Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
New York: Tor, 2004, c2003.
Pages
350
Description
The Anvil of the World is the tale of Smith and his feud-prone people, the Children of the Sun. Smith, formerly a successful assassin, is trying to retire, hoping to live an honest life in obscurity in spite of all those who have sworn to kill him. But when he agrees to be the master of a caravan from traveling from the inland city of Troon to Salesh by the sea, trouble follows. As always, Baker's approach is charmingly distinctive. Smith's adventure is certainly the only fantasy featuring a white-uniformed nurse, gourmet cuisine, one hundred and forty-four glass butterflies, and a steamboat.
Awards
Mythopoeic Awards (Finalist — Adult Literature — 2005)
Locus Recommended Reading (2003)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2003
Physical description
350 p.; 6.8 inches
ISBN
0765349078 / 9780765349071
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User reviews
LibraryThing member AltheaAnn
Genuinely funny fantasy is hard to find (although stupid humor masquerading as fantasy is not), and this book succeeds marvelously.
It reminded me quite a lot of ‘Thieves' World' – which means, I suppose, that I should say it reminded me of Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar, but I guess that places me in
It's made up of three linked novellas, following an ex-mercenary named Smith.
In the first story, Smith, having left his previous employment after deciding he doesn't enjoy killing people, appeals to his cousin for a new job, and is placed as "caravan master," in charge of safely transporting a load of goods and passengers to Salesh-by-the-Sea. Unfortunately, the goods are exceedingly fragile, the passengers are difficult, and the road is plagued by bandits, demons, and more...
The second tale picks up after the caravan trip. Having overcome the difficulties of caravanning, Smith has settled down and, with the help of the caravan's cook, Mrs. Smith (no relation; it's a very common name), opened a popular hotel in Salesh. The story opens at the outset of the annual fertility festival – which is basically one big orgy. However, members of the hospitality industry don't get to have much fun at such times – especially when a celebrity journalist turns up dead in one of the hotel rooms. The health inspector charges Smith with solving the crime before festival's end – or he'll lose his license.
In the last installment, we get down to the familiar saving-the-world theme. The Children of the Sun have plans to develop a native Yendri holy spot and build a Planned Community. From this seemingly small conflict, the threat of an all-out race war quickly emerges. And if anyone gets their hands on the legendary Key of Unmaking, all could be lost...
Smith is a rather taciturn, enigmatic character – but the people who surround him are memorable, colorful types, who both fit into the archetypes of fantasy, but are original enough to feel fresh and unique – the matronly cooking-contest winner Mrs. Smith, who hides a wild past... Lord Ermenwyr, the spoiled, part-demon teenager with way too much power, money and drugs than is good for him, his voluptuous demon nursemaid, Balnshik, the athletic young courier Burnbright, and the sensitive, ecologically minded Yendri Willowspear...etc. There's also plenty of action, with ambushes, duels, assassinations, lots and lots of poisoned darts, sorcery and more.
Oh, and did I mention it's all very funny?
It doesn't end on a cliffhanger - but there's definitely plenty of room for more tales of Smith and his compatriots...
It reminded me quite a lot of ‘Thieves' World' – which means, I suppose, that I should say it reminded me of Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar, but I guess that places me in
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my cultural era! However, I found this book to be both wittier and more enjoyable.It's made up of three linked novellas, following an ex-mercenary named Smith.
In the first story, Smith, having left his previous employment after deciding he doesn't enjoy killing people, appeals to his cousin for a new job, and is placed as "caravan master," in charge of safely transporting a load of goods and passengers to Salesh-by-the-Sea. Unfortunately, the goods are exceedingly fragile, the passengers are difficult, and the road is plagued by bandits, demons, and more...
The second tale picks up after the caravan trip. Having overcome the difficulties of caravanning, Smith has settled down and, with the help of the caravan's cook, Mrs. Smith (no relation; it's a very common name), opened a popular hotel in Salesh. The story opens at the outset of the annual fertility festival – which is basically one big orgy. However, members of the hospitality industry don't get to have much fun at such times – especially when a celebrity journalist turns up dead in one of the hotel rooms. The health inspector charges Smith with solving the crime before festival's end – or he'll lose his license.
In the last installment, we get down to the familiar saving-the-world theme. The Children of the Sun have plans to develop a native Yendri holy spot and build a Planned Community. From this seemingly small conflict, the threat of an all-out race war quickly emerges. And if anyone gets their hands on the legendary Key of Unmaking, all could be lost...
Smith is a rather taciturn, enigmatic character – but the people who surround him are memorable, colorful types, who both fit into the archetypes of fantasy, but are original enough to feel fresh and unique – the matronly cooking-contest winner Mrs. Smith, who hides a wild past... Lord Ermenwyr, the spoiled, part-demon teenager with way too much power, money and drugs than is good for him, his voluptuous demon nursemaid, Balnshik, the athletic young courier Burnbright, and the sensitive, ecologically minded Yendri Willowspear...etc. There's also plenty of action, with ambushes, duels, assassinations, lots and lots of poisoned darts, sorcery and more.
Oh, and did I mention it's all very funny?
It doesn't end on a cliffhanger - but there's definitely plenty of room for more tales of Smith and his compatriots...
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LibraryThing member zzin
So much fun! Not so much a novel as a collection of 3 novellas with the same characters and leading up to a conclusion, loved the world and setting. It might help if you like outrageous characters.
LibraryThing member dinokeane
one of the best fantasy novels of recent times. Interlinking stories about a group of strangers travelling in a caravan in a war torn fantasy land. The world is rich and detailed and the characters are well drawn. Reminiscent of Jack Vance as his best.
LibraryThing member Antares1
Anvil of the World by Kage Baker was interesting. I didn't find it quite as engaging as her Company series, but it had it's moments. The book almost seems like three stories put together to make a novel. They all center around a character named Smith. The one problem with using Smith for a name is
**Caution Spoiler's ahead**
In the first segment Smith is the caravan master for a group heading from the farming town of Troon to the city of Salesh by the sea. He must safely shepherd the group through the wilderness fighting off assassination attempts as he goes.
In the second segment he's now a hotelier with the former cook from the caravan train as his chef in the restaurant potion. The various other workers for the caravan are now porters in his hotel. Smith must solve the mystery of a murder in his hotel before the end of the festival, or he'll have all sorts of trouble with the local authorities.
In the third segment Smith is wisked off to a monastery, by the lordling from the caravan, to rescue the lordling's sister.
Each story was interesting in it's own right, but as a whole the plot seemed disjointed. There didn't seem to be much of a connection from the beginning of the book to the end other than the use of the same characters. I suppose many find this sort of day in the life prose interesting. I prefer stories that are driven more by a single plot with various side plots adding depth to the characters. Ms. Baker's world building is sound, and each segment was enjoyable. I did find the end segment to be a bit preachy, but not so much as to detract from the book.
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she had several characters all going by Smith. It was a bit confusing in the beginning until I got more familiar with the characters.**Caution Spoiler's ahead**
In the first segment Smith is the caravan master for a group heading from the farming town of Troon to the city of Salesh by the sea. He must safely shepherd the group through the wilderness fighting off assassination attempts as he goes.
In the second segment he's now a hotelier with the former cook from the caravan train as his chef in the restaurant potion. The various other workers for the caravan are now porters in his hotel. Smith must solve the mystery of a murder in his hotel before the end of the festival, or he'll have all sorts of trouble with the local authorities.
In the third segment Smith is wisked off to a monastery, by the lordling from the caravan, to rescue the lordling's sister.
Each story was interesting in it's own right, but as a whole the plot seemed disjointed. There didn't seem to be much of a connection from the beginning of the book to the end other than the use of the same characters. I suppose many find this sort of day in the life prose interesting. I prefer stories that are driven more by a single plot with various side plots adding depth to the characters. Ms. Baker's world building is sound, and each segment was enjoyable. I did find the end segment to be a bit preachy, but not so much as to detract from the book.
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LibraryThing member TadAD
While I liked the earlier Company books better than this, I found this one more enjoyable than the later books in the series. All-in-all, a world to which I'd like to see Baker return.
LibraryThing member kbuxton
Not nearly as good as the Company novels
LibraryThing member selfnoise
A mostly lighthearted fantasy picaresque with some very funny characters. Not quite as good as the follow-up book, The House of the Stag.
LibraryThing member deepikasd
The Anvil of the World is a story that spans the course of a man's life.. well a part of it anyway. There are three main stories that feature the main character named Smith, a former assassin, and his relationship and dealings with not only the other characters he meets but also with the young man
Personally I loved the book. True, the stories do seem a bit disjointed because when reading them you do not really understand why exactly the author focuses on three separate stories instead of having one major story. But I enjoyed viewing the book as a whole when you realize that it focuses on Smith coming to terms with his gifts as an assassin as well as how the other characters have developed to deal with their changing world. I felt the style reminded me a bit of Terry Pratchett, especially The Colour of Magic, but more of an Americanized version of the context. {This has more to do with the parody elements rather than plot, etc.} There are also many vivid pictures presented that would make for a visually stunning movie adaptation.
Overall, I would recommend this to any fantasy reader. The characters, I feel, are very well developed and I would love to know more about them, especially more of their pasts, which are mostly hinted at rather than vividly described. The situations presented are also very "real" in the sense that she gives you the nitty gritty as well as the fantastical. There is romance, a lot of comedy, violence, and mysteries. It's definitely a need to read.
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named Lord Ermenwyr. The stories reveal not only a small portion of Smith's past, but also the past of his new found friends (that he meets in the first section while he works as a caravan master), as well as how he views himself after quitting his job as an assassin.Personally I loved the book. True, the stories do seem a bit disjointed because when reading them you do not really understand why exactly the author focuses on three separate stories instead of having one major story. But I enjoyed viewing the book as a whole when you realize that it focuses on Smith coming to terms with his gifts as an assassin as well as how the other characters have developed to deal with their changing world. I felt the style reminded me a bit of Terry Pratchett, especially The Colour of Magic, but more of an Americanized version of the context. {This has more to do with the parody elements rather than plot, etc.} There are also many vivid pictures presented that would make for a visually stunning movie adaptation.
Overall, I would recommend this to any fantasy reader. The characters, I feel, are very well developed and I would love to know more about them, especially more of their pasts, which are mostly hinted at rather than vividly described. The situations presented are also very "real" in the sense that she gives you the nitty gritty as well as the fantastical. There is romance, a lot of comedy, violence, and mysteries. It's definitely a need to read.
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LibraryThing member jesssika
This was such an interesting book. You find yourself immersed in a world of adventure of not 1 but 3 great tales. It all begins when Smith has to lead a caravan from his cousins town to Salesh-by-the-Sea. All along the way, they are met with difficulties of attacks and wrecks. Though, they finally
At first, I didn't quite get how all these different cultures and storylines could mesh together without making me go insane. But slowly and surely they did. There was no huge love story or big battle scene. It was an easy going page turner where you laughed, cringed, sighed, and laughed some more. By the end of it, I loved many of the characters and wished to know more of their adventures. I was vaguely disappointed that there really was no big climax. Still, it was a good story with likeable characters that had you guessing at times with plenty to keep you turning the pages.
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make it to find that they failed to protect some cargo which gets them all fired. So, the team buys a hotel in Salesh and begin the business there. The next adventure deals with Smith and friends trying to find out who murdered a client staying at the hotel during a festival. And finally, the next tale takes Willowspear, Smith, and the Lord on a sea faring adventure to the anvil of the world where Smith will have to make a crucial decision.At first, I didn't quite get how all these different cultures and storylines could mesh together without making me go insane. But slowly and surely they did. There was no huge love story or big battle scene. It was an easy going page turner where you laughed, cringed, sighed, and laughed some more. By the end of it, I loved many of the characters and wished to know more of their adventures. I was vaguely disappointed that there really was no big climax. Still, it was a good story with likeable characters that had you guessing at times with plenty to keep you turning the pages.
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LibraryThing member jessica_reads
This was such an interesting book. You find yourself immersed in a world of adventure of not 1 but 3 great tales. It all begins when Smith has to lead a caravan from his cousins town to Salesh-by-the-Sea. All along the way, they are met with difficulties of attacks and wrecks. Though, they finally
At first, I didn't quite get how all these different cultures and storylines could mesh together without making me go insane. But slowly and surely they did. There was no huge love story or big battle scene. It was an easy going page turner where you laughed, cringed, sighed, and laughed some more. By the end of it, I loved many of the characters and wished to know more of their adventures. I was vaguely disappointed that there really was no big climax. Still, it was a good story with likeable characters that had you guessing at times with plenty to keep you turning the pages.
Show More
make it to find that they failed to protect some cargo which gets them all fired. So, the team buys a hotel in Salesh and begin the business there. The next adventure deals with Smith and friends trying to find out who murdered a client staying at the hotel during a festival. And finally, the next tale takes Willowspear, Smith, and the Lord on a sea faring adventure to the anvil of the world where Smith will have to make a crucial decision.At first, I didn't quite get how all these different cultures and storylines could mesh together without making me go insane. But slowly and surely they did. There was no huge love story or big battle scene. It was an easy going page turner where you laughed, cringed, sighed, and laughed some more. By the end of it, I loved many of the characters and wished to know more of their adventures. I was vaguely disappointed that there really was no big climax. Still, it was a good story with likeable characters that had you guessing at times with plenty to keep you turning the pages.
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LibraryThing member wealhtheowwylfing
I’ve been disappointed with Baker’s work of late (will her Company series never get to the climax? Argh!), and the first two-thirds of this book did little to help. She created a rich, detailed, and varied world to play in, peopled with the highly-capitalist, pagan Children of the Sun (complete
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with fertility festivals and the ritual saying, “Joyous couplings!’), the vegan, holier-than-thou Yendri, and assorted demons, gods and saints. The first two adventures are nothing special, although they’re amusing and involve novel twists to classic fantasy tropes. And then, in the third and last adventure, Lord Ermenwyr gets his ex-assassin, now-hotelier friend Smith into trouble *again*, but this time the consequences are incredible. Suddenly throwaway details like parentage and gardening assume huge importance. Genocide is contemplated. Armies are gathered, and religious sects revealed. The Anvil of the World is not an excellent novel; the first part is too pedestrian for that. But the finale is so excellent, so poignant and well-written, that it saves the initial hundred pages from inconsequence and turns them into a necessary prelude to a fantastic climax. Show Less
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
A conventional fantasy world, but this is a more light-hearted book to read than one of the "Company" novels. Not her best book, but it moves nicely along.
LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
I'm not crazy about the cover picture or title, but I love the book and would give it 4.5 stars. A trilogy of novellas.
The critic's comparisons to Terry Pratchett are most evident in the middle book. The pure fantasy adventure is strongest in the first. All three work together to make a satisfying
Recommended even if you're not a big fan of fantasy or adventure or Discworld - cuz that describes me... and recommended if you are, too.
The critic's comparisons to Terry Pratchett are most evident in the middle book. The pure fantasy adventure is strongest in the first. All three work together to make a satisfying
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fantasy world, complete with different races that need to learn to get along, living gods and sorcerers and demons, allegorical messages the reader can relate to real-life, romance, and humor both witty and slapstick. Recommended even if you're not a big fan of fantasy or adventure or Discworld - cuz that describes me... and recommended if you are, too.
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LibraryThing member elenaj
This is less a novel than three novellas following a set of characters through three different adventures. Three different very funny, decidedly lethal, light-hearted adventures, which touch on themes of racial prejudice, environmental degradation, and practical theology. Baker handles her
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potentially mismatched subject matter gracefully. Show Less
LibraryThing member antao
Taste and all that but in modern Fantasy I find the idea of Sherlocks and their lookalikes locked in combat with Lovecraft's dull critters about as appetising as Harry Potter porn fan fiction to be as boring as hell. That’s why I don’t like Fantasy. The last two fantasy books I’ve read seemed
When the shelves are stuffed with the heavily promoted or sure-fire sellers then there are no more gems like “The Anvil of the World” to be (re)-discovered.
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promising but one thing about those fantasy novels? Good grief! I share the eye-rolling exasperation with 'stock Arthurian templates' but I do wonder, apropos that the last volume of fantasy fodder I’ve read, if readers as steeped in Indian myth as we are in Arthurian myth, would read this review and think: “'Come on, not another fucking djinn - and an evil mystic: please shoot me now!'? Why is it that audiences and apparently authors have almost abandoned science based fiction even social or political science as exemplified by Heinlein, Phil Dick, Asimov or Ursula K. Le Guin for fantasy or at best offer variations on cyberspace themes? A good piece of writing by a real scientist with some idea of the potential direction of his specialism is rare. It is a cultural shift which seems to be part of a zeitgeist which turns to superstition, racist pseudo-science and religious fundamentalism. The current tendency of those who write about SF to be so inclusive as to see almost all fantasy as SF is deplorable enough. Here in my blog we now also have a wonderful fantasy novel (praised for being better than your average fantasy the first time I read it when it come out more than 10 years ago) and a “sturm-und-drang” book with the dreaded ingredients '18th Century Urban Fantasy' and 'magic realism' (both mostly terms used by people who think genre is beneath them really). But this cannot be applied only to fantasy. Because there seems to be too many SF books recently which are effectively the Battle of Trafalgar in space and war stories, usually designed as a cheap "taster" with a cliff-hanger to encourage the reader to buy the whole series. Or consider the world-building of Harry Potter where the headmaster flies back tool late on a broom in book 1 and they can teleport by book 6. Terrible world-building. But acceptable as the plot needed it. And the reader will make their own excuse up. Narrative and character rule. The world is formed out of hints around that. It can be inconsistent if the story is well enough told. Anyone creating a world for adult readers where magic has no penalties and can do pretty much anything finds they have no plot they can’t deus ex out of. Would be a terrible read. None of that in “The Anvil of the World”. If you’re into climate-minded quarter demons, go for it. You won’t regret it.When the shelves are stuffed with the heavily promoted or sure-fire sellers then there are no more gems like “The Anvil of the World” to be (re)-discovered.
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