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Review
This could be the breakout book for Kate Elliott . . . what really counts are her characters. Well-drawn and vivid, they come alive as both people from a very foreign place and people we care about. They keep the plot irresistibly moving forward and draw us into her work. The book is solid, exciting and engrossing - a grand and powerful piece of writing all in all. (Katharine Kerr, author of DAGGERSPELL )
Entirely captivating... an indispensible technique in conjuring convincing fictional worlds. (PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY )
enough adventure, suspense, and character development here to reward most readers. (STARBURST )
I look forward avidly to the next volume. (INTERZONE )
Entirely captivating... an indispensible technique in conjuring convincing fictional worlds. (PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY )
enough adventure, suspense, and character development here to reward most readers. (STARBURST )
I look forward avidly to the next volume. (INTERZONE )
Book Description
The first book in what promises to be a gripping and enthralling fantasy epic' - THE TIMES
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm still not sure about this book, though I will probably try the second in the series to see how it progresses.
On the one hand, traditional fantasy fare; a pair of teenagers thrown into events that they would never have dreamt of being involved in a year before, largely seeing the world through their innocent eyes. In other words, derivative of most other fantasy novels, and therefore, as a basis for a book, frankly now rather boring.
On the other hand, it is well written, there are a number of subplots surrounding the central theme, not to mention hints of plots that have yet to be uncovered - presumably in later novels. And above all, a rather more realistic portrayal of such a world than you traditionally get.
But my biggest problem with the novel, and what most discourages me about reading it, and further entries in the series, stems from that realism. The author acknowledges at the front the role various experts on medieval Europe have played in her writing of the series. Which is just the problem - to a large extent the novel is SET in medieval Europe. The Church, in particular, is blatantly the Catholic Church anytime up to around the reformation. She's even hardly bothered to change the names - the pope has become the scopos, bishops are now biscops and so on. The Emperor that people keep referring to is Charlemagne. Frankly, in my fantasy novels, although I like realism, I also like the author to have put a little effort into creating something unique. Kate Elliot hasn't, she's merely changed the names, and introduced references (medieval Europe references, at that) to sorcery. Oh, and she's made women more politically powerful. Much as I think this has potential, I can't get over the feeling that it should really be in the historical fiction section. If I had wanted to read about medieval Europe, I would have bought a book on the subject.
On the one hand, traditional fantasy fare; a pair of teenagers thrown into events that they would never have dreamt of being involved in a year before, largely seeing the world through their innocent eyes. In other words, derivative of most other fantasy novels, and therefore, as a basis for a book, frankly now rather boring.
On the other hand, it is well written, there are a number of subplots surrounding the central theme, not to mention hints of plots that have yet to be uncovered - presumably in later novels. And above all, a rather more realistic portrayal of such a world than you traditionally get.
But my biggest problem with the novel, and what most discourages me about reading it, and further entries in the series, stems from that realism. The author acknowledges at the front the role various experts on medieval Europe have played in her writing of the series. Which is just the problem - to a large extent the novel is SET in medieval Europe. The Church, in particular, is blatantly the Catholic Church anytime up to around the reformation. She's even hardly bothered to change the names - the pope has become the scopos, bishops are now biscops and so on. The Emperor that people keep referring to is Charlemagne. Frankly, in my fantasy novels, although I like realism, I also like the author to have put a little effort into creating something unique. Kate Elliot hasn't, she's merely changed the names, and introduced references (medieval Europe references, at that) to sorcery. Oh, and she's made women more politically powerful. Much as I think this has potential, I can't get over the feeling that it should really be in the historical fiction section. If I had wanted to read about medieval Europe, I would have bought a book on the subject.
Overall, as I say, I will probably buy the second book, if only to see how some of the plot devises develop. But they had better do so if I am to read the entire series. There are plenty of books out there set in a truly fantasy world that this one has to have something rather good from a plot, character or writing perspective to get over the fact that the author has spent so little time in the creation of her world.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is another one of my faves. The story spans 6 huge books-the last of whch has not yet been published. King's Dragon was extremely good and the only reason it didn't get 5 stars from me was because it was so long and descriptive that it was hard to read for long peiods of time. However if you like a series where the author manages to write a large number of subplots and lets you make the links between them to realise what is happening-then Elliot is the author for you. I have actually been awed at her prowess at being able to link everything in so many subtle ways to ultimately form an intricate story that keeps you on your toes. Not for the lazy minded readers who like to have the story spelled out for them-this one makes you think
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I think that there was a good story underlying this series, but I can't say that I enjoyed reading it. Call me a Philistine but I think books should be a pleasure to read - not just a challenge. For a seven book series to be a pleasure and not a challenge, the author needs to make it easy to read. And that's where old Katie falls down.
First, there was the arcane Shakesperian dialogue. At first this was a neat touch. By the end it was looking like a howling blunder. What it did was it made the book a struggle to read. Contrast this with (say) David Gemmell, Geroge Martin or (outside fantasy) Paul Auster. They're authors whose work glides down like honey. I can get through pages and pages of their work without getting tired. without finding my mind drifting onto other things.
Second, I don't have a brain the size of a planet. My paranoia is where the Marvin resemblance ends. With a series as big as this, I expect to have a cast list at the back of every volume (not just volume 6!) and I expect a recap at the start of volumes 2-7. Even if I'm reading the novels in succession, because of the way my mind's drifting, it's comforting just to have the author confirm to you that you took in the whole story and didn't miss something important.
Third, with multiple story lines, it's good to make it more clear to the reder who we're talking about. George Marin had the great idea of having the name of the viewpoint character in big letters at the start of each chapter and it would have been great if Kate could have copied this. That's a WIBNI - "wouldn't it be nice if". Not a big issue. What I found unforgivable was when the first couple of pages of a chapter didn't mention the names of the people involved. He did this, she did that, etc. I found myself having to look ahead to find who we were talking about before I could read any further.
As for individual books,
Volume 1 was quite good - 4 stars
Volume 2 was still OK - 3 stars
Volumes 3 and 4 really dragged - 2 stars
Volume 5 actually had things happening in it - 3 stars
Volume 6 was back to normal - 2 stars
Volume 7 had to have things happening really but was dull - 3 stars
First, there was the arcane Shakesperian dialogue. At first this was a neat touch. By the end it was looking like a howling blunder. What it did was it made the book a struggle to read. Contrast this with (say) David Gemmell, Geroge Martin or (outside fantasy) Paul Auster. They're authors whose work glides down like honey. I can get through pages and pages of their work without getting tired. without finding my mind drifting onto other things.
Second, I don't have a brain the size of a planet. My paranoia is where the Marvin resemblance ends. With a series as big as this, I expect to have a cast list at the back of every volume (not just volume 6!) and I expect a recap at the start of volumes 2-7. Even if I'm reading the novels in succession, because of the way my mind's drifting, it's comforting just to have the author confirm to you that you took in the whole story and didn't miss something important.
Third, with multiple story lines, it's good to make it more clear to the reder who we're talking about. George Marin had the great idea of having the name of the viewpoint character in big letters at the start of each chapter and it would have been great if Kate could have copied this. That's a WIBNI - "wouldn't it be nice if". Not a big issue. What I found unforgivable was when the first couple of pages of a chapter didn't mention the names of the people involved. He did this, she did that, etc. I found myself having to look ahead to find who we were talking about before I could read any further.
As for individual books,
Volume 1 was quite good - 4 stars
Volume 2 was still OK - 3 stars
Volumes 3 and 4 really dragged - 2 stars
Volume 5 actually had things happening in it - 3 stars
Volume 6 was back to normal - 2 stars
Volume 7 had to have things happening really but was dull - 3 stars
Most Recent Customer Reviews
i'm torn!
Well, I have to say that this was a really good read in general. The characters are likeable, full of life and relatable! Everything I look for in a good book! Read more
Published 22 months ago by Larewen Evenstar
Intriguing Start to the series....
....But room (rather no room) for improvement.
What I mean by that is this book (and series) on a whole is very good, the two protagonists Liath and Alain, and the... Read more
What I mean by that is this book (and series) on a whole is very good, the two protagonists Liath and Alain, and the... Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2010 by M. Bowes
Potential for a good series
This book revolves around two main character, Alain and Liath both unknown to the other and throughout this book there is no understanding why they might be linked together. Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2008 by Simon Wells
Intriguing opening to a huge series.
Kate Elliott (the pen-name of American writer Alis A. Ramussen) sensibly starts things off on a small scale with the opening book in the Crown of Stars series. Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2007 by A. Whitehead
From the cover.......
From one of Fantasy's shining new lights comes this first volume in a magnificent epic set in a richly realised land and culture. Read more
Published on 9 April 2007 by Angel Silver
doorstop epic
If you like robert jordan, or george r r martin, etc, try this as the next saga to suck your life in. Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2006 by genejoke
Aahhh
The first book is actually okay. The reason i gave it only one star is because by the time i got to book 3 i had lost the will to live. There is too many characters. Read more
Published on 14 Nov 2004 by "linziwatson"
King's Dragon
This is the first book I have read of this author, I found the story gripping and at the same time easy to read. Read more
Published on 24 July 2003
Great opener to a great series.
This is an engrossing read. There are a number of different story strands which, I presume, will gradually come together as the series progresses. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2003 by "hil-a"
Never Liked Fantasy? Read This
An unlikely choice for me, Kings Dragon proved to be a good one. I have never read fantasy and was given this book but have to say it was spell-binding. Read more
Published on 19 April 2002 by alice_marsh@hotmail.com
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