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kanissa's review against another edition
5.0
When I first began this book, I felt very "meh" about it. Nothing seemed exceptional about it, and in fact much of the setting felt derivative. But by page 15, I was hooked. The protagonists are vibrant, although the rest of the characters seem a bit less-developed. However, I love fantasy novels with intrigue and diplomatic scheming, and this one certainly fits that bill. There is much that is hinted at throughout but does not come to fruition for a while.... but once it does, it's wholly satisfying.
It seems like there is a good premise outlined for the rest of the series, especially with the Tam family. I look forward to it.
It seems like there is a good premise outlined for the rest of the series, especially with the Tam family. I look forward to it.
strayfe_angel's review against another edition
2% in and I've got prostitutes who have been pardoned by a gracious gypsy king who then has put some of them in his *rotation*, a *consort* who has just rewarded someone with a glimpse of her breasts - but not too much of them - and no other women... BLERGH!!!!!!
mellhay's review against another edition
5.0
This story to me is like the Whymer Mazes used as a meditation device by the Androfrancines. The maze circle that seems to never end and always turns back on to itself. I loved this story, there's always a mystery to figure out. Who and why did they destroy the city of Windwir, the home to the Androfrancines who protected the rest of the people in the world from the technology and dark pieces that could be used to destroy the world and only trickling out the small pieces of information they feel the people of the world can handle.
There is talk of an ancient Wizard whom created the Seven Cacophonic Deaths, which no one is to know what the words are inorder to protect everyone and anyone from causing distruction.
However, the book starts right off with the distruction of Windwir and only one metal man from the city, being fully functional, seems to have somewhere in his memory some idea yet no idea as to what happened on that tragic day. Isaak is the name given to this metal man.
There are many creative secrets in this book, such as the letters with secret messages intertwined within, the tapping out of messages while talking to another person on their skin, and the wonderous magic of running so fast and not being seen either running or standing still. Then you have Isaak the metal man, who is powered by a constant steam source.
I loved the writing style of a view from each characters point of view. When I first say this was the writing style I was nervous that information would be lost in the translation. After I read through this book so far, I did start taking notes so I didn't forget all the wonderous details to help with the mystery, but found that I really liked the way the author wrote this with the point of views. I actually got more details from seeing and knowing what each character did.
Did the right man pay the price for the distruction of the city? Could he have weaved the web that you see in this book? The further you go in the book the more intricate the web becomes. The more I thought on the book after reading and trying to piece together information from through out the whole book I have a very my idea of what is going on. I am curious to read what really happens. I had a wonderful time piecing the pieces together and making the story go the way I think it may.
There is talk of an ancient Wizard whom created the Seven Cacophonic Deaths, which no one is to know what the words are inorder to protect everyone and anyone from causing distruction.
However, the book starts right off with the distruction of Windwir and only one metal man from the city, being fully functional, seems to have somewhere in his memory some idea yet no idea as to what happened on that tragic day. Isaak is the name given to this metal man.
There are many creative secrets in this book, such as the letters with secret messages intertwined within, the tapping out of messages while talking to another person on their skin, and the wonderous magic of running so fast and not being seen either running or standing still. Then you have Isaak the metal man, who is powered by a constant steam source.
I loved the writing style of a view from each characters point of view. When I first say this was the writing style I was nervous that information would be lost in the translation. After I read through this book so far, I did start taking notes so I didn't forget all the wonderous details to help with the mystery, but found that I really liked the way the author wrote this with the point of views. I actually got more details from seeing and knowing what each character did.
Did the right man pay the price for the distruction of the city? Could he have weaved the web that you see in this book? The further you go in the book the more intricate the web becomes. The more I thought on the book after reading and trying to piece together information from through out the whole book I have a very my idea of what is going on. I am curious to read what really happens. I had a wonderful time piecing the pieces together and making the story go the way I think it may.
mdstepp1998's review against another edition
4.0
Overall, Lamentation was a great, fast paced read that was heavy on the intrigue and dialogue and lean on the overall development of the World it took place in.
The latter of these characteristics isn't necessarily a bad thing. Some fantasy titles...Jordan comes to mind immediately...drown the reader at times with so much description that it becomes nearly unbearable. Other times...like Tolkien, in my opinion...the descriptive nature of the writing is done so well that it doesn't cause negative effects. Ken Scholes doesn't really bother with any description of the World (outside of the immediate towns the characters are in through out the book) he is working within. Instead he tells the story of the fall of an entire town/culture/order/people by way of a horrific (nuclear in capacity) spell and the 3-4 months of aftermath from the perspective a half dozen or so characters. No side stories or random characters. No drawn out speeches or conversations that could seem to not be realistically paced. And no chapters written solely to expound the travels of the characters between two main plot points.
Because the book essentially takes place after the great disaster, there is considerable dialogue that sets up the mystery of who was behind the deed and the numerous political strings being pulled in all directions. The main weakness of the book is in the dialogue, for by the halfway mark there are repeated instances of characters restating lines of thought or the author using the same descriptions for different scenes over and over. It doesn't get to the point of bringing down the book, but it may be the sole causality of trying to streamline the story too much.
The story is definitely a 4.5 and top read of recent fantasy works. The book ends with a nice piece of mystery and intrigue that really sets up the second (of the trilogy) book. Enjoy.
The latter of these characteristics isn't necessarily a bad thing. Some fantasy titles...Jordan comes to mind immediately...drown the reader at times with so much description that it becomes nearly unbearable. Other times...like Tolkien, in my opinion...the descriptive nature of the writing is done so well that it doesn't cause negative effects. Ken Scholes doesn't really bother with any description of the World (outside of the immediate towns the characters are in through out the book) he is working within. Instead he tells the story of the fall of an entire town/culture/order/people by way of a horrific (nuclear in capacity) spell and the 3-4 months of aftermath from the perspective a half dozen or so characters. No side stories or random characters. No drawn out speeches or conversations that could seem to not be realistically paced. And no chapters written solely to expound the travels of the characters between two main plot points.
Because the book essentially takes place after the great disaster, there is considerable dialogue that sets up the mystery of who was behind the deed and the numerous political strings being pulled in all directions. The main weakness of the book is in the dialogue, for by the halfway mark there are repeated instances of characters restating lines of thought or the author using the same descriptions for different scenes over and over. It doesn't get to the point of bringing down the book, but it may be the sole causality of trying to streamline the story too much.
The story is definitely a 4.5 and top read of recent fantasy works. The book ends with a nice piece of mystery and intrigue that really sets up the second (of the trilogy) book. Enjoy.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
The book was strangely compelling, still I did not know whether to give it a 3 or a 4. Yes it was good, but was it great? I think that I will go for the later as it was the world and the plot that made it so. What a plot!
There was once a world, yes might just be Earth but it was destroyed. Some escaped the Wastelands to the New World and built a life there. Now they have magic, but there are remnants of the old world technology. A couple of robots and ships of iron. Also you should not dig too deep into the past, you might not like what you find. Which brings us to the utter destruction of a city of religion and learning. And where the book starts.
I really liked that there had been wars and ruin in the old days and now thousands of years later this is what we have. The almost typical fantasy society. Except for a a few tech things.
I am usually not a fan of too much religion and this was just that, but still it worked. There is a Pope, but the religion is strange. That made it different.
And I really want to know about the Old World! What truly happened. I liked the plot, what a finely woven web, I was impressed by it. And the end, omg the end people! Awesome, best thing in the book.
Good characters too. I like the weird Marsh People, I liked young Neb, Of course I liked Vlad cos he was a mastermind and the Gypsy Scouts and their king were cool.
I do want to read more of this series. Old and new mixes so well.
Cover
Eh
There was once a world, yes might just be Earth but it was destroyed. Some escaped the Wastelands to the New World and built a life there. Now they have magic, but there are remnants of the old world technology. A couple of robots and ships of iron. Also you should not dig too deep into the past, you might not like what you find. Which brings us to the utter destruction of a city of religion and learning. And where the book starts.
I really liked that there had been wars and ruin in the old days and now thousands of years later this is what we have. The almost typical fantasy society. Except for a a few tech things.
I am usually not a fan of too much religion and this was just that, but still it worked. There is a Pope, but the religion is strange. That made it different.
And I really want to know about the Old World! What truly happened. I liked the plot, what a finely woven web, I was impressed by it. And the end, omg the end people! Awesome, best thing in the book.
Good characters too. I like the weird Marsh People, I liked young Neb, Of course I liked Vlad cos he was a mastermind and the Gypsy Scouts and their king were cool.
I do want to read more of this series. Old and new mixes so well.
Cover
Eh
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
An epic fantasy with hints of steampunk set in a time of battles fought on horseback and magick is commonplace.
Windwir, the home of a great library and its librarians, the Androfrancine Order, is destroyed. War is coming. This is the center of the story. The surrounding tale is about the tribes and people, the treachery, the battles, stepping up when called upon no matter the cost.
This could have been a convoluted story, but the intricacies are well done. It is definitely character driven, the world-building is superb. I can't wait to get the next in the series, CANTICLE.
Windwir, the home of a great library and its librarians, the Androfrancine Order, is destroyed. War is coming. This is the center of the story. The surrounding tale is about the tribes and people, the treachery, the battles, stepping up when called upon no matter the cost.
This could have been a convoluted story, but the intricacies are well done. It is definitely character driven, the world-building is superb. I can't wait to get the next in the series, CANTICLE.
shane_tiernan's review against another edition
3.0
This didn't amaze me but it was pretty good, probably more like 3.5 stars. Some adult content but it wasn't really gritty or dark. The plot was rather unique - no arrogant elves or comedic dwarves, no dragons, no dark lord in his dark tower and very little magic. The writing was nice and the steampunky mecho-servitors were cool.
I guess my biggest problem with it was that there wasn't a lot of suspense. Usually the good guys do okay then things start going bad until you think "oh my how are they ever going to survive this?" Then something clever happens and everything is okay. This was more like something bad happens then the good guys kick the bad guy's ass.
I guess my biggest problem with it was that there wasn't a lot of suspense. Usually the good guys do okay then things start going bad until you think "oh my how are they ever going to survive this?" Then something clever happens and everything is okay. This was more like something bad happens then the good guys kick the bad guy's ass.
peapod_boston's review against another edition
4.0
In is blurb, Orson Scott Card states that he wishes his first book ("Ender's Game") had been this good. He's right. Scholes' first, full-length work is a thing of beauty. Scholes' prose is beautiful and clean, his plotting is tight and twisty, and his world-building is spot on; he has created a real, dense world with a history and metaphysics that feel real. But he doesn't beat you over the head with it. Instead, all these things provide a venue for a collection of flawed but genuine characters who invite you into their lives, struggles, triumphs and failures.
This is everything I have been looking for in a fantasy novel for the last five years, and the first book in recent memory that I could not put down.
As a writer, this is exactly the caliber and quality of fantasy I hope to write.
This is everything I have been looking for in a fantasy novel for the last five years, and the first book in recent memory that I could not put down.
As a writer, this is exactly the caliber and quality of fantasy I hope to write.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
Rereading this book for the Powells Beaverton SF group to be discussed Tuesday May 8th at 7pm. I originally read this book for the Endeavour Award - and it was my highest ranked book that year - though it was not nominated (and my second highest ranked book won).
Great characters and setting and writing and worth a re-read. It is unfortunate that the sequels (Canticle and Antiphone) are not as good as the original. Perhaps I'll change my mind in the end with Requiem and Hymn.
4.5 of 5.
Great characters and setting and writing and worth a re-read. It is unfortunate that the sequels (Canticle and Antiphone) are not as good as the original. Perhaps I'll change my mind in the end with Requiem and Hymn.
4.5 of 5.