Customer Reviews

The Dawning of Power (The World of Godsland)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Brian has a gift for painting a vivid picture. You can feel beauty, sense evil, and find your blood running faster as tension builds. Great read.

Very much like Stanek's "Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches" which was first published in 2001/2002. Rathbone changes POV within chapters in the same way as Stanek, taking the reader rapidly into the shifting story of Catrin, Chase, and Nat as Stanek does for Adrina, Vilmos, and Seth. His GreatLand is akin to Great Kingdom, the similarities go on, but I've change my mind about my original opinion. Call of the Herald does a nice introduction to the story. Inherited Danger and Dragon Ore make it stronger. It ends in an okay place.

Great series. The beginning to many more. I powered through all the books in The Dawning of Power and the first book in The Balance of Power (the second trilogy in the series). I really can't wait for the next book. I believe Brian Rathbone is a powerful writer and has a bright future in the literary world.

I really liked the story, the only reason I gave it 4 stars was that it lacked "polish". The story is very imaginative, it draws elements of our own world and mythology into another world and delivers a suspenseful tale. I usually like to read a book slowly, a chapter or 2 at a time, but I finished this trilogy in a little over a week.

For the price-- it is hard to beat a trilogy like this (if you like sci-fi/fantasy). I think Brian Rathbone could easily find himself in top-notch ratings if he would take more time to edit and polish the stories. Also, I really liked the characters, but I personally think that a little more character development would go a long way toward endearing those characters to the readers. They are well written, entertaining, and original (at least as original as one can be with the millions of stories that exist).

Kudos to Mr Rathbone, well worth the price (Oh, and I absolutely love trilogies)
Al

It's hard for me to get into fantasy, even though I like to write it.

Yet, though I don't read much of it, it seems lately I've read more than my norm.

My publisher suggested I read The Dawning of Power. He even let me borrow his copy. I'll admit, I nearly put this book down. At the start, I was lost. I wasn't into it. A bit bored. Perhaps it was reading too late at night. Perhaps it was just my mood. No matter, I sat the book down for a week.

Usually, it's over at that point--off to the cemetery of unread books.

I'm glad I gave The Dawning of Power another chance. I found the story to be a solid, intense read. It was thick, in depth, and sometimes over my head.

This book is long--a hefty read. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but be ready and be patient. It was a bit intimidating at first, but I found myself flying through the pages.

My only complaint: The Dawning of Power is mostly a character driven book. Overall, I felt Mr. Rathbone's characters were vivid and alive. Likeable. However, the vast amount of characterization took away from the story at times. I felt it was lacking in drama--tension--the chase. The white knuckle, page turning feeling wasn't always present. However, this didn't distract me, and it was not always the case; I simply felt Mr. Rathbone could have put a bit more emphasis on the suspense. Regardless, it didn't take away from my enjoyment.

Overall, The Dawning of Power is a classic tale, filled with adventure and lovable characters. The writing is passionate, and I suspect we'll see much greatness from Mr. Rathbone in the future as his career progresses.

Vincent Hobbes
[...]

"Contrive a situation and let the banality ensue". This seems to have been the guiding principle behind this trilogy.

I am motivated to review this book partly because of the lack of unfavourable reviews, partly because I am getting older and less patient and partly because of the fact that I am now reading the significantly superior "The Blade Itself" by Joe Abercrombie and this suffers badly by comparison.

I bought this book (the trilogy) on the strength of the reviews here and also because it was available electronically (hence convenient) and seemed good value for what is a trilogy of books.

From the beginning, the kindest word that came to mind was "mediocre". There is no dramatic tension, no real danger to the characters and the characters seem contrived and superficial. A decent story (and there is a decent story in here somewhere) can only take a book so far. Engaging characters are a requirement in a book that is largely character driven.

There are no compelling characters here. Perhaps my assessment of mediocrity is a view unique to me; but our heroine gets into danger, takes action, gets injured and quickly heals thereafter. She never seems to be in genuine danger. In fact, the general tone of the writing seems even at all times, never any real excitement. Let the banality ensue indeed.

Dangers and perils seem to turn up when they must, characters appear and disappear when needed, relatives, who are never previously hinted at, show up when required and quietly do their bit before retiring peaceably again (all differences having been amicably resolved). Even our heroine rings a false note, there is no real emotional conflict to her. She encounters a situation which upsets her, quickly finds the words or actions to resolve the situation and then just as quickly moves on.

The most engaging characters I have come across thus far are two completely peripheral glass making monks and a donkey, who are the only ones to show some spirit and character. And they are quickly discarded. There is a scoundrel in the first book who shows some kind of motivation early on, commits a dastardly (and potentially dramatic) act at the end of the book and then disappears, sunk without a trace, with the convenient "cliffhanger" shown to be nothing but a red herring in later books (I refuse to apologise for the spoiler, if you didn't see it coming I have a list of suggestions for your reading at the end of this review).

Perhaps I have been spoiled by the likes of Erickson, Martin, Sanderson, Jordan, Tolkein, Rothfuss, Abercrombie and the many others whose names slip me at the moment. Once you have read the work of a superior (or even just competent) writer, mediocre stuff like this becomes intolerable. Even bad books can have merit and can entertain me, I have been reading sci fi and fantasy for so long I feel I have read the gamut of quality from the odious to the sublime. But the indifference and mediocrity of these Rathbone books I just cannot stand.

I think in the end it may come down to a sense of humour. If you read any of the books by one of the writers listed in the paragraph above, you will find some form of humour; dark and dangerous, morbid, subtle, brash and pugnatious, unsubtle and school boyish or just clever for clever sake, but it is there. I defy you to find a single character or situation in these books who or which demonstrates the smallest trace of humour. A sense of humour isn't a requirement for a book to be good, but have a look at all the best fiction and you will find it present.

There are just too many good books and too many excellent books, and even too many bad (but entertaining) books for you to waste time and money on this one.

There should be a search box somewhere on this page; copy and paste any of the names below and I guarantee (I'd put money to that guarantee if there was a way) you will find better than this. Proviso: Stay away from Erickson and Martin if you don't like challenging reading.

Steven Erickson - Malazan Book of the Fallen
George Martin - Song of Fire and Ice
Brandon Sanderson - Mistborn
Robert Jordan - Wheel of Time (Read books 1 to 5, then skip to 11 which is written by Sanderson)
Patrick Rothfuss - Kingkiller Chronicles
Joe Abercrombie - The First Law
R. Scott Bakker - The Prince of Nothing (I have reservations on this one, but still 10 times better than Rathbone)

If you want something a bit lighter (but still very entertaining) have a look at authors like Robin Hobb, J.V. Jones, J. Gregory Keyes, Scott Lynch and so many others. You do not have to subject yourself or your pocketbook to stuff like The Dawning of Power.

I finished this book in a day, didn't put it down. And, I was absolutely estatic when I realized it was a series (which I finished thee entire series that next day).
I just love these books!

It was a slow starting book but I the trilogy had me reading into the wee hours of the morning. I really enjoyed this series and wold recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy.

Brian Rathbone's "Dawning of Power" reflects his understanding of the great outdoors as well as classic fantasy. Every horse, in particular, is a character with a personality to be considered. Family bonds, secret societies, huge threats and the great responsibility shoulder by the next generation for the preservation of civilization are the broader themes, painted on a fresh-air canvas you can settle into comfortably and explore with the protagonists.

I am not one of those snooty, has to use big words, no imagination type of critic. What's that old saying? "If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all". Well I have plenty nice to say about this trilogy and Brian. From the time I was 8-yrs-old until this year, I am 33-yrs-old now, 'The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe' was my number one book. After listening to the podiobook version of these books, The Dawning of Power Trilogy sits in that number one spot now. Don't let pompous people that have little to do with their time than to take the fact they have no talent out on others get to you. Read these amazingly adventures books and form your own opinion. I know you will fall in love with them too. It truly is a most excellently written story. I can't wait for more.




And there are more to come.....


Enthralled, Entranced, Elated, Powerful~ JadeDragoness
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