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Summary: A great mix of myth, legend, history and fantasy
Review: This book offered a wonderful mix of history, fantasy, allegory, mythological creatures, and a middle-aged, drunken, grumpy hero. What's not to like?Okay, if I had to pick something to criticize, I'd say that I found the plot a little slow at times. Also, the ending seemed a little rushed to me, and it didn't give me that sense of closure I was hoping for. However, the writing style was gorgeous. Very atmospheric, beautifully detailed, mixed with just the right amount of humor. A perfect blend. The characterization was also spectacular. Aurelianus / Merlin was my favorite character... but then again, that might just be my thing for cute old wizards again. I liked Duffy also. His grumpy attitude made him more endearing than any swash-bucking hero attitude he might have had. I also liked Bluto. Then again, I have a thing for hunch-backs too. ;) And last but not least, I was utterly stunned when I finally realized where the title comes from! I won't give it away though... needless to say, it's very clever! I'm looking forward to reading more Tim Powers novels. This was a very promising start, and I hear it only getts better from here! :)
Rating: 
Summary: Capivating, entralling and unique
Review: Tim Powers has a justly earned reputation for writing "different" stories, and each seems different than the others. Hands down, my personal favorite is The Drawing of the Dark, which may be his first published work. He skilfully interweaves magic (Merlin brings Arthur, the West's hero of a thousand faces, back from the dead, in the form of a fiftyish, greyhaired drunken Irishman), sorcery, legend (the Fisher King), history and delightful characters until the reader neither knows nor cares where history stops and fantasy starts. Out of print for years, and very much deserving of a new publication, I heartily recommend this work.
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Summary: An easy and entertaining read - wildly creative.
Review: Tim Powers has a magical way of finding an odd piece of historical trivia with a little bit of mystery shrouding it, and weaving a fantastic story of mystical forces and occult arts around it. The story revolves around one Brian Duffy, and brings to the surface such mythological characters as the Irish hero Finn Mac Cool, Sigmund, King Arthur, and Dionysus. Powers seems to love the myth of the Fisher King, and this has been a recurring theme through many of his novels. It is obvious that this is one of his earlier works, a lack of depth can be felt in the historical details as well as the writing style. But the plot is an engaging one - this author is wildly creative. The Drawing of the Dark is an easier read than some of his other works, and quite entertaining. If you love what he does with the Fisher King storyline, read Last Call, Expiration Date, and Earthquake Weather. If you enjoy his habit of weaving an occult story around historical fact, make sure you read Declare.
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Summary: A Fine Frolicing Tale of Snake Smoking Sorcerers
Review: Tim Powers is a genius, and this is the book that started him off. Snake-smoking sorcerers, marsh-gas-bag vampires, voudoun pirates seeking the fountain of eternal youth... Powers' imagination is unique. He takes old tales, tales of Arthur and Blackbeard and Edison, and remakes them with the skewed perspective of an LSD addict. Who else would put warrior demons from the deepest pits of hell in high heels and broadswords? Of course, creative as he is, only a genius could make it work. The situation we find these high-heel-clad sword-wielding demons in is such that we do not disbelieve it for a moment. The hero does, and because he does, and because of his reasons for disbelief, we accept the situation, as ludicrous as it might be. _Drawing Of The Dark_ is a classic that well deserves to be back in print. Tim Powers' small but devoted following began with this book, and became a large then enormous following years later, slowly and surely, for good reason.
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Summary: Ingenious fantasy
Review: Tim Powers is a marvelously gifted writer, whose stories blend real history with incredibly ingenious fantasy. The factual basis for this story is the Turkish siege of Vienna in 1529 led by Suleiman the Magnificent. But Powers takes that historical event and blends in Merlin, King Arthur, an ancient brewery, his own reluctant hero Brian Duffy, and an amazing cast of characters to create a unique and superb fantasy. This is just great stuff. Wait until it becomes obvious where the title of the book comes from... I would have never guessed. Very highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent writer
Review: Tim Powers is an excellent writer and has done an impressive job re-interpreting the Arthurian ledgends in this book. I recommend this book for anyone that wants a fun, well-written story.
Rating:
Summary: A refreshing repast!
Review: Tim Powers is the master of this sub-genre of Fantasy/Science Fiction. He weaves the real/historical with the fantastical so well and keeps it interesting and amusing. His books are always page-turners.
In Drawing of the Dark, he weaves the Turkish invasion of Europe in the 16th Century(an historical fact) with the reincarnation of one of the GREAT heroes of Legend, no wait, make that two, no wait, make that...you get the idea. The story is chock full of legendary references as well as wonderful history lessons.
So far, I have not read a Tim Powers book that I haven't liked, and this is no exception. I HIGHLY recommend it.
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