In a world abandoned by its creator once existed a very ancient breed, "those before," endowed with powers that Mankind can hardly imagine.
According to some legends, they were the last of the angels. Others say they were demons. Rol Cortishane grew up in a small fishing village isolated without knowing what was the proper place in this world. But the blood of that race has long been forgotten in his veins and will decide his fate. Marked the seal of Ran, accused of witchcraft and black magic, Rol must flee his village and seek refuge in the Tower of Michal Psellus mage, a dark and scary character that reigns supreme.
According to some legends, they were the last of the angels. Others say they were demons. Rol Cortishane grew up in a small fishing village isolated without knowing what was the proper place in this world. But the blood of that race has long been forgotten in his veins and will decide his fate. Marked the seal of Ran, accused of witchcraft and black magic, Rol must flee his village and seek refuge in the Tower of Michal Psellus mage, a dark and scary character that reigns supreme.
There he will trained to become an assassin, led by the seductive but troubled Rowen. Psellus uses it as a toy, what Role to endure a lot of trouble. For the meeting of King and Rowen is not due to chance, and both will soon discover the secret they share about their past. This secret will lead them to take their destiny, a destiny they must draw in the blood ...
VO Title: The Sea Beggars , book 1: The Mark of Ran (2004)
Released in France in 2008 by Editions du Rocher. Reissued in paperback in 2010.
Thanks to Pocket Book for sending this book in partnership with Livraddict!
Let the adventure now!
In this novel, as stated in the summary, it therefore follows a young hero, Cortishane Rol, who lives on a small island, Dennifrey, living in a secluded place with his adoptive family. That's when it is literally butchered but he manages to escape on board a coaster (a small boat). Moments earlier, his grandfather gave him directions to reach Ascari, the capital of Gascar (another island in the Seven Islands ) but more importantly he admits that it is not human ! Faced with such turmoil, no family, no marker, with a lot of questions in mind, he joined the mage Psellus who lives in a large lathe Ascari. Part of his teenage Ascari will be counted in the first half of the novel.
confess that the first chapter of this first part scared me. Very dense, with little dialogue, lots of descriptions, captions, limit incomprehensible ... Fortunately Chapter 2, which has the massacre of the family and the flight of Rol is a different tone, very fluid and very well paced that swallows pages without problem.
What surprised me later upon arrival at Rol Ascari (Chapters 3 & 4) is decidedly adult tone of the novel . One could almost speak of a mix between the fantasy of the dark fantasy and adventure novel. The city is very ill-repute, with prostitutes, thieves and weird people everywhere. One feels a certain stench, some shadow that hangs over this city. I found that the author was well past the emotions in a few sentences. Later, it realizes that this is definitely an adult novel. Rape, sex uninhibited, murder in cold blood, does not laugh! The characters are not smooth at all. Psellus example, does not reveal itself as the mentor you might think. Rol in the Tower of Ascari will suffer and have to wait before having his moment of glory!
I was talking to a first part (roughly half the novel), are now talking about the second (without spoiler). After the events of Ascari is made a leap of 7 years. Side " Marine " claimed (and highlighted on the cover) comes into force. The title of the series finds its meaning ("The Beggars of the Sea" in VF or "The Sea Beggars" in original). It takes a little time to get used to adapt new maritime terms because after spending a long time on Earth, it starts at sea! The pace is still very high, the adventure continues and we are never safe from a rebound. I do not know what part I would prefer, each has at least a remarkable thing. In the first part, I would say the relationship Rol-Rowen (the latter being in the service of Psellus magician, a beautiful creature on which fantasy Rol. The second is the whole purpose that I conquered including the few pages where we follow the construction of a ship.
Definitely, I never got bored while playing. The two parts of the novel are very different and complement each other perfectly. If you are looking for fantasy tinged with magic and ancient prophecy and an adventure novel sulfur on land and sea, then this Seal of Ran is for you.
Note: The only unfortunate thing about this series is by cons she will probably never end . Indeed, this saga was scheduled for 4 volumes but while the third volume was almost finished, the British publisher, Bantam, arrested publication. It is therefore only 2 volumes in original and only 1 in VF! But quality is the appointment so I really recommend you to discover the adventures of Rol! Personally, I will follow this author. Orbit Publishing out soon the first volume of his new saga "The Match" 10,000 - In the Heart of the Empire . And there is also another saga already published (and over): The divine monarchy in 5 volumes (Editions du Rocher).
Overall rating: 9 / 10
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