Most helpful customer reviews
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Otherwise Imaginative, Complex Tale Still Hampered By Prose, Aug 13 2000
There is much to recommend this series: an imaginative world and realm of magic, strong and diverse character development, and a complex, multi-layered tale. This book, along with the "Warhost of Vastmark," are improvements upon the first two books in the series, and under normal circumstances I would be tempted to give it a higher scoring. However, the author's dense and often over-wrought language continues to obstruct both the pace and the accessibility of the narrative, through style further convoluting an already complex tale, and often interrupting and intruding upon the rhythm and evolution of the plot. Action is often halted by digressions into unnecessary and over-stated detail, and when a simple explanation or description would suffice, a heavily laden sentence instead is interjected. Though often the author's use of language can be applauded for its vividness of description or singular expression, she turns this strength into a fault, unable to distinguish when language would best serve the story rather than its own internal and stylistic voice. As many other readers have noted the author's propensity to over-work her prose, I think that it must be admitted even by the series' adherents that the use of language here presents an obvious flaw that distances many readers from the tale it is supposed to serve.That said, there continues to exist much merit and interest in this epic that will continue to propel the reader along if they are willing to wade through the author's self-conscious and at times unnecessary verbiage. It is readily apparent that the author takes her work seriously and has ample creative power to render a complex and multi-dimensional tale. And when her writing skills are not distracted by studied considerations of style, she is able to imbue her story with all the emotional and imaginative engagement present in the best fantasy has to offer.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Not as captivating as other Wurts novels, still a good read., Dec 21 1999
By far the best of Janny Wurts' works is this series, however I must admit that at times I found this chapter in the series a trifle boring. I suppose I am expecting the same very high standard that marks her previous novels. She is by far my favourite author, and this novel simply falls short of her standard - however, it is still a very good book and worth the read - just don't expect too much, like I did ;) This novel focuses on the growing power of Lysear's Alliance, Koriathian plots and intrigues, and Arithon's efforts to escape their traps and manipulations. The novel does provide a lot of valuable information that will no doubt become instrumental in the following novels. I have one big complaint though - There was certainly not enough about Elaira. Am I wrong to assume he is the lead female character? When, (Oh when!) are we going to learn more about her, and her experiences. And when will she meet Arithon again? One thing I must praise Mrs. Wurts about - her excellent and unsurpassable talent for creating deep, vivid and beautifully captivating characters. People that are very hard to forget. I simply cannot wait for the next instalment!
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4.0 out of 5 stars
oh well let's be philosophical about it, Nov 16 1999
By A Customer
Hi! Just would like to admit that I am a Janny Wurts fan, all the way from Sorceror's Legacy. Didn't really enjoy this book though. I must admit that certain criticisms levelled at the book are true it can be convulated in language and ponderous in tone, but that's the whole point of reading Janny Wurts. She has a distinctive flair for writing fantasy. It's different from the other usual fantasy greats. ( Okay, the language can be too complicated and heavy at times but it is worth it.) I must admit I didn't finish the book the first time round. I only picked it up again when Grand Conspiracy came up and I had to plow through the whole thing to get going again. I really wished that she would follow the pacing of Warhost where ponderous language and whatnot did not deter the action and bore the reader. In Fugitive however, the pacing is really really bad and the reader gets put off with it. The plot thickens but there is little action to offset the dullness of the whole thing. It only picks up a little at the end. Still having read this in hindsight, it's worth plowing through this massive book just to get to the end. Don't be put off by it, especially if you love the plot because the next in the series is definitely better and so is the pacing! Anyway, back to the book, it gives all the little background details to the other characters and some airtime to Lysaer and other characters like Talith who have been neglected in favour of the more popular Arithon. Perhaps that is why it is so dull sometimes because one is rather used to the vivacity of Arithon than the other characters.
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