He Didn't Get the Surrender Memo!
It's the perfect storm for conquest: a dysfunctional kingdom reels under a weak monarch. A powerful order of warrior maidens turns to infighting after suddenly losing its charismatic leader. Worst of all, a disciplined and blooded imperial army stands ready to invade and dominate. If ever a moment called for grit, competence, and an utter lack of wishful thinking it is now. Enter Harald of the Vales. Family man and teller of tales. Warrior's warrior. It's time the Empire got one thing straight: the land of Kaerlia will never be its for the taking.
An intricate and thrilling debut fantasy novel from libertarian prof (and son of economist Milton Friedman) and Society for Creative Anachronism grandee, David D. Friedman.
-
Product ReviewI have to agree with others the writing style made it hard to read and keep straight who was saying what. It just comes off feeling disjointed to me. The story itself was enjoyable but it took three seperate tries before I was able to finish it.
Posted on
-
Product ReviewI really enjoyed the style but found the plotting had problems. There was little sense of tension if the empire ever seemed to be ahead because you always knew Harald had outthought them and a humongous army of cats and Ladies was waiting just over the next ridge. Even heroes need to make the occasional mistake.
Posted on
-
Product Review
Posted on
-
Product ReviewI give this book 3 out of 5 stars. I did not like the writing style. I believe in pronouns, complete sentences and characters with more depth. I also want them to have different speech patterns from class to class. If this is how the Eddas are written, I don't want to read them. They are good tales but they were written down by barbarians who were groping their way around a newly-discovered world of literature. Still, if you don't mind fragments at every turn, choppy dialogue, huge gaps in the plot, and an overall rough-hewn piece of writing, go ahead and read it. It's analogous to buying pre-torn jeans. Some people think it's art, others think it's silly and sloppy
Posted on
-
Product ReviewA really distinctive writing style which reminds me of the poems translated by Tolkien.
Posted on
-
Product Review
Posted on
-
Product ReviewIts a very good book and the style is a nice modernization of the old Norse eddas. I have personally seen this book inspire some young readers to actually research and read Norse tales and epic poems. Upshot of it is, read the book. It is an awesome story and I hope that one or more follow-ups are in the future.
Posted on
-
Product ReviewWhile I don't know for certain, I'm assuming the style comes from the Icelandic sagas, since I know Friedman has studied them. I didn't find it any more distracting than Manny's accent in "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress." People that did have a hard time probably can't read Shakespeare, either.
One of the things about the story structure that I liked was that each of the (5?) parts to the novel work as independent novellas, while still working together perfectly as a longer work.Posted on
-
Product ReviewNot for the low-brow reader - a stylized writing that is rarely seen these days - but well done at that. Reminicent of tales from the Icelandic skalds or Celtic bards.
Definitely a good read - if one has the capacity.Posted on
-
Product Reviewa different writing style would have gotten this book a 4 or 5 star rating but having the entire book be in "Me Tarzan, You Jane" except without the pronouns made it annoying to read after awhile
Posted on
