Fantasy Fiction, Oceanian & Australasian Fiction

The Crooked Letter

Name: The Crooked Letter
Author: Sean Williams
ISBN: 9781591024385

by Sean Williams

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Overview

The first fantasy novel in the history of Australian SF&F to win both Aurealis and Ditmar Awards. When mirror twins Seth and Hadrian Castillo travel to Europe on holidays, they don't expect the end of the world to follow them. Seth's murder, however, puts exactly that into motion. From opposite sides of death, the Castillo twins grapple with a reality neither of them suspected, although it has been encoded in myths and legends for millennia. The Earth we know is just one of many "realms", three of which are inhabited by humans during various stages of their lives. And their afterlives... In the tradition of Philip Pullman and Ursula K. Le Guin and inspired by numerous arcane sources, the Books of the Cataclysm begin in the present world but soon propel the reader to a landscape that is simultaneously familiar and fantastic.

About the Author, Sean Williams

Sean Williams is the author of numerous works for adults, young adults, and children, covering new space opera, science fiction thrillers, fantasy, and horror. He has also written for Star Wars and Doctor Who, two franchises he has loved since a child. A winner of the Writers of the Future Contest, recipient of the "SA Great" Literature Award, and a New York Times best seller, he lives with his wife and family in Adelaide, South Australia. You can visit his website at www.seanwilliams.com.

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Editorials

From Barnes & Noble

The Barnes & Noble Review
Genre fans who enjoy spirituality-powered novels that delve into religious and mythic belief systems (Kim Stanley Robinson's The Years of Rice and Salt, Hal Duncan's Vellum, et al.) should prepare to be blown away: Sean Williams's The Crooked Letter -- winner of Australia's Aurealis and Ditmar Awards for Best Fantasy Novel -- is finally available in the States!

Hadrian and Seth Castillo are mirror twins (perfect reflections of each other) who have taken some time off to travel through Europe and "find themselves" -- but what the teenage brothers discover instead is Armageddon. An emotional clash involving an attractive female traveling companion leads the twins to a confrontation with a mysterious Swedish man, during which Seth is stabbed and killed. The murder, as it turns out, is just the opening move in an intricate chess match between gods, with dominion over entire worlds is at stake. Seth's essence travels to the Second Realm, a hollow spiritual plane inhabited by horrifying monstrosities bent on consuming his soul. Hadrian, meanwhile, remains in the First Realm and witnesses the beginning of a nightmarish cataclysm. The link between the twins is drawing the two realms closer and closer together, but how can two mortal pawns possibly defy a hierarchy of divine kings and queens?

The first installment of a projected four-volume saga entitled Books of the Cataclysm, The Crooked Letter is equal parts arcane fantasy, postapocalyptic thriller, and Lovecraftian horror. Ever wonder what happens to people after they die? Williams's exploration into the various realms of the afterlife is as engaging as it is disturbing -- a page-turner of the highest order. Paul Goat Allen

SFRevu.com

The characters are extremely well developed. The realms we find ourselves in are completely different but cohesive and believable within the context of the book. This is a convoluted story with lots of depth and flavor. I look forward to the next two volumes.... Highly recommended.

Publishers Weekly

Drawing on worldwide myths and legends, Australian author Williams (The Resurrected Man) expertly twists the familiar into the grotesque in this deeply spooky story, the first in a new fantasy series. When Seth Castillo is stabbed and killed, his spirit is whisked away to the Second Realm, a literally inside-out place full of hideous monsters, while his mirror twin, Hadrian, remains in the First Realm of the living. Their psychic link draws the two realms together, precipitating a world-warping cataclysm that the alien Yod hopes will let him conquer the First Realm as he has the Second. The twins' gaping bewilderment drives their supernatural guides to provide loads of flat exposition, and it's never clear why Hadrian doesn't simply kill himself to destroy the cross-realm link, but as protagonists rather than heroes they serve well enough. Future volumes will hopefully focus less on the magnificent scenery and more on the political intrigues only hinted at here. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Mirror twins Hadrian and Seth travel to Europe hoping to find adventure and entertainment, but Seth's murder changes not only Hadrian's life but the fate of the world as well, launching a countdown to the end of the world. While Hadrian searches for his brother's killer, Seth attempts to help his brother unravel the mysteries of a many-realmed universe, three of which have relevance to humanity and to life after death. Australian sf and speculative fiction writer Williams (The Stone Mage & the Sea; The Storm Weaver & the Sand; The Sky Warden & the Sun) creates unique worlds and captivating visions with his thoughtful and imaginative storytelling. A superb addition to most fantasy collections. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.