The Edge of the World (Terra Incognita Series #1)

An accomplished SF writer turns his hand to fantasy

Kevin J Anderson is well known in SF circles for his "Saga of Seven Suns" SF series, and more visibly, for his extensions of the Dune universe written by Frank Herbert's son Brian.

Here, in The Edge of the World, Kevin J Anderson tries something new--a fantasy novel. As it so happens this is the first novel of Anderson's I have read, and so I came into reading this novel unaware of first-hand knowledge of his writing styles and choices.

The Edge of the World is billed as the first of the "Terra Incognita" series, and is set in a very low magic (lower than even, say, George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones world) universe. The level of technology, aside from gunpowder, is pre-Renaissance, early Age of Exploration.

And therein hangs the hook for his story. Two squabbling nations divided by different interpretations of a common origin myth find themselves, by bad luck and coincidence, drawn into a protracted religious-political conflict. In the meantime, both nations strive to explore the world beyond the continent that houses both Tierra and Uraba. There is a third, smaller, religious group that lives in both lands and tries to get along in the midst of the war. Although I am sure Anderson did not intend it, I got a Guy Gavriel Kay vibe from the parallels between his three factions and the Kindath, Asharites, and Jaddites.

The book is divided into short chapters--over 110 in a 570 page volume. Plenty of POV characters in all three groups. Readers used to large casts and whiplash changes between POV characters will be familiar with the technique. Having weaned myself on Martin and Erikson, I didn't have a problem with the structure of the book. Too, many of the plot contrivances and coincidences seemed fine, if suitably tragic to continue to simmer and increase the conflict between the two nations. Characters show up and often die quickly, again, much like Martin and Erikson.

However, I felt a couple of the twists and turns in the tale seemed like needless cruelty and not important to the overall plot. I didn't see their point and it was somewhat offputting. Also, while Anderson mostly does a good job to show that both sides in the religious-political conflict are capable of atrocity and evil, the finger does seem a bit on the scales to one side, at least to my perception.

With those concerns aside, however, the Age of Exploration is an interesting time period in Earth's history, and Anderson captures it well in his fantasy universe. He's an accomplished writer, that comes across very well.

And aside from some of the plot concerns, I was more than well satisfied with character development, growth and change. Anderson paints on a pretty big blank map (a metaphor used in the book) and I do want to see how the map fills in, especially given the discoveries made by characters from both nations in the novel.

I am intrigued enough by the novel's strengths to want to continue to read the series, and perhaps eventually try his Saga of Seven Suns novels, too.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Definitely a Voyage

I recently finished The Edge of the World by Kevin J. Anderson.
Being a long time fan of this author, I do look forward to every one of his projects.
I liked the Saga of Seven Suns series for its multitude of characters and the space opera setting.
His DC Comics novels appeal to me because I am a long-time DC fan.
The Dune books are good, because, while adding to the fabric of the Dune Universe, you also get a different type of storytelling than that of Frank Herbert.
Edge of the World was a little different. When I first heard about this project, I was a little apprehensive. Religious wars between two nations? Not really my cup of tea. I was drawn into it mostly by the sense of adventure and wonder to see what's beyond the next sunrise.
In this book, there are no definite "good guys" and "bad guys." As in life, there are extremists on both sides of the issue. It's for the reader to decide who is hero and who is villain.
My favorite parts of this book did take place in and around the exploratory ship, the Luminara. I could have read a full book on just it's story alone. And that was only one of the journeys in the book. I liked the other one as well. I wish both could have lasted longer.
I've also been enjoying the companion CD project by Roswell Six, Terra Incognita: Beyond the Horizon. I like the mix of ballads, duets and rock numbers based on a couple of storylines from the book. An incredible mix of talent went into this work. From lyrics by Anderson and his wife, to music by Eric Norlander and others. I'm hoping there will be another CD for at least the third novel in this trilogy.
In closing, I'm looking forward to book number 2, The Map of All Things.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Another great Kevin Anderson book

I am a big fan of Kevin Anderson and his Saga of the Seven Suns series and his co-authoring the Dune series. I WAS a little skeptical, of this book. I like to read space adventures. BUT... I had to try it, Kevin is one of my favorite authors after all. And I was not disappointed. The Edge of the World is a GREAT book. Lots of adventures, discoveries, romance (good and evil), little mistakes that turn into major war.
This is a hard to put down book. I highly recommend it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The first Terra Incognita tale showcases Kevin J. Anderson's skills as he leaves outer space an apparent fantasy saga

The war between the followers of the two Gods, Aiden and Urec, the sons of the creator, has been going on forever. Both nations have suffered from the constant battles and need for vigil. An inferno devastates the city of Ishalem that sits on the isthmus separating the two kingdoms. Each side blames the other for the disaster and back and forth reprisals heats up the hostilities over the next thirteen years. --------

Hope to end the conflict seems unlikely as massacres especially of civilians are the acceptable norm. Yet each nation decides victory is theirs if they are the first to find a legendary land on THE EDGE OF THE WORLD that hints of divine truths, which also means a dangerous sea race venturing into the treacherous sea beyond the isthmus.----------

The first Terra Incognita tale showcases Kevin J. Anderson's skills as he leaves outer space (see the Saga of Seven Suns) for an apparent fantasy saga. However, although there are hints of otherworldly elements, none surface so that the hostilities make the story line seem more like a historical military novel. Still the tale is engaging as Mr. Anderson begins to explore the causes of the conflict; hopefully in future entries he will go core deep into how the constant war impacts societies; as the fight rules these two nations.----------

Harriet Klausner

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Ummm....

Cool! Thats the word im looking for.

Great book

Loved it

Over the Edge

I had never heard of Kevin J. Anderson before reading "The Edge of the World". While reading the book, I saw Anderson's name associated with Star Wars (which my family read/watched but I don't) and Dune (I read 4 or 5 books). I was immediately pulled into this book (The
Edge...) and couldn't put it down. I read loads of fantasy and books meant for high school kids. True, there are some rather descriptive killing scenes in the book not worthy of reading or discussion within a school environment. Nonetheless, his imagination in creating those three different groups of people and their daily movement through time whether on land or water, well it does make one wonder how they were created. As a creative and imaginative person myself, I am pleased to read descriptions well beyond those I have made up. As soon as I see the followup book(s) extending this story, I am sure to purchase them.

Terra Incognita, The Edge of the World

I was fortunate enough to receive an advance reading copy of this.

Terra Incognita, The Edge of the World

Whether you are already familiar with, and a fan of Kevin J. Anderson's other works such as his critically acclaimed Saga of the Seven Suns series, or his collaborative forays into the legendary Dune Universe with Brian Herbert (the son of Frank Herbert), or new to his creative endeavors, you will be pleasantly surprised by Mr. Anderson's adept return into the fantasy realm.

Humans have a natural inclination to explore the world around them, to push at the boundaries of the known world, to boldly go out to the edge of the map, sometimes for wealth, sometimes for power, and sometimes just to know what is out there. It's this passion to push back the blank spaces on the maps that drove explorers like Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo, and Lewis & Clark to undertake their journeys at great personal risk, to go to The Edge of the World, and hopefully return.

The Edge of the World is the first of a three book saga that offers a complex blend of exploration, clashing cultures and religions, fanaticism, ill-fated love, and of course sea monsters. As always the author's clear and concise writing style keeps you flipping page after page, as the story unfolds a t a rapid pace, sweeping you away through the various currents of the many characters lives as we watch them try to cope with a quickly changing, turbulent environment that sets the stage for the next installment, The Map of All things (due out in the summer of 2010).

Though it is a book in the Fantasy genre, it has only a small taste of magic, no wizards and warlocks, no Orcs and Goblins, no magical creatures like unicorns. It is much closer to a historical novel, but set in a different world from our own. It is largely influenced by the Crusades and the Prester John legends from our own middle ages. The story focuses on two nations, who both share the same common legends about how their lands were settled by Aiden and Urec , the two sons of Ondun who is creator of the world.

Over time, each of these nations developed into two completely different cultures with two completely different religions paying homage to Aiden and Urec, but shared the city of Ishalem that sits on the isthmus separating the two kingdoms. The two nations coexist in relative peace until a fire burns the holy city to the ground. It's this incident that sets the stage for a religious war, and a desperate search to find the fabled land if Terravitae that lays somewhere across the sea, beyond the edge of the known world.

The Edge of the World will keep you on the edge of your seat.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.