Customer Reviews

The Dark Lord's Demise (Archives of Anthropos)

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

 

 

I grew up on the first five books in the Archives of Anthropos, and really loved them. When I heard that this one had come out, I ordered it sight-unseen from my local bookstore and eagerly awaited its arrival. However, I didn't get very far into it before I realized that it was not what I had hoped for.

Maybe it had something to do with being co-written, but this last book just didn't hang together. Conversations were stilted, and the characters kept feeling the need to remind each other about things they'd done in the past - obviously just to inform the reader who may not be familiar with the series. Very awkward. While it is good to hear from old friends, this story just wasn't good enough to merit its being written.

Suffice it to say that you should only read this if your imagination won't satisfy you as to the future of Anthropos and the characters.

Despite the fact that this book was coauthored, it maintains the same feel of the other Archives of Anthropos books, although there is less of the originality and creativity of the previous five. Lisa, Wesley, and Kurt basically follow the pattern of the other books - being sent to Anthropos by Gaal, struggling to make good decisions, meetings foes and friends. This book also adds a new girl, Betty, who goes through her own Mary-ish struggles as a newbie to the whole Anthropos/Gaal thing. Although the characters do rehash their past adventures a bit awkardly, they only do so at the very beginning. So, I noticed that, but it didn't really bother me. Plotwise, I thought the main weakness was the denouement. As far as climactic last battles and glorious beginning-endings go, this book doesn't come close to C.S. Lewis's last Chronicles of Narnia book. Also, the spiritual lessons aren't woven in with the craftfulness and subtlety I've come to expect from these books. However, all in all this is a good book. If you enjoyed the other five books in this series, you'll probably like this one too.

This a great story of the battle between the best and the worst the good and evil in all its vileness. It brings out the truth that all men have faults but despite them they can fight against these pure evil forces, But, they cannot hope to win if it is to them alone the outcome depends. Just as the real battle is against unseen forces who use people to achieve their goals so to there are other powers willing to help all those who have the heart to want something better than their own selfish ends.Who care enough for others to want to help them even at a cost to themselves. Clearly an allegory of the battle in the real world.Highly recommended as more than just a story.

I grew up on these books. Literally remember seeing them on my granddad's book shelf. I started reading them when I was about 12 and continue to read them as much as I can. I know that had he been able to finish writing this book himself, it would have read alot different. Enjoy it though, as his last work.

Wonderful series for kids and adults. Alot like the Narnia books, but my family likes these even more. Great investment! Buy the whole series and read them in order.

I really enjoyed this book as much as the other ones in the series. I had trouble putting it down to go to sleep. It completed the story.