Customer Reviews

Waymaker

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

 

 

Five years ago I read a book named Gideon's Dawn. The imagery was powerful and the story line was great, not to mention unique. To my dismay, I realized that the sequel to Gideon's Dawn was not yet available. However, I am now glad to say that Waymaker is available. Not only that, but it was worth the wait! Waymaker re-submerses the reader in the world of Gideon and the the Inherited Lands. Waymaker resumes right where Gideon's Dawn left readers hanging years ago and is a gripping, non-stop journey the whole way through. I am anxiously awaiting the third and final installment next spring, The Word Within. I HIGHLY recommend this book. If you enjoyed Gideon's Dawn, or enjoy the fantasy genre, you will like Waymaker.

Years ago, Michael Warden put out a deeply realized fantasy novel called "Gideon's Dawn." His characters were flawed and believable, making it a memorable beginning to what readers hoped would be a great trilogy. Then, due to publishing snags, the second book never came.

Now, at last, "Waymaker" is available to all, and I was first in line to buy a copy. With the detailed glossary in the back, I was able to jump back into Warden's world without too much trouble. The story kicks off with a fantastic battle at sea, then draws us along with the Waymaker, Gideon Dawning, and his ragtag crew, as they make their way on an epic journey while opposed by nearly all they come across.

There are scenes in this book that you'll never forget, great fights and sorcery, and the ultimate power of the Words. The layers are multiple, with Hebrew and Latin phrases worked into a biblically true yet never overt theme. Despite a few minor spelling and editing errors, this is a fantastic book and the cover and layout look great! I cannot wait for the third in the series, and I'm thrilled to see Warden's Words being brought to life.

"Waymaker" continues where "Gideon's Dawn" left off. The suspense builds and the action increases as the characters deepen. As with book one of this trilogy the subject matter is brilliant. Some surprises show up in Waymaker which keep you staying up late, turning the pages as quickly as possible.

I did have an issue with this book but since I don't want to give anything away I'll only mention that Ajel is involved and it's so blatantly ridiculous that you'll find yourself a bit miffed while reading it. The concern was so out of character for Ajel that it needs to be rewritten for future printings.

How in the world am I going to be able to wait for book three? Word has it that it may be til the Fall of 09 before it's release. I've made a commitment to myself not to read any trilogies until all three books are in print. Since I broke my own rule, I'll have to suffer.

Here is my review of book one. It fits here just the same.

**

Rarely does a work of fiction have such depth! Sure there's adventure, peril, fighting, danger, companionship, evil, suspense, bizarre creatures and all the other elements you'd expect in a good fantasy story but "Gideon's Dawn" goes way beyond these things. Where one person could read the book and merely be entertained another could read it and be changed forever. That's where the genius comes in. A Biblical worldview (for lack of a better term) is interwoven in the story without ever coming across as preaching a message. Therefore this is not only a great book for those who follow Christ but also for those who do not.

It is not an allegory but it has many allegorical aspects woven into that story.

The writing style is easy to read and free of all the detailed descriptions that many fantasy books contain. You won't have to learn a new language and the glossary in the back of the book helps with a few things you may forget as the story progresses. The characters are alive and each has their own interesting personalities and gifts. Gideon is a confused young man and therefore is troubled, causing him to be a man of contradictions. Warden pulls it off beautifully although I must say on a few occasions I'd of liked to grab Gideon by the collar and shake some sense into him.

"Gideon's Dawn" has been compared to "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" but this reader believes "Gideon's Dawn" is better. Much better.

1 Star = Pathetic

2 Stars = Fair

3 Stars = Good

4 Stars = Excellent

5 Stars = Life changing

After reading Gideon's dawn, I was very eager to read the next book in the series. I was disappointed when the publication date changed! I followed the author's website and blog and the minute Waymaker was available I ordered it. And it was worth the wait! I loved the book. The characters are well written and developed, new lands and people are introduced and Gideon continues on his journey. I just pray that the third book in the series comes quickly!

It took reading over 100 pages in the first book before I got caught up in the reading of it. I have really enjoyed the message from Gideon's Dawn and Waymaker, and find it frustrating that the third and final book has not been released yet. I have passed the books on to my daughter who tried to read first but just couldn't get into it, but I encouraged her to give it a try and stick with it a little longer. It is well worth the read, and I will recommend them to all. Thanks!

I really enjoyed this book, right up there with Ted Dekkers Red, Black and White and Lord of the Rings. I thought it would never come out after finding the 1st book several years ago on the clearance rack. The Characters are great and there is lots of action. I would recomend this book to anyone that enjoys a exciting read. I am a slow reader and usually take a long time to read any book, but I totally couldn't put this one down and read it in record time! Great book! Can't wait for the final !!

First I'll speak to the physical book itself. It was bound well. The print, however, was blurry (doubled but not directly on top of the previous) so it was horribly hard to read. At the beginning of paragraphs where there should have been one large letter, the first letter of the word, it was generally missing altogether. I have bought a number of self-published books over the years and though they cost more I am happy to do so, but never have I received one of such poor printing quality.

Now, to the story. I love Michael Warden's writing. I enjoy his creativity and his wordsmithing. I found the story a captivating continuation of Gideon's Dawn and had a very hard time setting the book down (though I had to because the blurry print gave me a headache). I wasn't at all disappointed with the content of Waymaker and was in fact impressed with the depth of the story and the beautiful descriptiveness that allowed me to enter the Inherited Lands and their surroundings with ease.

Having recently become aware of Michael Warden's work as an author, I was delighted to be able to purchase the first two books of his Pearlsong Refounding trilogy.

His first book, Gideon's Dawn, introduces us to the main character, Gideon Dawning. I was immediately drawn into his story, which takes us on a fascinating journey through the Inherited Lands and introduces us to characters who are compelling and complex. Mr. Warden's rich descriptions bring both characters and the world they inhabit to life in such a way that reading becomes an experience in which everything is almost tangible.

The sequel, Waymaker, is a worthy continuation of the adventure. There is nothing here to disappoint. All of the previously introduced characters grow in ways that are natural to their individual and collective experiences as the story progresses. Picking up where the first book left off, we learn that Gideon Dawning is perhaps not quite who we thought he would be. There are surprises, old and new enemies, as well as old and new friends. The pace is fast, and flows well.

The Pearlsong Refounding series is worthy of purchasing two sets - one to keep and one to lend to everyone you know.

The third book in the series, The Word Within, is hopefully to be released sometime in 2009. I am eagerly awaiting its release and will definitely be getting my hands on a copy as soon as it is available.

This was really excellent. I had been waiting a great deal of time for this novel and I was not disappointed in the least. The characters are what struck me the most. We get not only the development of our heroes, terrifying enemies, shocking character twists, and mysterious new beings, but also a deeper glimpse into the lives and trials of the Council Lords and their families. The Council dynamics and politicking felt as genuine and devious as those masterfully detailed in Roger Zelazny's "Amber Chronicles".

The battles are epic and imaginative. I found myself "seeing" everything so easily that I would often forget I was reading at all; descriptions were brief but so vividly effective.

Also after reading Gideon's Dawn, you may have noticed a hint provided about the origins of the languages of power, Dei'Lo and Sa'Lei. I was personally itching to get confirmation of my suspicions in Waymaker and I was not let down. Knowledgeable readers will be delighted to learn the true origin of one of these languages in this sequel. I'll say no more on that topic other than to advise you to keep your eyes open. ;)

Michael Warden, who has been alleged by some of being a Stephen R. Donaldson mimic, has delightfully and effectively diverged from the Donaldson-like story in Waymaker. Despite the similarities of Gideon's Dawn to Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, they are BOTH certainly worth the read. I actually prefer Warden's story to that of Donaldson. Waymaker is icing on the cake. If you prefer hope to the absolute despair of Thomas Covenant, go with Gideon Dawning. As for "The Word Within?" I'll have my finger on the "pre-order" button until release day.

I was very dissapointed in Warden's second book. The first book, Gideon's Dawn, was incredible. I couldn't put it down. You could tell Warden put his heart and soul into it. But as I started the second book, something was missing. I thought, "Well, maybe it's me. Maybe it's where I am at, and the condition of my heart." Just to give him the benefit of the doubt. But as I continued to read, after some time, it just wasn't there. The chapters seem empty and lifeless. I was very dissapointed.