Customer Reviews

Ardneh's World (Empire of the East, Vol 3)

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The third volume of Empire of the East, originally published by DAW as Changling Earth. This was the first Saberhagen I read, and it hooked me for life. He weaves a fast paced plot, alternating points of view, composing cleverly-imagined action scenes, creating intriguing heroes like Chup and Mewick, villians named Abner and Ominor, a formidable wizard called Gray, a frightening Demon named Orcus, the ever-intriguing femme fatale, Charmaine, and the mysterious Ardneh. Armies collide, secret missions are launched, intruiges and schemes unleashed, chases, escapes, and a marvelous, mind-bending denoument. These ingredients may seem common place, but it's the handling that makes these books special; vivid images that stick in the mind, writing that seems simple enough on the surface, but through which I constantly fall, experiencing not sentences, but action, image, and emotion. Years later, I still remember the images, replaying it in my mind as vividly as any special effects extravaganza. Highly recommended. Although complete in itself, you should read the preceding books for the full effect. Also, Saberhagen's popular, and eqally excellent Swords books take place in the same world, at a much later, much changed time.

Saberhagen creates a subtle and cleaver combination of technology and magic. Best of all, he creates unforgetable characters acting in a world of stark contrasts between good and evil, naivety and worldliness, and greed and compassion. I couldn't put it down - even after reading it three times.

I'm at lost for word's to describe this book and the other two earlier books of the Empire of The East trilogy.....it's the best trilogy i've ever read and has found a match with Stephen Donaldson Unbeliever Chronicles. I've smiled , laughed and cried because of this book...it's magic.