Book Review: The Standing Dead

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Standing Dead     Amazon US PB Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada PB
Ricardo Pinto
Class/Genre:   Fantasy
Series: The Stone Dance of the Chameleon
Tor, Mar 2003, $27.95, 560 pp.

Masters Carnelian and the God-Emperor elect Osidian are lovers. However, the latter’s enemies have slavers kidnap them. The duo is fortunate that the nomadic Ochre tribe rescue them on the dangerous Earthsky. Carnelian, who grew up outside the hedonistic capital of the Three Lands, Osrakum, adapts to the tribe’s way of life and quickly becomes assimilated. On the other hand, Osidian is in a depression but also believes these wild wanderers are beneath him and fails to communicate with anyone except his lover.

As Osidian heals in mind and body, he becomes angry with those who betrayed him. He seeks vengeance and realizes this tribe is the first cannon fodder tool to succeed. Carnelian tries to talk him out of it as he enjoys his new lifestyle and just wants to live in peace. However, the charismatic Osidian begins rallying the impressionable young around his cause while Carnelian attempts to stop the rising tide.

As he did in his first book THE CHOSEN of the Stone Dance of the Chameleon trilogy, Ricardo Pinto paints an extremely complex world filled with deep social systems. The varying races and tribes seem so authentic and the Masters come across as the ruling God-like upper caste. Though it helps to read the first novel because the audience will have a greater understanding of the predicament that the lead couple face at the start, fans of violent barbaric fantasy that hides nothing will appreciate the middle endeavor.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner