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Children of the Changeling #2
The Blackgod
Prepare to encounter a world where magic springs from earth and sky and water, and where danger, heartache, fear, and friendship each wait to claim their place in the grand design of life. J. Gregory Keyes pursues a tale as big as life in the stunning sequel to The Waterborn .
The River flowed from the mountains to the distant sea, and everywhere he touched, he ruled. Powerful and hungry, he had scoured every rival godling from the land. But the world beyond the River's reach was a riot of gods and ghosts and other deities, large and small. Strange spirits jostled and contended with each other, and with the humans who shared their range.
Into this rich and dangerously open land came a surprising Hezhi, the River's own daughter.
When the magic that was her heritage awakened in her back in the glittering palace of imperial Nhol, Hezhi fled for her life. With Perkar, a youth in search of honor, and loyal Tsem, her half-Giant bodyguard, she sought refuge among the barbarian Mang. She had hoped for the freedom to build a life of her own, but in these demon-haunted hinterlands, every bubbling spring, crevasse, and hillock boasted some spirit. Until she learned to wield the powers of her birthright, she would be vulnerable to any arcane attack. Hezhi's sanity, and her very soul, would be at risk.
Meanwhile, grisly danger followed her from the world she thought she had escaped. The River focused all his might and cunning on the task of finding his wayward child.
From the depth of his yearning, the River plotted to take Hezhi alive.
For Perkar, her champion, he had no such benign end in view ...
Only the Blackgod saw a way for Hezhi and Perkar to defeat the River, once and for all. But he was a creature of guile and limitless duplicity; to trust him might be the most perilous move they could make. Perkar knew that better than anyone else -- better, at least, than anyone still alive ...
From the Hardcover edition.
The River flowed from the mountains to the distant sea, and everywhere he touched, he ruled. Powerful and hungry, he had scoured every rival godling from the land. But the world beyond the River's reach was a riot of gods and ghosts and other deities, large and small. Strange spirits jostled and contended with each other, and with the humans who shared their range.
Into this rich and dangerously open land came a surprising Hezhi, the River's own daughter.
When the magic that was her heritage awakened in her back in the glittering palace of imperial Nhol, Hezhi fled for her life. With Perkar, a youth in search of honor, and loyal Tsem, her half-Giant bodyguard, she sought refuge among the barbarian Mang. She had hoped for the freedom to build a life of her own, but in these demon-haunted hinterlands, every bubbling spring, crevasse, and hillock boasted some spirit. Until she learned to wield the powers of her birthright, she would be vulnerable to any arcane attack. Hezhi's sanity, and her very soul, would be at risk.
Meanwhile, grisly danger followed her from the world she thought she had escaped. The River focused all his might and cunning on the task of finding his wayward child.
From the depth of his yearning, the River plotted to take Hezhi alive.
For Perkar, her champion, he had no such benign end in view ...
Only the Blackgod saw a way for Hezhi and Perkar to defeat the River, once and for all. But he was a creature of guile and limitless duplicity; to trust him might be the most perilous move they could make. Perkar knew that better than anyone else -- better, at least, than anyone still alive ...
From the Hardcover edition.
512 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1997
13 people are currently reading
350 people want to read
About the author
J. Gregory Keyes
32 books44 followersGregory Keyes is a writer of science fiction and fantasy who has written both original and media-related novels under both the names J. Gregory Keyes and Greg Keyes.
Greg Keyes was born in to a large, diverse, storytelling family. He received degrees in anthropology from Mississippi State and the University of George before becoming a fulltime writer.
He lives in Savannah, Georgia.
Greg Keyes was born in to a large, diverse, storytelling family. He received degrees in anthropology from Mississippi State and the University of George before becoming a fulltime writer.
He lives in Savannah, Georgia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 18, 2024
A mature epic fantasy brought to a thrilling conclusion!
Perkar's rash, ham-handed efforts to respond to Hezhi's almost unwitting call for help have opened a hornet's nest of trouble. Their flight from the city of Nohl to escape the Changeling has left behind them a trail of mayhem, death and destruction - Perkar's people, the cattle farmers, and the Mang, accomplished horse breeders, riders and worshippers are now at war; Perkar has slain and beheaded Ghe, the Jik assassin, but through the intervention of the Changeling's power, Ghe has been resurrected as a powerful ghoul who now claims to "love" Hezhi; and, in the fashion of the Greek and Roman pantheon, gods and half-gods squabble and tamper with the lives of man but their motives are murky, confusing and a good deal less than altruistic. Karak, the Raven, or the Blackgod, seems to have developed a particular fondness for Perkar, Hezhi and their small band of travelers. Much to Hezhi's utter dismay, fear and anger, he discloses to her that her destiny is at She'leng, the source of the River, where she will find the power to defeat the Changeling. But all Hezhi really wants is to be left alone. As the story unfolds, the gods' relentless tinkering with the world results in nobody knowing who to believe in or who to trust.
In THE BLACKGOD, Keyes has moved well beyond THE WATERBORN and expanded CHOSEN OF THE CHANGELING into a truly mature epic fantasy with amazing breadth and scope. The animist pagan theology introduced in THE WATERBORN is explored in wonderful depth and detail. In a concept strikingly reminiscent of the Christian idea of Trinity and yet still wonderfully original and imaginative, Perkar's and Hezhi's gods - Balati the One-Eyed Lord, Karak the Raven, Ekama the Horse Mother and the Huntress - are revealed as manifestations of a single god united in their quest to eliminate the incessant, overpowering evil of the Changeling. As the war between them advances to a climax, the Mang and Perkar's people, the cattle farmers, come alive with rich and colourful detail including traditions and beliefs, costumes, history and language. Questions about the history and meaning of the priesthood and their temple in Nhol left unanswered at the end of THE WATERBORN are resolved with a dazzling twist. Heroes, heroines and villains alike are well-constructed, realistic and are allowed to develop and mature into different characters with strengths, weaknesses and human frailties.
Although we are reasonably certain of the eventual "winner" of the conflict, the story-telling never becomes maudlin or trite and remains entirely unpredictable and compelling. Of course, that has a great deal to do with the fact that until the very end, we're not really certain of who the bad guy really is. I said it about THE WATERBORN and I'm thrilled to be able to say it again for THE BLACKGOD: "An unforgettable fantasy replete with all the requisite elements - a pretty damsel in distress, heroes and their sagas, gods, battles, good and evil, with lots of credible dialogue to bring it home! Did I mention a couple of plot twists that would make the most jaded thriller or mystery reader's eyes light up?"
If you enjoy an epic fantasy, you won't want to miss THE BLACKGOD, second entry in THE CHOSEN OF THE CHANGELING.
Paul Weiss
Perkar's rash, ham-handed efforts to respond to Hezhi's almost unwitting call for help have opened a hornet's nest of trouble. Their flight from the city of Nohl to escape the Changeling has left behind them a trail of mayhem, death and destruction - Perkar's people, the cattle farmers, and the Mang, accomplished horse breeders, riders and worshippers are now at war; Perkar has slain and beheaded Ghe, the Jik assassin, but through the intervention of the Changeling's power, Ghe has been resurrected as a powerful ghoul who now claims to "love" Hezhi; and, in the fashion of the Greek and Roman pantheon, gods and half-gods squabble and tamper with the lives of man but their motives are murky, confusing and a good deal less than altruistic. Karak, the Raven, or the Blackgod, seems to have developed a particular fondness for Perkar, Hezhi and their small band of travelers. Much to Hezhi's utter dismay, fear and anger, he discloses to her that her destiny is at She'leng, the source of the River, where she will find the power to defeat the Changeling. But all Hezhi really wants is to be left alone. As the story unfolds, the gods' relentless tinkering with the world results in nobody knowing who to believe in or who to trust.
In THE BLACKGOD, Keyes has moved well beyond THE WATERBORN and expanded CHOSEN OF THE CHANGELING into a truly mature epic fantasy with amazing breadth and scope. The animist pagan theology introduced in THE WATERBORN is explored in wonderful depth and detail. In a concept strikingly reminiscent of the Christian idea of Trinity and yet still wonderfully original and imaginative, Perkar's and Hezhi's gods - Balati the One-Eyed Lord, Karak the Raven, Ekama the Horse Mother and the Huntress - are revealed as manifestations of a single god united in their quest to eliminate the incessant, overpowering evil of the Changeling. As the war between them advances to a climax, the Mang and Perkar's people, the cattle farmers, come alive with rich and colourful detail including traditions and beliefs, costumes, history and language. Questions about the history and meaning of the priesthood and their temple in Nhol left unanswered at the end of THE WATERBORN are resolved with a dazzling twist. Heroes, heroines and villains alike are well-constructed, realistic and are allowed to develop and mature into different characters with strengths, weaknesses and human frailties.
Although we are reasonably certain of the eventual "winner" of the conflict, the story-telling never becomes maudlin or trite and remains entirely unpredictable and compelling. Of course, that has a great deal to do with the fact that until the very end, we're not really certain of who the bad guy really is. I said it about THE WATERBORN and I'm thrilled to be able to say it again for THE BLACKGOD: "An unforgettable fantasy replete with all the requisite elements - a pretty damsel in distress, heroes and their sagas, gods, battles, good and evil, with lots of credible dialogue to bring it home! Did I mention a couple of plot twists that would make the most jaded thriller or mystery reader's eyes light up?"
If you enjoy an epic fantasy, you won't want to miss THE BLACKGOD, second entry in THE CHOSEN OF THE CHANGELING.
Paul Weiss
July 12, 2016
Together, “The Waterborn” and “The Blackgod” create Chosen of the Changeling, one of the best stories I have read in a long time.
What I found engrossing to begin with was the world-building within Chosen of the Changeling. Keyes calls upon the largely untapped mother-load of American Indian cultures and mythology, blending them with other cultures to create a vast and vibrant world of the spiritual and the corporeal that is at once familiar and alien. I loved reading about this world, its peoples and their beliefs. Additionally, I fell deeply in love with its array of characters who are both endearing and irritating: the fiercely intelligent young Heroine, the screw-up Hero, the stalwart Hero’s Companion and the loyal Giant. Chosen of the Changeling plays with archetypes and the concept of the Hero’s Journey in a sometimes anachronistic way: the characters themselves are often aware that they are a part of an epic in the making. And the two books that make up Chosen of the Changeling also happen to include one of the most endearing bromances in fantasy literature.
What I appreciate about the conclusion of “The Blackgod” is that Keyes seems to have actually put forth the effort to create a way for his characters to overcome the seemingly impossible situation they have been stuck in rather than merely killing everyone off en mass and saying “Well, that’s the end I guess”. Having had the entire first book “The Waterborn“, to establish the world , character motivations and driving plot, “The Blackgod” is largely an action novel in which the characters are violently propelled along toward the conclusion of the story. The fate they have to overcome is even more dire than that which menaced Hezhi, Perkar and their friends in the first book. Rather than being a cesspool of despair, however, “The Blackgod” is a book about coming of age, about the strength of the human (and sometimes un-human) spirit, and about overcoming one’s limitations. It’s filled with wry humor and a huge helping of irony.
“The Blackgod” and “The Waterborn” are two books that I will keep on my shelf and return to over and over again. I’m happier for having read this story, and am only sorry it languished on my “to-read” shelf for so long.
What I found engrossing to begin with was the world-building within Chosen of the Changeling. Keyes calls upon the largely untapped mother-load of American Indian cultures and mythology, blending them with other cultures to create a vast and vibrant world of the spiritual and the corporeal that is at once familiar and alien. I loved reading about this world, its peoples and their beliefs. Additionally, I fell deeply in love with its array of characters who are both endearing and irritating: the fiercely intelligent young Heroine, the screw-up Hero, the stalwart Hero’s Companion and the loyal Giant. Chosen of the Changeling plays with archetypes and the concept of the Hero’s Journey in a sometimes anachronistic way: the characters themselves are often aware that they are a part of an epic in the making. And the two books that make up Chosen of the Changeling also happen to include one of the most endearing bromances in fantasy literature.
What I appreciate about the conclusion of “The Blackgod” is that Keyes seems to have actually put forth the effort to create a way for his characters to overcome the seemingly impossible situation they have been stuck in rather than merely killing everyone off en mass and saying “Well, that’s the end I guess”. Having had the entire first book “The Waterborn“, to establish the world , character motivations and driving plot, “The Blackgod” is largely an action novel in which the characters are violently propelled along toward the conclusion of the story. The fate they have to overcome is even more dire than that which menaced Hezhi, Perkar and their friends in the first book. Rather than being a cesspool of despair, however, “The Blackgod” is a book about coming of age, about the strength of the human (and sometimes un-human) spirit, and about overcoming one’s limitations. It’s filled with wry humor and a huge helping of irony.
“The Blackgod” and “The Waterborn” are two books that I will keep on my shelf and return to over and over again. I’m happier for having read this story, and am only sorry it languished on my “to-read” shelf for so long.
December 11, 2020
As a direct sequel to The Waterborn, this book concludes the "Children of the Changeling" duology. Really, the two books should, in my view, be considered as one large novel.
As in the first book, the world building draws on the lesser-used Earth cultures such as Native American, and develops what appears to be a couple of complex societies. I say 'appears to be' because both novels continuously dance around the details of these cultures, offering us a taste but apparently afraid to dive too much into them for fear of bogging down the narrative. I thought the plot of both books to be interesting and, ultimately satisfying, however they never quite hit my epic fantasy sweet spot. I can't really put my finger on why, but I did notice a few instances where I was hoping the plot would move along a little faster. I am also not a huge fan of mythological gods interfering in mankind's affairs and discovering their arrogant omnipotence bested by mere mortals.
Bottom line: well-written fantasy with a fresh take on the cultures involved. Recommended for readers who look for that in their fantasy reading.
As in the first book, the world building draws on the lesser-used Earth cultures such as Native American, and develops what appears to be a couple of complex societies. I say 'appears to be' because both novels continuously dance around the details of these cultures, offering us a taste but apparently afraid to dive too much into them for fear of bogging down the narrative. I thought the plot of both books to be interesting and, ultimately satisfying, however they never quite hit my epic fantasy sweet spot. I can't really put my finger on why, but I did notice a few instances where I was hoping the plot would move along a little faster. I am also not a huge fan of mythological gods interfering in mankind's affairs and discovering their arrogant omnipotence bested by mere mortals.
Bottom line: well-written fantasy with a fresh take on the cultures involved. Recommended for readers who look for that in their fantasy reading.
September 1, 2011
A direct sequel to 'The Waterborn,' this follows the story of Hezhi and Perkar, as different forces pull them this way and that way, each trying to use them for their own ends. There's a quest to destroy the god of the River - but is it the right thing to do? Meanwhile, a ghoul that was formerly a man pursues them, leaving death and destruction in its wake...
I liked the book, but it wasn't as good as the first one, I thought. I felt that some of the magic and spirituality scenes got a little lengthy, and while it was interesting to try to figure out different characters' motivations, at times it got a little unfocused and confusing. For a quest story where a large part of the concept was that the reader isn't sure who's in the right or what the outcome should be, the end feels a little too... ordinary, I thought.
It was still good, and I'll try the author's 'Newton's Cannon' next, even though on the face of it, it doesn't seem like it will be my favorite type of book...
I liked the book, but it wasn't as good as the first one, I thought. I felt that some of the magic and spirituality scenes got a little lengthy, and while it was interesting to try to figure out different characters' motivations, at times it got a little unfocused and confusing. For a quest story where a large part of the concept was that the reader isn't sure who's in the right or what the outcome should be, the end feels a little too... ordinary, I thought.
It was still good, and I'll try the author's 'Newton's Cannon' next, even though on the face of it, it doesn't seem like it will be my favorite type of book...
February 6, 2017
Dit boek is een direct vervolg op Dochter van de rivier. Zie m'n recensie hier.
Het avontuur begint pas. De queeste naar de bron van de Rivier, de Kenterling, degene die via Hezhi z'n macht wilt verspreiden en de vele volkeren wilt domineren daar waar hij niet stroomt, verloopt niet zonder slag of stoot. Integendeel.
Hezhi, Perkar, en co. komen tijdens hun vlucht bij de Mang terecht, een van de verschillende indianenstammen. Ook blijkt dat die stammen elkaar niet altijd kunnen luchten. Maar goed, Broeder Paard belooft ons gezelschap z'n bescherming te bieden, zeker tijdens een specifiek festival dat erop bedoeld is de banden met andere stammen te hersmeden.
Ook hier zijn er verschillende verhaallijnen alvorens ze samenkomen. Ghe aka Yen blijkt niet de zoon van een bouwmeester te zijn, integendeel zelfs. Na het dodelijke gevecht met Perkar heeft de Rivier hem een handje geholpen (lees: terug tot leven gewekt). Uiteraard betekent dit dat enkel het lichaam terug werkt, ditmaal in het bezit van een andere, kwaadaardige geest, een levenseter. Hij wil koste wat kost Hezhi vinden, misleidt er zelfs Ghan en de huidige koning van Nhol (Hezhi's vader) voor. Maar alvorens deze zoektocht te ondernemen, gaat hij op zoek naar aanwijzingen in de Watertempel, waar hij opnieuw voor z'n leven moet vrezen.
Op zijn tocht wordt hij ook vergezeld van Qwe Shen en haar echtgenoot, Beender Aal. Wat hun rollen zijn, wie ze werkelijk zijn, enz... wordt pas zeer laat onthuld. Hetzelfde geldt voor de kraai-god Karak en andere goden die in de problematiek betrokken zijn. Greg Keyes slaagt erin je keer op keer op het verkeerde spoor te zetten. Er wordt volop gelogen en bedrogen. Als je denkt sympathie te voelen voor het ene personage, blijkt na enige tijd dat dit ongegrond was. Als je denkt dat X de boosdoener is, degene die Hezhi en co. naar het leven staat, dan blijkt het toch Y te zijn.
Goden komen dus ook weer in het verhaal voor, ook de Jaagster, die eerder Perkar had proberen te doden. Perkar had toen wel, met behulp van Harka (het zwaard waarin de god opgesloten zat, maar ook Perkar's genezer was), haar leeuw gedood. Die goden spelen een belangrijke rol in het verdere verloop van de queeste om de Kenterling voor eens en altijd uit te schakelen.
Perkar begon me na verloop van tijd wel danig op de zenuwen te werken. Hij mag dan wel een twintiger zijn, Hezhi slechts 13 jaar, maar Hezhi blijkt toch iets volwassener te reageren op bepaalde situaties. Perkar heeft steeds maar zelfmedelijden om de doden die hij op zijn geweten heeft, door z'n eigen domme aanpak. Het wordt hem wel vaak onder de neus gewreven, o.a. door Ngangata, de halfling (half-Alwat), waarmee Perkar na verloop van tijd zeer goeie vrienden is geworden.
Hezhi leert ook wat het is om totale macht te hebben en hoe dit op een negatieve manier bezit van je kan nemen, je eigen redeneervermogen beïnvloeden. Daarom dat ze ook rotsvast ervoor gaat: de Kenterling, de Rivier, die moet aan banden gelegd worden, om niet te zeggen, gedood worden. Tenminste, de god die erin huist.
Zoals gezegd, niet alles verloopt zonder slag of stoot, en ook nu sneuvelen er enkele personages waarvoor toch makkelijk sympathie kon worden opgewekt.
Ik ga niet te veel meer in detail treden. Feit is, dat het, alles samen, een zeer prachtig verhaal is. Een verhaal dat zich niet alleen in een andere cultuur en omgeving afspeelt, maar ook een waaruit men inspiratie kan putten voor z'n eigen leven. Even de oogkleppen afzetten.
Het is een verhaal van vriendschap, van liefde (voor het leven, voor de ander, voor de natuur), van je plaats vinden in de wereld.
Keyes' ervaring met de indianen, hun gebruiken, hun cultuur, komt vaak genoeg ter sprake, al was het maar bij het vermelden van bepaalde termen voor goden, voor goddelijke wezens, en andere dingen.
Een dikke aanrader (letterlijk), die niet té snel mag gelezen worden, hoe spannend het op een bepaald ogenblik ook mag zijn.
Het avontuur begint pas. De queeste naar de bron van de Rivier, de Kenterling, degene die via Hezhi z'n macht wilt verspreiden en de vele volkeren wilt domineren daar waar hij niet stroomt, verloopt niet zonder slag of stoot. Integendeel.
Hezhi, Perkar, en co. komen tijdens hun vlucht bij de Mang terecht, een van de verschillende indianenstammen. Ook blijkt dat die stammen elkaar niet altijd kunnen luchten. Maar goed, Broeder Paard belooft ons gezelschap z'n bescherming te bieden, zeker tijdens een specifiek festival dat erop bedoeld is de banden met andere stammen te hersmeden.
Ook hier zijn er verschillende verhaallijnen alvorens ze samenkomen. Ghe aka Yen blijkt niet de zoon van een bouwmeester te zijn, integendeel zelfs. Na het dodelijke gevecht met Perkar heeft de Rivier hem een handje geholpen (lees: terug tot leven gewekt). Uiteraard betekent dit dat enkel het lichaam terug werkt, ditmaal in het bezit van een andere, kwaadaardige geest, een levenseter. Hij wil koste wat kost Hezhi vinden, misleidt er zelfs Ghan en de huidige koning van Nhol (Hezhi's vader) voor. Maar alvorens deze zoektocht te ondernemen, gaat hij op zoek naar aanwijzingen in de Watertempel, waar hij opnieuw voor z'n leven moet vrezen.
Op zijn tocht wordt hij ook vergezeld van Qwe Shen en haar echtgenoot, Beender Aal. Wat hun rollen zijn, wie ze werkelijk zijn, enz... wordt pas zeer laat onthuld. Hetzelfde geldt voor de kraai-god Karak en andere goden die in de problematiek betrokken zijn. Greg Keyes slaagt erin je keer op keer op het verkeerde spoor te zetten. Er wordt volop gelogen en bedrogen. Als je denkt sympathie te voelen voor het ene personage, blijkt na enige tijd dat dit ongegrond was. Als je denkt dat X de boosdoener is, degene die Hezhi en co. naar het leven staat, dan blijkt het toch Y te zijn.
Goden komen dus ook weer in het verhaal voor, ook de Jaagster, die eerder Perkar had proberen te doden. Perkar had toen wel, met behulp van Harka (het zwaard waarin de god opgesloten zat, maar ook Perkar's genezer was), haar leeuw gedood. Die goden spelen een belangrijke rol in het verdere verloop van de queeste om de Kenterling voor eens en altijd uit te schakelen.
Perkar begon me na verloop van tijd wel danig op de zenuwen te werken. Hij mag dan wel een twintiger zijn, Hezhi slechts 13 jaar, maar Hezhi blijkt toch iets volwassener te reageren op bepaalde situaties. Perkar heeft steeds maar zelfmedelijden om de doden die hij op zijn geweten heeft, door z'n eigen domme aanpak. Het wordt hem wel vaak onder de neus gewreven, o.a. door Ngangata, de halfling (half-Alwat), waarmee Perkar na verloop van tijd zeer goeie vrienden is geworden.
Hezhi leert ook wat het is om totale macht te hebben en hoe dit op een negatieve manier bezit van je kan nemen, je eigen redeneervermogen beïnvloeden. Daarom dat ze ook rotsvast ervoor gaat: de Kenterling, de Rivier, die moet aan banden gelegd worden, om niet te zeggen, gedood worden. Tenminste, de god die erin huist.
Zoals gezegd, niet alles verloopt zonder slag of stoot, en ook nu sneuvelen er enkele personages waarvoor toch makkelijk sympathie kon worden opgewekt.
Ik ga niet te veel meer in detail treden. Feit is, dat het, alles samen, een zeer prachtig verhaal is. Een verhaal dat zich niet alleen in een andere cultuur en omgeving afspeelt, maar ook een waaruit men inspiratie kan putten voor z'n eigen leven. Even de oogkleppen afzetten.
Het is een verhaal van vriendschap, van liefde (voor het leven, voor de ander, voor de natuur), van je plaats vinden in de wereld.
Keyes' ervaring met de indianen, hun gebruiken, hun cultuur, komt vaak genoeg ter sprake, al was het maar bij het vermelden van bepaalde termen voor goden, voor goddelijke wezens, en andere dingen.
Een dikke aanrader (letterlijk), die niet té snel mag gelezen worden, hoe spannend het op een bepaald ogenblik ook mag zijn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2010
The sequel was almost as good as the first in the series, The Waterborn, although it was "bulkier" in some ways, and the writing more dense. We are returned to this beautifully created world as the story nears it's ultimate climax.
Although some reviewers did not, I found the characters enjoyable in their quirks and youth very different from the average fantasy heroines and heros. I like variety and variance in moods, weaknesses and strengths shown, just as would be in real-life. So for me, Keyes' ability to inject realism of behaviour in a fantasy tale is of special interest and admiration.
The last climatic battle fit the story, was touching and in the spirit of the journey already made by the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed both books.
Although some reviewers did not, I found the characters enjoyable in their quirks and youth very different from the average fantasy heroines and heros. I like variety and variance in moods, weaknesses and strengths shown, just as would be in real-life. So for me, Keyes' ability to inject realism of behaviour in a fantasy tale is of special interest and admiration.
The last climatic battle fit the story, was touching and in the spirit of the journey already made by the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed both books.
July 4, 2017
Similar to my review of book one:
Amazing world building: check
Cultural immersion: check
Strong and deep characters: check
Character development: check
Reminds me of Inuyasha a bit: check ;)
The trouble continues for our main charavters, but instead of switching viewpoints from our mains, we have pro and antagonistic-type view points which made it a little different from the first book. it's amazing, though there's still more character development, even the villains evolve! dude. (sorry, I obviously haven't read a really good book recently). Political manuevering, assassination plots, religious revolt, and war with the Gods all comes to brilliant closing. Yas. YASSS
Amazing world building: check
Cultural immersion: check
Strong and deep characters: check
Character development: check
Reminds me of Inuyasha a bit: check ;)
The trouble continues for our main charavters, but instead of switching viewpoints from our mains, we have pro and antagonistic-type view points which made it a little different from the first book. it's amazing, though there's still more character development, even the villains evolve! dude. (sorry, I obviously haven't read a really good book recently). Political manuevering, assassination plots, religious revolt, and war with the Gods all comes to brilliant closing. Yas. YASSS
September 2, 2017
A little less tightly plotted than the first one, a little (okay, a lot) too concerned with the sexual and romantic availability of Hezhi, whom, may I remind you, is thirteen, and ruined, ruined, ruined, by the ending where .
It's so disappointing, because this was otherwise a really great series with fascinating worldbuilding that I haven't seen in any other fantasy. But that one really nasty of the ending ruined the whole thing.
It's so disappointing, because this was otherwise a really great series with fascinating worldbuilding that I haven't seen in any other fantasy. But that one really nasty of the ending ruined the whole thing.
December 31, 2007
The story gets better and better in this second book of the series. All the experiences Hezhi and Perkar went through in The Waterborn turn them into complex, three-dimensional characters, and the relationship that grows between them is interesting to follow. All the secondary characters now play a larger role, adding depth to the story, while the gods with their hidden agendas helps keep the plot unpredictable, and kept me reading with anticipation for the next twist.
Bought from Amazon, 14 Nov 07
Bought from Amazon, 14 Nov 07
May 14, 2007
Sequel to the Waterborn, and not quite as good, but still excellent. I liked that the heroine did not automatically fall into the hero's arms at the end. I also liked the culture clash and the character's struggles to adapt.
June 24, 2023
I have no idea why this took so long.
It was a satisfying continuation of the story, and about the perfect ending IMO. Where you know that there's more to come, but it's not like an adventure you're missing. It's the contentment of a story told, and it follows the Hero's journey flawlessly.
The world building is immaculate, the characters are maybe a little less explained than the world could be, but they feel unique and different all the same.
I would read more stories set in this world.
It was a satisfying continuation of the story, and about the perfect ending IMO. Where you know that there's more to come, but it's not like an adventure you're missing. It's the contentment of a story told, and it follows the Hero's journey flawlessly.
The world building is immaculate, the characters are maybe a little less explained than the world could be, but they feel unique and different all the same.
I would read more stories set in this world.
January 13, 2014
A Váltott Isten gyermekei sorozatának a története persze teljes egészében kitaláció, ezáltal fantasy minden minőségében, olvasása közben mégis olyan érzés, mintha egy saga keletkezésének történetét olvasnánk a távoli múltból. Keyes világa teljesen egyedi, a Föld egyik tájegységéhez sem köthető szorosan, mégis ismerős lehet, hiszen nagykanállal vett több nép teremtésmítoszából, mondáiból motívumokat kölcsön és ezeket gyurmázta össze könyveiben. A könyvekben verstöredékek – ezek mondjuk nem nagyon tetszettek –, kitalált idegen szavak és barbár szokások leírása segíti megteremteni és átélni a minél autentikusabb törzsi atmoszférát. Az indián, hun, mongol, angolszász, viking, kínai, egyiptomi és arab mitológiából összegyúrt történetben Keyes néhol ugyan megcsillantja humorát, azonban a regények elolvasása után nem ez fog megmaradni. Ellenkezőleg. A sztori sokszor igen kegyetlen és véres. Az író stílusa olvasmányos, élvezetes képei, jelenetei színpompásak, egyediek.
Bővebben a blogon:
http://profunduslibrum.blogspot.hu/20...
Bővebben a blogon:
http://profunduslibrum.blogspot.hu/20...
March 16, 2018
Part two of this epic story about Perkar, the boy who fell in love with the stream goddess, and his vow to slay the Changeling, that devours her.
I like the tales about gods, their whims and the people inhabiting this universe. Some of the tribes are like the Mongolian people, some like the Egyptian, and some like the herdsmen of the west. There is also a strong linkage with the Indians from native America. But they fit perfectly together. The story is well-written and has enough pace and interesting plot-twists that it kept me want to read it. And the apotheosis is fitting for this story.
Again four stars for this conclusion. I can only recommend reading it .
I like the tales about gods, their whims and the people inhabiting this universe. Some of the tribes are like the Mongolian people, some like the Egyptian, and some like the herdsmen of the west. There is also a strong linkage with the Indians from native America. But they fit perfectly together. The story is well-written and has enough pace and interesting plot-twists that it kept me want to read it. And the apotheosis is fitting for this story.
Again four stars for this conclusion. I can only recommend reading it .
September 9, 2024
At least as good as, if not better than the first book. As it turns out, a very linear and simple enough storyline with any enjoyable ending. Would have liked to see Hezhi return back to Nhol to take up where Ghan left off, and perhaps that can happen even with the way the thread of the story was tied up. This story moved just fast enough for me, unlike the first book, and everyone got what they deserved at the end for the most part. A book worth reading once. Onwards!!
August 21, 2007
If you have to be killed, take the precaution of carrying a magical sword. Really. It can help.
November 15, 2007
Gorgeous fantasy novel.
August 8, 2011
Perfect sequel to waterborn
December 1, 2023
Ngangata my beloved
November 1, 2024
The second book is as good as the first. But I felt a bit sorry for poor Ghe. I guess I'm a bit weird, but I liked him more than any of the other characters. I mean really, in what other book can you read the story of the undead assassin with a broken heart?
It would be funny if there was a third book and Ghe was somehow resurrected for the second time. But I'm afraid that would turn the poor guy into someone like Duncan Idaho from Dune.
It would be funny if there was a third book and Ghe was somehow resurrected for the second time. But I'm afraid that would turn the poor guy into someone like Duncan Idaho from Dune.
January 24, 2020
Enchanting world and story where the fates of the people and the gods are entwining each other and where the gods themselves aren`t immortal. Maybe a tiny bit overwritten.
May 2, 2020
This is the sequel to "The Waterborn", and the last in the series. It picks up just a few months after "The Waterborn" ended, and features most of the same characters -- as well as some new ones. Unfortunately this novel suffers from the slump that typically hits fantasy series as they advance. Less stuff happens than in the first book; the characters spend a lot of time talking rather than doing; we already know all of the interesting characters, and few interesting new characters are introduced. The one exception is Ghe, who, despite being killed in the first book, is resurrected as a dangerous ghoul and plays a large part in the plot.
This book was worth the time I spent reading it, since I had liked "The Waterborn" so much. As a standalone novel it wouldn't rate more than "Average". It's a good thing Keyes didn't try to make a trilogy as the last book would probably be bad.
This book was worth the time I spent reading it, since I had liked "The Waterborn" so much. As a standalone novel it wouldn't rate more than "Average". It's a good thing Keyes didn't try to make a trilogy as the last book would probably be bad.
June 3, 2009
Sequel to The Waterborn, continues the story of Perkar who wants to kill the RiverGod and Hezhi who doesn't want the RiverGods power. Also further brings in Karak, the Crow/Raven God and his use of Hezhi and Perkar to destroy the RiverGod. Much faster moving then the first book, interesting ending.
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February 14, 2016I really enjoyed this book as much as the first one. The fact is that is an entirely original story in terms of the gods and the people, as well as the "quest". I loved the characters and the fact is that he didn't leave you with just pat answers to the questions. This author is very interesting and I am going to see what else he has available.
May 22, 2007
This is a fair followup to The Waterborn, but the narrative gets a little bulky in its attempts to tie up the loose ends. Don't read this without having first read the previous novel -- it won't make any sense.
March 4, 2008
Second verse, same as the first--compelling world and a story set around a unique fantasy religion, but plagued by bad characters.
And, despite my hopes, the two main characters who had nothing whatsoever in common wound up married to each other.
And, despite my hopes, the two main characters who had nothing whatsoever in common wound up married to each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2011
I don't like this quite as much as the first one, the Waterborn. In particular, the end was a bit strange. Feels like the bush was a bit rushed and confused. I really like the setting and in particular the concepts of magic though.
July 13, 2015
Interesting setting, different world ideas and good characterisation. Lost one star because the main characters started getting irritating in their over-the-top martyrdom feeling sorry for themselves. Screw that, a touch of selfishness is not really such a bad thing.
February 10, 2015
Nicely written book, but didn't finnish it because it didn't catch me.
October 23, 2013
A slow start led to a rich finish. You can tell Keyes studied mythology of different cultures, as this was full of myths, stories and happenings. Not a great book, but a good book.
September 9, 2015
Not quite as blown away as by the first book, but still excellent.
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