Rating: Summary: Make sure before you start that you have time.... Review: ...to read this book in one or two sittings. I guarantee you will not want to put "Changer" down for any length of time. The story's central character is Changer, aka The Trickster or Coyote, who is the oldest of the "Athanor" an ancient race of legengs, including such a King Arthur, who walk this world today. Changer has to join forces with Arthur in this tale, which pits his inhuman values with those of the human King against a common problem.
Lindskold's writing style is graceful and lyrical. While Changer doesn't on the surface appear to be someone we all have a lot of common ground with, the reader forms a strong bond with him and Lindskold's other characters quickly. The plot also sweeps you along.
As I said in the opening sentence, be sure to have plenty of time set aside to read this book. You will not want to put it down. I envy that you will be reading "Changer" for the first time.
Rating: Summary: This book blew me away! Review: Before, I thought urban fantasy as something only pimply Dungeon&Dragons fans could love. I couldn't have been more wrong! Out of desperate need for reading material, I took this book, and its sequal, Legends Walking, off the shelf in a bookstore, somewhat dubious as to their potential. I curled up with Changer, after a brief moment of confusion where I wasn't sure which book came first, and I expected to lose interest within ten minutes. HARDLY!!! For the next few hours I couldn't put it down as I came to love all of the characters (except for the Head and that Sasquatch lady, who grated on my last nerve). The plot developes quickly, the characters are brought to life so artistically that you feel like you really know them, and the conflict is such that you're actually in agony wondering if the book will end well. At first it was hard to get used to the way the author wrote in the present tense, but I started to enjoy the unique style of it. As soon as I finished Changer, I loaned it to my uncle, and told him he HAD to read it, and then I breathlessly picked up the sequel, which I loved just as much. You can't go wrong with these books!
Rating: Summary: This book blew me away! Review: Before, I thought urban fantasy as something only pimply Dungeon&Dragons fans could love. I couldn't have been more wrong! Out of desperate need for reading material, I took this book, and its sequal, Legends Walking, off the shelf in a bookstore, somewhat dubious as to their potential. I curled up with Changer, after a brief moment of confusion where I wasn't sure which book came first, and I expected to lose interest within ten minutes. HARDLY!!! For the next few hours I couldn't put it down as I came to love all of the characters (except for the Head and that Sasquatch lady, who grated on my last nerve). The plot developes quickly, the characters are brought to life so artistically that you feel like you really know them, and the conflict is such that you're actually in agony wondering if the book will end well. At first it was hard to get used to the way the author wrote in the present tense, but I started to enjoy the unique style of it. As soon as I finished Changer, I loaned it to my uncle, and told him he HAD to read it, and then I breathlessly picked up the sequel, which I loved just as much. You can't go wrong with these books!
Rating: Summary: This book blew me away! Review: Before, I thought urban fantasy as something only pimply Dungeon&Dragons fans could love. I couldn't have been more wrong! Out of desperate need for reading material, I took this book, and its sequal, Legends Walking, off the shelf in a bookstore, somewhat dubious as to their potential. I curled up with Changer, after a brief moment of confusion where I wasn't sure which book came first, and I expected to lose interest within ten minutes. HARDLY!!! For the next few hours I couldn't put it down as I came to love all of the characters (except for the Head and that Sasquatch lady, who grated on my last nerve). The plot developes quickly, the characters are brought to life so artistically that you feel like you really know them, and the conflict is such that you're actually in agony wondering if the book will end well. At first it was hard to get used to the way the author wrote in the present tense, but I started to enjoy the unique style of it. As soon as I finished Changer, I loaned it to my uncle, and told him he HAD to read it, and then I breathlessly picked up the sequel, which I loved just as much. You can't go wrong with these books!
Rating: Summary: Fantastic!!! Review: Changer is the best new fantasy book to come along in years. Ms. Lindskold has created characters that resonate in all of us no matter what our culture. The story is so skilfully crafted that I didn't even guess the fate of the "villian" til the very last page. If you haven't read this one get it. If you have.....do like me and buy her next book.
Rating: Summary: Lackluster, overly long, artificial Review: Having enjoyed some recent reading of urban fantasy, I eagerly anticipated reading Changer. However, Lindskold doesn't have the flare of the other authors I'd read. Her story was plodding and despite an interesting take on the myths we all know (most mythical beings did exist and were often playing similar parts in various stories) she was never able to develop it into a compelling plot. Her characters talk a bit more sophisticated than the Superfriends. There's no mystery as to who the villains are nor their "plot to take over the world". And the work drags far too long (although it'd be better if it didn't drag at all). I'd recommend either "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman or "Somplace to Be Flying" by Charles De Lint. Both cover similar material and do a far better job of it.
Rating: Summary: Lackluster, overly long, artificial Review: Having enjoyed some recent reading of urban fantasy, I eagerly anticipated reading Changer. However, Lindskold doesn't have the flare of the other authors I'd read. Her story was plodding and despite an interesting take on the myths we all know (most mythical beings did exist and were often playing similar parts in various stories) she was never able to develop it into a compelling plot. Her characters talk a bit more sophisticated than the Superfriends. There's no mystery as to who the villains are nor their "plot to take over the world". And the work drags far too long (although it'd be better if it didn't drag at all). I'd recommend either "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman or "Somplace to Be Flying" by Charles De Lint. Both cover similar material and do a far better job of it.
Rating: Summary: Give us more Athanor! Review: Here in northern New Mexico we reportedly have more novelists per capita than any other place on the planet. Perhaps it's something in the water. At one time or another each of these writers attempts to capture in prose the special magic that makes this truly the "Land of Enchantment." Jane Lindskold is among the very small percentage who succeed.Imagine that many of the deities, demigods, legends, and mythical beasts of humanity's past 6,000 years still walk among us. Imagine they are all getting together for a raucous political convention in Albuquerque. Imagine that the more unusual looking members of this crowd, the sasquatches, yetis, fauns, and satyrs, insist on "coming out" to their human brethren after centuries of hiding in the shadows. These are the Athanor, and they are just the backdrop of Jane Lindskold's thoughtful and fascinating, "Changer." A seasoned veteran of the Fantasy and SF genres, Lindskold gives us a novel as subtle as it is exciting, in short a damn good read. Where a less experienced writer might have taken this material and gone for shallow, thud and blunder thrills, she digs deep to bring us the underlying personalities and eons-old alliances and enmities which drive her characters. The result is a rich blend of fantasy and reality that made this reader want to turn the page and know more. There are no easy answers or pat resolutions here. Lindskold handles her central love story, in particular, with remarkable dignity and restraint. These beings are ancients, well known to the Greeks and Babylonians of antiquity. They cherish their independence and do not commit to one another lightly. Once committed, however, their loyalty is unswerving. Witness the dedication of the main character, Proteus, "The Changer," as he strives to protect and rear his youngest daughter, a New Mexico coyote pup. I was very pleased with "Changer" and look forward with great anticipation to the next book in the Athanor saga. I hope there will be third volume as well.
Rating: Summary: I couldn't put it down! Review: I couldn't stop reading this book. I stayed up until 3am to finish. I was then disappointed that I didn't have more to read. I believe that the Athanor must exsist. I recommend this book to everyone. Don't let it get away.
Rating: Summary: OldSciFiDog Review: I first encountered Ms Jane Lindskold in a short story included in Worlds of Honor, by David Weber, and was impressed enough to purchase Changer. This work I would classify as fantasy as there is very little hard science in it. This is NOT a liability, even though I normally prefer hard SF. I would certainly class this tale with any that Larry Niven has done with his fantasy magic series. I classify Niven as one of the current masters - his predecessors no longer living or writing - just kidding Larry. I normally do not give authors 5 stars, but in this case I could not find anything wrong. The characters are well established, consistent, interesting, and the tale moves seamlessly. The story introduces us to the Athanor, an immortal species co-existing with us in contemporary time. The central figure, "The Changer" gives us an interesting character, whose value system is quite unique. Being a shapeshifter who prefers animal shapes and there relationships, causes friction with normal human values and relationships (sorry folks this is as close to one of the plot lines you will get from me). The premise of the story is intriguing and the flow of story lines and characters kept me turning the pages (I polished off the 499 pages in a weekend - I was hooked). Being older than dirt (according to the grand children) and apparently outliving the Science Fiction masters of my age, I am continually searching for good authors who will be replacing them. I feel extremely fortunate in finding Ms Lindskold and being able to add her to my list. I look forward to more of her work (maybe some hard SF?). This tale needs to be read as well as this author.
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