Liar's Island
Author: Tim Pratt
Series: Pathfinder Tales 28
Publisher: Tor Books, August 25, 2015
Format: Trade Paperback and eBook, 304 pages
List Price: $14.99 (print); $9.99 (eBook)
ISBN: 9780765374523 (print); 9781466842649 (eBook)
Review Copy: Provided by the Publisher
Author: Tim Pratt
Series: Pathfinder Tales 28
Publisher: Tor Books, August 25, 2015
Format: Trade Paperback and eBook, 304 pages
List Price: $14.99 (print); $9.99 (eBook)
ISBN: 9780765374523 (print); 9781466842649 (eBook)
Review Copy: Provided by the Publisher
Rodrick is a con man as charming as he is cunning. Hrym is a talking sword of magical ice, with the soul and spells of an ancient dragon. Together, the two travel the world, parting the gullible from their gold and freezing their enemies in their tracks. But when the two get summoned to the mysterious island of Jalmeray by a king with genies and elementals at his command, they'll need all their wits and charm if they're going to escape with the greatest prize of all-their lives.
From Hugo Award winner Tim Pratt comes a tale of magic, assassination, monsters, and cheerful larceny, in Pathfinder Tales: Liar's Island, set in the award-winning world of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.
Brannigan's Review
Tim Pratt knows how to write a fun fantasy. Liar's Island was just what I needed after reading a stinker. It's light and refreshing, like a palette cleanser for my soul and a reminder of why I love fantasy. It has great characters, an interesting story and a great pace. This is my first Pathfinder novel, but it reminds me a lot of the Forgotten Realms novels I started reading in middle school.
Pratt's characters are easy to like and have personality without trying hard to prove it. Everything comes across so effortlessly that I got lost in the story and enjoyed myself. Our hero Rodrick and his sword Hrym work well together as the sword has more personality than a lot of actual human characters I've tried to connect to.
I'm not going to focus too much on the Pathfinder world building itself, as it is a shared world and I'm not familiar with it enough to know how much of it Pratt helped create. Regardless, it is rich in history and well developed. I would honestly like reading another Pathfinder book just to explore the world more.
The only thing I didn't like about the book was how much the narrative voice would explain things far more than was needed. That being said, I understand that there is a wide age range of readers that would be interested in the book and I'm sure there are some younger readers that need the additional explanations to follow the story.
Pratt's Liar's Island is a wonderful fantasy story perfect for readers that need a refreshing read after a bout of bad books. There isn't an issue with language. Minor acts of violence and only suggested sexual situations making it appropriate for teens and adults. Treat yourself and pick up your own copy today.
Tim Pratt knows how to write a fun fantasy. Liar's Island was just what I needed after reading a stinker. It's light and refreshing, like a palette cleanser for my soul and a reminder of why I love fantasy. It has great characters, an interesting story and a great pace. This is my first Pathfinder novel, but it reminds me a lot of the Forgotten Realms novels I started reading in middle school.
Pratt's characters are easy to like and have personality without trying hard to prove it. Everything comes across so effortlessly that I got lost in the story and enjoyed myself. Our hero Rodrick and his sword Hrym work well together as the sword has more personality than a lot of actual human characters I've tried to connect to.
I'm not going to focus too much on the Pathfinder world building itself, as it is a shared world and I'm not familiar with it enough to know how much of it Pratt helped create. Regardless, it is rich in history and well developed. I would honestly like reading another Pathfinder book just to explore the world more.
The only thing I didn't like about the book was how much the narrative voice would explain things far more than was needed. That being said, I understand that there is a wide age range of readers that would be interested in the book and I'm sure there are some younger readers that need the additional explanations to follow the story.
Pratt's Liar's Island is a wonderful fantasy story perfect for readers that need a refreshing read after a bout of bad books. There isn't an issue with language. Minor acts of violence and only suggested sexual situations making it appropriate for teens and adults. Treat yourself and pick up your own copy today.
great review... i am only about halfway through Liar's Island, but would agree (so far). it probably is difficult to strike just the right narrative tone with a story like this.
ReplyDeletehaving played through several Pathfinder role-playing campaigns, i can say that the author did a good job of utilizing the installed world of the Pathfinder Roleplaying universe without relying on it too heavily. i recognised several locations and races that belong to the Pathfinder rmythos. that was a great, if not unexpected, touch that kept the story from being just any old fantasy tale.
i've enjoyed reading about Rodrick and especially Hrym, who balance one another quite well. i too would recommend the story as a light, but fun, read.
Thanks for the comment. Sorry I'm a year late in responding. The more I read from Patherfinder the more interested I get in trying out a campaign in that world.
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