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tylerbrown7844's review
2.0
Overall I was quite disappointed with the book, it very much feels like a “tell, don’t show” read. It feels as though things happen so suddenly and without warning - but before you know it it’s resolved. The early on boat sinking, the attack from the traders, the shapeshifting Eriel, and shapeshifter at the morguls - all happen suddenly and resolve just as you begin to understand what’s happening. Then it’s simply explained by someone afterwards.
The loss of his voice/memory was among the bigger/longer issues, but it was still nearly resolved with no lingering consequences after that chapter ended. And overall because of the general ease with which Morgon makes it through, it’s hard to understand his reluctance to continue.
The loss of his voice/memory was among the bigger/longer issues, but it was still nearly resolved with no lingering consequences after that chapter ended. And overall because of the general ease with which Morgon makes it through, it’s hard to understand his reluctance to continue.
kitvaria_sarene's review
2.0
This was a hard one to judge again.
For language and writing style I'd give it the full 5 stars. The language was beautiful and fluent and was a joy to read.
The story was only a 2 star for me though. The riddles are a big part of the story on the one hand, but somehow they didn't really seem important to me. I found them too vague and they didn't add to the plot for me. I wouldn't have minded if they simply weren't there - but they are supposed to be extra important for the story.
The plot itself has not had me on the edge of my seat either. Only towards the end it got my full attention. It was ok - but not great for my personal tastes.
So I'll give it 3 stars overall.
For language and writing style I'd give it the full 5 stars. The language was beautiful and fluent and was a joy to read.
The story was only a 2 star for me though. The riddles are a big part of the story on the one hand, but somehow they didn't really seem important to me. I found them too vague and they didn't add to the plot for me. I wouldn't have minded if they simply weren't there - but they are supposed to be extra important for the story.
The plot itself has not had me on the edge of my seat either. Only towards the end it got my full attention. It was ok - but not great for my personal tastes.
So I'll give it 3 stars overall.
littlejesterdude's review
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ekortunov's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
4.0
yak_attak's review against another edition
3.5
It's decidedly unfair to judge a book solely on another, but Riddle-Master of Hed is so *thoroughly* "The Wizard of Earthsea, but..." that I can't really extricate my thoughts from thinking so. And in many ways it stands up to the comparison - McKillip's world evokes very much the same pastoral world of traders, travelers, mountains and seas; an engaging protagonist swept up in matters beyond his understanding; a world infused deeply with magic and wonder kept away from the reader in a grand unknowable way - magic is... magic, part and parcel of life and living. It's all handled very well, and told in a flowing style that wraps you up.
Unfortunately McKillip isn't *quite* as deft as LeGuin, and insists on bombarding you with this world she's built until you submit and enjoy it. Every chapter there will be new, heretofore undiscussed things that are crucial to the plot, everyone knows about them, and there will be a long abstract discussion about it. It's the perfect example of story through exposition of world that you either just gotta be ready for or it's going to bore the snot out of you. It's a beautiful world, it's a great story (at least, the part of it that's in this book, because the story sure as hell isn't over), but it ebbs and flows from gorgeous myth into total tedium and you can't help but think of similar works that do the same thing but better.
Unfortunately McKillip isn't *quite* as deft as LeGuin, and insists on bombarding you with this world she's built until you submit and enjoy it. Every chapter there will be new, heretofore undiscussed things that are crucial to the plot, everyone knows about them, and there will be a long abstract discussion about it. It's the perfect example of story through exposition of world that you either just gotta be ready for or it's going to bore the snot out of you. It's a beautiful world, it's a great story (at least, the part of it that's in this book, because the story sure as hell isn't over), but it ebbs and flows from gorgeous myth into total tedium and you can't help but think of similar works that do the same thing but better.
theknepper's review against another edition
5.0
An exciting fantasy novel that kept me hooked from page one. This is a tale of the journey of a prince who can answer riddles no one else can. His destiny is revealed to him as he travels through the lands and meets friends and foes. The book ends with a huge cliffhanger. I'm just glad I already have the other two in the series.
The owner of the local bookstore recommended this series, and it was another great suggestion. I loved this book.
The owner of the local bookstore recommended this series, and it was another great suggestion. I loved this book.
niloufar's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
agruenbaum's review
3.0
Enjoyable, but a different style than I am used to. I will read the next and see how that one goes.
jonmhansen's review against another edition
3.0
Three and a half stars. As far as classics of fantasy go, it's not quite what I expected. Starts a bit slow (the first hundred pages or so were harder to get through than I expected, and to be honest, it feels like it needed a bit of editing! There are a couple of points where a key sentence seemed to be missing. For example, why not mention the stars in our hero's forehead when he's introduced? Surely people can see them. But I moved through, and it picked up, and now I have higher hopes for the next two volumes.
planetarypan's review
3.0
Meh. I read it. I tried to read the next one and found that I honestly didn't care, so I stopped. Perhaps if I had read these when I was younger, I might have enjoyed them more. As it is, I will consign this series to the done pile and move on. I just didn't end up caring about the character or the world or whatever was the plot. Everything was tedious and somewhat confusing.