Nightseer

Rating:
Summary: I imagine she hopes this one will go out of print soon
Review: If I could have given it no stars, I would have. It's that bad.

Perhaps, having read the Anita Blake novels first, my expectations were simply too high. But Nightseer reads like somebody's account of a poorly fleshed-out D&D game. Or, more likely, like several sessions of a D&D campaign, without any background provided so that the story and characters really make sense to someone new to the story.

I'm very glad I didn't actually buy this book, but checked it out of a local library. If I could get the few hours I spent reading it back, I would. The only good thing I can see in this novel is that it provides glaring proof that a writer can, indeed, improve greatly - even if her early work stinks this badly.

Rating:
Summary: I just can't put it down!
Review: What a wonderful novel. I found myself putting off all my chores and not being able to sleep. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning - picked the book up upon returning home from work. I am quite depressed that there won't be a sequel. If she does decide to publish this one - I'll be first in line. I have inhaled the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series too. (It took me about 6 weeks to read the entire series!)

Rating:
Summary: Foo
Review: I'm guessing and hoping that his was her first book, because after reading the Anita Blake series this book was a huge let down. Very predictable story line, one sided characters and a plot line that was patched together like a connect the dot's picture. Nothing like her other books, horrible ending, as if she new how bad the book was and just wanted to get it over with.
If it is her first book, then its a great read just to know LKH's roots.

Rating:
Summary: Ok but something is lacking
Review: I really enjoyed Hamilton's other books and I knew that this one was a change from her other stuff. It was allright except I felt like I was reading the second book of a series. People and events were mentioned as if the reader should be familiar with the fictional world that was created for this book. I managed to make it through but it was tough.

Rating:
Summary: I couldn't get into it
Review: I loved the Anita Blake series by LKH, and I even enjoyed A Kiss of Shadows (though not as much). I bought this book at a signing that she was doing, but I really couldn't get into it. I forced myself half-way through this book before I gave up. The problem isn't the story... it's the way that it is told. The reason why I love LKH so much is the way she narrates. Anita and Meredith are both strong women, and we see the events through their eyes. They are witty, sarcastic and hilarious. On the other hand, this book is written in third person, and it just doesn't have the narration power that held me captive during Anita and Meredith's tales. Maybe I'm wrong about this, and I stopped too soon, but if you want a good book, read the Anita Blake series... I wouldn't waste time on this one.

Rating:
Summary: Can't Wait For The Next One!
Review: I really enjoy Laurell K. Hamilton's writing. I am addicted to Anita Blake and decided to try outsome of her other books. I am glad that I did. Her writing is great, as is the development of her characters. The only thing about this book is that I felt like there needed to be a prequel. Some of the story seemed to come out of nowhere. I think that the authors imagination is astounding and the characters and story are equally amazing. It's amazing to me how one gets pulled into books. I start and then i can't put it down until I am done. That is how I felt about this book. I can't wait for the next one, if there is a next one.

Rating:
Summary: Another Hamilton Entirely
Review: After reading all 8 of Laurell Hamilton's Anita Blake series and "A Kiss of Shadows" I honestly thought I knew what to expect from Hamilton as a writer. When her debut novel was recently re-released I naturally picked it up, expecting to find the 'prototype' of the Blake series. I was more than a little surprised to find that "Nightseer" was in another genre entirely and that Laurell Hamilton is capable of excellent traditional fantasy. One can see hints of Anita in Keleios Nightseer, but for the most part it is as if we had stepped into an entirely different world.

Noble half elf Keleios is endowed with three magical powers. Originally she was a master enchanter and a skilled prophet. Suddenly she demonstrated powers as a sorcerer, and has had to relinquish her master rank and return to the school at Zeln's Keep to learn to control her new power. When Keleios was a child her mother was destroyed by the black witch Harque. In Keleios' quest for revenge she has walked the pit of Hell, and bears the mark of demonic corruption. Although she is not comfortable with the taint, she is able to control both black and white disciplines. In addition, she is also expert with weapons, particularly those bespelled or enchanted.

Entering a state of prophecy in the dreaming rooms at Zeln's Keep, Keleios has a horrible vision, the Keep under attack and destroyed, many of the residents enslaved or killed. She barely has time so make her warnings before the attack is under way. The Keep betrayed by one of Harque's own students. Against demonic forces Keleios is only able to assemble a small group of survivors. Lothor the dark healer, whose price is betrothal, Tobin, companion mage and close friend, Master Eroar, a true dragon and Poth, the cat. This team is betrayed into the hands of Harque and must struggle to free themselves from the witch and her minions.

This is pretty strong stuff. Hamilton, especially in her earlier novels is capable of managing a tremendous amount of plot complexity and action. The only time for relaxation here comes right after the words 'the end.' Hamilton also builds her characters very naturally. Unlike the Blake series, "Nightseer" is written in the third person, but Hamilton provides plenty of insight into Keleios, and makes masterful use of dialogue to flesh out the rest of the characters. This is a very skilled performance for a debut novel. Somewhat reminiscent of Barbara Hambly's work.

My only complaint is that "Nightseer" feels like the middle volume of a trilogy. There is clearly a great deal of story that preceded it, and too many threads are left incomplete at the end. One can only hope that someday Laurell Hamilton will be motivated to return to Keleios' world and tell the rest of the story.

Rating:
Summary: Not Anita Blake, but still very enjoyable
Review: This book was not as good as the Anita Blake series; but it was very good nonetheless. I was unhappy with the ending in that the book was left hanging. It definitely needs a sequel.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: All successful writers sooner or later learn that the story begins where the story begins. This particular book has a lot of pre-story, but the reviewers who feel that it needs a prequel are wrong. The author works in the background in such a way that the salient points are obvious, and while they might indeed have made an entertaining story on their own, such a story is by no means necessary to understand and appreciate this one. The only real problem here is that the action is repetitive, therefore tedious. Fewer fights (or shorter fights) and more characterization would have been appreciated. Nevertheless, I liked this story very much. It doesn't need a prequel, but it sure could use a sequel!

Rating:
Summary: Where was the ending?
Review: Okay, maybe I missed something because there is NO WAY that this book be meant to stand alone. There was no ending, no resolution, no conclusion. What was the point? I mean, stuff just started happening in the book and people disappeared, but you never found out where they went, you never found out what certain things meant; it was just ridiculous. Needless to say I am disappointed, but maybe there is a continuation somewhere that I need to hunt down because this was pure drivel if it is supposed to be a complete story.