Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A modern rendition of the classic sword-and-sorcery story, August 9, 2007
I really enjoyed this book. On the surface, it is a standard sword-and-sorcery novel with incredible swordsmen, barbarians, snivelly townsfolk, and evil magicians plotting destruction. But it's more than that: each character is solidly portrayed, with development and growth that is believable.
Each character makes a choice/choices, both good and bad, that have consequences. Some of the decisions of the characters are agonizing to read, because you know they will regret them later. Other decisions are so right, fit so perfectly with the character, that you simply agree with the character and continue reading.
The world is mapped out more by caste than by geography, which is unusual. The various castes are not explicitly defined, but instead are shown to the reader by each character's actions and beliefs. Figuring out exactly what each caste's role is adds another layer to the story.
An improvement over The Mirror Prince, which was also enjoyable but more uneven, this book is good escapist fiction that also shows strong characters with distinct personalities acting according to their nature.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dangerously Fun Fantasy, September 22, 2007
Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
on 09/22/2007
Members of the Mercenary Guild, Partners Dhulyn Wolfshead and Parno Lionsmane are accustomed to danger. Their fighting spirit is summed up in their ritualized parting: "In Battle," to which another Mercenary replies "Or in Death."
When they arrive in the land of Parno's birth, they are shocked to find homicidal hostility toward the Marked--people born an ability to Find, Mend, Heal, or See. Historically, the Marked have been treated as everyday tradespeople, paid for appreciated services. Now, they're being persecuted by priests of the Sleeping God.
Dhulyn has a secret Mark, that of Sight, which is the rarest of the four. Guided by her ability to See, she and Parno take on a commission to deliver a young girl to her family in a city Parno both misses and would rather forget. Their arrival triggers a series of events that could change everything.
In this fully realized fantasy, Violette Malan blends traditional elements with her characters' unique perspectives. Not only are the settings vivid, but the social structure and climes are understandable and believable. Readers will experience this journey as if they were part of it, a sure sign of good fantasy writing.
This novel is a fun read with a great combination of danger, intrigue, humor, and more. The pace only slows long enough for readers to catch a breath before picking up with more action.
Violette Malan's THE SLEEPING GOD is a great choice for good fantasy reading.
4.5-Books
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Ok at best., February 18, 2008
My main issues are with Dhulyn & Parno being billed to among the greatest warriors known ,but there are only a few fight scenes. Malan makes it clear in the book and builds the prowess of the Dhulyn and Parno but just doesn't deliver or back it up enough. The few battle scenes in the book are glossed over and end quickly which doesn't seem to be consistent with her two battle loving main characters. The pacing was also off amd again I have to point to the main characters not being involved in as much action as you might expect. At times the story moves slow enough where a reader could very well lose interest, but luckily the plot is good enough to give it time to unravel. A patient reader will be rewarded.
In the end I can recommend The Sleeping God to those who enjoy a good political intrigue fantasy. The characters and plot are strong enough to make you stick around even if the action that the reader is expecting never materializes. I would not recommend this to anyone who is looking for an action packed slug fest. Overall, Malan manages to pull off an intriguing story of politics, love, and the fate of the world without being clichéd and should not disappoint readers in those aspects.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
