Time of the Dark

Rating:
Summary: You might as well buy all three...
Review: ...and save yourself a trip back to the store. I just finished reading the trilogy again, and truly enjoyed it. Her characters are very nicely drawn; you won't mind the reverse-cliched strong-willed taciturn woman and weak, can't find himself guy. And if you like wizards - yow. Hambly's got one for you. The entire setting of the story is eerily realistic; she gets it just right. And, best of all, you've waited long enough for her to write two more novels from this universe!

Rating:
Summary: Afraid of the Dark
Review: A wizard from another world seeking sanctuary for an infant prince is aided by a biker and a female history grad student who leave their boring lives on Earth to join his war against the horrible force known only as The Dark. They become a warrior and a wizard, just as you'd suppose, except that the girl becomes a warrior and the biker a wizard's apprentice, and that's because nothing is ever predictable in a Hambly book. Darwath is a well-thought-out world with a severe problem; namely the hordes of Dark creatures coming from under the ground. What are they, and why did they kill all the wizards they could find? Can Ingold Inglorion find the answer before the Dark comes for him? Well, there are two more books so you can probably guess...

Rating:
Summary: Well, my opinion is a bit different from yours
Review: I didn't think this was a great book, a page-turner. In my opinion it is only a reasonable book, at best. The theme - humankind fighting against the monstrous Dark Ones in an alternate universe - is fascinating, but I think Barbara Hambly lacks the necessary story-telling skills to make this fascinating theme come to life. An example: I think Ms Hambly could play with the contrasts among our world and the fantasy world of the Dark Ones. The characters that were translated by the wizard Ingold to that universe adapt so well to a medieval society that it seems like they were born there. Well, that's my opinion. If you're desperate for a good book you should spend it buying another one, but if you just want to spend some time reading, go for it [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Well, my opinion is a bit different from yours
Review: I didn't think this was a great book, a page-turner. In my opinion it is only a reasonable book, at best. The theme - humankind fighting against the monstrous Dark Ones in an alternate universe - is fascinating, but I think Barbara Hambly lacks the necessary story-telling skills to make this fascinating theme come to life. An example: I think Ms Hambly could play with the contrasts among our world and the fantasy world of the Dark Ones. The characters that were translated by the wizard Ingold to that universe adapt so well to a medieval society that it seems like they were born there. Well, that's my opinion. If you're desperate for a good book you should spend it buying another one, but if you just want to spend some time reading, go for it [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Worth Buying..
Review: I got Time Of The Dark after hearing the song 'Gil-Shalos'(avalible through firebirdarts.com). I was expecting a typical story about some girl pulled into another world and couldn't get back so she became a warrior. This book is so much more than that. The writing style really is a touch immature and hard to read at the beginning, but the whole idea behind the book just grips you. Strange creatures known only as The Dark that live underground and rise to the surface at night to prey upon human's. It's a rather freaky book, but a good read if you're bored. There's a few places in it that leaves you wondering why the characters are out exploring the land or whatever, but it's still pretty good.

Rating:
Summary: Moderate
Review: I have disliked Hambly in the past usually her books are formulistic and well shallow. Also her writing is weak. This novel is , well, some what formulistic I will abmit but an enjoyable and easy read. The writing is immature but that is made up for by the thoughts and theory in this book. As ,in most authors cases, the first attempt is the best.

Rating:
Summary: I love this series!
Review: I have read this whole series several times over. Barbara Hambly started me reading fantasy and I am thankful for it. I was lucky enough that I discovered the series after the first three had been published so I was able to read them one right after the other. I had a hard time finding something to read after them - how do you follow perfection? I would highly recommend this author and this series.

Rating:
Summary: I love this series!
Review: I have read this whole series several times over. Barbara Hambly started me reading fantasy and I am thankful for it. I was lucky enough that I discovered the series after the first three had been published so I was able to read them one right after the other. I had a hard time finding something to read after them - how do you follow perfection? I would highly recommend this author and this series.

Rating:
Summary: The Time of the Dark
Review: Ms Hamblys style is spare and keen. Every character is well rounded and inviting and she does it all with a few extremely well chosen phrases. She allows you the time and imagination to fill in her substantial universe as individual readers. I love this series for its engaging dialogue, fascinating people and visceral plot that sucks you in and never lets you go. When you finish, you want to start again and there is always something you didn't take in the first time. Eminently rereadable and memorable.

Rating:
Summary: An engrossing story with intriguing characters
Review: Once I started with the first book of this series, I knew I just had to read the rest. I just recently discovered Barbara Hambly's work and her writing is intelligent and descriptive, with unique characters. I was truly drawn into this fascinating world, and read the entire series in a week, including the last two. I only wish there were more!