Transformation

Rating:
Summary: (Enter Title Here)
Review: On a current reading splurge, I checked this book out at the library, not knowing what to expect really, except that I had marked it down to read a while ago. It almost floored me as soon as I began it. This book marks extremely high in entertainment, passing over even the Black Jewel Trilogy (by Anne Bishop).

The main character is Seyonne, an Ezzarian man that has been in slavery for sixteen years. He's undergone the Rites of Belthar, which stripped him of his melydda--a type of magic.

Seyonne is purchased by the Prince of the Derzhi Empire, Alexsander, and so begins his life with a new, cruel, and temperamental master. When Aleksander appears to be falling under the influence of the demons that Seyonne has seen possessing the bodies of the Khelid race, the only person he can depend on is the slave.

Seyonne catches a flash of somethin hidden inside his cruel master, a powerful light that is only a legand among his people. The possessor is prophecied to fight an important battle with the Lord of Demons, and if Seyonne cannot help his master to take control and harness it, then the demons will have won a war foughten by the Ezzarians for centuries, which will basically make their world equal, if not far worse, than Hell.

Rating:
Summary: Has a slightly rushed feel, but otherwise an exquisite trilo
Review: I have just finished reading Transformation and Revelation, the first two books in Carol Berg's trilogy. These books are, while perhaps being a bit over-the-top in terms of plot, supreme works of fantasy writing. I say that the plot is a tad rushed, because there is a ton of stuff going on in there(or maybe I am just used to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series or Martin's Game Of Thrones series, where it takes forever to get anything done). It has been forever since I have read a book that keeps my attention so completely and urges me to keep reading in order to find out what happens next. There is nonstop action as the protagonist attempts to survive the world around him while at the same time becoming a catalyst that changes the world and an outcast shunned by everyone around him(those of you who have read Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy will be on familiar ground here).

Our protagonist is Seyonne, a former sorcerer of a race of Ezzarians(people who dedicate their lives to battling demon corruption). Sixteen years ago, the Dherzi Empire slaughtered their people and took many of them captive, and even stripped them of all their magic. Seyonne, a former badass, now serves as a slave for the people who have slain his people. He now serves the Dherzi prince himself, but notices that demons have worked their way into court(and with most of the Ezzarians dead or enslaved, there is no one to fight them). Despite having no magic anymore, Seyonne takes it upon himself to attempt to save the prince from the demons.

That is literally only the beginning of the story. Throughout the first and second(and i assume third) books, Seyonne attempts to unravel the questions that none of his people seem interesting in answering: what are the origins of the demons? Why is it that only Ezzarians possess the magics capable of defeating them? This trilogy is literally a roller coaster ride of lies and truth as Seyonne struggles to discover the answers to these questions.

I look forward to reading the third book. I completely reccomend this series to anyone who is looking for a wild fantasy ride.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent angst-driven fantasy
Review: In the tradition of Mercedes Lackey, Robin Hobb, etc. this is fantasy driven by the angst of the protagonist rather than the action sequences. Basically, this is a book about the hero's relationship with others and how those relationships change his perspective of himself. All the book's action sequences drive this narrative and not the other way around. This is a really good example of the genre; I deeply identified with the protagonist and was enraptured by his spiritual journey.

Rating:
Summary: A Breathtakingly Beautiful World
Review: This book is quite possibly the singular best fantasy novel I've ever read. The only books that come close are the Riftwar novels by Feist and the "Running with the Demon" trilogy by Terry Brooks.

Anyways, back to THIS book. I must start off by saying that it is an amazing first-person "account" of his lessons. Nothing is explained that doesn't need to be explained, and you can feel the narrators emotions, pain, joy, fear and disbelief are a few of these emotions. But perhaps the best part is that the author never has the need to explain sarcastic remarks. Because of the vivid display of emotions the narrator puts forth, you automatically know when he's being sarcastic. You can read his tone as well as you could the voice of someone you were speaking with.

The story itself, while one of self-discovery, is refreshingly fresh and poingent, very unlike the "post-adolescent boy farmer suddenly discovers he is long lost son of a monarch/has magical ability to save the world", which is the template for so many authors. And the character development itself is brilliantly done. Seyonne and Aleksander, the heroes, don't just "magically" meet and become friends, although it was certainly an twist of fate that brought them together. You can actually feel the character growth in these books - Not only that of the narrator Seyonne, whose pain and confusion is evident as his world is turned upside down by events beyond his control. But also that of Alekzander, as he grows from brash and uncaring prince to someone who realizes he might just have to grow up one day and take the reins of a country full of people who aren't just toys for his whims.

But perhaps the best character development is that between Seyonne and Alexsander as they shift gradually from Master and Slave to a wary trust, and are finally forced to forge a deep friendship based on trust and respect that will take them (litterally) into each others soul.

In closing, if you have a sentimental bone in your body, you will love this book for the raw emotions; if you are a student of the human condition, you will understand it for the lessons it delivers; or, if you're just looking for a good fantasy read to keep you busy for a few hours, I would recommend this book to you. I also feel the need to mention that I have several friends who NEVER read fantasy novels, but after I litterally forced it into their hands, they not only read it, but either bought or asked to borrow the sequel "Revelation", from me.

Rating:
Summary: Well written, intricate, touching
Review: My husband's test for fantasy novels is to first look at the front cover. If that's relatively intersting, he readsd the blurb on the back, and if that catches his attention, he starts reading the first chapter. If the first chapter is engaging, he buys the book.

I applied this test to _Transformation_. I didn't think much of the cover art and the back cover blurb was a typical good versus evil story. But once I started reading, I couldn't stop.

This book is incredibly well-written in a voice that is honest, insightful and poignant. The narrator and main character has lived sixteen years as a slave and he gives such a harrowing depiction of his life and what it has made of him that it is impossible to believe that Berg didn't have those experiences herself. Because of the point of view, this book reminded me quite a bit of Mary Renault's _The Persian Boy_, but I thought the inside workings of a slave's mind and how slavery changes a person were even more well-drawn.

Everywhere, the realism in _Transformation_ is stunning. The characters, particularly Prince Aleksander, live and breathe in all their complexity. It is very easy to see how the characters could come to respect and even love the Prince, despite his capricious and sometimes abusive behavior. I know this is a hard thing to portray. I have never seen it done better.

I must admit to having a slight problem with the nature of the conflict. I'm not big on demon possession as a motivating factor , or on the idea of demons as a force for evil. To her credit, Berg depicted the demons as a natural force that just happened to feed on pain, not as an actual evil. But given that, it was hard to accept that this natural force would suddenly have politcal aspirations. When Seyonne wondered why the demons were acting that way, so did I.

There were some slow parts about 3/4 of the way through, and a typical "you thought it was over but it ain't" ending that, although it tied up a couple loose ends, I found less meaningful than I would have liked. But all in all, _Transformation_ was an exceptional read, one I'm happy to have on my shelf.

Rating:
Summary: Pleasing Traditional Fantasy
Review: Plot synopsis, mostly spoiler free: A magical slave (who has lost his magic) must endure his slavery, until a surprising turn-of-events (is there another kind?) leads him to a new destiny and possible freedom.

Magic is at a minimum here (the palace wizards can't really do magic, and our protagonist has lost his ability), so it's a bit like Jane Eyre until half-way through the book, the tale of a hard-done-by character struggling to make it in an inhospitable world.

I'd expected something different--bolder--darker--sparer (despite the size) since the bold simplicity of the cover and the tight single-world title had misdirected me (always blame the cover). But this is a traditional secondary-world fantasy, with all its trappings (different races of beings with different abilities, magic, oddly-named characters and locations, a quest, unlikely friendships, etc.)

It's really a three-and-a-half starrer for me (still good) but without that option, I gave it the benefit of the doubt. It certainly grabbed me and held my attention while reading. It's better than the second volume, which manipulates events to land our hero in the same situation as the first (the poor fellow is prone to torture--in the unwritten backstory before the first book, in the first book, and in the second book--haven't read the third yet. Nor is this casual torture, he's driven to amnesia/madness/loss of identity each time. It's a little sadistic, but not so bad as in that notorious Terry Goodkind novel)

It is also almost unrelentingly serious, with only a little humour in it (but welcome, whenever it came), and the women characters are more compelling than the male, though less in the forefront. I think it's longer than it need be; there is less plot than a book its size would warrant, and the writing is pleasant but not brilliant. (I think its size is a case of too many incidents to illustrate the same point).

Note: a 3 star ranking from me is actually pretty good; I reserve 4 stars for tremendously good works, and 5 only for the rare few that are or ought to be classic; unfortunately most books published are 2 or less.

Rating:
Summary: Transformation - wings or no wings
Review: Seyonne is a slave. He didn't start that way - it's complicated, and I won't give that away.
Going through different masters, Seyonne isn't impressed with these people who have been his enemies a long time. A former warrior and magic user, you would think he might get on well. But believing his powers wiped away, and greatly weakened by various things, he succumbs to his fate.
And then he is bought by a prince. Prince Alekzandar, to be exact; pompous and rude - expected prince behavior. Being able to read and write, Seyonne becomes Alekzander's scribe. It's a slightly different situation, and Seyonne doesn't think much of it. But fate is twisting, and Seyonne's unfolds into a mysterious and risky one.

Rating:
Summary: Acting upon belief when there is no hope.
Review: This book, a story about a captured and castrated (in all but the physical sense) wizard/warrior named Seyonne, is remarkable mainly because of the internal monologue of the slave. Despite the various tortures and degradations he experiences in the first half of the book, he retains a purity of spirit that cannot be defiled. It is his purity (belief), and most touchingly, his adament refusal to forsake it DESPITE giving up all hope that it will ever be redeemed, that ultimately transforms both himself and his tempermental, yet basically just, master, the heir to the empire's throne.

There is sufficient action and suspense to keep one turning the pages, but the book is most remarkable for the quiet sympathy, without being maudlin, it generates for the narrator.

The world itself is fairly standard stuff, though some of the descriptions of the races that inhabit the Derzhi Empire are interesting, the Ezzarian, Seyonne's people, in particular. But largely it's like other fantasy empires.

Like another reviewer, I found this book reminiscent of Mary Renault's _The Persian Boy_ not just because of the first person slave narrative, but because the master is named Aleksander. Perhaps it draws some inspiration from that great book?

(Just to be clear: when I'm talking about the slave-master relationship, I'm not talking about S&M. This is not an even remotely sexual book).

Rating:
Summary: The best fantasy novel I've read in a long time
Review: Seyonne was once a powerful Ezzarian warrior but for the past sixteen years he has been a slave in the Derzhi Empire. His life changes forever when Aleksander, prince of the Derzhi Empire, buys him. Aleksander is a strict master at first but Seyonne soon realizes there is a goodness in Aleksander that may be important in the Ezzarians' battle against the demons.

This is the best fantasy novel I've read in a long time. It has all of the elements of a great fantasy novel but at the same time is very original. The characters are complex and the plot is intriguing. Anyone who considers them self a fan of fantasy should not pass this one up.

Rating:
Summary: One of My Favorite Fantasy Books!
Review: Seyonne was born an Ezzarian, a free people in a lush, green land who used their magical powers to free innocent people from demon possession. But the Ezzarians kept their demon war a secret and all the conquering Derzhi saw was a rich land to conquer. Seyonne was captured and put through horrible rites that stripped him of his magical powers. Forced into slavery, Seyonne endured horrible conditions and masters, living by his mantra "what comes, comes" and refusing to look beyond the present moment. When Prince Aleksander, the Emperor's son, buys him for his household, Seyonne is ready to hate him. He is the worst kind of Derzhi, arrogant, uncaring, heartless and heedlessly cruel to all around him. So Seyonne is shocked when he sees the light of the feadnach, the God-touched, shining out of Aleksander's eyes. Long ago, when he was a Warden in Ezzaria, Seyonne swore to protect anyone who bore the feadnach, but how on earth can he protect a cocky Derzhi prince who doesn't even believe in magic?

When the Khelid come, Seyonne immediately recognizes the demon gleam in their eyes. But, since he was stripped of power, he has nothing but his wits to fight them. As Aleksander enters a critical time for his future rule, Seyonne desperately tries to convince the Prince that the Khelid are dangerous and will destroy the entire Derzhi empire if he is not wary. Heedless of Seyonne's warnings, Aleksander is stunned when he comes under a foul demon enchantment, one that Seyonne cannot remove because Aleksander's people destroyed his magical powers. Seyonne knows that he has no choice but to take Aleksander to his people in Ezzaria and pray that someone will help him there. Seyonne rejoices to see his homeland once more, but he also dreads going there. For, because of Seyonne's corrupt state, he is as one already dead to them and he knows it will break his heart to see his loved ones again...

Transformation is one of my favorite fantasy books of all times. Seyonne and Aleksander are wonderful characters and Seyonne is a great hero. He comes to understand throughout the book that, even though he is a slave, he is still free in that he has the ability to make choices. He makes a very difficult one to save Aleksander, who doesn't seem worth saving, but, in the process he finds a way to save himself and to come to terms with who he has become instead of who he once was. This is an amazing book filled with wonderful details, memorable characters and a stunning story. A must read for any fantasy fan!