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Summary: New type hero
Review: I don't know how to classify this book. Basically it is a fantasy book, but the hero is unique. I have never met the type before.
Seyonne is a slave. He has almost given up hoping for a better life; he lives from day to day, trying to be as insconpicious as possible. But before he became a slave he was a warden, one of the most powerful among his people. His job was to drive demons out of people's heads. His power had been burnt out when his people was conquired. However the demons are still present and when prince Aleksander his master comes under the influence of the demons, Seyonne feels obliged to lend a hand. But Aleksander is still his master so Seyonne cannot get too bossy. Seyonne must stear a difficult middle road between telling Aleksander what to do and beeing an obediante slave. In the meantime he rediscovers his powers and his love who lived in hiding after his people was conquired.
What makes the book interesting is the unique interplay between Seyonne and Aleksander as Aleksander comes to trust Seyonne with his life. The part where Seyonne rediscovers his powers is also interesting. Not all people whish for Seyonne to succeed, particularly a rival warden whose position will be threatened if Seyonne regains his powers. The narative is very human. Nobody is perfect. That is what makes this book memorable.
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Summary: wow...
Review: i dont understand how people could not know about this author, this is the single best book i have ever read (and thats saying something considering how many books i've read.) put lightly, when compared to the other books that i've given 5 stars to, this is a 7. seyonne is an excellent charater. he is a good person, but he has been put through so much because he's a slave. he was given one chocie; change who u r, or die, and he chose to live. because of this all of his past morrals have been obandoned, and now his only concern is getting through the day alive, that is until he meats aleksander. aleksander, prince of the people who put seyonne in chains, and now seyonne's new master. what makes this book more compelling is that it's written in the first person, and u come to know and understand how seyonne feels, and with good cause. his life has been stripped from him, and that has left scares, both phisicaly, and mentaly. aleksander is a good charachter too. aragont and proud, yes, but not stupid. in short, read this book. u are doing a great in-juctice to urself if you don't, and words cannot completly discribe the magnificance of this book. do a favor to me, and urself, and read this book. enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: "Excellent Form"
Review: I had never heard of Carol Berg before this and when I picked up Transformation it had literally fell "out of the blue" and into my hands. I found it one of the most refreshing books I've read in a long time. It is especially unique because the Transformation is written from the slave's perspective as opposed to the hero's (although, Seyonne is very the very idol of a hero tempered with wisdom) and smashes all those annoying cliches to bits with a subjective rationale. The language flows, the world is dynamic, and the reader will find himself shouting periocically in anguish, "No! What are you doing?!" "Who's got the wings now, eh?" "Oh, ye have little faith!" "Don't die! Don't die! Don't die!"But, trust me, it's worth the cracked voice.
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Summary: THIS BOOK IS WHY I READ FANTASY NOVELS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Colorado author Carol Berg is the High Priestess of writing! Spinning this brilliant tale of magic and redemption, of captivity and freedom, and of escapist adventures, Berg brings "Transformation" to life like very few writers can! Seyonne, slave of the Derzhi Empire for nearly sixteen years, suffers through his life with humility and as much grace as he can muster. Though he was once a powerful "Warden", born into the Ezzarian race--a tribe of protectors to the world, keeping the demons at bay--Seyonne was captured and forced into slavery, his powers driven from him. In a series of fateful events, Seyonne becomes the personal slave of the Derzhi prince, Aleksander, and unwittingly, his protector. With beauty and style, Berg tells her story through the eyes of Seyonne, from his capture and imprisonment, to his amazing redemption and rebirth. This first-of-a-series book has made its way to my top ten all time favorite reads! This is why I read fantasy novels!
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Summary: Something different to spark your interest
Review: I found this book to be a refreshing fantasy book to read. From the moment I started the book I found it interesting in the point of view and way the characters are developed. The writer did a wonderful job of making the reader feel the pain and frustration of the lead character. The story was very touching, though I do think the ending was a bit confusing and I found myself having to go back and figure out what I missed. Overall, this was definately one of the best books I've read over the past 2 years or so, and I'm really looking forward to reading the next in the series.
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Summary: Best first fantasy novel in at least a decade
Review: I love first novels -- they have lots of quirks and rough spots. Except for this one. This is, without a doubt, the best first novel I've read in sf/f in a decade. The cover doesn't do it justice and I'm glad I had the chance to see Ms. Berg speak at Chicon (the 2000 World Science Fiction Convention) about the book. I read every book from the authors on the first novel panel and this was the best. I'm glad to see this novel has been doing so well and I'm lobbying for her to win the Campbell award based upon this novel. Other reviews have talked about the plot, so I won't discuss specifics other than to say that, over time, Ms. Berg manages to show the change in her characters very deftly. Few authors manage the level of skill she shows in this first novel.
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Summary: Great fantasy novel, one of the best
Review: This is probably the best fantasy novel i have read. The characters are very ingrossing, and the environment that is created from begining to end is amazing. You cant help but feel for seyonne the slave as he fights to overcome the restrictions that have been placed on him the last 20 years, and his relationship with aleksander the prince "his master" as thier destinies are ultimatley intwined and thier rolls ironically reversed. It's hard to believe someones first book could be this good. A great book you do not want to miss., could not put it down.
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Summary: I have not been so intrigued for a long time.
Review: I praise Carol Berg for her talent in story-telling and characterization. The entire book went through my mind so quick, when I was done I wondered where it had gone. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. You don't even have to like Fantasy to love Carol Berg and the world she invented and the people she created to occupy it.
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Summary: New and Exciting!!
Review: Carol Berg has masterfully told a story of a slave, Seyonne, who was once a sorcerer of high power, and an arrogant and cruel prince, the Emperor's son, Aleksander. Told from Seyonne's point of view, the story unfolds as Seyonne gains the trust Aleksander and more. They travel through an intricate world populated by different peoples that have all been conquered by the Emperor's armies to form a giant empire. Because of foul demon sorcery, Aleksander must rely on Seyonne to find the mysterious Wardens to unravel the enchantment cast on him. Seyonne must also regain his powers to fight the final battle against a powerful demon lord or the world is lost. Carol Berg has created a new world without all of the typical sorcerous mumbo-jumbo, where the magician doesn't need spell components and written words to cast spells. Instead the magician enters the souls of mortal men to exorcise demons. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a "breath of fresh air" in the fantasy genre.
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Summary: A breath of fresh air for the fantasy genre!
Review: What I really loved about this book was the first person narrative. Throughout, all the action is seen from one point of view - which is not typical of much fantasy fiction which tends toward the 'cast of thousands' type, utilising many different points of view - confusing, to say the least! Instead, Berg creates an intimacy with the main character, Seyonne, and an air of dramatic tension that grabs you by the throat and won't let you put the book down. The landscape of the world is well described, but without tedious pages of description. All in all, a rare treat - and an author I'd like to see more of!
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