Helpful Score: 3
It took almost 200 pages before the book got interesting. If you can suffer through the first 2/7th of the book, then it's worth it.
Helpful Score: 3
although slow at first, this book becomes very entertaining after the first 40ish pages and stays interesting through the end. the ending ROCKS. i hope #2 is just as good.
Helpful Score: 2
This story is of Kellen and how he escapes from the highly restricted life in Armehalieh to become an exiled Wild Mage. I loved this book, it was thought provoking, and was set in a new, rich, original world with original characters. I debated as to whether I would keep this on my bookshelf, however thought it was better to share this with others. Enjoy!
Helpful Score: 2
While it started out kind of slow and the characters seemed hard pressed to show depth, in the latter half it turns into a great read.
Helpful Score: 2
I loved this book. The heroes don't lie or keep things to themselves like a couple of other fantasy soap opera authors do . Straight up great fantasy with heroes, unicorns, dragons,and elves. Totally awesome!
Helpful Score: 1
Forbidden magic is attention getting from start to finish. 3 books appear to be children books to all except to kellen who realize they are books of magic which only he can see. And are very forbidden in his world.
Helpful Score: 1
Mercedes Lackey has always been a first rate writer. However, the collaboration with James Mallory has created something wonderous.
Kellen is the scion of the High Mage, leader of the City of Golden Bells, where order and tranquilty are paramount, and the High Magic ensures, and enforces, that order. He should be content, but for Kellen, the City is a gilded cage. And then three books find their way into his possesion. Books of the fobidden Wild Magic. The punishment for working the Wild Magic is to be subjected to the Outlaw Hunt. And despite the common knowledge, the Hunt is intended to be unescapable.
Kellen is the scion of the High Mage, leader of the City of Golden Bells, where order and tranquilty are paramount, and the High Magic ensures, and enforces, that order. He should be content, but for Kellen, the City is a gilded cage. And then three books find their way into his possesion. Books of the fobidden Wild Magic. The punishment for working the Wild Magic is to be subjected to the Outlaw Hunt. And despite the common knowledge, the Hunt is intended to be unescapable.
Jennifer B. (dragonqueen) reviewed The Outstretched Shadow (Obsidian, Bk 1) on + 80 more book reviews
A good start to a trilogy that promises to be very entertaining. Mercedes Lackey never fails to delight her readers.
Jodi G. (Barroom-Psychologist) reviewed The Outstretched Shadow (Obsidian, Bk 1) on + 38 more book reviews
Great book. Loved this new series of Lackey's.
A good read for a rainy weekend.
This book introduces the main characters for the series of 3 books. You are quickly pulled into this book and will want to read the next 2.
Very slow start but just has just enough to keep you going. The author is somewhat redundant with tedious explainations and long sentences. I am now on book two and its starting to get better.
I went into this book just expecting a typical, possibly slightly shallow fantasy adventure (unicorns? really?), but I was really taken by surprise by how sophisticated and mature it turned out to be. It's extremely character-driven and detail-oriented, and readers who prefer non-stop action may feel the narrative drags as a result. But I loved it, and would absolutely compare it in style and strength to the works of CJ Cherryh or Lois McMaster Bujold. I also really appreciated that a main recurring plot element is of major characters struggling (in very well-handled and plausible ways) to overcome lifetimes of carefully cultivated prejudices. Also often when stories follow a coming-of-age of a central character, it ends up being a little artificial and forced because so much is left unsaid; in this case however I felt Kellen's gradual path to maturity (as well as the development of several other characters) was very plausible, as well as making a very gripping story.
Forbidden Magic!
Cheryl P. (Engsetterlover) reviewed The Outstretched Shadow (Obsidian, Bk 1) on + 54 more book reviews
I enjoyed reading this novel and look forward to reading Book II in the series -- To Light a Candle.
good read
