Rating: 
Summary: A Fine Example of Heroic Fantasy
Review: Michael Stackpole's Talion: Revenant is the first novel he wrote, but that is hard to tell once you read the book. This is a well-told heroic fantasy with believable characters and fast paced action that keeps the pages flying by. One might call this story the study of a hero, because ultimately, Nolan, a Talion Justice is just that, a Hero. The novel opens with Nolan, an experienced Talion Justice, in pursuit of bandits led by the rogue Morai and Nolan's eventual disbanding of the group. The novel then switches to years earlier as Nolan arrives at the gates of Talianna, the home nation of the Talions, with aspirations of becoming a Justice. He wants to ultimately right a wrong that befell him, the killing of his entire family by the King of Hamis in his conquest of nations. The novel takes place in the world of the Shattered Empire, a loose band of nation policed by the Talions-an elite police nation. The Talions are divided into Warriors, Wizards, Archers Lancers and the Justices, which are the highest ranking of the Talions. The rest of the novel switches between these two view points, that of Nolan as a full Talion Justice in the midst of his missions and Nolan's growth and development through the land of Talianna as he pursues his goal of becoming a Talion. The novel also has interesting creatures, the giant Hawks that are used as mounts by the Talions, Jevin the Fearleen, one of Nolan's Talion companions. Fearleans are Stackpole's version of ogres. And of course the undead nekkhit, the basis for Nolan's ultimate assignement. The nekkhit possess the bodies of the dead, and is being used in an attempt to take the life of King Tirrel. The only problem with this assignment, other than the usual possible death at the hands of the nekkhit, is that King Tirrell is responsible for the death and slaughter of Nolan's family. This parallel narrative works extremely well and again, Stackpole handles it so well that it does not read as his first novel. In the parallel narrative we see the growth of Nolan at two stages of his life, as a young man growing up and a mature man accepting his state in life. This is a novel illustrates the fact that not every issue is black and white, not every struggle is good vs. evil. To sum up, this novel has many qualities to enjoy: believable, likeable characters, intrigue and action, tension and struggles between characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Thankfully not the first *and* last novel set in this world!
Review: For the past 10 years or so I have been a Stackpole fan; I have always loved the way he mixed and mingled politics and whatnot into his novels, and how he would never let it completely drown out the actual story line. This book solidified my love of it even further. Not only is it a good fantasy novel, but it is also a good introduction to the world of Talions (which, I believe, he is continuing due to fans of his Star Wars and BattleTech fiction).
Rating:
Summary: My Favourite Fantasy Book!
Review: I have read quite a lot of fantasy books, and I have to say this is my favourite. I don't understand why Stackpole doesn't continue this series. The protagonist is the ultimate goody-two-shoes in the universe, but he is cunning and flexible which makes him a very special character. If you want to understand what Lawful Good means, read this book. :)
Rating:
Summary: A Great First Book
Review: I first discovered Michael A. Stackpole when I read the first four Star Wars X-Wing books two years ago. I have been a huge fan since. Michael A. Stackpole creates a detailed world that could easily be used as a RPG setting. I like how he switches off between Nolans training to become a Justice and the present plot. A must read.
Rating:
Summary: great book, but a little depressing
Review: this was the first fantasy novel I ever read. I loved it, right down to the the last chapters. Then it became a little depressing
Still, it is one of my favorite books. I recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy or doesnt
Rating:
Summary: I Want More Books Like This One!
Review: I read on the average five or six books a month. Most of them are fantasy novels. I First discovered Mr. Stackpole about a two years or so ago by reading his Dark Glory War. I enjoyed is writing style and his wonderfull charactors. I was however absolutly blown away by his Talion: Revenant book. Never in all my years of reading fantacy did I read a book like this! It was amazing! You will be caught up by the first paragraph and carried thoughout the whole book! My only regret is that so far it is the only book in which he writes about the Talions.
Rating:
Summary: A great beginning.
Review: AS Stackpole's first book this was a masterpiece. The different plotlines intertwining throughout the book was an awesome blend of a boy coming of age and the man he becomes. This world is deserving of more books and definitely capable of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, But Plot Holes Galore
Review: I'm not particularly familiar with Mr. Stackpole, and I take his word for it that this was his first novel. I'll excuse the grammar errors, the awkward dialog and the clumsy characterization. But even a beginning author can develop a plot that is tight, and Mr. Stackpole doesn't. At the risk of a spoiler, to pick just one, how can only one Talion know of "nekkhets"? Did the Master send Marana to kill the nekkhet without telling her what it was? Nolan's identification of the traitor in the climactic scene is based on an impossible premise. The rigorous training that all Talions must go through, in the case of Justices almost from birth, somehow fails disastrously in not one but two cases? Three if you count Ring? And this is the force that holds the remnants of the Shattered Empire together? And don't get me started on authors who don't reveal or even give us a clue about critical secrets like Nolan's heritage until after it's necessary to the plot... Talk about inventing yourself out of a corner... Again, I know this is a first novel, but plots are what rookies are supposed to get right. There's been very good fantasy written over the last 25 years. Barry Hughart's _Bridge of Birds_, Ursula LeGuin's early books, Jack Vance's _Lyonesse_ trilogy, among many others. _Talion: Revenant_, despite some nice ideas, is derivative, logically inconsistent and seriously flawed. Not a classic. Not even a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!!!!!!!
Review: I picked this book mostly for the reason that I read the Star Wars book Stackpole wrote and thought they were good so why wouldn't his other writing be good? Well logic won because this book is magnificent. This is the first fantasy book I've ever read and I think I can say I'm officially a fntasy fan already! The story is great and I love the style of writing that Stackpole uses for this book. I love how it transists from Nolan's past and present. He is a great character that is very well developed. I would love to see a sequel written for this book but unfortunately I don't think Stackpole is planning to write one. Overall if your a fan of science fiction or fantasy or love the other stuff Stackpole has written I think this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Great first book from a great author.
Review: Michael A. Stackpole has stated that this was the first novel he ever wrote, although it wasn't published until 1997. I find this hard to believe, for this displays skill far beyond anything a beginning author should have. This book is brilliant. Alternating chapters from Nolan's training to become a Justice and his current adventures hunting down bandits and working undercover, protecting the king who destroyed his nation, Stackpole uses the coming of age story to introduce this wonderful world he has created. Talianna is a breathtaking city, it is still alive in my mind years after I first read the book. The characters are real and you can easily relate to Nolan's feelings for each one of them. Stackpole's pacing is perfect, I found it impossible to stop reading, everything happens exactly when it will have the most impact on the reader. Along with Once a Hero and The Dark Glory War this is Stackpoles best work. It's a shame he hasen't gotten around to writting a sequel. This world could be as huge as the Forgotten Realms, it hasn't even beggan to be explored. After Stackpole finishes his current project (The DragonCrown War Cycle, sequel to The Dark Glory War) he should give another go at Talion.
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