Don't start it until the author writes the rest of the series
937938
Don't get me wrong, this is a really good book.  There are a lot of great plot developments, fantastical settings, and depth of character.  But I am pretty disappointed to have read this book and discovered the rest of the books in the sequence haven't been written and don't even seem to be under development.  This book came out in 2006, and it is now 2012.  Instead of writing the rest of the series, the author went off to work on the Ven Polypheme series.  Reading this now sets you up for an immense cliff hanger with no conclusion in sight.  Stop after Elegy for a Lost Star until the rest of the trilogy is written.
1559783
This series is good, but I think the author could have gotten to the point a bit quicker.  There were a lot of things in the book that could have been left out.
1766779
I bought this book almost a year ago and after reading the first two in the series, I almost dreaded slogging through it. I actually bought it before book two but when I started reading it, I realized I'd missed a bunch of things that were not in the first one so I had to get book two. Since book two, Maelstrom has sat on the shelf waiting until I had absolutely nothing else to read. Since I spent the money, I would force myself through it and hope things improved after the first 30 pages or so.

The actual story, when he gets to it is quite good. He draws a highly imaginative world that is a cool take on alternate worlds. He has drawn a group of interesting characters, though there are just too many of them. Captain Reddy seems to be the main character, but it is hard to tell as so many others are in there that it is like there are just snippets of his parts throughout the book to tie it all together.

The first half of the book really drags. Not only does he rehash much of what happened in books one and two, but he goes into introspection with a multitude of characters. His writing style also doesn't leave much blank space on each page and with 30 page chapters, very few scene breaks, and solid words page after page, I wouldn't be surprised if there were 200K words crammed into its almost 400 pages. I guess if you were buying word count, you would get your money's worth. However if you are looking for the story to move a bit, skip to page 200 or so where things actually start to happen.

I like that in each book, he adds in more and more about the world outside their little Baalkpan group including other humans and more dames. I also like that there are other Grik-like creatures that are not hostile.

Overall, this could have been a dynamite excursion into alternate reality. However, it is written in a style that is tedious and almost hostile to the reader. If Mr. Anderson would just get to the point, throw in more dialogue, and cut down on the rehashing, I think he could have an outstanding series. As it is, I expect he will have a small core of diehard fans, but will never expand much beyond that. I doubt if I'll continue with the series, though it is still tempting. If I see the next one in the bookstore, I am going to leaf through it carefully to see if he has moderated his style. If not, I'll go on to something less tedious. Recommended for hard core fans only.
3050821
First off, let me start by saying I loved this book. And most of the ones that came after it.  But there are two reasons you should think very hard before you start this series.

First, the books get more and more drawn out until, as in the 10th book, 700 pages basically covers the amount of plot development that 50 pages of the first book accomplished. Part of the problem is that the list of characters continues to grow book after book.  This means you have 30 characters or so and you jump from character to character, each allotted a significant amount of pages. This is not an exaggeration. Look at the reviews for the 10th book if you think I am joking. There are over 1500 One-Star reviews for this reason alone.

Second, as many of you probably know, Robert Jordan is dead. At the time of his death he had NOT completed this series. In my opinion that means this series was left unfinished. There are plans to release a 12th book to be written by Brandon Sanderson based on Robert Jordan's NOTES! Sanderson's ability aside, this is a far cry from actually having a 9,000 page series naturally concluded by the original author.

These are big issues and anyone interested in the Wheel of Time should really consider them before investing so much time into a series.
1366725
I wish I had waited until the series was complete before I read it, now I'm feeling impatient for the next volume
2741825
If you're reading this review, you've already read the first two books most likely. So, it's probably too late for you! Basically, the series starts off well and is a lot of fun through the first two books, then the fun slowly grinds to a halt. By the time you're reading book 4, plot lines begin repeating and you wonder - what the hell, the characters have to go through this again? Bottom line for me - I gave up on the story 1/2 way through the next book (4), even though I did mostly enjoy the other books. If the author had moved the story forward in new directions this could have a been a very good series.
2074170
This book is a wonderful start to a series that goes from good to lame in a matter of 7 books.  I stopped after 7 and am happy, yet still pissed that i kept reading as long as I did.  I have many firends who finished the series and were incredibly unhappy that they wasted hundreds of hours slogging through the latter books.  Do yourself a favor and don't buy this book.  If you do, prepare to get hooked and then watse your time like so many of us did.
1942881
I had such hopes after the first book for a good "series".  What I got was seven books that should have been two or three books without all the BORING filler.  I did learn that as soon as the author started explaining each and every thought of the character being discussed, skip to the end of the chapter and read the last half of the page.  You won't miss a single thing and will get hours of your life back.  Of course readers should also feel free to skip ahead when the author decides to tell the reader the same thing, for the third, fourth, or fifth time.

This was a good story, despite the authors best efforts to bury it.
2373914
This, the fourth book in the series thus far, brings together the hints that have added up in the earlier volumes regarding the nature of the world that serves as background, plot device, and subject of the series.  The first two books were almost pure fantasy writing (and superb fantasy writing at that), with hints directing the reader towards something additional.  Books three and four are transitional, with aspects of the fantasy world being shown to be actually science fiction, and in particular  "lost colony " science fiction.

That much can said without giving away material that would destroy the story.  Probably, a complete synopsis could be given without destroying the story (although only by the author, as the last two books aren't out yet), because even with such a synopsis in hand the books would be impossible to put down, due to the quality of the writing.

The story-telling, the characterization, and the world-building are all superb.  The descriptive writing has me quoting short sections to family and friends, just to share the poetic turn of phrase.

I'm torn.  I am not happy that she hasn't finished the series yet, as I want to keep reading-- I have come to care about the characters.  I am thrilled that she's still writing more, because I care about the characters.

Do not start reading with this book, obviously, but if you haven't read these, go back to the beginning of the series and start them for the first time.  I envy you.
1366704
I've been enjoying this author's Mt Olympus series; the premise is unique and the character development well done.  However, given how she's essentially releasing a chapter at a time... slowly... I don't recommend buying this book or others in the series until she finishes the work.  She has other books available in a completed series; start with them.
4976879
This author writes well. Her characters are interesting and the story draws you in. I didn't notice typos and the overall flow was good. That being said I won't be finishing this series. The frustration I felt during the latter part of book 1 and this book just ruined it for me. I won't give spoilers. Both books were stand alone and technically ended happily for now. But they just irked me. I may try something else by this author because her writing is well done - I just won't do it soon.
4967943
Great writing, and the main character is interesting and sympathetic, but just be aware that you need to read the whole series. The three books really should have been one novel, as they make no sense on their own. Well worth reading, though!
3294538
This book is serialized, which means fhat it is really only one third of the story and since this is the first book, the story stops in the middle of a serious problem, so you will want to buy and read the next two books. The second book is also out. I have read it. Again no conclusion at the end of book two. No surprise. I am supposed to be waiting eagerly for book three, but I am not, because the story is not that well told. It is somewhat unbelievable, the plot is highly unlikely but possible, and the ccharacters are sufficiently cardboard that I do not care what happens to them, because they are obviously imaginary.

On the other hand, it is a quick and easy read. It is easy to put down, but it is just as easy to keep reading. I think the author has potential over time to be very good. I wish her luck. And if your expectations are not too high, you may enjoy reading the book as much as I did. Better than your average TV show.
3930790
Cutting the one long book into two shorter ones, each including half of the cast of characters, works to a degree.  It becomes slightly jarring when you start Book Five and rehash some of the opening of Book Four.

Write faster, George!
1036792
I read this book after I had read the Book 1 of the series.  Wish I hadn't.  Figured a Prequel should be read first, and didn't even realize it was out there until I was already into Book 1.  Don't make the same mistake I did.  Wait until after reading all 3 book before you read the Prequel.  I really think I would have enjoyed the surprise information a lot more had I waited.  Also wish I would have just purchased the collection right up front.  If it is a new author I've never read any of their books before, I usually download a sample of the book first just to make sure I like the writer's style.  I did, but still just ordered the first book only.  I wish the samples were just a tiny bit longer so you got a better understanding of plots before you spend a lot of money to purchase multiple books at once.  Anyway, the Prequel was still worth the money.  Glad I bought it and read it.
4843410
Although I enjoyed the writing and the story had me hooked from the start, I feel that all good stories have essential elements. Most of them have a beginning a middle and an end. This story has no end. It just goes on and on. By book the end of book 6 when there was no book 7 I felt betrayed by the author. At some point you have to tie things up. You can't just leave people hanging as if they are watching a never ending soap opera. Come on Mr. Collings, you've made your dime. Now do us a favor and finish the story.
2368140
Each of the previous books has been connected but independent, this start of a new series ends in a cliffhanger that makes the book seem incomplete in a way that none of the others have. To her credit the author has not used boilerplate to plump up her stories thus far. I personally just hate feeling robbed when I buy a book only to find that it is only half a story.

Shame on Mrs Blodgett!

On a lighter editorial note, I don't think that perpetuate means what she thinks it does. Perhaps the word intended is perpetrate. If so this minor error is found in both books six and seven.