What to say about the third book in Jeffrey Overstreet’s The Auralia Thread fantasy series, Raven’s Ladder? It’s difficult to decide, really, because these books are in a class by themselves, unlike anything you’ve ever read. Most fantasies are derivative to one degree or another. The Auralia Thread is a thing unto itself. It reminds me a little of Mervyn Peake’s Titus Groan books, but the resemblances are remote, and very few of you will have read them anyway.
Although the story isn’t locked into one location, the bulk of Raven’s Ladder takes place in the city-state of Bel Amica, which we’ve known only by reputation in the previous books. Since most of the Bel Amicans we’ve met already were favorable characters, one is inclined to think well of the place. But the rottenness in sophisticated, luxurious Bel Amica is as serious as was the rottenness in the ruined kingdom of Abascar. It’s just a decay of a different kind.
In this book, King Cal-Raven, leader of the refugees of Abascar, finally gets his ragged band to refuge in Bel Amica. But that city isn’t his ultimate goal. The dream he follows, which he believes was sent by the mighty Keeper, calls for him to establish a New Abascar in a new location, on more solid foundations. His Bel Amican friends have a hard time understanding this. Bel Amica has beauty, luxury, exotic food, wealth, and many pleasures. Why would anyone want to leave?
Temptations abound for Cal-Raven and his friends, and it’s hard to know what’s right when one is acting on faith alone. To make it worse, the Seers of Bel Amica, devotees of a moon religion that sets personal desire above all else, are conspiring with the debased Beastmen to destroy the remnant of Abascar. And the mysterious, spreading underground growth—or fungus—which destroyed Abascar is still advancing in the land.
If you like adventure, there’s plenty here—fights and action and acts of heroism. If you like fascinating characters, the actors on this stage are human, flawed, and fully fleshed. If you like fine writing, you won’t find a more elegant pen than Overstreet’s.
Highly recommended for teens and up. Cautions for violence and disturbing situations.