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Chimaera (Well of Echoes)
 
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Chimaera (Well of Echoes) (Paperback)

by Ian Irvine (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 848 pages
  • Publisher: Orbit (2 Dec 2004)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 067004119X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0670041190
  • ASIN: 1841493244
  • Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15.2 x 5.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 312,276 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Product Description

Review

Praise for the Well of Echoes series: 'A page-turner of the highest order ... Irvine can now consider himself comfortably ranked next to the works of Robert Jordan and David Eddings. Formidable' SFX on GEOMANCER, 'The complex cultures, detailed geography, and the palpable weight of history provide a solid background to an intense story ... this stands out as a worldbuilding labour of love with some truly original touches' LOCUS on GEOMANCER The magnificent final book in a sweeping epic from the most successful fantasy writer of recent years. Ian Irvine is the bestselling new fantasy author of recent years in the UK. Huge appeal to readers of Tolkien, Jordan and Eddings. Ian Irvine lives in the mountains of NSW, Australia.


Product Description

All resistance has been crushed. In a few minutes of overwhelming violence the Council's air-dreadnought fleet has destroyed Fiz Gorgo's defences. Xervish Flydd, Irisis and their allies have been condemned to die in a brutal aerial spectacle designed to reinforce Chief Scrutator Ghorr's power and majesty. Nish is their one remaining hope. But Nish is trapped in a burning watchtower, and hunted by both the scrutators and his former lover, Ullii, whose twin brother he accidentally killed. Before Nish can hope to rescue his friends, he must convince Ullii to spare him, then overcome the most powerful cabal of mancers in the world as well as the Council's four hundred crack guards. And even if he succeeds, to win the war the allies still have to defeat the scrutators and overthrow Nennifer, the corrupt Council's dread bastion, before the rampaging lyrinx overwhelm all Santhenar.

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (7)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Some good, some bad, 10 Mar 2005
In a sense this is a review of the series as a whole. I'm not going to talk about what happens, but more about the writing style in general.

Recently I read the whole series, and I really enjoyed it. However, there were a few things that I felt were rather disappointing.

The pace is excellent, you never have time to get bored (from what I remember of the previous series, the View from the Mirror quartet, it was a little slow moving in places). That said, I think that the story would benefit from slowing down a little in places. Some of the twists in the plot come from out of nowhere, and given the originality of the world that the action takes place in, some more description would be appreciated. Several times the characters seem to get over serious problems or inter-personal enmity rather unconvincingly quickly.

As some of the other reviewers have noted, Mr Irvine keeps producing books quite quickly, which is a relief to anyone who has followed Robert Jordan or the Dark Tower series! That said, from reading this series, it didn't feel finished. I know that there is the intention to write two more series based in the same world, but unlike the View From the Mirror quartet there is practically no sense of closure to this story. It seems the next series will begin relatively soon after the events of this one. Some of the central mysteries of the story were never revealed, which I didn't like. There were also one or two textual errors which the proofreaders apparently missed, which is a shame; it suggests that the publishers didn't take a great deal of care over producing the book.

One of the best things about Mr Irvine's writing is the sympathy he shows to his characters, and particularly his portrayal of both sides' point of view in a conflict. In general, this was excellent as usual. One or two of the characters sadly failed to receive this treatment here though, and as a result come across as somewhat two-dimensional without any convincing motivation for their actions.

Negative comments aside, overall I enjoyed the series, and will probably read the next one. I just feel that the ending didn't match up to the promise of the start, or the quality of the previous series.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Great series, but overlong and rushed towards the end, 24 May 2007
By D. Corbett "dannyxtra" (Warrington, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This is my personal take on the whole series in general, not just this book. I will start with what i enjoyed about the series and will end with a good moan as i have read all of the books and loved the series but there were a few instances that really annoyed me throughout the books.
The Praise
The books are very well written and help you to develop a real relationship with the characters, you love or hate them as you would if you knew them. Also the progression of the characters is excellant, particularly Irisis and Nish. In the first book you learn to hate these deceitful, cruel, selfish people but as you learn there side of the story and they develop as people they become the heroes in further books and you forgive them for what they had done.
My favourite aspect of the books is that the heroes all either have major flaws, or do something that endangers the entire planet, only for them to prove or redeem themselves, i know this is usually standard for fantasy novels but the choices these people usually make put the world at risk or make the situation worse and shows that they cannot cope with the burden of the adventure. This made the characters feel very human to me and let the reader know that they wont always make the right choices.
Overall the series is very well written with very good descriptive language and a depth rarely seen in fantasy books i enjoyed reading this series and am now waiting for the songs of the tears trilogy to finish.
The Moan
In my opinion the whole story ark should have been condensed down to 3 books instead of 4, Im not saying that Chimaera is bad, its just that there were many situations throughout the books that really didnt need to be there and felt like they were added just to create another book. For example there are too many situations that seem impossible to get out of only for them to escape, only to fall into another impossible situation. this occurs many many times throughout the series and seems to remind you of a benny Hill chase scene. when the Council are chasing Tiaan for example in book 2 they have at least 15 chances to take her into custody and each time she is saved by some various miracle.
Also the way some these miracle escapes often happened required something you were completely unaware of, for examples crystals imbedded behind peoples skin, for me i really disaproved with this as the reader is left to think that they are in trouble this time only for something quite simple to save them. This lead me to believe as i got further through the books that there was no situation they could not escape because there was always something behind the scenes and this left me feeling cheated.
Lastly towards the end of the 4th book story arks from previous books reappeared and were made a complete hash off. Ian just seemed to rush through them and makes them completely unbelievable, relatives looking for each other for years happen to realise they've known each other for years and hadnt bother to ask there surnames, people looking for revenge suddenly forgive and sacrifice themselves and in general nobodies parting story was sufficient. many people either just disappeared or strolled off into the sunset which for me betrays the relationship you aquire with the characters throughout the 4 books.

Even though ive had quite a lengthy moan here dont let that put you off the series, the plot is fantastic if not strung out to long and if you ignore the 100 miracles a book then you will love it. A word of warning though, in my opinion no series should end like this one!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Glorious Triumph matched with crushing defeat, 24 Jan 2005
By T. Russon "Tom" (West Midlands, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
One phrase sums up this amazing finale to a brilliant quartet: OH MY GOD!
at the end of Alchimyst Mr Irvine left us with very little hope for Sathenar and on the edge of our seats.
Chimeara opens with a spectacular 100+ page heart-attack and he keeps the intigue up the whole time.

You truly feel for the characters involved and are constantly amazed at the examples and degrees of suffering they can endure.
This is not a book for the faint of heart, but it is VERY highly recommended by me.

A few boggles tho... i guessed what was going to happen at the end before i started reading Chimaera (though nit in the beath-taking manner it was pulled off)
and 2: I think i know what is going to happen in the next book!

I need the next sequence!!!! NOW!!!! hurry Ian

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars The End that never came
I'd read the View from the Mirror quartet and really loved it! The story, the ending, but the characters and their development the most. I really felt connected to them. Read more
Published on 28 Aug 2006 by Y. Mustafa

5.0 out of 5 stars Three fantastic books that just got better and better.
the first book is just superb ,a great cast of characters that we can all identify with ,with all the human conditions in tow.
a great adventure and a great storyline. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2005 by Graham M. Paine

5.0 out of 5 stars What a book!
OMG! THE ENDING! You read all those books,and THE ENDING...! It's fantastic! This book is like a drug, you read it and you keep reading it and then when it ends... Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2005

4.0 out of 5 stars Chimaera
This book is really good, and finishes the quartet you've been reading undoubtedly. However it does feel slightly rushed compared to the earlier books. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2005 by Mr. C. J. Nevill

5.0 out of 5 stars Mmmnnmmnnn.......
Absoloutley fantastic end to a fantastic series...
Only ... It's no ending at all!
ARHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHENS THE NEXT ONE OUT!!! Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2004 by Mr. C. J. Nevill

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book
Wow Ian Irvine certainly knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat all the way through. Completely action packed with dozens of plot twists which make this book virtually... Read more
Published on 20 Dec 2004 by mick

5.0 out of 5 stars His Best Effort Yet!
What an impressive ending to a truly original epic fantasy series! Non-stop action, real people instead of the 2 dimensional cardboard characters of lesser authors with plenty of... Read more
Published on 16 Dec 2004 by talk.to.the.paw

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent conclusion to the quartet
This book is concludes the well of echos quartet with the high standard so typical of the author, I just love this series which is much darker than the previous Tale of the Mirror... Read more
Published on 14 Dec 2004

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