Elantris

This novel had been staring at me every time I entered a bookstore. I would pick it up, read the blurb, and think that it sounded pretty interesting. I posted about it on numerous message boards. Like me, most people had seen Elantris but had not bought it. After a while, readers' reviews began to surface and the consensus was definitely good.

I contacted Brandon Sanderson via his website to see if he could possibly get me a review copy. By the way, the author is very nice and quite accessible. You can check him out at www.brandonsanderson.com. And between the two of us, we managed to get Tor Books to hook me up with a copy.

Having finished Elantris, I can now tell you that it is indeed a good novel. There is a lot to enjoy, and only a little not to love about this fine tale.

Sanderson reminds me a lot of David Eddings and J. V. Jones, at least in terms of style and for the dialogues. Steering clear from the now popular "darker" fantasy tales which are rapidly becoming the norm in today's market, Elantris is a relatively "light" fantasy.

Let's begin with all that is good about this book. For those of us who can still appreciate this sort of thing, the prose is above and beyond what I have come to expect nowadays. The novel is truly well-written. The narrative flows extremely well, and the pace is brisk enough to keep you turning those pages.

Elantris being a stand-alone novel, the story is more or less self-contained. This will indubitably please all those readers who have grown tired of long, unending series. But Sanderson leaves enough things up in the air, hence leaving the door open for a possible sequel.

I found the worldbuilding to be quite interesting, and the city of Elantris itself to be fascinating. Too bad we don't learn more about it. This novel may not resound with as much depth as Guy Gavriel Kay's stand-alone books. Yet there is still a richness of details that we don't often see in stand-alone works. I think that Sanderson did a great job with the limitations associated with any self-contained story. The religious aspect are well-defined and so are the different societies, if a little less. . .

I have to admit that the ending packs a powerful punch, bringing this book to a very satisfying end. It was nice to see the different storylines converge to a climax like this. It proves that Brandon Sanderson not only knows how to spin a good yarn, but how to end it with an exclamation point.

Elantris is a character-driven book. There is no question about that. And although I enjoyed it, I found that the characterizations at times left some things to be desired. Like many Eddings and Jones' characters, the main characters were always to quick to catch on on some secrets, etc. It's all a little too easy for my taste at times, and that made me grit my teeth. Sarene, especially, who singlehandedly puts the king in his place, alters the way the aristocracy views the world, and defies a man bent on toppling a kingdom and a religion. Don't get me wrong. The characters are fun, witty, and there is a lot of humour in this book. It's just that I believe that a little darker, grittier aspect would have been more appropriate in some instances.

In the end, what makes Elantris so special is the fact that it's so accessible. This is a book that basically anyone who likes a good fantasy epic can enjoy. And the fact that it is a stand-alone novel makes it even more appealing. This book was more popular than expected in hardcover. And I'm persuaded that it will be a huge success when it is released in paperback.

Keep an eye on Brandon Sanderson, for he just might be one of the bright new voices in the fantasy genre. And if it's not too late, you can also add Elantris on your Christmas present list!:-)

The final verdict: 7,5/10

The new issue of Gryphonwood is out!

You can see the online version here: www.gryphonwoodpress.com

As always, it contains a bunch of fantasy short stories and other related material. Plus, you get a couple of my book reviews from this fall, as well as the interview I did with Robin Hobb last summer!:-)

Check it out!

Win a free copy of Terry Pratchett's THUD!

Yes, here we go again! In collaboration with Transworld, a copy of Pratchett's latest is now up for grabs!:-) And the great thing is that the winner will have the book delivered right to his or her door!

You know the drill by now. To register, just send an email containing your full mailing address to reviews@(NO-SPAM)gryphonwoodpress.com, with the header "THUD!" Just remove the No-spam addition. Yes, it's that simple!

The name of the lucky winner will be drawn right after the Holidays. Once again, this contest if open to all. Good luck to all the participants!

The Bonehunters Contest Winner!

Hi guys!

I just wanted to let you all know that the name of the big winner has finally been drawn! It's Joseph Coeshaw, from Avon, UK. Thanks to all the participants, and there were many!

Many thanks to Transworld for graciously accepting to do this with me. Without their support, this contest would not have been possible!

Stay tuned for more!;-)

Pat

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (December 13th)

In hardcover:

George R. R. Martin's A Feast for Crows slips one spot, ending its fourth week on the NYT list at number 10.

James Luceno's The Rise of Darth Vader maintains its position, remaining at number 11 for its second week on the prestigious list.

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams also maintains its position, ending its 8th week on the NYT list at number 14.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes is down 3 spots, finishing its tenth week on the bestseller list at number 19.

In paperback:

Terry Goodkind's Chainfire debuts at number 28.

Giants of the Frost

Time Warner Books sent me this book as part of the same package which contained Kitty and the Midnight Hour. And since I rather enjoyed that novel, I elected to give Kim Wilkins' Giants of the Frost a shot. The book will be released soon, so what the heck. And again, I was rewarded with a very interesting and enjoyable read.

As I've mentioned before, I'm not a big fan of the dark urban fantasy sub-genre. Having said that, following a major epic like Bakker's The Thousandfold Thought, Wilkins' book was a welcome change.

I truly had no expectations regarding this novel. I had never heard of the author, to tell the truth. Hopefully more and more people will now check her out! Time Warner also sent me her first novel, The Autumn Castle, which I will definitely read.

This tale revolves around one of the oldest clichés in storytelling: forbidden love. This is something that could push potential readers away. But Wilkins does a very good job, and she tackles that cliché in a very adroit manner.

The characterizations are at times wonderful, at times okay, and at times lacking in substance. The main character, Victoria Scott, is drawn in minute details. As far as three-dimensional characters go, you can't ask for anything better than that. Unfortunately, most of the "legendary" characters, those who live in Asgard, are not as well-drawn. Loki, in particular, left a lot to be desired.

The worldbuilding is particularly interesting. There is a rich blend of Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore that is at times fascinating.

The premise of the story is quite engaging. Victoria, fleeing her mother and another failed marriage, takes a job as a scientist on an isolated island in the Sea of Norway. There, away from her problems, she hopes to complete her doctoral thesis. But she soon discovers that there are a number of mythic tales and rumors associated with the island. And more frightening than the island's mysteries is the fact that everything is hauntingly familiar. Then, a stranger appears on the almost-deserted island, turning her life upside down. To her dismay, she learns that their destinies are connected, dating back to a conflict centuries old.

Well-written, well-paced for the most part, Giants of the Frost is a fine novel. If you are looking for something a little different, give this Kim Wilkins offering a chance. You can also visit her website at www.kimwilkins.com.

The final verdict: 7,5/10

The Prince of Nothing contest winner

Hi guys!

Well, the name of the lucky winner has just been drawn! And it's Dave Northeast, from Oshawa, Canada.

As promised, he will receive a hardcover set of The Prince of Nothing trilogy, which includes The Darkness That Comes Before, The Warrior-Prophet, and of course The Thousandfold Thought.

Many thanks to Overlook for not only helping me to set this up, but for the greatest prize so far! I would also like to thank all the participants. Stay tuned for more!;-)

By the way, the Erikson contest winner will be drawn next week! It could be you!:-)

Pat

R. Scott Bakker Interview on the way!

Hey there!

Just received word from Scott, and he's interested in doing an interview. The only thing is that he's going on vacation for the next couple of weeks. So the interview will take place in January.

Which means that early in 2006, we'll have a Q&A with the man who wrote what just might be the best fantasy novel of the coming year!

Stay tuned!

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (December 6th)

In hardcover:

George R. R. Martin's A Feast for Crows slips a little, but manages to remain in the top 10. The book ended its third week on the NYT list at number 9.

James Luceno's The Rise of Darth Vader debuts at number 11.

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams is hanging in there, dropping 3 positions to finish its seventh week on the bestseller list at number 14.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes is up 4 spots, rising to number 16 for its ninth week on the NYT list.

Nothing to report in paperback. . .

The Radioactive Redhead

I received this book as part of a package from Penguin Books. I had never heard of both John Zakour and Lawrence Ganem. But the premise of the story appeared funny enough, and I could use something "light" to read. So I decided to give The Radioactive Redhead a shot.

And once more, I was rewarded with a very entertaining read. This book would be perfect for the beach, the airport, or the plane. Not too long, with a narrative that flows well, it makes for a quick read. Even better, it will get at least a smile, a smirk, a laugh or a chuckle per chapter!

The Radioactive Redhead is a scifi novel that doesn't take itself too seriously. So don't expect worldbuilding of the first order, resounding depth, or deeply realized characters. This is futuristic pulp for readers who wish to enjoy the ride. And it is a fun ride!

Zachary Nixon Johnson is the last private investigator on Earth. Somehow, if that's possible, this character is sort of a cross between James Bond and Kramer. Helping him is his Artificial Intelligence sidekick HARV. The problem is, this AI wishes to experiment and elects to go through a sex change, becoming the female HARA. Zach thought that HARV could be an annoying pain in the butt, so he is quite unprepared for what comes next.

On his way to accept a contract, Zach is attacked by droid assassins. He barely manages to survive, only to find out that an entertainment network is attempting to kill him as part of a new reality show Let's kill Zach.

To add to his problems, Zach unwittingly becomes the bodyguard of Sexy Sprockets, a teen superstar. Sexy, on her farewell tour, has been receiving death threats from a terrorist organization known as PATA: People Against Talentless Acts.

Hence, trying to survive the reality show episodes, work out some domestic problems with his girlfriend, save Sexy's life and career, live with his new sidekick, all makes for an entertaining read!

This novel will certainly never win a Nobel Prize. But if you are looking for something funny to read this Holiday season, The Radioactive Redhead is definitely for you.

The final verdict: 7/10

The Thousandfold Thought

Understandably, it was with great eagerness that I wanted to sink my teeth into this book, the last volume of The Prince of Nothing trilogy. Although very sluggish in rhythm at times, The Warrior-Prophet had the sort of ending that set the stage for so much more. Hence, the question was whether or not Bakker could close the show with a flourish.

Believe me when I tell you that The Thousandfold Thought doesn't disappoint! Simply put, it's brilliant!

As was the case with its predecessors, it is an intelligent work, in every run of the mill. This novel, in my humble opinion, will satisfy purists and aficionados in a manner that will certainly make you beg for more.:-) Again, the psychological, philosophical, and religious aspects of this grand epic will undoubtedly prevent this incredible trilogy from ever becoming mainstream. Yet now, more than ever, I'm convinced that this state of affairs will allow The Prince of Nothing and its sequels to retain their uniqueness in the fantasy genre. Which, in the end, is probably priceless.

Bakker's original Mideastern setting continues to be fascinating, as well as a breath of fresh air compared to what is currently on the market. Once more, the worldbuilding is of the first order. It's pure delight to be drawn into this richly detailed universe. In addition, The Thousandfold Thought contains an encyclopedic glossary, a good portion of which I read during my lunch break today. Over 100 pages of pertinent information! I have to admit that I'm more than a little surprised that his publishers elected to include such a detailed glossary. Indeed, it has to be the most comprehensive one since the appendices found within the one-volume edition of The Lord of the Rings.

The most enjoyable facet of this novel is the fact that R. Scott Bakker turns everything around, demonstrating just how good a storyteller he can be. So expect the unexpected. And throughout the entire tale, everything resounds with a depth which we rarely encounter in today's fantasy market.

In The Darkness that Comes Before and The Warrior-Prophet, it was the tapestry woven by the characters and their actions that kept me turning those pages. The Prince of Nothing is populated by a cast of deeply realized characters. And nowhere is it more apparent than in The Thousandfold Thought.

If you believe that you know where Bakker is going with everyone, then you are sadly mistaken. The storylines take various unanticipated twists and turns, surprising the readers on more than one occasion. The characterizations, which were so impressive in the first volume, didn't progress as much in the second one. However, there is evident character growth in this one, enough to please even the most demanding fans.

As impossible as it may sound, just about every character has a role to play in the outcome of the Holy War. And you better buckle up, for Bakker has a lot in store for Achamian, Esmenet, Kellhus, Conphas, Maithanet, Proyas, and all the others. They are all, in different degrees, important.

Another fascinating aspect of this book turns out to be the many revelations pertaining to the Apocalypse, the Consult, the Inchoroi, the Nonmen, the No-God, the Gnosis, the Cishaurim, etc. The glossary also contains a wealth of information concerning these things and a lot more.

Bakker maintains that almost poetic way he has with battle narrative. There is a certain sense of wonder with the way the author depicts battle scenes. And with the battle of Shimeh comprising about 100 pages of this final volume, fans of action should be more than satisfied!

As for the meeting between Kellhus and Moënghus, I will say nothing. This book review will not contain any spoilers. Read the book if you wish to find out! One thing is for sure, the last 2 chapters of The Thousandfold Thought set the stage for the upcoming series. And I just can't wait to get my hands on it!

As for the mechanical aspects of the novel, the prose is impeccable. The narrative is concise and flows seamlessly. The dialogues are genuine. And the pace is crisp. To tell the truth, I can't really find any negative comment to offer. It's that damn good! And the author manages to cap it all off with the sort of ending that's well worth re-reading a time or two.

The Thousandfold Thought will -- at least until a new contender makes its presence known -- be the book to beat this year. Having set the bar rather high, Bakker may have written what could possibly be the best fantasy novel to be released in 2006. This book deserves the highest possible recommendation. This saga is definitely a "must read" work.

So pre-order it, or buy it as soon as it becomes available. It will be released in hardcover by Overlook and in trade paperback by Penguin Books Canada.

The final verdict: 9,5/10

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (November 29th)

In hardcover:

George R. R. Martin's A Feast for Crows slips 6 spots, ending its second week on the NYT list at number 7.

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams drops 3 positions, finishing its sixth week on the prestigious list at number 11.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes is down 2 spots, ending the week at number 20. The novel has remained on the bestseller list for 8 consecutive weeks.

R. A. Salvatore's Promise of the Witch-King drops 8 positions, finishing its fourth week at number 30.

Nothing to report in paperback. . .

Kitty and the Midnight Hour

First of all, I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of the horror/dark urban fantasy sub-genres. I don't hink I've read books containing werewolves and vampires (Pratchett notwithstanding) since the old TSR Ravenloft books.

I didn't know what to expect when I elected to read this book. Because of its cover, I had preconceived misconceptions. But I'm currently reading Bakker's The Thousandfold Thought (taking notes, etc), which means that I couldn't bring it at work. Needing something to read during my lunch breaks, and since Time Warner sent me a review copy of the novel, I went for it. I wanted something "light," something that wouldn't take me weeks to finish. To all ends and purposes, Carrie Vaughn's Kitty and the Midnight Hour appeared to be just what the doctor ordered. Plus, the book was released earlier this month, so what the heck?

To tell the truth, I wasn't expecting much more than something to kill time. Well, I'm happy to report that I've enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected. Kitty and the Midnight Hour is a very entertaining novel!

The narrative flows extremely well. The dialogues are pretty good. The pace is crisp, keeping you turning those pages. The premise, which on the blurb seemed a little lame, turns out to be original and a lot of fun.

The characterizations are well-done, with Kitty coming out as a strong, three-dimensional characters. In fact, it's Kitty's character which really draws you into this story.

Although a "dark" tale, Vaughn's witty sense of humor shines through Kitty's character, bringing a certain balance between the lighter and the darker sides of this horror story.

And there is much more depth to this story than I first anticipated. Vaughn uses the fact that Kitty hosts a radio show offering late-night advice to men and women who are supernaturally disadvantaged to reveal a ton of information on werewolves and vampires. Hence, we learn much concerning werewolves' packs and how they function. The same can be said pertaining to vampires' families.

So what exactly is this book about, you ask? Well, I'm not about to include spoilers in this book review. Let's just say that Kitty, a werewolf in the closet, finds herself in the middle of a power struggle within her pack. Moreover, the head of the city's vampire family appears to want her dead. She soon finds herself facing a bounty hunter, and her expertise is required to solve a number of strange and violent homicides. As Kitty's radio show's popularity continues to skyrocket, more and more people are drawn to Elijah Smith and his Church of the Pure Faith. They supposedly possess the secret to cure werewolves and vampires, and bring them back fully on the side of humanity. Meanwhile, the US government is also taking a growing interest in the paranormal.

As I said, a very entertaining book. I will certainly read Kitty's upcoming adventures!

The final verdict: 8/10

Win a free hardcover set of THE PRINCE OF NOTHING trilogy

Hi guys!

It's unbelievable, I know! After Robin Hobb and Neil Gaiman in October, I was lucky enough to announce that we had two new contests under way, one for Tad Williams' Shadowplay and one for Steven Erikson's The Bonehunters.

Well, I have just received word that The Overlook Press has given me the "go ahead" to organize my R. Scott Bakker contest. In the beginning, the prize was to be a copy of The Thousandfold Thought. Which, everyone would agree, was a neat enough prize. But Overlook has decided to set the bar a little higher, granting the winner a complete hardcover set of The Prince of Nothing trilogy. Hence, the lucky winner will received The Darkness that Comes Before, The Warrior-Prophet, and The Thousandfold Thought! Now that's something!;-)

All you have to do to register is to leave your name and full mailing address in an email that you will send to reviews@(NO-SPAM)gryphonwoodpress.com. Please make sure that the header reads "BAKKER." But remove the No-spam addition. And if you haven't registered for the Tad Williams or the Steven Erikson contest, please do the same but with the header "SHADOWPLAY" or "THE BONEHUNTERS." One name will be randomly drawn, sent to the publisher, and a while later the books will be delivered to your doorstep!;-)

Yes, it's that easy!!! Many thanks again to Overlook for accepting to do this! Once again, this contest is open to all, regardless of where you are from.

Good luck to all the participants!

P. S. I'm halfway through The Thousandfold Thought and it's great so far!:-)

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (November 22nd)

In hardcover:

George R. R. Martin's A Feast for Crows makes an impressive debut, holding the number 1 spot on the NYT list.

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams is still selling very well. Although it's down 2 spots, it finishes its fifth week on the bestseller list at number 8.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes drops 1 position, ending its seventh week on the prestigious list at number 18.

R. A. Salvatore's Promise of the Witch-King continues to drop, down 2 spots this week, finishing its third week on the list at number 22.

Nothing to report in paperback. . .

THUD!

Okay, I'll be the first to admit it. I can be a fairly stupid person when I put my mind to it. At least that's how I feel, having now finished my very first Terry Pratchett novel. Go ahead, throw rocks at me! You are certainly entitled. I've been an avid reader of the genre for two decades now, as many well know. So how come I have never read a Discworld book before now? It's a legitimate question, that's true. Unfortunately, I have no satisfying answer to offer you.

Living in Canada, where we can get Pratchett's novels since the beginning (one of the joys of being a member of the Commonwealth!), I've seen the Discworld novels every time I go to a bookstore. For some reason, I harbored doubts that fantasy and comedy could particularly go well together. After all, when I needed a laugh, there was always Seinfeld. Having read Thud!, I realize the immensity of my error of judgement. Over the years, I have witnessed how popular the author became. The first time I traveled to London, I noticed that he had more shelf space than Jordan and Tolkien put together. Still, I was reticent to pick up on of his books.

When Thud! debuted at number 4 on the NYT bestseller list, certain critics claimed that it was about time American fantasy readers realized just how good Terry Pratchett was. In light of such acclaim, I finally decided that the time had come for me to jump on the bandwagon.

The narrative flows flawlessly, and the dialogues are great and bring a smile on your face at every turn.:-) Pratchett's sharp wit and delightful humor surpass those of both Neal Stephenson and Neil Gaiman, two of my favorites in those departments.

With Discworld being such an enormous series, I was afraid that I would have difficulty getting into the story. Yet that was not the case. Although a lot is alluded to, new readers like me can read Thud! as a stand-alone novel without missing a beat. The dynamic prose keeps you turning those pages, following the wild adventures of a bunch of hilarious characters.

I now understand why Pratchett has garnered so much praise over the years. And believe me, it is well-deserved. Although humorous, there is a much deeper side to the author's work. Most jokes and observations often act as a mirror to our own world. Hidden underneath one of the most entertaining book I've read this year is an insightful social commentary.

And the author's jab at The Da Vinci Code, as Vimes and company must solve the riddle of a painting that supposedly conceals the true secret of the Koom Valley battle, was a nice touch to a wonderful tale.

I am now -- and forever will be -- a fan of Terry Pratchett and the Discworld universe! Yes, it took me a long time to face the truth. But I am now a believer! And I now have 29 Discworld novels to read and enjoy! By the way, can anyone tell me how a series which has reached its 30th volume can still be this good!?!

If you haven't read it yet, put Thud! on that Christmas present list! The other Discworld books will certainly be on mine!;-)

The final verdict: 9/10

Win a free copy of Steven Erikson's THE BONEHUNTERS

Hi guys!

Wow! After Robin Hobb and Neil Gaiman last month, here we go again! Barely two days ago, I announced a new contest in which the lucky winner will receive a free copy of Tad Williams' Shadowplay from the publisher. And I just got word that Transworld agreed to hook up one happy winner with a copy of Steven Erikson's The Bonehunter. The book will be released on March 1st, 2006.

All you have to do to register is to leave your name and full mailing address in an email that you will send to reviews@(NO-SPAM)gryphonwoodpress.com. Please remove the No-spam addition and make sure that the header reads "BONEHUNTERS." And if you haven't registered for the Tad Williams contest, please do the same but with the header "SHADOWPLAY." One name will be randomly drawn, sent to the publisher, and a while later the book will be delivered to your doorstep!;-)

Yes, it's that easy!!! Many thanks again to Transworld for accepting to do this! Once again, this contest is open to all, regardless of where you are from.

Good luck to all the participants!

Accepting Questions for a Steven Erikson Interview

Hi guys!

I just got word from my contact at Transworld, and she will be happy to arrange an interview with Steven Erikson for me!;-) Lucky me, I know!

As always, feel free to sumbit the questions you would like me to ask the author. I will select a number of questions from the fans to add to the interview.

Remember that your comments and observations are always appreciated. . .:-)

Oh, and by the way, I should be able to announce that The Bonehunter contest tonight! So get ready to register!

Pat

Win a free copy of Tad Williams' Shadowplay

Hi guys!

Well, since the Robin Hobb and Neil Gaiman contests were a lot of fun to put together, here we go again!;-) I've just received the confirmation by email that I had the "go ahead" to do this.

In collaboration with Penguin Books USA, I'm organizing a little contest in which the lucky winner will receive a free copy of Tad Williams' Shadowplay from the publisher. There is no official release date at the moment, although Penguin Books believe that it will be in spring/summer 2006. You can already read an excerpt at www.shadowmarch.com.

All you have to do to register is to leave your name and full mailing address in an email that you will send to reviews@(NO-SPAM)gryphonwoodpress.com. I should have thought about that for the previous ones, since a lot of people were uncomfortable with the thought of leaving their names and email addresses in the comment section. By acting thus, it will keep everyone's identity private -- as it should be. Please remove the No-spam addition and make sure that the header reads "SHADOWPLAY." One name will be randomly drawn, sent to the publisher, and a while later the book will be delivered to your doorstep!;-)

Yes, it's that easy!!! Many thanks again to Penguin Books USA for accepting to do this! Once again, this contest is open to all, regardless of where you are from.

Good luck to all the participants!

P. S. I'm hammering out the details to set up another such contest for R. Scott Bakker's The Thousandfold Thought. In addition, I'm in the process of doing the same for Steven Erikson's The Bonehunters. So stay tuned!

Scepters

This third volume in Modesitt's The Corean Chronicles proved to live up to the promise generated by the first two books of the trilogy. Scepters is indeed a very neat finale.

Once again, what may appear to be not too complicated at first turns out to be a multilayered tale. And the author certainly takes his sweet time, gradually revealing those intriguing details to the readers.

As was the case with its predecessors, the first half of the book suffers from a somewhat slow pace. For fans of Modesitt's works, this is no big deal. Indeed, they are aware that the best is yet to come. But, as I stated in my previous book reviews, new readers may find the rhythm to be sluggish at times. The first part of Scepters follows Alucius, now promoted to a higher rank and given command of a combined force of Northern and Southern Guards. Hence, for quite a while this novel is more martial fantasy, with military battles, strategy, etc.

The worldbuilding reaches another level in this book. We learn a lot more about the ifrits and their insidious influence, as well as the Ancient Ones who toppled the Duarchy. All is not as it seems on the world of Corus, and an unseen threat menaces all its inhabitants and the world itself. Even Alucius doesn't quite know how to react to those disturbing discoveries.

The characters remain three-dimensional. Our reluctant hero continues to attempt to survive, so he can return home to the stead. Wendra, now pregnant with his child, plays a larger role in this one.

All the storylines converge toward a climax that is quite interesting. Unfortunately, the author sets up the ending in a way that will make it almost impossible for sequels.

Nicely written, with great dialogues -- as always. And with L. E. Modesitt, jr.'s patented sound effects to boot!

As are most of Modesitt's works, this trilogy is for thoughtful readers. This is not the equivalent of a big budget production, to be appreciated by every dumb ass out there. In one of its reviews, Starlog wrote, "Legacies is for people who enjoy a leisurely reading experience, want to see their characters grow and like to fill in the blanks themselves rather than have the author do it for them. . ." I could not have said it better myself. . .:-)

So if you wish to try something different, something intelligent, not particularly fast-paced but in no way boring, then I'd recommend picking up The Corean Chronicles. This trilogy certainly makes a nice addition to any fantasy collection. So think about adding it to that Christmas present list!;-)

The final verdict: 8/10