Majestrum: A Tale Of Henghis
Hapthorn by Matthew Hughes
Stylish, With Witty Dialog, Lovely Plot Twists, And Unique Voice
When Hapthorn is hired by Lord Afre to investigate the motives of his
daughters new companion, a young man of indeterminate circumstances,
he takes the job expecting it to allow him the opportunity to explore and
understand his changing universe. Little does Henghis Hapthorn realize,
but the path of discovery will lead to deeper questions, a mysterious
assignment from the Archon himself, and the ancient and powerful secret
name... Majestrum!
Personal Review: Majestrum: A Tale Of Henghis Hapthorn by
Matthew Hughes
Another good Night Shade publication. I am reaching the point where I
just buy their list without discrimination, everything I have actually read has
been very good.

This detective/adventure tale (did I miss a previous one?) takes place in a
science-fiction setting (advanced tech, etc) but functionally operates
almost as a fantasy - technology is an unelaborated means to an end, fast
interstellar travel, etc. This does allow the author to tell a story
unencumbered by the need to explain why anything can be done
technologically, and it works very well here.
We follow the adventure of a detective/effectuator, initially on an
investigation of apparently little import, but then summoned to assist the
ruler of Old Earth (the planet amazon readers use now) on a matter of
critical importance. This mystery is enhanced by giving the protagonist
schizophrenia, as his magically-aspected persona has manifested as a
separate entity and is waxing in his own slow rise to dominance over the
currently rationality-based persona and world. A few questions do see
unanswered at the end of the story, at least as I caught it.
The read familiar with Jack Vance may find echoes of much of his work
from the 60s and 70's in this effectuator's tale, and the unsuspecting might
be persuaded that this is an unpublished title by the same author. (the
resemblance was so strong that at times I thought I saw specific indirect
references to vancisms, including the Connactic's (of the Alastor trilogy)
habit of going out anonymously amongst his people when the Archon got a
knot on the head. Am I wrong? Comment!)
Edit - I have read an interview with the author, and he comes right out and
says this is set one eon before the Dying Earth and that " I write the kind of
story I like to read, and what I like to read is a Jack Vance story."
He does a great job of it.
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