Icelandic Saga Recast as Plodding March to Revenge
595939
I'd never read anything by Burgess before, but the concept of a near-future London dominated by warring gangs appealed to me, so I thought I'd check it out. The story opens with the imminent marriage of the daughter of one gangster lord to the son of the other gangster lord, uniting the longtime bitter enemies. It's not clear why civilization has collapsed, or why London is a kind of fortress with wild man-beast-machine genetic monsters beyond its walls, but Burgess is an adept enough storyteller to know that it's better just to have the reader dive into this dark new world than spend fifty pages trying to explain it all.

There's a certain grim tension as the buildup to the marriage mounts, and when a mysterious god-like figure crashes the proceedings and presents the bride's brother with some kind of magic stone dagger, things seem to have definitely taken a turn for the mythological. Despite this weird interruption, the marriage is sealed and a truce seems established. Alas, betrayal is in the air, and soon only the brother with the magic dagger is left alive, while his married-off sister is locked up in a golden birdcage with a shapeshifting cat for company.

The entire rest of the book is a relentless, plodding, and often boring march toward revenge, as the sister plots against her husband and tries to convince her brother to take control of a brewing rebellion. Unfortunately, it's just not that engaging. The story is told by different narrators, and this choppy approach only serves to disrupt what little narrative flow there is. The inevitable payoff takes forever to arrive, and is rather anticlimactic when it does. At the very end, there's an author's note that the story is based on the Icelandic&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Volsunga-Saga/dp/B000BH27XU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Volsunga Saga</a>, which explains a lot. Ancient sagas, while full of colorful material, tend to be rather plodding affairs, and while I admire it when authors attempt to reimagine ancient or classic works, in this case, Burgess may have stuck too close to the original. However, for those who like it, there is a sequel called&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Bloodsong/dp/1416936165/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Bloodsong</a>, which uses the second part of the saga as its source material.

Note: In some listings, this shows up as a children's book, which seems pretty strange. I'm not a big fan of age-segregating books, but this has some pretty graphic violence and a somewhat graphic incest scene, so it's probably best to preview it before handing it to anyone under 16.
1444479
I must confess that, although it is very well-written, I did not much enjoy this second instalment of John DeFilippiss saga which began in The Quest of the Thirteen. The previous book was much more upbeat as we followed the thirteen in their dangerous quest and, of course, it ended on a high, with the fulfilment of the quest and the accession to the throne of Grobius. We got to like and admire most of the thirteen participants and I was eagerly awaiting the next part of their story. Unfortunately this book is concerned with a willing sacrifice (in the Christian tradition) and the downfall of most of Grobiuss twelve followers. Human nature is shown at its most base and self-serving; the message for the earth and humankind is bleak.
4458391
I'll cut to the chase: the story takes way too long to get going, and even once it does it feel sluggish.  A pedestrian action film.
3798957
At some point, the whole saga became more about trying to cram in the event that follows the event that follows the event till the end, and in the pursuit of event sequences, something obviously gets lost.  I just don't know what really is amiss, but I can say, all the characters, familiar or otherwise, are simply flat, and and though I already know that I should, I just cannot learn to care about them.  And so it goes, you just look for the ending, just so you can say you did.
3662988
There are some pretty big shoes Stieg Larsson left behind and while David Lagercrantz does a good attempt however the book starts off slow and filled with purple prose and picked up about 2/3rds the way through. Lisbeth was barely around for most of the story, Mikeal seems to be lamenting over being a washed up lump and I just couldn't feel much anything for the characters I had loved so much.

On it's own it's good. As a fanfiction it's good. As an offical sequel to Stieg Larsson's Millenium series it falls flat.
2942239
I picked this up from a book store closing and it sat on my shelf for a long time. It was time to make room so I decided to give it a read.

This is a work of fan fiction and the reader would probably appreciate it he happened to be a fan of the game GuildWars. I have not played it so much of the nuance was lost on me.

As a story it's ok. It starts right away with action as there is a quest for an artifact. Having played DnD; I was not lost but I have to admit not being drawn in right away.

It does pickup later as the team going to Ascalon was more interesting then the original team on the quest. Probably a large problem is the lack of backstory and or development for most of the characters. You really don't find yourself liking or disliking the characters. I do admit liking the Norn as they came off like Vikings.

About the only "developed' character is Dougal Keane.

The ending is probably the best part of the book but It really doesn't leave you satisfied.  Yet, I would say the book wasn't a waste of time. Think of it as simple "fluff" reading which is good for a airplane trip or as an introduction to GuildWars though I would say the book would be better if you played the game.
2981832
Icelandic mystery that shows how the culture works.
3626486
After killing his father, Lord Blaine McFadden is stripped of his title and sent to the harsh penal colony of Velant in the far north. Six years later, "Mick" has earned the rights of a colonist and has made a comfortable life for himself. However, war has broken out in the home country of Donderath, and the colony soon finds itself cut off from home, as well as the magic that pervades nearly all aspects of daily life.

Ice Forged has a very rushed and weak start. The prologue is good example of why the old "show, don't tell" maxim is important. Characters are introduced, each gets an infodump paragraph, and a plot point happens in another couple of paragraphs.

The story gets much better once the main characters are introduced. The country of Donderath is in a war with a rival nation, and the use of magical attacks has been causing widespread disturbances. Connor, the deuteragonist, is sent after a mysterious map that may hold the key to the very nature of magic in this world. Magic is pervasive in the world of Ice Forged, and most people are capable of using some form to enhance natural talents and skills. There are also the more skilled mages, and even vampires, which oddly do work in this setting.

As a protagonist, Blaine is a bit bland and a little too perfect. He's known for being level-headed and a skilled arbiter, talents which lend him to a council position in Edgeland. Even his crime is justified, as his father is widely regarded as an awful person. Fortunately, none of this sticks out enough to become overly annoying.

This is a solid fantasy novel, and surprisingly quick read for almost 600 pages. The mysteries are intriguing enough to keep you reading, and there are some good characters as well. Skip the clunky prologue and get lost in the story.

A review copy was provided through the goodreads.com first reads program.
3998617
Like the other movies in this series this suffers chiefly from being too long. The entire saga, whilst taken from three fairly long books, has been transferred to the screen in a fashion that just does not require this amount of time. For example, how in a movie that lasts over 3 hours do we manage to completely avoid seeing Christopher Lee's Saruman? Instead we get a tree dictating what happened and are rewarded for this cut with a truly dull end sequence that just drags on and on. They couldn't give two minutes to Saruman?
Unlike the previous two movies there are moments of genuine excitement in this one, as if sitting through the first six hours allowed them to ground all the elements well enough to actually get on with telling the tale. The CGI feels less intrusive and the acting is largely good.
Unfortunately, the grand combat sequences are plagued with acts of strategic stupidity never before seen on film. Why do Faromir and cohorts wait for half the invading orc army to pass them thus being trapped in the middle? Why charge a herd of oliphants? Hoping to scare them were they? Why not circle around them and attack from behind? You've got horses, it won't take too long. And what on middle-earth suggested to Aragorn that taking all his bests fighters to be surrounded by an orc army was a good plan? Ok, he's intending to create a diversion but why not keep a few choice fighters back if you have no intention of nor chance of winning this particular fight? What are you going to do if your diversion is wasted? I guess in middle earth no one had heard of Thermopylae. At least the Spartan diversion allowed the bulk of the Greek army to escape to fight another day. Aragorn's diversion is forcing a conclusion now. I think I'd be on that 'second' last (as in last for the second time) elf ship out with a king like that.
However forgiving I am about these sequences, and they are fun if illogical, ultimately the lack of a real villain is telling. I'm afraid I just can't get that enthused about an enemy with less presence than an anorexic troll with a magpie complex. The spider is far and away the best 'baddie' in the show. Evil lighthouses just don't work.
2428251
When you put a sword on the front cover of a book entitled, "The Viking."  you anticipate more of a  "Viking" type story than a literary version of "Leave It to Beaver."  Although this story flowed easily and the writing was above average, the story itself was rather bland.  It wasn't the tale that made me finish this book.  I just had no time in finding a better read.  For a "Book #1" of a series, there wasn't much there to want to read BOOK #2.
894400
The Dark is rising in their last bid to claim the world of men. Only the power of the Old Ones can stand against them, but the circle remains incomplete. The Lady is absent. And so once more Will Stanton must embark on a quest; first to find the Lady, and then, with her guidance, seek out the last thing of power, the crystal sword. Joining him on his quest are his master Merriman, the three Drews, and Bran, heir to an ancient legacy. Together they will travel through history, to lost lands and ancient battles, all in preparation for the final battle to cast out the Dark for all time.

An uninspired opening sets a poor example for the first quarter of the book, plodding through scenes before eventually rallying around a problem. Regrettably the story flounders again, forcing characters who just met into open animosity for the sake of tension and conflict. The underlying ideas are interesting, but without the proper time to earn them.

The second quarter brings another change, as the story blossoming into a rich narrative to rival anything thats come before. Beautiful descriptions linger on otherworldly images, while the characters struggle with ideas that both echo and challenge long held beliefs.

The final turn brings a slight dip, but in its final moments the story acquits itself well, lingering on the bittersweet reality that all things pass in time, with only dreams to remind us.

+Strong Ideas
+Strong Descriptions
*A blend of young and mature
-Weak Beginning
-Fragmented, rushed plot

3/5
3819182
Other reviewers clearly identified the subject, so I won't repeat that.  However painful this book was to read, I would strongly recommend it for what I believe to be a gritty, realistic depiction of the harshness of life in Iceland, and specifically for Agnes.  Had there been a more gradual turn toward the end (eg, toward acceptance by Jonsson family) rather than what seemed like a great rush to be done with it, this would have merited five stars. But perhaps the author was as exhausted (both physically and emotionally) by the story as I was?
3473770
This volume from Penguin Classics contains two Icelandic sagas, Gisli Sursson's Saga and The Saga of the People of Eyri. The stories form a nice set, since the events of the first lead to the events of the second (though not in the style of a modern sequel).

The Icelandic sagas are some of my favorite stories for the simple reason that they waste no time in setting up the action and bringing it to an end, and are almost invariably exciting. They are spare, fast-moving stories that, at the same time, manage to be incredibly complex. In the case of both of these stories, rivals, intrigue, and betrayal play major roles throughout.

Gisli Sursson's Saga: Gisli Sursson belongs to the first generations of Iceland's inhabitants. Iceland was undiscovered and uncolonized until the 9th century, when the ever-wandering Vikings found it and began to populate it. Gisli Sursson, in avenging the death of his brother, is declared to have been outside the protection of the law in his manner of vengeance and outlawed. Bork, a distant relative, takes up the chase, hiring bounty hunters to help track Gisli down. Gisli survives--through many, many outbreaks of violence--thirteen years in the wilderness. Along the way he is sheltered in a valley guarded by a giant, encounters ghosts (which have corporeal substance in Icelandic lore and have to be "killed" again), and, with the help of his wife, seems only one step ahead of Bork's men. The final showdown between him and his pursuers on a jagged mountaintop is a thrilling climax more exciting than many modern novels I've read.

The Saga of the People of Eyri: Not as compelling as Gisli's story, but still endlessly fascinating, this saga deals with a locality rather than a specific person, though the saga gives a lot of attention to Snorri the Godi, who was young boy at the time of Gisli's death and witnessed his own mother attempting to kill Bork. Snorri, as a godi, is heavily involved in the politics and legal confusions of the era, and does his share of killing and cheating death. Like I and another reviewer have said, The Saga of the People of Eyri isn't as fulfilling as Gisli Sursson's Saga (though it does have plenty of excitement) and a bit anticlimactic, but it's still good reading because it ties in to another saga available from Penguin, The Saga of Grettir the Strong, which is every bit as good as Gisli Sursson's.

The notes are minimal, which is not a problem, and the introductions and a few appendices may help acquaint beginners with Icelandic and Norse culture and the world of the sagas.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in medieval Europe, Iceland, Norse culture, mythology, or to anyone just looking for an quick but exciting story to read at night.
3048654
There is much to love in Tolkein, and also a lot that is seriously annoying. But the thing I always hated most about this story, and which is even worse in the book than in the movie versions, is how Frodo makes it all the way to the Crack of Doom only to fail in his resolve to destroy the ring, which is only accomplished by Gollum biting off his finger and then accidentally falling in with it. In the crucial moment, the story is ultimately about original sin and redemption by some ineffable "higher" power. This seriously undercuts the story's drama and heroism.

Rob Inglis's narration is quite good---I enjoyed listening to his characterizations and performances of the songs and so forth.  Three and a half stars.
1803259
Ever since "The Lord of the Rings" ended, fans have been clamoring for "The Hobbit" to be adapted as well.

Well, it took nine years of obstacles, but now we have "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," the first part of a trilogy of "Hobbit" movies. It has some few flaws, but overall feels like a pleasantly familiar return to Middle-Earth -- fire, elves, orc-killing, a magic ring and lots of sweeping New Zealand landscapes.

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) is a nice boring gentlehobbit who has no interest in adventures. Then the wizard Gandalf descends on Bag End with thirteen dwarves. They are setting out for the lost city of Erebor, which the dragon Smaug stole many years ago -- and now Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) wants to reclaim it. Also, Gandalf has volunteered Bilbo as an expert burglar.

Despite Bilbo's initial reluctance, he soon finds that the world outside the Shire is a pretty dangerous place -- trolls, goblins, stone giants and an albino orc who wants Thorin's head. And in a deep, dark cave, Bilbo encounters a grotesque creature known as Gollum...

At the same time, Radagast the Brown Wizard (Sylvester McCoy) warns Gandalf of something that is poisoning the woods and animals of the Greenwood. Even worse, it's moved into the old fortress of Dol Guldur, and has the power to summon the dead.

It took me two viewings of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" to really generate a valid opinion. The first time I was overwhelmed with fan squeeing over the spectacle, as a moderate-to-obsessed Tolkien nerd, and the second time I was able to more objectively view the movie's pros and cons.

Peter Jackson has to be admired for managing to whip the first third of "The Hobbit" (plus chunks of "Unfinished Tales") into a three-act narrative structure, especially since the story is very small-scale and linear. It's a lighter story than any of the "Lord of the Rings" movies (the dwarves raiding Bilbo's pantry), but there's always a dark undercurrent reminding you that there is serious stuff afoot.

And Jackson does a typically brilliant job evoking Middle-Earth's danger and majesty, sweeping us across glittering mountain citadels, murky forests and rotted fortresses. There are some absolutely stunning action scenes, such as Thorin stalking down a fallen, burning tree to fight his mortal enemy. It's brilliant.

He also fleshes out the storyline by exploring the Council investigating the Necromancer (three guesses who he is!), and a prologue showing everything that Thorin's people have suffered and lost. They're depicted as a proud people who have lost everything, and it adds a powerfully tragic undercurrent to the story.

However... there are some problems with the movie. The comic relief characters (the trolls, the singing goblin king) simply don't work. And it needs some serious fat trimmed off, with some scenes (the stone giants) that could have been cut completely. It should have been maybe a half-hour shorter, with those scenes reserved for the extended edition.

But the actors are pretty much all brilliant. Martin Freeman is the perfect mix of fussiness and gutsiness as Bilbo, and we can see him slowly growing into his friendships with the Dwarves. Richard Armitage is similarly brilliant as a butt-kicking dwarf prince who can be prickly and crabby, but who has also suffered a lot of humiliation and loss.

And of course, we have familiar faces like Ian McKellen as the delightfully grumpy Gandalf, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett and Christopher Lee. McCoy is adorably scatterbrained as a wizard who likes animals more than people, and the various dwarves are all given personality and development to make them distinctive. That's a pretty impressive feat with such a large main cast!

The comedy can be a bit grating, but "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is still a beautiful, intriguing start to Bilbo Baggins' journey. And the journey will only get more epic and dark.
1889014
The first book and introduction to to this saga, starts with eighteen survivors of a troop of hundred and eighty seven long bow archers who joined Richard the Lion Heart to crusade in the Holy Land with the mission to recapture Jerusalem.
Seven years later a bedraggled group of eighteen tired and injured supplicants for the money owed them for their service, to buy their transport back to England encounter the most horrific betray by the bishop Damascus choosing to murder them instead of paying their promised fee.
This leashes the most horrific flair of  violence, swift action and cunning  which marks the rest of the story.
There are actually two protagonist in the novels, tow brothers, the older is a priest, the younger is an archer and a father to a young boy, that through the decimation of their ranks, finds himself as the leader of the company.
The brothers Thomas and William have the advantage of being literate, a rare skill in this time. Balancing each other in temperament and talent, creating moral support for each other and both protecting the child.
After killing the bishop and taking the fortune he was hording, the brothers started  developing their company's ethos. Leading by example, education and careful promotion for the right talent. Faithful remuneration. Credibility and dependability at all costs. Those business practices added by collecting intelligence and spreading disinformation and violence when needed, brings them great monetary success and great power.
The story continues with blood curdling violence, breath taking exploits, in short a roller coaster of events.
The story line is faithfully reflecting the historic events of late 12th century and specifically the third crusade.
To start with; violence, taking a life is not a big deal if this life stands in your way to social promotion, riches or perceived insult.
Hygiene, non existent. Food scarce and often bad. Privacy, never heard of. Human trafficking, usual business practice. Status of women low and precarious.
Interesting and refreshing is the deconstruction of the iconic figure of Richard the Lion Heart. Mr. Archer narrate the facts of abandoning his troops in the Holy Land. The terrible massacre of the surrendered populace of Acre. The wholesale of titles for financing his military enterprises and finally his carelessness on the battle field which brought to his death.
Having praised Mr. Archer on his historic faithfulness I would like to offer some criticism.
To start with, better proof reading please.
I have an issue with the name of the town Latika in the story, I assume it is the town Latakia. The big harbor town north to Beirut.
The French Pox is mentioned few times in the book, I assume that it means syphilis. It adds its own brand of fear and disgust to all the other incurable diseases of this period. However the scientific consensus is that it is a post Columbian infection. Sorry.
I would like to add a personal note; I visited frequently many of the places mentioned in the books.
The crusaders castles and fortifications are formidable and have their own eerie aesthetics. many of them are still standing. They were great builders especially when money and labor were not an issue.
What a period.
1933091
Tolkein has created a world of hobbits, elves, dwarfs and wizards that's so real you feel you're reading a history book.  Unfortunately, I wanted to read the rollicking good tale that Tolkein buried with plodding details of topography, weather, and history instead. The pacing is so off that several chapters are given to a character that has nothing to do with the plot, while a pivotal scene involving Galdalf is told as a puny, bland page or two flashback.  Luckily, the movie excavated the story and showed us what this book could have been if Tolkein was as skilled at storytelling as he was at world inventing.