[Sapph]

This was on my recommendations list on Amazon today. It sounds pretty interesting, and it has good reviews (although, on Amazon, if it's got anything less than 5 stars you know it's not going to be great). I was just wondering if anyone had read it or knew if it was supposed to be any good, as, although it sounds decent, Amazon want a £10er for it, I don't like to pay that much for a book I know nothing about. :/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Necromancers-Gambit-Book-Flesh-Trilogy/dp/1434353060/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267918400&sr=1-1

I didn't see any reviews for it on the reviews section of the website, and a search saw nothing come up, so I'm just wondering if it's passed under everyone's radar? It was good but didn't merit it's own thread? Or is it just horribly dire?

If you answer this, thanks :)

[Hobbit]

Did you read the extract at the Amazon website, Sapph?

Would give you an idea.

AuthorHouse is, I believe, a self-publishing company. Such things tend to be less edited than through the majors and more random in quality. At SFFWorld we tend, these days, to look at things that have been through the publishing process - you know, have had an editor work on it, things like that.

If that wasn't enough, words such as 'animee', characters with names like Dualor, Saltar and Mordius would tend to make me run a mile, personally.

But I've only read the extract. Based on that, not for me. Life's too short, when there's better stuff out there.

(BUT: you might like it. :) )

Mark

[Sapph]

Did you read the extract at the Amazon website, Sapph?

Would give you an idea.

AuthorHouse is, I believe, a self-publishing company. Such things tend to be less edited than through the majors and more random in quality. At SFFWorld we tend, these days, to look at things that have been through the publishing process - you know, have had an editor work on it, things like that.

If that wasn't enough, words such as 'animee', characters with names like Dualor, Saltar and Mordius would tend to make me run a mile, personally.

But I've only read the extract. Based on that, not for me. Life's too short, when there's better stuff out there.

(BUT: you might like it. :) )

Mark

I didn't even realise it had an option to look inside :eek:I'll have a read at that now, sorry for wasting your time :p

I thought it sounded like a pretty interesting premise, but a you've said, the names are cringeworthy.

I didn't know that about the publisher either. It looks like it'll probably get a bodyswerve, but I'll have a read at the extract before I decide. Cheers Hobbit.

[Hobbit]

No, not a waste at all.

Link HERE: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/1434353060/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-page

As I said, you might like it. Give it a try and let us know here what you think.

Mark

[Seli]

This was on my recommendations list on Amazon today. It sounds pretty interesting, and it has good reviews (although, on Amazon, if it's got anything less than 5 stars you know it's not going to be great). I was just wondering if anyone had read it or knew if it was supposed to be any good, as, although it sounds decent, Amazon want a £10er for it, I don't like to pay that much for a book I know nothing about. :/


To be honest any book getting only 5 stars is suspect in my eyes, good books don't tend to please everyone. But good luck checking it out.

[grahamstanley]

Don't let the characters names put you off - this is worth reading if you're into dark fantasy. I've read two of AJ Dalton's 'Flesh and Bone' trilogy and have enjoyed them. The story is engaging and for me, it's also very interesting to be reading a writer's work from the beginning, and see how the writing develops. He also says he'll buy back a copy of a book from any dissatisfied reader, so you can always take him up on that offer if you don't like the book :-)

The author is also documenting his transition to becoming a full time author on his blog (http://metaphysicalfantasy.wordpress.com) and if there's anyone out there thinking of becoming a writer, then his author advice is well worth a read. In particular, I recommend reading the section about 'dealing with publishers' and why it's becoming increasingly attractive for authors to use the 'publish-on-demand' method (promoted by Authorhouse and others) - I think the way publishing is changing (e-books, etc) we'll see a lot more authors do this. What is important, as is mentioned above is that the author finds a way of dealing with quality control (i.e. part of the editor's role in a traditional publishing house) - I think here he has considered this and has instigated a 'checks-and-balances' system that works - you can tell when reading the book.

btw, I have AJ Dalton to thank for finding this website - I was searching the web to find out about the third book of the trilogy (to see if it's now available),came across this forum thread, and decided to reply.

[Jon Sprunk]

(although, on Amazon, if it's got anything less than 5 stars you know it's not going to be great).

Do you realize that the Complete Works of Shakespeare has 1-star reviews on Amazon?