Customer Reviews

Williams Tadotherland #2 River Of Blue Fire

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Hmm for some reason this book doesn't capture me as much as the first one did... maybe it drags on too much? Still good and neat ideas in it, but only halfway through it and can't seem to read more than 3 or 4 pages a night..

...than this. One of the best series of books ever. Can't remember being bored for a single page in all 4 books.

After blazing right through City of Golden Shadow, I immediately started on River of Blue Fire. After the cliffhanger that was CoGS ending, I went right through the first few chapters of RoBF, but unfortunately, this second volume just does not have the momentum that CoGS did. It's in this book that we actually see the nature of the Brotherhood's vast conspiracy, but since it's only in glimpses and hints this book will put you in the dark more than its predecessor.
The main problem with this title is that it really tends to dwell. Once they enter "Oz" the story really slows down and the characters just kind of sit around and stew in the situation rather than trying to do something about it.
Even though it's the second part of a series, I think RoBF is just as introductory as CoGS. It does have its problems but I definitely recommend it.

After blazing right through City of Golden Shadow, I immediately started on River of Blue Fire. After the cliffhanger that was CoGS ending, I went right through the first few chapters of RoBF, but unfortunately, this second volume just does not have the momentum that CoGS did. It's in this book that we actually see the nature of the Brotherhood's vast conspiracy, but since it's only in glimpses and hints this book will put you in the dark more than its predecessor.
The main problem with this title is that it really tends to dwell. Once they enter "Oz" the story really slows down and the characters just kind of sit around and stew in the situation rather than trying to do something about it.
Even though it's the second part of a series, I think RoBF is just as introductory as CoGS. It does have its problems but I definitely recommend it.

What a treat it was to stumble upon Tad Williams' Otherworld Series. Volume 2 is even more exciting and complex than the first one, and the characters become more sympathetic and realistic. I am amazed by the diffirent virtual worlds that the author creates and explores, and the various literary and cultural references are fun to watch out for (see if you can find the quotation from the movie Blade Runner). Of course, upon finishing this book, I immediately picked up Volume 3. Onward through Otherland!

Now that may sound like an odd title for this book that has been out for years but, when I first got the original book it was still in the gold cover with the pyramid building on front with the spacecraft flying around it. i waited on bated breath for about two years to find the second book after the cliff hanger in the first book.. SO when I picked this up I of course delved into it knowing what to expect..

But, I did not and should have expected the further introduction of even more characters, more plots, and more suspense....

You really need to stay on top of this series by taking the time to really read it.. not just skimming it.. The plots weave around eachother forming the mysterious Otherworld and the horror that it holds for some of our characters and the promise it holds for others.

Again we find ourselves with our heroes from CoG intwined and stuck within the Otherworld simulation trying to find there way out.. We start to see the romance bloom with !Xabu and Renie.. and we see the tension build with Orlando and his disease..

And then there is the Grail brotherhood and there goals.. That will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat praying that this never happens in Real life...

After reading some of the reviews of this book and after getting over my initial anger, I write this review to hopefully help those of you out there decide whether or not this series is for you.

At first I wondered how anyone could dislike the Otherland books, for they are rich in detail, imagination, and mystery. But I realize not every book is meant for everyone, so maybe this will help you decide whether you will be wasting your time or jumping into a great adventure.

River of Blue Fire is perhaps the best of the 4 books in the series. It takes you into world after world after world. I absolutely loved the moments when the characters reached new gates, wondering what Tad Williams could possibly pull out of his hat this time.

This is a novel to be savored, not zoomed through. The plot doesn't necessarily move forward as quickly as some would like; the mystery still remains illusive. Like reality, Renie and her friends flounder about the Otherworld system, not knowing where to go, what they're looking for, how to find information, or how to navigate the system. Had they figured any of this out so soon would have been incredulous.

What is wonderful about this book is the imagination, the creativity. If Williams had included 100 more worlds, I would not have been satisfied. I wished I could be with the gang and see all they see, do all they do in each world. Williams describes the worlds so vividly that I was upset each time he switched to another character's storyline. Yet soon that new character was all I wanted to read about.

Having a knowledge of classic literature enhances the reading, for many of the worlds are set within the pages of famous novels (which I won't reveal so as to not ruin the suprise). In fact, reading the series has caused me to run out and buy a few of these books to update my knowledge of what is going on in Otherland.

Again, if you're looking for a book to read quickly and with a satisfying conclusion, look elsewhere. If you're looking for something to immerse yourself in, read this series.

I, for one, read the last page of River of Blue Fire and immediately ran out to buy the 3rd book, Mountain of Black Glass, which is unusual for me because I tend to take a break from a series to read other books before I continue on. I didn't want to spend one night without being able to jump in with Renie and all the others and see where the adventure might take me.

I have loved Tad William's fantasy trilogy which is one of the best I ever read. So when the Otherland series was completed I bought book 1 as a start. Once again I was gripped and book 1 is just excellent. Now, in book 2, the story goes splitting more and more in many different ways. Too many in fact. And progressively, the adventure starts to be cut in so many pieces that you feel like being dragged from one place to another. Moreover, splitting the story again and again breaks the whole atmosphere or suspense which he tries to build up. So I liked half of the book hoping for a more action packed book 3. I started it (book 3) and after half of it discovered that the story was going on and on in the same direction, splitting even more what was already too much. So, unfortunately I must admit I gave up and did not finish it. Sorry for Mr Williams, the idea of the book is great but way too long. 3 books was the maximum. Too many details, too many little parts and finally I completely did not care about what was happening. Too bad. Please come back to fantasy !

I have read and enjoyed the entire book now... That is to say, all four books of this one immense volume. That is why I say to be prepared! The first three books do not have clean 'everything gets resolved' endings. They are simply somewhat random stopping points for this character rich tale. But as you finish the final volume, Mr. Williams brings everything together masterfully, with a suspence that rivals the most twisting of mystery novels. It is also believable sci-fi, without the need for 'galaxy far-away' civilizations and incomprehensible alien technologies to make it work. Otherland is a testament to the sci-fi genre.

Reading this book is a similar tale to those of the characters mucking their way through Otherland. At times the quest becomes tedious, but there is enough action to keep you flipping the pages and I always give Tad Williams the benefit of the doubt.

I have to say that this book is as difficult as the first and dont think you are going to get through this in one night. I have to keep a timeline to keep up with the characters and where they are located.

I am writing this review after having read the third book "Mountain of Black Glass" and I have to tell you to keep pushing forward because it gets much much better the farther on you go.

RECOMMENDATIONS: KEEP GOING AND FINISH THE SERIES