Customer Reviews

Winged Assassin

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This book at first bored me to tears. I read through the first "book" (its separated into three main sections or "books") twice before I could slog through the rest of it. I had the intention of selling this book back to a resale shop but after slogging through it, much to my surprise it turned into a really entertaining story that I couldn't put down! The plot at first seemed to be very predictable but all that changed once the main charecter gains (a little) maturity once hes older. Other reviewers have said that this writers style is cold or weak, however, it seems less "cold" and "weak" but more toward a style that is fitting of the charecters and their environments and religious leanings- they aren't very overly romantic nor overly emotional but they have enough to keep you interested and know what theyre thinking.



Another thing- many of the reviewers keep calling the charecter "gay", he isn't. He is more bisexual or pansexual than anything- enjoying the company of men as much and as often as he does women. Just a small irk of mine since writers and people tend to view things in black and white (gay or straight) and forget that people in between exist- like the main charecter here.



Anyhow, this book isn't and never will be one of the greats, but its definitely worth reading and it is going in my book collection as I thoroghly enjoyed reading it. Oh, and a previous reviewer states that the ending had many open knots and could have been longer. Thats probably because it IS longer and the knots are left there for a reason- its the first in a trilogy! (and also, longer does not necessarily mean better...)

After reading the barely professional and very trite "The Mask of the Wizard" I did not expect much from this later book and decided to read it only to see my opinions confirmed.

I have to admit that the plot is excellent and the pace of the story fairly good. Besides, the main character is gay: the two women he craves for are a girl who despises him and the avatar of an all powerful goddess (how is someone supposed to resist a divine female, gay or not?) and this added to the interest.

It is hardly to be expected, though, for Ms Cooke to have turned into a decent writer. Her writing is as neat as it is cold, it pushes the story on well but it stirs no real emotion.
Characters lack depth, interesting emotional issues are sadly neglected. The love between the hero and the emperor (a potentially wonderful character) is stated and sometimes described, but curtly and icily. Many plot points feel like they would have welcomed further discussion.

In the hands of a competent writer (I am thinking about Lynn Flewelling) this could have been a much longer and better book. As it is it has left me dissatisfied, the many open knots of the ending so much the worse for it.