Sapphique opens with a bit of confusion. It does not immediately pick up where the first began, so it took me a while to adjust and understand just where and when the story was. Thankfully, it did not take long to fall back into the world Fisher created, especially with a lot more action this time around. Fisher's creatures and battles easily came alive in my mind with her brilliant descriptions. For example, imagine this chain gang . . .
"There was something out there. It lurched in the shadows. As the light it carried flared up she glimpsed a creature, lumpy, as if it had many heads. It clanked as if its body was made of chains. ... It has many voices, and its heads turned, hydra-like, to one another. Then it began to lope raggedly, awkwardly, parts of it falling, being dragged, staggering up. It yelled and swore at itself, bunched in a dark bristling mass. Sword blades and flames gleamed in its hands. Green aurora flickered over it." (pg. 120)Isn't that description so amazing?!? I not only could vividly see the chain gang, but could also hear every lope. The book is filled with these descriptions and I got lost within it every single time I cracked the spine.
As Fisher takes us into the darkness of Incarceron, traveling with Claire and Finn, taking risks with Keiro and Attia, and constantly wondering who the Warden is, I did not experience a dull moment. As I read that last page this time around, and slowly closed the book feeling satisfied with the way the story ended. And, I am feeling thankful that the duo is now a part of my personal library. There is definitely a possibility for a re-read with these ones!
Have you read Fisher's tales? What did you think?
I haven't read Fisher's Tales, I never heard of it til now. I do like the prose excerpt you posted from the novel, great description, nice flow. I like the title too, Sapphique.
ReplyDeleteI might have even liked Sapphique better than Incarceron -- maybe because Inc. was all about the set-up and then Sap. got to do all of the resolution.
ReplyDeleteLena ... I highly recommend the reads! They are different from anything that I have ever read before, but a GOOD different!
ReplyDeleteKristen M. ... I actually think I may agree with you on this one! This is definitely one of those where the sequel is better than the original!