Damiano trilogy

[Mithfânion]

by R.A. Mc Avoy. Pretty famous in the 80's, I was wondering if this series is read by some members here. Is it worth digging up from a secondhand bookstore?



[This message has been edited by Mithfânion (edited April 21, 2002).]

 

[willowones]

I read this series when it first came out. It was good, but if you have been reading more sophisticated fantasy, you may find it boring.

 

[Mithfânion]

Well, what you define as more sophisticated Fantasy?

 

[estranghero]

Well, I've read the book. It's a good one, pretty interesting read of a bard(?) living in renaissance Italy.

However, it's a different take on fantasy in that there's no quest, no fight against an evil lord (kinda), not much cliches on fantasies here so if you're looking for the usual stuff, you won't find it here and this may bore you.

But I have to disagree with willowones that this is not sophisticated fantasy. It's probably ONE of the more sophisticated fantasies around, which is why this is highly underrated.

I also picked it up secondhand.

 

[Mithfânion]

So, what IS the story about then? What's fantastical about it?

 

[Steven Savile]

Hmm, without doing the old Spoiler thing, the series is pretty unique... The one thing that makes it REALLY special happens at the end of Book 1 - and it has NEVER been done in a fantasy before or since I believe... I am not going to spoil it...

By simple, it is a less sprawling novel, focussed to a single thread so you follow the plot more closely without getting lost in the warren of who is doing what to who where...

People here seem to have REALLY good taste when it comes to these less well known series...

Makes me happy inside.

 

[willowones]

Perhaps instead of "sophisticated," I should have said fewer characters and plot lines, less violence and it's possible to read all 3 books without spending a lot of time on them.

 

[estranghero]

Hrmmm, hrrmmm, hrrmm...

Well, without going through any spoilers:

The first part details Damiano, a talented musician/ singer in Renaissance Italy trying to get by, especially when the Black Plague hits the land. What makes him interesting is that he's been targeted by Satan because of his teacher-student relationship with Archangel Raphael.

The second half of the series tells the story of Raphael and how he tries to avoid the clutches and traps of old Nick, who really wants the soul/being of God's favorite angel.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, though McAvoy use religious figures in "Damiano", there is not one hint of proselytizing or religious anything in the story so don't worry about it.

Whew! Is that vague enough? (Interesting enough, a google search couldn't get any reviews on the internet.)

 

[Vitriol]

I've read the first one, and enjoyed it; it's certainly a non-standard type of fantasy and as such was quite fun. The other two are fairly near the top of my to-read pile (their quite nice and short, for starters). I got my copies second-hand, and would recommend at least the first one as some fairly light, different reading.

 

[SusF]

Another good one by R.A. MacAvoy is "Tea with Black Dragon". It's a fascinating urban fantasy. MacAvoy has an incredible imagination.

Susan

 

[chocky]

The Third Eagle by MacAvoy is very good sf. She can really tell a story. It is a pity that most of her books are out of print.

 

[Llama]

I agree with SusF, TEA WITH THE BLACK DRAGON is quite good and probably her best book. I read the DAMIANO books ages ago and don't remember much detail, but I thought they were original and certainly worth reading.

 

[Hereford Eye]

Was truly sorry when McAvoy hung up her pen. Thoroughly enjoyed everything she wrote. Agree with SusF that Tea With the Black Dragon was her best.

 

[Cadfael]

I read this ages ago... I think I still have them...

Could this be a nomination for the 'Book Club' topic? Or is it to hard to find?

 

[estranghero]

RA MacAvoy quit?

Can anyone give a good review on "Tea with the Black Dragon"? I read the sequel and wasn't that impressed with that. Also, chocky, what's your review of "The Third Eagle"?

Lastly, didn't she have a 3rd fantasy stand-alone book, "The Lensman's Apprentice" or something?

 

[chocky]

For a really good review of Tea With the Black Dragon and some other very good books go to the Lost Books website.

http://www.lostbooks.org

The Third Eagle is about a warrior, Wanbli, from a race of warriors. He leaves his home planet to travel the universe. Anyway, the story is about his travels. I enjoyed it because it has some good alien races and civilizations. MacAvoy tells the story with a good pace and flair. It is not the best novel I've read but it is an enjoyable read.