ailurophile_bibliophile89's review against another edition
1.0
1 Star
Don't even bother. The phrasing, spelling, plot....everything about this was confusing and the phrasing made it really hard to focus. So not what I expected from the author of one of my favorite series.
Don't even bother. The phrasing, spelling, plot....everything about this was confusing and the phrasing made it really hard to focus. So not what I expected from the author of one of my favorite series.
hoosgracie's review
4.0
Carey, author of the Kushiel series, takes on mythology. In this, the first of a series, a world was sundered years ago during the seven Shapers war. One shaper was left on the world while the others fled to an island. A prophecy that could bring an end to the world is now in the process of being fulfilled.[return][return]Carey does a good job of introducing the characters and storyline – this takes up most of the book. I look forward to the next book in the series.
janedoelish's review against another edition
2.0
This novel is basically the antithesis to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, casting the villains as anti-heroes and the former protagonists as misguided zealots in service to cruel gods and their quest for absolute power. It is a valiant effort and a good antinomian argument, so why do I only award it two stars?
Basically, because its status as a re-writing of a novel I am extremely familiar with renders it extremely predictable to me, and plodding through over 500 depressingly fatalistic pages (more than 1000 if you include the second part) just to end up exactly where I knew it would is not enjoyable.
The idea behind this novel is excellent; but in order to render it a more pleasant reading experience, it should have strayed further from its source material, or else slimmed down to a single novel. I really didn't need to re-tread every step of not-Gandalf's journey, nor learn everything about not-Aragorn's life.
Basically, because its status as a re-writing of a novel I am extremely familiar with renders it extremely predictable to me, and plodding through over 500 depressingly fatalistic pages (more than 1000 if you include the second part) just to end up exactly where I knew it would is not enjoyable.
The idea behind this novel is excellent; but in order to render it a more pleasant reading experience, it should have strayed further from its source material, or else slimmed down to a single novel. I really didn't need to re-tread every step of not-Gandalf's journey, nor learn everything about not-Aragorn's life.
astrochem's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
Banewreaker is pure, unadulterated, Epic Fantasy. If you like Dungeons and Dragons, Lord of the Rings, Fionavar, The Belgarion, George RR Martin, etc, you will like this series.
I haven't been an Epic Fantasy fan since junior high. Somehow, after reading the aforementioned take on elves and orcs and dragons, the usual "quest for the magical object" and "politics of race" lack luster; it's all been said before.
And yet...Banewreaker manages to slog around in a swamp of cliches and archetypes and still be interesting.
We begin with Lord Satoris, the Banewreaker, who refused his brother-god (called Shapers here) a request to withdraw fertility from humans.
He did it out of love for his sister-god, and because, let's face it, his brother-god's people (the elves) the Ellylon just weren't keeping up in the fertility department and were dwindling, so not really a selfless request on the brother-god's part.
Lord Satoris is served by the Fjel (orcs) who everyone hates because they are ugly and brutish, but as we enter this world we are shown their purity of heart, their artistic leanings, and their overwhelming honor/loyalty. We are show this by Lord Satoris' human servant, Tanaros, who was betrayed by his King and Wife, both of whom he loved, and whom he slew in a rage. Lord Satoris forgave this crime, gave him sanctuary and immortal life, and has been nothing but kind to him...or has he? Are the madlings Lord Satoris takes in used by him in their madness? Or does his assertion that they are beautiful as they are ring true?
Here is the crux of why Banewreaker isn't stale: it is the in depth, sympathetic, and unswervingly brutal portrayal of the "villains" of the story, making them into heroes, that causes this book to rise from the muck.
And the language, flowery, grandiose prose all the way, baby. All the characters have dire, meaningful conversations. Every phrase is dripping with historical and emotional repercussions.
If you like that kind of thing (as I do in measured doses) than the prose itself is baroquely pleasing. On the other hand, it wore at me a little to have "sundered" used about ten times a page as well as the flowery names and phrases such as "Tanaros Blacksword/Kingslayer", etc.
Even for jaded tastes like mine, Banewreaker is worth the read. However, jump into this swamp knowing full well that you're going to get covered head to toe in flowery, epic prose. If that's what you like, you'll love this book.
This Book's Snack Rating: Cheetos, because every page gets cheesy epic prose all over your fingers, but really the crunchy characters are a familiar in their deliciousness.
I haven't been an Epic Fantasy fan since junior high. Somehow, after reading the aforementioned take on elves and orcs and dragons, the usual "quest for the magical object" and "politics of race" lack luster; it's all been said before.
And yet...Banewreaker manages to slog around in a swamp of cliches and archetypes and still be interesting.
We begin with Lord Satoris, the Banewreaker, who refused his brother-god (called Shapers here) a request to withdraw fertility from humans.
He did it out of love for his sister-god, and because, let's face it, his brother-god's people (the elves) the Ellylon just weren't keeping up in the fertility department and were dwindling, so not really a selfless request on the brother-god's part.
Lord Satoris is served by the Fjel (orcs) who everyone hates because they are ugly and brutish, but as we enter this world we are shown their purity of heart, their artistic leanings, and their overwhelming honor/loyalty. We are show this by Lord Satoris' human servant, Tanaros, who was betrayed by his King and Wife, both of whom he loved, and whom he slew in a rage. Lord Satoris forgave this crime, gave him sanctuary and immortal life, and has been nothing but kind to him...or has he? Are the madlings Lord Satoris takes in used by him in their madness? Or does his assertion that they are beautiful as they are ring true?
Here is the crux of why Banewreaker isn't stale: it is the in depth, sympathetic, and unswervingly brutal portrayal of the "villains" of the story, making them into heroes, that causes this book to rise from the muck.
And the language, flowery, grandiose prose all the way, baby. All the characters have dire, meaningful conversations. Every phrase is dripping with historical and emotional repercussions.
If you like that kind of thing (as I do in measured doses) than the prose itself is baroquely pleasing. On the other hand, it wore at me a little to have "sundered" used about ten times a page as well as the flowery names and phrases such as "Tanaros Blacksword/Kingslayer", etc.
Even for jaded tastes like mine, Banewreaker is worth the read. However, jump into this swamp knowing full well that you're going to get covered head to toe in flowery, epic prose. If that's what you like, you'll love this book.
This Book's Snack Rating: Cheetos, because every page gets cheesy epic prose all over your fingers, but really the crunchy characters are a familiar in their deliciousness.
lili90738's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
vms_lcsw's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic high fantasy from JC. She shines with this. That's all need be said about these books.
mslibrarynerd's review against another edition
5.0
This book is not my usual kind of favorite, but I think the author does a brilliant job of telling a story from an unusual perpective. Of course this story is the quintissential lord of the rings group adventure story, but the perspective is from the dark side. She gives this classic epic a great deal of depth and complexity. I love the second one too.
jennieartemis's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
TL;DR: An intriguing take on Tolkien material that could do with being a little sharper and more readable
I liked Banewreaker enough by the end, and there are some interesting thoughts in it, but it was certainly not gripping. I got used to the archaic style, although I didn't like it, but there was just so much exposition at the beginning, and too many character perspectives throughout (several of which went nowhere). The narrative can't really decide whether it is a very clear take on Lord of the Rings or more of its own thing, muddying the waters slightly. I'm disappointed at its minimal emphasis on gender, its dubious race politics, and the complete lack of queer elements. But I have some hope that the second part will take the ideas to good places, even if the style is not for me.
6/10 in personal rating system
I liked Banewreaker enough by the end, and there are some interesting thoughts in it, but it was certainly not gripping. I got used to the archaic style, although I didn't like it, but there was just so much exposition at the beginning, and too many character perspectives throughout (several of which went nowhere). The narrative can't really decide whether it is a very clear take on Lord of the Rings or more of its own thing, muddying the waters slightly. I'm disappointed at its minimal emphasis on gender, its dubious race politics, and the complete lack of queer elements. But I have some hope that the second part will take the ideas to good places, even if the style is not for me.
6/10 in personal rating system