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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
To much political talk and information was given while co tinuing with story and world buulilding. Some flashbacks/backs ground ground knowledge were mentioned at odd times, making it difficult to follow. Couldn't get into it. Tried 2 times
Five men and women find themselves flung into the magical land of Fionavar, First of all Worlds. They have been called there by the mage Loren Silvercloak, and quickly find themselves drawn into the complex tapestry of events. For Kim, Paul, Kevin, Jennifer and Dave all have their own part to play in the coming battle against the forces of evil led by the fallen god Rakoth Maugrim and his dark hordes.
I've heard a lot of good things about Guy Gavriel Kay's books, so I was really hoping I would love reading this. I have to say that I was a bit disappointed in this one. First off I need to mention that this is a portal type fantasy and I don't read a lot of those. I feel like that idea has been done a lot and it for some reason, in general, doesn't interest me, but I went into this with an open mind, and maybe too high expectations because of all the good things I had heard over the years from numerous friends about this author. Everyone talks about his poetic writing style, but aside from the beginning, it didn't really do much for me. Whether this is a plus or a minus I guess depends on what type of writing you enjoy.
As far as the overall story goes, I was a little surprised at the matter-of-fact way these five men and women went into this strange and alien world. I felt like most of them accepted it way too easily, and didn't hesitate enough over this journey they were about to take. There were other times as well that I felt like things were just a little too easily accepted. In general, I had a hard time connecting with the characters, and I feel like there was a lack of development for most of them. The overall tone of the book wasn't dark at all and I appreciated that, but I never felt like any of the characters were in any real danger. At least not until I got to the really dark thing that happens to one of the female characters near the end of the book, and because it didn't match the tone of the rest of the book, it felt out of place to me.
Another aspect of the book that I wasn't crazy about, and have just been struggling with in general lately is the whole predetermined thing that happens in fantasy a lot. Like Wheel of Time, these people are stuck in circumstances that they can't escape because they are who they are. I was ok with it in Wheel of Time, but I've become tired of it and I would much rather a story where people are in control of their own destinies. This book had several similarities to both Wheel of Time and Lord of the Rings. This was a story that included so many fantasy tropes I've seen before, although I know it was written way back before most of the other fantasy books I've read were even written. For that reason I can give it a bit of a pass on those things.
I did enjoy parts of the story enough to give it three stars. I found Dave and Kim's parts in particular to be rather compelling, along with the parts about the tree, but unfortunately I found this overall to not be as exciting or beautiful as I wanted it to be, and so I'm content to move on and not continue with the other two books. At this time I am undecided on whether I will try any other books by this author, but I think if someone tried to convince me to I might.
On a side note- I really love the cover of this book, or at least this version of it. There have been several over the years.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader.
I've heard a lot of good things about Guy Gavriel Kay's books, so I was really hoping I would love reading this. I have to say that I was a bit disappointed in this one. First off I need to mention that this is a portal type fantasy and I don't read a lot of those. I feel like that idea has been done a lot and it for some reason, in general, doesn't interest me, but I went into this with an open mind, and maybe too high expectations because of all the good things I had heard over the years from numerous friends about this author. Everyone talks about his poetic writing style, but aside from the beginning, it didn't really do much for me. Whether this is a plus or a minus I guess depends on what type of writing you enjoy.
As far as the overall story goes, I was a little surprised at the matter-of-fact way these five men and women went into this strange and alien world. I felt like most of them accepted it way too easily, and didn't hesitate enough over this journey they were about to take. There were other times as well that I felt like things were just a little too easily accepted. In general, I had a hard time connecting with the characters, and I feel like there was a lack of development for most of them. The overall tone of the book wasn't dark at all and I appreciated that, but I never felt like any of the characters were in any real danger. At least not until I got to the really dark thing that happens to one of the female characters near the end of the book, and because it didn't match the tone of the rest of the book, it felt out of place to me.
Another aspect of the book that I wasn't crazy about, and have just been struggling with in general lately is the whole predetermined thing that happens in fantasy a lot. Like Wheel of Time, these people are stuck in circumstances that they can't escape because they are who they are. I was ok with it in Wheel of Time, but I've become tired of it and I would much rather a story where people are in control of their own destinies. This book had several similarities to both Wheel of Time and Lord of the Rings. This was a story that included so many fantasy tropes I've seen before, although I know it was written way back before most of the other fantasy books I've read were even written. For that reason I can give it a bit of a pass on those things.
I did enjoy parts of the story enough to give it three stars. I found Dave and Kim's parts in particular to be rather compelling, along with the parts about the tree, but unfortunately I found this overall to not be as exciting or beautiful as I wanted it to be, and so I'm content to move on and not continue with the other two books. At this time I am undecided on whether I will try any other books by this author, but I think if someone tried to convince me to I might.
On a side note- I really love the cover of this book, or at least this version of it. There have been several over the years.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader.
1.5 stars. This book is really fucking bad. The only aspect that I enjoyed was the lush writing. The plot, characters, and world-building were lackluster and often left me questioning the logic behind certain parts. The character development was especially unbalanced, with Paul getting the most and Jennifer getting absolutely nothing. And Diarmuid, for fucks sake. Is he supposed to be a likable character? Because, he is the most obnoxious piece-of-shit of a character I have ever come across in a book. I haven't read much GGK, but this wasn't my first, so I was pretty surprised about how this one turned out. I have the omnibus version, so I'll probably still continue on with the series eventually. Hopefully, the next one will be better.
I didn't really vibe with it. Utter lack of any surprise or questioning what is happening to the protagonists was a very very strange way of writing the characters. Also maybe for me a bit too overdone prose. Will need to see if I will retry at some point.
I have been avoiding this book for a while, even though it is by one of my favorite authors. Portal fantasy just doesn't do a lot for me, and reading the first few chapters reinforces that. That being said, once they arrived in Fionavar and the plot there started I really enjoyed it. You can see the heavy Tolkien influence, but that kind of added to it for me. Looking forwaed to the next two!
(2.5) it was good enough until that last chapter that was absolutely gross
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book simultaneously felt ridiculous and excellent. The 5 main characters from our world feel like the author wanted to have people unfamiliar with the world as a vehicle for exposition, but wanted to get to his plot without having to deal with the characters reckoning with their new world. The light and dark conflict sometimes almost feels comedic in how stereotypical it is. I think I would have normally stopped reading after the first 100 pages, but I'm a sucker for worldbuilding, and this book has such a fascinating world.
At some point around a third of the way through the book, I'm not sure what happened, but I had become very invested. Something about the powerful sense of mythology and well done writing had hooked me. Although some of the characters remained flat and uninteresting, many of them began to show real motivations and tragedy that made me interested in their story. The peak of the book imo happens halfway through. There are multiple scenes with such powerful writing that I had goosebumps/tears. After that it doesn't quite reach that peak, but I knew I had to keep reading.
One side note is that this book has a slightly weird relationship with sex. I'm not sure how exactly to describe it but I think it has a weird way of interjecting sexual descriptions or comments in a way that feels unnecessary. There is also a sexual assault scene in the book near the end that just left me with a sour taste.
This book feels like stereotypical fantasy at both it's very highest highs and some of its lows. For those that like that, I think this book is excellent. Those looking for more character driven stories could come away disappointed.
At some point around a third of the way through the book, I'm not sure what happened, but I had become very invested. Something about the powerful sense of mythology and well done writing had hooked me. Although some of the characters remained flat and uninteresting, many of them began to show real motivations and tragedy that made me interested in their story. The peak of the book imo happens halfway through. There are multiple scenes with such powerful writing that I had goosebumps/tears. After that it doesn't quite reach that peak, but I knew I had to keep reading.
One side note is that this book has a slightly weird relationship with sex. I'm not sure how exactly to describe it but I think it has a weird way of interjecting sexual descriptions or comments in a way that feels unnecessary. There is also a sexual assault scene in the book near the end that just left me with a sour taste.
This book feels like stereotypical fantasy at both it's very highest highs and some of its lows. For those that like that, I think this book is excellent. Those looking for more character driven stories could come away disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5/5 stars
I really wanted to love this one, however, that level of emotion simply wasn't there for me. I almost felt like it should have been at least 100 pages longer to allow more time for details and context. I felt too much was skimmed over and left unaddressed. Not my favorite thing to happen in an "epic fantasy." Also, throughout many parts of this novel, I felt like I was reading incoherent poetic journal entries, and while I do love Kay's writing style - this one went a bit overboard with the use of pronouns with the sole intent to be ambiguous. The overall story was great - the execution was not my favorite of Kay's.
I really wanted to love this one, however, that level of emotion simply wasn't there for me. I almost felt like it should have been at least 100 pages longer to allow more time for details and context. I felt too much was skimmed over and left unaddressed. Not my favorite thing to happen in an "epic fantasy." Also, throughout many parts of this novel, I felt like I was reading incoherent poetic journal entries, and while I do love Kay's writing style - this one went a bit overboard with the use of pronouns with the sole intent to be ambiguous. The overall story was great - the execution was not my favorite of Kay's.