Customer Reviews
Sorry, but I'm rather disappointed - By: Bezzer, 03 Jul 2008 
For a lot of very good reviews of this book that go into more detail, search for it on amazon.com (the US site) where there were upwards of 20 reviews at my last visit.
Well, I've been waiting for nearly 12 months for this book. I reallly didn't know what to expect so I had no preconceptions about the plot. I was desperate to find out how the problem of Melisande would be resolved & looked forward to finding out what Machiavellian plot Carey would think up. In the previous 5 books this has been what I enjoyed most - the political machinations, the wicked characters who show no remorse when their actions result in thousands of deaths, the roguish characters who turn out to be loyal, brave & trustworthy & help the hero or heroine save the day.
Did I get any of this? Barely. The main plotline regarding the magic spell was cheap & tawdry. If you think back to Darsanga, the 'magic' there was more spiritual in its origin (albeit from an evil source) but the Carthaginian magic is of the Derren Brown variety. It just feels like a cheap stage trick.
Where was the exciting resolution of the problem with Melisande? This felt like a cop-out rather than the ironic twist that it was presented as.
I know Carey has tried to bring in certain incidents & scenarios to 'echo' events in previous books. This is brave but doesn't reallly work - it just feels like we are getting recycled storylines that are less convincing the second time around.
Although I feel this book fallls way short of the standard of the previous 5 books it was still a good read. I loved the bit where Imriel is being someone else - the writing here is exciting & innovative & explores new topics. My favourite character of the whole book is Kratos - he is solid, dependable, calm & surprisingly intelligent.
So, I know a lot of you will disagree with my comments but I felt I had to offer an alternative view in the midst of the glowing praise as my experience was less wonderful. I too would enjoy a new series on Terre D'Ange set a few hundred years later - I feel sure that new characters would revitalise Carey's view of this world.
?? - By: Kimberley Fletcher, 18 Jun 2008 
Why is this not out on Amazon uk yet?
It as meant to be out on the 12th????
