Robert thought becoming a dynamicist would enable him to change the world, starting with saving all his friends from being slaughtered. He was wrong.
Acts of genuine creativity used to bring mortal punishment. But now, wizardry is dead and Robert, Koria and Eloise live in a world where change and invention is possible.
Robert hopes that mathematically-framed dynamics will enable him to change the new world. But he keeps having prophetic dreams where his friends are all murdered by a mysterious cloaked man, and the grain protestors are more menacing than ever. They declare dynamics is dangerous and that the changes must stop. They are right about one thing: dynamics is dangerous, especially for someone so hopeful, angry and impetuous as Robert.
Soon Robert’s horrific nightmares come true and a cloaked man appears on campus, stalking and murdering students --his friends are next.
Desperate to change the future, Robert recklessly pushes the bounds of both dynamics and reason. Every crushing failure dampens Robert’s hope for the future and pushes him a step closer to the powerful, nihilistic, and merciless Lonely Wizard.
Hunt’s not stingy with answers as his story widens in scope to include political conspiracy, a cult, and the threat of war. He renders scenes of action with crisp power, albeit with an overreliance on onomatopoeia such as “BRRRRAAAAA” and “CRRRACKKKKKKKKKKKKK,” and the action sequences are winningly varied. Readers will enjoy a tavern brawl, a fracas at an underground cult meeting, a confrontation with a legendary magician, and a desperate battle against monstrous “skolves,” in which Robert and his classmates must cooperate with everyday soldiers who are understandably skeptical of magic schoolboys.
The most memorable elements of the series remain Hunt’s philosophical provocations and his vividly detailed magical system. It’s a joy to see the characters dig into the study and theory of magic as well as the cultural consequences of its use. Engaging deeply with how heroes’ actions affect the lives of everyone else, this sequel finds Robert discovering the complex truths about why his world fears change. Even the cultists, he realizes, have their reasons. That richness occasionally comes at the cost of narrative momentum, especially in the first half, but the story picks up speed again for a climactic conclusion. This is an exciting, expansive, and ultimately satisfying exploration of the meaning of heroism, the economics of magic, and the role of innovation in society.
Takeaway: Readers looking for a thoughtful take on the wizard-school story will enjoy this mix of philosophy, mathematics, and action.
Great for fans of Lev Grossman’s Magicians trilogy, Elizabeth Bear’s Range of Ghosts.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: -
Editing: B
Marketing copy: B+
A wild and satisfying ride!
Lee Hunt truly outdoes himself in this second episode of the trilogy. From exploring new, darker themes to the developing relationships amongst our young cast of dynamicists, this novel keeps up the pace established in the first and builds to a satisfying confrontation that will leave you wanting more.
Riveting from the first page to the last!
Lee Hunt’s Herald continues the powerful story of self-discovery, acceptance, and love began in Dynamicist. The main character, Robert, wants to change the world for the better, and has learned much from his mentors. Those lessons fail when he and those he loves are attacked, and his power and impetuousness leads to violence and murder. This story had me riveted from the first page to the last!
A bold fantasy sequel that delivers on the first volume’s call to action.
In this second installment of a trilogy, a talented student closes in on the villain of his prophetic dream but at great cost.
At the New School, in the bustling capital of Vercors, 18-year-old Robert Endicott trains to be a knight and a dynamicist. The latter involves manipulating energy with his mind to alter probabilities and perform what looks, superficially, like wizardry. Robert’s been preoccupied as of late with a “heraldic dream” that revealed a tall, cloaked figure murdering his friend Eloise Kyre and his lover, Koria Valcourt. He’s committed to thwarting this tragedy while learning to harness his talents at the Vercors Ice Company, home to a secret, off-campus training lab for dynamicists. The lab is safe, but because Robert can’t resist a woman in need, he helps seamstress Freyla Loche repair her “stitching engines” that were sabotaged. He later investigates a potential conspiracy of those loyal to the demon Nimrheal, who’d like to blame all of life’s ills on a new type of grain called “triticale.” When the cloaked figure does strike, Robert and his classmate Gregory Justice are well prepared, thanks to some covert work in a forge. But lives are lost in a grisly manner that references Robert’s favorite book, The Lonely Wizard. Mortal danger is much closer to Robert’s friends than he can guess. Hunt allows his dynamicist to flex his probability-altering muscles in this daring fantasy sequel. The students’ use of heat to change the outcome of thrown dice is a thrilling portrayal of magic. Later, theory is traded for battlefield action as “a sheet of electrons staggered downwards in the tiniest sliver of a second,” hurling lightning on the beastly skolves. And yet human affairs remain central to the narrative. Robert hears the complaints of those whom progress threatens to leave behind and realizes that “the scope and pace of change is...not a joke, and it is not just because people are crazy.” This has deep relevance to life in the early 21st century, and reaching out to readers is a noble endeavor. The finale brings chaos that will shape the next installment.
Great writing and characters, strong message
Robert, Koira, Eloise, Gregory, Heylor, Davin and Bethyn are back! And of course, so is the Lonely Wizard. Herald has a great mix of philosophy and action, ratcheting up the stakes as this exciting, and adventurous novel continues right from where Dynamicist left off! It takes the lovable, intelligent, thoughtful and powerhouse characters through challenges in which they use their strengths to support each other as they struggle with becoming Dynamicists. But becoming a dynamicist isn’t easy. They must learn to control the laws of thermodynamics and deal with the when and how around using their growing and dangerous power. I truly love this book. The adventure, conflict, learning and growth these characters go through as they themselves grow and face the challenges caused by the new grain and vicious attacks from an unknown source had me hooked early on. And of course, when all else fails to drive you through the pains of life, and you feel you cannot continue, the love for those you care about can drive you to continue on.
The second book in this series does not disappoint.
In Herald the students, and we as readers, go deeper below the surface to explore the calculations and cost of change. The first half of the story follows a similar pace and tone of the first book, whereas the second half is action packed. The characters' paths and actions are not straightforward as they face the morality of tradition vs new, knightly actions vs law, fear vs heroism.
Herald is a story of mystery and action and is a joy to read.
An interesting medieval fantasy world !
In this second book of Lee Hunt’s Dynamicist series, the author continues to build an interesting medieval fantasy world where curious characters, fascinating environments, poignant themes, and supernatural powers co-exist. The main character Robert continues his mathematical and wizardry training at the “New School” to become a modern “Dynamicist”. Such ”wizardry” involves manipulating physics and thermodynamics using one’s mind (“Heralding”) with very interesting results from rolling dice and baking cake, to moving matter and spontaneously incinerating one’s enemy. Mix in Robert’s fellow classmates, a noteworthy combination of characters, plenty of sword swinging, and the threat of a Greater Evil determined to destroy the progress of society, and you have an entertaining escape from reality. Things are just getting started, perhaps this will be the next best-selling Fantasy series?
An interesting medieval fantasy world !
In this second book of Lee Hunt’s Dynamicist series, the author continues to build an interesting medieval fantasy world where curious characters, fascinating environments, poignant themes, and supernatural powers co-exist. The main character Robert continues his mathematical and wizardry training at the “New School” to become a modern “Dynamicist”. Such ”wizardry” involves manipulating physics and thermodynamics using one’s mind (“Heralding”) with very interesting results from rolling dice and baking cake, to moving matter and spontaneously incinerating one’s enemy. Mix in Robert’s fellow classmates, a noteworthy combination of characters, plenty of sword swinging, and the threat of a Greater Evil determined to destroy the progress of society, and you have an entertaining escape from reality. Things are just getting started, perhaps this will be the next best-selling Fantasy series?
A galloping ride through a young mans coming to power
Here is the second book in this excellent series by Lee Hunt. I devoured it in two sittings and here is why you should read it. Book two starts and ends with a mystery and in the telling of that mystery Lee Hunt compels us to turn the page again and again. The characters are complex and meaningfully drawn, the moral conflict (always important in this genre) is complex and deep. Best of all the action is relentless in its pace so that by the end you are left thumping your fist on the table because you do not have part three yet. This is compelling read by a new author and you should buy book one and two now. Really! Now!
The "Herald" has delivered
In the "Herald", the stakes have risen. A murderous cloaked man is stalking campus and Robert feels responsible for stopping him. Cultists and foreign powers seem to want to stop Robert, who alternatively tries to infiltrate, convince or fight them. Robert and his classmates may be at the center of change in the world of dynamicist, but they are also struggling to themselves change. Robert Endicott, at the age of 18, has the youthful problem of getting too close to women. Reminded me of my early days at the disco's of the Stampede... but despite all the threats and distractions, Robert sticks with his studies of dynamics, heraldry and recognizes teleportation much to the surprise of his senior professors. Despite these successes, Robert and his friends also suffer a series of failures that threaten to derail their naively optimistic worldview. The Lonely Wizard believes love cannot exist and Robert can't seem to saying he loves everyone. Strangely, it seems that despite this heartfelt optimism, Robert may be destined by tragedy to become the next Lonely Wizard. Will love or nihilism win?
Awesome second book in the Dynamicist Trilogy. Hunt delivers with a bang!
As a fan of fantasy, I am frequently frustrated by the time lag for subsequent books within a series being released to the public. Not so with this exciting series from newcomer Lee Hunt. I read the Dynamicist relatively soon after its release. I was very pleasantly surprised when I saw Book 2, The Herald, was being released within 6 months of the introductory novel. I just finished the Herald a few minutes ago and I am very pleased indeed! When I reviewed the Dynamicist I made a ‘tongue in cheek’ comment regarding the lack of blood and gore! Well, I am pleased to report I got my fill in the Herald. A very good read with continued strong character development along with an interesting plot within a plot. I am eagerly awaiting the release of Book 3. Here’s to a relatively quick release!
