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wrightjourney's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
I collect Arthurian legend books, I have a two shelves full and always looking for more. That is how I found Stephen R. Lawhead. His Pendragon series is fantastic. I have the books I bought way back in the day on the shelf and I have the series in audio. Really looking forward to listening to them.
I also listened to King Raven series, his trilogy about Robin Hood. It is also superb.
When I saw this book show up on Audible, I decided to give it a try and very glad I did. It starts out as epic Celtic legend and turns a bit into fantasy. And it worked really well, a bit surprising but wonderful.
As all epic tales seem to be, it was an exhausting thrill-ride with plenty of sword fighting, evil-doers, wrongful accusations, vows made and kept, rescues, capture, escape. I love when I get in the car for work and have something this excellent to keep me company.
And the accent of the narrator, John Lee, well...I do enjoy listening to a Celtic accent, be it Irish or Scottish. He is a joy to listen to and part of the reason I began listening to the second in the series immediately after finishing this one. Besides I really need to know what's going to happen next.
I can absolutely recommend this book, likely the series and definitely the author.
I also listened to King Raven series, his trilogy about Robin Hood. It is also superb.
When I saw this book show up on Audible, I decided to give it a try and very glad I did. It starts out as epic Celtic legend and turns a bit into fantasy. And it worked really well, a bit surprising but wonderful.
As all epic tales seem to be, it was an exhausting thrill-ride with plenty of sword fighting, evil-doers, wrongful accusations, vows made and kept, rescues, capture, escape. I love when I get in the car for work and have something this excellent to keep me company.
And the accent of the narrator, John Lee, well...I do enjoy listening to a Celtic accent, be it Irish or Scottish. He is a joy to listen to and part of the reason I began listening to the second in the series immediately after finishing this one. Besides I really need to know what's going to happen next.
I can absolutely recommend this book, likely the series and definitely the author.
lehc1984's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
imkatefrantz's review against another edition
5.0
LAWHEAD IS BACK.
I was a tad disappointed in Bright Empires (enjoyable, but not as epic as Pendragon or Albion), so when I saw a new series coming out I was hopeful - and I did well to put my hope in this book! It feels like a mixture of everything I love about Lawhead. It may not be AS legendary as Merlin, but it's just as exciting to read as Taliesin. I think Conor is a great hero to follow. It is unpredictable (I had a couple - wait, what?- moments) and the imagery is stunning as always.
Looking forward to finishing this series! I'm also NOT looking forward to finishing this series - lol! Both feelings are GOOD things.
Yay! Lawhead is back!
I was a tad disappointed in Bright Empires (enjoyable, but not as epic as Pendragon or Albion), so when I saw a new series coming out I was hopeful - and I did well to put my hope in this book! It feels like a mixture of everything I love about Lawhead. It may not be AS legendary as Merlin, but it's just as exciting to read as Taliesin. I think Conor is a great hero to follow. It is unpredictable (I had a couple - wait, what?- moments) and the imagery is stunning as always.
Looking forward to finishing this series! I'm also NOT looking forward to finishing this series - lol! Both feelings are GOOD things.
Yay! Lawhead is back!
sllingky's review against another edition
5.0
I've never met a Lawhead book I didn't love. Review to come.
darylreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow, such an amazing novel. Absolutely loved it. Reminiscent of the Arthurian Saga books. Cannot wait to read the next one....
bernieanderson's review against another edition
4.0
Great story in classic Lawhead style. Looking forward to book 2.
I wasn’t a fan of the audio version, as I found the reader’s fake Irish accent a little annoying.
I wasn’t a fan of the audio version, as I found the reader’s fake Irish accent a little annoying.
loreofthebooks's review against another edition
2.0
I read his Merlin/Arthur series' so long ago now. But I remember thinking "Wow! He's so talented! I love his work!"
And then I guess I never read anything else. But I saw he'd released a book recently, recognized his name and decided to give it a shot. Was it good? Sure. He is a clearly talented writer.
But the plot...the characters...it was all just bland to me. It wasn't terribly boring, but it wasn't something I was enthusiastic about reading either.
I read it. It was okay. And that was it. I probably won't read the rest of this series, I didn't like this book enough, and I am so disappointed about that.
And then I guess I never read anything else. But I saw he'd released a book recently, recognized his name and decided to give it a shot. Was it good? Sure. He is a clearly talented writer.
But the plot...the characters...it was all just bland to me. It wasn't terribly boring, but it wasn't something I was enthusiastic about reading either.
I read it. It was okay. And that was it. I probably won't read the rest of this series, I didn't like this book enough, and I am so disappointed about that.
taisie22's review against another edition
5.0
This is a very enjoyable Celtic fantasy by one of the masters of the genre. Mr. Lawhead creates a realistic world set in Eirlandia (Ireland) when fairies hadn't yet gone underground and the Scalda are invading the country. The different tribes are struggling to overcome the invaders with one man, Brecan, seemingly planning to become High King. Conor is the son of one of the minor Irish kings, a strong warrior with a birthmark on his face and he is on a collision course with Brecan since he suspects him of colluding with the Scalda.
The worldbuilding is fantastic; it was easy for me to envision this ancient Celtic world and peoples. The story is rift with Celtic myths and legends and I became immersed very easily. A great start to a new series.
The worldbuilding is fantastic; it was easy for me to envision this ancient Celtic world and peoples. The story is rift with Celtic myths and legends and I became immersed very easily. A great start to a new series.