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The Lure of the Basilisk

Book 1 in the series:The Lords of Dûs

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'The Lure of the Basilisk' by Lawrence Watt-Evans follows Garth, a lord of the overmen, who embarks on a quest to gain fame and recognition. Sent by an oracle to find the Forgotten King, Garth is tasked with journeying to a distant city and retrieving a mysterious creature from its tombs. Along the way, he faces bandits, sorcerers, and ultimately encounters a deadly basilisk. The story blends typical fantasy tropes with unique elements, such as the overmen race and Garth's non-human perspective on human behaviors.

The plot unfolds as Garth navigates through challenges, showcasing the author's ability to bring new concepts to the fantasy genre. The writing style is engaging, with a mix of adventure, mystery, and humor. Readers are taken on a captivating journey with Garth as he delves into a quest that proves to be more complex than initially anticipated.

Characters:

Characters are well-drawn with complex motivations and relatable traits, particularly Garth as the naive yet determined protagonist.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is accessible and engaging, focusing on character interactions and straightforward storytelling.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Garth's journey from his homeland to retrieve a creature from a tomb, showcasing elements of typical fantasy quests with unexpected twists.

Setting:

The setting provides a rich, imaginative backdrop for the adventure, mixing traditional fantasy with unique elements like the overmen.

Pacing:

The pacing of the story is rapid and engaging, creating a sense of adventure without unnecessary complexity.
The village of Skelleth was the northernmost limit of human civilization, a perpetually starving huddle of farmers and ice-cutters; it shrank with each succeeding ten-month winter. Its existence depen...

Notes:

Lawrence Watt-Evans is a fantasy and sci-fi author known for his overlooked yet captivating stories.
'The Lure of the Basilisk' is the first book in the 'Lords of Dus' series, published in 1980.
The main character, Garth, is from a unique race called the overmen, created by a wizard centuries ago.
Garth embarks on a quest to find eternal fame and meets various characters with complex motivations.
The story features traditional fantasy elements like bandits and magic, but also introduces unique concepts.
Garth rides a warbeast, a creature with wide paws that can walk on snow and mud.
The novel has a light-hearted tone, celebrating fun adventures rather than heavy themes.
Watt-Evans' storytelling is noted for its surprises and unpredictable plot twists.
The book has garnered a loyal fanbase, with readers praising its world-building and character depth.

From The Publisher:

The overman named Garth sought immortal fame. The oracle told him to serve the Forgotten King to get that fame. But this King sent Garth after a basilisk whose gaze could turn men to stone. What sane use could anyone have for a monster like that?

Reader Stats (5):

Want To Read (3)
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