Fascinating and inspiring
Weapon Of Flesh is a breath of fresh air in the fantasy literature category.
This book appeals to readers over the spectrum of genres. The story is the age-old question of nature vs. nurture.
I was unable to put this book down, reading long into the night. The characters are well-written, and the books' pace keeps your attention, as you can't wait to turn the page to see what happens next.
I am so glad Chris Jackson has left the ending at a point where he can bring these characters back for another book. I would love to read more adventures of Lad and his journey through life.
Riveting!
I purchased this book from the author at DragonCon. I don't get a lot of time to read, although I used to be an avid reader, so I was hesitant to buy books because I knew I'd be hard-pressed to find the time to read them. I only bought one and I couldn't be happier that I did!
Not only is the story gripping, the author's writing style is exquisite! Never dull, he develops the characters with style and panache, and I can't wait to read his other books. Having tried my hand at writing, I can't say enough about this book... I spent four hours at DragonCon reading instead of attending the myriad other things that were going on and I don't regret a minute of it.
Weapon of Flesh - a Reveiw by author Deborah Cullins Smith
Kidnapped from his mother shortly after his birth, a child grows up under the tutelage of an aged master of magic. The child is known only as "the boy" as his early years are filled with the physical training and skills that will transform him into the crowning achievement of the Master's life: an undefeatable assassin, a weapon of flesh. The Master weaves magic spells into the child's skin and hires a parade of tutors in every conceivable art of attack known in the world. The boy progresses through each phase until he is crafted into a virtual killing machine. Deep in the halls of Krakengul Keep, the Master bled magic into the boy's skin with needles and ink, creating a tool fit for the Grandfather of Assassins, who paid a fortune for this experiment. In the Boy's sixteenth year, the Master announces they are ready to set out on a journey - a journey that holds the boy's destiny.
However, the Master meets his death along the road, and the boy is left with questions that no one can answer. With no one to guide him, the boy assumes the name of "Lad" and follows the road to the city of Twailin. He can only hope that his destiny will find him somehow.
Taking refuge with an innkeeper named Forbish, Lad is put to work and allowed to bed down in the stable. Here, Lad learns his first lessons in decent humanity, kindness, trust, and love. Wiggin, Forbish's daughter, awakens Lad's sense of conscience and shows him that there is more to life than obedience to the Master, more choices to make than blindly accepting the destiny handed to him.
But the hunt is on, as the Grandfather of Assassins sends his servants out to find this missing weapon. The trick could be staying alive when they do find the weapon though! Can they capture him, returning him to the Grandfather, before his training kicks in and cuts them to pieces? Can this undefeatable weapon be contained? Or is there another road open to Lad, another destiny, one of his own making?
Mr. Jackson has crafted an amazing tale of one boy's journey to maturity, complete with unforgettable characters. But watch out! You might see yourself around a corner or two! In a world where conscience is often seared with a hot iron, Mr. Jackson challenges the reader to look beyond what we're told we should do to see all we can be. Thanks for the trip, Chris! What a ride
Action packed and sure to please
The weapon is ready. Vested with magical powers, trained in every aspect of mortal combat, and devoid of all emotion, it's ready to be delivered to those who will use it to destroy thier enemies. But something goes wrong. Through a chance of fate the weapon is left to fend for itself, to find its own destiny. The weapon discovers through contact with kind strangers that a large part of the human experience is unknown to him. His quest to discover who he is and learn what it means to be human, as he struggles against those who would reclaim him and use him only as a weapon, will have you turning page after exciting page.
Ethical issues in Weapon of Flesh
Chris Jackson raises interesting ethical issues in Weapon of Flesh. I used to be a straight-out sci-fi fan (rockets, black holes, time warps and such) but Jackson has finally broadened my horizons.
In this book, the Weapon slowly discovers its dark side and struggles to overcome it. The resolution (as so frequently in life) is negotiated rather than triumphant and readers will find themselves oddly sympathetic with this killing machine. In all, a great tale.
Try it, and if you like it, get Jackson's other fantasy struggles of character: Death Mask and Soul for Tsing.
