Customer Reviews

Heretic of Set: Anok, Heretic of Stygia Volume II

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Yet another fantasy novel where everything is resolved by magic. Magic is so prevelant that one scene requires a location in a "no-magic" zone - but of course magic is needed there to resolve the conflict of that scene, so the no-magic zone includes a magic zone!

In book two, of course, Anok meets a priest who may as well have stepped out of an episode of Xena: Warrior Princess. It is Kaman Awi Urshé, the high priest of Set who somehow lacks arrogance, but comes across as an old, bumbling, cordial, tinkering busybody intent on learning modern science - like the old guy in The Scorpion King or the old teacher in Young Sherlock Holmes, the guys who can create anachronistic gun powder or airplanes. I have seen this type of character in so many movies/TV shows that he bored me from the get-go.

His descriptions are wonderful, though. It is easy to read and easy to visualize. However, I was hoping for a stronger plot and stronger characters (Anok is supposed to be falling into darkness, but he isn't; and the supporting characters do nothing and add nothing to the storyline).

'Heretic of Set' - Anok, Heretic of Stygia trilogy - book 2

I've got mixed feelings about book 2. Again, it is well written with plenty of good detail and atmosphere. York does well researched cities and desert travel, and has some clever ideas.
there are lots of interesting sections about the following subjects..
..Sorcery and the madness and corruption it causes.
..the cult of Set and the plotting of some of it's high-level members.
..scholars and research of ancient sorcery in secret scrolls and tablets, and potions and poisons.

And eventually..[at last] we get a short 'adventure', more surprises and awesome powerful magic in items and sorcerers.. in magic castle and Atlantean tomb!
There are lots of 'exaggerated' claims and rumours about King Conan and Thoth-Amon [TA ] throughout the book. and YES, later TA makes an impact in the book! [but i cannot reveal more. i will not spoil it for you. but suffice to say that fans of 'Conan the destroyer' film and comic fans are in for a big treat? but R.E.Howard and J.M.Roberts fans [like myself] may find this flamboyant version of TA too 'spectacular' and over-the-top maniacal?]

But the other characters that i like [Fallon and Tefiri] and the main plot often get neglected and 'lost' among this long, interesting and detailed 'documentary' about Stygian sorcery. Fallon is completely 'wasted' and woefully under-used through most of this book. and great opportunities to liven up the book with her were badly missed. i am very disappointed.:(

Sadly, most of the 'combats' [and there are more magic practice tests and 'dreams' than gritty sword-fights] seem uninspired and somewhat dull and corny even though most involve spectacular powerful magic.
There was no good exciting 'adventure' for me untill the last 60 pages of this book. and then it ended too soon, and seemed rushed? [there are only 263 pages in book 2. why not fill it up to 300 pages when you finally get a decent adventure mission going?]
there are some good bits in the last 60 pages and thankfully the climax is quite satisfying.

Anok has become far too powerful now and i suppose i find him boring, and he still does some 'silly' things. [and if he gets any more 'implants' he will become another 'Borg from Star Trek'?!] ;)
it's not a bad book but i found it lacking the 'exciting adventure' promised by book 1.
Rating = 5 /10. very disappointing after book 1.
[ NB. read reviews of all 3 books before you decide to invest your time]

In this, the second book of the Anok series, J Steven York ups the ante. Anok is not only more powerful, he is more likely to use that power, and with fewer pangs of guilt. He is embracing the evil mark of Set just as it constricts his flesh. His friends reach out to help, but Anok seems more focused on himself, resulting in a more accomplished, more tragic direction for the young acolyte. Classic Conan enemy Thoth-Amon makes a disturbing appearance, one that Anok will not soon forget. This is another excellent glimpse into the world created by Robert E. Howard, and the time when Conan was king.