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I followed the old adage when I picked this book up: I chose a book by it's cover! The cover art is darkly intriguing and catches your eye with the clean simplicity of the art and the title.
Beyond the aesthetic aspect, this book drew me in. I have always had a thing about necromancy in books. Sorta fascinating :)
The book starts out a little juvenile, but quickly takes on a more grownup voice and pace. I think most "first books" start out a little "young" but this one grew up quick. There is a lot of back story that is included in the book, but I found myself wanting more explanations sometimes. I didn't get the impression that this was done intentionally (as is painfully obvious when it is done intentionally to make you WANT the next book!). The impression that I got was that the author created a rich and intricately detailed world that absolutely could not be contained in one book. I look forward to the next books in the series as they will probably illuminate a lot of the back story. While the back story is really interesting and adds a lot to the book, it isn't such that you can't read the book without it. The reader is definitely more inclined to say "I can't wait to find out more about that!" than they are to get frustrated by the details that aren't fleshed out as of yet. Also, the characters are a delight in how they grow throughout the book. Since there are only so many fantasy plots available to writers, the reader will probably recognize this one, but the book doesn't suffer for it. It is a classic plot beginning of the "exiled heir" and the quest to regain what is rightfully theirs with twists and turns that liven the book up and make it enough of an individual that it will be a pleasure to read.
Beyond the aesthetic aspect, this book drew me in. I have always had a thing about necromancy in books. Sorta fascinating :)
The book starts out a little juvenile, but quickly takes on a more grownup voice and pace. I think most "first books" start out a little "young" but this one grew up quick. There is a lot of back story that is included in the book, but I found myself wanting more explanations sometimes. I didn't get the impression that this was done intentionally (as is painfully obvious when it is done intentionally to make you WANT the next book!). The impression that I got was that the author created a rich and intricately detailed world that absolutely could not be contained in one book. I look forward to the next books in the series as they will probably illuminate a lot of the back story. While the back story is really interesting and adds a lot to the book, it isn't such that you can't read the book without it. The reader is definitely more inclined to say "I can't wait to find out more about that!" than they are to get frustrated by the details that aren't fleshed out as of yet. Also, the characters are a delight in how they grow throughout the book. Since there are only so many fantasy plots available to writers, the reader will probably recognize this one, but the book doesn't suffer for it. It is a classic plot beginning of the "exiled heir" and the quest to regain what is rightfully theirs with twists and turns that liven the book up and make it enough of an individual that it will be a pleasure to read.
Brief Synopsis (from the back of the book)
"The world of Prince Martris Drayke is thrown into sudden chaos when his brother murders their father and seizes the throne. Forced to flee, with only a handful of loyal colleagues to support him, Martris must seek retribution and restore his father's honor. But if the living are arrayed against him, Martris must learn to harness his burgeoning magical powers to call on a different set of allies: the ranks of the dead."
"The Summoner is an epic, engrossing tale of loss and revenge, of life and afterlife- and the thin line between them."
Check out the author's website at : www.chroniclesofthenecromancer.com
Published by Solaris Books (www.solarisbooks.com)
My rating: 8 out of 10
"The Summoner is an epic, engrossing tale of loss and revenge, of life and afterlife- and the thin line between them."
Check out the author's website at : www.chroniclesofthenecromancer.com
Published by Solaris Books (www.solarisbooks.com)
My rating: 8 out of 10
