Customer Reviews

The Obsidian Key (Legend of Asahiel, Book 2)

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

 

 

I have to admit that the book was a good fantasy read and Eldon Thompson is certainly a good writer as far as his use of language is concerened. But, the character development isn't so good and this is what really killed this book as well as the previous book for me. The main characters get a bit annoying. Its clear that they are all reluctent to embark upon the task that is set before them, but there comes a point when it gets old. However, the plot to this story as well as the last was really good......Oh, one more thing. It really bothers me that no one bothers to mention in this book how they could of gotten rid of the demon queen in the first book without causing great harm to the world with the sword. This book harps on the fact that taking the sword was a mistake and yet no one offered up another solution....things like this make the series incomplete...But all and all it was a good story to read.

I thought this book was a great continuation from the first one. Thompson has a definite skill in using detail to paint the scenes as you imagine the story unfolding. I read fantasy mainly for the escapism, so I really appreciate it when an author goes to the trouble to covey the world his story is set in - it makes it that much easier to slip into the world of the characters and let myself get lost in an alternate universe for a while.

I might have gone with 4 1/2 star if it were available, because I can't say it's the level of perfection that five stars implies, but I did really enjoy the book which I think is the most important thing for any fantasy novel, so I'm going ahead and rounding up.

I'll write as spoiler free as possible, heck half wont make sense unless you've read it (and then who knows how much of that half will).

It's tough as I don't want to write a mean review for fear of an author actually coming to check out the review and become disheartened for any reasons but here we go.....

To me a big part of reading is the flow of a novel. How well the characters are developed, how they go from event to event, how the in between of big events happens, for fantasy the fighting styles, strengths and weaknesses of characters, and really the most important is whether or not I can remember what I read after i'm done reading it (title, characters, etc). This book sadly I did not remember the title, nor the proper spelling of some characters' names.

Firstly the writing is very dull. It has very good description of environments and surroundings but when it comes to actually swordplay or witty dialogue look elsewhere. Not to knock the book too much but most of the time I get bored reading the fluff that happens from event to event unless there is some point to it but really there seemed to be none. There was very good use of words that aren't used too often though, so makes ya feel kinda smart reading it.

The characters now: I liked Torin. Good noble guy who just wants to do the right thing. I was nearly dumbfounded though at the turn of events at the end, because anyone who finds something in which the entire first book seemed to be the important part and then is just ok with it!?! is well I can't even explain it without giving spoilers. Torin's dialogue is never witty, funny, etc... it's more tailored to his "torment" of not being able to do the nymphs he is with.... that and the twist mentioned before really lend to the written from a male's PoV (not that I care what sex writes a book but some ideas of love really seem to slip)
Now for the best friend and the girlfriend who get trapped over on the other side without Torin (who mind you is out trying to save the world nonetheless).... well I just do not like them anymore. Allion for whatever reason has become a total coward 90% of the time (not everyone is duke nukem but sometimes you gotta ask if they dropped yet) and the whole change of the novel with him and Torin's girlfriend (or was it wife haha!).... well again makes me question myself on how well I read the first book.

sigh who else was there... the entient dad was overly gruff to the point as to how could someone be this angry. His role late redeemed himself some(although again it made me wonder what i was reading because a lot of things seemed to not fall into place... a lot of missed chances, etc)

Now that we're done with writing style and characters I guess the most disappointing part of the book was the plot.

Reading other peoples reviews I guess I took his book a different way... but really to me there was no nice flow to it, something that separates a reading by the toilet novel to one that you can't set down.

all in all not the best book but the firm grasp of the English language (lacking the emotion / dialogue / psyche) makes it a novel you're not embarrassed to have read.

I loved the cover art.
Now to the actual review. The book was excellent. Lots of "OH WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?!" moments, and the writing was realistic, easy to understand and definitely well done.
The characters were well-rounded, and the inter-character plot was very understandable.
All your favorite characters got some chapter time(except Kylac, but that's part of the mystery).

I enjoyed this book, I think that the author developed Torin well in this book and I enjoyed his interaction and growth. I had several problems with the book. Sadly the sections of the book with Torin were the only meaningful book. The rest of the book had no meaningful insight into the story in my mind. There was no setup or intrigue or real value in reading this section. While I enjoyed the sections with Torin I also wonder why Torin can appear to be captured by anyone and will willingly give up the sword at each and every altercation only to have it returned to him. This happens in all of the first 3 books but is most prevelant in this book as it happens every couple of chapters. Overall though the book was a good read and I gladly picked up and read the third book, which had the same problems though.

King Torin must embark on a quest to find a long-forgotten race of people. While his friend Allion, Torin's fiancé and her father join together on a journey of their own. With dangerous enemies around every corner, no one can be trusted. And Torin even has enemies within his own kingdom. For back at home, another seeks to usurp King Torin's throne and claim it as his own.

This sequel is even better than the first. Torin's journey is long, with many pitfalls, and gains several friends as well as enemies along the way. Meanwhile, Torin's friend and betrothed have some unique experiences of their own, with foreseeable consequences. The Obsidian Key contains everything a great fantasy story should: magic, unique races as well as the well-known, danger, intrigue, quests, and relationships that grow and change. With plenty of suspense and surprises, this epic fantasy will leave you breathless after a climactic ending. And reaching for the 3rd in the series, The Divine Talisman, which releases today from Eos Books.

I enjoyed the first volume in this series enough to pick up this second volume, but boy I found this one hard to finish. Usually I tear through books like this, staying up late reading, but with this one I forgot that I was even reading it until I found it again on my bedside table! The main problem, I think, was that the action and characters just aren't that compelling and didn't make me eager to know what happens next. The overarching evil dire threat is introduced at the very beginning but then is missing completely throughout the bulk of the rest of the book, as we are forced to endure a double plotline with characters who seem to have had personality transplants since the first book. The actual urgency of the central quest(s) isn't made clear at all, and I often lost the thread of why characters were having to rush here or there or back again. The author does blood and combat well (a little *too* well, sometimes -- as in the cannibalism scene: ick!), but is much less capable when it comes to character development. All the angsty whining from Torin about his love life just made me want to throttle him. People's actions too often seem to occur merely in service of plot and seldom emerge out of some inner sense of character. If you are just looking for a serviceable plot and are willing to overlook annoying character development (or lack thereof), this is fine -- but just don't expect more than that.

The Obsidian Key written by Eldon Thompson is an action packed fantasy novel that is sure to keep you enthralled.

Following the now King Torin on his adventure to rediscover a people that had been rumored to no longer exist many years ago, you are in for a wild ride. After his retrieval of the Crimson Sword in book one of The Legend of Asahiel series, Torin has accidently unleashed a horror that had been locked away and is now rising to wreak havoc on his world.

When a robed figure appears in Torin's room looking of death itself, he learns there is a new adventure laying in wait for him. He must do his part to right the world, and with the help of a renegade Entinent, his betrothed's father. This task however will not be easy, especially with spies around each and every corner; some are even his own men...one in particular seeks to have the crown for himself.

With a shocking and totally unforeseen ending, The Obsidian Key is phenomenal! Mr. Thompson has a way with words and with them, he paints a picture before the reader. Usually not much into fantasies, I have to say this is one of the best I have read, I look forward to book three of The Legend of Asahiel Series! 4.5 Hearts

I have a hard time reading this book. The characters are fairly boring, especially Torin. Allion is a pretty bland character, and Raven is beyond cliche. I can't say I entirely understand the character Xarius. He's going through all of this trouble because Kronus got the best of him on one occassion?

The story is a drag and this book is definitely not a page turner. I find I'm forcing myself to read it. Thompson seems to think that throwing in some random twist will take his reader's by surprise, but somehow he even turns those events into a dull affair.

I gave this book 2 stars because the writing isn't too bad. Some of the metaphors and descriptions are pretty good, but it lacks a distinctive character and edge.

I'm not entirely sure why this trilogy was published. Entirely ho-hum.

If you enjoyed the first book of the series, you will certainly appriciate this one. Eagerly expect the third book in the series!