Helpful Score: 3
High fantasy at its finest. Better than Tolkien, better than C.S. Lewis. Five young people are transported to a realm of magic, the first of all worlds, Fionavar, where their destiny is to help defeat the Evil One who is poised to break free of his long imprisionment and enslave all the worlds of creation.
Kaye writes with such elegance, style, grace and passion that you will be swept away along with the characters.
Kaye writes with such elegance, style, grace and passion that you will be swept away along with the characters.
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent story. Characterizations are well thought out and story line is enjoyable. I discovered this author recently and am working my way through all his works.
Helpful Score: 2
The Fionavar tapestry is one of the best series that I've read in any genre! The summer tree starts slow, but once you really get in the story it is excellent. It is a series of 3.
I could not put this book down!!!! One of the best urban fantasy/fantasy genre books I have read in a long, long time. I am going to start the next book in sequence right away. For anyone who likes a good fantasy with engaging characters that are really heartfelt this is the book for you. A must read for all who enjoy the genre as are all his other books!
Definitely a 5-star from me!!
Definitely a 5-star from me!!
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed The Summer Tree (Fionavar Tapestry, Bk 1) on + 1436 more book reviews
When five young professionals and college students visit the magical country of Fionavar strange events begin to occur. Their leader and guide is Silvercloak, a wizard, whose magic is bound to his companion and friend, king of the dwarfs. The five find that they are important cogs in the spiraling war between the Light and the Dark. Dave gets lost in transit. Kim becomes the leading seer of the country. Jennifer is kidnapped by the forces of the dark. Paul, whose grief for a lost love who died is insurmountable, offers to sacrifice himself on the summer tree. And, Kevin finds friends among the residents of Fionavar. The book ends as the group comes together once again hoping to rescue Jennifer. I dislike books in a series which cannot stand alone which accounts for my three star rating. Otherwise, I'd give this one four stars as I enjoyed the read very much.
This is a classic fantasy novel that has gotten a lot of praise by people. I did not enjoy this novel however. It was written in the 80s, perhaps it would have been better if I had read it back then?
To begin with, the plot is a mash-up of Narnia and Lord of the Rings. The characters are flat and annoying. There doesn't seem to be any reason for them to do anything that they're doing besides "sure, sounds good". It makes me think of a D&D game that no one is into, but there's nothing better to do. "Oh, the Dungeon Master wants us to go over there and do this thing? Sure, whatever, is the pizza here yet?"
The writing is pretty bad as well. The author was trying to give the book an epic feel, but managed to wander firmly into purple prose territory instead. And I'd like to know why a quarter of the way into the book (where I decided it wasn't going to get better anytime soon and stopped reading) the main characters are still routinely being referred to with their full name?
To begin with, the plot is a mash-up of Narnia and Lord of the Rings. The characters are flat and annoying. There doesn't seem to be any reason for them to do anything that they're doing besides "sure, sounds good". It makes me think of a D&D game that no one is into, but there's nothing better to do. "Oh, the Dungeon Master wants us to go over there and do this thing? Sure, whatever, is the pizza here yet?"
The writing is pretty bad as well. The author was trying to give the book an epic feel, but managed to wander firmly into purple prose territory instead. And I'd like to know why a quarter of the way into the book (where I decided it wasn't going to get better anytime soon and stopped reading) the main characters are still routinely being referred to with their full name?
It took me awhile to get into this book, but about half way after lots of starts and stops, I really started getting into it. The author doesn't give a lot of details and I found myself with so many questions particularly about these 5 people who travel from "our" world to Fionavar. They seemed pretty blase about it, the food, the clothing, new customs, etc. It made it less believable for me.
This is a good story and a good read, it just takes awhile to get into. It has elements of LOTR, but not nearly as rich of a story. Still, I'd recommend reading.
This is a good story and a good read, it just takes awhile to get into. It has elements of LOTR, but not nearly as rich of a story. Still, I'd recommend reading.
I enjoyed this fantasy which started in this world and continued in the world of Fionavar. I especially liked how each character had his or her own skills to learn and challenges to overcome. I look forward to learning what happens next in the Fionavar Tapestry in The Wandering Fire.
A must read for fantasy readers.
The beginning of a fascinating trilogy
I really enjoyed this book.
Fantastic series. Definitely a "must-read" for the fantasy buff.
it all began with a lectlure that introduced five univerity students to a man who would hange their lives. a wizaard who could take them from Earth to the heart of the first of all worlds--- Fionavar. And take them Loren silvercloak did, for his need---the need of Fionavar and all the worlds---was great indeed.
Kay's series is beautifully crafted and written. I loved this book and the rest of the series.
I thought this was a terrific book. This is the first installment in a series.
