[Tal]

I'm just posting to ask if anyone's read or heard of an author called Russell Kirkpatrick.

He's in the author lists, ans his first book, 'Across the Face of the World' has been reviewed, But I'm wondering if anyone else has read any of his work, and can tell me what they thought of it etc.

Thanks in advance,
Tal

[Seak]

I just found this book at the local used book store. Any good?

[beniowa]

I haven't read the author myself. I've heard others say that he spends more time drawing the several pages of maps in the beginning of each book than he actually does writing the story. Obviously, I can't testify to that.

[Cranky Hamster]

I, too, have heard middling to bad reviews and so have stayed away. The only semi-good thing I remember hearing is that the book is supposedly good if you like long, meandering travelogues, which sounds like pretty lukewarm praise to me.

I'd like to hear more thorough opinions, but I have none to offer of my own.

[Obtuse]

I'd be interested in an informed opinion of these books too. The concept and blurb do sound intriguing, but I'm not quite sold

Most of the reviews I've read seem to focus on the large cast of characters and very deliberate pacing. The reviewers are split on whether those are good things or not.

I don't mind either of those things in moderation, but some of the reviews seem to indicate these books lean towards excess.

[Radone]

I got about 150 pages into his first book. His strength is his descriptive powers, especially when it comes to geography. His ability to move the story forward, write characters of depth, and use dialogue that sounds natural for the setting is sorely lacking, at least in book 1 for the first 150 pages. He has put a lot of time and thought into the structure of his world, and it shows through. Would that he had done the same with his story and characters.

[Garet Jax]

I also only got 150-200 pages into the book and couldn't read much more. I wouldn't say it was awful, but it was boring for me at that time. I have a feeling it's a good series for a kid of 10-12 years of age who is just getting into fantasy.

[ChrisW]

I think I made it to around 100 pages before giving up. He's a good map maker but crap writer imo.

[Seak]

...and it sounds like I'm not gonna be picking that up. I don't really mind a travelogue, but I don't know if I can read something without good characters or dialogue or writing, etc.

Thanks everyone. :)

[NickeeCoco]

I'm just posting to ask if anyone's read or heard of an author called Russell Kirkpatrick.

He's in the author lists, ans his first book, 'Across the Face of the World' has been reviewed, But I'm wondering if anyone else has read any of his work, and can tell me what they thought of it etc.

Thanks in advance,
Tal

I have read the Across the Face of the World trilogy. His world and landscapes are strongly realized and depicted. Kirkpatrick is, after all, a professional mapmaker. His books were good, but just that. He didn't bring anything new to the genre. It had the same story of an unknowing and slightly unwilling hero who is brought into a quest to save the world from an evil wizard-type. Along with his band of misfits (who themselves fall into stereotypical helper/hinder types), he journeys across the world, tries to get other leaders to unite against their common foe and save the day.

I thought his characters were strong, even if he didn't elabourate on some who I thought he should have. I would recommend these books to someone who wants traditional quest-type fantasy.