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74th out of 354 books
—
447 voters
Revelation (Rai-Kirah #2)
by
Carol Berg (Goodreads Author)
Two years after his battle with the Lord of Demons, Seyonne is tired, troubled, angry, and frustrated. As Ezzaria's only remaining Warden, he carries the entire burden of the worsening demon war on his shoulders. But a demon encounter unlike any in Ezzarian memory leads Seyonne to question everything he has ever believed. And his search for a demon-possessed child becomes...more
Mass Market Paperback, 485 pages
Published
August 1st 2001
by Roc
(first published 2001)
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Writing: 4
Story: 4
Satisfaction: 4
A solid followup to Transformation though parts seemed like the protagonist was being brutalized just to out-do the brutalization in the last novel. Poor Seyonne. He just kept getting kicked and kicked. It seems like he drew the worst life hand that one could possibly get. I really hope he gets his happy ending at the end of the trilogy.
Transformation ends with Aleksander, a Derzhi prince, giving Seyonne his papers of freedom and the land of Ezzaria back to his...more
Story: 4
Satisfaction: 4
A solid followup to Transformation though parts seemed like the protagonist was being brutalized just to out-do the brutalization in the last novel. Poor Seyonne. He just kept getting kicked and kicked. It seems like he drew the worst life hand that one could possibly get. I really hope he gets his happy ending at the end of the trilogy.
Transformation ends with Aleksander, a Derzhi prince, giving Seyonne his papers of freedom and the land of Ezzaria back to his...more
It's difficult to relate what I found unsatisfactory about this book without revealing more than I would have cared to know, prior to reading the book, myself. I’ll avoid spoilers by saying this - The standard plot ( Protagonist, of the “Guy redeemed from ill use/bad habits” sort, moves a step up from his former nature/life to better strength and wisdom before some terrible cliff-hanger ensues.) that is found in most series; is rather absent from this second book: Revelation. It's almost refresh...more
Sadly, Revelation is nowhere near as involving as Transformation was. While Transformation was flawed, its beating heart was the relationship between Seyonne and Aleksander, and that relationship was almost completely absent in this follow-up. Instead, the novel follows Seyonne back to Ezzaria and then through several large set-pieces, each of which felt too dragged out. None of the new characters grabbed me, and the resolution was obvious from 200 pages away.
I think the major flaw in this novel...more
I think the major flaw in this novel...more
Beautiful, engaging writing and the same edge-of-your-seat action and twist after plot twist as Transformation, but (unbelievably) this book is even more brutal on poor Seyonne than the last. The first half was very interesting/engaging and moved along as any good, inventive adventure story would, but then in the second half... ugh. Things just seriously kept going from bad to worse to EVEN worse without giving our poor hero or us readers much of a break at any point--especially towards the end....more
This one was possibly better than the first, I just can't rate it too high because when I think about this book I have to remember the 3rd in the series and that one was pretty disappointing.
The biggest problem I had with book 2 was that it's set in a sort of spirit world, within a fantasy land. Now when you write a fantasy novel with new fantasy lands and places, personally I'd prefer that the book deviate from this place as little as possible. Not that I'm afraid of new places in a fantasy sto...more
The biggest problem I had with book 2 was that it's set in a sort of spirit world, within a fantasy land. Now when you write a fantasy novel with new fantasy lands and places, personally I'd prefer that the book deviate from this place as little as possible. Not that I'm afraid of new places in a fantasy sto...more
I loved the characters and the well done first person narrative of the first book in the series. The plot was enjoyable and the world was well done.
The writing is up to the same high standard in the second book, but most of what I liked about the first book was absent.
1) You barely see Prince Alexander anywhere in the book. Or much of any character beyond Syeonne, the main protagonist. Lots of villain/antagonist face time though. Too much.
2) The "world", it's cultures and societal interactions a...more
The writing is up to the same high standard in the second book, but most of what I liked about the first book was absent.
1) You barely see Prince Alexander anywhere in the book. Or much of any character beyond Syeonne, the main protagonist. Lots of villain/antagonist face time though. Too much.
2) The "world", it's cultures and societal interactions a...more
I recently inhaled Berg's Rai-Kirah trilogy of Transformation, Revelation, and Restoration, and overall I have to be honest and say that I really enjoyed these books -- the characters and the story lines.
This trilogy isn't perfect, as some reviewers have noted... Berg definitely could have created deeper, more nuanced characters (especially the women). And the 2nd and 3rd books suffer a bit from the lack of interaction between Seyonne and Alexander (this partnership that was the focus of the 1s...more
This trilogy isn't perfect, as some reviewers have noted... Berg definitely could have created deeper, more nuanced characters (especially the women). And the 2nd and 3rd books suffer a bit from the lack of interaction between Seyonne and Alexander (this partnership that was the focus of the 1s...more
I keep wanting to give this 10/10 because I'm remembering the ending, which was amazing. I'm stopping myself however, because there was a section in the middle that dragged terribly while I was reading it, but it's still a wonderful and amazing book so I'm compromising with a 9/10.
I was kind of nervous starting this as the title suggested something disturbing was going to be discovered. I was right, and rather astounded by the wrinkle Berg threw into the mix. I'd kind of guessed the basic idea,...more
I was kind of nervous starting this as the title suggested something disturbing was going to be discovered. I was right, and rather astounded by the wrinkle Berg threw into the mix. I'd kind of guessed the basic idea,...more
This was a great book. Strangely, it is the second in a series, and I enjoyed it without reading the first one, which I will now have to go back and read. I picked it up almost by accident to read on a plane (it was the paperback version). The world it conjures is original, and the hero is flawed; I like how he spends the first two thirds of the book digging himself deeper into trouble. Though you know he will survive (it's a first person narrative and there is a sequel) there is still enough su...more
A great book, but not quite as good as the first. I think that's because this one was more plot-driven than character-driven, and she does characters so well and so thoroughly.
I enjoyed the way I was not sure how either book would end; she treats her characters so ... I don't want to say poorly - perhaps honestly is a better word. You don't have the constant reassurance that all will end up all right that you do in books where it is clear that the author cares about them. While these characters...more
I enjoyed the way I was not sure how either book would end; she treats her characters so ... I don't want to say poorly - perhaps honestly is a better word. You don't have the constant reassurance that all will end up all right that you do in books where it is clear that the author cares about them. While these characters...more
I enjoyed most of this book very much. Other reviewers are correct in saying that the middle section (which Seyonne spends in the demon realm) goes on for too long, and that section is not very well or concisely written. And other authors, such as Richard Morgan in his fantasies, depict physical torture and mental confusion more effectively than Berg does here. But aside from those complaints, most of the book is an affecting tale of a hero who keeps giving everything he has despite believing th...more
How terribly disappointing after the 5-star first book of the trilogy!
I think what went wrong with this one for me is that in the first book (_Transformation_), the narrator is nearly always in relationship with Aleksander, the Empire's prince and his master (Seyonne is a slave). It's the dynamic between the two that drives the story, and is so incredibly well done. In _Revelation_, Seyonne is nearly always isolated and nearly always depressed, so his first-person narration is only the stuff in...more
I think what went wrong with this one for me is that in the first book (_Transformation_), the narrator is nearly always in relationship with Aleksander, the Empire's prince and his master (Seyonne is a slave). It's the dynamic between the two that drives the story, and is so incredibly well done. In _Revelation_, Seyonne is nearly always isolated and nearly always depressed, so his first-person narration is only the stuff in...more
Restoration could have been a stand-alone; Revelation has a sort of "cliffhanger" ending.
Again, Berg shows her mastery of characterization, plotting and pacing. I love that her books are smart enough that I'm not embarrassed to be seen reading them, as I would be with more crack!fic or "Twinkie" type books, yet I can read them late at night, when I'm exhausted.
Will Seyonne clear his name with the Ezzarians?
Will his wife and son be restored to him?
I'm betting yes, but, by now, I'm familiar enoug...more
Again, Berg shows her mastery of characterization, plotting and pacing. I love that her books are smart enough that I'm not embarrassed to be seen reading them, as I would be with more crack!fic or "Twinkie" type books, yet I can read them late at night, when I'm exhausted.
Will Seyonne clear his name with the Ezzarians?
Will his wife and son be restored to him?
I'm betting yes, but, by now, I'm familiar enoug...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I didn't think it would be possible for me to like Revelation as much as I liked Transformation, but that's only because the bar had been set so high in my opinion. And I didn't like Revelation as much. To be honest, this was sort of a disappointment following Transformation. The plot of Revelation is too convoluted. One of the beautiful things about Transformation was its fairly straight forward plot: Demon in Aleksander threatens him and if left alone threatens the world, so they have to learn...more
Seyonne's martyrium continues. Boy, does Berg enjoy seeing him suffer.
Liked the new characters (many brownie points for Balthar being something completely different from what I expected) and the way we learn more about demons, Ezzarians, and the world as a whole.
The book would've earned a solid 3/5 if not for the overly lengthy (I felt) passages of despair and confusion in the middle of the narrative. Not as strong as Transformation, but I'll continue to read-- interested to see what Restoration...more
Liked the new characters (many brownie points for Balthar being something completely different from what I expected) and the way we learn more about demons, Ezzarians, and the world as a whole.
The book would've earned a solid 3/5 if not for the overly lengthy (I felt) passages of despair and confusion in the middle of the narrative. Not as strong as Transformation, but I'll continue to read-- interested to see what Restoration...more
Not quite as good as Transformation, but still awesome. What I don't understand is how Aleksander managed to offend Carol Berg enough that she banished him from the book! Without the constant Aleksander-Seyonne stuff, team or conflicts either, it just seemed like it had a great, gaping hole in its heart.
And speaking of--I'm not a romantic on any level, but I really, REALLY wish that Seyonne's wife hadn't said those last words to--I mean about--him. Especially since she dies in the next book, wit...more
And speaking of--I'm not a romantic on any level, but I really, REALLY wish that Seyonne's wife hadn't said those last words to--I mean about--him. Especially since she dies in the next book, wit...more
I didn't read this second book as fast as the first one, but I was in holiday for the first one, I read a lot less on working days. Another reason for reading slower is that I was less hooked by this story, except for the last quarter where I couldn't stop reading till the end.
In this second part of the trilogy, we find Seyonne back home as a warrior fighting demons. But home isn't like it used to be for him, because he isn't the same person as before being a slave. He is questioning tradition,...more
In this second part of the trilogy, we find Seyonne back home as a warrior fighting demons. But home isn't like it used to be for him, because he isn't the same person as before being a slave. He is questioning tradition,...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
After everything that had happened to poor Seyonne during the first book in the series, I was hoping that he'd have a nice, lazy life in Ezzaria. He would have definitely deserved it...but of course, that wouldn't have made much of a book. You need conflict, and intrigue, and there were spades of that in Revelation.
Here, Carol Berg finally answers some questions that are held over from the first book in the Trilogy. Most importantly; why the Ezzarians engage in their battle with the demons.
I was...more
Here, Carol Berg finally answers some questions that are held over from the first book in the Trilogy. Most importantly; why the Ezzarians engage in their battle with the demons.
I was...more
Revelation is the second book in Carol Berg's Rai-Kirah series. This book takes place a couple years after Transformation and picks up with where life has taken Seyonne. Back among his own people again in Ezzaria, Seyonne continues battling the evil demons who possess the souls of mortals. When Seyonne enters a battle to find a demon that claims to have been welcomed by its host and wishes only to learn of the world, Seyonne becomes entangled in a stange quest for the truth behind the existence...more
The series just keeps getting better. Fantasy with a soul --- deeply detailed, rich with character development, a very unique school of magic. There are some dark and abusive moments in this story -- and that's saying a lot since the first installment dealt with the protagonist's time as a slave. But there's also a lot of spirit and hope. After the time I've spent in this world, I've grown very fond of the characters. I'll buy the third in the series without hesitation.
This is the second book in Carol Berg's Transformation / Revelation / Restoration trilogy. Darker than the first book, I found I liked it better. (It's still a little name-heavy in parts, but not to the distracting extent of book one.) There is one section that I first thought went on a bit too long, but it was probably necessary in order to create the proper effect on the reader. The plot involves treachery and redemption, and the phantasms of reality and of the spirit/demon realm. Perhaps most...more
3.5 stars
The story dragged in the middle when Seyonne was under enchantment and I missed Aleksander very much. Plus, Yssane is so underdeveloped that she is basically a paper doll and she is supposed to be the great love of Seyonne's life. Still, I liked Fiona and Blaise and there were some interesting characters among demons. At times, the suspense was unbearable, even when you know there is another book after this one.
The story dragged in the middle when Seyonne was under enchantment and I missed Aleksander very much. Plus, Yssane is so underdeveloped that she is basically a paper doll and she is supposed to be the great love of Seyonne's life. Still, I liked Fiona and Blaise and there were some interesting characters among demons. At times, the suspense was unbearable, even when you know there is another book after this one.
Somewhere between 3 and four stars. There are parts of this book that are fantastic, but are brought down by a myriad of other things. Seyonne seems at times to be a wise, middle-aged Ezzarian, but at others to be a petulant teen. Someone aptly summed it up as 'man-agnst.' I feel like Berg creates these character conflicts to add depth, but just feels like some of her characters are inconsistent. Regardless, Revelation is another entertaining entry in her Rai-Kirah saga.
date of the reading of this book is misleading - i had the book mostly read, but then i realized i knew the ending so i stopped. not a happy ending and we have to go to another book - i find that annoying. seyonne travels to the world of demons, is tortured a long time, and in the end - is betrayed. yea, great book. and yet, it's carol berg - who usually has meaning in her heartache. i'm still waiting....
As unconventional as the first book of the series, Berg keeps you guessing what will happen next.
This is great high fantasy, but without the stereotypical tropes and cliches. Very refreshing!
I did get a little tired of one bad thing after another happening to our protagonist. He never gets a break, which is too much like life. haha
This is great high fantasy, but without the stereotypical tropes and cliches. Very refreshing!
I did get a little tired of one bad thing after another happening to our protagonist. He never gets a break, which is too much like life. haha
Unfortunately, I read the book over many months and this happened also because the book had his bad moments. Differently from the first of the serie, Transformation, Revelation didn't keep my attention alert for the whole book. The story is intriguing, but there are too many characters in the pot and the plot tends to become over complex.
The central part of the story, when Seyonne is in the land of the demons, is hard to follow and it was there where I lost the interest for the story. I got ho...more
The central part of the story, when Seyonne is in the land of the demons, is hard to follow and it was there where I lost the interest for the story. I got ho...more
A good follow up to Transformation, it was interesting to read what became of Seyonne after he and Aleksander parted ways. Throughout the book we follow Seyonne on his quest to discover the truth about the demons, he meets some interesting people and makes some amazing discoveries. If you enjoyed the first book you'll definitely enjoy this one...
Berg spins such a wonder tale. The Books of the Rai-Kirah are well worth the time spent! A fantastic addition to your collection. It took me a few read throughs to truly understand just how intricate of a world Berg created is, and I'm still not done exploring!
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Carol Berg is the author of the epic fantasy
The Books of the Rai-kirah, The Bridge of D'Arnath Quartet, the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winning Lighthouse Duet - Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone - the standalone novel Song of the Beast , and the three novels of the Collegia Magica.
Berg holds a degree in mathematics from Rice University, and a degree in computer science from the University of Col...more
More about Carol Berg...
The Books of the Rai-kirah, The Bridge of D'Arnath Quartet, the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winning Lighthouse Duet - Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone - the standalone novel Song of the Beast , and the three novels of the Collegia Magica.
Berg holds a degree in mathematics from Rice University, and a degree in computer science from the University of Col...more
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