From the journal
Great Read: Not Just Only For Fans of Fantasy
http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R24OXIS805XNE2
4.0 out of 5 stars, 11 May 2014 By James McCormick Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
How would you recreate a corrupt, failing, unjust world if you had the power? That is the question the four kings, young wizards by the name of Demus, Regi, Indie and Justica, are more than prepared to answer.
Scott Spotson’s Four Kings is an extremely ambitious novel with a worldwide canvass, dealing with everything from politics, ethics, morality, economics to philosophy. The early part of the novel in fact, where the wizards relieve the corrupt and incompetent US president of his office and begin to extol their vision of their intended three year benign dictatorship, deals in a very direct manner with the issues just mentioned. I personally found this a little heavy on exposition and in some ways reminded me of a College campus debate between undergraduates, condescending and opinionated ones at that. The controversial and in more recent times vilified writer/philosopher Ayn Rand is mentioned a great deal. It is in fact the mortal protagonist of the tale, Amanda’s knowledge of Rand that impresses the kings to appoint her as liaison between them and the mortals below.
Although a fantasy this is a highly original work, one written in an impressive boiled down prose style. Very quickly one realises there are none of the stereotypes one might expect. The magic is merely a catalyst, an enabler and could easily be substituted with advanced science. The wizards meanwhile resemble overconfident, intellectually arrogant college graduates, albeit well meaning ones, more than they do anything in a J. K. Rowling or David Eddings book. There is also something of classical deities about them, flawed, vain, and prone to squabbling yet with the power to destroy the Earth should they choose.
Whilst the novel begins with such a bold premise and proceeds to deal with how indeed four all powerful individuals would set about the not inconsiderable task of ruling the world it also gradually develops into a powerful human drama with true pathos in the latter part. The story grows in stature as we radically revise our initial impression of the four kings, realising the sacrifices they themselves must pay for their own powers and superlative authority.
There are some scenes which stand out above all others; ones full of existential crisis, self questioning and despair. Almost entirely these are ones involving Amanda, Regi and Demus. Such is the depth of Demus’ own tale for example as he finally accepts the ‘toll of maturity and wisdom’ that this very flawed character is worthy of a novel all to himself. The scenes between Regi and Amanda also, as they face the reality of their bitter sweet love, is a pure romantic tragedy.
The last line before the postscript, a simple one clause sentence has incredible power and poignancy and in just a few words sums up the entire story in all its grandeur and pathos.
I would recommend this novel to anyone, not just fans of fantasy or speculative fiction.
4.0 out of 5 stars, 11 May 2014 By James McCormick Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
How would you recreate a corrupt, failing, unjust world if you had the power? That is the question the four kings, young wizards by the name of Demus, Regi, Indie and Justica, are more than prepared to answer.
Scott Spotson’s Four Kings is an extremely ambitious novel with a worldwide canvass, dealing with everything from politics, ethics, morality, economics to philosophy. The early part of the novel in fact, where the wizards relieve the corrupt and incompetent US president of his office and begin to extol their vision of their intended three year benign dictatorship, deals in a very direct manner with the issues just mentioned. I personally found this a little heavy on exposition and in some ways reminded me of a College campus debate between undergraduates, condescending and opinionated ones at that. The controversial and in more recent times vilified writer/philosopher Ayn Rand is mentioned a great deal. It is in fact the mortal protagonist of the tale, Amanda’s knowledge of Rand that impresses the kings to appoint her as liaison between them and the mortals below.
Although a fantasy this is a highly original work, one written in an impressive boiled down prose style. Very quickly one realises there are none of the stereotypes one might expect. The magic is merely a catalyst, an enabler and could easily be substituted with advanced science. The wizards meanwhile resemble overconfident, intellectually arrogant college graduates, albeit well meaning ones, more than they do anything in a J. K. Rowling or David Eddings book. There is also something of classical deities about them, flawed, vain, and prone to squabbling yet with the power to destroy the Earth should they choose.
Whilst the novel begins with such a bold premise and proceeds to deal with how indeed four all powerful individuals would set about the not inconsiderable task of ruling the world it also gradually develops into a powerful human drama with true pathos in the latter part. The story grows in stature as we radically revise our initial impression of the four kings, realising the sacrifices they themselves must pay for their own powers and superlative authority.
There are some scenes which stand out above all others; ones full of existential crisis, self questioning and despair. Almost entirely these are ones involving Amanda, Regi and Demus. Such is the depth of Demus’ own tale for example as he finally accepts the ‘toll of maturity and wisdom’ that this very flawed character is worthy of a novel all to himself. The scenes between Regi and Amanda also, as they face the reality of their bitter sweet love, is a pure romantic tragedy.
The last line before the postscript, a simple one clause sentence has incredible power and poignancy and in just a few words sums up the entire story in all its grandeur and pathos.
I would recommend this novel to anyone, not just fans of fantasy or speculative fiction.