Animist

Rating:
Summary: An average book to pass the time with.
Review: Animist is an ok book to read. Not my first choice, but with a lack of anything else to read, I picked it up. It has an interesting premise, but the author fails to dazzle the reader with her words. Its a simple and quick read. Readers who are used to the likes of Robert Jordan, Frank Herbert, Robin Hobb - anyone whoe writes complex sci fi/fantasy will be disappointed. If you must read it, I would recommend getting it from a second hand book store.

Rating:
Summary: A curdled mishmash
Review: As a long-time reader of fantasy novels, I found this one to be one of the most disappointing I have ever had the misfortune to pick up. Start with the cover: Did the artist actually have a description to work with? There is only a passing mention of wolves in the book, the cities described bear no resemblance to the illustration and the critter sitting on "Our Hero's" arm is supposed to be a RAT; not some marmoset/ferret. The plot is muddy and uninteresting. The world described is non-sensical, not fantastic. The characters are unbelievable as well as unlikeable. The protagonist is a wimpy milk toast whose only redeeming quality is an empathy for others. He is pushed around, easily mislead and has no more spine than a jellyfish. Halfway through the book I started actually hoping something terrible would happen to him - at least that would have made the book interesting. Alas, the hero survived - so we will no doubt be subjected to a (probably) equally dopey 2nd installment. From reading her other novels I know Ms. Forward can do better, and I look to the future with anticipation of other better offerings from this writerefforts

Rating:
Summary: A little confusing, but still enjoyable
Review: Caveat: Normally I don't much like and don't usually read the magic/sorcery or sentient animal species variety of fantasy. (The exception, of course, being Tolkien.) Since this novel combined both, it wasn't something I would have ever chosen for myself. However, the best thing about gift books (which this was) is being exposed to books outside one's normal comfort zones.

This book surprised me. I actually enjoyed it. And although I'm not overwhelmed with appreciation for nor am I inclined to pursue more of Ms. Forward's work, she writes with an engaging, entertaining style - her scenes are well-detailed, her characters well-realized, and her plotting, while confusing from time to time, moves along at a brisk pace. I liked Alex and his Anim, Mote, a great deal, and gasped out loud at one scene near the middle of the book, when Mote and Alex are duelling with a powerful magician with apparently tragic consequences.


Rating:
Summary: A disappointment after Villians of Necessity
Review: Having read Villians of Necessity, I had high expectations for this book. Unfortunately, the plot lacked much in the way of excitement. The flow of the book was predictable and not nearly as humorous as VoN.

Not to say the book is bad, The Animist is a decent read, but I recommend waiting for paperback.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: I love this book! I can not put it down. i am a MAJOR fanasty book fan and I find myself wondering now which is my favortive book 'Animist' or 'The Lord of the rings Trilogy'.I love that Alex seems to always get into trouble and brings other people down with him. And I find it really funny that his Anim turns out to be a little fur ball of a rat! lol

Rating:
Summary: A break from the norm
Review: I picked up "Animist" because I wanted something other than the now-cliche' dragons, paladins, elves and heroes defeating Ultimate Evil and bringing about world peace. After a while, all the fantasy paperbacks start to resemble each other. "Animist," though, broke that model. It's a single character-focused tale that holds your attention without the need for a lot of flash and bang, magic swords, curses and the like. And the conclusion ... well, I don't want to ruin it for the next reader, but it's safe to say that I felt it was a real life - not tidy, but satisfying just the same. Eve Forward's writing skills are easily above average; the story was pleasant to consume. But her voice lacks a unique personality or sparkle that would set it apart if not for the plot and setting (her take on magic "colleges" was refreshing). She's good now, but she reveals potential that will likely develop in her next book.

Rating:
Summary: Super story!!!!
Review: I was caught by the concept of being able to communicate with animals. The book is great and I can't wait for the continuing saga....

Rating:
Summary: Adventure, Mystery, Fantasy
Review: It's part adventure, part fantasy and part muder-mystery. Give the book until page 50 for the story to really get started. The first 49 pages are mostly back story and world building. Once you're at page 50: PAY ATTENTION to all the details if you want to solve the mystery.

Rating:
Summary: An entertaining, light little read.
Review: Meet Alex, an "animist." He has abilities to sense into the magickal Oether, and see spirits and magick all around him. He has graduated from the Animism college, and is going out into the world to find his "Anim," a specific animal he will bond with and with which he can open up his full potential of magickal ability. He was sold to the college as a slave, and as such, has to earn money to pay them back to earn his freedom.

Alex is a delightful character, an innocent and rather naive kid who has no concepts of some of the bad things that are out there. His adventure is remarkably funny, and I was laughing aloud at many sections of this poor kid's life. Alex bonds with a rat, Mote, near the beginning of the story, and the tale runs at a decent pace thereafter.

Forward does, however, tend to "over-fantasy" her book. There are races and bits and pieces of the world that at times make you blink in confusion, and it sometimes borders on too much. Raptor-people, rat-people, lemur-people... it starts to confuse.

It's a book I can only describe as "cute," and if you like Tanya Huff's "Summon the Keeper," the tone is similar and you'd likely enjoy "The Animist."

Rating:
Summary: Fun and Well Written
Review: The Animist, by Eve Forward was a fun fast read. Alex, a graduate from the College of Animism, is sent out into the world to find an Anim, an animal for him to bond with who will give him extra powers. His innocence in the ways of the world and his affiliation with the college prove dangerous and Alex barely escapes with his life intact.

Forward has created an engaging world with unique characters and a strong story line. I look forward to reading more about the characters, and about the world they live in. This just missed being a five book, a keeper, rather than a four, because the writing was not tight enough and I found myself skimmed through the book in several sections.