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Summary: Riveting fantasy
Review: A well written fantasy novel that recalls Roger Zelazny, Ray Bradbury and Ursula LeGuin. It's a truly original, and well-plotted tale of sorcery magic and horror. Don't miss this one!
Rating: 
Summary: Dry Water
Review: An initially promising plot and use of magic faded into unreadability with the use of plodding, mundane language and a lack of deep characterization.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting but flawed modern fantasy
Review: I bought this book on the strength of the first page, a great scene with the protagonist being stalked by an unpleasantly accurate lightning storm. Alas, it was mostly downhill after that.
Larry Ngitis is a second-rate SF writer with a minor precognitive talent. Fleeing from a dying relationship, he heads for a Strange Little Town in New Mexico. Once there, he finds himself the target of assaults and seductions physical, magical, and ethical.
There's lots of good stuff in here... plausible magic, some evil yet strangely sympathetic characters, an unpleasant but interesting form of precognition (Larry can tell if you're going to die soon -- and how). The sorceror's duel in the cave was nicely done (the necromancer throws ghosts at the Navajo shaman, each having a power related to how it died) as was the chase scene in the bookstore (Larry has lost much of his grip on reality at that point, and is in literal of falling into the books around him). Unfortunately, the book as a whole is seriously flawed in several different ways. First and worst, the characters are utter cardboard. I couldn't muster the slightest flicker of interest in Larry, his ex-girlfriend, his new girlfriend, or any one of the "good guys". The only faintly interesting character is the 2,000 year old necromancer, a nasty but tragic fellow who has been consumed by his role as self-appointed guardian of mankind from prophets (he eliminates them before they can change the world). As for the rest of the characters... well, by the next morning, I'd forgotten their names; never a good sign. The plot, such as it is, involves the necromancer's attempts to eliminate Larry, crossed with the work of a sorceress who wants to change history by eliminating Columbus. Again, there are some good ideas, but there are too many fight scenes, chase scenes, and psychedelia to allow much development of either concepts or characters. There's also a tanglesome and somewhat pointless subplot about an ancient sf/fantasy writer who has his own brand of magic. The overall flavor of this book is Tim Powers without the human interest. Similar manic plotting and creativity, but if you don't care about the characters, what's the point?
Rating: 
Summary: Shades of Powers and Swanwick
Review: I picked this book up on the strength of the cover blurbs-- Powers called it a 'Fellini Carnival' and Swanwick was more than kind. I figured that a book those two liked couldn't be too far off from my own taste. And it wasn't, I have to say. Nylund is a strong writer with a powerful imagination. His story is about a reluctant prophet who is suddenly plagued by a host of accomplished magicians wanting to either help him or hinder him from attaining a goal he never knew he had. The characters are handled well and the plot fits neatly together. It's about as clean of a writing job as you can expect in fantasy. A few points-- the one way in which the book isn't handled well are the female love interests of the hero. Both Linda and Paloma end up as stereotypes, and not terribly well-developed stereotypes, at that. Too bad, because that would have deepened Larry's motivations and our understanding of his character. Much was clear to me when I read here that the book was intended as a tribute to Zelazny. Explained some weirdnesses around the writer character. I would have rather known it *before* I read it.
Rating:
Summary: A fun read for fans of contemporary fantasy
Review: I really enjoyed this book. A lesser author would have milked 3 books out of the plot elements packed into this one. Everytime I thought I had a handle on where it was headed, it took off in a new direction.
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Summary: I loved this book
Review: I realy loved this book. I have read I have read all of Nylund's books and I think this book runs a close second to Pawns Dream. The people involved aren't your usual cookie cutter hero. Lary is human not a knight in shining armor riding out with the full intention of killing a dragon. It's a nice turn of the "worm" of the fiction novel. I highly recomed this book to any one who would like to take the time and read it. This book deserves to be savord not skimmed.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Unsung Novel
Review: I tend to find great books in the bookstores based on a hunch, which was what happened with Eric S. Nylund's superb contempo-fantasy novel, Dry Water. After I started reading, I was hooked-- the book goes in several startling directions, and can almost never be pinned down. With each page of Dry Water, I found myself thinking, "no normal author could get away with this!" Between trippy magical effects and surreal juxtapositions of the mundane and the fantastical, it's amazing that this book works as well as it does. Aside from the mind-blowing plot, the story has some recurring themes that keep it grounded, such as the release of guilt and the rush to change the world. Raja the witch and Nick (aka Judzyas) the necromancer are perfect foils for one another, showing how both seeking complete change and desperately clinging to stasis are unwise courses of action. Dry Water is both deeply complicated and a fun, exciting read. I'd recommend it to anyone who isn't, to borrow a phrase, a "narrow-minded quirkophobe"- and especially to fans of Philip Pullman and Jack Chalker.
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Summary: Like contemporary fantasy? You'll love this.
Review: If you like Nina Kiriki Hoffman, you'll definitely enjoy this novel of contemporary magic and angst by Eric S. Nylund. Check it out
Rating:
Summary: A mind-blowing tale that will make you dream adventure
Review: Mr. Nylund has done the unimaginable! He managd to keep me quiet for two plane rides. This book entwines its reader with curiousity and allows the long dormant thoughts of whimsy to return to the most "well-grounded" people. I am only 15, and i have yet to lose touch with that side of myself; never the less, I was mystified by the tapestry this tale seemed to weave. I will not ruin the story.. but even reading the back will have you enthralled! lol I hope that any one over the age of 18 will not take my age as a sign that it will be childish. heh, I'm no ordinary 15 year old... I've been reading Mr. Dickons since first grade, (just call me matilda, but it's a true story) ; ) ; ) Thank you for reading my review, and i hope you've found it helpful! ~`*Bright Shadow*`~
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!!
Review: Nylund has not only encorperated mischief, intrigue, and action, (which, really, who could ask for more,) but he has given people a point of view into, and from, a world of magik. He let's you create your own world around his. This book is an awesome journey and should be shared with any and all who can listen or read!
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