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First Sentence
Ilna could see her reflection in the silvered backplate of the man who'd been her childhood friend Garric, the innkeeper's son-but who now was Prince Garric of Haft, the King of the Isles in all but name. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Ilna could see her reflection in the silvered backplate of the man who'd been her childhood friend Garric, the innkeeper's son-but who now was Prince Garric of Haft, the King of the Isles in all but name. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Rylin
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I'm sorry, but this is beginning to drag on a bit. There are moments to it, but as a series progresses so must the ideals and strengths/weaknesses of the characters. When they never learn from their mistakes, continually doing the same rote things time and again, I tend to lose interest.
True, there are great moments, but over all it just doesn't do it for me.
If you like books like this one, might I suggest another I've recently come across. The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt. It's another fantasy adventure sure to please. I highly recommend it.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.5 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Deja vu all over again ...
19 Mar 2005
By N. Dodson
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
All the Isles books follow the same basic pattern, and Master of the Cauldron is no exception. Anyone familiar with the series would be able to predict several major plot points before ever cracking the spine.
You think I'm kidding? Check this out: The group of friends gets separated by magical means almost immediately. (Gasp!) Cashiel wanders off on a quest to help a (magical) damsel in distress. (Shocking!) Sharina ends up sucked through space and time to face villains. (Unheard of!) Ilna is abrasive, Tenoctris foils powerful wizards whilst being self-effacing, and Garric spends a lot of time laughing and grinning at comments made by the voices in his head. (Say it ain't so!)
That said, and sarcasm aside, the author as always has provided a pleasant read. There's nothing new here, but it's a good story nonetheless, and the book is eminently readable. Unlike some other "fantasy" authors, Drake clearly has a fine appreciation for craftsmanship. He has done his homework, and the world of the Isles is rich in history and detail. Battle scenes show a sense of realism in heroes who get tired and show fear and sometimes even retreat to fight another day. If the individual strands of the plot follow familiar themes, well, if it ain't broke why fix it?
I think this book could safely be recommended to readers unfamiliar with the series; it stands alone fairly well without falling into the all-too-common trap of overwhelming the reader with backstory. If you're not quite sure who all these people are, there's still a rousing blood-and-guts adventure to keep you occupied.
For long-time readers, however, I might recommend waiting for the paperback (or check out the publisher's website for the cheaper e-version) rather than spending hardcover money on a book that, for all intents and purposes, you've seen before. But if you know what you're getting into, and if you've enjoyed Drake's work (and the Isle series in particular) in the past, you will almost certainly like this book as well.
You think I'm kidding? Check this out: The group of friends gets separated by magical means almost immediately. (Gasp!) Cashiel wanders off on a quest to help a (magical) damsel in distress. (Shocking!) Sharina ends up sucked through space and time to face villains. (Unheard of!) Ilna is abrasive, Tenoctris foils powerful wizards whilst being self-effacing, and Garric spends a lot of time laughing and grinning at comments made by the voices in his head. (Say it ain't so!)
That said, and sarcasm aside, the author as always has provided a pleasant read. There's nothing new here, but it's a good story nonetheless, and the book is eminently readable. Unlike some other "fantasy" authors, Drake clearly has a fine appreciation for craftsmanship. He has done his homework, and the world of the Isles is rich in history and detail. Battle scenes show a sense of realism in heroes who get tired and show fear and sometimes even retreat to fight another day. If the individual strands of the plot follow familiar themes, well, if it ain't broke why fix it?
I think this book could safely be recommended to readers unfamiliar with the series; it stands alone fairly well without falling into the all-too-common trap of overwhelming the reader with backstory. If you're not quite sure who all these people are, there's still a rousing blood-and-guts adventure to keep you occupied.
For long-time readers, however, I might recommend waiting for the paperback (or check out the publisher's website for the cheaper e-version) rather than spending hardcover money on a book that, for all intents and purposes, you've seen before. But if you know what you're getting into, and if you've enjoyed Drake's work (and the Isle series in particular) in the past, you will almost certainly like this book as well.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Havne't I read this before??
25 April 2006
By Karl Wieman
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Drake has fallen into the same trap as Jordan and Goodkind.... "If I write it, they will read it." This book achieved nothing, and we learned precious little about the chracaters that we didn't know already. And on top of all that, we've read this plot before: Everyone together; Everyone separated; Everyone triumphs; Everyone back together again for final, apocalyptic, finale.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fair
15 Mar 2006
By Karl
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I'm sorry, but this is beginning to drag on a bit. There are moments to it, but as a series progresses so must the ideals and strengths/weaknesses of the characters. When they never learn from their mistakes, continually doing the same rote things time and again, I tend to lose interest.
True, there are great moments, but over all it just doesn't do it for me.
If you like books like this one, might I suggest another I've recently come across. The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt. It's another fantasy adventure sure to please. I highly recommend it.
True, there are great moments, but over all it just doesn't do it for me.
If you like books like this one, might I suggest another I've recently come across. The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt. It's another fantasy adventure sure to please. I highly recommend it.
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 10 reviews
3.5 out of 5 stars
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