Customer Reviews

The Immortal Prince (Tide Lords Quartet)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Good authors are hard to find, especially in the fantasy genre. I liked the immortal prince. It has good premises, the characters are rounded out, the world in which they live is functional and the language stays pretty clean (big plus for me.) If you like fantasy that is built well, this is a fun, engaging ride. Others have reviewed the book already so I want to address those of you who want to know about this Tide Lords Series, just in case you head down the same path I did with this...

Like any good author, by the time you end The Immortal Prince, you feel like running out for the second book, the God's of Amaranthya. And, JOY! Book two is also an enjoyable read albeit with some major cliffhangers. Book two is available right here on Amazon.

"What's that?" you say, "major cliffhangers? Okay then tell me about book three"...and here is where readers should beware...books three and four have been written and published...in Australia. They are both all but impossible to get domestically right now.

I am OCD and I have to finish things. So nut job that I am, I ordered books three and four through Amazon from Australia, in paperback, for about $35/per with shipping. Yes, I am crazy, I freely admit it and my husband will confirm it.

So, book three, the Palace of Impossible Dreams, is also good and you are thrilled to find three books you actually enjoyed reading. You positively can't wait to see where the author takes this concept in book four, the Chaos Crystal. But something horrible happens like the author is OVER it-the whole concept of books 1-3. -OR- Perhaps the author was forced to write book four against her will. The Chaos Crystal takes a major leap and heads in a different, rather painful direction that is not enjoyable and feels like it betrays the first three books. Not only do you do NOT get the resolution you were looking for all, but you are also left wondering what the heck just happened? Did the author inadvertantly write a whole sidebranch and called it "the end" anyway? Truly, the last book should be a standalone. I hate a series that ends poorly, especially when it was so good up until the end.

So, to recap: Books 1-3 are worth the read, maybe wait until book three is available in the US and then buy them all at once. But don't expect resolution and don't bother with the last book unless you are an admitted nut job like me who can't leave well enough alone.

I enjoyed both of Fallon's previous trilogies, and The Immortal Prince is an intriging start to another. What does an immortal who is tired of being immortal do to die? I like the tie of the magic with the pull of the tides and using the Tarot as a background for the story of the immortals. My only issue was the half-breed slaves who have both human and animal characteristics. I kept picturing Barf ... the half man, half dog (a mog) from the movie Spaceballs!

Overall an enjoyable read, and I will be looking forward to the next part of the story.

Cayal is an immortal who has lived for thousands of years, has seen mortal kingdoms rise and fall and has been responsible for the deaths of thousands. Immortals cannot die; they just heal and regenerate. But Cayal is bored, supremely tired of living. He's seeking the one thing he cannot have. Or the next best thing. He purposely gets caught and tried for murder, hoping a headsman's axe will at least relieve him of his head. He won't die, but he'll lose his memories (this has happened to one of his fellow immortals). Unfortunately, the axe-man is out of town so he's only hanged, and naturally revives... When asked about who he is and why he demands to be beheaded, Cayal admits he's the Immortal Prince, a Tide Master.

Declan Hawkes, the King's Spymaster, sees a possible conspiracy involving another kingdom against his king. He asks his old friend Arkady, Duchess of Lebec, to quiz the prisoner under her guise as an academic, an expert in old lore, to prove him false. Arkady and Declan are both from the slummier side of the city... she married up, not for wealth, but as a friend and shield for the Duke who secretly favors men, and who had promised to help her father who was imprisoned for helping slaves. The slaves are the Crasii, human-animal hybrids who were originally created by the Tide Lords, although no humans believe that, either.

Arkady is fascinated by Cayal's tales of capricious and petty immortals who play with humans and animals at whim when the power of the Tides is High. For over a millennium, the Tide has been Low, so the Tide Lords and Immortals have remained hidden and powerless--and humans no longer believe what they haven't seen in so many centuries. So Arkady, intelligent and learned, cannot believe him. He has no proof other than surviving a hanging. But of course, things are about to change...

This is the first in a trilogy. It's a very long introduction, mostly setting the scene, introducing a few human characters (Arkady, the Duke, his lover Jaryx, and Declan) and a few Crasii (Warlock, a canine, who was in the next cell to Cayal and who can smell a Tide Lord from instinct). And Cayal's tales give a glimpse into the past--the making of immortals and Tide Lords, some of their antics, such as totally destroying ancient kingdoms, rearranging geography, raising volcanoes and creating inland seas, creating the Crasii at the cost of raping and killing human women, and revealing a few of the factions and enmities among the small group.

Action and plot movement doesn't really happen until the last part of this 500 page book.

Cayal's tales are interesting, however, in a horrific way. The 22 or so immortals are mostly pieces of work you'd never want to meet even if they were locked up in the most impregnable cell with the Tide never coming in. Even Cayal, not really a bad guy at heart--but still very flawed, seems a Golden Boy in comparison. They aren't amazing Evil Overlords, more like the petty, capricious gods of myth who have all the flaws of humans (and then some) and don't worry about yielding to them--AND are immortal with godlike powers. It's just a bad combination for all concerned (even other immortals).

Arkady's attraction to Cayal is not all that easy to see. He's extremely self-centered and is only interested in ending his life--not because he's feeling guilt at all he's done, but more because he's tired of living and very bored. What is revealed in his tales is not at all flattering, but is interesting somewhat in the way train-wrecks are. But then, Arkady is in a sham marriage, isn't aware that Declan, her childhood friend, was in love with her even though he goads her with her marriage of opportunity every chance he gets, and she has a past of sexual abuse.

So... the characters are not all that sympathetic. It's hard to really root for them, although in comparison to the immortals, they are absolute paragons of virtue and goodness.

I can't say that I absolutely enjoyed myself reading this, but the concept was intriguing and there was certainly enough of interest to carry me along to the end. Because I wasn't that caught up by any of the characters, emotionally, I'm not all that sure I'd seek out the next book, but I may if I'm in the right mood.

I really like this author. The size of her books might be daunting but once between the covers her writing style sweeps you away until hours are past and you are at the back cover. I found the Immortal Prince fasinating and I can't wait until the next book comes out - hopefully in less time than a year. Jennifer Fallon is an author you can count on to come up with something that is different, exciting and compelling. The experience of her wonderful stories is well worth the hardback cost. I have read all of her series and have not been disappointed with any of them. I truly can't wait until Book 2 of the Tide Lords series come out!

In Lebec, royal spymaster Declan Hawkes directs noted ancient Amyranthan lore historian Arkady "Ice Duchess" Desean to question mass murderer Lord Cayal, who miraculously somehow survived a hanging. Declan expects Arkday to prove the dangerous psychopath is delusional with his insane claims of immortality. Bored with his current life cycle and ergo seeking freshness Caval expected his head to be sliced off so that when a new one grew in he would have no memories of his previous life.

Intrigued by the scholar's energy, he provides her with fascinating information on the legendary Tide Lords who supposedly created the human-animal half-breeds Crasii slaves. The Tide Lords ebb and flow in power reaching their apex every thousand years only to self destruct into squabbles and ultimately myth until the cycle renews. The last time they were at the pinnacle of power was a millennium ago when the great Cataclysm devastated the ancient world and the Tide Lords. Meanwhile Declan also serendipitously abets the rebel halfbreed engineered Crasii while also insuring the secret Cabal remains diligent to defeat the Tide Lords when they return.

The first Tide Lords tale, THE IMMORTAL PRINCE is a fascinating fantasy due to the strong cast in which readers get inside their heads. Fans know Cayal desired decapitation because he believed a new head would grow in containing a blank slate to refresh him; Arkday realizes the ruler expects her pregnant but her spouse is gay and she is from the lower class; Caval is Machiavellian working behind the scenes to keep humans safe from when the next high tide occurs; finally the Cassii represented by an imprisoned canine-human is outraged and angry by their inhuman treatment. Although much of the novel is introducing the players and the newest Fallon realm, fans of the author will enjoy the opening of a new fantasy saga.

Harriet Klausner

This is the first book in a series that isn't sure if it's epic fantasy or The Bold and the Beautiful meets Mt Olympus. We've got a typically medieval sword and sorcery world, where magic ebbs and flows on the 'Tide' and main characters are drawn from the aristocracy, their advisors and a pantheon of seemingly human immortals. Love triangles, marriages of convenience, jealous demigods and angst-riddled crushes abound. This isn't surprising considering the author admits on her website that earlier in her career she was set on writing titles for Mills and Boon. Sure, it's fun to read at times, but at others I found it irritating.

My irritation was mainly borne of characterization, or lack thereof. There are times throughout the series when you can't fathom why the main character, Arkady, is behaving the way she does - even her inner monologues feel forced. Sure, the world building is a little thin (although the idea of human-animal hybrid servants, the Crasii, is interesting) and the plot predictable, but that could have been easily forgiven if you found yourself caught up in the plight of the characters.

I won't completely discount Fallon as an author yet. I haven't read her earlier series, which I suspect is better than The Tide Lords. I'm wondering if this quartet was written more for the inertia of the marketing machine than the loyal reader. In part my suspicions came from what seems like a rushed production of the book. The cover is glossy enough but the editions I have are poorly edited (typos and missing words every second chapter or so) which jolts you out of the story like you've been slapped in the face. I wouldn't say for a moment that I'm a grammar queen but frequent typos stretch the friendship. Admittedly, this may have influenced me to be overly critical where others wouldn't be so bothered (erm, neurotic).

That all being said, I did buy all four books to see if the series got any better as things progressed, and I probably enjoyed the last book the most. They were certainly well-paced and easy to chew through, and if you're after fantasy-LITE escapism, it can be satisfied here.

However, if you enjoy your fantasy a little gritty, with political intrigue, three-dimensional villains, tarnished heroes and plot twists that make you whisper 'aha!' as you read, then try something else. Fallon is positively fluffy compared to George R R Martin, for example. And if you've finished with what's available from Martin, try someone new like Joe Abercrombie. On the flip side, if you're just looking for something to get you through the grind of the public transport commute to work, you could do far worse than the Tide Lords.

This one was great but the next three are even better so much so the i spent the $50 to ship them from australia...why wait 4 years

Immortal prince
Otherworldly novels can be so deceptive. Filled with the creations of an authors imagination, the landscapes and character sets either work very well, or fall apart at times of conflict.
This is not so with "The Immortal Prince" by Jennifer Fallon. Book 1 of a new trilogy revolves around the efforts of one Kyle Lakesh, or Cayal, to end his immortality by taking the lives of 7 men in a local village. Knowing local law, he expects a beheading, and almost wishes for it. Unfortunately, the executioner is on compassionate leave (a family funeral), so a hangman is brought in to finish the job. Ahh, not so easy. The rope is taut, the panel drops, and Kyle hangs there, waiting for a death that will never come.
So begins "Immortal Prince", and the efforts of the Lady of Lebec, Dr Arkady Desean, to either prove he is insane, or truly immortal. Insane, he goes free. Immortal, then she is forced to believe the Tide Lord mythology she had long ago dismissed, and truly look at the Tarot that local practishoners use to entertain, and pass on legends. From there, only the Tide Lords know what the result might be.
Ms Fallon has created a marvelous backdrop for a stubborn academic like Arkady, who is not only struggling with Stellans' sexual deception, his lovers' advances, and growing curiousity and attraction to a man who just might be immortal. If we add to the mix, the Crasii, half human, half dog servants of the humans in the area, and a Kingly nephew, Mathu, who is not so thick and undisciplined as he seems, and this is one good stew.

Her writing style is uncluttered, and yet it conveys all that is required for readers mental projectors to click on, and engage. She has a marvelous sense of irony and humor that shines through in the dialogue.
Book 2 just can't appear on shelves quickly enough.
[...]

I picked up a copy since I'd enjoyed some of Jennifer Fallon's other books.
I have to admit. I really didn't want it to end. I did guess some of the twists, but some of them I didn't see coming, too much.

Her main character, the Duchess, does quite well in defining herself through the book. Or rather, it's trying to define herself as an academic, and prove herself, in a world filled with men thinking woman are good just for babies. But factor into this the fact that magic is real, and the man she is questioning isn't insane, but in fact a Tide Lord able to manipulate magic like a demigod. Well, it is a mixture of myth turned real. Even if the myth is made-up for a made-up planet/world.

I liked this one as much as her other books. I really like the way her writing pulls you through the story. You can't put this one down if you like Romance Novels. It is a blend of a good romance and a fantasy book. I've already placed the next in the series on order. Hope it comes soon.

[Just a note, this isn't really a romance novel in my opinion, it's more of a political/character driven fantasy, anyway, I'm about to rave about the whole thing so...]

After reading Jennifer Fallon's 'Immortal Prince' one thing is clear. This could be the most important Australian fantasy release since Sara Douglass' Axis Trilogy which began in with 'Battleaxe' in 1995.

Fallon is at her very best. Gritty and dynamic, the book reveals a feast of tragedy and magic, politics and action. The strengths readers have come to expect from her writing have not disappeared. Characterisation. Plot. Dialogue. Intrigue. Betrayal and Detail. All undeniable and none detract in the least from the pace of the story.

The premise of the 'Immortal Prince' seems simple enough: an immortal, Cayal, seeks a way to die. (What is so clever is Fallon's willingness to enforce the meaning of the word `immortal' literally, someone who is unable to die.) Imprisoned after a failed hanging, the authorities do not take Cayal seriously when he claims to be an immortal Tide Lord. Someone must investigate.

That someone is Arkady, a mortal historian doing her best to prove to the world that Cayal is a liar. Any readers tired of seeing `trophy' female characters will be impressed with Arkady. Real people inhabit Fallon's world. Arkady is beautiful, assured, powerful - and trapped. She is living a lie and her struggle for recognition and fulfilment is waged across the book in a thread more engaging, possibly, than the earth-shattering story of the Tide Lords.

At the heart of great writing there are usually two things: a brilliant story and a style that reveals that story, without getting in the way. The writing is inconspicuous enough that reading the Immortal Prince is like having a movie transmitted to your mind. But equally impressive, is the realisation that, even as you read, it is possible to appreciate the quality of writing.

And what a world it is. One thing lacking in some fantasy works, despite having a believable world, is the history. Fallon has woven a detailed and complex history into the narrative of this story, making the 'Immortal Prince' something piercingly real, without having to sacrifice the wonder that fantasy readers come to expect. And, being able to balance that sense of wonder (take the Crasii or Cayal's personal history, which has a classic mythology feel) with the cold, ugly face of politics, is no mean feat.

Remember how the magic in Eddings' 'Elenium' was offset a little too strongly by the religious, political and bureaucratic detail? Not so with the 'Immortal Prince.' There is a fine balance between the many powerful elements of her work. It is possible to feel overwhelmed by the odds set against the `mere' mortals of the story, but there is a defiant sense of hope. Fantasy does not often deal with quitters, and neither does Fallon in the first book of the Tidelords.

The 'Immortal Prince' is unrelenting. The lives of Fallon's characters pull you in. You come face to face with enemies and friends, people you hate, people you love and people you want to be. And that is the most devious thing about Jennifer Fallon's work, (more devious than Dirk, perhaps) you really get to engage with the characters, her control of point of view is masterful.

(reposting from amazon.ca)