The Infernal City is the first ever tie-in novel to the long-standing Elder Scrolls series of fantasy computer role-playing games. The setting is very much a traditional Western fantasy, with its pseudo-European medieval magical realm populated with various familiar fantasy races. On the other hand, it is built on a mythology, history, and lexicon which is entirely its own. The result is that a reader not familiar with the games, especially the fourth iteration, Oblivion, will be hopelessly lost. Make no mistake, this book is meant for fans and only they will get anything out of reading this book.
The story centers around Umbriel, a mysterious floating city that appears over the land, laying waste to all sentient life in its path and raising the bodies of the fallen to build an army of the undead. It sounds great, but sadly these events are covered with only a couple of pages. The bulk of the novel instead follows tomboy and amateur alchemist Annaig Hoinart and her lifelong friend Glim the Argonian (lizard-man). The pair are the only ones to escape the destruction of their homeland, Black Marsh, by the forces of Umbriel. They find themselves stranded on Umbriel, are subsequently captured, separated, and put to work in the city’s subterranean kitchens and an underwater farm called the Sump. Annaig uses the opportunity – and a handy magical communication device – to pass on whatever she learns about Umbriel to her would-be rescuer, the Imperial Prince Attrebus, and his mysterious and dangerous traveling companion Sul the Dunmer (dark elf). The other character of note is that of Colin, imperial inspector (secret police), and his investigation of the inexplicable conspiracy to assassinate Prince Attrebus. I say inexplicable because Attrebus has about as much sense as a box of rocks but isn’t half as dangerous as one.
The real reason to read the book, though, is actually to learn the backstory. The Infernal City is set forty-odd years after the end of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and the most interesting parts of the book are those where we learn about the major events that transpired in that period, in particular those that gave rise to Umbriel itself.
My biggest problem with the story is that Umbriel lacks immediacy as a threat. We have only the vaguest notion of the danger it poses, and the reader isn’t shown any of whatever impact it has on the ground. The chef who runs the kitchen Annaig works in is of greater concern to the reader than the city.
Another problem is this novel is the first in a two-book sequence and only provides half of the story. There is absolutely no resolution to any part of the narrative. As a consequence the ending of The Infernal City is completely unsatisfying.
I would only recommend this book to those gamers who are looking to kill time while they await next year’s release of The Elder Scrolls V. In all fairness to the author, I imagine they are, after all, the intended audience.
Found this book impossible to get into.
I’m guessing the only reason you tried was because Keyes had his name on it.
no, I actually was in the mood for something light and fun, but that it was Keyes perhaps pushed it over the top as a choice, as I’ve found him to be – at the very least – a solid writer. It was a combination of being a very light read that fought that very quality by wanting to be (seemingly, as I’m not familiar with the game or previous books) so insider friendly.
Oh, not just seemingly. Putting aside the unique vocabulary, the book is filled with tremendous implications that are utterly meaningless to anyone who has not played the last game, or better yet, the last two games.
It would be like someone’s first exposure to Macbeth being that of watching a version with the first two acts cut out.
The plot doent sound great think they could have done much better. Elder Scrolls V lol dont know about that next year, you sure??
When I was doing the write-up I googled TES:5 and I saw several articles which mentioned a 2010 release based on comments by Paul Oughton.
Looking deeper, I see all those articles predate Todd Howard’s “don’t look for a new Elder Scrolls game in the near future.” comment at QuakeCon 2009.
I apologize for not being more thorough in my research.
I read it and liked it. It’s really only for someone who has played the games.
In all fairness everyone. This book is awesome if you played, and I mean PLAYED the last couple games. Otherwise, I totally agree that this book would suck. From the first few pages you would be completely confused and wondering why there was a talking lizard helping this girl.
This book is a great book that has a deep story line. I have trouble putting it down and when I get into it I lose track of time because it is so good! But, as said before, it is a book for those fans who have played the pervious TWO games. I did’t play the elder scrolls before oblivion and I sometimes get lost when reading.
Other than that I can’t wait for the next book!
The Elder Scrolls isnt the same without the mages guild! And the Dunmer on verge of extinction?! WTF This book is crap!
I hated this book. Look what it did to the Dunmer! And how in the world do tribal lizard people take over the Dunmer?
And Jay – no, this book is not awesome, and I have almost 500 hours logged in Morrowind in and about 300 in Oblivion. Due to certain plot events I’m kind of outraged – what was the reason I spent all that time saving Vvardenfell if they were just going to do what they did to it?
Well, after reading this book, I have to say that it was the best book I have ever read! I’ve played several hundred hours of Morrowind, and even more Oblivion, and I love all the lore they placed in the story. I’m not surprised that the Dunmer destroyed themselves in an act of self-preservation. Though I find it unlikely that they were overrun by Argonians, it is a very goodd book. I simply can’t wait for the next one, as well as The Elder Scrolls V: Empire, as it was, at one point, going to be called.
wow
Elder Scrolls V was offically announced. It will be set in The Summerset Isles. No release date set though…
Yeah, I heard about that. I simply can’t wait to run into a store and see the shelves filled with The Elder Scrolls V: Empire. But I never heard about it being in Summerset Isles. I hope not! I always hated the Altmer, those yellow-skinned, stuck-up jerks! I would kill for it if it were set in Elsweyr!
Okay. I finally found a credible source. I now see that you were right. It will be set in Alinorm the Capital of Summerset Isles. Though I never liked the Altmer, I still cannot wait for the game to be released!
We have no idea what’s happening with the next game, and in any case I think that it would be foolish to release it so soon. Oblivion was simply beyond fantastic for its time, but it still left a lot to be desired.
As for the book, I’ve not yet got a copy but I will read. Even though my knowledge of it is vague, one thing I don’t like is leaving the book to an outsider of the series to formulate a plot, since it really rips off a lot of meat from the series from the perspective of the gamer. First of all, 40 years after the evens of Oblivion and The Shivering Isles is raises many questions. What happened to the new Sheogorath/Champion of Cyrodill? What makes this new emperor deserving of the throne? I personally think that somebody with a closer relation to the last of the Septims should have gotten that prize. Yeah, his last friend the protagonist of Oblivion, as Martin did say that the fate of the empire falls to the Champion. And second, the destruction of an entire race doesn’t sound like a good idea at all. It’s just as bad as the destruction of all the Ayleids (including the good ones) and it really is a huge let down for all those who played Morrowind. But the idea of the infernal city itself and Clavicus Vile’s part in it is awesome. I decided to keep the Umbra sword away from Vile, so it would be nice to know how he got it back from the Champion, especially after becoming a Daedric Prince.
Just my two cents. I fear what I might find when I read this book.
Not for me. I’ve never laughed so hard than the moment I read that the Dunmer had destroyed themselves! OMG!!!!! Anyways, I have to agree with you. Thought I can’t wait for the next game to come out, I am a bit worried. They’re making it fairly soon after Oblivion. Hopefully they include some of the things that Oblivion left out.