Xina Marie Uhl: Necroplis

XC Publishing (Ebook), ISBN 1-930805-00-4

Not sword or sorcery or even a quest saga — unless, of course, finding lost memories count — but still a fantasy, Necropolis defies classification in the ordinary sense of the genre. Dark? Certainly. Intricate and detailed world building? Absolutely. Fascinating? That, too. Magic? Some but not overpowering — and totally believable in its context. Good fighting evil? In this book, it depends on your definition of evil. Character development? Yes. A plot? One that wiggles and twists, drawing the reader deeper and deeper into the complex and corrupt politics of its world.

Conyr, a prison guard in Eretria sees Dru, a handsome young man, taken to the pit and beaten nearly to death. Gilas, another prisoner but much more than he seems, orders Conyr to save the prisoner. Through a ruse, Conyr succeeds and takes the severely injured man to his own room in a tenement near the prison.

Dru, the beaten man, needs more attention than Conyr can give, so Conyr, rather unwillingly, engages Val, a 14-year-old girl, to watch Dru when he can’t. When Dru finally regains consciousness, his memories of the events leading up to his beating no longer exist. Neither he nor Conyr and Val know why men and other things stalk him with deadly intent. Gilas knows, but for reasons of his own, Gilas uses his knowledge to further his agenda.

A debut novel from a small, independent press, Necropolis raises the bar, adds new and exciting parameters to the notions of “intelligently written,” “exciting to read,” and “memory-haunting” fantasy. A student of ancient history, Uhl incorporates her knowledge into her tale and produces a seamless whole. I loved the book, the characters, and the plot. But I confess Echo, the homeless dog who moves into Conyr’s room and stays, wins my vote for favorite character, with Val and Conyr running a close second. It’s a great book.

Patricia Lucas White

Patricia Lucas White’s latest historical novel, To Last a Lifetime, was an Eppie finalist for 2003. To Last a Lifetime and two of her fantasy romances, the Sapphire Award-winning A Wizard Scorned and The Godmother Sanction, can be ordered through Hard Shell Word Factory. Her recent contemporary, PS, I’ve Taken a Lover, is available from Lionhearted Books.