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Liked It “This is a very in depth read but the world is introduced wonderfully in this book. Or...worlds, as the case may be. The clash between the two major super powers is barely hinted at in the first book of this series.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Not as good as the original Dragon Lance series but interesting read.”
Mike L wrote this review 4 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This is a very in depth read but the world is introduced wonderfully in this book. Or...worlds, as the case may be. The clash between the two major super powers is barely hinted at in the first book of this series. ”
Sun wrote this review Wednesday, October 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“my fav book series. i love haplo!”
Elena C wrote this review Friday, September 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Not my personal favorite for a Weis and Hickman book, but it was rather interesting read. A bit disorganized in my opinion. It was hard to keep up with, but it was still fun to read.”
Amie S wrote this review Sunday, August 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Hugh the Hand is an assassin for hire on his way to the chopping block for a crime, ironically enough, he didn't commit. Rescue brings its own set of issues, however. Burdened with a new contract, the recipient of that contract, and a bumbling manservant, Hugh finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into the webs others have woven. The journey touches all three Realms of Air and opens the door to even greater things to come.
Aelvana wrote this review Saturday, January 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It isn't fair to talk about only Hugh in a summary about the story, because multiple characters take on the narrative at one time or another and present their unique views. From bumbling Albert to quiet Halpo, everyone who joins Hugh has his own agenda, and just who is in control is often thrown into question.
That said, there were a number of things I didn't like. The prologue was obnoxious and little more than a cheap excuse to build tension; the story could have functioned perfectly well cutting it out. Most of the information within came up more naturally later in the story, and Halpo himself doesn't show up until nearly a third of the way through the book.
On a related note, the footnotes often annoyed me as well. Most of them presented information that the story itself could have presented in just a few more words, without feeling like the author was taking an aside to explain something to the reader. (Tiers, for instance. Just a description of this specific tier in a sentence or two would have saved a much more general footnote, and given the point of view would not have seemed out of place.)
Although the characterization was good, often the characters were completely overblown. Alfred's clumsiness was completely unbelievable; even a quarter as much and he would have still come off as an incredible oaf. The way certain secrets were set up made them obvious long before they were revealed. And Hugh was completely out of character by the end; his gradual emotional change should not have led to the sheer incompetence with which he handled himself in what he knew to be enemy territory.
The book was enjoyable enough, though severely frustrating in some aspects. I will likely finish the series, though I am not sure if it would merit a re-read. I rate this book Neutral.”
“This really stands as a review for the entire Death Gate Cycle, as I feel the books may as well have all been bound into one thick volume of awesome. I really enjoyed this 7-tet, greatly, and still hold it as one of the more original works of fantasy that I have encountered. Weis and Hickman bring the reader into a world that is so unlike any other than I had read in a fantasy novel. The history is rich, and full of intrigue, and the current day is familiar, but without falling prey to cliche. The further along in the story that you get, the more unanswered questions you find yourself pondering... Just where did this all come from? How WAS the Sundering achieved? What DID go wrong? And who the heck is the mysterious and humorous Zifnab? (A question I never found a totally satisfactory answer to... I can only hope they intend to write more about him some day.) A fun romp, well worth the read.”
Zoe wrote this review Friday, April 11 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I read these in high school and loved them especially the Dragon Wing. I think it was the best one of the series although I don't remember any of the others so well.”
Meghan N wrote this review Monday, January 14 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“the entire series - outstanding”
Zulile N wrote this review Thursday, November 29 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is the beginning of a series called the Death Gate Cycle. Its been around for awhile, but i just found it on a friend's bookshelf, and i'm hooked. So is my daughter, and soon my husband will be too. ”
Julee W wrote this review Thursday, November 8 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“My absolute favorite series they have written. I read these when I was in high school and fell in love with Haplo and even years later they are a wonderful read and my heart is still strangely devoted to Haplo.”
tmmercury wrote this review Wednesday, October 31 2007. ( reply | view 1 replies | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
