Customer Reviews

Carnivores of Light and Darkness (Journeys of the Catechist) (Vol 1)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Alan Dean Foster, possibly the greatest science fiction and fantasy writer of all time, author of dozens of best selling novels, short stories and horror, has once again created a work of simple excellence that will spellbind and enchant its readers for years to come. "Carnivores of Light and Darkness" is such a book. This is a story of the just and innocent against the dark and unjust, a story that has been told many times before, in many forms, shapes, and ideals, set in a world where there is no concept of the impossible, and the greatest weapons one can possess are one's own morals and honor. This is a world of monsters, talking animals and tales of both good and evil, a world of endless possibilities. An injured outsider washes up on the beach of a small tribe of herdsmen, simple down-to-earth people who marvel at the stranger's clothing, and wonder why he has decided to wash up on their beach of all the beaches in the world. So when the outsider's last words "Save the Vishoness..." were spoken to a "simple" herder Etjole Ehomba, the hero of the story decides that he is about to go on a very long journey. Etjole leaves his community with only a sword, a spear and a bag of gifts given to him by his village. His future is an uncertain one as he goes in search of a way to cross the great sea, a feat never even comprehended by his people before, let alone tried to save a woman he has never seen before and fight an evil that is

darkness incarnate, all because a dying man passed it on to him in a fit of dying panic. To do any less would bring dishonor on his name. Etjole doesn't have much in his life in the way of riches, houses, or servants, but he does have his family and his honor. In his journeys Etjole has many adventures, meets many people and stops many injustices. He also acquires two very special travel companions: Simna ibn Sind the greedy (yet secretly good at heart) swordsman and the great Lita (a sort of cross between a cheetah and a lion) Ahlita who follow Etjole because they believe that he is more than he seems, after all only a great wizard would dare the trip across the world that Etjole has chose to undertake, a great wizard, or a great fool. Here is a tale of good against evil in its purest form. Read this great work of honor, courage and adventure, reminiscent of the fairy tales told at story time as a grandfather tucks his grandchild into the world of slumberland, knowing that his stories will evoke dreams of knights in shinning armor, dragon's fire and the virtue of a true heart. "Carnivores of Light and Darkness" is book one of the "Journeys of The Catchiest" and is published by Aspect books. Book two "The Pale of Overthinking" will be available in April of 1999 from Aspect books.

This novel is not a conventional sword/sorcery novel; such novels are set in an imaginary world, but their authors try to depict events in a credible and consistent way. Rather, this novel is more like Aladdin and the Lamp, or Alice in Wonderland, or Lovecraft's "Dream Quest of Unknown Kaddath." That is, it seems like a dream fantasy -- unfolding with all the associative confusion of someone's dream. The country appears to change from chapter to chapter, there are embedded folktales, and the fantasy is beyond extravagant at times. Even so, I was willing to grant Foster his premise-- but there are problems. Is Foster laughing at his readers?

Foster damages our willingness to "buy into" the story by interjecting strange passages that may (God help us!) reflect his sense of humor at our expense (I hope not!). Example: midway through the book, the lead character is swimming a river. He looks up and meets a talking frog wearing scuba gear. Yup -- flippers, mask, snorkel, the works. The conversation is brief and insignificant. The frog soon disappears -- but readers MUST wonder how they can possibly "suspend disbelief" when the author is indulging himself in such a foolish way. Let me assure you, Foster's putting the frog into present-day scuba gear garb is in NO WAY connected with anything else in the story.

On the plus side, there are some imaginative and rather original monsters, to include wind and earth elementals, as well as a "living wall" -- perhaps the oddest of all, but fun! And heck, there's that favorite of sword/sorcery novels, a magic sword!

I liked best the way Foster developed the warrior lead character -- a man understated, self-depreciating, humble -- but an impressive man and powerful wizard or magician to boot. He appears to be so much more than his own modest account of himself. I'm eager to see what Foster will do with him. I have to admit, I am curious to follow the adventures of the brave threesome into the next book.

I might add, on the level of the sentence and paragraph, and for vivid portrayal of a strange world, it stands up with the best of them.

But is it all just Foster's joke at our expense? -- remembering the frog in scuba gear, just for one example. Some authors have written almost too many books -- they are burned out, and don't appear to take seriously what they are doing any more.

Once again Alan Dean Foster brings us a great and original storie. It is a bit repetative but that does not make it anyless fun to read. I must say that when I was reading this I got a strong feeling that this book was ADF's way of putting many fun and good ideas he as on paper, ideas that aren't worth there own books. This book really is more or less a collection of short stories but to gether into one novel( 3 actually), but don't get me wrong this is not a short storie collection. Some ot these situation that the heroes get them selves into are hilarious and remind me a bit of ADF's spellsinger series. The over all plot isn't what this book is about and people should'nt worry to much about them, just kick back and let the stories flow over you and enjoy the ride.

A must for all of Fosters fans.

Browsing through the sf/fantasy section of my local bookstore, i saw a fantasy book with a black man on the cover. I bought it without even reading the back. (I have a policy of encouraging the inclusion of ethnic people in fantasy and sf) Anyway, as i sat down and read this book, i was enraptured! It was posotively captivating the way the author combined the feel of an Anansi folk tale with traditonal elements of fantasy and completely original ideas into an interesting story! It wasn't necessarily the type of book that grabs you by the heart and wrings you around so that you NEED to know what happens next, but it grabbed me by the mind and i really WANT to know what happens next. All in all, good series! And i would like to thank the author for including a posotive reflection of black people in fantasy. When it's so rare, anything is prized. But something that is GOOD, is treasured.

Let's see. I have a 3 book deal, so let's start with an interesting beginning and then send my hero on a VERY, VERY LONG journey. My hero really has no idea where he is going (NORTH!). Between the beginning of this book and the end of the third book, let's put everything I can think of into it to fill up the pages and get this series up to the 3 books I promised.

My problem with this book and the next one, Into the Thinking Kingdoms, is that what happens is not really relevant to advancing the original premise, it's just filler material. It reads more like a series of short stories or folk tales, none of them particularly compelling. I know its tough to hit a home run every time at the plate, but this one is pretty lightweight compared to most.

The first science fiction novel I ever read was Foster's Tar-Aiym Krang when I was twelve. Perhaps because it was such a momentous and important event in my life, I've never given up on ADF. Sure the plots are simplistic and perhaps a bit too bubbly. And I'm sure that it's been said that his characters tend to be a tad bit under-dimensional. I don't care... the entertainment value of an Alan Dean Foster book is consistent and reliable. I mean, if I want a mind-blowing experience, I can wait for a Stephen R. Donaldson or Neal Stephenson novel. But in the meantime, I don't mind following the adventures of a smelly shepherd who can talk to monkeys and ants...

The hero is one part Shaka Zulu, one part Zen Buddhist... his sidekick is an overzealous Inigo Montoya...and the Quest is a staple of fantasy. Yet, it's a wonderful read. I loved it. Furthermore, one of the interludes-- a chapter called "The Lost Tree"-- is breathtaking. Read this book!

As usual, Alan Dean Foster writes another best seller. After reading One, I just finished Two, and am eagerly awaiting Three. It's the tale of one fellow on a mission and a journey. Many adventures befall him on the way and he's the sort of guy you want to root for... you can read the rest yourself... But one thing, Mr. Foster... why couldn't you have just written one book, instead of breaking the tale up into three (or more?)? Do you or your publisher need the money that badly?

Mr. Foster has always been a gifted storyteller, yet such airy touch of words he has not before achieved.

Flinx was good, "With friends like these.." (short stories) inspired, many others nice, but the "Journeys of the Catechist" is moving him into a compleatly new category of writers: To be amongst the Giants of the craft; to the leaque of Zelazny, Niven, Wolf, Card and Brust. There was something in the book that brought to my mind the first (and better) half of Mr. Silverberg's "Lord Valentines Castle". A "road-book", if you wish.

I warmly recommend this book to everybody and congratulate and thank Mr. Foster for this brilliant story.

Allan Dean Foster begins a journey with this book that takes the reader to an interesting and enlightening realm. The characters are richly developed, unique, and a joy to read.

The main character is clever, intellegent, and above all, good. The clarity of the main character's integrity and absolute lightness of spirit is refreshing and puts a clean spin on one's outlook on the mundane world. He is thoughtful, consientious, and kind to all things (and I do mean all) whenever he's able.

The only drawback is that this series is a serial story and I fear the next book won't be out quick enough for my curiosity about what happens next.