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kiwibookdude's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.25
fhammond_36's review against another edition
3.0
Big story, lots of interesting ways to change, and too much to process yet. Sometimes a bit confusing working out which he is she talking about.
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this the second time around-a second time based on a friend's recommendation. A kind of Lord-of-the-Rings lite. I've never [yet] come across a similar underlying purpose/ability?? as used in this trilogy.
The first time I read it:
I began this story with high hopes—its introduction mentioned the author’s influence by Tolkien. McKillip has an interesting premise that really needs to be better developed. Even though she spent 12 years creating this trilogy, she needs to spend a few more years including the connecting details. There are too many gaps where the author assumes that we’ve picked up more than we possibly could simply because the information is lacking. Her use of the word “riddle” felt wrong throughout the story. The “riddle” questions interspersed throughout are more of in the line of historical and philosophical queries. I kept struggling to figure out how I was missing the “riddle” concept. Her characters are poorly described and the background for the countries and the characters is very thin. The book is a World Fantasy Award winner so there is something in here for the reader…somewhere…
The first time I read it:
I began this story with high hopes—its introduction mentioned the author’s influence by Tolkien. McKillip has an interesting premise that really needs to be better developed. Even though she spent 12 years creating this trilogy, she needs to spend a few more years including the connecting details. There are too many gaps where the author assumes that we’ve picked up more than we possibly could simply because the information is lacking. Her use of the word “riddle” felt wrong throughout the story. The “riddle” questions interspersed throughout are more of in the line of historical and philosophical queries. I kept struggling to figure out how I was missing the “riddle” concept. Her characters are poorly described and the background for the countries and the characters is very thin. The book is a World Fantasy Award winner so there is something in here for the reader…somewhere…
applegnreads's review against another edition
4.0
It does feel like it was written by a younger Patricia McKillip. It certainly falls within a genre of fantasy. However, it was enjoyable and even though I knew the inevitable conclusion from the beginning the story was still interesting.
cornbread's review against another edition
2.0
probably would've enjoyed these books if I was like 13. the characters are boring and their motivations come from nowhere, the story progresses mostly without any purpose. only redeeming aspect is the well-written female characters
fredsteram's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, I can't believe I missed this book (trilogy) when it fist released. Highly recommended.
nmorin's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars, very beautiful writing, loved many things about this series.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
4.0
I had to ILL the second and third book of the trilogy, so I'm guessing this series isn't so popular. I enjoyed it, but can see how others might not. Sometimes the writing seems too unedited, but I love the big ideas. It hit me the way Ursula K LeGuin's did when I first read it: the importance of naming, the deep connection of the people to their place and the importance of solving riddles. The characters were so compelling, I guess I just wish they had been more developed and I had more time with them. That I think was my biggest criticism. It had the potential to be another Tolkien saga, but just skated the surface.