Customer Reviews

Forbidden Magic (The Godwars, Book 1)

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

 

 

Being an avid science fiction and fantasy reader I am constantly on the lookout for new authors and tales to capture my interest. With this novel Angus Wells kicks off his Godwars saga. As a whole the series is very enjoyable, if not particularly original. I found this book to be good, if a trifle slow in places. The story follows the scholarly prince Calandryll on his voyage to recover the mysterious arcanum. With the help of Bracht the kern freesword, and Katya the beautiful and capable swordswoman of the Vanu. Calandryll matures from a fopish princeling to a capable adventurer. Assailed along the way by assassins and evil wizards the three travel into hostile lands to find the book, so that it may be destroyed.

The characters tend to be superficial at times, and the plot limps heavily in several places. The world and concept have a great deal of potential, but the plot is fairly predictable. Don't expect this to be the best book you have ever read, but it is still very entertaining.

Who in the hell is Angus Wells? I admit I had never heard ofthe author or his previous works, even though I read fantasy like itsgoing out of style...wait...it was never IN style.

But I borrowed these books from him, and even though the plot lacks a bit in the history department, and the central theme is the "Mad God" plot reminiscent of the Belgariad series, I actually found myself rather involved in Callyndryl and Bracht's adventure.

Likeable characters, (although Callyndryll seems quite ignorant at times), and a nicely paced story made this and the others in the trilogy a worthwhile way to spend an afternoon or two while I wait for the next George R R Martin or Terry Goodkind novel to be released.

Go ahead and give it a shot. Its a pleasant fantasy series. END

FORBIDDEN MAGIC introduces us to a large fantasy world, and an action packed journey filled with danger and deception. The book begins a little slow, but once the action picks up it turns into a decent story that thouroghly entertains. The only problems I had with FORBIDDEN MAGIC was that Mr. Wells doesn't go all the way with his world. If you look at the map at the front of the book, you see a diverse landscape with many interesting places, but most of these places are only given a couple lines of description, and we never see them or hear of them again. There is also no history to the story. There is no mention of past events, it's as if when Calandryll sets out on his journey, that is the creation of this world. All we know of anything occuring in the past is that a couple of gods created the world and a couple different gods ruined it and were imprisoned. Despite the lack of depth, this is still an entertaining fantasy novel, and I would recommend it

A friend who is as avid a reader of fantasy as I am recommended this book with great enthusiasm. I have to say, I am now a little dubious of his potential to recommend me books in the future.

This book is very predictable. In fact, it's so predictable, that I found myself waiting for the twist within a twist to slap me in the face, because the truth behind the lies in the book is so obvious. It never came. Apparently, I was actually supposed to be fooled.

If you can't guess the ending of the book and spoil the "suprise" for yourself very early on, then who knows - you might enjoy this book. Otherwise, you'll probably feel as if you must have read this somewhere before in a past life... (it can't possibly be that obvious, can it?)

Imagine being a son of royalty; on a, seemingly, impossible quest, being hunted by a crazed wizard and the Brotherhood of Assassins (employed by your own flesh and blood), your one true love married off to your brother, traveling with a freesword and a warrior woman from the land of gods and goddesses. Wouldn't life be grand? And did I forget to mention that if you don't find the ancient Arcanium before the crazed wizard, the whole world will go BOOM?

I read Tolkien when I was seven and have been an avid fantasy fan ever since. I am known for devouring the worst of fantasy and liking it. But I just could not get through this book. I have tried and tried and tried. I bought this book four years ago and I keep on coming back to it, but it's always the same. By page 120 I'm still not certain why I'm supposed to be interested in this guy. I plod through character and plot description and realize that I haven't ingested a word, so I'm forced to restart the chapter. I just put it down a moment ago, and all I can remember is that the guy was a rich kid and I think he was running away because he didn't like his dad. Or something. Even for lovers of fantasy who devour all of the Forgotten Realms books (which are fun for us fantasy-freaks, but you have to be honest, not Jordan or Martin caliber), I would suggest staying away. Try the Belgariad. It's similar in plot, but much much more interesting. Plus you have the option of continuing with David Eddings and when you start on that track, you'll never have a lack of reading material.

(1 out of 10)

This, as well as the other two of the series, is among my favorites. I've read all three of the books, and I find them hard to put down, once you get past the characters' backgrounds, as well as the history of the world they live in.

Calandryll, a fopish, book-engrossed prince, leaves Secca, his father's kingdom, in search of the Arcanum, a book rumored to hold the knowledge of the resting place of the Mad God Tharn. This book is also sought by the wizard Azumandias, who turns out to be dead at the hands of his son....Ah, but the rest, you've to figure out for yourself by reading it.

A really great fantasy series from the early nineties. This book pushes into something quite grand at times. Sometimes I wish for more consistent character development, but the author's use of language and tight plot-threading is superb. An absorbing, enjoyable read, without resorting to becoming overly-grand.

I am a big Angus Wells fan. I have read all of the fantasy he has written save for the Godwars series. After his passing, I picked up the series in a used book store. Though it is well written and interesting, the plot is very generic, and the ending can be seen from a mile away. I am really disappointed in this one. I will read the last 2 books which I hope add a little more to the story. If you want good Angus stuff, read "The Guardian", or the Kingdoms books.

I acquired this book on accident. A friend found it in the trunk of his car and assumed it was mine. I layed claim to it since he was just going to throw it away otherwise (Barbarian!).
The book turned out to be the usual "young man, feeling oppressed, runs away in search of adventure" storyline. But then, about halfway through the book it became suprisingly good. The plot twists in the later books get even better. If you can get through the first half of Book 1, you will be rewarded for you effort.