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on 15 December 2014
I believe "page-turner" is the apt term.
on 29 June 2001
Windhaven is a world where the only land is in the form of small islands in a stormy sea. It's only inhabitants are the descendants of a crashed Earth colony ship who live a low-technology existence on those islands. One of the major forms of communication on Windhaven is messages carried by the flyers who use wings crafted from the spaceship's materials to fly between the islands, the wings are highly prized and passed down only through the elite flyer families. The main theme of this books concerns the efforts of the ordinary citizens of Windhaven, particuarily the book's heroine, to be allowed the chance to be able to become flyers. The more conservative of the flyer families resist the idea of others also being allowed to fly and this book deals with the conflict between the two groups. Like Martin's other books the characters are what makes this book good, as well as the convincing and original world. Fans of his major series, A Song of Ice and Fire should not be disapointed although the theme and feel of the book bears more similarity to Anne Mcaffrey's Pern series than Martin's other books. In summary, an entertaining book that is well worth reading.
on 3 April 2010
I bought this on the strength of Ice and Fire. I found Pern on a bad day, and without the dragons. It may have got better, but after after 47 pages I just don't care.
VINE VOICEon 17 July 2001
George RR Martin's early stuff is being reissued on the back the success of his 'Song of Ice and Fire' series. And a good thing too. This collaboration with Lisa Tuttle at first gave me the impression it would be predictable but a good read. In fact it was wonderful.
It follows Maris, who has no right to fly except that there is nothing she wants more in the world. Broadly in three parts, the books charts her difficult, thrilling and compelling adventures right through her life. Boldly imagined, adult and moving, this is a very welcome reprint.
It follows Maris, who has no right to fly except that there is nothing she wants more in the world. Broadly in three parts, the books charts her difficult, thrilling and compelling adventures right through her life. Boldly imagined, adult and moving, this is a very welcome reprint.
on 28 December 2011
WindhavenIts possible that if I'd never read all of the books of, 'Song of Ice and Fire' I wouldn't have been so disappointed with Windhaven. I bought this book because I wanted to continue to relish each word Martin has written. Either he had nothing, or very little, to do with this book, or he's really slipped. It was puerile. Plot and writing were amateurish. I suffered thru half of it and then took it to a charity shop. I would equate this experience as being nearly as bad as having to suffer thru the film, 'Ishtar' again. I won't write any more about it because that would really be flogging a dead horse - which is what Windhaven is.
VINE VOICEon 6 February 2001
What can I say about this book..... well its excellent.
This is not a story about a poor village girl who finds out that she is the heir to a lost kingdom or set or wings... Just of a woman who tries to change the world for the better, but then comes to realise that it ain't as easy or ideal as she 1st thought...
If you want a book that deals with extremely well drawn characters who react believeably to a changing world, or just a well written thoughtful peice of art then this is the book for you...
This is not a story about a poor village girl who finds out that she is the heir to a lost kingdom or set or wings... Just of a woman who tries to change the world for the better, but then comes to realise that it ain't as easy or ideal as she 1st thought...
If you want a book that deals with extremely well drawn characters who react believeably to a changing world, or just a well written thoughtful peice of art then this is the book for you...
on 9 August 2002
I bought this book on the strength of ice and fire a truly imaginative and great read. I kept it safe to read on my holiday, I started to read it and immediately was struck by the similarity to Jack Vance Blue world. Maybe bacause of this I found that in comparison windhaven suffered.
Yes its quite good, but its not great. It reads like 3 separate stories combined with very little cohesion running through it.
Overall its pales beside the blue world and ice and fire, not bad but...... could be better.
Yes its quite good, but its not great. It reads like 3 separate stories combined with very little cohesion running through it.
Overall its pales beside the blue world and ice and fire, not bad but...... could be better.
on 26 April 2010
I like George R R Martin's other works but this was awful. The characters were badly drawn, the background and culture of the people had little development and overall it made me feel like I did not care what happened next which was not helped as the story dragged too. I struggled on to the end because I thought there might be something in there to redeem it. It is a shame because I liked the idea of this book with the flyers and the tradition of passing the wings on to the next generation.
The most helpful thing I can say is give this one a miss and read the series 'A Song of Ice and Fire' instead.
The most helpful thing I can say is give this one a miss and read the series 'A Song of Ice and Fire' instead.
