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fatcathappy's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of my first ventures into the realm of fantasy. I must say it was enthralling. Sara Douglass really keeps you sucked in. She has action, dialogue, romance and comedy. There is nothing that really overshadows the other. Perfect mix to keep you reading. Cannot wait for the second.
lbrick363's review against another edition
5.0
Why is this not a movie?!? I was sucked in and loved it! Axis was a strong character and at first I was a bit put off by Faraday. Then, I warmed up to her. I can say that Yr. is my least favorite character next to Borneheld. I loved the action and adventure. Cannot wait to start book 2. I was sad to learn that Sara Douglass passed away. She really wrote a great book!!
Updated review 1/4/22
Still great the second time around. I’ve decided to now finish out the series.
Updated review 1/4/22
Still great the second time around. I’ve decided to now finish out the series.
winterscomin's review against another edition
4.0
I'm going to break this one down into some of its major aspects:
Storyline/plot: A fairly traditional 'Chosen One' story meets an 'ultimate evil' (think Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, etc.). Nothing very special yet.
Characters: Some memorable ones, I find the Sentinel characters the most interesting, although we probably know the least about them, so mystery is working. On the other hand there are a lot of 'Mary Sue' types -almost every major named character seems to be super important for the world to survive and has some sort of special powers & of course, secret plot armour.
Creatures/Races: Probably my favourite part of this book are all the different races, between the Icarii, Avar and Skraelings/Wraiths and other such creatures. The 'good' races all have their own cultures and identities set up which I hope will be expanded on more in future books. The 'bad' of course are much less-so, but hey, the Wraiths are essentially flesh-eating versions of the Warcraft games' wisps, so that's fun.
Worldbuilding: Another aspect I'm enjoying, the bits of history and religion, the prophecies and 'ancient' sites of power, the Mother and the Star Gate. Big ticks here.
Magic: A few different types of magic and magic-wielders have shown up, but they all seem fairly OP (especially when used by main characters) and not explained too much. There don't appear to be all that many rules or limitations -at least, not yet- aside from an individuals innate ability and to some extent their learning/knowledge. But otherwise they just will something into happening? Hopefully this is also explored further later in the series.
Overall, a solid 4 stars. I enjoyed reading the book quite a lot even if it wouldn't rank in my absolute favourites list. I'd probably consider it a pretty good place to start for beginner fantasy/epic fantasy readers.
Storyline/plot: A fairly traditional 'Chosen One' story meets an 'ultimate evil' (think Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, etc.). Nothing very special yet.
Characters: Some memorable ones, I find the Sentinel characters the most interesting, although we probably know the least about them, so mystery is working. On the other hand there are a lot of 'Mary Sue' types -almost every major named character seems to be super important for the world to survive and has some sort of special powers & of course, secret plot armour.
Creatures/Races: Probably my favourite part of this book are all the different races, between the Icarii, Avar and Skraelings/Wraiths and other such creatures. The 'good' races all have their own cultures and identities set up which I hope will be expanded on more in future books. The 'bad' of course are much less-so, but hey, the Wraiths are essentially flesh-eating versions of the Warcraft games' wisps, so that's fun.
Worldbuilding: Another aspect I'm enjoying, the bits of history and religion, the prophecies and 'ancient' sites of power, the Mother and the Star Gate. Big ticks here.
Magic: A few different types of magic and magic-wielders have shown up, but they all seem fairly OP (especially when used by main characters) and not explained too much. There don't appear to be all that many rules or limitations -at least, not yet- aside from an individuals innate ability and to some extent their learning/knowledge. But otherwise they just will something into happening? Hopefully this is also explored further later in the series.
Overall, a solid 4 stars. I enjoyed reading the book quite a lot even if it wouldn't rank in my absolute favourites list. I'd probably consider it a pretty good place to start for beginner fantasy/epic fantasy readers.
opentopersuasion's review against another edition
3.0
Ok, I liked it. That's why I read the whole thing. But I'm scared to read the rest of this series because 1. It's freaking long and 2. it is starting to bug me a little, and I feel like it will only get worse. Reading other's reviews hasn't helped my doubts on this one. I think I know that the Prophecy will all work out in the end, so I don't feel REALLY compelled to slog through the rest of the books to get there. Although it would be nice seeing Borneheld get what's coming to him.
At this point though, Borneheld is starting to not be a real character anymore, and he's just that-evil-guy. Kinda predictable. He kills everyone that is put in front of him. At first I was wondering what would happen if he ever met his mother, but now I wonder if he would just slice her open if he saw her too, and I couldn't bear that. So I guess I'm gonna hold off for now, but it's possible that I will come back to it someday for funsies, who knows.
At this point though, Borneheld is starting to not be a real character anymore, and he's just that-evil-guy. Kinda predictable. He kills everyone that is put in front of him. At first I was wondering what would happen if he ever met his mother, but now I wonder if he would just slice her open if he saw her too, and I couldn't bear that. So I guess I'm gonna hold off for now, but it's possible that I will come back to it someday for funsies, who knows.
rolien's review against another edition
2.0
This is a book which really disappointed me. The book is terribly clichéd. There's an evil force in the north, which according to prophecy has to be stopped by a group of people of various backgrounds and races, who find it difficult to get along. Not original at all. This doesn't have to be a problem if some other aspects of the book would stand out in quality (e.g. characters, world-building, etc.). Alas, I haven't really found too many redeeming qualities in this book.
My main complaint, however, is the fact characters are lacking in depth. They are stereotyped string dolls, victims of a prophecy which derives them of making their own choices (and making them feel like human beings). Just a comparison: George R.R. Martin will make me care more about a small character in one paragraph, than Douglass does with the main characters in the whole book! I neither like nor dislike them; they just did not come 'alive' for me. The 'good guys' are too perfect; everything they do is easily achieved, for example the use of magic. Characters make decisions quickly, without a lot of contemplation (if there’s contemplation, it’s usually packed in one paragraph). This makes me feel making difficult decisions is not difficult at all. It's a shame, because this could have been an opportunity for fleshing out the characters. Because they are puppets to the prophecy, there seems to be little chance for internal mental struggle. It takes away responsibilities and choices for the characters. Too bad, a book without believable well written characters usually fails to appeal to me.
One of the stronger points of the book, and probably one of the reasons there's a big group of people who actually like it, is the pacing of the story. If it wasn't for the clichéd, predictable plot twists and the soulless characters it could have been an exciting book.
A traditional, clichéd epic fantasy which fails to entice me because it’s too predictable and has meagre characterizations of the protagonists. The pacing is good, however, and the book will possibly appeal to fantasy fans who are less demanding concerning depth of characters and originality in their books.
My main complaint, however, is the fact characters are lacking in depth. They are stereotyped string dolls, victims of a prophecy which derives them of making their own choices (and making them feel like human beings). Just a comparison: George R.R. Martin will make me care more about a small character in one paragraph, than Douglass does with the main characters in the whole book! I neither like nor dislike them; they just did not come 'alive' for me. The 'good guys' are too perfect; everything they do is easily achieved, for example the use of magic. Characters make decisions quickly, without a lot of contemplation (if there’s contemplation, it’s usually packed in one paragraph). This makes me feel making difficult decisions is not difficult at all. It's a shame, because this could have been an opportunity for fleshing out the characters. Because they are puppets to the prophecy, there seems to be little chance for internal mental struggle. It takes away responsibilities and choices for the characters. Too bad, a book without believable well written characters usually fails to appeal to me.
One of the stronger points of the book, and probably one of the reasons there's a big group of people who actually like it, is the pacing of the story. If it wasn't for the clichéd, predictable plot twists and the soulless characters it could have been an exciting book.
A traditional, clichéd epic fantasy which fails to entice me because it’s too predictable and has meagre characterizations of the protagonists. The pacing is good, however, and the book will possibly appeal to fantasy fans who are less demanding concerning depth of characters and originality in their books.
hollicane's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
bookfessional's review against another edition
2.0
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
It'd been approximately ten years since I last read THE WAYFARER REDEMPTION by Sara Douglass, and while I had not personally experienced the what-was-I-thinking-this-book-is-crap? phenomenon that so many readers have encountered during rereads of "favorite" books from eons past, I'd heard an awful lot about it . . .
Still, I wasn't worried--my superior taste had consistently kept me from disappointment thus far, so why would this reread be any different?
Pfft.
This book was crap.
My only possible defense is that I read Terry Goodkind's SWORD OF TRUTH series around the same time and it was significantly worse.
But even I don't buy that.
"What was wrong with it?" you ask.
Well . . . After half a dozen chapters, my overall impression was that of a cheesy '80s fantasy movie like Legend or Willow.
Don't get me wrong, I like cheesy '80s fantasy movies as much as the next person. In fact, I like both LEGEND and WILLOW.
BUT.
It's infinitely easier to forgive a several decades-old movie for being cornball, especially when you're watching (and laughing at) it with a bunch of friends then it is to forgive a book that's making your eyes roll back into your head.
All the genre clichés were present: lengthening and intensifying of the harshest seasons, incontrovertible hatred between half brothers, one legitimate, one not, a hero who suffers gut-churning guilt over a tragedy beyond his control, a bright-eyed, inherently good but extremely naive heroine (torn between the brothers), a monstrous evil threatening ALL of them . . . *grimaces*
At times, it almost felt like a parody of fantasy. If an IDIOT'S GUIDE TO FANTASY existed, it'd look like this book, or better yet, a Write a Fantasy by Numbers tutorial:
Part I:
1. Create three disparate races:
2. Create a prophecy foretelling DOOM should these races interbreed.
3. Interbreed.
Part II:
1. Force a beautiful young princess to marry a rich old man she doesn't love.
2. Have Old Man leave Beautiful Princess at home alone for a year (b/c reasons).
3. Have Old Man return home from his year-long absence to discover Beautiful Princess swollen with child.
If this sort of thing had been limited to the world-building and/or the plot, but had well-developed characters, I might have been able to handle it.
But it wasn't.
Without exception, the characters were woefully exaggerated in their behavior.
Like when the king receives bad news that he must pass along to his council:
*repeats in a baritone* Through his bowellllllls . . .
Which was quickly followed with:
Then when he finally gets around to revealing that his sister's tomb had been desecrated during an attack, his nephew (and heir) reacts like this:
And of course all of this draws attention to other (illegitimate) nephew:
At which point this guy had had enough:
*snickers*
See? It would have made a truly excellent '80s fantasy movie.
Especially with the addition of sort-of-brother #3, the aforementioned monstrous evil (he has face tusks and lizard skin and drools), who might not be such a bad guy if he weren't so terribly lonely:
*heart does not swell in sympathy*
Ye gods.
There were also incalculable eye roll-inducers like Axis' penchant for yelling, "Let's ride!" any time he and his axemen went anywhere, and his faithful #2 named Belial . . .
Yes . . . B/c SATAN was always so happy in a subordinate role . . . *rolls eyes*
But somewhere between the 30 - 40% mark, my senses became dulled and it got easier to bear. As hyperbolic as it was, it was still somewhat entertaining, PLUS there was the added benefit of seeing how my biggest objection from my original read had in reality stared me in the face unapologetically the entire time.
Still there are too many other (better) fantasy series out there for me to in good conscience recommend this one. Unless, you're entertained by all that is excessive, in which case . . . step right up . . . *bows like three ring circus master*
It'd been approximately ten years since I last read THE WAYFARER REDEMPTION by Sara Douglass, and while I had not personally experienced the what-was-I-thinking-this-book-is-crap? phenomenon that so many readers have encountered during rereads of "favorite" books from eons past, I'd heard an awful lot about it . . .
Still, I wasn't worried--my superior taste had consistently kept me from disappointment thus far, so why would this reread be any different?
Pfft.
This book was crap.
My only possible defense is that I read Terry Goodkind's SWORD OF TRUTH series around the same time and it was significantly worse.
But even I don't buy that.
"What was wrong with it?" you ask.
Well . . . After half a dozen chapters, my overall impression was that of a cheesy '80s fantasy movie like Legend or Willow.
Don't get me wrong, I like cheesy '80s fantasy movies as much as the next person. In fact, I like both LEGEND and WILLOW.
BUT.
It's infinitely easier to forgive a several decades-old movie for being cornball, especially when you're watching (and laughing at) it with a bunch of friends then it is to forgive a book that's making your eyes roll back into your head.
All the genre clichés were present: lengthening and intensifying of the harshest seasons, incontrovertible hatred between half brothers, one legitimate, one not, a hero who suffers gut-churning guilt over a tragedy beyond his control, a bright-eyed, inherently good but extremely naive heroine (torn between the brothers), a monstrous evil threatening ALL of them . . . *grimaces*
At times, it almost felt like a parody of fantasy. If an IDIOT'S GUIDE TO FANTASY existed, it'd look like this book, or better yet, a Write a Fantasy by Numbers tutorial:
Part I:
1. Create three disparate races:
- Humans who fear the other two more magical races (b/c puny humans) and adopt a rigid, fundamentalist religion to compensate for their weaknesses.
- A forest people with an earth-like magic who worship nature and hunt and gather. Peacefully. B/c abhor violence.
- An ethereal winged-people who practice more refined magic and are extremely arrogant.
2. Create a prophecy foretelling DOOM should these races interbreed.
3. Interbreed.
Part II:
1. Force a beautiful young princess to marry a rich old man she doesn't love.
2. Have Old Man leave Beautiful Princess at home alone for a year (b/c reasons).
3. Have Old Man return home from his year-long absence to discover Beautiful Princess swollen with child.
If this sort of thing had been limited to the world-building and/or the plot, but had well-developed characters, I might have been able to handle it.
But it wasn't.
Without exception, the characters were woefully exaggerated in their behavior.
Like when the king receives bad news that he must pass along to his council:
“There is worse,” Priam whispered, and Axis felt a finger of ice trace through his bowels.
*repeats in a baritone* Through his bowellllllls . . .
Which was quickly followed with:
“But that’s not all.” Priam’s voice dropped to a whisper and his face blanched to a sickly yellow.
Then when he finally gets around to revealing that his sister's tomb had been desecrated during an attack, his nephew (and heir) reacts like this:
“They stole my mother!” he screamed, his eyes wild, his hand still half-raised.
And of course all of this draws attention to other (illegitimate) nephew:
“At least Rivkah loved and respected my father enough not to betray him,” Axis said quietly, his eyes blazing fiercely as they locked with Borneheld’s. “Would that your father had received such love and respect from our mother.”
At which point this guy had had enough:
“By Artor!” snarled Roland, stepping between the two men, his massive flesh quivering with anger. “Is it not enough that we face this peril from the northern wastes? How can we face outside dangers when we tear ourselves to pieces within?”
He turned to Borneheld and abruptly slapped him across the face, sending droplets of blood scattering across the floor. “Is this how a WarLord acts in the heat of battle? What will you do when your foes taunt you across the battlefield, if this is how you react in the King’s Privy Council?”
*snickers*
See? It would have made a truly excellent '80s fantasy movie.
Especially with the addition of sort-of-brother #3, the aforementioned monstrous evil (he has face tusks and lizard skin and drools), who might not be such a bad guy if he weren't so terribly lonely:
“Timozel, will you be my friend?” it simpered.
*heart does not swell in sympathy*
Ye gods.
There were also incalculable eye roll-inducers like Axis' penchant for yelling, "Let's ride!" any time he and his axemen went anywhere, and his faithful #2 named Belial . . .
Yes . . . B/c SATAN was always so happy in a subordinate role . . . *rolls eyes*
But somewhere between the 30 - 40% mark, my senses became dulled and it got easier to bear. As hyperbolic as it was, it was still somewhat entertaining, PLUS there was the added benefit of seeing how my biggest objection from my original read had in reality stared me in the face unapologetically the entire time.
Still there are too many other (better) fantasy series out there for me to in good conscience recommend this one. Unless, you're entertained by all that is excessive, in which case . . . step right up . . . *bows like three ring circus master*
gnitro's review against another edition
At page 290 I have decided to DNF this book. It's not necessarily bad, but it is just not holding my attention. I find myself looking for distractions. The world building is interesting, but the characters for the most part aren't interesting enough. Farady is about the only one I can deal with. Not to mention, the naming of characters is all over the place, some sound modern, some as a fantasy novel, some like a bad video game protagonist.
Also noticed the series spans about 6 books. I'm definitely not enjoying it enough to commit to reading all 650 pages of this book, let alone the entire series.
Also noticed the series spans about 6 books. I'm definitely not enjoying it enough to commit to reading all 650 pages of this book, let alone the entire series.
vaderbird's review against another edition
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish