Customer Reviews

The Circle of the Swan

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

 

 

I just finished reading this book, and I'm pretty impressed. It's a romance-fantasy, but without the saccharine happily-ever-after that usually taints the genre. I found that the various plot strands were woven together deftly, and the dialogue had an archaic flavor without getting bogged down or sounding stilted. The characters do some serious growing, and I felt that the ending was satisfying without relying on one of those smugly "happy ever after" cop-outs.

It was the cover of this book that caught my eye, and I'm glad that I indulged and bought it.

There are some problems which could have been caught with the services of a good proof-reader. I didn't find any problems with continuity or anything like that, just the occasional mis-used word. I believe that this book was self-published, and despite those few mistakes, I'm pleasantly surprised and quite pleased with the story. The heroine is likeable and intelligent, the hero is moody with good reason, and the villains have understandable motivations.

To put it succinctly, I stayed up to read it.

Mind you, I'm only a Senior in high school, but I've read my fare share of Fantasy. I like authors who have a sense of humor to the point if I'm reading a book in class, I disrupt it because of a funny part and get told to put the book away.

But that's the great thing about good books. You CANT put it away, and I finished this one in less than 12 hours, wanting a sequel in my hands as soon as possible.

This book rates as high as David Eddings, way higher than Terry Brooks, higher than Patricia C. Wrede, and even higher than Pulman.

I would have never seen this book if I havne't attended A-KON, an anual anime convention held in Dallas, Texas. This is where I was introduced to the first book last year, and got the second one.

To put it short and sweet, this book has every literary element my english teachers preach about, and I enjoyed it.

It's to much of a love story for me. Being a Harry Potter fanatic I guess I was expecting something else

This is the first book of a great series. There's a lot of story here, with excellent characters and a well thought out world. Oliver has developed a rich universe that blends high magic and sweeping themes with common sense and gritty realism so that you can sink your teeth in and have a good read without straining your suspension of disbelief. And though this volume occasionally gets lost in exposition, it is well worth the read. The second book in the series is quite a bit smoother and I look forward to the third book.

Oliver wrote a pretty story with memorable characters and plenty of twists and turns to keep your attention. It's a classic fantasy story with magic, action, and romance.

In the fantasy tradition, the language tends toward the formal, but it fits the piece and works with the story.

As I was walking around at A-kon in Dallas, I noticed Jana G. Oliver's table displaying a giant poster of the cover of this book. That's the thing that made me end up buying it at the end of the convention.

Not only is Jana G. Oliver a wonderful woman to talk to, but she is also aware of people and what they want. This book delivers exactly what you need to fulfill your fantasy need. From the humor, to the suspense and drama, to the last page, you are hooked. I haven't had the opportunity to read the second book or Lover's Knot, but I can't wait to. It is difficult to find a randomly good fantasy novel, but indeed, I've done it this time. Sadly, every good book has an end. I look forward to seeing her books again at further conventions!