Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

"Contrive a situation and let the banality ensue". This seems to have been the guiding principle behind this trilogy. I am motivated to review this book partly because of the lack of unfavourable reviews, partly because I am getting older and less patient and partly because of the fact that I am now reading the significantly superior "The Blade Itself" by Joe Abercrombie and this suffers badly by comparison. I bought this book (the trilogy) on the strength of the reviews here and also because it was available electronically (hence convenient) and seemed good value for what is a trilogy of books. From the beginning, the kindest word that came to mind was "mediocre". There is no dramatic tension, no real danger to the characters and the characters seem contrived and superficial. A decent story (and there is a decent story in here somewhere) can only take a book so far. Engaging characters are a requirement in a book that is largely character driven. There are no compelling characters here. Perhaps my assessment of mediocrity is a view unique to me; but our heroine gets into danger, takes action, gets injured and quickly heals thereafter. She never seems to be in genuine danger. In fact, the general tone of the writing seems even at all times, never any real excitement. Let the banality ensue indeed. Dangers and perils seem to turn up when they must, characters appear and disappear when needed, relatives, who are never previously hinted at, show up when required and quietly do their bit before retiring peaceably again (all differences having been amicably resolved). Even our heroine rings a false note, there is no real emotional conflict to her. She encounters a situation which upsets her, quickly finds the words or actions to resolve the situation and then just as quickly moves on. The most engaging characters I have come across thus far are two completely peripheral glass making monks and a donkey, who are the only ones to show some spirit and character. And they are quickly discarded. There is a scoundrel in the first book who shows some kind of motivation early on, commits a dastardly (and potentially dramatic) act at the end of the book and then disappears, sunk without a trace, with the convenient "cliffhanger" shown to be nothing but a red herring in later books (I refuse to apologise for the spoiler, if you didn't see it coming I have a list of suggestions for your reading at the end of this review). Perhaps I have been spoiled by the likes of Erickson, Martin, Sanderson, Jordan, Tolkein, Rothfuss, Abercrombie and the many others whose names slip me at the moment. Once you have read the work of a superior (or even just competent) writer, mediocre stuff like this becomes intolerable. Even bad books can have merit and can entertain me, I have been reading sci fi and fantasy for so long I feel I have read the gamut of quality from the odious to the sublime. But the indifference and mediocrity of these Rathbone books I just cannot stand. I think in the end it may come down to a sense of humour. If you read any of the books by one of the writers listed in the paragraph above, you will find some form of humour; dark and dangerous, morbid, subtle, brash and pugnatious, unsubtle and school boyish or just clever for clever sake, but it is there. I defy you to find a single character or situation in these books who or which demonstrates the smallest trace of humour. A sense of humour isn't a requirement for a book to be good, but have a look at all the best fiction and you will find it present. There are just too many good books and too many excellent books, and even too many bad (but entertaining) books for you to waste time and money on this one. There should be a search box somewhere on this page; copy and paste any of the names below and I guarantee (I'd put money to that guarantee if there was a way) you will find better than this. Proviso: Stay away from Erickson and Martin if you don't like challenging reading. Steven Erickson - Malazan Book of the Fallen George Martin - Song of Fire and Ice Brandon Sanderson - Mistborn Robert Jordan - Wheel of Time (Read books 1 to 5, then skip to 11 which is written by Sanderson) Patrick Rothfuss - Kingkiller Chronicles Joe Abercrombie - The First Law R. Scott Bakker - The Prince of Nothing (I have reservations on this one, but still 10 times better than Rathbone) If you want something a bit lighter (but still very entertaining) have a look at authors like Robin Hobb, J.V. Jones, J. Gregory Keyes, Scott Lynch and so many others. You do not have to subject yourself or your pocketbook to stuff like The Dawning of Power.