A few times a year I’m asked to review somebody’s new book. Most of the
time I say no. If the book isn’t the sort of thing I usually read
there’s no way I can review it fairly or objectively. I suspect many
authors wouldn’t care about my fairness or objectivity provided that I
liked the book–but if it were the sort of book I like it would be the
sort of book I read, if you follow me.

So I’ve established some rules. I only accept book review requests if
it’s the sort of book I might read anyway, and if they are willing to
send me a review copy. Once in a while those conditions are actually
met…and then, of course, I have to read the darn thing, and then review
it. And that’s a problem.

It’s very odd. I’ve been reviewing pretty much everything I read for
over six years. I know when I pick up a book that eventually I’ll be
recording my opinion of it for posterity–or, at any rate, for you folks.
And yet, it’s different when I’ve been asked to review a book. I find I
can’t approach it with an open mind and an open heart and simply try to
enjoy it; instead, I’ve got my critic’s hat on from page 1. And,
absurdly, this just makes it harder for me to know what I think, because
I end up watching the book instead of reading it.

I say all this as fair disclosure–Firedrake, a young adult
fantasy novel, is one of the rare requests that made it through my filters.

So what’s it about?

Shan is a young girl. Since she was a small child she’s been in training
to be a Wolf, one of the elite soldiers who guard the borders of the land or
Perinar. Once, long ago, the common folk loved and honored the Wolves,
for it was the Wolves who kept them safe. Several centuries past,
however, after having saved Perinar from a horrible enemy, a group of
wizards known as the Arkanan took over the rule of the country. They
also discovered a horrible way to live beyond their normal span of years,
and since that time all of their skill and strength has been devoted to
retaining their lives and their rule. The Wolves are their chief tool.

The common folk have a prophecy that the Arkanan will be destroyed by a
blind woman, a madman, and a wizard. Shan isn’t blind, quite, but
everything beyond arm’s length is a blur. Could she be the blind woman
of the prophecy?

In this genre, that’s pretty much a rhetorical question. Of course she
is, and of course the Arkanan are going to be destroyed. The only
question is how. And the answer is, pretty well; it’s an interesting
ride.

So far as the book involves a young person going through a training
regimen and growing into a destiny she only dimly understands, the book
reminds me of something by L.E. Modesitt (and doesn’t that
tar Modesitt with a broad brush!). But there’s also an element of
suspense and claustrophic tension that reminds me of
C.J. Cherryh. And like both of those
authors, Ewan dumps you into Shan’s world with a minimum of
exposition–you have to watch and observe to figure out what’s going on.
This is generally considered to be a good thing.

On the whole, I’d say that I liked it. Once I got started I kept
turning pages until I was done, which was for the better part of a long,
lazy day. The writing is quietly competent, rather than flashy, and
Shan’s world has some neat aspects. At the same time, I’m not
head-over-heels in love with the book.

I’m really quite curious to know how I’d have responded to
Firedrake if I hadn’t been asked to review it. Perhaps
someday I’ll pick it up again and read it just for fun, and then maybe
I’ll find out.