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The Fall of the Kings [Paperback]

Ellen Kushner (Author), Delia Sherman (Author)
3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Book Description

Publication Date: Oct 2002
This stunning follow-up to Ellen Kushner’s cult-classic novel, Swordspoint, is set in the same world of labyrinthine intrigue, where sharp swords and even sharper wits rule. Against a rich tapestry of artists and aristocrats, students, strumpets, and spies, a gentleman and a scholar will find themselves playing out an ancient drama destined to explode their society’s smug view of itself–and reveal that sometimes the best price of uncovering history is being forced to repeat it….

The Fall of the Kings

Generations ago the last king fell, taking with him the final truths about a race of wizards who ruled at his side. But the blood of the kings runs deep in the land and its people, waiting for the coming together of two unusual men, Theron Campion, a young nobleman of royal lineage, is heir to an ancient house and a modern scandal. Tormented by his twin duties to his family and his own bright spirit, he seeks solace in the University. There he meets Basil St. Cloud, a brilliant and charismatic teacher ruled by a passion for knowledge–and a passion for the ancient kings. Of course, everyone now knows that the wizards were charlatans and the kings their dupes and puppets. Only Basil ins not convinced–nor is he convinced that the city has seen its last king…

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Product details

  • Paperback: 496 pages
  • Publisher: Bantam Books (Oct 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0553381849
  • ISBN-13: 978-0553381849
  • Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 13.2 x 2.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,193,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

3.3 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
3.3 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Such a shame 4 Aug 2003
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I've been waiting for this book for what seems like years. Time and again the author promised a sequel to the wonderful Swordspoint and then didn't deliver. But now Kushner has bowed to the pleadings of her fans and published The Fall of the Kings.

And what a disappointment. For starters the book is far too long. Length would be fine if it was used to either advance the plot or build dramatic tension. In this case Kushner does neither. We are treated to agonisingly long descriptive scenes which lead us nowhere. Yes, the language is pretty enough but thats no substitute for plot or character development.

Since the character development is so flimsy we are left with a host of similar characters whose only distinguishing features are their names. Unlike Swordspoint we don't really get to undersatnd their lives, motives and thoughts in a cohesive way.

In terms of plot the big final 'action' scene of the novel is flat and dull. Focusing too much on the language to the detriment of the action Kushner fails to make these important scenes exciting or thought provoking.

Although I've given the novel a 3 star rating I think that's more due to nostalgia over her previous novels than praise for thisone.

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10 of 14 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars I want my time back! 23 Jan 2005
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Well that was 7 hours of my life COMPLETELY wasted. Most of the book was fine, if a bit long-winded sometimes. But the ending sucked. I didn't feel like the author resolved the story in a satisfactory manner. After reading the last page, I thought, "That's it?" It left me feeling like the whole story was pointless.
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9 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars uncanny and exquisite 19 Mar 2003
By Ventura Angelo
Format:Paperback
Set in the same alternate reality of Swordspoint,this book delves deeply in the history of the town who has seen the adventures of Richard StVier and Alec. The action is centered at the University,where Doctor Basil StCloud, insists investigating history and ancient documents at the cost of subverting established facts and dogmas. He clashes whit a Dr.Crabbe, a crabby indeed antirevisionist who states that all is already known and no further research is necessary. Historical research on the early monarchs will lead to the discovery of the archaic and mystic roots of their civilization, but the revival of ancient customs and myths through learning and the love for the young,undisciplined aristocrat Theron will lead to unforeseen consequences. The novel is magnificently written, the charachters of Basil St Cloud, Lord Theron his lover,and of the colleagues and students , aristocrats, dames and children, young nobles, politics and plotters, are wonderfully portrayed. This strange society is so poignantly depicted that we could swear to be there, amid quarrelling students,in crowded classrooms, at familiar gatherings. This book blends the humanity of Dickens and the witty dialogue of Oscar Wilde...and the dark fascination for ancient myths of Algernon Blacwood. You'll love this book. It's all books like "A secret History" by Donna Tartt wanted to be.In " The fall of the Kings" the reader,like Basil St Cloud, shall be intrigued by the ghosts of past archaic rites, and shall wonder on the eredity the past leaves to the present, even when the present wants to reject it.
This is indeed a great book.
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