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mbs1236's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A book written in true Donaldson fashion. Difficult to read at time and with characters who you just wish to scream at. Terisa was such a difficult character to read but thankfully by the end, she began to stand her ground. Geraden was one who I loved from start to finish. Also, I truly despised Master Eremis as he was just a manipulator. The ending made my jaw drop and looking forward to read the next book that solves all the mysteries that still exist.
merrieberrie's review against another edition
1.0
Ugh, lemmed. I couldn't finish it... I tried but just couldn't.
lesserjoke's review against another edition
4.0
As with many of author Stephen R. Donaldson's works, I have some complicated feelings towards the Mordant's Need duology, and especially this first volume. In terms of worldbuilding and atmosphere, the story is top-notch. The mirror-based magical system is distinctive, and I love how almost all of this novel takes place in a single castle and its immediate environs. As a location Orison lacks the personality of a Gormenghast, but it taps into a similar gloomy claustrophobia as our heroine wanders its drafty halls bouncing off one lonely personage after another. I like how the plot consists mainly of internal court intrigue with occasional bursts of violence as well, although I can see how that creates a slower and more contemplative tale than certain readers might prefer. It's practically Shakespearean in the king's feigned madness and power struggles with his daughters, and that's not the usual mode for this sort of thing.
I also understand the common frustration with Terisa Morgan as a protagonist. Her gradual arc involves learning to assert herself in a variety of ways, but she's a very passive figure for much of this title, stubbornly refusing the actions that a typical genre hero would perform in her stead. She's been ground down into such low self-esteem by her past that she finds it impossible to stand up and claim that mantle, and while this can be irritating if you're expecting a classic sword-and-sorcery venture, it's a fascinating writing choice that offers a steady share of surprises and a subtle piece of mental health representation.
It forms an important thematic link with the antihero in Donaldson's more famous Thomas Covenant series too. The self-styled 'Unbeliever' is a person pulled out of our world who refuses to accept that the strange new land around him is anything but a dream, even as its inhabitants implore him to be their champion. Here, the writer repeats that paradigm of disputed faith, but he inverts the formula of disbelief. The rules of wizardry in Mordant teach that the visions in mirrors have no true existence before they are called to life, so Terisa herself, summoned to this other place from her familiar high-rise apartment, is the one doubted. Her own status as something real, not the realm's, is dismissed as an illusion -- and at least in the beginning, she doesn't possess the strength of mind to seriously protest otherwise.
All of that is pretty compelling as a theme to explore, but it does veer into problematic territory at times. Although the heroine needs to be rather submissive for the initial narrative to work, this results in her not resisting when one of her summoners makes open predatory advances on her, first verbally and then physically. She even comes to crave his touch as a way of affirming a small measure of reality, but it's clearly not genuine consent. This should trouble us, yet the only time that the question of rape is brought up, she somehow laughs in derision to dismiss the idea.
And frankly, it's not clear that Terisa's arc requires that type of mistreatment, or the sexism she's subjected to from a few further directions, in order to be effective. I don't think Stephen R. Donaldson is insightful enough in how he writes about sexual assault in general to justify how often he's returned to it throughout his career -- and I say that as a dedicated fan who's read all of his books, most more than once -- and the topic is particularly under-developed here. I can't help but notice that his male characters are never dehumanized to this same degree, either.
Ultimately, then, this is a quietly engaging drama of the soul with a significant flaw running through its heart. On balance I find that combination regrettable but not fatally so, though I can't fault anyone who weighs these factors differently. Luckily I recall that the sequel improves on this front, in addition to delivering a more straightforward epic fantasy adventure.
[Content warning for body horror.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
I also understand the common frustration with Terisa Morgan as a protagonist. Her gradual arc involves learning to assert herself in a variety of ways, but she's a very passive figure for much of this title, stubbornly refusing the actions that a typical genre hero would perform in her stead. She's been ground down into such low self-esteem by her past that she finds it impossible to stand up and claim that mantle, and while this can be irritating if you're expecting a classic sword-and-sorcery venture, it's a fascinating writing choice that offers a steady share of surprises and a subtle piece of mental health representation.
It forms an important thematic link with the antihero in Donaldson's more famous Thomas Covenant series too. The self-styled 'Unbeliever' is a person pulled out of our world who refuses to accept that the strange new land around him is anything but a dream, even as its inhabitants implore him to be their champion. Here, the writer repeats that paradigm of disputed faith, but he inverts the formula of disbelief. The rules of wizardry in Mordant teach that the visions in mirrors have no true existence before they are called to life, so Terisa herself, summoned to this other place from her familiar high-rise apartment, is the one doubted. Her own status as something real, not the realm's, is dismissed as an illusion -- and at least in the beginning, she doesn't possess the strength of mind to seriously protest otherwise.
All of that is pretty compelling as a theme to explore, but it does veer into problematic territory at times. Although the heroine needs to be rather submissive for the initial narrative to work, this results in her not resisting when one of her summoners makes open predatory advances on her, first verbally and then physically. She even comes to crave his touch as a way of affirming a small measure of reality, but it's clearly not genuine consent. This should trouble us, yet the only time that the question of rape is brought up, she somehow laughs in derision to dismiss the idea.
And frankly, it's not clear that Terisa's arc requires that type of mistreatment, or the sexism she's subjected to from a few further directions, in order to be effective. I don't think Stephen R. Donaldson is insightful enough in how he writes about sexual assault in general to justify how often he's returned to it throughout his career -- and I say that as a dedicated fan who's read all of his books, most more than once -- and the topic is particularly under-developed here. I can't help but notice that his male characters are never dehumanized to this same degree, either.
Ultimately, then, this is a quietly engaging drama of the soul with a significant flaw running through its heart. On balance I find that combination regrettable but not fatally so, though I can't fault anyone who weighs these factors differently. Luckily I recall that the sequel improves on this front, in addition to delivering a more straightforward epic fantasy adventure.
[Content warning for body horror.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
booksarebetter's review against another edition
3.0
This book was frustrating and annoying in many ways, but I still pushed through because I liked the idea of using mirrors to travel to other worlds, universes even. Finding a hero to defeat a seemingly undefeatable army by using such mirrors? That sounds awesome!
Sadly, that was the only good bit.
Teresa was as bad as the characters in Wuthering Heights: you want to see her fighting, not wondering if some guy likes her, which felt like most of the book.
The writing was good, but I really didn't like the characters. I recommend if you have nothing else to read, then you can read this one.
I'm just glad that I finished it.
Sadly, that was the only good bit.
Teresa was as bad as the characters in Wuthering Heights: you want to see her fighting, not wondering if some guy likes her, which felt like most of the book.
The writing was good, but I really didn't like the characters. I recommend if you have nothing else to read, then you can read this one.
I'm just glad that I finished it.
lady_smith's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ravenlily's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
horse_toaster's review against another edition
4.0
final ‘lugubrious’ word count: 8
eremus is giving short king energy
eremus is giving short king energy
wyntercreations's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
weechito's review against another edition
4.0
In some ways it feels like an 80’s TV show—a lot happens but nothing really ever changes. It’s wonderful worldbuilding, and the characters are (mostly) well built. There is a lot of interesting material here and I’m looking forward to actually seeing it resolve in the next book. I just wish this one felt a little more complete in itself. Also, Terisa at times feels a little too much like a woman being written by a man rather than as a complete character in her own right.