This year on Supernatural Underground I’m celebrating the wondrous and wonderful worlds of Fantasy literature with a closer look at some of my personal favourites.

This month, I’m checking out the great Ursula Le Guin’s seminal Earthsea.

To find out more about why I heart her worldbuilding, click on:

Spellbinding — A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin

The focus is on A Wizard of Earthsea because as the first book in the series it’s where all the founding worldbuilding takes place.

So far with this post series, the focus is on the art and craft of building more than the world itself, although it’s not possible to completely separate one from the other. Needless to say, as with CS Lewis in last month’s feature, I consider Le Guin a master of the worldbuilding art.

I hope a little of ‘why ‘comes through in the post! Have fun with the reading thereof. 🙂

#YoW YearOfWorldbuilding

#WiF WorldbuildingInFantasy

—

But while you’re on the Supernatural Underground, why not check out:

The Mermaids, Selkies & Sea Monsters post by Merrie Destefano, which is a blog tour and giveaway feature for Mermaidia, a Limited Edition anthology dedicated to all things mer.

Amanda Arista’s Year of Genesis: The Birth of A Character, sharing how the heroine of her new-out paranormal urban fantasy, The Truth About Night evolved through her earlier Urban Panther series.

Kim Falconer’s Where In Which World, looking at where we Supernatural Underground authors “place” our storytelling. Hint: this world, other worlds, & California! 😉 PLUS, there be maps & general map & worldbuilding goodness.

Go on, get with it: check ’em all out! 😀

USA

The About The Characters post series focuses on the minor characters in The Wall Of Night series, in large part because:

“I think it’s the presence of the smaller characters that “makes” a story, creating texture around the main points of view.”

~ from my Legend Award Finalist's Interview, 2013

Initially, the series focused exclusively on characters from The Heir of Night, but now I’m continuing on with minor characters from both The Gathering Of The Lost and Daughter of Blood — in alphabetical order, of course!

(The quotes, together with the covers, indicate the books in which the character appears.)

—

UK/AU/NZ

Isolt:  a damosel of Normarch, in the southern realm of Emer

“And Annot,” said Raher. “You know, Brania’s cousin. And her friend, the one with the mousy hair.”

“Isolt,” Tibalt said. “Her family—” He paused, swallowing hard as they all looked at him. “Her family’s demesne, it’s not far from ours. In Wymark,” he added, as though it was important they understood that. No one said anything…

~  from © The Gathering Of The Lost, The Wall of Night Book Two: Chapter 18 — Vigil

When Markus Zusak’s Bridge of Clay came out in 2018, the publisher (Picador) described it as “the most anticipated book of the decade.” While such superlatives may be dismissed as “puff” or “hype”, in this case it had been thirteen years since The Book Thief, which took the reading world by storm and became an international best seller.

Writing a book of such magnitude and impact is a hard act to follow, so it’s not surprising Markus Zusak took the time to ensure the next book was what he wanted. (Although I note this is entirely an assumption on my part!) Admittedly, The Messenger was on our shelves in 2013, but it was a republication of a work (2002) that preceded The Book Thief.

Perhaps because of the time the author was prepared to give Bridge of Clay, it is very definitely not a reprise of The Book Thief. If comparisons were to be made, I would say it more closely resembles The Messenger, being set in (mostly) contemporary Australia. Otherwise it’s entirely its own book, and in my view of far greater emotional depth and breadth than The Messenger. (Although I liked that well enough, as per my post here.)

So what, you may be wondering, is Bridge of Clay all about… Well, firstly, it’s about a family, and about the ties that bind us together and the forces that tear us apart, not least love and grief, hope and fear, life and death. Yep, you’ve got it: this is in no sense a small book.

Bridge of Clay is also the story of the five brothers that are the children of this particular family and how they survive—or endeavour to survive—the death of their mother, Penny, and loss of their father, Michael. At which point I shall immediately point to one of the more obvious distinctions between The Book Thief and this book (besides WW2 Germany and contemporary Australia), which is that the former centered on an orphaned tween/teen girl, while Bridge of Clay is all about these five boys, stretching in age from tween to around twenty, and grounded in their various views of the world. The two central points-of-view, though, are that of Clay, the fourth brother, and Matthew, the eldest brother and main narrator.

This is not to say that there are no significant women characters in the book: Abbey Hanley and Penny Lesciuszko, Carey Novac and Claudia Kirkby, all fit that bill. None are ciphers in the scope of the story, either, which is also an account of first loves and second, about romance and loves that endure. Primarily, though, it’s the five brothers, the Dunbar boys, that are the core of the book.

Incidentally, Bridge of Clay is also a book about a menagerie of animals and about horse racing, about bridges and Michelangelo, but primarily, it’s a book about survival. So maybe, that being said, there is a nexis between The Book Thief and Bridge of Clay after all, if the reader digs deep enough.

I should also say that I found it much harder to get into Bridge of Clay than I recall with The Book Thief or The Messenger. I believe that’s because the story moves around a lot at the beginning, between the characters but also between past and present. I felt on the verge of giving up, when the the elements finally started to come together for me and from that point on (about a quarter to a third of the way through) I was hooked.

So my recommendation, if a reader should feel similarly, would be to persist. Because my final evaluation, on reaching the end, was: “Yeah, I really enjoyed that.” And if I wanted to encapsulate the book in a quote, I would actually go for the very last line:

“A Dunbar boy could do many things, but he should always be sure to come home.”

In terms of comparative reading, I would say that in addition to Markus Zusak’s two preceding novels, if you’ve enjoyed Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life, Melina Marchetta’s Jellicoe Road, Christos Tsiolkas’s The Slap, or Commonwealth by Ann Patchett, then you may enjoy Bridge of Clay, too.

—

Disclosure:
I read an an uncorrected proof copy, 579 pp, of Bridge of Clay, supplied by the publisher’s representative toward the end of last year because “she couldn’t believe I hadn’t read it yet.” But similarly to Deeplight (as posted here) I enjoyed it so much I bought a copy for one of my brothers, as a Christmas present.

Only known map [partial] of Haarth — I&CVT. Credited artisan: Peter Fitzpatrick

Memorandum

To: Office of the Grand Comptroller, I&CVT Central Records

From: Archive Assistant 4th Grade, 42Quil: Branch Library 727

Interstitial Date: [Error_Message: Interstitial date corrupted in message transfer.]

Subject: Warning! Misplaced Archive for Location: Twelve-Sided Room; Destination World, Haarth

—

Background:

Interstitial Date [Error_Message: Interstitial date corrupted in message transfer]: The Ultimate Secretariat of the Celestial Board of the Interplane & Cross-Void Travel Agency (I&CVT) resolved to update the Agency’s extremely popular Unknown Worlds guidebook series. Among the worlds scheduled for update, Haarth has long fallen into the Least Known class of I&CVT’s Unknown category.

The Ultimate Secretariat Directive of _[Error_Message: Interstitial date corrupted in message transfer]_ giving effect to the Celestial Board’s resolve, expresses certitude that the Haarth entry can be satisfactorily updated by a review of existing archival records.  The Directive explicitly states that the expense of dispatching an agent-at-large to complete an on-world familiarization is unnecessary, given access challenges and Haarth’s questionable reputation, and should not be undertaken.

The honour of retrieving, reviewing, and compiling the archival record for Haarth was assigned to Branch Library 727, given its location at the interstitial node providing the most direct access (assuming challenges allow) to destination world Haarth.

I&CVT Artist’s Imagining of Haarth Credited to PJ Fitzpatrick

Progress Report:

Work was initiated promptly and proceeded smoothly, consistent with Branch Library 727’s immaculate reputation, resulting in Guide Entry #1: The Tower of the Rose being completed early.

We regret to advise, however, that obstacles have arisen with respect to Guide Entry #2, the so-called “Twelve-Sided Room.” All archive retrieval requests were consistently denied and a retrieval mission led by Archive Assistant First Grade 33Slate failed to return. The subsequent Archive Search and Rescue headed by Archive Librarian 17Tome failed to locate any members of the retrieval mission but were able to confirm that all archival records relating to the Twelve-Sided Room have vanished from the 727 Stacks.

In addition, Archive Librarian 17Tome reports the manifestation of an anomaly in the Haarth quadrant of the Stacks, at or in immediate proximity to the coordinates for the Twelve-Sided Room. Although the Search and Rescue team judged it necessary to log their observations from a prudent distance, in order to avoid the fate of the earlier retrieval mission, all signs point to a Cross-void Disturbance. No further information is currently available and the Haarth quadrant of Stacks is now under lockdown, by Interdict of 727Branch-Librarian.

Recommendations:

The Branch Library Collective recommends that:

1. The lockdown of Branch Library 727’s Archive, Haarth Quadrant, by Interdict of 727Branch-Librarian be ratified and confirmed by the Office of the Grand Comptroller;

2. The Office of the Grand Comptroller immediately direct a Central Records Fire Team to investigate and map the anomaly, with a further remit to remedy or mitigate any enduring adverse effects, including undertaking a Zero-Field Reset of interstitial access to the Haarth Quadrant, as required;

3. Central Records urges the Ultimate Secretariat to urgently reexamine the business case for dispatching an agent-at-large to Haarth, in order to determine the source of the anomaly, recommend on the necessity of quarantine, and determine the fate of Archive Assistant First Grade 33Slate’s mission team.

Decision:

[To be recorded here by the Grand Comptroller, I&CVT Central Records.]

—

Transcribed Under Central Records Seal:
Status: Urgent
Access: Restricted
Authorisation: Central Recorder, First Class, Illustrious Discretion_1

.

© Helen Lowe

Gone Writing

Over the weekend I was powering away on WALL #4 and realized I needed to go back to The Heir of Night (The Wall Of Night Book #1) and check up on some early facts, just to make sure I was on the right track.

I was! (So: huzza!) 😀

USA

But in doing my fact checking I also stumbled over something else the character-in-question (the one whose thread I’m working on) said “way back then.” And was blown away because it completely presages what is about to happen in WALL #4 now.

I have had these character arcs in my mind for a long time, including before and during the writing of Heir, but was still amazed at how something foreshadowed then, could be falling into place, writing and storytelling-wise, now.

I often feel the writing process is magical and mysterious, with more than a little alchemy in the mix, and this was definitely one of those moments.

UK/AU/NZ

It gave me a wee bit of added confidence, too, that I am on the right track with this particular arc—which makes for an all-around great start to the week.

On which note, dear reader, I hope your week is off to an excellent start, too. 🙂

UK/AU/NZ

The About The Characters post series focuses on the minor characters in The Wall Of Night series, in large part because:

“I think it’s the presence of the smaller characters that “makes” a story, creating texture around the main points of view.”

~ from my Legend Award Finalist's Interview, 2013

Initially, the series focused exclusively on characters from The Heir of Night, but now I’m continuing on with minor characters from both The Gathering Of The Lost and Daughter of Blood — in alphabetical order, of course!

(The quotes, together with the covers, indicate the books in which the character appears.)

—

USA

Ise: former governess and now duenna to Myrathis of Blood; originally from the House of the Rose

Her sister was nowhere to be seen when they reached the training hall, and it was Mistress Ise…who waited beside Dab. The guard towered over the diminutive Rose woman, who had been governess and was now senior companion to Myr, exactly as she had been to her mother, Lady Mayaraní of the Rose. Myr could not see any training clothes, but she did catch the hand signal Dab flashed Taly. She had worked out enough of their hand codes to know it was a warning, although not the finer shadings that would have conveyed what the warning meant. But Ise’s presence had already told her there was trouble, even if the old Rose woman’s tone and expression were as noncommittal as Dab’s lean countenance.

~ from © Daughter Of Blood: The Wall of Night Book Three, Chapter 1, Lady Mouse

As with Diane Setterfield’s Once Upon A River, discussed in detail here two weeks ago, I also gave Frances Hardinge’s Deeplight a quick headsup prior to Christmas: that is, I indicated that I had read and really enjoyed it but wouldn’t have time for a dedicated post prior to Christmas-New Year, and the summer holidays kicking in. (Yep, Southern Hemisphere here, so December-January is the long summer holiday. 😉 )

But today is Deeplight day—and I’ll begin by reiterating just how much I enjoyed this book. It’s a very different read to Frances Hardinge’s Costa Award-winning The Lie Tree, so if you’re expecting more of the same, then best to rewrite your expectations now. You can keep the one about it being really good, though. 🙂

Deeplight is an “otherworld” Fantasy that I consider to be Junior-YA crossover, but in fact suitable for readers of all ages who like an exciting, well-told story with layers to it, and a cast of interesting characters. The locale is The Myriad, an archipleago of islands in a larger world. The worldbuilding has steampunk elements in terms of its deep-sea diving and bathyscope-style technology, an aspect of the story that certainly appealed to me.

Deeplight is also characterized by a world within a world: in this case the Undersea that exists beneath the more usual ocean of The Myriad. An Undersea that spawns gods and monsters that dominated and terrorized The Myriad until just 30 years before the current story, at which point they turned upon each other, tearing each other apart until none were left. The aftermath of the gods’ death is a newly formed society of independent island states in which salvage of the dead gods’ remains is both legitimate and smuggling business, and their redundant priesthoods are slowly dying out in island sanctuaries.

Fascinating, isn’t it! Well, I certainly found it so—and thought the underlying premise of the Undersea and the dead gods an innovative example of Fantasy worldbuilding.

No book works by worldbuilding alone, however.  Deeplight is also a coming of age story, centering on the friendship between Hark and Jelt, both orphans and fringe-dwellers skirmishing for survival amid the rough and tumble of the island called Lady’s Crave. Although their relationship lies at the heart of the story, Hark’s fate also becomes bound up with that of a scientist, Dr Vyne, a former priest called Quest, and Selphin, a smuggler’s daughter—particularly when his survival, and Jelt’s, leads them on a desperate mission to the Undersea.

One of the aspects I really liked about Deeplight is that the story, and Hark’s survival, are not just about the mystery and the adventure, but depend on Hark learning to think and decide for himself, not least where his trust and loyalty (both commodities in short supply among the back alleys of Lady’s Crave) should lie. But it is also a great adventure and imaginative fantasy.

So if you’re a fan of Neil Gaiman (The Graveyard Book and The Ocean At The End Of The Lane), Scott Westerfeld (Leviathan), Philip Reeves (Mortal Engines), Paolo Bacigalupi (Shipbreaker), or Kage Baker’s The Hotel Under The Sand, then I believe it will be worth your while investigating Deeplight.

Disclosure:
I read an uncorrected proof copy, 437 pp, supplied by our local Pan Macmillan rep. “But” I also liked the book enough to buy it as a Christmas present for my niece (age 13). 🙂

Only known map [partial] of Haarth — I&CVT. Credited artisan: Peter Fitzpatrick

The world of Haarth is one of the least known on our list of Interplane & Cross-Void Travel destinations, boasting many inhospitable regions. Review of archival records, however, does suggest a number of potential places a traveler may overnight.** These have been collated into our updated Guide for the more intrepid*** traveler.”

~ Interplane & Cross-Void Travel (I&CVT): Our Unknown Worlds Series Updated — A Traveler’s Guide To Haarth

—

Guide Entry: The Tower of the Rose

(Source: archival records; unverified. All links are to archived material.)

Historical archive: source #1

Location: The Keep of Winds, believed to be the fortress closed to the north-west boundary of the known world, near the farthest extent of the mountain range known as the Wall of Night.

Local Sights: None known. The archives refer to an older ruined keep nearby but are silent on its availability for viewing.

Weather: Abominable

Accommodation Features:

• The accommodation offered is believed to occupy the tallest tower in the Keep complex; no information is available as to views
• The double doors that mark the main entry are considered very fine, and the associated artwork—a rose vine sculpted into the arch and embossed in silver on the doors—may be of interest to the discerning traveller.

Decor:  wooden panelling; mosaic floor tiles; good quality soft furnishings but an upgrade to brighter, more contemporary colours would be desirable before I&CVT could recommend staying to any but its most travel-hardened clients

Historical archive: source #2

Furniture: a central round table, wooden chairs and sideboards with plenty of storage for traveler’s gear. The style is oldfashioned, however, and the wood look heavy and dark, so travelers may prefer to book accommodation with lighter, brighter steel, chrome and glass

Bedrooms: believed to be two, opening off the central suite, but the archives provide no detail

Bathrooms/ensuites: Again, the archival record provides no detail but given what is known of the destination and the world, travellers are advised to expect the worst as regards water closets and indoor plumbing. A similar caution is therefore advised with respect to showers, although primitive baths are probable.

Cleanliness: Immaculate

Feedback:  Please refer **Disclosure 2 regarding no comprehensive means of providing traveler feedback. However, the following was gleaned from the archive:

“Very quiet and peaceful, which is unusual given the extreme weather patterns and endemic violence that categorise this part of the world.” — Jehane Mor, Herald of the Guild (Guild House: Terebanth)

“A warning to subsequent guests: I’m certain the accommodation was entered while we were away and our belongings examined. Nothing was taken but appropriate precautions, such as a heralds’ wardfire, are advised.” — Tarathan of Ar, Herald of the Guild (Guild House: Terebanth)

“Post Script: Though by reputation, the local inhabitants are scrupulously honest, so our experience may be anomalous. Nonetheless, magical and physical security measures are prudent, if not absolutely necessary anywhere on the Wall of Night” — Jehane Mor, Herald of the Guild (Guild House: Terebanth)

Rating: None found

Keep of Winds fragment. …by PJ Fitzpatrick

—

Interplane & Cross-Void Travel (I&CVT) Fineprint:
* Disclosure #1:  None of our agents have, as yet, undertaken a familiarization 
to this world.
 
** Disclosure #2:  No comprehensive database of traveler feedback has 
been established, although some fragments have been collated 
from the historical archives and included in our Guide.

*** Warning:
Haarth is a world where magic is reputed to exist and may be widely used;
currently, such reports remain unverified. 

No central government exists and both law and its enforcement may be sporadic. 

Interplane & Cross-Void Travel is working closely with several vendors to 
offer appropriate travel insurance. Status: currently in progress. Meanwhile,
all travel to this destination is at the traveler's own risk. 

Yes, it’s that happy time of month when I post on the Supernatural Underground — and on February 1st I posted #1 in my 2020 post series that aims to celebrate worldbuilding in Fantasy literature:

On the first of every month for the rest of the year I’ll be featuring one of my personal favourites among the wonderful and wondrous worlds of Fantasy.  As with last year’s Romance in Fantasy series, I’m endeavoring to feature older and newer works. So in that spirit, I’ve kicked things off with a classic:

Surprised by Delight – The Lion, The Witch & the Wardrobe by CS Lewis

Original, Pauline Baynes’ cover

Some readers may be thinking: “Lewis, isn’t he regarded as awfully old hat now?”

More reasons for starting with Lewis and The Lion, The Witch & the Wardrobe, including their being among my earliest introductions to Fantasy worldbuilding, are set out in the post. But I would also say that I believe that when it comes to the art and/or craft of worldbuilding, he knew what he was about.

To find out why I think that, click on through and have a read.

A, if not *the*, definitive image for Narnia & worldbuilding

Meanwhile, I’m heading back to my own worldbuilding with WALL #4. 🙂

Have an excellent week out there!

#YoW YearOfWorldbuilding; #WiF WorldbuildingInFantasy

The About The Characters post series focuses on the minor characters in The Wall Of Night series, in large part because:

“I think it’s the presence of the smaller characters that “makes” a story, creating texture around the main points of view.”

~ from my Legend Award Finalist's Interview, 2013

Initially, the series focused exclusively on characters from The Heir of Night, but now I’m continuing on with minor characters from both The Gathering Of The Lost and Daughter of Blood simultaneously — in alphabetical order, of course!

Innor is one of the small number of minor characters that appears in all three books to date.

—

UK/AU/NZ

USA

Innor: an honor guard, serving the House of Night
.

“But act we must,” Asantir said, as soon as Lira finished. … “Innor and Ter are to remain at the Temple gate, lest the Earl have my hide, but send Garan and the rest along with the priestess. … Go!”

~ from © The Heir Of Night: The Wall of Night Book One, Chapter 21 —Pieces on the Board
.

UK/AU/NZ

USA

“Nerys and her companions melted away, joining Ter and Lawr in the brush, while the rest of the Night guards looked to their weapons. Haimyr seemed absorbed by the need to pack his harp away. Garan could not see his expression, but the minstrel was a cool one: he would keep his head and his nerve. The rat-fox barked again, twice in quick succession, and was answered from further out on the plain. “Night riders,” Innor said softly. “They’ll not like that,” she added, without looking at the Stone priests.”

~  from © The Gathering Of The Lost, The Wall of Night Book Two: Chapter 28 — Border Crossing
.

UK/AU/NZ

USA

Kalan fell into a light uneasy sleep—and swift as a dam breaking, the white mists of the Gate of Dreams flooded into his mind. The hounds he had been hearing more frequently since leaving Emer were silent, but a woman spoke in Derai, her intonation exasperated. “I’ll be glad when we’re done with this nursemaiding detail.”

A man replied, sounding weary despite his good-humored tone. “We all will, Innor. But riding escort allows us to scout out this country like the captain wants, especially up around
Dread Pass, so . . .” Kalan never heard what the so was, because a gap opened in the mist and he found himself standing on a plain that reminded him of the Gray Lands…

~ from © Daughter Of Blood: The Wall of Night Book Three, Chapter 9, Sepulchre