Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding literary adventure
Review: I picked up this book after reading Stover's previous book Jericho Moon, and I have to say this one is even better. More action, more romance, more ideas. Like Jericho Moon, this book can be enjoyed just as a thrill ride, but it has a lot more to offer than just that. It's a real old-fashioned literary adventure, with lots of "literary" to go with all the adventure. It's a long way from Terry Goodkind and Robert Jordan--a long way BETTER.
Rating: 
Summary: Exciting and fun
Review: I'd like to briefly add my praise to the numerous reviews already posted here. 'Heroes Die' is an endlessly exhilarating read. I was enthralled from page 1 to the back cover. Stover's future universe is fascinating in its complexity and depth. While giving us an exciting hack-and-slash adventure, Stover subtly weaves together a social commentary on our culture's decadence.I don't want to give the wrong impression. This isn't a mindless killing book. The main character, Caine, is motivated in his quest to save his estranged wife. Through the course of the novel we see Caine grow into a mature and rational man. I recommend this novel to all fantasy readers.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant character development...
Review: I'd say the best thing about this book is its outstanding character development. The main characters, especially Hari/Cain and Berne, really draw the reader into the story. Their emotions are so clearly depicted that you quickly become immersed and can truly empathize with them, even the ones you hate. Speaking of which, the main villain, Count Berne, is developed with the same level of care and skill as Hari/Cain, so that you TRULY despise him. The other side of that coin is Ma'elKoth, whose character is so richly developed that he actually becomes a "sympathetic" villain by the end. One thing I dislike about many fantasy books is that I never get the sense that the characters are ever in any *true* danger... not so with this book! The characters often find themselves in very dangerous situations, and not just physical danger, which lends great tension to the novel. The plot twists are great, as are the fight scenes (Stover is an accomplished martial artist, and his descriptions are quite vivid and accurate). The book concludes with an incendiary climax and by far the most fulfilling ending I have ever read in a fantasy book. If you are looking specifically for a typical, cliched high-fantasy novel (of which I'm a fan by the way), this is not for you. For everyone else, I recommend that you get this book before it goes out of print!
Rating:
Summary: Get ready for the ride of your life!
Review: I've always love books that can cross genres without any efforts.That is why I loved this book! Mr. Stover has created a novel which combines a dark high tech future with tolkeinish fantasy world and spy thriller type action sequences.Our hero has two personas: a actor on ridge caste future earth and lethal assasin on a fantasy world must save his enstranged wife from death against ruthless employers and a brutal emperor.This novel has scenes of brutal hand to hand combat, techological advances,magical battles and plenty of plot twists.So like I said in my title of this review: get ready for ride of your life!
Rating:
Summary: Buy This Book
Review: I've been reading Sci Fi and Fantasy for twenty years and it takes a lot to impress me but Stover blew me away...If you want edge of your seat action/suspense/adventure set in two great backdrops/worlds this is your book. The characters really hold your interest (always a problem for me) and the action/fighting sequences will satisfy even the most blood-thirsty fan...Bravo Mr. Stover, can't wait for the sequel!
Rating:
Summary: Gripping, Intense, Entertaining, Provocative LITERATURE
Review: Matthew Stover is gaining a reputation as a solid, though- provoking storyteller/novelist/ writer, which is perhaps why Lucasfilms has tapped him to pen a novel in their sprawling NEW JEDI ORDER saga. HEROES DIE exemplifies what a committed, driven writer can do when he puts his mind to it. Few novels I have read have left me in such a sense of awe after reading them. You can read the above reviews for a sense of what this story is about, but I'll tell you why this novel, rather this piece of LITERATURE is so great. This book exemplifies everything that can be done within the genre of speculative fiction. That is, expand our perception and make us think (speculate) about our place in the world. The world of Overworld may, at the outset, touch a chord of fantasy familiarity, but as we see Caine move through this land, our perception is expanded beyond what we initially think we see. As we see Hari/Caine bear down, inch towards sunlight despite what is thrown at him, we see how his place in the world is threatened and indeed speculate about our place in the world. Stover takes many fantasy archetypes and turns them on their rears. Many fantasies have magic, this has magic, in critical mass, and the magic has definite consequences and repercussions. Many fantasies involve characters pitted against each other, with conflicting agendas. Again, you'll find this here as well, though at times you may question which agenda you would subscribe to more easily those of Hari or his adversary Ma'elKoth. Many fantasy novels have Heroes that epitomize some type of "good" and do not give up--don't worry, the hero here, Hari Michaelson, is just that. Though his "good" may not be exactly in line with preconceived notions of good. Hari/Caine ultimately, is something that many people can identify with, despite some of what he does in the novel-a person committed to his beliefs and through labyrinths both of his own creation and of external creation, committed to two things we can all identify with, committed to himself and the love of his life. He inches toward daylight in the dark tunnel, believing in himself striving for his goals. What Stover has done in this spectacular novel is take these storytelling elements and turns up way beyond 10. The characters are some of the most believable you will come across, the action/fighting is the most intense and realistic-there's reason, Stover himself is trained and experienced in the martial arts. Stover is an unrelenting writer, with each turn of the page, he entertains, challenges you to think and begs you to turn the page with this novel. Caine is unrelenting, he does not give up and is a hero through everything. When a writer can create a "villain", or more to the point an adversary for their hero that you actually can empathize with and almost admire, then he has done a exemplary job of characterization. As great as this novel is, as intense as these characters come across, Stover exceeds himself in the sequel BLADE OF TYSHALLE. If you are tired of some of the paint-by-numbers fantasies that seem to take up the bestseller lists and shelves of your local bookstore, if you want a well crafted, piece of ENTERTAINING, PROVOCATIVE, INSPIRING, fiction and LITERATURE, buy this book and read it. And read it again. After that, tell your friends to buy the book.
Rating:
Summary: A Scifi/fantasy book finally about something
Review: Matthew Woodring Stover is a truly gifted writer. I have read this book several times, and every time take away something more; not just details that I missed the first time around, but layers and levels to his writing that continue to impress me. This book is about the abuse of power by government, big religion and big business; it's about searching for the self among the collective. If you want to read a book that is really about something more than entertainment but still entertaining, and written by an author that has mastered the Language; read this book. You won't be dissappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Topnotch and novel
Review: Most original new fantasy I've read in a long time. Excellent action sequences (the author's martial arts experience comes through well). Characters are strong and distinct. Strong plot.
Rating:
Summary: This was an excellent well thought out book
Review: Normally I'm not a big one for SF or fantasy. I was pleasently surprised when I got "Heroes Die" on a whim and as it turns out I loved it. I'm not sure I agree entirely with Stover's rather dismal view on our society's future, but it's possible. The characters of the story were very well written and surprisingly versitial. One of the aspects of the book I liked the most was the fact that people (both heros and villians) didn't do things just because they were good, evil etc. They had motives for their actions and weren't just radomly good or evil as the plot needed them to be. The settings and plot twists (there were many of those) were believable and entertaining. In my humble oppinion, this book was an all around good read. Can't wait for the sequal! Hint, hint, publishers.
Rating:
Summary: 1 of the best kept fantasy secrets.
Review: Not as well known as many other authors, but this book is the best fantasy book I've read in a long time. If you want an interesting new world, intense action, sunspense and a great character, this book is the one for you. Probably the best combat descriptions ever.
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