Customer Reviews

The Western Wizard (Renshai Trilogy)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Western Wizard takes off where the Last of the Renshai left off. Even though I had read the first book from the library, I immediately went out and bought the rest of the series, so I wouldn't be left wondering what happened to the characters. This book provides enough explanation from the first book, that it is not necessary to start with the first book, the Last of the Renshai.

I particulary like the fact that the characters have many flaws, and how they react to the situations based on their beliefs and interpetations of the prophesies makes this book a worthwhile read. Who says wizards have to be infallible? Buy it, borrow it, but read it, you won't be disappointed.

The writing style has settled down from the first volume, and I found myself genuinely interested in the protagonists and what would happen next. Unfortunately, so little really happened in the course of this story, I was left with a profound sense of disappointment. Having the next volume handy helped, but the story lacked the sort of coherence you want from the middle volume of a trilogy

After reading the first book in the Renshai series, The Last of the Renshai, I knew I'd be diving into the second book in short order. I was no longer cowed by the enormous size of the books (600+ paperbacks? Sure.. I didn't need those hand muscles), and anxious to see what the world held in store for characters like Colbey, Mitrian, Garn, and more. I needed to know - plus I knew at this point that Reichert wouldn't disappoint me in the action sequences.

I wasn't wrong.

I wasn't sure where the story would go after the deaths that occurred in the end of The Last of the Renshai, but what I began to appreciate as I read this book is just how much ground the "grey" area between good and evil covers. Reichert moves her story away from a prominent good and evil bent and throws in chaos and law - just for the fun of it. All I have to say is.. WOW.

I think this is the first series I've read that deals actively with chaos and law in addition to good and evil. (When I say evil, by the way, don't be thinking "evil" as in evil bad guy - there's a difference in this series.)

I really have come to respect this series. It's a solid story, solid characters, interesting lore (even though Mickey borrows quite liberally from Norse mythology) and the world is one that immediately gives the reader an awe-inspiring sense of just how vast it is.

The third book blew me away even more... but more on that when I write and publish my review of it.

I cannot stress how much I recommend checking this series out. The descriptions of sword-fighting alone make it a series worth looking at, but there is oh-so-much-more than that.

This is a great second book of the series, and what is particularly interesting (MINOR SPOILER) is that the author moves the series along with a character that was not the main character of the first book. There are some interesting concepts here but the series starts to "jump the shark" into the more "magic" based elements of the plot. Still, a great second book, and if you loved the first book, you'll love this one (though I cannot say that about the last book).

Just finished reading the trilogy for the 2d time; again I couldn't put them down. After reading them, I read the Renshai Chronicle trilogy. All six books were just as good as before! Highly recommended for Sci-fi and mythology adherents alike.

For years, I've brought a book with me to work. I often like to get my mind out of the office for a few minutes. When my coworkers take a coffee break (I don't like coffee) so I open a book. I often read at lunch when I'd rather not spend a fortune going out to eat. This series has taken a good habit and stretched it. Now, bringing a book with me to work is becoming a bad habit. My problem is that when my 15 minutes break is done, I can't stop reading! I can bearly break it off after 25 minutes. Fortunately for my career, at the rate I'm blowing through this series, I'll be back to normal break lengths soon. But in the meantime, I can't put it down. Highly recommended, as long as you can afford to lose 20-30 minutes when you only set time aside for 10. Good luck, and good reading!

It took me kind of long to finish this book. But from start to finish this book did have enough adventure and mystery. Is Colbey more than he says he is? Well read the book and find out.

Although not fresh in my mind, I read this book over 5 years ago, I wanted to express my gratitude to the author for a wonderful story. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy reading and getting into the character's minds, but I learned about 100 new vocabulary words. Sounds silly, I know, but the writing in some of these fantasy books leaves something to be desired. The writing was smoothe, poetic-like, and descriptive, but it didn't drive you crazy like some of James Michner's works, it transports you into the world of the Renshai. Coming from a film background, if I were a director, I would seriously consider turning this into a script and giving Star Wars a run for its money. Mickey, excellent stuff. --Alex 29

this book was great! I like it that these charecters usaully act like real people. They make mistakes and they get over it (sometimes in other books charecters make mistakes and go on and on about it).

I realize that it was part of the story but I could never forgive Mr. Reichert for killing off Rache. As a result of this one action at the end of the last book I read alot of my own personal feeling intothis book and could somehow never get past them.

Overall-Remember not to take the death of a major charecter personally when reading this one.