Customer Reviews

Gordath Wood (Ace Fantasy Book)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Yes, I am also guilty of buying this book based on the cover (which is lovely) and the description on the back (which makes it seem like a horse based fantasy novel). So I was also disappointed when I started reading a totally different novel from the one the blurb describes. However, that's not my main problem with the book.

I found the characters to be very unrealistic in their reactions to the various situations they find themselves in. Both main characters fall into a different world, and their reactions are non-existent - as though this happens to them every day. One person gets dragged to jail, and seems very nonchalant about it. Another young character has a favorite animal die, and is hardly moved by it. I found it very jarring to be having more of a reaction than the characters at most every turn.

Finally, though the plot is intricate, this is more of a war story than anything else. Though I'm an avid fantasy reader, this one seemed to dwell on the moment to moment aspects of war, rather than on the plot or character development. While the descriptions were great, and seemed realistic, I don't have the patience to read hundreds of pages of strategy.

Vivid detail, solid plotting, and a realistic view of the collision of medieval and modern warfare. The author handles the multiple points of view with relative ease, although from a structural perspective I wish the most well-developed character, Kate, had been introduced first. The novel is fast-paced and enjoyable, and I appreciated the author's subtle subversion of common romantic tropes. I would definitely read more, both in this series and by this author.

The portrayal of the world that Kate and Lynn, the two main female characters, enter unexpectedly, was realistic and well-done. Rather than overwhelming and immersing us all at once with multiple characters, histories, and background, Sarath lets the alliances and motivations of the new culture that the women encounter emerge gradually. She deftly uses multiple points of view to flesh out the experiences and expectations of this other culture, while creating sympathetic characters. Rather than portraying outright villains and heroes, Sarath creates a more balanced, realistic picture of people struggling to adapt to new circumstances, or fighting for power in a feudal world.
I would have rated it five stars, but I reserve that for only a few books I've read over the years. It's definitely an interesting read, with lots of good details.

This book has some good points. The plot idea is interesting. The cover is great. The biggest complaint I have is all of the multi viewpoints going on throughout the book. The books "supposed" main character of Lynn is not as interesting, or as well written, as that of Kate. In fact the only reason I kept reading the whole book was to see what would happen to her. If there is a sequel to this book I hope that the author continues with Kates story line.

"Gordath Wood" has a gorgeous cover -- take a look, I'd enjoy having the original on my wall -- that depicts a story I'd really like to read, about a woman and her horse having some fantasy-land adventure ... My problem is that this picture (and the text on the back of the book) don't describe the book inside, written by by Patrice Sarath. It's like the publisher (Ace) said, "the real plot description is too confusing and won't sell well enough, so we'll put this on the cover instead." My biggest warning is: THE BACK COVER IS VERY MISLEADING AND DOES NOT DESCRIBE THIS BOOK. Yes, I'm docking Sarath's book stars for Ace's sales technique, because I purchased this book on the strength of Ace's reputation and the contents of the back-cover description. Now, on to the contents.

"Gordath Wood" opens with several people at a horse race: L--, a woman & the head trainer; J--, her assistant and boyfriend; K--, another assistant; H--, the owner; D--, the horse. An earthquake hits, and D-- balks at getting into the trailer to go home. L-- volunteers to ride him home at dusk through the purportedly haunted woods (read-life setting, she doesn't believe this) as this is only a 45 minute ride. The owner of the race track offers to keep the horse the night while it calms down but says he would steal free stud services.... Okay, time, out! No one calls him on this? And they risk expensive horses at his races? Reality check fails here. But, back to the plot. H-- refuses & despite fears about the forest sends L-- and D-- home that way. They never arrive, accidentally slipping through a portal to another world. Back at the stable, people presumes that L-- most likely stole D--, because this is an extremely valuable horse. K-- goes looking for L-- and D-- in the woods (just in case) and slips through to the alternate world, where she doesn't find L--. And events progress from there.

To identify my biases, I dislike multi-viewpoint books; and I loath multi-viewpoint books sold under false covers. This back cover states very clearly that L-- is the main character, whereas she is instead a minor character. The horse D-- is merely a bit part. He disappears from view almost immediately; this is NOT a horse story as the artwork implies.

So. My main problem with this book is that it is badly fragmented. The writing is well done, with nice descriptions, interesting setting, etc., but the text jumps constantly from one viewpoint to another, and these viewpoints seldom interact. The plot is like dropping a stone in a pond and watching the ripples go in all directions. Some of the point-of-view mini-plots do not touch upon each other until the very last chapter, where the author brings it all together nicely.

If you don't mind Ace's slimy sales technique and enjoy multi-viewpoint book, then you should add two or three stars to my rating. For myself, I would consider purchasing another book by Sarath, but I'll never trust Ace's covers again!

I was compelled to read Gordath Wood because the author is related to a friend of mine, and highly recommended the book (she knows I love fantasy AND horses). I enjoyed it! The previous reviews criticized the multi-story approach -- but I had no problem following all the threads. I think this is a good first novel, and I am looking forward to seeing Ms. Sarath's growth with regard to her writing style. This book is a bit elementary for my taste. The storyline was quite fascinating, and I will read the sequel. I wanted to see Lynn with the "other guy," however. I loved his spirit. Maybe next time? And Kate is a delight. Hmmm... what will happen to her? MORE HORSES!

I agree with Margaret P. Bought the book based on front cover and back description. Thought I was getting a story about Lynn Romano but story was written from the perspective of too many other characters. Sorry, but I didn't attempt to finish the book after the first chapter. Too many points of view.

I found this shoved to the back of a bookshelf in Barnes and Nobles and felt that it looked like a moderately interesting read... A bit of fluff that could distract me from grad school homework ;-). Little did I expect to find one of the most engrossing reads I've come across in quite a while. For the first time, in a very long time I stayed up all night to finish the book and was left hoping for a sequel.

Yes, the book is realistic in its depictions of war/campfollowers/disease and it is gritty and not everyone is left happy with exactly what they want. But the books we remember through the years are rarely the ones that end happily every after. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for something a little bit different and unexpected...you won't regret it.

I was taken in by the cover and the blurb on the back of the book. Little did I know that this book would concentrate on conveying the reality of being caught up in a war and experiencing dysentery, pneumonia, whipping, and the constant threat of rape.

I'm not certain I have less enjoyed a book since reading the Civil War era novel _Across Five Aprils_.

The book is compelling but the stuff of nightmares.

Full disclosure. First, I am not typically a fantasy reader. Second, Patrice is a friend and former colleague. That said, I honestly didn't expect to have as much fun with the book as I did. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Originally, I was meting out my reading, stopping so as not to burn through it in a few hours. After about a week of this, though, I became so engrossed in what was happening -- particularly to Kate -- that I found I could no longer put it down. I think that anyone who loves a ripping-good tale, well-drawn characters, and an exquisite sense of pacing will enjoy the book immensely, regardless of her normal taste in fiction. A perfect read for summer vacation, and I can't wait for the next book to see what happens to the characters!