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Summary: Whoa. Didn't expect this
Review: I think my largest disappointment was getting to the end... and discoverign that the rest of the story ain't published yet. I pre-ordered Fortress Draconis immediately. This is the best book I've read all year, and I read ALOT of books in a year (to date : probably in excess of 120 this year, roughly 4-5 a week) Buy it, read it, and wait in anticipation for the sequels...
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Summary: :):):):):):)
Review: this is a great book, throughly enjoyable...only i am very annoyed with it.... bloody cliff-hanger at the end... grrrrrrrrrr! >:( i suggest that ya'all get the next book before you read it.... you're going to want to jump right in... :) the character developement was awesome, as was the plot :) i suggest everyone read this book, you won't be disapointed! :)
Rating: 
Summary: This Book Bites
Review: Ok, where to start? 1. The character development is awful. We start out with a bunch of 18 y/o boys, that are acting like they're 40. They never grow as individuals. One of the main characters is sidelined in the first 20 pages of the book. The other characters in the book are similarly one-sided 2. The plot is so scarce that I couldn't even find it in some parts. It's just a bunch of battles loosely linked together. Absolutely NO subplots. We're never given any backround concerning the antagonist. 3. This one is the kicker. The ending is atrocious! There is no real climax and if there is one that I missed there is no resolution, it's like Mr. Stackpole decided that he was done with the book and washed his hands of it. I could see this book as being part of a trilogy or duology to give the plot a little more thickness, but alas it's not. If you like Stackpole, DON'T READ THIS BOOK! If you're thinking of getting into his books, DON'T START WITH THIS ONE! All in all I would suggest that this book NEVER be reprinted.
Rating: 
Summary: Complex and exciting
Review: I am a great fan of Mr. Stackpole and this book was great thrill to read. I took about one whole day and simply spent it in the wold of Tarrant Hawkins and his friends. Reality gets lost somewhere along the way and you get drawn into characters and events that you will never be able to forget. Now, don't be expecting exceptionally profound or difficult to grasp reading. Stackpole never claims to be writing great literature but what he does write is a wonderful story with believable, living characters and an exciting plot that grabs your attention and doesn't let it go till the very last page and then leaves you begging for more. If you are in the need of some good fiction or a little escape from reality, then make sure to pick up this book. All I can say is, I can't wait until the next one!
Rating:
Summary: You don't need to think
Review: There is room in the world for a book that you can't put down but has the depth of the kitchen sink. I found this book to have solid fantasy ideas (i.e. believable kingdom/interesting magic system/decent villian). It did not however, need to be pondered too heavilly.Stackpole has a fairly dark vision in this fantasy world. While heroes exist here, there is an underbelly that makes the story far more interesting than it otherwise would be. Be aware, this is a "set up book." You will be buying a good story with an interesting new world to read about. However, please expect to have to buy the next one to get over a brutal cliff-hanger ending. For all adventure fantasy fans, this is a good purchase. If you are looking for something a bit more challenging try the latest George R. R. Martin series. (Game of Thrones is the first there).
Rating:
Summary: Beyond the best
Review: This book can only be described in one way. Awesome. When I first read it, I did it in about 5 hours. I could not put it down. 2 days later, I picked it back up and read it again, finding things I missed the first time, which made the book even better. Now if you're wondering why the book is so great, it's the characters. They are so believable, so real, so developed, you wish that you could keep spending time with them after you're done with the book. Also, Stackpole, the master of military fantasy, has created a vivid and deep realm for you to immerse yourself into. He describes everything in a way that lets you know what it is. He gives you a history. And not just a post-it note history like I've seen some writers do. He works the history into the story. The customs of the people are inspired by it, and so are the actions of the people. But, as I said before, the real stars of this book are the characters. Tarrant Hawkins, Bosleigh Norrington, Seethe, Resolute, Lord Norrington, and Naysmith Carver are the most interesting characters I've seen this side of the Dark Conspiracy novels, or the Tenchi OVA. They shine through, and you remember them and their struggles long after the book is finished. And then last, but certainly not least, is the action. As I said before, Stackpole is the master of military fantasy. He brings the battles to you in a way that is so easy to digest, and to understand, that you can picture everything that's happening. Swords slashing, arrows flying, creatures hurling themselves at barricades, and heros doing valiant deeds or making valiant sacrifices. This book is one of the greatest novels I've ever read, and I think far eclipses anything else I've read lately. It also proves waiting for the next piece of the story is the hardest part. I can't wait to find out what happens next. And if we're lucky, this could be Stackpoles first epic series.
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Summary: ATTENTION CITIZENS OF THE WORLD: READ "DGW!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Review: I have personally read all of Mike Stackpole's books and have to say that this is his best. The character developement in itself is reason enough to read it. All of the characters are very real and each has a different, yet likeable personality that really makes you feel for them. Now, the story is not your typical cookie-cutter fantasy thing. Mike has as usual gone beyond that image to create something very gripping and enjoyable. Even though it is only from the main character's point of view, (Tarrant Hawkins,) you still see and feel how everyone else in the story is thinking. And to top everything off, you will never expect what the ending is. It is so unpredictable and shocking that I can only hope he finishes the sequal soon. Anyway, this book is very good and should be read by anyone, (not just fantasy fans,) that loves a fabulous story. Also, Mike has a great website with a new Mystery Novella that is great so far. So read that too at www.stormwolf.com
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Summary: Much Better than I Expected or Could Hope for!
Review: When I picked up this book at an airport, I must admit to having very limited expectations. I really loved Stackpole's X-Wing books, but I had never read any of his fantasy novels. The beginning of the book was interesting and yet, it took me a little bit of time to get into the flow of the book. Stackpole writes at a fast pace, which means that much of the background and exposition is not immediately discussed or if it is, it is brushed over. Some writers, for example, take eons to advance the plot of the book because they are focusing on describing the fantasy world in which the character lives. Stackpole doesn't give you all the information you need up front; he doles it out as needed. The result is that it took me a while to get a sense for Stackpole's world. Well, I expected this book to be little more than a typical coming of age fantasy story a la the Belgariad or the Wheel of Time series. Although there are similar elements, man was I wrong! Dark Glory War is awesome! Stackpole has crafted a fast paced, exciting adventure book in a style reminescent of Saberhagen's Book of Swords series. Dark Glory centers around three friends, each with their own distinct personalities and battle skills. Without hitting the reader of the head with their differences (Stackpole has a knack for conveying personalities in concise descriptions of clothing, mannerisms, and with very exact and appropriate dialogue), these three young men grow and develop as strong characters literally right before your eyes. Stackpole has created a vibrant society full of endless possibilities. The main characters, Hawkins, Nay, and Leigh, live in a country where certain members of the society wear face masks (hence the cover art). On the night of their "coming out" party, they are suddenly thrust into a series of events which lead them accross borders, into massive land and sea battles, and to one absolutely kickin' ending. For fantasy action fans, if you like R.A. Salvatore, you'll love Stackpole! So, what are you doing still reading this review? Go ahead and buy it! Dark Glory War was one of the most pleasant reading surprises I've had in a very long time.
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Summary: An entertaining beginning to a new fantasy series
Review: Stackpole's new DragonCrown series is given a good beginning in this fantasy novel. I think it's safe to say that those who like Jordan or Eddings or Brooks, will enjoy this novel. Although derivative in parts, the novel is a real page turner, with many complex cultures and societies, not to mention exciting battle sequences. That being said, I am hoping that characters will be given greater depth in the novels which follow. One of the four companions, for example, takes no part in the major activities of the novel. I also found the characterization of women to be weak. One could, however, assume this is due to the nature of the narrator (a teenage boy undergoing a rite of passage) rather than a weakness of the writer. Subsequent novels will be telling. The ending seems a bit rushed, but the twist, although foreshadowed by statements the hero makes from his present (20 years later), makes up for this. It was cruel of the author to end the story here and make the reader wait for the rest! I'm definitely planning to pick up the sequel: I hope he's a fast writer. So, in summation, this is a pretty good read, although not as deep or as rich in characterization as some fantasy worlds. Depending on how the sequels go, this is definitely a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: The Dark Glory War
Review: Totally enjoyable experience. Kept me awake at night to read just a little more. Loved "Talion Revenant" and picked this one up to try, what a drag that I have to wait for the second book when I want it NOW!
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