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Fortress in the Eye of Time (Fortress Series, 1)

4.6 out of 5 stars (386)
3.9 on Goodreads
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Book details

  1. Book 1 of 5
    Fortress
  2. Print length
    773 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    EOS
  5. Publication date
    February 1, 2001
  6. Dimensions
    4.19 x 1.18 x 6.75 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0061056898
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0061056895
  9. See all details
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Book overview

Deep in an abandoned, shattered castle, an old man of the Old Magic muttered almost forgotten words. His purpose -- to create out of the insubstance of the air, from a shimmering of light and a fluttering of shadows. that most wonderous of spells, a Shaping. A Shaping in the form of a, young man who will be sent east on the road the old was to old to travel. To right the wrongs of a long-forgotten wizard war, and call new wars into being. Here is the long-awaited major new novel from one of the brightest stars in the fantasy and science fiction firmament.C.J.Cherryh's haunting story of the wizard Mauryl, kingmaker for a thousand years of Men, and Tristen, fated to sow distrust between a prince and his father being. A tale as deep as legend and a intimate as love, it tells of a battle beyond Time, in which all Destiny turns on the wheel of an old man's ambition, a young man's innocence, and the unkept promised of a king to come.

From the Back Cover

Deep in an abandoned, shattered castle, an old man of the Old Magic muttered almost forgotten words. His purpose -- to create out of the insubstance of the air, from a shimmering of light and a fluttering of shadows. that most wonderous of spells, a Shaping. A Shaping in the form of a, young man who will be sent east on the road the old was to old to travel. To right the wrongs of a long-forgotten wizard war, and call new wars into being. Here is the long-awaited major new novel from one of the brightest stars in the fantasy and science fiction firmament.C.J.Cherryh's haunting story of the wizard Mauryl, kingmaker for a thousand years of Men, and Tristen, fated to sow distrust between a prince and his father being. A tale as deep as legend and a intimate as love, it tells of a battle beyond Time, in which all Destiny turns on the wheel of an old man's ambition, a young man's innocence, and the unkept promised of a king to come.

About the Author

C. J. Cherryh—three-time winner of the coveted Hugo Award—is one of today's best-selling and most critically acclaimed writers of science fiction and fantasy. The author of more than fifty novels, she makes her home in Spokane, Washington.

About the author

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C. J. Cherryh
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I've written sf and fantasy for publication since 1975...but I've written a lot longer than that. I have a background in Mediterranean archaeology, Latin, Greek, that sort of thing; my hobbies are travel, photography, planetary geology, physics, pond-building for koi...I run a marine tank, can plumb most anything, and I figure-skate.

I believe in the future: I'm an optimist for good reason---I've studied a lot of history, in which, yes, there is climate change, and our species has been through it. We've never faced it fully armed with what we now know, and if we play our cards right, we'll use it as a technological springboard and carry on in very interesting ways.

I also believe a writer owes a reader a book that has more than general despair to spread about: I write about clever, determined people who don't put up with situations, not for long, anyway: people who find solutions inspire me.

My personal websites and blog: http://www.cherryh.com

http://www.cherryh.com/WaveWithoutAShore

http://www.closed-circle.net

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
386 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the story wonderful, complex, and unusual. They describe the book as an enjoyable read and well worth the reader's time. Readers appreciate the well-developed characters and the writing quality. However, some find the pacing slow and say it takes some time to reel them in.

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Story qualityEnjoymentCharacter developmentWriting qualityDetailPacing
Story qualityEnjoymentCharacter developmentWriting qualityDetailPacing
24Customers mention
20Positive
4Negative

Customers find the story wonderful, complex, and unusual. They appreciate the enjoyable characters and plenty of intrigue. Readers also describe the world as enthralling, and the prose as exquisite. They mention the book is an extraordinary work of fantasy and masterfully written.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

"This is the book other books would like to be.The plot seems very simple. Teenage guy finds he has super powers and wins the battle...." Read more

"...The ending of this one is satisfying enough as a conclusion in itself...." Read more

"...this wonderful tale of loyalty, treachery, violence and courage, wizardry and magic. Characters are multi-dimensional...." Read more

"...The story became fast paced, with many things happening, intrigue and betrayal and uncertainty and traitors, and all of a sudden I couldn't put it..." Read more

18Customers mention
18Positive
0Negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, compelling, and well worth the reader's time. They say it's the first book in a satisfying series. Readers also mention the magic is always fun.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

"This was an awesome read. Where I normally gravitate towards Sifi, this book was difficult to put down. The more I read, the more I wanted go read...." Read more

"...developing relationships with the other important characters was fascinating and literally moved me to tears at one point...." Read more

"...I re-read, "Fortress In The Eye Of Time" and rediscovered what a joy it is to read...." Read more

"...Magic is always fun." Read more

10Customers mention
10Positive
0Negative

Customers find the characters well-developed.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

"...The development of the main character, and the developing relationships with the other important characters was fascinating and literally moved me..." Read more

"...Characters are multi-dimensional. Tristen the blank slate, the wildcard, set among mortals to summon his own knowledge and power...." Read more

"...A completely unknowing being in the shape of a grown man. Tristen is a wonderful character & I was able to go with him as he discovered rain on..." Read more

"...Achieved, of course, just in time to save the day. Decent support characters, evil enemies, and grand horses. Great book...." Read more

10Customers mention
10Positive
0Negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book. They appreciate the way the author uses words and her command of language.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

"...I love the way Cherryh uses words...." Read more

"...for an innocent, infantile but strangely knowledgeable man, he is well written...." Read more

"...'s development is slow, painful, and frustrating, shared with the reader via excellent writing. Achieved, of course, just in time to save the day...." Read more

"...And her word-craft is excellent, painting the picture so very well that you can very well imagine the world, and it's history, that she has created...." Read more

5Customers mention
5Positive
0Negative

Customers find the book filled with rich detail and color. They appreciate the delicate images and sharp details that make the story very real. Readers also enjoy the descriptions of the wardrobe, armor, and horse sense.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

"...But this story has flesh and bones and muscle and just makes it very very real." Read more

"...This book is filled with rich detail and color, so much that at times you almost feel as though you're drowing in descriptions...." Read more

"...As a long time fan of Her work, I enjoy the delicate images and the sharp details She brings into all Her writing...." Read more

"...And her word-craft is excellent, painting the picture so very well that you can very well imagine the world, and it's history, that she has created...." Read more

6Customers mention
0Positive
6Negative

Customers find the pacing of the book slow and snail-paced. They say it takes some time to reel them in.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

"...Yes, it was a bit slow, which is forgivable, even somewhat to be expected in a first book of a series...." Read more

"...Books 2-4 (Eagles through Dragons) were snail-paced, devoid of almost any real action, full of characters that were never brought to fruition, and..." Read more

"...It seemed long, slow and boring, so I kind of threw it on my stack of "for later" books and forgot about it for maybe seven months...." Read more

"...It started a bit slow and took some time to reel me in but did it well in the end." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Gerri Alexander
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Original fantasy
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2024
This is the book other books would like to be.

The plot seems very simple. Teenage guy finds he has super powers and wins the battle. But this story has flesh and bones and muscle and just makes it very very real.
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A'Dubb
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Suspense at it's Finest
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2024
This was an awesome read. Where I normally gravitate towards Sifi, this book was difficult to put down. The more I read, the more I wanted go read. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
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Leah Petersen
4.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
I actually cried
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2008
And I never do that! I found this first book of the series unique, interesting, and moving. The development of the main character, and the developing relationships with the other important characters was fascinating and literally moved me to tears at one point. Yes, it... See more
And I never do that! I found this first book of the series unique, interesting, and moving. The development of the main character, and the developing relationships with the other important characters was fascinating and literally moved me to tears at one point. Yes, it was a bit slow, which is forgivable, even somewhat to be expected in a first book of a series. The rest of the book provided ample motivation to persevere through the slow bits. I highly recommend this as a stand-alone book; the rest of the series, not so much. The ending of this one is satisfying enough as a conclusion in itself. If you come out of it just dying to know what happens to them all after this, don't worry, so far nearly finished with book three I can easily answer that question for you: nothing. But I don't mean to dissuade you from taking the time for this one. Good read.
6 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Fortress in the Eye of Time; a great book
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024
I have read this book and its sequels at least ten times in paperback. It is marvelous world building, plot, and character development. Ms. Cherryh is a genius at story telling. Each generation needs to discover this wonderful tale of loyalty, treachery, violence and... See more
I have read this book and its sequels at least ten times in paperback. It is marvelous world building, plot, and character development. Ms. Cherryh is a genius at story telling. Each generation needs to discover this wonderful tale of loyalty, treachery, violence and courage, wizardry and magic. Characters are multi-dimensional. Tristen the blank slate, the wildcard, set among mortals to summon his own knowledge and power. What will he become? Can the heir to the throne find enough trust and kindness to win Tristen’s affection and loyalty? The fate of all kingdoms is in the balance.
2 people found this helpful
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Jason Clerico
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
If you like Game of Thrones, read its better progenitor
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2014
Let me preface this by saying, for the uninitiated, that C.J. Cherryh is the most legendary writer you may never have heard of. She is easily my favorite author, and that is saying a lot, as I have read all the traditional masters of high fantasy (J.R.R. Tolkien, Fritz... See more
Let me preface this by saying, for the uninitiated, that C.J. Cherryh is the most legendary writer you may never have heard of. She is easily my favorite author, and that is saying a lot, as I have read all the traditional masters of high fantasy (J.R.R. Tolkien, Fritz Leiber, Michael Moorcock, Piers Anthony, et al) and she can sit very comfortably in their esteemed company. Not being much of a sci-fi fan, I have not read her most famous works yet (Foreigner series etc) but I will someday. Her Rusalka folktales, the Nighthorse books, and the Dreaming Tree are among my favorite books of all time.

And now Fortress in the Eye of Time, which for some reason took me forever to discover. Fantastic. Ms. Cherryh has a gift for grafting the reader to her characters emotionally, so you feel every hurt, every hunger, every loneliness right along with them. She can tell a tale of political intrigue without having to introduce a million unnecessary characters (cough, cough George Martin) and her handling of battle action is concise and satisfying.

Speaking of George Martin (whom I refuse to refer to as G.R.R. Martin, in his laughable vanity)... if you like the Song of Ice and Fire books, read this book and chuckle when you spot where Martin mined many of his ideas. Clearly he is a Cherryh fan. His Targeryans smack of Cherryh's Sihhe in a lot of ways. One other minor example: a horse appears late in the first book named... Dysarys.

Short review: like high fantasy? Read this, and discover a lady among giants. Period.

Caveat: I recommend reading this book as a stand-alone story. The rest of the Fortress series, I am sad to report (as I love this author normally) was a waste of time. Books 2-4 (Eagles through Dragons) were snail-paced, devoid of almost any real action, full of characters that were never brought to fruition, and frankly, hard to stay awake through. Fortress of Ice I have yet to read, but I do not hold out much hope.
9 people found this helpful
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RedBlack Checker
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
a small piece of something much larger
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2006
When my father first gave me a copy of this book, I really did try to read it. But as I was in the midst of wallowing in the worlds of Anita Blake and the Discworld and... well, everything else that I had bought first, I really didn't give it much of a chance. It seemed... See more
When my father first gave me a copy of this book, I really did try to read it. But as I was in the midst of wallowing in the worlds of Anita Blake and the Discworld and... well, everything else that I had bought first, I really didn't give it much of a chance. It seemed long, slow and boring, so I kind of threw it on my stack of "for later" books and forgot about it for maybe seven months.

The next time I picked it up, I had more time on my hands, a few empty hours, and I had seen Fortress of Eagles at Barnes and Noble, so I figured, "what the f-" and started reading it again. I'm glad I did.

Fortress in the Eye of Time starts off slowly, building an entire world basically from scratch. There are some familiar fantasy themes, but they are recrafted by the genius author of such works as The Tree of Swords and the Cyteen trilogy. Sidhe--a concept she has used before--are remade with the use of air, shadow, and magic into a mysterious race of beings that once ruled the world of Men before being driven back by interbreeding with humans and a weakening of the blood.

This book is filled with rich detail and color, so much that at times you almost feel as though you're drowing in descriptions. There are moments where things don't seem to flow as smoothly as you might expect, or where you find yourself questioning the motivations of the characters... but that is all a carefully planned part of the greater whole. Fortress in the Eye of Time is only the first brick in a great masterpiece. You need to read all four books of the quadrology before you can finally grasp the complete genius of this single story.

As of last week, I have already pre-ordered Fortress of Ice (available Nov 2006) and I cannot wait to find out what happens in the next chapter of this great story. More of the mysteries surrounding Tristen revealed. The birth of children. The call to war. I will devour every part of this story and beg for more because I don't think I will ever quite get enough.
8 people found this helpful
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Barry Melius
4.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
We were young then and innocent
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2017
I grew up as a reader in the decades following the spike in popularity of J.R. Tolkien's work half a century ago. Many of the sword and sorcery classics written in years following have sadly dimmed to eyes not clouded by nostalgia. The Fortress in the Eyes of Time came... See more
I grew up as a reader in the decades following the spike in popularity of J.R. Tolkien's work half a century ago. Many of the sword and sorcery classics written in years following have sadly dimmed to eyes not clouded by nostalgia. The Fortress in the Eyes of Time came out halfway between that initial surge and today and to my eyes has stood the test of time as a true classic should. While paying obvious homage to past greats in the field,C.J. Cherryh has added an overdue sense of maturity to her works. No longer as accessible to a gifted preteen,older readers may find this a welcome change. Quite standard sword and sorcery set in a British flavored feudal society with magic and sorcery woven into the fabric of the culture. There is also a distinct difference between good and bad,dark and light. All that is the same old,same old,where Cherryh excels is in her writing skills fleshing out her world and characters with depth and sympathy-no cartoon cutouts need apply. And flesh it out she does,this is the first of a five part series and even with its near 800 page length this is merely an introduction to the following books-the body of the story. If you like a quick and conclusive read perhaps not here. What you get is a slowly woven tapestry that gives you a solid background to the world, its politics, and most importantly the characters you will be spending close to 3,000 pages with if you continue. Make no mistake if long,satisfying reads are your thing this is not a slog but an the start of an engrossing story in a world you will not wish to leave. Recommended.
13 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
wonderful fantasy
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2001
I will admit I am a huge fan of C. J. Cherryh. I read this book the day it came out and then re-read it immediately again. I love the way Cherryh uses words. She isn't always as accessible as some other authors, but she always gets wherever she is going and I always find... See more
I will admit I am a huge fan of C. J. Cherryh. I read this book the day it came out and then re-read it immediately again. I love the way Cherryh uses words. She isn't always as accessible as some other authors, but she always gets wherever she is going and I always find the ride worth the work it takes to get there. I love the fact that she writes books for people who like to think and expects her readers to do so. She is an author whose books I always buy right away, and I re-read her books on a regular basis. This first book of the fortress series has become one of my top 5 fantasy books. I love the way Tristen explores his world and I think the relationship between Tristen and Cefwyn sets up the rest of the series. Ms. Cherryh's rules of magic seem to have an internal consistancy that fit with the development of this world. Her depth in the creation of this world make it a joy to savor. The only other book of hers that seem to have this depth is Cyteen. As I've said I love her work both fantasy and sf.
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Top reviews from other countries

B Reddy
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
An excellent and absorbing story
Reviewed in Canada on December 22, 2023
Rich and well written fantasy. The Fortress series is a vivid tapestry with compelling characters and a textured story of mystical perspective.

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Andy Thomas
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Once in .. no stopping!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2024
What to say? Loved this the first time I read it. This is the umpteenth and enjoy the story as much now as ever. Thoroughly recommended if you are into detailed fantasy.

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tonyatfox
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
the book had some wear but not enough to complain
Reviewed in Australia on August 3, 2022
was very hapy !

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The Grumbledook
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
In want of a better word - fantastic.
Reviewed in Germany on September 10, 2009
I have read this book, what now - seven years ago? And it still gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Cherryh's writing is so dense, it is simply unbelievable. I remember reading this book on a train, in high summer, and the description of winter in the book was that...See more
I have read this book, what now - seven years ago? And it still gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Cherryh's writing is so dense, it is simply unbelievable. I remember reading this book on a train, in high summer, and the description of winter in the book was that much engrossing that, when stepping off that train, for a moment I fully expected to step into ankle-deep snow. It is everything but an easy read. It is fantastic, it is great, it makes you long for the sequel deeply and leaves you with a sense of loss and unfinished business. I reckon that people who did rate this book lowly just weren't in the right mood or didn't have the time to cope with it, which is a pity. Should you have some quiet days to spare, probably between Christmas and New Year or some other long winter nights, then read this and you will find yourself in another world. You shouldn't be afraid of the dark, though.

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Guido Mulder
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Classic fantasy, by a master of the craft.
Reviewed in Canada on May 9, 2017
Go on a journey of true sorcery, and wizardry, and magic. Along the road find political intrigues, the fates of Both royals and loyal servants, the birth of a summoning, and friendships between all such as you can not imagine. Don't miss it.

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