The Unremembered (The Vault of Heaven, #1)

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The Unremembered (Vault of Heaven #1)

by Peter Orullian (Goodreads Author)

3.31 of 5 stars 3.31 · rating details · 517 ratings · 120 reviews

The gods, makers of worlds, seek to create balance — between matter and energy; and between mortals who strive toward the transcendent, and the natural perils they must tame or overcome. But one of the gods fashions a world filled with hellish creatures far too powerful to allow balance; he is condemned to live for eternity with his most hateful creations in that world’s d...more

Hardcover, 1st Edition, 672 pages

Published April 12th 2011 by Tor Books (first published March 31st 2011)

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Nov 19, 2012 Eric Allen rated it 1 of 5 stars

The Unremembered
Book 1 of The Vault of Heaven
By Peter Orullian

A Review by Eric Allen

I was at a book signing to have Brandon Sanderson sign some of my books of his and there was a second author there signing named Peter Orullian. Everyone was lining up for Brandon, and like two people had Peter sign anything. He was sitting there for an hour or so just messing around with his phone looking rather bored and really hopeful anytime anyone stepped near him. He looked so let down when people looked li...more

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Dec 19, 2011 Jenny rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

I read this book a while ago, and every time I see it come up on any book lists or websites I am reminded of how much I dislike it. I don't usually write reviews, because what I like or didn't like is usually covered by others, but here on Goodreads my opinions have not been previously expressed.

First of all, I am LDS, as is the author of this book. That usually has no bearing on whether I will like something, or not. In this case, all it did was clue me in to this author's.... laziness. Multip...more

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Apr 10, 2011 Seak (Bryce L.) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-review, 2011, 650-800-pagers, fantasy

From Only the Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy

One of the most stunning covers I've seen in a long time, The Unremembered is one of the biggest releases of 2011. The question remains, does the book live up to its cover?

In many ways, The Unremembered is a very traditional tale. A couple almost-kids are swept up in an adventure they never imagined they would be in, chased by monsters who were thought to be myth, helped by people who know what they're doing (and have awesome powers). Luckily, even after the many...more

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Jun 21, 2011 Ranting Dragon rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: stephan

http://www.rantingdragon.com/the-unre...

In general, there seem to be two types of modern epic fantasy series: One the one hand, there are writers such as Joe Abercrombie and George R. R. Martin, who try to reinvent the genre by discarding the known epic tropes and strive to create a more “realistic” type of fantasy (by completely erasing the distinction between right and wrong); on the other hand, there are authors who try to improve the genre, like Brandon Sanderson. Peter Orullian is without a...more

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Aug 26, 2012 Brandon Zarzyczny rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this debut book, it has all the makings of another amazing epic fantasy series. The world is a little goofy, with a group of god like beings creating the universe, but one of them goes rouge creating only crazy evil things, which then makes the rest of the gods strip him of his power and exile him to live with his creations. It sets up some interesting possibilities, but I had some trouble believing it. The magic system itself is much better, it's believable but not too scientif...more I really enjoyed this debut book, it has all the makings of another amazing epic fantasy series. The world is a little goofy, with a group of god like beings creating the universe, but one of them goes rouge creating only crazy evil things, which then makes the rest of the gods strip him of his power and exile him to live with his creations. It sets up some interesting possibilities, but I had some trouble believing it. The magic system itself is much better, it's believable but not too scientific, it still has a large element of mystery at this point. Basically the good sorcerers use the energy from their own body (each time they use it it shortens their life) to effect change on the world around them (healing/fire/lightning/wind/earthquakes/etc) while the evil sorcerers drain the life/energy from everything around them to effect change. There is also some interesting political subplots to the story, where a new regime has enforced a law that essentially on penalty of death no one is allowed to use magic.

The character development in this novel is top notch. Each character distinctly changes from who they were at the beginning of the book, for better and worse. The story is pretty typical Epic Fantasy, it follows in the path of books like The Lord of the Rings and The Wheel of Time. Where a group/fellowship is gathered and then they set out on a quest while being pursued by deadly monsters, they eventually split up into groups and have their own adventures where they greatly evolve as characters, and finally they all meet up again for the climax of the story. Peter Orullian takes this fantasy trope and spins a phenomenal tale within its guidelines, of course with a few plot twists and reveals.

My only real small problem with the book is that like other novels with multiple characters, with each chapter coinciding with a perspective shift to a different character and story, I couldn't help but read the book chapter by chapter. I didn't really feel the need to blaze through the book. Along with this, I also ended up liking some characters/plot-lines more than others, making it a little annoying when I have to read multiple chapters of characters I didn't love as much to get to those I do.

Nevertheless, if you enjoy Epic Fantasy at all, you should absolutely give The Unremembered a try. (less)

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Aug 08, 2012 Emily rated it 1 of 5 stars

I really wanted to like this book, I really tried my very best to like it, but ultimately I found it impossible. There were several elements that contributed to my ultimate dislike of this book: first and foremost (and most distracting) was the wording. Now, I'm all for the use of long words; I appreciate the use of intelligent and interesting vocabulary, however, in the case of this book, the words got in the way of what the author wanted to say. The main characters were from a rural region, ha...more

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Jul 15, 2012 Clay rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sf-fantasy

Every new author’s first novel is greeted with unstinting praise by successful authors (who apparently owe their publisher a favor) and breathless back-cover blurb writers – so after a while one becomes justifiably suspicious.

But in the case of “The Unremembered” (Tor, $27.99, 672 pages), there is at least some substance behind the hype that screams “a major fantasy adventure”, among other things. Peter Orullian’s book, set in the usual pre-industrial world with a fair amount of magic, is not on...more

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Aug 10, 2011 Sean rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is pretty long, but not as long as some of the other epic fantasies like Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, or something by Goodkind, or Eddings. It took some time to read it, partially because I had been working long hours, but it was well worth it. The cover is incredible, leaves you asking what is he looking for.
I really enjoyed this book, it took me on a journey with some unlikely heros that I enjoyed getting to know. The story was told with flavorful, descriptive words that put you r...more

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Jun 13, 2011 Silus28 rated it 5 of 5 stars

I picked up this book based on the quote from Terry Brooks on the cover and I was not disappointed. I'm a big fan of Brooks' work and must say I'm now a fan of Peter Orullian as well. I love epic fantasy and The Unremembered is one of the best I've read in years.

I found the basic premise of the story quite intriguing. The Gods strive to create balance in the worlds they construct, however one of thier own has "fashioned a world with hellish creatures too powerful to allow balance". So the Gods...more I picked up this book based on the quote from Terry Brooks on the cover and I was not disappointed. I'm a big fan of Brooks' work and must say I'm now a fan of Peter Orullian as well. I love epic fantasy and The Unremembered is one of the best I've read in years.

I found the basic premise of the story quite intriguing. The Gods strive to create balance in the worlds they construct, however one of thier own has "fashioned a world with hellish creatures too powerful to allow balance". So the Gods banish this miscreant to a desolate region of the world he created, to live forever with his horrific creations imprisoned behind a veil maintained by the magical power of song. The Gods then abandon this world and leave it's fate to Will of mankind.

Building upon this premise, the author develops an incredibly vivid and indepth world that plays host to a both a captivating plot and some of most endearing characters in recent memory. What sets Orullian apart from most of his counterparts is the extensive character development and the descriptive focus on the inter-relationships of his cast. I found his characters to be incredibly well developed, unique and easy to identify with. The authors ability to convey the subtleties of the relationship between his central protagonist Tahn and his best friend Suttter demonstrates he is master at his craft.

In addition to the engaging characters and masterful storytelling, I found the combinitation of the two distinct yet intertwined magic systems to be both innovative and fascinating. There is one system based on the utilization of "Will" or life energy to effectively cast magical spells and another based on the power song. I beleive we have only observed the tip of the iceberg with the latter of these two systems and I eagerly await the next book to further explore it's potential.

I'm definatley looking forward to the ensuing volumes of The Vault of Heaven series and would recommend The Unremembered to anyone who enjoys great epic fantasy. Truly one of the best fantasy series openings in past few years. Don't miss this one!
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Jun 05, 2011 Jrsmoots rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm going start by saying I know Peter Orullian. However, I bought the book all by my darn self, and am reading it with an open mind and about 28 year's experience reading fantasy.

Secondly, I am suprised at the vitriol contained in some of the other reviews. This book stokes people's fire, one way or another, eh?

I'm going to break a rule (is it a rule?): I'm only 3/4 of the way through the book. Don't worry about any spoilers in this review, as I don't know how it ends either!

I'm finding The...more I'm going start by saying I know Peter Orullian. However, I bought the book all by my darn self, and am reading it with an open mind and about 28 year's experience reading fantasy.

Secondly, I am suprised at the vitriol contained in some of the other reviews. This book stokes people's fire, one way or another, eh?

I'm going to break a rule (is it a rule?): I'm only 3/4 of the way through the book. Don't worry about any spoilers in this review, as I don't know how it ends either!

I'm finding The Unremembered to be an engaging story, one that I am emotionally invested in as I read through the book.

In the first section of the book, Orullian takes on the difficult task of describing an entire world AND laying out the storyline, and does it concisely and vividly, without page-upon-page of dry exposition. I felt like I was given enough backstory/pre-history/mythology to get me immersed in the world of The Unremembered; then I was immediately plunged into the story. This is as it should be.

Another thing I appreciate is that a bit of mystery is allowed around each character. We aren't handed their entire freakin' resume when they are first introduced in the story. Rather, the characters develop and deepen over time. Orullian has a good sense of pacing, of holding back a bit to increase interest and anticipation.

Regarding the language used by the characters, I found it to be slightly stylized but not to the extent that it intereferred with reading. I expect a little bit of color to be added to the language in a fantasy book. I can handle a few invented words.

At the ripe old age of 41, I sometimes worry that I've lost the ability to get lost in a fantasy world. Books like The Unremembered are an immersive experience. I was pleased to be able to lose myself in this world for a little while.

I promised myself I wouldn't write a long review, so lemme just say:

If you appreciate a well crafted, interesting story, with characters you can identify with and care about, then give The Unremembered a read.(less)

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May 27, 2011 Felicia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: epic-fantasy

Disclosure, I have actually tangently worked with this author at MS with The Guild, and I received an ARC copy, but this review is 100% objective.

I have all of Robert Jordan's books in hardback, I was obsessed with the Wheel of Time at like 13 or 14. Later on when the series disappointed me a bit, I still look back on those years of total immersion in his world with fondness, that deep and epic fantasy storytelling that only fantasy fans can really buy into. This book is very much a citizen of t...more

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May 27, 2011 Clark G rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book! Just so you know where I am coming from, some of my favorite authors are Bradbury, King, and Jordan. I like these authors for different reasons: Bradbury for his poetic interpretation of the places he imagines; King for his inventive and cunning twists; Jordan for his complex and brilliant worlds. I found these same traits woven into this novel. The writing is mature and the world is richly detailed. I found the pacing of the story well balanced as the book revealed t...more

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Apr 19, 2011 Vicky rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recap: The gods, makers of words, seek to create balance…but one of the gods fashions a world filled with hellish creatures that disturb the balance. He is condemned to live for eternity with them, restrained by a magical veil kept strong by the power of song. After time, the song and veil weaken and evil walks the world. One young man, Tahn, is called to stand up and face the darkness and his own forgotten secrets.

This is an epic fantasy where the characters are given choices, but not easy one...more Recap: The gods, makers of words, seek to create balance…but one of the gods fashions a world filled with hellish creatures that disturb the balance. He is condemned to live for eternity with them, restrained by a magical veil kept strong by the power of song. After time, the song and veil weaken and evil walks the world. One young man, Tahn, is called to stand up and face the darkness and his own forgotten secrets.

This is an epic fantasy where the characters are given choices, but not easy ones, and not always ones that lead to good things. Sometimes “good” is nothing more than “less evil.” The characters are deep and well-developed with realistic issues. The gods, and the reason for the story, is laid out in a prologue. Then the story begins in the rural setting of a small village that is reminiscent of the homes of the Hobbits. Like many epic fantasies, the main character, Tahn, is unaware of the power he possesses and his importance in the coming trials. The story reminds me loosely of the Robert Jordan or Tolkien series where the group is together in the beginning, splits up to handle their various parts throughout the story, then (mostly) regroups at the end.

The writing is strong with good pacing. The world building is well-done, though I’m getting a little tired of writers trying to come up with different words for tobacco and other common things. The author gives us the expected themes in fantasy novels: good vs. evil, coming-of-age, self-discovery, acceptance, and more. If you’re expecting a light-weight story, this one isn’t it. Though some of it was predictable, the one problem I did have was with the ending. It didn’t work well for me and left me flat. It’s very obviously the first in a series. I did enjoy it enough to look forward to the second in the series, which will, I hope, tie up some of the loose ends left dangling.

If you like epic fantasy stories that follow the generalized themes of fantasy, definitely pick this one up. It’s a big book with a big future.
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Mar 31, 2011 Powwow rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was lucky enough to get a pre-released copy of Peter Orullian’s novel “The Unremembered” to be released 4/12/11. THE EPIC FANSTASY NOVEL IS BACK! I must say… this author is an amazing new find. “The Unremembered” is a passionate, exciting read, full of choice and consequence… the unbelievable becoming reality… and insurmountable odds being overcome. This book is BIG… Orullian is gifted with an extraordinary imagination that stimulates the reader to his passion.
I most like… the rich full descr...more

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Feb 23, 2011 Helen Manring rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read a lot of fantasy and science fiction. I understand the tropes. I know writers who say they try to avoid them, and then pretty much use them. And I've read some who just regurgitate the tropes. I was expecting that later when I was handed Orullian's book. I was wrong.

Oh, yeah, there are some archtypes here. Show me a book that doesn't have them. The thing that hooked me as I continued to read was that these characters felt real. They're asked to do some extraordinary things, but they're no...more

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Feb 20, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Every once in a while you get ahold of a debut novel (an ARC no less), where you know the author has taken the time to develop his world and his story and characters. And you get pulled along, and you know it’s going to be great. That’s what happened to me in The Unremembered.

Orullian has built on the shoulders of giants here. He’s taken fantasy tropes, made you think you understand them and what he’s doing, and then he changes the game.

This isn’t playing with the conventions of the genre to moc...more

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May 31, 2011 Glen Garets rated it 5 of 5 stars

Tolkien, Jordan, Martin, Sanderson, and now Orullian. We all long for and author to come around to remind us why we love to get sucked into books. Peter does just that with countless twist and turns in his debut book “ The Unremembered”. The first in his Vault of Heaven series.

I’ve been a reader of fantasy for a while, I feel that some of the books that get published are just re-writes of the same old story, without to much change. Peter makes us want to hear this story again because he owns it...more

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Jan 28, 2012 Chris Galford rated it 4 of 5 stars

Though it starts a little slow, this is one for fantasy fans to note. Orullian's entry into the genre is one possessed of a unique, vibrant world as rich in history as it is in characters. The cast is diverse, and while I've heard some cast "the journey" of the characters with a hope for defeating an ancient curse as reminiscent of Tolkien and the Fellowship of the Ring, to that I say...read beyond the opening chapters you twits.

There is a darkness here, and a sadness, lurking just behind the s...more

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Aug 15, 2011 Aaron Anderson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5-fantasy

I'm only 70 pages in. I'm mostly enjoying it, so far, but the story almost totally a cliche on how it starts. It seems such a direct copy of the epic story told by WoT, Shannara, LoTR, and so many others.

We have a wizard-type, who is mysterious, and has come to The VillageTM to gather the Group of AdventurersTM. They must leave because immediately to save their village and family because The HeroTM is being sought by the Evil Enemies.

It's so utterly standard thus far. Buuuut, the writing is good...more

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Mar 06, 2011 Paul rated it 3 of 5 stars

"I draw with the strength of my arms, but release as the Will allows"

Choice and consequences lie heavy freight on The Unremembered, the debut novel by fantasy author Peter Orullian.

Sometimes, epic fantasy is all that will do for a reader of speculative fiction, and so I turned to reading this eagerly, hoping to quench that recurring thirst and need. for epic fantasy that builds a secondary world peopled with characters, lands, creatures and magic that provide escapism and escape in equal portion...more

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Mar 01, 2011 Spencer Pranger rated it 5 of 5 stars

There are books in the fantasy genre that are so great they make you want to stand up at the end and offer the author a round of applause. I for one can say I had to do such a thing at 2 am, to the surprise of my wife. This book has everything a reader can want in a book from extreme high emotion filled chapters to amazing action sequences. Decisions for the characters actions hold real consequences, rarely have I seen it that well done.
Please don't let the back blurb put you off. It does the b...more

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Dec 31, 2011 Kyle Shields rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I first heard of this book through the TOR newsletter, I didn't really give it much thought. The books they usually talk about in the newsletter are generally not interesting to me, or simply just trash that TOR tries to pass off as "the next big thing. Most of these books end in disappointment, either due to quality or more often just personal preference.

I eventually picked this book at the recommendation of a friend, who is related to Peter Orullian, figuring that I would read it pretty...more When I first heard of this book through the TOR newsletter, I didn't really give it much thought. The books they usually talk about in the newsletter are generally not interesting to me, or simply just trash that TOR tries to pass off as "the next big thing. Most of these books end in disappointment, either due to quality or more often just personal preference.

I eventually picked this book at the recommendation of a friend, who is related to Peter Orullian, figuring that I would read it pretty quickly and never think of it again. This book surprised me quite a bit.

The story follows the relatively standard fantasy novel. A farm boy and his friends live in the middle of nowhere, the main character having mysterious origins, who are swept up in an grand adventure by a powerful and mysterious wizard-figure. These Hero's go on a series of adventures where they begin to discover their destiny of saving the world. This framework of a story should be very familiar to anybody who has spent anytime reading a Fantasy novel. While this can be a huge negative for many people, I found that some things that were done well really made this story refreshing and kept me interested.

Probably the most important thing in any Fantasy novel is the prologue. This is the author's first chance to hook the audience, and introduce the conflict of the series. This has been true of Robert Jordan's The Eye of the World, which is widely considered to be the best prologue in Fantasy history. We are immediately introduced to the antagonist, the conflict, and the world is set up for us in only a chapter. This also happens in A Game of Thrones, and many other series of note. The Unremembered is no exception. We are introduced to a scene that resembles Lucifer's expulsion from heaven, which lets the audience know huge amounts about what the conflict of the series will be about. The "Whiting" scene is definitely one of my favorite prologues to date, although A Game of Thrones and The Eye of the World are still better. This prologue really hooked me, and I think it is a great job by Peter Orullian.

The magic system in this book is interesting, but rather vague compared the very rule-based systems that authors like Brandon Sanderson or even Patrick Rothfuss use. The main character, Tahn, has very powerful untapped magic which requires an almost-prayer to activate. While his sister, Wendra, begins to explore a more music-based system, although we are not really informed of the rules of this. I think the audience will get far more information about this as the story continues in future books.

My biggest complaint is that sometimes characters seem to do things that are "out of character", or maybe these things are just not explained properly. Tahn falling in love with Mira seems too easy. He is instantly attracted to her because she is beautiful, powerful, and exotic, but that is more of a recipe for infatuation or lust than love. Mira falls for him in a similar manner, although with different reasons. There is another scene where Sutter steps in to protect Wendra's honor, which is not bad, but the scene feels a little forced, and Sutter outsmarting his opponent feels "forced". This is my own personal perception, and relatively small problems with one or two scenes in a very good book.

Lastly, while the similarities between The Unremembered and some other fantasy novels does not detract from this book, I really hope that the second book diverges from that path on to a little less traveled ground. I am sure that it will, and that it will be great.

The Unremembered is a great debut novel, and it is definitely poised to launch a great fantasy series. Also, having met Peter I can say that he is an awesome guy who truly loves the Fantasy genre, and who is a great guy to talk to about a huge number of topics. Long story short: anybody who likes Fantasy should give this book a try and get ready for a great read. (less)

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Jan 14, 2012 Mitchell rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, endeavour, public-library

This was a book I read for the Endeavour awards. There was some interesting and good world-building attempted here. But this book just plain suffered from too much too soon. I never cared about any of the characters, not when they were together, not when they were separated, not when they re-found each other. There was too much stupid-name syndrome and this started from the very first page. And yet there were glimpses of the author's storytelling capabilities - just a couple pages - but these wo...more

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Feb 07, 2011 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Yes, I've read it. No it doesn't hit book stores until April. What can I say, sometimes I'm just lucky like that.

I want to put a review out there to help get everyone excited about this book, but I'm having a hard time writing something that doesn't have at least a little bit of a spoiler. I'm not very good at writing reviews, either- so bear with me.

Here is my take on "The Unremembered" by Peter Orullian:

What it is- The complex opening book in a multi-volume saga. The world and history are beau...more Yes, I've read it. No it doesn't hit book stores until April. What can I say, sometimes I'm just lucky like that.

I want to put a review out there to help get everyone excited about this book, but I'm having a hard time writing something that doesn't have at least a little bit of a spoiler. I'm not very good at writing reviews, either- so bear with me.

Here is my take on "The Unremembered" by Peter Orullian:

What it is- The complex opening book in a multi-volume saga. The world and history are beautiful and clearly described. The way the story is written is real, gritty, and in your face. There are a lot of standard fantasy-fare themes addressed in the story. Coming of age, self-discovery, accepting one's birthright, mysterious strangers, mysterious pasts, dark secrets, and so forth. The over-arching themes that I came away with are those of hope, courage, and redemption. The book is almost grim at times, and even the moments of light-hearted laughter seem to hang under a shadow. Ironically, it is frequently the darkest, most painful moments of the story that are infused with such threads of hope that they seem to glow.

What it is not- A bit of light-hearted escapist fantasy. This book is thought provoking, and heavy handed on the social commentary. It poses a number of questions about the nature of good and evil that will really get under your skin.

It is also not entirely satisfying- which is to be expected as the opening volume in a multi-book series. But there is also such a focus on the angst and the action that the actual storyline can feel like an afterthought.

What I liked: The well developed history and complex ideas. The story that was simultaneously dark and hopeful.

What I didn't like: The not entirely satisfying resolution. (In other words- bring on book two!!!)

Since this is a book by a brand new author, many of you will not know what his writing is like. Just to whet your appetite, there are two short stories on Tor.com which are relevant to the storyline. I'll link to them for you. :)

Story one: http://www.tor.com/stories/2010/11/sa...

Story two: http://www.tor.com/stories/2011/02/th...(less)

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Mar 19, 2012 Ben Arispe rated it 4 of 5 stars

I liked this one. It was a decent read. However, I feel the story was disjointed by the end. Almost to the point where I felt I didn't know what had happened by the last page. Overall, I feel the author is a great storyteller. We see a nice cast of some very engaging characters. Personally, I would have liked more detail when being introduced to the characters as individuals. The story really starts immediately and you're along for the ride for all the "adventure and excitement" Tahn and Sutter...more

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Mar 31, 2011 Star rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have read the advanced reading copy of this book. Orullian is brilliant. Best fantasy I've read in a long time. Characters are real and hard to get out of my mind.

The storytelling is magnificent and flows. And I love how it grows so vividly and convincingly from start to finish.

I was captured by the moral complexity.

The world Orullian has created is as deep and rich as they come. There's a lot going on, the action keeps you reading.

This is not a book you read fast or skim read. There is sub...more

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Feb 28, 2011 Al rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was lucky enough to score an "Advanced Reader's" copy of this book through a friend. It was a great read. Fans of the fantasy genre will recognize the influences of some of the greats; Tolkien, Jordan, Brooks. Fans will also enjoy where the author jumps off from these influences to create a fully realized world of his own with a complex, interesting and unique mythology. This is a densly (but well) written, thought provoking book.

The author definitely exceeds in the areas of characterization...more

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Mar 15, 2011 Robert rated it 3 of 5 stars

In reality, I would give the book 3.5 stars. Here's an excerpt from my review:

"Peter Orullian is the author of The Unremembered, a traditional epic fantasy novel that immediately brought to mind Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time and Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings because of the familiar quest storyline and the book’s classic battle between good and evil. Because of philosophical musings, thought-provoking moral complexity, and the overall serious tone of the book, I was also reminded of The Swo...more

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Jul 30, 2011 Maureen Hoar rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was very long. I read the e-version so it was 810 pages. It was long, too wordy and vague. The characters had very little redeeming qualities. The Sheesan was cryptic and secretive to a fault which drove me crazy. Tahn was indecisive and bratty along with his friend Sutter. Wendra was mopey and angry always. When there was a big reveal it was vague and didn't really seem to add to the story. I am still not sure what the goal is or what purpose any of the characters is after reading thi...more

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Feb 28, 2011 Mark rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Thank god.

At last a new Epic Fantasy has been published - I really really miss new Epic Fantasy's, the trend these days seems to be 'gritty' and 'dark'.

That's not to say that I don't like those books - or that Orullian's debut doesn't have some dark moments - but I cut my teeth on the likes of Jordan and Brooks, and not many are doing that anymore.

THE UNREMEMBERED is BIG, it has depth and power, and (as in the vein of Janny Wurts) Orullian's prose is the sort that where you would do well to pay...more

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About Peter Orullian

Peter Orullian has worked in marketing at Xbox for nearly a decade, most recently leading the Music and Entertainment marketing strategy for Xbox LIVE, and has toured as a featured vocalist internationally at major music festivals. He has published several short stories. The Unremembered is his first novel. He lives in Seattle. "

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At the Manger: The Story of Those Who Were There

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avg rating	preview: The Unremembered Goodreads rating: 3.31 (517 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8684418-the-unremembered?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1316738091l/8684418.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8684418-the-unremembered?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Unremembered by Peter Orullian[/url]

The Unremembered (Vault of Heaven #1)

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