R- The Death of the Necromancer (v,b,x)
PG16- The Element of Fire (v,b)

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In The Element of Fire, the country of Ile-Rien is set in an alternate Europe as of the 17th century or so, with wheelock pistols and rifles which are still unreliable enough that they are not primary weaponry, but also with functional alchemical magic as well as contact with the world of Faery. Their neighbor Bisra is in the midst of their version of the Spanish Inquisition, in the belief that anyone not in the Church performing magic must be involved in the dark arts. This leads to some bad feeling between the two countries (to put it mildly), since Ile-Rien's city of Lodun is a well-known scholastic and magical center. In the novel, we find Thomas Boniface, favorite to the dowager Queen Ravenna and Captain of her Guard, trying to track down a sorcerer from Bisra who, if he wasn't a dark sorcerer before the Inquisition got hold of him, certainly is now, and whose presence in Ile-Rien could start the war with Bisra all over again. Ile-Rien is technically ruled by King Roland, but Ravenna's iron will is more than a match for him and there are enough political struggles between the two of them to keep anyone occupied with worrying about a civil war without worrying about rogue sorcerers infiltrating the capital. Unfortunately, Thomas doesn't have a choice about being embroiled in both difficulties, and has to make the best of a steadily worsening situation, including dealing with Roland's half-fay half-sister, who isn't known for her love of her family or her restraint. Wells has neatly captured the Three Musketeers sort of feeling with the addition of sword-and-sorcery. If you're at all entertained by that kind of detective, political, and swordfighting story, this one is worth picking up.

Wells returns to the country of Ile-Rien in The Death of the Necromancer, in that world's approximation of the 19th century. The story follows Nicholas Valiarde, a man whose past has molded him into a secret life as Donatien, the greatest thief in the country. He is consumed by the need to exact vengeance on the man who caused the execution of his godfather on false charges of necromancy, vengeance which he plans to be complex and bitter. But strange things start happening around him as he set up that vengeance, and Nicholas and his followers come face to face with the first stirrings of necromantic magic that's been outlawd for ages. The best magical help against this threat he has is his friend Arisilde, who could have been the greatest sorcerer who ever lived, if he hadn't turned to drugs and drink and ruined his mind to the point where it's debatable if he remembers any conversation he has on a given day. And Nicholas must conduct his investigations without attracting the attention of his respected nemesis Inspector Ronsarde, who is also on the trail of the necromancer. This story has a strong flavor of the Sherlock Holmes sort of detective story with dark magic thrown in as part of the reality, and all the intrigues of nineteenth century life are detailed wonderfully. The complex plot and interconnections between the characters also do a fine job of keeping the suspense going throughout the book. Although it's more a detective story than a horror novel, the fact that necromancy plays a part does lend it a horrific flavor, so if you object to that sort of thing then be forewarned.

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