Rating: 
Summary: Just plain bad.
Review: I can't believe I wasted the time reading this book. Here's a plot:1. Orphaned boy
2. Goes on a quest
3. With his buddies
4. Led by an elderly sage
5. To prevent the spread of evil. Sound familiar? It should, it has been written thousands of times since Tolkein first published the Hobbit, et al. Some are better than others (Jordan's first 5 books, and Tad Williams); some add unique twists (Carol Berg and Lawrence Watt Evans); while some are downright miserable reads. Sadly, this book qualifies in the later category. The theme was horrid, the pacing bad, and I didn't care about one character. While I generally give an author the benefit of the doubt and read at least two or three books in a series before I pass judgment, I won't be purchasing or reading this series. Want a good book? Read Martin, Marcos, Hobbs and Watt-Evans.
Rating: 
Summary: The Beginning of a SolidTrilogy
Review: I initially had trouble finding this book because every Borders store I went to told me that it was sold out. Eventually, I gave in and ordered it on line. It's a fair thing to say that I really enjoyed the story. Some of the actions move so quickly, I found myself putting the book down and picking it up a half hour later. I loved the touches of humor the author drops in here and there as well as the relationships between the characters. The battle scenes are just great too. I will definitely buy the sequel.
Rating: 
Summary: Standard heroic fantasy for kids
Review: Graham's writing is filled with non-stop action, which takes you into an exciting adventure that is difficult to pull away from. The fifth ring is definitely a very good book but unfortunately it disappoints in some aspects. I couldn't help relating this book to a Hardy Boys adventure (remember those?) set in a fantasy world. The plot was predictable, basically the same old story, young stable/farm/kitchen/baker boy acquires great power and is hunted across half the world by an extremely evil king or lord. Then throw in a "decides the fate of the world" war between nations and you've got your standard fantasy novel. So don't expect too many surprises. The character development also leaves a lot to be desired as Graham concentrates on only 3 or 4 people, leaving most of the others as one-dimensional puppets. It would be unfair not to mention that I enjoyed this book and got through it in no time. The writing style is excellent so the story always flows along, sometimes at break neck pace and you might even end up holding your breath. The action scenes are top class and take full advantage of the author's experience in fencing. There is also a good amount of humor which makes it a pleasant read. I do think that 3 stars is probably a bit harsh, but even though this book was entertaining it doesn't quite make it on par with 4 star books such as the sword of shadow series by J.V Jones. And it doesn't come near 5 star books by Martin, Erikson and Hobb. I believe 3.5 stars is fair.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating and Enthraling
Review: I got this book based on a recommendation of a friend. Quite frankly, I've never been as captivated by a story before. Graham's style of writing is detailed and intimate. He paints a wonderful picture of a world that's easy to get lost in. If you're a fan of fantasy, buy "The Fifth Ring." You won't be sorry you did.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty Good Start to a Series
Review: I put off buying this for quite awhile because I couldn't "look through" the book on Amazon.com, nor could I find it at the local bookstore. I decided to jump in and am glad I did. To paraphrase an earlier poster, don't expect this to be a Pulitzer Prize winning novel. It's not. But it still makes for a good read, with interesting characters and well-written battle and sword fight scenes. There's also a dash of sci fi sprinkled throughout, as when certain characters refer back to The Ancients, who built different types of machines which were destroyed in some cataclysmic war that killed off most of The Ancients. IMHO, the most interesting character is Father Thomas. Yes, he's a priest, but he's no ordinary priest...and part of his past life, which hints that it was anything but dull, emerges in this book. Quite a character, and I'm sure we'll get to know more about him as the series continues. BTW, I agree with the poster who took umbrage with the poster who questioned the "sexual advances" made by Lara toward Mat (Mat is the chap on the cover). I really don't know where this came from; there's some flirting between the two, and Mat starts to notice and feel certain things about Lara, but isn't that normal for a guy in his late teens? One more thing: There is a slight twist near the end of the book which took me by surprise, happening when it did. I'm sure this is the strand which the author will use to help flesh out the next book in the series. In short, if you're looking for War and Peace, this ain't it. But if you're looking for a decently-written fantasy that will keep you turning the pages, this should fill the bill.
Rating: 
Summary: The beginning of a lifeless fantasy saga
Review: "The Fifth Ring" is, in a word, lifeless. It's not completely awful. It truly does have moments that hint at promise, and though its plot is more than a little derivative, seemingly derivative tales (see the "Memory, Sorrow, & Thorn" series by Tad Williams or the Shannara tomes of Terry Brooks), given the proper passion and talent, can become wondrous, and in the right hands feel fresh and new. Graham, first-time published author, is, at this stage in his career, apparently incapable of injecting that necessary passion. To make matters worse, the book is full to bursting with moments of complete absurdity. The female character's sexual advances toward the hero early in the book (and the blatantness of them) reeks of overactive male fantasy - so much so I swore it was such a fantasy, until nothing was said to dismiss the events. In the end, "The Fifth Ring" feels very much like the work of a novice - one who could possibly rise to enjoy a fine career in the genre, but who is, as yet, unproven. There are much better heroic quests to fulfil your escapist desires.
Rating:
Summary: highly recommended
Review: A very coherent, entertaining read. What sets this book apart is that there is no magic in the convential fantasy genre sense -- all magic is simply advanced technology (rings that allow users to control energy) of a long perished civilization -- very much like ours -- in the hands of a very few people in a medieval era world. The system is very well thought out. The wielder of a ring can only manipulate energy, and is limited by his knowledge of the physical world. There are many examples provided in the book, but the incident where King Karas's sister kills a man by stopping his heart illustrates the concept well: not only did the sister have to know what a heart looked like, she also had to understand how it functioned. She stops the man's heart by imagining the heart and then constricting its major valves.
Rating:
Summary: Move over Robert Jordan
Review: I loved this book. I've been trudging my way through Robert Jordan and finally gave up (from exhaustion). Jordan is a great author, but Graham beats him any day in the week. This is one of the best fantasy I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it
Review: This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I just couldn't put it down once I started. I loved the characters and the story and can't wait for the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: The State of the Genre. . .
Review: "The Fifth Ring" showcases the current state of the fantasy genre - and boy, that's a depressing way to look at things. This overstuffed tome is packed with all the usual fluff: magic rings, power-mad sorcerer kings, reluctant young heroes, and all the rest. It's like someone took all these elements and threw them into some Fantasy-o-Matic machine and "The Fifth Ring" plopped out the other side. No, it's not the worst fantasy novel I've ever read (that distinction falls upon Dennis L. McKiernan's "Iron Tower"), but it's generally boring and fails to accost my attentions. How anyone could compare this newbie author to better ones, like Terry Brooks, is beyond me. It is passionless dribble, better left sitting on the shelf. I hate to bash a first-timer, but this is exactly the kind of work this genre does NOT need. Fortunately we have George R. R. Martins and David Gemmels in the field, or all might well be lost.
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