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The Dark Border #1
The Lost Prince
Were it not for the awesome power of the Hasturs, the creatures contained by the dark border would overrun mankind. As humans reeled from the constant onslaught only to rebound, the darkness searched for another path to victory. It stole a princeling and raised him in Shadow, teaching him how to command the living and the dead, how to usurp his brother's throne through magic, and how to turn humans against themselves. And then it sent him home...
349 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1982
3 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
About the author
Paul Edwin Zimmer
18 books14 followersPaul Edwin Zimmer (1943 – 1997) was an American poet and author. He was also an accomplished swordsman and founding member of the Society for Creative Anachronism.
He was the younger brother of Marion Zimmer Bradley.
He was the younger brother of Marion Zimmer Bradley.
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February 15, 2012
This review is mostly discussion, but does contain the occasional spoiler.
"The Lost Prince" is the first of four novels written by Paul Edwin-Zimmer set in the same fantasy world.
Collectively, they are often referred to as "The Dark Border" novels, however, only two of them are set in the location of the Dark Border itself. "King Chondos' Ride" directly continues the story of "The Lost Prince", and is not in fact a sequel story. Without both novels, you have only half the story. The two other novels "A Gathering of Heroes" and "Ingulf The Mad" are loosely connected prequels.
This world is truly a place for good versus evil locked in an eternal struggle.
Dark Things have crossed the fabric of the universe, and the Hastur family (immortal psionic wizards) combat to keep them contained within the lands that they have already utterly annihilated to absolute devastation.
The Hasturs have enlisted the help of any man capable and willing to assist, and trains many in the art of healing magic.
The lands owned by the Dark Things are protected from the sun by smoke imbued with dark magic. Every attack they make that earns more land is followed by the spells to create the blackened sky.
The lands are home to creatures of the night, including vampires, ghouls, trolls and goblins.
The edges of these lands are known as the dark border. Life in the borderlands are hard, because plant life and even the soil of the earth are obliterated to leave nothing but a poisonous red dust.
Warriors on the border are also forced to rebuild and nourish this land by scouring the rock to free it of dust, and building new soil beginning with the ashes of the fallen.
War against the dark things is a war of inches. Every inch of land dark things take off the border warriors forces them back by destroying the life in the land itself. Every inch retaken can slowly be restored.
This novel details four main characters at great length: Istvan DiVega, Martos of Onantuga, Chondos (Crown Prince of Terencia) and Jodos (the Lost Prince of Terencia).
I perceive that their cores can all be discussed around a common theme, that Paul introduces and explains throughout the course of his writings, the 'self judged man'. While this is not the only things that connect them, it's one I found to be intriguing.
The concept of the self judged man is that when a man judges his own actions and words, his sense of honour will properly lean him toward doing only which is right. He will not look to the judgement of others, because in doing so his actions can be swayed; he can be convinced to do things that are wrong so that he can be judged well by others.
In this concept a man needs to combat his ego. The only thing that should feel good is doing the right thing, and one should never praise one's self, or seek praise from another. Fame is a constant struggle, for it is based on the opinion of the many. It is acceptable to have fame, but not to seek it.
Each of these four characters have traits of the self judged man, whether they strive to become one or not. However, each of their characters are flawed in some way or another.
Istvan is a legendary hero of epic proportions. He has outlived both his son and wife and still offers his mercenary services to those with noble need.
In "The Lost Prince" he gives his unbreakable word to a dying king and cousin that he will see Chondos safely upon the throne, but this task does in fact come as close to impossible as imaginable.
Istvan always follows the tenets of the self judged man, he knows what is right and he strives for it. He rejects evil in every encounter, but he holds two issues.
He has shame, not for being as famous as he is, but that for which he is famous for. His first combat success was with a bow, a fight in which he learned that archery was a form of cowardice. He has always since been praised for that fight, and his skill with a bow. All his life he fought to change that fame.
Now he fears death, and aging. He is eternally struggling with his fear of death. Yet to live brings him closer to his eventual debilitation in age. He realises that there is no way to avoid one except by having the other. But he struggles none the less.
Martos is a young hero, trained and taught at the School of three swords - a school in which Istvan is one of three master instructors, along with Martos' instructor Birthran.
He has come to the dark border of Tarencia to battle the dark things and find fame, to build a career. Being Birthran's finest student, he also aspires to teach combat and military training, with cavalry tactics being one of his strongest traits. However you cannot run a successful training school without being famous for your abilities.
Martos is out of place in these lands, wearing polished steel armour, but his skill with the sword has not only been noticed, it is greatly welcomed in the house of Lord Jagat.
It is here that Martos has found his conundrum.
He has fallen in love with the niece and ward of Lord Jagat, and he struggles to balance his sense of honour with his desire for fame and a successful career, and also to balance his love and a sense of responsibility with his desire for military accomplishments.
Martos also shows us that he has great knowledge of philosophy, but in contrast he stutters and stammers and fails to express himself well, which often leads to fights with his lover.
Chondos begins the novel as a bitter twisted cynic who sees all his subjects as leeches who only praise him for self profit. He truly makes his decisions as he sees fit, and cares not at all for the opinions of anybody else. This is an admirable trait of the self judged man, as it opposes corruption, and although Chondos has no love for his subjects and staff, he does still have a sense of right and wrong.
However, Chondos has the largest journey to make through the novel, both physically and mentally, and he changes his perceptions drastically when during his coronation. On that day a Hastur appears and mind shares with him, allowing Chondos to see many people as Hastur sees them, often selfish but also selfless and with Chondos' best interests at heart - even those who openly show him no love.
Chondos' life is forever changed, but before he can show this to those important to him, he is kidnapped and held hostage for the rest of the book.
It is ironic that Chondos begins his journey the closest of the four to the self judged man, but because he is to become king, he is turned away from the path.
Jodos, in direct contrast, is the diametric opposite.
Physically the twin of Chondos, he himself is nothing like the self judged man. Everything he does is in fear of his master, that he will be punished. He holds his opinions close to his chest, and everything he does is to please another.
He has no honour, and no sense of right and wrong. He has been taught only one way of life, and that is to control with fear and power. He is taught that to eat something is to ingest it, and when it becomes a part of you, you grow stronger. Secretly he desires to eat his master, and be the eater of worlds. If he can't be that final existence, he wants at least to be a tangible memory for that beast.
However, when he usurps his brother's throne and identity he is forced to learn things that Chondos knows and understands. The truths of his own are in direct contrast to the truths of his brother, and Jodos' dichotomy is formed.
The theme I have discussed here is only a small one that is mentioned throughout the novel. I find Paul's writings to have a complex depth beneath his story.
The world Paul has built is vast and intricate. Entire cultures have been formed and histories are often revealed or referred to. Many motivations of the characters in the novel are culturally based, and the plot entwines several small storylines into a major tangle of events that pit friend against friend and ally against ally in a gripping tale of war.
"The Lost Prince" is the first of four novels written by Paul Edwin-Zimmer set in the same fantasy world.
Collectively, they are often referred to as "The Dark Border" novels, however, only two of them are set in the location of the Dark Border itself. "King Chondos' Ride" directly continues the story of "The Lost Prince", and is not in fact a sequel story. Without both novels, you have only half the story. The two other novels "A Gathering of Heroes" and "Ingulf The Mad" are loosely connected prequels.
This world is truly a place for good versus evil locked in an eternal struggle.
Dark Things have crossed the fabric of the universe, and the Hastur family (immortal psionic wizards) combat to keep them contained within the lands that they have already utterly annihilated to absolute devastation.
The Hasturs have enlisted the help of any man capable and willing to assist, and trains many in the art of healing magic.
The lands owned by the Dark Things are protected from the sun by smoke imbued with dark magic. Every attack they make that earns more land is followed by the spells to create the blackened sky.
The lands are home to creatures of the night, including vampires, ghouls, trolls and goblins.
The edges of these lands are known as the dark border. Life in the borderlands are hard, because plant life and even the soil of the earth are obliterated to leave nothing but a poisonous red dust.
Warriors on the border are also forced to rebuild and nourish this land by scouring the rock to free it of dust, and building new soil beginning with the ashes of the fallen.
War against the dark things is a war of inches. Every inch of land dark things take off the border warriors forces them back by destroying the life in the land itself. Every inch retaken can slowly be restored.
This novel details four main characters at great length: Istvan DiVega, Martos of Onantuga, Chondos (Crown Prince of Terencia) and Jodos (the Lost Prince of Terencia).
I perceive that their cores can all be discussed around a common theme, that Paul introduces and explains throughout the course of his writings, the 'self judged man'. While this is not the only things that connect them, it's one I found to be intriguing.
The concept of the self judged man is that when a man judges his own actions and words, his sense of honour will properly lean him toward doing only which is right. He will not look to the judgement of others, because in doing so his actions can be swayed; he can be convinced to do things that are wrong so that he can be judged well by others.
In this concept a man needs to combat his ego. The only thing that should feel good is doing the right thing, and one should never praise one's self, or seek praise from another. Fame is a constant struggle, for it is based on the opinion of the many. It is acceptable to have fame, but not to seek it.
Each of these four characters have traits of the self judged man, whether they strive to become one or not. However, each of their characters are flawed in some way or another.
Istvan is a legendary hero of epic proportions. He has outlived both his son and wife and still offers his mercenary services to those with noble need.
In "The Lost Prince" he gives his unbreakable word to a dying king and cousin that he will see Chondos safely upon the throne, but this task does in fact come as close to impossible as imaginable.
Istvan always follows the tenets of the self judged man, he knows what is right and he strives for it. He rejects evil in every encounter, but he holds two issues.
He has shame, not for being as famous as he is, but that for which he is famous for. His first combat success was with a bow, a fight in which he learned that archery was a form of cowardice. He has always since been praised for that fight, and his skill with a bow. All his life he fought to change that fame.
Now he fears death, and aging. He is eternally struggling with his fear of death. Yet to live brings him closer to his eventual debilitation in age. He realises that there is no way to avoid one except by having the other. But he struggles none the less.
Martos is a young hero, trained and taught at the School of three swords - a school in which Istvan is one of three master instructors, along with Martos' instructor Birthran.
He has come to the dark border of Tarencia to battle the dark things and find fame, to build a career. Being Birthran's finest student, he also aspires to teach combat and military training, with cavalry tactics being one of his strongest traits. However you cannot run a successful training school without being famous for your abilities.
Martos is out of place in these lands, wearing polished steel armour, but his skill with the sword has not only been noticed, it is greatly welcomed in the house of Lord Jagat.
It is here that Martos has found his conundrum.
He has fallen in love with the niece and ward of Lord Jagat, and he struggles to balance his sense of honour with his desire for fame and a successful career, and also to balance his love and a sense of responsibility with his desire for military accomplishments.
Martos also shows us that he has great knowledge of philosophy, but in contrast he stutters and stammers and fails to express himself well, which often leads to fights with his lover.
Chondos begins the novel as a bitter twisted cynic who sees all his subjects as leeches who only praise him for self profit. He truly makes his decisions as he sees fit, and cares not at all for the opinions of anybody else. This is an admirable trait of the self judged man, as it opposes corruption, and although Chondos has no love for his subjects and staff, he does still have a sense of right and wrong.
However, Chondos has the largest journey to make through the novel, both physically and mentally, and he changes his perceptions drastically when during his coronation. On that day a Hastur appears and mind shares with him, allowing Chondos to see many people as Hastur sees them, often selfish but also selfless and with Chondos' best interests at heart - even those who openly show him no love.
Chondos' life is forever changed, but before he can show this to those important to him, he is kidnapped and held hostage for the rest of the book.
It is ironic that Chondos begins his journey the closest of the four to the self judged man, but because he is to become king, he is turned away from the path.
Jodos, in direct contrast, is the diametric opposite.
Physically the twin of Chondos, he himself is nothing like the self judged man. Everything he does is in fear of his master, that he will be punished. He holds his opinions close to his chest, and everything he does is to please another.
He has no honour, and no sense of right and wrong. He has been taught only one way of life, and that is to control with fear and power. He is taught that to eat something is to ingest it, and when it becomes a part of you, you grow stronger. Secretly he desires to eat his master, and be the eater of worlds. If he can't be that final existence, he wants at least to be a tangible memory for that beast.
However, when he usurps his brother's throne and identity he is forced to learn things that Chondos knows and understands. The truths of his own are in direct contrast to the truths of his brother, and Jodos' dichotomy is formed.
The theme I have discussed here is only a small one that is mentioned throughout the novel. I find Paul's writings to have a complex depth beneath his story.
The world Paul has built is vast and intricate. Entire cultures have been formed and histories are often revealed or referred to. Many motivations of the characters in the novel are culturally based, and the plot entwines several small storylines into a major tangle of events that pit friend against friend and ally against ally in a gripping tale of war.
May 14, 2012
The Dark Border duology. Incl: The Lost Prince, and King Chondos' Ride. I recently bagged a re-read of Zimmer's fantasy duology. Outwardly these are excellent works of drama, intrigue, and war. Inwardly, for those who care to look, there are themes of love and death, of honor, friendship, loyalty, and redemption.
Zimmer, brother to famed author Marion Zimmer Bradley, was known more as a poet, swordsman, and scholar. These were his first novels, and in them he created a major work of fantasy. The dialogue is visceral, the character development crisp, the action scenes stirring, the drama absorbing. His following work did not live up to this excellent beginning. But in these works we have an underrated duo of epic fantasy that deserves to be read and studied.
Zimmer, brother to famed author Marion Zimmer Bradley, was known more as a poet, swordsman, and scholar. These were his first novels, and in them he created a major work of fantasy. The dialogue is visceral, the character development crisp, the action scenes stirring, the drama absorbing. His following work did not live up to this excellent beginning. But in these works we have an underrated duo of epic fantasy that deserves to be read and studied.
April 28, 2014
Personalmente ho sbadigliato molto sulle pagine di questi due lunghi romanzi. Per quanto l'arte della guerra m'incuriosisca, non mi diverte leggere soltanto di battaglie e fughe per oltre 900 pagine. Se almeno Zimmer avesse imbastito la storia su una corrente di forti emozioni, che la mantenesse sempre viva e accattivante, mi sarei appisolata qualche volta in meno. Ma l'intento dell'autore non sembra essere quello di suscitare il pathos nel lettore. Il suo stile narrativo è deliberatamente arido - in armonia con la vicenda - crudo, lo svolgimento della trama freddo, piatto, alla lunga stancante. Si scoraggino i lettori che amano le vicende d'azione, con vivaci e frequenti colpi di scena, ma non scappino coloro che invece della fantasy apprezzano, sopra tutto - o quasi - l'impalcatura bellica: questi romanzi non mancheranno di soddisfarli pienamente. Sì, perché nel loro genere sono dei buoni libri. Ma a me, per gusto e abitudine di lettura, non sono piaciuti. Non che li bocci totalmente; hanno alcuni pregi, in alcuni intrecci della trama e nella struttura scattante. E cercando un compromesso, posso alzarli a sfiorare la sufficienza; ma non mi stupirei se qualche lettore affascinato dall'ars belli o da un dark horror sottile li premiasse con un voto assai più lusinghiero. Pertanto, con questo mio commento mi propongo solo di scremare i potenziali candidati lettori da coloro che invece prediligono storie più varie e movimentate - non ambientate quasi esclusivamente in un campo di battaglia o in una prigione. Ma se un curioso volesse tentare lo stesso un approccio, inizi dal primo libro: 'Il Principe Rapito'. L'avvio è abbastanza intrigante, per cui ci si aspetta un seguito che ne sia degno; invece, con lo scorrere delle pagine, si sospetta che l'autore si stia soffermando un po' troppo su certi aspetti della vicenda... per poi scoprire che non scioglierà i nodi stretti all'inizio sino alla fine del secondo libro - con soluzioni finali che però non soddisfano del tutto. La vicenda tratta della lotta di due principi gemelli, uno allevato dalle potenze oscure, e l'altro a corte, dove alla morte del padre diviene re. Ma una notte il giovane sovrano viene rapito dal fratello, che, rubandogli i ricordi, s'appropria del suo vissuto e dei suoi privilegi; abusando del proprio potere, spinge i signori dei regni a folli guerre, nella speranza che la custodia del Confine su cui vengono trattenute le forze oscure si indebolisca e il suo maestro possa impossessarsi delle terre della luce.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2019
I first picked up this book from my mom's book shelves when I was in high school. I enjoyed the story, but for ~15 years could not remember the title or author of the book I read. On a recent visit, I rummaged her shelves and found it, and she let me borrow it for a re-read.
I found that I enjoyed the story just as much the second time around. I thought the world building was very well done. The history and geography of the world seems to have a well-thought-out background that gives it depth. The story contains both supernatural elements and political intrigue. I liked the characters as well, but they weren't quite as well done. I enjoyed reading about them very much and was excited to find out what happens to them. However, the good guys were almost always good and the bad guys are all bad.
On the down side, this book is just the first part of the story, and it ends without a resolution. The story continues with King Chondos' Ride. The Lost Prince is 349 pages and King Chondos' Ride is 412 pages. With 761 pages of story, it does start to drag a bit. Some of the sword fights and battle scenes were too long and too often. However, I am dying to know what happens, and will be staring the next one soon.
I found that I enjoyed the story just as much the second time around. I thought the world building was very well done. The history and geography of the world seems to have a well-thought-out background that gives it depth. The story contains both supernatural elements and political intrigue. I liked the characters as well, but they weren't quite as well done. I enjoyed reading about them very much and was excited to find out what happens to them. However, the good guys were almost always good and the bad guys are all bad.
On the down side, this book is just the first part of the story, and it ends without a resolution. The story continues with King Chondos' Ride. The Lost Prince is 349 pages and King Chondos' Ride is 412 pages. With 761 pages of story, it does start to drag a bit. Some of the sword fights and battle scenes were too long and too often. However, I am dying to know what happens, and will be staring the next one soon.
February 28, 2014
I read this almost 30 years ago, and it took that long to find it again; I'd forgotten the title and the author. It was set up to have a sequel, and I've been looking for the sequel ever since (not easy when the author and title you remember are wrong).
The things that stuck with me: Two twin princes, one is lost to and raised by "evil things" as a baby; the book begins with a scene from his point of view. A "reluctant" swordsman. Towers to guard against the evil, and some "supernatural" beings that work those towers. The "evil things" swapping the prince they've raised for the other one. The story is unresolved at the end of the book.
The characters, settings, and plot are good, but the writing isn't very smooth. I think I would have given it 5 stars based on what I remembered of the story, but probably 3 stars if I read it fresh today.
The things that stuck with me: Two twin princes, one is lost to and raised by "evil things" as a baby; the book begins with a scene from his point of view. A "reluctant" swordsman. Towers to guard against the evil, and some "supernatural" beings that work those towers. The "evil things" swapping the prince they've raised for the other one. The story is unresolved at the end of the book.
The characters, settings, and plot are good, but the writing isn't very smooth. I think I would have given it 5 stars based on what I remembered of the story, but probably 3 stars if I read it fresh today.
March 27, 2015
What first struck me about this book, and the "sequel," King Chondos' Ride," must be included in "this book," is how well the action scenes are written. In a field where so many protagonists have swords in their hands, Zimmer writes about combat much better than the competition.
However, Zimmer also deals with larger themes, such as honor love and the proper role of a warrior, with grace and intelligence.
Oddly enough, for a tale of warriors, the viewpoint of his major characters is that war among humans is regrettable and that fighting the darkness is all-important.
This is a review of both books as they tell one story.
Paul has been gone a long time now and the books are both out of print. I don't understand that but I blame the covers.
However, Zimmer also deals with larger themes, such as honor love and the proper role of a warrior, with grace and intelligence.
Oddly enough, for a tale of warriors, the viewpoint of his major characters is that war among humans is regrettable and that fighting the darkness is all-important.
This is a review of both books as they tell one story.
Paul has been gone a long time now and the books are both out of print. I don't understand that but I blame the covers.
December 18, 2011
Any fan of Steve Perry's, "The Man Who Never Missed," or Mike Resnick's "Widowmaker" or David Gemmell's "Legend" should enjoy "The Lost Prince." At least the first two volumes of The Dark Border.
October 8, 2012
Praticamente introvabile, molto tolkeniano, ottima fantasy
March 9, 2016
Both an OK Fantasy book and a start to the series. Wasn't good enough to make me search out the rest of the books. Recommended
October 15, 2023
An excellent fantasy novel by an experienced swordsman. The world feels real and lived in, and the author portrays human flaws extremely well. The enemies of this series are suitably vicious and horrifying, and the battle scenes are excellently described.
January 6, 2018
An enjoyable book. not as good as I remember it, but all the key points are still there.
did-not-finish-or-start
April 12, 2025DNS 4/12/2025
Read
October 23, 2025Very Good Book
April 7, 2025
Inizio con il dire che il libro è completamente diverso da ciò che mi sarei aspettata, ma questo è dovuto alla traduzione del titolo in italiano, sia di questo libro che del suo seguito: ciò che in originale era The Lost Prince e King Chondos' Ride, diventa in italiano Il principe Rapito e Il Ritorno del Principe. Certo, colpa mia se mi faccio i film sulla trama solo dal titolo, ma credo che Il Principe Perduto e La Cavalcata di Re Chondos sarebbero stati titoli abbastanza buoni anche per il mercato italiano. Va beh.
I primi capitoli sono stati difficili da superare, visto che l'autore sciorina una serie lunghissima di nomi di luoghi e persone di cui il lettore in quel momento non sa nulla e io posso dire sinceramente che non ci ho praticamente capito una mazza.
Ho lasciato scorrere il tutto e, proseguendo nella lettura, le dinamiche si chiariscono, anche se molti restano solo nomi, senza un reale worldbuilding che li renda parte della storia.
L'idea è intrigante, anche se non originalissima: due principi gemelli uno dei quali sparisce nel nulla ancora neonato e, cresciuto nel mondo dell'oscurità, diventa egli stesso una creatura del male, parte di un piano perché l'oscurità possa divorare il mondo.
Le dinamiche dei paesi di frontiera mi hanno ricordato per forza di cose i regni di frontiera con la Macchia nella Ruota del Tempo (anche se l'opera di Zimmer è antecedente a quella di Jordan), ma qui tutto è ancora più oscuro, perché anche il territorio degli esseri umani è contaminato profondamente dal male e quasi inabitabile.
Quello che mi ha spiazzato è stato che... il libro in realtà non ha una conclusione, sembra lasciato a metà. E così è, come ho scoperto: l'autore lo aveva scritto come un volume unico, diviso poi in due parti per motivi editoriali. Non lo sapevo, prima di arrivare alla fine e sono rimasta un po' spiazzata.
Nel complesso, direi una sufficienza piena, anche se forse si dovrebbe dare voto al libro completo, non ai due volumi distinti.
Un'ultima osservazione, anzi, una domanda a chi ne sa più di me.
Nell'edizione che ho letto, la prima edizione italiana, è scritto nella biografia dell'autore che è tedesco e, nell'introduzione viene descritto come 'raro caso di autore europeo di fantasy in lingua tedesca'.
Ora... Zimmer in effetti è un cognome dal suono tedesco (Zimmer in tedesco significa stanza, camera), ma a me risulta che l'autore fosse statunitense e fratello della più famosa Marion Zimmer Bradley. Quest'ultimo collegamento si vede anche nel libro che ho letto, dove sono presenti esseri semidivini chiamati Hastur... non può essere una coincidenza!
Qualcuno sa darmi delucidazioni in merito?
I primi capitoli sono stati difficili da superare, visto che l'autore sciorina una serie lunghissima di nomi di luoghi e persone di cui il lettore in quel momento non sa nulla e io posso dire sinceramente che non ci ho praticamente capito una mazza.
Ho lasciato scorrere il tutto e, proseguendo nella lettura, le dinamiche si chiariscono, anche se molti restano solo nomi, senza un reale worldbuilding che li renda parte della storia.
L'idea è intrigante, anche se non originalissima: due principi gemelli uno dei quali sparisce nel nulla ancora neonato e, cresciuto nel mondo dell'oscurità, diventa egli stesso una creatura del male, parte di un piano perché l'oscurità possa divorare il mondo.
Le dinamiche dei paesi di frontiera mi hanno ricordato per forza di cose i regni di frontiera con la Macchia nella Ruota del Tempo (anche se l'opera di Zimmer è antecedente a quella di Jordan), ma qui tutto è ancora più oscuro, perché anche il territorio degli esseri umani è contaminato profondamente dal male e quasi inabitabile.
Quello che mi ha spiazzato è stato che... il libro in realtà non ha una conclusione, sembra lasciato a metà. E così è, come ho scoperto: l'autore lo aveva scritto come un volume unico, diviso poi in due parti per motivi editoriali. Non lo sapevo, prima di arrivare alla fine e sono rimasta un po' spiazzata.
Nel complesso, direi una sufficienza piena, anche se forse si dovrebbe dare voto al libro completo, non ai due volumi distinti.
Un'ultima osservazione, anzi, una domanda a chi ne sa più di me.
Nell'edizione che ho letto, la prima edizione italiana, è scritto nella biografia dell'autore che è tedesco e, nell'introduzione viene descritto come 'raro caso di autore europeo di fantasy in lingua tedesca'.
Ora... Zimmer in effetti è un cognome dal suono tedesco (Zimmer in tedesco significa stanza, camera), ma a me risulta che l'autore fosse statunitense e fratello della più famosa Marion Zimmer Bradley. Quest'ultimo collegamento si vede anche nel libro che ho letto, dove sono presenti esseri semidivini chiamati Hastur... non può essere una coincidenza!
Qualcuno sa darmi delucidazioni in merito?
October 10, 2025
The path of self-judged men
Istvan DiVega, the great hero trying to atone from a “sin” only he perceives; Martos of Onantuga, the young hero struggling to balance honour and love with fame-seeking and duty; proud and cynical Chondos, the Crown Prince of Terencia, and his twin brother, the lost prince Jodos, raised in fear by the Dark Things to be swapped with his brother on the eve of coronation day… In a well built fantasy world, the four characters will capture the reader’s heart and attention, dragging him on their internal (and often desperate) quest towards righteousness, shunning their ego and avoiding to seek praise from others, while fulfilling the missions that were appointed to them.
Istvan DiVega, the great hero trying to atone from a “sin” only he perceives; Martos of Onantuga, the young hero struggling to balance honour and love with fame-seeking and duty; proud and cynical Chondos, the Crown Prince of Terencia, and his twin brother, the lost prince Jodos, raised in fear by the Dark Things to be swapped with his brother on the eve of coronation day… In a well built fantasy world, the four characters will capture the reader’s heart and attention, dragging him on their internal (and often desperate) quest towards righteousness, shunning their ego and avoiding to seek praise from others, while fulfilling the missions that were appointed to them.
June 22, 2013
This is where the five star rating system fails. I want to give this a 7/10. I don't think that it quite deserves 4/5 but I think that 3/5 would be unfair.
There are two things that I really liked about this book. The first is that swordsmen/swordfighting is focused on. The second is that it is very unlike other fantasy novels because one of the main characters is a human raised by the creatures of evil. Imagine if Aragorn had a twin brother brought up by orcs and the haradrim. That is kind of what Prince Jodos is like.
There are two things that I really liked about this book. The first is that swordsmen/swordfighting is focused on. The second is that it is very unlike other fantasy novels because one of the main characters is a human raised by the creatures of evil. Imagine if Aragorn had a twin brother brought up by orcs and the haradrim. That is kind of what Prince Jodos is like.
December 12, 2010
I remember liking this series when I was younger, but the writing was so disjointed this time through that I had difficulty keeping track of story lines. I did enjoy the major characters and the world is cool, especially the systems of magic. I may go ahead and reread the sequel or I may not.
April 10, 2016
Good story, liked the characters.
Want to read
January 30, 2017I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13996344
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13996344
August 12, 2023
Megatons of action and not much else. But a book needs that 'else' to be interesting.
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