[Aleya]

Has anyone read any books by McKenna? I'm looking for some feedback to supplement my own thoughts for an article I'm preparing.
I myself am only at the beginning of the first book, but so far it's a plesant enough read. Too early to tell anything though.

Any complaints? Good points? Favourite characters? I'd appreciate any comments.

Aleya - http://silver-oak.com

[Shadowen]

Aleya, I really enjoyed the Einarin books. Great, believable characters and a fast paced, weel written plot with plenty of action. Not as deep or gripping as Hobb or GRRM but recommended nontheless.

I'm looking forward to Book 4 due out later this year, I think. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[FitzChivalry]

Are those the books about that thief woman?
I noticed them on www.amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com) but didn't know if they are good. They sound interesting.

[Aleya]

I have a UK date of 19 June, though I'm not sure if that's accurate.

Aleya - http://silver-oak.com

[e-Morgana]

I've read the first three and would have to agree that they were an enjoyable read. I'd probably classify them more as "light-ish" fantasy but they do have some nasty elements as well.
The Elleittam(?) aren't very nice chappies at all but the others are very entertaining. (Rogues, thieves, gamblers, pompous wizards, daredevils and lots more). Ryshad the swordsman, is probably my favourite with his deep sense of honour. But I also liked Livak with her determination to live her own life the way she wanted, despite what all the "all-powerful" people were trying to get her to do. Its nice to see a strong, independant, female now and again who wants to control her own destiny.

I'm not sure I like the way they left Ryshad out of Gambler's Fortune though. This third book concentrated on Livak and her companions on their quest while Ryshad was off doing his own thing somewhere else. I assume that the next book will fill us in on his exploits. I think I would prefer to keep an eye on everyone at the same time rather than have separate books for each character. (Much the same is being done in the Kate Forsyth books, The Witches of Eileanan - with books being devoted to individual characters - Is this the way of the future perhaps?)

[Shadowen]

E-morgana, I was considering getting those Kate Forsyth books - do you recomment them? http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[e-Morgana]

Well there goes the only "junior" status I've had for a long time. Oh well - "Such is life" as a famous Aussie once said (Ned Kelly as he was about to be hanged as our most famous Bushranger).

Shadowen - sorry I took a while to answer but I've had a sick kiddie to tend to.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the first 4 books and am eagerly anticipating the 5th to find out what has been happening with one of the other characters in the meantime. As I mentioned above, they have started to give the various characters their own book to develop in. I was a bit peeved with this at first, but as I read, I became so engrossed in the current set of characters, and the way they were changing and growing, that I didn't really mind not hearing about the others.

I recommend them strongly (and not just because she's Australian either). http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[FitzChivalry]

I don't think i will like that way of writing, doesn't it make somehow a series of stand-alones? or reveals the ending of future books already in previous books because the time of the ending to all the books is about the same?

[e-Morgana]

FitzChiv - I don't think that your concerns will eventuate. (Don't know for sure yet though, because neither series is completed).

As far as stand-alone novels go - not really because the plot and the characters all start out together (for the first couple of books) then go their separate ways on their various quests. I suppose you could read them as stand-alones but you wouldn't have the history and knowledge of WHY they are where they are, doing what they are doing. You'd also get the references to everyone else and not know who they were talking about.
On the subject of endings - again I can't be sure as they haven't ended yet, but I would assume they'll all come back together at some stage for the final battle/scene etc, probably all emerging from different directions (because they are nowhere near each other at the moment).

My main problem with the technique is that you are all hyped up to find out what your favourite character is going to do, only to find out they aren't even in the book (except for a token sentence here and there "wondering what such-and-such is doing at the moment").

[Shadowen]

Hope your kiddie is better E-morgana - I have a sick one at home too and it's all fever, snot and demands for hugs and hot whiskies (he's 39) http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Can you give me the titles of the Kate Forsyth books? Amazon seem to start at book 3 and the Kate Forsyth home page is down.

Appreciate any help at all - thanks! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif