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The Well of Echoes #1
Geomancer
Two hundred years after the Forbidding was broken, Santhenar is locked in war with the lyrinx - intelligent, winged predators who will do anything to gain their own world. Despite the development of battle clankers and mastery of the crystals that power them, humanity is losing.
Tiaan, a lonely crystal worker in a clanker manufactory, is experimenting with an entirely new kind of crystal when she begins to have extraordinary visions. The crystal has woken her latent talent for geomancy, the most powerful of all the Secret Arts - and the most perilous.
Falsely accused of sabotage by her rival, Irisis, Tiaan flees for her life. Struggling to control her talent and hunted by the lyrinx, Tiaan follows her visions all the way to Tirthrax, greatest peak on all the Three Worlds, where a nightmare awaits her.
Tiaan, a lonely crystal worker in a clanker manufactory, is experimenting with an entirely new kind of crystal when she begins to have extraordinary visions. The crystal has woken her latent talent for geomancy, the most powerful of all the Secret Arts - and the most perilous.
Falsely accused of sabotage by her rival, Irisis, Tiaan flees for her life. Struggling to control her talent and hunted by the lyrinx, Tiaan follows her visions all the way to Tirthrax, greatest peak on all the Three Worlds, where a nightmare awaits her.
Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
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About the author
Ian Irvine
74 books659 followersI'm an Australian author of 34 novels, mainly fantasy. They include the bestselling Three Worlds epic fantasy sequence, which has sold over a million print copies. It comprises The View from the Mirror quartet, The Well of Echoes quartet and The Song of the Tears trilogy. I’ve just finished The Gates of Good and Evil quartet, the long-awaited sequel to The View from the Mirror. Book 3, The Perilous Tower, was published recently and the final book, The Sapphire Portal, will be published on November 1, 2020.
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ianirvine.au...
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LATEST BOOK
WHY I WRITE
Funny thing is, I never wanted to be a writer. From an early age my ambition was to be a scientist. I’m an expert in pollution and I’ve spent my professional life studying it in far-flung places like Mauritius, Sumatra, Mongolia, South Korea, the Philippines, Papua-New Guinea and Western Samoa, as well as all over Australia. Often scuba diving to the bottom of foul, smelly harbours and hammering tubes deep into the polluted mud to collect samples for chemical analysis. Now that’s living!
I was a small, quiet kid who devoured books from the moment I learned to read. When I was naughty, Mum wouldn’t let me read anything for a week – talk about a cruel and unusual punishment.
I discovered fantasy in the early 70’s, with The Lord of the Rings and the Earthsea trilogy, and was immediately hooked. But there wasn’t much fantasy in those days; within a couple of years I’d read everything available. I wanted more and bigger tales, on vaster canvases, but they didn’t exist. That’s why I had to become a writer – to write the kind of stories I wanted to read.
WHAT I WRITE
I’ve never wanted to write about superheroes or huge, reckless warriors who know no fear. I write epic fantasy about underdogs and ordinary people who, in pursuit of their goals, are put to the limit of human endurance. My characters aren’t fantasy stereotypes, they’re real people with believable motivations and unfortunate flaws. I’m well known for strong female characters who have as many adventures as the men, and frequently get them out of trouble (I have five sisters). My characters are often small or clumsy or inexperienced or handicapped in some way, yet they make up for it with cleverness, ingenuity or sheer, low cunning. My antagonists are real, complex people who do bad things for strong and deeply-held reasons – never ‘just because they’re evil’.
Though my characters suffer every kind of torment imaginable, at their lowest point they discover the truest form of courage – they keep fighting because the fate of the people they care for, and the world they love, depends on them never giving up.
SOME RECENT REVIEWS
"Irvine is a veteran storyteller who excels in sustaining complex plots with well-rounded characters. Here, he delivers a compelling tale of vengeance, loyalty, and the search for a place in the world." Starred review, Library Journal (US)
"That Grand Master of the vast epic is with us again! The first gripping volume of what promises to be a vintage Irvine treat. More please!" Crisetta MacLeod, Aurealis Express
"Incredibly exciting. The end will have you eagerly anticipating the next book." Good Reading (Aus)
"He knows how to spin an epic yarn and tell it with real gusto ... ambitious in scope and tirelessly action-stuffed." SFX
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ianirvine.au...
Signup to my email newsletter for free books and special offers, preview chapters, news and other great stuff. https://www.ian-irvine.com/join-my-ne...
LATEST BOOK
WHY I WRITE
Funny thing is, I never wanted to be a writer. From an early age my ambition was to be a scientist. I’m an expert in pollution and I’ve spent my professional life studying it in far-flung places like Mauritius, Sumatra, Mongolia, South Korea, the Philippines, Papua-New Guinea and Western Samoa, as well as all over Australia. Often scuba diving to the bottom of foul, smelly harbours and hammering tubes deep into the polluted mud to collect samples for chemical analysis. Now that’s living!
I was a small, quiet kid who devoured books from the moment I learned to read. When I was naughty, Mum wouldn’t let me read anything for a week – talk about a cruel and unusual punishment.
I discovered fantasy in the early 70’s, with The Lord of the Rings and the Earthsea trilogy, and was immediately hooked. But there wasn’t much fantasy in those days; within a couple of years I’d read everything available. I wanted more and bigger tales, on vaster canvases, but they didn’t exist. That’s why I had to become a writer – to write the kind of stories I wanted to read.
WHAT I WRITE
I’ve never wanted to write about superheroes or huge, reckless warriors who know no fear. I write epic fantasy about underdogs and ordinary people who, in pursuit of their goals, are put to the limit of human endurance. My characters aren’t fantasy stereotypes, they’re real people with believable motivations and unfortunate flaws. I’m well known for strong female characters who have as many adventures as the men, and frequently get them out of trouble (I have five sisters). My characters are often small or clumsy or inexperienced or handicapped in some way, yet they make up for it with cleverness, ingenuity or sheer, low cunning. My antagonists are real, complex people who do bad things for strong and deeply-held reasons – never ‘just because they’re evil’.
Though my characters suffer every kind of torment imaginable, at their lowest point they discover the truest form of courage – they keep fighting because the fate of the people they care for, and the world they love, depends on them never giving up.
SOME RECENT REVIEWS
"Irvine is a veteran storyteller who excels in sustaining complex plots with well-rounded characters. Here, he delivers a compelling tale of vengeance, loyalty, and the search for a place in the world." Starred review, Library Journal (US)
"That Grand Master of the vast epic is with us again! The first gripping volume of what promises to be a vintage Irvine treat. More please!" Crisetta MacLeod, Aurealis Express
"Incredibly exciting. The end will have you eagerly anticipating the next book." Good Reading (Aus)
"He knows how to spin an epic yarn and tell it with real gusto ... ambitious in scope and tirelessly action-stuffed." SFX
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
August 1, 2016
Executive Summary: This is a book I liked a lot more in concept than in execution.
Audio book: Grant Cartwright is the only bright spot of the book, and a large part of me being able to get through the worst parts. I’m not sure if he exclusively reads books targeted at an Australian audience, but if so that's a shame.
He does a good amount of voices for the various characters and his normal reading voice is clear and easy to understand. Some of his voices are grating, but I think that's fitting with the characters he's portraying. Maybe this partnership between Bolinda and Random House will bring more of his work to the US. I'd like to see what he does with a better book.
Full Review
The start of this book was promising, but things went off the rails. Then, just as they seemed to be recovering, I found the end to be awful.
I think my main problem this book is the characters and their dialogue. In part one of the book Mr. Irvine introduces us to several characters that I despised almost immediately. In part two he seems to be trying to elicit sympathy from the reader via self-pity from internal monologue and sympathetic back story. It might work for some readers, but not for me. At best instead of coming around to like the characters as complex and flawed, I find myself mostly indifferent about what might happen to them.
The main character is mostly likable, although some of her thoughts rubbed me the wrong way. I assume this is another attempt to give her depth through flaws instead of being a hero trope.
Maybe my dislike of almost all the characters is just an inability for me to understand their society, but I doubt it. The most likable characters are minor ones who don't seem to stick around very long. It's really hard for me to enjoy a book when I don't like the people I'm reading about.
The main story is interesting to me though. The world is at war with much more powerful alien creatures. Humanity have built machines called clankers in order to be able to fight back, but they are still mostly outmatched.
At first this seems more like sci-fi than fantasy, but the clankers are powered by crystals and there a mostly unexplained magical system based on them and their connection to power nodes around the world. So really it's some sort of mix that has more of a fantasy feel than sci-fi to me personally.
There are a lot of political and social issues that play into things. With so many young men dying in a seemingly endless war, everyone is expected to produce children to essentially provide the next generation of fodder. Anyone accused of a crime is sent to one of two places depending on their gender. Males are sent to the front lines where they will likely die in short order. Women are sent to "breeding factories" which are exactly what they sound like.
Entirely too much time was spent on the breeding factories, and the notion of a society so desperate to survive they force women to sleep numerous partners in the hopes of producing the most helpful offspring as frequently as possible is downright horrifying to me.
This is apparently the second series of Mr. Irvine's Three Worlds sequence. Having never read the first (The Mirror Quartet), I'm sure I'm missing some references to things from that series. My understanding is this is set hundreds of years later, and possibly on a different world. I never felt lost but it’s possible I would understand more about the crystals and their powers if I had read that series first.
Overall it wasn't a very good book that wasn't as well executed as I'd like. I found myself cringing at some of the writing in places, especially the dialogue. I may still continue on with the second book of the series largely because I already have a review copy, but I need to take a break with another book first. The ending of the book really was really off-putting though. It felt like a bad TV Soap Opera.
Audio book: Grant Cartwright is the only bright spot of the book, and a large part of me being able to get through the worst parts. I’m not sure if he exclusively reads books targeted at an Australian audience, but if so that's a shame.
He does a good amount of voices for the various characters and his normal reading voice is clear and easy to understand. Some of his voices are grating, but I think that's fitting with the characters he's portraying. Maybe this partnership between Bolinda and Random House will bring more of his work to the US. I'd like to see what he does with a better book.
Full Review
The start of this book was promising, but things went off the rails. Then, just as they seemed to be recovering, I found the end to be awful.
I think my main problem this book is the characters and their dialogue. In part one of the book Mr. Irvine introduces us to several characters that I despised almost immediately. In part two he seems to be trying to elicit sympathy from the reader via self-pity from internal monologue and sympathetic back story. It might work for some readers, but not for me. At best instead of coming around to like the characters as complex and flawed, I find myself mostly indifferent about what might happen to them.
The main character is mostly likable, although some of her thoughts rubbed me the wrong way. I assume this is another attempt to give her depth through flaws instead of being a hero trope.
Maybe my dislike of almost all the characters is just an inability for me to understand their society, but I doubt it. The most likable characters are minor ones who don't seem to stick around very long. It's really hard for me to enjoy a book when I don't like the people I'm reading about.
The main story is interesting to me though. The world is at war with much more powerful alien creatures. Humanity have built machines called clankers in order to be able to fight back, but they are still mostly outmatched.
At first this seems more like sci-fi than fantasy, but the clankers are powered by crystals and there a mostly unexplained magical system based on them and their connection to power nodes around the world. So really it's some sort of mix that has more of a fantasy feel than sci-fi to me personally.
There are a lot of political and social issues that play into things. With so many young men dying in a seemingly endless war, everyone is expected to produce children to essentially provide the next generation of fodder. Anyone accused of a crime is sent to one of two places depending on their gender. Males are sent to the front lines where they will likely die in short order. Women are sent to "breeding factories" which are exactly what they sound like.
Entirely too much time was spent on the breeding factories, and the notion of a society so desperate to survive they force women to sleep numerous partners in the hopes of producing the most helpful offspring as frequently as possible is downright horrifying to me.
This is apparently the second series of Mr. Irvine's Three Worlds sequence. Having never read the first (The Mirror Quartet), I'm sure I'm missing some references to things from that series. My understanding is this is set hundreds of years later, and possibly on a different world. I never felt lost but it’s possible I would understand more about the crystals and their powers if I had read that series first.
Overall it wasn't a very good book that wasn't as well executed as I'd like. I found myself cringing at some of the writing in places, especially the dialogue. I may still continue on with the second book of the series largely because I already have a review copy, but I need to take a break with another book first. The ending of the book really was really off-putting though. It felt like a bad TV Soap Opera.
June 13, 2022
When I first read Geomancer, new to science fiction and fantasy, I got the impression it was a complex and structured fantasy novel with worldbuilding taken seriously. That impression has remained on second reading. The first way to describe it was that it was ‘creepy’, in good ways and bad ways.
On the good side of creepiness, the world of Santhenar was one populated by humans under siege by mutated feline creatures, the Lyrinx, who once came out of a void and attacked but have now evolved – or de-evolved in some cases – into formidable clans that wage war against human settlements, having the upper hand. I found the way the idea was developed was sinister, and interesting: the reader, as with the protagonists, doesn’t know exactly which secret arts are used by the enemy or how they live. There were other fascinating concepts, such as main protagonist Tiaan’s job as an artisan using crystals and finding their power source so that they can be used as energy for the war’s machine-like clankers.
On the bad side of creepiness, Tiaan was a target of jealousy for her dedication to her work, though this meant she couldn’t find a partner, which was an increasing concern in the war-time conditions they lived in where reproduction had taken on great importance. She’s often pushed or threatened into joining a ‘breeding factory’ where she would spend her life ‘doing her duty’, indentured, not being allowed outside, so that the right qualities could be put together for future generations. There were few examples of these qualities or how they were nurtured alongside what we know of the existing energy-harnessing families.
The story almost ventured into a love affair between a human and a Lyrinx at one point, which I felt was a step too far, even if it was known Tiaan was desperate to find love.
Overall, there was a lot of explaining in Geomancer, but if you persevere and can tolerate the bad creepiness and the unintentional humour of everything going wrong in every adventure for the characters, there are super interesting morally grey characters and a fantasy world that wouldn’t be far from steampunk.
On the good side of creepiness, the world of Santhenar was one populated by humans under siege by mutated feline creatures, the Lyrinx, who once came out of a void and attacked but have now evolved – or de-evolved in some cases – into formidable clans that wage war against human settlements, having the upper hand. I found the way the idea was developed was sinister, and interesting: the reader, as with the protagonists, doesn’t know exactly which secret arts are used by the enemy or how they live. There were other fascinating concepts, such as main protagonist Tiaan’s job as an artisan using crystals and finding their power source so that they can be used as energy for the war’s machine-like clankers.
On the bad side of creepiness, Tiaan was a target of jealousy for her dedication to her work, though this meant she couldn’t find a partner, which was an increasing concern in the war-time conditions they lived in where reproduction had taken on great importance. She’s often pushed or threatened into joining a ‘breeding factory’ where she would spend her life ‘doing her duty’, indentured, not being allowed outside, so that the right qualities could be put together for future generations. There were few examples of these qualities or how they were nurtured alongside what we know of the existing energy-harnessing families.
The story almost ventured into a love affair between a human and a Lyrinx at one point, which I felt was a step too far, even if it was known Tiaan was desperate to find love.
Overall, there was a lot of explaining in Geomancer, but if you persevere and can tolerate the bad creepiness and the unintentional humour of everything going wrong in every adventure for the characters, there are super interesting morally grey characters and a fantasy world that wouldn’t be far from steampunk.
January 5, 2017
This is a fantasy novel, the first in a series, set in a world that is under attack by creatures called lyrinx, who are killing off humanity. Humanity is trying to fight back by using magical crystals to power machines on the front line of battle.
Tiaane is a girl who is talented in using the crystals to power the machines and the majority of the story is set at the factory where she works.
The story sounded quite promising, but had some very odd story lines sprinkled throughout such as the breeding factories. I don't know, but the writing style and the characters just didn't resonate with me. I don't think that it was very well written. None of the main characters were likeable, and Tiaane was a special kind of stupid.
I won't be reading the rest of the series.
Tiaane is a girl who is talented in using the crystals to power the machines and the majority of the story is set at the factory where she works.
The story sounded quite promising, but had some very odd story lines sprinkled throughout such as the breeding factories. I don't know, but the writing style and the characters just didn't resonate with me. I don't think that it was very well written. None of the main characters were likeable, and Tiaane was a special kind of stupid.
I won't be reading the rest of the series.
July 28, 2013
Последните няколко фентъзита, към които посегнах (включително и това), ме оставиха със смесените чувства на турист в прекрасен древен град, воден от малоумен гид. Искам да съм там, искам да обитавам този умен и странен свят (Ървайн е геолог и океанолог, концептуално светът на Геомансър е чудесен), но не искам да се сблъсквам с лего човечетата, претендиращи за литературни герои, които го населяват. Оставете ме насаме с пейзажа, историческите факти и концепциите за магия и общество, но не ми пробутвайте историята за чувствителната, талантлива и интровертна двайсет и няколко годишна занаятчийка, която не иска да се чифтосва, ама се влюбва в един хубавец, с който се среща в съня си.
А, и още нещо - преводът и редакцията са ужасни. Ако книгата беше хубава, щяха да са със статут на тежко предумишлено убийство. Сега са просто катастрофа по невнимание.
А, и още нещо - преводът и редакцията са ужасни. Ако книгата беше хубава, щяха да са със статут на тежко предумишлено убийство. Сега са просто катастрофа по невнимание.
December 9, 2017
This book went from interesting concept, to "12 year old that doesn't understand sex but really wants to also has no idea how women actually are in real life / sterotypes found in 1980's soap operas" in just a few chapters and I can't get that part of my life back ever again.
May 28, 2008
Oh. my. god. This book is terrible. Like mind-numbingly terrible. There are whole paragraphs about strangely named animals, and stupid names of peninsulas and FORCED BREEDING PROGRAMS and sections of dialogue that are horrible and one of the miners says "bye" and I think we had an unfortunate point of view jump and SERIOUSLY. The only reason I'm reading it is because I'm desperate to not write my thesis and the library was closed yesterday, so I picked it up off my friend's shelf, but I am very seriously trying to just put it down and not pick it back up. The scariest part is that I know there are four more, which means he just kept writing.
Just ... just don't read it, okay? Also, if I am still reading this tomorrow someone come save me, because if I have to hear about how the alien lifeform thinks humans deserve to be eaten because they don't let their women fight I may.. I don't know... claw my eyes out a little. Also, the small amount of sex that has already been written? Not hot. This does not bode well.
Just ... just don't read it, okay? Also, if I am still reading this tomorrow someone come save me, because if I have to hear about how the alien lifeform thinks humans deserve to be eaten because they don't let their women fight I may.. I don't know... claw my eyes out a little. Also, the small amount of sex that has already been written? Not hot. This does not bode well.
June 22, 2018
Setting and worldbuilding are fantastic. Everything else is meh.
The explanations about how magic and crystals work are elaborate, but ultimately take up too much space compared to characters and plot, making you care mostly about the magical system than the ones using it.
The characters are fine as far as personality and fleshing out goes, but they are presented in a very silly way. As someone else described them, they act as someone half their age and belong in a Brazilian soap opera.
The story is super slow and works mostly through unsettling atmosphere than as thriller or mystery or adventure. The dread of the man-eating monsters from another dimension is ever-present, and the concept of forcing women to become breeding machines for more men to go to war, makes the setting of the Handmaiden (a different book) to seem tame in comparison.
The plot is the one to blame for most of the problems of Geomancer, since its structure makes everything feel like they are there for the sake of exposition and world-building. Nothing is a waste of time, but on the other hand nothing feels naturally-occurring. It’s as if everything that happens is a plot device and everything the characters say a mouthpiece for the author to say whatever he likes whenever he likes it. The result is, you don’t care about the characters and everything they go through. Although a lot of things matter to them in-story, as a reader you are left indifferent.
That being said, Geomancer is one of the few books that bother to show how lust (and by extension the need to mate) is one of the most basic and yet powerful motivations for any living being. It’s something not many stories deal with. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to make the characters interesting by themselves, as they come off as very bland. Towards the end of the book lots of revelations and deaths happen, and I didn’t care in the least about any of that.
As a whole, Geomancer works as an exploration of a creepy setting with fleshed-out characters that unfortunately don’t get the treatment they deserve. By the author; not their world. It’s not an enjoyable read; it’s mostly slow and dull, despite having an uncommon plot and a world that stands-out from most other fantasy books.
The explanations about how magic and crystals work are elaborate, but ultimately take up too much space compared to characters and plot, making you care mostly about the magical system than the ones using it.
The characters are fine as far as personality and fleshing out goes, but they are presented in a very silly way. As someone else described them, they act as someone half their age and belong in a Brazilian soap opera.
The story is super slow and works mostly through unsettling atmosphere than as thriller or mystery or adventure. The dread of the man-eating monsters from another dimension is ever-present, and the concept of forcing women to become breeding machines for more men to go to war, makes the setting of the Handmaiden (a different book) to seem tame in comparison.
The plot is the one to blame for most of the problems of Geomancer, since its structure makes everything feel like they are there for the sake of exposition and world-building. Nothing is a waste of time, but on the other hand nothing feels naturally-occurring. It’s as if everything that happens is a plot device and everything the characters say a mouthpiece for the author to say whatever he likes whenever he likes it. The result is, you don’t care about the characters and everything they go through. Although a lot of things matter to them in-story, as a reader you are left indifferent.
That being said, Geomancer is one of the few books that bother to show how lust (and by extension the need to mate) is one of the most basic and yet powerful motivations for any living being. It’s something not many stories deal with. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to make the characters interesting by themselves, as they come off as very bland. Towards the end of the book lots of revelations and deaths happen, and I didn’t care in the least about any of that.
As a whole, Geomancer works as an exploration of a creepy setting with fleshed-out characters that unfortunately don’t get the treatment they deserve. By the author; not their world. It’s not an enjoyable read; it’s mostly slow and dull, despite having an uncommon plot and a world that stands-out from most other fantasy books.
August 13, 2015
Διάβασα το "Η Γεωμάντης" (τόμος Α και Β στα Ελληνικά) που είναι ελαφρώς sequel της (αμετάφραστης) τετραλογίας A view from the mirror.
Πολύ ενδιαφέρον worldbuilding, αφού οι χαρακτήρες φτιάχνουν μηχανές που χρησιμοποιούν μαγεία (σα μηχανικοί) ενώ πολεμούν κάτι εξωγηίνους, τους Λύριγκες σε μία σκληρή μάχη για επιβίωση. Ο τρόπος επίσης που χτίζεται μία κοινωνία, με τον ολοκληρωτικό πόλεμο να κρέμεται πάνω από το κεφάλι της είναι πραγματικά πολύ ενδιαφέρον.
To worldbuilding είναι πολύ καλό, και κάπου εδώ σταματάνε τα θετικά που έχω να πω.
Η πλοκή είναι αδύναμη, πηγαίνει από το ένα μέρος στο δεύτερο, έχει κάποιους ενδιάμεσους σταθμούς και κάποια story arcs αλλά σε πολλά σημεία σου δίνει την αίσθηση ότι έχει συρραφεί και γεμίσει με κάμποσες επιπλέον σελίδες.
Εκεί όμως που το βιβλίο χάνει κατά κράτος, για εμένα, είναι στους χαρακτήρες. Ο συγγραφέας πιθανότατα θέλει να γράψει αντιήρωες με ελαττώματα και να τους δώσει βάθος. Δεν τον βοηθάει ότι οι χαρακτήρες του είναι κλισαρισμένες καρικατούρες που φέρονται με τέτοιον τρόπο που οι αντίστοιχοι χαρακτήρες του game of thrones μοιάζουν τέρατα ορθολογισμού: η πρωταγωνίστρια έχει τη συναισθηματική νοημοσύνη 12-χρονου κοριτσιού, οι δύο "ξεκινάμε-κακοί-αλλά-καταλήγουμε-συμπαθητικοί-χαρακτήρες" είναι σα να βγήκαν από Μεξικάνικη σαπουνόπερα (ειδικά η Ιρίσις) και πετάει μέσα και την κλασική idiot savant Ούλιι που παίζει να είναι και η πιο ώριμη από το συρφετό.
Δεν ξέρω αν βελτιώνεται στο επόμενο, πάντως με άφησε με πολύ μέτριες εντυπώσεις παρά τον ενθουσιασμό που μου δημιούργησαν οι 100 πρώτες σελίδες.
Πολύ ενδιαφέρον worldbuilding, αφού οι χαρακτήρες φτιάχνουν μηχανές που χρησιμοποιούν μαγεία (σα μηχανικοί) ενώ πολεμούν κάτι εξωγηίνους, τους Λύριγκες σε μία σκληρή μάχη για επιβίωση. Ο τρόπος επίσης που χτίζεται μία κοινωνία, με τον ολοκληρωτικό πόλεμο να κρέμεται πάνω από το κεφάλι της είναι πραγματικά πολύ ενδιαφέρον.
To worldbuilding είναι πολύ καλό, και κάπου εδώ σταματάνε τα θετικά που έχω να πω.
Η πλοκή είναι αδύναμη, πηγαίνει από το ένα μέρος στο δεύτερο, έχει κάποιους ενδιάμεσους σταθμούς και κάποια story arcs αλλά σε πολλά σημεία σου δίνει την αίσθηση ότι έχει συρραφεί και γεμίσει με κάμποσες επιπλέον σελίδες.
Εκεί όμως που το βιβλίο χάνει κατά κράτος, για εμένα, είναι στους χαρακτήρες. Ο συγγραφέας πιθανότατα θέλει να γράψει αντιήρωες με ελαττώματα και να τους δώσει βάθος. Δεν τον βοηθάει ότι οι χαρακτήρες του είναι κλισαρισμένες καρικατούρες που φέρονται με τέτοιον τρόπο που οι αντίστοιχοι χαρακτήρες του game of thrones μοιάζουν τέρατα ορθολογισμού: η πρωταγωνίστρια έχει τη συναισθηματική νοημοσύνη 12-χρονου κοριτσιού, οι δύο "ξεκινάμε-κακοί-αλλά-καταλήγουμε-συμπαθητικοί-χαρακτήρες" είναι σα να βγήκαν από Μεξικάνικη σαπουνόπερα (ειδικά η Ιρίσις) και πετάει μέσα και την κλασική idiot savant Ούλιι που παίζει να είναι και η πιο ώριμη από το συρφετό.
Δεν ξέρω αν βελτιώνεται στο επόμενο, πάντως με άφησε με πολύ μέτριες εντυπώσεις παρά τον ενθουσιασμό που μου δημιούργησαν οι 100 πρώτες σελίδες.
October 15, 2011
When I started the book I thought it was going to be really good, I liked the characters and the setting but the further I got in the book the more I got bored with it. The descriptions were too long and the "quest" was too strange.
I eventually got tired of Tiaan, she acted more like a 12 year old then a 20 year old and the 'woe is me I just want to be loved' routine got tired after awhile. I found that I much prefered her nemisis Irisis by the time I got half way through the book and I wish she was the herione. I think it would have been a better book for it and I think her personality would have been better suited to the plot twists than Tiaan's.
I eventually got tired of Tiaan, she acted more like a 12 year old then a 20 year old and the 'woe is me I just want to be loved' routine got tired after awhile. I found that I much prefered her nemisis Irisis by the time I got half way through the book and I wish she was the herione. I think it would have been a better book for it and I think her personality would have been better suited to the plot twists than Tiaan's.
August 28, 2012
This book is awful.
There's nothing interesting in the story and Irvine really fails in entertaining the reader with his writing. None of the characters are likeable, especially Nish. He's a vile little man who should have been killed off immediatly. So imagine my surprise when Irvine keeps him alive for the entire series and even gives him his own, set ten years after the last book in this series.
It is one of the worst books I have ever read and there's really nothing in it which would make me recommend it to other people.
There's nothing interesting in the story and Irvine really fails in entertaining the reader with his writing. None of the characters are likeable, especially Nish. He's a vile little man who should have been killed off immediatly. So imagine my surprise when Irvine keeps him alive for the entire series and even gives him his own, set ten years after the last book in this series.
It is one of the worst books I have ever read and there's really nothing in it which would make me recommend it to other people.
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May 1, 2017
[Short and quick review from memory before I re-read and re-review at a later date:
I do recall being recommended this book by two dear friends, and I think this was more a book of Setting The Scene rather than anything else, but the rest of the series really picked up. I'm quite excited for the re-read.]
I do recall being recommended this book by two dear friends, and I think this was more a book of Setting The Scene rather than anything else, but the rest of the series really picked up. I'm quite excited for the re-read.]
September 16, 2024
I first read this book around 15 years ago, and picked it up again because it's on my shelf and I didn't really remember what happened in it, and I wanted to see if it was as good as I remember it being the first time - sadly, I came away disappointed with it.
While the world building is solid and has a lot of depth to it, I immediately felt as though I was missing a lot of context and knowledge, as I picked this book up having not read the prequel trilogy. There was enough clues peppered in that I wasn't totally lost, and maybe its on me for not checking if there was any previous books before I started it - but I would have liked a little more detail of the big historical events we're supposed to already know about.
As far as the central characters go, they all had a reasonable amount of depth to them, although I do think the female characters are a little one dimensional, despite the author trying to add in extra traits to make them feel less flat. The most well developed character was Nish, but I ended up disliking him from the get go because of his arrogance and entitlement, and the little he does to try and redeem himself isn't enough to wipe that from my mind.
Tiaan is probably the best developed female character, but she's supposed to be this great crafter and have incredible power with crystal work, yet every interaction she has with other people has her looking either like a foolish naive child, or like she pities everyone. The few moments of true humanity we have from her are when she's scared or grieving, and to be honest those are really her only saving moments.
Irisis was supposed to be an antagonist to Tiaan, but I ended up liking her far more than Tiaan. She's supposed to be a mean girl, but again and again she shows her bravery, and how much she cares for Nish, and how the weight of her family is pushing her to make desperate choices.
Ulli is the other female character of note, and what should be the most interesting of them all - she's got a severe sensory disability and yet has a stronger power than anyone for picking out magic. We see her helpless from her disability constantly but never the extent of her powers or even how or why she can use them. It's disappointing that she's reduced to being a sidekick to Nish and Irisis.
Nish is definitely the most irritating character in my opinion - not just the arrogance and entitlement we see from the moment we first meet him, when he tries to bully Tiaan into bed, but he's constantly led by his pelvis, and the way he's so easily manipulated by Irisis in order to do her bidding is pathetic.
The way the author writes the women in general made my skin crawl a little - constantly describing their breasts and thighs and hips, talking about how small and slender and hairless and smooth they are - it felt very degrading, especially because it was often written as though it should be considered complimentary. Nish especially with his lusting after Ulli, he so obviously enjoys the power he has as her trusted companion and he makes a point to spend time with her when she can't stand wearing clothes because of her sensory issues.
As far as the magic system in the world goes, that was far more interesting, yet we barely had any explanation for it beyond the basics, and I know it's supposed to be because Tiaan is new to her power and is still learning herself, but there wasn’t enough of it to leave me feeling satisfied with her journey.
The actual plot of the novel skips around, and I had a hard time in some places working out which bits were happening at the same time because things kept shifting. The pace changes rapidly, sometimes things fill several chapters when they only took a day or two, and yet other times we have months flash by in under a page, and it feels very imbalanced at times.
One thing I did enjoy about the novel was the idea of the lyrinx and their fleshforming, especially after Tiaan was forced to help them and helped to create the nylatal- which then promptly escaped and tries to kill everyone. I could feel her fear when she faced it, and the sickening knowledge that it was hunting her definitely made me want to find out how that part of the story ends.
The romance isn't really worth mentioning, since the betrayal of Minis was visible a mile off, before Tiaan even helped bring him to her world, although the cruelty his father showed her when Haani died was certainly a strong blow - especially after pages and pages of us learning how her and Tiaan bonded and accepted each other as sisters.
The romance between Irisis and Nish was more interesting, but this was cut short by Nish lusting after Ulli and her petite virginal body - could have made the story more interesting, but instead we got the creepy power dynamic relationship instead.
Overall, an okay novel, but definitely one to be aware of the language and themes before you pick it up. I can't necessarily say it's outright sexist, because there are clearly things the author is doing to try not to be sexist, but the negatives were too much for me to really appreciate it. I'll probably read the sequels, just so I can say I've completed it, but I don't think I'm going to rush out to get them.
While the world building is solid and has a lot of depth to it, I immediately felt as though I was missing a lot of context and knowledge, as I picked this book up having not read the prequel trilogy. There was enough clues peppered in that I wasn't totally lost, and maybe its on me for not checking if there was any previous books before I started it - but I would have liked a little more detail of the big historical events we're supposed to already know about.
As far as the central characters go, they all had a reasonable amount of depth to them, although I do think the female characters are a little one dimensional, despite the author trying to add in extra traits to make them feel less flat. The most well developed character was Nish, but I ended up disliking him from the get go because of his arrogance and entitlement, and the little he does to try and redeem himself isn't enough to wipe that from my mind.
Tiaan is probably the best developed female character, but she's supposed to be this great crafter and have incredible power with crystal work, yet every interaction she has with other people has her looking either like a foolish naive child, or like she pities everyone. The few moments of true humanity we have from her are when she's scared or grieving, and to be honest those are really her only saving moments.
Irisis was supposed to be an antagonist to Tiaan, but I ended up liking her far more than Tiaan. She's supposed to be a mean girl, but again and again she shows her bravery, and how much she cares for Nish, and how the weight of her family is pushing her to make desperate choices.
Ulli is the other female character of note, and what should be the most interesting of them all - she's got a severe sensory disability and yet has a stronger power than anyone for picking out magic. We see her helpless from her disability constantly but never the extent of her powers or even how or why she can use them. It's disappointing that she's reduced to being a sidekick to Nish and Irisis.
Nish is definitely the most irritating character in my opinion - not just the arrogance and entitlement we see from the moment we first meet him, when he tries to bully Tiaan into bed, but he's constantly led by his pelvis, and the way he's so easily manipulated by Irisis in order to do her bidding is pathetic.
The way the author writes the women in general made my skin crawl a little - constantly describing their breasts and thighs and hips, talking about how small and slender and hairless and smooth they are - it felt very degrading, especially because it was often written as though it should be considered complimentary. Nish especially with his lusting after Ulli, he so obviously enjoys the power he has as her trusted companion and he makes a point to spend time with her when she can't stand wearing clothes because of her sensory issues.
As far as the magic system in the world goes, that was far more interesting, yet we barely had any explanation for it beyond the basics, and I know it's supposed to be because Tiaan is new to her power and is still learning herself, but there wasn’t enough of it to leave me feeling satisfied with her journey.
The actual plot of the novel skips around, and I had a hard time in some places working out which bits were happening at the same time because things kept shifting. The pace changes rapidly, sometimes things fill several chapters when they only took a day or two, and yet other times we have months flash by in under a page, and it feels very imbalanced at times.
One thing I did enjoy about the novel was the idea of the lyrinx and their fleshforming, especially after Tiaan was forced to help them and helped to create the nylatal- which then promptly escaped and tries to kill everyone. I could feel her fear when she faced it, and the sickening knowledge that it was hunting her definitely made me want to find out how that part of the story ends.
The romance isn't really worth mentioning, since the betrayal of Minis was visible a mile off, before Tiaan even helped bring him to her world, although the cruelty his father showed her when Haani died was certainly a strong blow - especially after pages and pages of us learning how her and Tiaan bonded and accepted each other as sisters.
The romance between Irisis and Nish was more interesting, but this was cut short by Nish lusting after Ulli and her petite virginal body - could have made the story more interesting, but instead we got the creepy power dynamic relationship instead.
Overall, an okay novel, but definitely one to be aware of the language and themes before you pick it up. I can't necessarily say it's outright sexist, because there are clearly things the author is doing to try not to be sexist, but the negatives were too much for me to really appreciate it. I'll probably read the sequels, just so I can say I've completed it, but I don't think I'm going to rush out to get them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2013
Another great read from Ian. He always has me on edge wanting to know what's next.
January 18, 2023
This is an interesting read. The world on which it is set has very strong steam punk overtures which I love. So imagine a victorian-sequence world but without gunpowder so the primary weapons are cross bows and swords.
Then put humanity locked in a war with intelligent flesh eating flying lizard creatures, which humanity is losing by the way and already you have a really interesting seeing in which to place a story.
The world is powered by using crystals to focus and invisible energy field that powers the human battle tanks, known as clankers. Our main character Tiaan works with these crystals to develop controllers for the clankers.
The story centres around her interactions with these crystals and her quest to help another alien species out of danger from their dying planet.
The story builds well and there are enough light and dark moments to keep you interested. Everything seems plausible and I didn't have that incredulous feeling I sometimes get when reading fantasy.
Overall this was a good read and I will be checking out the other books in this series.
Then put humanity locked in a war with intelligent flesh eating flying lizard creatures, which humanity is losing by the way and already you have a really interesting seeing in which to place a story.
The world is powered by using crystals to focus and invisible energy field that powers the human battle tanks, known as clankers. Our main character Tiaan works with these crystals to develop controllers for the clankers.
The story centres around her interactions with these crystals and her quest to help another alien species out of danger from their dying planet.
The story builds well and there are enough light and dark moments to keep you interested. Everything seems plausible and I didn't have that incredulous feeling I sometimes get when reading fantasy.
Overall this was a good read and I will be checking out the other books in this series.
June 10, 2017
So good, the world moves into the future and the rich history continues and the past rears its ugly head to confront the present. Great characters, great tales.
October 22, 2019
I've owned this book for years and just hadn't gotten around to it. Maybe the 600+ pages were a bit intimidating. But i was recently in the mood for a saga, so i cozied up with this tome. I'm glad i did! And I'm extra glad that i didn't read a lot of the reviews i just read before reading this book. Where's the love, people? Granted, I'd suggest you be in the mood for a saga with this one. I don't like giving any spoilers, so I'll sum it up by saying i enjoyed reading this. I hated some characters but understood their influences. I liked some characters but sometimes wanted to punch them. So it was very lifelike. ;-) I've already started the next book, which is even longer. This author can write!
Ps: i rounded up from 4 stars. :-)
Ps: i rounded up from 4 stars. :-)
April 24, 2025
Tiaan you are SO DUMB
January 29, 2013
Tiaan is an artisan who makes controllers, delicate instruments that control huge war machines. She lives in a world defined by its war against a winged race called the lyrinx. Everyone's job is serving the war effort, and if you aren't good enough at a skilled trade, like being an artisan, you get sent to the front lines if you're a man, and the breeding factory, where you pump out the next generation of soldiers, if you're a woman. When Tiaan is falsely accused of sabotage, she runs away, and winds up on a mission to find a man she's seen in her crystal visions, the man she loves.
I had so much hope for this book. It started out great. The world building is perfect. The writing is excellent, except for the fact that people are always described using the exact same wording in multiple places, like a final edit was never done. And in the beginning, I liked a good chunk of the characters.
Unfortunately, Tiaan soon became insufferable. She falls in love with this guy that she's only seen in these visions she has when working with a particularly powerful crystal. Seriously, she's had maybe two conversations with him when they start calling each other "lover". And when he tells her that he lives in a different world, and she needs to go to this mountain and open a gate for his people to come through, so that they can be safe from the threat on their own world, and also help Tiaan's world with their war, she doesn't even question it.
I'm going to have a spoiler section now, so I can talk about some other things that annoyed me in the story. Skip this part if you want to read the book!
There were characters I liked, however. Sadly, most of them die, but a few survive. Interestingly, some of the best characters were ones who started off seeming really bad, but grew as people throughout the story. They were flawed, but ultimately sympathetic.
3 stars. There were good things, but ultimately Tiaan's stupidity really affected my enjoyment of the book.
This review is copied from my blog, The Towering Pile. It was originally published here.
I had so much hope for this book. It started out great. The world building is perfect. The writing is excellent, except for the fact that people are always described using the exact same wording in multiple places, like a final edit was never done. And in the beginning, I liked a good chunk of the characters.
Unfortunately, Tiaan soon became insufferable. She falls in love with this guy that she's only seen in these visions she has when working with a particularly powerful crystal. Seriously, she's had maybe two conversations with him when they start calling each other "lover". And when he tells her that he lives in a different world, and she needs to go to this mountain and open a gate for his people to come through, so that they can be safe from the threat on their own world, and also help Tiaan's world with their war, she doesn't even question it.
I'm going to have a spoiler section now, so I can talk about some other things that annoyed me in the story. Skip this part if you want to read the book!
There were characters I liked, however. Sadly, most of them die, but a few survive. Interestingly, some of the best characters were ones who started off seeming really bad, but grew as people throughout the story. They were flawed, but ultimately sympathetic.
3 stars. There were good things, but ultimately Tiaan's stupidity really affected my enjoyment of the book.
This review is copied from my blog, The Towering Pile. It was originally published here.
September 25, 2017
TL,DR: Book sucks. Beginning has co0ol ideas but the plot, characters, and writing style are horrendously unpolished.
Though the author is fantastic at world-building, the plot and writing style of this book are frustratingly lacking.
The book is split into five parts, each with its own flaws that I had hoped the3 other parts would remedy.
The first part, for example, gives us a 20 year old woman in the midst of an awesome industrial dystopia, only to introduce two one-dimensional villains one might see in a high school drama. The villains are quickly punished, leaving our laughably naive, too-perfect main character on the lam from other authorities, which admittedly segways into the next part of the book rather nicely and with a fair bit of irony.
The next part of the book is a boring, dragged out plot point where our suspension of disbelief is tested again and again. The main character becomes more forgotten, her emotions glossed over or unmentioned, whereas a more useless, uninteresting, and irritatingly selfish secondary character is given the spotlight more and more, which happens throughout the rest of the book from here on out.
The book then flip-flops our of our industrial dystopia and splashes into extremely weird, surrealist horror that I found too strange and unexplained to like. What made this worse is that this segment of the book doesn't come into play much for the rest of the novel, leaving me feeling like I just read a bunch of nonsensical and contrived jibber-jabber from the dreams of someone in withdrawal from heroin for no reason at all.
The final fifth of the book, which had great promise to give the main character back her spotlight, as well as give us the utterly magical and romantic ending this grueling read could be redeemed by, is so rushed it was laughable. The climax is rank with melodrama and confusing, unexplained ideas that left me catatonic with disappointment.
The worst part is that while our main character's would-be fantastical ending is contrived and quick, we get a detailed play-by-play of the previously mentioned useless secondary character grabbing the breasts of a mentally and physically ill woman after constantly checking her out through the entire novel.
Do not let the intriguing ideas at the beginning of thew book, which end up being contradicted until you don't know how to visualize some of the most important props, characters, or settings anyways, pull you in only to let you down with the tortuous writing style and plot.
Though the author is fantastic at world-building, the plot and writing style of this book are frustratingly lacking.
The book is split into five parts, each with its own flaws that I had hoped the3 other parts would remedy.
The first part, for example, gives us a 20 year old woman in the midst of an awesome industrial dystopia, only to introduce two one-dimensional villains one might see in a high school drama. The villains are quickly punished, leaving our laughably naive, too-perfect main character on the lam from other authorities, which admittedly segways into the next part of the book rather nicely and with a fair bit of irony.
The next part of the book is a boring, dragged out plot point where our suspension of disbelief is tested again and again. The main character becomes more forgotten, her emotions glossed over or unmentioned, whereas a more useless, uninteresting, and irritatingly selfish secondary character is given the spotlight more and more, which happens throughout the rest of the book from here on out.
The book then flip-flops our of our industrial dystopia and splashes into extremely weird, surrealist horror that I found too strange and unexplained to like. What made this worse is that this segment of the book doesn't come into play much for the rest of the novel, leaving me feeling like I just read a bunch of nonsensical and contrived jibber-jabber from the dreams of someone in withdrawal from heroin for no reason at all.
The final fifth of the book, which had great promise to give the main character back her spotlight, as well as give us the utterly magical and romantic ending this grueling read could be redeemed by, is so rushed it was laughable. The climax is rank with melodrama and confusing, unexplained ideas that left me catatonic with disappointment.
The worst part is that while our main character's would-be fantastical ending is contrived and quick, we get a detailed play-by-play of the previously mentioned useless secondary character grabbing the breasts of a mentally and physically ill woman after constantly checking her out through the entire novel.
Do not let the intriguing ideas at the beginning of thew book, which end up being contradicted until you don't know how to visualize some of the most important props, characters, or settings anyways, pull you in only to let you down with the tortuous writing style and plot.
September 13, 2011
Far too many convenient incidents and co-incidences used to push the story along, combined with possibly the most willfully stupid heroine ever to grace the pages of a work of fiction.
The writing style is good, the story carries you along, and rather annoyingly I half want to read the rest of the trilogy, even though I suspect I may regret it.
The writing style is good, the story carries you along, and rather annoyingly I half want to read the rest of the trilogy, even though I suspect I may regret it.
May 25, 2019
Awful. If this had been written by an unknown author, it would never have made it off the slush pile. Very poorly written, with whole sections of boring info-dump and irrelevant told backstory, inconsistent characters, confusing and contradictory plot lines. Should never have been published.
July 5, 2025
This is a tricky one to review. There was lots of classic, epic fantasy to love and also some things that I didn’t like at all and were really jarring.
The set up and initial world building are great. The central character is Tiaan, an artisan who makes controllers that house specially crafted crystals. The crystals channel power so that operators of clankers (like tanks) can move around and fight in the war against the Lyrinx (winged aliens that are trying to destroy humanity).
When some of these controllers are found to be corrupt leading to the loss of soldiers, Tiaan is blamed. This isn’t helped by her jealous nemesis Irisis who plots against her with the help of Nish who is easily led, seduced by Irisis, and desperate to impress his thoroughly obnoxious father.
So, set up was good. I also liked the magic system of drawing power into crystals and the more powerful magic of Geomancy (drawing power from the Earth, similar to potential energy in physics). Nerd alert. The first third of the book was good.
After that I didn’t really enjoy the chase sequences that seemed overly prolonged without generating much tension.
I didn’t enjoy the Lyrinx who were evil for the sake of it but fairly one dimensional.
I didn’t like many of the characters. With the exception of Tiaan (who also had some really bizarre moments) most of the characters weren’t engaging and didn’t feel plausible.
I didn’t like the author’s fixation on mentioning breasts and the breeding palace (where women are sent as a punishment to produce babies against their will). Not a prude but this didn’t add anything meaningful to the story and felt like a teenager was writing fantasies in their bedroom. I get that it’s a fantasy novel but stay in your lane author.
Most of all I didn’t like the ending. At. All. It sucked. I accept that some things are used as a mechanism to provide motivation for the characters in the remaining books in the series but this ending felt rushed, unbelievable and just horribly sad.
I really wanted to like this but there is so much great fantasy out there and I’ve a feeling that life might be too short for the remaining books in the series but never say never.
The set up and initial world building are great. The central character is Tiaan, an artisan who makes controllers that house specially crafted crystals. The crystals channel power so that operators of clankers (like tanks) can move around and fight in the war against the Lyrinx (winged aliens that are trying to destroy humanity).
When some of these controllers are found to be corrupt leading to the loss of soldiers, Tiaan is blamed. This isn’t helped by her jealous nemesis Irisis who plots against her with the help of Nish who is easily led, seduced by Irisis, and desperate to impress his thoroughly obnoxious father.
So, set up was good. I also liked the magic system of drawing power into crystals and the more powerful magic of Geomancy (drawing power from the Earth, similar to potential energy in physics). Nerd alert. The first third of the book was good.
After that I didn’t really enjoy the chase sequences that seemed overly prolonged without generating much tension.
I didn’t enjoy the Lyrinx who were evil for the sake of it but fairly one dimensional.
I didn’t like many of the characters. With the exception of Tiaan (who also had some really bizarre moments) most of the characters weren’t engaging and didn’t feel plausible.
I didn’t like the author’s fixation on mentioning breasts and the breeding palace (where women are sent as a punishment to produce babies against their will). Not a prude but this didn’t add anything meaningful to the story and felt like a teenager was writing fantasies in their bedroom. I get that it’s a fantasy novel but stay in your lane author.
Most of all I didn’t like the ending. At. All. It sucked. I accept that some things are used as a mechanism to provide motivation for the characters in the remaining books in the series but this ending felt rushed, unbelievable and just horribly sad.
I really wanted to like this but there is so much great fantasy out there and I’ve a feeling that life might be too short for the remaining books in the series but never say never.
October 10, 2021
Are there rules for writing a series? I don't think so, but one rule should be: when each book ends, a character arc must end or a goal must be achieved. Otherwise the reader will feel...unfulfilled. Having to read another tomb of a book in hope of the cathartic release sought in the first book. This is what happened here.
The world building was interesting and every character is interestingly flawed but in a realistic way. The pages move fast as the grime world is created and the small cast is set...but noone goes anywhere of importance or does anything of consequence.
The real downside was that this book felt like an introduction. There was no plot other than an elongated chase scene. Clearly the main story is in book two and I wonder if I really needed to read book one as most characters died and everyone else returned to their Machiavellian ways.
The characters were interesting but the constant reminder of punishments meant that they could never really grow.
Many times it felt like like this boom could have been something else. About drug addiction to crystals or power? An Enemy Mine style story with winged bad guys. A militaristic dystopian society brought on by war. But in the end it was, for some reason, girl loves guys and does anything to get him. Even that seems jarring, given Tiaan's level headed practical attitude throught the story.
The ending was rather anticlimactic as it answered no plot threads or character arcs. It just set up the squeal.
I will read the next book but at 600 + pages it will need a stronger plot (but i think it is will be "war going bad. must stop war. will this work? no. will this work? no. will this work? yes, in a way)
The world building was interesting and every character is interestingly flawed but in a realistic way. The pages move fast as the grime world is created and the small cast is set...but noone goes anywhere of importance or does anything of consequence.
The real downside was that this book felt like an introduction. There was no plot other than an elongated chase scene. Clearly the main story is in book two and I wonder if I really needed to read book one as most characters died and everyone else returned to their Machiavellian ways.
The characters were interesting but the constant reminder of punishments meant that they could never really grow.
Many times it felt like like this boom could have been something else. About drug addiction to crystals or power? An Enemy Mine style story with winged bad guys. A militaristic dystopian society brought on by war. But in the end it was, for some reason, girl loves guys and does anything to get him. Even that seems jarring, given Tiaan's level headed practical attitude throught the story.
The ending was rather anticlimactic as it answered no plot threads or character arcs. It just set up the squeal.
I will read the next book but at 600 + pages it will need a stronger plot (but i think it is will be "war going bad. must stop war. will this work? no. will this work? no. will this work? yes, in a way)
March 25, 2017
One of those books that have a great concept, fine ideas, awesome worldbuilding, interesting plot, some grey characters and all...but it's rather poorly written. Why, oh, why? It could have been one of the greatest series but it's obviously lacking. If you're looking for one of the best epic fantasies you should skip this. If you're looking for quite a different story, go for it, but don't expect for some Nobel prize winning pages.
Perhaps it was the bad translation. I think the translator have put great effort but all those weird names and words made it quite difficult to translate without giving a sense of amateurish writing. Perhaps it is the *writer's* fault of course. The dialogue is below average. And the characters are charicatures. Sure he likes making some of them despicable only to show they are kinda nice later on. Wow, what a plot twist. And then again, and again. Also, is the protagonist a young adult lady who is the top professional in her province and also quite pretty? Isn't she also a very nice and kinda shy person? Why does she act like an awkward 12 year old? She isn't even nice when some ugly dude flirts with her and then goes on an epic quest for some hot guy she sees in her visions. The rest of the characters are even worse made. The enemies are kinda ok,although they don't make much sense either. Not to mention those people that appear in the end. Their leader's attitude changes like 3-4 times in a few minutes. I think he needs to see a doctor. But at least the plot twist was ok at the end, even if it was expected more or less.
I did buy the whole series since the story looks engaging but I doubt I'll read the next books in the near future. i'd like to read something that is written better for a change. The ingredients are not enough. One has to cook them well.
Perhaps it was the bad translation. I think the translator have put great effort but all those weird names and words made it quite difficult to translate without giving a sense of amateurish writing. Perhaps it is the *writer's* fault of course. The dialogue is below average. And the characters are charicatures. Sure he likes making some of them despicable only to show they are kinda nice later on. Wow, what a plot twist. And then again, and again. Also, is the protagonist a young adult lady who is the top professional in her province and also quite pretty? Isn't she also a very nice and kinda shy person? Why does she act like an awkward 12 year old? She isn't even nice when some ugly dude flirts with her and then goes on an epic quest for some hot guy she sees in her visions. The rest of the characters are even worse made. The enemies are kinda ok,although they don't make much sense either. Not to mention those people that appear in the end. Their leader's attitude changes like 3-4 times in a few minutes. I think he needs to see a doctor. But at least the plot twist was ok at the end, even if it was expected more or less.
I did buy the whole series since the story looks engaging but I doubt I'll read the next books in the near future. i'd like to read something that is written better for a change. The ingredients are not enough. One has to cook them well.
October 29, 2024
I was left feeling deeply dissatisfied by the end of this book. I liked the world and magic system and exploration of morality and culture but the book was let down by several things.
I enjoyed parts of it but won't bother with books two or three.
Foremost: Tiaan's stupidity really affected my enjoyment of the book. She is not stupid in a young harry potter I'm still to young to know better kind of way, just in a downright confusingly dumb way.
the characters seem like charicatures. The author likes making some of them despicable only to show they are kinda nice later on. That ok but he does it so repetitively that it gets old. again, and again. Also the main character just becomes so so hard to like or care about. Why does she act like an awkward 12 year old? She only makes sense as a drug addled idiot but despite the addiction to crystal the author does not indicate that the addiction causes cognitive impairment.
By the end of the book you realise no one goes anywhere of importance or does anything of consequence other than chase Tiann here there and everywhere.
Another downside was that this book felt like an introduction. There was no plot other than an elongated chase scene and it felt like the whole book was just setting up book 2. We learn very little about our main characters power other than her willingness to use it recklessly for some man that she has never met and yet feels ultimately loyalty towards.
I enjoyed parts of it but won't bother with books two or three.
Foremost: Tiaan's stupidity really affected my enjoyment of the book. She is not stupid in a young harry potter I'm still to young to know better kind of way, just in a downright confusingly dumb way.
the characters seem like charicatures. The author likes making some of them despicable only to show they are kinda nice later on. That ok but he does it so repetitively that it gets old. again, and again. Also the main character just becomes so so hard to like or care about. Why does she act like an awkward 12 year old? She only makes sense as a drug addled idiot but despite the addiction to crystal the author does not indicate that the addiction causes cognitive impairment.
By the end of the book you realise no one goes anywhere of importance or does anything of consequence other than chase Tiann here there and everywhere.
Another downside was that this book felt like an introduction. There was no plot other than an elongated chase scene and it felt like the whole book was just setting up book 2. We learn very little about our main characters power other than her willingness to use it recklessly for some man that she has never met and yet feels ultimately loyalty towards.
August 17, 2017
This story already looks like the "poor orphan who is hated by everyone, becomes someone important" cliche / trope. That already gives points against it. It doesn't help that it feels like this author has an agenda concerning females in this world.
It feels like he is forcing his ideology down my throat. It's in my face all the time. Many authors write about the things it seems Irvine is trying to portray, but Irvine seems heavy handed at it. I can see what is going on, you don't need to over explain it. Hell what's happening in the book happened in history, so it's not shocking. Just stop forcing it down my throat.
Why am I getting the feeling that these "people" are not humans? people don't have teeth that are "very sharp".
Why is it in these stories the person has to be naive?
"She was never very good in knowing if someone was being serious or not"". It's always a happy go lucky optimist. It's obvious this person is gunning for you, and you help them by giving information?
I was thinking that I would continue the series when I'm finished with this book because it seems interesting. But the Author's heavy handed agenda and the naivety of the protagonist is just rubbing me the wrong way.
I hate protagonists who willfully walk around with wool over their eyes. You don't think she would stop at anything to get rid of you? You yourself said you saw a gleam in her eye, and you are self deluding her innocence.
I hate authors who write naive characters. She herself said that it would take her personal time to put the ingredients the apothecary gave her together. YET, she took that jar of ointment that was delivered to her? and just used it? It's clear from your own thoughts that you had to put it together.
Stupid, optimistic, trusting characters are the bane of fantasy.
I'm actually enjoying the book now that it's in part two. I don't understand this. Maybe it's because I'm not seeing much of the protagonist?
Prediction Time
Anyone else is having a Broken Earth vibe
Hmm. This seems to be an Asian oriented culture (the honor and chopsticks gave it away).
I think I already see how this novel is going to end. It will be a four (4) sided battle.
Ha. Part of my prediction was correct. It took such tragedy to take the naivety from our little protagonist. Although it seems like things are going to get better in the next book (reverse engineering, less love struck puppies, etc). I can't put myself through another one of these novels.
It was already a chore to complete this one. If I'm desperate for books in the future maybe, but not likely.
2/5 Stars
It feels like he is forcing his ideology down my throat. It's in my face all the time. Many authors write about the things it seems Irvine is trying to portray, but Irvine seems heavy handed at it. I can see what is going on, you don't need to over explain it. Hell what's happening in the book happened in history, so it's not shocking. Just stop forcing it down my throat.
Why am I getting the feeling that these "people" are not humans? people don't have teeth that are "very sharp".
Why is it in these stories the person has to be naive?
"She was never very good in knowing if someone was being serious or not"". It's always a happy go lucky optimist. It's obvious this person is gunning for you, and you help them by giving information?
I was thinking that I would continue the series when I'm finished with this book because it seems interesting. But the Author's heavy handed agenda and the naivety of the protagonist is just rubbing me the wrong way.
I hate protagonists who willfully walk around with wool over their eyes. You don't think she would stop at anything to get rid of you? You yourself said you saw a gleam in her eye, and you are self deluding her innocence.
I hate authors who write naive characters. She herself said that it would take her personal time to put the ingredients the apothecary gave her together. YET, she took that jar of ointment that was delivered to her? and just used it? It's clear from your own thoughts that you had to put it together.
Stupid, optimistic, trusting characters are the bane of fantasy.
I'm actually enjoying the book now that it's in part two. I don't understand this. Maybe it's because I'm not seeing much of the protagonist?
Prediction Time
Anyone else is having a Broken Earth vibe
Hmm. This seems to be an Asian oriented culture (the honor and chopsticks gave it away).
I think I already see how this novel is going to end. It will be a four (4) sided battle.
Ha. Part of my prediction was correct. It took such tragedy to take the naivety from our little protagonist. Although it seems like things are going to get better in the next book (reverse engineering, less love struck puppies, etc). I can't put myself through another one of these novels.
It was already a chore to complete this one. If I'm desperate for books in the future maybe, but not likely.
2/5 Stars
February 1, 2018
So, after finishing Geomancer I'm left with somewhat of a love/hate relationship with the book. The book took me back to the time when I loved to play RPG video games. You will find many similarities between the plot of this book, and the plot of some of the more popular entries in the Final Fantasy series, or similar games in that timeframe. I think it was mainly this nostalgia that got me involved in the story and pulled me through to the end.
However, there are also some deep problems with the book. What frustrates me most is that the book doesn't end. It just stops in the middle of the story. I know there are 4 more volumes to 'The Well of Echoes', but all the best series are at least comprised of volumes that can also be read independently. Other frustrations are how static (and weak) the characters are. I use the term weakness, not because I like all characters to be strong, but because they are weak in an infantile sense. They don't struggle with their own weakness, only the reader struggles with their weakness.
Some of the concepts and lore in the story are fun though, so I saw it through to the end. Therefore 2/5. But will I read the remainder of this series? I highly doubt it.
However, there are also some deep problems with the book. What frustrates me most is that the book doesn't end. It just stops in the middle of the story. I know there are 4 more volumes to 'The Well of Echoes', but all the best series are at least comprised of volumes that can also be read independently. Other frustrations are how static (and weak) the characters are. I use the term weakness, not because I like all characters to be strong, but because they are weak in an infantile sense. They don't struggle with their own weakness, only the reader struggles with their weakness.
Some of the concepts and lore in the story are fun though, so I saw it through to the end. Therefore 2/5. But will I read the remainder of this series? I highly doubt it.
March 31, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It was recommended to me by a taxi driver and I am glad I took his advice. What it lacks in terms of characterisation, it certainly makes up for in its fast-past plot driven adventure.
Initially, the character's seemed very one dimensional and shallow - particularly Tiann, the main protagonist but towards the end as she is affected by tragedy and loss, she becomes much more likable. The main theme of this book is the use of crystals or hedrons to transfer power from a node or field and occasionally it gets a bit confusing. Its almost as if the author expects you to know what he is talking about so he doesnt really explain everything in complete detail. I think I grasped the basic concepts of it though, after a while. Regardless of that, there's still so much action and exciting new people (Ryll the Lyrinx being one of my favourite) that its hard to put down. When Irvine wants you to feel afraid, he really ramps it up, such as the scenes containing the Nylatl. I mean, who would have thought that such a small animal could be so horrifying! I really loved it, it wasnt a perfect book but I would recommend it anyway.
Initially, the character's seemed very one dimensional and shallow - particularly Tiann, the main protagonist but towards the end as she is affected by tragedy and loss, she becomes much more likable. The main theme of this book is the use of crystals or hedrons to transfer power from a node or field and occasionally it gets a bit confusing. Its almost as if the author expects you to know what he is talking about so he doesnt really explain everything in complete detail. I think I grasped the basic concepts of it though, after a while. Regardless of that, there's still so much action and exciting new people (Ryll the Lyrinx being one of my favourite) that its hard to put down. When Irvine wants you to feel afraid, he really ramps it up, such as the scenes containing the Nylatl. I mean, who would have thought that such a small animal could be so horrifying! I really loved it, it wasnt a perfect book but I would recommend it anyway.
November 22, 2023
Магията и науката са тясно свързани през последните години. Всъщност бих казала, теоретично разбира се, че винаги са били свързани, но вече е факт и в литературата. Докато преди се смяташе, че това са два различни свята, то днес авторите търсят връзката между тях. Но какво е магията? До скоро се смяташе за измислица, приказки за деца или просто легенди. Но ако премахнем предубежденията си, може да открием, че онова, което обикновено е считано за невъзможно или за фалшиво, всъщност може да се обясни при това с научна гледна точка.
Интригуваща и увлекателна. „Геомансър“ е фантастичен роман, който притежава притегателна сила. Историята е много добра, дори изключителна. Загадъчна и провокативна. Идеята за неземните създания и връзката им с хората е много различна от познатите ни досега. Харесва ми начинът, по който авторът съчетава всичко това, с човешките черти и методите на манипулации, на които неволно ставаме жертви без да го осъзнаваме. Защото до дъното може да се стигне за миг, но понякога процесът е бавен и без да знаеш дори участваш в него. Осъзнаването е първата стъпка към въздигането.
Интригуваща и увлекателна. „Геомансър“ е фантастичен роман, който притежава притегателна сила. Историята е много добра, дори изключителна. Загадъчна и провокативна. Идеята за неземните създания и връзката им с хората е много различна от познатите ни досега. Харесва ми начинът, по който авторът съчетава всичко това, с човешките черти и методите на манипулации, на които неволно ставаме жертви без да го осъзнаваме. Защото до дъното може да се стигне за миг, но понякога процесът е бавен и без да знаеш дори участваш в него. Осъзнаването е първата стъпка към въздигането.
August 25, 2025
I really like this author's style but didn't love this book.
Part of it was my own expectations. I wanted to see a cool Earth magic system on par with Earthbender from Avatar. Instead we get potential energy conversions into lasers? While I certainly appreciate the brilliance of quantifying the amount of potential energy stored in natural geological formations, and somehow tapping into that energy, it just felt so removed from the character and didn't really work for me.
The characters themselves were multi-faceted and interesting. I very much enjoyed the various trials and difficulties they all had to overcome.
I kind of hated the conclusion. I knew from about the halfway point that it wasn't going to work out the way the main character expected it to, but her role at the end was almost frustratingly purposeless. The ending of this book and what it portends for the next in the series has removed any interest I had for continuing.
I do plan to look into other stories by Ian Irvine though.
Part of it was my own expectations. I wanted to see a cool Earth magic system on par with Earthbender from Avatar. Instead we get potential energy conversions into lasers? While I certainly appreciate the brilliance of quantifying the amount of potential energy stored in natural geological formations, and somehow tapping into that energy, it just felt so removed from the character and didn't really work for me.
The characters themselves were multi-faceted and interesting. I very much enjoyed the various trials and difficulties they all had to overcome.
I kind of hated the conclusion. I knew from about the halfway point that it wasn't going to work out the way the main character expected it to, but her role at the end was almost frustratingly purposeless. The ending of this book and what it portends for the next in the series has removed any interest I had for continuing.
I do plan to look into other stories by Ian Irvine though.
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