Customer Reviews

Into the Dark Lands (The Sundered, Book 1)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I found this book in a used book store years ago, and I am so glad I picked it up! It started off rather slow, but as soon as Erin meets the First Servant of the Dark Lord it became such an unsually compelling love story. Most of the book is a dark and rather tragic romance between Erin and Lord Stefanos. They can't help but be both repelled and fascinated by the conflicting nature of the other, as they find themselves compromising what they've always believed in to be together. It took me years to finish the series because books 3 and 4 are so expensive, but if you can get your hands on them, I recommend all four- they don't disappoint. These are the types of books you can't let go of even days after you finish the last page.

I like all of Michelle West's work both as Michelle West and Michelle Sagara, and I found that this series does not appear to be an exception. The Beauty and the Beast love story (as she describes it at the beginning) is fascinating, and its set up in such a strange way. This said, I do feel obliged to note, for purchasers of the kindle edition, that this is probably the worst conversion to Kindle I've ever paid for. This is clearly done as a scan of the original book, and clearly no one bothered to do a proof-read/spell check after the OCR. It is noticeable and annoying and definitely knocks the kindle edition down at least a star. If you are accustomed to reading OCRed scans, it has that familiar annoying quality, but is quite readable. If you're not, you'll find the apparent typos in this book exceedingly obnoxious, and given that book 2 isn't out on Kindle (but the rest of the series is), I'd be inclined to say its not worth it despite an otherwise great book.

Michelle Sagara West herself in the introduction states that a reader had once equated the romance between Erin, the heroine, and Stefanos, the (anti-?)hero as a type of Beauty and the Beast. I agree but the story is so much deeper and more compelling. Initially, the book seems complex because it sets the stage for the "main" storyline by explaining the world of "Light" and "Dark." As mentioned by other reviewers, the 2nd half is simpler in its focus on the romance but upon rereading the book several times, I personally saw a parallel between the romance and the struggle of the Light and the Dark. I am still waiting for books 3 and 4 of the series because I NEED to know what happens to Erin and Stefanos.
This book was one of Ms. West's earliest works so that if you read the Sun Sword series, you will recognize the focus on the characters but the plot is sparer and more direct. I found it refreshing because it made me focus more on the relationship between Erin and Stefanos. If one doesn't expect the level of intricacy of the Sun Sword series, one will find the book a delight.

Wow indeed, this is one of the coolest fantasys I've read. It manages to combine the Light vs. Dark thing into the romance element, which makes for great storytelling. It's a beautiful story, dark at times but no less breathtaking. I actually couldn't help liking Erin (and everyone who knows me knows that I've always got a thing against young heroines). She's brave and strong, and not in the sappy makes-you-want-to-pull-your-hair way, but in the real sense, and I really can't EVER remember thinking that of any character. And Stefanos... there's the real "wow" part. You've got to hate the guy (I mean, who wouldn't?) but then if you don't love him, are you totally screwed? See, that's what makes him so... "wow". He inspires love, hate, fear, and respect on many different levels. What can I say? This is one amazing love story. Then why the 4 stars, you might ask. Well, that has nothing to do with the plot, it's the fact that that Bright Heart or whatever thing got me so confused I skipped the prologue. Even so, a truly supernatural romance you've gotta read.

After purchasing this book on the basis of strong reviews I was slogging through the first pages wondering what everybody was raving about. Its an ambling origin story, girl suffers tragedy and then throws herself into working hard to become a great warrior for her people, blah blah blah. Then somewhere around page 130 the real story starts and I fell into the beautifully crafted, tension filled, darkly romantic relationship of Erin, the warrior of the light and Stefanos, the most powerful of the dark. So much so that days after finishing I am still haunted by the echoes of this story.

A few things keep this book from rating a full 5 stars - namely the first 130 pages (do yourself a favor, skip or skim as there is little that is necessary to be found in them). And technically the conceit of the people of the light (aka the good guys) battling the more powerful people of the dark (aka the bad guys) is not perhaps the most original. However starting at page 131, all of these things fade into the background of the relationship of two people (defined loosely) who are both complex, richly imagined, passionate, and lively. The tension and chemistry between Erin and Stefanos is unexpected and yet hugely compelling. Stefanos especially is a surprise as the lord of all that is evil who is also a powerful, dark, passionate, and weirdly kind creature. So much so that by the end of the book I found myself rooting for him (which is sort of like cheering on Sauron by the end of Lord of the Rings).

The conclusion of the book is dark yet grimly satisfying and I like to believe, slightly hopeful. A surprising find that is worth checking out.

Michelle Sagara begins INTO THE DARK LANDS with a sort of neo-Taoist retelling of the Book of Genesis. In her version, God didn't "divide" the Dark and the Light; instead, the Dark and the Light already existed as gods named Malthan and Lernan. It was the unfriendly collision of these two gods that resulted in the creation of the earth, along with a small number of immortal Servants (also known as "the Sundered," because they are chips off the godly block), and mortal humans. The Servants (think "sons of God" from Genesis) procreated with humans (think "daughters of men"), producing mortal offspring (also called "the Lines") with supernatural powers proportional to the purity of their "blood." The Servants and the Lines of Dark and Light became locked in an eternal struggle, with the gods sitting on the sidelines. The First Servant of the Light (the Servants are ranked in terms of seniority and power) made a strategic mistake ("the Fall"), however, causing the gods to get involved, and making the defeat of the forces of Light inevitable. All but the last bit (and the Biblical commentary) is revealed in a short prologue, but you might want to stop here if you want the rest of the novel to be a complete surprise.

We quickly learn that young Erin, granddaughter of the First Servant of the Light (and therefore of fairly pure blood), is a skilled fighter, like her father; a talented healer, like her mother; and, when things go badly for her family, a young woman motivated as much by a need for vengeance as by an instinctual compassion. We also learn that the First Servant of the Light has had visions of the future, and she has foreseen that the only hope for the Light lies with Erin. When Erin is captured on the battlefield by Stefanos, the First Servant of Darkness, she piques his curiosity with her fearlessness and her willingness to sacrifice herself for the good of others. He brings her back to the brutal Dark Lands, where most humans are slaves, where a bloodthirsty and corrupt Church revels in human sacrifice, and where love and affection are seen as sinful and weak. There, without intending to, Erin captures Stefanos' heart and, not coincidentally, the eternal enmity of the Church. Where will the impossible, subversive romance of Stefanos and Erin lead? Can it survive? Can it somehow keep the Light from dying out?

Those questions will be raised but not answered in this book. Still, it's fairly obvious where this must all end ... assuming that "a boot stomping on a human face -- forever" (Orwell, from 1984) is not a satisfactory outcome. Darkness and light, male and female, good and evil, yin and yang, baji and naji must learn to coexist ... and it will take them four books to do so. What makes these novels interesting is the journey, not the destination.

INTO THE DARK LANDS was Sagara's first novel, and it shows. Many of the characters are flat and forgettable. The language is a bit stiff, even for high fantasy, and the writing is overly serious and earnest. As the series goes on, however, especially in books 3 and 4, early Sagara begins to read more like mature Sagara, with her characteristic humor, her stock character types (e.g., the flawed and buffoonish yet noble thief, the gruff authority figure with a heart of gold, and the honorable enemy who throws his support to the hero's cause), and with looser language.

Most of the praise this series receives from readers seems to be reserved for the central romance, which, Sagara says in her introduction to INTO THE DARK LANDS (available only in the trade paperback reprint of 2005) has been compared to "Beauty and the Beast." To be sure, the improbable romance between Glinda's granddaughter and the ultimate bad boy (so to speak) is an integral part of this series, but Sagara has more on her mind than simple romance. Still, Sagara's later work is significantly better. The religious overtones are a bit odd, and the ultimate moral--we all have both good and evil within us--is a commonplace. The focus on blood, both literal and figurative blood, is also a bit creepy. The vivid descriptions of life under Malanthi rule (that is, under the control of Malthan's followers) are, despite their dark nature, among the highlights of the series, as are the tense adventures of Erin and her friends in books 3 and 4 as they attempt to restore the Light. The bottom line is that this series is probably best reserved for those who already Sagara fans; those unfamiliar with her work ought to begin with the Sun Sword series or, perhaps, the Chronicles of Elantra.

Into the Dark Lands is the first in the Sundered Quadrology. It begins the story of Erin of Elliath, Warrior of the Light, and Stefanos, First Servant of the Dark. Erin is born into a time of constant conflict, the Servants of the Bright Heart and the Servants of the Dark Heart have been locked in a war for millenia. The Lady of Elliath has traversed various futures, trying to find the one that will end the war. She has found only one slim hope that her granddaughter Erin will be able to pull a lasting light from the darkness. The course she chooses for her people is full of sacrifice and pain, risking everything for just the possibility of success. Erin is born a healer, scarred by personal loss, she chooses instead to wield a sword and fight the enemy on the battlefield. But her greatest struggle will happen after she is captured by Stefanos and taken to the Dark Heart's stronghold.

I loved this story. It's not one I'd recommend if you prefer a lighter romantic tale. It's essentially a very dark version of Beauty and the Beast. Bear in mind also that it's not concluded here, there are three more books to come. The character description can be sparse, I think the only physical thing we learn about Erin is that her hair is auburn, and then not until well into the story. I often find myself imagining characters differently to how authors describe them, so this was quite freeing.

The first part of the story deals with Erin's childhood, her training and how she becomes a warrior. There are scenes here that are absolutely heartbreaking. When Erin attends her father's funeral as a young child. MSW absolutely captures the loss of childhood innocence.

Eventually Erin is chosen to be Sarillorn of the Line, a member of the Lernari who contains a portion of the Lady's power, and carries it onto the battlefield. It is through her exploits as Sarillorn that she captures the interest of the First Servant of the Dark. At the end of battles Erin heals both her own side and that of the enemy, causing some of the mortal members of the Malanthi army to change sides. She becomes a great threat. When she is eventually captured by Stefanos, she offers herself in exchange for the other hostages.

So begins the second part of the story - the development of a relationship between Erin and Stefanos. He agrees to her bargain, because there is something in her that draws him, and he wants to take her apart over and over again, until he can understand what it is. Make no mistake Stefanos is not misunderstood, he's empty of all save his purpose - he isn't human and MSW just makes this so clear. What he forgets however, is that when the darkness touches the light, the light also touches the darkness. By torturing Erin, he is also changed.

This story is so much about choice - what would you give up, what would you sacrifice for a lasting peace, for love when you never understood what love was. It's also about the nature of things. Stefanos remains true to his nature, even as he is able to offer concessions to Erin. But Erin expects / hopes for more from him. In the end would you choose to be true to yourself, or to the one you've given yourself to. How far would you bend for that person, before you break completely.

I don't like to give 5 stars to the first in a series, but this story is so darkly powerful, it deserves them.

This book had me literally weeping by page 12, which is a difficult feat for an author to do. I cared that much about the main character that quickly. The rest of the book is just as dark, just as heart wrenching. To be honest, I had to put it down several times, pick up something light to read, then go back to it, just to manage.

This is an incredible story, very profound, rich in detail, extreme in emotion. Good vs Evil, Dark vs light, heart vs soul. More, how one extreme can not exist without the other.

Four stars only because this is not a stand-alone book, you'll need the next two if you want to complete the journey. Be warned, this is not an easy trip.

Michelle Sagara's Sundered series opens like a night flower in this dark, stirring story of light and dark, love and blood and tears. This is an enthralling romantic fantasy, grim yet beautiful, in its characterization and mood setting. In the tale, the strong-willed and courageous Erin exchanges her life for that of her people, bargaining it away to her fated enemy, the Dark Lord Stefanos. Yet he gets much more than he bargained for when the two of them fall in love, a forbidden union of light and shadow. The portrayal of the two central characters is amazing and moving. The chemistry between them is evident and touching. The best romance I'd ever come across.

I agree with several of the other reviewers who gave this book a low score.
It jumped around way too much in the beginning, it took way too long to get interesting and to get to the real heart of the story (it was the author's first book I think).
I started this book, and by page 85, was ready to give up and give it a review of two stars.. Then I went and read some of the reviews, decided to give it another chance, and skipped ahead to where the heart of the story lay (really didn't start until about page 150, and I believe is where the author should have really started the story). Then, it got a hold of my interest...before that, it was really boring..
It's the story of a girl, bathed in light, who ends up being captured by the dark, and ends up living in its castle...and what happens when the darkness is as much intrigued with the light, as the light is with the dark..that part of the story was very original..it would have been really hot if the sex scenes had incorporated that contrast and expression in them (they were kinda a dud).
I'd be curious to see if the second in this series is any better.
If you're looking for a good fantasy read, Cast in Shadows is a much more interesting story, and better written frankly than this book.