Pawn's Dream

Rating:
Summary: A fun read
Review: Hey, it's no masterpiece, but it's still a fun read. Nylund brings the reader into the story very well as the characters are thrown between two worlds and other dualities. The time passes quickly, and leaves you smiling. Definately worth a try

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book from start to finish
Review: I have never reviewed a book before and am doing so now in the hopes others will read this book and the author will write more. I loved this book. Pawn's Dream is a rich story with a similar idea to zelazny's amber series. Although the book jacket description makes it seem more like an adventure novel, this book is also piled high with sorcery and creatively inventive magic. The author has come up with a unique method of spellcasting, involving pairs of opposite forces...very unique, well thought out, and will leave you craving more. The author's writing is wonderful, every page action filled and enticing you to read further. I didn't want to put it down. Yes, it is way too short...It ends ripe for a sequel but sadly, I assume this book was never a big enough seller to encourage the author to continue it. Like zelazny's amber series, I would like to see a 10 book series set in nylunds original meredin universe. A highly recommended read.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book from start to finish
Review: I have never reviewed a book before and am doing so now in the hopes others will read this book and the author will write more. I loved this book. Pawn's Dream is a rich story with a similar idea to zelazny's amber series. Although the book jacket description makes it seem more like an adventure novel, this book is also piled high with sorcery and creatively inventive magic. The author has come up with a unique method of spellcasting, involving pairs of opposite forces...very unique, well thought out, and will leave you craving more. The author's writing is wonderful, every page action filled and enticing you to read further. I didn't want to put it down. Yes, it is way too short...It ends ripe for a sequel but sadly, I assume this book was never a big enough seller to encourage the author to continue it. Like zelazny's amber series, I would like to see a 10 book series set in nylunds original meredin universe. A highly recommended read.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific read
Review: I was working in a bookstore when this came out and Nylund stopped by and gave the folks in science fiction each a copy (signed, no less). Over the years, I never sold the book and vowed to eventually read it to repay the author for his kind gesture. Now that I've finished the book, I'm *really* happy I didn't sell this book.

Note: In an effort to avoid spoliers, there are many vague statements below. I apologize for this, but I don't want to hurt your reading experience.

The book reads a bit more like a murder mystery than SF, as the main character tries to unravel his past and his current situation. Nylund does a great job of setting up his fantasy world and sticking to the ground rules he lays. His explanation of magic and sorcery are tied into the overall natural laws of the created world and truly heightens the story. Instead of magic being plopped into some medieval setting, it is woven into Meredin.

So, it's a good book, it reads fast and was an addictive page turner. The real question is, do I spring for it on the out of print market? I say yes. I'm a bookdealer, so this is not surprising, but there are a ton of terrible books out there for far more money. This is smart fantasy, which skips between our world and the fantasy land of Meredin. The parts that are here are familiar, but Nylund's execution is fresh and sets Pawn's Dream apart and above from run of the mill fantasy.

Rating:
Summary: A quick enjoyable fantasy/dream romp
Review: Pawn's Dream is one of the books just meant for traveling. It is a short novel, perhaps a bit too much so, but still it manages to draw the reader into a dizzying world of a dream universe, conspiracies amongst royal families, and the life of it's likeable protaganist. My only real complaint with this book is that I wanted more. The setting and situations are so intriguing and so much can be done with them, that I can only hope the author plans to continue the adventure further.

Rating:
Summary: spellbinding
Review: this book was absolutely spellbinding. i couldn't stop reading it. i had class the next day but i stayed up til 3 to finish it bec. i had started reading it at midnight. i've read a number of books recently, but this was the best. it's an extremely original take on fantasy and on the way magic operates in general. in his other novel, A game of universe, magic is based on studies and mnemonics. here it is based on concentration and opposite forces. also, the characters are all so intricate that you have a hard time discerning their motives and allegiances. if you enjoy fantasy novels, especially original ones, you HAVE to get this book.