William Kerney 2008-10-07

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

It's very rare that I read a book and finish it and say, "You know, that could have been a good book, but the editor screwed it up."

This is one of them. The editing is appalling.

I don't mean things like typos or grammatical mistakes, I mean storyline editing. There's just no way this trilogy should have passed muster. There's setups with no payoffs, payoffs with no setups, major characters who don't do anything, major conflicts mainly revolving around a misunderstanding (which later gets cleared up), and plot points that repeat themselves and repeat themselves over and over.

These problems are found throughout the trilogy (the second major character in the book only appears once, briefly, during the second book, and then at the end, doesn't really have anything to do with anything), but the first book is the worst. The entire first half of the book should have been axed by the editor, and rewritten down to 20 pages. There's just no point, you know how it will turn out, and it's repetitive. I barely managed to slog my way through it after trying four or five times.

The second book is a little better, though the same central plot point repeats through the entire book (she's an outsider! she's being picked on!). It is a little bit more interesting though. The third book, and really, the second half of the third book, is the only part of this trilogy where things actually start to happen.

Seriously, the editor of this series needs to be fired. It's not a bad trilogy - I didn't mind reading it, but it really feels like it needs two or three more drafts before it's ready for print. As Brian Sanderson says, "Don't describe a shotgun on the wall of a cabin unless someone is going to use that shotgun later." There's just entire, major, characters and places that are set up to do something, but then never do. (Cery's girlfriend, the Arena and layout of the Guild in general, etc.)

Even though I liked it, I can't really recommend it to others due to these problems.

E. L. Sapp 2008-08-13

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

The first few chapters, where Sonea discovered her magic and the Guild discovered her, were interested. After that, the book went downhiil quickly.

Almost the entire first half of the book involves Sonea hiding from the Guild, being discovered, running, and hiding again. Occasionally the reader gets a glimpse of the Magicians discussing her, which is interesting, but then the book goes back to endless hide-run-hide.

I almost gave up in disgust, but hate not finishing a book. Once Sonea is found by the Guild, the book picks up considerably. There are still several places where it drones on, however. It never got to the point of flipping pages, looking for when the action picked up again, but it got close a few times.

Bokchoix 2008-06-25

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

I just read the first book, but I bought all three at once so I'll probably read the whole thing.

Back when I was 12-15 I would have enjoyed the story as the standard plot elements of this novel would have been new to me back then. But for my adult tastes it was a bit too much like Enid Blyton meets Harry Potter.

There was one jarring scene in the book which I didn't find at all believable. When Cery is persuaded to pop in to a building and murder someone whom his mentor at the Thieves' Guild wants out of the way. In just two or three paragraphs of brief conversation Cery goes from anguishing over whether he could ever do such a thing, to pulling his knives out with a cheerful smile. And then he never gives it a second thought after that; it doesn't seem to change his attitude or outward behaviour. He's a thief and now a murderer with a heart of gold and boy-next-door demeanour. Not convincing for me.

Rachael R. Wollet 2008-04-29

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

This is a well written beginning to a new world for Canavan. It's definately not high fantasy, but it's a good read for someone looking for an escape, or for younger fantasy readers. The plot and characters are strong, if somewhat predictable.

This is a nice read from a new series. It gets a bit dark at times, and the later books get darker, but it's an overall easy read.

MizzMommy 2008-01-19

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

I read the entire series and one thing came out of it: I myself fell in love with the highlord akkarin. It's just such a romantic story above all.
I'm not going to explain what happens in the book but i think this trilogy will mostly appeal to women and girls.

The characters are thourough, yet standard. the plotline is entertaining yet predictable. it's one of those let's crawlup by the fireplace and let us dream away for a few hours, without much thinking or remembering.

It's a good story but not the best.

I would certainly recommend it for young readers (girls) and as light literature.