Monday, November 5, 2012

Arcana Universalis: Danse Macabre (Chris J. Randolph)

Arcana Universalis: Danse Macabre
(Arcana Universalis, Part 2)
Chris J. Randolph
Oktopod Digital Press
Fiction, Fantasy
**** (Good)


DESCRIPTION: Apprentice Caleb's externship aboard the Imperial dragonslayer Ashkalon ended in fiery devastation, when a search mission turned into a trap by dragon-worshippers. He wakes deep in the bowels of the massive, magic-powered starship... but he no longer lives. The ship's necrontier, Aldebaran, has transformed the hapless boy into a revenant, a deathless slave. Part of the invisible army of servants that keep the Ashkalon in fighting trim, Caleb begins to understand the dark side of the empire that the living do not - or will not - see. He also begins to see the possibilities of his new existence. His life, after all, was a series of ill-fated disasters. How much worse could his death be?
A Kindle-exclusive title.

REVIEW: The second installment in the Arcana Universalis serial novel, it finds its footing sooner and moves faster than the first part. Caleb's world still has many wonders to reveal, but he also gets more of his own story told here. Ironically, his own death finally gives him the courage to take charge of his own life... at least, so much as he's able to, being an inherently disposable slave whose very existence is subject to the necrontier's whim. I'm looking forward to the next part, whenever it's released. (I might even consider paying for it; these first two were freebies when I downloaded them, but I'm becoming invested in the story.)

You Might Also Enjoy:
Star Rigger (James A. Carver) - My Review
Arcana Universalis: Terminus (Chris J. Randolph) - My Review
Leviathan (Scott Westerfield) - My Review

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