Scan barcode
stressedspidergirl's review against another edition
5.0
There's a lot of obvious past research into many cultures here that blend together to make a really well built world.
I found it super easy to get involved with the worldbuilding, and the characters, as well. It felt rich and complex and the motivations easy to follow while having new things to discover and find out as you go.
Satisfying read.
I found it super easy to get involved with the worldbuilding, and the characters, as well. It felt rich and complex and the motivations easy to follow while having new things to discover and find out as you go.
Satisfying read.
itwassomethingabout's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
One of the main characters is 12 and is constantly positioned as a romantic prospect for characters who are much older than her.
weaselweader's review against another edition
5.0
I'm off to the store to buy Blackgod!
At heart, an unforgettable fantasy replete with all the requisite elements - a pretty damsel in distress, heroes and their sagas, gods, battles, good and evil, with lots of credible dialogue to bring it home! Did I mention a couple of plot twists that would make the most jaded thriller or mystery reader's eyes light up?
At a deeper level, Keyes also addresses issues such as the relationship of man to his gods in a belief system similar to the Greek and Roman pantheon of mortal gods and half-gods with emotions and motivations that are all too human. He also seems openly critical of a priesthood that has misinterpreted its role in society and as a result has misappropriated and abused the power that history accorded it. Religious and racial intolerance also make cameo appearances.
But, all the while, Keyes never forgets that he is telling a story - and, it's one you won't be forgetting for a long time to come!
Paul Weiss
At heart, an unforgettable fantasy replete with all the requisite elements - a pretty damsel in distress, heroes and their sagas, gods, battles, good and evil, with lots of credible dialogue to bring it home! Did I mention a couple of plot twists that would make the most jaded thriller or mystery reader's eyes light up?
At a deeper level, Keyes also addresses issues such as the relationship of man to his gods in a belief system similar to the Greek and Roman pantheon of mortal gods and half-gods with emotions and motivations that are all too human. He also seems openly critical of a priesthood that has misinterpreted its role in society and as a result has misappropriated and abused the power that history accorded it. Religious and racial intolerance also make cameo appearances.
But, all the while, Keyes never forgets that he is telling a story - and, it's one you won't be forgetting for a long time to come!
Paul Weiss
sheldonnylander's review against another edition
3.0
I found myself very conflicted about this book. At first glance, it would appear to be a standard fantasy novel, with the farm boy who goes on a journey to be a hero, and princess in distress, and an incredibly powerful enemy that must be overcome. However, things are not what they appear to be. The "hero" turns out to have little to no idea what he's doing, nor does he have some set or prophesied destiny to fulfill. In fact, several other characters comment consistently about how stupid and unwise he behaves. The princess in distress is actually very intelligent and inquisitive with a latent power in all members of her family that make her more dangerous than anyone else. And the true nature of the gods makes the reader question what is really going on. There's an ancient secret about the Rivergod and his enemies, and the characters are realizing that they may simply be pawns in a game of the gods.
Keyes creates an incredibly interesting world, where gods exist in everything, from the field of grass, to the streams that cut the land, to the very campfires that the characters gather around, all the way to the great Rivergod which consumes all other gods around him. The characters are quite dynamic and change and learn during the course of the story in this book and it's sequel, "The Blackgod." However, the reason I can only gives this novel three stars is because it is painfully obvious that this was Keyes first book. Some of the prose and the dialogue feel rather clumsy, and certain aspects that seemed like they were supposed to be mysteries became painfully obvious much earlier than the actual reveal. Which leaves me very torn. If Keyes had waited longer in his career before he wrote this book and its sequel, I feel that it would have turned out much, much better. Still, it is very worth the read if you can look past it being a freshman effort that turns the standard high fantasy fare on its head (much like how George R.R. Martin's Song of Fire and Ice series challenges the low fantasy genre). Fascinating, but far from perfect.
Keyes creates an incredibly interesting world, where gods exist in everything, from the field of grass, to the streams that cut the land, to the very campfires that the characters gather around, all the way to the great Rivergod which consumes all other gods around him. The characters are quite dynamic and change and learn during the course of the story in this book and it's sequel, "The Blackgod." However, the reason I can only gives this novel three stars is because it is painfully obvious that this was Keyes first book. Some of the prose and the dialogue feel rather clumsy, and certain aspects that seemed like they were supposed to be mysteries became painfully obvious much earlier than the actual reveal. Which leaves me very torn. If Keyes had waited longer in his career before he wrote this book and its sequel, I feel that it would have turned out much, much better. Still, it is very worth the read if you can look past it being a freshman effort that turns the standard high fantasy fare on its head (much like how George R.R. Martin's Song of Fire and Ice series challenges the low fantasy genre). Fascinating, but far from perfect.
ashleylm's review against another edition
3.0
This is a perfectly adequate book (that sounds cruel--but I mean that I enjoyed it, it's well-written, but it's not so surprising, so moving, so exciting so as to warrant any more than 3 stars from me). An interesting take on Gods is probably the most distinctive aspect of the book, that and how the society the protagonist comes from is not your standard Mittel European.
There are certainly better (I hate that word!) books out there, unless this is Exactly Up Your Alley, in which case go for it. I don't regret reading it, but a few months later I can also barely recall reading it.
There are certainly better (I hate that word!) books out there, unless this is Exactly Up Your Alley, in which case go for it. I don't regret reading it, but a few months later I can also barely recall reading it.
edwardvl's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this book up in a second hand book store just looking for something to read while travelling. I did not expect to love the story so much. I look forward to the next installment.
yggie's review
3.0
This book loses a lot of it's potential charm in the Dutch translation. The world building is well done, it's an interesting backdrop filled with non-European ideas. Very refreshing.
The language however is stilted and clunky. Nothing anyone said sounded like things people would say, songs were super awkward and weird, descriptions were rather hit or miss.
I might read the sequel, but it would definitely have to be in the original language. This Dutch version is quite terrible, alas.
The language however is stilted and clunky. Nothing anyone said sounded like things people would say, songs were super awkward and weird, descriptions were rather hit or miss.
I might read the sequel, but it would definitely have to be in the original language. This Dutch version is quite terrible, alas.
lobo1tomia's review against another edition
3.0
Nem szokványos fantasy háttér előtt működő történet ez. Anélkül, hogy elolvastam volna az író életrajzát a regény végén, tudtam, hogy a világépítésben az amerikai indiánok hitvilágának komoly szerepe van, s valóban Keyes antropológusként ezekkel foglalkozott is. Perkar és a népe eléggé természetközeliek ahhoz, hogy több istenben higgyenek, akik mindenfelé ott vannak, abban ami él. Ennek ellenpólusaként létezik Nhól városa ahol meg az egyisten hit tartja össze a népet, s a két különböző kultúra, hitvilág nagyon jól van ábrázolva. Ráadásul mennyire klassz már, hogy Hezsi amint elhatározza magát, hogy megszerzi a tudást, amire szüksége van, beküzdi magát a palota könyvtárába. Valamint tetszett az is, hogy nem csak üres frázis, hogy a hősök fejlődnek, de igazából ugyanolyan jellemmel indulnak mint ahova érkeznek a kalandok során. Perkar például igazi magabiztos fiatalember, aki nem hallgat a tapasztaltabbakra, nem fogadja meg a tanácsaikat, megy a saját és könnyen befolyásolható hozzá hasonlóan önhitt és figyelmetlen társai feje után. S persze pont így kerül a legnagyobb bajba és magával rántja a többieket is, viszont ezekből aztán tényleg tanul és végül bármennyire is nem akarja, hős lesz belőle. Hezsi pedig még nagyon fiatal lány, ő is korának megfelelően viselkedik és átlátszó csapdákba esik bele, legszívesebben rákiabáltam volna, hogy ne tegyen így vagy úgy, ne higgyen a látszatnak. Az ő jellemfejlődése és hogy megtanulja kezelni saját erejét, még alig kezdődött itt el.
A Folyamszülött tehát nem a szokványos epikus fantasy elemekkel építkezik, talán csak a hősök és segítőik származnak onnan de maga a világ és a fordulatok egészen újak. Azért azt is be kell vallanom, hogy kicsit nehezen indult be a történet, s igazán szerettem volna már Perkart meg a társait nógatni, hogy haladjanak és ne viselkedjenek olyan nagyképűn, hogy bár alig ismernek valamit belőle úgy csinálnak, mintha övék lenne a világ. Sokkal érdekesebb volt Hezsi nyomozása, de aztán a végén, amikor a szálak közeledtek egymáshoz, meg az utolsó menekülés meg izgalmas volt és szinte akciófilmbe illő jelenetek váltogatták egymást.
Részletesebben: http://olvasonaplo.net/olvasonaplo/2011/12/22/greg_keyes_folyamszulott/
A Folyamszülött tehát nem a szokványos epikus fantasy elemekkel építkezik, talán csak a hősök és segítőik származnak onnan de maga a világ és a fordulatok egészen újak. Azért azt is be kell vallanom, hogy kicsit nehezen indult be a történet, s igazán szerettem volna már Perkart meg a társait nógatni, hogy haladjanak és ne viselkedjenek olyan nagyképűn, hogy bár alig ismernek valamit belőle úgy csinálnak, mintha övék lenne a világ. Sokkal érdekesebb volt Hezsi nyomozása, de aztán a végén, amikor a szálak közeledtek egymáshoz, meg az utolsó menekülés meg izgalmas volt és szinte akciófilmbe illő jelenetek váltogatták egymást.
Részletesebben: http://olvasonaplo.net/olvasonaplo/2011/12/22/greg_keyes_folyamszulott/
jacattack13's review against another edition
4.0
You can see this review as well as other fantasy book reviews on my blog, My Life as a Bookworm
Not sure what I expected from this fantasy book but it wasn't a high fantasy story that is filled with Gods and Goddesses and a whole bunch of world building. Keyes is an amazing storywriter. I was blown away by the descriptions and the emotions throughout this book.
The story bounces back and forth between Hezhi a 12 year old princess living in isolation in a castle and a 17 year old barbarian named Perkar who fell in love with a stream Goddess. There are some other POVs between the chapters but they are short and adds to the story because it leaves you in suspense. Writing this review is sorta hard just because there is so much going on and I would HATE to give it all away but I will try. :/
Hezhi is a VERY young princess when her favorite cousin is taken away never to be seen again. This starts her obsession with finding out what happened to him. She knows it has to do with her Royal Blood but she is not sure what. Her bloodline can be traced back to the River himself who is a God but a slumbering one. She starts working in the library to find out more but when summoned to court she is required to drink from the River and there she wishes for a hero to save her.
That is where Perkar comes in. Perkar is a barbarian from far away who lives by codes and honor. He honors all the Gods around him and falls in love with the stream Goddess near his family home. He promises her that he will free her from the River. His quest starts out as a journey to the Forest Lord to ask for more land for his people but then turns deadly. His bad decisions changes the course of everything and he is pushed toward Hezhi's wish of a hero to come save her.
I was surprised at how young Hezhi was being portrayed but she acted more like a teenager than a young girl but things happened to make her grow up faster. She is strong-willed and will do whatever it takes to learn more and to escape her fate. I really liked and connected with her even though she was so young while Perkar I just wanted to bash his head into a rock. He was being stupid and proud and not thinking straight. He made such bad decisions but again I guess without making those bad decisions he wouldn't have gotten to where he needs to go. It was frustrating at times.
The world building was awesome and the history of the Gods and Goddesses were just enthralling. Everything was very descriptive although it does take a while for the story to really start it was a good story. I couldn't put it down.
Not sure what I expected from this fantasy book but it wasn't a high fantasy story that is filled with Gods and Goddesses and a whole bunch of world building. Keyes is an amazing storywriter. I was blown away by the descriptions and the emotions throughout this book.
The story bounces back and forth between Hezhi a 12 year old princess living in isolation in a castle and a 17 year old barbarian named Perkar who fell in love with a stream Goddess. There are some other POVs between the chapters but they are short and adds to the story because it leaves you in suspense. Writing this review is sorta hard just because there is so much going on and I would HATE to give it all away but I will try. :/
Hezhi is a VERY young princess when her favorite cousin is taken away never to be seen again. This starts her obsession with finding out what happened to him. She knows it has to do with her Royal Blood but she is not sure what. Her bloodline can be traced back to the River himself who is a God but a slumbering one. She starts working in the library to find out more but when summoned to court she is required to drink from the River and there she wishes for a hero to save her.
That is where Perkar comes in. Perkar is a barbarian from far away who lives by codes and honor. He honors all the Gods around him and falls in love with the stream Goddess near his family home. He promises her that he will free her from the River. His quest starts out as a journey to the Forest Lord to ask for more land for his people but then turns deadly. His bad decisions changes the course of everything and he is pushed toward Hezhi's wish of a hero to come save her.
I was surprised at how young Hezhi was being portrayed but she acted more like a teenager than a young girl but things happened to make her grow up faster. She is strong-willed and will do whatever it takes to learn more and to escape her fate. I really liked and connected with her even though she was so young while Perkar I just wanted to bash his head into a rock. He was being stupid and proud and not thinking straight. He made such bad decisions but again I guess without making those bad decisions he wouldn't have gotten to where he needs to go. It was frustrating at times.
The world building was awesome and the history of the Gods and Goddesses were just enthralling. Everything was very descriptive although it does take a while for the story to really start it was a good story. I couldn't put it down.
More...