Customer Reviews

The Silent House: Library Edition

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

 

 

This book was not at all what I thought it was. I thought that Ed Greenwood was continuing the storyline. Instead all this book tells me is the family history of a character. Not worth buying.

This was one of those books that was a pure random purchase. My fiance was looking for a new book and picked this one up. She liked the summary on the back so we got it. We went home and she read the first five pages at which point she put the book down and said she couldn't read any more.

This made me curious.

I then proceeded to struggle through the book. I had a very difficult time understanding what was happening sometimes and the switches from past tense to present tense in the same sentence were overwhelming. Much of the way the grammar was presented disturbed me. I am all about interesting writing styles but come on. It should still make sense and be an entertaining read.

And still I trudged on.

I enjoyed the first story about Ravengar and just as I was beginning to like him the story changed to another character. I didn't get into any other character after that. I didn't get into any other story after that although over time everything kind of came together. Kind of, although I could have done without ninety percent of it.

I liked it but it was so difficult for me to read it and feel good about reading it. I remember one thing very fondly from the book. "He spit thoughtfully." That phrase made me feel disconcerted.

Okay, enough chatter.

It was a good book and I recommend it to those who like to read very descriptive and active-moving stories and those that can deal with writing that can confuse you at times.

I do not recommend it to those people that just want to sit back and enjoy a book. This book expects a little more out of you.

I love his other books, but this one was very slow and just never caught my attention. It took forever to read because I kept putting it down. Love his other books, but really didn't like this one.

On Aglirta, resides Silent House, the Silvertree clan ancestral estate. For centuries, the dynasty consistently politically outwitted their foes. However, the real power behind Silvertree is wizardry for this clan consists of the most powerful wizards known on Aglirta. However, not as well known is the price paid for this prowess. Some would say curse, as souls become part of a depository controlled by the Silent House, which over two thousand Sirl Reckoning has become sentient, alive, and protective of its "wards". These are the stories of ten lost souls sheltered by an increasingly intelligent essence.

This exciting anthology provides readers with an engaging look at Aglirta, world of the Band of Four series, but is much more than just a typical sword and sorcery collection. Each tale contains an underlying caution based on Lord Acton's concept that power corrupts, etc. The key characters are often bewildered as to why they did a deed as Ed Greenwood cleverly delves into cause, effect, and after-effect through a person feeling guilt and questioning their motives though acting courageously. These heroes understand they make mistakes and though suffer pangs of sorrow, they can admit errors. Mr. Greenwood is at its best with this fine look at one of his not-Forgotten Realms.

Harriet Klausner

All who love to read Ed Greenwoon should read this fast action book also.