/10

 * * * 
Dreamwielder is a collection of nice parts which doesn't give an impression of outstanding work as whole, but nevertheless is a very decent fantasy.



What struck me as a very positive thing is that despite the main heroine being a young girl, there is no sheltering her from violence that is expected from a semi-medieval, paranoid, cruel dictator who hunts Makarria down.

Wolfram is twisted and very cold, he is the perfect villain, and the people who resist him separately suddenly find a cause and hope in Makarria to unite, and help her along the way towards the emperor's destruction.

One of the most genuine connections in this book is the one between Makarria and captain Siegbjorn. Makarria herself reminded me of Arya -  she is very young, very gutsy and fights for what she believes is right. She is the perfect heroine.

Despite magic in the book, I would call Dreamwielder a strong, realistic fantasy which needed just a little bit more focus and depth in its characters to make it truly powerful. As it stands it's a very enjoyable and easy read, which I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

* * *
Несмотря на то, что Повелителя Снов нельзя назвать сильным фэнтэзи, книга оказалась довольно интересной и читалась очень легко. В ней есть оригинальные идеи и находки, но только частями. Вот чуть-чуть бы её доработать по масштабу, длине и глубине характеров и могло бы  получиться что-то действительно сильное. Но не судьба.

Повелитель Снов - это реалистичное фэнтэзи, несмотря на присутствие здесь магии. Сюжет очень прост. Вулфрам - тиран и шизофреник, который обладает даром заглушить любую магию вблизи него, в своё время уничтожил всех магов континента и теперь правит империей. Только вот маги оставили пророчество, что убить его сможет повелитель снов, и когда его шпионы узнают о существовании 12-летней Макаррии, он начинает за ней охоту.

В то же время разрозненные участники сопротивления против диктатора, пытаются найти Макаррию первыми и использовать её в своих целях, пока она улепётывает из родной деревни с любимым дедушкой, которого она совершенно случайно превратила в молодого человека когда тот умирал от старости.

Одна из лучших линий в книге и самых искренних, это диалоги между Макаррией и капитаном Сьегбьорном. Она мне очень напомнила Арью из Игры Престолов - юную, пылкую, отчаянно смелую и верящую в то, что ей надо поступать так как велит ей честь.

В общем, совсем неплохо. Рекомендую, но сдержанно.

Comments

  1. This sounds good, adding it to the maybe list. Thanks for the review!

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  2. Sounds good, sounds ok, not sure in the end

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  3. Its a new one to me. I think I'll wait for the next book though. :)

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  4. Hmm, this sounds interesting and the characters themselves are intriguing. I read high fantasy occasionally and will keep this in mind. Great review Karina!

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  5. Oooh, the villain sounds awesome. I do love a nice (and by nice I mean scary as hell) villain. Too many of them are laughably easy to defeat. However, the dearth of characterization means I can't. I'm patient with fantasy in exchange for getting to go on a journey with people who feel real to me.

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