Customer Reviews

Pyromancer

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The first time I read this book, I was about sixteen, and I loved it. I liked the characters and the style of the writing. I couldn't wait for the inevitable sequels. However, when I read it again, only two years later, it wasn't quite the same. I read the whole book and I couldn't put my finger on what was missing. Well, again two years passed and I read it one more time and that time I was able to identify what was less than perfect about it.

First, though, it was well-written. The book was fun. I will definitely read it again in the future and I will enjoy it. All the characters, even the little mentioned ones and the "bit players", are enjoyable and likable. The villians are bumbling and fun to laugh at and also somewhat likable. The first time I read it I got quite caught up in the plot and I enjoyed reading about the hero's training.

However, when I say the book is simplistic, I do mean it. The bad guys aren't really bad guys so much as fumbling and idiotic. They stood no chance at winning any time in the book and it was obvious. Plot holes popped up, but were ignored. It's written in such good spirit though, that it's sort of hard to complain about it.

I'd suggest this book to older children who like fantasy as a good entry point into reading more epic fantasy. (It's certainly better than a lot of the books out there for older children and teenagers, anyway.) I also suggest it for anybody who wants to read about the good guys triumph easily over the bad guys and then read about the celebration for that triumph.

This fantasy adventure takes you into places you always dreamed of going to. Young Douglas and his Master, Flarman Firemaster, conquer many feats they face using their knowledge and skills. The author makes this book come alive as its readers read on. This book is highly recommended to all that have a vivid imagination and a longing for a magically journey in the lands of wizards and mystical creatures.

Pyromancer marks the beginning of what at this writing is a three book series (Aquamancer, Aeromancer). Callander uses standard fantasy precepts with a light, enjoyable prose style. I.e., poor boy wizard apprentice, talking tableware. Not as annoying as writers with higher pretensions can become (i.e., Jordan *duck flames*). I would recommend this book for an afternoon's read.

This is one great book! The best fantazy I have ever read. And Having in mind that it was translated to my language (Bulgarian), it must have lost one bit of it's magic in the translation process. So far I have read it more than 20 times, but soon I'll read it in original (English), to gain on the lost effect.

Wonderful!

This book is, all in all, a wonder to me. I've read all kinds of novels and literature, from Terry Brooks to Piers Anthony to Isaac Asimov, and I have to say that Pyromancer and the books that follow it have some of the best descriptive language that I have seen so far. You know all the tones that the other authors have, well just read the first 3 to 5 of pages and you'll see what I mean.

I've had three copies of this book and lost them all. What I want is a reprint!!

Pyromancer is perhaps the perfect book to read after you have finished any particular difficult and brain-numbing time in your life (i.e. graduate school). Although this is definitely not great literature, Callander is a talented story-teller who makes many old plot devices seem quite fresh. You can relax into his often humerous world and enjoy the good relationships that the main characters enjoy.

Unlike so many of today's current fantasy authors, Callander does not drape his book in dark overtones or pretensious. Instead it is a merry little tome.

All in all, you can finish it in one day on the beach and feel like you are on vacation.

Pyromancer is the first book of the 'mancer series. You will really enjoy Flarman and Douglas. This book introduces characters you will meet again in the rest of the series. You will become "hooked" on the series, with the fun and fantasy. Enjoyable and relaxing!

A teenage boy travels up a winging road along Crooked Brook, to find a sign advertising for an apprentice of a wizard of the pyromancy disciple. He, Douglas Brightglade, applies, and is soon put to work learning what is needed to be a good pyromancer.

Soon, Dead Winter, a very cold winter, sets in. The people of Dukedom begin to starve and freeze. Douglas, and his master, Flarman Flowerstalk, set about helping the residents of Valley make it through the winter.

Then the journeys and battles begin...


Don Callander is skilled at showing many sides of the story, not just the main character's point of view. Chapters in the book are even from the point of view of the lesser-evil characters. I believe that this is so that the reader can see the stark contrast between them, and the pure evil king, who is so evil that there isn't a point of view from even him.

I loved this book, It takes a while to get into it, but once you are it is a wonderful story, makes me wish I lived in a land where such powerful magic existed, I can't wait o read Aquamancer :)

This book is one of the novels that I like the best! I usually don't read novels very often, but I made an exception for this book. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down! I've always been a fan of fantasy and sci-fi books, so I really liked Pyromancer, because it has a lot of fantasy elements in it. Basically this book is about Douglas Brightglade, a young boy who's chosen by Flarman Flowerstalk to be an apprentice Pyromancer. A Pyromancer is basically a fire wizard who conjures and controls all forms of fire. If you like this book, be sure to get the other books, as well!