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jencam11's review against another edition
5.0
Painfully beautiful prose. I think there were some cliches, some plot issues, but the descriptions, characters and settings were so varied and so very rich I really didn't care. I got swept up in it. I felt like I went on that journey with Morgon, I felt like all of those people and places existed--this all happened somewhere some time long ago. This story is told with such care and such compassion. I can't imagine it ever not being a favorite.
joshknape's review against another edition
4.0
I admire Patricia McKillip's dialogue style in this trilogy. It's somber, cerebral, and quiet. (Note that I didn't say the narration; McKillip doesn't sound like Ernest Hemingway.) I have studied it, even, because as an aspiring novelist, I would like my characters to sound somewhat like McKillip's if possible and if appropriate.
I think the Riddle-Master Trilogy is stronger in characterization than in plot. There was always a quality of limited detail about the events, the antagonists, McKillip's fictional world. I mean that as a neutral observation; I don't necessarily dislike it. But the characterization is always more vivid than any aspect of the plot or setting. It's the opposite of Lord of the Rings, really, and creates a sense of mystery that trilogy lacks.
I liked the plot well enough, but how complex and original is it? Without reading many more fantasy classics, I'm not sure; but I'll say this: about halfway through the series, I correctly guessed how it would end, based only on details provided on the back covers of the three books.
I think the Riddle-Master Trilogy is stronger in characterization than in plot. There was always a quality of limited detail about the events, the antagonists, McKillip's fictional world. I mean that as a neutral observation; I don't necessarily dislike it. But the characterization is always more vivid than any aspect of the plot or setting. It's the opposite of Lord of the Rings, really, and creates a sense of mystery that trilogy lacks.
I liked the plot well enough, but how complex and original is it? Without reading many more fantasy classics, I'm not sure; but I'll say this: about halfway through the series, I correctly guessed how it would end, based only on details provided on the back covers of the three books.
stelladallas's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I'd like to read this again, because there's a lot here, to like but I just didn't really click with it. I enjoy her later work more. The dialogue here is a little heavy-handed and stilted; and although I like that the second book focuses on the women, it's frustrating that it basically retreads the first. But it feels weird to complain about such a great author because I know the next fantasy I read is probably not going to be at her level. And I still think she's one of my favourite authors purely in terms of ideas-- like, the premises and concepts she comes up with alone are so fascinating to me.
It's funny-- in her own introduction, she basically says "I'm not crazy about this looking back and I wish I had done things in my own way." You can definitely feel the weight of genre influence on the book, and it is cool to see how she evolved towards her own style.
It's funny-- in her own introduction, she basically says "I'm not crazy about this looking back and I wish I had done things in my own way." You can definitely feel the weight of genre influence on the book, and it is cool to see how she evolved towards her own style.
Also the repetitive names drove me a little nuts. Morgon, Morgol, Hel, Hed-- enuf!!
kiwibookdude's review against another edition
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.