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Ecko
Ecko Rising
Ecko: Rising is a unique genre-bending fantasy–sci-fi epic following a savage, gleefully cynical anti-hero. After awakening in a dimension-jumping inn to find himself immersed in his own sardonic fantasy world, Ecko joins a misfit cast of characters and strives to conquer his deepest fears and save the world from extinction.
528 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2012
52 people are currently reading
802 people want to read
About the author
Danie Ware
59 books205 followersAuthor of the Ecko trilogy (CyberPunk/Fantasy mashup) and Children of Artifice (queer science fantasy). Writer of Sisters of Battle (and other things) for WarHammer 40k, Judge Anderson for Rebellion, Twilight Imperium for Aconyte Books, and numerous short stories.
Reader, writer, crusader geek, re-enactor (retired) and role-player. After seventeen years conjuring PR, events and social media for Forbidden Planet (London) Ltd, you can now find me in the Manga/GNs at Waterstones Piccadilly.
Follow me on most Social Media channels as @Danacea
Reader, writer, crusader geek, re-enactor (retired) and role-player. After seventeen years conjuring PR, events and social media for Forbidden Planet (London) Ltd, you can now find me in the Manga/GNs at Waterstones Piccadilly.
Follow me on most Social Media channels as @Danacea
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
April 18, 2015
I had to bring this one back to the library, and just couldn't muster enough interest to finish it on time. The beginning was interesting, but I couldn't get into the fantasy part, whether it came to the "good guys", the politics, or (what I assume is) the bad guy and his smouldering-dominates-the-girl attitude.
Maybe I'll try again later. Or maybe not.
Maybe I'll try again later. Or maybe not.
May 21, 2013
I wasn't sure what to expect when I read this, but was highly impressed.
Ecko (silent G!) is an assassin, and lives in a high tech world, where the majority of the citizens are plodding along, doing what they're supposed to, without causing any trouble. He has been modified, with a perfectly camouflaged skin (hence (G)Ecko), and targeting systems built in.
While on assignment to take down one of those involved in the creation of this Utopia, he is suddenly flung into a world where nothing is familiar, and ends up in a tavern which moves every night.
So from beginning as a Bladerunner-esque society, you are suddenly flung into a version of Conan's world, with magic, centaurs, swords and sorcery (or saucery, as it keeps being referred to!). I loved the little quoted in-jokes, such as the reference to needing forty thousand hit points and a sword of bad guy slaying, and the references to the old Dungeons and Dragons books, where you made your choice and turned the page.
The writing simply flowed along, until you stopped thinking about the fact that Ecko was in the wrong world, and just cheered him along with all of the other good guys. I look forward with anticipation to the second volume, and the return of the Wanderer.
Ecko (silent G!) is an assassin, and lives in a high tech world, where the majority of the citizens are plodding along, doing what they're supposed to, without causing any trouble. He has been modified, with a perfectly camouflaged skin (hence (G)Ecko), and targeting systems built in.
While on assignment to take down one of those involved in the creation of this Utopia, he is suddenly flung into a world where nothing is familiar, and ends up in a tavern which moves every night.
So from beginning as a Bladerunner-esque society, you are suddenly flung into a version of Conan's world, with magic, centaurs, swords and sorcery (or saucery, as it keeps being referred to!). I loved the little quoted in-jokes, such as the reference to needing forty thousand hit points and a sword of bad guy slaying, and the references to the old Dungeons and Dragons books, where you made your choice and turned the page.
The writing simply flowed along, until you stopped thinking about the fact that Ecko was in the wrong world, and just cheered him along with all of the other good guys. I look forward with anticipation to the second volume, and the return of the Wanderer.
December 27, 2012
* Update *
I've upgraded my review to 5 stars, because the previous average didn't do it justice. The following was written with a 4 star review in mind:
I wish I could talk about this book without mentioning genre... Somehow it seems that a 4 star Fantasy or Sci-fi epic has less value than a 4 star anything else. But that's simply not the case.
Ecko Rising is a great read, with convincing, well rounded characters, an interesting plot, and fantastically detailed fight scenes.
Would be a 5 star read except that the fourth fifth (if you see what I mean) dragged a little, and as a whole it felt unresolved. Obviously they'll be another book (at least there better be).
This doesn't feel like a first novel, and certainly comes from an author steeped in the lore of fantasy and Sci-fi.
I've upgraded my review to 5 stars, because the previous average didn't do it justice. The following was written with a 4 star review in mind:
I wish I could talk about this book without mentioning genre... Somehow it seems that a 4 star Fantasy or Sci-fi epic has less value than a 4 star anything else. But that's simply not the case.
Ecko Rising is a great read, with convincing, well rounded characters, an interesting plot, and fantastically detailed fight scenes.
Would be a 5 star read except that the fourth fifth (if you see what I mean) dragged a little, and as a whole it felt unresolved. Obviously they'll be another book (at least there better be).
This doesn't feel like a first novel, and certainly comes from an author steeped in the lore of fantasy and Sci-fi.
October 19, 2013
I picked up this book thiking it was futuristic sci-fi.It isn't.This is a fantasy novel.I enjoy fantasy in very small doses and I enjoyed this book.The story was gripping and the characters likeable.There seem to be a lot of complaints from other readers about the profanity in this book.I did not think it excessive and would probably not have noticed it at all if other reviewers had not mentioned it.This is not marketed for YA.I also did not have a problem with the ending.I thought it brought the sci-fi aspect back into the story nicely and I was glad to see Lugan again.Am I dying to read the next book in the series,no,but I will eventually and will recommend it heartily to my friends who love fantasy.
January 30, 2016
Another case of 'I really enjoyed that — until the ending'. I mean, what was that? It came from nowhere, had nothing to do with the story and answered no questions. There were a lot of plot points left unanswered — pretty much all of them, actually.
As a writer, she shows promise. But I hope her next book is more cohesive.
As a writer, she shows promise. But I hope her next book is more cohesive.
January 5, 2016
Terrible. I wanted to like it as it teases interesting world-building but the development was awkward. The extraneous amount of characters were unnecessary and so by the third "not a rape scene because she totally wanted him" bullshit I gave up.
July 8, 2013
When Titan Books sent me a review copy of sci-fi meets fantasy novel Ecko Rising, I imagined a story that was much more subtle than the in-your-face story that I got. Successfully covering two very distinct worlds – one that involves high tech cyber science fiction the other containing a dragon-slaying fantasy universe – is not an easy thing to do. But Ware somehow pulls it off.
Ecko Rising stars a character only known as Ecko, a savage and cynical cybernetically-enhanced assassin who operates out of a high tech future London. After a job goes wrong, Ecko finds himself sucked into a world that is the exact opposite of that – this new world is a place where technology is replaced by magic – and centaurs. Ecko Rising is a classic fish-out-of-water story, but never actually feels like it, except when it does.
Let me explain myself – I was uncomfortable reading the first half of the novel. The two worlds are never more different than during those chapters when we first see the fantasy universe from Ecko’s eyes. Not only does it feel as if Ecko doesn’t belong there, but it almost feels as if the reader is unwelcome there, too. As Ecko starts coming up with an idea that none of it is real, the reader, too, will grasp solely to that concept. We do find out the truth of reality vs. fiction in the epilogue, but even that is left to speculation.
Ecko is the ultimate anti-hero. He is foul-mouthed and selfish and gets angry at himself when he realizes that he’s starting to care about the situations and people he’s been thrown into. Other characters are also as richly realized, such as Triqueta – a mighty female warrior, member of the Banned. It’s these characters that made me want to embrace this new world, real or not. I was pulled into by their stories as surely as Ecko was.
Ecko Rising also features a lot of action. Each chapter is packed with something the characters must figure out and overcome. Some characters lose their minds, some lose their lives, but none are untouched by whatever it is Ecko seems to be fated to fight. If you’re fan of series like A Song of Ice and Fire, you will certainly appreciate this.
Danie Ware has created something unique with Ecko Rising. With a successful blending (by not blending) two diverse genres, she has created a quality story that is difficult to put down.
Ecko Rising stars a character only known as Ecko, a savage and cynical cybernetically-enhanced assassin who operates out of a high tech future London. After a job goes wrong, Ecko finds himself sucked into a world that is the exact opposite of that – this new world is a place where technology is replaced by magic – and centaurs. Ecko Rising is a classic fish-out-of-water story, but never actually feels like it, except when it does.
Let me explain myself – I was uncomfortable reading the first half of the novel. The two worlds are never more different than during those chapters when we first see the fantasy universe from Ecko’s eyes. Not only does it feel as if Ecko doesn’t belong there, but it almost feels as if the reader is unwelcome there, too. As Ecko starts coming up with an idea that none of it is real, the reader, too, will grasp solely to that concept. We do find out the truth of reality vs. fiction in the epilogue, but even that is left to speculation.
Ecko is the ultimate anti-hero. He is foul-mouthed and selfish and gets angry at himself when he realizes that he’s starting to care about the situations and people he’s been thrown into. Other characters are also as richly realized, such as Triqueta – a mighty female warrior, member of the Banned. It’s these characters that made me want to embrace this new world, real or not. I was pulled into by their stories as surely as Ecko was.
Ecko Rising also features a lot of action. Each chapter is packed with something the characters must figure out and overcome. Some characters lose their minds, some lose their lives, but none are untouched by whatever it is Ecko seems to be fated to fight. If you’re fan of series like A Song of Ice and Fire, you will certainly appreciate this.
Danie Ware has created something unique with Ecko Rising. With a successful blending (by not blending) two diverse genres, she has created a quality story that is difficult to put down.
June 26, 2013
There’s nothing I love more than finding a book that pushes the boundaries, especially when it gives new meaning to the word “imagination”, and Ecko Rising is one of those books. Blending together dystopian sci-fi with fantasy, Danie Ware was able to capture my attention and keep it throughout the duration of the book. Ecko – our anti-hero – is a loveable and wacky character that kind of makes you grin whenever he talks. I don’t know why that is, either way he out-shined all of the characters by far (even though I love Lugan too) and always had me grinning like a fool. What’s more is that, Danie Ware continuously makes you wonder what’s going to happen next and funnily enough my predictions were always wrong. In other words, it’s bloody good fun and incredibly entertaining.
Coming Soon!
I particularly like Danie Ware’s writing style. Yes, I know usually I bitch and complain whenever people write in dialects, but it wasn’t so bad this time around. Other than that though, the writing style isn’t as clunky with over-descriptive rambling, and yet you know exactly what the author is trying to say. I think that also contributed to the fast-paced reading and frankly, I think some writers can learn something from Danie Ware’s way of writing.
The editing was good, I love the cover, the only thing I would have changed about Ecko Rising is that I would have preferred it as a hardback book. I don’t know why that is, but I personally would have liked this trilogy in hardback… that’s just my opinion though.
Personally I felt empty when I finished Ecko Rising though, merely because I have to wait like everyone else to get my hands on the sequel, Ecko Burning. Alas, it gives me time to process everything, and who knows I might just read it again before the sequel gets published, just for the hell of it. So, keep your eyes open for this book and for the sequel. If you like whacky genre-bending awesome, you’re going to love Ecko Rising and I’m sure Ecko Burning will be just as good, if not better.
(Review originally posted on www.killeraphrodite.com )
Coming Soon!
I particularly like Danie Ware’s writing style. Yes, I know usually I bitch and complain whenever people write in dialects, but it wasn’t so bad this time around. Other than that though, the writing style isn’t as clunky with over-descriptive rambling, and yet you know exactly what the author is trying to say. I think that also contributed to the fast-paced reading and frankly, I think some writers can learn something from Danie Ware’s way of writing.
The editing was good, I love the cover, the only thing I would have changed about Ecko Rising is that I would have preferred it as a hardback book. I don’t know why that is, but I personally would have liked this trilogy in hardback… that’s just my opinion though.
Personally I felt empty when I finished Ecko Rising though, merely because I have to wait like everyone else to get my hands on the sequel, Ecko Burning. Alas, it gives me time to process everything, and who knows I might just read it again before the sequel gets published, just for the hell of it. So, keep your eyes open for this book and for the sequel. If you like whacky genre-bending awesome, you’re going to love Ecko Rising and I’m sure Ecko Burning will be just as good, if not better.
(Review originally posted on www.killeraphrodite.com )
September 14, 2014
Ecko is an assassin, that has had very possible upgrade, done to his body, from, enhanced skin, telescopic eyes, and razor sharp senses. He is not the biggest job of hi life when it suddenly goes wrong and he has to exit from a very hostile situation very quickly. He drops of the side of the building and into another world.
He comes to in a tavern called Wanderer, and in this world with two moons there is no technology at all. Just magical creatures and an evil force that is threatening the whole world's existence. With his enhancements, Ecko realises that he holds some of the powers to win against this evil.
This is such a difficult book to quantify, being part dystopian cyberpunk sci-fi and mostly a fantasy book. It is hinted at that the world that he has fallen into maybe a augmented reality, but it seems so real to him that he isn't sure. Not a bad read in the end, but could have easily bee 100 pages shorter and the writing could have been tighter.
He comes to in a tavern called Wanderer, and in this world with two moons there is no technology at all. Just magical creatures and an evil force that is threatening the whole world's existence. With his enhancements, Ecko realises that he holds some of the powers to win against this evil.
This is such a difficult book to quantify, being part dystopian cyberpunk sci-fi and mostly a fantasy book. It is hinted at that the world that he has fallen into maybe a augmented reality, but it seems so real to him that he isn't sure. Not a bad read in the end, but could have easily bee 100 pages shorter and the writing could have been tighter.
April 15, 2014
Excellent, well thought out plot and believable characters. Now for pt 2 !!!!!
April 24, 2019
The book does somethign interesting by blending cyberpunk and low-ish fantasy. There's strong hints of portal fantasy overarching teh whole thing but whether it's real or a computer simulation is part of the plot's mystery.
We start off in a futuristic London, a typical cyberpunk dystopia, where pharmaceutical megacorp largely replaced the governements after privatizing healthcare and using mind-bending drugs to turn population into obedient corporate drones. Enter the protagonist, a cybered-up vigilante/superhero, "Gecko without a G" (all London-like). An infiltrator, assassin, pyromaniac with a burning desire to take down Pilgrim Corp. When a job goes bad he finds himself plummeting off a rainswept rooftop... and wakes up in a fantasy land in a teleporting inn. He is greeted by the loremaster known as "the Bard" who informs him that his coming may hail dark stirrings...
And then we get the fantasy plot. The world is pretty low fantasy- there's magic, but it's pretty low-key and mostly forgotten. Plot happens all over the continent as heroes try to comprehend the growing dark influences- while Ecko's convinced the whole thing's a computer simulation designed to psycho-analyze him.
The idea of mixing genres is pretty novel, and it worked for me. Pacing is a bit uneven, and teh book can get a bit raunchy at times- nothing Richard Morgan-levels explicit and frequent, but there's lot of lust and tension between various characters, and it sometimes fits the plot, and at other times can be distracting.
Characters aren't particularly deep, but generally interesting. There isn't much action but what's there is pretty solid. The ending is a good hook that makes me want to read Book 2 to see what happens next.
This genre mashup isn't perfect, but it's interesting.
We start off in a futuristic London, a typical cyberpunk dystopia, where pharmaceutical megacorp largely replaced the governements after privatizing healthcare and using mind-bending drugs to turn population into obedient corporate drones. Enter the protagonist, a cybered-up vigilante/superhero, "Gecko without a G" (all London-like). An infiltrator, assassin, pyromaniac with a burning desire to take down Pilgrim Corp. When a job goes bad he finds himself plummeting off a rainswept rooftop... and wakes up in a fantasy land in a teleporting inn. He is greeted by the loremaster known as "the Bard" who informs him that his coming may hail dark stirrings...
And then we get the fantasy plot. The world is pretty low fantasy- there's magic, but it's pretty low-key and mostly forgotten. Plot happens all over the continent as heroes try to comprehend the growing dark influences- while Ecko's convinced the whole thing's a computer simulation designed to psycho-analyze him.
The idea of mixing genres is pretty novel, and it worked for me. Pacing is a bit uneven, and teh book can get a bit raunchy at times- nothing Richard Morgan-levels explicit and frequent, but there's lot of lust and tension between various characters, and it sometimes fits the plot, and at other times can be distracting.
Characters aren't particularly deep, but generally interesting. There isn't much action but what's there is pretty solid. The ending is a good hook that makes me want to read Book 2 to see what happens next.
This genre mashup isn't perfect, but it's interesting.
August 3, 2021
One part cyber-noir, one part dungeon-bash, one part portal fantasy, one part VR nightmare, Ecko Rising covers a lot of bases and, by the Oz-like climax this first volume does manage to defend a few of them. But Ecko is nowhere near a likeable protagonist and Danie's chosen narrative style isn't quite my thing. One to try again, perhaps, further down the line.
December 1, 2012
Ecko is an unlikely saviour: a savage, gleefully cynical rebel/assassin, he operates out of hi-tech London, making his own rules in a repressed and subdued society. When the biggest job of his life goes horribly wrong, Ecko awakes in a world he doesn’t recognise: a world without tech, weapons, cams, cables – anything that makes sense to him. Can this be his own creation, a virtual Rorschach designed just for him, or is it something much more? Ecko finds himself immersed in a world just as troubled as his own, striving to conquer his deepest fears and save it from extinction.
If Ecko can win through, he might just learn to care – or break the program and get home.
Imagine taking a character from a cyber-punk thriller and transplanting them wholesale into a fully fleshed out fantasy novel. Danie Ware’s debut novel, Ecko Rising, does just that.
Ecko is terrifically smart, more than a little inquisitive and great at what he does. So good in fact, that he is a trifle cocky about it. Does this make him a bit irritating/smug at times? Perhaps, but that’s all part of his quirky charm. Ecko’s journey is the core of this novel and it’s a voyage of discovery. He finds himself in a world totally different from anything he’s used to, where he has no idea of the rules.
Ecko is such a fun character, and such a palpable presence, that I missed him when he wasn’t in every single scene. That said there are some other fantastic characters that managed to hold my attention in his absence.
There is a warrior called Rhan who has been around for so long that he’s become rather complacent with his lot. He spends his time drinking, partaking in illegal substances and reminiscing about the good old days. Ware uses Rhan to great effect, deconstructing the hero myth and dragging him through the emotional ringer. It’s always fascinating to watch a character, particularly a flawed one, get metaphorically taken apart by the events in a plot. It is surprising how emotive his plight becomes. Initially, there was admiration of this near god-like hero, and then anger at some of his actions, followed finally by pity. Rhan has a couple of wonderful moments of self-realisation that are particularly well observed.
The other two characters that spring to mind are Triqueta and Redlock. It quickly becomes obvious that there is an existing relationship between these two. The writing very quickly establishes a sense of history between them both. This adds a welcome extra layer of depth to their characters. Redlock in particular is a joy, he spend quite a lot of time running around trying to decide what to attack first with his axes, how can you not love that?
The best thing about this novel is that, like Ecko, you very quickly start to buy into the fantasy world he finds himself in. Everything just feels so vivid and alive. In each new chapter you get hints about what is going on, but the full truth is never entirely revealed. Based on the final moments of the novel there has to a sequel (please let there be a sequel!). Ecko Rising is a fantastic genre-bending mashup that will appeal to anyone who likes intelligent thoughtful writing, with just the right amount of action. Just wait till you discover the delights of The Wanderer. Yes, I’m being a tease, but you can thank me for it later.
In retrospect, 2012 really has produced an exceptional crop of debut novels. Ecko Rising has more than earned its place as part of that select list. Judging by the writing on display I expect many more great things from Danie Ware in the future. She is undoubtedly an author to keep an eye on.
If Ecko can win through, he might just learn to care – or break the program and get home.
Imagine taking a character from a cyber-punk thriller and transplanting them wholesale into a fully fleshed out fantasy novel. Danie Ware’s debut novel, Ecko Rising, does just that.
Ecko is terrifically smart, more than a little inquisitive and great at what he does. So good in fact, that he is a trifle cocky about it. Does this make him a bit irritating/smug at times? Perhaps, but that’s all part of his quirky charm. Ecko’s journey is the core of this novel and it’s a voyage of discovery. He finds himself in a world totally different from anything he’s used to, where he has no idea of the rules.
Ecko is such a fun character, and such a palpable presence, that I missed him when he wasn’t in every single scene. That said there are some other fantastic characters that managed to hold my attention in his absence.
There is a warrior called Rhan who has been around for so long that he’s become rather complacent with his lot. He spends his time drinking, partaking in illegal substances and reminiscing about the good old days. Ware uses Rhan to great effect, deconstructing the hero myth and dragging him through the emotional ringer. It’s always fascinating to watch a character, particularly a flawed one, get metaphorically taken apart by the events in a plot. It is surprising how emotive his plight becomes. Initially, there was admiration of this near god-like hero, and then anger at some of his actions, followed finally by pity. Rhan has a couple of wonderful moments of self-realisation that are particularly well observed.
The other two characters that spring to mind are Triqueta and Redlock. It quickly becomes obvious that there is an existing relationship between these two. The writing very quickly establishes a sense of history between them both. This adds a welcome extra layer of depth to their characters. Redlock in particular is a joy, he spend quite a lot of time running around trying to decide what to attack first with his axes, how can you not love that?
The best thing about this novel is that, like Ecko, you very quickly start to buy into the fantasy world he finds himself in. Everything just feels so vivid and alive. In each new chapter you get hints about what is going on, but the full truth is never entirely revealed. Based on the final moments of the novel there has to a sequel (please let there be a sequel!). Ecko Rising is a fantastic genre-bending mashup that will appeal to anyone who likes intelligent thoughtful writing, with just the right amount of action. Just wait till you discover the delights of The Wanderer. Yes, I’m being a tease, but you can thank me for it later.
In retrospect, 2012 really has produced an exceptional crop of debut novels. Ecko Rising has more than earned its place as part of that select list. Judging by the writing on display I expect many more great things from Danie Ware in the future. She is undoubtedly an author to keep an eye on.
November 30, 2014
Dear fantasy authors/publishers:
Get stuffed.
Thanks,
A reader of books, not series, Part I
There is nothing in the naming or packaging of this book to indicate it is the first overstuffed chapter of a (3? 5? 7?) novel series. There's no preface or embarrassed author's note (I'm looking at you Connie Willis and Blackout) explaining that one book accidentally became two. And in fact, I was feeling a little fantasy burnout, but the combination of sci-fi and fantasy plus the promise of a one-volume commitment convinced me to give Ecko Rising a shot.
Dear fantasy authors/publishers:
I hate you all.
Peace out,
A reader of books, not series, Part II
It's not that I don't read series, mind. I've read The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever parts I-III (although I couldn't bring myself to read Chronicles IV to whatever, I did read the Chronicles of Narnia start to finish), everything Frank Herbert wrote about Dune, three Space Odysseys, 5/7ths of A Song of Fire and Ice, Harry Potter in its entirety, countless detective fictions from V.I. Warshawski to Martha Grimes; even -- god help me -- several volumes of Terry Brooks' Encyclopedia Shannarica, and before that Encyclopedia Brown, the Hardy Boys, my sister's Nancy Drew, Thornton W. Burgess, at least three Oz novels (my favorite was Ozma of Oz), everything I could get my hands on with the words "Tintin" or "Asterisk and Obelisk" on the cover and both The Cat in the Hat and The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, the latter of which was frankly a disappointment.
But they all had one of two things in common: Either they were clearly labelled as part of a series or they were self-contained books within a series ... or both.
Dear fantasy authors/publishers:
Your father was a hamster and your mother smelled of elderberries.
Sincerely,
A reader of books, not series, Part III
Ecko Rising breaks the rules. It's not a bad book: The protagonist, whose description brings to mind the love child of Darth Maul and the Geico gecko, is an assassin with a bad attitude and the belief he is operating within a traditional RPG, although as the story goes on, he starts to wonder if he's actually in this fantasy world, not playing a game. It ticks the RPG boxes: Swords, sorcery, beasties, beauties, grizzled fighting men, seers, maniacal laughter, eerie lightning effects, carts drawn by animals, lack of electricity and indoor plumbing. Oh yeah, and there's a quest. Ecko's metafictional responses to this world are worth the price of admission -- almost.
But there's not a damned thing to suggest the book won't have a conclusion after however many hundreds of pages until near the end, when the author starts going off on a whole metaphysical/mystic tangent instead of moving the heretofore zippy plot along, and I was suddenly struck by dread, not of Maugrim the bad guy and his minions (evil) but by the thought that this wasn't going to end at the back cover. Sure enough, I peeked at the last page (for the first time in the past 15-20 years of reading) and it ends in a cliffhanger.
Dear fantasy authors/publishers:
Go. Get. Fucked.
Love,
A reader of books, not series, Part IV
Get stuffed.
Thanks,
A reader of books, not series, Part I
There is nothing in the naming or packaging of this book to indicate it is the first overstuffed chapter of a (3? 5? 7?) novel series. There's no preface or embarrassed author's note (I'm looking at you Connie Willis and Blackout) explaining that one book accidentally became two. And in fact, I was feeling a little fantasy burnout, but the combination of sci-fi and fantasy plus the promise of a one-volume commitment convinced me to give Ecko Rising a shot.
Dear fantasy authors/publishers:
I hate you all.
Peace out,
A reader of books, not series, Part II
It's not that I don't read series, mind. I've read The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever parts I-III (although I couldn't bring myself to read Chronicles IV to whatever, I did read the Chronicles of Narnia start to finish), everything Frank Herbert wrote about Dune, three Space Odysseys, 5/7ths of A Song of Fire and Ice, Harry Potter in its entirety, countless detective fictions from V.I. Warshawski to Martha Grimes; even -- god help me -- several volumes of Terry Brooks' Encyclopedia Shannarica, and before that Encyclopedia Brown, the Hardy Boys, my sister's Nancy Drew, Thornton W. Burgess, at least three Oz novels (my favorite was Ozma of Oz), everything I could get my hands on with the words "Tintin" or "Asterisk and Obelisk" on the cover and both The Cat in the Hat and The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, the latter of which was frankly a disappointment.
But they all had one of two things in common: Either they were clearly labelled as part of a series or they were self-contained books within a series ... or both.
Dear fantasy authors/publishers:
Your father was a hamster and your mother smelled of elderberries.
Sincerely,
A reader of books, not series, Part III
Ecko Rising breaks the rules. It's not a bad book: The protagonist, whose description brings to mind the love child of Darth Maul and the Geico gecko, is an assassin with a bad attitude and the belief he is operating within a traditional RPG, although as the story goes on, he starts to wonder if he's actually in this fantasy world, not playing a game. It ticks the RPG boxes: Swords, sorcery, beasties, beauties, grizzled fighting men, seers, maniacal laughter, eerie lightning effects, carts drawn by animals, lack of electricity and indoor plumbing. Oh yeah, and there's a quest. Ecko's metafictional responses to this world are worth the price of admission -- almost.
But there's not a damned thing to suggest the book won't have a conclusion after however many hundreds of pages until near the end, when the author starts going off on a whole metaphysical/mystic tangent instead of moving the heretofore zippy plot along, and I was suddenly struck by dread, not of Maugrim the bad guy and his minions (evil) but by the thought that this wasn't going to end at the back cover. Sure enough, I peeked at the last page (for the first time in the past 15-20 years of reading) and it ends in a cliffhanger.
Dear fantasy authors/publishers:
Go. Get. Fucked.
Love,
A reader of books, not series, Part IV
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2020
3 stars sound miserly for such an imaginative book but there are typos and proofreading errors that irritated me no end and Ecko did get on my nerves somewhat. Overall though a good read but I’m not desperate to get the next in the series.
January 2, 2013
Danie Ware’s debut novel, like its eponymous star, is not quite what it appears to be…
Ecko has been taken, upgraded, turned into something both super and sub-human. Beneath a veneer of cynicism and wise-cracking, deep down, he wants to be a hero. Catapulted into a fantasy world of centaurs, golems, fallen angels and pubs that vanish at dawn and re-appear where their owners need them to be, Ecko gets his chance. But is it a game, a glitch in his programming, or real life?
The cover looks like SF, and the novel certainly starts off that way. But it’s more of a light veneer of SF over a world that is resolutely fantasy at heart. If you like your SF hard you may be disappointed, but if you’re a fan of Fantasy and SF, the mash-up works well. Danie Ware paints subtle parallels between the stagnating land of the Varchinde, fallen into a monotonous cycle of trade, and the London of the future, with its apathetic populace held in thrall to a dictator, plugged into video games and blind to the horrors of the world outside. Both worlds need shaking up, need monsters to fight and heroes to fight them. Even heroes in unexpected guises…
Ware’s origins as a gamer and fan are obvious; her enthusiasm for all things nerdy is apparent throughout the book (There was a particular nod to Lord of the Rings that had me grinning), but this is no colour-by-numbers D&D ripoff – even if a Bard, a warrior and a werewolf are having a drink in the bar when Ecko literally drops in. It’s bigger than that, and smarter.
Ecko Rising isn’t flawless. Some of the prose needs polishing, and Ecko can be by turns brilliant and irritating. The narrative jumps between viewpoints rather quickly, particularly near the end, when I really wanted to be looking through Ecko’s eyes. But it is a strong, competent debut, and the ending leaves no doubt that it’s the beginning of a longer series that will see more paths cross between stifling London and the Varchinde grasslands. What this means for both worlds is left for the reader to speculate…
Ecko has been taken, upgraded, turned into something both super and sub-human. Beneath a veneer of cynicism and wise-cracking, deep down, he wants to be a hero. Catapulted into a fantasy world of centaurs, golems, fallen angels and pubs that vanish at dawn and re-appear where their owners need them to be, Ecko gets his chance. But is it a game, a glitch in his programming, or real life?
The cover looks like SF, and the novel certainly starts off that way. But it’s more of a light veneer of SF over a world that is resolutely fantasy at heart. If you like your SF hard you may be disappointed, but if you’re a fan of Fantasy and SF, the mash-up works well. Danie Ware paints subtle parallels between the stagnating land of the Varchinde, fallen into a monotonous cycle of trade, and the London of the future, with its apathetic populace held in thrall to a dictator, plugged into video games and blind to the horrors of the world outside. Both worlds need shaking up, need monsters to fight and heroes to fight them. Even heroes in unexpected guises…
Ware’s origins as a gamer and fan are obvious; her enthusiasm for all things nerdy is apparent throughout the book (There was a particular nod to Lord of the Rings that had me grinning), but this is no colour-by-numbers D&D ripoff – even if a Bard, a warrior and a werewolf are having a drink in the bar when Ecko literally drops in. It’s bigger than that, and smarter.
Ecko Rising isn’t flawless. Some of the prose needs polishing, and Ecko can be by turns brilliant and irritating. The narrative jumps between viewpoints rather quickly, particularly near the end, when I really wanted to be looking through Ecko’s eyes. But it is a strong, competent debut, and the ending leaves no doubt that it’s the beginning of a longer series that will see more paths cross between stifling London and the Varchinde grasslands. What this means for both worlds is left for the reader to speculate…
August 10, 2016
Meet “The Ecko”: Pyromaniac, megalomaniac, assassin, and just a little bit loco.
When Ecko recklessly endangers his mission, he finds himself catapulted from futuristic London into an alternative ‘fantasy’ universe. No longer able to separate reality from fiction, Ecko struggles to understand his purpose, and to remain uncaring in the face of tribulation.
This is Thomas Covenant gone high-tech; Ecko is a cybernetic experiment to the extreme, equipped with flame breathers, heat sensors, turbo-boost, and chameleon skin which blends into any environment. He is reckless, ruthless, savage – and he likes to say f**k a lot.
Ware’s writing is smart and razor sharp. Her sci-fi opening is fast-paced, punchy and oh so enjoyable, instantly immersing you in the matrix-style world. It is easy to see why some people would be disappointed when she switches to the fantasy genre. But Ware writes fantasy like a pro too. Her world is well-developed and teeming with terrifying beasties, and kick-ass warriors up to the task of taking them on.
Ware is able to take a tongue-in-cheek approach to the fantasy genre as only someone who has been immersed in the genre a long time could do. Ware tips her hat to trope and classic alike; D&D, Choose your Own Adventure, Alice in Wonderland, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court – all get a mention in Ecko’s furious inner dialogue. Even her decision to have Ecko wake in a tavern satirises the usual D&D cliché.
Ware’s fantasy world is large. She writes with an omniscient POV and includes a host of interesting, original characters, each as compelling as the next. This is a big read, but there’s plenty to keep the pages turning. There’s a lot of fighting, but Ware blends in a healthy dose of prophecy and political intrigue for good measure. With fast and furious action and more than a smattering of sex, violence, gore and swearing this is the kind of novel where you hang onto your seat, and enjoy the ride. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
From www.highfantasyaddict.wordpress.com
When Ecko recklessly endangers his mission, he finds himself catapulted from futuristic London into an alternative ‘fantasy’ universe. No longer able to separate reality from fiction, Ecko struggles to understand his purpose, and to remain uncaring in the face of tribulation.
This is Thomas Covenant gone high-tech; Ecko is a cybernetic experiment to the extreme, equipped with flame breathers, heat sensors, turbo-boost, and chameleon skin which blends into any environment. He is reckless, ruthless, savage – and he likes to say f**k a lot.
Ware’s writing is smart and razor sharp. Her sci-fi opening is fast-paced, punchy and oh so enjoyable, instantly immersing you in the matrix-style world. It is easy to see why some people would be disappointed when she switches to the fantasy genre. But Ware writes fantasy like a pro too. Her world is well-developed and teeming with terrifying beasties, and kick-ass warriors up to the task of taking them on.
Ware is able to take a tongue-in-cheek approach to the fantasy genre as only someone who has been immersed in the genre a long time could do. Ware tips her hat to trope and classic alike; D&D, Choose your Own Adventure, Alice in Wonderland, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court – all get a mention in Ecko’s furious inner dialogue. Even her decision to have Ecko wake in a tavern satirises the usual D&D cliché.
Ware’s fantasy world is large. She writes with an omniscient POV and includes a host of interesting, original characters, each as compelling as the next. This is a big read, but there’s plenty to keep the pages turning. There’s a lot of fighting, but Ware blends in a healthy dose of prophecy and political intrigue for good measure. With fast and furious action and more than a smattering of sex, violence, gore and swearing this is the kind of novel where you hang onto your seat, and enjoy the ride. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
From www.highfantasyaddict.wordpress.com
June 19, 2013
I love books that push genre boundaries, especially those that try to skirt the edges of both science-fiction and fantasy. I’ve only run across a handful of titles that attempt such a daring feat, but they are usually entertaining to say the least. ECKO RISING, the debut novel from Danie Ware, is by far one of the best sci-fi/fantasy hybrids that I’ve ever read.
I always find it fascinating to see an author’s take on world-blending; now granted, it’s not a concept that is seen very often, but the results are almost always entertaining. Combining science-fiction and fantasy and making it believable is not an easy task, and it is one that I would imagine many genre authors would find too daunting to undertake. But Ware seems to pull it off with ease.
ECKO RISING is written very well and flows like a roaring river. Ware has a subtle writing style that lulls the reader into a false sense of security but then whips them straight into the story without warning. This allows for complete immersion into Ecko’s world(s) and therefore an enjoyable reading experience.
The characters in the book are both likable (in some cases) and believable, while the world-building is detailed and authentic. I found myself wondering who or what Ware’s influences were when constructing some elaborate landscapes; they are unique, but also comfortably familiar. This is a nice aspect, as it does not require the reader to ‘learn’ a new atlas of lands.
ECKO RISING is a definite win for me and I highly recommend giving it a look. It is the first book in a trilogy, so you will want to watch for the next two for sure. ECKO RISING is available now in a variety of formats.
I always find it fascinating to see an author’s take on world-blending; now granted, it’s not a concept that is seen very often, but the results are almost always entertaining. Combining science-fiction and fantasy and making it believable is not an easy task, and it is one that I would imagine many genre authors would find too daunting to undertake. But Ware seems to pull it off with ease.
ECKO RISING is written very well and flows like a roaring river. Ware has a subtle writing style that lulls the reader into a false sense of security but then whips them straight into the story without warning. This allows for complete immersion into Ecko’s world(s) and therefore an enjoyable reading experience.
The characters in the book are both likable (in some cases) and believable, while the world-building is detailed and authentic. I found myself wondering who or what Ware’s influences were when constructing some elaborate landscapes; they are unique, but also comfortably familiar. This is a nice aspect, as it does not require the reader to ‘learn’ a new atlas of lands.
ECKO RISING is a definite win for me and I highly recommend giving it a look. It is the first book in a trilogy, so you will want to watch for the next two for sure. ECKO RISING is available now in a variety of formats.
October 9, 2013
Ecko Rising by Danie Ware is described on its cover as “genre-defying,” and it certainly is that. Published just last week on June 11, this debut novel was sent to me by Titan Books. Part sci-fi, part high fantasy, this is the first chapter in the story of two worlds — one high-tech, one steeped in magic — that are inextricably linked.
Ecko is the classic comic book anti-hero, swooping in from the shadows of dystopian London to work against the pharmaceutical companies holding society hostage. His powers of stealth and strength come from technological upgrades, and he thrives in his world of connectivity and convenience. He is thus immediately out of place when a mission goes awry and he wakes up in the Wanderer, a tavern that travels with each dawn, and realizes he’s in a whole new world complete with double moons and a mythology slowly awakening from slumber.
Ecko assumes, for much of the book, that this world and his adventures there are the fabrication of a virtual reality computer programmer named Eliza, and this gives him a unique way of looking at his predicaments. Assuming, as we do, that there is a Big Bad somewhere he needs to quest for and kill, and that there is some sort of personal growth arc to fulfill, Ecko’s — and our — expectations of just how a fantasy story should go are quickly subverted by the author. As Ecko begins to doubt his conviction that it was all fake, so I doubted my own that it was real—though the clever cliffhanger in the epilogue may have answered that question once and for all.
Complete Review: http://www.paperdroids.com/2013/06/22...
Ecko is the classic comic book anti-hero, swooping in from the shadows of dystopian London to work against the pharmaceutical companies holding society hostage. His powers of stealth and strength come from technological upgrades, and he thrives in his world of connectivity and convenience. He is thus immediately out of place when a mission goes awry and he wakes up in the Wanderer, a tavern that travels with each dawn, and realizes he’s in a whole new world complete with double moons and a mythology slowly awakening from slumber.
Ecko assumes, for much of the book, that this world and his adventures there are the fabrication of a virtual reality computer programmer named Eliza, and this gives him a unique way of looking at his predicaments. Assuming, as we do, that there is a Big Bad somewhere he needs to quest for and kill, and that there is some sort of personal growth arc to fulfill, Ecko’s — and our — expectations of just how a fantasy story should go are quickly subverted by the author. As Ecko begins to doubt his conviction that it was all fake, so I doubted my own that it was real—though the clever cliffhanger in the epilogue may have answered that question once and for all.
Complete Review: http://www.paperdroids.com/2013/06/22...
August 20, 2013
In a plausibly dystopian future, England is living a "Brave New World" scenario with a drug company controlling almost everyone after having bought the NHS and requiring people to take their products to be more obedient and pliant. A few people resist, trying to attack the company founder, but fail. The recon man is the eponymous Ecko; a man seemingly gene altered to be the perfect assassin, but not perfect in any way. He fails, but instead of dying ends up in another world in a tavern that magically transports itself each day to another part of a continental realm. The bulk of the story takes place in this medieval-feeling "Oz", with the faded remnants of a greater civilization eeking out a troubled existence. Ecko meets the residents of the travelling tavern and gets caught up in the intrigue and mysteries around him even though he essentially doubts it is real and continually tests to see if he is in a virtual world, being manipulated by his boss or his enemies back in London. An ancient evil is striving to return, and other earth-born and local agents are setting the way. Old guardians fall, Ecko and his companions slowly begin to understand. There's a fun teaser at the end, so there's a good chance the sequel will live up to the first round. This is a good one, and deserves a trial. I can't say that Danie Ware is up to Patrick Rothfuss yet, or Daniel Abraham's level, but this is an intriguing set-up and a fun mish-mash of "axe and sorcery" and high-tech, near-future worlds colliding.
November 28, 2013
A bit of a strange read for me, mostly because my reading time is time stolen from sleep and I was just knackered. So it took me ages and I didn't do myself any favours as I read it, but once I finally got to the end I properly appreciated it. It's a curious blend of SF and F, once that didn't completely work for me, and I never felt you properly got to know the elusive Ecko but as a fantasy book - where most of it takes place - it worked, was interesting and internally consistent and kept my interest - so everything on top of that to differentiate it from regular fantasy novels is a bonus.
Having given myself a few days to think about it, I'm still happy with the book, which isn't always the case, but the lingering memories are good ones. It's an impressive, highly accomplished blend of SF and fantasy that doesn't read like a debut - and even though I felt I didn't completely 'get' some bits, it didn't feel like that was the fault of the book and I'll be keen to see where the series goes from here.
Having given myself a few days to think about it, I'm still happy with the book, which isn't always the case, but the lingering memories are good ones. It's an impressive, highly accomplished blend of SF and fantasy that doesn't read like a debut - and even though I felt I didn't completely 'get' some bits, it didn't feel like that was the fault of the book and I'll be keen to see where the series goes from here.
April 15, 2013
A stunning debut novel indeed. This story doesn't read or feel like a debut. It is polished and whole with no clunks. A seamless blending of genres with many mysteries for the reader to unravel.
The characters and settings are all well written and fleshed out. Ecko Rising is the kind of story that doesn't want to stop.
Much in line with George R R Martin's A song of Ice and Fire there is already an epic feel to the world created by Danie Ware.
On her debut she has managed to create a very visual, visceral and emotive ride for the reader.
I wish to give nothing away of the story in this review save to say that while reading this if you find yourself in an awkward or unusual situation. Take a step back and think 'What Would Ecko Do?' probably something inappropriate and unexpected.
The characters and settings are all well written and fleshed out. Ecko Rising is the kind of story that doesn't want to stop.
Much in line with George R R Martin's A song of Ice and Fire there is already an epic feel to the world created by Danie Ware.
On her debut she has managed to create a very visual, visceral and emotive ride for the reader.
I wish to give nothing away of the story in this review save to say that while reading this if you find yourself in an awkward or unusual situation. Take a step back and think 'What Would Ecko Do?' probably something inappropriate and unexpected.
April 26, 2013
This is probably a 1.5 star book. Some of the writing is very good. Some of the writing is very bad. Much of the world-building is very good, some of it is completely atrocious. The pacing starts out at 150%, quickly drops to 55%, and for the last portion of the book goes at about 20%. Much is hinted at to tease the reader in the beginning, and then completely left hanging. Cliches abound and despite frequent attempts to lampshade them and make that the joke, it's still basically using a cliche.
It seems clear the book was intended to be part one of a series, but there is little to no meaningful conclusion in the book itself...making it basically unfinished at the end.
On top of all of this, the main character is the kind of person who is so self-absorbed and full of shit that he rolls all the way back around to being a dumbass.
It seems clear the book was intended to be part one of a series, but there is little to no meaningful conclusion in the book itself...making it basically unfinished at the end.
On top of all of this, the main character is the kind of person who is so self-absorbed and full of shit that he rolls all the way back around to being a dumbass.
June 28, 2014
This book reminded me of the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever. In the same way as Thomas, the protagonist 'Ecko (the G is silent), does not really believe he has been transported to an alternate world. Throughout the story, he is never sure is what is happening is real or just a computer simulation that he is living in. But he starts liking and respecting people and then he finds links to our world that don't fit a simulation. All the elements of the standard quest are here, but with the addition of all of the enhancements that the modern science of twenty years from now have given Ecko.
This makes for a nice twist on the standard swords and wizardry tale and I found it to be engaging and an engrossing story with well-developed characters. I'm looking forward to the sequel. I hope it is not too far away.
This makes for a nice twist on the standard swords and wizardry tale and I found it to be engaging and an engrossing story with well-developed characters. I'm looking forward to the sequel. I hope it is not too far away.
November 23, 2012
This received considerable critical acclaim from the sci-fi world but given it's mixture of genres I approached it with some doubt but actually for me it worked and the contrast between the sci-fi and fantasy is nicely kept throughout. It is an incredibly well polished book with a well developed style for a first novel and once you get to know the characters you come to care about them and their world. Plenty is left to be revealed in the future parts of the story and i for one will look forward to them.
January 27, 2015
This really was genre bending. It starts out all cyberpunk but quickly settles into fantasy. My main problem was that the whole premise of the world is that it's all in the protagonist's head. So then why does the viewpoint shift to other characters that only exist in this fantasy world? It was a pretty gripping story, mostly because I wanted these questions settled, and the author's writing style is good. It's basically worth it just for Ecko (the G is silent) and his inner monologue.
September 24, 2013
Absolutely loved this book. Left me wondering about the nature of the main character's reality until the very last page. Can't wait to read the next book. So much happened in this story and just enough was left unsaid to maintain understanding and leave plenty of room to expand it. Almost passed this book up at the library. So glad someone from my book club recommended it.
July 6, 2014
Brilliant!
This is a turbo ride of a Cyber punk jacked in tapestry of wonders! Full petal to the metal action and just for kicks add some nitro to keep you hanging on by your nails!The sheer adrenaline pushes the horizon of a brilliant realized fantasy world. Find you favorite chair - pour a tasty brew - crack the cover and read your eyes out!
This is a turbo ride of a Cyber punk jacked in tapestry of wonders! Full petal to the metal action and just for kicks add some nitro to keep you hanging on by your nails!The sheer adrenaline pushes the horizon of a brilliant realized fantasy world. Find you favorite chair - pour a tasty brew - crack the cover and read your eyes out!
November 2, 2013
A start that is a tad confusing but as the tale is woven realisation sets in and the beauty of this book is revealed. A helter skelter ride from high tech through low tech. A riveting story line that has the reader on the edge of his/her seat. Can't wait to read the next installment.
December 8, 2013
amazing, wild, epic, but admittedly not for anyone who likes their stories tame
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