Customer Reviews

The Eye of Night

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

 

 

Alama has created an original, fascinating world into which she thrusts three highly unusual characters. This isn't sword-and-sorcery or another Tolkein ripoff. Eye of Night is high fantasy at it's best. The hero and heroine are anything but typical, their relationship develops believably through the course of the book, and the plot has some very unexpected twists and turns. If you like fantasy, you won't be disappointed.

Magic is alive in the world but it has insignificant affect on the troubles in the North. Kingdoms are at war with one another; plagues sweep the land; and earthquakes destroy whole cities. The weather plays havoc on the crops; drought is common; and the cattle dies from extreme thirst. The people in the North are traveling but that will do them no good because the troubles accompany them southward.

Three people on a quest are moving against the trend by heading northward. The mystic Hwyn, the beautiful simpleton Trenara, and the former priest Jereth follow the instructions of the Sky-Raven's Egg. Hwyn knows that the Eye of the North is readying itself to give birth and that it could mean the death of civilization or something quite wondrous.

THE EYE OF NIGHT is a beautiful epic fantasy starring three protagonists chosen by the gods to play a pivotal role in the rebirth of a world. Readers will be surprised to realize what these roles will be but it is all tied together in a way that makes sense. This is Pauline J. Alama's first novel but with the talent she displays with this strong tale, the audience will realize there will be more forthcoming. Just having patience to wait will prove nerve wracking.

Harriet Klausner

An intriguing story about things never being what they seem, with enough of a mystery to make you wonder what will happen at the end of the journey. The character's are definitely not your typical heroes but heroes none the less even if they tend to be a bit dramatic at times. Definitely entertaining, I was not disappointed. Wouldn't mind reading another book about Jereth's & Hwyn's land.

Oops, how did it happen that I did not post a review of this highly original book when I first read it? Possibly because it left me with a long-term haunting echo, yet a lack of words to describe it. The characters are real and sympathetic; the setting is well realized and not just another pseudo-medieval-Europe. Perhaps what I liked best about this book was that there was, and remains, a definite sense of meaning and message, yet I cannot identify either; there are not pat analogies. In this day of cloned fantasies and LOTR wannabes, and heavy-handed (if masterful) epics by such as Tepper, a quest such as that found within The Eye of Night evokes more the unpredictability and sense of destiny found within LeGuin's Earthsea books, or some of McKillip's stories.

I am sorry that this review may not be as clear as I usually try to write them. I like to leave the long essays to those who are more gifted at analysis, and share just what I think will be most helpful to other readers. It is hard to describe this book. It is hard to imagine a sequel. I hope Ms. Alama brings us more stories though!

I checked this book out at the library, intrigued by the cover and the first page was readable. I was so glad I took it home because it was a very good story. The story is told from the point of view of Jereth, a former priest. He runs into Hwyn, a mishapen woman and Trenara, a beautiful woman. They all end up on a quest together to take the Eye of Night where it wants to go, and come across many adventures on the way. There is a little mystery to the story that kept it even more intriguing. Their homeland is interesting and I was amused with the map at the beginning of the book that showed all the directions, North, South, East, and West in the wrong places. They were travelling what would be considered South to us, but they called it North.
I can't handle many fantasy books, but this one is very readable. I highly recommend it!

This book has a wonderfull use of imagery giving you detailed descriptions that make you feel you are in the book. It uses mythology in ways that I have never seen before. It's compelling story of the three travelers seeking a place for the mysterious "Sky-Raven's Egg" while finding secrets all their own gives the reader a way to escape their everyday life. I recommend anyone who enjoys fantasy novels to read this age old tale of harship and loyalty.

I would rate it 3.5 stars if I could. This book was beautifully written, innocent while hauntingly serious. It is full of emotion and mystery.

The former priest Jareth meets a disfigured woman, Hwyn, who has as her companion the beautiful, elegant, but simple lady Trenara, and carries a powerful stone called the Eye of Night. Seeming to be compelled by the stone, Hwyn intends to take it north, to no particular destination and to no known end. Intrigued by Hwyn and captivated by her voice, Jareth joins them in their long journey.

I have heard some advice to writers that they should let their characters hit 'rock bottom' at some point in the story. In The Eye of Night, the characters never seem to leave rock-bottom. They continue and progress despite injury, hunger, rejection, and find joy in the songs they sing together. It's a depressing tale but has moments of lightness.

You get lost in the telling. This epic could have been shorter without sacrificing much in the way of plot or development, but I liked the different aspects of the world the story explored. The travelers encounter many different kinds of people and communities.

It is imaginative all around. The author has created a whole world and beautiful characters. It is a world that cannot really be explained.

The ending is full of hope and sadness.

Do not expect a high fantasy adventure. It is more like a religious quest and a glimpse of human nature. There is magic, but not spells. There are gods (I loved the pantheon and the descriptions of the gods), but not magical creatures. There is fighting but nothing styled (Jareth has a brave heart but little in the way of training). There is love, not really romance. It's definitely not your typical fantasy, and I recommend reading it if you are open to this kind of story.

This book touched something in me, and I admired the author's style. It will not soon be forgotten.
However, in spite of all that I liked, I did not particularly enjoy the book overall. That is why I decided on 3 rather than 4 stars. I hope you can understand what kind of story this is and I hope you will read it.

I got this book years ago when I was just a kid. However the tale was so interesting, I continue to read it time and time again. I have yet to become bored of this beautiful tale about two women and one lone priest on a journey. To where they do not know. The only thing they know is that they must continue on the path they have been on. This story of adventure, courage and love will keep anyone who reads it on the edge of their seat with anticipation.

I love romances where the characters are emotionally crippled or physically disfigured (Ya, call me a romantic), and this story had both.

To me, Epic Fantasy is all about scale, not about length. The story captured in this one novel is multi-layered, haunting, and beautiful. The book lingers long after you put it down, and re-reads well.

We have three characters who are lost. Hwyn is a disfigured women with a quest she does not understand. Jereth was a priest in training who could not make the final commitment to his faith. Trenara is a beautiful noblewoman who has lost her mind. These characters journey together to find a new beginning.

Alama was a medieval scholar, and it shows. She has created an amazing debut book that should be more widely read and recognized than it is now.