Ah, Those Moody Streets of Prague. . .
The Lights of Prague
The Lights of Prague
by Nicole Jarvis was another of those novels I caught mentioned on Black Gate
Fantasy. Not being able to resist what they said about it, I decided to give it
a try. And boy, was I glad I did!
Here’s the blurb to whet your
appetite:
*******
In the quiet
streets of Prague all manner of mysterious creatures lurk in the shadows.
Unbeknownst to its citizens, their only hope against the tide of predators are
the dauntless lamplighters – secret elite of monster hunters whose light staves
off the darkness each night. Domek Myska leads a life teeming with fraught
encounters with the worst kind of evil: pijavice, bloodthirsty and soulless
vampiric creatures. Despite this, Domek finds solace in his moments spent in
the company of his friend, the clever and beautiful Lady Ora Fischerová - a
widow with secrets of her own.
When Domek finds himself stalked by the spirit
of the White Lady - a ghost who haunts the baroque halls of Prague castle – he
stumbles across the sentient essence of a will-o’-the-wisp captured in a
mysterious container. Now, as its bearer, Domek wields its power, but the wisp,
known for leading travellers to their deaths, will not be so easily
controlled.
After discovering a conspiracy amongst the
pijavice that could see them unleash terror on the daylight world, Domek finds
himself in a race against those who aim to twist alchemical science for their
own dangerous gain.
*******
So, how to explain what
happens without giving the game away?
The Lights of Prague
is a comprehensive blend of mythology, the mystical and mystery, all wrapped up
in the noir, moody setting of one of the most ancient, evocative and Bohemian
cities in existence. Even better, Jarvis keeps a well established trope
interesting by wisely rooting the story in the latter half of the nineteenth
century, thereby avoiding the temptation to use – what is to me, at any rate –
the overused ‘get-out clause’ allowed by modern-day technology – to even the
playing field when there are supernatural foes to battle.
And there’s plenty that’s
supernatural about The Lights of Prague.
It’s 1868, and the
Lamplighters are a secretive group of men assigned to keep Prague’s many
neighborhoods safe at night – ostensibly by extending their duties as
caretakers of the city’s gas streetlamps – with that of being alert for
paranormal shenanigans. And if they discover such goings-on, they are empowered
– and trained – to take instant action to eradicate them.
However – and being careful
NOT to spoil a polished and rather clever plot – things are not as they first
appear. Yes, there’s been a status-quo of sorts between the forces of good and
evil for many years. However, rumors start to circulate of a cure for
vampirism. And when I say cure, I mean a remedy that allows such creatures to
retain their preternatural strengths, while allowing them to walk in daylight.
Something that must be avoided at all costs.
But how to combat such
developments when all you have to go on are scant whispers and tidbits of
intelligence from too many unrelated sources?
Ah, you’ll find out in a well
grounded, cleverly paced little mystery/action/adventure that pits heroes and
heroines against dastardly villains; entrenched diehards against open their
more open-minded, progressive counterparts; and a stagnating society, more
concerned by class and status than the real danger lurking in their midst.
Yes, The Lights of Prague is
a rather evocative, gothic little romp through some of the most magical streets
in existence, and a superb introduction to what I’m sure will be the first of
many books in a new series . . .
You’ll see.
No comments:
Post a Comment