Heroes Die
is the first book in the Matthew Woodring Stover’s Acts of Caine trilogy. The author
created a world that consists of the future dystopian Earth
and a parallel world called Overworld, which is actually a fantasy setting bearing
the characteristics of the majority of books published in this genre after
Tolkien. This provides for a very interesting dichotomy – on the one side we have
a science fiction milieu in which there is an overcrowded Earth, the population
of which is divided into castes, with very strict rules and harsh system of
punishment. On the other side is a fantasy world rich with magic, all kinds of
creatures, and filled with adventures.
This is not a new thing.
There are many
other books that use the two worlds premise (The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant
by Stephen R. Donaldson and Chronicles of Amber series by Roger Zelazny
initially came to mind) but Stover gave us his own, a rather unique perspective.
Namely, the corporations that run the Earth use the transfer technology to send
actors to Overworld, where their job is “to risk their lives in interesting
ways”. Their adventures are recorded and sold as the most popular form of
entertainment.
The main
protagonist is Hari Michaelson. On Overworld, he plays the role of the assassin
named Caine, while his estranged wife Shanna is another Actor playing the mage
Pallas Ril. Pallas is captured by Ma'elKoth, the Emperor of Overworld's human
kingdom of Ankhana on one of her adventures. Hari is sent to Overworld to save
her and kill Ma'elKoth but finds himself manipulated by both the powers on Overworld
and the Studio on Earth.
Hari
Michaelson/Caine is one of the most interesting characters that I have
encountered in years. A formidable force and an underdog at the same time.
Famous for his huge accomplishments yet plagued with internal conflict. It was
a delight to read about him.
There are
other, also well depicted characters. The antagonists are exceptional. Ma'elKoth
is a mighty presence, a godlike creature with good and bad equally represented
in the mix of his traits. Berne, Ma'elKoth’s right hand is the villain in the
truest sense of the word, a psychopath killer and rapist, the best swordsman in
the Empire, endowed with huge strength and impenetrable skin through magic
wielded by his master.
In the
world of Hari Michaelson, there is the Studio, a bureaucratic beast represented
in Kollberg, a member of the Administrator caste, who uses Michaelson to
further his own selfish goals, hoping to do away with his most successful actor
in the process.
Hari
Michaelson/Caine starts the novel as an anti-hero, a killer who is feared and
revered both in his world and Overworld, an actor who does not care whom he
kills, just as long as it helps his career. In this adventure, however, he is
forced to make some heavy choices. The stakes are much higher, he has an impossible task and the villains
are the most dangerous ever. Other writers could learn a thing or two from Stover
on making great villains (I am looking at you Age of Ultron screenplay
writers).
Stover's writing is very good. He excels in dialogues and actions sequences. There is a sense of humor in his writing that reminded me of Joe Abercrombie. World building is great. I particularly liked the depiction of our world, an interesting extrapolation of current economy dominated by big corporations mixed with omnipresent communist bureaucracy.
I will not continue
with describing the plot because I do not want to spoil it for those who have
not read it yet. I will only say that the ending is satisfactory. I am
currently reading the second book, Hero of Tyshalle, and enjoying it immensely.
Stover is delving deeper into both worlds, and the stakes are running very
high. As for this book, I will rate it 5 out of 5, or in other words, one hell
of a read!
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