The Face of Apollo (Book of the Gods, Volume 1)

Rating:
Summary: Decent Storyline, writing style could be improved
Review: I thought this was a good story--it certainly kept my interest, but I only gave it three stars because the writing didn't "flow" smoothly along. Still, it's worth a read, if only for the unusual perspective offered by Saberhagen.

Rating:
Summary: Decent Storyline, writing style could be improved
Review: I thought this was a good story--it certainly kept my interest, but I only gave it three stars because the writing didn't "flow" smoothly along. Still, it's worth a read, if only for the unusual perspective offered by Saberhagen.

Rating:
Summary: Well Done !
Review: I was wondering what series to read after the conclusion of "The Lost Swords" series ? Well this is it.The masks of Gods that people merge with is an excelent basis for what I hope is a verry long series of enjoyable reading! WELL WRITTEN & WELL DONE!

Rating:
Summary: Saberhagen again delivers something different
Review: Many of the negative reviews do have merit. However, in my opinion, Saberhagen's greatness lies in his high concepts, not his prose. I read Saberhagen books because I am assured of finding a completely different concept than the majority of the Dungeons-and-Dragons-based or Lord of the Rings morphs that abound in the fantasy genre. And once again, Saberhagen delivers. A unique premise: the ancient gods were not immortal beings, only their intellects were, bound up in a device called a "Face". When a mortal being puts on this "Face", they become that god, without losing their former identity. What a great concept!! Thus through their human avatars, the gods continue their ages-old wars and aims. But this story os less about gods, and more about the humans wearing their Faces. It is a great story. Yes, it jumps around a bit, often confusingly. But Saberhagen solidly delivers an enjoyable read. And when you are reading something with a different concept from other books out there, you can forgive at least some of the flaws. I highly recommend this book. Try it. Decide for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Saberhagen again delivers something different
Review: Many of the negative reviews do have merit. However, in my opinion, Saberhagen's greatness lies in his high concepts, not his prose. I read Saberhagen books because I am assured of finding a completely different concept than the majority of the Dungeons-and-Dragons-based or Lord of the Rings morphs that abound in the fantasy genre. And once again, Saberhagen delivers. A unique premise: the ancient gods were not immortal beings, only their intellects were, bound up in a device called a "Face". When a mortal being puts on this "Face", they become that god, without losing their former identity. What a great concept!! Thus through their human avatars, the gods continue their ages-old wars and aims. But this story os less about gods, and more about the humans wearing their Faces. It is a great story. Yes, it jumps around a bit, often confusingly. But Saberhagen solidly delivers an enjoyable read. And when you are reading something with a different concept from other books out there, you can forgive at least some of the flaws. I highly recommend this book. Try it. Decide for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Future/Past? - An excellent blend of techno/mythology
Review: Saberhagen does his usual excellent job developing his story in a fast paced setting. His use of humans as the vehicle through which the "gods" act is a recurrent theme not just in his work but that of many other authors. The chicken or the egg conundrum also surfaces in the case of the enigmatic human gatekeeper who confesses to his desire to be Apollo and who also indicates that he created the "faces" through which the gods choose their earthly avatars. I smell the distinct odor of the "Emperor of the East" series, one set in a post apocalyptic world sprinkled with so called "gods" and "demons" whose birth is inextricably linked to the destruction of its "golden age" technologically oriented predecessor. I find the main character, Jeremy Redthorn, and his struggle to remain as human as possible to be the highlight of the story. Once again the age old themes of temptation and redemption echo throughout the plot. This is a good book and from all appearances looks to be only the initial work in what is probably a new series.

Rating:
Summary: Future/Past? - An excellent blend of techno/mythology
Review: Saberhagen does his usual excellent job developing his story in a fast paced setting. His use of humans as the vehicle through which the "gods" act is a recurrent theme not just in his work but that of many other authors. The chicken or the egg conundrum also surfaces in the case of the enigmatic human gatekeeper who confesses to his desire to be Apollo and who also indicates that he created the "faces" through which the gods choose their earthly avatars. I smell the distinct odor of the "Emperor of the East" series, one set in a post apocalyptic world sprinkled with so called "gods" and "demons" whose birth is inextricably linked to the destruction of its "golden age" technologically oriented predecessor. I find the main character, Jeremy Redthorn, and his struggle to remain as human as possible to be the highlight of the story. Once again the age old themes of temptation and redemption echo throughout the plot. This is a good book and from all appearances looks to be only the initial work in what is probably a new series.

Rating:
Summary: What the--?
Review: Starts off good, then degenerates into an absolute mess. Saberhagen's got goodwill to spare with me, so I'll try the next book. But what a disaster! People pop in and pop out; the plot twists and then goes back to where it was; boots in one chapter become sandals in the next. Don't the people at Tor read these things?

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your time
Review: The prose in this novel is so bad as to be painful. The plot is weak, and the author seems to have forgotten what he was planning for the characters. I really get the impression that this was written to fulfill some sort of contract obligations. It is just that awful.

Rating:
Summary: enough to make me sick
Review: This book was absolutly awful. The central plot was just stupid, and the book was boring. If you want to read a good novel about mythology try "Inside the Walls of Troy". Throw Saberhagens in the trash.