You'll need a little patience for this one

If you want fast-paced action, keep well clear.

Listening through a bank holiday's DIY project, I can confirm that paint does indeed dry faster than it took for anything of interest to happen. (The first bit of action / interest comes at around the 4.5 hour mark).

That said, it's a beautifully written book, but whereas some authors might take a sentence to describe the forest at nightfall, Tad Williams will take four, and then go on to describe the darkness afterwards. Sometimes there are just too many metaphors, wonderfully colourful as they might be. The lead character spends an awful lot of time lost in the under-city, and then in the forest, and then hiking up the mountain - and boy are you there with him, through all those long, dull hours.....

Despite the above, there are some really good and exciting scenes (they are just particularly well spaced), where the pace kicks up a few gears. This is also a unique, new fantasy world and it's this that has kept me interested.

This book is definitely building to something bigger - this first instalment ends just as it's starting to get interesting and things are finally beginning to happen.

I had to take a break half-way through this, escaping to a light-hearted, favoured listen, but I came back to this story, finished it, and have now started onto Part 2. I am trusting the other reviewers that this will be worth it in the long run. (I must remember to review the next instalments too, then!)

Short version: if you're a patient listener, and enjoy beautifully written prose, then you may love this. If you need action, it may well drive you to distraction. Or, like me, perhaps you'll opt simply to zone out for the dull bits and hope not to miss anything important.

Narration is fine.

30 people found this helpful

very laborious start but gets better

I seriously struggled at the start of this book, but I persevered because I read it years ago and remembered it as a very good book. There are some similarities to the game of thrones books but remember that this was written in the 80s
The. first half of the book is hard going. Overly descriptive and prolonged. However, stick with it. The story really picks up pace and you really care about the characters. Game of thrones had me hooked from the very first page, this book you have to work harder at but it is worth the effort. I have just downloaded the second book in the series and am about to abandon my current book to continue the story. Its been a long wait for my free credit.

9 people found this helpful

Slow start but worth the wait

Brilliantly narrated, really brought the characters to life.
Took a while to get going, excellent once it did.

12 people found this helpful

An interesting setup for a 2nd book..a slow burner

I usually devour most epic fantasy books, funding it hard to stop myself listening/reading and sneaking away to read more. This one tool me alot longer than usual. It was performed very well. The narrator was among the best I've heard but the story (I felt personally) was a little slow in parts. The background info was needed and did enrich the characters and story. I just felt like it had been dragged out at times and could have accomplished more with less.
But as I said in the title this book shouldn't be regarded as a complete work, more an intro into a new world, as nothing truly remarkable happens for the majority of the book (there are some exciting parts though ) but it does leave you with quite a few unanswered and exciting questions and revelations which point to a more engrossing second book.
I think it was worth persevering and it may be one of those series that start slow but turn out to be amazing. I usually mourn those the hardest as by the time your done you don't want the story to be over!
If you have the patience to let it play out and plan to read the whole set of books, then it is definitely worth your time. On its own though you would be left a little frustrated. Clearly a small part of a better whole.

15 people found this helpful

Familiar fantasy tale.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Probably not; it has not got "it". Though it has enough in the end (just) for me to get the following title.

Any additional comments?

A cosy familiar fantasy story. Elves (sithi), Dwarves (trolls), and Humans co-exist. Fighting against, and for a great evil. With some dragons and giants thrown in for good measure. The story is predictable, a company of friends goes off the find sacred objects, while the world around them erupts in battle. If you like a classic fantasy that is no bad thing. My main problem was that it takes an incredible amount of time to get going. I nearly gave up several times early on from boredom. The First 2/3rds of the book were unnecessarily long, and repetitive. Giving long laboured histories of the world, and repetitive introductions to the main character. It could have done with heavy editing. Once it finally gets going it becomes much more enjoyable. Turning into the adventure story you were hoping for initially. Given my time again, I would almost be tempted to jump straight to book two. Listen to the synopsis of book one at the beginning. Getting straight into the good bits. This series is not epic like Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings. But it gives and enjoyable listen on my commute.

3 people found this helpful

Breathtaking

Having read the book many years ago, I was delighted to find the Audible version. An epic story and outstanding narration. 31 hours of magical story telling, at it's best.

4 people found this helpful

Had such promise

Any additional comments?

I have to admit whilst I really liked the narration, I've watched paint dry faster than the story developed in this book, After 5 hours and virtually nothing had happened I just couldn't do it anymore.

4 people found this helpful

Soporific Andrew Wincott

I am struggling to concentrate on the storyline because of Andrew Wincott’s soporific voice. I enjoy listening to him as Adam Macy in The Archers, and was pleased when I read that he was the narrator. However, listening to him for any length of time makes me feel drowsy and I find my mind wandering. Unfortunately I am also finding his extensive use of strange accents for some of the characters painful - they grate on me. As a result, this book which seemed promising at the outset, is proving to be an ordeal and I am not sure I will be able to finish it. The storyline is intriguing. That helps me to persevere.

1 person found this helpful

Not a fan of tad Williams written down, but this is awesome

If you have tried to read Williams before but found it impenetrable line I did, then this is awesome, I've loved it. Story is brilliant, beautifully performed and value for money seeing how long it is! Highly, highly recommended

1 person found this helpful

FANTASTIC NARRATOR, A MUST FOR FANTASY FANS!

This wonderful fantasy classic, originally published in 1988, tells the story of Simon, a scullion at the castle of the Hayholt, in Osten Ard. Simon is special, and actually, you don't find out who he really is or why he is special in part one of the trillogy. But, Simon's journey is thrilling, and the narration is just fantastic. Andrew Wincott does a top class job in his performance, with a superb range of voices. THIS is how fantasy books are supposed to be narrated.
I love this story and have downloaded book two.

3 people found this helpful