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Books
Jun 24, 2010 20:31:01 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- Huntard^^ on Jun 24, 2010 20:31:01 GMT 1
This topic used to be around, and I've got some things that people might want to read =) Since the start of this year I've been enlisted in a Fantasy organisation ( The David Gemmell Legend Awards). They sent me books released last year and in turn I write them a review of it! It's a win-win situation, or better described for me as an OMGEPIC-OMGEPIC situation. Anywho, I'd like to share the three reviews I've written so far with you, since I received very positive replies on the small descriptions on books I've supplied you with in the past. Enjoy, and if you don't want to read it don't bother typing TLDR ^^
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Books
Jun 24, 2010 20:31:38 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- Huntard^^ on Jun 24, 2010 20:31:38 GMT 1
L.E. Modesitt, Jr. – “Imager”
Imager is the story of a young portraiturist, Rhennthyl, struggling through life. He shows great potential while painting but isn’t allowed to prosper due to the strict rules of his guild. One day, when he tries to paint someone’s eyes he notices that he could’ve painted them perfectly if only he had a certain colour. Sadly enough that colour (Imager’s green) is extremely expensive and thus unavailable to a simple journeyman. When he looks back to his canvas in resignation something weird had happened, the eyes were captured on canvas. Correctly. Welcome to the world of Imagers, where your mind can decide what is, and what is not. In Terahnar, some people are born with a rare gift. The gift of Imaging. Imaging is the art of changing reality in small ways. Conjuring a pen from nowhere, a blotch of ink to get that art piece júst right. Or even replace the contents of that glass of juice with something a little less benevolent. In short, Imagers have a lot of potential and thus are commonly feared by normal people. In Solidar, where Rhennthyl lives, the Imagers have their own guild, the Collegium, and they follow strict rules to keep everyone at peace. The severe punishments carried out by the guild on acts like using Imaging for you own gain or to harm another make sure that the government of Solidar allows the Imagers to remain. Of course, arrangements like providing certain rare ores and other expensive materials might have something to do with that too. When Rhennthyl joins the Collegium he gets trained at a rapid pace. While most people discover their Imaging talent before becoming an apprentice, Rhennthyl discovered his a lot later, several years in his training to become a master portraiturist. Therefore he has a lot of catching up to do, and so from sunrise to sundown he gets private lessons in all sorts of subjects. While exercising they notice that Rhennthyl has remarkable talent and he progresses through the ranks at a rapid pace. Especially his background is a great help in comprehending how Imaging works, since Imaging is an art of its own. When his private lessons even continue after he caught up with his peers, he finds out that he’s being trained for more than being a ‘casual’ Imager. I’ll leave the story at that, and go on to the more important parts of the book. What I really liked is that the author is very wise, and provides a constant stream of expressions that make you think. For instance every chapter starts with an almost philosophical remark and most of the time the chapter illustrates that remark. Since a chapter is usually only about five pages that makes for a lot of remarks that make you think! Also, a large part of Rhenn’s training consists of both political and philosophical subjects, resulting in brain-teasing lessons not only for Rhenn but for you as well, if you so choose. Of course, you can just let all that pass by and continue with the story but if you’re a bit into philosophy it’s just great to think about everything before going on! At first the remarks are of a more artistic nature since it’s about his life as a journeyman and as his life changes, so does the nature of the remarks. Some examples are “The world and its parts are as they are; accuracy is a term man applies to his small creations”, “Love is both a name and an act; too often the name triumphs”, and “Perfection can lead to great imperfection”. Throughout the story, Rhenn visits services. They provide a very interesting religion and especially the homilies are well thought-out. They’re all connected to how we perceive things, and how that can lead us to fallacies.
The world and its inhabitants are realistic and well thought-out, and so is the Imaging-system. Art and perception are the major components of the story, while subtlety and secrecy gain in importance as it progresses. And of course, a tinge of love is never absent. It’s remarkable how a fast-paced story and brain teasers are combined.
~Koen Peters
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Books
Jun 24, 2010 20:32:06 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- Huntard^^ on Jun 24, 2010 20:32:06 GMT 1
AMANDA DOWNUM’S “The Drowning City” The necromancer chronicles
The Drowning City is the first book in an upcoming trilogy, The Necromancer Chronicles. It tales of Issylt, a young necromancer and assassin sent to start a revolution. That immediately sets the stage for a dark world and it sure proved to be! The Drowning City, Symir, is a city torn by factions. After years of oppression the local tribes are finally standing up against their rulers. Yet opinions on how to gain freedom vary, the two main factions are the Tigers and the Dai Tranh. The Tigers try to gain freedom peacefully but the Dai Tranh have lost their patience and yearn for revenge. They harass the city with surprise attacks, setting flame to buildings and robbing warehouses. Issylt, the main character, has been sent to support the revolutionaries to overthrow their rulers and she starts off neutral. Since a burned down city wouldn’t be of much use to her master she decides to side with the Tigers. I’ll leave the storyline at that, since I do not want to spoil the details or the plot. A lot of intrigue and deceptions are part of the story so things are easily spoiled. Let’s start with the good things, as that is what most people would like to know anyway! The best thing about this book for me was the setting. As I mentioned earlier the world is rather dark. Mythical creatures roam everywhere and they aren’t very benevolent. Quite the opposite. Nakh try to pull you under water to drown you and haunting ghosts try to catch you unawares to take over your mind and body. Even your ancestors can turn on you so they can extract their revenge in a second life. Magic is also very common, Issylt is one of few necromancers, who are not well liked among the people. Death is not easily mastered after all and even when you succeed it comes at a high price. Sadly enough, this book doesn’t contain much more than a promising setting. The characters are very shallow and you don’t get to feel compassion for any of them. This is probably due to the lack of thoughts. A lot of writers write down the thoughts of their main character and this really adds to your understanding of the characters. The Drowning City is very action oriented though. The tale has a fast pace and there’s never a boring moment. Even though I didn’t get the deeper meanings or interesting characters I desire, I still enjoyed it. The story didn’t suck me in but neither did it make me yawn, so it’s probably a very nice read for people who prefer books that focus on action.
~Reviewed by Koen Peters
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Books
Jun 24, 2010 20:32:42 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- Huntard^^ on Jun 24, 2010 20:32:42 GMT 1
Trudi Canavan The Magician’s Apprentice
The Magician’s Apprentice tells of the time several hundreds of years before the events of Trudi Canavan’s “The Black Magician Trilogy”. It’s said to be a good prologue for her first trilogy but I disagree, for reasons I’ll explain further on. The main character is Tessia, an aide to her father, who is the healer in a remote town. She greatly enjoys helping people out, healing. Her dream is to become her father’s successor but female healers are frowned upon. So just like is the case with Canavan’s other books, there’s a conflict between interest and tradition. Since the title of the book is Magician’s Apprentice it’s not that surprising when it’s found out that she has magical talent; this changes her life completely, and results in not having to break tradition to become a healer. She decides to learn magic, in order to use it to get closer to her dream. Now that you’re introduced to the main character, I’ll continue with a small description of the storyline. The story takes place in Kyralia, a country that was formerly enslaved by their neighbours, the Sachakans. Their freedom is rather recent (about a century), so there’s still bad blood between the two countries. They try their hardest to be diplomatic, and not to give offence. After all, it’s well known that Sachakan magician’s are substantially stronger than Kyralia’s. In Sachaka there are a lot of problems, there are more magician’s than available land, and landless magician’s don’t have a high status. It’s mostly these magician’s that think recapturing Kyralia is a good idea, and when they start invading it their successes attract more magician’s to the fight. So far for the ‘details’ and on to the things that really matter. For the people that read and liked the Black Magician’s trilogy, I’d greatly recommend reading this “prologue”. I say “prologue” because in my opinion it’s better suited as an “epilogue” (even though the events take place earlier). As for the reasons: Magician’s Apprentice gives you a lot of insight in the world introduced in the Black Magician trilogy. This means that if you read the prologue first, you’ll have a decent understanding of how magic works and how the various factions relate. I can’t tell for certain but I’m afraid that this foreknowledge will greatly spoil the bliss that was the Black Magician trilogy. After all, it focussed on mystery and not knowing what’s going on. The foreknowledge gained in the prologue will diminish some of the surprises and will even allow you to figure out some things on your own. Not to mention that in the copy I read there was a huge miss-spelling that, if noted and remembered, will spoil the trilogy. BUT, as an epilogue on the other hand, this book is marvellous! It offers new insights in the history of the land. You get to experience great magical discoveries for yourself, for example healing wasn’t something magician’s could do back then and Tessia will make some remarkable discoveries due to the pursuing of her dream. Also, it marks the beginning of the Magician’s Guild and the events that led to the forming of the Allied Lands. And as if a gripping story in the world you know and love is not enough, it also acts as a prologue (yes a prologue after all!). The events told in Magician’s Apprentice are not history to the Kyralians, in Sonea’s time they’re considered a mystery! Their history is full of gaps and the filling of these gaps is a core-part of Canavan’s upcoming trilogy “The Traitor Spy”. Of course now I hear you thinking, “won’t this spoil the upcoming trilogy then?”. I can assure you, it won’t (I’ve read Ambassador’s Mission yet ^_^). At the end of Magician’s Apprentice they make a time-leap of a decade, and then proceed to a major event that is only shortly described (god, I love being vague!). Exactly this decade and the following ones contain the information that’s being sought in Ambassador’s Mission. In the end it’s a prologue after all, just not to “The Black Magician” trilogy! I’d greatly recommend reading this book to anyone who has read that trilogy (and liked it of course) and especially if you’re planning to read Canavan’s new trilogy too. If you haven’t read Canavan’s first trilogy yet, do so, it’s a great read! As is the case with all of her books, Magician’s Apprentice offers very real and charming characters, and a story that leaves you craving for more. I can’t wait to ‘read’ what the future brings!
~Koen Peters
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Jun 24, 2010 20:33:29 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- Huntard^^ on Jun 24, 2010 20:33:29 GMT 1
The originals look a little bit better due to the lay-out change of html, but who cares =D *here ends my spam*
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Jun 24, 2010 20:38:17 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- Timotheus on Jun 24, 2010 20:38:17 GMT 1
Oh, maybe some admin could grab the old thread out, awesome discussion there. Well, Dan Brown, Tolkien and Heitz
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Books
Jun 24, 2010 20:53:56 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- Equester on Jun 24, 2010 20:53:56 GMT 1
Very nice, all of them dude! But I need to say only the last one would be interesting to me to read. Sounds quite interesting! Althought the plot seems familiar to me Awesome English, Awesome to see you back!
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-=TLF=- Kuma
Jedi Lore Keeper
The world is changing, you can't stop the new age!
Posts: 912
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Books
Jun 24, 2010 21:04:14 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- Kuma on Jun 24, 2010 21:04:14 GMT 1
yeah i like the books of trudi canavan theyre great and also tolkien and heitz like timbo said
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Books
Jun 25, 2010 18:24:06 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- RaZeR on Jun 25, 2010 18:24:06 GMT 1
i havent read it yet but nice
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Books
Jun 25, 2010 18:48:01 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- Equester on Jun 25, 2010 18:48:01 GMT 1
I bought the last book xD The book about Tessia! So lets see!
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Jun 26, 2010 14:29:25 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- Huntard^^ on Jun 26, 2010 14:29:25 GMT 1
Haha cool equester! =P Good taste in books!!! XD
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Jun 26, 2010 16:04:06 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- Equester on Jun 26, 2010 16:04:06 GMT 1
xD ty dude^^ Hope I get some time to read it
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Jun 27, 2010 10:03:18 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- Timotheus on Jun 27, 2010 10:03:18 GMT 1
Does anyone have red Dan Browns Lost Symbol yet?
Just awesome.
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Books
Jul 5, 2010 19:27:22 GMT 1
Post by (Rogue)Metalgod on Jul 5, 2010 19:27:22 GMT 1
normally i like Book reviews.... and these were no exception ^^ the second book caught my eye! and i might look into the first one, as i told you i might be an imager!
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Jul 5, 2010 21:29:42 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- +Templer+ on Jul 5, 2010 21:29:42 GMT 1
i recommend "The left hand of God" by Paul Hoffman great book cant write because i must sleep now but you can google it
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-=TLF=- Kuma
Jedi Lore Keeper
The world is changing, you can't stop the new age!
Posts: 912
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Books
Jul 5, 2010 22:48:17 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- Kuma on Jul 5, 2010 22:48:17 GMT 1
do you know Wolfgang Hohlbein? his books are great too i read a lot of his books
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Jul 6, 2010 3:15:06 GMT 1
Post by -=TLF=- Kavenged on Jul 6, 2010 3:15:06 GMT 1
Hello Metalgod! How you been?
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