Rating: 
Summary: Two big mistakes ruin a real thriller
Review: This book was fantastic, and I would have given it 5 stars if it wasn't for that little prologue right at the beginning where the author said that the Wars of Light And Shadow went on for 500 years. In my opinion, this was an awful, awful mistake. Wurts really takes us on quite a ride with this book (I, for one, quite enjoy the language and supposedly over-long sentences that others object to so violently), and this novel really is a marvel of character development. They're three dimensional, complex - hell, I really got to care about Arithon, and Lysaer...well, I didn't like him a whole lot at all. And because I like the characters so much, it's depressing to know more or less what's going to happen to them. It takes all the excitement and all the fun out of reading the book. Also, be warned to those of you who, like me, were spellbound by this incredibly promising start to the series: by the time you've reached Fugitive Prince, you will no longer love Arithon, nor will you hate Lysaer. You will simply feel a crippling and stifling lack of interest in them. This is a real pity and I suggest Wurts goes back and rewrites both the beginning of the first book and all the rest. Then she might really be getting somewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: WOW!!!
Review: This is my first Janny Wurts book and I was impressed. I wasn't able to put it down after I started it! The characters have so many levels to them. A very enjoyable read.
Rating: 
Summary: On the bad side of 'so-so'
Review: This kicks off an amazing series of books which are, like all good fantasies, revelant to current day life. Wurts deals with all sorts of stereotypes and things our culture thinks of as "evil" and turns it around. Really amazing, and highly recommended. Warning: don't read this during the school year; you'll never get your homework done. I have to disagree with one reviewer here that said by Fugitive Prince you won't like Arithon as much. Peril's Gate, the latest book in the series, is *fabulous*, by far the best so far in my opinion, and Arithon is more wonderful than ever!Anyone who loves new ideas and good fantasies would thouroughly enjoy this.
Rating:
Summary: must read!
Review: This kicks off an amazing series of books which are, like all good fantasies, revelant to current day life. Wurts deals with all sorts of stereotypes and things our culture thinks of as "evil" and turns it around. Really amazing, and highly recommended. Warning: don't read this during the school year; you'll never get your homework done. I have to disagree with one reviewer here that said by Fugitive Prince you won't like Arithon as much. Peril's Gate, the latest book in the series, is *fabulous*, by far the best so far in my opinion, and Arithon is more wonderful than ever! Anyone who loves new ideas and good fantasies would thouroughly enjoy this.
Rating:
Summary: Many sub-plots
Review: This novel is what classic fantasy should be all about! Many subplots light the way, and the battles between the two brothers is nothing if not realistic. I like this book
Rating:
Summary: Oh, the drudgery...........
Review: This refers to the paperback edition. I'm about halfway thru the book, and I can say that it's taken me a long time to get here. The setting, historical background, etc., had enormous potential in my mind. The description of the land under the influence of the Mist seems so much like where I live in Feb-April, when it is always cloudy, rains almost every day, and everything is gushy and mushy mud, etc. Imagine if it never stopped. Fascinating. The personalities and interaction of the brothers also were fascinating to me as well. Unfortunately, the sheer length and complexity of sentences, while I can understand them, make reading this more like studying my technical literature than leisure and enjoyment. It's like the author has to prove how verbose she is. Also, many sequences in the book are difficult to follow, as if this book had to have a prequel that the reader had to have read prior. I had this same feeling when I read the 'Lord if the Rings' having not read 'The Hobbit.' Basically you just felt lost sometimes. For me, it just seems like work to try to follow this book. It is definitely not fast-paced. Thank God for the glossary in the back with descriptions, or it would be hopeless for me. Also, the map in the front is scaled down so much most of the writing is illegible. Thus, even if you had some idea where a location in the book was on the map, you likely would not be able to read it. Only the plot and storyline, and the character development keeps me going with this one. This is one that is easy for me to put down. I had great hopes for this after the Empire books, but then again, Ray Feist's books are fast-paced, don't bog you down with unnessarily long descriptions, and are just plain fun to read. Have to be dedicated to stick with this one.
Rating:
Summary: Great start to a great series
Review: This series is really wonderful! It's great in that it does not follow the typical fantasy formula. Rather, it's hero is unlike any other I've seen (suicidal, something of a recluse) whose life, everytime something starts to go his way, gets even worse. The villain is also unusual, being charming and charismatic and growing ever more evil (I won't tell anymore lest I spoil the plot). Most of the characters are well-rounded and dynamic, and the book has great continuity (you'll find that minor characters mentioned in book one will reappear in book four). Wurts has splendid descriptions, especially of the sea (a major setting throughout the series). She also has managed the fine art of comic relief, allowing humourous pasages to offset the more serious without making the entire book just a recitation of jokes. The rest of the series is even better, creating a wonderfully complex, thought out plot.
Rating:
Summary: Curse of the Mistwraith: Exceptional and talented writing!!
Review: This was an amazing piece of work put together by Janny Wurts. Truly her work can be compared with the greats like Tad Williams, David Eddings, Terry Brooks, etc. Extremely eloquently written with intricate plots intermingled with fascinating plotlines. A must read if you care to indulge in quality reading.
Rating:
Summary: Vivid characters in a spellbinding world
Review: This was the first book by Janny Wurts that I've read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were very complex and well described and I found myself really empathising with them. The book is a little unusual in that there are no clearly defined "good" or "bad" guys and I often felt torn between the two brothers who are the focus of the book. All in all I REALLY enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. Bring on the next in the series....!!
Rating:
Summary: Very deep and entertaining start to a grand series
Review: Two half-brothers from two warring fathers share that hate, but find it taken to a higher level as they are thrown into another world than that of their upbringing. In this other world, they become the heroes foretold to lift the influence of the mistwraith only to be cursed to take their hate for each other to a new level. This book/series is not a light read, but is very vivid in description, full of plots and counter plots. An artist shows her talents for bringing her pictures to your eyes on the covers of her books, while entertaining you with her talents for bringing pictures to your mind.
|
