Customer Reviews

Animist

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Teenager Alex worries about his future now that he graduates from the College of Animists. He knows he must embark on a journey to find his Anim if he is to survive in a world filled with magicians desiring the annihilation of the Animists. However, the thought of the trek frightens him especially since his friends still have a few years before they begin their quest for the animal that they will share an empathic link with for life.

Alex meets his empathic other, Mote a tiny rat, but his search also places the two of them in the middle of a war between two small nations. Along with several traveling companions he met on his pilgrimage, Alex stands in the way of a malevolent being that wants mass destruction. Only Mote manages to keep Alex from blundering to his death as the small troupe struggles to save the lives of humans and animals.

Although the twin themes of a coming of age quest and a psychic link between humans and animals have been done many times in novels and movies, the charming charcaters keep the tale fresh. The story line is entertaining and exciting as the bungling Alex and his cohorts attempt the impossible. Though the humans are fully developed and interesting, Mote steals the show as the most intriguing rat since Ben. Eve Forward succeeds in turning Alex's journey into a genial fantasy that deserves sequels.

Harriet Klausner

I picked up "Animist" because I wanted something other than the now-cliche' dragons, paladins, elves and heroes defeating Ultimate Evil and bringing about world peace. After a while, all the fantasy paperbacks start to resemble each other. "Animist," though, broke that model. It's a single character-focused tale that holds your attention without the need for a lot of flash and bang, magic swords, curses and the like. And the conclusion ... well, I don't want to ruin it for the next reader, but it's safe to say that I felt it was a real life - not tidy, but satisfying just the same. Eve Forward's writing skills are easily above average; the story was pleasant to consume. But her voice lacks a unique personality or sparkle that would set it apart if not for the plot and setting (her take on magic "colleges" was refreshing). She's good now, but she reveals potential that will likely develop in her next book.

Meet Alex, an "animist." He has abilities to sense into the magickal Oether, and see spirits and magick all around him. He has graduated from the Animism college, and is going out into the world to find his "Anim," a specific animal he will bond with and with which he can open up his full potential of magickal ability. He was sold to the college as a slave, and as such, has to earn money to pay them back to earn his freedom.

Alex is a delightful character, an innocent and rather naive kid who has no concepts of some of the bad things that are out there. His adventure is remarkably funny, and I was laughing aloud at many sections of this poor kid's life. Alex bonds with a rat, Mote, near the beginning of the story, and the tale runs at a decent pace thereafter.

Forward does, however, tend to "over-fantasy" her book. There are races and bits and pieces of the world that at times make you blink in confusion, and it sometimes borders on too much. Raptor-people, rat-people, lemur-people... it starts to confuse.

It's a book I can only describe as "cute," and if you like Tanya Huff's "Summon the Keeper," the tone is similar and you'd likely enjoy "The Animist."

Alex wants to get a great animal, make a lot of money, and become a hero. Instead, a rat answers his magic call. Together, they struggle to get a grip on Alex's quite limited powers, make friends, and battle a powerful magician.

Animist is nicely written and offers a truly convincing character in Alex. He means well, makes the honorable decision most of the time, and does his best to help others, even when they don't want his help. He is a fully 3 dimensional character. Even Mote, the rat, is an interesting character with his own emotional range and depth.

Animist is an ok book to read. Not my first choice, but with a lack of anything else to read, I picked it up. It has an interesting premise, but the author fails to dazzle the reader with her words. Its a simple and quick read. Readers who are used to the likes of Robert Jordan, Frank Herbert, Robin Hobb - anyone whoe writes complex sci fi/fantasy will be disappointed. If you must read it, I would recommend getting it from a second hand book store.

Having read Villians of Necessity, I had high expectations for this book. Unfortunately, the plot lacked much in the way of excitement. The flow of the book was predictable and not nearly as humorous as VoN.

Not to say the book is bad, The Animist is a decent read, but I recommend waiting for paperback.

Eve Forward has a relaxed writing style and her new novel is a wonderful read. Her portrayal of Alex and his "Anim" on their travels are so real that I was disappointed when it ended.

I want to see more!

The Animist, by Eve Forward was a fun fast read. Alex, a graduate from the College of Animism, is sent out into the world to find an Anim, an animal for him to bond with who will give him extra powers. His innocence in the ways of the world and his affiliation with the college prove dangerous and Alex barely escapes with his life intact.

Forward has created an engaging world with unique characters and a strong story line. I look forward to reading more about the characters, and about the world they live in. This just missed being a five book, a keeper, rather than a four, because the writing was not tight enough and I found myself skimmed through the book in several sections.

Much as mysteries often ripped off Sherlock Holmes during the period after Doyle and before "Trent's Last Case," there's a certain standard formula, loosely derived from Tolkien but an abomination to his name, that almost every high fantasy follows. The emphasis here is on "almost," and here Animist proves itself a worthy exception. Among other things, major kudos to the author for creating a species of ratlike scavenging humanoids, having most humans consider them vermin--and having them be charming and likeable rather than evil monsters for the hero to slaughter. Here's hoping the "projected trilogy" mentioned above finally gets continued after the nine years we've spent waiting.

i read this book when it was first released and keep checking for the next release. i love talking animals and familiars and all of that. it was an easy read and i read it within a couple of days. it has been years and i still remember this story and as much as i read that is a feat.