Rating: 
Summary: Promises to be a great series
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Contrary to what others have written in their reviews, I did not find this book to be "cliche". The author has some unique ideas and characters that make this a good read. I think this author holds great promise. According to the record jacket, the entire series is in print in Australlia. If it were avaible in the USA, I would have already purchased all the books.
Rating: 
Summary: Why the hype?
Review: This is a modestly interesting read. The writing is amateurish, and the story, while engaging in parts, is standard fantasy fare, and not very well done. I found myself cringing at the silly names and the sometimes juvenile dialogue.I did find myself drawn in until Faraday's choice [don't want to spoil it] and after that it was downhill. I am tired of seeing every new book by each new author that comes down the pike hailed like the New Era of Fantasy is upon us. This is a tired retread, an Australian import that is not up to American standards of fantasy, in my opinion. That's not meant to be snotty; I would be hard pressed to name an American book that was up to British standards of fantasy. In short, don't bother with this. Read Lewia, Williams, Tolkien, Pratchett, or, if you must, Hobb, Williams, Martin, Haydon and Carroll.
Rating: 
Summary: About face
Review: For a change,this sequel series has been published in the UK before the USA.During it,nearly all the characters seem to show very unpleasant sides and the series does not seem to flow well from the earlier series.Often,you are left shaking your head in disbelief as the heroes stagger from one self-induced crisis to the next.If you can stay with the series,everything turns out OK,though with 21/2 books of crisis and 1/2 book solution,it all happens too quickly.Also room for further sequels
Rating:
Summary: Dumb women, cardboard men
Review: It would have been nice if Sara Douglass had tried a little harder to give her characters a little depth. Faraday is a continual victim, Axis the earnest, underappreciated hero, and Borneheld the typical villan. I can watch Dudley Dooright, Nell Fenwick and Snidely Whiplash if I want that. This book has some promise in the description of the people of the plough and their outlook, but the rest is grating. The prophecy at the beginning told me everything that happened in the story without having to read it, and everything that will continue to do so. I will not bother, however.
Rating:
Summary: The foundation for a great series
Review: Having read the enitre Wayfarer series and can't give it the full five stars, because this series just gets better as it goes one. Though a bit slow to getting going (Volume 1 only)it is well worth it as it sets the scene and establishes the world of Axis, Faraday, the Guardians, Mystical Keeps, The Forbidden ones not to mention Azhure and Wolfstar (however you soon realise whatever you had thought about anything in this is soon not the case). So many riddles to solve! - which is always a great thrill to any avid fanatasy fan. Sara's style is enimently readable and you will soon find yourself spending many a late night caught up in the world of Tencendor. Buy it - read it - I guarentee that once you get to the end of the Wayfarer Repemption (Crusader) you will have been glad you did. Ms Douglas being a medieval history ensures there is some well disguised social commentary which gives it that etra dimension required for outstnading fanatsy fiction. (Just look at Terry Goodkind if you need another example of how social commentary making enjoyable reading)
Rating:
Summary: A solid fantasy book that I couldn't wait to get the others
Review: I have read a number of fantasy books and this one ranks up with the best. Well written, interesting characters, and not very perdictable. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Be Fooled
Review: My wife bought this book after seieng an ad for it in Romantic Times, then didn't like it, because it wasn't romantic. So she gave it to me, and I didn't like it, because it wasn't particularly good fantasy or writing. The cover art is beautiful, and it is an expensive looking book, but the money that was put into making it look so should have been spent editing it better, or whatever. The cover text sounded great, but the reality is that too much relies on the Prophecy and characters who are not appealing or interesting. Not recommended.
Rating:
Summary: This is not good fantasy
Review: It's really not. I agree with the previous reviewer who said that Ms. Douglass has put too many archtypes that are overused in this book. More to the point, they have become stereotypes. And is anybody else bothered by the passive choices Faraday makes? I would hate for a young girl to read this book, thinking that this heroine is doing the right thing. The author also gave me whiplash from jumping from point of view to point of view. Who's telling this story? Royo artwork notwithstanding, this is not worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: Well-crafted fare
Review: Sara Douglass gets this prophetic fantasy off to a great start. The setting is well thought out and the characters have strong personalities (if a little one-dimensional at this point). I liked the fact that although there is a prophecy involved, the story was not predictable and took interesting and original twists and turns. I look forward to the next book (I think I'll wait for the Tor hardbacks if they keep up with the Royo covers and not order the Australian paperbacks) and I don't think it can disappoint.
Rating:
Summary: Much Better than Average
Review: I read this book before having read the reviews. I had never heard of Sara Douglass. While I don't really prefer prophesy-based stories, and thought the "Sentinels" a substandard device, I thought the characters in this one more than made up for that deficiency. They don't act from the same motives that modern characters might, but isn't that a plus for a fantasy novel? Their motives are consistent with the setting. I plan to read the others in the series.
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