Rating: 
Summary: Dark of the Gods
Review: This collecton of books, the first being "God Stalk"was written/published in 1982. Having missed this author the first time around, I found the volume compelling,imaginative, and fun. However the last book in the 600 page plus series "Dark of the Moon" was choppy and not as coherent. P.C. Hodgell definately left room to continue the saga, and I liked the story comcept well enough to buy the next volume should it be published.
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Summary: King of Thieves?
Review: This first book in this compilation has something of an underground cult level of fame, due to its limited availability for so long. Recent re-issues and its inclusion in this volume have finally rectified this situation. But does the work itself really live up to its word-of-mouth brilliance? Although different and well written, it is not in the same category as other fantasy classics like Lord of the Rings or The Last Unicorn.The main character, Jame, as a young woman who cannot remember much of her recent past, but finds she has strange abilities and a mission to deliver a sword, ring, and book to Torisien, is very well drawn. Her entry into the city of Tai-Tastigon is not only very darkly flavored but brings a strong touch of horror to the reader, at least partially due to the reader not knowing precisely what is going on at that point. But as the story progresses, the vital uniqueness of the beginning slowly subsides into near-standard revelations of Jame's past and ancestral heritage; the multiple gods of the city, when seen close-up, lose some of their awe-inspiring flavor; and the basic plot devolves into rather simple lines. The battle between the inn that has become Jame's adoptive home and its across the street competitor, another battle for control of the Thieves Guild, and Jame's search for the meaning behind all the gods, her past, and the relics she holds in trust for Torisien form these lines, unfortunately all rather predictable, but they are well woven together. The resolution of all of them makes for a very satisfying conclusion to this book - far better than the conclusions of most opening volumes of long fantasies, making this book stand very well on its own. Stylistically nicely written, without too many made-up words that seem to plague most fantasies, but with enough strangeness to let you know that this is not your everyday world, and a smoothness to the tale-telling that will carry you along without a bobble of something sharply out of place. Characterization of characters other than Jame seemed a little thin, but neither are they just cardboard cut-outs. Overall, a nice start to a fantasy series, but much of its promise fades before the end, though having a real conclusion to this opening book is a definite plus in this world of seemingly never-ending fantasy works. "Bones", the included short story, is something of a sidelight to the main story started above, but adds some depth of insight into Jame's character. In the second book here, Dark of the Moon, we get to meet Jame's brother Torisien, who shows up as quite different from what Jame expected. More than anything else, this second book is one of political intrigue, something Jame is not good at, being essentially naive at such machinations. But being thrown into this game forces Jame to grow, to more carefully consider the consequences of her actions. More of the underlying forces, beings, and history of this world are slowly revealed here, most especially the 'Builders' and those who belong to the Perimal Darkling. These revelations and their intertwining with the action of this story are the best items here, leading logically to decisions and actions by Jame that make at least a convoluted sense. There is more depth to the secondary characters, and more urgency to the plot. But I did feel that even more than in the first novel, this book trends more and more towards standard fantasy lines, with little that is genuinely new. --- Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)
Rating: 
Summary: Definately a keeper!
Review: This is a book that I first read in the early to mid 80's. It made enough of an impression on me that I kept looking for the book until I was able to purchase my own copy in the early 90's. Due to circumstances outside my control, I lost my copies, and have been looking for them ever since, until I was able to get new copies earlier this year. I know of no other author that would inspire me to embark on close to a 20 year quest to own her books. That, in my mind, speaks for itself. The books are well writen, with a plot line that has yet to drag. The characters are old friends that I continuely delight in reading about, over and over again. The ONLY complaint that I have about PC Hodgell, is the length of time that it takes between books. I have found, however, that the wait has been more than worth it, each time that I get a new copy in my hands to read. This is an author that you owe it to yourself to read. Enjoy!
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Summary: Dark of the Gods content:
Review: Whether you are meeting the Kencyr Jame for the first time or reawakening an old friendship, Dark of the Gods is the place to start. Dark of the Gods is the omnibus collection of P. C. Hodgell's first two books God Stalk and Dark of the Moon, plus the short story "Bones". Jame is a Kencyrath, the chosen people of the Three-Faced God, who fight the demonic entity called Perimal Darkling. At the same time she fights an internal battle for her honor, because 3000 years ago the leader of the Kencyrath betrayed his people to the Darkness for his own immortality. She also must find her ten-year-older twin brother Tori and return to him the sword and ring of their father. If that is not enough, she has to stand before the rathorns, wear the cloak of living snakes, visit the council room ablaze with stained glass, kill a god, resurrect a god.
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