The Initiate Brother: Book 1 [Paperback]

Sean Russell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 1991

From acclaimed author Sean Russell comes "fantasy at its best" (Quantum)--the prequel to Gatherer of Clouds. Plague and warfare have swept across the the ancient kingdom of Wa, and the peace of the Empire is threatened. Only Initiate Brother Shuyun, a mystically gifted Botahist monk, can save the Empire and his own order from complete annihilation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

''Fantasy at its best.'' --Quantum on The Initiate Brother

Praise for Sean Russell:

''Russell is one of the best new post-Tolkien, post-Le Guin generation of fantasists.'' -- The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror, Vol. XI

''[He] has proven himself a master of intelligent fantasy -- subtle, exciting, well-crafted.'' --Stephen R. Donaldson, World Fantasy Award-winning author of Reave the Just and Other Tales

''This is perfectly plotted, beautifully written fantasy.'' -- Publishers Weekly on The One Kingdom

''A strange and beautiful book that offers an unusual depth and nuance of character, set forth in lustrous dialogue and prose the texture of honeyed silk.'' -- Kirkus Reviews on The Compass of the Soul

''A spectacular beginning of what is sure to be a successful fantasy series.'' --Publishers Weekly on World without End --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

About the Author

SEAN RUSSELL, born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1952, decided he wanted to be a writer at age ten and was later heavily influenced by J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. He began writing fantasy novels in 1991 and most recently has written naval historical fiction under the name of S. Thomas Russell. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, with his family. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Daw Books, Inc. (April 3, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886774667
• ISBN-13: 978-0886774660
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #949,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting because it is NOT historical fantasy..., November 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Initiate Brother: Book 1 (Paperback)

Asian readers and those familiar with the cultures and histories of China and Japan might think this book is patronizing, even insulting, as it does not seem to get either culture right. The names of the characters sound either Japanese or Chinese; the elements adopted from both cultures seem random and clumsy, and the name of the imperial dynasty has a Japanese pronunciation despite the obviously Chinese historical setting. However, somewhere around page 100 I turned off the "I live here, and that's not right" attitude of criticism and started reading the story as pure fantasy. After that, it was easy to enjoy the intricate plot, characters that I found to be fascinating and a setting that is more original than many in fantasy today exactly because it ignores the European influences that pervade the genre. "The Initiate Brother" is a great read. Now that Russel has created his unique and intricate world, I hope he stays with it, producing stories in different ages and locations. He does not need to borrow from Asian history anymore, but can let Wa take on a life of its own.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection is within your grasp, November 9, 2001

By 

Anthony Hinde (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Initiate Brother: Book 1 (Paperback)

I have to admit reading Sean Russell's first novel because of the cover art. Michael Whelan, the illustrator, sure earns his fees. But once I got into the book, I could barely stop. Set in a country that is a smooth blend of Japan and China, Russell invites us into the lives of several extremely interesting characters.

Probably the most central character is the Lord Shonto. Most people we meet along the way, are either his confederates or his enemies. The title character however, is the one who draws us more deeply into the story. Brother Shuyun is fresh out of the temple and has been selected to serve the Lord Shonto in place of his previous Botahist Monk. This humble, quite and mysterious monk is not only adept at the arts taught in the temple but is deemed by his teachers to have a special purpose. The suspense is delightful as Shuyun slowly comes into his own under the moral guidance of the great lord and his talented and beautiful daughter.

This is a book of details and yet it doesn't get bogged down by them. I love reading about the intricacies of a board game called "Gii", obviously styled on "Go." The court politics, philosophy of gardens, strategies of war and teachings of the Botohara are all captivating. Even the bad guys are fleshed out sympathetically. This book, along with its sequel "Gatherer of Clouds," is a masterwork and is bound to stand up over time as a fantasy classic.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Politics, war, battle, love, mysticism: story telling!, February 5, 2001

By 

Patrick McCormack (New Brighton, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Initiate Brother: Book 1 (Paperback)

This two volume story is elegant, moving, and fun. The monk, Shuyun, comes to be spiritual advisor to the Shonto family. From there, we have intrigue with the emperor, a barbarian invasion, complex politics, wild battles, and an elegant fictionalized China, complete with lovely poetry. Buy both volumes at once, and throw away the remote control.