Rereading Cook's "Dread Empire" books on my way to "A Path to Coldness of Heart." I was struck by how clearly this is his early work. Parts of it are awkward. Other parts are lyrical. Many of the elements of classic, epic fantasy are here, but already Cook puts them through his blender and they come out unrecognizable. Here are very real characters playing out what would appear to be epic dramas. Varthlokkur's history, especially, played out between the lines of the main story, shows how someone can go from being a farm boy to the great dark wizard in a way that feels very real.I'd love to know how much of the prequels he'd mapped out, as Haroun, Bragi, and Mocker all spring to life with full backgrounds and histories. Who would start a fantasy series these days with major characters already married or having lost their kingdom to an enemy? That's one thing Cook has always done well--drop you into a world that feels like it has run backwards (and will keep running forward) from where you are.
