The Red Wolf Conspiracy by Robert V.S. Redick
by Chadwick Ginther - Thursday Apr 24 2008 11:05 am
Posted in: Reviews, Staff Pick, SciFi & Fantasy

Robert V.S. Redick's debut novel The Red Wolf Conspiracy has already been compared to both Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials and Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora. High praise indeed, but can it possibly live up to the hype?

In a word, Yes.

The I.M.S. Chathrand, once part of a proud fleet, is now the last ship of its kind. Due to sail from the Empire of Arqual to the lands of their ancient enemies on a mission of peace, the Chathrand disappears during a storm. A storm the great ship should have easily survived.

The Red Wolf Conspiracy is told primarily through the eyes of young Pazel Pathkendle, a tarboy aboard the great vessel who is both blessed and cursed with a magical gift for language. With the help of Thasha, the treaty bride who is to bring peace to the two warring empires; Diadrelu, member of a Lilliputian race known as the Ixchel (derogatorially referred to as "the crawlies"); and Felthrup Stargraven, a rat who has awakened to very human intellect, Pazel must navigate both murky world politics and physical dangers aboard the great ship Chathrand.

This opening book of a trilogy shows an uncommon gift for world building and showcases some truly unique characters. Redick gives the reader chapters from the viewpoints of some of his antagonists ("villain" is too black-and-white a word) that allow you to understand why they act the way they do, even if you hope their schemes fail. And that is a neat trick to pull off. But the character who truly shines is Felthrup. I never thought I would feel such pathos for a talking rat, or indeed for any rodent. But in Felthrup Stargraven, Redick has created an admirable addition to the fantasy canon.

see also:

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

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