The Fade (Gollancz S.F.)
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Review
"Wooding's aptitude for world building is impressive, and he creates a mythical and magical place that is striking and involving. He is equally skilled in characterisation too and the world he has birthed is populated with a wealth of fascinating characters. Wooding keeps things moving quickly, sending the narrative flying by at knots." (SCI FI NOW )
Review
"Entertaining and original." -- Barbara Davies STARBURST "Chris Wooding's first novel for adults is nothing short of brilliant." -- Eric Brown THE GUARDIAN "Part escape novel, part travelogue, part a revenge-motivated fantasy, this energetic book, using revenge as a lead motif for the book, is engaging and fast-paced from the go. Those who, like me, loved Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination or Steph Swainston's Jant series (though this is a tad more straightforward) will find much to admire here." SFF WORLD.COM
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having read the author's excellent and original 'Braided Path' trilogy, I had been looking forward to reading his next offering for adult readers. Though not quite as good as his first outing, 'The Fade' did not disappoint.
Set beneath the surface of a hostile moon, 'The Fade' is tale of war, intrigue and racial hatred. The novel is constructed in an inventive and unusual manner, opening with a chaotic battle scene, that results in the main character, Orna, being taken prisoner by the enemy. From there the plot travels in two directions; one going forwards, treating us to the story of Orna's trials in prison and her heroic escape. The other runs backwards, recounting the events that put this trained killer onto the battlefield.
'The Fade' is written in the first person, which lends the story a sense of urgency, but does occasionally mean that the depth of the storytelling feels unrealistic. Wooding has created an interesting world, filled with antagonistic races, warring factions and unworldly ecosystems, which are all very well described and stand up to close scrutiny. How he managed to pack so much information into just over 300 pages, and still leave room for an intriguing story, is testament to the quality of his writing. My only real complaint about 'The Fade' is that the story of, 'elite warrior-escapes inescapable prison-against all the odds', is hardly original, and in the middle third the story felt a little run-of-the-mill.
The last third however is terrific. As the plot unfolds, the two diverging narratives cleverly marry up, and we see how events in Orna's past effect her actions in the present. Wooding's characterisation is strong, and his multi-layered story offers the reader twist after twist, effortlessly turning from a 'prison break' blockbuster into a political thriller. Ultimately this story is about love, redemption and the price of friendship; the final chapters are as moving as they are exciting, and drive the novel towards its devastating but fitting conclusion. A terrific read.
Set beneath the surface of a hostile moon, 'The Fade' is tale of war, intrigue and racial hatred. The novel is constructed in an inventive and unusual manner, opening with a chaotic battle scene, that results in the main character, Orna, being taken prisoner by the enemy. From there the plot travels in two directions; one going forwards, treating us to the story of Orna's trials in prison and her heroic escape. The other runs backwards, recounting the events that put this trained killer onto the battlefield.
'The Fade' is written in the first person, which lends the story a sense of urgency, but does occasionally mean that the depth of the storytelling feels unrealistic. Wooding has created an interesting world, filled with antagonistic races, warring factions and unworldly ecosystems, which are all very well described and stand up to close scrutiny. How he managed to pack so much information into just over 300 pages, and still leave room for an intriguing story, is testament to the quality of his writing. My only real complaint about 'The Fade' is that the story of, 'elite warrior-escapes inescapable prison-against all the odds', is hardly original, and in the middle third the story felt a little run-of-the-mill.
The last third however is terrific. As the plot unfolds, the two diverging narratives cleverly marry up, and we see how events in Orna's past effect her actions in the present. Wooding's characterisation is strong, and his multi-layered story offers the reader twist after twist, effortlessly turning from a 'prison break' blockbuster into a political thriller. Ultimately this story is about love, redemption and the price of friendship; the final chapters are as moving as they are exciting, and drive the novel towards its devastating but fitting conclusion. A terrific read.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a stunning book, wonderfully written with a gripping and intense storyline that had me eager to turn the pages. It's chapter ordering takes a little bit of getting used to: the story is split into two timelines, one going forwards from the events in the "first" chapter, (actually the book begins at chapter 30) and one going backwards (sort of) to events leading up to those in the beginning. It takes a little getting used to, but it works rather well.
The story itself is very gripping, and the world is one of the most unusual locations that I've seen in a fantasy story for a while now. It's all so fantastical, that there were times when I did struggle to remember to invision the settings acurately-I kept forgetting that the majority of the story takes place in a world that is underground. The characters are great, and the ending was stunning. I loved how the author brought together the threads from both timelines to reach a conclusion that I just couldn't have predicted.
I'm eager to see what else this author has to offer. Though short (about 320 pages) The Fade is an excellent title and well deserving of a read if you're into fantasy.
The story itself is very gripping, and the world is one of the most unusual locations that I've seen in a fantasy story for a while now. It's all so fantastical, that there were times when I did struggle to remember to invision the settings acurately-I kept forgetting that the majority of the story takes place in a world that is underground. The characters are great, and the ending was stunning. I loved how the author brought together the threads from both timelines to reach a conclusion that I just couldn't have predicted.
I'm eager to see what else this author has to offer. Though short (about 320 pages) The Fade is an excellent title and well deserving of a read if you're into fantasy.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've read hundreds of fantasy novels over the years, and I'm always looking for something new. Unfortunately it's becoming increasingly rare for something to really grab my attention, but this did. It's a very unusual story with a surprising end, but most of all it's a book you can't put down. I read it in two days (would have been one if not for work getting in the way). Afterwards I lent it to my brother, and he had a similar reaction.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
insanely good book
I bought this book on the recommend of amazon, when the book arrived and I read the first couple of pages I knew that it was going to be something special
When you first... Read more
When you first... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ciaran
The kindle edition chapters are all muddled up
This is not a reflection on the story which I have not read. I bought the kindle edition and the chapters are in random order. This book is completely unreadable in this format. Read more
Published 2 months ago by PMMartin
Brilliant (one off) fantasy/sci book........
I was recommended this book by a friend and I am so pleased I read it. It is quite frankly one of the best fantasy / sci fi novels I have ever read. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. C. J. Howard
It's alright.
Just finished this and I'm kinda left with a "hmm - well it's alright" sorta feeling. Meaning it's not great or very immersive fantasy or in any way epic, but a nice little... Read more
Published 13 months ago by DanielFJ
Immense!
Another wonderful book from Chris Wooding. His ability to create other worlds is phenomenal, his attention to character depth fantastic, and his story telling immense. Read more
Published 15 months ago by MM
Very very well written
It is rare in science fiction and fantasy to come across a genuinely well written book. Fantasy has lots of ideas and scale, drama and intrigue but lacks nuance. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. R. D. Turner
Blisteringly Paced
I won't give another plot synopsis, just an addition to the well deserved praise that this book has gathered. Read more
Published on 14 April 2010 by JibbityJobby
This book is incredible
I've read a lot of Wooding's teenage books (e.g. Storm Thief, The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray), and I loved them. Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2009 by Turtle
Just a short review.
Amazing, being an big fan of Chris Wooding's novels I bought this new one, and trust me you wont be dissapointed. An amazing novel.
Published on 7 May 2008 by Stephen Williamson
awesome manipulative writting and a great standalone fantasy! readable...
Another truely excellent novel from Chris Wooding, The Fade is a deeply originally structured fantasy, with intricate characters and emotional complexities that get you very... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2008 by Toby Andersen
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