Rating: 
Summary: Some Writers Don't Write Enough
Review: ...and Watt-Evans is one of them. This book is an excellent variation of a standard fantasy theme, but with rare qualities for today's market: the book has fine prose and a seemless plot. More emphasis should be placed upon these in fantasy writing, because they are what assure someone of an enjoyable read on a Thursday night.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Story
Review: I enjoy almost any story written by Mr Wyatt-Evans and this book was no exception. I thought the story came from a different perspective and I enjoyed the way the story moved along. From my view, this is a different kind of "hero saves the world" story.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Story
Review: I enjoy almost any story written by Mr Wyatt-Evans and this book was no exception. I thought the story came from a different perspective and I enjoyed the way the story moved along. From my view, this is a different kind of "hero saves the world" story.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book. Never reaches great heights.
Review: I expected something on par with The Misenchanted Sword or The Lure of the Basilisk. Not so. This book is a mixed bag for me. I found the writing clean and enjoyable if somewhat lacking depth. The book is very large yet very little seems to be necessary and much that seems necessary is lacking. Over all a good read but a some what bizarre, melancholy and anticlimactic ending.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Generic
Review: I found _Touched by the Gods_ very intesting; the characters are intriguing, the mythology (theology?) is self-consistent, and there is no "deus ex machina" involved in the story. All the Gods are clearly in the machine from the start :) The magic, the politics, and the geography all tie in well with the military events, making for an interesting story. The only problem is that there's no "map of the land", but since the action is continent-wide, it may not have been practical to have a map in the book. All in all, I really enjoyed this book. Buy it; you won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: A poor Eddings, and I don't even like Eddings that much.
Review: I liked A Single Spell, so I gave this a go. It was a mistake. The story is the same as a lot of fantasies out there. A special boy coming to terms with his power. But unlike Eddings, who has used this plot over and over, this books characters are not entertaining at all. The writing is mediocre, and the plot is subpar. I mean, an army of zombies? Just doesn't do it for me. Don't buy this book. Buy Tigana or Song for Arbonne for a REAL fantasy.
Rating: 
Summary: This is not an Ethshar novel.
Review: I noticed one reader's comments said that TOUCHED BY THE GODS is a continuation of the Ethshar series. It's not; it's a stand-alone novel set in the Domdur Empire, which really isn't much like the World of Ethshar at all. Generally, I don't think it's my place to answer back to readers -- I'm grateful that I have readers who are willing to make comments on my work -- but I don't want anyone to be confused or buy this book (or NOT buy it) because of this misapprehension.
Rating:
Summary: Very Generic
Review: Some of Watt-Evans books are pretty good, so when I saw this one I picked it up. Big mistake. Did he consciously try to write the most generic story possible? Village blacksmith, disliked by his peers, is "touched by the gods" with supernatural powers, and is fated to go forth and save everyone from an evil power, blah, blah, blah. People, just because you like sci-fi/fantasy doesn't mean every such book is great. The other reviewer was right - go pick up a book by Guy Gavriel Kay ("A Song for . . ."), George R.R. Martin, or even Steven Brust.
Rating:
Summary: Unremarkable, and not very imaginative
Review: The main feature to this book is it's mediocrity. It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't very good. The characters seemed likeable enough, but there were too many of them for any of them to be developed at any depth. The plot was fairly standard high fantasy, complacent, peaceful empire vs evil, dark horde, without any surprises or suspenseful moments. The setting was also pretty average, consisting of small agrarian villages and the big walled city (sort of magical/mythical medieval). Those who really love classic high fantasy, such as David Eddings, might enjoy this. Anyone who is looking for something new and different should try something else.
Rating:
Summary: Unremarkable, and not very imaginative
Review: The main feature to this book is it's mediocrity. It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't very good. The characters seemed likeable enough, but there were too many of them for any of them to be developed at any depth. The plot was fairly standard high fantasy, complacent, peaceful empire vs evil, dark horde, without any surprises or suspenseful moments. The setting was also pretty average, consisting of small agrarian villages and the big walled city (sort of magical/mythical medieval). Those who really love classic high fantasy, such as David Eddings, might enjoy this. Anyone who is looking for something new and different should try something else.
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