Rating: 
Summary: So, so, sad.......almost embarrassing
Review: I am reluctant to add to the several recent critical reviews of this novel, but I was completely surprised by just how atrocious it really is, and am compelled to say so for the sake of others.Like some others here, I found the first chapter quite captivating, and holding promise of so much more to come, but it's ALL DOWNHILL FROM THERE. I simply could not bring myself to read past chapter three. The writing is clumsy, stilted, and totally unconvincing. The main character Llian is just plain stupid, and has thought processes so shallow, you are immediately convinced that he could not survive any sort of real conflict. It seems that the Llian outlined in Chapter 1, has had a frontal lobotomy on his way to chapter 2!! I found the whole exercise so unbelievably trite, and lacking in any real depth, that I skipped to the last page after chapter three, just to ensure that I would never be tempted to give it another try. I'm almost embarrassed myself for being so scathing, but I've never ever read such rubbish-dressed-up-as-fantasy, in my life before. Ian Irvine's editor has a lot to answer for, and I am astounded that a house as esteemed as Penguin, could have published this rot. Unfortunately I had already purchased the second volume, but they are both off to the second-hand bookshop, in mint condition. Don't waste your money, you have been warned.
Rating:
Summary: How did this drivel get published?
Review: This book started with an intersting premise, but as you can read in other reviews, the author's ineptness won out over any concept he might have been thinking of. As an avid reader I've read many bad books. This one takes the cake. I honestly don't see why anyone would choose to publish this book. ... As a former English teacher I've read lots of examples of bad writing. ... If I was his teacher, the manuscript would have been covered in red with a big "D" written across the top of the paper. The plot is non-sensical. Nothing the characters do makes any sense. They bicker, they love each other, they bicker, they love each other. They fight supposedly scary and powerful baddies and win every time, leading the reader to wonder why the baddies are baddies to begin with since they can't catch a girl who is walking around after having hundreds of leeches sucking her blood for days. I could go on about how bad this book is, but I don't want to waste any more time on it. Do yourself a favor and don't waste your time on it.
Rating:
Summary: Painful
Review: I wanted to like this book. I really, really did. After reading the first chapter I couldn't wait to continue on, and find out more about the mysteries hinted at in the tales told by Llian the Chronicler. I forgave Irvine his choppy narrative and unconvincing characterization, because I believed that he had a good story to tell. I suffered through the action/chase scenes of chapters 7, 8 and 9 because I figured that eventually Karan (one of the main characters) would have to stop fleeing, and Irvine would continue on with the story. When she was still running for her life at chapter 22 and beyond, I began to lose hope. The first chapter of this book promised a tale of a complex world with a deep history, and mysteries yet to be uncovered. It delivered instead a series of clumsy action sequences with awkward interludes of romance and suspense. I could not feel the way I was supposed to about Irvine's characters and events because he told me to feel that way instead of showing me. Perhaps he gets back on track with the next books in the series, but I really do not have the energy or inclination to find out.
Rating: 
Summary: A misery-athon
Review: The author has decided to give us some characters (fairly well realised) and a landscape (less clear) and drive the former across the latter from crushing disaster to crushing disaster. Nothing whatever goes right for the characters. Every task is a matter of life and death. Every possibility of safety turns out to be another trap. One of the major characters with whom we are meant to sympathise goes mad with pain part way through the first volume. You get the idea? Frankly I don't see why anyone would want to read about a saga of ceaseless misery. Watching an author torment his characters in order to gather some sort of reader involvement is not my cup of tea. Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" sometimes lurches in this direction - where an illusion of depth is obtained by the continual struggle. But Jordan is far more capable a writer, and this tool is not deployed exclusively. Irvine is Jordan without the good bits. It's a rare series that causes me to abandon it in mid volume, because I don't think it worth continuing. But this has succeeded in so doing. Don't buy this as escapism! It's too depressing.
Rating:
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: This first book in a fantasy series was a huge disappointment. Chapter one sets a wonderful tone with a Great Tale told by one of the main characters, Llian the master chronicler. It is well written, paints a picture of an interesting history and provides a basis for some great plotlines. Then comes chapter two. From there on out - with the exception of another Tale here and there - the reader is subjected to inept villains, inept heroes, and inept writing. Irvine uses a confusing and chaotic jumble of points of view throughout the story which are distracting and slow the reader due to a constant need to backtrack and figure out who thought what. His plotting is non-existent. The story jumps from one miserable journey and/or chase to the next with a series of miraculous (well beyond normal fantasy miracles) escapes by the bumbling main characters. It is astonishing that the same person who writes the lovely Tales that are scattered too few and far between in the book could write such a pitiful work around them. Some of the characters show promise but are never fleshed out to any satisfaction. The sentences are choppy, character interactions stilted, and the entire book was a chore to read. I would have put it down after the first 100 pages had it not been chosen as a selection by my book club. And I'm normally a reader who sticks books out to the bitter end. Many other fantasy series I have read (including Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, Tad William's Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, and Michelle West's Sun Sword) have gotten off to plodding beginnings, but redeemed themselves with wonderful stories in the end. This book does not come close to that achievement. If you truly want a series with great writing and characters who blur the line between 'good guy' and 'bad guy', try George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. Avoid this View From the Mirror at all costs.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This was a disappointing read. The book was chosen for a book club reading by a group of friends, so I was looking forward to starting. After a so-so beginning, it steadily grew worse. Llian, a Chronicler at the university in Chanthed, is at the top of his class despite being from the race of humans called Zain, which seem to be despised by everyone else. He discovers that the ancient story of the Forbidding may not have happened exactly as Chroniclers past have told it. He disregards warnings not to pursue the truth further, and is finally cast out. The other major character, Karan, is compelled to help steal an ancient artifact from a powerful warlord (Yggur) by Maigraith, a person to whom she owes a favor. The two successfully break in and steal it, but only one gets out. Karan, who has absolutely no skills or experience in survival situations manages to elude the warlord?s nasty minions (the Whelm) and escape into the marshes. She and Llian eventually meet up and bungle their way through situations, chases, captures and escapes while bickering unconvincingly and acting like fools. I do not know how Llian and Karan have managed to live as long as they have. They are inept and exasperating. The dialogue between them is stilted and phony. The other characters aren?t much better, either, although minor characters like Shand are fine. The so-called fearsome Whelm were pitiful in their attempts to capture Karan when she was alone, exhausted, severely injured and outnumbered. Nothing rang true. The author?s strongest point is with descriptions of places. Also when his characters tell a story, the flow is much less stilted. Without spoiling the ending, I just want to mention that it disappointed me that it was just an obvious cliffhanger. Since I really don?t care what happens to these characters, I am not going to fall for it and buy the next volume.
Rating: 
Summary: A gem
Review: I picked up this book at the grocery store on Christmas day because I wanted to read something. It would be an understatement to say that it exceeded my expectations. Ian Irvine creates a world and characters of depth and complexity. The thing that stands out most for me is that no one seems to be the "good guy" or the "bad guy". Each character is real, believable, and likeable in their own way. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Round of Applause
Review: After picking this book up by simply being attracted to the cover I have to say they are the best fantasy books I have ever read. The 'View From The Mirror' series is absolutely captivating, they contain the most vivid descriptions, the characters are awe-inspiring the story literally comes alive in my head when I read it. I'm now reading this series for the 4th time and I only bough the books a year ago. I definantly recommend this series and eagerly await the 2nd book of the 'Well of Echoes' series. Keep going Ian!
Rating:
Summary: Compelling!
Review: From the first page, I found this fantasy book a page turner. With interesting characters, maps, glossary and cast list, it keeps you moving, with suspence and lots of action. I finished all 650+ pages in a couple of days.
The ending is puzzling, and I am looking forward to the next book!
Rating:
Summary: stunning piece of world creation!
Review: One of the ways I measure great fantasy is the extensive world-building by the author.The author's ability to create a living breathing world and make his world so believable that you actually think it exists! That's the opinion I got after finishing The Shadow on the Glass. Irvine's world-building skills are incredible.He gives us a world with competing races:Charon,Faellem, and Aachim.This epic tale is seen through the eyes of two memorable characters: Llian, chronicler who seeks to solve 3000 year old murder and Karan, a sensitive who comes to regret fulfilling a promise to make a dangerous mission for a friend.Karan is in possession a powerful mirror that gives the ability to see places at a distance and twist reality. Soon she and Llian will be hunted by ruthless mage,Yggur and his sinister minions called the Whelm! Irvine's novel has seen of lyrical beauty as he describes all of the exotic cities and ports of the lavish world.The other characters in this book also are memorable like Karan's friend,Maigraith who embroils Karan in her mission to steal the mirror from Yggur and is tortured by
fanatical Whelm.Faelamor-Maigraith's ruthless patron who will stop at nothing to gain the mirror for herself.Magister Mendark, cunning ruler of Thurkad who has ruled the city for thousand years! Another thing I love about this book is plot twists as our hero and heroine must escape from various forces that seek the mirror for themselves.Unlike other books that seek to retread tired themes of quests, elves, dwarves and dragons; Irvine writes a original fantasy where the lines of good and evil are blurred and heroes who can be selfish or cowardly and villians who can be sympathetic. So begin the journey to this fabulous world like I did and enchanted and enthralled!
| 
