Rating: 
Summary: Faster paced than "Wheel of Time"
Review: One of the things I dislike about many multi-line stories is the lack of parallelism - by the time the story line shifts, TOO much time has passed. I start worrying about what was happening to the other characters - especially if they were left in a tight spot. Well, you won't have that problem with this book. The pace was hectic and the rapidly shifting viewpoint kept things current, a big plus in my mind. Having read just about everything Drake has written, I thought this was a little different style for him, but all in all, a good read. I just hope he is not trying to drag it into an epic the size of "Wheel". Drake and his publishers have demonstrated a very greedy streak in the past with numerous re-packaging of short stories and re-titling of novels. I wouldn't be surprised if this turns into a 10 book extravaganza.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor book
Review: Not really much to say in favor of the book. The book skips around too much for my likng with the 2-4 page chapters. Contrary to the quotes on the cover, their is very little character devolepment and the magic system is like what you would find in a pre-teen book. In 625 pages, the book goes half the length of better, smaller books I have read. Not much of a vocabulary. Also the battles usually take only a page to describe and go through, if even that much. There is a very detached point of view throughout the entire book. Unless you are desperate, don't waste your money on this book.
Rating:
Summary: Not bad
Review: Contrary to most of the more recent reviews, I thought that this book was pretty good, despite a few flaws and misdirections. I'll go through the problems first. Several times throughout the book, and I think this was either an oversight of the editor or a printing problem, a word in a sentence such as "an" or "of" would be conspicuously missing, and occasionally a phrase would be repeated, "he sheathed the sheathed the sword." However, despite these flaws the writing was good and strong, with more than adequate descriptive power, and it was clear. Another little problem was the lack of a well-established goal. While Lord of the Isles would be a good name for the entire saga, this book really didn't have anything to do with the Lord of the Isles. Events occur in this book which the characters are forced to react to, but there is no definite goal, it just sort of plays out until it reaches a logical place to stop. The third main point is the enemies/monsters/demons. All sound the same. "It had short, stumpy legs, but the length of its torso/body made it almost as tall as Cashel. It also had extraordinarily long arms/teeth." It seems that everything evil or carnivorous now has, by definition, to look the same. I'm not sure if this next point is good or bad, but I'm really starting to notice a big trend in these fantasy saga. A young shepherd finds out he's gonna rule the world, and in fact his ancestor is in his head. He has a huge, steadfast friend, an older, wiser guide, and several beautiful young women competing for his affections. Sound like Jordan's Wheel of Time series or Goodkind's Sword of Truth? I thought so. On the plus side, this world stands out in that not every woman is "one of the most beautiful women he'd ever seen." Also, the characters are well defined, and in various situations, they react according to their character, instead of leaping through some hidden logic to the perfect answer. Unfortunately, they never seem to get into situations which require brilliant logic leaps to get out of; instead, it's usually a "slugging" match. Still, the action and various locales, including Hell, are very well defined and sometimes quite original, and the author clearly knows what he's talking about in nearly every field. The magic is mostly consistent, but I found myself wondering why some wizards always needed sacrifices for to work their magic, while Tenoctris was always able just to wave her grass around and accomplish anything. Another unfortunate occurance is that the two best main characters leave/die before the end of the book. The bottom line -- Realizing that this book isn't a complete story but the beginning of "the epic saga of the Lord of the Isles," I can look past the rudimentary plot or lack thereof. The characters, locations, tools, and events all work very well, and the writing is good. While this book isn't as "truly brilliant" as all the rave reviews posted on the cover claim, it is still fun and promising start to Drake's new series.
Rating: 
Summary: Lord of the Isles
Review: Where to begin, this was one of the worst books I have ever read. The 3 story lines bounced around and the story seemed to drag and drag. I got about 3/4 of the way through and had to put book away(almost the garbage). Just to get back to reality I re-read an R.A. Salvatore book, Drake surely needs some pointers from a real writer. Anyone thinking of buying Lord of the Isles, don't waste your time.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable read
Review: OK, this isn't the best book I've ever read. But, I found it enjoyable and was not really disappointed. I would have been disappointed if there were no sequels! Character development is definitely a sore point. The magical system is poorly explained--it seems more like Alice in Wonderland than Tolkien (the paragon of all fantasy). But, the plot was gripping and the writing was good.
Rating:
Summary: Bout' Average
Review: I guess the book is OK. It is not one of the greatest fantasy novels I have read but I am choking it down. I think that the 2 page chapters and the constant switching back and forth between characters on seperate islands gets a little old. I mean, the hermit and Sharina are running for their lives from a bunch a bugs...switch to a sheepherder chating with his family...switch to Sharina running into a building...switch to herding sheep...switch back and forth and so on....AAARG!. Can't he just write to a nice transition point before changing the thought? Anyways, as far as the book goes...If you already bought it then read it, Otherwise find your entertainment elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Who're they kidding?
Review: When I pick up a book and see such stellar reviews from outstanding authors quoted on the cover, my expectations become quite high. Can I get my money back? Not only is this book hugely disapointing and cheesy, I'm going to have to read another, and another, and maybe another, just to get the full story (or not!). This is another chaotic fantasy with no rules, boring characters, and pages full of mellow-drama. Not to mention totally unoriginal. This is the kind of stuff that gives fantasy a bad name. Where are the Bloodguard when you need them?
Rating:
Summary: Absolute garbage.
Review: I have read a lot of fantasy novels, by many different authors. Never before have I come across a book with such poorly developed characters and plot (to the point point of not being developed at all). The book is confusing, and the characters' actions make no sense: "Hello old lady who I met 3 days ago. You are the only person I trust. Will you embark on a life-altering, dangerous journey with me?" "Okay, why not?" Bottom line: I hated this book. It is unimaginitive and boring, and I would not even consider reading another book by this author. Yuck.
Rating:
Summary: Words fail me...
Review: I don't have good taste in literature so it's pretty bad when I think a book totally stinks. Lord of the Isles is like a leftover Mcdonald's fries, stale, dull and simply dull to the taste. The characters were annoying, the story was weak. When I end up wishing all the characters die and die soon there is a major problem. I hate this book. There are three in the series. I guess for those who plan to finish them (which I willnot) is that it can only get better and not get any worse but then I also said that at the end of watching "Highlander 2".
Rating:
Summary: Flat characters
Review: I picked up this book, a hardcover, in the bargain bin for four bucks or so. The map inside the cover was interesting. An archipelago world, hmmm, possibility of lots of naval action here, I thought. I have to say that I have not finished the book. I can state that the storyline and historical background had fantastic possibilities in my mind. But the flat characters just aren't able to pull it off. They seem dull, lacking emotion, and just don't seem to be developed in a way that they could have been. I found that I had no sense of identifying with them. It seemed like I could care less what happened to them. Whether that changes in the later stages of the book, I don't know, but it was such drudgery getting there that I had to stop. I don't like posting a bad review, but this is my opinion and can be taken or left, keeping in mind that I'm a doctor, not a writer.
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