Ultimecia's Book Reviews
By:Ultimecia
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Book List
III. Book Reviews
IV. Thanks and Disclaimer
Introduction: Hello Readers! My name is *Ultimecia* and I write book reviews for the Teen Board. This page is here to allow all library patrons to have a more in-depth look at some of the books. My specialty is Fantasy/Magic books. I am hoping that some of the other teen board members will eventually start writing reviews which will be posted on this page. So, without further ado I present to you, courtesy of the Spencer Public Librarians, and the Teen Board, a look inside some wonderful works of literary art via *Ultimecia*!
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1. Dark Elf Trilogy: Homeland, Exile, and Sojourn by: R.A. Salvatore.
2. Icewind Dale Trilogy: The Crystal Shard, Streams of Silver, The Halfling's Gem by: R.A. Salvatore.
3. Crimson Shadow Trilogy: The Sword of Bedwyr, Luthien's Gamble, The Dragon King by R.A. Salvatore.
4. Sword of Truth Series: Wizard's First Rule, Stone of Tears, Blood of the Fold, Temple of the Winds, Soul of the Fire, Faith of the Fallen, Pillars of Creation. (Sidenote/Short Story: Debt of Bones.) by Terry Goodkind.
5. Heralds of Valdemar Series: (Note: This set is so massive that I will break it down into each section in Chronological Order.) Mage Wars Series: The Black Gryphon, The White Gryphon, The Silver Gryphon; The Last Herald-Mage: Magic's Pawn, Magic's Promise, Magic's Price; Vows and Honor Trilogy: The Oathbound, Oathbreakers, Oathblood; Heralds Trilogy: Arrows of the Queen, Arrow's Flight, Arrow's Fall; Mage Winds Trilogy: Winds of Fate, Winds of Change, Winds of Fury; Mage Storms Trilogy: Storm Warning, Storm Rising, Storm Breaking; Owlmage Trilogy: Owlflight, Owlsight, Owlknight by Mercedes Lackey.
6. Here are the Independent Novels of Valdemar which do not belong in any series, I shall note where they come chronologically in the set. Brightly Burning after Herald-Mage and before Vows and Honor, Take a Thief just before Heralds, By the Sword after Heralds and before Mage Winds, and Sword of Ice and other Tales of Valdemar is completely independent of the timeline and all of the books are by Mercedes Lackey.
7. Black Swan by Mercedes Lackey.
Note: Ratings based on a scale of 1-5 stars with 5 stars being the best rating possible.
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Homeland By R.A. Salvatore Dark Elf Trilogy Book 1
How Scary! this is a very backstabby/ turn-around-and-knife-your-neighbors because it's "acceptable" sort of book. In this book, the Spider Queen, Lloth, rules Menzoberranzan with an iron fist of chaos. Poor Drizzt Do'Urden, a sympathetic Drow Elf, must choose: a bad quality of life with morals, or an immoral life with all the power and money he could want. However, Chaos allows an opportunity for advancement in Drow society, and any house with enough ambition, basically all of them, are more than ready to rise in rank. With Drow dying left and right, it leaves you wondering who will be the next to die. Be warned: Although your soul is safe, your life is most definitely not! Rating: *** (3)
Exile By R.A. Salvatore Dark Elf Trilogy Book 2
A very good book; but kind of odd when compared to the first book. In this book Drizzt must live out a life waiting patiently for...nothing. He lives outside of Menzoberranzan in the vast reaches of the Underdark only with his companion from the Astral Plane, Guenhwyvar. He really is fighting an internal struggle as his practicality attempts to override his morals and dedications. He also retreats to within the confines of his own mind and goes through the motions of life without actually living. This book is, in all essentiality, an interlude between Book 1 and Book 3, but a necessary one! Rating: ** (2)
Sojourn By R.A. Salvatore Dark Elf Trilogy Book 3
What a whopper! Drizzt Do'Urden returns in the conclusion of the Dark Elf Trilogy moving on up...literally! He, once again with his friend, Guenhwyvar, is a wandering soul. Until the day he erupts forth into the world from the Underdark. After he makes it will he be warmly embraced, coldly shunned, or savagely repulsed. Drizzt must persevere through thick and through thin. He must then move about finding a place to live, and not every person he passes is willing to take in a Drow! He will eventually triumph...or will he? Read the set and find out! Rating: **1/2 (2.5)
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The Crystal Shard By R.A. Salvatore Icewind Dale Book 1
In this book an apprentice wizard, Akar Kessell, stumbles upon a potent and dangerous magical relic, the Crystal Shard. Drizzt Do'Urden, a Drow elf, joins forces with Bruenor Battlehammer, a Dwarf. Together, with Wulfgar, a Barbarian, they must stop Akar Kessell from unleashing the proverbial apocalypse upon the world. If not stopped, Kessell will take over all of the planet. However, Kessell is blindly using the powerful relic, which slowly but surely gains more control over Kessell every passing moment. Meanwhile, a powerful demon, Errtu, also seeks the magical relic. Will the threat be stopped? Read the book and find out for yourself! Rating: ** (2)
Streams of Silver By R.A. Salvatore Icewind Dale Book 2
In this tome of lore, Drizzt Do'Urden seeks out another adventure with his Dwarven buddy Bruenor Battlehammer. Bruenor seeks out the ancestral home of Clan Battlehammer, the only problem? No one knows where it is! The Dwarves fled Mithril Hall so long ago that even Bruenor, who lived there can't remember its location. With the pair is Wulfgar, and the halfling, Regis. Regis possesses a powerful persuasive tool, a fist-sized ruby pendant that can persuade almost anyone to follow the halfling's wishes. Regis has erred greatly in the fact that he stole this jewel the the Guild master of thieves and assassins in Calimport, Pasha Pook. Pook sent his best assassin, Artemis Entreri to capture the little halfling and escort him back to Pasha, dead or alive. Rating: *** (3)
The Halfling's Gem By R.A. Salvatore Icewind Dale Book 3
In the culmination of the Icewind Dale Trilogy, Drizzt, Bruenor, Wulfgar, and Cattie-Brie chase after Artemis Enteri, the highly skilled and highly preemptive assassin to rescue their halfling friend, Regis. Entreri take Regis to the South Town of Calimport. This is a really great book! It is very exciting and suspenseful. Many friends, new and old, are encountered on this whirlwind adventure. All of this will culminate in a spectacular and explosive ending which will leave you spellbound. Those familiar will Salvatore's work will be pleased indeed. Rating: **** (4)
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The Sword of Bedwyr By R.A. Salvatore Crimson Shadow Book 1
What a refreshing story! The Basics here are that an evil Wizard-King, Greensparrow, has take the Kingdoms of Avon and Eriador by through his five wizard-dukes. A young man from the Isle of Bedwydrin, Luthien Bedwyr, Prince of Bedwydrin, flees from his home after he fears that Greensparrow has come to enslave him. He travels with a short Gascon, Oliver DeBurrows. Together, while righting wrongs and leaving a scene and spirit of rebellion in their wake they come upon the benevolent wizard, Brind'Amour. After they help him, Brind'Amour gives Luthien a crimson red cloak, however, all is not what is seems... Rating *** (3)
Luthien's Gamble By R.A. Salvatore Crimson Shadow Book 2
To describe this book in two words: Action-packed. Luthien has now taken on the role of an ancient warrior/thief who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Very Robin Hood-esque. However, Luthien does it with righteous rage and noble ambition. As the ever-essential army commander/leader, he seeks to overthrow the Evil King Greensparrow and restore order, true order to Avon and Eriador. Perhaps King Brind'Amour has other ideas. The ever mischievous Oliver DeBurrows seeks a proverbial throw of the die, which, if successful, will be a pinnacle victory for the Eriadorians. Will the threat be removed? We shall most definitely see... Rating ***1/2 (3.5)
The Dragon King By R.A. Salvatore Crimson Shadow Book 3
In the final book of the Crimson Shadow series, the Eriadorian Army marches to Carlisle on Stratton, Greensparrow's seat of power. They may stand and fight, but they do not do so alone. Savage Huegoths and the ever-comical Dwarves, among other... surprises go along for the ride. As the forces close in on the savage Greensparrow he begins to unleash new and devastating secrets. However, Greensparrow has one final terrible secret, which could turn the tide of the war and unleash unbridled destruction. What is this monstrosity? Knowledge is a terrible burden... Rating **** (4)
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Wizard's First Rule By Terry Goodkind Sword of Truth Book 1
Oh my! This book is incredible but absolutely not for the faint of heart. An enthralling book filled with love and magic which is a must read. The essentials are that an extraordinary man, Richard Cypher must protect the Mother Confessor, Kahlan Amnell, against the Dark Wizard, Darken Rahl. However, Darken Rahl seeks to unleash the Magic of Orden, an ancient and omnipotent magic with the best rewards for proper summoning of it, and absolutely the worst if not. None of the possibilities bode well: Darken Rahl could become the ruler of EVERYTHING, he could be killed, or the world could be instantaneously destroyed. Very... unique. Prepare to meet feur grissa osst drauka. Want to know what this is? Reald the series and find out! Rating: *** (3)
Stone of Tears By Terry Goodkind Sword of Truth Book 2
What an awe-inspiring book! The continuance of the Sword of Truth Saga is wonderful. In this book Richard must overcome the Wizard's Second Rule. However, once again fate intervenes between Richard and Kahlan. Meanwhile, the Keeper is trying to escape the confines of the underworld. Meanwhile Richard is kidnapped of his own freewill and taken to the Palace of the Prophets by the Sisters of the Light. These Sisters are causing severe trauma to Richard. He then realizes that he is the first War Wizard in three thousand years and has a higher calling another must read! Rating: **** (4)
Blood of the Fold By Terry Goodkind Sword of Truth Book 3
How weird, yet wonderful!? I think that this is the oddest book yet! A sinister cult-type order attempts to eliminate all magic from the world in the name of the Creator. Here's the kicker, they use sorceresses and wizards to do so! They think that any and all magic is the work of the Keeper of the Underworld and that it is an evil taint upon the world. Kahlan and Richard must bring together the Midlands to take down the Imperial Order and Emperor Jagang, The Dream Walker. There are so many twists and turn in this book that it is truly mind-boggling! Meanwhile the entire time Zeddicus Z'ul Zorander, First Wizard, is rather indisposed trying to recover one of the most dangerous men of the time. This man is none other than Nathan Rahl, the thousand year-old prophet! We shall see... Rating: *** (3)
Temple of the Winds By Terry Goodkind Sword of Truth Book 4
In this tome of curiousities, a devilish and sinister plague is unleashed after the Temple of the Winds is violated by an unknown person. The veritable maelstrom of problems would quickly overcome and destroy any normal people, but not Richard and Kahlan! Not so fast! In order to resolve the mass of chaos they must enter the Temple of the Winds through Betrayer's Hall, while the Imperial Order still tries to take over the world. However there is a price to get in as well as get out what is it? Hmmmmmm...I'm not telling! In order to accomplish one goal, Kahlan must unleash a force that in and of itself is more terrible than anything faced ever before. Rating: **** (4)
Soul of the Fire By Terry Goodkind Sword of Truth Book 5
OH MY!!! This is the best book so far! This time around Richard and Kahlan must use magic to save magic, but they can't! Prelate Annalina Aldurren of the Sisters of the Light must try to recover her Sisters from Jagang. Meanwhile Richard is reading Feur Berglendursch: The Mountain. This book is the key to banishing the Chimes of anti-magic from the world of the living. The three chimes: Reechani, Sentrosi, and Vasi have different plans. They have had a promise made to them and they have every intent of making good on that promise. One of the best books I have ever read tells us of the powerful and dangerous use of imagination and the key to all things: Balance. Rating: **** (4)
Faith of the Fallen By Terry Goodkind Sword of Truth Book 6
Oh Yeah! This is great!! In this book Richard is captured and taken away by a Sister of the Dark. He must do this to save Kahlan's life. She must fight a war against the Imperial Order as the Mother Confessor even though Richard has expressly forbidden it. She must try to save lives even though it might not work. This book gives much insight into the way of life as enforced by the Imperial Order. The travesty and downright sadness of this book is all-encompassing but very necessary. This is a grand tale of the truth of life, human mortality and the power and might of the human spirit! Rating: ****1/2 (4.5)
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The Black Gryphon By Mercedes Lackey Mage Wars Book 1
This is the tale of the Black Gryphon, Skandranon Rashkae, who along with the most powerful good mage of the era, Urtho, Mage of Silence, fights against the Dark Adept, Ma'ar. Ma'ar wishes to enslave all of the world and become its ruler. Urtho along with his massive army must stop him. Very exciting and adventure filled, and a good story. Twisted in here are two parallel love stories of both gryphon and human love. Amberdrake, the Kestra'chern, a type of therapist/psychologist, is also Skandranon's best friend. In the end, however, an earth-shattering event will take place, literally which shall change the very land itself and will eventually have disastrous effects in many years to come... Rating: *** (3)
The White Gryphon By Mercedes Lackey Mage Wars Book 2
Not as good as the first, but still worthwhile to read. This little dandy is a book in which there is whole lot of confusion in a very short amount of time. Forced to leave their homelands and build a new home among the cliffs by the sea, the old army of Urtho Mage of Silence is confronted by one of the Black Kings, Shalaman. Skandranon and Amberdrake must go to Shalaman's kingdom as envoys to hopefully set up some kind of agreement.But when several malicious and brutal murders are committed, and all signs point to the strange envoys, things heat up quickly. You will be shocked and amazed as the thoroughly complex plot unfolds and thickens again and again.Rating:**1/2 (2.5)
The Silver Gryphon By Mercedes Lackey Mage Wars Book 3
In this final conclusion to the Mage Wars era, the children of Amberdrake and Skandranon must go to a lonely outpost of White Gryphon and take on guard duty for the first time on their own. They have waited years to get out of the shadows of their parents idiosyncracies and massive accomplishments, and the time has finally arrived. However, a hidden and terrible danger lurks out in the dark, watching and waiting. Will they be able to make it back to the city or will the perish first? Only time and a little luck will tell... Rating: ** (2)
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Magic's Pawn By Mercedes Lackey The Last Herald-Mage Book 1
WOW! What an awesome book! This is the story of a young man named Vanyel Ashkevron who feels trapped and bored by his life at Ashkevron manor. His father an egotistical control freak who tries to control anything within a 50-mile radius. Vanyel finds himself abducted by his aunt Savil, the Herald-Mage, a kind of Police Officer/Judge/Jury all rolled into one who are immensly important to the kingdom of Valdemar. Once there he is trained as a Herald-Mage. However, a terrible event will occur as Vanyel strives to rise above the torrent of darkness in the war with Karse, Valdemar's traditional enemy. Rating:***1/2 (3.5)
Magic's Promise By Mercedes Lackey The Last Herald-Mage Book 2
In this book Vanyel "Demonsbane" must attempt to move on with his life after a tragedy involving his lifebonded mate. He seeks to banish darkness from the land of Valdemar and make the world a generally better place. He seeks to do so throughout the use of magic and his own voice. However, Vanyel must find new ways to maintain the Web, a psionic link between all Heralds and Herald-Mages in addition to other things. However, he must also seek to ward against those plotting against Valdemar, and I'm not talking about Karse! This enemy comes from within the borders of Valdemar itself. Will the threat be removed? Read Magic's Promise and find out! Rating: ***1/2 (3.5)
Magic's Price By Mercedes Lackey The Last Herald-Mage Book 3
In the life ending conclusion to the Last Herald-Mage Trilogy Vanyel must eliminate a threat to all of Valdemar. It is so massive and so dangerous that Vanyel may not even survive! Now that he is the last Herald-Mage alive he must do whatever he can to keep Valdemar intact. Vanyel has, against all odds, found another lifebond and has moved on with his life. In addition to his Companionl, Yfandes, the oldest and wisest of the Companions, these three must fight to save the world, or condemn it with their failure. Only time will tell... Rating: ***3/4 (3.75)
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Last Updated June, 2003