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Cry of Justice

Jason Pratt
Bittersea Publications (2007)
ISBN 9780977888405
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (11/08)

“I will tell you a story, beloved;
a story of a cradle.

Once,
there was a world,
bobbing and spinning within the center of her space,
infused with life, alit by lights both great and small,
upon her and above her.
From the beginning, she had borne her children
-not to stay, but to leave.

But, the children did not always play well.
And, they did not always leave well.”

So begins the Introduction of “Cry of Justice,” Jason Pratt’s first book in an intended trilogy.  When I first started reading this first book I admit I was a little confused as to what was going on.  I read and reread the first chapters in an attempt to decipher who was who and to discern exactly what was happening.  Inside the dust jacket there is list of characters but it really isn’t very specific.  For instance, for the character of Portunista it says:  innovative, ambitious, intemperate; a maga seeking her path to Imperial Glory.”  A more in depth character and location guide somewhere in the book would have been extremely beneficial in aiding my comprehension. 

The main premise of the book from inside the front cover is this:  “Caught in the aftermath of a vicious international war, thousands of refugees have fled the Coastal States, bringing their dangers with them into the wilderness near the Middlelands.”  The story is then told through a series of various journal entries written by more than one character, which once you are able to sort everything out, is actually quite interesting.     

The cast of characters in itself is quite original.  One of my favorite players in the story is the aforementioned Portunista.  She is the leader of a very creative cast and I loved watching to see how she handled and dealt with all of the different personalities and challenges faced along the way.        
  
Pratt’s writing style is definitely unique and at times it can be intellectually challenging to interpret his intentions.  However, I am always up for a challenge and once I became familiar with this unusual, mentally stimulating work, I really started to enjoy it.  There were many creative elements in the book that sets this fantasy novel apart from the pack and I think those interested in epic fantasies will enjoy “Cry of Justice.” 

    

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