falmorswifthands's review
5.0
The scope of this book is astonishing. The world building, the history and cast of characters have been painstakingly constructed with obvious care and thought.
The story is engaging and the reveals occur often enough to hold your interest.
I originally had the criticism that it was bloated and could have been a hundred pages shorter. Then t he last few chapters happened and I changed my mind.
If you have not begun this series yet I implore you to read the prequel Brothers of the Wind first. It’s fairly short and it fills in gaps that this book doesn’t cover. I felt this enhanced the story because you come to understand that the villain of this piece is not one dimensional.
The story is engaging and the reveals occur often enough to hold your interest.
I originally had the criticism that it was bloated and could have been a hundred pages shorter. Then t he last few chapters happened and I changed my mind.
If you have not begun this series yet I implore you to read the prequel Brothers of the Wind first. It’s fairly short and it fills in gaps that this book doesn’t cover. I felt this enhanced the story because you come to understand that the villain of this piece is not one dimensional.
pharmdad2007's review
2.0
I didn't dislike this book, I just couldn't really get into it. There were times when the story really compelled me and kept me excited and interested, and there were other times when it just seemed to drag and lost my interest.
yak_attak's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
Excellent classic fantasy, and you can really see how this is the "Inspiration for Game of Thrones", a sort of bridge between Tolkien and your more modern styles - While we have a more typical hero's quest in the background there's all this political scheming and building up of war between nations that - when it finally boils over - brings an excellent scale and scope to the story.
Strangely though for its novelty, that's not the highlight of the story, which is simply Simon's hero's journey/quest through the land. It's very, very slow - be prepared - but it build and grows as you read and leads to some excellent places. Simon's a bit annoying to start, but grows right along with you.
If there's any negative I really have here it's that Williams is so enamored with showing off his world and having the problems of the past feeding into the now that for half the book the plot stops every other chapter so a character can narrate some history. It's *good* history - but the incessant exposition really slows things down tremendously. I'm hoping that we're through most of the backstory and the sequels can really let loose.
Excellent classic fantasy, and you can really see how this is the "Inspiration for Game of Thrones", a sort of bridge between Tolkien and your more modern styles - While we have a more typical hero's quest in the background there's all this political scheming and building up of war between nations that - when it finally boils over - brings an excellent scale and scope to the story.
Strangely though for its novelty, that's not the highlight of the story, which is simply Simon's hero's journey/quest through the land. It's very, very slow - be prepared - but it build and grows as you read and leads to some excellent places. Simon's a bit annoying to start, but grows right along with you.
If there's any negative I really have here it's that Williams is so enamored with showing off his world and having the problems of the past feeding into the now that for half the book the plot stops every other chapter so a character can narrate some history. It's *good* history - but the incessant exposition really slows things down tremendously. I'm hoping that we're through most of the backstory and the sequels can really let loose.
mewsie's review against another edition
5.0
The peace amongst the land of Osten Ard is coming to an end. The great king Prester John has died and left the kingdom in the hands of his eldest son, Elias. Many believed that Elias would follow in his father's footsteps and keep the kingdom strong and at peace. What the people did not know was that the new king was under the influence of the evil priest Pyrates, who planned to unleash the evil Ineluki, the elven Storm King, to bring war among the land and against Elias' brother Joshua.
In the middle of all of this was Simon: a simple kitchen scullion and apprentice to Doctor Morgenes. His simple life was tossed to the wind when he helped rescue Joshua from a hidden dungeon where he had been held by Pyrates. Then his master is killed trying to protect Joshua and Simon's life. Before Morgenes is killed, he instructs Simon to follow Joshua to the safehold of Naglimund with a copy of Morgenes' written history of King John. As Simon races to the safety of Naglimund, he is pursued by Pyrates' men and befriends a small Troll named Binabik. There the two continue on a journey that becomes even more complicated with each step.
I will admit that this book was not an easy read and I have to agree that the first 200 pages or so were a battle to get through. A lot of names and places are thrown around and it was hard to follow where the main storyline was heading. However, after that point the story flew and became the great book that was so highly recommended to me. Williams weaves such a grand story out of a very complicated plot and makes the characters so believable. I could just imagine Binabik riding high on top of his wolf through the grand forests alongside Simon. Also, the imagery Williams convokes in this story is worth it. There are many scenes in the book where the images are so well written that you can visualize them clearly as you read along.
This book is very good if you're willing to work through it. It definitely requires time and patience but is well worth the effort in the end. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
In the middle of all of this was Simon: a simple kitchen scullion and apprentice to Doctor Morgenes. His simple life was tossed to the wind when he helped rescue Joshua from a hidden dungeon where he had been held by Pyrates. Then his master is killed trying to protect Joshua and Simon's life. Before Morgenes is killed, he instructs Simon to follow Joshua to the safehold of Naglimund with a copy of Morgenes' written history of King John. As Simon races to the safety of Naglimund, he is pursued by Pyrates' men and befriends a small Troll named Binabik. There the two continue on a journey that becomes even more complicated with each step.
I will admit that this book was not an easy read and I have to agree that the first 200 pages or so were a battle to get through. A lot of names and places are thrown around and it was hard to follow where the main storyline was heading. However, after that point the story flew and became the great book that was so highly recommended to me. Williams weaves such a grand story out of a very complicated plot and makes the characters so believable. I could just imagine Binabik riding high on top of his wolf through the grand forests alongside Simon. Also, the imagery Williams convokes in this story is worth it. There are many scenes in the book where the images are so well written that you can visualize them clearly as you read along.
This book is very good if you're willing to work through it. It definitely requires time and patience but is well worth the effort in the end. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
andrewlh91's review
5.0
Maybe the best opener to a fantasy series I've ever read. Started slow, but the worldbuilding/character development in the first half paid off in a major way.
katiecatbooks's review
4.0
An addicting epic, with lively characters and settings akin to Tolkein's Middle Earth.
Story: Simon is a young boy raised by chambermaids. He lives in a castle and spends his days dodging chores and wandering aimlessly so as not to get caught. Meanwhile, the king is dying. This is the beginning of a long epic that continues on to many places and challenges. Filled with death, near-death, good, evil, treachery, allies, hope and steel, this first book in the series is addicting and thoroughly enjoyable.
Character: There are many characters in this book of many races, all clearly defined and well imagined. Simon starts the story young, and while not much time passes through the book, his character development is strong and suggests more in the books ahead.
Language: There are as many languages in this book as their are races, and words and phrases are scattered throughout the pages. A glossary is provided in the back, but it's not necessary to enjoy the looks and sounds of the words on the page. By the end of the book, you may find yourself quoting idioms to your friends!
This is considered to be a classic series and now I understand why. Thoroughly enjoyable and ending with a nice cliffhanger, I am looking forward to the rest of the series and walking the mountains with the cast of characters again.
Story: Simon is a young boy raised by chambermaids. He lives in a castle and spends his days dodging chores and wandering aimlessly so as not to get caught. Meanwhile, the king is dying. This is the beginning of a long epic that continues on to many places and challenges. Filled with death, near-death, good, evil, treachery, allies, hope and steel, this first book in the series is addicting and thoroughly enjoyable.
Character: There are many characters in this book of many races, all clearly defined and well imagined. Simon starts the story young, and while not much time passes through the book, his character development is strong and suggests more in the books ahead.
Language: There are as many languages in this book as their are races, and words and phrases are scattered throughout the pages. A glossary is provided in the back, but it's not necessary to enjoy the looks and sounds of the words on the page. By the end of the book, you may find yourself quoting idioms to your friends!
This is considered to be a classic series and now I understand why. Thoroughly enjoyable and ending with a nice cliffhanger, I am looking forward to the rest of the series and walking the mountains with the cast of characters again.
kxu65's review against another edition
3.0
This book felt so slow. It took a while for anything to happen or end.