especbooks's review against another edition
4.0
While this book did not disappoint, I must say it left me a bit frustrated. All that came before this one felt resolved at the end, but this one has left too many things dangling or as yet unexplained. I am heartened in that that implies I have at least one more book to look forward to, but based on the earlier book in the series I was not expecting to encounter this loathed industry trend here.
assaphmehr's review against another edition
4.0
I've recently decided to re-read this excellent epic fantasy cycle, and review as I go.
What to Expect
The Sea of Time takes Jame finally out of the Riverland (after four novels). We get a wonderful look at the world of Rathilien, with its bizarre societies and locations. We also get an important history lesson -- both to the Kencyrath and the world, and personally to Jame and Torisen -- as the past shadows the present. The novel also contains the first real skirmish with what would be the main conflict and resolution of the entire epic cycle. This last bit I felt a little underdone, but other than that quibble the book is as well written as the rest of the series.
What I liked
Hodgell's story-telling and world-building are top-notch, her story pacing is excellent, and she balances light and dark themes perfectly. We get a lot more background in this volume (for questions that have been hinted at for a while). If you've read this far in the series, you should know why this is excellent epic fantasy.
What to be aware of
This is book 7 of a long running series (over 35 years, so far). You really need to start at [b:God Stalk|69169|God Stalk (Kencyrath, #1)|P.C. Hodgell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1287523762s/69169.jpg|1281031] if you're to have any chance of understanding what is going on. The series, as I understand it, is still not complete (though I imagine that wouldn't stop any GRRM fans).
Also as noted above, I felt the big battle (with is the first real skirmish with the "big enemy") a little bit underdone. This will perhaps be addressed later, as Hodgell exposes more of the motivations and reasons for both side's actions.
Summary
A highly recommended series. This is epic fantasy done right, with perfect balance of light and dark, and excellent, slowly-building pacing. If you love fantasy, I strongly suggest you add God Stalk to your TBR pile.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
The Sea of Time takes Jame finally out of the Riverland (after four novels). We get a wonderful look at the world of Rathilien, with its bizarre societies and locations. We also get an important history lesson -- both to the Kencyrath and the world, and personally to Jame and Torisen -- as the past shadows the present. The novel also contains the first real skirmish with what would be the main conflict and resolution of the entire epic cycle. This last bit I felt a little underdone, but other than that quibble the book is as well written as the rest of the series.
What I liked
Hodgell's story-telling and world-building are top-notch, her story pacing is excellent, and she balances light and dark themes perfectly. We get a lot more background in this volume (for questions that have been hinted at for a while). If you've read this far in the series, you should know why this is excellent epic fantasy.
What to be aware of
This is book 7 of a long running series (over 35 years, so far). You really need to start at [b:God Stalk|69169|God Stalk (Kencyrath, #1)|P.C. Hodgell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1287523762s/69169.jpg|1281031] if you're to have any chance of understanding what is going on. The series, as I understand it, is still not complete (though I imagine that wouldn't stop any GRRM fans).
Also as noted above, I felt the big battle (with is the first real skirmish with the "big enemy") a little bit underdone. This will perhaps be addressed later, as Hodgell exposes more of the motivations and reasons for both side's actions.
Summary
A highly recommended series. This is epic fantasy done right, with perfect balance of light and dark, and excellent, slowly-building pacing. If you love fantasy, I strongly suggest you add God Stalk to your TBR pile.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
collegecate's review against another edition
3.0
I put off finishing this one for awhile because I didn't want to be done with the series and who knows when she'll write another. It was good, more interesting exploration of religion, but I don't feel that the overarching plot was advanced much. Jame and Tori didn't have much dream sharing or discovering of stuff and their conflict gets put off until the next book.
cindywho's review against another edition
3.0
Jame's world always leaves me a little confused as to who is who, but there were plenty of oddities to keep me amused and death, lots of death.
assaphmehr's review against another edition
4.0
I've recently decided to re-read this excellent epic fantasy cycle, and review as I go.
What to Expect
The Sea of Time takes Jame finally out of the Riverland (after four novels). We get a wonderful look at the world of Rathilien, with its bizarre societies and locations. We also get an important history lesson -- both to the Kencyrath and the world, and personally to Jame and Torisen -- as the past shadows the present. The novel also contains the first real skirmish with what would be the main conflict and resolution of the entire epic cycle. This last bit I felt a little underdone, but other than that quibble the book is as well written as the rest of the series.
What I liked
Hodgell's story-telling and world-building are top-notch, her story pacing is excellent, and she balances light and dark themes perfectly. We get a lot more background in this volume (for questions that have been hinted at for a while). If you've read this far in the series, you should know why this is excellent epic fantasy.
What to be aware of
This is book 7 of a long running series (over 35 years, so far). You really need to start at [b:God Stalk|69169|God Stalk (Kencyrath, #1)|P.C. Hodgell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1287523762s/69169.jpg|1281031] if you're to have any chance of understanding what is going on. The series, as I understand it, is still not complete (though I imagine that wouldn't stop any GRRM fans).
Also as noted above, I felt the big battle (with is the first real skirmish with the "big enemy") a little bit underdone. This will perhaps be addressed later, as Hodgell exposes more of the motivations and reasons for both side's actions.
Summary
A highly recommended series. This is epic fantasy done right, with perfect balance of light and dark, and excellent, slowly-building pacing. If you love fantasy, I strongly suggest you add God Stalk to your TBR pile.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
The Sea of Time takes Jame finally out of the Riverland (after four novels). We get a wonderful look at the world of Rathilien, with its bizarre societies and locations. We also get an important history lesson -- both to the Kencyrath and the world, and personally to Jame and Torisen -- as the past shadows the present. The novel also contains the first real skirmish with what would be the main conflict and resolution of the entire epic cycle. This last bit I felt a little underdone, but other than that quibble the book is as well written as the rest of the series.
What I liked
Hodgell's story-telling and world-building are top-notch, her story pacing is excellent, and she balances light and dark themes perfectly. We get a lot more background in this volume (for questions that have been hinted at for a while). If you've read this far in the series, you should know why this is excellent epic fantasy.
What to be aware of
This is book 7 of a long running series (over 35 years, so far). You really need to start at [b:God Stalk|69169|God Stalk (Kencyrath, #1)|P.C. Hodgell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1287523762s/69169.jpg|1281031] if you're to have any chance of understanding what is going on. The series, as I understand it, is still not complete (though I imagine that wouldn't stop any GRRM fans).
Also as noted above, I felt the big battle (with is the first real skirmish with the "big enemy") a little bit underdone. This will perhaps be addressed later, as Hodgell exposes more of the motivations and reasons for both side's actions.
Summary
A highly recommended series. This is epic fantasy done right, with perfect balance of light and dark, and excellent, slowly-building pacing. If you love fantasy, I strongly suggest you add God Stalk to your TBR pile.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
jameseckman's review against another edition
3.0
This is an interesting series, it's not the normal western fantasy and many of the cultures, characters are fairly unique as well as the settings. The only problem is the author only brings out a new book every 4-5 years which makes it hard to keep track of what's going on without a reread. This current volume seemed a bit more incoherent than the others and it's possibly the end of the series which would explain some of the thread tying, though it doesn't seem complete enough to have really killed the villain. This book would not be a good standalone read, read "God Stalk" first and decide if your are hungry for more.
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