Sunday 17 May 2009

FANTASY REVIEW: Fallen - Tim Lebbon


BOOK BLURB:

The people of Noreela are just beginning an era of expansion, with explorers going constantly further into unknown territory for profit and glory. Blocking the voyagers' southward journeys, however, is the Great Divide, a cliff that reaches into the clouds. Ramus Rheel, an aging explorer battling cancer, and Nomi Hyden, whose wealth has not diminished her craving for adventure, are 'friendly enemies' who set out to scale the Divide and earn recognition as the greatest voyagers of all. When they find the lair of one of the ancient Sleeping Gods, they get considerably more excitement - and terror - than they bargained for.


REVIEW:

A prequel to Tim’s earlier works (“Dusk” (2006) and “Dawn” (2007) this novel continues exploring the world of Noreela in much the same sort of way. Add to the mix an Indiana Jones type of tale where a team is put together only to fall out and race each other to their objective. An objective that they discover was something perhaps best left where it was.

It’s a quirky tale, it move’s at its own pace (and lets face it when you’re talking about a 700 mile journey it can only go so quickly.) Nether the less it’s a tale of fascination, of discovery and above all about what each characters emotional journey when their “grail” ends up not so much the imagined cup, but something else entirely. Definitely a book if you’re looking for something a little different in the fantasy field and definitely a bit of fun. Highly recommended although the book back really doesn’t seem to do the tale justice as I only really decided to read the tale after it had been nominated for the David Gemmell Legend Awards.

1 comment:

ediFanoB said...

This isn't the first review of Fallen I read so far. But you confirm what I read before. I didn't read a book by Tim Lebbon before. So Fallen seems to right the book to start with.