Fantasy Book Club Series discussion

Here's where we'll let it wide open, after finishing the book.

What did you think? Did it compare to Magician?

I finished yesterday.

Overall, I liked it.. But not nearly as much as Magician. Where as Magician started out feeling like a very traditional coming of age story, and then sort of morphed into something different, Silverthorn start out traditional and tame and finished traditional and tame. That's not to say it wasn't an enjoyable read, just not my favorite of the series.

(view spoiler)[I love Jimmy, so I liked to see him take an up front role in the story, but there wasn't as much of him there as I remembered. Maybe he's in the next one more.. Who knows.

Story wise - like I said, very traditional and standard. A plot to be foiled, an unlikely team to combat it. A journey to find knowledge, a task that seems impossible but is somehow managed. Everyone comes out alright, good triumphs over evil, yadda yadda yadda. But like I said.. Still enjoyable, just not nearly as good as Magician.

One thing that always bothered me, the first time I read this.. Neither Pug nor Thomas ever even think about going back to Crydee and visiting their parents (well, Thomas's parents and Pug's basically parents). Thomas is understandable.. He's afraid to leave the Elves because he doesn't feel like he's in complete control of his Valheru side. But he could at least send a message or something.. "Hey mom and dad! I'm a super powerful ancient warrior being now, and I married the Elf queen! Crazy, I know!!" You know, something like that :)

And Pug.. He could stop by.. Let them know he's alright.. Or maybe even just think of stopping by.. But he never does. It's just weird to me. (hide spoiler)]

Dawn wrote: "Silverthorn start out traditional and tame and finished traditional and tame...."

That's an excellent way to put it. It was good, but it didn't really grab me like Magician did by the halfway point.

Chris wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Silverthorn start out traditional and tame and finished traditional and tame...."

That's an excellent way to put it. It was good, but it didn't really grab me like Magician did by t..."

Odd, I liked the first half of Magician, but began to feel uncomfortable with the second half. I liked Silverthorn, but perhaps this month, right now, in my life, all I needed to be satisfied was a rollicking adventure quest story with some splashes of humor and danger. I agree it's very traditional.

I liked it, but it felt like half a book because so much is left hanging.

I think my above statement is showing the fact that this was my third reading of the books. The first time through, I felt much like you did, Jon. Enraptured with the first part of Magician and loving Silverthorn. I think with re-reads, I'm appreciating the subtle plots of Kelewan more than the straight up adventure, where I pretty much know what's going to happen.

I liked it, but was definately left hanging.

I liked Pug's travel north and the unexpected Watchers, (view spoiler)[ with the forest down in the ice. Also enjoyed the Murmandurus (sp?) and the serpent priest exiting through the rift at the end, does give you plenty to chew on. (hide spoiler)]

Will continue on with the series when I get it from the library, BUT... I do also HAVE to read The Wise Man's Fear this month, so I may get behind a bit. =)