Customer Reviews

Hinterland

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

 

 

I really enjoyed both the first and second books of this series, so while I may give it only 3 stars, I'm still recommending it to anyone who enjoys good fantasy. His action sequences are excellent and he's very good at keeping the reader involved, even during 'slow' moments, there's still enough information being trickled to the reader that makes you want more.

His world is fairly well thought out and for the most part, adheres to its own rules (a must for good fantasy). Anyone who has read George Martin's Swords series would probably enjoy this as well (though I would not say it isn't quite up to par with Martin's excellent works). The characters are well fleshed out and the mythology he has created works well.


*** Warning Spoilers below ****

So why the 3 rating? While Clemen's writing is excellent, he also falls into some of the many traps of fantasy writing:

- Somewhat instant Love interests - Unfortunately there are too many to count, but would a stunning beauty really fall for a wolf faced boy after 1 meeting? **sigh** I know the average fantasy reader does enjoy a good romance, it still feels somewhat forced as if he said 'hmm, I need another love interest to bring these characters together'

- Unbelievable motivations that are never explained. e.g. If all gods were raving mad, why did 100 of them decide to bond themselves to their respective lands to cure their madness?(well 99 - Chrism who was forced). Doesn't sound like madness to me

- A sometimes failing to follow his own 'rules' for the world and its magic e.g. If his neathryn can't fight the ilk beasts because of their dark grace in book1, why is it potent against the ghawls who are all dark grace? I hate when writers do this and it's a sure sign that the entire series wasn't thought out ahead of time but is 'evolving' as it gets written. I'm sure writing a series isn't easy, but I just wish they would keep the rules consistent from 1 book to the next. If a wizard needs to wave a wand and recite words to cast a spell in one book, then just needs to wave a wand in the next *FAIL* (cough..cough...Harry Potter...cough)

This doesn't mean that the series isn't worth reading, not at all, I certainly plan to read the next book(s) whenever they come out, I'm really just justifying my 3

The first book was great but the second was even better. More relationships are forged, you come to better understand the way that god realms work, and the history behind them. Not to mention there is plenty of non-stop action that keeps you up late just trying to find a place to stop. To bad the next book is not due out for another 2yrs at least. I can't wait for it to be published.

This book didn't focus so much on bodily fluids so I was able to enjoy the book more.

Some gods are dissatisfied with Tylar's current position and make their displeasure known, Castellan Mirra's fate is discovered. Some new characters are introduced and they're very likeable. We also learn something quite interesting about Dart and her pet.

Clemens opens up and takes us on a journey through his new world. As in Witch War, Clemens has some surprises for his readers. I look forward to his next book.

DO NOT buy either book in this series, it ends on a cliffhanger and will only annoy you as the author doesn't seem to care about the fans and hasn't bothered writing a word of a sequel or follow up for the last 6 years, so if you don't enjoy stories that just stop halfway through dont bother reading it.

The second book in the Godslayer Chronicles by James Clemens is a departure in some ways from his first novel.

The things that stay the same are a keen sense of vivid description and characterization. Unlike many authors, each character has his or her own voice and mannerisms. Clemens also can write a fantastic action scene which one can almost envision as appearing in a (good) summer action blockbuster film. At the same time, he can write the quieter scenes. While I get a bit misty eyed at some of my favorite TV shows with no problem, I almost never do so when reading a book. I did last night when I finished Hinterland as there's one beautifully written scene.

A couple of things change stylistically. While there's a decent amount of travel, there's nowhere near as much as there was in the first novel. Most events take place in one of three locations and it's nice to get a chance to really grow used to these places. There's much less focus on the 'Graces', or at least their collection and description of their uses. Here it almost feels like mundane magic, maybe just a tick too mundane compared to how much emphasis was placed in the first book.

There are some nice revelations here but unfortunately the thread that connects the whole story feels a bit frayed. Unlike most books, I read through this one fairly quickly (a week or so) but I couldn't really tell you the thread of connections that led the characters from the start of the novel to the end. At one point I asked myself "What are these characters doing here again?" which is something that I found disconcerting and is probably the main reason why I knocked a star off the rating. Knock another half star off for the 'almost monotony' that occurs midway through but I'd still rate this closer to a 4 than a 3 1/2, so that's the rating I give it.

A quick word about the 'almost monotony'. Clemens' penchant for vivid writing makes a siege situation in this book FEEL like a siege. The reader almost always feels the sense of claustrophobia, the horrible odds against the characters, etc during these scenes. It's almost too well done as it made reading those sections emotionally draining even if they were quite well written. So I guess I took a half star off because the writer did his job too well. Either way, the rating would still be 4 stars.

I recommend this book and series (so far).

I have always been a James Clemens fan so when I saw he had another series out I had to jump on it. Totally loved the story line and the characters.

Such a unique and invigorating book. Has you hooked from start to finish and is endless action with great detail throughout, surely a must read! I just wish he would have made the 3rd book he set up at the end of this one.

Hinterland by James Clemens is book two in the series and if you like sword and sorcery literature you'll love this one. What gives the story its stand alone quality is that Tylar is trapped between so many difficult choices. If he were to go back to being an ordinary man he would be a one handed cripple, if he remains the God Slayer he has to be a God and keep fighting the other Gods.
Then there are the women in his life, if he makes a decision in favor of one, he will have to give up the other and both are amazing females. The suspense is unrelenting and the tough choices get tougher as Tylar struggles with who he can trust and who he can't and what is worth saving and what is not.
Interesting things about the Godling's history are revealed and Pup again shows he's a force to be reckoned with. All and all a classic good versus evil tale with swords and swamps, monsters and magic, witches and all the other creatures we suspect may exist somewhere, but have no proof of them existing anywhere.

I'm pretty satisfied with both the book and it's predecessor. If youre looking for fantasy in the sword and sorcery vein BUT with good writing this is it. I've read quite a lot fantasy over the last 25 years and this has an unusual world with imaginative characters.

Looking forward to book 3.

Hinterland by James Clemens is the second book in the Godslayer Chronicles, the first book being Shadowfall. While the Godslayer Chronicles are not Mr. Clemen's first novels, they are his first fantasy novels and it is a very good debut in the fantasy genre. Fans of the fantasy genre should definitely consider checking out the first book. I would not recommend reading this novel if you have not read the first one, as there are many events that occur in this book that have roots from events in the first book. I think by reading the first the reader will have a much better understanding about this novel.

The plot of this book is actually several plots rolled into one. First and foremost, the main plot arc from the first book is carried over to this one. That being the Cabal and the danger they represent. Secondly, there are several subplots that add depth to not only the story but also the characters. There is the plot of a mysterious skull being found and the journey it takes, as well as where it came from and just what it is. There is the plot of Tylar advancing into knighthood a second time and the political implications of that. As well as political infighting between the knighthood and the Argent and the Fiery Cross. There are several other subplots that are too sensitive to disclose because they would spoil certain aspects of the novel. Rest assured, if you enjoy deep, epic plots, then this is certainly a book and series for you to consider.

The vast majority of the characters in this book are also present in book one. Characters such as Tylar, Dart, Pupp (still my favorite), Rogger, et al, are back again. However, in this book there are also several more characters added that provide more plot points as well as character perspectives. The most promising character seems to be Brant. Brant seems to be a very deep and interesting character and quickly had me interested in his portion of the story. The characters in this novella are not only interesting, but they also have depth. They make mistakes, they have flaws, they act like real people. They are by no means all powerful. It's refreshing to read about characters that face challenges and can't always best those challenges. That, at times, they do suffer, and you are not always sure that they will make it.

The blend of a solid plot with very interesting characters enables this book to flow smoothly and stay interesting when Mr. Clemens focuses on one or the other. This is certainly one of those books that challenges you to stop reading. I said it about the first book, and I will say it about this one as well, the adage of "Just one more page." Is true to this novel as well.

The one criticism I have about this book is the ending. It seems like it goes from the final battle to an abrupt switch that is a huge leap forward. I had to read that section over a couple of times to make sure I was not simply missing something. The abrupt switch jarred me out of the flow of the book and seemed really misplaced. It was almost as though there was a section of text missing.

The things I particularly enjoyed about this novel are the pacing and prose that Mr. Clemens employs. It an easy pace, but also challenges the reader to pay attention. I enjoyed the well thought out plot, as well as the very detailed characters.

As I said in the opening, fans of the fantasy genre should check out this novel and the preceding one. I think there are elements here that most fans will enjoy. I know I will certainly be recommending this series to many people in the future. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment of this series.