[Shadowen]

Anyone read this guy? I read the first book (the view from the mirror) and found it a bit slow - should I persevere? Any comments appreciated! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Erebus]

Yes, I too have read the first book, in what was originally going to be a trilogy, though I think he's now up to four books, and counting!

It was a little slow, but did pick up eventually and finished with a reasonable cliff-hanger ending. Unfortunately, I've not had time to continue the series, but will...eventually. Afterall, he is a fellow Australian author, there's mirrors involved (a major theme in my Erebus trilogy as well!)and so definately deserves to be read! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[tamlyn]

i read all of the series but the last book (in which i read the start and the end - the end because i knew i'd never read it and i was curious as to what happened)they were okay books but i just couldn't get into them properly, it took me ages to read each book. but thats just my opinion, it's got an nice storyline but gets a bit silly in places. But then all books do.

[Rupert Avery]

I too read this author and well..
The books (too me anyway) were very hard to finish.I never did finish the last book(I got about half way through)because I found the book started to repeat its self.
The idea was very good but it was very slow and like Tamlyn wrote It took me ages too read one of them.
If possible, I think Irvine tried too hard to intice the reader into a story about running from place to place,with not too much happening in between.
Don't get me wrong there were some really great bits but sadly they were few and far between.
I just hate it that I did not finish the series after investing so much time in it.(this was the first and only time I have not finished a book I started)but I guess that justt shows just how slow these books can be.
In my own opinion.

[e-Morgana]

*** Looks sheepishly around and whispers***
I liked 'em.
I enjoyed these books though, yes, there was a lot of travelling from place to place that I may have skipped over a little. But they had a bumbling hero and a strong heroine (which is something I enjoy in books) and I thought the plot line was different and quite a pleasant read.

[Sammie]

Have reawoken this thread cos i enjoyed the first three increasingly as they went on, and the fourth is not available here in UK til Xmas to my knowledge, nor in USA til after then. If Tamlyn (or anyone else) could tell me how to get hold of a copy i'd b most grateful! Sam.

[e-Morgana]

Ian Irvine is an Aussie author, and we certainly have no shortage of all 4 books here. Don't know if you're that keen - but you could try ordering No. 4 The Way Between the Worlds through an Australian bookshop (eg Angus and Robertson Bookworld or try Australian Online Bookshop www.bookworm.com.au (http://www.bookworm.com.au) - I just had a look and they have it listed in their catalogue. Good luck.

[This message has been edited by e-Morgana (edited August 24, 2001).]

[Sammie]

Cheers!

I always try US online bookstores if a book's not available here in the UK yet, but just somehow never thought of trying Australia.
Many appologies to all Fantasy loving Aussies! I'll remember this when trying to get books in future!

Sam

[JohnH]

Just finished the first book. His history and culture are nice, but the story telling is a bit slow. There were too many times that the two leads were caught and then escaped and then were caught again and then escaped. Or almost caught but get away just in time, and then are almost caught, but then get away just in time.

Repetitious peril gets boring after awhile. Especially if that is all that drives your work or the majority of it. Irvine could have trimmed thsi book by quite a bit, leaving the intrigue and sense of danger without the filler of the endless journey and pursuit.

To be fair pursuit really does not work well in a series. Even Tolkein's flatest section in tLotR is Frodo and Sam journeying to andin Mordor (though the pursuit in this case is a bit nebulous compared to what Irvine creates).