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The Godless World #1
Winterbirth
The greatest tales are written in blood...
An uneasy truce exists between the thanes of the True Bloods.
Now; as another winter approaches, the armies of the Black Road march south from their exile beyond the Vale of Stones. For some, war will bring a swift and violent death. Others will not hear the clash of swords or see the corpses strewn over the fields. They instead will see an opportunity to advance their own ambitions. But soon, all will fall under the shadow that is descending.
For, while the storm of battle rages, one man is following a path that will awaken a terrible power in him - and his legacy will be written in blood.
An uneasy truce exists between the thanes of the True Bloods.
Now; as another winter approaches, the armies of the Black Road march south from their exile beyond the Vale of Stones. For some, war will bring a swift and violent death. Others will not hear the clash of swords or see the corpses strewn over the fields. They instead will see an opportunity to advance their own ambitions. But soon, all will fall under the shadow that is descending.
For, while the storm of battle rages, one man is following a path that will awaken a terrible power in him - and his legacy will be written in blood.
541 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
120 people are currently reading
3104 people want to read
About the author
Brian Ruckley
112 books169 followersI was born and brought up in Edinburgh. After studying at Edinburgh and Stirling Universities, and after a good deal of displacement activity (varying from spending three months in the rainforests of Borneo trying to record the dawn chorus of gibbons to briefly working in a tea warehouse / factory), I moved to England to enter the world of full-time employment.
As much by luck as judgement, I had a series of on the whole enjoyable and interesting jobs, mostly based in London. All of them save one have been in the charity sector, and at various times they have involved extensive overseas travel, environmental and community projects, nature conservation and fundraising.
Writing was a big feature of my childhood, and has ebbed and flowed as a spare-time occupation ever since. I sold a couple of short stories in the 1990s, but didn’t really start thinking seriously about writing novels until the 21st Century had got underway.
At the start of 2003, I turned myself into a freelance consultant on environmental projects, partly in order to devote more time to writing; since then, the writing side of things has taken over almost completely.
I am now back in Edinburgh, where I live with my lovely wife, and miss the excitement of London only a little, and only occasionally.
As much by luck as judgement, I had a series of on the whole enjoyable and interesting jobs, mostly based in London. All of them save one have been in the charity sector, and at various times they have involved extensive overseas travel, environmental and community projects, nature conservation and fundraising.
Writing was a big feature of my childhood, and has ebbed and flowed as a spare-time occupation ever since. I sold a couple of short stories in the 1990s, but didn’t really start thinking seriously about writing novels until the 21st Century had got underway.
At the start of 2003, I turned myself into a freelance consultant on environmental projects, partly in order to devote more time to writing; since then, the writing side of things has taken over almost completely.
I am now back in Edinburgh, where I live with my lovely wife, and miss the excitement of London only a little, and only occasionally.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
September 21, 2017
I really liked this first book in the series.
Very interesting to say the least.
Before writing a full review, I am going to read book 2 first.
Just in case the series takes a turn for the worst.
However, if Bloodheir is anything like Winterbirth, I shan't be disappointed.
Very interesting to say the least.
Before writing a full review, I am going to read book 2 first.
Just in case the series takes a turn for the worst.
However, if Bloodheir is anything like Winterbirth, I shan't be disappointed.
April 27, 2008
THANES! BURLY MEN! Magic wielding tribes who live off the land!
Well, I did read this book all the way through, but it was a hard road. There were some interesting characters, but the world building was very confusing, I kept flipping back and forth between the map and the dialogue. None of the characters really caught me to where I was really invested in their journey, and at the end I was STILL confused about what exactly was going on. I LOVE big fantasy series, but this was a bit harder for me to delve in. I'm not sure if I'll read the sequel or not. Recommended to guys who like Erikson and that sort of fantasy epic.
Well, I did read this book all the way through, but it was a hard road. There were some interesting characters, but the world building was very confusing, I kept flipping back and forth between the map and the dialogue. None of the characters really caught me to where I was really invested in their journey, and at the end I was STILL confused about what exactly was going on. I LOVE big fantasy series, but this was a bit harder for me to delve in. I'm not sure if I'll read the sequel or not. Recommended to guys who like Erikson and that sort of fantasy epic.
August 23, 2009
Another shot at fantasy, another 600 pages of sighing. This actually started off quite well, sort of 80% adult-serious, like a George RR Martin joint and 20% Terry Brooks, with the elves and shit. Some decent, realistic battles, some politics, some tribal, Cornwellian faux-history. Liked the first hundred pages enough that I ran out and bought the second book in the series.
And for the next 500 pages, nothing happens. There's whining by the main character. The slowest chase in the history of chases. Your typical cryptic, hard-to-figure behavior by some elves. Saucy female warrior-royalty plotting saucy female warrior-royalty things. But no character development and certainly no plot. I've had oatmeal poops that were more exciting.
Also, it seems that Ruckley has, er, lifted quite a bit from Martin. Not exactly blatant, but there's enough similarity in some instances (example: The 'evil' brother-sister kinda love thing.) that you certainly wonder. I guess if you have to borrow from a cat, you might as well borrow from the best. I wish Ruckley had borrowed a character I could give a fuck about.
And for the next 500 pages, nothing happens. There's whining by the main character. The slowest chase in the history of chases. Your typical cryptic, hard-to-figure behavior by some elves. Saucy female warrior-royalty plotting saucy female warrior-royalty things. But no character development and certainly no plot. I've had oatmeal poops that were more exciting.
Also, it seems that Ruckley has, er, lifted quite a bit from Martin. Not exactly blatant, but there's enough similarity in some instances (example: The 'evil' brother-sister kinda love thing.) that you certainly wonder. I guess if you have to borrow from a cat, you might as well borrow from the best. I wish Ruckley had borrowed a character I could give a fuck about.
May 10, 2009
This turned out to be the second to last book I read while recently stationed in Afghanistan. It was a very detailed world with well developed characters and a variety of new races, religions, societies, and politics. I enjoyed it immensely and while is was a long book I read through it very fast. Perhaps this is not on the level of George R. Martin's books or classic Tolkien but it was none-the-less a wonderful fantasy read. It had a great amount of violence for those who like there fantasy bloody. And, while it had magic, it was a very subtle kind that I find appealing as opposed to in your face magic users in more generic fantasy fare. All in all a great read for those that like their fantasy with a good helping of violence, politics, and rich characters.
January 16, 2011
Re-posting my review as it appears on my Book Review column: "Reading Realms" on The Outhouse Website: http://www.theouthousers.com/index.ph...
I've been holding this book in my hands in the bookstore over and over again through the last few months. It kept catching my interest with the blurb, but I hadn't really heard much about it. Well, when the whole trilogy was out in paperback I finally went ahead and picked them up (so the other two book reviews should be coming as well).
Well, I am very glad I bought this series. You can wait until the trilogy of reviews is complete to see how it all comes together for me, but at this point- after book one- I feel like I've discovered another George Martin for myself.
I realize this is a big comparison, but I really felt the same as when I first read 'A Game of Thrones'. The world did seem like it was a bit more focuses than Martin's, so there are a few less players on the board than in the other, which would probably be better since this is a trilogy and not a never-ending series.
I make the comparison because of a few big things that I love though: Interesting characters that seem real... there are no clear lines between good and bad, even though you could categorize them for the most part if you wanted, the line is hazy there. A hard world... with winter rolling in and being up north it definitely doesn't hurt the comparison, but life in the world seems very rough as well. Not to mention the 'godless world' aspect, here the gods have actually abandoned the world to it's inhabitants to fend for themselves. Politics... like I said before, even though the board seems smaller because of less pieces you still get plenty of political games between the various kings (or thanes as they are called). And last the pacing... it didn't feel like a book set up to follow an arc. It felt like you got inserted into the world at a decent starting point and then things just kinda move along like they would in life.
The story focuses mainly on "The Black Road", which are the exiled "True Bloods" living in the northern wastes; as they move south to attack and try to take back lands they were driven from long ago. From this you get to see how the races of the world: Huanin (humans), Krynan (a race that come across as almost native american in style, but with a more foreign appearance) and na'krym (half-breeds of the two races) interact with each other. You also get introduced to what are the main characters for this book as the Black Road attacks cities and forces characters to rise to the top or die and as the Thane of Thanes in the south works politics to decide how to deal with the attack. From my review the story might sound a bit politics heavy even, but I felt like the characters and war was the main storyline and the politics just a backdrop to what was happening in the world.
For those that like Magic-light stories, you will be pleased with how it is handled in this world. Only the na'krym half-breeds have any abilities with "magic" and due to their past actions they are outcast and rare because they are seen as dangerous meddlers. They refer to magic here as 'The Shared' and it almost has a connected quality to it where you can sense what is happening throughout 'the shared' because it is such a small community of practitioners. Magic here is more like special abilities that vary from na'krym to na'krym. One of the main characters in the story that uses magic simply has the ability to get a good 'read' on people and tell if they are hiding things, lying, etc. Another can use his voice to influence people and get them to do things he suggests. So magic has a very rare and mysterious quality to it that fit perfectly into this world.
About the only complaint I could have about this are all the names flying around. Other than the main characters I got a bit confuses when some of the secondary ones popped up, especially 'true bloods' with their similar formal name structures. But usually once they started interacting with others or their cities I put it together as the chapter moved on. There are also various names for the same thing, like the "Black Road" refers to the exiles northern True Bloods- which also have formal names like the nobles down south, which also have a group within them referred to as children of the Hundred (which the preface sets up where this comes from) and also they are called Inkallim. So it took me about half the book to get the hang of some of this and I would still get thrown a bit by the formal names of Thanes from time to time. But the book does have a section at the front that lists all the characters and who/what they are. Plus I am not the best at names in the real world, so that probably doesn't help me with something like this.
One thing that stood out to me as a big positive was the author's way of explaining everything. From battle scenes to just the laying out the opening of a chapter and it's scenery I felt like everything was explained perfectly to allow me to build a mental picture in my head and not have to pause on wasted description of too much detail or to figure it out because of not enough detail. This could have been something personal about how I picture scenes as I read, but I don't think I've ever read an author that matched up so perfectly to my mind in this area.
Bottom Line:
Some might find this type of fantasy story a bit slow, but I found every aspect interesting from huge battles to history to politics to mundane. I don't understand how this book isn't as hugely popular as a series like Martin's myself. I think any fan of his work, or Jordan, Rothfuss or Sanderson would love this story. I'd highly recommend any fan of those authors to at least check this book out and see if it fits for you. The whole trilogy is available now in paperback.
I've been holding this book in my hands in the bookstore over and over again through the last few months. It kept catching my interest with the blurb, but I hadn't really heard much about it. Well, when the whole trilogy was out in paperback I finally went ahead and picked them up (so the other two book reviews should be coming as well).
Well, I am very glad I bought this series. You can wait until the trilogy of reviews is complete to see how it all comes together for me, but at this point- after book one- I feel like I've discovered another George Martin for myself.
I realize this is a big comparison, but I really felt the same as when I first read 'A Game of Thrones'. The world did seem like it was a bit more focuses than Martin's, so there are a few less players on the board than in the other, which would probably be better since this is a trilogy and not a never-ending series.
I make the comparison because of a few big things that I love though: Interesting characters that seem real... there are no clear lines between good and bad, even though you could categorize them for the most part if you wanted, the line is hazy there. A hard world... with winter rolling in and being up north it definitely doesn't hurt the comparison, but life in the world seems very rough as well. Not to mention the 'godless world' aspect, here the gods have actually abandoned the world to it's inhabitants to fend for themselves. Politics... like I said before, even though the board seems smaller because of less pieces you still get plenty of political games between the various kings (or thanes as they are called). And last the pacing... it didn't feel like a book set up to follow an arc. It felt like you got inserted into the world at a decent starting point and then things just kinda move along like they would in life.
The story focuses mainly on "The Black Road", which are the exiled "True Bloods" living in the northern wastes; as they move south to attack and try to take back lands they were driven from long ago. From this you get to see how the races of the world: Huanin (humans), Krynan (a race that come across as almost native american in style, but with a more foreign appearance) and na'krym (half-breeds of the two races) interact with each other. You also get introduced to what are the main characters for this book as the Black Road attacks cities and forces characters to rise to the top or die and as the Thane of Thanes in the south works politics to decide how to deal with the attack. From my review the story might sound a bit politics heavy even, but I felt like the characters and war was the main storyline and the politics just a backdrop to what was happening in the world.
For those that like Magic-light stories, you will be pleased with how it is handled in this world. Only the na'krym half-breeds have any abilities with "magic" and due to their past actions they are outcast and rare because they are seen as dangerous meddlers. They refer to magic here as 'The Shared' and it almost has a connected quality to it where you can sense what is happening throughout 'the shared' because it is such a small community of practitioners. Magic here is more like special abilities that vary from na'krym to na'krym. One of the main characters in the story that uses magic simply has the ability to get a good 'read' on people and tell if they are hiding things, lying, etc. Another can use his voice to influence people and get them to do things he suggests. So magic has a very rare and mysterious quality to it that fit perfectly into this world.
About the only complaint I could have about this are all the names flying around. Other than the main characters I got a bit confuses when some of the secondary ones popped up, especially 'true bloods' with their similar formal name structures. But usually once they started interacting with others or their cities I put it together as the chapter moved on. There are also various names for the same thing, like the "Black Road" refers to the exiles northern True Bloods- which also have formal names like the nobles down south, which also have a group within them referred to as children of the Hundred (which the preface sets up where this comes from) and also they are called Inkallim. So it took me about half the book to get the hang of some of this and I would still get thrown a bit by the formal names of Thanes from time to time. But the book does have a section at the front that lists all the characters and who/what they are. Plus I am not the best at names in the real world, so that probably doesn't help me with something like this.
One thing that stood out to me as a big positive was the author's way of explaining everything. From battle scenes to just the laying out the opening of a chapter and it's scenery I felt like everything was explained perfectly to allow me to build a mental picture in my head and not have to pause on wasted description of too much detail or to figure it out because of not enough detail. This could have been something personal about how I picture scenes as I read, but I don't think I've ever read an author that matched up so perfectly to my mind in this area.
Bottom Line:
Some might find this type of fantasy story a bit slow, but I found every aspect interesting from huge battles to history to politics to mundane. I don't understand how this book isn't as hugely popular as a series like Martin's myself. I think any fan of his work, or Jordan, Rothfuss or Sanderson would love this story. I'd highly recommend any fan of those authors to at least check this book out and see if it fits for you. The whole trilogy is available now in paperback.
March 30, 2012
I glanced at some of the reviews other members made on this site after I was well into the book and found that many of them gave low ratings; I was surprises. Personally, I think this book is splendid - one epic fantasy I'm beyond ecstatic to have picked up.
The story is very detailed; Brian Ruckley made sure to make everything and anything clear and easily understood when he built the Godless World in which his intricate characters exist. And the characters are very real. You can tell each apart from their dialect, their mannerisms, and all are connected in very delicately woven threads. The synopsis of the book doesn't do it justice and as you read the book, you make strong connection to different characters. I cried once or twice. I just warn though: the beginning of the book is a little slow and can be dissuading - the book really picks up about 100 pages in but before then it's a lot of background information vital for the reader to be able to completely understand the complex world the book takes place in.
I'm already onto the second book in the series, Bloodheir. I doubt I'll be disappointed in this book either if it's as good as the first.
The story is very detailed; Brian Ruckley made sure to make everything and anything clear and easily understood when he built the Godless World in which his intricate characters exist. And the characters are very real. You can tell each apart from their dialect, their mannerisms, and all are connected in very delicately woven threads. The synopsis of the book doesn't do it justice and as you read the book, you make strong connection to different characters. I cried once or twice. I just warn though: the beginning of the book is a little slow and can be dissuading - the book really picks up about 100 pages in but before then it's a lot of background information vital for the reader to be able to completely understand the complex world the book takes place in.
I'm already onto the second book in the series, Bloodheir. I doubt I'll be disappointed in this book either if it's as good as the first.
December 1, 2014
A story I wanted to love just from the cover alone but it is very hard to follow and the lack of fully realised characters makes it tough to get absorbed. I think there are others who would like this more than I did. It jumps from place to place and the names are so damn confusing half the time I didn't know who I was reading about and by the time the rest of the story added context we were moving on.
February 12, 2009
This book was a severe disappointment to me. I went in with eager anticipation from the blurb and reading some online reviews. What I got was cliche after cliche as characters and situations were complete rehashes of other books with little in the way of originality. I did like the presentation of one minor character, Taim, and was frustrated to find that it was one of the authors favorite characters (according to a short interview in the back of the book). That being the case, it would have been nice to read about him rather than the protagonist with whom I was so bored I was actively rooting for the villains of the book to kill so that I would not have to endure his presence any further.
July 16, 2025
I give Winterbirth a tepid 3 stars (more like a 2.6-2.8). It's not that there's anything "wrong" with Ruckley's writing but there's nothing that I can find that's extraordinary about it. I'm going to continue with the series because I do like Ruckley's style and the characters and his world are interesting enough to keep me engaged though I doubt I'll remember the series all that well a few years down the road (though that may be due to advancing dotage :-).
It's an enjoyable way to pass the time with a good, competent author if you're a fan of Cook, Erikson or Abercrombie.
It's an enjoyable way to pass the time with a good, competent author if you're a fan of Cook, Erikson or Abercrombie.
March 21, 2016
I am a big fan of this series mostly because of the villain. Don't get me wrong, I am in no way bashing anything else... I found the characterization spot on, but the villain... Oh my. Aeglyss is to this day my favorite villain I've ever read about. His transformation to the cruel person he becomes is absolutely heart wrenching at times. I wanted so badly for someone to come along and be kind to him and was genuinely rooting for him to succeed at times. I still wanted the good guys to win in the end of course, but there's just something about a villain who was mistreated from birth and continues to be neglected because of circumstances beyond his control. My heart still ached for him even when i knew he was too far gone. If you don't read for any other reason, read for his character. You won't be disappointed.
January 6, 2010
I really enjoyed Winterbirth. At first, I had a hard time keeping up with all the Haigs, Thanes, Bloods, and Bloodheirs but once I got a good feel for the world and how everything was run, the story engrossed me.
While I don't know if this series will stand out from many of the other fantasy series out there, one of the key qualities I enjoyed is that you really don't know who is going to live and who is going to die. The story is told from many differnt point of views from many all of the different factions.
I'll definitely be continuing with book 2 of the Godless World to see what becomes of the characters.
While I don't know if this series will stand out from many of the other fantasy series out there, one of the key qualities I enjoyed is that you really don't know who is going to live and who is going to die. The story is told from many differnt point of views from many all of the different factions.
I'll definitely be continuing with book 2 of the Godless World to see what becomes of the characters.
January 25, 2008
More of the same. There are no gods and people now it: great, so what? Same old political factions grinding against each other and the war is breaking. Again, so what? More teenage leads, more older, thougher guardians, more secret knowleadge that can save the world. And what is it about the elves? You give it a new name but it's still the same b**! If you enjoy this same old recipe, then great and good read. But I don't understand all the good reviews everywhere I look, when there are books like Abercrombie's and Lynch's coming out at the same time.
September 10, 2014
Something about this book made me want to go to sleep whenever I started to read it. It might have been the names because I certainly hated most of them. I hate needing a pronunciation guide to get the characters and locations names right.
March 13, 2012
This novel caught my attention almost immediately with its eye-catching cover, that with the smoke and fog creates an almost dreamlike effect as well as the figure looking quite brutal and grusome. I apsolutely loved the inscription upon the front cover that says "...it is a world of ice, it is a world of blood, it is a godless world" and also the title which looks as though it could have been written in blood; fantastic! It is not often that i also judge a book on its cover nor am i so taken with one, but you cannot deny that whomever designed the book's binding put a lot of thought and effort into it. This novel took me ages to get into and i found myself during the first few chapters putting the book down and being reluctant to pick it up again, partly i think due to the fact that it is a read which requires a lot of brain power and thinking and one which can make you quite mentally exhausted to begin with. The storyline is so origional and completely unusual and distinctive compared to anything else that i have ever read before, hence it took me so long to fully understand it; the settings, the characters and geneology and basically this entire world which Ruckley had formed. I am a little bit ashamed to say that it wasn't until i had reached chapter 2 'Kyrinin' page 105 that i really began to not only empathise with the characters and understand everything a bit more clearly and fully, but that i was now able to sit back and relax a little and let the storyline completely take over. It is such an immensely detailed book and one which is brimmed full of vividly realistic descriptions, that it took me so long to grasp and begin to comprehend what Brian Ruckley was trying to portray to the reader & achieve. It was nevertheless a truly gripping read that was a shining example of heroic fantasy that is full of bloody battles and treachery. The story i found to be most intriguing and imaginative and one that i truly loved once i had gained a clearer viewpoint on it and i would definately recomend this book to any fantasy lover who enjoys an action packed, fast-paced read that is both sinister as well as illuminating and one that will not only leave you breathless but wanting more. A spectacular ending to an acomplished novel, and one which i urge you to read and not give up on.
June 24, 2011
Well, I have been away from great big fantasy novels for awhile, but this volume sat on my shelf looking so forlorn, that I just had to read it. Maybe the buzz around Game of Thrones was pushing me.
So I gave the book four stars. This is despite the fact that the book is crazily derivative. I am generally forgiving of that in my fantasy (everything is compared to Tolkien and Martin it seems.) You get the great responsibility thrust on the young. Conniving political leaders. Decadent cities. Brave marcher lords. Don't look for much new here in ideas. I did like the notions that the Gods left this plane of existence leading to wars and terrors and eventually a form of religious extremism.
I was less pleased by the equivalent of elves in the book. They are basically inscrutable Native Americans.
Anyway, why four stars? The book moves at a hefty clip and Ruckley doesn't get stuck in his world creation. He gives you a bit of background and moves quickly on the next scene. He has a number of (cliched to sure) characters and manages not to lose any or find use for them. I did like how we see the development of who is likely to be the ultimate baddie of the last two books, but also that he is treated in a sympathetic way.
For fantasy readers only, this is not like Game of Thrones which feels broader in appeal, but if you dig fantasy, try it.
So I gave the book four stars. This is despite the fact that the book is crazily derivative. I am generally forgiving of that in my fantasy (everything is compared to Tolkien and Martin it seems.) You get the great responsibility thrust on the young. Conniving political leaders. Decadent cities. Brave marcher lords. Don't look for much new here in ideas. I did like the notions that the Gods left this plane of existence leading to wars and terrors and eventually a form of religious extremism.
I was less pleased by the equivalent of elves in the book. They are basically inscrutable Native Americans.
Anyway, why four stars? The book moves at a hefty clip and Ruckley doesn't get stuck in his world creation. He gives you a bit of background and moves quickly on the next scene. He has a number of (cliched to sure) characters and manages not to lose any or find use for them. I did like how we see the development of who is likely to be the ultimate baddie of the last two books, but also that he is treated in a sympathetic way.
For fantasy readers only, this is not like Game of Thrones which feels broader in appeal, but if you dig fantasy, try it.
August 12, 2008
It is a book about disenfranchised (appologies for bad spelling)factions all of whom have something to be angry about...the lost something, betrayal etc etc...The cast is numerous and you find out things about them through the dialogue of the rest of the characters rather than through large mountains of prose. This can be hard work as it misdirects your attention from actual plot.
I did enjoy this book to an extent but always felt that it was the start of a trilogy or series, more of a pilot episode and would feel better if you waited for the author to complete the rest and it does end on a cliff hanger. And no I am not putting a spoiler in next.
But I am going to end by saying this book probably is closer to a 4 star book but suffered from being picked up directly after The Blade Itself (Joe Abercrombie). That is not Mr Ruckley's fault, as i think this is a good beginning of a tale, just bookshelf fate.
I did enjoy this book to an extent but always felt that it was the start of a trilogy or series, more of a pilot episode and would feel better if you waited for the author to complete the rest and it does end on a cliff hanger. And no I am not putting a spoiler in next.
But I am going to end by saying this book probably is closer to a 4 star book but suffered from being picked up directly after The Blade Itself (Joe Abercrombie). That is not Mr Ruckley's fault, as i think this is a good beginning of a tale, just bookshelf fate.
August 22, 2017
This is an excellent story. I've enjoyed reading it over the past thirteen months! Amazingly well described action. Realistic characters that you feel invested in. Complete fear that anyone could die at any moment. Interesting world building. Truly thoughtful and thought provoking dialogue. This is an incredible book! I had some difficulty sorting out the name at first because of the way the royalty showed their allegiance, but that was overcome and as the story developed I found I enjoyed the method of naming. Altogether a story that I am very impressed with and excited to continue on with!
July 10, 2020
I've re-read this trilogy probably half a dozen times in the past 13 years and it never gets old. A wonderfully written saga that is emotive, captivating and somber. Perhaps what draws me back again and again is the feeling the writing evokes for the world in which it's set. You can tell the author has steeped this story deeply in the Scottish highlands, and even now I can almost feel the bone-deep cold and damp, bleak and chilling atmosphere that permeates both the environments of the story, as well as its general tone.
The books are pretty bleak reading. There are few jokes, and the situations and straits the main characters often find themselves in are always heavy with emotion, generally regret or alarm or fear or sadness. Whether it be a weary old soldier just trying to return to his family to retire, or a young man displaced from his home and all he knows, to be thrust into a world full of danger and fear. Or a lonely, shunned outcast who tries to make sense of the curse he's inflicted with. Loss and grief are themes frequently explored.
What's great is that the antagonists get as much treatment as the heroes do. By the end you're left with no uncertainty about their motivations, their thoughts and hopes, and the choices they make which lead to, oftentimes, disappointments and failures. The author has worked hard to maintain a solid sense of realism within a fantasy framework.
Perhaps the only criticisms I have for the books is, A) many of the names are utterly incomprehensible, and impossible (if you don't have a familiarity with Welsh or Scottish language, I'm not sure which) to pronounce. Do your best. And B) there is quite a lot of repetition of certain elements in books two and three. The world starts to fall apart, and no expense is spared letting the reader know all the tiny ways in which this occurs. There was a certain amount of the last book, especially, which bordered on 'filler'. That being said, the story is compelling from start to it's rather bitter end. Though it might be written in a high fantasy style, I'd classify this more as Grimdark. Or if not all the way grim, then at least Greydark. And if that's not already a term, I hereby coin it.
Well worth the investment.
The books are pretty bleak reading. There are few jokes, and the situations and straits the main characters often find themselves in are always heavy with emotion, generally regret or alarm or fear or sadness. Whether it be a weary old soldier just trying to return to his family to retire, or a young man displaced from his home and all he knows, to be thrust into a world full of danger and fear. Or a lonely, shunned outcast who tries to make sense of the curse he's inflicted with. Loss and grief are themes frequently explored.
What's great is that the antagonists get as much treatment as the heroes do. By the end you're left with no uncertainty about their motivations, their thoughts and hopes, and the choices they make which lead to, oftentimes, disappointments and failures. The author has worked hard to maintain a solid sense of realism within a fantasy framework.
Perhaps the only criticisms I have for the books is, A) many of the names are utterly incomprehensible, and impossible (if you don't have a familiarity with Welsh or Scottish language, I'm not sure which) to pronounce. Do your best. And B) there is quite a lot of repetition of certain elements in books two and three. The world starts to fall apart, and no expense is spared letting the reader know all the tiny ways in which this occurs. There was a certain amount of the last book, especially, which bordered on 'filler'. That being said, the story is compelling from start to it's rather bitter end. Though it might be written in a high fantasy style, I'd classify this more as Grimdark. Or if not all the way grim, then at least Greydark. And if that's not already a term, I hereby coin it.
Well worth the investment.
October 2, 2018
Eindelijk dit boek uitgelezen, wat best wel een lange weg was. 3 Sterren voor dit boek, hoewel ik er liever 2 1/2 voor gaf. De namen van de karakters waren zo verwarrend dat ik de meeste tijd bezig gewoon niet wist over wie ik nu weer aan het lezen was. Normaal gesproken heb je karakters in een verhaal waar je wat mee voelt. Nie in dit geval.
Ook de wereld was best lastig opgebouwd, regelmatig moest ik dan weer even de kaart raadplegen voor ik weer verder kon met het boek.
Tegen het einde van het boek was het me nog steeds niet duidelijk WAT er nu precies gebeurd was.
Weet niet zeker of ik het volgende deel ook ga lezen. Eerst maar eens iets anders.
Ook de wereld was best lastig opgebouwd, regelmatig moest ik dan weer even de kaart raadplegen voor ik weer verder kon met het boek.
Tegen het einde van het boek was het me nog steeds niet duidelijk WAT er nu precies gebeurd was.
Weet niet zeker of ik het volgende deel ook ga lezen. Eerst maar eens iets anders.
October 21, 2024
Epic fantasy with many familiar elements - nothing really wrong with it, I just couldn't get into it at any point. None of the characters interested me enough to care about their fate one way or the other, and while it was a quick and decently entertaining read, I probably won't remember a thing about it a week from now. 2.5/5
October 2, 2018
I made it to page 231 but I just couldn't read anymore; I ended up not finishing this - and by extension book 2 & 3.
It is really slow and quite reminiscent of Game of Thrones - which was very heavy reading - and I may come back to it at a later stage.
It is really slow and quite reminiscent of Game of Thrones - which was very heavy reading - and I may come back to it at a later stage.
October 26, 2019
A very detailed world, lots of different characters and perspectives and some thought provoking parts made this a very entertaining read.
May 17, 2021
I first read this trilogy about 10 years ago and absolutely loved this epic fantasy. Nothing has changed. This book is just as good as the last time, especially the main villan.
March 3, 2016
Inhalt:
Es ist eine gottlose Welt, in der die Menschenclans und die uralten magischen Rassen zusammenleben. Eine grausame Glaubensbruderschaft verbreitet allerorts Krieg und Verwüstung, getrieben von der Suche nach Unsterblichkeit. Am Festtag der »Winterwende« kommt es zu einem Massaker, das fast den gesamten Lannis-Clan auslöscht. Einzig die Geschwister Orisian und Anyara überleben. Und sie werden alles daransetzen, die dunklen Mächte aufzuhalten. Dies ist ihre Geschichte.
Das Buch, meine Meinung und das was man wissen sollte:
Das Cover ist sehr auffallend, man sieht eine blutige Maske die an einen Temple-Ritter erinnert. Der untere Teil des Covers zeigt eine Berglandschaft. Noch vor dem Vorwort entdeckt man als Leser erstmal eine Karte der Umgebung, sehr detailliert zeigt sie die Täler und Länder usw. was sehr gut zur Orientierung während des Lesens ist. Die Hauptkapitel sind mit Illustrationen verziert. In diesem Buch findet man einen sehr interessanten und mitreißenden Schreibstil, bei dem man aufmerksam der Geschichte folgen muss. Aussergewöhnliche Namen, viele Wendungen, verschiedene Wesen, mit unterschiedlich ausgeprägten Fähigkeiten. Oftmals geht es hier um Leben und Tod, die Gier nach Macht kommt auch nicht zu kurz. Aufjedenfall ist das kein Buch das man mal schnell durchlesen kann, sondern für die man sich Zeit nehmen sollte, um die Zusammenhänge zu verstehen. Durch die verschiedenen Sichtweisen der vielen Protagonisten, ist man noch mehr in der Geschichte vertieft und hat nicht das Gefühl das man etwas verpasst. Die verschiedenen Titel und die Zusammengehörigkeit, sind am Ende des Buches gut beschrieben und helfen einem zusätzlich und man kann immer wieder nachschlagen. Spannend, aufregend, mitreißend und einfach genial geschrieben, das Buch war mal eine etwas andere Lektüre, auch wegen des Stils, aber wirklich ein kleines Highlight für mich.
Es ist eine gottlose Welt, in der die Menschenclans und die uralten magischen Rassen zusammenleben. Eine grausame Glaubensbruderschaft verbreitet allerorts Krieg und Verwüstung, getrieben von der Suche nach Unsterblichkeit. Am Festtag der »Winterwende« kommt es zu einem Massaker, das fast den gesamten Lannis-Clan auslöscht. Einzig die Geschwister Orisian und Anyara überleben. Und sie werden alles daransetzen, die dunklen Mächte aufzuhalten. Dies ist ihre Geschichte.
Das Buch, meine Meinung und das was man wissen sollte:
Das Cover ist sehr auffallend, man sieht eine blutige Maske die an einen Temple-Ritter erinnert. Der untere Teil des Covers zeigt eine Berglandschaft. Noch vor dem Vorwort entdeckt man als Leser erstmal eine Karte der Umgebung, sehr detailliert zeigt sie die Täler und Länder usw. was sehr gut zur Orientierung während des Lesens ist. Die Hauptkapitel sind mit Illustrationen verziert. In diesem Buch findet man einen sehr interessanten und mitreißenden Schreibstil, bei dem man aufmerksam der Geschichte folgen muss. Aussergewöhnliche Namen, viele Wendungen, verschiedene Wesen, mit unterschiedlich ausgeprägten Fähigkeiten. Oftmals geht es hier um Leben und Tod, die Gier nach Macht kommt auch nicht zu kurz. Aufjedenfall ist das kein Buch das man mal schnell durchlesen kann, sondern für die man sich Zeit nehmen sollte, um die Zusammenhänge zu verstehen. Durch die verschiedenen Sichtweisen der vielen Protagonisten, ist man noch mehr in der Geschichte vertieft und hat nicht das Gefühl das man etwas verpasst. Die verschiedenen Titel und die Zusammengehörigkeit, sind am Ende des Buches gut beschrieben und helfen einem zusätzlich und man kann immer wieder nachschlagen. Spannend, aufregend, mitreißend und einfach genial geschrieben, das Buch war mal eine etwas andere Lektüre, auch wegen des Stils, aber wirklich ein kleines Highlight für mich.
November 2, 2010
I really wanted to like this book. The world building was huge in scope and immensely intriguing in possibilities. It painted a medieval/fantasy world free from the cliches of normal fantasy worlds. I also liked the social structures outlined and how the people from the different castes interacted. Of special import too was the motivations behind the war brewing now as well as the wars waged in the past.
Two things though turned me off badly. One was the painfully slow storytelling. More than thrice, I had picked up another book and finished it before going back to these pages. Truthfully, it was mind-numblingly slow.
Second was the lack of sympathy I had for the main characters. It was easier to empathize with the antagonists' agendas rather than the protagonists -- and only because they were so transparent about their reasons -- making the "heroes" a poor rival for the "bad guys." And all that talk about blurring the lines between good and evil? Hogwash! No matter how one faction idealizes its intentions, the actions they take firmly places them on one side or the other.
On the good side though, I liked Ruckley's wordsmithing. Albeit slow in progressing, the imagery he pumps into his sentences stick to you, helping you visualize a gritty, harsh and real landscape. I also like the multi-layered schemes being hinted at and refuse to believe that the slow pacing is an attempt to delay revealing more of these political puzzles.
I'm still on the fence about this one but I'll be getting the next book in the trilogy, just to see if thing liven up a bit and if my rather harsh judgment on the characters' depth was untimely and misplaced.
Two things though turned me off badly. One was the painfully slow storytelling. More than thrice, I had picked up another book and finished it before going back to these pages. Truthfully, it was mind-numblingly slow.
Second was the lack of sympathy I had for the main characters. It was easier to empathize with the antagonists' agendas rather than the protagonists -- and only because they were so transparent about their reasons -- making the "heroes" a poor rival for the "bad guys." And all that talk about blurring the lines between good and evil? Hogwash! No matter how one faction idealizes its intentions, the actions they take firmly places them on one side or the other.
On the good side though, I liked Ruckley's wordsmithing. Albeit slow in progressing, the imagery he pumps into his sentences stick to you, helping you visualize a gritty, harsh and real landscape. I also like the multi-layered schemes being hinted at and refuse to believe that the slow pacing is an attempt to delay revealing more of these political puzzles.
I'm still on the fence about this one but I'll be getting the next book in the trilogy, just to see if thing liven up a bit and if my rather harsh judgment on the characters' depth was untimely and misplaced.
April 21, 2014
Many say this book is a nice in-between while waiting for Joe Abercrombie or GRR Martin to finish their next works: I must agree.
The Godless world, so named because the Gods have long abandoned their creation, is a wonderfully intricate universe. If, as some reviews say, the reader is left with a feeling of confusion and non-understanding, this is in a good way: the world feels simply to big, old and complicated for simple explaination in a single book.
The main conflict in the book refers back to the series title: Godless World. Though all of humankind in the book agrees that the Gods have left the world, not all tribes agree on the how and when. Several heretic tribes believe that one God, who was the last to leave, will return if the whole world is united under his religious teaching. These heretics have been spurned from their tribal lands and chased into the cold North. Time after time, they've been trying to conquer their way back south, and this book begins with one of the so-manyeth time the Bloods of the Black Road invade the south, only this time, something's different, .
Where the world is beautifully crafted, the characters are the weak point. Though the book passes the Bechdel-test, the many female characters lack anypersonality and their male counterparts may even fare worse. Nevertheless, this story-driven debut is an interesting read, and nowhere in the book did I feel like putting it down.
The Godless world, so named because the Gods have long abandoned their creation, is a wonderfully intricate universe. If, as some reviews say, the reader is left with a feeling of confusion and non-understanding, this is in a good way: the world feels simply to big, old and complicated for simple explaination in a single book.
The main conflict in the book refers back to the series title: Godless World. Though all of humankind in the book agrees that the Gods have left the world, not all tribes agree on the how and when. Several heretic tribes believe that one God, who was the last to leave, will return if the whole world is united under his religious teaching. These heretics have been spurned from their tribal lands and chased into the cold North. Time after time, they've been trying to conquer their way back south, and this book begins with one of the so-manyeth time the Bloods of the Black Road invade the south, only this time, something's different, .
Where the world is beautifully crafted, the characters are the weak point. Though the book passes the Bechdel-test, the many female characters lack anypersonality and their male counterparts may even fare worse. Nevertheless, this story-driven debut is an interesting read, and nowhere in the book did I feel like putting it down.
June 15, 2012
The first time I saw this book in my favorite Borders, I was interested but rather hesitant. (I was the same way with Joe Abercrombie's First Law series.) Nevertheless, I kept stumbling across this title until I finally broke down and picked up a copy.
Yet another 'epic fantasy' a la Joe Abercrombie and George R.R. Martin, this trilogy's first volume is not as brutal as the former yet a bit grittier than the latter. While a very good read, with a lot of potential, I had difficulty keeping characters and places straight. A large part of this is due to the unusual naming convention used. I expected the names to give me some indication of clan affiliation, but my mind just couldn't seem to wrap itself around them. The relationships between the True Blood clans themselves was not obvious either.
One definitely needs a scorecard to keep track of who's who and I was grateful to the author for providing a cast list and maps of the area. I was constantly having to refer back to these throughout my reading of the book. I found this to be a annoyance and only gave it 4 starts for this reason.
Despite the problems specified, the idea, once I got through enough of the novel to see it as more than a grim political fantasy, got more intriguing the further in I got and I intend to continue through to the end of the series.
Yet another 'epic fantasy' a la Joe Abercrombie and George R.R. Martin, this trilogy's first volume is not as brutal as the former yet a bit grittier than the latter. While a very good read, with a lot of potential, I had difficulty keeping characters and places straight. A large part of this is due to the unusual naming convention used. I expected the names to give me some indication of clan affiliation, but my mind just couldn't seem to wrap itself around them. The relationships between the True Blood clans themselves was not obvious either.
One definitely needs a scorecard to keep track of who's who and I was grateful to the author for providing a cast list and maps of the area. I was constantly having to refer back to these throughout my reading of the book. I found this to be a annoyance and only gave it 4 starts for this reason.
Despite the problems specified, the idea, once I got through enough of the novel to see it as more than a grim political fantasy, got more intriguing the further in I got and I intend to continue through to the end of the series.
May 5, 2014
Winterbirth reads like a Viking/Anglo-Saxon fantasy novel in the style of George R.R. Martin.
There aren't really any bad guys or good guys here, with the exception of one particular group. The book starts with the Black Road followers being exiled and I thought that they would be the heroes of the book, however when they return 160 years later it is to conquer the places they once called home. The Thane of the Blood and the Thane of the Black Road Blood are both kings in the machinations and power-hungry style. Neither of the sides are the good guys, but the good guys seem to be caught in the middle.
The characters are interesting and seem to be fairly well thought out. I'm always a fan of the "two races who hate each other because they are different and two members of those races who hate each other are forced to fight together realise they are more alike than they thought" plot line, and I'm hoping that Brian Ruckley will develop the relationships between Rothe, Varryn and Anyara along these lines.
There aren't really any bad guys or good guys here, with the exception of one particular group. The book starts with the Black Road followers being exiled and I thought that they would be the heroes of the book, however when they return 160 years later it is to conquer the places they once called home. The Thane of the Blood and the Thane of the Black Road Blood are both kings in the machinations and power-hungry style. Neither of the sides are the good guys, but the good guys seem to be caught in the middle.
The characters are interesting and seem to be fairly well thought out. I'm always a fan of the "two races who hate each other because they are different and two members of those races who hate each other are forced to fight together realise they are more alike than they thought" plot line, and I'm hoping that Brian Ruckley will develop the relationships between Rothe, Varryn and Anyara along these lines.
February 5, 2014
It took me a while to warm up to this (somewhat fittingly), but once I did I absolutely inhaled it.
Winterbirth is set in a world abandoned by its Gods. This concept alone had me interested immediately. Potent gods/deities/divine beings in general have always been a very interesting concept to me and, as someone who doesn't believe in any sort of faith, satisfying in a way that general religion in fantasy settings isn't. The idea of those potent gods abandoning their creation is very unique and not something I've seen before.
I had a preconception that this would be heavily Norse- or Viking-related, and it wasn't really. Other than the wintry setting, the culture invokes more of a Scottish vibe, and the use of thanages rather than duchies or whatever also hinted at a celtic inspiration.
Very good characterisation and world building, and definitely the most unique fantasy world I've found in recent times.
Winterbirth is set in a world abandoned by its Gods. This concept alone had me interested immediately. Potent gods/deities/divine beings in general have always been a very interesting concept to me and, as someone who doesn't believe in any sort of faith, satisfying in a way that general religion in fantasy settings isn't. The idea of those potent gods abandoning their creation is very unique and not something I've seen before.
I had a preconception that this would be heavily Norse- or Viking-related, and it wasn't really. Other than the wintry setting, the culture invokes more of a Scottish vibe, and the use of thanages rather than duchies or whatever also hinted at a celtic inspiration.
Very good characterisation and world building, and definitely the most unique fantasy world I've found in recent times.
January 1, 2015
Long Winded Fantasy, Slow Paced But Solid
Only for real fans of the genre, this novel is well researched and Brian Ruckley has obviously put lots of time into it, but it is too slow paced for the average reader, it took me about 2 months of stopping and starting to finally complete the novel, the characters are a little shallow in depth and could have been pulled from almost any wartime fantasy series, some of the other races mentioned may bring some depth and interest in later on but only one appears in this novel, the Kyrinin, who seem to similar to the Huanin (medieval time humans) to interest most greatly, the trilogy needs to develop much quicker in the next novel to keep interest going, the dialogue is also above average but by no means inspiring, must improve.
Only for real fans of the genre, this novel is well researched and Brian Ruckley has obviously put lots of time into it, but it is too slow paced for the average reader, it took me about 2 months of stopping and starting to finally complete the novel, the characters are a little shallow in depth and could have been pulled from almost any wartime fantasy series, some of the other races mentioned may bring some depth and interest in later on but only one appears in this novel, the Kyrinin, who seem to similar to the Huanin (medieval time humans) to interest most greatly, the trilogy needs to develop much quicker in the next novel to keep interest going, the dialogue is also above average but by no means inspiring, must improve.
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