Scan barcode
timinbc's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, I had forgotten just how wonderful it is to be cruising in a Vance fantasy. He writes with such ease and wit.
For example, a woman is ignoring a wizard ... "he worked a small spell. Into the room flew a small bird, to circle Melancthe's head and settle on the rim of her goblet. It chirped a time or two, committed a nuisance into the goblet and flew away." Perfect.
We have entwined a military-political story (King Aillas) and the schemings of several magicians. Good stories, both, with heroism and valour and bad guys getting what they deserve and then some.
The only fault with this book is that it's going to be difficult to track down the other two volumes!
For example, a woman is ignoring a wizard ... "he worked a small spell. Into the room flew a small bird, to circle Melancthe's head and settle on the rim of her goblet. It chirped a time or two, committed a nuisance into the goblet and flew away." Perfect.
We have entwined a military-political story (King Aillas) and the schemings of several magicians. Good stories, both, with heroism and valour and bad guys getting what they deserve and then some.
The only fault with this book is that it's going to be difficult to track down the other two volumes!
suzemo's review against another edition
4.0
So, I don't know if I've settled into Vance's Lyonesse works better, or if this book is way better, but I enjoyed the hell out of this book - even more than Suldrun's Garden.
In the first book, we meet most of the characters in this book. King Aillas shows up on scene, gets married, takes over a throne and finds his son Dhrun.
In this book, he consolidates his power, finds his lady love, and generally shows himself to be the awesomest king of them all, while simultaneously sticking it to his nemesis (and child's grandfather), King Casimir.
This book is another raucous high-fantasy adventure. Still taking place is a pseudo-medieval pseudo-European way. Still non-stop action and the language is still flowery, descriptive, and funny as hell.
I like the imagery and the imagination. Jack Vance creates a weird world, but not too weird and it's still a metric tonne of fun.
And hilarious - I laughed out loud may times during some of the descriptions and action in the book. I can't wait for the last one of the series.
In the first book, we meet most of the characters in this book. King Aillas shows up on scene, gets married, takes over a throne and finds his son Dhrun.
In this book, he consolidates his power, finds his lady love, and generally shows himself to be the awesomest king of them all, while simultaneously sticking it to his nemesis (and child's grandfather), King Casimir.
This book is another raucous high-fantasy adventure. Still taking place is a pseudo-medieval pseudo-European way. Still non-stop action and the language is still flowery, descriptive, and funny as hell.
I like the imagery and the imagination. Jack Vance creates a weird world, but not too weird and it's still a metric tonne of fun.
And hilarious - I laughed out loud may times during some of the descriptions and action in the book. I can't wait for the last one of the series.
shoba's review against another edition
3.0
Aillas is made king of Ulfland, uniting both the north and the south.
"Aillas, come forward." Gax kissed Aillas forehead and Aillas saw that tears were streaming down the haggard cheeks. "Aillas, my son, and I wish that you were my son indeed, you have made me a happy man! In joy I tender you this crown and place it on your head. You are now Aillas, King of Ulfland, and let none in all the world dispute my decree!”
Glyneth is kidnapped and taken to an alternate world, Tanjecterly. She is rescued and reunited with King Aillas.
“She mentioned a low sorcerer by the name of Visbhume, formerly apprenticed to Hippolito.
Visbhume conferred with Tamurello, who sent him to King Casmir of Lyonesse. Thereafter, according to Melancthe, Visbhume went to Watershade and for reasons not entirely clear, kidnapped Glyneth and took her to the place Tanjecterly.”
Finally what is to become of the Magic Mirror, Persilian’s prophecy?
“Persilian the Magic Mirror once spoke out to me, though I had put no charge upon him. The utterance defies both fact and reason, and causes me a great puzzlement."
"And what was the utterance?"
"Persilian spoke like this:
Suldrun's son shall undertake
Before his life is gone
To sit his right and proper place
At Cairbra an Meadhan.
If so he sits and so he thrives
Then he shall make his own
The Table Round, to Casmir's woe, And Evandig the Throne.
"Aillas, come forward." Gax kissed Aillas forehead and Aillas saw that tears were streaming down the haggard cheeks. "Aillas, my son, and I wish that you were my son indeed, you have made me a happy man! In joy I tender you this crown and place it on your head. You are now Aillas, King of Ulfland, and let none in all the world dispute my decree!”
Glyneth is kidnapped and taken to an alternate world, Tanjecterly. She is rescued and reunited with King Aillas.
“She mentioned a low sorcerer by the name of Visbhume, formerly apprenticed to Hippolito.
Visbhume conferred with Tamurello, who sent him to King Casmir of Lyonesse. Thereafter, according to Melancthe, Visbhume went to Watershade and for reasons not entirely clear, kidnapped Glyneth and took her to the place Tanjecterly.”
Finally what is to become of the Magic Mirror, Persilian’s prophecy?
“Persilian the Magic Mirror once spoke out to me, though I had put no charge upon him. The utterance defies both fact and reason, and causes me a great puzzlement."
"And what was the utterance?"
"Persilian spoke like this:
Suldrun's son shall undertake
Before his life is gone
To sit his right and proper place
At Cairbra an Meadhan.
If so he sits and so he thrives
Then he shall make his own
The Table Round, to Casmir's woe, And Evandig the Throne.
pureliquidevil's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, its clear to me now. Jack Vance is the most entertaining writer who ever lived.
thomcat's review against another edition
4.0
The cast of characters grows only a little, as this novel was clearly meant to be read in series with the first. Interesting adventures with both suspense and humor, along with creative magic. Also, another planet (dimension?) expands the world even more.
It has been 6 years since I read the first, and the people mentioned in the beginning were a bit confusing. The story wasn't - the tale of the cursed green pearl, causing trouble and mischief wherever it lands. That little pearl shows up throughout the story, trapped at the end - but what will book three bring?
As to that, I will dive straight into it. This is good for my goal of finishing series, and so far this one is worthy of a reread, maybe a decade hence. A company called The Design Mechanism announced a role playing game based on Lyonesse, probably tied in to their Mythic Britain and others using Runequest. That is also quite interesting - though it isn't available yet.
Back to this book (and series), so far it has been very good, and recommended. I look forward to reading more Jack Vance after I finish this series - whether Dying Earth or another is still undecided.
It has been 6 years since I read the first, and the people mentioned in the beginning were a bit confusing. The story wasn't - the tale of the cursed green pearl, causing trouble and mischief wherever it lands. That little pearl shows up throughout the story, trapped at the end - but what will book three bring?
As to that, I will dive straight into it. This is good for my goal of finishing series, and so far this one is worthy of a reread, maybe a decade hence. A company called The Design Mechanism announced a role playing game based on Lyonesse, probably tied in to their Mythic Britain and others using Runequest. That is also quite interesting - though it isn't available yet.
Back to this book (and series), so far it has been very good, and recommended. I look forward to reading more Jack Vance after I finish this series - whether Dying Earth or another is still undecided.
zachtheiler's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
metaphorosis's review against another edition
4.0
The Green Pearl is a much better book than I recalled it being. Perhaps that's because we spend some time in an alternate world, and Vance is thus freed from the constraints of Earth. Perhaps it's because the storyline is simpler, following primarily Aillas and Glyneth.
Aillas, King of Troicinet and South Ulfland, spends a fair amount of time haring about on his own adventures, which requires a certain suspension of disbelief, but credibility is not really a major factor with Vance books. The focus on individuals brings Vance more truly to his own territory of longing and lust, of weird creatures and places.
The politics remains from [b:Suldrun's Garden|40869|Suldrun's Garden (Lyonesse, #1)|Jack Vance|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1298379404s/40869.jpg|5298839], but here it's more straightforward (Aillas protecting his land) and less obtrusive. The book spends less time describing Lyonesse overall, and more on individual adventures. It's a much better book for it, and much more Vancian.
Overall, I'd say it's a 3.5, though I rounded up for the sheer surprise of it being so good, where I had recollected it being more dull. The Lyonesse trilogy is a good introduction to Vance for those who are used to somewhat more traditional narrative. For Vance aficionados, this is not his best work, but it's good.
CVIE V
Aillas, King of Troicinet and South Ulfland, spends a fair amount of time haring about on his own adventures, which requires a certain suspension of disbelief, but credibility is not really a major factor with Vance books. The focus on individuals brings Vance more truly to his own territory of longing and lust, of weird creatures and places.
The politics remains from [b:Suldrun's Garden|40869|Suldrun's Garden (Lyonesse, #1)|Jack Vance|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1298379404s/40869.jpg|5298839], but here it's more straightforward (Aillas protecting his land) and less obtrusive. The book spends less time describing Lyonesse overall, and more on individual adventures. It's a much better book for it, and much more Vancian.
Overall, I'd say it's a 3.5, though I rounded up for the sheer surprise of it being so good, where I had recollected it being more dull. The Lyonesse trilogy is a good introduction to Vance for those who are used to somewhat more traditional narrative. For Vance aficionados, this is not his best work, but it's good.
CVIE V
arthurbdd's review against another edition
5.0
Vance's classic trilogy continues with a contemplation of the nature of evil. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2021/02/12/apres-madouc-le-deluge/
georgewhatup's review against another edition
4.0
A fantasy epic that feels both young and very mature at the same time, like the more twisted fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm.
I haven't read any books like this before. It's a true delight.
I haven't read any books like this before. It's a true delight.