Rating: 
Summary: Thank You
Review: I would like to thank all of my fans for the kind comments about my work, this book in particular. It was a pleasure to write as I hope it will be a pleasure to read.
Rating: 
Summary: Great story, but too much detail!
Review: I'd like to give this novel 4 stars for concept and 2 for execution. The story is a very interesting take on the "typical" fantasy story: A king's second son sets out on what everyone expects will be fatal quest after fatal quest, only to "save a dragon from a princess" and make friends with nearly all his foes, with some great action sequences, plenty of humor, and a little romance, to boot.However, the execution of the novel almost made me miss the humor and ingenuity of the storyline: Way too much needless exposition and description bogged down what could have been a very fast-moving, tightly written novel that would have then broken all the fantasy stereotypes. Green writes terrific action sequences, and he knows humor; I'm not sure why he padded his great concept with all this tedious detail. Why do fantasy authors find it necessary to waste pages on descriptions of what everyone's wearing, what the woods look like, and how exhausted the hero is? After all this talk, the readers are the ones who are truly exhausted. Fantasy readers have fabulous imaginations; otherwise these fantastic tales wouldn't capture our fancy. I wish fantasy authors would encourage their readers to use their imaginations, instead of dictating every detail of every story. Then, truly, would we have groundbreaking innovations in fantasy novels. But, if you don't mind a little detail, Simon Green's *Blue Moon Rising* has a terrific concept, great action, and plenty of humor and romance.
Rating: 
Summary: One More Added to My List of Favorites
Review: I've never read anything of Simon R. Green's but I plan to after reading this one. The characters are lovable and funny; the plot was intriguing. Rupert was the second son of the king in a kingdom that didn't need or want a second prince. The kind sends Rupert off on a quest to slay a dragon. Rupert takes his friend, the Unicorn, and goes off to find a dragon, and a princess, but what do you do when the dragon needs to be saved from the princess? He knows he's supposed to slay a dragon, but the dragon proves to be a better friend than anyone else Rupert knows so he heads back to his kingdom with princess and dragon in tow. Rupert discovers that the Blue Moon is rising, and with it the Wild Magic is gaining power. The nearby Darkwood is spreading quickly and the kingdom must find some way to stop it before it's evil covers the kingdom and all is lost. The story is by turns humorous, touching, and serious. The Princess Julia is my new hero. She's bold, sarcastic, doesn't take anything from anyone, and knows her way around with a sword. No helpless maiden in distress here... Julia plays a major part in the ongoing battle against the wild magic. This book is an instant classic in my mind.
Rating:
Summary: A must have!
Review: I've read over 200 fantasy novels and in my opinion "Blue Moon Rising" is one of the top five books in this genre. If you are thinking of building a Sci-Fi/Fantasy book collection, then this is a must have.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, yeah, this is the fantasy book for humorists
Review: If you want to laugh out loud, laugh till you cry, and stay up late, tied to a book, then read this book. Good luck to all readers!!!!! Please do try this!
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps one of the top 10 fantasy novels I have ever read.
Review: In BLUE MOON RISING, Simon Green masterfully challenges the stereotypes we see in so many fantasy novels, deftly weaving a story that is engaging and action packed without leaving the reader wondering why they bothered. Very little in this book happens as it should in what might be called a traditional fantasy novel. Still, Green weaves his tale so well that the reader is certain the story could not happen any other way. Unfair things happen to the hero, good things happen to the bad guy, and creatures usually found as good or bad in other fantasy worlds are really neither in Green's world. While BLUE MOON RISING simply cannot be classed with high fantasy novels such as those written by Tolkein, Jordan, Eddings, or perhaps Goodkind, I believe that if you appreciate these authors or solid fantasy authors like Elizabeth Moon (who wrote the Paksenarrion trilogy), you will enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning
Review: It isn't very often that you get a fantasy writer who is able to write an engaging story but has the style to say something interesting about his genre at the same time. I have to say this is one of my favourite fantasy books of all time. The irony and sarcasm is mixed very effectively with the usual, expected plot elements in a fantasy story. It shows unusual depth and ingenuity in its characterisations, creating a world where there are no real heroes, and the people who look like they could actually rescue the world turn out to be ... somewhat less than expected. (Interesting twist to Tolkien's "Dark Tower" theme.) I would love to get a hold of this book ... I think I've read it about 5 times. What I like most, I think, is the way Green writes seriously for a while and then throws in something that completely knocks you out. (Rupert's meeting with the dragon is something else.) Just read it.
Rating:
Summary: This novel redifines the classic fairy tale.
Review: No other book has ever keep me in such anticipation than Blue Moon Rising.It is simply amazing how Green can add so much humor, horror, and suspense while keeping the basis of the classic fairy tale intact.Green utilizes unique relationships and circumstances to support the plot of the piece. For instance, I find myself laughing hysterically during some scences with Prince Rupert and the unicorn. Then, I find myself close to tears during other scences between the two.Green also is the master of irony. For example,an old dragon that collects butterflies,a talking unicorn without a horn, an aggressive princess who wields a sword better than most guardsmen, an alcholic warlock, and last but not least,a second prince whom everyone wants dead and who rides a unicorn. I would recommend this book to all fantasy lovers.
Rating:
Summary: Good fun
Review: Prince Rupert's father sends him off to kill a dragon, hoping that Rupert won't return, because as the second son, Rupert is just an unwanted challenger to his brother's place as heir to the throne. Rupert finds the dragon, befriends it, "rescues" the dragon from the rough and tumble Princess Julia, who is happy to clobber anyone who offends her twice. Rupert returns to the castle a changed man, just in time to battle the darkness that is threatening the whole kingdom. A great, rollicking read, with sharp dialogue exchanges and battles every third page. It admittedly took me a few chapters to get used to the dialogue, which incorporates some pretty modern idioms that felt a bit off key in a sword and sworcery novel, but in short order it was no longer a distraction. I also think that the ending contained a fairly substantial inconsistency, as I had been led to believe that by the darkest hour, nearly every human being in the kingdom was dead, but after good prevails, a startling number apparently survived. Oh, well, nothing's perfect. All in all, a great book.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Book
Review: The first time I read Blue Moon Rising was in 1992, one year after it was first published. I picked it up on a whim, and read it in two days (maximum.) Since then, I have read it at least once a year, and gone through three copies. This book is simply spectacular. It starts out with Prince Rupert, the second son of a bankrupt kingdom, on a quest to find a dragon. What he finds is a flatulent dragon and a sword fighting princess. And, when Rupert returns to the Forest Kingdom, he finds out that the Blue Moon is rising, and demons are walking the Forest Kingdom. Simon Green's characters are funny, and endearing. The intrigue in the court of the Forest Kingdom is as well written as the epic battle scenes. I have read every book that Simon Green has written, and this one is by far the best. If you enjoyed the syle and flair of the Deathstalker novels (despite the fact that they sort of peter out), you will enjoy Blue Moon Rising. Every person that I have recommended this book to has liked it. Read it!
|
