Customer Reviews

Speak to the Devil

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Speak to the Devil, the first novel in Dave Duncan's new The Brothers Magnus series, is set in Jorgary, a fictional country inserted smack in the middle of late 15th-century Europe. Aside from this new country, the second main divergence from the actual history is a form of magic called Speaking, which involves asking saints (or according to the Church, demons) for intercession.

Anton Magnus, a young and ambitious hussar in the Jorgarian army, asks his squire and younger brother Wulfgang for some help catching the eye of the rich and powerful during a royal hunt. After all, the Magnus family is desperately trying to raise money to ransom Vlad, yet another brother, who was captured during a recent war -- and if that involves asking Wulfgang for a risky display of the forbidden Speaking magic, so be it.

After a suspiciously spectacular feat of horsemanship, Anton definitely draws the court's attention, getting him involved in a wildly dangerous mission... which may lead to unheard-of rewards. Eventually Marek, another Magnus sibling who has been imprisoned in a monastery because of his Speaking ability, and even Otto, the oldest brother and head of the family, also become involved in the adventure.

Speak to the Devil starts off as an enjoyable courtly adventure. Anton is a fun main character: cocksure, witty and brashly likable. The story is so smoothly narrated that the pages practically turn themselves. The dialogue is often funny, occasionally to the point of being glib, as if the author were more concerned with "what would sound funny here?" than "what would this character really think or say?". The novel is airily plotted; it's definitely best not to take things too seriously or question people's motivations too closely. Just grab some popcorn and enjoy the ride, as improbable as things may seem at times.

Plotting and characterization may be on the thin side, but the realistic descriptions of meals, travel and living environments, and the usage of era-appropriate vocabulary, definitely display Dave Duncan's knowledge of the historical period. The author also accurately portrays the changed nature of warfare, due to the advent of gunpowder siege weaponry and the increased role of mercenaries. It's unfortunate that this level of historical depth isn't matched by the rest of the novel, because that aspect of Speak of the Devil is top-notch.

Because of its hectic pace and entertaining characters, the first half of Speak to the Devil is an enjoyable (if shallow) read, but the story becomes increasingly improbable as the novel progresses. The ending is a bit abrupt, but clearly sets things up for the next volume in The Brothers Magnus, tentatively scheduled for May 2011. Despite some flaws, Speak to the Devil is a fun, breezy novel that should please fans of Dave Duncan, as well as readers who are in the mood for a light, fast-moving adventure.

Dave Duncan excels at creating alternate worlds with internally consistent systems of magic. As his "Venice" trilogy ("Alchemist's Apprentice" et al.) demonstrates, Duncan also shows a deft touch at bringing to life alternate versions of European history with just enough magic to keep the reader guessing. In "Speak to the Devil," the first in a new "Brothers Magnus" series, Duncan re-imagines feudal Europe as five brothers, two with magical powers, must contend with an inquisitorial-esque Catholic Church, schismatic priests, evil enemy magicians, and a greedy European neighbor seeking to conquer their principality. Much of the focus of the first book is on the youngest two brothers: dashing hussar Anton Magnus, and youngest brother Wulfgang, who can alter reality with the intercession of saints (according to Wulfgang) or the Devil, according to the Church. The book is a highly enjoyable mix of political intrigue, action scenes, mystery (we are along for the ride as Wulf discoveries the possibilities as well as the limitations of his powers), and sex/romance (depending on the brother!). Lively and believable dialogue, sympathetic characters, and tight and fast-paced plot make this another worthy Dave Duncan book.

For Duncan fans, this has elements of his "Kings Blades," "Venice," and "Children of Chaos" series. Enjoy!

"Speak to the Devil" is a mix of alternative history and fantasy genres.
The reader is transported to a version of Medieval Europe, and will travel through it with knights, squires and Speakers (those who hear Voices and able to use them).
As expected, there would be fights, love and magic - choose your mix.

(For a full summary of the plot, refer to the review by H. Klausner) .

It is a good reading, but I liked it much less than the earlier books by Duncan, for a couple of reasons:
1. The ending didn't feel like an end to me; the closure wasn't there. If Duncan writes a second book in the series, than "Speak to the devil" is OK as a first book in series. However, it didn't work for me as "stand-alone" novel .
2. I might be getting used to new worlds invented by Duncan, but "Speak to the Devil" is a little bit flat and less original than Duncan's other books.

Overall, 3.5 stars, but I'll round it up for one of my favourite authors.


P.S. One year later - of course, there is a second book in the series! "When the Saints" is going to be published in October 2011. Now it all makes perfect sense.

In an alternate 15th. century Europe, Anton Magnus hopes to make his mark at court. Even though he has barely arrived and has just enlisted in the royal hussars, he catches the eye of Cardinal Zdenek, the power behind the throne, who offers him lands and a title--if he will ride faster than the wind to Castle Gallant and take charge in the name of the King. The former lord of the Castle has died mysteriously. It is possible that a powerful neighbor is going to make a move to take over the Castle... and may be in collusion with the bordering Wends, who may stage an invasion before the kingdom of Jorgary can raise an army to counter them. Castle Gallant guards the border and is the only thing that might stand in the way of an invasion. It is a suicide mission, but the Magnus motto is to dare anything and they are known to live up to it.

Anton also has an ace-in-the-hole. His younger brother, Wulf, is his squire and Wulf is a Speaker--a magic user. Unfortunately, Speakers are persecuted by the church as followers of Satan and Wulf recalls vividly how his brother Marek had been hauled away by Dominicans years ago and was forced to become a brother and remain a virtual prisoner in their monastery. Wulf has no desire to end up like his brother--or like Joan of Arc, burnt at the stake for also hearing Voices. But blood ties are strong and the five Magnus brothers stick together, no matter what.

The characters are well-drawn and interesting. The magic is also fascinating. Speakers actually hear Voices and have to call on their particular entities in order to work magic. Who the Voices are and exactly how they work and what they want is unknown, but a price must be exacted for each request that is fulfilled by the Voices. The setting is well-chosen, an alternate central Europe at a time of change, when knights and feudalism are fading and more modern armies (of mercenaries, or professionals) are coming into use.

This is the first in a series, so while there is a bit of a story arc that ends with this book, much else is yet to be resolved-- so be warned.

I enjoyed the Magnus brothers and will look forward to reading more of their adventures in future books.

It is a typical Dave Duncan - easy to read but with plenty of vivid characters in interesting situations. It was just getting good when it abruptly ended. Apparently it is the first book in a series, but that was not evident from the cover or reviews I had read, so I found the amputation of the rest of the story kind of annoying.

Dave Duncan is one of the very best modern fantasy writers and he proves it again in his latest novel, "Speak to the Devil" from Tor. This is the start of a new series "The Brother's Magnus" that is set within the fictional Kingdom of Jogary in an alternate version of 15th century Europe. The Magnus family has long been known as Speakers meaning they are able to employ a form of magic that allows them to hear voices and perform various magical effects. The use of Speaking is outlawed as the Church believes that Speakers are actually consorting with demonic forces. There are five brothers in the Magnus family. The second youngest, Anton, employs the youngest brother, Wulfgang, to use his Speaker ability so Anton can gain advancement in an effort to free older brother Vlad who has been imprisoned. With Wulgang's magical ability behind him, Anton makes an impression in the court of Jogary and is sent, with Wulfgar, on a mission to Gallant Castle, a key defense point in the northern part of the kingdom which the enemy Wends are planning to attack.

Duncan's story is tightly written and woven with court intrigues. While there are five different Magnus brothers, each of them are skillfully designed and defined, and are unique in their own ways. Duncan masterfully combines the technology of the Renaissance era with a unique style of magic along with good old-fashioned "hell and brimstone" religion in a satisfying and addicting read. Duncan's story moves very quickly and that might be the only drawback. At just over 300 pages its over before you know it and with a cover price of [...] bucks it's a bit steep for such a short novel

Speak to the Devil (2010) is the first Fantasy novel in The Brothers Magnus series. It is set in the fifteenth century within the kingdom of Jorgary. Warfare is beginning to use guns for sieges, but magic is still a potent force.

In this novel, Ottokar Magnus is the eldest of five brothers. He is a large man and a veteran soldier. Otto became the Baron when his father died.

Vladislav Magnus is the second oldest brother. He is even larger than Otto. Vlad is being held for ransom by the Bavarians.

Marek Magnus is the third brother. He is called Midge because of his small size compared to the older brothers. He was taken away by the Dominicans for Speaking to the Devil and placed in a monastery.

Anton Magnus is the fourth brother. He is taller than average, but not as large as his oldest brothers. He has recently become a Hussar in the army of Jorgary.

Wulfgang Magnus is the youngest brother. He is medium in build and a bit of a scholar. He has been hearing voices since shortly before Marek was taken away. Now Wulf is a Speaker, but only his brothers know it.

Cardinal Zdenek is the power behind the throne of Jorgary. He is the King's first minister. Lately the King has been uninterested in ruling and signs anything that Zdenek puts before him.

Stepan Bulovany is the Keeper of Cardice, a county that belongs to the King of Jorgary. He is the husband of Edita and the father of Madlenka and Petr.

Madlenka Bulovany is the daughter of Stepan and Edita Bulovany. She is a little helot, but quite beautiful.

Havel Vranov is the ruler of Pelrelm, a county on the border with Pomerania near Cardice. He is known as the Hound of the Hills for his burning of houses with peasants inside.

In this story, Anton had gotten Wulf to help him make a very dangerous double jump over a stream to impress the girls. A few days later, he is rousted from the bed of a Baronness and taken to Cardinal Zdenek. The first minister has a problem.

The Pomeranians are marching over the border guarded by Castle Gallant. Both the count and his heir Petr have been slain by sorcery and the widow Edita has been laid low by melancholia. Madlenka has sent a message to the King asking for help.

Zdenek gives Anton a warrant making him an Earl of the Realm and Keeper of Castle Gallant and gives him other honors, including the hand of Madlenka. He wants him to travel to Castle Gallant to take charge as soon as possible. Anton agrees, but states that he wants to take Wulf with him.

Anton returns to his quarters and informs Wulf of the circumstances. Of course, he needs his Speaker brother to get him there in time. Wulf agrees, but insists that it will be the last time.

They ride through town and gradually fade into limbo. They and their horses ride through other people and even trees and buildings. They find themselves riding above land and water.

Riding out of limbo, they find themselves close to the monastery where Marek is being held. Wulf flies off his horse and crashes into the ground. He has appalling belly cramps and is thoroughly sick.

After the cramps and vomiting fade a bit, they ride to the monastery and Anton asks to see his brother. He uses his documents to impress the Abbot and is granted an interview. Marek meets them in the dining hall and preaches to his younger brother about Speaking to the Devil.

Yet he also helps them escape the monastery without horses or arms. Wulf leads his brother through limbo on foot despite his increasing pains. At the last, Anton has to carry his brother.

When they reach Castle Gallant, Wulf is black and blue and red and purple and yellow from the cramps. He has blood oozing out of his mouth. Anton goes to the castle and sends men back to bring in Wulf.

Anton gets to the cathedral just in time to stop the betrothal of Madlenka to a son of Count Vranov. He orders the count and his party to leave the castle. Then he arrests the local Constable for treason.

This tale unites the Magnus brothers at Castle Gallant. Wulf finds himself dealing with other Speakers. Some are working for his enemies and others are agents of the Jorgary Church.

The conditioning hammered into Marek portrays Speaking as purely evil. Sometimes Wulf also sees it as an evil thing. Both try to think of it as a talent that can be used for good or evil.

Wulf also has another problem. He has fallen in love at first sight with Madlenka. And she is loves him. Naturally, Anton claims her as his own for the sake of his new title.

This novel leaves the Magnus brothers still facing an invasion by the Pomeranians. The next installment -- When the Saints -- will present even more problems. Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Duncan fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of magical talents, armed combat, and pure romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

On the world Dobtov, the power of the nobles is fading due to a rise of nationalism and growing technology replacing magic as obsolescent. Still many of the aristocracy like those in Jorgany retain power and use mercenaries to add to their own soldiers when battles take place

Cardinal Zdenek orders Lancer Anton Magnus to come see him immediately. Anton is fearful that he may be accused of heresy for a ruse he arranged with his brother Wulfgang pretending to use magic or trysting with married aristocrats. Anton is not a fool to leave the Cardinal waiting so he quickly leaves the warm embrace of Baroness Nadezda Radovan to ride helter smelter to see what the powerful Cardinal demands of him.

Fearing an invasion from the Wends, Zdenek shocks the Lancer when he offers him an earldom Cardice through marriage to the previous late lord's daughter Madlenka if he takes charge of the strategic fortress Castle Gallant and thwarts the invaders. Ironically the opportunity was made by the Cardinal because he believes Anton is a magic practitioner. He does not correct Zdenek's misconception, but instead Anton discusses the situation with Wulfgang, who encourages him to take command of the fortress and the people; anything else would leave him with a powerful enemy rather than a powerful supporter.

Although Dave Duncan places his saga on planet Dobtov, the author makes his setting appear to be medieval Europe though he imagines a new nation in the midst of a tumultuous period of dramatic change. As technology has begun to supersede magic and altering religious belief systems as a consequence, the Speakers remain hidden in plain sight and still talk with saints or the devil depending on which dogma they believe in but Wulf believes it is the Saints who help him travel through limbo and gives him certain powers that the Church believes are Satanic. The changing of the old guard refreshes the tale. Anton is the focus of the story line, but Wulfgang steals the show as a seventeen year old in love with his new sister-on-law and recognized as a powerful Speaker by many, which places his life in jeopardy. Mr. Duncan showcases his world-building, character development and plot creativity in this entertaining fantasy.

Harriet Klausner