Divide et Impera by Jim West is a compelling entry in the Magicae Mathematica series, a Latin title reminiscent of the strategy used by most colonial powers to control their colonies. “Divide and Rule” seems to be the strategy through which Yrral wants to rule the City, but he is hardly aware of the challenges that could come by sharing responsibility. The council has its traitors, those who will do everything to sink the city. But things just get more complicated when an extremely powerful device falls into the wrong hands. Two wizards are poised to do the worst imaginable evil to the city and with this device, they have high prospects of succeeding. Who can stop them? And can they be stopped before they get access to a power that can destroy the whole of mankind?
There is a lot to be enjoyed in this great story, a novel with wonderful classic elements and compelling characters. In fact, I couldn’t help thinking about the film Prince of Persia while reading this riveting tale. The story has a great opening, with engaging dialogue between two brothers, Ethan, the older brother, who has been refused his rightful place as heir to the City, and Yrral, who becomes the king. The reader gets a general idea of the nature of the conflict that will be developed throughout the story, only the reader isn’t aware that there are great twists and turns still to come. The intense action and the overwhelming feeling that something awful could happen in the next moment makes the read intoxicating. Divide et Impera by Jim West is fast-paced, intelligently written, and utterly entertaining.