Chimaera (The Well Of Echoes book 4) by Ian Irvine
01/03/2005 . Source: Sue Davies 
pub: Orbit. 836 page enlarged paperback. Price: £12.99 (UK), $30.00 (CAN). ISBN: 1-84149-324-4. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. check out website: www.orbitbooks.co.uk
This is Book 4 of 'The Well Of Echoes' so if you've not read the first three
look away now. It is set on the fictional world of Santhenar which is home to
humans, the Aachim, an ancient and proud human group and now the lyrinx, huge
winged humanoids who escaped from the Void.
The rebels lead by ex-Scrutator Flydd, Malien, the Aachim mancer and Yggur another
long-lived mancer have been captured and are to be put on trial by Scrutator
Ghorr. He will use their horrific deaths to consolidate his power. The world
is still at war: human versus the lyrinx. These are desperate times.
Although the lyrinx are the enemy, the real danger lies in the accumulation
of power by the human government. It is not in their interest to end the war
and this means a reduction of liberty and a reason not to have democracy.
As the story continues, the once-cowardly Nish remains free for the time being.
With the trial about to start and the flaying knives being made ready, he has
little time. Trapped at the top of a burning tower, Nish must keep himself away
from the guards if he has any hope of staying alive. Proving his character has
come a long way from the first book, Nish is determined to help his friends
and comrades, including Irisis and Tiaan. But to do this, he has to enlist the
aid of the fragile seeker Ullii, who hates him, to expedite a daring rescue.
Told in almost real time, this first part of the book has many of the qualities
that were endearing in the previous three episodes. There is real danger, pain
and deaths of significant characters before the pace slows down a little and
months are covered as the war continues to unfold. There are new leaders but
the same problems and everyone has skills that can be utilised in the war as
they face up to victory or annihilation.
As the story expands in time and events, there is some crossover as different
groups have to play catch-up after their individual adventures. This is in reasonable
proportion to the story though and doesn't hold up the progress too much. The
characters continue to develop, although it is mainly Tiaan and Nish who develop
the most and they reach an understanding after all the pain of their previous
encounters.
An interesting side to this is the portrayal of the lyrinx who have the appearance
of monsters. There is less of their side in this book but as the story progresses
it is apparent that the differences between them and human may be only skin-deep
after all.
All four books in this sequence are very readable and despite being over 800
pages long, the story doesn't flag. There are occasions where I would have preferred
to spend less time on certain episodes. There are at least two with Tiaan and
Minis, her weak-willed ex, that seem to go on too long but these are really
my only gripes in what is a very long book.
With another devastating and breathless ending and a couple of plot twists that
complicate what seems on the surface to be a straight fight, this is gripping
stuff. As to the final plot twist, I get the feeling this tale has more legs
than a Nylatl. I don't think we've seen the last of the story.
Overall, the series has been very enjoyable and the excellent action set-pieces
throughout the book and some well-rounded and deep characters make this a story
that is begging to be filmed with a little CGI help. It would be a great addition
to the rather mundane cinematic offerings and would also make a change from
modern-American super-heroes. There's no Lycra on Santhenar.
Sue Davies
(also) News Editor and Reviewer
www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk 
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