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Tir Alainn #1
The Pillars of the World
The first novel in New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop's Tir Alainn Trilogy.The youngest in a long line of witches, Ari senses that things are changing—changing for the worse. For generations, her kin have tended the Old Places, keeping the land safe and fertile. But with the Summer Moon, the mood of her neighbors has soured. And Ari is no longer safe. The Fae have long ignored what occurs in the mortal world, passing through on their shadowy roads only long enough to amuse themselves. But the roads are slowly disappearing, leaving the Fae Clans isolated and alone. Where harmony between the spiritual and the natural has always reigned, a dissonant chord now rings in the ears of both Fae and mortal. And when murmurs of a witch-hunt hum through the town, some begin to wonder if the different omens are notes in the same tune. And all they have to guide them is a passing reference to something called the Pillars of the World...
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2001
324 people are currently reading
4905 people want to read
About the author
Anne Bishop
51 books10.6k followersAnne Bishop lives in upstate New York where she enjoys gardening, music, and writing dark, romantic stories. She is the author of over twenty novels, including the award-winning Black Jewels Trilogy. She has written a new series, the Others, which is an urban dark fantasy with a bit of a twist.
Crawford Award (2000)
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Crawford Award (2000)
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 401 reviews
March 8, 2010
Why do I keep reading these? They must have some kind of crack-like quality that is extra-appealing when one is sick.
This, as every novel by Anne Bishop, contains the following elements:
- A woman who is VERY SPECIAL but no one understands her and she is SO OPPRESSED. Animals and small magical beings are kind to her because they understand her SPECIAL SPARKLINESS.
- A hard-working and honest man who is ALSO OPPRESSED who understands her SPECIAL SPARKLINESS (like the ponies and such do) and will eventually be her TRUE LOVE.
- BAD OPPRESSIVE PEOPLE who want to hurt the KIND SPARKLY PEOPLE. The hurting will be described in more detail than you wanted to know, if you are most people.
- Sexy magical beings who are mystified by human behavior in implausible ways, thus allowing for convenient plot device misunderstandings.
- MAGICAL PONIES.
So, this is not the ubercrack that is the Black Jewels series, nor is it as unreadable as the Ephemera series (seriously guys, magical landscaping?), but if you're looking for a middle of the road sort of novel that contains exactly what you'd expect from Anne Bishop, there you have it.
This, as every novel by Anne Bishop, contains the following elements:
- A woman who is VERY SPECIAL but no one understands her and she is SO OPPRESSED. Animals and small magical beings are kind to her because they understand her SPECIAL SPARKLINESS.
- A hard-working and honest man who is ALSO OPPRESSED who understands her SPECIAL SPARKLINESS (like the ponies and such do) and will eventually be her TRUE LOVE.
- BAD OPPRESSIVE PEOPLE who want to hurt the KIND SPARKLY PEOPLE. The hurting will be described in more detail than you wanted to know, if you are most people.
- Sexy magical beings who are mystified by human behavior in implausible ways, thus allowing for convenient plot device misunderstandings.
- MAGICAL PONIES.
So, this is not the ubercrack that is the Black Jewels series, nor is it as unreadable as the Ephemera series (seriously guys, magical landscaping?), but if you're looking for a middle of the road sort of novel that contains exactly what you'd expect from Anne Bishop, there you have it.
January 17, 2019
Anne Bishop is my blind spot, so for the time being this whole trilogy gets a solid 4-star rating, but that might change later on once I let the story and the whirlwind ending settle down a bit.
Normally 4-star books are automatic recommendations from me for friends who share similar tastes, but not this time. I can't say I'd rec this book unless you plan on finishing the series because of the ending. It's kind of agonizing and will probably make you want to pull out all your hair, but the third book makes up for your suffering because the bad guys get what they deserve and maybe more. It's Anne Bishop's signature style, and it's precisely why I like her writing and why she's my blind spot.
This book in particular though had three things going against it from the very beginning:
- medieval setting
- young naive protagonist
- the fae
I'm not too keen on these particular elements in high fantasy, so I went into the story not expecting much. And yet somehow Anne Bishop made it interesting, despite using over trodden tropes and cliches that we're all sick of seeing in high fantasy. I don't know how she does it--really though, how does she do it?
If I were to take this story apart piece by piece and look at each individual piece, it would be contain the very things I take issue with in other high fantasy series. Terry Goodkind comes to mind at the moment. Pillars contains almost everything I hated about Wizard's First Rule, particularly the copious amount of violence and torture. And yet--AND YET--that didn't get in the way of my reading here. Of course it bothered me and made the reading uncomfortable, but I knew there was a purpose to it and its role in the story arc.
But just looking at all the things I take issue with, it's quite baffling I'm giving this book a high rating (for now). Quite baffling, really. What's even more baffling is I blew through the trilogy in a matter of days, and I enjoyed it very much. Well, maybe not "enjoyed," though I did like it a lot.
* * * * *
Kiala's BOM pick for Vaginal Fantasy. Discussions at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
Normally 4-star books are automatic recommendations from me for friends who share similar tastes, but not this time. I can't say I'd rec this book unless you plan on finishing the series because of the ending. It's kind of agonizing and will probably make you want to pull out all your hair, but the third book makes up for your suffering because the bad guys get what they deserve and maybe more. It's Anne Bishop's signature style, and it's precisely why I like her writing and why she's my blind spot.
This book in particular though had three things going against it from the very beginning:
- medieval setting
- young naive protagonist
- the fae
I'm not too keen on these particular elements in high fantasy, so I went into the story not expecting much. And yet somehow Anne Bishop made it interesting, despite using over trodden tropes and cliches that we're all sick of seeing in high fantasy. I don't know how she does it--really though, how does she do it?
If I were to take this story apart piece by piece and look at each individual piece, it would be contain the very things I take issue with in other high fantasy series. Terry Goodkind comes to mind at the moment. Pillars contains almost everything I hated about Wizard's First Rule, particularly the copious amount of violence and torture. And yet--AND YET--that didn't get in the way of my reading here. Of course it bothered me and made the reading uncomfortable, but I knew there was a purpose to it and its role in the story arc.
But just looking at all the things I take issue with, it's quite baffling I'm giving this book a high rating (for now). Quite baffling, really. What's even more baffling is I blew through the trilogy in a matter of days, and I enjoyed it very much. Well, maybe not "enjoyed," though I did like it a lot.
* * * * *
Kiala's BOM pick for Vaginal Fantasy. Discussions at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
July 17, 2020
Buddy read with Scarlettsens my July 2020 tbr twin.
This book was not what I expected at all, I thought this was an urban fantasy imagine my surprise when this turned out to be an epic fantasy. I liked that part of the book.
This book is the second series by this author that I'm reading, sadly I won't continue this series, though I enjoyed reading this it was too much like Written in Red, it's like the author did an urban fantasy of this series.
Pillars of the world is about witches who live on the edge of two worlds, by living there they keep the magic of the world in place, if they so much as leave there magic in that vicinity will cease to exist and the gateway to the fae world will close. Someone is hunting witches thereby destroying the gateway to the fae world. The fae are bunch of selfish absorbed race who don't care about anyone, the thought that their existence depends on human witches wasn't exactly appealing not to mention they now have to protect witches.
Ari the protagonist is a witch that lives on the edge of two words. She is annoying, her character isn't well developed, she's a Mary Sue that finally stood up for herself. She made some lots of stupid decisions that I wanted to shake her till her brain rattles in her skull.
Lucian and Diana are just the worst, they are like bunch of spoilt brats, I dislike them.
Neal is a good character, I like how events ended fo him.
The world building is average at best, the written is a little above average. I actually enjoyed reading this. The book is written in third person multiple POV.
This book was not what I expected at all, I thought this was an urban fantasy imagine my surprise when this turned out to be an epic fantasy. I liked that part of the book.
This book is the second series by this author that I'm reading, sadly I won't continue this series, though I enjoyed reading this it was too much like Written in Red, it's like the author did an urban fantasy of this series.
Pillars of the world is about witches who live on the edge of two worlds, by living there they keep the magic of the world in place, if they so much as leave there magic in that vicinity will cease to exist and the gateway to the fae world will close. Someone is hunting witches thereby destroying the gateway to the fae world. The fae are bunch of selfish absorbed race who don't care about anyone, the thought that their existence depends on human witches wasn't exactly appealing not to mention they now have to protect witches.
Ari the protagonist is a witch that lives on the edge of two words. She is annoying, her character isn't well developed, she's a Mary Sue that finally stood up for herself. She made some lots of stupid decisions that I wanted to shake her till her brain rattles in her skull.
Lucian and Diana are just the worst, they are like bunch of spoilt brats, I dislike them.
Neal is a good character, I like how events ended fo him.
The world building is average at best, the written is a little above average. I actually enjoyed reading this. The book is written in third person multiple POV.
February 21, 2018
At one point I thought the main character was going to have sex with a horse, and there was much screaming and gnashing of teeth as I begged the heavens to be wrong. She did not end up sleeping with a horse, so I was very relieved. So, all in all it was a pretty typical Anne Bishop experience. 4 stars
December 12, 2025
DNF @ 26%
I just don't have it in me to deal with this level of misogyny and torture/rape. The world is dark enough right now. I read books for escapism.
I just don't have it in me to deal with this level of misogyny and torture/rape. The world is dark enough right now. I read books for escapism.
February 3, 2009
Start of a new series, yey! This was just what I was looking for. A nice fantasy novel, with a bit of "epic" to it without being "OMG I R EPIC!!!!" There's a difference in knowing that the story is going to go on past the first book and the weeping, wailing, gnashing of teeth, emo "everything is darrrrrrrrk" that gets passed as "epic" these days. (Can you tell it annoys me?)
Witch meets Fae. Fae doesn't "get" Witch. Evilbadman comes to kill Witch. Things Happen. That's the short version. The main character is likable enough, another she does have a tendency to dither at the wrong times ("No, you dip, run like they're telling you to!"). The male Fae needs a kick in the rump. The main female Fae needs a good spanking and slap or three. The main human male... he gets "good boy" marks. Death? She's great. Love her.
The evil guy in all this, I will admit, seems a little two dimensional to me still. I'm hoping he gets a little bit more fleshing out in the next book, cos right now he seems a bit more "OoooOOOooo oogy boogy!" to me than truly a Bad Guy. Yes his actions are horribly stupid, repellent and honestly bad. But I'm not really -feeling- it just yet, if that makes any sense.
Witch meets Fae. Fae doesn't "get" Witch. Evilbadman comes to kill Witch. Things Happen. That's the short version. The main character is likable enough, another she does have a tendency to dither at the wrong times ("No, you dip, run like they're telling you to!"). The male Fae needs a kick in the rump. The main female Fae needs a good spanking and slap or three. The main human male... he gets "good boy" marks. Death? She's great. Love her.
The evil guy in all this, I will admit, seems a little two dimensional to me still. I'm hoping he gets a little bit more fleshing out in the next book, cos right now he seems a bit more "OoooOOOooo oogy boogy!" to me than truly a Bad Guy. Yes his actions are horribly stupid, repellent and honestly bad. But I'm not really -feeling- it just yet, if that makes any sense.
May 25, 2014
This book did not disappoint! It has gone a long way to redeem the Fae genre for me. It flaunts convention and ends up being unbearably beautiful for it. Anne Bishop is a magical, magical author. (Note: A few Adult Level elements, but much less than many other Anne Bishop books).
February 28, 2020
Some books you read and forget the second the last page turns. Then there are books that make you really think and reconsider the world around you.
Imagine what was in the minds of men during the witch trials, the absolute degradation, chauvinistic, and patriarchy that flourished which resulted in the oppression and sacrifice of female witches' lives. Imagine what the fathers, brothers, male neighbors had to think, learn and believe to imprison, torture and kill their womenfolk as the only ways to enforce their own principles and values. Imagine a society where women were treated with violence and oppression just because they were a little different, and didn't fit the norms of their society, therefore easy targets to fanatical men.
In this fantasy land, where the fae, female witches and male witch hunters exists in a world where the magic is fading and the roads connecting the fae and human world are diasappearing. The fae are ambivalent, living in their pristine land of Tia Ailann, only visiting the human plane for one night stands and revelry. The female witches are unappreciated, living as paupers at the mercies of hateful villagers and fae alike. The witch hunters are killers, torturing, raping, and abusing the forgotten female witches.
Ari, a lonely young witch holds the last magic connecting the Old Places, the road between the faeries and the human but all her family is gone and the witches are being hunted. Facing a villages' predatory hatred and an ambivalent fae lover, Ari must make life choices that can very well change the fabric of faery magic.
I loved LOVED the absolute suspense of this book. Every chapter I read, I held my breath hoping with crossed fingers that Ari would survive, that Nuell would be enough, that Morgag would get there in time, that Dianne would think and that Lucian would care.
What made this book such a deeper read were the stark contrast between characters and their principles of family, respect, and love.
Ari, Nuelle, Adolfo are mixed raced with fae and witch family genealogies therefore practical outcasts in their communities. It is Adolfo though who weaponizes his magical skills, taught by an abusive ashamed father and a proud mother, who for thirty years lived as the Witch Hunter basically hating and destroying the magical land which spawned him. It is this complex life story of the Witch Hammer, that makes for a richer Machiavellian villain for in comparison to both Ari and Nuelle, protagonists who were also reviled and dismissed, learned to adapt while Adolfo learned to hate.
In respect to love and sex, it is the faery that teach of multiple one time lovers, affections given as trinkets easily given and easily forgotten, and family responsibilities children abandoned and raised by others. It is the human male witch hunters that have the puritanical views of women, treating them as domesticated animals- impregnated and bridled for their sexual whims, deserving no rights of land, which Adolfo uses to enrich himself and the gentry who buy his interventions. It is this world that the female witches must exist and survive.
I loved the dichotomy of the selfishness and selflessness of the faeries. The absolute selfishness of the Tir Alianna faeries who were never willing to see beyond their own self interest- short meaningless affairs with humans and abandoning their mixed raced children and one-time lovers, unwilling to sacrifice for others, unable to empathize or care for non-faeries which ironically led to their almost extinction. Compared to the wiccanfae, the witch faeries whose whole identity is that of sacrifice- the lost of their shared magic, histories, reputations, happiness, lives and all their generation's future. Their ultimate selflessness for the betterment of their own forgetful and unappreciative race, the whole of faeries, is what is put to the test when confronted with the depravaties of the witch hunters.
I loved that everyone got their just desserts, which made all the heartache and painful moments worth the read!!!
Imagine what was in the minds of men during the witch trials, the absolute degradation, chauvinistic, and patriarchy that flourished which resulted in the oppression and sacrifice of female witches' lives. Imagine what the fathers, brothers, male neighbors had to think, learn and believe to imprison, torture and kill their womenfolk as the only ways to enforce their own principles and values. Imagine a society where women were treated with violence and oppression just because they were a little different, and didn't fit the norms of their society, therefore easy targets to fanatical men.
In this fantasy land, where the fae, female witches and male witch hunters exists in a world where the magic is fading and the roads connecting the fae and human world are diasappearing. The fae are ambivalent, living in their pristine land of Tia Ailann, only visiting the human plane for one night stands and revelry. The female witches are unappreciated, living as paupers at the mercies of hateful villagers and fae alike. The witch hunters are killers, torturing, raping, and abusing the forgotten female witches.
Ari, a lonely young witch holds the last magic connecting the Old Places, the road between the faeries and the human but all her family is gone and the witches are being hunted. Facing a villages' predatory hatred and an ambivalent fae lover, Ari must make life choices that can very well change the fabric of faery magic.
I loved LOVED the absolute suspense of this book. Every chapter I read, I held my breath hoping with crossed fingers that Ari would survive, that Nuell would be enough, that Morgag would get there in time, that Dianne would think and that Lucian would care.
What made this book such a deeper read were the stark contrast between characters and their principles of family, respect, and love.
Ari, Nuelle, Adolfo are mixed raced with fae and witch family genealogies therefore practical outcasts in their communities. It is Adolfo though who weaponizes his magical skills, taught by an abusive ashamed father and a proud mother, who for thirty years lived as the Witch Hunter basically hating and destroying the magical land which spawned him. It is this complex life story of the Witch Hammer, that makes for a richer Machiavellian villain for in comparison to both Ari and Nuelle, protagonists who were also reviled and dismissed, learned to adapt while Adolfo learned to hate.
In respect to love and sex, it is the faery that teach of multiple one time lovers, affections given as trinkets easily given and easily forgotten, and family responsibilities children abandoned and raised by others. It is the human male witch hunters that have the puritanical views of women, treating them as domesticated animals- impregnated and bridled for their sexual whims, deserving no rights of land, which Adolfo uses to enrich himself and the gentry who buy his interventions. It is this world that the female witches must exist and survive.
I loved the dichotomy of the selfishness and selflessness of the faeries. The absolute selfishness of the Tir Alianna faeries who were never willing to see beyond their own self interest- short meaningless affairs with humans and abandoning their mixed raced children and one-time lovers, unwilling to sacrifice for others, unable to empathize or care for non-faeries which ironically led to their almost extinction. Compared to the wiccanfae, the witch faeries whose whole identity is that of sacrifice- the lost of their shared magic, histories, reputations, happiness, lives and all their generation's future. Their ultimate selflessness for the betterment of their own forgetful and unappreciative race, the whole of faeries, is what is put to the test when confronted with the depravaties of the witch hunters.
I loved that everyone got their just desserts, which made all the heartache and painful moments worth the read!!!
March 17, 2016
I read this book because it was the march pick of the vaginal fantasy group. I’ve read Bishops “the black jewels” trilogy a few years ago and liked it well enough, so I was hopeful that I would enjoy this one too. Especially because I usually love stories about the Fae.
Unfortunately, the book was not as engaging as I hoped. Honestly, had it not been the pick of the book club, I’m not sure I would have finished “the pillars of the world”. I found it a rather boring. There was nothing new or fresh in it, it treads a path that has been quite worn out and there are no interesting side escapades. The characters (including the Fae) never really came to life for me, which is sad, because some of them would have had the potential do that…
The only character that stuck out a bit was Morag, and while we get to see some parts of the story from her point of view, I think it would have been a very different book had she been in the focus as the main protagonist instead of Ari.
The end of the book resolved most of the story arc and questions. In a way you could read it as a stand-alone, as there were only a few loose ends, that will most likely be picked up in book 2 and 3, but I admit, that I’m just not interested enough to see where this is going, so I’m not going to read those.
Unfortunately, the book was not as engaging as I hoped. Honestly, had it not been the pick of the book club, I’m not sure I would have finished “the pillars of the world”. I found it a rather boring. There was nothing new or fresh in it, it treads a path that has been quite worn out and there are no interesting side escapades. The characters (including the Fae) never really came to life for me, which is sad, because some of them would have had the potential do that…
The only character that stuck out a bit was Morag, and while we get to see some parts of the story from her point of view, I think it would have been a very different book had she been in the focus as the main protagonist instead of Ari.
The end of the book resolved most of the story arc and questions. In a way you could read it as a stand-alone, as there were only a few loose ends, that will most likely be picked up in book 2 and 3, but I admit, that I’m just not interested enough to see where this is going, so I’m not going to read those.
March 2, 2016
I really enjoyed this book, I think mostly because I was in the mood for it and id read a series of less than impressive books beforehand... not bad books so much as “ok” books and so I wanted to read something good. Obviously the fact that I wanted to like the book and just generally was in the right sort of mood for it helped. I don’t often pick up book with doubts but sometimes I feel a bit obliged by the book itself to read it and then the book has to work a bit harder to win me over.
I have previously read Anne Bishop about 3 years ago I think... I started reading Daughter of the Blood but for some reason stopped – don’t know why I remember enjoying it.. .This is my 2nd venture and I will be returning to Daughter of the blood because of it.
I won’t re-write the blurb but in summary; Ari is the protagonist, she is a Witch living in the human world. There are Black coat inquisitors led by a sadist claiming witches are the vessels for the Evil one and killing them. At the same time the Fae world is in trouble, their paths to the human world are disappearing along with their land and people.
First of all I want to get this out of the way: This book was gritty and at times made me uncomfortable, some examples of the uncomfortable:
The line below which Ari says to a horse:
“Showing your fifth leg might make your four-legged ladies roll their eyes and swish their tails, but it doesn’t impress me”
And this which the Fae prince says about Ari:
“Oh, she’d been warm enough, eager enough, and desperate enough for the mating by the time he’d decided to mount her. He hadn’t been as kind as he should have been to a woman who had so little experience”
Side note: The word mount or some variation of the word mount was used 42 times in this book, 3 times in this review.
I understood the reasoning behind the above statements, Ari is lonely and has been almost ostracised by her community and so (as I do sometimes) it’s understandable she would speak overly familiarly with random animals - referring the horses’ dingdong was a bit much though.
And The Fae prince looks down upon the humans seeing himself and his kind as far superior to them and so would think of them as animals... Still these statements were a bit *shudders* unpleasant to read.
As I said earlier the book was gritty and uncomfortable but for more reasons than the hints towards bestiality. There were also the heinous acts committed against innocent females by a perverse Sadist Dr Evil type villain, with extreme Mother issues … Stereotyping aside, I have to say there was a really great range of characters in this book, all well written with good back stories and engaging personalities.
Another thing I enjoyed in this book was the relationship between Ari and Neall. Ari was a bit blind to Neall, The lord of the horses and generally the people around her it seemed but I didn’t find this odd as she was busy, hardworking and grieving for her mother and Grandmother. Neall was so sweet I immediately bonded with his character and would have preferred if he was a bit more prominent in the story. He was pretty laid back and seemed very reasonable and down to earth which I appreciated, unlike with Lucian (Fae prince) who irked me right from the beginning and didn’t seem to improve as the story went on. I had feared early Lucian was going to be written as some sort of main love interest and was pleasantly surprised to discover we had a sensible as well as practical and understanding protagonist, this was definitely a welcome change to the female protagonists I’ve read recently.
Over all, the plot was fast enough moving I was never bored, I flew through the book for this reason, everything felt well-paced and it all flowed really nicely. I was interested in the story engaged with the characters and basically just enjoyed reading it. I will recommend it – not to everyone as I can see how somethings will not be to certain peoples tastes, the violence especially I can see some people having an issue with, but for the most part I say go .. Go read Pillars of the world!
I have previously read Anne Bishop about 3 years ago I think... I started reading Daughter of the Blood but for some reason stopped – don’t know why I remember enjoying it.. .This is my 2nd venture and I will be returning to Daughter of the blood because of it.
I won’t re-write the blurb but in summary; Ari is the protagonist, she is a Witch living in the human world. There are Black coat inquisitors led by a sadist claiming witches are the vessels for the Evil one and killing them. At the same time the Fae world is in trouble, their paths to the human world are disappearing along with their land and people.
First of all I want to get this out of the way: This book was gritty and at times made me uncomfortable, some examples of the uncomfortable:
The line below which Ari says to a horse:
“Showing your fifth leg might make your four-legged ladies roll their eyes and swish their tails, but it doesn’t impress me”
And this which the Fae prince says about Ari:
“Oh, she’d been warm enough, eager enough, and desperate enough for the mating by the time he’d decided to mount her. He hadn’t been as kind as he should have been to a woman who had so little experience”
Side note: The word mount or some variation of the word mount was used 42 times in this book, 3 times in this review.
I understood the reasoning behind the above statements, Ari is lonely and has been almost ostracised by her community and so (as I do sometimes) it’s understandable she would speak overly familiarly with random animals - referring the horses’ dingdong was a bit much though.
And The Fae prince looks down upon the humans seeing himself and his kind as far superior to them and so would think of them as animals... Still these statements were a bit *shudders* unpleasant to read.
As I said earlier the book was gritty and uncomfortable but for more reasons than the hints towards bestiality. There were also the heinous acts committed against innocent females by a perverse Sadist Dr Evil type villain, with extreme Mother issues … Stereotyping aside, I have to say there was a really great range of characters in this book, all well written with good back stories and engaging personalities.
Another thing I enjoyed in this book was the relationship between Ari and Neall. Ari was a bit blind to Neall, The lord of the horses and generally the people around her it seemed but I didn’t find this odd as she was busy, hardworking and grieving for her mother and Grandmother. Neall was so sweet I immediately bonded with his character and would have preferred if he was a bit more prominent in the story. He was pretty laid back and seemed very reasonable and down to earth which I appreciated, unlike with Lucian (Fae prince) who irked me right from the beginning and didn’t seem to improve as the story went on. I had feared early Lucian was going to be written as some sort of main love interest and was pleasantly surprised to discover we had a sensible as well as practical and understanding protagonist, this was definitely a welcome change to the female protagonists I’ve read recently.
Over all, the plot was fast enough moving I was never bored, I flew through the book for this reason, everything felt well-paced and it all flowed really nicely. I was interested in the story engaged with the characters and basically just enjoyed reading it. I will recommend it – not to everyone as I can see how somethings will not be to certain peoples tastes, the violence especially I can see some people having an issue with, but for the most part I say go .. Go read Pillars of the world!
October 15, 2023
Pillars of the World by Anne Bishop
"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live"
Recently I have re-read “Written in Red” for the second time in less than 2 months. I have read and re-read the Black Jewels saga several times over. I have craved, as a parched man craves water, a new Anne Bishop novel and all that was left, that I haven’t read yet was this trilogy. The “Tir Alainn Trilogy,” so I bought the first one. I am so angry with myself that I have waited so long to read this book – this trilogy. It is Anne’s writing at her best, although some may not think it to be true.
The story is fascinating, the characters are so real, and the world building is delicate and complicated yet easy to lose yourself in. I am trying to see some parallels to the Black Jewels books and while I see some tiny things, I think it is more because I am almost hunting to see if anything is similar.
The roads between the Fae realms and the human lands are vanishing, the Inquisitors are killing off witches and the Fae need help to keep all off their land from vanishing. They believe that certain witches are causing their problems, but they would be wrong for the most part.
Ari is a witch who has been tending her family’s land since her mother and grandmother passed on to the Summerland. But she is getting restless ever since she took a Fae Lord as a lover and her closest friend Neall has declared his intentions to become more than just a best friend.
It is wonderful seeing two of the most important Fae - Dianna Goddess of the Hunt and Lucien God of Light trying to do their best to try to become less elitist, more human. Now they must all pull together since Adolpho--the Witch's Hammer –the main or head Inquisitor, is on Ari’s trail.
If you have an interest in books revolving around the Fae,(like Laurrell Hamilton’s Merry Gentry series, this will be even more enthralling since it is set in the past, is written a bit purer and there is less way sex .(there is some but not lurid or descriptive –it is in keeping with the time period)
This was truly a joy to read and I am so glad that I can simply get the second and third books without waiting so I can immediately feed my addiction!
"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live"
Recently I have re-read “Written in Red” for the second time in less than 2 months. I have read and re-read the Black Jewels saga several times over. I have craved, as a parched man craves water, a new Anne Bishop novel and all that was left, that I haven’t read yet was this trilogy. The “Tir Alainn Trilogy,” so I bought the first one. I am so angry with myself that I have waited so long to read this book – this trilogy. It is Anne’s writing at her best, although some may not think it to be true.
The story is fascinating, the characters are so real, and the world building is delicate and complicated yet easy to lose yourself in. I am trying to see some parallels to the Black Jewels books and while I see some tiny things, I think it is more because I am almost hunting to see if anything is similar.
The roads between the Fae realms and the human lands are vanishing, the Inquisitors are killing off witches and the Fae need help to keep all off their land from vanishing. They believe that certain witches are causing their problems, but they would be wrong for the most part.
Ari is a witch who has been tending her family’s land since her mother and grandmother passed on to the Summerland. But she is getting restless ever since she took a Fae Lord as a lover and her closest friend Neall has declared his intentions to become more than just a best friend.
It is wonderful seeing two of the most important Fae - Dianna Goddess of the Hunt and Lucien God of Light trying to do their best to try to become less elitist, more human. Now they must all pull together since Adolpho--the Witch's Hammer –the main or head Inquisitor, is on Ari’s trail.
If you have an interest in books revolving around the Fae,(like Laurrell Hamilton’s Merry Gentry series, this will be even more enthralling since it is set in the past, is written a bit purer and there is less way sex .(there is some but not lurid or descriptive –it is in keeping with the time period)
This was truly a joy to read and I am so glad that I can simply get the second and third books without waiting so I can immediately feed my addiction!
July 15, 2009
Okay, I couldn't decide to give this 3 or four stars, because really, it's worth three and a half to me.
I should start off by saying that, for me, it was hard to read- not because it's badly written, because it's got the same prose as her other books, however it was just a little bit dull at parts. Sections I felt stretched out more than I cared to read about them.
I should also point out it's different from the other books from her I've read so far, Dark Jewels most of all. That's how it felt. Different.
Sure, we still have the fantasy setting, roads/bridges/what-have-you connecting fantasy land and "human" land (in some of her series more human than in others), but this one felt much closer to home, so to speak. So we deal with humans, and witches, and faes (and a side assortment of wood sprites and the like).
Also the way the story and characters on the other series seemed more... well, seemed stronger, and in this one it did not feel as strong. They did not feel as strong.
Despite the dull moments, I enjoyed the read. It was a good book, a nice story, and I have to say, the first half of the book I had expected things to develop slightly differently, and was pleased with the way it ended- ("They had it coming").
I could get to like only one, maybe stretch it out to two of the characters, none of which were actually the main ones, but where important altogether.
The bad guy annoyed me and I really disliked him, I guess it's good, that's what a bad guy is supposed to make you feel, right?
Good book, not excellent, would still recommend her other series over this one, and yes, I'd still buy the next books of Tir Alainn to see how it develops further, but I hold no great expectations nor need to read them -nowwwww- like I did with the others.
I should start off by saying that, for me, it was hard to read- not because it's badly written, because it's got the same prose as her other books, however it was just a little bit dull at parts. Sections I felt stretched out more than I cared to read about them.
I should also point out it's different from the other books from her I've read so far, Dark Jewels most of all. That's how it felt. Different.
Sure, we still have the fantasy setting, roads/bridges/what-have-you connecting fantasy land and "human" land (in some of her series more human than in others), but this one felt much closer to home, so to speak. So we deal with humans, and witches, and faes (and a side assortment of wood sprites and the like).
Also the way the story and characters on the other series seemed more... well, seemed stronger, and in this one it did not feel as strong. They did not feel as strong.
Despite the dull moments, I enjoyed the read. It was a good book, a nice story, and I have to say, the first half of the book I had expected things to develop slightly differently, and was pleased with the way it ended- ("They had it coming").
I could get to like only one, maybe stretch it out to two of the characters, none of which were actually the main ones, but where important altogether.
The bad guy annoyed me and I really disliked him, I guess it's good, that's what a bad guy is supposed to make you feel, right?
Good book, not excellent, would still recommend her other series over this one, and yes, I'd still buy the next books of Tir Alainn to see how it develops further, but I hold no great expectations nor need to read them -nowwwww- like I did with the others.
June 30, 2013
Os Pilares do Mundo é o primeiro livro da trilogia homónima. Já tinha lido Luz e Sombras [que é o segundo da trilogia]e foi esse livro que me despertou a curiosidade para o primeiro e terceiro volumes. Graças à Vanessa Montês tive oportunidade de a satisfazer, por isso, antes de mais, gostaria de agradecer o empréstimo!
Passando ao livro, gostei mais do Luz e Sombras, porque envolve mais acção e é ligeiramente mais dark que este. Desengane-se que pensa que este é soft, porque não é... simplesmente está mais longe do culminar do conflito e nem os personagens, nem nós leitores conseguimos ter uma percepção total do perigo que se aproxima.
Neste volume, os Inquisidores já começaram a sua demanda e por isso já somos presenciados com os actos atrozes que praticam com as mulheres e com a sua versão retorcida e depravada do mundo. Nesse aspecto, continuei a ficar chocada com as barbaridades que li. Também tive a oportunidade de descobrir o que move Adolfo [o Inquisidor-Mor, o Flagelo das Bruxas, o homem que começou tudo] e, apesar do seu passado ser doloroso, confesso que não me senti mal, nem fiquei com pena pelo que passou.
Quanto aos Fae, existem Fae bons e egoístas, de entre os quais saliento Diana e Lucian. O meu problema com estes dois foi que eu cheguei a gostar deles, o que só tornou mais amarga a minha reacção quando deixaram cair as máscaras [eu já devia saber como eles eram, mas mesmo assim conseguiram-me enganar!]
Foi tão bom rever a Ari, o Neall e a Morag e voltar a ler sobre este Mundo, porém tenho de dizer [vocês sabem que sou má-língua] que a tradução podia ser melhor e/ou que o livro deveria ter uma revisão mais cuidada.
Estou muito curiosa com o desfecho da trilogia, por isso devo ler A Casa de Gaian algures na próxima semana
Passando ao livro, gostei mais do Luz e Sombras, porque envolve mais acção e é ligeiramente mais dark que este. Desengane-se que pensa que este é soft, porque não é... simplesmente está mais longe do culminar do conflito e nem os personagens, nem nós leitores conseguimos ter uma percepção total do perigo que se aproxima.
Neste volume, os Inquisidores já começaram a sua demanda e por isso já somos presenciados com os actos atrozes que praticam com as mulheres e com a sua versão retorcida e depravada do mundo. Nesse aspecto, continuei a ficar chocada com as barbaridades que li. Também tive a oportunidade de descobrir o que move Adolfo [o Inquisidor-Mor, o Flagelo das Bruxas, o homem que começou tudo] e, apesar do seu passado ser doloroso, confesso que não me senti mal, nem fiquei com pena pelo que passou.
Quanto aos Fae, existem Fae bons e egoístas, de entre os quais saliento Diana e Lucian. O meu problema com estes dois foi que eu cheguei a gostar deles, o que só tornou mais amarga a minha reacção quando deixaram cair as máscaras [eu já devia saber como eles eram, mas mesmo assim conseguiram-me enganar!]
Foi tão bom rever a Ari, o Neall e a Morag e voltar a ler sobre este Mundo, porém tenho de dizer [vocês sabem que sou má-língua] que a tradução podia ser melhor e/ou que o livro deveria ter uma revisão mais cuidada.
Estou muito curiosa com o desfecho da trilogia, por isso devo ler A Casa de Gaian algures na próxima semana
August 20, 2019
3.5
It was rather slow for the first half of the book, slow but steady. I liked it well enough to pursue the rest of the trilogy.
In typical Bishop style there is a horribly persecuted woman (and/or class of females), there are people who are oblivious to the hurts they do in the world but could be redeemable, and there are people who are just so twisted there isnt much grey in them nor anything to make them remotely sympathetic.
This book felt mostly like a world building book, though. It will be interesting to see how the trilogy develops, but it felt a lot like typical fantasy in terms of pacing so I expect the bulk of the story to happen in book 3.
It was rather slow for the first half of the book, slow but steady. I liked it well enough to pursue the rest of the trilogy.
In typical Bishop style there is a horribly persecuted woman (and/or class of females), there are people who are oblivious to the hurts they do in the world but could be redeemable, and there are people who are just so twisted there isnt much grey in them nor anything to make them remotely sympathetic.
This book felt mostly like a world building book, though. It will be interesting to see how the trilogy develops, but it felt a lot like typical fantasy in terms of pacing so I expect the bulk of the story to happen in book 3.
March 10, 2016
4.5 stars - I was anxious pretty much the whole book. I loved some of the characters, absolutely hated others, and just plain enjoyed the read.
November 15, 2011
Reencontrar as personagens de Anne Bishop é mais do que uma sensação de deleite com misto de saudade. É um regresso ansioso e desesperado, longas horas de leitura seguidas, frustração por não puder continuar, acabar com um sorriso nos lábios e começar a suspirar pelo próximo momento de puro prazer.
Quando, ainda por cima, se trata de uma nova trilogia, de um novo mundo mágico, mais personagens fascinantes e todo um enredo desconhecido, é caso para eu entrar em histeria (o que pode ter acontecido por breves momentos) e, literalmente, devorar um livro.
Ou não fosse esta uma história que nos traz bruxas, fadas, uma espécie de Inquisição a la Bishop, tudo com uma pitada daquilo que difere a escrita desta escritora das demais, Os Pilares do Mundo são um exemplo belo de quando a imaginação não falta e, que mesmo que não se possa superar uma obra-prima, pode-se sempre dar o que de melhor temos.
Foi isso que a escritora aqui fez. Pode faltar a escuridão das Jóias Negras, a sua beleza mais intensa e profunda mas o primeiro volume de Tir Alainn é único no seu estilo e mostra, se calhar, um lado mais doce e encantado da autora, diferenciando-se de tudo o resto, tornando-se uma lufada de ar fresco para os fãs de Bishop que ainda fazem “luto” pelo fim da sua trilogia mais famosa.
É por ser diferente, por contar algo de novo, que a história de Ari me deliciou. Porque é sempre bom ver registos diferentes da nossa escritora preferida, para relembrar porque razão o é. Afinal, a sua escrita, seja a contar que história for, torna-a algo de sublime e há que manter a mente aberta, esquecer tudo o resto, e saborear a “inocência” deste livro para recordar a razão porque Anne Bishop é uma das escritoras mais aclamadas da fantasia.
Como se não bastasse todo um novo enredo, rodeado de magia antiga, lembrança de mitos, da devoção à Terra Mãe misturado com caças às bruxas, a sobrevivência de todo um povo e a vingança de alguns, existem também existem novas personagens para nos apresentarem este mundo. Como é típico da escritora, são exuberantes, apaixonadas, dementes, calmas, doces, vingativas, sábias, clementes, odiadas e adoradas, existindo para todos os gostos culturais e de personalidade.
Posso dizer que estou deveras encantada com todas elas, e o que sinto por elas faz-me recordar tudo o que sinto pelas outras personagens, não com tanta paixão e devoção, mas de uma forma mais calma desse amor. A verdade, é que Anne não me desilude, nunca.
Por isso, perder uma oportunidade para se voltarem, senão apaixonar, pelo menos deliciar pela escrita desta autora, é quase um crime, porque, sim, têm razão, não tem nada a ver com o mundo de que nos despedimos a pouco tempo, mas esse era insubstituível. Mas será que mesmo assim, vós bishopianas e bishopianos, querem mesmo perder uma oportunidade única de conhecer algo novo?
http://girlinchaiselongue.blogspot.co...
Quando, ainda por cima, se trata de uma nova trilogia, de um novo mundo mágico, mais personagens fascinantes e todo um enredo desconhecido, é caso para eu entrar em histeria (o que pode ter acontecido por breves momentos) e, literalmente, devorar um livro.
Ou não fosse esta uma história que nos traz bruxas, fadas, uma espécie de Inquisição a la Bishop, tudo com uma pitada daquilo que difere a escrita desta escritora das demais, Os Pilares do Mundo são um exemplo belo de quando a imaginação não falta e, que mesmo que não se possa superar uma obra-prima, pode-se sempre dar o que de melhor temos.
Foi isso que a escritora aqui fez. Pode faltar a escuridão das Jóias Negras, a sua beleza mais intensa e profunda mas o primeiro volume de Tir Alainn é único no seu estilo e mostra, se calhar, um lado mais doce e encantado da autora, diferenciando-se de tudo o resto, tornando-se uma lufada de ar fresco para os fãs de Bishop que ainda fazem “luto” pelo fim da sua trilogia mais famosa.
É por ser diferente, por contar algo de novo, que a história de Ari me deliciou. Porque é sempre bom ver registos diferentes da nossa escritora preferida, para relembrar porque razão o é. Afinal, a sua escrita, seja a contar que história for, torna-a algo de sublime e há que manter a mente aberta, esquecer tudo o resto, e saborear a “inocência” deste livro para recordar a razão porque Anne Bishop é uma das escritoras mais aclamadas da fantasia.
Como se não bastasse todo um novo enredo, rodeado de magia antiga, lembrança de mitos, da devoção à Terra Mãe misturado com caças às bruxas, a sobrevivência de todo um povo e a vingança de alguns, existem também existem novas personagens para nos apresentarem este mundo. Como é típico da escritora, são exuberantes, apaixonadas, dementes, calmas, doces, vingativas, sábias, clementes, odiadas e adoradas, existindo para todos os gostos culturais e de personalidade.
Posso dizer que estou deveras encantada com todas elas, e o que sinto por elas faz-me recordar tudo o que sinto pelas outras personagens, não com tanta paixão e devoção, mas de uma forma mais calma desse amor. A verdade, é que Anne não me desilude, nunca.
Por isso, perder uma oportunidade para se voltarem, senão apaixonar, pelo menos deliciar pela escrita desta autora, é quase um crime, porque, sim, têm razão, não tem nada a ver com o mundo de que nos despedimos a pouco tempo, mas esse era insubstituível. Mas será que mesmo assim, vós bishopianas e bishopianos, querem mesmo perder uma oportunidade única de conhecer algo novo?
http://girlinchaiselongue.blogspot.co...
February 18, 2024
The Pillars of the World is first in a trilogy set in a medieval world involving witches and the Fae.
The Inquisitors are killing witches, mainly because the main bad guy has mommy issues. The Fae have realized their special world is slowly disappearing and believe the witches have something to do with it.
Ari, a young witch that is the last living person of her family, lives a quiet existence on a small plot of land. One evening she inadvertently attracts a Fae male, who comes to visit her and makes sweet love.
The whole reasoning behind the attraction of the Fae male is bizarre. Ari is given special candy by a hedgewitch, along with other women in the village. She is supposed to give it to the first male she sees no matter what, and thus enter in a short sexual relationship with them for a specified amount of time.
It's not explained why she is doing this, or else I missed it. I don't know she just didn't disagree.
The Fae investigate while things go bad for the witches. There's a boring love triangle as well.
There's a lot of male anger issues and the theme of women are less than men. It gets a bit heavy handed at times. Although Ari is presented as a relatively independent, strong woman, I still found her to be kind of weak.
If I had magical powers I would putting them to good use, whatever the restrictions. Yes, her house was warded, but she didn't have any creativity. I would have rounded up the Small Folk or booby-trapped my land if some crazy, abusive guy kept coming over to my house. Or freaking set his feet on fire!
I didn't find any of the characters to be particularly interesting. I kept interchanging all the female Fae. They all were very haughty, maybe with the slight exception of Morag. I think they could have been combined into one character and it would have been fine.
The plotline is dull, the story is long. The world-building has some points that piqued my interest, but now it seems so tried. It does read like a pre-cursor to most urban fantasy. Girl with powers that doesn't want to be involved, and people keep dropping by her house.
I thought the relationship with Lucian dropped off randomly. There should have been more to that. I guess that draws the other characters in, but he was a terrible guy.
Overall, it's an ok, run of the mill fantasy story. I want to see where the plot goes after the first book, so I'll probably pick up the next one, as it doesn't seem like Ari's going to be much involved. If you're reading the book currently and are wondering if there's a part where it improves that isn't the case. It's rather steady throughout.
The Inquisitors are killing witches, mainly because the main bad guy has mommy issues. The Fae have realized their special world is slowly disappearing and believe the witches have something to do with it.
Ari, a young witch that is the last living person of her family, lives a quiet existence on a small plot of land. One evening she inadvertently attracts a Fae male, who comes to visit her and makes sweet love.
The whole reasoning behind the attraction of the Fae male is bizarre. Ari is given special candy by a hedgewitch, along with other women in the village. She is supposed to give it to the first male she sees no matter what, and thus enter in a short sexual relationship with them for a specified amount of time.
It's not explained why she is doing this, or else I missed it. I don't know she just didn't disagree.
The Fae investigate while things go bad for the witches. There's a boring love triangle as well.
There's a lot of male anger issues and the theme of women are less than men. It gets a bit heavy handed at times. Although Ari is presented as a relatively independent, strong woman, I still found her to be kind of weak.
If I had magical powers I would putting them to good use, whatever the restrictions. Yes, her house was warded, but she didn't have any creativity. I would have rounded up the Small Folk or booby-trapped my land if some crazy, abusive guy kept coming over to my house. Or freaking set his feet on fire!
I didn't find any of the characters to be particularly interesting. I kept interchanging all the female Fae. They all were very haughty, maybe with the slight exception of Morag. I think they could have been combined into one character and it would have been fine.
The plotline is dull, the story is long. The world-building has some points that piqued my interest, but now it seems so tried. It does read like a pre-cursor to most urban fantasy. Girl with powers that doesn't want to be involved, and people keep dropping by her house.
I thought the relationship with Lucian dropped off randomly. There should have been more to that. I guess that draws the other characters in, but he was a terrible guy.
Overall, it's an ok, run of the mill fantasy story. I want to see where the plot goes after the first book, so I'll probably pick up the next one, as it doesn't seem like Ari's going to be much involved. If you're reading the book currently and are wondering if there's a part where it improves that isn't the case. It's rather steady throughout.
March 8, 2012
Por cada vez que sopra uma brisa, o medo escoa entre as abençoadas. Por cada vez que finda um dia, cadenciadamente, escorre o tempo para que o mal roube mais uma vida. Nunca a mulher teve um preço tão elevado, nem a premonição e o dom foram tão amaldiçoados.
Os Pilares do Mundo abre-nos as portas para um submundo em que a magia reina através de bruxas, feéricos e a Mãe Natureza. Evidenciando a maldade extrema e a bondade canalizada em actos simples e pueris, esta narrativa aborda temas muito diversificados em que a mulher se encontra como núcleo principal abrindo as portas para e uma fantasia retratada de forma magistral.
Anne Bishop é das minhas autoras favoritas e o primeiro livro da sua nova trilogia publicada em terras lusas não desiludiu. Com uma escrita encantatória, que nos conduz com ansiedade voraz até ao final, a autora soube, uma vez mais, transmitir emoção de variadíssimas formas encaminhando-nos com sabedoria numa viagem inesquecível.
Opinião completa: http://historiasdeelphaba.blogspot.co...
Os Pilares do Mundo abre-nos as portas para um submundo em que a magia reina através de bruxas, feéricos e a Mãe Natureza. Evidenciando a maldade extrema e a bondade canalizada em actos simples e pueris, esta narrativa aborda temas muito diversificados em que a mulher se encontra como núcleo principal abrindo as portas para e uma fantasia retratada de forma magistral.
Anne Bishop é das minhas autoras favoritas e o primeiro livro da sua nova trilogia publicada em terras lusas não desiludiu. Com uma escrita encantatória, que nos conduz com ansiedade voraz até ao final, a autora soube, uma vez mais, transmitir emoção de variadíssimas formas encaminhando-nos com sabedoria numa viagem inesquecível.
Opinião completa: http://historiasdeelphaba.blogspot.co...
June 6, 2012
Antes de mais, quero agradecer ao Twittgang por este livrinho, pois fazia parte da prenda que gentilmente me ofereceram *abraça* =’)
Em “Os Pilares do Mundo” entramos num novo mundo criado por Bishop, menos negro que o mundo das Joias Negras, mas nem por isso menos interessante e cativante. Mais uma vez, encontrámos um mundo cheio de magia e em que as mulheres têm um papel fundamental na história.
Logo no início da história, ficamos agarrados ao livro e devoramos página atrás de página para descobrimos o que irá acontecer a Ari, aos Fae e ao inquisidor.
O livro relata-nos a caça às bruxas, misturando mitologia, “povos menores” e Fae, devoção à Terra, com personagens bondosas, como é o caso de Ari e Neal, mas também a maldade, na personagem de Adolfo.
Tenho que falar também na Ceifeira, que tem a seu cargo uma tarefa difícil, mas que nos mostra, que apesar de Fae, não é egoísta e luta para evitar o desastre que se avizinha.
Gostei bastante e fiquei cheia de vontade de ler a continuação da trilogia!
Em “Os Pilares do Mundo” entramos num novo mundo criado por Bishop, menos negro que o mundo das Joias Negras, mas nem por isso menos interessante e cativante. Mais uma vez, encontrámos um mundo cheio de magia e em que as mulheres têm um papel fundamental na história.
Logo no início da história, ficamos agarrados ao livro e devoramos página atrás de página para descobrimos o que irá acontecer a Ari, aos Fae e ao inquisidor.
O livro relata-nos a caça às bruxas, misturando mitologia, “povos menores” e Fae, devoção à Terra, com personagens bondosas, como é o caso de Ari e Neal, mas também a maldade, na personagem de Adolfo.
Tenho que falar também na Ceifeira, que tem a seu cargo uma tarefa difícil, mas que nos mostra, que apesar de Fae, não é egoísta e luta para evitar o desastre que se avizinha.
Gostei bastante e fiquei cheia de vontade de ler a continuação da trilogia!
October 6, 2021
It was ok. Not quite as low as a 2* but not great, really, maybe more of a 2 1/2*
The good things were, the world building, the overall plot arc and some of the characters. I can see what all of it was trying to do, but it didn't really ever come together as a cohesive story or plot and it was a LONG book: 430 pages which I think could have trimmed off a hundred pages, easy, to make a better less aimless, story.
The world building was the best part. We have the mortal world of Sylvalen which is a sort of pre-industrial, rural human society but includes real witches, the little folk and magic. Then there are the Fae lands, of Tit Alainn. Rather than an actual landscape, Tir Alainn seems to be isolated pockets belonging to different Fae 'Clans' which can only be reached through roads which lead from the human world along a pathway through a Veil - apparently only Fae can travel them. The Veil roads all seem to be anchored to places of power; forests, mainly, where families of witches protect the land. It seems like all the witches are women, and hold power which corresponds to the elements, though that is never really spelled out (pardon the dad joke). Some human men have magic too, but THAT seems connected in some way to the Fae men coming to the world and romping with women. The Fae men seem to do that quite a lot, but the Fae women turn their noses up at mortal men and prefer to yearn toward male Fae even though we are repeatedly told how Fae to not form emotional contacts like humans. I don't know about that, they certainly seem to get the jealousy part.
Actually, the gender relations were one of the things I definitely did not like. Fae men want to have sex with women but Fae woman would not touch mortal men? It felt a bit cringy to be honest. In fact the way the Fae were written was a major element of what I did not enjoy about the novel. Where the source material for them came from, what the author was trying to do with them, I have no idea. These are NOT the Sidhe of Celtic mythology, though they share some characteristics, such as the wild hunt, appearance, glamour, ect. The Sidhe were powerful and subtle, lacking in human emotions, to an extent, but always attracted to the vigour of the human world as well as being fiercely intelligent and manipulative. The Fae of this novel come across as spoiled children, pouty and sulky and worse - extremely stupid. I have no idea what the author was trying to do there...
I did like the human characters of Ari the witch and Neall, the man who loves her and must compete with her Fae lover (not such a major competition in the end, as it turned out, but still the concept was good). I enjoyed the parts of the book that were their stories, but they were only one of half a dozen character threads and the others were less intriguing.
Then there was the bad guy - we have to have a bad guy right? Adolfo is some middle aged dude who hates witches and magic and is a total misogynist, due to his childhood. He has made it his life's work to establish an order of inquisitors and torture and kill witches. He is bound toward Ari and her village and forest, of course. As villains go, I was not terribly convinced by this one. Basically the plot is trying for the 'feel' of the Spanish inquisition, I suspect, but the Spanish inquisition had a solid socio political reason for existing and I never felt convinced by Adolfo and his one man mission to torture and subjugate all of woman kind while killing all magic. Because I was not convinced, a lot of the Inquisitor narrative left me disinterested.
One of the Fae characters - Morag - I did not mind.
So most of the plot threads were not that great and they were clumsily tied together. The suspension of disbelief asked too much of me. I can see that this is the first of a trilogy in which most of my least favourite characters come back to whine and whinge some more. I am not terribly keen to partake, I must admit.
It is not a terrible book; there was a good concept buried deep in there and the world building was good. There needed to be more plot cohesiveness however, the villain needed work and I think it could have done with more editing. Especially at the end where everyone was dashing around like ants who have had their nest disturbed; back and forth from A to B and back again, off to C for no purpose just everyone running round and round in circles until your head hurts.
The end of Ari's story is good with the conclusion of the novel's story arc being pretty satisfying on the whole but the fundaments of the story are too shaky and the execution to patchy for me to be as enthusiastic about it as I am about other work by this author.
The good things were, the world building, the overall plot arc and some of the characters. I can see what all of it was trying to do, but it didn't really ever come together as a cohesive story or plot and it was a LONG book: 430 pages which I think could have trimmed off a hundred pages, easy, to make a better less aimless, story.
The world building was the best part. We have the mortal world of Sylvalen which is a sort of pre-industrial, rural human society but includes real witches, the little folk and magic. Then there are the Fae lands, of Tit Alainn. Rather than an actual landscape, Tir Alainn seems to be isolated pockets belonging to different Fae 'Clans' which can only be reached through roads which lead from the human world along a pathway through a Veil - apparently only Fae can travel them. The Veil roads all seem to be anchored to places of power; forests, mainly, where families of witches protect the land. It seems like all the witches are women, and hold power which corresponds to the elements, though that is never really spelled out (pardon the dad joke). Some human men have magic too, but THAT seems connected in some way to the Fae men coming to the world and romping with women. The Fae men seem to do that quite a lot, but the Fae women turn their noses up at mortal men and prefer to yearn toward male Fae even though we are repeatedly told how Fae to not form emotional contacts like humans. I don't know about that, they certainly seem to get the jealousy part.
Actually, the gender relations were one of the things I definitely did not like. Fae men want to have sex with women but Fae woman would not touch mortal men? It felt a bit cringy to be honest. In fact the way the Fae were written was a major element of what I did not enjoy about the novel. Where the source material for them came from, what the author was trying to do with them, I have no idea. These are NOT the Sidhe of Celtic mythology, though they share some characteristics, such as the wild hunt, appearance, glamour, ect. The Sidhe were powerful and subtle, lacking in human emotions, to an extent, but always attracted to the vigour of the human world as well as being fiercely intelligent and manipulative. The Fae of this novel come across as spoiled children, pouty and sulky and worse - extremely stupid. I have no idea what the author was trying to do there...
I did like the human characters of Ari the witch and Neall, the man who loves her and must compete with her Fae lover (not such a major competition in the end, as it turned out, but still the concept was good). I enjoyed the parts of the book that were their stories, but they were only one of half a dozen character threads and the others were less intriguing.
Then there was the bad guy - we have to have a bad guy right? Adolfo is some middle aged dude who hates witches and magic and is a total misogynist, due to his childhood. He has made it his life's work to establish an order of inquisitors and torture and kill witches. He is bound toward Ari and her village and forest, of course. As villains go, I was not terribly convinced by this one. Basically the plot is trying for the 'feel' of the Spanish inquisition, I suspect, but the Spanish inquisition had a solid socio political reason for existing and I never felt convinced by Adolfo and his one man mission to torture and subjugate all of woman kind while killing all magic. Because I was not convinced, a lot of the Inquisitor narrative left me disinterested.
One of the Fae characters - Morag - I did not mind.
So most of the plot threads were not that great and they were clumsily tied together. The suspension of disbelief asked too much of me. I can see that this is the first of a trilogy in which most of my least favourite characters come back to whine and whinge some more. I am not terribly keen to partake, I must admit.
It is not a terrible book; there was a good concept buried deep in there and the world building was good. There needed to be more plot cohesiveness however, the villain needed work and I think it could have done with more editing. Especially at the end where everyone was dashing around like ants who have had their nest disturbed; back and forth from A to B and back again, off to C for no purpose just everyone running round and round in circles until your head hurts.
The end of Ari's story is good with the conclusion of the novel's story arc being pretty satisfying on the whole but the fundaments of the story are too shaky and the execution to patchy for me to be as enthusiastic about it as I am about other work by this author.
December 21, 2025
3,5 stars
The main story is totally the type of story I like, however a few things kept me from giving 4 or 5 stars.
1st: The writing about sex feels so immature. Besides, it is irrelevant to the main story, completely unnecessary.
2nd: Characters development. Adolfo, Morag and Ahern were the only ones I found consistent.
I felt the others were so... volatile. As if somehow the author wasn't sure of what to do with them. Aside from Morag and Adolfo, I'm not really enthusiastic of "seeing" the others again on 2nd book, as the way this 1st book ends feels like a nice closure and story can go on without them.
3rd: You basically figure out the main problem ahead and you're just reading to find out how characters discover and solve it. Each "move" feels predictable, especially towards the end.
I read the portuguese edition, which has a lot of orthographic errors, and some errors that can change a little the context, but since I could follow the main story, this didn't bother me much. I just feel sorry there is no professionalism for young adult translations.
The main story is totally the type of story I like, however a few things kept me from giving 4 or 5 stars.
1st: The writing about sex feels so immature. Besides, it is irrelevant to the main story, completely unnecessary.
2nd: Characters development. Adolfo, Morag and Ahern were the only ones I found consistent.
I felt the others were so... volatile. As if somehow the author wasn't sure of what to do with them. Aside from Morag and Adolfo, I'm not really enthusiastic of "seeing" the others again on 2nd book, as the way this 1st book ends feels like a nice closure and story can go on without them.
3rd: You basically figure out the main problem ahead and you're just reading to find out how characters discover and solve it. Each "move" feels predictable, especially towards the end.
I read the portuguese edition, which has a lot of orthographic errors, and some errors that can change a little the context, but since I could follow the main story, this didn't bother me much. I just feel sorry there is no professionalism for young adult translations.
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February 22, 2020Dark fantasy with fae and witches.
September 7, 2018
UAU, adorei!!!
May 5, 2013
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Os Pilares do Mundo, é a entrada numa nova saga de Bishop chamada-de Tir Alainn , e que conta com três livros, já editados em Portugal.
O mundos dos Fae está a ficar arruinado, as estradas que lhes permitem irem para o mundo humano, algo que o fazem apenas para a sua própria diversão, estão a fechar-se e ninguém parece saber porquê.
Ari é uma simples rapariga que toda a gente a considera estranha e que vive solitáriamente numa terra que pertence a sua família desde séculos. Apercebemo-nosos que Ari é de certa forma diferente quando esta vai vender as suas poções á chamada Avó Gwynn, para esta depois revender. As raparigas da sua idade, que haviam pedido um feitiço ou um encantamento para arranjarem um macho na noite de lua cheia e antes que Ari soubesse para que serviria o feitiço este vinculou-se a ela. Com uma dor interior, devido a um acontecimento perturbador na área do amor, Ari não quer ouvir falar de homens e não quer que um em especifico a encontre e por isso mesmo fará tudo para que tal não aconteça.
Paralelamente a bruxas estão a ser mortas e a Terra não as consegue salvar a todas. Arrepiei-me tanto e confesso que senti o peso das lágrimas nos olhos quando Adolfo matou uma das bruxas que estava ligada á agua.
“A água acariciou-a. Já não sentia o peso do corpo. Não sentia dores. Sentia só a água que parecia procurar a superfície, levando o seu corpo com ela” (pág. 22)
Rico em personagens interessantes, tanto “bons” como vilões, gostei muito da Ceifeira, e de Morag e Ari obviamente. Detestei Adolfo, apetecia-me queima-lo vivo, mas serviu o seu propósito na história. Adorei Lucian desde o inicio e estava sempre a espera dela, uma personagem simplesmente encantadora.
Acho que tenho um sentimento demasiado especial pelas Joias Negras da mesma autora, que qualquer coisa que ela escreva depois disso parece-me insuficiente. Verdade seja dita,que este livro não tem aquele lado mais “dark” que as Joias tinham (e que tanto adoro). No entanto admiro a forma como Bishop consegue descrever um mundo completamente diferente e novo, rico em pormenores e com descrições lindíssimas. Com uma ligação especial a natureza, carregado de emoções e descrito de uma forma poética vou querer ler sem dúvida o resto sem dúvida!
Uma outra coisa, exterior a história e a autora, é a parte da revisão, sejamos sinceros que este livro não foi dos piores que li com uma revisão estranha, os verbos estavam conjugados de uma forma estranha que as vezes me fez ler em voz alta para ver se soava bem, não soava. Corta um pouco ao rumo da história principalmente se tivermos numa cena épica e crucial da história e ninguém quer ser acordado para a realidade assim.
http://readingssunshine.wordpress.com...
Os Pilares do Mundo, é a entrada numa nova saga de Bishop chamada-de Tir Alainn , e que conta com três livros, já editados em Portugal.
O mundos dos Fae está a ficar arruinado, as estradas que lhes permitem irem para o mundo humano, algo que o fazem apenas para a sua própria diversão, estão a fechar-se e ninguém parece saber porquê.
Ari é uma simples rapariga que toda a gente a considera estranha e que vive solitáriamente numa terra que pertence a sua família desde séculos. Apercebemo-nosos que Ari é de certa forma diferente quando esta vai vender as suas poções á chamada Avó Gwynn, para esta depois revender. As raparigas da sua idade, que haviam pedido um feitiço ou um encantamento para arranjarem um macho na noite de lua cheia e antes que Ari soubesse para que serviria o feitiço este vinculou-se a ela. Com uma dor interior, devido a um acontecimento perturbador na área do amor, Ari não quer ouvir falar de homens e não quer que um em especifico a encontre e por isso mesmo fará tudo para que tal não aconteça.
Paralelamente a bruxas estão a ser mortas e a Terra não as consegue salvar a todas. Arrepiei-me tanto e confesso que senti o peso das lágrimas nos olhos quando Adolfo matou uma das bruxas que estava ligada á agua.
“A água acariciou-a. Já não sentia o peso do corpo. Não sentia dores. Sentia só a água que parecia procurar a superfície, levando o seu corpo com ela” (pág. 22)
Rico em personagens interessantes, tanto “bons” como vilões, gostei muito da Ceifeira, e de Morag e Ari obviamente. Detestei Adolfo, apetecia-me queima-lo vivo, mas serviu o seu propósito na história. Adorei Lucian desde o inicio e estava sempre a espera dela, uma personagem simplesmente encantadora.
Acho que tenho um sentimento demasiado especial pelas Joias Negras da mesma autora, que qualquer coisa que ela escreva depois disso parece-me insuficiente. Verdade seja dita,que este livro não tem aquele lado mais “dark” que as Joias tinham (e que tanto adoro). No entanto admiro a forma como Bishop consegue descrever um mundo completamente diferente e novo, rico em pormenores e com descrições lindíssimas. Com uma ligação especial a natureza, carregado de emoções e descrito de uma forma poética vou querer ler sem dúvida o resto sem dúvida!
Uma outra coisa, exterior a história e a autora, é a parte da revisão, sejamos sinceros que este livro não foi dos piores que li com uma revisão estranha, os verbos estavam conjugados de uma forma estranha que as vezes me fez ler em voz alta para ver se soava bem, não soava. Corta um pouco ao rumo da história principalmente se tivermos numa cena épica e crucial da história e ninguém quer ser acordado para a realidade assim.
December 25, 2015
I bought this book.
Anne Bishop is a master world builder, bringing epic fantasy lands to life with a deft hand. In this trilogy the world is one of elemental magic, where fae and witches come to life and both are threatened by a sinister evil force.
In this first book in the trilogy a witch with the gifts of fire and earth gets trapped by a bit of hedge love magic and, trying to avoid being abused, swears to give herself to a mysterious stallion who shares a summer holiday with her. The stallion turns out to be Lucian, the fae Lord of Fire in his animal form. Curious about this woman who sought him as a friend rather than as a breeder, Lucian begins an affair with Ari.
In Tir Alainn, the fae are facing their own, much larger crisis. Whole sections of their enchanted land are vanishing, cut off by a mysterious misty nothingness. When Dianna, Lucian's twin and The Huntress, discovers Ari is a witch, whom some of the stories and songs of the land blame for the growing evil in the world, she also begins to foster an interest in Ari, determined to save her home at any costs.
The truth of the lost places of Tir Alainn and a foul evil that's spreading through the land, is far more complicated than Lucian, Dianna and Ari know. In this first book three sides are drawn, those for good, those for evil, and those whose egos drive their actions rather than their heads.
This is absolutely one of my favorite books. Bishop's world is so thick and sensory that even though I read this for the first time when it was first published around 2002 I continue to read the trilogy over and over, nearly every year and have yet to tire of it.
Bishop's only flaw is a skew toward “Women are beautiful and wonderful and men are wicked and cruel” themes, and of all her work this series balances it out the best. Despite great or little power, Bishop's characters are real people, often gifted with a sense of humor which balances out the darker elements of the stories.
Here you will find neither damsels in distress nor super powered Janeways. The balance between male and female, good and evil are maintained delicately, but clearly, making this whole trilogy a pleasure to read and reread.
Anne Bishop is a master world builder, bringing epic fantasy lands to life with a deft hand. In this trilogy the world is one of elemental magic, where fae and witches come to life and both are threatened by a sinister evil force.
In this first book in the trilogy a witch with the gifts of fire and earth gets trapped by a bit of hedge love magic and, trying to avoid being abused, swears to give herself to a mysterious stallion who shares a summer holiday with her. The stallion turns out to be Lucian, the fae Lord of Fire in his animal form. Curious about this woman who sought him as a friend rather than as a breeder, Lucian begins an affair with Ari.
In Tir Alainn, the fae are facing their own, much larger crisis. Whole sections of their enchanted land are vanishing, cut off by a mysterious misty nothingness. When Dianna, Lucian's twin and The Huntress, discovers Ari is a witch, whom some of the stories and songs of the land blame for the growing evil in the world, she also begins to foster an interest in Ari, determined to save her home at any costs.
The truth of the lost places of Tir Alainn and a foul evil that's spreading through the land, is far more complicated than Lucian, Dianna and Ari know. In this first book three sides are drawn, those for good, those for evil, and those whose egos drive their actions rather than their heads.
This is absolutely one of my favorite books. Bishop's world is so thick and sensory that even though I read this for the first time when it was first published around 2002 I continue to read the trilogy over and over, nearly every year and have yet to tire of it.
Bishop's only flaw is a skew toward “Women are beautiful and wonderful and men are wicked and cruel” themes, and of all her work this series balances it out the best. Despite great or little power, Bishop's characters are real people, often gifted with a sense of humor which balances out the darker elements of the stories.
Here you will find neither damsels in distress nor super powered Janeways. The balance between male and female, good and evil are maintained delicately, but clearly, making this whole trilogy a pleasure to read and reread.
November 19, 2012
Quando se inicia a leitura de um livro de Anne Bishop sabe-se previamente que com certeza se irá encontrar uma história fantástica, onde dificilmente se apontará o dedo de forma negativa à autora. Tal como muitos leitores deste género de livro, li anteriormente o Trilogia das Jóias Negras e por isso fiquei bastante curiosa acerca da Trilogia “Os Pilares do Mundo”. Anne Bishop tem uma imaginação fabulosa e é incrivelmente cuidadosa com os pormenores inseridos nos seus livros. Consegue descrever mundos diferentes como ninguém, fazendo com que a leitura seja feita com prazer e sem ideias ou cenas que nada interessam para os acontecimentos. As personagens adequam-se perfeitamente ao seu ambiente, tendo elas personalidades diversas e até algumas explicações das razões pelas quais as suas foram assim moldadas. Com esta autora nada é feito ao acaso.
Alegrei-me quando Ari começou o seu relacionamento com o Lucian, odiei o Adolfo por ser completamente louco, irritei-me pelo comportamento mimado e arrogante dos Fae, aos poucos fui-me apaixonando pelo Neall e sofri com o triste destino dado a muitas bruxas existentes no mundo humano. Este é um livro que acaba por ser carregado de emoções e que nos faz vivê-las intensamente e como acontece nos bons livros é carregado de simbolismos e traz-nos também uma mensagem. Apesar do ambiente de fantasia vivido no livro, ele capta também algumas das mentalidades mesquinhas da sociedade que muitas vezes se serve dos outros para conseguir os seus ideais, em como algumas pessoas conseguem distorcer a realidade de acordo com aquilo que mais lhes convém e infelizmente consegue com que os mais frágeis acreditem naquilo que ouvem.
Recomendo esta trilogia a todos aqueles que adoram um bom livro cheio de acção, fantasia e até um pouco de romance. Venham conhecer o mundo de Tir Alainn, com personagens míticas como a Musa, o Bardo e até mesmo a Ceifeira, não se irão arrepender de entrar nesta aventura fantástica.
http://viv-omundoencantadodoslivros.b...
Alegrei-me quando Ari começou o seu relacionamento com o Lucian, odiei o Adolfo por ser completamente louco, irritei-me pelo comportamento mimado e arrogante dos Fae, aos poucos fui-me apaixonando pelo Neall e sofri com o triste destino dado a muitas bruxas existentes no mundo humano. Este é um livro que acaba por ser carregado de emoções e que nos faz vivê-las intensamente e como acontece nos bons livros é carregado de simbolismos e traz-nos também uma mensagem. Apesar do ambiente de fantasia vivido no livro, ele capta também algumas das mentalidades mesquinhas da sociedade que muitas vezes se serve dos outros para conseguir os seus ideais, em como algumas pessoas conseguem distorcer a realidade de acordo com aquilo que mais lhes convém e infelizmente consegue com que os mais frágeis acreditem naquilo que ouvem.
Recomendo esta trilogia a todos aqueles que adoram um bom livro cheio de acção, fantasia e até um pouco de romance. Venham conhecer o mundo de Tir Alainn, com personagens míticas como a Musa, o Bardo e até mesmo a Ceifeira, não se irão arrepender de entrar nesta aventura fantástica.
http://viv-omundoencantadodoslivros.b...
March 28, 2016
The land of the Fae – Tir Alainn – is slowly disappearing and the only thing the Fae knows is that it has to do with witches. At the same time Morag, the Gatherer of souls, follow in the path of Inquisitors, witch hunters, as they slowly move across the land, leaving death behind. The Fae and the Inquisitors will eventually cross path in a place called Brightwood, home of the young witch Ari. The last of her line. Protector of an Old Place. And the fate of many people will be decided when that confrontation finally takes place.
The Pillars of the World presents us with a rather common, medieval-inspired fantasy world but I thought the characters and plot compelling enough to look beyond this. Witch hunts, Fae politics and some romance made up for a setting which, while overall pleasant, didn’t particularly stand out among other fantasy of this kind.
The book introduces us to a wide set of characters, some obviously more appealing than others. The Master Inquisitor, Adolpho, is just as despicable as he’s supposed to be. Ari lacks a bit of personality, though she is supposed to be quite young, so that might be why. The two men vying for her attention, Lucian and Neall, are both given about the same amount of “screen time” and it’s interesting to see the differences in their respective reasons for wanting Ari.
Morag the Gatherer, Death’s mistress, was by far my favourite character. In my opinion, she faces the greatest challenge and also makes the biggest sacrifice at the end of the book. I will continue to read the rest of this trilogy, and I absolutely hope we meet Morag again. Meeting Neall, Ari and the rest in the second book would be nice, but I don’t need to know more of their stories.
Overall a really nice read. The Pillars of the World is not the best or the most original fantasy story I’ve ever read, but it wasn’t the worst either. I think it could do well as something quick and easy you read between two heavier books.
The Pillars of the World presents us with a rather common, medieval-inspired fantasy world but I thought the characters and plot compelling enough to look beyond this. Witch hunts, Fae politics and some romance made up for a setting which, while overall pleasant, didn’t particularly stand out among other fantasy of this kind.
The book introduces us to a wide set of characters, some obviously more appealing than others. The Master Inquisitor, Adolpho, is just as despicable as he’s supposed to be. Ari lacks a bit of personality, though she is supposed to be quite young, so that might be why. The two men vying for her attention, Lucian and Neall, are both given about the same amount of “screen time” and it’s interesting to see the differences in their respective reasons for wanting Ari.
Morag the Gatherer, Death’s mistress, was by far my favourite character. In my opinion, she faces the greatest challenge and also makes the biggest sacrifice at the end of the book. I will continue to read the rest of this trilogy, and I absolutely hope we meet Morag again. Meeting Neall, Ari and the rest in the second book would be nice, but I don’t need to know more of their stories.
Overall a really nice read. The Pillars of the World is not the best or the most original fantasy story I’ve ever read, but it wasn’t the worst either. I think it could do well as something quick and easy you read between two heavier books.
March 8, 2016
This is really probably 3.5 stars. It was a fairly easy read and had some interesting side characters. The mysteries that unravelled were quite predictable. Several scenes also really seemed to drag. I am glad the main arc came to a conclusion, because I will prob. not read the rest of the series.
March 4, 2016
Too much awfulness right off the bat for my liking. Mayhap after Robin Hobb and Jacqueline Carey my bar is too high. Nothing is striking the right chord lately. No interest in the next in trilogy.
March 22, 2016
This book lost me when they started using the phrases mounting her, and spilling my seed. I love a good witch, fae fantasy story, but I am so over some of the tropes that I see. Not a fan.
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