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wyntercreations's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
7hm's review against another edition
4.0
Really easy read. Love the idea of a chosen one who wants to be a pacifist.
alikatson's review
I remember thinking this book was amazing when I read it as a kid. To the re-read list!
forthirtydollarsnameawoman's review
I stayed for the mysterious undertones, before it turned out to be repetitive, convenient, and predictable.
The cover is most-likely whitewashing. I wonder if the siblings' blood ever plays a role in the trilogy/it turns out they are not related or if it continues in this post-race fashion (which would be awesome for fantasy imo, with mixed people not experiencing racism = true escapism).
While some parts felt derivative, others were refreshing precursors to modern fantasy. Overall, not terrible, and I do love when characters have names like Deth, yet I do not have the patience to continue.
The cover is most-likely whitewashing. I wonder if the siblings' blood ever plays a role in the trilogy/it turns out they are not related or if it continues in this post-race fashion (which would be awesome for fantasy imo, with mixed people not experiencing racism = true escapism).
While some parts felt derivative, others were refreshing precursors to modern fantasy. Overall, not terrible, and I do love when characters have names like Deth, yet I do not have the patience to continue.
humanignorance's review
1.0
Unfinished at 44%, page 95. At nearly halfway through, I didn’t care about any of the characters. The attempts at world-building were weak in a world which sorely needed it, as there were many things introduced which were then not explained at all. The plot plodded along, with nothing interesting happening.
aoosterwyk's review
3.0
The jury is out on this one. I have ILLed the rest, but found the first to be somewhat thin. Sad, because I felt it had great potential.
superdaintycate's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a challenging read. It's lovely writing, and so dense with not much contextual description that I found myself going back over sections to understand enough to move on with the plot. And even then I read most of it on faith that I would have a handle on the story by the end. I mostly did, and I'll read the rest, but I'm glad this wasn't my first encounter with McKillip.
violinknitter's review
5.0
I love this trilogy far beyond reason, so I won't try to give a reasoned review. I will give a few words of advice, though. The first book is in no way a stand-alone story. The trilogy only makes sense if you read the entire trilogy... much more like a book of the Lord of the Rings than a Harry Potter book that can be enjoyed on its own terms apart from the rest of the series. Secondly, there is a major shift in viewpoint between the first & second books of the trilogy, so don't expect Morgan of Hed to show up in the first few pages of HEIR... he doesn't.
McKillip is not for everyone. Reading a McKillip novel is often like visiting a foreign country: your guide may explain parts of the culture & language to you, but there will be much swirling around you that you do not understand and that no one will explain to you. Personally I love that in a book. I love to feel there is much more to the world and the story than I am being told. But not every reader enjoys the experience of *not* having everything explained and clearly laid out. If you like to have all the answers by the end of the book, McKillip may not be the fantasy writer for you. (Her language, though!!!! Oh, my goodness, her prose is some of the most beautiful prose I have ever read.)
McKillip is not for everyone. Reading a McKillip novel is often like visiting a foreign country: your guide may explain parts of the culture & language to you, but there will be much swirling around you that you do not understand and that no one will explain to you. Personally I love that in a book. I love to feel there is much more to the world and the story than I am being told. But not every reader enjoys the experience of *not* having everything explained and clearly laid out. If you like to have all the answers by the end of the book, McKillip may not be the fantasy writer for you. (Her language, though!!!! Oh, my goodness, her prose is some of the most beautiful prose I have ever read.)