Across the Face of the World

I really, really wanted to enjoy this book. The scenery is stunning, the descriptions are flowing and beautiful, the world is large and real -- but the story falls flat. I felt as if I were reading a travelogue, rather than a novel.

While the world built by Kirkpatrick is definitely as sweeping and real as any I have read, the characters are flat and unreal, the dialog is stilted, and the storyline lacks depth. Kirkpatrick definitely has potential, and is a very capable writer -- but he needs to work on his story more and his scenery less.

I am certain that I will continue to read books by this author, in hopes that he learns to strike a balance between the world and the story. The potential is definitely there, but it was not realized in show more this novel. show less

The first word that comes to mind in regard to the book is 'gentle'. It's a very gentle read, measured in pace, with plenty of quiet talks around the fireside. Quite beautiful actually.

This main impression doesn't mean that there aren't any battles (all smallscale), or some very tense moments. It's just the wonderfully rendered descriptions of the landscape (it is called 'Across the Face of The World' for a reason) have a lulling effect, which is not to be confused with boring, and create a sense that you've been transported elsewhere.

The characters blend with their landscapes, growing and changing as the landscape does. There are heartful talks, prophecies, self-reflection and spouts of anger. The characters are all very human, and show more therefore very likeable.

The book does start out with only a few characters forming the central Company, but others are encountered along the way, from individuals to new cultural groups, and these encounters are all interesting and, even when not central to the plot, help the pace keep moving.

There are shifts of perspective that are sometimes unclearly delineated. These shifts aren't confusing in any way, and actually help that lulling effect, adding to that ever-moving feeling that the book has.

There's no doubt that this is a book devoted to world-building, and a very convincing world it is. It's not often you find a world so carefully constructed and it's a great pleasure to read. show less

I want to like this book. In a lot of ways I do like this book. However, before I do like this book let’s go back to my "I hate fantasy!" piece and check a few things. Length: 671 pages in the A.R.C. Series: Check! With an abrupt transition at the end of this book. Elitism: Not really. Not in book one at least. One plus for this book at least. Prophesy: In spades! Medieval: Oh yeah! Rural idyll: In a couple of places, but also a few places of hard work and open sewers. Ponderous: Not quite to the limit that Tolkien established, but this book is up there.

Looks like Russell Kirkpatrick hit a home run on five out of seven at bats. Gonna be pretty tough for me to like it. In fact, I highly doubt I will read the remaining books in the show more series The Fire of Heaven. This was just too much of a slog.

(Full review at my blog) show less

This book is your typical fantasy, in that a small group of ordinary people from a remote/rural village, called Loulea, have suddenly realized that all the tales and stories they've grown up listening to is real, and that they have been thrust into an adventure straight out of one of these mythological stories. Of course, also familiar to fantasy is usually a prophecy foretelling the forces of good will defeat the evil threatening the land, in this case, called The Right Hand. There is also one big evil villain, the anathema to the forces of good and righteous. So, the basic idea of good vs. evil isn't that original and Kirkpatrick is just following in the steps that other well-known fantasy authors have gone before him (JRR Tolkien, show more Terry Brooks, the late Robert Jordan, etc). This isn't necessarily a bad thing, I like the adventure-quest storyline and clear drawn lines of the good guys vs. the bad guys of many fantasy trilogies.

The villain is a man that is cursed with immortality for rebellion, called The Undying Man and Destroyer. He was one of the First Men (of which the people of Faltha are descended from) called by the Most High (e.g., God) to a fabled jeweled city that was like a paradise, called the Dona Mihst. In this city the First Men had no worries, everyone was living the good life in the city, regularly conversing with their creator and master and being in his good graces. But one day, the man called the Destroyer wanted more, and drank from the forbidden fountain of life in the city square that was not to be touched. The Destroyer and his followers rebelled against the Most High, for they wanted the knowledge the fountain would grant them, and this causes the city to be destroyed and the First Men to be scattered throughout the land and cutting off their link to the Most High.

Well, 2,000 years pass from the destruction of the ancient city to the present day and the Destroyer is still festering and angry, and plans to bring the Most High to his knees and cause strife by preparing to invade the kingdoms of Faltha a second time, and holds a grievance against the Most High who cursed him with immortality 2,000 years previously. Everyone in Faltha have forgotten their origins and believe the First Men and the Destroyer are only myths, not knowing that the Destroyer is biding his time, after all, he has eternity to enact his revenge.

One of the strong points of this book is the vivid and detailed descriptions of the fictional world of Faltha. The author describes the background scenery so well that it transplanted me right with the characters into this fantasy world. Unfortunately, the author's characters aren't that complex and fully-fleshed out, and I found this lack of depth in the characters hindered my enjoyment. I like to read about life-like characters and getting to know them in detail, and that just isn't the case in this book.

Also, the plot wasn't that exciting, it was just the group (called the Company) going after the bad guys who have captive the parents of one of the member's of the group. There is a reason for the capture and the subsequent rescue attempt, but there wasn't any tension or suspense for the group along the way. It would have been more interesting to see them encountering more deadly threats than those from the natural environment. Aside from braving the elements, the only fears and worries are whether they can reach the bad guys in time to get word out of a disaster coming to all of Faltha from a menace thought to be a legend. So the suspense, action, and tension are few and there aren't any *gasp* moments where you're biting your nails in anticipation of "What will they do next?". You know what they encounter next, another snow-storm or another hike through an icy landscape with biting, chilly winds.

However, since this is the first of a trilogy, the pace may pick up with the plot and characters becoming more complex and engaging in the later 2 books. Despite the slow pace of the book, the world was interesting enough to keep me reading and I will probably read the 2nd book. Not a bad first book for this new author. show less

I don't want my review of only 2 stars to scare people off. I see the reviews on this have been very mixed, some people think it's wonderful, others believe there is too much environmental description and not enough character development. I believe those were some of the same criticisms we've heard about Tolkien, and yet that story is regarded as a cornerstone of fantasy. While I just could not get into this one, it was not bad, it just wasn't what I was hoping for.

Here's a perfectly good reason why the bibles and tourist guides are never put in the same part of the book store or library.
Sounds wierd right? Well, there is very little action in the entire book. The only fantasy elements, such as myth and magic, is based on religious principles saying that there is only evil witches, manipulators and miracles that rarely happen and only when it's convienient for god. Some parts of the book are near direct quotes from the bible. Other parts are chapter long descriptions of the current locale. Considering the book comes with a map, a highly detailed description of the world is unnecesary.
As for the characters, I'm not very happy with them either. If they weren't 2D, then they where cliche. Boring and show more predictable, not to mention repetitive.
If you want a very good example of how NOT to use forshadowing, read this. Every couple of pages is an obvious (glaring neon) hint of what is to come - in the next few pages.
It would be a half decent book but it was way too long and way too preachy.
Overall, cut it to half the number of pages and maybe you've got yourself a prelude. show less

The story as alright, but nothing to really draw you in. The book also could have been much shorter. Kirkpatrick spends countless pages just describing scenery. It seems his interest is more in the world and not the story which might come from his background in map making. I doubt I will finish the series as the first book did little to make me get through the next two books.