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173 reviews for:
La senda de los héroes. El anillo del hechicero 1 (The Sorcerer's Ring #10)
Morgan Rice
3.01 AVERAGE
173 reviews for:
La senda de los héroes. El anillo del hechicero 1 (The Sorcerer's Ring #10)
Morgan Rice
3.01 AVERAGE
There is no depth in the character development with only good and evil and very one dimensional. I bought the series at a discount so I will finish reading it but I hope that it gets better.
While this book was readable, I do take a few issues with it. 1) I have a hard time endorsing a hero or main character who has no perceivable flaws and really appears to just have everything handed to him on a silver platter.
2) this is a children's book, which does make some of it's faults excusable when you consider it's intended audience (ages 9-12) but some of the language and situations (a brothel, really?) make this book completely innapropriate for children in my opinion... It is rare to find those situations in even YA series, where they would begin to become acceptable, but I personally do not believe in introducing the notions to children.
3) the timeline is confusing. Even though it is stated that only a day has passed between one event and the next, the language implies weeks in a number of situations.
4) I question if this book has even seen an editor. On a few occasions, certain characters were called by the wrong name...
It is an interesting concept, and if more attention was paid to detail by both author and editor it could be a good series...
There is potential. Just needs to dedication to see it through. I am going to try reading the 2nd book, but if it doesn't get better I'm calling it quits.
2) this is a children's book, which does make some of it's faults excusable when you consider it's intended audience (ages 9-12) but some of the language and situations (a brothel, really?) make this book completely innapropriate for children in my opinion... It is rare to find those situations in even YA series, where they would begin to become acceptable, but I personally do not believe in introducing the notions to children.
3) the timeline is confusing. Even though it is stated that only a day has passed between one event and the next, the language implies weeks in a number of situations.
4) I question if this book has even seen an editor. On a few occasions, certain characters were called by the wrong name...
It is an interesting concept, and if more attention was paid to detail by both author and editor it could be a good series...
There is potential. Just needs to dedication to see it through. I am going to try reading the 2nd book, but if it doesn't get better I'm calling it quits.
I love, love, love this book and series. Morgan Rice is slowly becoming one of my favorite authors. She has great character development and can create complex stories easy to follow. I enjoy this book how she creates the main female character strong and independent.
Good things about this book:
1. The plot is interesting and moves forward at a fast pace.
Bad things about this book:
1. The plot can be a little contrived at times and a bit predictable if you have read any fantasy books before.
2. Holy shit, does this book need the services of a decent editor. Some instances of modern words pulled me right out of the story, such as "crap" (noun) and some instances of missing words refused to parse ("in that way she was like her (missing word brother) Roderick"). The author seems to be enamoured of certain one word summaries of characters to create a more vivid picture in the reader's mind. In one instance, slovenly is used so many times in a single paragraph to refer to a shady merchant that I found myself facepalming.
3. Characters. The characters are archetypes of fantasy. The good and benevolent (and handsome) King has multiple children who may inherit: an illegitimate eldest son (another very good looking young man) who is described tediously frequently as the finest man I have ever known, the schrewd, manipulative and scheming second son (predictably his features resemble those of a weasel) who expects to inherit but is not shrewd and clever enough to hide his shrewd and manipulative nature from anyone (he is also gay, of course), the beautiful and wilful younger daughter of the King (we all know where this is going) and the youngest son who immediately befriends a common boy. I've deliberately left out an elder daughter who is only used as a plot point because her marriage kicks off the exciting events, and a drunkard lout son who we never understand anything about except that he is unpleasant.
4. The animals. In the real world if you find a random animal or one is gifted to you as a pet, you do not "form a deep and immediate spiritual bond" with the creature. In this universe, apparently, you can only stumble across animals that want to kill you or ones that want to form a spiritual bond with you. Oh, and all animals are apparently rare, except chooks and boars.
5. Last but not least: our hero, Thor. I'll assume I don't need to explain why naming your main character Thor is mildly silly. Thor is what I have come to recognize in fantasy novels as the "Fine Young Man" archetype. Everyone he meets will think he is a fine young man and embodies all the good qualities necessary for the situation. He will prove himself bold and loyal in combat situations, having a keen eye to foil an assassination attempt when no other (more capable) person in the group notices said assassin, he is appropriately enigmatic and handsome so as to capture the eye of the predictably interested princess, he has a mysterious gift that allows him to save the life of a knight and so the King adopts him (WTF? Will get to this later), he is sufficiently honorable to protest keenly when steered towards excessive drink and prostitutes, etc. It seems the hero can do no wrong, aside from constantly wondering why the rest of his comrades in the training program hate him. Here's a hint: you did not get selected and then essentially shoved your way in and got admission by unfair means.
5. Convenient but nonsensical plot points. Some really inorganic developments in the plot (which make sense only because in typical fantasy fashion, you know what should be coming up next) happen. Thor takes immediate liking to no less than ten people in this book. This is possible because handsome people in this world are always good and anyone described as an unfavorable animal (weasely, as in the case of the manipulative prince) or evil-looking (I shit you not, people are described as "evil-looking") are immediately identified as villains. There is a sword in the stone (very original) and only people from the King's line of descendants can try to lift it. This... makes no sense but it explains why it may be necessary for the King to randomly decide to adopt Thor. Thor also has prophetic (and strangely literal) dreams, which serve as convenient reasons for him to should about danger, have nobody believe him and then be vindicated later on.
Summary: The story, despite some silliness, kept me engaged. Perhaps a more seasoned fantasy reader would have flung the book away by now, but I kept going so I will read the next one in the series. However, I wonder why a writer who has published fourteen books in this series so far never thought to go back and edit the earlier ones or at least fix the very obvious problems.
1. The plot is interesting and moves forward at a fast pace.
Bad things about this book:
1. The plot can be a little contrived at times and a bit predictable if you have read any fantasy books before.
2. Holy shit, does this book need the services of a decent editor. Some instances of modern words pulled me right out of the story, such as "crap" (noun) and some instances of missing words refused to parse ("in that way she was like her (missing word brother) Roderick"). The author seems to be enamoured of certain one word summaries of characters to create a more vivid picture in the reader's mind. In one instance, slovenly is used so many times in a single paragraph to refer to a shady merchant that I found myself facepalming.
3. Characters. The characters are archetypes of fantasy. The good and benevolent (and handsome) King has multiple children who may inherit: an illegitimate eldest son (another very good looking young man) who is described tediously frequently as the finest man I have ever known, the schrewd, manipulative and scheming second son (predictably his features resemble those of a weasel) who expects to inherit but is not shrewd and clever enough to hide his shrewd and manipulative nature from anyone (he is also gay, of course), the beautiful and wilful younger daughter of the King (we all know where this is going) and the youngest son who immediately befriends a common boy. I've deliberately left out an elder daughter who is only used as a plot point because her marriage kicks off the exciting events, and a drunkard lout son who we never understand anything about except that he is unpleasant.
4. The animals. In the real world if you find a random animal or one is gifted to you as a pet, you do not "form a deep and immediate spiritual bond" with the creature. In this universe, apparently, you can only stumble across animals that want to kill you or ones that want to form a spiritual bond with you. Oh, and all animals are apparently rare, except chooks and boars.
5. Last but not least: our hero, Thor. I'll assume I don't need to explain why naming your main character Thor is mildly silly. Thor is what I have come to recognize in fantasy novels as the "Fine Young Man" archetype. Everyone he meets will think he is a fine young man and embodies all the good qualities necessary for the situation. He will prove himself bold and loyal in combat situations, having a keen eye to foil an assassination attempt when no other (more capable) person in the group notices said assassin, he is appropriately enigmatic and handsome so as to capture the eye of the predictably interested princess, he has a mysterious gift that allows him to save the life of a knight and so the King adopts him (WTF? Will get to this later), he is sufficiently honorable to protest keenly when steered towards excessive drink and prostitutes, etc. It seems the hero can do no wrong, aside from constantly wondering why the rest of his comrades in the training program hate him. Here's a hint: you did not get selected and then essentially shoved your way in and got admission by unfair means.
5. Convenient but nonsensical plot points. Some really inorganic developments in the plot (which make sense only because in typical fantasy fashion, you know what should be coming up next) happen. Thor takes immediate liking to no less than ten people in this book. This is possible because handsome people in this world are always good and anyone described as an unfavorable animal (weasely, as in the case of the manipulative prince) or evil-looking (I shit you not, people are described as "evil-looking") are immediately identified as villains. There is a sword in the stone (very original) and only people from the King's line of descendants can try to lift it. This... makes no sense but it explains why it may be necessary for the King to randomly decide to adopt Thor. Thor also has prophetic (and strangely literal) dreams, which serve as convenient reasons for him to should about danger, have nobody believe him and then be vindicated later on.
Summary: The story, despite some silliness, kept me engaged. Perhaps a more seasoned fantasy reader would have flung the book away by now, but I kept going so I will read the next one in the series. However, I wonder why a writer who has published fourteen books in this series so far never thought to go back and edit the earlier ones or at least fix the very obvious problems.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Definitely an easy read as it is aimed at teens. There are a few mistakes that slipped past the editors but it wasn't anything distracting or something that took away from the story. Very straight forward heroes quest epic fantasy storyline with some twists. I'm excited to get the rest of the series so I can read them.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Too predictable at the start and the reviews did not make it seem like that would get any better.
This series starts off as a good series, but after the first few books my interest started flagging as it went on and on and on...
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated