Customer Reviews

The Weight of Stone: Book Two of the Vineart War

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How do you review part two of a trilogy? First of all, Gilman has written a single novel in 3 volumes. If you have not read volume 1, "Flesh and Fire", please go and do so. And please do so, because this is one of the better fantasies I have read in the last 5 years. For those who enjoyed volume one, is this volume worth the trouble/expense? Yes, denfinitely.

"Flesh and Fire" spent a great deal of time describing Jerzy's apprenticeship and introducing the characters and the Vinearts' unique system of magic, based on wine. "Weight of Stone" moves into action immediately, without the need to introduce the main characters. The viticulture based system is explored in much greater detail.
At the end of the first volume, the reader was left wondering about the nature and identity of the antagonist. The first two chapters of "Weight of Stone" are written from the point of view of the "villains" and tell us a little about them. After that, "Weight of Stone" is an adventure story, with the protagonists running around the known world.

This leads to my tw biggest quibbles: a lot of running around. The characters don't know what to do, so they run around everywhere. First they go from A to B. Then, halfway there, they decide to go back to A again, for no real reason.

Also, too much of the action is driven by Jerzy's insecurities. He spends too much time whining about being a slave, and not knowing what to do, and not daring to do this or that. At a certain point, even an understanding reader might wonder, "when will he grow a backbone?" Much of the characters' missteps are understandable in the context of a culture that has remained stable for over a thousand years, and is now facing challenges for which it has no answers. Unlike LOTR, there is no Gandalf to explain things or tell them what to do.

Although some of the characters in these books are not new (the orphan with a destiny,young woman of good family who is a great sword fighter, handsome prince in exile,etc.) the greater depth of character and the unique system of magic help these books rise far above standard fare. Recommended

In the Vin Lands, the powerful Sin Washers sect accuses Vineart wine mage apprentice and former slave Jerzy of heresy dealing with their ruling Commandment involving magic users and rulers. He knows their condemnation is an open invitation to kill him, so he flees. Joining him on the lam are former aristocratic Lady Mahault the warrior, Ao the trader, and Kainam the Prince of Atakus an island kingdom that has disappeared.

Jerzy and his friends continue their tracing of the taint of the vines. They begin to believe an incredulous conspiracy is behind the destruction. Following the clues by sea, Jerzy and company elude the Washers who demand he face trial and punishment and danger from under and on the water and on board their vessel.

The second Vineart War fantasy (see Flesh and Fire) continues the escapades of Jerzy in a fast-paced tale that also provides deeper focus and understanding of the complicated refreshing Gilman science of magic based on winemaking. Jerzy is a terrific protagonist though he and his three traveling companions seem to whine a lot over wine. Filled with tension throughout, readers will toast the quartet as they trek through the dangerous Vin Lands where the washers want to drink to their deaths.

Harriet Klausner

Weight of Stone by Laura Anne Gilman

Jerzy, the apprentice vineart is back with friends combating the mysterious attacks on the Vin lands.

The Vin Lands are plagued by a mystery. Unknown magic stalks the land hidden in chance occurrences. Vineart Malech takes an apprentice, Jerzy, who shows surprising adeptness. The book changes focuses on how Vineart Malech and his apprentice Jerzy approach the strange occurrences in their land to focusing on Jerzy and his three unlikely friends. Jerzy's experience as a slave makes it difficult for him to accept the concept of a friend, let alone the reality.

A Vineart, a Princeling, a merchant and a want to be warrior are an unlikely group to oppose the disasters stalking their lives. The Washers, who are suppose to provide balance to the world see Jerzy and his friends as a threat.

The book has an intricate plot, likeable characters, a despicable villain and a wealth of character actors to fill out the plot. I really love this series and am currently reading the final book of the trilogy.

I strongly recommend the book and being half way through the final book of the trilogy, I highly recommend the entire series!

This was an excellent follow-up to the first book in The Vineart War series. I'm hooked - I love the characters, the plot, the combination of wine and magic... and Gilman leaves me wanting more. It was hard for me to put this book down - I am really looking forward to the next one and am sad that I have to wait!

Can't wait for the last book of the Saga of the Vineart Series. I was amazed how quickly it arrived on my doorstep after the order and it is not available in Australia until November. After reading it I dontated it to my local library so they are the only organisation with a copy. lol Thankyou for this chance to say how much I enjoyed the book and the service that I received from Amazon.
sincerely
Stephen

Former slave, Vineart apprentice Jerzy has been sent by his master to discover the strange source of taint that seems to be slowly destroying the peace and stability of the Lands Vin. Forces are working against him and his master. The Sin Washers, whose vocation is to make sure Vinearts do not abuse their powers have found the Vineart whome Jerzy was studying with guilty of a capital crime and Jerzy is implicated along with him. Jerzy escapes to sea with his friend, the young merchant Ao, and with Mahault, a girl born to nobility but who desires greater freedom. Meanwhile, the heir of an island principality, Kainam, has also taken to the sea to search for those who were behind the assassination of his sister.

The set up is good, but there are a lot of starts and stops and heading to and fro, for these characters, affecting the impetus of the plot. While such things may happen in real life, in a story, it made me wonder why... breaking the suspension of disbelief. But the characters and the society and the magic of the Vinearts remains interesting, and may be enough to keep people going along with the story despite the weak plotting.

At some points it is a little slow but this coming of age novel keeps you interested in the characters. Can't wait to see the conclusion.

An island nation has vanished. Men of honor and magic have died unnatural deaths. Slaves flee in terror. . . . Are the silent gods beginning to speak? Or is another force at work in the Lands Vin?

Laura Anne Gilman's critically acclaimed, Nebula Award-nominated Flesh and Fire introduced a brilliantly imagined world where the grapevine - cultivated by the Vinearts who know the secrets of wine magic - holds together disparate lands. Now, confusion, violence, and terror are sweeping over the Lands Vin. And four people are at the center of a storm.

Jerzy, Vineart apprentice and former slave, was sent by his master to investigate strange happenings - and found himself the target of betrayal. Now he must set out on his own journey, to find the source of the foul taint that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. By Jerzy's side are Ao, who lives for commerce and the art of the deal; Mahault, stoic and wise, risking death in flight from her homeland; and Kaïnam, once Named-Heir of an island principality, whose father has fallen into a magic-tangled madness that endangers them all.

These four companions will travel far from the earth and the soul of the vine, sailing along coastlines aflame with fear, confronting sea creatures summoned by darkness, and following winds imbued with malice. Their journey will take them to the very limits of the Sin Washer's reach . . . and into a battle for the soul of the Lands Vin. For two millennia the Sin Washer's Commandment has kept these lands in order: Those of magic shall hold no power over men and those princes of power shall hold no magic. Now, that law has given way. And a hidden force seeks the havoc of revenge.

An adventure through an unforgettable realm conjured by breathtaking imagination, Laura Anne Gilman's saga of the Vineart War is a "dramatic, authentic, and potent

The first book captured the imagination with a new concept for magic. This book was well written and flowed with a captivating story. Now I will be checking repeatedly to see if book three is published.