Customer Reviews

The Elder Staves

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This was by far the best fantasy novel I've ever read. It put a new spin on a normally overdone magical world by opposing it against technology. Oliverez is a fantastic writer and really lures the reader into the story of a falling world. I would definately recommend this book to readers of both literary fiction and fantasy/sci-fi because with the central character development and vivid fantasical images, both genre of readers will love the story!

Having finished the Gunslinger and Sword of Truth Series (up to Chainfire), I needed a new author for my fantasy fix. I also wanted something with a different style from typical fantasy offerings. The Elder Staves was a refreshing change of pace (and length - wow, Goodkind can droll on for 500 pages and nothing happens. There was more in this single offering than several volumes of the series I've been plodding through.)

Bottom line, if you want an exciting and entertaining story, pick this one up. If you're only reading to get your elf or space battle fix, there are other books out there.

I hope Oliverez writes faster than the other guys.

Oliverez presents us with a world where magic was once the norm, where the old power structure of near-invincible magic users is crumbling in the face of commoners armed with simple yet revolutionary weapons. Magic, it would seem, cannot stand against the natural forces of the world - chief among them being ingenuity and gunpowder.

The Elder Staves is thought-provoking, but to say that takes away from the exciting action that dominates the story. Above all else it is a highly enjoyable and entertaining read, with more excitement and quick page turns than I've seen in long time. It also stands in stark contrast to the thick, wordy, drawn-out tomes that dominate the fantasy genre. This work is concise and makes fantasy available to those of us who don't wish to plod through 600 pages of boring repetition.

Carn is the son of a noble and is poised to become the next Elder, one of a Romanesque triumvirate that rules the sky-city of Tyr. The main character of the story, however, seems to be Tyr herself. As we meet several of her finest (and not so fine) citizens, we see the underlying class struggles and distinctions that existed in a time when magic was unchallenged, and the changes brought about since the rise of technology. This may sound like a stuffy piece of literature until you actually pick it up and start reading - this is all just intelligent background to a city where buildings are being firebombed and magical guardians are being gunned-down by incomprehensible new inventions.

Will magic survive? Should it?

The Elder Staves also prompts this question for the avid daydreamer: If magic really did exist in our world, would we need it?

What I enjoyed most about this novel is the voice. At times it takes on a Hemmingway simplicity with poetic undertones. The description is not read so much as transferred directly to the reader's imagination. The action is expertly timed, starting out as a slow simmer while Oliverez sets up the events of the troubled city, then the dominoes begin to fall from all directions and you feel the tempo increase as tensions reach the breaking point and conflicts multiply. In the escalating battles between the forces of magic and technology it is often hard to distinguish between the two, and we see this in the characters as well. Carn is torn between two extremely powerful forces, both of which far exceed his understanding.

So many similarities can be drawn to today's culture, and yet one can never be sure if this was intentional or if it simply reflects how real and immediate the world that Oliverez has created is. The similarities are not allegory, because they are not meant to prove a position or make a statement. All sides are presented and, as in real life, the reader is on his own to decide who is right and who is wrong - and no matter who you chose, you will probably argue up and down that the author agrees with you.

This is an incredible debut and it seems that both Tyr and Oliverez have many more stories to give us.

A longtime reader (and critic) of fantasy, I was delighted to find an author that took a new approach.

The book opens with the summary trial of Seward Granston, a man accused of sabotage and aiding a clandestine insurgence in the skycity of Tyr. The Elders (three nobles who comprise the head of Tyr's government) sentence him to exile, and he is banished to the 'world below the world' - a dead, frozen land miles below the floating city. It is in this wasteland that Seward meets an evil far greater than himself.

The city itself is slowly falling, which the Elders blame on the waning influence of magic and become more aggressive in their efforts to stamp out the threat posed by the rapid advance of technology.

Carn, the son of an influential noble and the main character in The Elder Staves, often takes a backseat to the power plays and overt conflict as myriad factions battle for the soul of Tyr. As he becomes more deeply entangled in the struggle, Carn must choose whether to support the Elders and the power they promise, or to align himself with the technologists and aid in their attempt to bring a new order to Tyr.

When full-scale war erupts, it is fought with swords, spells, firearms and massive machines of war. And far below the city, hidden among the ice, something evil eagerly watches Tyr's descent.

At times it seems as though Oliverez is setting all this up to lay a big political message on the reader - but fortunately, he never does - which is a testament to his ability to weave a story of political intrigue in a world that is very different from our own.
The result is truly fantastical.

I'll be the first to admit I don't read nearly enough books. This is due, in part, to my attention span, which is on par with that of an angry park squirrel. If a book doesn't grab me in the first few chapters, I'll just put it down and chalk it up as a loss (I admire an earlier reviewer's ability to force himself through books). I either finish books in 2-3 days, or don't finish them at all.

I picked up the Elder Staves on a recommendation of a friend, not entirely sure how I'd feel about it. I've never been one for Fantasy Novels, and I haven't read any Sci-Fi since I was a kid. So the idea of a Fantasy/Sci-Fi mix both intrigued and frightened me. But at 10 bucks, I figured, what the hell, if I don't like it, I can always donate it. Besides, it was just enough to bump me up to Free Super-Saver shipping ;)

I was pleasantly surprised upon cracking open the book to find myself enveloped in a very descript utopia of sorts, with civil unrest from how the "Elders" are running the show. The development of characters, and the idea of Magic vs. Machine were both well done, and highly captivating. The climax went by rather fast, and the ending seems like a bit of a cop out, but it also leaves the book wide-open for a sequel, which I would purchase without a second thought.

I ended up finishing the book over the span of 2 days, which shocked me for a book coming from an unknown author. While the book's a little rough around the edges (Partly due, yes, to the publishing on demand's lack of an editor, as an earlier reviewer also pointed out), the effort, the idea, and his ability to weave a tale are all apparent in Mr. Oliverez's first novel, albeit they need a little polishing. I look forward to his next title, as with a fine wine, I believe he will only get better with age.

This book has a lot to offer. Depth, plot, the whole thing. Im impressed with the author Steven Oliverez, he really seems to know what he is doing. I hope to see more of his work real soon!

The majestic sky city of Tyr runs on the magic of the aristocratic elders, who use staves to keep the deadly tundra below at bay by controlling the environs. Still even in this seemingly utopian realm, the rebels revolt against the status quo especially the death sentence used to quell dissension. As the rebellion mounts, rumors abound that the staves are losing their power; this growing belief is fostered by the daily occurrence of a cold wind blowing across Tyr when until recently this had never happened before.

His family, especially his father has manipulated the political landscape so that Carn will be named elder. Carn has problems with becoming an elder because of some of their tyrannical practices like the execution of peaceful dissenters.

Meanwhile in the frozen wasteland below Tyr, the Fallen Exile wants vengeance against those who kicked him out of paradise. He may just succeed if he can remove his only worthy opponent Garret the inventor, which he cleverly does. However, the Exile failed to consider Carn.

The comparative analysis between the two societies and within Tyr makes for a deep fantasy in which readers observe a battle of ideas as much as a war mindful of the late 1960s and the deep split in America today. The story line is action-packed with the key cast members symbolic of a segment of society. Whereas Carn represents the rebellion of youth, his father connotes tradition. Both believe their city is falling part, but who will prevail or will the intrusion from below cause the end of days. This is a terrific saga that readers of all ages will cherish as much for its concepts as for the action-adventure.

Harriet Klausner

First time reading anything from this author. The story kept me on the edge of my seat. The development of his characters and the brilliant battles between them were engaging, and the way the author mixed fantasy with technology and the "old ways" was great. I was thoroughly entertained. I am a big sci-fi/fantasy buff and I can't wait for his next book.

This one is hard to classify as it has elements of fantasy, science fiction and literary fiction. It would seem that Oliverez chose story over writing artificially to fill a niche (something readers like myself have been complaining about for years). This makes it somewhat unappealing to strict genre-ists, who want more of the same and cringe when their literary peas and carrots touch. This is not "high fantasy," nor is it a space opera. It is a uniquely told story that does not follow a preconceived checklist.

Also, somewhat refreshing to find in a fantasy work is Oliverez's mature view of women. The main female character advances the story as much as the males do; she has her own opinions and fights for them, often comming out on top. The interactions between the characters, especially of different genders, are far more realistic than in many other fantasy works.

I agree with those that have described his style as 'poetic simplicity.' The sentences are easy to read, yet I was continually impressed by how the author could convey so much in so few words. This allows each reader to see and digest this book at their own level.

A friend of mine pointed me in the direction of this book because he knows of my love for all things 'anachronistic.' I found the combination of magic and technology to be very attention getting especially with the opposition of the two forces, yet the main character winds up embracing both.

All in all a very enjoyable read. My only complaint is that there is no sequel yet!