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Title: Hell and Earth
Author: Elizabeth Bear
Genre: Historical fantasy (Elizabethan) - second of second duology
Thingummies: 4.5
Synopsis; When the Virgin Queen dies, she may take the Faerie Queen with her; only Marlowe and Shakespeare can save England, Underhill, and Hell itself.
Thoughts: Similarly to how Ink and Steel set up premises better than Blood and Iron did, Hell and Earth wraps up to a better conclusion than Whiskey and Water.
Bear's ambition is matched only by that of her characters, who plan to save the universe by rewriting the nature of God himself. It's heady stuff, and for the most part, she pulls it off. Plus, there are some great character moments, such as Essex's comeuppance and resolution. Lucifer is one of the most interesting and complex takes on the character since Mike Carey's graphic novels.
My one real objection is that the ultimate villain seems awfully one dimensional, in comparison to the richness of the other characters. I'm not sure I ever figured out what his real motivations were. Lucifer plays both ends against the middle, of course, but what does Baines really stand to gain?
I did rather like the way Bear navigates her own cosmology to bring Shakespeare to a suitably satisfying end. Cleverly done, all around.
Author: Elizabeth Bear
Genre: Historical fantasy (Elizabethan) - second of second duology
Thingummies: 4.5
Synopsis; When the Virgin Queen dies, she may take the Faerie Queen with her; only Marlowe and Shakespeare can save England, Underhill, and Hell itself.
Thoughts: Similarly to how Ink and Steel set up premises better than Blood and Iron did, Hell and Earth wraps up to a better conclusion than Whiskey and Water.
Bear's ambition is matched only by that of her characters, who plan to save the universe by rewriting the nature of God himself. It's heady stuff, and for the most part, she pulls it off. Plus, there are some great character moments, such as Essex's comeuppance and resolution. Lucifer is one of the most interesting and complex takes on the character since Mike Carey's graphic novels.
My one real objection is that the ultimate villain seems awfully one dimensional, in comparison to the richness of the other characters. I'm not sure I ever figured out what his real motivations were. Lucifer plays both ends against the middle, of course, but what does Baines really stand to gain?
I did rather like the way Bear navigates her own cosmology to bring Shakespeare to a suitably satisfying end. Cleverly done, all around.
