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Day: August 2, 2007

Memories of Ice: This is one of those stories that hooked me

Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson

I sometimes find myself lost in this story’s complexity. I think I’m getting the general idea that the gods of this world have a more direct relationship with the mortals than what we’re used to, and that the tale here really started hundreds of thousands of years ago. Also, sometimes when it seems like I’ve missed something, it eventually comes together, more or less.

I also get very frustrated over the lack of visual descriptions. That may be only my own personal pet-peeve, because I have this complaint for a lot of today’s fantasy writers.

August 2nd, 2007. Greg Hersom´s rating: 4 | Steven Erikson | SFF Reviews | no comments |

Melusine: The characters are the strong suits here

Melusine by Sarah Monette

Melusine has some definite issues as a first novel. It’s setting doesn’t feel quite fully fleshed out — even if one gives the author the benefit of the doubt and believes things are left unanswered for plot purposes and are “to be revealed later.” If that’s the case, the reader could have done with a bit more revelation early on, especially with regard to the politics which drive so much of the characters’ motivations. Without that background, their actions run the risk of seeming arbitrary just for the sake of plot.

August 2nd, 2007. Bill Capossere´s rating: 4 | Sarah Monette | SFF Reviews | no comments |

The Elf Queen of Shannara: Answers many questions

The Elf Queen of Shannara by Terry Brooks

“Goodbye Wren That Was…”

The third volume of THE HERITAGE OF SHANNARA quartet, and also the most insular. Although there are brief mentions of what fellow-heroes are up to, The Elf Queen of Shannara almost exclusively focuses on Wren, quite different from the other three books that tell the over-arching story from various points of view.

The deceased Druid Allanon has given three scions separate quests that must be fulfilled if they are to defeat the mysterious and sinister Shadowen and the totalitarian Federation that is slowly encroaching upon the freedom of the Four Lands.

August 2nd, 2007. Rebecca Fisher´s rating: 3 | Terry Brooks | SFF Reviews | no comments |