Customer Reviews

Karavans #1 (Sword)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a big fan of Jennifer Roberson. Her storytelling makes her one of my all time favorite writers, fantasy or otherwise. So when Karavans came available I ordered it the first day. It's with mixed emotions that I rate Karavans with 3 *

Character development and World Building: *****
Storytelling: **

Pro:
I agree with the other reviewers that JR excels in masterfully developing characters and world building. The premise of the story is that the Hecari, a warlike people who remind of Attilla and the Hun army, overrun countries. Sancorra refugees are joining caravans to escape into neighboring lands to avoid the continued bloodshed. They must risk passing near the Alisanos forrest, a malicious magical place that is about to move it's borders. Few people caught inside the forest return. Those who do have their minds and bodies warped, consumed by Alisanos' madness.

The characters are believable and complex, such as Audrun - expecting mother who must risk skirting Alisanos to birth her magical infant in a "safer" land, Rhuan - Shoia and Karavan Guide who can be killed 6 times before a true death, and Llona the hand-reader (diviner) who seeks to know the true intentions of Rhuan and his rival cousin. Everyone has secrets which partially unfold along the turning pages.

Con:
Jorda's Karavan is where book one starts, but the story never quite gets started. JR is a gifted storyteller with great versatility as shown in such adventure series as the "Sword-Dancers" and "Cheysuli," and the more internal story "Lady of the Forrest." Setting aside debates over character-driven vs. plot driven stories, in the end there should be a "story" where characters change and grow and a plot that by novel's end addresses the major conflict.

Instead, Karavan succeeds in establishing characters that as one reviewer notes prepares us for the story to come in the next book. The novel spends over 400 pages introducing the threat of Alisanos and the Hecari without developing either as "the" major conflict.

Readers new to Jennifer Roberson should consider one of her other books first, and you'll see why I rate her as one of my top all time favorite novelists. Avid fans should prepare themselves for a 400 page character sketch/world outline. You can read a good prequel to the novel at:
http://www.cheysuli.com/author/story.karavans.html

Despite the lukewarm results of Karavan #1, I avidly await for the release of Karavan #2. After the character and world development, expectations are higher for a well told story as only Jennifer Roberson crafts.

KARAVANS is a gloriously written novel that introduces a unique and deeply envisioned world complete with richly detailed settings and fully fleshed characters. You'll fall in love with them, hate them, worry about them, and wish you could give one or two of them a good kick in the posterier. And when you finally lift your attention from the pages, you'll be dazed to discover you haven't actually been traveling beside them along Alisanos for real.

Readers expecting a complete story arc in this volume may be disappointed, as the book is an introduction piece, presenting story elements and unveiling the players for the following volumes, but--as one who generally doesn't appreciate that structure--I found the book satisfying as a whole, with enough resolution to provide the sense of closure I expect. Think of this work not as a digital photograph, full of sharp detail and no vision, but as the first painting in triptych by one of the old masters.

Karavans (2006) is the first fantasy novel in the Karavans series. Alisanos -- the Deepwoods -- is a place where demons live. If humans come close enough, demons capture them. Some humans return from Alisanos, but they have been changed. One such human is rejected by Alisanos and comes to the place of farewell in Sancorra where the karavans assemble before going elsewhere.

In this novel, Audrun is the wife of Davyn and the mother of Gillan, Ellica, Torvic and Megritte. She is bearing her fifth child. Their family has been burned out by the invading Hecari tribesmen and they are now fleeing to her kinfolk in Atalanda. After Davyn leaves to talk to Jorda -- the Master of the last karavan of the season -- Audrun and her children are the first to encounter the changed man from Alisanos.

Rhuan is a guide for Jorda's karavan. He is Shoia, not human, and can rise from the dead six times. Hearing that Dardannus -- the Kantic priest -- is divining with Shoia bones, he pays a little visit to the bone diviner. Dardannus sends him to Hezriah the bonedealer. Rhuan is confronting Hezriah when the man from Alisanos enters, faces him and falls down dead.

Brodhi is a courier and brings news to the place of farewell of the death of Sancorra of Sancorra at the hands of the Hecari. Brodhi is also Shoia, cousin to Rhuan -- their fathers are brothers -- but Brodhi and Rhuan do not get along with each other. Brodhi thinks Rhuan likes the humans too much and Rhuan thinks Brodhi is too disdainful of the humans. Rhuan and Brodhi are the only Shoia known to those in the settlement.

Ilona is one of the diviners in Jorda's karavan. One night she has a premonitory dream. Being only a reader of hands, she takes her dream to Lerin -- a dream-reader -- but the dream was too fragmentary to read as a whole. Yet Lerin does leave these fragments available to Ilona's waking mind.

Darmuth is a fellow guide and partner of Rhuan. Ferize is the wife of Brodhi. Yet both are demons from Alisanos, who are accompanying Brodhi and Rhuan in an oath quest.

In this story, Audrun and her family are accepted into the karavan despite the slowness of their oxen. They are assigned to the last position in the karavan, behind the Sisters of the Road. Although their oxen are slow, the lack of speed will not matter that much before they reach the turn off to Atalanda, where they will leave the karavan.

Rhuan tries to talk them out of taking that particular turn off to Atalanda. It is much too close to Alisanos and they will not have the protection of the others in the karavan. But Audrun and Davyn have been told by fourteen diviners that the baby must be born in Atalanda and so it will be.

This story describes a peaceful land being invaded by mounted tribesmen much like the Mongols. Their weapons may be different, but their methods are very similar. One of their tools is decimation, culling the settlements by killing one in ten.

Alisanos is located in another dimension with a gateway into the human world. This gateway is moved occasionally and humans caught by the move are changed. Sometimes humans are lured into the gateway and other times humans are hunted down by demons. The only thing worse for humans than dying in Alisanos is living there.

The ending of this novel leaves plenty of room for the sequel. The main characters are left in a fine mess. Hopefully things don't get even worse, but don't bet on it.

Highly recommended for Roberson fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of alien magic, human foolishness, and sheer perseverance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

After being told that their unborn child should be born in another land, a young couple with four children joins one of the Karavans to reach that safer place, somewhere that the warriors who have taken over are not yet in control. They intend to take a shortcut, but that path leads them near a forest, Alisanos, composed of pure evil with the ability to move itself. The unborn child is valuable, and the intelligence behind the forest wants it. Yet, there are no other choices. This little family has its mission, as do others in the Karavan; the Hand Reader, the two mysterious, virtually immortal men, and the demon wife of one of them, all have their fates bound together.



The main action does not truly begin until near the end of this book, which reads as a long prolog to the main story. Since the Cheysuli and Sword Dancer series, Ms. Roberson has been established as an expert worldcrafter. This is no exception. Although most of this narrative is given to the world building rather than plot, she has made an ambitious start to a complex saga.

Amanda Killgore

Wow! I just finished reading Karavans. I have long been a reader (started when Shapechangers first came out) and I have always loved her work. But this one blew me away right from the beginning. Everything seemed so real. I knew these people, I felt what they felt. I suffered when they did. I was right there with them. I could close my eyes and see the events unfolding. It was an incredible experience. I was so involved in the story that when I turned the last page I was surprised. I was hungry for me. Kudos to Jennifer for writing such a compelling wonderful story. I normally wait to buy paperbacks (hardbacks being so $$$) but I knew I had to have this story. Best decision I've made in awhile. Run, don't walk, to your book store and find this book. It's worth every penny.

I am a fan of Jennifer Roberson, at least I have read the eight Chronicles of the Chesuli books. Loved them! But KARAVANS is one 400 plus pages of introduction to book2, 3?, 4?.....
I guess I will go on to the next but this one lacked action, info, and character development. I guess I miss the Cheysuli.

Karavans by Jennifer Roberson is the first novel in her new Karavans series. The second book has already been published and is titled Deepwood: Karavans # 2 (Karavans), the third novel titled The Wild Road is scheduled to be released sometime in 2009. Some authors I come upon based on a friends recommendation, some I stumble upon because of an interesting cover, I found Ms. Roberson based off a short story titled `Ending and Beginning' in the DAW 30th Anniversary Fantasy Anthology. I had never heard of her before, but after that short story, I knew I wanted to read more. So, I was able, based on a friend's recommendation, to track down this novel - which is based in the same world as the short story. So, it seemed natural that this would be the novel I would want to read. I would suggest, that if you are considering reading this novel, to first read the short story. It adds a little bit to the overall enjoyment of this novel. Incidentally, the short story can be found directly from the author's website. (http://www.cheysuli.com/author/story.karavans.html) Here are my thoughts on this novel.

The plot of this book is actually several plots roller together, with a much larger plot line wrapped around everything. Some of the plot lines are mere hints at something larger, that will no doubt be talked about in future books such as the forest of Alisanos moving and creating a hazard for those unlucky enough to be in its path. The large over riding plot focuses of the forest and things that may be occurring within it, and too it. However, the true sense of things are not fully revealed until the very end of the novel. There are also several sub plots, some explored more than others of course. Things such as; a family trying to make a new life in a new region and the trials they face to make that happen, the relationships between multiple sets of characters, just who and what the Hecari are and what their purpose is, and the responsibilities of a karavan master and what he will go through to fulfill his duties. After finishing the novel, I was left with a couple thoughts on the overall story. First, it was well done, and I really enjoyed it. But, to be more specific, I was slightly disappointed that the novel felt more like a really long prologue than a true novel. To me, it seemed like there was more world building and setting up for future events then there was actual substance to the story. However, with that said, I didn't have a problem with it because it flowed together so well and the world building was done at such a high level. So, while the story may feel like it is mostly a setup to future novels it is none-the-less a fantastic read.

The characters in this novel are what originally drew me in. Even in the first short story the characters came alive and felt real. There are so many different characters in this book, each with their own feel. Such as voice, motivations, flaws, biases, etc. Some of the more memorable characters are; Rhuan, Ilona, Brodhi, Audrun, and Jorda to name but a few. Not only is the initial writing of the characters top notch, but almost every character in this novel has some degree of character development. Some more than others of course, but all the character development is significant in its own way. I can not think of any character that is the same at the end of the novel as they are at the end. Dialogue in this novel is something special. Some novel have great characters but the dialogue seems wooden and forced. In this novel the interactions between characters is so natural that you are drawn into the story more and more with each passing page. Very few books can make me so invested in a character, or two, but this book managed to do just that. While the story was build-up for future events, the characters were more than introduced to the reader. This is certainly a character driven novel, and Ms. Roberson pulls it off without a hitch.

A couple minor criticisms about the novel:

1 - As I mentioned above, I wish there would have been more `story' involved here. As it is, it seems that actual story elements don't really start occurring until 100-150 pages left in the book. Build--up is fine, but a better mixture may have made this book even better.

2 - I don't say this that often, there were a couple instances in the book where I almost felt that things were overly described. I enjoy novels that allow the reader to add some imagination to the setting. The author gives just enough detail so that the reader can get a general idea of the author's vision. However, at times in this novel, there are scenes where the reader is simply unable to do that because of the level of detail. It's not a huge issue, and may be a more personal bias on my part, but I think it's worth noting.

Some things I liked about this novel:

1 - The characters. As I mentioned above, I really enjoyed each and every character. They all brought out some type of reaction, liking them or hating them. Dialogue was near perfect, and they are just believable.

2 - World building. I can't say enough about the world building that took place here. It is quite evident that Ms. Roberson put a lot of time and effort to create such a rich and wonderful world.

3 - Lastly, the prose of this novel. It has a smooth gentle flow to it that allows the reader to turn page after page no matter what time it says on the clock. I liken it to rafting down a river without a paddle. The river takes you where it will but always in a general direction. Like wise, this novel has a general purpose and it is evident early on that the reader is merely along for the ride.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. So much in fact that I have already ordered book two. Based on my limited exposure to Ms. Roberson's work I have to say she seems to have a lot of potential. I may find the need to check out some of her other work as well. If you are a fan of character driven novels, with a healthy dose of suffering and intrigue then I strongly recommend this novel. I would encourage everyone to take a look at Ms. Roberson's website and read the short story. It gives an excellent taste of what you will find in this novel. I can easily see myself recommending this novel to many fans of the genre, both new fans and fans who have read numerous novels. I am eagerly looking forward to reading the second novel in this series.

Appreciation, and lots of it, for the new world and outstanding characters Ms. Roberson has generously provided in this impressive new offering. I love meeting new people and discovering a fresh setting, and this one has plenty to offer.

As with any new fantasy layout, introducing and describing the characters can be a tricky and difficult task, but absolutely necessary to provide the multi-faceted points of view which Ms. Roberson has expertly laid before us. I was captured by the diversity of the players in this story, and enjoyed the way each person (or non-person, as the case might be) emanated their personality so well that I felt a familiarity with each of them soon after their introduction.

A very good read for me, and not unexpected, considering the author's talented and far-reaching imagination.

The one regret I have, after all that, is the long wait I must endure before the story continues in the second volume. But, alas, I must suffer a bit longer...

Once again Jennifer Roberson captivates her readers with the creation of a perilous world full of humans, demons, and demi-gods, all entwined at a momentous moment in time. On this fantastical adventure, the author leads us on a quickly moving, colorful, and suspenseful trail of clues which combine along the way to reveal the characters' true personalities, motivations, and personal circumstances, yet ever raising deeper, probing questions. This exciting method of tale-weaving makes for a wonderful new novel. There is only one frustrating aspect: the story is so compelling it leaves the reader already aching to dig into the next novel! It is truly worth paying the hardback price now for this book in order to join up with the Karavan. You won't be disappointed along the journey.

I've never read a book by Roberson and had only gave this one a chance because it kept coming up as a recommendation in Amazon. Honestly, the cover and blog did not grab me. The fact that it had such high reviews did.

Overall, I think the book was wonderfully written, with well defined characters and setting. As a matter of fact, I was overly intrigued by the story line and had a difficult time putting the book down. On the down side, it was a terrible let down for me because the book had a fabulous conflict and climax, yet was completely lacking in a resolution. I feel as though I've read an incomplete book.