Rating: 
Summary: Meticulous plotting. An obvious fictional world.
Review: In "The Initiate Brother" Sean Russell has built a world that is every bit as intricate and well planned as either of Kate Elliott's major worlds ("Crown of Stars" and "Sword of Heaven"). It isn't as intense as, or flow like, Elliott's "Crown of Stars" but is at least the equal of her "Sword of Heaven". Where Russell excels over Elliott is in the writing of human relationships. His are far more developed, having a feel of reality that few other authors can match. The story is set, kind of, in China, but has elements of mediaeval Chinese and Japanese societies. Clearly an invented world that only bears resemblance to those two Asian cultures and not intended to be an exact representation of either. Russell has filled the book, cover to cover with POV shifts. It happens at least once per scene. While they're very noticeable. they don't detract from the story much, though it would have been helpful if Russell had divided the scenes. The book suffers from a plaque of exposition. In places this info dumps are large. This is one of my pet peeves, but to have them worked into the story would have made the book at least twice its current length. Working in all that info in a more acceptable manner would have slowed an already slow story, so having it is a trade off I can live with. There is absolutely no ending, not even anything that could be twisted into seeming one. It isn't a cliff hanger, since the book could have ended at any point after page 200 and left all the same questions unanswered. The story simply stops, cut off in mid telling. There's only one reason for this; money. As a reader this appalls me, as a writer I'm screaming, "You go!". Overall I'd say this is one of the most interesting pieces of fiction I've ever picked up. It isn't one of the more exciting pieces, or the most inspiring, but it gives a fascinating look into medieval Asian mind-sets and traditions. I think the ending could have been handled better, but I'm eager to get my hands on the concluding book to this story, "Gatherer of Winds".
Rating:
Summary: A very good book with few flaws
Review: It was a very good fantasy, with a blend of Chinese and Japanese cultures..... I have not read the sequel so I do not know the conclusion. I hate the commercial aspect where the author leaves so many unanswered questions at the end of this book. One must obviously buy the sequel if one is interested in getting answers. At this point I am sufficiently interested to overcome the negatives of this ploy, just barely. On the psoitive side, it is very good reading, and some small inconsistencies with some super-hero characters seem to be deliberate so that they appear "human". It works mostly. However one strong quality in the writing, is that the author presumes the reader has intelligence and more than a 6th grade education. This is refreshing.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is good if you like bourgeois politics and drama
Review: Once again a Western author has managed to take two or three non-western ideas and make a dramatic story that could win an award as a made for TV movie. The dialogue drips with politeness and tempers are rarely lost. I would have liked to have found some depth and spirit. All I found was a bunch of stuffy aristocrats with Asian-sounding names who are all trying to best one another. The attempt was made to integrate a quazi-Buddhist religion to counter the over dramatic main characters, but the monk you come closest to is the religions shining star and happens to be an amazing super munk. If (as I expect) foreshadowing holds true, he just happens to be the original master himself reincarnated! When the characters shut up you can almost see an interesting plot develope. All in all I would have to say that I was hoping for a story that represented the front cover... A serene monk lost in meditation... A more appropriate cover might have been a monk on a leash.
Rating: 
Summary: Just a comment about the setting
Review: Someone posted a comment that they had a bit of trouble getting into it because it clashed with thier knowledge of Asian culture - this "almost" historical fantasy is characteristic of his work, his other series, Moontide and Magic Rise, is set in a world thats "almost" Europe at the turn of the 18th century.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful find
Review: The world is rich and well-designed, the characters are strongly portrayed, and the plot is intricate and satisfying. What more can you ask? If you order this book, order the sequel at the same time, because it's all really one long story. The only drawback: the book may be considered slow-paced by some, because of the detail of the portrayals and the intricate interweaving of several seperate plot lines. There are many characters to follow. All plot lines DO make sense and come together in the end, so it's a worthwhile effort.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful find
Review: The world is rich and well-designed, the characters are strongly portrayed, and the plot is intricate and satisfying. What more can you ask? If you order this book, order the sequel at the same time, because it's all really one long story. The only drawback: the book may be considered slow-paced by some, because of the detail of the portrayals and the intricate interweaving of several seperate plot lines. There are many characters to follow. All plot lines DO make sense and come together in the end, so it's a worthwhile effort.
Rating:
Summary: There are a fair number of misprints.
Review: These were evidently arranged to save Sean Russell from the curse upon the author of the perfect book, because _The Initiate Brother_ and its sequel _Gatherer of Clouds_ are in all other respects a display of hubris. Most of the characters are charismatic leaders, gifted artists, or spiritual adepts. This is bold, because almost anyone can create a credibly weak and stupid character, or a shallow and conventional Hero; but convincing greatness is difficult. Russell achieves it consistently: when his poets produce poems, they are impressive poems; when his generals lay plans, they are impressive plans. And yet they are all vividly human, with appetites, failings, and senses of humour. It would be a remarkable experience to meet any of them, but one can easily imagine doing so. And the books are not just showcases for these memorable figures, either: the plot is both gripping and elaborate. Finally, while it is easy to rave about these books after finishing them, in reading them one is much too immersed in the story to be conscious of the author's skill.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful and gripping story
Review: This book and its sequel were such a pleasent surprise. I don't often pick up a book on a whim without knowing something about it before hand because my reading time is limited, but I sure am glad I picked this one up! Great story, great characters, very human, very well developed. Both books (brother initiate and gatherer of clouds) drag a bit at times but in way that builds suspense. I was dying to know what happens, but didn't want the book to end either. If you have a lot to do or have other projects to focus on, I do not recommend these books because you will not be able to put them down.
Rating:
Summary: A great original fantasy novel
Review: This book and the one that follows (Gatherer of Clouds) are some of the most original fantasies in the last 10 years. While most fantasies have magicians and all kinds of magical creatures, Mr. Russell decided to concentrate on people, and not only that, he decided to concentrate on INTERESTING people. This, I wish to impress, is a rare occurance in fantasy novels where the spells or the dragon or the magic sword are usually the bread and butter.
The last fantasy that was this original was probably "Seventh Son" in the Tales of Alvin Maker series by Orson Scott Card.
Rating:
Summary: Right up there with Dune
Review: This book and the sequel that follows it are two of the best fantasy books I've ever read. The author succeeds in inventing an entire world, along with its art, poetry, mythology and culture.It's right up there with Dune---not just science fiction, real literature. Better yet, the story is unforgettable and the suspense builds right up to the last page of the second book...which ends with a surprising twist.
| 
