This is an awsome series/triology. I particularly like the themes and the ideas behind the various characters and how they see the world/each other. More importantly, the magi mechanics is verrrry interesting and well laid-out.

What do you all think of these books?

It is certainly classified as medieval fantasy fiction, and some might rank it as high fantasy... I am of two minds on that one, but go for it if you haven't already read it .

Absolutely loved the books, they're incredibly well written and stay well clear of many of the traditional fantasy genre cliches. Characters are all very believeable, the themes explored within the books are relevant to modern life and the action is believeable. And yes, the magic is far more interesting in this series than in many others. I'm really looking forward to his next series.

I've recommended these books a number of times here and elsewhere. He develops an incredibly interesting world, sets a breakneck pace in the 2nd and 3rd books, and delves deep into a number of philosophical themes that are very uncommon in standard fantasy. For me, great books are ones that can inspire reactions and emotions in me. If I can actually 'hate' a character. No not the standard baby raping, dog eating butcher that we're 'supposed' to hate, but everyone secretly thinks is cool. But someone you despise as if they were a real person who just took your job, stole your girlfriend, wrecked your car, burned your house down and canceled your HBO..that kind of hate I had/have for the Kelhuss character.

And that's reason #1 (of dozens) why I know that these are great books. I don't want to spoil things, but there are tortures too gruesomes and fates unfit for man, woman, and child that I wished a thousand times upon that character.

I love the questioning and conflict between free will and determinism within. Kelhuss's convenient recognition that if the fate of these peoples are already controlled by circumstance (history/culture/upbringing), than it's wrong for him to subvert their will to his own needs (in his mind). His understanding merely by glancing at a branch and twig that not all paths and ends are equal. There are layers upon layers of shit in these books. They could be diassected for a dissertation. And they're still a great, fun read even if you don't get into that shit.

Further, these books really only scratch the surface of this world. There's more than enough remaining mystery to get you clamoring for the next trilogy.

To put it in perspective how much I despised Kelhuss, I was cheering for the young Byzantine prince/emperor.

AchillesHK, I know exactly what you mean when you say a good book has to inspire emotive responses in oneself as a reader for it to be good in the first place.

I also truly do love the arguments invoked by Khellus and Drusas on topics such as religion versus magic (in many ways analogous to science ... that's another thing that strikes me as both outrageous and plausible within the framework of the book) and free will versus determinism.

The author is a university professor, and I believe these are the kinds of books that truly show off the qualities inherent in a well-educated writer as opposed to a free-lance writer whose literary abilities fall just shy of the former's.










I also have to say I LOVE the concept of the LOGOS.