Joel Rosenberg (1) (1954–2011)

Awful. Mean-spirited. Misogynistic. Rapetastic. I read this and another one or two in the series at an age when I'd read anything, and even then the treatment of female characters was throwing warning signs.

Almost as bad is a nod toward 'realistic' combat... that's selectively undermined by the presence of potions of healing that are basically physical panaceas... except when they aren't, and the author wants to unceremoniously write someone out. Spinal injury? Knock back a potion and you're show more fine. Run through the gut with a rapier? Nope, just wasted a potion. show less

What I loved about this series was that it was the anti-high fantasy. In the very first book of the series, seven role-playing college students are transported to the world of their game as their alter egos. Those who survive stay and bring technology--and a crusade against slavery to their new home. I did adore the idea of those college kids from contemporary America shaking up that brutal world, trying to bring to it the Industrial Revolution, democracy, and with it the end of slavery. And show more I liked the characters--Karl, Walter, Lou, Ahira, Andrea--and the conflict contemporary people brought to this medieval fantasy setting. So, the end of the last book killed off Karl. In a way I do feel it takes guts to have a Jossian ruthlessness towards your characters, that Rosenberg makes it clear no one is safe. On the other hand, somehow this did break the momentum for me. With this book, Jason and his generation born into this world of elves, dwarves and dragons take up the dreams of their parents. Though still readable and enjoyable, the series was just not the same. After this I lost interest in the series. show less

What this book does very right:

It's almost a three musketeer's kind of tale without the humor, a close band of mercenaries working their way across Feist's world until they get trapped by circumstance and some nasty Baronial politics and a snowstorm. Much later on, it DOES become a murder mystery, but the title is misleading, masquerading as big plot point without ACTUALLY being the reason for the novel.

It is, however, a pretty damn delightful novel full of great details, very well developed show more characters, and a slow burn that reminds me of an enormously entertaining backstory for a series yet to come. I'd read a LOT more of these guys if I ever get the chance.

The murder mystery DOES make sense, however. Being a mercenary and keen on keeping one's skin really can be a job for someone bright and analytical, and I definitely saw a lot of that throughout the novel. You might say that this is the beginning of a great Mystery series that just happens to be set in a fantasy world.

The genre mix was really pleasing. It just might not have been packaged right. Or readers may have wanted something more LIKE the other Feist novels.


The bad, assuming you think it is bad:

This is almost nothing like the other Feist novels. There is no big magic, big battles, demon invasions, or recognizable characters... except in passing conversation. If I wanted nothing but Feist, I might be disappointed.


If I wanted good fantasy with a careful and slow progression of characterization and depth of story, then I really needed to look no further. :) show less

What makes this series different is that it's the anti-high fantasy. This is the third book in the series. In the very first, seven role-playing college students are transported to the world of their game as their alter egos. Those who survive stay and bring technology--and a crusade against slavery to their new home. I do often love sword and sorcery but you know what? The historical truth is that medieval societies suck. So hell yeah, I did adore the idea of those college kids from show more contemporary America messing with that world, trying to make it a better place. And I liked the characters--Karl, Walter, Lou, Ahira, Andrea--and the snarky dragon Ellegon. That makes this fantasy series different, and this book continued to give all the adventure of sword and sorcery while not pretending that kind of world couldn't use some shaking up. show less