Rating: 
Summary: Poetic in language and treatment.
Review: Wysard reads more like a heroic medieval warrior romance than a fantasy novel. The language is grander and more poetic than the run of the mill fantasy novel. This, for me anyway, gives it the feel of one of those translated stories from the golden age of Amour Courtois, the Song of Roland, the Morte D'Arthur, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight etc.The use of magic arts in the novel is (thankfully) used as a subtext to the more important issues of personal character, friendship, kinship and love. A piece of advice often given to journalists is to write a piece, and then take out the best line in the edit. Because this is likely to be the most self-indulgent writing. If I were to edit Wysard I would cut the first line to ribbons. I found it intimidating. But don't be put off by it. The rest of the book is really well written, unlike that frightening opening line. When the book ended I felt I was only getting a feel for Ryel Mirai, and others have commented on the inappropriateness of the cut of this book into two volumes. Publishers- what can I say! Wysard does not suffer from that disease of many fantasy writers, the interminable need to build world upon world until the books run to multiple volumes (we could call it WOT syndrome). Her world is drawn with a few simple brush strokes, but is no less colorful or detailed for all the brevity. Surely the mark of a great writer. And may we please see more?
Rating:
Summary: Poetic in language and treatment.
Review: Wysard reads more like a heroic medieval warrior romance than a fantasy novel. The language is grander and more poetic than the run of the mill fantasy novel. This, for me anyway, gives it the feel of one of those translated stories from the golden age of Amour Courtois, the Song of Roland, the Morte D'Arthur, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight etc. The use of magic arts in the novel is (thankfully) used as a subtext to the more important issues of personal character, friendship, kinship and love. A piece of advice often given to journalists is to write a piece, and then take out the best line in the edit. Because this is likely to be the most self-indulgent writing. If I were to edit Wysard I would cut the first line to ribbons. I found it intimidating. But don't be put off by it. The rest of the book is really well written, unlike that frightening opening line. When the book ended I felt I was only getting a feel for Ryel Mirai, and others have commented on the inappropriateness of the cut of this book into two volumes. Publishers- what can I say! Wysard does not suffer from that disease of many fantasy writers, the interminable need to build world upon world until the books run to multiple volumes (we could call it WOT syndrome). Her world is drawn with a few simple brush strokes, but is no less colorful or detailed for all the brevity. Surely the mark of a great writer. And may we please see more?
Rating: 
Summary: Wyzard
Review: Wyzard is a delightful journey into a very real fantasy world. The author's voice is clear and beguiling, and obviously enchanted with the histories of her characters. I was transported and disappointed to come to the end of the book. I hope there will be a sequel.
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