What do you think?
Rate this book
The Cycle of Arawn #1-3
The Cycle of Arawn: The Complete Trilogy
Dante Galand is young. Penniless. Alone. But devoted to learning the dark magic of his world. His quest will take him from the city gutters to a foreign land of sorcerers. To a war for independence. And finally, to another war—this time, for his people's very survival. A USA Today bestselling series, THE CYCLE OF ARAWN is a complete trilogy of 1600 pages—over half a million words of strife, civil war, friendships made and broken, and one man's obsession to become the greatest sorcerer since the days of the gods.
1631 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2014
1578 people are currently reading
2909 people want to read
About the author
Edward W. Robertson
73 books1,234 followersEd is the author of the post-apocalyptic Breakers series and the epic fantasy series The Cycle of Arawn. A former New Yorker and Idaho-guy, he currently lives in the LA area. His short fiction has appeared in a whole bunch of magazines and anthologies.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews
August 22, 2015
Like many, I suspect, Audible heavily advertising a complete fantasy trilogy (65 hours of audio) for one credit was sufficient to peak my interest. What finally convinced me to pull the trigger was the narrator being Tim Gerald Reynolds, whose work I had just enjoyed on the first Riyria Chronicles novel.
Overall, while it never got terrible enough for me to give up on, the writing and the characters just never developed to a level where I found myself compelled. If I were reading the physical books, I likely would have given up somewhere in the second one, but I tend to be more forgiving with listening to audiobooks. Reynolds narration helps elevate the material to make it more palatable, though even he seems to be giving up on it by then end. It may be my imagination, but the narration seems to grow flat towards the end of the third book, and several audio editing errors in the third book compound this.
As for the story itself, it starts off with a promising enough premise - a young man sees powerful magic performed and starts a quest to learn how to do it. He picks up a companion early on and we have the makings of a buddy adventure, the way Raymond E Feist used to do.
Unfortunately, the writing and characterization comes across as flat. Despite there being several different cultural areas and one major non-human race, the common tongue everywhere seems to be "snarky retorts". While I appreciate snark and a well delivered quip, it quickly becomes tiresome as it feels like no one can have just a normal conversation, regardless of the circumstances. It's really hard to care about the two main characters, or any of the problems that they run into along the way.
I tend to favor stories with strong characters, though I can and do enjoy stories where the characters are shallower but the overall plot is compelling. This trilogy, unfortunately, offers neither strong characters, nor a compelling plot.
Overall, while it never got terrible enough for me to give up on, the writing and the characters just never developed to a level where I found myself compelled. If I were reading the physical books, I likely would have given up somewhere in the second one, but I tend to be more forgiving with listening to audiobooks. Reynolds narration helps elevate the material to make it more palatable, though even he seems to be giving up on it by then end. It may be my imagination, but the narration seems to grow flat towards the end of the third book, and several audio editing errors in the third book compound this.
As for the story itself, it starts off with a promising enough premise - a young man sees powerful magic performed and starts a quest to learn how to do it. He picks up a companion early on and we have the makings of a buddy adventure, the way Raymond E Feist used to do.
Unfortunately, the writing and characterization comes across as flat. Despite there being several different cultural areas and one major non-human race, the common tongue everywhere seems to be "snarky retorts". While I appreciate snark and a well delivered quip, it quickly becomes tiresome as it feels like no one can have just a normal conversation, regardless of the circumstances. It's really hard to care about the two main characters, or any of the problems that they run into along the way.
I tend to favor stories with strong characters, though I can and do enjoy stories where the characters are shallower but the overall plot is compelling. This trilogy, unfortunately, offers neither strong characters, nor a compelling plot.
December 10, 2014
I have given these three books five.....yes FIVE stars!I`m putting it up there with Dune & The Hobbit and Stranger in a Strange Land. The first book was a TAD sloggy, but I think that was mostly due to editing problems. Quite possibly Kindle editing. But the read was so good I had no problem just ignoring that.
Then the second and third books were so masterful I couldn`t help but forgive anything that might have been a problem with the first book. The two main characters were so fun and real, even from the first time they met, that I felt like they were old friends. And I don`t know how many times I startled my husband by bursting out in laughter over the witty banter. Dante and Blays were both very moving, dedicated and funny characters.
Also, the plot lines and secondary characters were well thought out, well fleshed out, and never ever boring!!It took me over three weeks to read these and I could have read at least one more....I will definitely search out and read more by this author.
THANK YOU EDWARD W.ROBERTSON!!.....Well done!!
Then the second and third books were so masterful I couldn`t help but forgive anything that might have been a problem with the first book. The two main characters were so fun and real, even from the first time they met, that I felt like they were old friends. And I don`t know how many times I startled my husband by bursting out in laughter over the witty banter. Dante and Blays were both very moving, dedicated and funny characters.
Also, the plot lines and secondary characters were well thought out, well fleshed out, and never ever boring!!It took me over three weeks to read these and I could have read at least one more....I will definitely search out and read more by this author.
THANK YOU EDWARD W.ROBERTSON!!.....Well done!!
September 7, 2015
I was simply getting sick of the buckets of blood, the incessant violence, the joyless sex, and all the accoutrements of modern fantasy -- plus I was ahead in my reviews -- so I satisfied my hunger for something a little easier on the soul by downloading "The Cycle of Arawn."
This was a big investment (99 cents) for all three volumes, but I was very happy with the serious cash outlay, as I read all three books in a row, and had a good time doing so.
OK, there were so many narrow escapes from death and quite a bit of willing suspension of disbelief (Walking through walls? Really?) but the characters were well done, and the story took some unexpected turns. And to Edward Robertson's credit, his protagonists were not all shiny and dressed in white, and wrestled with some moral issues along the way -- and did so without descending into nihilistic abandonment of everything but self-preservation.
My world wasn't rocked, but it was much happier while I was reading "The Cycle of Arawn" than when I'm slogging through the latest Joe Abercrombie knockoff, waiting for the next set of entrails to drip off the end of a rusted, bloodied sword.
You might find it fun as well.
This was a big investment (99 cents) for all three volumes, but I was very happy with the serious cash outlay, as I read all three books in a row, and had a good time doing so.
OK, there were so many narrow escapes from death and quite a bit of willing suspension of disbelief (Walking through walls? Really?) but the characters were well done, and the story took some unexpected turns. And to Edward Robertson's credit, his protagonists were not all shiny and dressed in white, and wrestled with some moral issues along the way -- and did so without descending into nihilistic abandonment of everything but self-preservation.
My world wasn't rocked, but it was much happier while I was reading "The Cycle of Arawn" than when I'm slogging through the latest Joe Abercrombie knockoff, waiting for the next set of entrails to drip off the end of a rusted, bloodied sword.
You might find it fun as well.
March 30, 2015
I bought this book because it was a kindle deal and it had surprisingly good (if few) reviews. However, it was a total waste of time. Almost stopped after the first book, but kept reading it till the (bitter) end.
I didn't care about the main character and his actions mostly didn’t make a lot of sense. I did like the magic system, but honestly that’s not enough in a 1600 pages book. Wouldn’t recommend it.
I didn't care about the main character and his actions mostly didn’t make a lot of sense. I did like the magic system, but honestly that’s not enough in a 1600 pages book. Wouldn’t recommend it.
September 23, 2015
So, there are a lot of damming reviews in this section... by people who have read at most the first book. This is from someone who has read all three.
Yes, the first book is a bit slow. Yes, perhaps the characters are not amazingly written, and perhaps the modern slang is a bit weird. But by the second story, and from then on, it gets gripping. I just finished recently, and the third book got me quite angry... about the fact I couldn't read it quickly enough to satisfy my need to find out more about the then gripping plot.
My advice - give the first book a go. If you don't have the will to get through it, check up on the plot on the internet, then skip on to book 2/end of book 1. It is really quite worth reading, I found it thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining.
The humour is modern at times, but had be laughing out loud numerous times. Some people have said all the characters are the same - completely untrue.
Don't really know what else to say... but I feel really satisfied that I have read a good book now.
Yes, the first book is a bit slow. Yes, perhaps the characters are not amazingly written, and perhaps the modern slang is a bit weird. But by the second story, and from then on, it gets gripping. I just finished recently, and the third book got me quite angry... about the fact I couldn't read it quickly enough to satisfy my need to find out more about the then gripping plot.
My advice - give the first book a go. If you don't have the will to get through it, check up on the plot on the internet, then skip on to book 2/end of book 1. It is really quite worth reading, I found it thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining.
The humour is modern at times, but had be laughing out loud numerous times. Some people have said all the characters are the same - completely untrue.
Don't really know what else to say... but I feel really satisfied that I have read a good book now.
November 3, 2014
Still working my way through book 1, which is probably part of the problem: reading shouldn't be work. There are these long moments of being in the MC's head where almost nothing else happens, and while I get why they are there, they're too much--too long. Still, it is keeping me engaged enough to keep reading for now. At this point, though, I'm not so sure I'll be interested in diving into the second book sooner rather than later. We'll have to see if things pick up better in the latter two-thirds of the book.
Edit: Finally gave up. I kept hoping it would get better, but it just plodded along. There's not enough movement in the story itself to keep attempting to finish. Moving on now. And won't be looking at the remaining books in the set.
Edit: Finally gave up. I kept hoping it would get better, but it just plodded along. There's not enough movement in the story itself to keep attempting to finish. Moving on now. And won't be looking at the remaining books in the set.
July 31, 2015
Is it possible to rate a book series 0 stars. Another one of those books overrated because its a Goodreads author and his friends upvoted his book to try and boost his sales. Goodreads should be watching out for its users and stopping this from happening. Be wary readers. Always check all the reviews and if there are only so many dont buy into the ratings. This author barely understands the english language and trying to read this if you do will be a hugely frustrating experience. I made it a few chapters before I couldnt take it anymore. This is the second time I have been caught by bogus reviews on Goodreads. Not happy with the dishonesty of the reviewers or Goodreads allowing it to happen.
May 6, 2015
I consider this book abandoned for now.
There was not enough happening to keep me interested. I believe I read up to the part of the Dead City. There is not much to say about so little. Slow story, poor character building, too many words for a whole lot of nothing.
There was not enough happening to keep me interested. I believe I read up to the part of the Dead City. There is not much to say about so little. Slow story, poor character building, too many words for a whole lot of nothing.
September 1, 2015
As a former avid reader, and a current avid audible listener, I cannot give this 5 stars. I can however give it a solid 4 stars. I found listening to this book was what it must feel like to push a boulder down a slowly sloping hill, with a wall at the end...at first you are like "yeah, ok this is gonna be fun!!!" then you think..."can this damn boulder move any slower...." shortly followed by "ok...ok...i see where this is going"...then by the last book you are just holding your breath until the inevitable collision. Even though it is predictable, it is still fun. If I had not received all three books at one time I probably would not have moved past the first one, too slow for my taste. By the end of the second I was glad i kept it up and was looking forward to the third.
Being a LOTR fan, and realizing what an alternate reality can possibly be....a 5 is almost impossible to reach...so a 4 is good enough for me.
Being a LOTR fan, and realizing what an alternate reality can possibly be....a 5 is almost impossible to reach...so a 4 is good enough for me.
August 26, 2015
I agree with earlier criticisms of this book, and I felt that all the characters were the same person, who by the way did not seem very fleshed out. I didn't like them, nor did I care what happened to them, or become interested in what was happening. I kept thinking that the book was going to get better, or that the limited world-building and character building was the author's way of slowly revealing mysteries, but found myself being frustrated all the way 'till I quit midway during book two.
August 30, 2015
Maybe I missed the point of this trilogy.
Maybe it was actually as bad as it seemed. The story was more a sequence of events than a plot. The characters didn't grow so much as seem to arbitrarily become different people. The dialogue and banter were horrible and seemed forced, and all of the main characters had the same sense of "humor." The edition I read was poorly edited, and several times the wrong word or character name was used.
Honestly, this is one of the few works that I regret having read.
Maybe it was actually as bad as it seemed. The story was more a sequence of events than a plot. The characters didn't grow so much as seem to arbitrarily become different people. The dialogue and banter were horrible and seemed forced, and all of the main characters had the same sense of "humor." The edition I read was poorly edited, and several times the wrong word or character name was used.
Honestly, this is one of the few works that I regret having read.
April 8, 2016
I have to say that I enjoyed the series. I too thought the snark was funny but over the top. No there wasn't a lot of character development. But my biggest issue was this: in the first books and a half there are virtually no women. Even the primary antagonist in book one has very little to say, and you can't help but think her fate was a little extreme. At the end of the second & the third book, things do improve. But in these cases it seems more the exception than the rule.
June 14, 2016
I am not quite sure why the reviews for this book so polarised, I found the trilogy to be engaging and fun, I do concur with some reviews that it is a series of stories linked together as opposed to one big story across 3 volumes. I liked the characters and I like the overall story, I really do like the the narrater, it was from reading other books he has narrated that led me to this series on Audible.
September 5, 2015
I cannot express how much I love this series. Robertson writes like a more adult-oriented David Eddings (of Belgariad/Mallorean fame). The dry, sardonic banter between the two heroes, Blays and Dante, has me grinning from ear-to-ear.
November 19, 2015
I just can't say enough about this trilogy. READ IT! It is funny, and touching, and just absolutely amazing. Best Character development EVER! This is easily one of the absolute best books I have ever read.
July 16, 2015
Started out good, but after about 2/3s the way through, it just seemed to stall out.
January 30, 2015
I enjoyed these books quite a bit in the end, but do understand some of the criticisms lobbed by others. The protagonist is certainly not a sympathetic character at many times, nor are some of the other characters. The action and obstacles do seem a bit repetitive, and there are certain sections that plod on for ever or don't seem to serve the plot well, while other sections rush through quickly with little development. I also think that a few too many of the characters were witty beyond reason...responses to nearly every question from the majority of characters were sharp-tongued. Also, a whole race of people basically dropped off after the first chapters of book one.
So why four stars? There was much right with the books as well. They are long enough for you to really start to identify with some of the characters. The main protagonist struggles with real decisions, and although he uses magic to get out of impossible situations it is not without consequence. The characters struggle with the morality of their decisions, and the self-centeredness of the main characters early on reflects the reality of the human condition much more than a naturally heroic teenager (sorry teens). I might have wanted more insight into their introspections, and perhaps a few fewer action or questing scenes, but I found myself reading these books during any free time I had. I finished them in an embarrassingly short period of time for their length.
Much enjoyed - I'll look for more by the author.
So why four stars? There was much right with the books as well. They are long enough for you to really start to identify with some of the characters. The main protagonist struggles with real decisions, and although he uses magic to get out of impossible situations it is not without consequence. The characters struggle with the morality of their decisions, and the self-centeredness of the main characters early on reflects the reality of the human condition much more than a naturally heroic teenager (sorry teens). I might have wanted more insight into their introspections, and perhaps a few fewer action or questing scenes, but I found myself reading these books during any free time I had. I finished them in an embarrassingly short period of time for their length.
Much enjoyed - I'll look for more by the author.
December 23, 2014
This was one of the best series I have read in years!!!!! (and I read alot!!!)
I loved the characters and the interaction they had with each other and the love and companionship they gave to each other.
I was never bored in any spot of reading these novels and I am sure I will read them again.
Dante is the sort of character most of us can relate to. His courage in the face of so much danger and death allowed us to watch him grow into the leader he needed to be. I really enjoyed the character of Blays and his seperate aventures when he leaves Dante.
I recommend these books to anyone who has a day or two to just enter Dante's world and become part of the struggle against the evils of his world.
I loved the characters and the interaction they had with each other and the love and companionship they gave to each other.
I was never bored in any spot of reading these novels and I am sure I will read them again.
Dante is the sort of character most of us can relate to. His courage in the face of so much danger and death allowed us to watch him grow into the leader he needed to be. I really enjoyed the character of Blays and his seperate aventures when he leaves Dante.
I recommend these books to anyone who has a day or two to just enter Dante's world and become part of the struggle against the evils of his world.
August 10, 2015
I approached this book wanting to like it, open to finding a new writer who could spin a yarn. Unfortunately I had to abandon Book One about half way through.
The pace is slow, the character development is poor but worst of all the plot makes it very difficult to suspend disbelief. It's always a problem for writers but especially for fantasy writers walking the well-trodden path of otherwise-insignificant-young-lad-develops magical-powers-to-save-the-world.
Instead of grappling with implausible plot twists, the author chooses to gloss over them.
I wasn't expecting greatness but this book just is not worth the invested time.
The pace is slow, the character development is poor but worst of all the plot makes it very difficult to suspend disbelief. It's always a problem for writers but especially for fantasy writers walking the well-trodden path of otherwise-insignificant-young-lad-develops magical-powers-to-save-the-world.
Instead of grappling with implausible plot twists, the author chooses to gloss over them.
I wasn't expecting greatness but this book just is not worth the invested time.
July 31, 2015
I loved these books and would put them beside the Tolkien's Hobbit and LoTR trilogy if this wasn't a kindle edition. I took the reading really slow and read this on my phone in between when I had bits of time so it took me quite long to finish, but that made me even more attached to the characters and the world. After I finished these series I now realize it is weird that there is no continuation, no Dante, no Blays...no more adventures of those two witty boys.
For me it was worth a read for sure! One of the best books I have read lately!
For me it was worth a read for sure! One of the best books I have read lately!
Read
July 25, 2016I took me a LONG time, but I finally finished this trilogy. I got the Audible Omnibus. I was sad it was over. Till I noticed The Cycle of Galand was there. It will be on my to listen to list Great books.
July 11, 2015
Couldn't get through book one... Was such a struggle, and like someone else said reading shouldn't be a chore!
January 13, 2016
...maybe 2.5?
I actually downloaded the Podium audiobook version of this because I needed something new to listen to while in the studio and its sheer volume-to-terrible-reviews ratio wasn't horrible (it weighs in at 65 hours plus, and people don't seem to hate it.)
I got what I wanted, I suppose. It is indeed satisfyingly lengthy; I was able to spend a couple of weeks in the same world with the same characters, which lends a pleasing sense of continuity to my workday. On the other hand, the book itself just isn't very good. It never really got so bad that I stopped listening, but it is full of weird plot holes and unbelievable narrative jacks-in-boxes, and the characters and situations are as cliched and predictable as the come...until the few times they do something so contrivedly unpredictable that you can practically hear the critique group saying, "He's too predictable...come up with something random!"
All told, though, as a performance it isn't terrible. Tim Reynolds is an excellent narrator, and the world itself is engagingly rendered. If you're my situation (you've already read all the the top-shelf fantasy of the year and need a reasonable time-filler) it will do.
I actually downloaded the Podium audiobook version of this because I needed something new to listen to while in the studio and its sheer volume-to-terrible-reviews ratio wasn't horrible (it weighs in at 65 hours plus, and people don't seem to hate it.)
I got what I wanted, I suppose. It is indeed satisfyingly lengthy; I was able to spend a couple of weeks in the same world with the same characters, which lends a pleasing sense of continuity to my workday. On the other hand, the book itself just isn't very good. It never really got so bad that I stopped listening, but it is full of weird plot holes and unbelievable narrative jacks-in-boxes, and the characters and situations are as cliched and predictable as the come...until the few times they do something so contrivedly unpredictable that you can practically hear the critique group saying, "He's too predictable...come up with something random!"
All told, though, as a performance it isn't terrible. Tim Reynolds is an excellent narrator, and the world itself is engagingly rendered. If you're my situation (you've already read all the the top-shelf fantasy of the year and need a reasonable time-filler) it will do.
December 14, 2014
The first book was a little hard to get through as it was hard to care about the protagonist early on. As it and the rest of the series advances the characters end up with enough depth and personality that you can understand their actions.
December 22, 2017
This trilogy gets progressively better! By the end of the 2nd book I was totally hooked and it was even better in the third! It was a magical tale that kept me engaged in both the thoughts and actions of it's characters. I can't wait to read more from this author!
Read
March 25, 2015Took a while to build story up but good ending to the series.
February 21, 2015
Goes on and on
It's OK but I found myself skimming huge chunks so that I could get to something engaging, not the way I usually read a book.
It's OK but I found myself skimming huge chunks so that I could get to something engaging, not the way I usually read a book.
September 21, 2016
Great
Great read, I really loved the banter between the two main characters. I look forward to reading his next books.
Great read, I really loved the banter between the two main characters. I look forward to reading his next books.
September 2, 2017
Looking back at my reading updates I had said at 8% that the magic system was interesting and still being explored. Forgive me, because it was never really explained a whole lot more from that point on. The author even introduced an opposing magic force that seemed the yang to the Nether's Ying.... But that was never actually explained by the author.
After 65 hours of audiobook I still feel.... Hollow. So many things left unexplained. Characters so driven and motivated with no reason other than he/she wanted to. Dante went from a street orphan to the world's most powerful sorcerer.... Blays went from an inept mercenary to a renowned fighter, and then to a sorcerer.
Plot elements, while some were interesting and straightforward--and therefore executed appropriately, were open and unexplained... Mythical with little history provided to back then up.
Norren and the chain breakers war was good, 2nd book was by far the best. 3rd book introduced a new enemy no one had ever heard of from a land no one had ever been to who wanted vengeance for atrocities no one is even aware of....
Decent time waster and Tim Gerard Reynolds is an A+ reader. But the story was lacking...
After 65 hours of audiobook I still feel.... Hollow. So many things left unexplained. Characters so driven and motivated with no reason other than he/she wanted to. Dante went from a street orphan to the world's most powerful sorcerer.... Blays went from an inept mercenary to a renowned fighter, and then to a sorcerer.
Plot elements, while some were interesting and straightforward--and therefore executed appropriately, were open and unexplained... Mythical with little history provided to back then up.
Norren and the chain breakers war was good, 2nd book was by far the best. 3rd book introduced a new enemy no one had ever heard of from a land no one had ever been to who wanted vengeance for atrocities no one is even aware of....
Decent time waster and Tim Gerard Reynolds is an A+ reader. But the story was lacking...
December 22, 2017
Phenomenal storytelling
I came across the first book as part of an anthology of fantasy stories, each one the beginning of its own multi-novel saga. As I read through, I was extremely critical: show me what the characters feel, don't tell me. Is that the best you could do with that sentence? So on and so forth.
Somewhere around a third of the way through the grammar Nazi inside began complaining less and by the end I was hooked. Robertson's style matured by years over the course of that one novel, and as I finish the first trilogy, I'm almost overwhelmed by the literary hangover: that feeling of loss when you finish a fantastic story. Gonna take a day or two and dive into the continuing adventures of Dante and Blays. I'm hooked.
I came across the first book as part of an anthology of fantasy stories, each one the beginning of its own multi-novel saga. As I read through, I was extremely critical: show me what the characters feel, don't tell me. Is that the best you could do with that sentence? So on and so forth.
Somewhere around a third of the way through the grammar Nazi inside began complaining less and by the end I was hooked. Robertson's style matured by years over the course of that one novel, and as I finish the first trilogy, I'm almost overwhelmed by the literary hangover: that feeling of loss when you finish a fantastic story. Gonna take a day or two and dive into the continuing adventures of Dante and Blays. I'm hooked.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews