Tag Archives: daniel abraham

February 18, 2024 · 9:08 pm

An Autumn War

Fantasy novel about power imbalance and war

This is the third book in the “Long Price Quartet“, and I am still making a big effort to tackle my to-read piles (plural intended). Although the individual books of this series are out of print, I did manage to find a copy at the Lifeline Bookfair.

Photo is of “An Autumn War” by Daniel Abraham. The paperback book is resting among yellow autumn leaves. The cover is of a city full of soldiers in an autumn palette.

“An Autumn War” by Daniel Abraham is a fantasy novel and the third book in the “Long Price Quartet” series. If you haven’t read this series, I recommend you go to my review of the first book in the series. The story is set 14 years after the events of the second book. Otah is now the reluctant ruler of the city of Machi, and Maati, his friend and trained poet, serves him and the city as master of Machi’s library. Machi and the other cities of the Khaiem have enjoyed generations of prosperity due to the andat: ideas made corporeal that are controlled by poets. However, the enemy nation of Galt is determined to destroy the andat and wage war against the Khaiem. Otah and Maati must find a way to protect their city and the ones they love.

After the politics-heavy storyline of the previous book in the series, this one is faster paced with higher stakes. I’ve been enjoying how the characters are ageing and both developing and settling into their ways. Otah and Maati’s deep yet complex friendship is further complicated by people from their shared past. The book explores ideas of love and fatherhood, and the desire for connection and legacy that accompanies it. I also really enjoyed that it wasn’t a simple interpretation of war, and how Abraham examines the economic inequality that underpinned the conflict between the two nations. I also felt like this book brought the magic of the andat back to the forefront of the story, pushing the concept to its limits.

A strong installment in the series and I’m looking forward to reading the finale.

A Betrayal in Winter

Fantasy novel about a deadly tradition for the crown

This is the sequel to “A Shadow in Summer“, so if you haven’t started the series yet, I recommend you start there. I actually had a really difficult time finding a copy of the sequel because the original paperbacks were out of print, and all that was available was these editions combining two books in one. It has been sitting on my shelf for several years now, and I decided in an effort to chip away at my to-read shelf, I would tackle it.

Image is of the paperback book “Shadow and Betrayal”, which includes both “A Shadow in Summer” and “A Betrayal in Winter” by Daniel Abraham. The book is resting on a pink and white marble chessboard with one white king and one pink king.

“A Betrayal in Winter” by Daniel Abraham is the second book in the “Long Price Quartet” fantasy series. The story picks up over 12 years after the events of the previous book. Disgraced poet Maati has returned to the village of the Dai-kvo after failing in his mission to bind an andat, an idea made corporeal. When news of his estranged friend Otah’s royal family reaches the Dai-kvo, Maati is called upon to find him and determine whether Otah really was responsible for the murder of his own brother in a bid to take over the Machi throne as per tradition of the Khaiem. However, when Maati arrives in the city of Machi, it appears that there is a much more sinister plot afoot – one that could undermine the security of Machi, and the Cities of the Khaiem.

Abraham is an excellent fantasy writer, and this book is full of just as much intrigue and world-building as the previous on. I really enjoyed reading more about Khaiem culture, such as the use of poses to convey emotion and money being issued in lengths rather than coins. Although a lot of the characters are male, Abraham explores the extreme conclusion of what it means for women who have no options in society apart from marriage and motherhood. I really enjoyed the juxtaposition between Maati and the young poet Cehmai who successfully completed a binding with an andat, and seeing the alternative life Maati may have had.

There is quite a lot of politics in this book which slowed things down for me a little, but I think if you really enjoy political books that discuss lines of succession, diplomatic relations and the major influences seemingly minor characters for have, then this book will be very enjoyable. I really liked seeing another andat in play, but I felt like the book could have used a little more magic.

An enjoyable read, and I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.

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Tagged as A Betrayal in Winter, book reviews, books, daniel abraham, fantasy, the long price quartet

April 8, 2016 · 1:19 pm

A Shadow in Summer

This book was a breath of fresh air. I borrowed it from my bestie and it was one of my many novels that I brought with me during my trip to Indonesia earlier this year.

“A Shadow in Summer” by Daniel Abraham is the first in a fantasy series called “The Long Price Quartet”. The series is set in a world where magic is personified in the form of humanoid spirits called Andats, and the only way to maintain control over them is for poet-sorcerers to invent new names to describe the kind of magic they represent.

I won’t go into too much detail about the plot here because there are a number of perspective characters, a number of twists and there is a lot of rather complex political drama. Suffice to say, the plot is engaging enough and I love that there are a diverse array of characters including my favourite – an old woman who is cleverer by half than the rest of them.

I think the thing that makes this book is the world-building. The magical system is really unique and Abraham is incredibly creative when it comes to weaving in interesting cultures into his story. For example, in the main region where the book is set, people communicate not only in words but through complex poses designed to convey emotion and respect.

When it comes to fantasy, I love novelty and this novel has that in spades. An easy and enjoyable summer read and I’m planning on ordering the rest of the series soon.

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Tagged as a shadow in summer, book reviews, daniel abraham, fantasy, the long price quartet