Solar Flare: Science Fiction News

A Man Rides Through is the second and concluding book in Stephen Donaldson’s Mordant’s Need sequence. While the first book was heavy on the setup and pretty slow paced, A Man Rides Through is the payoff to all of that.

The action picks up right from the start and really doesn’t slow down until the final chapter. Donaldson takes the opportunity to further explore the theories and morals of his invented magic system, imagery.

As I mentioned in my review of the first book, this is much more conventional fantasy than the Thomas Covenant novels, but even here, Donaldson’s dark side has a way of creeping in. There is great evil overlord, instead the villains of the piece are in fact rather petty men who happen to have exceptional gifts which they use maliciously. The evil is banal, but no less deadly or brutal for it.

Similarly, the heroes of the piece are a pretty flawed bunch. Drunk, ruthless, arrogant or self-doubting. For all their weaknesses when the time comes they step up and do what is needed.

One of the reasons that this is an easier read than the Covenant novels is that Donaldson throttles back the verbosity by several notches. He’s still inclined to using more syllables than really necessary, but there aren’t any paragraphs that dislocate your jaw in this book.

Of the two Mordant’s Need novels, I think A Man Rides Through is my favorite. The faster pace makes for a more satisfying read. It does have its flaws though and several of the lead characters strategic decisions are pretty stupid. Why do only three people make the final assault on their enemies? Why not take 500 soldiers with them?

But that’s nit-picking. While reading the book I was too engrossed to worry about that, it was only afterwards that I really thought it through enough to ask that question.