I reviewed the first edition of The Resurrection of Deacon Shader when it was first released on Lulu. At the time Derek Prior was virtually unknown outside of a select genre circle. At CFR we were fortunate to be sent a review copy and it instantly hit our top 10 independent fantasy books list. Since then, Shader has entered its third printing (via Create Space/Amazon). More significantly, late in 2009, it was released on the Kindle. This is where it once more came to our attention as – for a couple of days in January 2010 The Resurrection of Deacon Shader was a best seller in Kindle fantasy (sandwiched inbetween Piers Anthony and Neil Gaiman). As a subscriber to Kindleboards I keep tabs on all my favourite authors and sometimes stumble upon useful bits of information like this. I also learnt that Prior has now released Shader on Smashwords in all Ebook formats, has entered it into the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award and now lists it on Authonomy, where it is rapidly soaring up through the ratings. With all this activity (not to mention C.F. Levy’s recent interview, the transcript of which will appear on CFR shortly) I figured it was about time I took another look at the book with a view to cutting it down to size.
The reading experience starts with the cover, and in this case it’s a win-win situation. The cover art is so strong, so evocative that buyers are likley to splash out on the book purely for the artwork. If they like the story within as well then so much the better. The cover is a dark atmospheric piece that was produced by fantasy artist Mike Nash. The image captures the protagonist in exquisite detail battling the amorphous, shifting shape of the Dweller, a demon from the Abyss. The backdrop arch is suggestive of a church interior and the billowing smoke not only hints at incense but also contains a myriad demonic faces. The Dweller itself is sprouting human limbs as it moves to smother Shader. It is a compelling action piece, one to which I found myself frequently returning as the action unfolded. Prior’s writing is equally compelling. We are thrust straight into an action prologue full of mystery and then immediately into a scene set in the sweltering city of Sarum and a young woman tearing along corridors as she goes to collect a mysterious visitor. The action in Shader is cleverly tempered by passages of reflection, back stories and sublime poetic prose describing the harsh environment of Sahul (which approximates to Western Australia) and the dream world of Aethir. Perhaps the finest example of these moments of purple prose comes in the first chapter of part two when we are introduced to a relam that may or may not be Heaven. Prior is at his best in these moments. He is also a master of melee – my favourite example being the confrontation between the Sicarii assassins and the shamed youthful knight gaston Rayn. The scene was a masterwork of point-of-view with scintillating sword fighting that was reminiscent of David Gemmell. Prior is very assured during combat scenes and passages of reflection and description.
If he suffers from any weaknesses I would suggest it sometimes lies in the dialogue – there are a few needless speech tags and the odd irrelevant adverb. I noticed on my second reading that these disappear largely towards the latter part of the book – presumably as the writing becomes more assured. There is also a little bit of exposition – more than I would have expected. It appears that there was some attempt at keeping down the length of the book by occasionally telling rather than showing. I actually enjoyed some of these passages and felt they kepts the pace up. A couple of short chapters, however, gave me the impression that they were fillers, buffers between scenes designed to slow the pace and explain to the reader. They were barely noticeable and did actually serve their purpose, but I think the book would have been even better without them. Prior’s language is a great strength of the book – although I wonder how many readers will have to refer to their dictionaries now and again. He has a deftness for using archaisms intelligently in order to promote atmosphere and voice.
The action scenes are kept much simpler – as they should be – affording a nice contrast in pace.
Characterisation is one of the major keys to fanatsy novels. Often fanatsy characters are bland and indistinguishable, othertimes they are too broadly sketched, caricatures (I found this the case with Joe Abercrombie). The principle characters in Shader are strong and memorable. Many are iconic. The best ar ethose who admit us to their inner minds – Shader, Rhiannon, Maldark, and most especially the nefarious Dr Cadman. Perhaps my favourite example is when Cadman – afraid for his soul – resumes his illusory disguise of a fat librarian (he is a skeletal lych) in the manner of a comfort eater. I would have liked to have seen a few more idiosyncracies of voice (Brother Hugues is good here) but that’s a minor point.
Prior makes excellent use of foreshadowing throughout Shader, to the extent that it is very satisfying for the reader to start to piece things together. There is also a good deal of foreshadowing relating to the sequels. There are mysteries left unexplained too, and characters with unclear, or shifting motivations which adds to their depth and realism. Thematically the book is very strong, drawing upon mystical theology, Nietschean philosophy and the Faustian myth. There is a pleasing coherence to the plot elements – even the darkest hours of the principles. This is no simple fight between good and evil.
I still find this one of the most promising new fantasies out there – it is light years ahead of much of the slush currently published by the major houses. Judging by comments made to C.F. Levy in his recent interview, Prior has fine-tuned his skills further for the sequel “The Archon’s Assassin”, which is set to be pacier and much more character driven. The Resurrection of Deacon Shader is a must have for any Kindle fantasy library. The paperback is a hefty $11.99 but well worth it if this is your style. Check out the free samples on www.smashwords.com first and then you’ll know if it’s for you.
CFR rating: ****
(thanks to Nathan Sugbury for permission to post his review on CFR)
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