Customer Reviews

The Black Prism (Lightbringer)

5 star:		(77)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Excellent book. While I had issues with the Night Angel series (assassins were essentially supermen in that world), the plot, plot twists, and some of the characterization was good enough to add him to my list of authors to read.

The Black Prism, well, is even better. Fantastic world building, good magic system, and amazingly good plot. Best high fantasy novel I've read this year, hands down. Some parts of the plot figuratively floored me, and he definitely doesn't move the characters OR the plot in the direction that you anticipate after the first 150 pages. In this regard, it's similar to the Night Angel series: the reader builds up an expectation of how everything is going to pan out, and then he shakes it all around, and beats you over your head with your own expectation. It's frustrating not being able to talk about it here, but I hate people that blow spoilers for me.

I think it accomplishes a light-based magic system better than the one used in Brandon Sanderson's Warbringer - though that novel had an appeal all of its own as well.

Highly, highly recommended.

The Black Prism by Brent Weeks is his fourth book and first in an original new series. Brent Weeks has over the last year become one of my favorite authors. I have read his original three books in the Night Angel Trilogy several times now and I have read through The Black Prism once. I am starting to get a good feel for his style. What makes Brent Weeks so engaging as an author isn't his world creation skills or intricate magic systems, which are by no means bad, but his interaction with the reader. Quickly becoming Brent's hallmark is the ironic interplay between what I call the "blind reveal" and the "open secret" welded together with great dialogue and characters.

The oxymoron, open secret, I define as a secret known to the reader but not the characters in the book. The narratives inhabitants are often family members or friends close enough to be siblings. The meat of the fiction is how these characters interact. Needless to say, each of the characters, through a variety of story telling tricks, always end up with massive secrets that are withheld from their compatriots for a variety of reason. These secrets are often of the life changing and world shattering variety but the characters always feel they are doing what is best by keeping the secret. As the reader, you rage at the book in frustration, beseeching the characters for one iota of honesty with those that they call friend, family and/or wife/husband. These secrets compound as every character seems to accrue several and each secret affects the characters web of relationships.

It is at this level that Brent creates such an engaging cast of characters. The level of interplay needed to keep these secrets is intense and Brent captures it in brilliant detail. What is more, through the burden of these secrets you get to see into the core of each character and find what drives them. Do they take the easy way out. Do they take the higher path. These secrets are a figurative crucifixion of the novel's characters and you get to witness how they breakdown under the telamonic burden. Have no illusion, Brent crushes his characters into their component parts only to reassemble them later in the novel. But in this way, you as the reader gain such a fascinating insight into each of the characters. You know both how and why they tick and they become ever so real as a result.

Now, the dramatic irony comes into play with the second oxymoron of the pairing: blind reveal. As you grow engrossed with the secrets each character carries you begin to feel a level of control. You start to feel as if you know where the novel is going to go. You know these characters so well. That my dear reader cannot stand. After all, if you get too comfortable you may get bored. It is at this point that Brent strikes. Because, it is not only the narrative residents that have secrets...Brent has some as well that you don't know. It is these secrets that Brent thrusts up from the pages and skewers your mind. I am quite sure I have heard his manic cackling while I figuratively wriggle in mental distress. In a single page, the entire stream of the story can shift. The reader is left foundering trying to cope and readjust.

These two components, the blind reveal and open secret, combine to create what I find so appealing in Brent's work: anticipation. You know something is going to happen. You wait for it. You are mentally tense. You thumb the next page with tingling anticipation waiting for the bomb to drop. It is utterly engrossing.

I have wanted to immediately re-read every one of Brent's books after I finished them just to see if I could guess some of these blind reveals through small innocuous clues. What keeps the re-reads so enjoyable is Brent's ability to create such entertaining characters; each with their own quirks and foibles. Karris' paranoia about her shoulders is priceless. I would also like to mention that I think Brent is the best male writer of female characters I have ever read. I am tempted to think he has a woman ghost write for him. Going along with the great characters is memorable and unique dialog for each character. When the characters speak in the narrative you feel as if it is truly the characters speaking, not Brent.

The Black Prism is a really enjoyable read. I have not spoken of the setting, or magic systems, etc and that is for a reason. Those are immaterial next to simply flat out great storytelling found in this book. This book could have been set anywhere and been great. Yes there is magic and adventure. Yes there are muskets and cannons. Yes there is numerology and mysticism. These are all important but what should be foremost is the glee that this is another Brent Weeks book. A book where you can see Brent starting to take his craft to the next level.

For the unawares, this is the start of a new series from author Brent Weeks, who wrote the highly acclaimed Night Angel trilogy. (The trilogy has my own personal acclaim as well. Hmm, that doesn't sound right.) I know some of us (ahem, me) were excited at the possible prospect of a new series that followed old and new characters a couple of decades later in the timeline. And when I first heard about the release of a new book, I immediately assumed this was the case. I admit to a big wave of disappointment when I heard it was in an all-new world with all-new characters. I even sulked a bit. (Okay, a lot.)

But guess what isn't a disappointment? Go ahead. Guess.

Well, that's true, but I was actually referring to The Black Prism.

The Black Prism follows the Prism Gavin Guile (the Prism is the religious leader-like the Pope) as he attempts to complete five great purposes before his death in five years. The world is composed of the Seven Satrapies, and the Chromeria where drafters-magic-users-are trained in service of the Satrapies, the Prism being the most powerful drafter of all. Sixteen years ago, the Prism fought and defeated his brother in a civil war to attain his title, and now the satrapy Tyrea, who sided with the losing brother, is attempting to declare independence. In Tyrea, Kip's hometown is destroyed by the cruel new king, and the ungainly, hapless young man becomes a part of the powerful events that are about to shatter the Seven Satrapies.

It would be too easy, too uncomplicated to say that this book is awesome, and it wouldn't do justice to Weeks' craft. But I'll say it anyway. This book...IS AWESOME!! There have been too many times where I have opened a new series in a new world by an author well-known for one particular fantasy world. And I have been disappointed. If the characters are well-done, the world almost never is. Or both. It reads palely in comparison to that other world I loved. And I can say, reading the first chapter from the online excerpt, I feared the same lackluster results. The world seemed uncomfortable and awkward, and I didn't even feel like continuing the next two chapters included in the excerpt. It's not that the events of the beginning don't fit with the rest of the book; the writing itself doesn't seem as smooth. I suspect this is in part my sulkiness at the lack of more Night Angel books. The other part is probably that Weeks really writes his characters, and Kip is an awkward character, especially at first.

Despite his awkwardness, however, Kip develops into a fantastic character. All of them, even the secondary and tertiary characters, are tantalizingly near real. In this regard, I found TBP to surpass the NAT. In fact, as much as I love the NAT (and that's quite a gigantonormous amount), Weeks has obviously grown as a writer and TBP is more polished and more well-paced than the NAT. Though at first I had trouble getting into the story, once I really got into it (about 200 pages in) I was an addict. Almost a color wight. About to break the halo. (Not ready to be Freed, though.) Okay, enough Black Prism references. Anyway, there are many things about this world, especially the Chromeria and drafting, that are somewhat hard to explain. In fact, any dedicated in-book explanation would amount to boring, excessive exposition and I might have never finished the book. But this, I think, is what made it difficult for me to become engrossed; I wasn't addicted until I had a firm grasp on the idea of chromaturgy. So, if you're not as slow as me, you'll become engrossed within the first page or three.

One really frustrating aspect for me was the excessive difficulty the competent and incompetent characters alike had with the challenges that arose to meet them. Sure, nobody wants the protagonist to march in and save the princess because he brought an anachronistic tommy gun to a Really Big Stick fight. Unforeseen difficulties and a character's lack of experience add real tension to the narrative. But after a certain point it becomes too frustrating when seemingly nothing goes according to plan. Ever. I'm not complaining too much, because it does up the excitement factor and it removes easy predictability of events, but it also creates a semi-predictability in its own way.

Speaking of irony, there is some serious dramatic irony in this book. Just sayin'. It adds to the humor sparkled throughout. As was pointed out to me just now, it may be ironic that it sounds as if I found too much fault with this book. But I truly, immensely enjoyed it. It's well-paced, well-written, well-characterized...er, full of great characters. Kip is a unique character in many ways yet exceptionally relatable, and the magic (luxin) and magic system (chromaturgy) stands out from magic systems I've seen in other fantasy worlds. The fight scenes are some of the best I've ever read, as with the NAT. They are somehow easy to follow, yet not so simple as to be boring. Ultimately, this book takes it to another level that even the NAT didn't reach, and for all my trepidations and small qualms, I expect this to be a new favorite series. It's well worth the time, long or short, it will take you to read the 640 or so pages. (So is the NAT if you have yet to read it because you're a blind kangaroo.)

Oh yeah, it ends on something of a cliffhanger.

And I don't expect the next book will be released anytime soon.

As a preemptive disclaimer: I've put THE BLACK PRISM down for now. I read a very healthy chunk of the book, but it just wasn't for me. I'm not going to say that it's a bad book, because it's not, but for anyone who was taken by the trials, tribulations and hard-hitting action that defined The Night Angel Trilogy, you'll find it only by doing a bit of digging.

THE BLACK PRISM, like THE NIGHT ANGEL TRILOGY, is very unique in its own right. Fantasy is growing to a point where you either write about orcs and elves, or you don't. Weeks doesn't, and he knows this. The first chapter is almost a big middle finger to conventional fantasy, and the second chapter sends you hurdling, head first, into the world of the Seven Satrapies (where south is the new north, according to the map).

The basic, basic premise is that there is unrest growing in the lands, as a king declares his independence by way of massacring one of his own towns. This tyrant hopes to send a message that any oversight by the ruling authority of the land, the Chromeria, would be ultimately in vain. But the destruction of this village acts as a catalyst that sends the rest of the plot in motion, bringing the Emperor together with his bastard son in what is possibly the worst case of bad timing ever.

There you go. But, now, when I say that Weeks sends you hurdling, head first, into his world, I really mean that. Most fantasy authors use a slow build, to casually introduce their universe to their readers at a certain pace so that it's all easy to assimilate for later recollection. Weeks does not believe in this. Within the first few chapters, you will be hit with the same monologues that were so prevalent in his last trilogy, that spell out almost everything you need to know, and several things you'd never need to know.

Maybe it's just me, but I literally got a headache trying to sort everything out. Who's the White, and what's a wight? What's a monochrome, bichrome, polychrome, superchromat? What's a Prism? What's that weapon she's wielding? An ataghan? Casting red does this, and casting green does this? Why are there guns, and why does everyone insist on using bow and arrows regardless? Why is this town even being attacked again?

If you haven't read the book, and none of those terms initially make any sense out of context, be prepared to wander in ignorance for a good 100 pages because you won't really get a good explanation until then. I was almost halfway done with the book, and I was still feeling the need to turn back and reread what all of that stuff meant. This book is in dire need of a glossary. Experiencing a new world shouldn't be that much of a chore.

And, as a gamer, I pretty much derailed completely when I saw that one of his characters was named Andross. Made me want to put the book down, do a couple barrel rolls, and get back to reading when it was out of my system.

On top of it all, I didn't really care for how the story involves yet another very powerful warrior who takes on an orphaned apprentice. I thought I had just read that in THE NIGHT ANGEL TRILOGY.

Brent Weeks is certainly no dummy, but his writing makes it sound that maybe he thought his own world was too complicated. The perspective in this story is very much limited to the characters it follows, so it makes it very hard to get all of the details to a reader. Because when you're experiencing a story inside of the character's head, a character knows everything already, they have no reason to suddenly recall details about their own town, its history, the reason that building on that street is there in the first place. The fact that the characters DO participate in this made everything very uneven, when suddenly someone starts giving a history lesson that spans pages - and this happens very often.

I'm giving this book three stars because despite all of this (probably meritless) ranting, the story held my attention much longer than it should have, given how picky I can be. Weeks has a way with characters, with making them real, believable, easy to sympathize with. If he wants you to feel his characters' pain, then you'll very soon be experiencing that. And despite its steep learning curve, the magic system is terribly unique and fun to visualize. If those two factors alone form the basis for the coming books in the series, I have no doubt that these books will do very well, if not better than THE NIGHT ANGEL TRILOGY.

But for me, I'm setting it aside - for now. I might pick it up in the future, but it might be awhile.

I guess I am a victim of my own expectations for this novel. I loved the first two books of Night Angel, but felt the trilogy lost strength in its finale. Weeks was brilliant when writing a small number of characters in gritty, brutal situations. However, as the story progressed to the typical epic fantasy level of kings and kingdoms and more complex magic/world building, Weeks writing lost steam. And unfortunately this is where Black Prism continues.

Strengths: Gavin Guile is a very interesting character. In one chapter you will like and admire the man and in the next those feelings turn to loathing. His protrayal is highly dichotamous but believable. It will be interesting to see who he really is as the series unfolds. Kip on the other hand is less likeable. He is the fantasy cliche of small village boy who is really more than he seems. However, he is not the fantasy cliche in that he is fat, awkward, not all that smart, and lacks much of any quality to make you root for him. I cant decide if this is refreshing or if I really didnt enjoy his chapters.

Weaknesses: the magic system. People called prisms have abilities to take various colors of light and turn it into luxin, a plastic like substance. Different colors of luxin have different properties. Its not that the idea isnt creative, it just felt that the execution was lacking. For some reason, I wasnt able to suspend belief and buy into the magic. Instead it was awkward and distracting. Pages are spent delving into the "magic" of luxin rather than delving into characters and plot. I prefer the magic system to be subservient to the character development and plot of a novel, not the other way around.

I admit I may have enjoyed this book more if I didnt go into it with such high expectations. I dont think Weeks is playing to his strengths with this novel. As a big fan, I sincerely hope Weeks leaves the epic and magical focus of fantasy and writes the desparate, gritty, character focused fantasy I so enjoyed from him.

I hate when I do this to myself. I get really into a brand new series, find out I love it, and have to wait months for the next book. It's the very definition of masochism. I'm not sure that's a word and I don't care.

I picked up this book on a whim after it was suggested to me by Amazon.Com while I was re-reading and re-ordering Joe Abercrombie's novels. It turns out it was a great decision. The book is full of amazing characters, and action that does not seem to stop. I'm still not really sure who can be defined as the "bad guy" and I'm not sure I give a bakers shite. I'm certain there is a lot of other reviews that explain the plot of the novel so I'll just say that the current "Prism" in this novel is such a deep character that I found myself hanging on to every word the guy said.

I know this review isn't that good. I'm sorry. Just buy the novel. It's awesome. You will not regret starting this series.

Loved this. Just what high fantasy should be. Creative magic system, well developed world, and deep, strong characters, plus a little smart-assery thrown in. Perfect.

It's definitely not pap. There's plenty of darkness to the heroes and much to sympathize with in the villains. Sometimes the bad guys win and the good guys lose--assuming there's a clear distinction between the two that time. But overall you've left feeling satisfied and well entertained at the end. And hungry for the next one.

A really enjoyable novel. The storyline was interesting and kept you on your toes with many unexpected turns. Only negative I have was for me one of the twists (Dazen/Gavin) was delivered in a confusing manner, and made me read that particular part a couple of times to confirm what was going on (after this Weeks, used the twist skilfully to add to the characters and give them added depth which was good)

I loved the Night Angel Trilogy (NAT), and I started this fully aware that it was a different story line. I really had high hopes, but in the end I was disappointed. I read a lot, and this was the most disappointing book I've read in a long time. I gave it 3 stars because it's reasonably well written, but the overall effect was flat. Not *terrible*, but if I had it to do over...I wouldn't.

Why?

First, and fundamentally, the system of magic Weeks developed for this book is unrealistic (not that I'm looking for realism or even verisimilitude in a fantasy book). The idea is clever, a system of magic based on the light spectrum. The realization of it comes off as if people are able to create "plastic things" at will. Complex mechanisms, structures, art and weapons are called forth from the "luxin", and I can't get away from imagining cheap plastic goods like you get at the local discount store. There is no mystery, no having to come to understand the magic. The historical aspect of the magic is undeveloped and only serves to further thin the concept. Too much time is spent on talking about how "drafters" are segmented/classified by the part of the spectrum they can draft with no real purpose in mind other than to talk about the magic.

The characters are reasonably well developed, but I don't like them. I can't decide if I'm supposed to hate or love "Gavin" (the one not in prison), but the setup for the switch was pretty transparent. Kip bugs me, not only does he spend a lot of time feeling sorry for himself, but he's annoying too. I liked Karris and the General, but they are relatively minor characters (not to mention that Karris seems to have been a bit flighty in her affections).

Toward the end I rushed through the book just to finish it so I could move on. I don't think I'll be reading any more of this series.

... the book is not as good as the average Amazon rating (4.6/5.0) would make you believe.

I consider myself to be a fan of the Night Angel Trilogy (NAT). I thoroughly enjoyed the first two, not so much the final book. I found the NAT to be paced well and I enjoyed the more adult-like dialog not present in many fantasy books.

The Black Prism focuses on three main characters:

Gavin is the current Lord Prism, a drafter (i.e. magic user) that can use all spectrums of light. He is intelligent, good looking, and witty. I found Gavin to be the most enjoyable of all the main characters to read.

Liv is a 'student' at the Chromeria, the only magic school in the world. She was a childhood friend of Kip's and is seventeen years old. Liv is beautiful, charismatic, and poor. I found Liv a so-so read overall.

Kip is an orphan, fat, uncoordinated, insecure, and timid. He is fifteen years old and the would-be hero of the story. Out of all the main characters, Kip was by far the most awkward to read. I ended up dreading whenever a chapter with Kip was next.

The story begins with Kip's village being destroyed, which eventually leads to him studying under Gavin with Liv as a tutor of sorts. The pace is fast and there are a number of gritty scenes reminiscent of NAT. The magic system is based on light. Certain individuals, drafters, can manipulate certain spectrums (red, green, etc) and convert the energy (radiation/heat) into a physical manifestation (luxin). Each type of luxin has a different characteristic (e.g. red is typically associated with heat/fire). Although the magic system is unique I think it would of been interesting to see the strength of the magic dependent upon the wavelength of the spectrum (i.e. a very small wavelength - ultraviolet - would produce much stronger magic compared to large wavelengths - red, sub-red).

The main issue I have with the book is Kip. There is nothing interesting about him. He is extremely annoying and painful to read. I don't care if he is an orphan. I don't care if he is fat. I don't care if he is insecure. What I care about is how interesting he is to read. When the main character starts to sob because a large man stares at him, I ponder if I should really finish the book. It reminds me of Tad Williams main character, Simon, in Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. He was absolutely horrid to read for the same reason Kip is. It gives a YA feel to the book (although, as previously stated, there are gritty scenes). Kip feels like he should be 11-12, whereas Liv feels like she should be 20+. I had a hard time imagining Liv as a seventeen year old.

Overall I found the pacing, world, and magic system to be sufficient, but not overly amazing. Good, but not great. The major kicker is Kip. I just can't stand him. Anyone who enjoyed NAT and Simon from Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn will probably love this book.

But not me.