Rating: 
Summary: Well done
Review: I have been reading an awful lot of Mercedes Lackey books recently, and I just finished this one. Since it was in a different series than the ones she normally writes, I was a bit skeptical, but I read it anyway. Kellen Tavadon is the cliche kind of kid, and I could barely supress a groan when I found out he was the son of the "arch-mage" of the city.
It goes on with some interesting plot twists and a good story development that kept me reading the entire way through. It was a great book, and the only down side was that often times Kellen's thoughts went off in a repitional (is that even a word) tangent that often lasted for several pages. He was not the brightest character in the story.
I would definitely recommend this as a book to get.
Rating: 
Summary: Another winner from Mercedes Lackey
Review: After reading some of the reviews posted here, I was a little worried about buying this book, but now I am glad I did.Yes, the book is a little slow a first, but things really pick up after the first 1/4. The book is filled with vivid imagery and detail that goes far in fleshing out the many interesting characters we meet along the way. If you're a Lackey fan, you'll love this book. I know that I can't wait for the next one in the series!!
Rating: 
Summary: Overly poetic detail delays excellent plot
Review: As many of the reviewers here have noted, the authors have a tendency to wax philosophical about every twig and rock. For one who loved "The Lord of the Rings", this was not too terribly disturbing. However, the delay in moving Kellan out and upon the adventure was frustrating. Inside this delay was the absolute (almost verbatim) repetition of sentences. This occurred several times so that each time I actually went back and found the copied sentence only a few paragraphs before. It was blatant padding that I was appalled to see used in a Lackey novel. And yet, there is a jewel of a plot buried beneath the dirt of extraneous material, and if you're willing to excavate, I think many will enjoy the story. I am going to hope the next novel will have a more decisive editor in charge.
Rating:
Summary: A new series in which I'm looking forward to more!
Review: At first, I was almost reluctant to buy this book... It was a new series, with a new co-author, and I truly love Lackey's existing series books. However, I took it home, and started reading. I was very quickly hooked into the story, interested in the engaging characters and fascinated by the new styles of magic presented. That carried through til the end of the book, and it managed to leave me feeling like the story was well ended while still wanting to see more books in this world, rather than feeling like the authors had split up a story into two or three books, so I wouldn't be seeing the end of the story for years. It was more like a glimpse into an ongoing world, whole of itself but part of a greater thing.
Readers of Lackey's past works will probably enjoy this as much as I did, and new readers should also find this a good place to start, since it does not require any familiarity with any other books.
Rating:
Summary: Find a fire...
Review: Because you'll want to sit in front of it while reading this book. Actually I take that back. This book will hook you regardless of where you are. However, I have a confession: I'm not quite done with the book. But I couldn't wait to put in my two cents recommending that you buy this book. If you're tired of having to choose between "been there, done that" and "I have to learn how many names?" try this book--you won't be sorry. It truly is good storytelling, entwining fairy tales with an epic journey and personal transformation, and tossing a bit of post-industrial criticism in for good measure. Bravo to the authors. It's smart but accessible, deep but not perplexing. I'm looking forward to finishing it, and looking forward to the next one!
Rating:
Summary: Not nearly long enough!
Review: I adore Mercedes Lackey's work normally but when she collaborates with others she seems to produce the most spectacular combinations of brilliance. This book sucked me in and spit me out a day later and left me wondering if I'd survive until the second book came out. The characters are amazing, the plots are interesting and the mythology of such overused being like unicorns and centaurs are completely entertaining and not at all boring or dry as they can become in other stories. I loved it muchly.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME
Review: I am very familiar with Lackey's books, but not Mallory's. This was so well written and thought out, that I will have to search for his books. I imagine that it is quite difficult to collaborate with another author on a book, and come up with a cohesive story. The characters are so well described that you absolutely hate the bad guys, and cheer for the good guys. The REALLY bad guys are very very creepy. I could've done without some of the graphic descriptions (you'll know what they are when you read the book), but it doesn't stop me from wanting the 2nd book NOW!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: I found this book to be a very good read. Im a huge fan of fantasy novels and this one had me spellbound. I probably have a library fee of $30 because i dont want to take it back. i read all other reviews and have found that people dont like the descriptions. They paint a picture. In this book, i could see the world. i could see the intricate pattern on Jermayans elven armor, the beauty of Aremathelieh. Usually a book gives me an idea of what the scene is, but with this one, i knew exactly what it looked like. And ive also seen reviews complaining about the way that Lackey came back to Kellen's problems with Wild Magick. Thats an important part to the story. He live his WHOLE life where rules were everything and now there is no rules. Plus he is scared of the Taint and Mercedes only came back to this when there was something new to add about it. on the whole i definitly recommend and after i get rid of the bank loan im going to have to take out to pay the library fines, im buying this book and ordering the second. i cant wait
Rating:
Summary: The Best Ever... In Quite A While
Review: I had my reservations about this book. I've read mostly all of Lackey's previous Books. And I wish I could say I adore all of them, but that's not the truth. I love her Valdemar books and a couple of her Other Fantasy books, however even in Valdemar some of the books could have been better. You know which ones I speak of. The borring ones, the non satisfactory ones. (.)
The Outstretched Shadow Was The BEST book I have read from her since Exile's Honor (and let's face facts, Exile's Honor could have been written just a little bit better.) BUT not for this book, it doesn't need anything better, it needed to be longer! (.) I loved this book! It was exciting and a page-turner. I devoured it in one sitting. The beginning's a little slow but the rest of the book is glorious... well, except for some of the graphic descriptions from the bad guy's P.O.V's. If you love blood baths read it, if ya don't- skip the pages with the gory - like I did. (.)
Rating:
Summary: Excellent entertaining novel
Review: I have always been a fan of Mercedes Lackey and this book was no dissapointment. It is similar to many of her other books but it is a pleasant change from Vlademer. I won't go into details about the plot because many other reviews here have them but I will say that although it starts out slow it gets much better as the story progresses. All in all, I would reccommend this book to anyone who enjoys high fantasy. I read one review that said something to the effect of Mercedes Lackey is an untalented writer; that is anything but true.
|
