Customer Reviews

Six of Swords

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

 

 

Six of Swords is actually the first book in a series of 5 fantasy novels about Irissa, a magical seeress, and Kendric, a typical "I wouldn't touch magic with a ten foot pole," sword-swinging type of guy. Unfortunately, the author appears to have switched publishers in the middle of the series. The third book, "Keepers of Edanvant" is labelled as book one of the "Sword and Circlet" series. If anyone has made the unfortunate mistake of picking up "Keepers of Edanvant" as I did, it quickly becomes obvious that certain necessary elements are missing. "Six of Swords" as well as "Exiles of the Rynth" supply those necessary elements. "Six of Swords" explains how Irissa and Kendric met one another as well as the evil wizard, who became their nemesis throughout the rest of the series. This is the story about how all of their adventures began. I found it in a book store after it was out of print; chances are you can find it too.

I was amazed to read the previous reviews for this book. I am an avid reader of fantasy novels, this book and the series is easily my favourite. It is not an easy read, and you do have to concentrate, but that is part of the attraction. I love the way she writes. It is very formal and I think is fitting with the imagined time-frame. My favourite line is "Now the only riddle I wish to unravel is the intricacies of your silken belt -". It is a beautifully written book, and I highly recommend it.

Ambitious beyond its reach, this book fails mainly in two areas. First, the plot is so threadbare as to be nonexistent; I'm used to writers not spelling things out, instead leaving it for the reader to pick up piecemeal, but by 200 pages in one still doesn't quite know what the problem is, or worse, what the two main characters are doing about it other than stumbling around. Secondly, Douglas' prose leaves a lot to be desired. Consider the following sentence: "He glanced at Irissa's withdrawn profile, her closed lashes lying like a massed army of dark barbs across the peaceful valley of her eye sockets."

And there's more besides, at least half of which sounds like it could win a Bulwer-Lytton contest. In fact, the entire last three or four chapters of the book are so laden with bad prose and utterably dull situations (which are meant to be 'riveting') that the best descriptor of the book I can imagine is "tedious."

Avoid this book at all costs.

One of only 2-3 books in my life that I've just thrown down with disgust. Starts promisingly, but very poor writing and poorly-detailed events make for a confusing, uninteresting book. I was shocked and horrified when this led to a series, and take my revenge now, years later, by stating that this was clearly the product of a new writer, needed serious editing, and probably should never have been accepted for publication.

Arlight, this was one of the worst books ever. I bought this book 2 years ago in a used book store and I started reading. I have been going through novels so quickly. I find a book mini if it's under 300 pages.

I have tried to read it about 3 times. The last time I made it *almost* to the end! It's...to put it simply 'boring to the point of sleeping' so, don't read it! It stinks!

A densely written, almost surrealistic novel of journeys within journeys. Characterizations are very real--people we know, reacting to problems and dangers in ways we understand. The craft is exceptional--words, people, plot and country are all woven with magic for the reader. At later readings, the deeper meanings of the search shine through, reminiscent in some ways of LeGuin's Earthsea Trilogy, yet separate. Yet here again are the confrontations with self and with pride, dark magic and the consuming quest for power. And again, the real story is the journey, and not the destination.

Personally, I got this book from my older sister, and I loved it. I thought the metaphors and imagery were very original, and the way everything was organized was interesting, if uncomplicated. Overall, I recommend this book to anyone with an open mind and a love of new and different things, even if this is an old book. If anyone knows what the rest of the series is, please write and tell me, I want to know what happens. Please send to NightAngel@starspath.com.

Somebody gave me this book as a gift. The synopsis on the back cover was intriguing. The idea of a world where magic was disappearing sounded like it would make a great book. Unfortunately, while the idea was good, the execution was terrible. I almost put this book down several times. If I wasn't one of those people who have to finish a book once it's started, I would have given up early on. First of all, the writing is dreadful. I was so confused at times as to what was going on as well as what was being talked about. The interaction of the wooden characters was terrible. This included ridiculous sounding dialogue as well as no sense of connection between the characters. I didn't know what they were talking about half the time. Then there were the author's awful similes and metaphors. I have never read anything so artificial...they were so bad that they actually disrupted the flow of the writing. My brain would just stumble over them...I actually went back a few times to make sure I hadn't read them wrong. I hadn't. Throughout the book, there was only a vague sense of plot. I kinda knew what the characters were working towards, I just wasn't sure why. The reader never gets and understanding of the world or the motivations of the characters. It made for very difficult and very unenjoyable reading.

As I sit here with my friends, watching the Lord Of The Rings, Two Towers, I remember how hard tolkien was to get through. Took me five tries before I got through the hobbit...but this book, was by far, the worst of all the thousands of books I've ever read.

I tried reading this book for nearly 15 years before I finally got through it. It was probably the most painful experience I have ever fought through, and if I hadn't been so determined to get my "money's worth" out of a book I had bought, I would have given up in disgust the first time.

Do NOT attempt to read this book. Do not waste any time, effort or energy on even trying to make sense of it. The fact that it turned into a series is beyond the pale of imagination. If you already have bought this book, or have tried to read it, please, I beg you, don't waste your time the way I wasted mine...burn the book at your earliest convenience (after all, if you threw it away, someone might find it in the trash and be tempted to waste their valuable time on it).

I started reading fiction at age 7, and for years would swallow an entire novel every day. I suppose another reason why I tried to hard to finish this book was because I couldn't believe that there was a book in existence I couldn't bear to read...in the end, I struggled through it, but it was a thorough waste of time and it embarasses me that my pride led me to such folly.

I enjoyed this book a great deal, it was well written, imaginative, & challenging.