Robin S

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“Well I think I would have liked this book more if I did not have such high expectations for it. I read a number of reviews before picking it up and they all talked about how great his pacing was etc. But...I was really surprised that I was a mere few pages from the end of the book and there was still a lot left to do.

I think the characters were good. I liked them all - Vin, Dox, Kiesler. I even liked the guy that Vin fell for - though I saw that cominng from a mile off.

I thought the magic system was interesting - and was a neat aspect of the book - however I also think the author spent way too much time on this aspect of the book - it seemed to take up most of it.

The world was interesting - it is kind of cool to see a world where the evil was not defeated and the effects on things because of it. The Inquisitors were frightning and the Lord Ruler seemed imposing.

I think overall my rating would be between "I liked it" and "I really liked it so if I could award it another 1/2 star I would.”

Robin S wrote this review Thursday, December 11, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 2 stars

“Even thought I didn't originally want to read Twilight (I'm not into Romance or Vampires) I did read it voraciously. Which I still found puzzling because the writing was nothing special, the idea not original, and the climax seemed rushed and not very exciting. I did however like the sample chapter at the back of the book for book 2 - it ended in a pretty exciting place- Bella bleeding with all of the vampires looking at her with hunger in their eyes.

So I started reading New Moon while I was with my husband who was doing signings for his book. I was very disappointed that Chapter 2 started off with ... "Take Jasper Outside" - everyone had calmed down - it seemed very anti-climax after the cliff hanger.

Through most of the book I was bored with all of Bella's moping and her complete denseness at not realizing what was going on with Jacob. Once again she takes the news without pause - very unrealistic. And once again the climax was rushed. It seems like the formula is similar - lots of dragging dragging dragging - then a quick end.

After Twilight I really wanted to read New Moon - but now I'm not sure I want to keep going with this series. ”

Robin S wrote this review Saturday, November 22, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“So I'll weigh in here...Yes I'm his wife so you can take that into account when reading my review.

First - I think the characters are very good. I judge how well a character is written if I get to know them where I could guess what they would do in certain situations. I have actually had debates with friends who read the book - with statments like "Royce would NOT do that". ;-p

Second - I think many of the fantasy genre are kind of rehashes of other works. Now while it is true that all (or most) fantasy has common stuff - i.e. races (dwarf, elf, man) and castles, and swordfighting, and professions like thieves and mercenaries and this book has those things - it does it in a different way - Many people I've talked to say it doesn't read like fantasy becausee there are not these long prolonged "world describing" scenes I think that makes the plot carry the book not pages of pages of "look what a neat world I created'.

Lastely...I read the whole series (only one that has) and I think it is masterful how he wove the story together - Having all done before publishing the first meant there were "setups in one book that get discovered later" if you didn't read the first book its not the end of the world - you still understand the story but if you do then you get a bonus. For instance. One character when in a an enchanted prison has the worst thoughts running in his head. His was of a cheering crowd, a tiger, and the word Gilanti. In book 4 I learn about that time of the characters life - When I read it...it was not important that I remembered the reference in book 1 but it was a nice "surprise".

Anyway, I really hope you'lll try this book - I can honestly say that unlike other series this gets better with each book. If you want a taste here are links to sample chapters of the two books that are "wrapped up" - one released - one in final edit - all others are written but have not been edited yet.

http://www.michaelsullivan-author.com/Crown_Conspiracy_Sample_Chapter.html
http://www.michaelsullivan-author.com/Avempartha_Sample_Chapter.html

One thing I should warn book 1 chapter 1 is a red hering the characters there are not the main characters so if you think Archibald is a jerk - good he is there momentarily.

Robin
robin.sullivan.dc@gmail.com
Medieval fantasy series: The Crown Conspiracy (Oct 2008), Avempartha (April 2009)
Upcoming Book Signings at: http://www.michaelsullivan-author.com/MichaelSullivan_Signings.html”

Robin S wrote this review Monday, October 13, 2008. ( reply | permalink )