Orbit

Why do all fantasy novels now have to be trilogies ? There have always been series of novels, where the author, or the readers, or both, wish to continue with particular characters or a particular world, for example Darkover, Valdemar, Pern, but it seems increasingly few, Robin Hobb and now Patrick Rothfuss, being a couple of notable exceptions, can bring it off. Earlier Canavans too managed it.

Following on from the Black Magican trilogy but set 20 years later, this was a bit of a disappointment. I would say it is essential to re-read the previous trilogy before embarking on this - it took me a while to catch up on all the previous plots and characters mentioned, and it definitely wouldn't work as a stand alone for a new reader.

While the quality of the writing is as good as ever, its all a bit slow, and in places predictable, and by the end, I felt we were just starting the good bit with Lorkin and his adventures.

Initially when I first saw this book, I was put off by the fact that it was a trilogy, it seemed rather heavy and voluminous, despite that it had essentially ticked all the right boxes. I needn't have worried. Celia Friedman is a master at weaving great plot lines, building nicely rounded out characters and creating a well padded out backdrop, with only sometimes being stuck in the details. She paces the story well, taking her time in places to build upon angst and tensions, then rushing you into the thick of action and adventure.

Much the same as the previous offering from this trilogy, Black Sun Rising, part two greatly expands upon the plot line, builds a deeper emotional attachment or hatred for Celia Friedman' main antagonists and keeps her style of writing fairly well balanced. When True Night Falls also builds upon the religious fervency, bringing an interesting but important view to humanity upon Friedman' world.

Hopefully this will not disappoint the senses and will keep you hooked for her final volume in this trilogy, Crown Of Shadows.

The final instalment of this trilogy comes to an end, and what a climax. Celia Friedman has managed to skilfully entwine religion, sci fi and the land of the Fae into an exhilarating ride for all partaking of this adventure. The group of antagonists mature and you find yourself emotionally invested in their well being and willing them to succeed in their quest to save the human race.

For many people who are already fans of the Anita Blake series, written by Laurell K. Hamilton, this will feel like a bit of a cop out, as it is a greatly edited/abridged versions of many of her previous books. You feel as though you are getting mere snippets of stories you have already read, re hashed into a few short pages and sold as a NEW story!!! This is a weeny bit upsetting for many fans.... BUT on the flip side, if you have never read any of these books, and you want to see what all the fuss is about, then this is a pretty good jumping off point. ..read more

The culmination of the Rafi Ditko storyline -all the Felix Castor novels have been leading to this point.

Normally when a series of novels take this long to culminate it's possible for them to run out of steam, or the author to run out of idea's to keep the pace up. Thankfully, The Naming Of The Beasts is guilty of neither of these. From the cliffhanger of the previous novel, "Thicker Than Water" this novel never looses its roller-coaster like pace, and for once the reader even wonders whether Felix Castor is going to make it out alive!

The prequel to the brilliant Black Magician trilogy but sadly not as good. If one enjoyed that trilogy, this has to be read, but you may not want to keep it !

However, nice to read a stand alone fantasy book for a change and this is still a very readable book albeit lighter on character and plot than we have become used to from the author.

Felix Castor - a freelance exorcist fallen on hard times, forced to find work as a children's entertainer, and a bad one at that. It's not long before he finds himself embroiled in a case where there is more at stake than getting paid -his very life is on the cards.

I love Mike Carey's writing - with Felix Castor he's created the perfect foil for his craft. Castor is a private eye / exorcist - wonderful! And he's created a world where it is perfectly "normal" for ghosts and werewolves to roam around... Which gives him free reign to indulge in the amazing descriptions and razor sharp dialogue.