A Swashbuckling Fever-Dream of Hell and High
Water,
April 22, 2013
This
review is from: Waters of Darkness (Paperback)
Veteran fantasy
storytellers David C. Smith (ORON, RED SONJA) and Joe Bonadonna (MAD SHADOWS,
THREE AGAINST THE STARS) have crafted here a powerful juggernaut of a tale of
rough-and-tumble, rum-swigging 17th-century pirates who boldly cross currents
with---and lash out with steel and musket and cannon against---both
bloodthirsty, sadistic human foes and demonic forces of Ancient
Evil.
Bloody Red Buchanan and Crimson Kate O'Toole are feared,
competitive buccaneers, loyal allies---and deeply passionate lovers. With their
wild and doughty shipmates they set sail on a fierce crusade of vengeance
against dark powers that terrorize and enslave denizens of the haunted African
coast. Some of whom are Kate and Buchanan's friends. And that, in their code of
fealty, is enough to spark a war on Hell.
Action abounds in WATERS OF
DARKNESS, and tension mounts like whispers at your shoulder. The story's twists
are unpredictable. Pacing is wonderful, and there's some damn fine writing to
revel in, here, in what seems packaged as a genre potboiler. Don't be fooled
into selling this work short: these gentlemen know their craft.
As
Buchanan, Kate, and their memorable mates---their hearties and "uglies"---tack
through bloody waters infested with hellish creatures out of nightmare, the
novel teems with authentic seafaring action and impressive battles in
tempestuous seas. Yet these are merely the prelude to unexpected turns. Turns
into forbidden inland tributaries leading to ancient horrors; to thrilling
encounters that evoke primal dread (with a wisp of the nostalgic) in iconic
worlds redolent of both KING KONG and HEART OF DARKNESS.
Heady stuff, for
a pirate adventure. So toss back a mug or two, if you think it'll steady your
nerves enough, and sign on for this heart-pounding voyage. You'll come back with
treasure to share with other readers (and maybe a fresh scar or two you'll
proudly display). But don't expect to be cut loose in calmer waters: You'll be
lookin' to sign on for another tour with these salty yarn-spinners, I'd
warrant...
Dive into WATERS OF DARKNESS. Immerse yourself. You'll emerge
with a little more respect for the life of a pirate, methinks. Oh...and if you
happen to draw the watch atop the crow's nest...beware the---
No comments:
Post a Comment