Customer Reviews

The Ninth Talisman (The Annals of the Chosen #2)

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

 

 

Let me begin by saying that I am a fan of Watt-Evans. I really liked the Obsidian Chronicles, I enjoyed the Esthar books and I liked the first volume in this series. The Ninth Talisman, however, was quite a dissapointment. My major complaint was the relatively slim story, and the inordinate amount of padding. The book itself is a slim 312 pages, shorter than most children's books in this post-Harry Potter publishing world. In and of itself, this wouldn't be a problem. One of the things I enjoy most about Watt-Evans, particulalry his Esthar books, is his economy of style. Generally Watt-Evans can deliver a good story with exciting charcters that doesn't require one to commit to thousands of pages of reading. Unfortunately, in the Ninth Talisman Watt-Evans does not deliver a particulalry exciting story. In addition, much of this slim volume really appears padded, particulalry when the main character thinks to himself, "The Wizard Lord may be acting strangely, but he did build the roads and everyone seems to like him." Words to this effect recur over and over throughout the text, essentially everytime the Wizard Lord gets mentioned. I wouldn't be surprised if about 100 pages of this book could be eliminated by not repeating the same formulation and rehearsing the same arguments over and over again. This really feels like half a book that has been stretched out to one book. I do not recommend you purchase this book, but rather check it out at the library. Also, to avoid too much dissapointment for the overly rushed cliff-hanger ending, you might want to wait until the next volume in this series comes out before you bother reading this one.

Volume 2 of the Annals of the Chosen (The Ninth Talisman) takes up just a few years after the end of volume 1. We still follow Sword, as he gathers with the new Chosen to consider a moral dilemma not faced the Chosen before.

While the first book could stand alone as a novel, the second assumes most of the world knowledge imparted in the first. Further, (small spoiler) the second book does not have a conclusive ending; it's like a TV series with a "to be continued..." at the end.

The prose is still contemplative, following a guy who is not necessarily as nimble and sharp-witted as your typical fantasy hero, but who is also no dullard. In fact, the character seems to have grown through the previous adventures -- as they say, travel is fatal to bigotry!

However, the book dangles a number of carrots in front of the reader all along, while not really delivering towards the end. It's as if a house of cards is carefully built, and then haphazardly whacked when it gets in the way of delivering a tense suspense ending. That's too bad -- with a different take on a few other characters, and a less heavy-handed treatment the crucial moment, the book might have gotten five stars.

Well, four and a half -- I don't like a book that leaves the reader with that "to be continued" feeling as much as this book does, and that dings it half a star just in itself.

This is the second book in the The Annals of the Chosen series, and it follows true to the form of the last book. In the last book, the story was somewhat interesting, very original and interesting, but poorly written. This book, however, is worse than the first.
Bogging this book, and my brain, is the repetition. Usually repetition of style is good, but not for him. In every chapter, the reference to the Wizard Lord of the Galbek Hills, or the Galbek Hills, is brought up. And not only is that annoying, the story of what happened is repeated. The only reason I could guess he kept restating that incident over and over again was for those people who are skipping around the chapters and might miss it-- although they would have to be extremely blind to not miss the reference over and over. But the only reason those people would be skipping is because of the useless repetition...

Not only is the repetition annoying, but it's REALLY ANNOYING. He recounts a story of something from the last book to a few characters, but to the two or three people (I can't remember) people he tells it to, it only gets more annoying hearing it. He could have written that the character explained the even to the person rather than having him talk about it for half a page. The repetition is so bad that it is like watching a Speed Racer marathon because it is almost to the point-- and at some places it is to the point-- that characters repeat the same thing in word and/ or in thought.

Also, the UNREALISTIC CHARACTERS AND DIALOG are very annoying. This whole series keeps me watching the story rather than watching the main character. The main character can't be sympathized with mainly because we don't know who he is. When we think he's one thing, he turns out to contradict that. What really confused me was when he seemed reserved, then he meets somebody and is talking about how skilled he is with his "little stick" (take a few seconds to guess). I almost felt like putting the book down at that point because it was if I was reading from a perverted teenager rather than somebody who has been alive for a great deal of years more. Also, when that scene should have turned awry between the two characters, things continue on without problem. And worse yet is the part where he is talking to friend, and something he says takes up about 10 seconds... in there, he says things that seemed weird and would usually make the other person in his conversation give him a questioning eye, but no... he continues and the other person sits and listens as if nothing weird happens...
The dialog between the characters is very short and very unintelligent.
"Are you really going there?"
"Yes, of course, I must say."
"How do you think it will go?"
"Well."

That is not very good... for any writer...

This series seems like it was done when he was in his early to mid teens and now, only after establishing himself as a writer, he has picked up the manuscripts and sent them in without editing them one bit.

I continue to read these because I like his style, but the fake characters and conversation, and the annoying repetition of the main character's thoughts and reasoning along with all of the other repetition strip this series of any dignity...

His style is, however, good enough that I will be buying the next book soon, because I've learned how to skip the crap and get to the finish... I hope you can do the same...

I had enjoyed the first book but did not like this one or the final book in the series as much. They were still alright, and the series overall was alright, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. If you are desperately searching for something to read go ahead, but otherwise try something else.

This item arrived very rapidly and was well packaged. It got here so quickly, in fact, that I had to wait to read it because the previous book in the series (ordered from another vendor) took much longer to arrive.

I was much more pleased this time around. The first book was good but left me a little unsatisfied when I was finished. This book kept me going all the way trough and got better as I read. Lawrence Watt-Evans is one of the most under-rated, under-appreciated, and unsung authors out there. I recommend his work to anyone out there who enjoys good fantasy or science fiction.

The Progressive Wizard

The Ninth Talisman (2007) is the second novel in the Annals of the Chosen series, following The Wizard Lord. In the previous volume, Breaker -- the Chosen Swordsman -- slew the Dark Lord of Galbek Hills and ended his reign of evil. When the Council of Immortals came to select the next Wizard Lord, Breaker argued against setting up another immensely powerful autocrat to possibly betray his responsibilities. Breaker was told that such recommendations were not within his purview, so he went home to Mad Oak.

In this novel, three years later, Erren Zal Tuyo kam Darig seveth Tirimsir abek Du still resided in the village of Mad Oak. Nicknamed Breaker due to his childhood clumsiness, he is now called Sword by his fellow villagers. Breaker is still unhappy about the rejection of his arguments by the Council. Then one night he learns from the Young Priestess of his village a good reason for continuing the custom of the Wizard Lord.

Three years after that, Breaker is presented with another puzzle. A crew working for the Wizard Lord completes a road from Willowbank to Mad Oak. Since the old Willowbank guide has died, the villagers are delighted with this new resource. Although few wish to travel, now anyone can take the road to Willowbank at any time without fear of the wild ler. More important, traders can bring large wagons of goods to Mad Oak without difficulties with the ler.

Of course, the wild ler on the road path have been displaced, but they will soon fade from the scene. The priest and priestesses are still distressed by the agitation of the wild ler and maybe a few ghosts will haunt the village for a while, but these problems also will soon fade away. Yet Breaker is troubled over the change.

In this story, Breaker leaves for Willowbank four day later. The people of Mad Oak have been suffering from nightmares and ghosts, the livestock have been skittish, much of the milk has soured, and at least one barrel of beer has been skunked, but the disturbances are gradually fading.

The road is still open. Of course, none of the villagers have dared to use it, but a Chosen Swordsman should have no problems. Breaker has a lot of questions to ask and they are not being answered in Mad Oak. So he puts three ara plumes in his hat and sets off toward Willowbank.

From Willowbank, Breaker travels to Rock Ridge, then Broadpool and Beggar's Hill. Everywhere he goes, people ask questions, which he answers as best he can. In Beggar's Hill, the Wizard Lord talks to him through a possessed hound.

Leaving Beggar's Hill, Breaker sees the Summer Palace for the first time. He strides toward it, then passes it as he reaches the outskirts of Winterhome. The palace is built on the cliffs above Winterhome, outside Barokan where nothing permanent should be standing. Breaker definitely needs to ask the Wizard Lord a few questions. Maybe more than a few.

This tale takes Breaker back home after meeting with the Wizard Lord. Then Leader calls a meeting of the Chosen to discuss the changes. Breaker explains his impressions of the Wizard Lord as best he can and then suggests that Lore be consulted. The scholar comes down from the Summer Palace to present his own impressions of the new Wizard Lord. Both agree that the Wizard Lord wants to use less magic and to improve the lives of the common people.

The Chosen learn of the Ninth Talisman and Lore states that the Wizard Lord's actions in this instance are a clear case of interference with the Chosen. Such is forbidden under the rules, so the Chosen ask the Wizard Lord to explain his actions.

This story ends with an unresolved conflict, but the plot will resume in The Summer Palace. Luckily, this sequel is now available. Enjoy!

Highly recommended for Watt-Evans fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of exotic cultures, magical conflict, and dutiful assassins.

-Arthur W. Jordin

After the Swordsman killed the Dark Lord of the Galbook Hlls, a Wizard Lord gone rogue, he returned to his small community of Mad Oak and became part of the farming community. He is one of eight Chosen, men and women who are granted special magical powers so that a Wizard Lord can be taken down if he doesn't rule benevolently over all the people of Barokan. The new Wizard Lord is having roads built throughout the country connecting towns and cities and thus making it easier for trade goods to be transported all over the empire.

Swordsman travels to Winterhome to see the new Lord Wizard and is shocked to find a former Chosen, a traitor, is one of the chief advisors is the new Wizard Lord Artil. Artil tells him that the time for magic has passed and that people usingnon-magical skills will bring peace and prosperity to the land. While Swordsman thinks about this restructuring, Arti's soldiers find wizards and interrogate them about THE NINTH TALISMAN before killing them when he doesn't get the answers he wants. The eight champions meet to decide what to do about Artil and his plans and wonder if he may have gone to the dark side.

This is second book in the Annals of the Chosen and one doesn't have to read the prequel THE WIZARD LORD to understand THE NINTH TALISMAN. The Swordsman is patient and willing to observe what the Wizard Lord is all about and that makes this book more of a character study than an action packed fantasy. The ending is very ambiguous so there is at least another book to the series. Readers will enjoy this novel so much they will recommend it to their friends who like sword and sorcery fantasy.

Harriet Klausner