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Matthew Ward
In a universe speckled with stars and stories, Matthew Ward shines a bit like a supernova who decided to settle down in a quaint galactic suburb. His storytelling doesn't just leap off the page; it takes a running jump, somersaults, and sticks the landing with a cheeky grin. Fans of SFcrowsnest who relish a good yarn that combines the depth of fantasy with the breadth of the cosmos are likely nodding in sage agreement right now.
Ward's "Legacy" series is what you might call 'epic' if the word hadn't been so overused it's threatening to go on strike. But let's indulge it once more, because here is a tapestry so rich and detailed, it would make the Bayeux Tapestry feel a tad inadequate. In "Legacy of Ash," he unfurls a saga where the stakes are as high as a space elevator and every decision echoes like a shout across the mountains of an alien world.
But wait, there’s more! Ward doesn't just rest on the laurels of creating a complex, living world. Oh no, he populates it with characters who have more layers than an onion attending a personal development seminar. Heroes, villains, and those delightfully grey characters who can't decide which side of the moral compass they fancy – they're all there, each with enough backstory to fill a library in the Great Library of Alexandria's lost sci-fi and fantasy wing.
Then there’s "Legacy of Steel," where Ward proves that sequels can indeed stand up to their forebears without suffering from the dreaded sophomore slump. Swords clash, magic crackles, and political intrigue simmers as if he's stirred it all into a pot and said, "Why yes, I do believe I've discovered a new kind of alchemy."
It's not just the grand tapestry of warfare and intrigue that Ward nails with the precision of an elven archer; it's the moments of humanity (or should we say 'characterity' to be species-inclusive?) that truly sparkle. These people – whether they're wielding a sword, a spell, or just trying not to spill their ale – feel real. Real enough that readers have been known to check their wardrobes for hidden portals to Ward's world. Spoiler: disappointment lies that way; the only true portal is through the pages of his books.
Now, readers at SFcrowsnest might think they know what to expect from a fantasy epic, but Ward enjoys proving such assumptions as flimsy as a goblin-crafted helmet. Twists and turns abound, and just when you think you've got the measure of the story, it wriggles out of your grasp like a mischievous sprite high on pixie dust.
Matthew Ward, then, is something of a maestro, conducting an orchestra of fantastical elements with a baton made of pure storytelling craft. His works are a banquet where every course is a surprise, and readers are advised to bring their appetites – and perhaps a fork. For in the end, Ward's stories remind us that the true magic lies not in the sword or spell, but in the telling of the tale itself. And what tales they are! You can search the Nest for articles on Matthew Ward over at https://www.SFcrowsnest.info/tag/Matthew-Ward