Rating: 
Summary: Great plot, okay writing
Review: This book has a great story, but the writing is a little less than desireable. There are a lot of confusing jumps and the writing in many places just isn't that great. However, since the plot is intriguing, I read on to the 2nd book (which is much better written).
Rating: 
Summary: VERY VERY GOOD!!!
Review: this book was definitely a 4 star book. I have heard tell the sequel was better but as I haven't read it I cannot say. The ONE thing that stopped this book from being a five star book was that it was a wee bit boring towards the middle. The romance with the Duchess went on FOREVER, I can't tell you how relieved I was when he finally came to his senses.wewh.
A summary of this book would be: Tristam, a naive but educated man is called from his peaceful life so he could be of service to the King, whose very life depends opona plant's amazing healing powers. But alas, this plant was slowly dying out. Tristam's friend and mentor Professor Dandish died. With his death Tristam discovers that the Duchess, a completly irrisistable woman who is the favorite of the king, had hired Dandish to look into Tristams problem years ago. Dandish left Tristam a message, torn in half, that said Dandish had discovered an answer, and knowing something Tristam couldn't guess at, had destroyed his plants. The Duchess and Tristam embark on a 2 year voyage to get Kingfoil from it's original land. On the way Tristam notices that there is a white hawk following him. The main part of the crew of the ship think him a mage and it doesn't help things that his uncle was himself rumored to be one. Tristam discovers that he does indeed have a spark of something, although of what he is not sure:end of summary.
The political intrigues of this book are astonishing as is the complex plot of this book. There are characters we know nothing about, only that they serve a purpose, but it is that foreplanning that makes me envious of this writers talent.This book is great and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes science-fiction and fantasy.
Note: this book is a cliffhanger so buy the second book along with the first.
Rating:
Summary: A good tale, but could have been told in < 606 pages!
Review: This is a very interesting fantasy. The characters eventually come alive, but this book is entirely too long. This story could well have been told, and told well, in 200 to 300 pages, rather than the 606 the author used. There is enough here, however, to lead me to read Sea without a Shore, vol. 2 of the saga.
Rating:
Summary: a riddle inside a puzzle wrapped in an enigma
Review: This is the feel of this book. Young tristam is more than a scientist but everyone knows it but him. He becomes a pawn in a political game following a plant with reputed magical properties to a tropical island. The characters are brightly written even if a bit cliche. The innocent hero, the manipulative dutchess, the psychopathic noble and the rought but good hearted sailors. However the author keeps the voyage alive by hints and descriptions of what is going on. At the end you still don't really now what Tristam is but you known that he is more valuable than the plant they seek. It does dry out a bit in places but not to loose your interest in the story and inspires you to read the next book
Rating:
Summary: a riddle inside a puzzle wrapped in an enigma
Review: This is the feel of this book. Young tristam is more than a scientist but everyone knows it but him. He becomes a pawn in a political game following a plant with reputed magical properties to a tropical island. The characters are brightly written even if a bit cliche. The innocent hero, the manipulative dutchess, the psychopathic noble and the rought but good hearted sailors. However the author keeps the voyage alive by hints and descriptions of what is going on. At the end you still don't really now what Tristam is but you known that he is more valuable than the plant they seek. It does dry out a bit in places but not to loose your interest in the story and inspires you to read the next book
Rating:
Summary: This Is Fantasy...?
Review: This work has more in common with the adventures of Horatio Hornblower than Bilbo Baggins. Particularly in this first half of the duology, there's little hint of any fantastic elements whatsoever. The non-fantasy feel is further accented by Russell's creation of a world that is so clear, specific, and well-grounded. There's politics, travel adventure, and a bit of love(lust?) interest-- this could almost be a costume drama set in 18th century France! If you can relax and let this work take you where it will without waiting for a big furry mgic something to pop up, the work has some rewards-- strong characters, grown-up plot, intrigue, and sailing adventures. Just don't expect full-scale fantastic special effects.
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