The Spiral Labyrinth

Originally posted at Fantasy Literature. http://www.fantasyliterature.com/reviews/the-spiral-labyrinth/

Henghis Hapthorn, who we met in Majestrum, is back. Actually, he???s not really back, he???s forward, because after solving the mystery of the disappearance of a man who went to look at a spaceship for sale, Henghis finds himself in a future Dying Earth where magic has replaced the role of reason in the universe. It seems he???s been drawn there by some malevolent force that wants something from him. In this future Earth, Henghis contends with warring wizards, fire-breathing dragons, and a very nasty luminous fungus. Will he be able to get back to his proper time and place?

Fortunately, Hapthorn is not alone. He has his computer which has turned into an argumentative fruit-eating feline pet, and a sentient sword which is eager to be drawn and brandished at any potential threat. Unfortunately, Henghis??? intuitive alternate psyche, who prefers to be called Osk Rievor, is missing and Henghis, who???s quite a logical fellow, could really use his help in a world where logic no longer works.

As I mentioned in my review of Majestrum, the first of the Henghis Hapthorn novels which are set in the ARCHONATE universe, Matthew Hughes??? writing style, dry humor, and bizarre characters and situations unabashedly mimic Jack Vance (he even uses the word ???exudate???). Hughes??? work is not parody or pastiche ??? his characters and plot are all his own. These are original and creative stories, not rehashed Vance tales. As a rabid Vance fan, I think Hughes is worthy of comparison to the master and I can???t help but be charmed by an author who clearly loves Jack Vance as much as I do. Even the covers for the Henghis Hapthorn novels were painted by one of my favorite fantasy artists, Tom Kidd, who created the covers for many of Jack Vance???s novels. Charming.

David Marantz narrates the audio version of The Spiral Labyrinth which was recently produced by Audible Frontiers. It took me a while to warm up to Marantz in Majestrum, but I decided that he was a good fit after all and I really liked him in The Spiral Labyrinth. His voice is pleasant and his plain, even reading technique works well with Hughes??? style.