The Ring

by Daniel Keys Moran

A powerful ring provides incredible riches at a terrible cost, and many struggle to possess this power

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

467 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Krbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hm, 1988 - srećom pa piše godina izdavanja, a Polarisova izdanja sam religiozno kupovao čim se pojave - tako mi je lako upotpuniti GR bazu.

Ovo vam je neobično djelo, skoro pa propalo kad je izašlo no neobično visoko cijenjeno od onih koji su ga pročitali (pogledajte samo mali broj ocjena ovdje) - tako i s moje strane. Čini mi se kako ima i kolekcionarsku vrijednost vani.

Ako nisam pročitao najmanje 5 puta nisam ni manje, a obzirom da ga je lako naći nemojte izbjeći. Moglo bi vam se prilično dopasti.

Ima svega, od teleportirajućih vladara, potlačenih radnika, snažnih telepata, divova (da, divova). Ponekad vuče i na fantasy.

Stvarno zanimljivo i potpuno ispod radara.


Više od četvorke.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stole the book from my mother when I was 12 (or around that age) and never gave it back because it's one of my favorite books. I've had it over 20 years now and it's in my top ten favorite books. Beautifully written, amazing plot, a story to remember, and filled with surprises.

[Jawram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost anything by Moran deserves an automatic 4 stars.
Found it after searching for 15 years for more Moran.
He must write more.

[George Greece · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I ever read. I wonder how out food not become a major success

[Ryan Dennehy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a hidden gem. It's uneven at points, perhaps I would even say it has tough pacing as if it were a film (if such a critique could be leveled at a book). Regardless, it was a joy to read. Its world is unique and interesting and, while confused at points, has such evocative vibes that it doesn't really matter. It's like DKM took Tolkien and Dune and Ivanhoe and sprinkled a little Star Wars on top of it.

[Γιώργος Ζορμπάς · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've ever read. I read it first time 20 years ago and it stayed deep in my mind (I usually forget the details of a book some months after I read it - not this one). Over time I lost it. Still it was present in my mind and 20 years later I bought it - from Amazon US; paying a large delivery premium. I wanted to read it again, thinking that the second time wouldn't be as impressive. Once more the book mesmerized me.... .... I really cannot understand how this one hasn't become an all time classic.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally agree with previous review; it has stayed deep in my mind still 30 years after.

[Michael Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

None of the DKM fans discuss this book, but it's one of my favourites. Clearly set on the Great Wheel of Existence and worth reading.

[Joe Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a lifelong SF and fantasy fan (a long life, too) and an artist/animator with a lot of SF series and a movie to my credit. Moran's "Ring" remains a haunting piece of work for me, both on its own and also for a very personal reason.

On its own, The Ring continues in Moran's tradition as a writer of evocative and intriguing SF epics. A good, solid and deeply moving story of ambition and desire, love and war. An epic in the very best sense.

On a personal level, it resonates with me as it was based on a screenplay and dream written by two individuals who became very dear friends and mentors. They were Bill and Joanne Stewart. I met them in 1983 when they were looking for a team of artists who could step and do a series of 50 concept paintings for their movie script, The Ring, which was based on Wagner's classic opera. We did the work and became part of Bill and Joanne's dream quest to make and direct their hundred million dollar epic film. Bill was both a father figure and big souled big brother to me. He was part of my wedding party.

In the end, they failed to get their movie funded and made, but man they got very close. Very close to getting the funding. And they did convince Bantam books to pay one of their very best SF writers, Mr. Moran, to adapt their script into a 500 page novel. And Moran did it magnificently. He created an entire backstory set before the script starts and took Bill and Joanne's improbable SF world of Gods, Giants, leather and sword wearing warriors in starships, into a plausible and tragically epic reality. He solved every issue that I had a problem with in the original script, boldly creating a believable story from it.

Kudos to Dan for this heartfelt effort. I know he's disavowed this work to a certain degree and feels a bit conned by the Stewarts, but man, this book is truly wonderful. And expansion of their vision into something that is true and beautiful and enthralling. Something I still believe would make an incredible mini-series or two epic films.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't a bad book--the world, magic-science blend, and conflict was interesting--it just wasn't my cup of tea and I couldn't quite get into it. I did, however, finish it. 2.5 stars

[M B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've only read part of this online at the Internet Archive. I like much of what the author has written later, and this book did not manage to hook me.

[Nebojša Dikić · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reading stuff. Something between Clarke and Asimov. Always love to find such a gem previously unknown. Recommendation for everyone who like real SF.