Rating: 
Summary: errr, what's next
Review: An OK novel... much better in the first half. Seems the author got a bit tired after that. Lot's of detailed skipped over. This would not be all that bad 'cepting the close attention to detail in the first half. Also in the second half the plot and characters keep getting more bizarre and seem to spontaneously pop up.There is a firm story here and the book is paced well. Kind of an in-between book while waiting for something you really want to read. At this point I am not inclined to pursue the other books in the trilogy, just doesn't seem to be enough there, especially for 6 books if that is correct. Jordan fans might like it better then most as there seem to be a lot of Wheel of Time elements in the story... Peace.
Rating:
Summary: Descent, readable, but nothing all that special
Review: The book is descent and has an interesting plot. There are many times when it is very predictable and it does indeed seem to be merely a confusing love story that has no conclucive resolve. Many of the charcaters change thier personality from time to time based on what the reader has descovered about the plot. A hermit-like brother seemingly knows all about the culture he came from, but then you find out that the brothere was merely a sentinel posing as a brother. how did the sentinel learn all these things that only a true brother would know? there were many, many confusing and badly written sentances and many that rambled on an on. Definately not the best example of fantasy writing. However the writer's imagionation was very good and she has a wondeful gift of describing scenery. The reason I enjoyed the book to an extent is because of the rich surroundings and the interesting plot twists. The characters are boring and the writing is mediocre, but the places she has created have a life of thier own.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent introduction & set up to an unusual world
Review: Having recently moved to Australia, I suddenly "discovered" Douglas who is revered as the best Australian newcomer to the fantasy scene. Attracted by this accreditation, I bought and read the first book. I was not disappointed. Douglas has a great talent. In "BattleAxe" (The Wayfarer Redemption), she successfully introduces a new world with a multitude of characters and a complex storyline to the reader. She does so in a manner that drags the reader into her world, where characters are emphatetic and sympathetic. It becomes a pleasure to learn this new society and the reader gains familiarity with the 4 races through gentle introduction. Skillfully, we begin to feel comfortable about Ichtar, getting to know its ins and outs through the developing roles of the characters and their relationships. Incredibly, Douglas holds the strings of around 20 key characters with ease, each with their own purpose, feelings, thoughts, developments and decisions. Even better, the plot is strong. Characters and pieces of the puzzle start to fit together towards the end of the book when (we think that) the roles of individuals become clearer. Why has Axis always been able to sing? Why GoldFeather lives with the Incarii? Who are Ogden and Veremund really? And Faraday -- our heroine sheds her naivety and innocence, and is forced by circumstance to grow up all at once. Some questions remain, of course, for following books in the series: Will Axis' love for Faraday negatively impact him as suggested by the prophecy? And exactly what or who *is* Azhure - the mystery lady without a home? Lots of characters, lots of development, intrigue and plot lines that could divert into any number of branches. Douglas obviously worked hard at this book (and series) and the effort has paid off. I've given it only 4 stars just because Douglas is still a small step away from a brilliant masterpiece. I have no doubt this is in the pipeline ...
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful Storytelling.
Review: Sara Douglass did a wonderful job with this book. It kept me enthralled from the moment I read the 'Prophecy of the Destroyer' in the beginning. Her vivid storytelling and depth with the characters allowed me many hours of reading pleasure. The Icarii and the Avar people are beautiful races, and you cannot help but falling in love with the characters and the Prophecy. I cannot wait to read 'Enchanter'. If you enjoy good fantasy reading than check 'BattleAxe: The Wayfarer Redemption.' out today!
Rating:
Summary: Enthralling Story
Review: This was an excellent book with fun characters and interesting world building. It is a world in which the prevailing religion has caused people to be mistrustful, and even fearful of trees. The church's military wing is called the Axe-Wielders and most trees in areas around human settlements have been chopped down. The story is exciting and creative. I immediately went out to find the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Very good but at times tedious
Review: Axis - the perfect man. A good warrior and leader, handsome and with bedroom skills to match. However, all his qualities (and they are numerous) cannot wipe out the fact that he is the bastard nephew of the King. His hated half-brother Borneheld is the King's heir and taunts Axis with Faraday, Borneheld's betrothed and a young woman who Axis is beginning to love. As the tension between the two brothers mounts, another threat arises. Another of Axis' half-brothers (no relation to Borneheld) is the Destroyer mentioned in the prophecies. He is determined to kill Axis and seize Faraday. As the prophesised StarMan, Axis must reunite three conflicting races and destroy his half-brothers. A fantastic book, however, the length was a bit overwhelming and in some parts, I felt rather bored but it kept me in suspense long enough to keep reading. This book is not completely your average fantasy, no hero saves the world from the Apocalypse and then marrying the girl. Axis is okay but I found his heroism a little wearing on the nerves at times. Every thing about Borneheld is repulsive and it is no wonder that Faraday loathes him. He is cruel, but not that clever. Faraday annoys me at times to the point of madness. She is so naive in the beginning and is oft times consumed by her 'love' for Axis. However, Rivkah, Axis' mother and Azhure, a woman who does not know her origins, are fantastic. They are strong women, independent and fight for what they want.
Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre series
Review: Being a lover of series fantasy I was disappointed with this. It seemed superficial and the pacing was slow. Few character viewpoints were explored. Yet the story and world kept me interested enough to buy the second book. Was that a mistake. It plodded through an utterly predicitible plot with the only character development increasing my dislike for all of the characters- each of whom is completely one-sided. Also there was basically one plot line followed too neatly from begining to end with no change in character viewpoint or setting leaving no room for suspense. I won't finish the series.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Change from the Others
Review: I have become so enurred to the other so-called Fantasy authors out there, with the exception of Raymond Feistand and David Drake that I really didn't expect much from this book. I was pleasantly surprised, both by the story line and the amount of action. In my expereince of 35 years of Fantasy reading, it seems that most of the authors today feel that the reader is fascinated with different factions all talking and conniving and planning each other's downfall. Nothing puts me to sleep faster. There is also the pitfall of thinking that we want to see Anti-Heroes all the time, who either dowbt their own abilities or are tough to identify with for other reasons. I want someone who I can feel is noble and has some abilities beyond the norm. That combination is rare to find these days, but Axis, and other characters that Sarah Douglass created are a cut above what I commonly see. Her writing style of pleasant, and her imagination seems to be quite well-developed. All in all, I enjoyed this book and will soon buy it's sequel.
Rating: 
Summary: Unimaginative & Predictable
Review: This book was terrible. It cured me of pursuing the series any further. The plot was extremely predictable, leaving the reader to plod through several hundred pages of rambling, inane text. In several instances, the battle scenes are omitted from the story. Plus, the author's idea of foreshadowing pretty much eliminates any possibility of suspense. The book is a waste of time. If you like adventure, excitement, and good battles, this book is a rip off.
Rating:
Summary: very enjoyable
Review: After reading other reviews, it seems you'll either love this book or hate it. I happen to fall on the side of loving it. I'm not saying it necessarily breaks new ground in the field; but it was enjoyable. After just reading Terry Goodkind's Pillars of Creation, and comparing the two books, I'd sooner spend my money on the next books in this series (which I did when the 2nd came out earlier this year), than on the next one by Goodkind.
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