Aaargh!!!
I wish I had two votes!
I voted yesterday, but did not have time to write anything to explain my vote. I've been battling back and forth on Eagles of Avalon and Empire of Fu Manchu for some time, as I read them. It's been very hard.
First, I'd like to again compliment Tower of Fear. It is a very well written and well planned story with an epic vision -- tying in ancient myth with contemporary paranormal "reality". And MacRaith's gift for accomplishing a dark mood -- balanced sometimes with lighter or touching moments, and even a sense of humor -- makes this really a treat to read. I truly hope MacRaith comes back to finish this story, as I have become very interested in seeing what will happen to the characters!
I have gained a special love for The Yogi's Empire of Fu Manchu, despite the fact that I haven't read the beginning, much less the VERY beginning (his earlier Master Plan of Fu Manchu. Yogi weaves in so many elements of popular fiction that it prompts a flood of memories and associations from seeing these "old" names, but then he builds upon these characters in a believable way that is nevertheless consistent with the impressions we have of what these characters are like! From James Bond to Buck Rogers to Xaltotun (from Howard's Conan universe), the whole story is like a tribute to these past icons even as The Yogi tells his own unique and interesting story! There is a sense of humor, believeable dialogue, an accomplished pacing of the scenes, a tugging at your emotions and moods to fit the scene, etc. etc. Reading Fu Manchu -- which is distinctly different from his other stories, which are magnificent for other reasons! -- is an enjoyable exercise. This all speaks to a high talent of authorship, to weave all these elements together, which is why I very much wanted to vote for Fu Manchu.
Mettermrck's Eagles of Avalon, though, has captured my heart -- again. It's been a while since I've been able to read Eagles, but in catching up I find it's lost none of its import as a classic here in the forums. Mett's pace is nothing like The Yogi's -- he builds the structure of the story slowly, carefully, allowing time for reflection and development between major posts (not that Yogi doesn't -- his is just a more "punctuated" style with more consistent action). But by drawing the reader in more deeply, Mett involves the reader more in the story and tugs powerfully at our emotions when we see epic events from the inside -- the individuals who are at the mercy of the march of (alternate) history! There is a craft to the set-up and the writing which bespeaks a deeper, hidden storyline that is glimpsed only dimly. When things happen -- and these prompt many insightful and wondering comments, with readers analyzing what must have just occurred -- it is clear that the ramifications will go far beyond the scene itself, even if it's not yet clear where they will lead. This is the joy of an epic story arc, and Mett does a great job building it with the materials and talents he has available, which are many. His writing is smooth, believeable, studied (he's clearly put a lot of time into research of the Roman and Middle Ages period), portentous, and very enjoyable! He's also very good at finding appropriate pictures, and in writing historical narratives, to set the scene. All in all, a masterpiece. And therefore, I must cast my vote for Eagles!
Thank you to all the writers. It's been much fun having a reason to concentrate on these stories, at the expense of so many other things I'd been in the habit of reading.
Rensslaer
