Rating: 
Summary: Discovering the self and genuine love
Review: Donaldson depicts the despair and confusion that result from lives turned awry: in Teresa's case by childhood abuse/neglect and in Geraden's case by an inability to understand and use his gifts, in the realm's case by a hero-king who has suddenly stopped defending the kingdom. These confusions lead the characters into mistakes and dilemmas so true to life that I have read every one of Donaldson's long-winded words in the two Mordant books for the gift of better understanding despair and hope, confusion and clarity, seduction and care, and the redemptive possibility of hope. I find Donaldson's other series dark and lacking in the hope and genuine love that make this tale one of my all-time favorites.
Rating:
Summary: A tale on morality
Review: Donaldson uses the love story between Terisa and Geraden as a framework to explore complex themes. The tale is set in a medieval fantasy realm where Terisa and Geraden are part of a larger community that strive to serve their king (King Joyse) and save Geraden's home, Mordant.The novel explores various Christian themes of servanthood and leadership. King Joyse uses a bewildering technique in defeating his enemies. He chooses to appear mad and alienates his friends and family on purpose, so as to determine his real enemies. A large portion of "A mirror rides through" is devoted to this confusing issue on whether or not the King Geraden serves is working for or against Mordant. The novel has a very clear cut idea on what "evil" and "good" is, but Donaldson is very skilful to create confusion on what is "good" or "true" for both the reader and Terisa in the first book by bringing in the arrogant Master Eremis (who doesn't seem quite so bad until the end of the series). The good characters are always humble and placing a greater good over their individual selves while the "bad" characters are proud and self-absorbed. The skill he displays in characterisation of the evil characters is applause worthy. Master Eremis could be any man you meet in your life. Master Eremis is not unlikeable. It is his actions (not his personality) that are unlikeable and destructive to others. But as I said before, Donaldson is very subtle with the "good" and "evil" binary. I am not usually a fantasy reader, but this book is so well written that I finished the series within a week! His writing is fluid and unified so that by the end of the series every loose end is tied up. There are also some moments (usually character's thoughts or dialogue) when Donaldson's writing shines through in beautiful clarity (a bit like CS Lewis). The issues that Donaldson raises in the series, of love, loyalties, weakness, strength, power and responsibility make it worthy of a slower and more pleasurable re-reading.
Rating:
Summary: Remarkable
Review: I bought this book in hardcover back in 1987 at the age of 13 because it was on the bargain rack for $5. I read it that night and discovered there was a sequel. I begged my mother into a ride in to the mall and then begged the $20 (oh, when hardbacks this big were $20!) out of her and read A Man Rides Through in two days. I have read it 12 times since. It is the most remarkable duology I have ever read. It is not only a tightly crafted tale with completely fleshed and magnficent characters, but a combination of so many genres: fantasy, sci-fi, action, thriller, mystery, horror, romance. And all in only about 1300 pages! I must admit, I can't decide who is my favorite, Adept Havelock, King Joyse, Geraden or Terisa. I feel like I know them. And I'm proud that I do. If you want to find the true meanings of courage, integrity, loyalty and love, these books are all you'll need.
Rating: 
Summary: Good premise, horribly flat characters
Review: I have been reading fantasy fiction since age 10 (22 years). After just re-reading this series for the third time I can confidently state that this is still the best fantasy fiction I have ever read. It is the only book(s) I have ever written a review for in all that time. Donaldson is a master creator of perverse, intense, and deliciously complex stories with the most unbearably reluctant heros and unfathomably malignant antagonists. It will keep you enthralled and guessing until the end. If you call yourself a fantasy fan and do not read this series, you are depriving yourself of pure reading extasy.
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Summary: My FAVOURITE 2-volume series of all time!!!
Review: I have read Tolkien, Brooks, Eddings, etc. and enjoyed them. But this series had one unique element which I have never seen in any other fantasy novel. It had the development of a magic (mirrors) and its uses which the characters slowly discovered as the story progressed. This can usually only be found in a good Sci-Fi novel with the development of a technology. I simply could not believe (to my enjoyment) how far he took the concept of mirrors and their discovered abilities and uses for good and evil. It was not simply "find sword, discover how to use sword, kill evil with sword". I think the most amazing thing these books did was combine elements of all genres! An almost impossible task, but it turned out amazingly well! Fantasy, action, adventure, intrigue, romance, humour, suspense, horror, sci-fi, and more! In fact, make sure you have the second volume sitting right in front of you when you finish the first. Trust me. Also, if anyone reads this review who HAS read these books and enjoyed them as much as I have, I want you to email me the titles of any which could be similar in caliber and content. I simply cannot find any--and I have read many. Thanks!
Rating:
Summary: very cool
Review: i recently went on a camping trip and my friend lent me the two mordant's needs books and they were so great! i love the book.. it has adventure, suspense, romance, and everything! i couldn't put the books down and finished them both in 5 days. this one and the second book are so cool.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost There
Review: I'm reviewing this book on the first novel alone, as I understand that many people are considering the duo when casting their votes. I loved the concept of this novel. The characters, situations, landscapes, etc. were all very original and wonderfully created. I saw so much potential and was naggingly dissapointed about some major things throughout the book. The main character in the novel is supposed to be a young, beautiful, twenty something woman. She reads like she's ten. The idea is that she never really had a personality or true character before she is brought over to a new world. Thus, her past reads very flat and we're expected to believe that she's never been kissed, never looked at another man and thought he was attracted, and for all her obvious beauty, not a single person on the street ever looked at her. This is all supposed to go hand in hand with the new feeling of purpose she has upon her mirror crossing. I don't care, I just kept wanting to either smack my head in frustration or smack her for being an idiot. I can't decide. My other beef: conversations and inner monologues seem very forced and unrealistic, but at other times don't seem to have a problem.
Overall though........I do enjoy the story for its sheer originality and the fact that Donaldson only has momemnts that don't detract from the whole book.
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Summary: Mirror of my soul
Review: Mirror of her Dreams and A Man Rides Through are two of the best books I've ever read. They were my first introduction to fantasy and I've spent the last 15 years trying (and failing) to find their equal. I don't care for fantasy stories that are too fantastic. These aren't. They depict a world ripe with conflict and intrigue without ever becoming confusing. The characters are complex and interesting. These books are well worth the time to read. I've read my copies so many times, they're falling apart.
Rating:
Summary: bawdy, exciting, great characters, fascinating!
Review: Ooh, I loved this book. What a break from the over-used epic fantasy novels that are polluting bookshops these days! Sure it's got magic, monsters, sword-play. But what an original concept of magic! And what monsters! Dragons? Goblins? None of those, thanks. How about a space-commando snatched from his war-torn world into a medieval/fantasy setting? Or that giant slug-thing that swallows guys whole? But really, the strongest element of this book--and it's sequel, which was just as great--is the characters. They're so well drawn you start to get into even the ones you don't like. They're interesting, complex, develop as the story does, and gosh darnit, you really start to feel for the heroes. I really felt pride on their behalf when they succeed, chagrined when they mess up, and so on. Let me also say this: half the characters seem to have sex on their minds about 90% of the time. But this book belongs nowhere near the torn-bodice/romance genre! It's fun stuff. Trust me! Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Donaldson is the best
Review: Stephen R Donaldson is one of the greatest authors of our time. The Mordants Need series is one of my favorite series (I've probably read it ten times) it has an intriguing plotline, very real characters and tons of adventure. Anyone who likes to read should try these books.
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