Elegy Beach

ELEGY BEACH offers a fine sequel to Steven Boyett's AERIEL and is a recommended pick for any library that found AERIEL a popular lend. In Ariel the laws of the universe have changed overnight and magic rules the world. It was published by Ace some 24 years ago to rave reviews. ELEGY BEACH provides the sequel, takes place thirty years after 'the change', and is set in a small community in California as it follows the lives of two young men born after 'the change'. A dramatic, moving story evolves, highly recommended for any serious science fiction collection.

Excellent follow-up to Ariel, a post-Apocalyptic novel where the Change has rendered modern devices obsolete and fantasy creatures roam the land. This takes place about 30 years later and the underlying Change has also changed. In Ariel the world Changed in the early 80s. Now the Change took place a few years in the future (there's a discussion of solar-powered iPods). But this ties up a lot of loose ends from Ariel and also has some fun with magic as a sort of software written on the operating system of the universe. The author admits this is what inspired him to write the book, but it's quickly lost as he catches up with the characters from Ariel. Still, a great follow-up from a much more mature author.

Playing on the words of Arthur C. Clarke, Larry Niven once wrote that "any sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology." That is what came to mind as I read this novel. This is a story that takes the reader on a page-turning journey through a world transformed, where most technology no longer works and the laws of magic govern at a fundamental level. The characters rediscover the scientific method (and software engineering!) and apply it to the laws of magic with truly interesting consequences and possibilities. I consumed this novel in a single weekend and it had me thinking of all the things I could try if magic was real and programmable. However, this is more than just a novel with some fresh ideas, it is a well written, carefully crafted story with a truly satisfying conclusion that will live with you long after you finish the last page and return it to your bookshelf.

I am a huge fan of Ariel and so I was really excited to hear about a sequel in the works. Elegy Beach takes place in the same world as Ariel, but it seems as different from the setting of Ariel as Ariel's world seemed from the pre-Change world. Learning about this new world was a lot of fun, as was meeting the characters along the way, thanks to Boyett's dry wit. He is not satisfied with using standard fantasy elements, which would be fine with many readers; he breathes life into what could have been clichés by giving plausible explanations for why things are the way they are. It makes for a very rich and robust story. A rich read that's a page-turner at the same time - I know that any lover of fantastic journeys would love this book. I think this book could stand on its own, but I am such a huge fan of Ariel that I have to suggest reading that one first. Both are special in their own way.

Really enjoyable book, I thought it was a great follow up to Ariel. There was a talk about the author set of resetting the "tech" as to when the old world died, as Ariel was written in the 80's. Having only recently read Ariel, I honestly didn't find it dated at all. Maybe as due to growing up in the 80's? The characters in this book are different from Ariel, but I think that's ok - its great to bring out new characters. They are the descendants from the first book and they are attempting to understand, control and I guess you would say... organize or bring structure to the new "magic" that inhabits the world now. Sort of like scientists have done with physics in our own past. Very clever. I don't want to say too much more or give spoilers. Suffice to say if you liked Ariel, you will enjoy this greatly. The author's writing is fresh & enjoyable, a really great read!