Review by Ian Braidwood
Cast of Characters:
Reinmar Weiland, Gottfried Weiland, Luther Weiland, Albrecht Weiland,
Wirnt Weiland Mathur Von Spurzheim, Sargent Matthias Vaedecker, Ulick,
Marcilla, Godrich, Sigurd, Valeria, Brothers Noel and Almeric.
When I showed the cover of this book to a
friend, I asked him why it was that if Brian could use a
pseudonym to write this tale, I couldn't used one to
order it?
Although I did enjoy The Lord of the Rings, I
have no interest in Fantasy and I find its violent
imagery embarrassing; so I wasn't looking forward to
reading something with the word warhammer on the cover,
Brian or no.
What I found heartening is that Brian hasn't
cynically turned his brain off and turned in a shoddy
job. The outside may be a blatant piece of marketing, but
inside is a rattlingly good story with a didactic edge
and Brian's usual stunning imagery.
The book starts off like a historical novel
set in late medieval Germany with Eilhart portrayed as a
small town, which has settled into a quiet and
comfortable prosperity.
Its main character is Reinmar Weiland, the
scion of a family of vintners about to set off on his
first buying trip without his father. Before he can leave
however, the arrival of witch hunter Mathar Von Spurzheim
and his troops arrive to disrupt the town's peace.
Von Spurzheim is determined to stamp out the
supply route of the mysterious wine of dreams and when
Reinmar is hastily dispatched by his father, the witch
hunter sends Sargent Vaedecker along to spy. Reinmar goes
on to discover the secret of the wine and all the magic
featured drives from the method of its production.
There's nothing in here, which will insult
your intelligence; though if you're going to read this on
the train, you might want to wrap the cover in brown
paper.
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