E.M. Swift-Hook's Reviews > Perilous Shores

A brilliant science-fantasy survival story
Three young wizards, a skilled diver, a security officer and a local herbalist are amongst a cast of characters who come together on a mysterious and largely uncharted island in a science fantasy world that has a familiar feel. It is kind of as if this is an alternative modern-day world from the level of technology (barring magic) which we see.
But this isn't a book about magic or technology really, it is a book of human adventure. A book about people surviving against the odds, bonding together and learning about each other as they work together to survive. It is this very human element (although not all those people are human at all - we have elves, dwarves and lizard people amongst other races) together with a light touch worldbuilding and logically consistent magic, that makes this such a good book.
Although the exploration, discovery, adventure and massive combat scenes are sprinkled through the story to maintain the tension and offer great moments of drama, for me it is the characters and their relationships that make this an outstanding book. We slowly unravel their pasts as they learn about each other. And as we learn about the characters, their strengths and weaknesses, hopes and fears, we also learn about their cultures. For me the one real weakness comes from the fact that, unlike more usual modern-day takes on such a survival theme, we don't really know enough about the base world from which most of the characters come - the Crown lands whatever they might be.
If you dislike cliffhanger endings, then this is not for you, but it is made clear in the book description that it is part one of a three-book adventure, so you are well warned. Oh, and being from the UK I had to muffle a chortle every time the not-so-good, magical waterbreathing devices are called 'Tescos'!
I really enjoyed this book and if you like character-driven science fantasy, you will find in it something refreshingly new and different.