Rating: 
Summary: A ... Robert Jordan [imitation]
Review: A young man. A disturbing encounter in the woods as he's off to the town festival from the farm he lives on with his Da, a widower (and formerly quite a warrior). An attack on the villagers soon after the festival by - ahem! - Orlocks. You know the rest.The innocent who discovers he is more than he thought he was, and then must deal with the challenges of a dangerous magical world is a common fantasy trope, but I really prefer reading a book where the author attempts to differentiate his work from those who have gone before. This reminded me of nothing so much as a bad knock-off of Robert Jordan's first book in the Wheel of Time series. Hopefully Graham won't try for a 10+ volume series. Jordan himself lost steam after the 4th book.
Rating: 
Summary: exciting futuristic fantasy
Review: Over three thousand years ago, the powerful ancients gave every citizen a rose gold ring when they turned twenty. However, scientists realized the error and tried to rectify the mistake by destroying all but an octet of rings. Their desperate effort proved futile and civilization shattered. In modern times, egomaniac King Karas of Alor-Satar stumbles across the rings and learns how to harness the power. He begins plans to rule the world. However, one ring escapes his notice. Through a series of events the FIFTH RING ends up on the finger of teenage fencing expert Mathew Lewin. Mathew quickly realizes that the ring contains powers that he slowly learns to use though he fears the jewelry. Between his rings and allies like the Orlocks, Karas starts his war with the only hope of his foes being an eighteen-year-old lad with no ancient text to guide him. Title aside to Professor Tolkien, this novel is quite different than the Hobbit. The keys to this exciting futuristic fantasy reside in the prime characters seeming real and the alliances forged between nations feel authentic (similar to pre World War I). As detestable as Karas is he behaves like some twentieth century despots who lost no sleep over genocide. As heroic as Mathew seems, he will remind readers of people they know whom always care what happens to those around them. With a powerful story line that never allows the audience a moment to rest even for a pit stop, fans will demand that Mitchell Graham provide a sequel or two rather quickly. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Better than it has to be, better than Jordan
Review: Where others try and fail, (Graham's) 'The Fifth Ring' succeeds on all levels: lively and believably unique characters, tension and suspense, unsettling fears against a momentous and against all odds quest, intriguing and intricately woven plot. A novel that urges the reader on. Hands down, 'The Fifth Ring' beats Robert Jordan any time, any where, any day! Graham has written a fantasy that, in years to come, all others will be weighed and measured by. A wonderful, surprising, and exciting debut. Gary S. Potter Author/Poet
Rating:
Summary: Swordplay, Derring-Do and High Seas Adventure!
Review: The Fifth Ring is the first novel by Atlanta-based Mitchell Graham - and it's an extraordinary beginning to what promises to be at least a trilogy of fantasy novels. Although the basic premise (a simple nobody possesses a powerful ring which is coveted by an evil lord) may sound like an unabashed Middle-Earth rip-off, The Fifth Ring actually owes more to Horatio Hornblower and Sinbad than to Frodo Baggins. There's even a passing homage to H.G. Wells (King Duren is in league with the cave-dwelling, cannibalistic Orlocks, who are reminiscent of the Morlocks in The Time Machine). Graham writes convincingly of swordplay, derring-do and sailing the high seas. His descriptions of combat are exhilarating (including the earth-ripping duels between ring-wielders), and there's more than enough comic relief to entertain even the most jaded fantasy fan. Mathew and Lara are as likely to trade ripostes as flirting glances, their awkward romance struggling to grow despite their harrowing circumstance.
Bottom line: I haven't read a better first fantasy novel in a very long time. I highly recommend The Fifth Ring. Mitchell Graham will take his place among Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind as one of the modern-day keepers of the fantasy flame!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was as fun a read as I have had in many years. Unfortunately, I have to take issue with a recent reviewer who said that Mathew is "boringly perfect." While everyone is entitled to their opinion, he apparently missed the fact that Mathew, the story's hero, commits a murder early on in the book and kicks off a "Le Miserable" theme that continues throughout the story. As a character, Mathew Lewin is also painfully shy, self-conscious, and gets seasick. Hardly, indications of perfection. The people author Graham writes about seem real and are fun, and intelligent. Father Thomas is, hands down, one of the best characters to come along in years. Comparisons with LOTR and other fantasy epics are enivitable, but entirely misplaced in this instance. Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series is a formidible work however, these two co-exist nicely. "The Fifth Ring" is quite unlike other fantasy books I have read. Yes, there are similar plot elements, but I was totally impressed with Mr. Graham's style and the quality of his writing. He obviously knows a lot about fencing and sailing ships and the book is presented in a easy to read, enjoyable manner. The typhoon sequence onboard the "Wave Dancer" was a knockout as was Mathew battle on the cliffs. According to the publisher this is the first book of a trilogy (the second is coming out in December), and frankly I'm going to have a hard time waiting for the next installment.
Rating:
Summary: What a Book!
Review: Definitely one of the best fantasy novels I hae read in years. I recently read a review from Parrot and have no idea what he or she is talking about. I know LOTR and the Wheel backward and forward and this book has nothing to do with them. It's always amazing to me how some people can ramble on about topics they know absolutely nothing about. It's obvious from the comments they couldn't have read the book. To be sure many fantasy books share common elements, particularly where an epic journey is undertaken, but The Fifth Ring is a standout because it is largely character driven and has an excellent storyline. I absoultely agree with the reviewer who wrote that Mitchell Graham is a master at action/fight scenes. Conceivably these are among the best ever written. My book club picked The Fifth Ring out as a main selection and everyone I know has raved about it. You'll be selling yourself short if you miss this fine story.
Rating:
Summary: A perfect book to pick up for a quick read
Review: Although not in league with Martin, Jordan, and Goodkind yet, Mitchell Graham tells an top notch story, develops charaters, and adds exciting twists in a compact manner. I recently picked up his second novel, "The Emerald Cavern", and it was much of the same fun reading. Also, he realeased back to back books within the span of a year, and his third is already being ready to be released...so if you're sick of waiting years to read the next volume in a series, Mitchell Graham is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Grabs you and won't let go
Review: First: I usually am not moved to write reviews.
Second: Most fantasy that I have read recently hasn't
merrited saying anything good about it.
Third: THE FIFTH RING is a notable exception
To begin with, the book is incredibly well written and subtle in the themes the author is trying to get across. He doesn't beat you over the head with them, but you'll wind up thinking about this fine novel long after you've put it down.
I completely agree with several other reviewers who have written that Mitchell Graham is the best writer of action/fight scenes out there. They absolutely come to life and jump right off the page. You can feel what's going on. There's simply no contest.
Neither the book nor the characters take themselves too seriously, which I liked quite a bit. The humor made me smile and laugh out loud on a number of occassions.
I found THE FIFTH RING to be very much of a departure from standard fantasies in that there is no magic, only an advanced technology that no one understands, but which can be channeled by the ring wearer. In other words, there is no predestiny at work here.
This was an incredibly sold read and I was almost depressed when I finished it. It's one of those rare books that you want to keep going and going and going.
Graham may not be the hottest name in the industry, but he is definitely an author that bears watching.
Rating:
Summary: What a Book!
Review: Definitely one of the best fantasy novels I hae read in years. I recently read a review from Parrot and have no idea what he or she is talking about. I know LOTR and the Wheel backward and forward and this book has nothing to do with them. It's always amazing to me how some people can ramble on about topics they know absolutely nothing about. It's obvious from the comments they couldn't have read the book. To be sure many fantasy books share common elements, particularly where an epic journey is undertaken, but The Fifth Ring is a standout because it is largely character driven and has an excellent storyline. I absoultely agree with the reviewer who wrote that Mitchell Graham is a master at action/fight scenes. Conceivably these are among the best ever written. My book club picked The Fifth Ring out as a main selection and everyone I know has raved about it. You'll be selling yourself short if you miss this fine story.
Rating:
Summary: Unforgetable Book
Review: There are few books I've read in the last ten years that have moved me as much as this one. Mitchell Graham is a marvelous writer who can weave a story better than most writers I've encountered. A few people may point out the similarity to this and other novels in the fantasy genre, but trust me, this is a very different story. Plot points tend to be the same where the main character undertakes an epic journey, but this is definitely no LOTR or Wheel of Time. Mathew Lewin is an incredible hero and the cast of supporting characters are capable of standingon their own very nicely. I know of people who have read this book in England, France, Russia, and Finland who have raved about it, and I'm happy to say you can add me to the list.
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