What do you think?
Rate this book
The View from the Mirror #1
A Shadow on the Glass
In ancient times the Way Between the Worlds was shattered, leaving bands of Aachim, Faellem, and Charon trapped with the old humans of Santhenar. Now Llian, a Chronicler of the Great Tales, uncovers a 3,000-year-old secret too deadly to be revealed-while Karan, a young sensitive, is compelled by honor to undertake a perilous mission. Neither can imagine they will soon meet as hunted fugitives, snared in the machinations of immortals, the vengeance of warlords, and the magics of powerful mancers. For the swelling deluge of a millennial war is rising, terrible as a tsunami, ready to cast torrents of sorcery and devastation across the land....
586 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
615 people are currently reading
3528 people want to read
About the author
Ian Irvine
74 books661 followersI'm an Australian author of 34 novels, mainly fantasy. They include the bestselling Three Worlds epic fantasy sequence, which has sold over a million print copies. It comprises The View from the Mirror quartet, The Well of Echoes quartet and The Song of the Tears trilogy. I’ve just finished The Gates of Good and Evil quartet, the long-awaited sequel to The View from the Mirror. Book 3, The Perilous Tower, was published recently and the final book, The Sapphire Portal, will be published on November 1, 2020.
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ianirvine.au...
Signup to my email newsletter for free books and special offers, preview chapters, news and other great stuff. https://www.ian-irvine.com/join-my-ne...
LATEST BOOK
WHY I WRITE
Funny thing is, I never wanted to be a writer. From an early age my ambition was to be a scientist. I’m an expert in pollution and I’ve spent my professional life studying it in far-flung places like Mauritius, Sumatra, Mongolia, South Korea, the Philippines, Papua-New Guinea and Western Samoa, as well as all over Australia. Often scuba diving to the bottom of foul, smelly harbours and hammering tubes deep into the polluted mud to collect samples for chemical analysis. Now that’s living!
I was a small, quiet kid who devoured books from the moment I learned to read. When I was naughty, Mum wouldn’t let me read anything for a week – talk about a cruel and unusual punishment.
I discovered fantasy in the early 70’s, with The Lord of the Rings and the Earthsea trilogy, and was immediately hooked. But there wasn’t much fantasy in those days; within a couple of years I’d read everything available. I wanted more and bigger tales, on vaster canvases, but they didn’t exist. That’s why I had to become a writer – to write the kind of stories I wanted to read.
WHAT I WRITE
I’ve never wanted to write about superheroes or huge, reckless warriors who know no fear. I write epic fantasy about underdogs and ordinary people who, in pursuit of their goals, are put to the limit of human endurance. My characters aren’t fantasy stereotypes, they’re real people with believable motivations and unfortunate flaws. I’m well known for strong female characters who have as many adventures as the men, and frequently get them out of trouble (I have five sisters). My characters are often small or clumsy or inexperienced or handicapped in some way, yet they make up for it with cleverness, ingenuity or sheer, low cunning. My antagonists are real, complex people who do bad things for strong and deeply-held reasons – never ‘just because they’re evil’.
Though my characters suffer every kind of torment imaginable, at their lowest point they discover the truest form of courage – they keep fighting because the fate of the people they care for, and the world they love, depends on them never giving up.
SOME RECENT REVIEWS
"Irvine is a veteran storyteller who excels in sustaining complex plots with well-rounded characters. Here, he delivers a compelling tale of vengeance, loyalty, and the search for a place in the world." Starred review, Library Journal (US)
"That Grand Master of the vast epic is with us again! The first gripping volume of what promises to be a vintage Irvine treat. More please!" Crisetta MacLeod, Aurealis Express
"Incredibly exciting. The end will have you eagerly anticipating the next book." Good Reading (Aus)
"He knows how to spin an epic yarn and tell it with real gusto ... ambitious in scope and tirelessly action-stuffed." SFX
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ianirvine.au...
Signup to my email newsletter for free books and special offers, preview chapters, news and other great stuff. https://www.ian-irvine.com/join-my-ne...
LATEST BOOK
WHY I WRITE
Funny thing is, I never wanted to be a writer. From an early age my ambition was to be a scientist. I’m an expert in pollution and I’ve spent my professional life studying it in far-flung places like Mauritius, Sumatra, Mongolia, South Korea, the Philippines, Papua-New Guinea and Western Samoa, as well as all over Australia. Often scuba diving to the bottom of foul, smelly harbours and hammering tubes deep into the polluted mud to collect samples for chemical analysis. Now that’s living!
I was a small, quiet kid who devoured books from the moment I learned to read. When I was naughty, Mum wouldn’t let me read anything for a week – talk about a cruel and unusual punishment.
I discovered fantasy in the early 70’s, with The Lord of the Rings and the Earthsea trilogy, and was immediately hooked. But there wasn’t much fantasy in those days; within a couple of years I’d read everything available. I wanted more and bigger tales, on vaster canvases, but they didn’t exist. That’s why I had to become a writer – to write the kind of stories I wanted to read.
WHAT I WRITE
I’ve never wanted to write about superheroes or huge, reckless warriors who know no fear. I write epic fantasy about underdogs and ordinary people who, in pursuit of their goals, are put to the limit of human endurance. My characters aren’t fantasy stereotypes, they’re real people with believable motivations and unfortunate flaws. I’m well known for strong female characters who have as many adventures as the men, and frequently get them out of trouble (I have five sisters). My characters are often small or clumsy or inexperienced or handicapped in some way, yet they make up for it with cleverness, ingenuity or sheer, low cunning. My antagonists are real, complex people who do bad things for strong and deeply-held reasons – never ‘just because they’re evil’.
Though my characters suffer every kind of torment imaginable, at their lowest point they discover the truest form of courage – they keep fighting because the fate of the people they care for, and the world they love, depends on them never giving up.
SOME RECENT REVIEWS
"Irvine is a veteran storyteller who excels in sustaining complex plots with well-rounded characters. Here, he delivers a compelling tale of vengeance, loyalty, and the search for a place in the world." Starred review, Library Journal (US)
"That Grand Master of the vast epic is with us again! The first gripping volume of what promises to be a vintage Irvine treat. More please!" Crisetta MacLeod, Aurealis Express
"Incredibly exciting. The end will have you eagerly anticipating the next book." Good Reading (Aus)
"He knows how to spin an epic yarn and tell it with real gusto ... ambitious in scope and tirelessly action-stuffed." SFX
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
April 11, 2011
I will never forget the first time I started reading this book. It was at a very awful time in my life following a severe family dispute and temporary homelessness.
Isn't this what fantasy is really for, perhaps more so then any other genre? To escape our world, to escape to another universe? to leave behind sadness, grief, tension, or simply boredom? To immerse ourselves utterly within an alien culture, amongst characters that are so different in so many ways yet still we can relate to?
All this and more followed reading Ian Irvine's debut novel. The storyline was riveting, the tension, action sequences and such, kept me glued to the book for hours on end, unable to put it down. Imagine the most delicious, most rich, moist, and gooey piece of chocolate mudcake you've ever had: now imagine eating it constantly day in day out, but without any ill effects. This was, and continues to be the experience of reading Ian Irvine's novels, the beauty of which first lies in the sheer scale and complexity of the storyline. The Three Worlds saga consists of 3 series - two quartets and 1 trilogy. Some of these volumes are as thick as a phonebooks, yet never did I tire once of following the amazing journeys and adventures of the characters.
The second fantastic quality of this novel (and subsequent volumes) stems from the originality. Take every pre-conception you have of a fantasy novel, be it the dashing prince, damsel in distress, hocus-pokus magic (for the sake of magic, no explanation), evil stepmothers, epic good vs evil etc etc, and throw them all away. Everything about Ian's work is fresh, invigorating, and unique.
You will not find a more original author, nor will you find one that is more gifted in the art of locking you into his world. A world which as you explore it, empathise and connect with the people, immerse yourself within its histories, cultures, even the scenery itself, you will genuinely feel that the story was written just for you.
This was my very personal, and enormously rewarding experience of reading A Shadow on the Glass, an experience that continues as the saga itself continues.
Isn't this what fantasy is really for, perhaps more so then any other genre? To escape our world, to escape to another universe? to leave behind sadness, grief, tension, or simply boredom? To immerse ourselves utterly within an alien culture, amongst characters that are so different in so many ways yet still we can relate to?
All this and more followed reading Ian Irvine's debut novel. The storyline was riveting, the tension, action sequences and such, kept me glued to the book for hours on end, unable to put it down. Imagine the most delicious, most rich, moist, and gooey piece of chocolate mudcake you've ever had: now imagine eating it constantly day in day out, but without any ill effects. This was, and continues to be the experience of reading Ian Irvine's novels, the beauty of which first lies in the sheer scale and complexity of the storyline. The Three Worlds saga consists of 3 series - two quartets and 1 trilogy. Some of these volumes are as thick as a phonebooks, yet never did I tire once of following the amazing journeys and adventures of the characters.
The second fantastic quality of this novel (and subsequent volumes) stems from the originality. Take every pre-conception you have of a fantasy novel, be it the dashing prince, damsel in distress, hocus-pokus magic (for the sake of magic, no explanation), evil stepmothers, epic good vs evil etc etc, and throw them all away. Everything about Ian's work is fresh, invigorating, and unique.
You will not find a more original author, nor will you find one that is more gifted in the art of locking you into his world. A world which as you explore it, empathise and connect with the people, immerse yourself within its histories, cultures, even the scenery itself, you will genuinely feel that the story was written just for you.
This was my very personal, and enormously rewarding experience of reading A Shadow on the Glass, an experience that continues as the saga itself continues.
September 21, 2018
Great premise, poor execution in my opinion. The author constantly "tells" instead of "shows" and those are my least-favorite types of stories. As a reader it leaves nothing to the imagination at all.
Sad because I liked the idea a lot but it fell short when it came to how the story was delivered.
Sad because I liked the idea a lot but it fell short when it came to how the story was delivered.
January 18, 2016
Ever have someone telling you a really interesting anecdote and someone else interrupts with a boring, only vaguely related story? That's how Ian Irvine writes.
It starts off with the main character telling a story about this fictional universe, which for me is tantamount to beginning a college lecture with a long, growling fart.
Of course it goes on to establish some interesting characters, some rather gripping descriptions, and a brisk, engaging pacing. But ever so often, sometimes without warning, there will be several dull pages explaining the history of their world.
Most of the modern sword n' horses fantasy we owe to one Mr. Tolkien, but they often forget the things he actually did right. Though functioning in an elaborate world, the Lord of the Rings books never felt bogged down by history. All the characters functioned knowing their own history, and only explained something if someone else didn't already know that aspect of another character's culture. Those books are full of appendixes covering all the crap he didn't feel the need to discuss in the context of the story.
And that's fine, if you're so curious about a passing comment that you need to know more about elf history, go wild, but the rest of us don't care. Appendixes, like maps, are metadata I can accept in regards to fantasy, as it removes some of the burden from the story. A lot of Irvine's history explanations about the multiples races should have been cut out and moved.
But you know what it does have in the back? A glossary, my nemesis. And why you ask? Because it contains names like Llian and Yuggur, and suggests that the double consonants are said as two separate sounds. I don't know why you would do that.
The 2 stars is really for spite, because without the 20 or so pages of needless exposition it's really a solid 3.
It starts off with the main character telling a story about this fictional universe, which for me is tantamount to beginning a college lecture with a long, growling fart.
Of course it goes on to establish some interesting characters, some rather gripping descriptions, and a brisk, engaging pacing. But ever so often, sometimes without warning, there will be several dull pages explaining the history of their world.
Most of the modern sword n' horses fantasy we owe to one Mr. Tolkien, but they often forget the things he actually did right. Though functioning in an elaborate world, the Lord of the Rings books never felt bogged down by history. All the characters functioned knowing their own history, and only explained something if someone else didn't already know that aspect of another character's culture. Those books are full of appendixes covering all the crap he didn't feel the need to discuss in the context of the story.
And that's fine, if you're so curious about a passing comment that you need to know more about elf history, go wild, but the rest of us don't care. Appendixes, like maps, are metadata I can accept in regards to fantasy, as it removes some of the burden from the story. A lot of Irvine's history explanations about the multiples races should have been cut out and moved.
But you know what it does have in the back? A glossary, my nemesis. And why you ask? Because it contains names like Llian and Yuggur, and suggests that the double consonants are said as two separate sounds. I don't know why you would do that.
The 2 stars is really for spite, because without the 20 or so pages of needless exposition it's really a solid 3.
September 4, 2012
I’m not quite sure how to start here, so I’ll just jump in and say I didn’t like it. Here’s why:
1) It was far too “convenient.” Anytime the author seemed to write himself into a corner, the plot would miraculously solve itself by introducing previously unrevealed information, new magical powers, or another character. It was “Deus ex Machina” to the extreme, and I found that frustrating as a reader.
2) The writing was awkward and jarring initially, and had I not been reading this book based on a recommendation, I never would have finished. Considering the list of books I’ve trudged through, that’s saying something. Although the writing improved over the course of the book, I never got comfortable with the jolting, action-packed style. The conversations between characters, in particular, were especially uncomfortable to read. Much too “anime” for my taste, with abrupt, halting dialogue, and wildly swinging emotions from one moment to the next.
3) Too one-dimensional. The book was essentially a constant chase-scene, with the PMS-laden heroine and the unlikely sometimes-inept-sometimes-invincible hero leading a merry chase across the face of the earth, pursued by virtually every other character and race in the book. “Gee, I wonder if they’re going to get away this time....”
I could go on, but too many hours of my life are now irretrievably lost due to this book. Needless to say, I won’t be reading the rest of the series.
1) It was far too “convenient.” Anytime the author seemed to write himself into a corner, the plot would miraculously solve itself by introducing previously unrevealed information, new magical powers, or another character. It was “Deus ex Machina” to the extreme, and I found that frustrating as a reader.
2) The writing was awkward and jarring initially, and had I not been reading this book based on a recommendation, I never would have finished. Considering the list of books I’ve trudged through, that’s saying something. Although the writing improved over the course of the book, I never got comfortable with the jolting, action-packed style. The conversations between characters, in particular, were especially uncomfortable to read. Much too “anime” for my taste, with abrupt, halting dialogue, and wildly swinging emotions from one moment to the next.
3) Too one-dimensional. The book was essentially a constant chase-scene, with the PMS-laden heroine and the unlikely sometimes-inept-sometimes-invincible hero leading a merry chase across the face of the earth, pursued by virtually every other character and race in the book. “Gee, I wonder if they’re going to get away this time....”
I could go on, but too many hours of my life are now irretrievably lost due to this book. Needless to say, I won’t be reading the rest of the series.
April 17, 2012
It's been a long time since I've re-read this series, but from memory, I really loved the unique take on the fantasy genre Ian Irvine has. It's not your traditional high fantasy, incorporating some interesting sci-fi elements that make The View from the Mirror series truly one of a kind.
I am always looking for obscure authors with impressive talent, something a little left of middle that has all the execution of a polished, mainstream writer, but without the cookie-cutter plots and cliched characters. Irvine's characters are his crowning glory in this series, Karan, Llian, Magraith, Mendark, and dozens of others, along with such imaginative races and an incredible history fraught with twists and turns that effect the present story in shocking ways. The only thing rivaling his characters and plot is the world-builing labor of love he has set this epic within. The towns, land, history, races, traditions, artifacts and practices are so broad and deep, it feels as if this world could truly exist somewhere.
The basic plot surrounds a secret magical flute possessing the ability to open the Way Between the Worlds (three different worlds connected throughout the cosmos by 'wormholes' and accessed only through tones played by the flute). Whoever has control of the flute, can control the Three Worlds, for good or for bad. But the flute was said to be destroyed centuries ago, it's memory buried deep in the history of Santhenar. But a young scholar studying to become a Master Storyteller discovers proof the flute was not destroyed, retelling the true story of the flute and it's devious creator's betrayal. This revelation sends several different entities seeking the flute's power into a frenzy, casting the land in turmoil as they fight to claim the ultimate power.
Llian, the young scholar, is now a target to those seeking the flute and must flee the only life he's known at the colleges. Karan, a young sensitive (who has the ability to connect with others minds and perform certain magical feats no one else can) struggles to keep her bleak family estate from ruin amid the endless drought, when she is ordered to repay a debt to Maigraith, a Charon (one of the races from the other worlds) who demands Karan retrieve a special mirror that can reveal the answer to whatever is asked of it. (Asking the mirror where the flute is would be extremely useful, you see.) But the mirror is possessed by Yggur, a formidable warlord feared by all. Using Karan's special sensitive talents, Maigraith helps Karan sneak into his fortress undetected and compel Yggur to hand over the mirror with her mind control. But once the deed is done, and Magraith parts with the mirror, Karan is left to be hunted by Yggur and his fearsome army of Whelm, a race of doglike sentiment bipeds with a panache for cruelty and blind devotion. Her escape leads her to cross paths with Llian, both headed toward an ancient city containing secrets that might just save the both of them.
Karan is my favorite character, an incredibly strong, selfless young woman born as a sensitive, but not just any sensitive. She is a blending of races, effectively doubling the strength of her magical skills, making her even more unique--and an especially coveted asset in the quest for the flute. With her special gifts making her the target of those that would seek to use her sensitive powers for their own gain, she must do everything she can to hide her true identity and escape their pursuit. I typically can't stand overly-tough, cliched ball-buster chicks in stories--it just doesn't appeal to me. But Karan has a lot of human qualities that make her much more relatable. Even though she's been through a lot, she doesn't act like a victim, nor is she vengeful. She has her moments of insecurity and fear, and even irrational emotion (I can very much relate to that!). But she's also feminine and a bit innocent, despite her strong will and potential, and in an endearing way, not overly sexed up or wanton.
Llian is less appealing in that he's the pretty boy scholar who hasn't had a day's hard labor in his sheltered life at the boarding college, becoming a master storyteller, an accomplished and noble station. He doesn't know how to live off the land or travel hundreds of miles without complaining his feet hurt. And throwing these two vastly different characters together on a dangerous journey makes for a very compelling, tension-fraught adventure, with lots of built-in humor to boot. At points you're afraid Karan might just kill Llian in his sleep, for all the whining and lack of capability he has. But over time, she comes to see his strengths, and can't deny the way he can so easily see through the walls she puts up to protect herself... the beginning of a well-thought out and tender romance.
Overall, A Shadow on the Glass is the beginning of an epic, refreshingly-different fantasy adventure, with a unique and compelling plot, fleshed out characters and an immersive world that won't disappoint! :)
I am always looking for obscure authors with impressive talent, something a little left of middle that has all the execution of a polished, mainstream writer, but without the cookie-cutter plots and cliched characters. Irvine's characters are his crowning glory in this series, Karan, Llian, Magraith, Mendark, and dozens of others, along with such imaginative races and an incredible history fraught with twists and turns that effect the present story in shocking ways. The only thing rivaling his characters and plot is the world-builing labor of love he has set this epic within. The towns, land, history, races, traditions, artifacts and practices are so broad and deep, it feels as if this world could truly exist somewhere.
The basic plot surrounds a secret magical flute possessing the ability to open the Way Between the Worlds (three different worlds connected throughout the cosmos by 'wormholes' and accessed only through tones played by the flute). Whoever has control of the flute, can control the Three Worlds, for good or for bad. But the flute was said to be destroyed centuries ago, it's memory buried deep in the history of Santhenar. But a young scholar studying to become a Master Storyteller discovers proof the flute was not destroyed, retelling the true story of the flute and it's devious creator's betrayal. This revelation sends several different entities seeking the flute's power into a frenzy, casting the land in turmoil as they fight to claim the ultimate power.
Llian, the young scholar, is now a target to those seeking the flute and must flee the only life he's known at the colleges. Karan, a young sensitive (who has the ability to connect with others minds and perform certain magical feats no one else can) struggles to keep her bleak family estate from ruin amid the endless drought, when she is ordered to repay a debt to Maigraith, a Charon (one of the races from the other worlds) who demands Karan retrieve a special mirror that can reveal the answer to whatever is asked of it. (Asking the mirror where the flute is would be extremely useful, you see.) But the mirror is possessed by Yggur, a formidable warlord feared by all. Using Karan's special sensitive talents, Maigraith helps Karan sneak into his fortress undetected and compel Yggur to hand over the mirror with her mind control. But once the deed is done, and Magraith parts with the mirror, Karan is left to be hunted by Yggur and his fearsome army of Whelm, a race of doglike sentiment bipeds with a panache for cruelty and blind devotion. Her escape leads her to cross paths with Llian, both headed toward an ancient city containing secrets that might just save the both of them.
Karan is my favorite character, an incredibly strong, selfless young woman born as a sensitive, but not just any sensitive. She is a blending of races, effectively doubling the strength of her magical skills, making her even more unique--and an especially coveted asset in the quest for the flute. With her special gifts making her the target of those that would seek to use her sensitive powers for their own gain, she must do everything she can to hide her true identity and escape their pursuit. I typically can't stand overly-tough, cliched ball-buster chicks in stories--it just doesn't appeal to me. But Karan has a lot of human qualities that make her much more relatable. Even though she's been through a lot, she doesn't act like a victim, nor is she vengeful. She has her moments of insecurity and fear, and even irrational emotion (I can very much relate to that!). But she's also feminine and a bit innocent, despite her strong will and potential, and in an endearing way, not overly sexed up or wanton.
Llian is less appealing in that he's the pretty boy scholar who hasn't had a day's hard labor in his sheltered life at the boarding college, becoming a master storyteller, an accomplished and noble station. He doesn't know how to live off the land or travel hundreds of miles without complaining his feet hurt. And throwing these two vastly different characters together on a dangerous journey makes for a very compelling, tension-fraught adventure, with lots of built-in humor to boot. At points you're afraid Karan might just kill Llian in his sleep, for all the whining and lack of capability he has. But over time, she comes to see his strengths, and can't deny the way he can so easily see through the walls she puts up to protect herself... the beginning of a well-thought out and tender romance.
Overall, A Shadow on the Glass is the beginning of an epic, refreshingly-different fantasy adventure, with a unique and compelling plot, fleshed out characters and an immersive world that won't disappoint! :)
August 19, 2016
i don't like the way Irvine stops everything to describe new characters in detail; it feels like fan fiction.
the blurb on the front says, "...a worldbuilding labor of love." And that's a nice way of saying Irvine spends too much time trying to tell you how awesome and well thought-out his fictional world is.
Irvine has no feel for pacing. whether that's narrating long passages of time or expressing action, he always hits the wrong tone or rhythm with his words.
but, at about a third of the way through the book, the characters and their drama is well enough developed that the flaws sort of become lovable quirks.
bad writing. fun story.
the blurb on the front says, "...a worldbuilding labor of love." And that's a nice way of saying Irvine spends too much time trying to tell you how awesome and well thought-out his fictional world is.
Irvine has no feel for pacing. whether that's narrating long passages of time or expressing action, he always hits the wrong tone or rhythm with his words.
but, at about a third of the way through the book, the characters and their drama is well enough developed that the flaws sort of become lovable quirks.
bad writing. fun story.
June 13, 2012
A wonderful read. I found 'The View from the Mirror' serise (of which this is Vol 1) when I was driving a lot & bought the Audio Books. The story line sounded interesting, so I thought I would give it a go. Wow! I was hooked. I enjoyed it so much that when I'd finished listening to all 4 volumes- I went out & bought the books as well. I have read the books twice & listened to the audio books at least 4 times. If your looking for an epic Sci-Fi Fantasy you cant' go past these by Australian auther Ian Irvine
June 1, 2019
After about a month, I have only gotten a bit past half way, it just isn't holding my interest.
October 16, 2019
This is the first of a quartet of books. Fantasy it be, some things were just plain impossible, in my mind. Perils whisked away in the blink of an eye, for example. Characters showing up in the nick of time, another sad trait. This tale was a constant chase / trek with no real plot.
I will not continue the series.
I will not continue the series.
July 30, 2019
This year's grand series re-read is one that I barely remember from first time around. I have vague memories of borrowing this from Sheffield Libraries in those years where I was both in full-time work, attempting to buy a house, and unaware that I was probably quite ill. Not much stuck, other than an awareness that it dragged and that the cliffhanger at the end of the first book was rather dissatisfying.
So. Back we go. Protagonist Llian is refreshingly inept and dull. He's not the prize charmer he thinks himself to be. His co-star Karan is full of drama and shouting. Between the wailing and the frequent injuries and illnesses, they somehow contrive to stagger through half a continent of mountains with a stolen magic Mirror, eluding the slightly Gollumesque Idlis and his fellow Whelm, even as Karan's temporary associate Maigraith strikes up an odd friendship with Yggur, warlord and master of said Whelm. Our heroes take refuge in the hidden Aachim city of Shazmak (pictured on the cover), which has no obvious means of providing its citizens with food, and are then forced on the run once again - this time with the Whelm and the Aachim both hard on their tails. At last they reach Thurkad, where everybody faints, and various long-lived Mancers argue over the Mirror.
This is very typical turn-of-the-century epic fantasy, really. A lot of over-writing, a lot of over-emoting, a heck of a lot of telling and head-hopping rather than showing, and far too much dragging across every part of the land of Meldorin just to show it all off. It's not quite Fantasy Homes and Gardens, as my esteemed editor Joanne Hall would put it, but there's only so much barren landscape--snow--barren landscape--torn by guilt you need in the first volume of a quartet.
Let's hope that with the main blocks in place, the second book begins to speed things up...
So. Back we go. Protagonist Llian is refreshingly inept and dull. He's not the prize charmer he thinks himself to be. His co-star Karan is full of drama and shouting. Between the wailing and the frequent injuries and illnesses, they somehow contrive to stagger through half a continent of mountains with a stolen magic Mirror, eluding the slightly Gollumesque Idlis and his fellow Whelm, even as Karan's temporary associate Maigraith strikes up an odd friendship with Yggur, warlord and master of said Whelm. Our heroes take refuge in the hidden Aachim city of Shazmak (pictured on the cover), which has no obvious means of providing its citizens with food, and are then forced on the run once again - this time with the Whelm and the Aachim both hard on their tails. At last they reach Thurkad, where everybody faints, and various long-lived Mancers argue over the Mirror.
This is very typical turn-of-the-century epic fantasy, really. A lot of over-writing, a lot of over-emoting, a heck of a lot of telling and head-hopping rather than showing, and far too much dragging across every part of the land of Meldorin just to show it all off. It's not quite Fantasy Homes and Gardens, as my esteemed editor Joanne Hall would put it, but there's only so much barren landscape--snow--barren landscape--torn by guilt you need in the first volume of a quartet.
Let's hope that with the main blocks in place, the second book begins to speed things up...
August 12, 2007
I was beginning to get seriously burned out on the fantasy genre when I picked up this book by Ian Irvine back in my first year of college. I didn't get into this series much at first—it tends to move slowly at times—but Irvine does a wonderful job of weaving a fantasy tale that throws the traditional fomula of the genre out the window. The world is carefully crafted, and the characters in it are richly flawed and wholly human.
January 15, 2009
I found this book in a charity shop and i picked it up simply because of the cover (in those days i wasnt much of a reader).
However from the moment i picked this up to read i was completely hooked on this three world series. I have now read this complete collection as well as the second three world series and i am currently awaiting the new arrival of the final boook of the third series.
Really good read but annoying that each book ends on a cliff hanger!
GIVE IT A GO!!!
However from the moment i picked this up to read i was completely hooked on this three world series. I have now read this complete collection as well as the second three world series and i am currently awaiting the new arrival of the final boook of the third series.
Really good read but annoying that each book ends on a cliff hanger!
GIVE IT A GO!!!
September 12, 2015
Onverwacht een leuk boek van Ian Irvine. Ik had nog nooit iets van hem gelezen en dus paste hij prima iin de september-challenge van de www.ff-leesclub.nl : Lees een boek van een voor jou onbekende schrijver.
En dat was dus een verrassing en een leuke. Lekkere ouderwetse fantasy, met een geheim voorwerp, een jongen en een meisje en veel avontuur.
En dat was dus een verrassing en een leuke. Lekkere ouderwetse fantasy, met een geheim voorwerp, een jongen en een meisje en veel avontuur.
September 25, 2025
A strong start to an epic series, but I honestly don't know when I'll continue it. I liked the characters, and the slow world building was interesting though I'm not a fan of hefty infodumps. Overall, I enjoyed this. 4 ⭐
August 10, 2010
Eventually I came to appreciate this book as a creative story, but it was long in comming. The story starts out very slowly and it takes a long time for the reader to get to know the characters and just as long to care about them. Eventually I really came to appreciate Llian because he was an unlikely hero. In fact, he was so normal that many of the other characters come to despise him for it. Also, most of the other characters are blind to his attributes once they have created a flawed picture of him in their mind. I didn't mind this, as it often happens in real life.
The female protagonist, Karan, annoyed me quite often and was the typical cookie cutter conumdrum often described in female leads. Her insecurities cause her to often be unfair and cruel to the people around her, and yet everyone loves her for it. She often accuses those around her of lacking loyalty, will, or compasion for others and yet outside of her one chosen goal, she is far more faithless than those around her. But her careless behavior toward those who sacrifice never drives them away from her. Other characters often see her as kind and giving, which in some respects she is. However her own hatred of her failings often drive her to hurt the people around her, and when she opens her eyes to here own behavior and finds it detestible she often rewards those who have remained by her with ever increasing venum that she feels for herself, but aims at them. She becomes bitter, hurtfurl, malicious, and doubtful of everyone throughout the story. But for all that she accuses her friends of abandoning her, they never do. She, however, depends heavily on them, asking much and giving back little.
The authors biggest failing, however, is giving the main characters a VOICE much too young for them. It suprized me a little every time the book reminded me that the Llian and Karan were in their mid-late twenties. At this point in my life I know this age group extremely well, and yet I often found myself thinking of the main chacters as teenagers. They speak, think, act, and react much like those who are on their own for the first time, not like adults who have long been responsible for their own choices.
For all that, however, these are still worthy stories is epic fantasy is something you enjoy.
The female protagonist, Karan, annoyed me quite often and was the typical cookie cutter conumdrum often described in female leads. Her insecurities cause her to often be unfair and cruel to the people around her, and yet everyone loves her for it. She often accuses those around her of lacking loyalty, will, or compasion for others and yet outside of her one chosen goal, she is far more faithless than those around her. But her careless behavior toward those who sacrifice never drives them away from her. Other characters often see her as kind and giving, which in some respects she is. However her own hatred of her failings often drive her to hurt the people around her, and when she opens her eyes to here own behavior and finds it detestible she often rewards those who have remained by her with ever increasing venum that she feels for herself, but aims at them. She becomes bitter, hurtfurl, malicious, and doubtful of everyone throughout the story. But for all that she accuses her friends of abandoning her, they never do. She, however, depends heavily on them, asking much and giving back little.
The authors biggest failing, however, is giving the main characters a VOICE much too young for them. It suprized me a little every time the book reminded me that the Llian and Karan were in their mid-late twenties. At this point in my life I know this age group extremely well, and yet I often found myself thinking of the main chacters as teenagers. They speak, think, act, and react much like those who are on their own for the first time, not like adults who have long been responsible for their own choices.
For all that, however, these are still worthy stories is epic fantasy is something you enjoy.
August 20, 2013
6/10
This is book 1 in a tetralogy, so the author spends a lot of time on world-building and historical back-notes. Yet we do get to know the main characters, Llian and Karan, quite well. i thought all the major characters seem fairly nuanced--real people with flaws and strengths, warts and virtues.
I thought some of the interminable journeying could have been condensed, but the events in the escapes and chases did help develop the characters and their relationships with each other.
I certainly enjoyed this enough and am intrigued enough to continue the series.
This is book 1 in a tetralogy, so the author spends a lot of time on world-building and historical back-notes. Yet we do get to know the main characters, Llian and Karan, quite well. i thought all the major characters seem fairly nuanced--real people with flaws and strengths, warts and virtues.
I thought some of the interminable journeying could have been condensed, but the events in the escapes and chases did help develop the characters and their relationships with each other.
I certainly enjoyed this enough and am intrigued enough to continue the series.
April 8, 2011
I adore the characters of Karan, and especially Lian. The whole series, and all his fantasy books really, are just novels I keep returning too, although this one, as the earliest in the View from the Mirror Quartet, is one of my favorites,before the stories all split - a lot - and things started getting very twisty and backwards.
December 2, 2016
Big fan of this book. The Chronicler's style of story-telling magic is quite unique. It brings strong themes of how history is just artistic interpretation, never the truth or reality of what happened. So clever. A powerful story-teller, who comes close to the 'true version' thereby comes close to actually bringing the past to life before us. Love it.
December 6, 2010
This is a really good story. Full of names that I can't pronounce, lots of back history and full of made-up races of quasi-human characters with strange mental abilities -- who could ask for anything more? --From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie.
June 7, 2016
A bit too wordy with the descriptions which bogs the story down, but overall a solid start. Karan irked me in the book and drove me nuts.
I will defiantly follow up with the other books in the series
I will defiantly follow up with the other books in the series
February 2, 2012
Exciting, creative, but too long due to long descriptions of scenery.
July 5, 2018
That was a mess. Sometimes you wish that a book would be truly horrible so that you could just put it aside and be done with it. This one was just good enough to keep me going and I was going back and forth between 3 and 2 stars for a bit. If I had a 2.5 option, I would have taken it. The stupid ending made me decide on a 2 star quoting in the end. I managed to get to the end, but I shan't be continuing in this series. I've learned my lesson in the past about books that show some promise but aren't very good in the beginning, they just don't get better as you go along, they get worse.
It's a damn shame, because there was good story hidden in there somewhere, which is why this feels so frustrating, it was just buried under a whole lot of bad writing. How this got past an editor, I'll never understand. The plot is all over the place, the pacing is off, the descriptive writing is nonsensical and the dialogue feels like it comes out of a bad anime. First job to improve this book? Cut the number of exclamation marks in the dialogue by half, at the very least. I expect most people in this world are hoarse from all the shouting they do all the time.
And then, one of the most important things to me personally in any fiction novel: the characters. This is the part that stings the most because there was definite potential here. Karan especially is a very strong female character and to Irvine's credit, he doesn't follow the clichés at all. She is much more badass than her love interest Llian and it shows. Unfortunately her personality it rather nonsensical. She's got more mood swings than a schizophrenic teenager, going from "oh, my Llian" to "go away" in like five sentences. They have the weirdest building relationship I've ever seen and despite having strong feelings towards each other, somehow never feel the need to talk about it to each other.
Llian is pretty frigging useless, both as a character and a person. He's a burden to Karan more than anything else, something which she rarely fails to point out to him, though through some inexplicable reason she can't do without him either. Because he is such a useless fool throughout most of the story, his sudden unexplained acts of heroism are a little hard to believe, though they were some of the better parts of the book. Indeed, very occasionally this book felt like it might be going somewhere. But then you'd get a scene where one or more of the characters would do something so inane or stupid that the only reason I conceive for it is that Irvine needed it to advance his plot. At one point, one character stands trial and is sentenced to death for doing fuck all. I still don't understand just what exactly she was condemned for. Then there's the guy that leaves the woman he loves out of his sight for no particular reason even though she is not doing well and she has many enemies that might show up, pretty much just because we needed her to be alone for a plot point in the next scene. It is just a big mess of a story with a good idea and not a bad background world underneath it all, but it is just not worth it. As I said, I won't be continuing this series and I can't recommend this one.
It's a damn shame, because there was good story hidden in there somewhere, which is why this feels so frustrating, it was just buried under a whole lot of bad writing. How this got past an editor, I'll never understand. The plot is all over the place, the pacing is off, the descriptive writing is nonsensical and the dialogue feels like it comes out of a bad anime. First job to improve this book? Cut the number of exclamation marks in the dialogue by half, at the very least. I expect most people in this world are hoarse from all the shouting they do all the time.
And then, one of the most important things to me personally in any fiction novel: the characters. This is the part that stings the most because there was definite potential here. Karan especially is a very strong female character and to Irvine's credit, he doesn't follow the clichés at all. She is much more badass than her love interest Llian and it shows. Unfortunately her personality it rather nonsensical. She's got more mood swings than a schizophrenic teenager, going from "oh, my Llian" to "go away" in like five sentences. They have the weirdest building relationship I've ever seen and despite having strong feelings towards each other, somehow never feel the need to talk about it to each other.
Llian is pretty frigging useless, both as a character and a person. He's a burden to Karan more than anything else, something which she rarely fails to point out to him, though through some inexplicable reason she can't do without him either. Because he is such a useless fool throughout most of the story, his sudden unexplained acts of heroism are a little hard to believe, though they were some of the better parts of the book. Indeed, very occasionally this book felt like it might be going somewhere. But then you'd get a scene where one or more of the characters would do something so inane or stupid that the only reason I conceive for it is that Irvine needed it to advance his plot. At one point, one character stands trial and is sentenced to death for doing fuck all. I still don't understand just what exactly she was condemned for. Then there's the guy that leaves the woman he loves out of his sight for no particular reason even though she is not doing well and she has many enemies that might show up, pretty much just because we needed her to be alone for a plot point in the next scene. It is just a big mess of a story with a good idea and not a bad background world underneath it all, but it is just not worth it. As I said, I won't be continuing this series and I can't recommend this one.
September 23, 2018
I bought this book years ago and couldn't get through it the first time. After a decade I gave it another chance. To be honest I quite liked it. the worlds, the different races, the plot, the only thing which got annoying was the ex machina moments which seemed to happen in every chapter. I don't really like the character Karan, but Maigraith I did. The last few chapters were rushed, extremely rushed, which made me rush through them as well. I practically scanned the last 6 chapters instead of properly reading them. Hopefully the second book will be better.
May 11, 2020
I don't know if anyone can surpass the Chronicles from The Name of the Wind.
3 stars, we'll see if I continue with the series.
3 stars, we'll see if I continue with the series.
July 28, 2012
Originally reviewed on The Oaken Bookcase on 28/7/2012.
Karan is a young woman, a sensitive with powers of the mind, who is recruited to help Magraith break into a fortress and steal an ancient relic. All does not go to plan, however, and Magraith is captured. Karan manages to escape with the Mirror of Aachan but is pursued away and across Meldorin for weeks. Eventually she flees into the mountains, where she runs into Llian, much to her disgust.
Llian is a graduating student Chronicler who is cast out of his college after discovering a potentially dangerous secret in the great histories of the world. As he’s basically a storyteller and librarian he’s one of the most unlikely heroes I’ve ever read about in an epic fantasy, but he grows from a somewhat fanciful young man seeking his own glory to a (slightly) hardened traveller, loyal and determined to protect Karan on her journey. The other major leaders of various factions look down on him as a “miserable Zain” and I felt so sorry for him by the end of the book!
Karan and Llian are chased for weeks by at least three separate factions (possibly more!), each intent on capturing the Mirror for their own ends.
A Shadow on the Glass was Ian Irvine’s debut, and this fact is reflected in the writing style – at times a little stilted and with a few quirks such as switching points of view mid-scene. Those few problems are easily overlooked by the actual magnitude of this story and I’m sure the writing style will only get better in later books.
There is plenty of history to be told, usually during stories told between characters. These story times can get a little drawn out but the rest of the book is essentially one enormous chase, with plenty of exciting escapes and near misses. I couldn’t put it down for long and was very invested in the characters by the end.
I’ve had this book on my shelf for quite a number of years, but for some reason never got around to picking it up. I’m so glad I did though, as I really enjoyed it. I will warn those thinking of reading it that you might like to get your hands on the second book as soon as you can, since A Shadow on the Glass ends on a major cliffhanger!
If you love epic fantasy worlds with many and various characters including kick-arse women, plots, intrigue, a touch of romance and terrifying chases and escapes, then you’ll enjoy A Shadow on the Glass.
Karan is a young woman, a sensitive with powers of the mind, who is recruited to help Magraith break into a fortress and steal an ancient relic. All does not go to plan, however, and Magraith is captured. Karan manages to escape with the Mirror of Aachan but is pursued away and across Meldorin for weeks. Eventually she flees into the mountains, where she runs into Llian, much to her disgust.
Llian is a graduating student Chronicler who is cast out of his college after discovering a potentially dangerous secret in the great histories of the world. As he’s basically a storyteller and librarian he’s one of the most unlikely heroes I’ve ever read about in an epic fantasy, but he grows from a somewhat fanciful young man seeking his own glory to a (slightly) hardened traveller, loyal and determined to protect Karan on her journey. The other major leaders of various factions look down on him as a “miserable Zain” and I felt so sorry for him by the end of the book!
Karan and Llian are chased for weeks by at least three separate factions (possibly more!), each intent on capturing the Mirror for their own ends.
A Shadow on the Glass was Ian Irvine’s debut, and this fact is reflected in the writing style – at times a little stilted and with a few quirks such as switching points of view mid-scene. Those few problems are easily overlooked by the actual magnitude of this story and I’m sure the writing style will only get better in later books.
There is plenty of history to be told, usually during stories told between characters. These story times can get a little drawn out but the rest of the book is essentially one enormous chase, with plenty of exciting escapes and near misses. I couldn’t put it down for long and was very invested in the characters by the end.
I’ve had this book on my shelf for quite a number of years, but for some reason never got around to picking it up. I’m so glad I did though, as I really enjoyed it. I will warn those thinking of reading it that you might like to get your hands on the second book as soon as you can, since A Shadow on the Glass ends on a major cliffhanger!
If you love epic fantasy worlds with many and various characters including kick-arse women, plots, intrigue, a touch of romance and terrifying chases and escapes, then you’ll enjoy A Shadow on the Glass.
March 14, 2016
Very hard to get excited about. The author has obviously developed a formula for structuring sentences. Everything he says is structured in terms of this formula. It reminds me of the sort of advice my year 6 school teacher gave me in Creative Writing class. For example, he seems to take every opportunity to insert an adjective, a la: The tall man carefully handed the old paper to the suspicious woman. Okay, it's not that bad, but it's on the way there...
The themes are also cliched and boring. There is a big emphasis on a college of historians, so he has an academic theme going, then there's the theme where the scholar is cast into the wilderness. There are several strong female characters who seem to have no other purpose than to be strong female characters, and whose depth seems to serve that purposes (and not much more). The male characters are somewhat more carefully woven, which seems to undermine the point of making a point of having prominent female characters. The villains tend to be stereotypes even to the point of wicked laughter (literally), and the cast of lower-class characters are all Oliver Twists, Fagans, and monsters from Grimms. The plot seems to have been badly borrowed from The Hobbit (which was never itself all that original) and the twists and turns are boringly predictable.
Did I mention the writing style? He writes in a way that is half-poetry, half-vulgarity. You're never quite sure if he's trying to sound like a King James or a monster truck blog. It's as if he couldn't decide if it should be high prose for the ages, or if it should "tap into" gritty street realism (which in a fantasy world, comes off very oddly).
The world reminds me of Myst, which is nice, but he doesn't pay a lot of attention to describing it, so it kind of feels like travelling on a bus at night - can't see anything, but you're sure the scenery is lovely.
Wake me up when we arrive...
The themes are also cliched and boring. There is a big emphasis on a college of historians, so he has an academic theme going, then there's the theme where the scholar is cast into the wilderness. There are several strong female characters who seem to have no other purpose than to be strong female characters, and whose depth seems to serve that purposes (and not much more). The male characters are somewhat more carefully woven, which seems to undermine the point of making a point of having prominent female characters. The villains tend to be stereotypes even to the point of wicked laughter (literally), and the cast of lower-class characters are all Oliver Twists, Fagans, and monsters from Grimms. The plot seems to have been badly borrowed from The Hobbit (which was never itself all that original) and the twists and turns are boringly predictable.
Did I mention the writing style? He writes in a way that is half-poetry, half-vulgarity. You're never quite sure if he's trying to sound like a King James or a monster truck blog. It's as if he couldn't decide if it should be high prose for the ages, or if it should "tap into" gritty street realism (which in a fantasy world, comes off very oddly).
The world reminds me of Myst, which is nice, but he doesn't pay a lot of attention to describing it, so it kind of feels like travelling on a bus at night - can't see anything, but you're sure the scenery is lovely.
Wake me up when we arrive...
January 25, 2012
'A Shadow On The Glass' is the first book in Ian Irvine's fantasy series 'A Tale Of Three Worlds'. As the name of the series suggests it follows the tales of three different worlds that are connected and inhabit different human species (among others). This particular book follows two characters who paths cross due the stealing of a powerful mirror that everyone in the world of Santhenar (the world in which it is set) seems to want. Irvine is clearly influenced by Tolkien, as this series opens up a whole new world to the reader (A Shadow In The Glass being an introduction to this world along with mentions and interactions with the inhabitants from the other two worlds). Both characters seem to be outcasts in Santhenar; Llian being a Zain (a race known for their treachery) and Karan being a blend (the crossing of two races). But both are thrown together as Karan must steal the powerful mirror in order to pay a debt, and Llian to escort her to his sponsor: a mancer (means a person of magic, like a wizard) called Mendark. Irvine gives us adventure, betrayal, violence and takes us all over his beautiful world, teaching us of it's people along the way. It is a must read, it takes the reader to another world, inside the mind of a genius.
- Moosh
- Moosh
February 28, 2020
Slog slog slog slog slog.
Perhaps this book was doomed from the start. No. I thought the start was really interesting. Kind of a fantasy cold-case, re-writing of history... had the book continued in the vein...
I'm not sure who (looking at you Tolkein) decided that having a handful of characters go on a long journey was the epitome of fantasy story-telling. This books is a series of random encounters without much actual story. I just get bored of characters running from encounter to encounter without any particular greater meaning or even real development. It doesn't help when the number of characters is two...
On top of that, I really didn't connect with any of the characters, mostly because of a poor use of third-person omniscient. The point of view jumps around alarmingly quickly and often I had trouble with the transitions, having to re-read sections because I wasn't sure who's head I was supposed to be in.
In terms of world-building, it reminds me of a spiderweb. If you look at it from afar, it is interesting, but close up it is empty.
Could I be any more scathing?
Perhaps this book was doomed from the start. No. I thought the start was really interesting. Kind of a fantasy cold-case, re-writing of history... had the book continued in the vein...
I'm not sure who (looking at you Tolkein) decided that having a handful of characters go on a long journey was the epitome of fantasy story-telling. This books is a series of random encounters without much actual story. I just get bored of characters running from encounter to encounter without any particular greater meaning or even real development. It doesn't help when the number of characters is two...
On top of that, I really didn't connect with any of the characters, mostly because of a poor use of third-person omniscient. The point of view jumps around alarmingly quickly and often I had trouble with the transitions, having to re-read sections because I wasn't sure who's head I was supposed to be in.
In terms of world-building, it reminds me of a spiderweb. If you look at it from afar, it is interesting, but close up it is empty.
Could I be any more scathing?
June 23, 2012
SUMMARY:
With this stunning and original debut, Ian Irvine begins the saga of The View from the Mirror, a brilliant epic fantasy that rivals the works of Robert Jordan and J. V. Jones. "Once there were three worlds, each with its own human race. Then, fleeing from out of the void came a fourth race, the Charon. Desperate, on the edge of extinction, they changed the balance between the worlds forever..." THE TALE OF THE FORBIDDING In ancient times the Way Between the Worlds was shattered, leaving bands of Aachim, Faellem, and Charon trapped with the old humans of Santhenar. Now Llian, a Chronicler of the Great Tales, uncovers a 3,000-year-old secret too deadly to be revealed-while Karan, a young sensitive, is compelled by honor to undertake a perilous mission. Neither can imagine they will soon meet as hunted fugitives, snared in the machinations of immortals, the vengeance of warlords, and the magics of powerful mancers. For the swelling deluge of a millennial war is rising, terrible as a tsunami, ready to cast torrents of sorcery and devastation across the land....
With this stunning and original debut, Ian Irvine begins the saga of The View from the Mirror, a brilliant epic fantasy that rivals the works of Robert Jordan and J. V. Jones. "Once there were three worlds, each with its own human race. Then, fleeing from out of the void came a fourth race, the Charon. Desperate, on the edge of extinction, they changed the balance between the worlds forever..." THE TALE OF THE FORBIDDING In ancient times the Way Between the Worlds was shattered, leaving bands of Aachim, Faellem, and Charon trapped with the old humans of Santhenar. Now Llian, a Chronicler of the Great Tales, uncovers a 3,000-year-old secret too deadly to be revealed-while Karan, a young sensitive, is compelled by honor to undertake a perilous mission. Neither can imagine they will soon meet as hunted fugitives, snared in the machinations of immortals, the vengeance of warlords, and the magics of powerful mancers. For the swelling deluge of a millennial war is rising, terrible as a tsunami, ready to cast torrents of sorcery and devastation across the land....
October 5, 2011
This was the start of my favorite Epic Fantasy series to-date; I am still searching for something to compare....
There are 10 books in this fantastic series, full of great characters, action, pace... it takes you away to another world that you will remember for a long time to come. It's a big read, but you will be hang'in out for the next book. I highly reccommend this seriers and Big Ups to Ian!
There are 10 books in this fantastic series, full of great characters, action, pace... it takes you away to another world that you will remember for a long time to come. It's a big read, but you will be hang'in out for the next book. I highly reccommend this seriers and Big Ups to Ian!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews