Word of honour by Michael Pryor
Random House Australia, 2008.
ISBN 9781741662818
(Age 12+) Recommended. A rip-roaring adventure in The laws of Magic
series sees the aristocratic Aubrey Fitzwilliam and his friends George
and Caroline fight off another attempt to start World War 1. Aubrey and
company are starting their first term at university but get side
tracked by an assault on a new submersible ship, an attempted
assassination of Lady Rose, Aubrey's mother, and the reappearance of
Mordecai Tremaine, who is determined to take over Albion.
The series is particularly interesting because of the laws of magic in
the alternative Edwardian universe of Albion. Magic is prevalent and
practitioners are taught to manipulate it and many inventions are
powered by it. The reader is swept from one amazing adventure to
another; never being sure what magical occurrence is going to happen
next. And all the time it is a continual struggle for Aubrey to keep
body and soul together, as he has miscalculated a spell and is
technically dead.
Aubrey is a fascinating if sometimes annoying hero, with character
flaws that the feisty Caroline is starting to iron out. George, the
trusty Albion farmer's son, is the steady voice of reason. Mordecai
Tremaine, a sinister villain, keeps the reader gasping with his evil
and the minor characters are all fleshed out and believable. Flashes of
humour add spice to the story.
Both boys and girls will find this series enjoyable, but it is best to
begin with the first book Blaze of glory to gain a good
understanding
of the setting and the main characters. Older readers who enjoy this
series could go on to the wonderful Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster
Bujold. All in all, a very satisfying and enjoyable read.
Pat Pledger