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Summary: Story telling at its best...
Review: Alan Dean Foster, possibly the greatest science fiction and fantasy writer of all time, author of dozens of best selling novels, short stories and horror, has once again created a work of simple excellence that will spellbind and enchant its readers for years to come. "Carnivores of Light and Darkness" is such a book. This is a story of the just and innocent against the dark and unjust, a story that has been told many times before, in many forms, shapes, and ideals, set in a world where there is no concept of the impossible, and the greatest weapons one can possess are one's own morals and honor. This is a world of monsters, talking animals and tales of both good and evil, a world of endless possibilities. An injured outsider washes up on the beach of a small tribe of herdsmen, simple down-to-earth people who marvel at the stranger's clothing, and wonder why he has decided to wash up on their beach of all the beaches in the world. So when the outsider's last words "Save the Vishoness..." were spoken to a "simple" herder Etjole Ehomba, the hero of the story decides that he is about to go on a very long journey. Etjole leaves his community with only a sword, a spear and a bag of gifts given to him by his village. His future is an uncertain one as he goes in search of a way to cross the great sea, a feat never even comprehended by his people before, let alone tried to save a woman he has never seen before and fight an evil that isdarkness incarnate, all because a dying man passed it on to him in a fit of dying panic. To do any less would bring dishonor on his name. Etjole doesn't have much in his life in the way of riches, houses, or servants, but he does have his family and his honor. In his journeys Etjole has many adventures, meets many people and stops many injustices. He also acquires two very special travel companions: Simna ibn Sind the greedy (yet secretly good at heart) swordsman and the great Lita (a sort of cross between a cheetah and a lion) Ahlita who follow Etjole because they believe that he is more than he seems, after all only a great wizard would dare the trip across the world that Etjole has chose to undertake, a great wizard, or a great fool. Here is a tale of good against evil in its purest form. Read this great work of honor, courage and adventure, reminiscent of the fairy tales told at story time as a grandfather tucks his grandchild into the world of slumberland, knowing that his stories will evoke dreams of knights in shinning armor, dragon's fire and the virtue of a true heart. "Carnivores of Light and Darkness" is book one of the "Journeys of The Catchiest" and is published by Aspect books. Book two "The Pale of Overthinking" will be available in April of 1999 from Aspect books.
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Summary: Bulls Eye !!!
Review: Alan hit the jackpot on this one. This is a very refreshing book that I've read so far. The story plot is new (even for a jaded reader like me)with very interesting twists. Alan, you go boy!!!
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Summary: The beginning of a journey with a wonderful character.
Review: Allan Dean Foster begins a journey with this book that takes the reader to an interesting and enlightening realm. The characters are richly developed, unique, and a joy to read. The main character is clever, intellegent, and above all, good. The clarity of the main character's integrity and absolute lightness of spirit is refreshing and puts a clean spin on one's outlook on the mundane world. He is thoughtful, consientious, and kind to all things (and I do mean all) whenever he's able. The only drawback is that this series is a serial story and I fear the next book won't be out quick enough for my curiosity about what happens next.
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Summary: A Truly Unique Fantaasy
Review: As a long time reader of fantasy, I have a hard time finding a book with truly new ideas. Carnivores of Light and Darkness is a startingly fresh Concept. Based in a fantasy Africa of sorts, it features a hero Ejole Etombah who just happens to be a cannibal. Finding a dying man on the beach, he receives a quest from the sailor-a quest that he commences after his tribe has feasted on the remains. This is a book of unique "moments". Wonderful things happen in the blink of an eye-a frog in a wetsuit and snorkel, a monkey king who resents ethical questions after being attacked by flying creatures (Seems the mokey tribe forced the fliers out of a home the monkeys coveted). Scenes like these abound. It is a fascinating book.
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Summary: Enjoyable reading-- Pure Alan Dean Foster
Review: As usual, Alan Dean Foster writes another best seller. After reading One, I just finished Two, and am eagerly awaiting Three. It's the tale of one fellow on a mission and a journey. Many adventures befall him on the way and he's the sort of guy you want to root for... you can read the rest yourself... But one thing, Mr. Foster... why couldn't you have just written one book, instead of breaking the tale up into three (or more?)? Do you or your publisher need the money that badly?
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Summary: ethnic fantasy? FINALLY
Review: Browsing through the sf/fantasy section of my local bookstore, i saw a fantasy book with a black man on the cover. I bought it without even reading the back. (I have a policy of encouraging the inclusion of ethnic people in fantasy and sf) Anyway, as i sat down and read this book, i was enraptured! It was posotively captivating the way the author combined the feel of an Anansi folk tale with traditonal elements of fantasy and completely original ideas into an interesting story! It wasn't necessarily the type of book that grabs you by the heart and wrings you around so that you NEED to know what happens next, but it grabbed me by the mind and i really WANT to know what happens next. All in all, good series! And i would like to thank the author for including a posotive reflection of black people in fantasy. When it's so rare, anything is prized. But something that is GOOD, is treasured.
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Summary: Excellent heroic odyssey!
Review: Follow the simple cattle herder Etjole on a journey of epic proportions. Foster has created a character and a world that is fascinating. Battle malignant sand dunes, walls that walk, and the darkness which eats the light. Enjoy!
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Summary: Surprising, delightful, and animated tale.
Review: Foster has created a world with many worlds within. The hero is so unassuming and steadfast in his quest, with the 'unasked for' help of delightfully rich personalities. I cannot wait for the next book!
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Summary: an episodic smorgasbord of imaginative creatures and events
Review: I found this novel to be a pleasant, highly enjoyable reading experience. The episodic structure seemed almost to hark back to children's fairy tales, and so, like a child, I truly enjoyed Foster's imaginative creatures and situations. However, while the journey of Etjole itself is certainly a plot device, the novel did seem to lack a definitive story arc. This may be due to the fact that it is the first of a series. I have never read any of Foster's work previously, but I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series. Very charming and escapist literature.
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Summary: An interesting combination of the modern novel and mythology
Review: I haven't enjoyed any Foster novels in a long time but I really enjoyed and heartily recommend Carnivores of Light and Darkness. The style of the story really hearkens back to older forms of literature than the novel and I quite enjoyed this. The creatures and situations the main character encounters are quite interesting and varied. I'm looking forward to the sequels.
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