published DAW, march 2013. Review is of uncorrected proof copy.
I first ‘met’ Julie when her book, A Thousand Words for Stranger came out in 1997. I read that in one mighty gulp, and LOVED it. She was a finalist for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer and I voted for her. (Frankly I feel that her work was solidly superior but I guess all voters feel that way.) Since A Thousand Words, I’ve bought all of her books (new, many in hardcover – greater love hath no reader) and there’s never been one I thought less than well-written and great to read, although I love the Trade Pact Universe ones the best. So I was extremely happy to receive a proof copy of A Turn of Light to review. I suffered from trepidation because over the years I’ve seen some authors try to make the transition from Sf to fantasy or vice versa, and sometimes it comes off – and sometimes it doesn’t – but I hoped it would in this case. I can now report that it did. I read the book over two days, and after the first I put aside much of a stack of work I had to do so I could keep reading.
Julie has created a new world with the same meticulous detail that she has always brought to her SF books. There is a subtle poignancy of plot providing a depth and breadth that produces a powerful reality. Her characters are fully rounded, real people with recognizable traits. emotions, and a normal life. Except that in Marrowdell not all is as it seems. I was some pages in, racing along, and almost missed that until a sentence past the item my mind snagged on what had been said and I went back to re-read it. That was the first intimation that Marrowdell had its own character. Slowly, gradually, like the first fragile solo in a symphony, the theme began to clarify and that’s when I put aside my work and settled to read without interruption.
I’m not going to repeat the blurb or give away the plot and ending. You can go to Julie’s site on www.czerneda.com and see all that for yourself. (Buy her books, see her latest news, and even read some sections of this book.) Suffice it to say that the book has gone onto my shelf to be read – as are her other books – every few years so long as I live or until the book falls to bits and I have to buy a new copy. This book is a triumph, it contains everything that made me love her work in SF, and it’s wonderful to see that she’s carried that over into a fantasy blockbuster. Yes, it’s a big big book. Over 850 pages, and by my calculations some 300,000+ words. But, while I usually don’t like books that large, with this one I didn’t care. Jenn Nalynn’s story couldn’t be told in less because it’s the story of Marrowdell and everyone who lives there including new arrivals, house-toads, Wainn’s Old Pony, and some unwanted visitors. I heaved a satiated sigh when I finished. Because best of all, A Turn of Light had the right ending. The one that leaves a reader feeling content with the story, the characters, and the plot. I thought wistfully that it would be nice if there was more about them, but … and then I checked, YES! There will be. DAW (wonderful intelligent publishers that they are) have accepted A Play of Shadow, described as a “ sequel to Turn.” My only problem now is that Turn has taken Julie several years to write and I don’t want to wait that long for Play. (Oh, and I’d like another in the Trade Pact Universe while you’re about it.) Please write VERY fast. Because I’m out here waiting and so are a lot of others…