History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Sword & Citadel: The Second Half of 'The Book of the New Sun' (New Sun)

Average customer rating:

A triumphant accomplishment
Truly Surreal
Thought-provoking
The Epic Continues
I fell in love...

Sword & Citadel: The Second Half of 'The Book of the New Sun' (New Sun)
Gene Wolfe
Manufacturer: Orb Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Shadow & Claw: The First Half of 'The Book of the New Sun' (New Sun)
The Urth of the New Sun: The sequel to 'The Book of the New Sun' (New Sun)
Litany of the Long Sun: Nightside the Long Sun and Lake of the Long Sun (Book of the Long Sun, Books 1 and 2)
Epiphany of the Long Sun: Calde of the Long Sun and Exodus from the Long Sun (Book of the Long Sun, Books 3 and 4)
The Wizard: Book Two of The Wizard Knight

ASIN: 0312890184

Book Description

The Book of the New Sun is unanimously acclaimed as Gene Wolfe's most remarkable work, hailed as "a masterpiece of science fantasy comparable in importance to the major works of Tolkien and Lewis" by Publishers Weekly, and "one of the most ambitious works of speculative fiction in the twentieth century" by The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Sword amp; Citadel brings together the final two books of the tetralogy in one volume:The Sword of the Lictor is the third volume in Wolfe's remarkable epic, chronicling the odyssey of the wandering pilgrim called Severian, driven by a powerful and unfathomable destiny, as he carries out a dark mission far from his home.The Citadel of the Autarch brings The Book of the New Sun to its harrowing conclusion, as Severian clashes in a final reckoning with the dread Autarch, fulfilling an ancient prophecy that will forever alter the realm known as Urth."Brilliant . . . terrific . . . a fantasy so epic it beggars the mind. An extraordinary work of art!"Philadelphia Inquirer"The Book of the New Sun establishes [Wolfe's] preeminence, pure and simple. . . . The Book of the New Sun contains elements of Spenserian allegory, Swiftian satire, Dickensian social consciousness and Wagnerian mythology. Wolfe creates a truly alien social order that the reader comes to experience from within . . . once into it, there is no stopping."-The New York Times Book Review

Customer Reviews:

A triumphant accomplishment.......2007-06-10

Sword and the Citadel and the last two books of the Book of the New sun Quartet. The story picks up after the Shadow and Claw, with Severian, the torturer continuing his Odysseian journey across the southern continent, on an Earth a millenia in the future as our Sun is dying. Severian intends to return The Claw of the Concilliator, a magic relic which seems to give him, at times, the power over death, the the Religious order from whom he accidentally took the claw from. Severian soon finds himself at the heart of events that can literally change the destiny of humanity.

This second and third book are an even greater accomplishment than the first two of the series were. As I wrote in the first novels' review, the language utilized throughout this series serves as a plot device in and of itself, not only serving to enhance the foreignness of the reading experience, but adding to the mystery which are part and parcel of its charm.

Severian finds himself evolving quite a bit through these last two novels he is coming to term with his own humanity and the nature of the brutality that is part of everyday. Severian finds himself even more deeply embroiled in the intrique that is the conflict between the rebel leader Vodalus, and the leader of the commonwealth The Autarch.

The brilliance in this novel it is so deeply imagined and so stunningly written that it is hard to imagine this was produced by an author of our time. There is a reason that this novel gets so much praised on it. It draws you in, and then it forces you to constantly cope with it's eccentric characterizations, which is akin to decoding a foreign lanquage that you are only semi fluent in. This is actually extremely satisying, but that is not in and of itself the biggest strength of the narrative. In many "fantasy/sci fi" books merely reads about extraordinary worlds, but in this series, the reader resides as an insider in this world. Ultimately the Sword and Citadel resolve a number of plot lines and mysteries, and of course this makes it greater than the first two.

The Sword and Citadel, and specifically the Book of the New Sun are indeed one of the greatest fantasy books written of all time. These books should be a part of any serious fan of fantasy, but really any one who enjoys high literature.

Truly Surreal.......2007-04-25

An excellent entry in the Dying Earth genre. Wolfe elaborates on his already fascinating and baroque Urth. His protoganists journey ends in full circle, but another one begins.

Wolfe's writing style is intense and interesting and the memoir style the book is written in works great. Highly recommended.

Thought-provoking.......2007-02-15

I like to read a well-written story. I like epic tales. This and the sequels fill the bill, quite nicely. You may need a dictionary handy when reading, due to the choice of terminology the author uses. It's worth it, if you like expanding your vocabulary like I do! This book is one of those books where you won't always assimilate everything there is the first time you read it. Unlike some novels, this one may provide new insights once you've allowed it to sit on the bookshelf for a few months then attack it with a (hopefully) new perspective.

The Epic Continues.......2007-02-09

Continuing with Severian, the narrator of Gene Wolfe's magnum opus, is a journey of academic wonder.

Sword & Citadel: The Second Half of 'The Book of the New Sun' (New Sun) wasn't as enjoyable for me as the first collection in the tetralogy. I think it's because the author's grand designs came to fruition. We find that the sun is indeed dying, but this was prophesied and the narrator is the realization of civilization itself, the savior come again. His esoteric exegesis of modern theology is too ambitious for my taste and I found myself working too hard at it and wanting too many breaks. I suppose my craving for knowledge met it's match in the effort required.

While Severian is accidentally fulfilling his preordained destiny, we as the reader are being challenged for our own beliefs and shown that faith, belief and higher powers are really part of our evolution, a dependency of our genetic makeup . . . that's where he lost me. The allegory aside as a New Sun/Son becomes the savior of all, this is a call to faith, or at least that's what I comprehended in the reading.

While all this is going on, we find that the narrator, our Messiah, is an untrustworthy source. He's been withholding information and twisting it in the telling. This is a trait of Wolfe who has claimed that narration is a reflection of humanity and humans are essentially untrustworthy creatures. While a clever devise, it takes away from the power of the story where readers have no other knowledge to depend on other than what the narrator relates.

It's good, but has flaws.

CV Rick

I fell in love..........2006-08-08

The predecessor to this book had me falling in love with Dorcas, one of the female characters. This one left me feeling a grave loss at her absence.

Wolfe has produced an excellently rich world and we accompany a rather unconventional character through it. Severian, a torturers' apprentice, guides us through our own planet- here spelled "Urth"- billions of years in the future as the sun is dying and humanity has advanced, as best I can put it, 'beyond technology.'

In his world, humans on Urth live in a ignorant barbarism while the technologies of today and of the future lie around them running their world. Severian is our guide through this world, and the journey is well worth taking- if you can put up with Severian's character.

The important thing to keep in mind is that these two books, and their predecessors, are written *by* Severian- Wolfe created Severian as a character, and then that character, in Wolfe's mind, wrote his own memoirs. The record is filled with the quirks of Severian's personality; it is disconnected, as so many lives are. Novels often present us with an unlikely series of events in which the hero continually gets lucky, saves the day just right, and then goes on to keep saving the day in a coherent fashion. Wolfe is well aware that things don't work that way in real life, and they don't work that way when people write memoirs, as Severian is doing. The entire Book of the New Sun is written as an account of Severian's life; he tells us the things that were important to him, and we watch as they happen. This story isn't "How Luke Became a Jedi and None of the Adventures that Occurred Along the Way" but rather "The Life of Severian, A Journeyman of the Order of the Seekers for Truth and Penitence."

Severian has adventures. They happen in such an order as to bring him to his final destination. Throughout it, there are side-adventures, needless digressions, unexpected meetings, stories told and stories heard, and unimportant characters encountered. Because that is how life goes.

So if you're looking for a true story, a Hero's Journey in the sense that we are used to seeing in our pop literature and movies, this isn't the place to find it. You might have noticed the rambling story in the first two books and assumed it would get more coherent. Not so. This series lacks narrative momentum entirely- you will find yourself engaged while reading it, but might not have much reason to pick it back up once you've put it down.

However, if you want to read a fictional memoir about a most interesting person who has some amazing adventures with some fairly good philosophical insights, I think you'll be very pleased. In this series, it is not the destination, but rather the journey, which dominates the mind of the reader. It is not important to make the decisions as to understand them- all of this exposition can get very Buddhist about it, but in the end these books do not center on continuity of adventures but rather the adventures themselves and how they shape Severian. They are truly a different kind of literature- new, fresh, and exciting for their experimentation and their creativity. At times, however, the freshness does work against the story. But I still feel it's well worth it.

Children of the Sun: Prince of Swords (Book 3) (Berkley Sensation)

Average customer rating:

oneof the best series
Prince of Swords saves the day
The Prince Of Swords
Prince of Swords
End of the Trilogy..

Children of the Sun: Prince of Swords (Book 3) (Berkley Sensation)
Linda Winstead Jones
Manufacturer: Berkley Sensation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | Subjects | Books

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Gothic | Romance | Subjects | Books

Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

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All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Children of the Sun: Prince of Fire (Book 2) (Berkley Sensation)
Children of the Sun: Prince of Magic (Book 1) (Berkley Sensation)
The Star Witch (Fyne Witches, Book 3)
The Sun Witch (Fyne Witches, Book 1)
The Moon Witch (Fyne Witches, Book 2)

ASIN: 0425215741

Book Description

In the last installment of the Children of the Sun trilogy, a shackled virgin must choose between the monster she knows and a sexy stranger who could spell doom-or help her fulfill the Prophecy of the Firstborn.

Customer Reviews:

oneof the best series.......2007-09-27

She writes very interesting books. I enjoyed the series because it was a continuence to the Fyne witches triology.

Prince of Swords saves the day.......2007-08-28

As with the Sister's of the Sun Trilogy the third book of the Children of the Sun Trilogy, Prince of Swords was my over all favorite. After my dissapointment in Prince of Fire, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue to the end of the trilogy; but I hate lose ends and had to finish the tale.

I had until this point thought that Rayne was a somewhat unimportantat side character, which was silly looking back. It just never occured to me that she would end up Lyr's love interest, even though I knew he had to have one. I really enjoyed her character. and when she started making things grow I almost cheered. the was such a sweetness and beauty to her magic, it was touching to watch Rayne find her worth through magic and love after years of neglect.

the reader really feels for Lyr as he struggles to come to terms with the depth of his feelings for Rayne. Their romance is passionate without being over the top, and their connection is believable. I won't say whether all ends well or not, but Prince of Swords is a worthy ending.

The Prince Of Swords .......2007-07-06

The last in this trilogy is on of the best. I couldnt put it down and was even reading it in the drive through of a fast food resturant. This whole set is wonderful. Ms Jones is a great writer and I loved the imagination and the planning and the way everything came together. I would love to see more about all the characters in this set. The only thing about this one is the death of Ciro is a little cheesy and anti-climatic. For him being this big bad butt He should have given more of a fight even though the way it was crafted was a great idea. All in all this is a great set.

Prince of Swords.......2007-05-27

I love the lead female character in this book. This author made me laugh out loud many times while reading this one. AWESOME read.

End of the Trilogy.........2007-05-24

I eagerly awaited this book. When it arrived, I grabbed it..and ran for the nearest chair.

Several hours later, I finished the book, and felt......flat. This book in no way has the energy of the prior two books. The moment of Ciro's death....the moment we've waited through two and a half books for....was barely one page.

The book is anticlimatic. The relationship between Rayne and the Prince of Swords was barely believable.I just didn't feel Rayne had reason to love the prince. And the princes' love for Rayne was more a "well she's here, and available" kind.

All the characters re-appear in this book. We get a glimpse of future generations coming, and I'll bet another trilogy centered around Ksana.

Please...don't rush when writing these books. The plotlines are orginial, and charming, but when you force these books....it's obvious.

A Swift, Elusive Sword: What if Sun Tzu and John Boyd Did a National Defense Review?

Average customer rating:

Brilliant Presentation of the Wisdom of 2,000 Years
An Impressive Set of Subjects
21st Century / 2100 AD
A Must Read!

A Swift, Elusive Sword: What if Sun Tzu and John Boyd Did a National Defense Review?
Chester W. Richards
Manufacturer: Center for Defense Information
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

Certain to Win
The Mind of War: John Boyd and American Security
Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War
Neither Shall the Sword: Conflict in the Years Ahead
Maneuver Warfare Handbook (Westview Special Studies in Military Affairs)

ASIN: 1932019014

Book Description

A study of national security and military strategy by Col. Chester Richards (USAF Ret.), suggests that ancient strategic wisdom may help solve the dilemma confronting the U.S. military: spending on defense exceeds that of any combination of potential adversaries, but the services still face cancellation of weapon systems and lack of funds for training, spares, and care and feeding of the troops. Richards suggests U.S. military leaders can break out of the "dollars equals defense" mindset, and create more effective forces. The second edition contains a new forward written in response to the effects that the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States have engendered in the U.S. military.

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant Presentation of the Wisdom of 2,000 Years .......2007-02-21

Col Richards walks the reader through how Sun Tzu and John Boyd might have assessed 4th generation warfare and the world in which we find ourselves. His presentation is thought provoking to say the least.

Sun Tzu's wisdom has survived 2,000 years of study by people from a young Mao to the United States Marines. Sun Tzu is all about winning the battle before the battle begins. His wisdom is durable beyond expectations,
" Those whose generals are able and not constrained by governments are victorious ."

Sun Tzu speaks of "The Way" where there is unity of purpose between the ruler and the population. By inference a goal is to break that bond.

John Boyd, cigar chomping fighter pilot turned student of war. His early studies focused on why one side won aerial combat in the jet age. After annoying the Fighter Mafia of the USAF to no end he was sent off to an obscure Pentagon office, hidden exile. However, Boyd used the time to launch a study of Patterns of Conflict, which turned into a monumental brief. Out of this effort also came the OODA loop which stressed the importance of maintaining an advantage by processing information and operating on a faster cycle than the opposition.

Boyd's greatest contribution was not to the USAF but rather to a fundamental restructuring of the Marine Corps battle doctrine. After the 1991 Gulf War the Marine commandant gave Boyd much of the credit for helping to achieve what many pundits believed to be impossible, rapid movement through the heavily armed Iraqi forces occupying Kuwait.

Again and again Sun Tzu, Boyd and Richards stress the importance of non combat war. Victory, not slaughter is the goal.

During the early days of the war in Iraq the press was filled with reports of very tired US troops, often so far beyond their supply lines that they were short on food, yet they continued on. Why, too often the Generals are seeking near perfect preparation while Boyd and others understood that the ability to act is a way that kept the enemy off balance was the quickest and lowest cost way to victory. Richards seeks to restructure the military along the visions of Boyd and Sun Tzu.

Richards acknowledges that he goes far beyond his mentor, John Boyd, in his recommendations for an overhaul of the US military from top to bottom. Richard's ideas are bold and near revolutionary, reduce the officer ranks, close the service academies, promote officers from the ranks of the enlisted, fill pilot slots in the AF, Navy and Marines with non officers. The list goes on.

Col Richards has produced a highly readable book, filled with wisdom of the past 2,000 years along with his own ideas. Highly recommended.

An Impressive Set of Subjects.......2006-11-28

As I understand it, Dr. Richards' book is in fact an amended version of a presentation he gave at a conference in Quantico in Fall of 2001. The presentation itself, which is available on the net in Powerpoint format, was a straight-forward summary of the new situation we find ourselves in: the age of 4th Generation Warfare. The book expands on the presentation, pointing out the obvious flaws of U.S. military management by examining the ideas of John Boyd and Sun Tzu.

In an era where the U.S. still emphasizes gadgets over human assets, answering every other problem with more cash rather than new concepts, Boyd's advice ("People. Ideas. Technology. In that order.") seems more practical than ever. Richards' work is a good examination of Boyd's core concepts and solid guide to reorganizing U.S. Defense strategy.

Readers who enjoyed this book may also want to take a look at H.J. Poole's "The Tiger Way." It applies similar concepts towards the reorganization of the military on the tactical level.

21st Century / 2100 AD.......2006-11-05

This is a short book but it will get you started and more.
What is an OODA cycle? Don't know.
Better find out today

A Must Read!.......2004-06-22

The difference between an effective and efficient military as opposed to an ineffective and bloated military. A must read for every military planner and every citizen concerned with runaway government spending.

Average customer rating:

All the way to the end..
West presents another beautiful and entrancing masterpiece
Good book but would have been better if it was shorter
Another good one.
How she isn't Best Seller, is beyond me

Sea of Sorrows (The Sun Sword, Book 4)
Michelle West
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

The Riven Shield: The Sun Sword #5 (The Sun Sword)
The Sun Sword (The Sun Sword, Book 6)
The Shining Court (The Sun Sword, Book 3)
The Uncrowned King (The Sun Sword, Book 2)
The Broken Crown (The Sun Sword, Book 1)

ASIN: 0886779782
Release Date: 2001-05-08

Book Description

Michelle West's epic saga of The Sun Sword is set in the same universe as her Sacred Hunt novels, but is greater and richer in scope.

In Sea of Sorrows, the ancient Powers have awakened and new allegiances are forged. As the rightful ruler of the Dominion seeks to overthrow the man who killed his entire family, the Voyani embark upon the Sea of Sorrows to find the lost Cities of Man-a journey that seems certain to lead to a deadly confrontation with the Lord of Night.

Praise for the saga of The Sun Sword:Intriguing. (Locus)

Compelling...a tremendous momentum that will keep you reading far into the night. (Romantic Times)Complex characters and an even more complex plot [will] keep the reader thoroughly engrossed...another great series, one worth the wait between books. (SF Site)

Customer Reviews:

All the way to the end.........2007-05-25

I just finished the series a couple days ago and still have the bitter, bitter aftertaste of disappointment. Honestly, I loved all of these novels; I fell in love with the characters and their complexity. I think Michelle is too good of a writer to just tack on the ending as an after-thought. Completely ruined what I had come to think of, while reading them, as top ten all time favs. I still love the books, but the conclusion left far too many unanswered questions for me to be satisfied with the reading of them.

West presents another beautiful and entrancing masterpiece.......2004-08-25

I tend to agree with most reviews stating that it's difficult to find a good contemporary fantasy writer. When a wonderful one surfaces, their books are nothing short of cherished gems. I absorbed all 830 pages of this book in less then a week for a mixture of reasons- first off, West's unique, descriptive and elegant writing style has captivated me. Each sentence is a pleasure to my eyes and my imagination.

Second, as her cast continues on its course of development, she falters not one bit in the focus of the novel. There's always something new, exciting, and building. Her level of suspense is something that you have to understand, with how she works at her novels to build and build for a good three to five hundred pages (which aren't, in the least sense, a nag to read... even what many people might consider "slow" sections of this novel are impressive alone by her writing) before the hard action occurs, and usually by that point, as it was in particular with this book, I found myself incapable of putting down the novel until its completion.

Lastly, despite how accustomed I am to her style and the manner in which she portrays her characters and handles them, she still can get me running through a box of tissues at the end, with his novel of know exception. Some people think it's foolish to cry at the end of a fantasy novel, but I believe that the only reason West's novels evoke such emotions out of me is becuase she has the talent to create a cast and a world so indepth and real that you cannot help but feel their triumphs and sorrows as if they were your own. As of this date (August 2004), I have yet to finish the Sun Sword series, but "Sea of Sorrows" is currently my favorite Sun Sword book as of yet. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading because, as always, there are aspects about it that everyone can enjoy.

Good book but would have been better if it was shorter.......2004-02-29

My first impression of this book was that everyone has a story to tell but not everyone has a story I want to hear. Although the title of the book refers to the Voyani, the first third of the book has large sections about a butler, er domicis, and Jewel Terafin's `den'. It bothered me that MW has succumbed to Robert Jordan sequelitis and keeps introducing new characters and new storylines without actually ending the existing stories. As such, I was pretty disappointed. The beginning and middle really dragged on and on.

But the last third of this book is fantastic. There are large flashback sections that explain the history of Arkosa and the story is GOOD. Very creative. Well told. For the last 200 pages, I could not stop reading. :)

Due to the excellent ending, I will read the next book and I have a positive overall impression. However this book would have been much better if it had just told the Voyani tale from beginning to end.

Another good one........2003-05-05

Michelle West mentions in the beginning of my copy of this book that she was at fault for the delay of this book. I would guess, reading it, that it is because she had some trouble writing it. Certainly the scene where Kiriel and Isladar face off is one that I think she had trouble writing. It comes across as labored; it goes on far too long, for one thing and has several too many interruptions. However, there is some good character work being done there--the revelation about Isladar and Ashaf, while it had been dealt with to some extent before, is very emotionally powerful and well-done. Furthermore the friendship between Diora and Margret is well-detailed and convincing. She continues to evince a great deal of interest in the parent-child relationship (Diora-Sendari, Diora-Teresa, functioning as a surrogate mother; Kiriel-Isladar; Kiriel-Ashaf, Isladar-Anya--her behavior was very child-like in nature; Margret-Evallen, etc. etc.), which is one of the things I find original about her series; it is practically de rigeur for a fantasy series to concentrate on romantic (usually heterosexual) relationships, and parent-child relationships are almost never explored. Jordan, for example, obviously gives male-female relationships center stage and what few parent-child relationships there are (i.e. Faile and her parents) are extremely minor and almost non-existence. Elayne is now pregnant with Rand's child, but I seriously doubt that her motherhood will be explored in great detail (and Rand's fatherhood not at all).

Speaking of Robert Jordan, several people have compared the two authors. In my opinion there is no comparison. First of all, her writing style is far better, if at times too ornate. Second of all, her characters are much more well-developed than Jordan's characters, who somehow never come across as anything more than 2-D cutouts despite the copious amount of time he has had to develop them. Her female characters in particular are much, much *much* better written than Jordan's, and portrayed with a great deal more respect; I have the feeling that Jordan thinks he portrays female characters very well, but in my opinion he does not. She treats her characters as characters, not as pieces on a playing board as Jordan often seems to. Third of all, her narrative still feels vibrant and alive. Jordan's is dead; it died somewhere around book six (Lord of Chaos), killed, in my opinion, by world-building that was so restrictive it choked the life out of his storyline. Keep up the good work, Michelle West--I can't wait for Riven Shield.

How she isn't Best Seller, is beyond me.......2003-04-07

Her books are absolutely wonderful. She simply gets better and better. I have reread all 6 books of hers multiple times and find new nuances each time. Be sure to read her Hunters duology also.

Average customer rating:

Complex and Riveting
The Sun Sword (The Sun Sword, book 6)
Just as Good the Second Time
Wow!
While not my fave in this series... It was still good.

The Sun Sword (The Sun Sword, Book 6)
Michelle West
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Riven Shield: The Sun Sword #5 (The Sun Sword)
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Sea of Sorrows (The Sun Sword, Book 4)
The Uncrowned King (The Sun Sword, Book 2)
Hunter's Death

ASIN: 0756401704
Release Date: 2004-01-06

Book Description

Now, at last the Sun Sword has been delivered into the hands of its rightful owner, and the armies of the Dominion and the Empire are about to rendezvous for their final battle. But no one can know how the Lord of Night's daughter Kiriel will change both the nature and the course of the war. And no one can foresee whether mortals or the demon Kialli will prove the final victors.

Customer Reviews:

Complex and Riveting.......2007-08-02

I'm not going to lie: I couldn't get through this series the first time around. I stopped reading around the fourth book, for two reasons - one, I didn't know if I could stomach any more of the subtlety inherent in every single scene, and two, I was probably just too young. But now I'm glad I reread it all and reached, at long last, this final chapter in a really intense, emotion-filled epic.

In THE SUN SWORD all the characters are finally coming face-to-face and learning to deal with their greatest fears. Valedan kai di'Leonne must lead his followers into a civil war while Kialli demons endeavor to gain control of Annagar; Jewel ATerafin is finally called back home to face the rest of her House; and Serra Diora di'Marano, Flower of the Dominion, must learn to live up to the memory of her dead family and step forward in life. And of course, there is everyone else: Kiriel, Auralis, Ramiro, Mareo, Alfredo, Isladar, Telakar, Elena, Yollana... Everybody goes through some sort of test that will ultimately prove their worth.

What I love about Michelle West's writing is that she doesn't neglect to fill in any gaps about these characters. Sure, she leaves some things up to reader imagination - but none of this has anything to do with the characterization itself. In fact, once you've got that characterization down, you know the characters so well that you're able to read into their actions as much (or as little) as you like. It's all extremely well-done: these characters are as close to human beings as you will find in books. West does this with constant perspective-switching and tons of description - but it's description that's definitely worth it. In fact, I don't think she could have pulled off this series without all that serious attention paid to detail in her characters.

So what does this amount to? It gives readers a lot to read, for one thing, but I see this as a plus; if you know what you're getting yourself into when you start these books (and you probably do if you're reading the review for book six!), you'll understand that long chapters full of seemingly random events actually lend themselves very well to the series as a whole. In the end, all those pages of pondering and character interaction and small events add up to the really BIG events that make the books.

And boy, does West know how to write great "big events." Those long pages serve as wonderful lead-in to confrontations brimming with legend, symbolism, magic, and emotion. And I mean it: there is TONS of symbolism and metaphor in these books. Light versus darkness, cradle songs, rings, slavery, and family among others are all issues that are dealt with. West also delves into the pros and cons of power, lineages and meritocracies. I could write a research paper as long as at least one of her books about it all.

This whole series was just such a huge endeavor. It's not for the faint of heart, certainly, but it's so REAL and yet at the same time - the stuff of legends. I loved this, and I will strongly recommend all of Michelle West's works from here on out. One of my new favorite authors!

The Sun Sword (The Sun Sword, book 6).......2007-03-09

This is the last book in the most wonderfully written, engaging series I have read in a long time. The author knows how to build a character, even the ones with minor roles in the story. I highly recommend this book.

Just as Good the Second Time.......2005-11-15

I just finished re-reading the entire 6 book series. I would highly recommend that readers pick up the prequel books, Hunter's Oath and Hunter's Death, as they add many satisfying pieces to the Sun Sword series.

Although I too was frustrated to find Jewel left in the midst of things, the focus of the series is on the Sun Sword, afterall! So it just whet my appetite for the promise of House Wars.

This series is by far and away my favorite, over the course of 30 years of reading science fiction. Although Tolkien remains the King, I would appoint her Queen. Yes, there is Herbert, Martin, Clayton (and yes, the Diadem series is STILL worth reading)Dragonriders and Hawklords galore, but Michelle Sagara West is my favorite read. I'm currently scrounging for the Sundered series and any short stories about the Sun Sword world to assuage my craving for more.

More! Please. Soon. More. and Thank you.

Wow!.......2005-08-03

It's a shame more people haven't had the chance to enjoy the beautiful world West has crafted. The characters She has created are nothing short of astonishing in their complexity and the intricacy of their relationships. If you enjoy epic fantasy with wonderful characterization and eloquent prose akin to Guy Gavriel Kay, than read this series.

While not my fave in this series... It was still good........2005-04-25

Michelle West is a poignant author with a large vocabulary and a love for intricate grammar. However, for me, the Sun Sword series didn't have the same impact that the Hunter duology had. These books were much more intricate. Some parts didn't appeal to me and others had me on the edge of my seat worrying over the fates of the characters.

This book, specifically, was one of the less interesting in many ways. This was an end to some plots, but less a continuation of the others. I would have liked to have seen more about what will happen next.

I really did love it, though.

The Riven Shield: The Sun Sword #5 (The Sun Sword)

Average customer rating:

This is worth ten stars
Better than Robert Jordan!!
What a great book!!!!
Eating Crow
Of course it's not the end!

The Riven Shield: The Sun Sword #5 (The Sun Sword)
Michelle West
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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Sea of Sorrows (The Sun Sword, Book 4)
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Hunter's Death

ASIN: 0756401461
Release Date: 2003-07-01

Customer Reviews:

This is worth ten stars.......2004-01-02

I hate buying or borrowing a book that turns out to be disappointing and as I'd never read a Michelle West book before, I didn't know what to expect when I saw "The Broken Crown" on the shelf and decided to get it. A few days later I went out and bought every Michelle West book I could find. Each one seems to get better and better, although I think they're all equally good. I've read and re-read every book in this series a number of times. Each time I get something new out of it, or read a line I hadn't focussed on before that illuminates a new angle in the story.
"The Riven Shield" is magnificent. I love it.

Michelle West is my favourite author. I hope that she lives to two hundred years at least and never stops writing these wonderful books that are just magical.

Better than Robert Jordan!!.......2003-11-23

This is an outstanding fantasy series...the characters are complex and fascinating (including some amazing women); the cultures and contrasts between North and South, clansmen and Voyanne are intriguing; there's magic and brawn, brains and heart; and best of all, the story keeps me entertained. Michelle West has also created a great balance between political intrigue and action.

I read the Sun Sword series first, then after the 3rd or 4th book, went back to the Hunter series and loved what I learned about Jewel there. It also made me appreciate the development of Michelle West's writing abilities--she started off being good and has evolved into a fabulous fantasy writer--Robert Jordan could take some lessons!

Re-reading the books has helped me find little details that I didn't know were important at the time but, on re-reading, provided interesting foreshadowing, context and explanation for what comes later. This series is my NUMBER ONE recommendation in the fantasy genre--start reading now and you won't be waiting for years to find out what happens to characters you'll care about!

What a great book!!!!.......2003-09-29

I have read all of the books in this series and in the Sacred Hunt series. I have loved them all. This book is the best so far because Ms. West begins to tie all of the elements together. I am very happy that she is doing a sixth book. It would have been very hard for the author to have resolved all of the subplots in one book and done them all justice. I really feel that a person would do well to read the Sacred Hunt series before starting the Sun Sword series. I really hope that Ms. West will keep writing as she is easily one of the best fiction writer around today.

Eating Crow.......2003-09-12

When I tried to read the the first book in this series, I could not finish it. I got lost several times in the plot and characters spoke in such a way that I could not follow. But, being a stubborn fantasy reader, I read on.
I am so glad I did that.
The Riven Shield, the latest book in the Sun Sword series, was absolutely one of the best books I have read in a long time. And, for someone like me who has probably 300 hundred books, 90% of them fantasy related, I have read it all.
This book carries the story well and honestly, I do not want to see it end next year when the last book comes out. But, that's why people buy books: to read them as many times as they want.
If you have not read this series, then I suggest you do. Now.
Keep up the good work, Ms. West!!!

Of course it's not the end!.......2003-07-27

People shouldn't be so surprised! After reading the fourth book, I had a *very* hard time envisioning every angle explained in one more book. I figured it would take at least two more - and it did. Sun Sword (the true last book of the series) will be out in just a few months! Hang in there! It's already written!

The Shining Court (The Sun Sword, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

Plodding, boring
not my style of writing
An unforgettable read
Robert Jordan Syndrome.
Satisfying on every level.

The Shining Court (The Sun Sword, Book 3)
Michelle West
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0886778379

Book Description

In the Essalieyan Empire, Jewel, of House Terafin, has been having visions which are about to send her into the heart of enemy territory with only her domicis Avander to watch her back. Behind her she leaves a House on the brink of a bloody dynastic war--a house to which she is the unoffical heir. Before her lies the Dominion, home to the clans which are the sworn enemies of all who dwell in the Empire. But far more deadly than the clans are those with whom they have formed an unholy alliance--the demons of the Shining court!

Praise for Michelle West:

"Non-stop excitement...spellbinding reading...a mesmerizing work."-- Romantic Times, for The Uncrowned King

"A fine example of epic fantasy."-- Science Fiction Chronicle, for The Uncrowned King

"This is going to be another great series...one well worth the wait."-- Science Fiction Site, for The Broken Crown

Customer Reviews:

Plodding, boring.......2007-06-14

I loved the first book. The second book was okay. I figured there would be resolution in this, the third book, of the lives of Diora and Valedan. I supposed I thought the two of them would join forces.
The Shining Court invalidates the wonderful first book and uses a couple of characters from the second to come up with an unsatisfying tale.
I won't bother reading anything else she wrote.

not my style of writing.......2005-06-05

well... first i must say that i dont like the writing style. she spends so much time explaining something very, very simple. leave some of the imagination to the readers. second, she explains it over and over throughout the book. third, the action scenes... well, those are done horribly. she'll start to get into and then starts jumping back and forth with the characters past... just let the fight scene finish!!!!

these books were recommened by a friend (dont know if i should call him a friend anymore after trying to read through these books).

i guess after reading george rr martin's books you expect a lot from authors. i must say that i am really disappointed with this series because it has a great story line, just isnt written well.

mel

An unforgettable read.......2004-08-25

As always, I'm left with nothing but words of praise for West's works. Aside from her beautiful and unique writing style, her characters have been developed to the point where she can enter whole new emotional levels between each other. I found this most significant between Jewel and the Terafin, and Diora and Sendari. I confess, with this book was complete, as usual, I was running through tissues, simply because of the emotion that West is able to capture between her characters. It requires true talent to create a cast with that much depth that can rival most literary works that I'm familiar with (considering I'm an English major...).

The plot, as usual, is phenomenal. However, this book takes the story in a whole new direction with the conspiracy behind the masks at the Festival of the Moon and the drama that occurs particularly with Jewel and Diora as the story unfolds. I was at first indifferent to the appearance of the Voyani, but I found their inclusion as a critical element to the plot very well done on West's part. Now, while I was critical of their existence, I confess that I am a Voyani fan (laughs). I also confess that if you are a Valedan fan, you will find this book lacking severely... that was my initial problem with the book, because it felt awkward to have my two of my favorite Sun Sword characters absent for the most part, if not completely (Valedan and Devon ATerafin), but the only other thing I can say about characters, without truly spoiling any of the plot, is that if you haven't already fallen in love with Sendari, or sense compassion, understanding or some kind of emotion for him, you *will* before this book is over.

Overall, the book is a much different turn from the first two, so readers might be hesitant to open it up, but it's like breaking away the outer surface of a rock and finding a beautiful glistening gift from the earth burried deep inside. I recommend it for all fantasy readers, and especially for anyone who is just as addicted to Michelle West as myself!

Robert Jordan Syndrome........2004-06-29

Where to begin? This book was, quite simply, a waste of time. And, like Jordan, West introduces characters that contribute vaguely to the story, pale in comparison to the original characters introduced, and, honestly, just feel like personalities FORCED into the storyline for personal reasons.

I blatantly skimmed through any of the sections involving Jewel. I can scarcely recall a character I cared so little about. She is one-dimensional, uninteresting, and seems to just repeat over and over and over. The entire venture with the "desert nomads," the Voyani, is also completely derivative and quite boring itself.

Sometimes the novel felt like a grab bag of characters from other epics who fit poorly with the existing characters. West should have saved many of these characters for another series. i.e ... Jewel and her "den" (a horrible, horrible subplot), the Voyani, the entire 200 page escapade with her "mysterious" mage servant ... etc, etc. This book should have been about 100 pages long -- all the sections with Valedan, Kiriel, and Doira combined.

I truly hope West returns back to Doira, Valedan, and Kiriel. And, honestly, the demon court is extremely well written also. West is an incredible writer. But she needs to stick to the core characters, the core plot, the core conflict. We don't need to know everything about every friends of every character, we don't care. She should kill off Jewel ASAP, as she is completely out of place in the novels, and quite a derivative, cliche-ish bore.

Hopefully the next books will be better. But I am doubting it at this point ... Jordan-itis seems to be rampant in authors.

Satisfying on every level........2003-05-05

Michelle West is truly an excellent writer. She seems to have excellent control over her material at almost all points in this book. Many times when writers throw in character-developing events they can seem contrived or extraneous to the plot; however, in Michelle West's hands they are not only appropriate but much anticipated and actually serve to move the plot along. Sendari's and Teresa's argument truly felt like an ending to their troubled relationship as siblings; Sendari's and Diora's face-off was something I had been looking forward to since the first book and it was *excellently* handled. Some have complained that they felt that the revelation about Avandar's past was thrown in without reflection; I disagree. It felt to me like something she had planned from the first. Jewel's and Avandar's trip through the Stone Deepings was a little drawn-out; however, again, Jewel's confrontation with Duster was very well handled, enough to satisfy while not enough to be indulgent. I had been looking forward to meeting Duster since the first book also, and I was pleased with meeting her here. The mystery of the masks was well-handled, and I *really* want to see more of Anya a'Cooper.

The Uncrowned King (The Sun Sword, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

Good on it's own, bad as "Volume 2"
Good story, But the writing...
Let's shed the spotlight on the Empire for a bit...
Does anybody ever die???
Developing the series beautifully.

The Uncrowned King (The Sun Sword, Book 2)
Michelle West
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Sea of Sorrows (The Sun Sword, Book 4)

ASIN: 0886778018

Customer Reviews:

Good on it's own, bad as "Volume 2".......2007-06-14

I loved the first book in this series, and got this book to read more about the main character, Diora, and her mysterious, wonderful, terrifying world.
Instead I got your basic sword-and-sorcery in a totally different world. Yeah, it's the same planet but the difference is as extreme as Afghanistan and Los Angeles.
If you read this book without expectations of the first, it's not a bad book at all. The character of Jewel is fun. Valedan is not explored as deeply or as well as he should be, and I wish there had been more and simpler background on the Kings.
A great deal is left to supposition and imagination. It reads like volume 2, but not of this series. Events and backgrounds are hinted at and it really seems like there MUST have been a book or a chapter missing. That's pretty annoying.

Good story, But the writing..........2004-12-06

I consider myself a person who is usually up to the challenge of a difficult read. But difficult just for the sake of being difficult...
Maybe it's the authors writing style, but this book is bogged down with details and an extremely slow narrative. All the action is killed my the passive voice. What makes me not like this series so far (I've read up to book 2) is the way the author takes very simple things and somehoe finds a way to present them in a twisted convuluted fashion. I mean, I understand if a situation is complex...it should be written so. But two characters having a mundane conversation should not sound like a passage from the bible.
Exmple:
"She opened the door, feinting as she stepped out"
Turns into

"She heard him say something, brushed his words away with the heavy wave of a hand, took a step toward the doors and teetered there, on the edge of night.
And fell in"
- Michelle West, The Uncrowned King

You don't really figure out that the character feinted until a few paragraphs later in the story. I'm not saying the author should have wrote in the way I wrote it above, but you get the idea. Almost everything is written like this, especially in Book 2! It is so annoying!
I personally do not want to read poetry when I am supposed to be reading prose.

*note, Book 2 is a little more interesting and I really want to find out what happens in the story, becuase it is a good plot, but the writing is killing me.

Let's shed the spotlight on the Empire for a bit..........2004-08-25

Mmmm... Valedan. At least, those were my thoughts when I first began reading this novel. I read the first 90 pages the same night after I finished "The Uncrowned King", so the characters were heavy in my mind. I was by now accustomed to the ways of the South and the new cast, and being a long-term Devon ATerafin fanatic from the Sacred Hunt series *and* a Valedan fan, I found this book quite enjoyable. As always, West had to put a spin on things. New trials, new triumphs. The focus on this book is Valedan proving himself capable of taking the position of Tyr'agar by competing in the most difficult and challenging games in the Northern Empire. As always, I enjoyed West's new characters. They added a new shade, a new perspective onto the story, as to dive deeper into the history and tragedies of the Dominion as well as the triumphs and tragedies of the North. Mysterious characters, such as Kiriel, go into further development and change as well as the story progresses.

Now, a warning to all readers- the characters from the Southern Dominion are, for the most part, forgotten throughout this story, as it occurs within the confines of the Northen Empire. But fear not, they will get their turn in the spotlight as well.

As typical with Michelle West, you have to wait until the last few hundred page sof the novel for the most delicious moments, but it's well worth the read, especially if you're a Valedan or Jewel fan!

Does anybody ever die???.......2004-06-22

.... this book seemed to repeat the first 25 pages over and over and over again. Someone tries to kill someone. Some magical hero stops them. over and over. Bad guys always lose, good guys always win. Assassination attempt after assasination attempt is NARROWLY avoided, due to the last-minute revelation of one of the characters. I becomes quite annoying. How can the book contain any drama if you know the bad guys are always weaker than the "good guys?" I skimmed through half of the book.

In any case, I have already purchased the entire series, on the merits of the first book ... so hopefully it will get better. Although,r eally, I doubt it. This author seems to have a tendency to repeat herself, and to make the good guys invincible.

Developing the series beautifully........2004-02-23

First and foremost, if you haven't read the first book in this series, go read it before you touch this. Though the author tries valiantly to make it friendly to someone coming into the series with this book, it's almost impossible to fully understand this one without having read its prequel.

I must say that I was a little disappointed with the scope of this installment; where the first one shifted between the two countries, this focuses almost entirely on the northern Empire, specifically Averalaan.

The action in this book moves significantly faster than that of the first, and not at the cost of character development, either. Many characters who were mentioned in the first book come back in force and help flesh out the story wonderfully.

My only real gripe is that I wish the author had included a pronounciation guide with her little glossary as Janny Wurts has done. Many of the names seem Spanish in origin, but there are a few which simply stump me.

The Broken Crown (The Sun Sword, Book 1)
Average customer rating:

Intricate and fluid

An intricate, detailed new world to be immersed in.

diverse and well-loved by myself

Couldn't finish it

deceptively inspiring...

The Broken Crown (The Sun Sword, Book 1)
Michelle West
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

West, Michelle | ( W ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
( W ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books | Weber, David | Weis, Margaret | Wells, H.G.
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Similar Items:

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ASIN: 0886777402

Customer Reviews:

Intricate and fluid.......2007-01-27

I was first handed this series by my sister and brother-in-law; who insisted it was worth the read inspite of its daunting size. It started off slowly, and was really difficult to wrap my brain around all that was happening. However, 1/2 through the book I was hooked.

She has written a truly amazing book (and series) and woven the intricacies of politics and power in to an amazing story. I often have to pause and re-read a section to make sure I pick up on all the small nuances that seem to mean so much.

She has written such an amazing story of intrigue that I frequently stop in amazement at her brilliance (and ability to keep it all straight!).

If you can make it through the initial complexities, you will be rewarded with a great story (and yes, it too will make it to my comfort reading shelf).

An intricate, detailed new world to be immersed in........2006-10-18

Michelle West has an incredible ability when it comes to creating realistic worlds. Yes, this book is lengthy, detailed, complex, and verbose at times. But I know of very few authors with the same ability to create a universe like hers. You will become completely immersed in this new world: West thoroughly fleshes out the different aspects of politics, religion, family life throughout her novels.

Her characters are genuine: you learn to understand what drives each one of them. There are no clear cut 'bad guys' or 'good guys'. Simply stated: there are people who have goals and ambitions that clash with others to create conflict throught her story. I think that this makes her characters more human like: even the most likeable characters have their flaws. In the end, I am as attached to some of the 'villains' as i am attached to the 'heroes'. This isn't a simple good versus bad story: instead it is multi-dimensional and constantly changing.

The first hundred pages are slow going: you have to get the hang of West's terminology. Once you do, you start to appreciate all the intricate details that West has woven into her world and story. It does get confusing: just as you get used to reading about Diora and life among the clans, West decides to switch it up and you're suddenly reading about characters from the Northern Realms. But once I started to understand her world, I could not put the book down.

I think that this book is completely worth the initial struggle and confusion, and five books later in the series, I still feel that way. West's books remain at the top of my bookshelf as one of my favorite series. Mayhap it'll become one of your favorites too.

diverse and well-loved by myself.......2006-07-14

i understand the frustration, but if you want the whole story with all of the story lines, you must read the book! i absolutely loved the series. they are complex, diverse, and re-read time and again. the series has been put on my comfort shelf for the times when i just can't find a good book to read. my imagination has been inspired again and again by michelle west's books and i am looking forward to her next book!!!
if you can't keep up with shifts in the story, don't read the book. but if are an avid reader who enjoys a world you can almost feel you're on, then i recommend whole heartedly this series.

Couldn't finish it.......2006-06-21

I bought this book solely because of the beautiful cover art and the fact that it was longer than six hundred pages. I suppose the lesson for me here is that you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

I did not understand anything in this book. All of the names are really similar and impossible to remember. There's something going on with gods or magic or demons, but it was way too confusing for me to understand. Political battles rage silently and often are not described enough to even know they're happening. The world makes no sense and there are all these references to the history of it that just lead nowhere. And while the writing is quite good, it is way over complicated. Every little emotion and footstep of each of the characters (who seem to disappear and reappear with no notion of how they are connected to the story, like the four people from the 70 page prolog who never come back) is analyzed to death. All in all, the book is difficult, impossible to understand and boring to boot.

I gave up before a hundred and fifty pages. If you thrive on intrigue fantasy, or books that take hours mulling over each page to know what's going on, you may like this book. But I give up and I can't say that after this I'm interested in reading anything else this author wrote.

Two stars.

deceptively inspiring..........2006-05-27

So, I'm the kind of person that likes long (and I mean LONG) story arcs. I don't like a good tale to end and often retain books to re-read and relive every few years. In that context, I often play roulette at the bookstore, picking out the "fat books" - ones that seem like they might be time consuming, arduous - but in the end dense with plot and inundated with characters that I can connect with. I'm often disappointed and I'd be lying if I said that my initial reading of The Broken Crown didn't fall short of my expectations. This was also the first Michelle West book I'd read (or Michelle Sagara for that matter).

I understand many of the average-scoring reviews, because so many of those readers haven't had the opportunity to explore the complexity of the remainder of the series. But I implore any reader that is hesitant about reading this book or its successors: please understand that The Broken Crown is simply an exposition. It's meant to introduce characters and plot elements in a very subtle way by mostly presenting back story. And for those who toss their books away in frustration every time the plot shifts? Kudos to the author for drawing you into the tale and those characters to whom you've become mildly attached. It is the hallmark of a good author.

West does have a tendency to wax poetic. However, she glides through passages with such grace and dignity, that you can hardly fault her flowery style. In fact, this echos of a time when grand epochs might be told to pampered, honored women on silken cushions. Her use of stock archetypes (her own devices) is effective and amusing at times.

As you read the Sun Sword series, yes, it may seem as if the author is making things up as she writes. On the other hand, unlike much current drivel masquerading as fantasy, she's not writing as some omniscient being. I think this provides a perspective that is both discovery-oriented and refreshing for the reader. It may seem inconsequential, but almost everything that happens in this first book plays an important role in the events of the following books. Oh, and also unlike much current popular fantasy, this series does - well and truly - end. That's not to say that other stories in the same world-stage aren't forthcoming (e.g. House War), but this series stands on its own as a self-contained entity.

It takes patience to read this series, but I encourage anyone who has found this book to be cumbersome (or confusing) to read on. Or, as some have suggested, go back and read the Hunter duology. It's written in a slightly less heady style that introduces you to some of the key players in both stories.

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