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Originally Posted by ametzler
The former part of the series is written in the spirit of alternate history. One thing is changed (in this case a pretty major one, suddenly changing some physical laws, basically disabling enhanced technology.), and the point of the book is to take this premise and look what might happen. No further unexplained "magic" happens and changes the outcome.
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The problem is that the same physical laws that are responsible for electricity, internal combustion engines, explosives and steam power are also responsible for us being able to live.
Like I said, I haven't read the novels yet, so I don't know how many characters in the books are aware of that basic fact. But implicitly, allowing such a state to exist suggests that those specific technologies are being suppressed... either scientifically or mystically.
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The second series is completely different in spirit, not science fiction, but fantasy. A super-bad villain with magic powers is introduced, and OTOH you get a messias-like character on the quest for a saving magic sword.
For me the second series failed at the basic level, it is just not very entertaining. Aiming for epic grandness but reaching only very much drawn out repetitions of frugal meals and wandering around. (I personally pulled the plug at The High King of Montival.)
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I am not sure I would really agree with the first trilogy being science fiction.. but I will buy that the tone of the novels changed dramatically between the first and the second series.
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Bill