Rating: 
Summary: Great Book
Review: I read this book only because another book in the series sounded interesting and this is the first of the trilogy. It has a very slow start, but when it picks up I couldn't put the book down. It is a great story and I would recommend it to anyone. (I also recommend buying all three so you don't have to keep running out to the store for the next one!)
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I read this book only because another book in the series sounded interesting and this is the first of the trilogy. It has a very slow start, but when it picks up I couldn't put the book down. It is a great story and I would recommend it to anyone. (I also recommend buying all three so you don't have to keep running out to the store for the next one!)
Rating:
Summary: Lawhead's Best Work
Review: I've been an avid fan of Stephen Lawhead's work for some years now, and I truly believe that the Song of Albion triology is his best work to date. Our world is but a shadow compared to the world Lawhead creates when Lewis and Simon cross over into the Otherworld. It's incredibly vivid and the plot is so engaging and well thought out that you can't help but be drawn into it. Celtic mythology is also something so different from any other culture in the world, and Stephen Lawhead the master of the Celtic/Fantasy genre. I can't speak highly enough of these books, and for me they sit equal with 'Magician' and just below 'The Lord of The Rings' as all time fantasy classics.
Rating:
Summary: paradise war is one of the best series I,v ever read .thanks
Review: I,v read this series three times and it still fasinates me!!!! ....sabrin
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic Celtic fantasy
Review: In a trilogy that lies along the spectrum of two other British-born trilogies--Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" and C.S.Lewis' "Space Trilogy"--this is a fantasy that will be hard to put down. I took a few weeks to read the first volume, a week to read the next, and a few days for the third. The inner logic pulls you forward while the events continually surprise. There is here the beauty of Ireland (though in a more primal form), the heroism of the Celtic warriors, the subtlety of kingship derived from the people, the tenderness of friendship and romance. Though one need not be familiar with Celtic lore to appreciate these books, those who have done some study in it will it come to life.
Rating: 
Summary: Worthy fantasy adventure novel based on Celtic mythology
Review: Lately I've noticed that in the last one hundred years or so, English fiction has certain repeating themes. The Paradise War by Stephen Lawhead begins a series built around one of these "British-isms": ordinary, humble folk from our dreary mundane world stumbling into a magical parallel world quite by accident. Unlike the obvious Chronicles of Narnia-type examples however, this series was written purely for grownup audiences.Lewis is a graduate student at Oxford; one of those bookish, plain sorts who would never get any female attention if it weren't for his handsome, impulsive roommate Simon. One day they decide to take a road trip north to investigate some paranormal happenings reported in a tabloid. Simon ends up crossing over into the parallel world unwittingly, and a few months later a frantic and confused Lewis follows to "rescue" him. Instead, Lewis finds that Simon has passed four years as a warrior in the fantastic and barbaric Otherworld of Albion and has settled in happily. In order to survive in this savage and beautiful land, Lewis must also undergo an extreme transformation. Meanwhile, the barrier between the worlds is wearing thin and leaking through to England. Disaster for both worlds is inevitable unless Lewis can convince his friend to return with him and find a solution. Lawhead depicts this alternate realm of Albion as a legendary paradise that is based on a lot of research into Celtic folklore and traditions. I can really respect the labor of love that this kind of world-building represents. The author is also careful to remain true to the harsher realities of survival in a primitive culture; there are battles and grim bloodshed depicted (fans will get their share of this Lawhead staple), almost a surreal counterpoint to the lovely land and peoples he describes. There are also spiritual themes weaving through the plot: the evils of pride and folly, and how these things have far-reaching consequences throughout time and space; providence; and inner transformation being more important than anything physical. Lawhead delivers these messages masterfully and without preaching. The Song of Albion promises to be a rich, absorbing read if this first book is any example. My reaction to TPW was enthusiastic, even though I do not normally seek out fantasy that involves so much war strategy and action thrills. Despite a few choppy transition passages, the storytelling is solid. I anticipate picking up book two immediately to continue the adventure.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle
Rating:
Summary: Worthy fantasy adventure novel based on Celtic mythology
Review: Lately I've noticed that in the last one hundred years or so, English fiction has certain repeating themes. The Paradise War by Stephen Lawhead begins a series built around one of these "British-isms": ordinary, humble folk from our dreary mundane world stumbling into a magical parallel world quite by accident. Unlike the obvious Chronicles of Narnia-type examples however, this series was written purely for grownup audiences. Lewis is a graduate student at Oxford; one of those bookish, plain sorts who would never get any female attention if it weren't for his handsome, impulsive roommate Simon. One day they decide to take a road trip north to investigate some paranormal happenings reported in a tabloid. Simon ends up crossing over into the parallel world unwittingly, and a few months later a frantic and confused Lewis follows to "rescue" him. Instead, Lewis finds that Simon has passed four years as a warrior in the fantastic and barbaric Otherworld of Albion and has settled in happily. In order to survive in this savage and beautiful land, Lewis must also undergo an extreme transformation. Meanwhile, the barrier between the worlds is wearing thin and leaking through to England. Disaster for both worlds is inevitable unless Lewis can convince his friend to return with him and find a solution. Lawhead depicts this alternate realm of Albion as a legendary paradise that is based on a lot of research into Celtic folklore and traditions. I can really respect the labor of love that this kind of world-building represents. The author is also careful to remain true to the harsher realities of survival in a primitive culture; there are battles and grim bloodshed depicted (fans will get their share of this Lawhead staple), almost a surreal counterpoint to the lovely land and peoples he describes. There are also spiritual themes weaving through the plot: the evils of pride and folly, and how these things have far-reaching consequences throughout time and space; providence; and inner transformation being more important than anything physical. Lawhead delivers these messages masterfully and without preaching. The Song of Albion promises to be a rich, absorbing read if this first book is any example. My reaction to TPW was enthusiastic, even though I do not normally seek out fantasy that involves so much war strategy and action thrills. Despite a few choppy transition passages, the storytelling is solid. I anticipate picking up book two immediately to continue the adventure.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle
Rating:
Summary: Don't pass this one up.. you will love it!!
Review: Lawhead at his finest. I am reading this series for the second time and it is so engrossing. You get lost in these books. If you love to read and get lost in the pages of a book, this series is for you. Lawhead treats the Celtic myths with dignity and imagination. He knows his stuff but doesn't over mystify it or weigh it down with religious sentiment. I have read countless books with the Celtic myths as their background and most do just that.
Great reading.... only problem is the adventure of these books is over too fast. Guess I will have to read them again!!
Rating:
Summary: Very vivid depiction of Celtic lifestyle and drama
Review: Lawhead brings to light the conflicting worlds of the present and the mythological past. By creating the beautiful world of Albion, Lawhead shows the world on "our" side to be a grey, lifeless one. Although this seems like a dim view of our real world, Lawhead makes it apparent what is missing and gives the reader the inclination to add as much of Albion, to our world, as possible.
Lawhead creates two rich characters that move from our world into the world of Albion; one of whom brings with him all things that make our world corrupt. The effect on Albion is immediately apparent and crosses over into the following books, Silver Hand and Endless Knot
Rating:
Summary: AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Lawhead haws been a favorite author of mine ever since i read his "in the hall of the dragon king" series. he tells a story so masterfully woven that, well it draws you into, makes you a part of it. and with the paradise war he does it again. ONLY this time it was much, much, better! I RECOMEND, THIS TITLE IS A MUST READ !!!!!
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