Customer Reviews

Drum Warning (Drums of Chaos, No 1)

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This confused, unwieldy fantasy novel is one of the last written by Ms. Clayton, and unfortunately is far from her best work. It's the story of two worlds drawing closer and closer together until the boundary between them dissipates and characters can talk, or even travel, between one and the next. This is an original conception. Drum Warning also uses ritual magic in fresh, well-described ways. However, it is a severely flawed novel. There are too many characters and too many ill-defined subplots -- and most of the characters are young adults, a common fantasy novel device that I'm thoroughly sick of. Also, Clayton does something annoying to me, which is to use Welsh language and poetic forms for some of the names and poetry of one of her worlds -- without basing the culture on medieval (or any other period) Welsh culture in any way, and in many cases with the names and words being meaningless. I would have preferred her to have invented her own culture and language rather than "borrowing" something from Earth. I also disliked the pointlessly cruel death of the young girl's pets, which is depressing without advancing the plot. This book isn't unreadable -- there's certainly worse fantasy out there -- but I don't really recommend it.

Drum Warning (1996) is the first Fantasy novel in the Drums of Chaos series. It is set on two worlds -- Glandair and Iomard -- that exist in different universes, but are connected through the Pneuma. Every 700 years or so they partially overlay each other and the magic flowing between the two worlds causes disasters that disrupt civilizations.

Pneuma is another term for magic. It normally flows between the two worlds, but much greater flows will occur during the Settling. Only a Hero on Glandair can absorb the excess Pneuma and reduce the damage.

During the Settling, people can transit the gap without warning and be lost on the other side. In other years, some talented people can see across the gap and even cross it.

The Watchers on Glandair have been studying the Settlings for millennia and the Scribes on Iomard have also kept records on such events. Both are noticing signs that the next Settling is near.

In this novel, Cymel is the daughter of a Watcher. Her mother died in her early years and her father doesn't want to talk about it. Mela has a personality and talents much like her mother, a Scribe of Iomard.

Ellar Yliarson is Cymel's father. As a Watcher, he has vowed to never interfere except in self-defense. He had seen his wife cross over to Iomard and watched her die.

Corysiam is the sister of Cymel's mother and a Scribe of Iomard. Cory is also a Bridge, able to carry others across the gap.

Breith of House Urfa is a young man of Iomard. He knows more magic than most, but only women are supposed to practice magic on Iomard. He is very frustrated because the girls get training and he has to learn magic on his own.

Lyanz Kurrin is a young man of Nikawaid on Glandair. Laz's father is a merchant, but his mother is dead. His older brother walked away from the household and joined a monastery.

Mahara is a Mage of the Kale on Glandair. He had obtained his tower and paraphernalia from his former teacher. After Mahara killed him, his skin was made into a spirit drum.

Hudoleth is a Mage of Chusinkayan on Glandair. She is a scholar at the University. The Emperor is infatuated with her, but she keeps diverting his attention to other women.

Oerfel is a Mage of Nyddys on Glandair. He hides himself behind shields and acts as a clerk. Neither Mahara nor Hudoleth know of his existence.

Dur is a Siofray Mage of the Domains on Iomard. He has fled from his Domain to protect his manhood and his life. But the Seers have not quite forgotten him. He does not know about Glandair or the Settling.

In this story, Cymel is tending to her chores on Peak Farm. She feeds the predatory tullin and then the smaller colos. She joins her father as he milks a cows. After the milking is done, Cymel drives the cows into the cloverfield.

Later Cymel goes up the mountain, wondering at the strange curdling of the sky. Little gods play tricks on Cymel, such as untying her shoe laces. When she reaches her favorite resting place, she crawls out on a fallen tree and stretches out.

Then she has a vision of scribes and herdgirls on Iomard. Later she has another vision of a Siofray mage commanding her to come to him. Her father blocks that attempt, but resolves to enhance the wards to warn of Walkers.

Then Corysiam comes to visit them. She wants to take Cymel back to Iomard to teach her how to control her magic. Ellar refuses, stating that Cymel is too young. Cory doubts that, but drops her argument.

Breith skips school and goes with his friends to play a Slapgame. His Mam catches him at it and sends him home, with threats of further scolding that evening. Breith obeys, but is disgruntled at her unexpected appearance.

Later, Corysiam appears in their courtyard and sends Breith to tell his Mum that she wishes a word with her. Later, his Mam and his Da come home and join a conference with Cory. His Mum insists that Breith stay and hear the story.

At the insistence of his tutor, Lyanz demonstrates his skill at discerning the reality behind an illusion to his father. Yet his father says that such skills are just tricks. He orders the tutor to teach mathematics and logic.

Later, Laz talks to his older brother in town. His father then decides that Laz should have more practical experience in trading. He orders Laz to pack his bags and they sail off in his father's ship.

This tale leads the three Mages of Nordomon and Nyddys to covet the magic that will become available during the Settling. They begin to pick off Heroes and their Watcher guides. Dur discovers Glandair and the Mages there and starts scrying their actions.

This story has several main characters and skips around between them. The next installment is Drum Calls. Read and enjoy!

Recommended for Clayton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of powerful mages, covert magic, and young naivete.

-Arthur W. Jordin