[Warewolf]

In the FAT FANTASY AWARDS topic, JohnH wrote this about this particular book:

As for Van Lustbader? I mistakenly bought his work on the presumption that he knew what he was doing. So far, I think that I was quite wrong and that he indeed does not know how to write. In fact I am convinced that Eric Van Lustbader does not actually exist, but is a room of ninety-nine monkeys with typewriters waiting for monkey number one hundred to arrive.

Now, I have impatiently waiting for this book to come out in paperback because it sounded so good. I read this, however, and I become a bit hesitant. Has anyone else read the book? If so, can you give your honest opinion of it?

[Wolfstar]

I have just started this book and so far it is alright.
I think that guy just went a little over board.

Wolfstar

[Warewolf]

Overboard in what sense?

[drw]

I am currently reading The Ring of Five Dragons - and by "reading" I mean gritting my teeth and trudging forward.

It is probably too late to answer any questions by the original poster, but I am interested in other's opinions. I am not quite 1/4 of the way through the book, but I am almost ready to throw it in the trash. The writing seems weak, the characters weaker, the story weaker yet (at least what I can make of it so far).

On more than one occassion already, Eric stopped an action sequence in the story to go into a 1-3 page info dump of no relevance to the situation at hand.

Eric has introduced at least 20 "new" words and has only defined one or two of them - one of the descriptions contains 2 "new" words with weird spellings! Aaargh!

The technology of one of the races (the V'ornn) seems highly advanced - yet it's hard to tell how advanced, because most of their machinery(?) exists as made-up words. I still haven't decided if they are inter-planetary invaders or not..I still haven't even decided if they have an electricity-type energy system!

I'm pretty disappointed so far.. is there light at the end of the tunnel? Somebody please give me a reason to go on!

DRW

[phedra n delaun]

I've read it and his second book as well. I am not sure if i will read the third unless there is some sort of synopsis of the 1st 2 books available. I found the second book hard due to the fact retention of so much of the 1st book was hard and thus it was difficult to get right back into the storyline with all it's vocabulary and characters and ongoing plots etc.. This series is a bit unique in that it is a rare blend of Fantasy and SCI-FI. To some that would make a great cup a tea, and at least there is some originality to it. Originality being a sorely missing element in so much fantasy today. My suggestion would be to probably wait until the 3rd book is out and read them one after the other to make it a less arduous read. Lustbader is a good author if one is familiar with his other non fantasy works and is worth checking out. Hope this helps.

[starcrzr]

"This book is a waste of paper" now if you want to read a good series by Van Lustbader, try his "Sunset Warrior" series. Its a mixture of post apocalyptic and fantasy.

[kaseryn]

Haven't read any of his new stuff but i absolutely loved on the Miko/White Ninja series.. and some peeps just dont like him anyway do they..