The King

Rating:
Summary: Long Live Rodrigo!
Review: Another great book by Feintuch. Really glad to finally learn more about Rodrigo ever since first reading The Still a few years back. Hope to see more stories in the world of Rodrigo of Caledon soon as I read this one in less than a day.

Rating:
Summary: engaging young adult fantasy tale
Review: Before dying the Caledon queen informs her son, the soon to be anointed king Rodrigo, that for him to keep the power of THE STILL to "read" still water, he must remain a virgin and never prevaricate. However, before Roddy becomes the monarch, his Uncle Margenthar declares himself regent, as the teen is too young to be king.

Now Roddy decides it is time for him to be the King, but Margenthar refuses to give up the regency. Roddy successfully takes control of Castle Stryx while rallying his people as King Hriskil's Norlanders invade Caledon. The war is nasty and Roddy overcomes his advisors' treating him like a dumb adolescent with the help of his buddy Rustin. He becomes an adept military leader but he loses his most important skill, reading the wisdom of still water as he has wasted the Still. If he fails to regain his ability, the Norlanders will conquer Caledon.

THE KING, the Sequel to THE STILL is an engaging young adult fantasy tale that is easier to follow if you recently read the first novel. The story line is exciting though the continual battles become tedious after a while except for the more military minded reader. Roddy has matured from hedonistic snot into caring leader who proves his mettle though adults think he is a dumb teen. That angle will hook young readers who will root for the youth to surpass his elders. David Feintuch's work combines epic fantasy with a coming of age hero struggling with doing the right thing.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: A Genuine Pageturner!
Review: I read The Still as soon as it came out on paperback. Although I wanted to put it down halfway through because of Roddy's character, I continued... and I'm very glad I did. I became extremely attached to Rustin's character.

The King continues the story of Roddy's quest to become a man, conquer his foes, and conquer himself. It is not as easy to follow as The Still was because of all the battle scenes (some of the layouts confused me). But, the story is very strong and makes the reader not want to put it down. Very suspenseful, and it really draws you into it! I laughed, cried, despaired, and hope! Few books attach the reader to them so greatly!

Although the book seems to go from battle to battle, it has so many other things going on that it doesn't seem overdrawn or dragging... and the ending is quick and like a smash into the wall, but it is satisfying. It isn't like being dragged out forever and then suddenly hitting the end... it's very satisfying how it is paced! Plus, it closes things better than The Still did, but still leaves things open for another book.

All that being said... I loved the book, but I was seriously displeased with the changes Feintuch bestowed on Rustin. Instead of a comforting, mature friend that rejoices with Roddy as well as shows his displeasure at Roddy's negative qualities, Rustin becomes more like a nagging mother, never being pleased. I didn't like it at all. Feintuch didn't seem to give him the strength that he was given in The Still. Since he was my favorite character, I was unhappy to have him reduced as much. But, I guess Roddy is the king and focus of the book, not Rustin...

It is also pretty dismal with so many deaths! It reminded me of Shakespeare's tragedies.

Rating:
Summary: At times joyous, at times it brings you to tears
Review: I'm a man and this story simply brought tears out of my eyes at many times during the book, and the ending was incredibly moving and brought me to tears on and off for minutes. i dont cry often. this book is simply that good. however, if you want to read this, it's imperitive that you first read The Still (by the same author).

Rating:
Summary: Hail "The King"
Review: Just a few days ago I read "The King" and I was amazed. While a little bored by the constant battles (being that I'm not a military mind), the rest of the book was really intense. It was a lot more emotional than "The Still"; at times I was near tears. While a little disatisfied with the ending (I would have like to see Roddy and Rustin pair up, but that's not possible ^-^), I was pleased overall. "The King" is a wonderful addition to the Rodrigo of Caledon saga, and I hope that David Feintuch finds it in himself to bless us readers and write another!

Rating:
Summary: Hail "The King"
Review: Just a few days ago I read "The King" and I was amazed. While a little bored by the constant battles (being that I'm not a military mind), the rest of the book was really intense. It was a lot more emotional than "The Still"; at times I was near tears. While a little disatisfied with the ending (I would have like to see Roddy and Rustin pair up, but that's not possible ^-^), I was pleased overall. "The King" is a wonderful addition to the Rodrigo of Caledon saga, and I hope that David Feintuch finds it in himself to bless us readers and write another!

Rating:
Summary: The King! Another Riveting Book By a Master Writer
Review: Once again, David Feintuch has proven to be one of the better speculative authors today. I'll admit I was disappointed that he was switching genres from science fiction to fantasy, but his brand new fantasy series is not disappointing at all. The King is beautifully written. He has the knack for painting his scenes in a way that the reader is drawn into his imaginary worlds. This same talent is there in his Seafort Saga as well.

I strongly recommend The King by David Feintuch.

Carol Kluz, author of The Prophecy Unfolds

Rating:
Summary: My discovery of David Feintuch
Review: Rarely had I laid my hands on the book that consumed me so entirely. I may mention Robin Hobb's Farseers/Tawny man, Pratchett's Discworld, and the first four books of Jordan's Wheel of Time. I had opened 'The King' by David Feintuch because I have a habit to browse through majority of the fantasy new releases to sample new authors and styles. I've never heard of him before, neither read any of his earlier books. In an hour I bought both The Still and The King and the next week of my life was forfeit.

Since this is a review of the second novel, I shall try to concentrate on it, but The Still is essential to enjoy the second book of the series, so I have to spend some time pondering over this first novel. I have seen some online reviews of this book and roughly the readers divide in two groups - they either hate the book or absolutely love it. As you've already guessed - I belong to that second category!

The plot is fairly trivial for a fantasy novel - the struggle of a handsome young prince (and rightful heir to the throne) to overcome the plotting of his despicable enemies and attain the kingship, fighting off the invasion of barbarian hordes into his beloved Caledon in process. But this about ends the similarities between this books and endless rows of faceless novels that so often line the shelf in the fantasy section of any bookstore. The young prince is a monster! Horribly spoiled child, with a temper of a stallion in heat (or should I say a burr under his saddle?), total disregard to people of 'lesser stature', and a sadistic streak on top of it. I absolutely loved him from the first page on!

Well, maybe it comes from me being raised in a different culture, but Roddy's disrespect to the ideas of democracy and human rights did not bother me that much. (I don't think I would have appreciated to live in his times though). After all, if you think about it - that was what the medieval society was about, and a figure of noble warrior-king, protector of the weak like Aragorn (a classical case of romanticisation of the royal persona), has as much in common with real royalty as Sherlock Holmes novels with routine police investigation. (That does not mean I don't worship Tolkien as the greatest fantasy writer of all times.) My point is - Rodrigo as a literary character is so full of life and energy (a rare treat in a fantasy book), that you cannot but attach yourself to him despite his many shortcomings and outright calamities. His inner monologue ( both of the books are 1st person narrative) is both brilliant in psychological analysis and in rare opulence of language use. I always have a bone to pick with american writers vs british ones - if I cannot find a word for which I have to dig into a Thesaurus every other chapter, I feel robbed. David Feintuch had satisfied my craving for both linguistic richness of language, and energetic use of dialog. I absolutely could not put both of the books down.

The character's evolution through the first novel from a spoiled brat to a person of conscience, and dare I say - caring, is done at a slow speed, and is delightfully rich in details (often horrible), and utterly consuming. The plot is dynamic and the book is filled with wonderfully written, historically correct military scenes. My only complain would be that the relationship between the two main characters of the novel (prince Rodrigo/Roddy and his friend, and later a lover Rustin) are a bit skewed in Rustin's favor. Since Roddy is a known 'villain', and he is rather harsh on himself most of the time he tends to overlook Rustin's possessive streak, and his friend's outright exploitation of himself, both psychologically and sexually. Most of the readers tend to swallow it without feeling any wrong being done to Roddy, but I was a bit uncomfortable with this relationship, as well as the idea of Rodrigo binding himself with an oath to obey his friend and confidant's orders in the matters starting from personal hygiene and ending in matters of state. I felt somewhat distressed about the scenes of Corporal punishment that the prince allowed to be inflicted upon him by Rustin as a penance for beating his young bondsman. I did feel a strong S&M element in Roddy/Rustin relationship, and that bothered me, since the author obviously was writing Rusting as a somewhat 'ideal', romantic figure and Rodrigo's hero.

Fortunately the second book cut this anguished knot in way I least expected and greatly appreciated. The solution that the author presented was brilliant (in my humble opinion) and compensated me for the nails bitten over the first novel. I have to say - applause! Rarely had I read anything so absolutely fascinating as the scenes in the second novel (The King) describing Rodrigo's emotional maturing, and the resolution of his crisis of relationship with Rustin. The shadow princess-bride character of Tresa also gained flesh and blood, and developed in a satisfying direction, though her relationship with Rodrigo lacks the intensity and oomph of his male romance.

I can only sigh and wish for more Caledon books, now that I finished the second book. And complain that author butchered the last chapter - the epilogue.

Verily, Mr. Feintuch, you have no compassion for the reader! I am not sure if you are going to continue the series, or if the next book would take another 3 years ( though I think the book should be written at its own pace), but 'The King's ending leaves you frustrated, and rooting for some degree of happiness (or at least peace of mind) granted to by now much beloved hero. Unfortunately Rodrigo gains neigh but bleakness, and but a small spark of hope.

Rating:
Summary: Weaves the tale of a new prince barely in control
Review: The King continues the ongoing saga of a young prince, who survived treachery to claim his throne and who here must continue to prove himself in order to keep it. This fantasy requires no prior familiarity with its predecessor in order to prove satisfying as it weaves the tale of a new prince barely in control of his forces.

Rating:
Summary: Roddy is back!
Review: This book held all the promises "The still" made.

It is full of surprising twistes, and I especially liked one where Feintuch uses a well-known literal device, but in an extremely different way.

"The king" is less about politics and plotting, and more about fighting against an overwhelming enemy. The battle scenes were just great. Some of them left me breathless, just like "Children of hope".

There are some characters I barely noticed in "The still", who wonderfully came to life in this book, f.ex. Groenfil and Tantroth, but also Tresa.
I think the way the relationship between Roddy and Rustin developed was very good and satisfying. You could not really say who was the stronger one.

What I especially appreciated was that we found out much more about the still and its usage. That is not the boring magic you have in too many fantasy novels.

This book also made clear how extremely different Feintuch's difficult two heroes are. Not once did Roddy really remind me of Nick, and sometimes I even forgot that they share the same creator.

And finally, the end. Oh my, how extremely cruel it is! But, should that surprise anyone who at least read "Patriarch's hope"?
It also is done greatly how the end could be really seen as ending and final, but still leaves loving readers hope (Reader's hope?) for a third book. Please?