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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
In a lot of ways the embodiment of everything people criticize older fantasy for.
A lot of interesting ideas for worldbuilding and a couple great set pieces, completely lost in a book with some of the worst pacing and plotting I’ve ever read. Too many characters with nothing to do and nothing to add to the plot, introduced haphazardly. A painfully boring protagonist who is genuinely a chore to follow around. Multiple mentor characters keeping secrets for no reason. Interesting events happening off-screen while the reader is treated to all the stuff most books would usually fast forward through. Lack of coherent story structure. Frequently fails in the few action scenes to provide any sort of coherent blocking or sense of stakes.
One interesting thing however, is that this is definitely the book George Martin is subverting in ASOIAF. For all the focus on Lord of the Rings as his counterpoint, this book (and likely similar 1980s and 1990s fantasy) is a much clearer target.
Fantasy world based on recognizable historical countries, a supernatural winter-based threat from the far north, an evil red priest leading a king astray, a special throne made from remnants of the king’s enemies, a wolf companion/pet, pagan sub-kingdom keeping old traditions different from the Christian analog majority, raven messengers… Not to mention Martin’s Children of the Forest are almost identical to the Sithi, which explains their distance from Tolkien’s elves. There’s even an office called Hand of the King!
This is mostly interesting for how it helps us contextualize Martin as responding to more recent trends - his thematic and dramatic subversions make more sense.
A lot of interesting ideas for worldbuilding and a couple great set pieces, completely lost in a book with some of the worst pacing and plotting I’ve ever read. Too many characters with nothing to do and nothing to add to the plot, introduced haphazardly. A painfully boring protagonist who is genuinely a chore to follow around. Multiple mentor characters keeping secrets for no reason. Interesting events happening off-screen while the reader is treated to all the stuff most books would usually fast forward through. Lack of coherent story structure. Frequently fails in the few action scenes to provide any sort of coherent blocking or sense of stakes.
One interesting thing however, is that this is definitely the book George Martin is subverting in ASOIAF. For all the focus on Lord of the Rings as his counterpoint, this book (and likely similar 1980s and 1990s fantasy) is a much clearer target.
Fantasy world based on recognizable historical countries, a supernatural winter-based threat from the far north, an evil red priest leading a king astray, a special throne made from remnants of the king’s enemies, a wolf companion/pet, pagan sub-kingdom keeping old traditions different from the Christian analog majority, raven messengers… Not to mention Martin’s Children of the Forest are almost identical to the Sithi, which explains their distance from Tolkien’s elves. There’s even an office called Hand of the King!
This is mostly interesting for how it helps us contextualize Martin as responding to more recent trends - his thematic and dramatic subversions make more sense.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
It's a fairly decent story. Besides its length (a problem with most modern fantasy), it is a pleasure to read. Curiously, the first half is what I liked best. Watching Simon grow up in his castle, there's a sense of a true coming of age tale in the works. I also rather enjoy its parallels to our own world, particularly the Christian nods throughout.
The language itself never feels natural, and Williams does take forever to get to the point. Also, the plot is very predictable for anyone with just a taste of the fantasy genre. For a long-time reader of it myself, halfway thru, we enter LotR, from Rivendell thru Lothloríen. It hits all the notes. The payoff is not really worth it by the time of the dragon fight.
But that first half is gold. No other way about it.
The language itself never feels natural, and Williams does take forever to get to the point. Also, the plot is very predictable for anyone with just a taste of the fantasy genre. For a long-time reader of it myself, halfway thru, we enter LotR, from Rivendell thru Lothloríen. It hits all the notes. The payoff is not really worth it by the time of the dragon fight.
But that first half is gold. No other way about it.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes