Of all of Balaia, no one has ever even matched Septern for magical talent or genius. It is little wonder that he wants to be the one to discover the ultimate spell, the one that will define the edges of magic. Once this ultimate spell is found, that absolute border where nothing else can be done is created, then the mages will be able to work backwards from that limit, discovering everything there is to know about magic, creating new spells.
This obsession is what keeps him at his mansion, where he runs the most selective, exclusive school for mages in all the land. There he trains four apprentices, often enjoying lively discussions even as he tries to share his unique insight. Hes also very demanding... but he genuinely seems to want to help them become their best.
When the spell is complete, Septern is incredibly proud... here, at last, is the limit of magic. His life-time goal. But, it has an unfortunate side effect... anyone can use it, and if they do, it will destroy the world. He takes the spell, despite his pupils' protestations, to a gathering of his fellows, to show it off. They are not exactly thrilled. His old mentor explains why. The land is at war... Wesmen are invading, their leaders masters of the darkest magics, determined to conquer the land. Septern, in his desires, has created a weapon of mass destruction that both sides will be willing to fight over. His mentor encourages him to flee to the safety of their city, but he refuses. He needs to go home, to protect his students.
Some readers may already be familiar with this world. Barclay has written four books set in this realm, and has promised us all two more, at least. This book takes place in the early history of Balaia, three hundred years before Dawnthief, and sheds an interesting light on a story that was once only background. Reading the flyleaf, I thought I would not like Septern... his arrogance in pursuing such dangerous ends without thinking of the price does not make him endearing, but somehow, Barclay manages to create someone who is impossible not to sympathize with. I understand his passion, his need to meet this goal, and why. He sees this spell as a tool. Not harmless, true, but something that will open up unlimited potential for everyone. He never intends the spell to be used. Also, he wants to be remembered... and while the desire to have people remember you, especially in these circumstances, smacks of vanity, it is only human. I wouldn't mind being remembered after I am dead, either.
Strangely enough, even though Septern is the focus of this novella, the perspective of the tale is not always his own. As we see him through the eyes of others, we discover more about him...and the Septern we see sometimes even changes a lot depending on who is seeing him. This characterization via other characters is really well done, we learn so much more about Septern than we would otherwise.
In a lot of ways, this is a meditation on knowledge and its consequences. Just because we can reach this far, just because we can do something, should we? It also brings in the nature of the beast...as the mentor, Arteche says, the nature of man, particularly mages, precludes this ever being a wise thing to create, for they will all want the power of it, the ability to rule the world using the terror of it. They dont care about the individual possibilities that it creates, they only care that it is so scary, that for them to hold it in their hands will make nations kneel before them. Septern, for all the size of his ego, is incredibly naive.
It is a short book, but a well paced one. The adventure, the shocking twist near the end, are all well done. For me, it was a fantastic introduction into a new fantasy world, and I think it would serve as that for others, too. For those who have already read Dawnthief, Noonshade, Nightchild and Elfsorrow, I think it will make a delightful addition to a place they have long enjoyed reading.
Light Stealer
James Barclay
