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28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very enjoyable second series from this author, June 13, 2006
This review is from: Priestess of the White (Age of the Five Trilogy, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
So that Amazon visitors have a chance to hear two polarised views about this series, I thought I'd better write a review.
I enjoyed the Black Magician trilogy, and was curious to see a new series by Canavan at my local bookshop. Even though I found the Black Magician trilogy thoroughly enjoyable, I also thought it suited more of a young adult market.
I read the first chapter of Priestess of the White in the shop to see if it was worth buying. My first impression, which was sustained throughout the book, was that Canavan's writing has shifted up a gear in this series. The world and plot is rather more complex, and it suits a more mature audience. I had no trouble at all finishing the book, and was very eager to read the sequel, which I didn't find disappointing.
I would encourage any one not sure if they should buy the book because they have read poor reviews here to read the sample chapter that Canavan has online on her website as a guide to whether the style is right for you.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great ideas but a little bland, December 28, 2006
This review is from: Priestess of the White (Age of the Five Trilogy, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
This is the first in a trilogy that takes place in a world where everyone has a *some* magical ability (even plants and animals), though some more than others, and has a treatment of gods and immortals that I haven't seen before (and I've read a *lot*). You can see some influence from Niven's "The Magic Goes Away" and from Zelazny's work, but the ideas are pretty original.
I read Ms. Canavan's Black Magician series earlier this year and was impressed with her originality, if not her characterization. Her books make for good reads, with interesting ideas, but the characters seem a bit too simple. They have modern sensibilities and are all very rational, and I can't figure out whether I think it is refreshing or out of place in the fantasy settings that she is using. She *is* good at drawing out mysterious motivations and keeping the reader eager to find out the details of so-and-so's secret. It's just almost PC in the lack of good/evil. Nothing like the complex characters of George R. R. Martin, who are capable of both good and evil at the same time and come off as much more believable.
Bottom line though is that I read this, read the sequel, and am waiting fairly eagerly for the last in the trilogy. :-)
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
"The Black Magician Trilogy" this is NOT! ... barely rates 3 stars., February 27, 2006
This review is from: Priestess of the White (Age of the Five Trilogy, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
Truely I was expecting more from Canavan. This book jumps around among its various characters too much, and bogs down in spots. Auraya is supposed to be a true leader and protector of her country. She has shown in the past that she carefully thinks through her plans and decisions. (That's how she saves the town at the start of the book), but she is certainly ready to write off her Dreamweaver lover awfully fast, even though she has known and trusted him for years (and can read his mind). I'm planning to read the next book, but will wait till I can buy it cheap secondhand.
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