Liavek

Rating:
Summary: Promise Unfulfilled
Review: Ah, the late, unlamented Liavek series!

This was producedwhen the shared-world concept was really in vogue, when such series atThieves' World, Merovingen, and Wild Cards were flourishing. (The first two of these were brutally destroyed by the horrific contributions of Janet and Chris Morris, in my humble opinion, as they seized control of the plots and smashed them into repugnant dead ends.)Alas, Liavek never really caught the public's fancy. The setting was not distinct and unique enough, and most of the characters never really became compelling. One of the few that rose above the others was, in fact, essentially punished for his impudence, and in progressive stories seemed to literally get whittled down to size, losing a finger here, a hand there. Poor baron...

Also, a later plot line centers on the deadly fascination and influence of a suicide cult. The members have individually vowed to kill themselves as soon as they are rid of all ties and obligations. Few are ever able to achieve this goal. The mechanics of this concept are somewhat interesting, but the attraction and growing power of the cult never really made sense.

However, the magic system is very well worked out and is quite different from the usual run-of-the-mill "I got my spells out of this book" approach. Mages in this world have certain very real vulnerabilities, and these are keenly exploited by their enemies. These intrigues drive the more interesting stories.

Collectively, the books are something of a disappointment. They're good for a quick read on a slow afternoon, but on the whole they never really astonish.

Rating:
Summary: 3 out of 11 is pretty bad
Review: Out of the 11 stories I liked 3. My adivce would be to read the stories by Longyear (Best), Yolen (great), Wrede (good) and then forget about the rest. The funny thing is that the stories I hated the most were by the biggest name authors Brust and Wolfe. Most of the stories were like reading a single chapter out of a 'pulpish' fantasy novel. The characters attempted to be clever, there was a (simple) problem and it was solved (unoriginally). This is kind of what I remember the first Theive's World being like (about 15 years ago). If you like that kind of thing go for it, but I won't be hunting down the rest of this series.

Rating:
Summary: 3 out of 11 is pretty bad
Review: Out of the 11 stories I liked 3. My adivce would be to read the stories by Longyear (Best), Yolen (great), Wrede (good) and then forget about the rest. The funny thing is that the stories I hated the most were by the biggest name authors Brust and Wolfe. Most of the stories were like reading a single chapter out of a 'pulpish' fantasy novel. The characters attempted to be clever, there was a (simple) problem and it was solved (unoriginally). This is kind of what I remember the first Theive's World being like (about 15 years ago). If you like that kind of thing go for it, but I won't be hunting down the rest of this series.

Rating:
Summary: Good fantasy--magic and adventure
Review: The first of several different anthologies on the City of Liavek. "City of Luck on the Cat River, cosmopolitan hub of subtle intrigue and wild fortune, Liavek is the fantastic capital of art and adventure, caravans and culture, diplomacy...and dark magic. See trolls, green cats, blue chipmunks--and demon camels. Learn secrets of love and hidden fortune. Meet painted ladies, bejewelled assasins, Scarlet Priests, necromantic critics, a whip-wielding boutique owner--and wizards."

Rating:
Summary: Good fantasy--magic and adventure
Review: The first of several different anthologies on the City of Liavek. "City of Luck on the Cat River, cosmopolitan hub of subtle intrigue and wild fortune, Liavek is the fantastic capital of art and adventure, caravans and culture, diplomacy...and dark magic. See trolls, green cats, blue chipmunks--and demon camels. Learn secrets of love and hidden fortune. Meet painted ladies, bejewelled assasins, Scarlet Priests, necromantic critics, a whip-wielding boutique owner--and wizards."

Rating:
Summary: Went on the hunt
Review: Years ago when it came out in the craze of shared anthologizes, I picked up the first volume and enjoyed it a great deal. I thought it was very unique and the flavor of the writing was of a much grimmer nature to my eye then the Thieves World anthologies (of which in the later stages Thieves World went quickly downhill.) However, Liavek was much more fascinating to me. Unfortunately, I was in the service when they came out and was overseas and never found the last four. About two years ago, I dug out the old copy of the first book, reread it and was again absolutely delighted with it so, I've been on a hunt to find the other four. I've tracked down three so far. Anyone interested in a very unique culture (though some what based in Muslim nationalities) would do well to check these out. Powerful story telling and I felt the characters were very vivid and exciting.