<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining...with a caveat
Review: Drake's writing ability once again shines, but I would really like him to stop going to the same plot-well over and over. Yes, it has served him in the past, but it's time to branch out a little.
That said, he is a master storyteller with a fine grasp of the art of smooth and entertaining prose, and this is more of a quibble than anything else. And his characters certainly do spring off the page and lodge themselves in your mind, which is why this one is a keeper.
Rating: 
Summary: FANTASY AND SCI FI FANS, GET IN LINE!
Review: Fantasy and sci fi fans get in line - Paul Michael gives a dynamite reading of the fifth in David Drake's popular series charting the mishaps and adventures of two young brother and sister pairs. As many learned in "Lord of the Isles," Garric and Sharina and Cashel and Ilna have left the relatively safe environs of a small town to embark upon a trek to the capital. Their hope is to reunite the island kingdoms of the Isles. Now, we learn that Garric and his band have reached the island city of Carcosa. Garric's rule is thwarted by giant insects to say nothing of unimaginable enemies. Forces beyond their knowledge appear to be united against the foursome. Ilna is sent to investigate a mysterious impediment to shipping, while Cashel is magically thrust into another world and Sharina relegated to one more eerie place. They've much to overcome which provides excitement and action aplenty for listeners. - Gail Cooke
Rating: 
Summary: Save money and time BUY SOMETHING ELSE
Review: I wouldn't even give this one star if there was an option. Plot: weak at best, just get on with the bloody story!
Characters: not very convincing The author has a way of insulting your intelligence with every page. His constant review of the previous books is annoying. The whole thing is set up like a bad soap opera. If you liked this then you should really seek new authors, there is much better out there.
Rating: 
Summary: Good mindless fun
Review: It's no masterpiece, but it was entertaining, if mindless, reading. If you're interested is some good swashbuckling action without too much concern for deeper thoughts, it's a worthwhile read. The character development of the previous books in the series seems to have ended, with each of the major character becoming fairly static and predictable. And the plot seems to have taken second chair to the fight scenes, with protaganists being whisked about the cosmos for no apparent reason other than to fight whatever big scary monsters they can find before conveniently returning together for the climax of, you guessed it, more monster slaying. It's been a few years, but I'm fairly certain that was the exact plot of the last novel in this series. If he continues this epic, I hope he pulls it back a bit and grounds it in the world of the isles he constructed in the first novels. It's hard to get too involved or care too much about the heros' adventures in the 7th dimension because none of it quite seems real, and the reader never doubts that at the end it'll all wrap up in a nice, tidy package with everyone safe at home. But all that being said, it's still an enjoyable read for a few hours of good, predictable adventure.
Rating:
Summary: exciting epic fantasy
Review: Prince Garric and his retinue, which besides trusted humans includes the ghost of the great King Carus inside his head, crossed the island of Haft to reach the ancient capital of the Old Kingdom Carcosa. Garric plans to unite the people living on the numerous islands that make up the Isles. Garric's fiancée Liane works closely with him as they try to bring the competing, often hostile, religious groups under his rule. Meanwhile, unknown powers trying to abort Garric's efforts attack his loyal supporters. Upon being inexplicably transported to a strange deadly land, Garric's best friend Cashel and royal sister Sharina struggle to survive. Cashel's sister, the witch Ilna and her beloved Chalcus must find a way to overcome a bizarre winged plague threatening trading ships. Isolated from his most steadfast supporters, Prince Garric's efforts to establish a government with him as the monarch seem doomed to failure as the enemy to human civilization maliciously wrecks havoc throughout the Isles. The fifth tale in the Lord of the Isles series is an exciting epic fantasy filled with several major subplots starring either the Prince or some of his key followers. The story line is very exciting and imaginative, but at times seems over written and endless. The cast remains solid, especially the good guys, who stay in character from their previous appearances, but by book five with all those nasty elements tossed at them one must wonder about growth. Though not as good as David Drake's military science fiction, fans of the series will appreciate GODDESS OF THE ICE REALM, just set aside plenty of extra time. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good--especially the talking axe
Review: Prince Garrick and his in-head partner Carus head for Carcosa for Garrick's coronation, but an evil force threatens Garrick and his entire world. Working through magic, and through the local priests, something threatens Garrick's life directly, and then separates him from his trusted friends. Cashel, with his quarterstaff is teleported to a world where a strange entity threatens everything. Sharina is pulled into a fairy-tale world where a talking axe warns evil trolls of her presence, but then welcomes her as a killing partner. Ilna and the ex-pirate Chalcus are sent to deal with a problem merchants have been having, only to find the same evil magic is working its way in Garrick's kingdom. Each of the three major sub-plots works. Although Cashel is pretty one-dimensional as a character (he hits bad things with his quarterstaff and if that doesn't work, he hits them harder), he's pretty likable as a heroic type and his strategy works. Ilna is more complex, and shows important character development. Sharina's quest with her friend the axe is probably the most interesting of the three with the axe, Beard, being the most likable and memorable character in the story. In contrast, Garrick's own adventures serve mainly as a resting point. I certainly found myself wanting to get back to where the real action was. Author David Drake is best known for his military SF, but he does a better than average job in epic fantasy. Once we get away from Garrick and into the three subplots, GODDESS OF THE ICE REALM really picks up its pace and delivers a diet of action, mayhem, and old-fashioned magic.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining...but lacking in plot development
Review: This fifth installment in the series is much like the rest of them:the main characters go their separate ways for the bulk of the novel and reunite for the subplot. The plot, in fact, is becoming rather predictable, with only details changing from book to book. There is very little of the "epic" in this fantasy series, as the plots of the now five books just don't seem to be driving at anything.
That being said, the book IS entertaining, and I even found myself laughing at points. That's more than can be said for some of the other big names in fantasy at this time. While not intellectually stimulating, "Goddess of the Ice Realm" will provide a number of hours of good reading, and is certainly worth purchasing for readers of the series.
Rating:
Summary: remarkable
Review: This is a complex story, beautifully plotted and well told. It is hard to put down. The good guys win in the end, but you are really going to be amazed at the artistry with which Drake keeps you on the edge of your chair, as it all comes seamlessly together at the last instant. Buy the whole series and read them all! Tour de force!
Rating: 
Summary: last verse same as the first
Review: uh.....is the next book going to be the same story line yet again? This series started out with some major potential! Which book does this describe? Cashel goes off by himself....Sharina too.... Ilna and Chalcus off together adventuring, Garric doing whatever....they all meet at the end and defeat everybody and everything.....blah blah blah.
<< 1 >>
| 
