Lords of Grass and Thunder [Mass Market Paperback]

Curt Benjamin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 4, 2006

As Prince Tayy prepares to assume the leadership of the Qubal clans, treacherous enemies threaten his ascension with dark magic-and only the apprentice shaman destined to be Tayy's bride can save him.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this well-told fantasy set in the same Mongolia-like world as Benjamin's Seven Brothers trilogy (The Prince of Shadow, etc.), the brave yet modest Prince Tayyichiut returns home a hero from a terrible war between the gods and demons. Tayy's uncle, Mergen-Khan, ruler of the nomadic Qubal people, has declared the prince his heir, his bastard sons being ineligible to inherit the khanate. The ensuing intrigues and tussles for the throne go on a tad too long, while some readers may find a last-minute rescue and revival of the protagonist less than credible. Still, the story boasts some memorable shape-shifting characters, including a venomous villain, who's a green serpent woman, and an endearing heroine, Eluneke, who remains lovable even when she turns into a toad. A trip Eluneke makes to the home of the gods, where she struggles to regain her human form, is a high point. As in the Seven Brothers books, Benjamin makes fine use of Mongol culture as background for the Qubal clans, with their love of riddles and their colorful costumes. Agent, JET Literary Associates. (Apr. 5)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* In the beginning of a new Seven Brothers trilogy, young Prince Tayyichiut ("Tayy") returns home from a war between gods and demons. He is adored as a hero by his people, the Qubal, but since his father, the khan, and his mother both were slain by a demon, he is also an orphan. His uncle, Mergen-Khan, assumes custodianship of him, and also the khanate, until Tayy is prepared to take his rightful place. As khan, Mergen names Tayy his heir and does not acknowledge his own sons' status. The resentment this causes creates the perfect reentry point for the demonic evil that was defeated but not destroyed in the war. The powers of darkness kindled thereby grow within those around the prince who wish to further their selfish agendas and whose greatest desire is to eliminate Tayy. Tayy must fight for his life and the future of his people, and the only real hope of success lies in the hands of a young girl, Eluneke, an apprentice shaman who possesses seemingly extraordinary but thus far untested magical abilities. Yet another exquisite, page-turning adventure set in the beautifully crafted Seven Brothers world, with its rich mythology in which the gods are intimately involved with humanity. Paula Luedtke
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: DAW (April 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756403421
• ISBN-13: 978-0756403423
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #561,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than the Seven Brothers trilogy, August 5, 2006

By 

Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lords of Grass and Thunder (The Clingfire Trilogy) (Hardcover)

In his Seven Brothers fantasy trilogy, Curt Benjamin constructed a unique, mesmerizing fantasy world steeped in the lore of mediaeval Asian cultures and populated with all manner of gods and men. Here, magic and sorcery are decidedly real, gods take on the most unassuming of forms, and war is a way of life. Having greatly enjoyed the Seven Brothers trilogy, I was exceedingly happy to learn that Benjamin's next novel, Lords of Grass and Thunder, promised a return to that universe and a reunion with some of its unforgettable characters. The trilogy followed young prince Llesho as he escaped a life of slavery, reunited with his lost brothers, and eventually waged a successful war against demonic forces in the land. Among those who rode to war at the side of Llesho was young Prince Tayyichiut of the nomadic Qubal clans, who left home as a boy - he now returns as a warrior.

Whereas the events chronicled in the Seven Brothers trilogy played out on an epic, legendary scale, Lords of Grass and Thunder tells a story of political intrigue and personal jealousy. After Tayy's parents were murdered by a treacherous green bamboo snake demon (who assumed the appearance of the khan's new wife), his uncle, Mergen-Khan, reluctantly assumed the throne. A man of no great political ambition, Mergen-Khan overtly recognizes Tayy, upon his triumphant return from battle, as the rightful heir and plans to step aside as soon as Tayy is ready to assume the khanate. This does not sit well with Qutula, one of Mergen-Khan's illegitimate "blanket sons." As a loyal friend and companion of Prince Tayy, he is a recognized figure in the court, yet his father still won't even do him the honor of acknowledging him as his son. With his increasingly jealous heart, Qutula becomes the perfect vehicle for the second-chance designs of the green bamboo snake demon. Only one person senses the danger that walks beside Tayy, an apprentice shaman who sees her own fate in the face of the young prince. This maiden, Eluneke, is much more than she appears to be. While her fate and that of the endangered prince are indisputably intertwined, she must learn the secret gifts (and endure the demanding trials) of her shamanic trade quickly if she is to save him from the tragic death she sees overshadowing his face.

Lords of Grass and Thunder is in many ways a better read than Benjamin's previous novels, largely because it plays out on such a personal level. There is seemingly intrigue to be found beneath every tent in the Qubal clan, and there is never a lack of action among these nomadic warriors. Yes, there will be blood. As the rift between Tayy and Qutula opens and grows, it threatens to tear the entire clan apart (and leave the Qubal wide open to attack from their traditional enemies). Tayy has always been Benjamin's most sympathetic, human character, and Eluneke proves equally engaging from the first moment we meet her. Even minor characters fairly leap off the page, as Benjamin is a true master in the art of characterization.

With this, his fourth novel, Curt Benjamin firmly establishes a place for himself among the best writers working in the fantasy genre today. While many a fantasy writer basically churns out new versions of old stories (think of all the Lord of the Rings derivatives out there), Benjamin continues to blaze his own unique trail of creativity and originality. If you think there's nothing new or exciting in the world of fantasy, you obviously haven't discovered Curt Benjamin yet.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars exciting and enthralling stand alone fantasy, April 5, 2005

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lords of Grass and Thunder (The Clingfire Trilogy) (Hardcover)

After defeating the enemies of the Cloud Country, Count Mergen Khan and his heir Prince Tayyichiut head euphorically home. The Prince was a hero who played a major role in the triumph. His uncle is only waiting for his nephew to gain more experience before he turns the power over to him. Mergen's son Qutvla not officially reorganized as his child wants to be the khan instead of Prince Tayy.

The snake demon who killed Tayy's parents weaves a spell over Qutula to kill Tayy and his father, and marry her so she can be the Khan's wife until she kills him and rules in her own right. Tayy's one hope is the shaman in training Eluneke who is learning how to use her power and is determined to save her beloved future husband (she saw that in a vision) from death from those he trusts. It will take a lot of power for an untried shaman to go against a demon and her consort but go against them she will in order to save her beloved prince.

This novel takes place in the same universe as the SEVEN BROTHERS where Tayy was a hero. In LORDS OF GRASS AND THUNDER he comes home an idol but almost immediately he is trapped by court intrigue, serpent demons bent on conquest and the love of a shaman who has much to learn about the use of her powers. His cousin envies Prince Tayy; so out of jealously of his power and the love his father has for him, starts planning to bring him down Curt Benjamin has written an exciting and enthralling stand alone book that readers will enjoy immensely.

Harriet Klausner