Sean Williams, The Blood Debt

The Blood Debt

Sean Williams

PYR, October 2006, $25.00

ISBN: 1591024935

In the distant future, Earth is a vastly strange different place, in which magic is the energy source of choice in isolated enclaves. With this energy source comes unwelcome by-products; living humans uneasily share the area with ghosts, golems, and other paranormal creatures that run the gamut of myths, including living statues.

Separately, friends Sal and Skender become concerned over their respective missing parents, who apparently vanished due to some unexplained esoteric disorder. Each without consulting with the other decides on a quest to find, and if need be rescue their parents from whatever void that traps them. However, neither is quite ready to learn about a dangerous homunculus pseudo human that apparently Sal's dad brought back from the Void Beneath, which may lead to death and destruction of more than just their parents: a world is at risk.

This tale somewhat suffers from the middle book syndrome, even though plenty of action occurs, but for practical purposes nothing is resolved. As testimony to the spellbinding writing skills of Sean Williams, fantasy readers will still enjoy the latest Book of the Cataclysm, as the lead duo Sal and Skender return (see THE CROOKED LETTER) embark on a new quest. Readers will root for the pair whose adventures are exciting, dangerous and fun to follow, as they anchor the exhilarating storyline of THE BLOOD DEBT.