Customer Reviews

Present Tense: Round Two of the Great Game

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

 

 

I waited for this book for quite a while and I was not disappointed by it when I finally got hold of it. The complexity of Nextdoor and Home and the other worlds as well as the gods and and their Human pawns is very entertaining. I also enjoy a good "destiny" story like this one with cryptic references to a future that will come true no matter what you do to prevent it from happening, and usually in a very surprising way as well.

Really good--worthy sequel to Kipling, which is saying something. As a fan of Edwardian British fantasy and fiction, I'm a sucker for any of the modern popular fiction writers who borrow from that era, but Duncan is something special: has has the sensibility and the attitudes right.

This is an unconventional and imaginative fantasy/parallel world series. Duncan develops a parallel Earth with rather different astronomy, geography, and history. Some forms of magic allow talented individuals to move back and forth from our Earth to the Earth of the Vales, the society next door. The key feature is that strangers, people from our Earth on Valia or Valians in our universe, can acquire substantial magic powers through the accumulation of 'mana' stemming from acts of worship or sacrifice by the natives of that world. On Valia, this results in a society dominated by 'strangers' who have set themselves up as deities. The Great Game series describes a complex challenge to one of these deities in the form of the actions of the Earth born protagonist of this series, an idealistic Edwardian youth. Duncan's parallel universe is constructed well and his writing is solid. In several of his books, he has dealt with issues of duty and sacrifice, and this is no exception. There is a particularly nice use of the confrontation of youthful Edwardian idealism with harsh political realities. The plotting is clever as well, making creative use not only of the magical themes but also of the great influenza pandemic of 1917-18.

I adore Dave Duncan and am never disappointed in his works. Present Tense is a great volume in another great Dave Duncan series. An absolute must for his fans, and highly recommended for Eddings and Jordan fans also.

Who could go to sleep with a book this good lying around the house? Dave Duncan has again written a book that pulls the reader in and won't let him to. I feel like I walked every step of the way next to Edward Exeter and witnessed it all for myself. From his narrow escapes on Earth and wartime travails on Nextdoor, Edward is a hero to cheered and rooted on, as is the career of Dave Duncan

IMO, this is the best book of the Great Game. D'ward is perfectly balanced between human and hero. Wondefully characterized, this book was one I couldn't put down.

Duncan continues the storyline with intrigue and expertise. The plot continues to grow leaving the reader with a craving for more of the adventure to unfold.

I had trouble getting into this one but it was worth it! Now, on to Round 3!!!

After a great start, this 2nd book is a major disappointment. Most of the interesting parts are given past tense, and basically dont hold any interest.... Sorry Dave, you didnt reach your usual standards on this one...