A Breach in the Watershed (Watershed Trilogy, Book 1) [Paperback]

Douglas Niles (Author)

Book Description

Series: Watershed Trilogy, Book 1 | Publication Date: August 1, 1995

A bloodthirsty human prince makes an unholy alliance with the reigning god of Duloth-Trol, causing a breach in the Watershed and unleasing the Darkblood--the fluid of evil and violence. One man, an Iceman living in the mountains, is driven to destroy the prince--murderer of the Iceman's three brothers--before all the lands drown in violence and chaos.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

For eons, the Watershed protected the integrity of the three lands of Dalethica, Faerine, and Duloth-Trol, until the Sleepstealer's schemes forced a corrosive wedge in its impregnable barrier. The future of the world lies with a small band of humans and magical creatures led by a young mountain climber and a woman marked by three prophecies. This fantasy epic bears the trademarks of classic fantasy?a varied group of heroes, impossible odds, and a cause worth dying for. Strong worldbuilding and a new twist on the use of magic make this a good choice for large fantasy collections.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Ace Trade; Reprint edition (August 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441002080
• ISBN-13: 978-0441002085
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,244,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, light fantasy, August 22, 2009

By 

E. Smiley (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Breach in the Watershed (Watershed Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)

I read these books as a teen and was enthralled by the quick pacing and epic scale of the trilogy. Since then, I've realized that it's a Tolkien knockoff--with many more women and girls and without the all-important quest to destroy an evil object, but otherwise a lot of similarities. Still, these are fun books: the main characters are likable and they're not all the same old stereotypes (the hero's young niece plays a major role, for instance... and speaking of the hero, it's nice to read a fantasy where the protagonist is neither the illegitimate child of someone important, nor secretly the heir to a kingdom). There's plenty of action and some good epic battles, the romance is sweet and the world is fairly interesting.

The worldbuilding is a variation on a common theme: the continent on which the action takes place is divided into three lands--human, faerie, and evil--determined by what sorts of liquids flow in their rivers. Unfortunately, this leads to some bizarre logical errors: for instance, when evil minions invade, they dam the rivers to cut off the flow of water. That's right, cut it off completely. Every dam I've ever seen has had a river coming out of it, but not so in Niles's world, where it disappears or something.

Overall, I would say this book works well as light fantasy--I don't mean that no one dies, but that it's a good romp that we're not meant to think about too hard. I'd recommend it for teens and for those looking for fun, simple fantasy books. It gets four stars because, although it has its flaws, it was great entertainment and left me with a happy feeling inside.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just good ole' fashioned fantasy, July 16, 2000

By 

Leanne - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Breach in the Watershed (Watershed Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)

Nothing special here...but nothing bad here either. A good fun fantasy book. Non-committal but engaging all the same.

Niles does a decent job in portraying his characters and his world. Although some instances in the book seem contrived and a little too convenient, the characters are likable and the book is just a good quick read.

I don't know if I'll continue the trilogy but the first in the series gets a big OK.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging fantasy, wholly believable world, February 7, 2006

By 

Arkali "Devourer of Books" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Breach in the Watershed (Watershed Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)

Douglas Niles is a gifted story teller. The land of three waters is a believable place, and you are instantly swept up as he weaves this tale.

Rudgar Appenfell is an "Iceman" - he and his brothers live high in the mountains and make a living by taking noblemen up into the heights. A young prince of Galtigor comes, and Rudy is cast down a path from which he cannot turn away. Loss, adventure, sacrifice and friendship will follow him as he meets his destiny.

If you enjoy fantasy, you'll want to read this book. Classic and yet unique, it's a great way to spend a rainy day.