Act of Will (Tor Fantasy) [Mass Market Paperback]

A.J. Hartley (Author)

Book Description

Series: Tor Fantasy | Publication Date: June 29, 2010

Act of Will is a boisterous fantasy adventure that introduces us to Will Hawthorne, a medieval actor and playwright who flees the authorities only to find himself inextricably bound to a group of high-minded adventurers on a deadly mission. Will travels with them to a distant land where they are charged with the investigation and defeat of a ruthless army of mystical horsemen, who appear out of the mist leaving death and devastation in their wake.

In the course of Will's uneasy alliance with his new protectors, he has to get his pragmatic mind to accept selfless heroism (which he thinks is absurd) and magic (which he doesn't believe in). Will must eventually decide where his loyalties really lie and how much he is prepared to do--and believe--to stand up for them.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. As 18-year-old orphaned actor Will Hawthorne explains early on in this clever page-turner, I don't want you thinking you're going to get a tale about some blue-eyed tyke with a heart of gold in a world where good triumphs over evil. You're not, I'm not, and in my experience it never does. Charged as a rebel after escaping the authorities in a world not unlike Elizabethan England, obnoxious, charming Will joins a small mercenary group and proves himself the least honorable of them all. When the group comes under attack from crimson-armored raiders, Will reluctantly fails to betray the companions he is even more reluctantly growing to like. In small, swift scenes, Hartley (On the Fifth Day) deftly proves that people you shouldn't trust at your back can be the best ones to have at your side. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

This fantasy by a Shakespearean scholar tells the story of hapless young actor William Hawthorne in a fictional world that, not unlike Elizabethan England, brims with intrigue. Saving his neck by joining a band of heroes led by a warrior possessed of a magical and powerful sword, Hawthorne unwittingly joins a battle against an evil empire bent on crushing everyone to its will. The subsequent story is at times formulaic, the whole piece a pastiche of clichés and plot twists from better-known movies and adventure fiction. Only someone unfamiliar with the genre may be surprised, for example, that Hartley’s foolish and cowardly protagonist learns, over the course of this ripping yarn, to be wise and brave. Hartley’s prose is so graceful, his narrative so taut, and his battle scenes so exciting and well described, however, that one quickly forgives his betimes paint-by-numbers development. All this is especially true of the compulsively readable second half, which unfolds with remarkable elegance and power. --Jack Helbig --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tor Fantasy; Reprint edition (June 29, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765360888
• ISBN-13: 978-0765360885
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #984,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As you will have gathered, I write a number of different kinds of book, because I love to read in a variety of genres. I have a number of projects in the pipeline, so keep your eyes open for new material.

I'm a Shakespeare Professor at UNC Charlotte, and though my Ph.D. was in literature I specialize in performance history and theory. You can reach me through my website, facebook and twitter. I'm always delighted to hear what people think of my work. Enjoy!

AJH

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars That was a LOT of fun!, March 9, 2009

By 

N. Finney "Finn" (Toronto) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Act of Will (Hardcover)

Act of Will was the most fun I had reading a 'high fantasy' novel in a long time. A.J. Hartley turns the genre on its ear, as Will, an impoverished actor for whom all the world really is a stage takes off on a wild adventure with a group of noble adventurers. Their nobility stymies him, the idea of magic leaves him incredulous, but his limited resources and the pursuit of the Empire's soldiers forces him to throw in his lot with them. I am a pretty jaded reader of these types of novels, and rarely find one that keeps my attention AND makes me laugh out loud. This one did both.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-Paced, well written, and downright FUN, March 30, 2009

By 

R. Oberdorfer (Virginia Beach, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Act of Will (Hardcover)

I picked up this book out of curiosity and got far more than I bargained for. Hartley's previous novels have been well crafted contemporary mystery-thrillers, but this excursion into quest-fantasy reads like a real labor of love. The plot is original, the characters are engaging, and the narrator's wry sense of humor is delightful. What's more, it tells a complete story in ONE volume -- something exceedingly rare these days. A sequel is indicated, and I eagerly look forward to it.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where there's a Will there's fantastic action., March 6, 2009

By 

Francis Hartley (Preston, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Act of Will (Hardcover)

This book is full of imaginative excitement and quality prose.The central character, Will Hawthorne, is, at the start of the novel, a young actor who is about to embark on a full professional life in a local theatre company.During his apprenticeship years he has shown great skills on the stage but he has also angered a rival who is intent on foiling Will's promising career.But there is a deeper, more sinister problem. The local Government is determined to outlaw and defeat any attempts to set up theatres in the district.How Will escapes the irate Government and his evil rival is the beginning of a series of exciting escapades which Hartley tells with a remarkable skill and consummate ability. His subtle introduction of magical skills shows a rare ability and an awareness that not all readers can accept magical skills and need to be led into them at a gradual pace.

But there is nothing gradual about the author's development of narrative and plot. He takes us through the imaginative adventures at a compelling rate and, at the same time, gives the reader a real insight into the strong relationships of the group with whom he finds some aspects of safety and companionship. At the same time Hartley never ceases to describe, with true ability, the countryside and towns through which this fascinating adventure takes us.

This book is well worth a read. It's great and adventurous!!