Curse of the Mistwraith

Rating:
Summary: 'Curse of the Mistwraith'? I curse the day I bought it
Review: It seems that people either loved or hated 'Curse of the Mistwraith'. I'm leaning towards the latter. It's going to be hard for me to tell you why I didn't like this book because I myself don't really know why. The following are the only reasons I can think of to justify my intense dislike for this book.

First of all, I'm not a big fan of the Many-Worlds-Connected-By-Gates type of fantasy (which this is), especially when that system isn't explained at all. It seems that Athera has 4 Gates and Dascen Elur only has 1. Is Athera the hub of a 5-Planet wheel? How/Why are there magical Gates connecting different planets? Who knows. Second, Ms Wurts doesn't bother to explain the nature of anything (the Sorcerers, magic, the old races, etc, etc) on Athera in more than a paragraph. Maybe her intent was to describe everything so vaguely that it would all seem unknown and therefore mysterious and magical. If that's the case, it didn't work at all. Thirdly, and most damning of all, I slowly came to realize that I didn't care what happened to the 2 heroes, Lysaer and Arithon, at all. If I'd turned the page and read that they'd both just died, I would've thought, 'Oh well'.

Reading this book was akin to stumbling across a desert with the sun boring down on you, no end in sight and no water. Maybe all my questions are answered in the next 4 or 5 books in the series but I just don't have the energy for that.

Rating:
Summary: It's been a while, but...
Review: It's been a long time since I read this book. If I remember correctly, I picked it up soon after it came out in paperback. It was enchanting-looking; I remember particularly being struck by the quality of the maps.

Then I read it, and ... well, I was hoping for more, really. I was impressed by her collaboration with Feist in the Riftworld-spinoff Empire series, but this really fell flat. I often found myself bored, which doesn't happen frequently.

Maybe one of these days, I'll get around to reading the sequel, but I rather doubt it. I was disappointed, to say the least.

Rating:
Summary: An example of vivid storytelling.
Review: Janny Wurts' world comes to life in this, the first book of the Wars of Light and Shadow. Her attention to detail is amazing and her knowledge of ships and music make it so much more real. If you don't like a lot of prose and description, this book isn't for you. However, the characters draw you into the story. You feel empathy for their suffering, joy at their triumphs, and you come to despise the villains. This book sets the tone for the rest of the series. I've read them and they do not disappoint.

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Summary: Hang in there for the rest ...
Review: Like many people, it cost me a lot of effort to "plow" through this book. Nevertheless, I was completely swept away by the powerful characters and fascinating story line. This book is unlike any other fantasy book I've read. Although the plot is based on the usual good vs evil, Ms Wurts uncovers very complex themes and heros. One moment you like Lysaer, the next you know that he's turning but you don't want to admit it, and then finally you have to face the fact that he's really not likeable at all. Arithon is equally difficult to make out at first, and needs to grow a reader's trust and respect as he's ever elusive. Yet, although we never find out enough about him, Arithon sweeps us off our feet, like the mysterious boy next door. The Fellowship of Seven are hilarious old men, and my grandpa would have fit right in.

This is a complex book, with many details and it's easy to miss changes in the plot unless you read carefully. However, it is a brilliant set up for the rest of the series, where the characters are further explored, their humanity uncannily realistic and grow into personalities. Readers will learn to love some characters, sympathise with others and dislike a few, as you would in real life.

If you can grit your teeth and cling on to follow the plot through the verbose jungle, then you find your energy and time well spent ... for the rest of the series.

Rating:
Summary: Hang in there for the rest ...
Review: Like many people, it cost me a lot of effort to "plow" through this book. Nevertheless, I was completely swept away by the powerful characters and fascinating story line. This book is unlike any other fantasy book I've read. Although the plot is based on the usual good vs evil, Ms Wurts uncovers very complex themes and heros. One moment you like Lysaer, the next you know that he's turning but you don't want to admit it, and then finally you have to face the fact that he's really not likeable at all. Arithon is equally difficult to make out at first, and needs to grow a reader's trust and respect as he's ever elusive. Yet, although we never find out enough about him, Arithon sweeps us off our feet, like the mysterious boy next door. The Fellowship of Seven are hilarious old men, and my grandpa would have fit right in.

This is a complex book, with many details and it's easy to miss changes in the plot unless you read carefully. However, it is a brilliant set up for the rest of the series, where the characters are further explored, their humanity uncannily realistic and grow into personalities. Readers will learn to love some characters, sympathise with others and dislike a few, as you would in real life.

If you can grit your teeth and cling on to follow the plot through the verbose jungle, then you find your energy and time well spent ... for the rest of the series.

Rating:
Summary: WHAT???
Review: Now, this is going to sound absolutely ridiculous but that is the way I am feeling about this book in relation to the whole Wars of Light and Shadow trilogy. I have read Tolkien, Janny Wurts, Steven Donaldson,Tad Williams, Katherine Kerr, Charles DeLint,Raymond Feist, plus several others that their names fail to keep a proper place in my memory. What do I think? The ending of "Curse of Mistwraith" is simply the most gripping scenario I have ever read in my 6 years being an epic fantasy fan. The book itself is a marvelous and enjoyable quest through a shattered land with Janny Wurts's unique "touch" in descriptions concerning magic and wizards. However, the ending of the Curse of Mistwraith has you pinned down in your chair (bed,patio whatever!) disbelieving every sentence. This is a book that makes you run to the bookstore next thing in the morning looking for the sequel. READ THIS BOOK. Some people will hate me and disagree now but the next two books of the trilogy are.....well they completely lack the spirit of the Curse of the Mistwraith. Well, you have one marvelous and absolutely gripping book and two down-hearted sequels. Decide for yourself.

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Summary: The best I've read since Lord of the Rings
Review: On the splinter world of Dascen Elur, two kingdoms have been at war for generations. The heirs to the thrones of these kingdoms, half-brothers by chance, are carrying on the battle begun by their forebears. Lysaer, light of hair and fair of bearing, born to riches and raised to inherit the crown, blessed with the Gift of Light. Arithon, with dark hair and bearing upon his shoulders the need to engage in continued piracy of the seas to support his people even through his Mastery of Shadow and magery. Through a series of events, these two find themselves in a strange land, swaddled so in mist that not even the sun can pierce the ever present dampening gloom. A gloom that has lasted five hundred years and divided the people into townsmen and clan barbarians. Into all of this comes the West Gate prophecy made by Dakar the Mad Prophet. Two shall come through the West Gate and by combining their powers shall defeat the Mistwraith and return sunlight to Athera. So begins CURSE OF THE MISTWRAITH, a story of deep, thought stirring events. Janny Wurts has crafted a masterful tale of wizards and enchantresses, of love and hate, of war and death. This is a book that should be savored slowly. Ms. Wurts utilizes a method of combining large chapter like sections that allow you to immerse yourself in this world of her creation with short triplets that give you necessary images that will reflect in greater depth later in the tale. Rushing through the pages will leave you without the necessary framework to truly appreciate the climactic ending of this first volume. An ending that will leave you speechless, nay breathless.


Rating:
Summary: They cut down trees to make this book?
Review: Pure and simple..this book was terrible. It was very boring and didn't seem to go anywhere. I put it down after about two thirds of the way through. I couldn't handle it. It's like staring at a rock for days waiting for it to get moving only it never does. Sorry Janny but I think I'll stick with Goodkind, Feist, and Tad Williams.

Rating:
Summary: BE fair!
Review: So, lets start off with what this book is about. I'll sum it up. Athera, a world covered in mist... constantly! Looks like the end of the world if the Mist (note the capital) isn't destroyed... The only hope of salvation... two half-brothers, (Enter Lysaer and Arithon)! And now begins the epic tale of the Wars of Light and Shadow!

1. A great tale that is wonderfully told. Every word adds to the magic of the story, meaning, the descriptions are so darn clear, its like you're there in the story!

2. The characters are drawn out and created beautifully. Not only their personality but also their appearance. How should I put it? It's done so well that you can get emotionally attached to a character.

3. This is one of the most unpredictable plot lines I have ever read. Just when you think its all over for Arithon or Lysaer, POW! What do you know, its not. Keeps you on the edge of your seat!

On the other hand...

1. Descriptions are all very well and nice but sometimes a bit tiring. Why write a paragraph when one word will do? Don't think of this as a draw-back, think of it as something to skim over when you're not in the mood.

2. I've read that some people find the complicated words annoying. Yes, some words are difficult, but isn't the educational point of reading enlarging your vocabulary?

3. This isn't the sort of book you'd read while standing up and waiting for the bus... mainly because people stare at you thinking: that's one hell of a thick book! If you're looking for something light and easy to read... then look again!

This is something for the really adventurous armchair readers and so, when you do start on this series, be prepared to stay up to LATE, LATE hours, dying to know what happens next!

(If you have any questions about the book, such as 'what's so special 'bout this Mist' or something else, check out the friendly fans at the author's website):-P

Rating:
Summary: Very talented and absorbing
Review: The book was very absorbing. After getting past the first part I found myself hard put to put it down. With that said I must say that I don't like the "mood" of the story. The entire book is very depressing. It was a good story but a tragedy. Janny is very good at pulling your emotional strings. I just wished they were pulled for a lighter mood. I don't need any help feeling depressed or angry and frustrated.