Customer Reviews

Legends Walking: A Novel of the Athanor

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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).

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.

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.

This book suceeded where many others have failled in following up the first novel. However the prices for it second hand here are outrageous! Especially considering the author offers it from her website, signed for much less than most of these prices.

Jane Lindskold once again has written a wonderfully fascinating and complex novel. Many different story lines and characters blend to make both "Legends Walking" and "Changer" surprising books. I could hardly put this book down, although I had to in order to process the ideas and plot twists. Both come at a quick pace throughout the story. I loved getting new looks at old characters, and some development of interesting secondary characters from "Changer," as well as the introduction of new friends. The idea of elemental athanor seems wondrous and fun.

Biological warfare offers such an ugly, inhumane choice to dictators around the world. I think Lindskold looks into the horrors of plague without preaching about it. This book presents a look at some serious subjects, like biological warfare, AIDS in Africa, and the development of third world countries. Lindskold doesn't give easy or trite answers, but in twisting our everyday world just a bit, she does shed some light on the subjects.

I would recommend this book to anyone! It's fun, thoughtful, fun and well written.

Great continuation of the story of the Athanor began in Lindskold's earlier book Changer. This book has a stand alone story, but involves a large cast of characters introduced in the first book. New readers might want to start there to ease potential confustion.

The story revolves around beings considered mythological by today's standards (satyrs, yeti, et al) and immortal humans who are the basis for legendary heros such as Gilgamesh, Dionysus, Lilith, and Poseiden. These beings form a community known as the Athanor. This novel intertwines three threads, one regarding mysterious events in Nigeria, another the evolution of the daughter of the oldest Athanor, the Changer, and the third the efforts of the non-human Athanor to gain more interaction with modern society. The last two threads were begun in the first novel.

Lindskold creates solid characters with interesting interactions. I'm looking forward to seeing what else happens in her world.

I don't like fantasy novels. I have read far too many verbose tale of elves struggling to recover some musty old talisman. Pretty much swore off the whole genre. That was before I read the Athanor books. Instead of mystical ancient kingdoms we have New Mexico and Nigeria. Instead of a hokey sword wielding hero(ine) and their trusty sidekicks we have an astounding cast of characters ranging from computer-literate sasquatches to immortal farm animals. How refreshing! Ms Lindskold has developed a wonderful idea for a series. In each of the two books so far she has focused on different members of the Athanor community, at this rate it will be a long time before she runs out of fresh ideas. This is one fantasy series where I can't wait to see the next installment.

A thoroughly enjoyable read on many levels. I'm so happy to have "discovered" Jane Lindskold. Her characters are thoroughly believable and well-fleshed out. "Legends Walking" deserves a nod for having as its setting one of the most mysterious places in all of literature-- Africa. Lindskold, through her characters,treats the citizens of Nigeria with respect for their pre-European contact beliefs, and appreciation and concern for their efforts to modernize. The athanor are very much like the Greek gods that some of them have lived as -- capable of all the same moral and emotional highs and lows as any non-magically gifted being. I highly recommend Lindskold's books as a much-needed break from all the Tolkien clones that contribute to the needless deaths of millions of trees. I am eagerly awaiting the next sequel -- or even a prequel!

I don't even like fantasy, but I couldn't put this one down. Legends Walking, Jane Lindskold's latest "urban fantasy" picks up the quasi-immortal "Athanor" characters she introduced in Changer and sets them loose in wide-ranging adventures that kept my nose planted in the 400-page book until I finished it. The story lines were exciting and the character development was wonderful, at times unexpected, and wholly satisfying. As usual, Lindskold's sense of humor is apparent throughout the book (although perhaps not as bluntly displayed as it was in the closet scene of Lord Demon, her recently released collaboration with Zelazny), bringing an additional level of enjoyment to a good yarn well-told. I've really come to enjoy this author, and I hope Avon realizes what a winner it has with the Athanor novels.

I read changer this summer and thought it was great. my only complaint as that I never found out about some of the athanor mentioned. But legends walking solved this problem for me. Not only that, but it gives Sharazad (the changers daughter) a little more depth of character. read this book.