The Awakeners : Northshore & Southshore

Rating:
Summary: deliciously detailed - but difficult to follow at times...
Review: This book is a wonderful fantasy from cover to cover. I really enjoyed reading about this unique world and the multi-layered conspiracies brewing about. My only complaint was trying to keep up with all the different characters. I had to constantly refer to the encyclopedia in the back of the book. That was annoying and frustrating for the first few chapters. However, I got used to it. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Dazzling and breathtaking, this book fulfills all hopes.
Review: This is one of my favorite books because it is told so realistically, yet maintains the beauty, the "richer than life" detail that one idealizes in a fantasy novel. The characterization is fantastic, with depth and dimension so often forgotten in this genre. One understands and becomes so involved with the characters that it is difficult to exist normally in life, until its completion. This novel is strangely underrated. I would reccomend it to anyone. It is complex, and takes committment to understand its world, but that perspective and understanding is worth it tenfold. This book changed my life and my view of my world.