Alan Campbell, Scar Night

Scar Night

Alan Campbell

Bantam, December 26 2006, $22.00

ISBN 0553384163

Chains hold the city of Deepgate precariously above a bottomless abyss. The founders did so to worship the God of Chains Ulcis, and as a means to keep the raiding barbarians from the city's gates. The Archon, fallen angels defending Deepgate, and others pray to Ulcis to lead their army in an assault to force open the gates of heaven, shut since Ayen exiled the other gods and tossed out the angels. Yet Ulcis remains unmoved, residing at the bottom of the bottomless abyss where the dead from Deepgate are tossed to feed him with their life-force.

The city uses poisons fired from their airships to also keep the barbarians away. However, the greatest Poisoner Devon is dying from the elixirs he invented. Angry at his fate, he currently works on angelwine, a blood and soul concoction, that if successful will grant him immortality. The Church leader Presbyter Sypes encourages Devon to continue his effort, though that means also condoning murder, as the scientist needs the recently deceased to extract the ingredients to make angelwine. Sypes's motive is honorable, as he wants to end the carnage caused by serial killing former angel Carnival, who claims a soul every scar night, but may learn the road to Ulcis is filled with good intentions. Others are interested in Devon's research for personal motives, making success dangerous and failure deadly.

More a set up for later novels, SCAR NIGHT is a terrific opening act that paints a vivid picture of the dynamics of Deepgate. The storyline is filled with action, though not all comes together (future tales apparently), while the cast is fascinating and solid, as fans learn whose who is who. Especially interesting is Devon, bitter, angry, and frustrated, as he has saved his city at the cost of his life, unless his fountain of youth experiment proves fruitful. Fantasy fans will enjoy Alan Campbell's fine first tale, that creates an intriguing unique realm.