Customer Reviews

Gilfeather (Isles of glory)

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

 

 

I rarely read fantasy because I find much of it to be dull. And I almost NEVER would touch a fantasy trilogy.

However, when my book group read "The Aware", the first in the "Isles of Glory" trilogy by Glenda Larke, I was immediately drawn into her world of citizens and citizenless (and therefore outcast) halfbreeds and the sweeping changes taking place in a long-standing sea-faring culture.

These books have some of the best world-building and character development I've seen, and there is no "middle book" syndrome associated with "Gilfeather" -- important things happen, the stakes are raised, and certain aspects of the larger storyline achieve some closure.

I would also note that the use of letters from a researcher back to his uncle are an excellent framing device, adding humor of all things to this story. And I agree with another reviewer here who praises Larke's use of a different focus character for this book. Yet we still have the beloved characters from the first book, so we get the best of both worlds.

I recommend the first two books ("The Aware" and "Gilfeather") without reservation. I'm very much looking forward to the third bok ("The Tainted") in June of this year. (Another advantage -- this trilogy was already published in Australia, so we don't have to wait years between books here in the States!)

I ordered "The Aware" sometime last year when it popped up on one of those "you might also like..." lists here. Amazon was right, I did enjoy it. I just received this second book on Saturday and have snatched every moment I can in order to read. I will probably finish it on the train ride home today and I am very much looking forward to the next book. This trilogy will be one of those that I read more than once simply because the characters are so wonderful.

Just a repeat of my previous caveat -- Glenda is known to me personally, so it's up to other readers/reviewers to decide if I've remained successfully unbiased.

Gilfeather shows a strong progression in Glenda's writing. It's an interesting twist in the fantasy genre, especially the middle book of a trilogy, taking a brand new character and making (in this case) him the focus of the action. Readers beware: the cover art is misleading with this book. The focus really is on a healer, Gilfeather, whose life and belief system are overturned as a result of his meetings with the characters introduced in the previous book, The Aware.

Gilfeather is a great character, well drawn. The world building continues excellent -- I've said it before, I'll say it again -- nobody in the genre does it better than Glenda. The return of familiar characters from bk 1 is welcome. Tension escalates, the stakes are raised.

Having had the privilege of reading some of Glenda's yet to be published manuscripts, I can say with hand on heart that nobody puts a spin on the fantasy genre the way she does. She has the most unique and refreshing world view, steps far away from the traditional tropes/settings, and is to be congratulated for doing so.

Great continuation from the previous story. Larke picks up right were the last was left off. I especially like Larke's choice of telling this story. The novels are written in first person for the most part. What happens is the story is bracketed by letters written by a Kell researcher fifty years in the furture. This researcher is writing to his uncle and sending packets of his research material containing narratives from actual people on the newly discovered Isles of Glory. These papers are written first person accounts of what they witnessed during "the change"fifty years previously. (Of course these accounts are taken from people around 80 years old).

In the second book from Larke, Blaze and Gilfeather are taking turns describing their versions of the story. They describe how Gilfeather becomes entangled in Blaze and Flames problems (no fault of his own--I laughed at the escape scene). Gilfeather is a remarkably likable fellow, regarless of what the researcher says in his letters to his uncle.

I must say, this one has even more action and suspense than the first book. In some cases, it's even a bit darker than the first. But then, what adds a touch of humor to the story is the second, shorter story happening in those letters from the researcher.

It is highly recommended that you read the books in order. These books are not stand alone.

I really enjoyed this second part of Isles of Glory. Today I will start with part three, and already hating the fact that it has to end after this.