[jayberg]

I have heard the name Ian Irvine a couple of times. He is generally liked...

What I'd like to know is what is his work like? Is it high fantasy or rather in a historical vein? What author could Irvine be compared to? What book do I start with?

Thanks

[Lucky Joe]

His first book was A Shadow On The Glass which is volume one of The View From The Mirror Quartet.

In one of the books there's a foreward and he talks about trying to create something different to the typical European Fuedalism that is found in a lot of fantasy.

The Last Albatross is another one of his, it's set in Sydney in about ten years time and deals with eco terrorism, though I have to say the main character in this book is so annoying I really wanted terrible things to happen to her and that is probably the only reason I read on.

[TIPoP 0.141]

I read the first of the Mirror books but I can't say I enjoyed it too much. The pace is very slow and I found it hard to warm to any of the characters.

[JohnH]

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[Darkfire]

He is a good author, I am finishing the fourth Book of the "View from the Mirror" and have read Geomancer. He does tend to drag action out, but on the whole he is a great author and is worth the read.

[Khallandra]

I love his books and the second series is even better than the first with Geomancer and Teterach already out and hopefully Scurtator soon :)

[Darkfire]

@Khallandra: Teterach is out?!!? Where do you live?, its only coming out in, probably, Septembre here in Canada as far as I can tell.

[Neffertiti]

Irvine is a good world builder, however his character building leaves a lot to be desired IMO. They are inconsistant, and come across as weak and foolish. They also act out of character, you cannot relate to them. Karan will handle a situation brilliantly, then will act like a total idiot in a similar situation further on in the tale.

Ironically, his best characters are the supporting cast, maybe because they do not have as much history and thus do not carry as much baggage.

There are also glaring inconsistancies in the plot. In many cases it is mentioned that a character had done something, but if you go back and check, you will find they did not.

However, the plot was good, the world was intresting, it was just let dowm by the characters. Worth a shot.

[Iskaral Pust]

I had a look at Geomancer today in Waterstones. It said on the front "readers of Eddings, Goodkind and Jordan will enjoy", so I put it back down and backed away;)

[Lucky Joe]

Iskaral Pust; I think I would have reacted in exactly the same way if I'd read that. Though in his defence I must say I thought Irvine was much better than Eddings.