As regular readers will know, I am a huge fan of H bean Piper's 1966 novel, Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen. If you've never read it, find a copy somewhere, and read it, NOW! It is irresistible stuff for a wargamer; I've put several Lord Kalvan battles on the table over the years. Piper's other books, especially those related to "Little Fuzzy", are darned good too, but not likely to inspire wargamers to tabletop actions. The copyright having expired, Lord Kalvan isnow available as a free download (since 2016) from a number of sites.
Sadly, Piper died by suicide not long after completing it, and before its publication, despondent about the abysmal situation of his finances; truly a great loss, as his works were just becoming popular and appreciated. His freind and fellow writer, John Carr, has undertaken to continue the Kalvan saga over the course of 7 novels, Down Styphon being the conclusion of the series.
Map of the relevant portions of "Otherwhen".
Without giving too much of the plot away, this book sees Kalvan, Rylla and company finally end the awful Gunpowder Theocracy of Styphon's House, and the isolation of the time line from the Paratimers, thus ending our window on the saga of Kalvan and his world. I enjoyed it a lot, although pace of events seemed a bit rushed to me. Still we get sieges, naval battles, land actions and, as always, lots of intrigue; what's not to like? The hardcover book, like it's predecessors, is gorgeous but pricey; all of the books in the series are now available for digital download at a much more reasonable cost from John Carr's publishing company. Recommended!
Never heard of this before.
ReplyDeleteI read the first few books many years ago and was both impressed and inspired. I had not realised they had been continued, I feel the need to get these and be inspired again
ReplyDeleteDefinitely good news on another book in the Kalvan series. Does this augur a rematch between the paratimer and the Styphon conspiracy? If you have not read at least the first book in the series, put in in your queue of things to read. Great fun, and another excusetotro out some 16th & 17th Century themed toys!
ReplyDeleteMy first contact with it was the set of rules "Down Styphon!" (Publisher...Fantasy Games Unlimited - apparently still available ) I did read the book iir but it was in the mid '70's so....
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoy the "Kalvin" books and I've read and re-read them a lot. I used to live in that area of the Alleghenies and I've seen some of the areas Piper described. My old wargames group even tried to run a campaign based on the "Down Styphon!" rules. Piper was a gripping writer and I prefer his writing to Carr's (taking nothing from that writer's skills!) Playing that setting and using pike-and-shot in Hollidaysburg would be a blast!
ReplyDeleteIt was a good read (I downloaded the kindle version when if first came out). I do hope that Carr ties up the loose ends with the Paratimers.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this either. It would be nice to read something light once my studies have finished at the end of the year.
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