Scholar of Decay (Ravenloft , No 12)

Rating:
Summary: Extreme excitment.
Review: As one reader states below, this is quite possibly the best written book I have ever read. It is not my favourite, but then, I only have 1 favourite. This book is exciting, if however, you like only action, this book may not be for you. This book attempts to be exciting by not only action, but intrigue and mystery. Tanya Huff did an superb job of characterization, and the ending is quite possibly the best ending in any book I've read. And no, I didn't just read this book, I've read about 15 books since, so this isn't some obsession with a great book I just read. It's an obsession with a great book that stuck with me.

Rating:
Summary: Extreme excitment.
Review: Being a huge fan of RL novels, I bought SoD along with several other books from the series I didn't have simply for that reason: I didn't own it. Scoping out an almost fanatical website for reviews from all over, I came to the conclusion that many people believed this book to be incredibly good.

They are right!

SoD starts out with a plotline that seems, at first, run-of-the-mill: a (Borcan) man's wife is kidnapped/endangered, and he must save her. However, even though the back of the book tells you the real story, the transition from Borca to Richemulot and the current situation is amazing. I couldn't put the back down, as it drew me in, making me want to know what happened.

The terrifying Renier sisters- who defined villain in this book, IMNSHO -and their clan provided the perfect foil to the protagonist- Aurek Nuiken -and his brother, Dmitri. The sub-plots and intrigue are finely added until one has the perfect example of what an RL book would look like as a tapestry, then begins to resolve each one with deliciously wicked conclusions.

In a world where Good fails more often than not, I expected an ending like I had seen in other novels where Evil is the driving force. But the way it all came out blew me away. I highly recommend this book, which may just be the best book in the series (that I've read).

Rating:
Summary: Quite possibly the best book I have ever read
Review: Being a huge fan of RL novels, I bought SoD along with several other books from the series I didn't have simply for that reason: I didn't own it. Scoping out an almost fanatical website for reviews from all over, I came to the conclusion that many people believed this book to be incredibly good.

They are right!

SoD starts out with a plotline that seems, at first, run-of-the-mill: a (Borcan) man's wife is kidnapped/endangered, and he must save her. However, even though the back of the book tells you the real story, the transition from Borca to Richemulot and the current situation is amazing. I couldn't put the back down, as it drew me in, making me want to know what happened.

The terrifying Renier sisters- who defined villain in this book, IMNSHO -and their clan provided the perfect foil to the protagonist- Aurek Nuiken -and his brother, Dmitri. The sub-plots and intrigue are finely added until one has the perfect example of what an RL book would look like as a tapestry, then begins to resolve each one with deliciously wicked conclusions.

In a world where Good fails more often than not, I expected an ending like I had seen in other novels where Evil is the driving force. But the way it all came out blew me away. I highly recommend this book, which may just be the best book in the series (that I've read).

Rating:
Summary: Don't buy on the strength of the author's name!
Review: I purchased this book simply because it was written by Tanya Huff. I was sorely disappointed, as it remains true to the world of Ravenloft(I would assume, although I admit to not having read any others) at the cost of Ms. Huff's usual engaging characterization and INTERESTING plot developments. While from someone else, I might consider this an average read, I can only class it as below the norm for a writer who typically lures you in from page one and keeps you enthralled and entertained to the very last. I am glad that subsequent publications have restored my faltering faith

Rating:
Summary: I was surprised
Review: I was surprised by how good this book was. I opened it expecting nothing special (I enjoy the Ravenloft books, but some of them are only average fantasy). This one caught me from the beginning and kept me reading all the way to the end. The only reason I didn't give it a 10 is because, by the end of the book, I cared enough about the characters to want the book to end all sweetness and light. I knew it couldn't, but I was still a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong; I did like the ending. This book persuaded me to keep reading Ravenloft.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but not super good.
Review: If you like twist's, you will like this book. It does not have a lot of action but the action in it was good. I would recomend this book to anyone who likes ware beasts.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting
Review: This is an awesome book that really tells the story of a not-so powerful man. Not that the main character doesn't have a lot of strengths, though. Most Ravenloft books key in on the dark lords, this one keys in on a learned individual who has to use his wits to keep himself (and his brother) alive. Very entertaining with an EXCELLENT ending.