Legends Walking: A Novel of the Athanor [Mass Market Paperback]

Jane M. Lindskold (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1999

A terrible disease has been reintroduced into the world by a fanatic who may or may not be "athanor": one of the shapeshifters, satyrs, merfolk, unicorns, and other creatures who have shared our world. Conquering Africa with plague is only the first step in this madman's dreams. There are those who oppose him and they need the help of the shapeshifter Changer to prevail. Even the combined efforts of the athanor leader King Arthur, the Changer, and his wild daughter Shahrazad may not be enough. For the fanatic master of disease is not the only creature of legend who seeks to walk like a god among men.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the best new writers to emerge in the fantasy field in the '90s."---Terri Windling, five-time World Fantasy Award winner

"A fresh voice in the field of urban or modern fantasy." -- S.M. Stirling, author of Island in the Sea of Time

About the Author

JANE LINDSKOLD is the author of Brother to Dragons; Companion to Owls; Marks of our Brothers; The Pipes of Orpheus; Smoke and Mirrors; When the Gods Are Silent; and the recently published Changer. She also completed Roger Zelazny's penultimate novel Donnerjack. Educated at New York's Fordham University, she now lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Eos (HarperCollins) (December 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380788500
• ISBN-13: 978-0380788507
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 3.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,266,783 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OldSciFiDog, October 3, 2001

By 

OldSciFiDog (Bellevue, WA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Legends Walking: A Novel of the Athanor (Mass Market Paperback)

Legends Walking, is the second in this world of Athanor (following Changer), which is placed in contemporary times with the addition of an immortal species co-existing with us. In this tale we discover some new characters, and get to know some of the previous character in more detail.

Ms Lindskold's characterization is superb. They have a sense of humor and different personalities which, as one might suspect, sometimes conflict with each other (some don't even like each other and they are on the same side). This makes for a very pleasant and believable read. The plot moves very well and I found myself consuming the 400 + pages without knowing it.

I liked this sequel most because it focused on a different set of characters in solving the plot crisis, so we get to see these characters using their unique skills. Jane is very consistent in both plot and characters, so we are NOT treated to discontinuities in characters to conveniently get out of a bad scene. She also has the ability to describe scenes without bludgeoning us to death with detail, which is very refreshing.

I must say I dislike giving maximum ratings, just in case the author does better. In this case as in the first tale, Changer, I feel the author deserves a "Bravo" well done, and if she does better, I will just have to deal with it.

So, in case you missed my point, I like this author and this tale and believe both needs to be read and enjoyed (if not, no offense is meant by stating the obvious).

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Anthanor Return, January 31, 2000

By 

M. Allegra (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Legends Walking: A Novel of the Athanor (Mass Market Paperback)

I purchased "The Changer" because it promised a new slant on King Arthur. I was disappointed in the promise but NOT in the book. Lindskold's newest, "Legends Walking," continues to explore Changer's relationship with his coyote-formed daughter, his place in the Anthenor and his growing attraction to Athena. Most of the action concerns the efforts of various Immortals to prevent germ warfare in Africa. Language and concepts are broad but interesting and the African setting gives the author the opportunity to explore a new culture and expand upon the characters of Immortals we met only briefly in "The Changer." The sequel can be read as a single but makes better sense if "Changer" is read first. If I have a complaint, it's that Arthur and Merlin are starting to sound whiney. Arthur purports to be King - he can do better than this.

Legends Walking is a worthy sequel to an interesting and novel creation.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a breath of fresh air, January 25, 2000

By 

Mfitz... "Mfitz..." (Cincinnati, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legends Walking: A Novel of the Athanor (Mass Market Paperback)

There is so much bad fantasy out there. Sorry but it's the truth. This book, like "Changer" befor it was a breath of fresh air. It playes with themes from mythology without ever becoming cute or tired . Lindskold tips your expectations around and plays with the archetypes of the genera. These two books remind me a bit of Sharon Shin's "Archangel" book in the way they turn old ideas on their ears.

Lindskold weaves her imortals into todays world and leaves you wanting more. After reading this book I want to know more about Nigeria. Some of the facts I found out about AIDS in that part of the world when I did a little looking made me wish there were some imortal gardians looking to help their people.

I like a book that takes me totally away from the tials of my everyday life, and amuses me. If it makes me think a little that is even better. I can't wait for Lindskold's next Athanor book.