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mamap's review against another edition
3.0
more fantasy - changed the main character ... i never really enjoy that, but there were some interesting parts - some sex ...
yvris's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A slow burn to begin with, and as in the first book I had trouble distinguishing one character from another. I found myself gripped by the end though and I’ll likely pick up the next in the series soon. The warring magic systems, some interesting (if mildly problematic) world building, and a genuinely menacing batch of villains helped to keep things compelling.
kevinwb's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointed to see this is more than a trilogy. Very few writers can sustain a world for more than 3 books. Sigh.
smcleish's review against another edition
3.0
Originally published on my blog here in November 2000.
The second of Juliet McKenna's trilogy is rather a repeat of the first, with much the same group of characters making their way across the world she has invented to try to discover more about the attackers who threaten to overwhelm it. The Elietimm, as these attackers are named, use and entirely different and almost unknown form of magic, and that is what makes them formidable enemies, with their single-minded ruthlessness.
The main difference in this novel is that we learn a lot more about the events six hundred years in the past which led to the downfall of a huge empire and the general abandonment of etheric magic. Part of the narrative is in fact set in the past, and is the main flaw in an otherwise excellent fantasy novel: it is insufficiently distinguished from the main story, which makes things a little confusing to begin with. (Clearer headings for the sections set in the days of the Empire would be a big help.)
The setting and characterisation remain as strong as in [b:The Thief's Gamble|661318|The Thief's Gamble (The Tales of Einarinn, #1)|Juliet E. McKenna|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298613356s/661318.jpg|647393], and I eagerly look forward to the conclusion of the trilogy.
The second of Juliet McKenna's trilogy is rather a repeat of the first, with much the same group of characters making their way across the world she has invented to try to discover more about the attackers who threaten to overwhelm it. The Elietimm, as these attackers are named, use and entirely different and almost unknown form of magic, and that is what makes them formidable enemies, with their single-minded ruthlessness.
The main difference in this novel is that we learn a lot more about the events six hundred years in the past which led to the downfall of a huge empire and the general abandonment of etheric magic. Part of the narrative is in fact set in the past, and is the main flaw in an otherwise excellent fantasy novel: it is insufficiently distinguished from the main story, which makes things a little confusing to begin with. (Clearer headings for the sections set in the days of the Empire would be a big help.)
The setting and characterisation remain as strong as in [b:The Thief's Gamble|661318|The Thief's Gamble (The Tales of Einarinn, #1)|Juliet E. McKenna|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298613356s/661318.jpg|647393], and I eagerly look forward to the conclusion of the trilogy.
claudiuo's review against another edition
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/6570869
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/6570869
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