Lord of the Isles (Lord of the Isles)

Rating:
Summary: Where are we going and how do we know when we get there?
Review: I started reading reviews of this book to give me some insight into Drake's world and where the story is heading, assuming *I* was missing something. Clearly, it wasn't just me.
I don't know, maybe Drake was thinking about old school fantastic stories like Gulliver's Travels and Arabian Tales where surprising things just happen to the main characters and they muddle through each adventure and stumble on to the next. I understand he's got a 4th book out now. Maybe he's managed to put a plot together by then? Sadly, I may never know because I can't seem to force myself through the second book!

But this is a review of THIS book. I enjoyed it well enough. It's a good time killer and moves along fairly well. If you just keep reading and don't stop to think about it, it's quite enjoyable.

If you like Drake's other books, you're heading to the beach for the weekend and have nothing else to read, you don't feel like getting emotionally involved with new characters in a new world, AND you can still order a used copy, then this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: It truly is one of the best fantasies of the decade.
Review: Lord of the Isles is an engrossing book that you will not be able to put down until you read it from cover to cover. The Sumerian backround is an interesting twist to a genre filled with Tolkien copy cats. Buy it now!

Rating:
Summary: Good read!
Review: While perhaps not "great," I thought this was a good first book in a fantasy series. Despite what others here say, I found the main characters likable and I cared about them. In general, the writing seemed well done, with the structure and descriptions well crafted and the style refreshingly direct. I admit the heroes seem a bit old-fashioned in that they actually do things, rather than sitting around whining or wrestling internal demons. I suspect I found this especially endearing after wading through so much of the glacial Wheel of Time series by Jordan. The plot moved forward quickly and was full of some surprises. I would have liked more background information on the world Drake has created here, and the ultimate goal of the story is illusive. Still, this works for me because I find myself identifying more with the main characters as they try to fathom what is happening to them. Looking forward to the sequels.