The Other Magic is a sweeping fantasy dive into a world where magic, a gift from a god, is wielded by the most devoted priests. But there is another magic – one wielded by an unsuspecting slave in defense of himself – and this, of course, is a shocking revelation to the priests. They believe Kibure is in league with the Dark Lord and this is why he can wield magic.
The story is reminiscent of other expansive epic fantasy novels. Fans of Sanderson, Jordan, and Martin will find the landscape welcoming and familiar in terms of depth and scope. The casual fantasy reader may be intimidated by the heft of the book, though. At 137 chapters, there is quite a bit of information to digest, however Smythe counters the long story with shorter chapters. This quickens the pace, but the tradeoff is being able to track and follow the multiple points of view.
The writing is beautiful. I rarely found myself needing to re-read sections because Smythe does a superb job of keeping his language concise, but in a way that does not sacrifice the storytelling. I could easily visualise each scene and hear the dialogue in my head.
Because this story is told from multiple points of view, it become natural to develop an affinity for one character over another. I found myself wanting to skip over Anward’s chapters and stay focused on Kibure (and Sindri), and Grobenaar. I especially enjoyed Jaween, the spirit that accompanies Grobenaar via a pendant the priest carries. Surprisingly, Jaween was one of the most interesting characters with surprising humor and a fresh perspective on the events that unfold.
The Other Magic is an intriguing world with an interesting magic system at play. Most of the characters keep you turning the page, and the plot moves you forward. It is a large novel to digest, but the payoff is a well-defined setting and a story that engages the reader. The pace is a bit slow for the casual fantasy reader, but for those accustomed to expansive stories, it will resonate.
I award 4 stars.
