Riverrun, Armorica, Yestern

Rating:
Summary: this book is unbelievably amazing
Review: Reading this book is like being caught in a monstrous maze, with no logical way out and no desire to escape. Somtow writes in such a way, your world actually becomes that of the Etchinson family. If ever you are in need of intelligent and fantastic entertainment-read this book.

Rating:
Summary: this book is unbelievably amazing
Review: Reading this book is like being caught in a monstrous maze, with no logical way out and no desire to escape. Somtow writes in such a way, your world actually becomes that of the Etchinson family. If ever you are in need of intelligent and fantastic entertainment-read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Poetic world building and the heroe's quest
Review: Somtow creates a universe where our archtypes come alive. Where the dysfunctional, immortal, powermad children of an insane king battle for the control of a dying reality. What's fascinating is that the epic scope of Somtow's world jumping, reality busting novel never overshadows the primary theme of the family in Riverrun. With all the Campbellian archtypes and clever, poetic languague Somtow employs to paint a picture of a vast battle of the Darkling family and the Erickson family you are always aware that this is a story of redemption and the binding force of love. This is done without being overpowering in a melodramatic sense and instead Somtow weaves the cosmic scope of his novel together with the psychological, personal scope with more skill than any writer I've seen in a long time. Some may be put off by the reality shifting and surrealism or the subjective reality of some parts of the novel, but it is an engrossing tale well told. An epic fantasy unlike any to come alomg in quite awhile.