Earth Logic: Elemental Logic: Book 2 (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "The woman who was the hope of Shaftal walked in solitude through a snow-muffled woodland..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Twenty years after the invading Sainnites won the Battle of Lilterwess, the struggle for the world of Shaftal is far from finished in Marks's stirring, intricately detailed sequel to Fire Logic (2002). Mabin, the "last legitimate member of the old Lilterwess Council," leads the "black-dressed, gold-earringed" Paladins in the fight against the conquerors, while Karisâ€"the lost G'deon of Shaftal, the woman with the power to save the land-sits on the sidelines and dares not act for fear of unintended and disastrous consequences. Meanwhile, a new band of zealots threatens to unbalance an already dangerous situation in Karis's name. Divided into five parts, each with an introductory fable reminiscent of Native American mythology, the novel builds suspense by shifting focus between Karis, with her quarrelsome family of elemental talents, and Lieutenant-General Clement, the female officer in charge of the Sainnite forces in Shaftal. Full of love and humor as well as war and intrigue, this well-crafted epic fantasy will delight existing fans as surely as it will win new ones.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Shaftal is a leaderless land, ravaged by invaders and hit hard by plague, and Shaftal is dying. Many years ago, the old G'deon died without passing on his power, or so most people had thought. There remained rumors, however, of a new, as yet undiscovered G'deon, who would crush the Sainnites and save Shaftal. In fact, Karis is that rumored G'deon, though forbidden to act or rule as such until the time is right, and not even Karis knew when that would be. She knew only that it was approaching quickly. As Shaftal fell further and further into devastation, and as the people Karis loved were put into danger again and again, she could only watch helplessly and wait for a sign. Meanwhile, trapped with her people between a group of murderous, renegade Paladins and the invading Sannite garrison, Karis is fiercely determined to establish peace, no matter what, and without further violence. She doesn't know how, but she does know beyond doubt that a way will open to her. With this follow-up to Fire Logic (2002), Marks produces another stunner of a book. The powerful but subtle writing glows with intelligence, and the passionate, fierce, articulate, strong, and vital characters are among the most memorable in contemporary fantasy, though not for the faint of heart. Definitely for the thinking reader. Paula Luedtke
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765309521
• ISBN-13: 978-0765309525
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #997,271 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Earth Logic, July 16, 2004

By	Mels S (USA) - See all my reviews

What separates Laurie Marks' Elemental Logic books from so many fantasy novels is the culture/world she creates. It's the harsh, unforgiving landscape of Shaft'al that shapes the characters and the story of both books. Ms. Marks is a master of worldbuilding and her characters and the elemental magic they use flow seamlessly from that.

This is no Lord of the Rings clone, the magic here feels 'real', just another tool, another 'talent' the indigenous people of Shaft'al have mastered to help them survive in a harsh environment. The story is epic, but it is the 'shades of gray' epic of real life: wonderful, noble, flawed characters trying to do the right thing.

Ms. Marks is a wonderful storyteller and I think I actually enjoyed Earth Logic even more than its predecessor, particularly the perspective of the weary, conflicted Sainnite invaders. I noticed someone compared Ms. Marks work here with Ursula Le Guin, which I think is accurate. Like Le Guin, Ms. Marks creates a complete world and a compelling, epic tale without getting mired in too much detail. Her writing is lyrical and sharp, much like the citizens of Shaft'al.

I have to admit one of the things I love about this series makes some uneasy: the egalitarian society. There is no sexism, racism, or homophobia, but it is far from a utopia. It feels pragmatic, as if the deadly winters have stripped them to the bare essentials. Or maybe it's the Elemental Logic that's the great equalizer. In any case, it works. All of it.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jaw-droppingly good!, March 1, 2004

By	teapots (NYC) - See all my reviews

If you loved "Fire Logic," this next book in the series will blow you away! If you weren't sure about "Fire Logic" . . . well . . . "Earth Logic" will blow you away! EL makes FL look like a five-finger exercise, with Marks now coming into her full tremendous power as a world-builder, myth-maker and geographer of the human heart.

I know that Ursula K. LeGuin is a fan of Marks' earlier novels - I don't know if she's started reading the "Elemental Logic" series, but I believe that fans of LeGuin who've read her books ragged will find a new author to love in Laurie J. Marks.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nicely Different, June 23, 2005

By	Samantha "tru_sweet" (Killeen, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Earth Logic: Elemental Logic: Book 2 (Mass Market Paperback)

I found a book called Earth Logic it is the second in the series by Laurie J Marks. It is very 'different'. First I found it amazingly easy to read (thou the book had probably less than 5 word errors that I noticed, which I don't normally care.). Lately I noticed a lot of 'men' in books no matter the genre you see tons of men. I was hoping for a change, and I found one. This book had lots of women characters be they farmers, soldiers, etc. I am still astounded that there were so many women in this book. I of course read it in a little over 24 hours. Again I have to mention it was easily read. I cannot place exactly anything about this book. Except I would suggest it to anyone to pick up at a book store and read a few lines or pages to see what I mean about easily read. The only warning I have is this: There is same on same relationships. (You do not have graphic sex, just something that happens 'behind the scenes' type of thing.) Flawlessly done I might say, with extreme taste.

I rarely give book recommendations since I know what is like to be disappointed by a book. I have a pecular, at least some days I think so, taste. I recommend this book thou, but like I said read a few pages first to see if you like the way it is wrote. I sure did.

sweet