The Outcast [Import] [Paperback]

Simon Hawke (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (December 1, 1994)
• ISBN-10: 0099317818
• ISBN-13: 978-0099317814
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,708,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Journey I'll Never Forget, August 8, 2002

By 

"cosmic_tempest" (Crosby, North Dakota USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: THE OUTCAST (Dark Sun, Tribe of One Trilogy, Book No 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I read these books when I was younger, immediately after having consumed the Chronicles of Narnia and Prydain, although these books are aimed at an older audience. I credit these books and the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander as the novels that really gave me a jump start in the fantasy genre and definitely recommend it for all fantasy readers, especially if you're just starting out, this is a great place. Now on to the story...

Sorak the Nomad, an elfling and the only one of his kind in the world, remains to be one of my favorite characters ever, ranking right up there with Raistlin Majere and Taran Assistant Pig-Keeper. He far surpasses Drizzt Do'Urden. Drizzt isn't anywhere near Sorak's league. Sorak could kick Drizzt's "butt", although he isn't as grotesquely overly powerful, but he lives in a far harsher world where brutality thrives and the weak and timid are left as carrion. This capriciously cruel world makes the Underdark look like a day care center.

Take everything you know about magic, dwarves, elves, and dragons, and set it aside in the world of Athas. Although I can't recommend it over Dragonlance, I definately recommend Dark Sun and these books in particular over Forgotten Realms. After you finish with the Tribe of One Trilogy, don't forget to continue with the Sorak Saga in The Broken Blade.

If you ever read this Simon Hawke, thank you for this epic adventure, it will be close to my heart forever.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tribe of one first book, June 1, 2011

By 

jimjet - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: THE OUTCAST (Dark Sun, Tribe of One Trilogy, Book No 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I liked the different premise of multiple personalities doing different jobs in one individual. The book was fast paced and an enjoyable read and set up the following books of the trilogy very well.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Superman with a sword, May 12, 2008

By 

J. Hyatt "Tripwire" (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: THE OUTCAST (Dark Sun, Tribe of One Trilogy, Book No 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I want to like the Tribe of One series, I really do. The concept of multiple personalities and how they interact with one another is terrific. You can also tell that Simon Hawke lives in the Arizona desert, he captivates the beauty of the desert so well in his writing. The plot was a good, solid premise. And that's where my liking of this series ends. The heroic characters are just UNGODLY POWERFUL! Never once do I feel they are in danger. Several times I wanted to throw my book in disgust because the author throws scary insurmountable foes at the main characters but then the two heroes (Sorak and Ryana) dispatch them with such ridiculous ease. After the second or third fight it becomes about as enjoyable as reading about a child stepping on ants.

The main character Sorak is just Superman with a sword and no one he faces has Krptonite, Ryana is a souped up Wonder Woman. Together they are unstoppable, separate Sorak is still unstoppable but Ryana might get a few bruises.

I truly believe that Simon Hawke read the Drizzt books by R.A. Salvatore and in a fit of sword fighter envy declared "I'm going to create a character that could kill 100 Drizzt Do'Urdens with one hand tied behind his back!". It's bad enough that the Drizzt books become boring and predictable simply because there is no fear of Drizzt losing but Simon Hawke's character, Sorak, becomes even MORE boring and predictable before the first book even ends! By the time you finish the second book you are wondering why you are reading this series and are likely thinking 'I don't need to read the third book, I already Sorak can't lose even if he faced TEN Dragons!

Sorry Simon Hawke, go back and rewrite this with more believable heroic characters and you will get 4-5 stars from me.

If you like it when you characters can mow down any and all opposition without breaking a sweat then I guess these books are for you.