The Island - Review 2
The Island - by Tim Lebbon
This was my first foray into Tim Lebbon’s world of Noreela and it was a fun read. Thank you DGLA for introducing me to a new author and supplying the book! As this is the second review on the book, I shall dispense with the background on the book supplied previously.
The story starts with the feeling that all is not well and ends with a glimmer of hope, something I always like in a fantasy novel. I do not like a story to be “and everyone lived happily ever after”.
Like Gemmell, Lebbon gives his characters some back story and his main hero, Kel, has far more in common with the reluctant heroes of David’s later books.
The tension in places was good, and the action in others great, but in places I felt the pace falter. Also, I felt that for a technologically advanced enemy, their plans were grand, but ultimately poorly executed... I think they would be more organised by now! What this author has is a lot of good ideas, and I wonder how much he has actually developed them as yet? For me this would make a great movie, because visually it could be quite stunning and the pace issues improved. As a movie, it would carry the watcher due to the suspension of disbelief, whereas a reader is left asking questions. It would be a great stand alone film or part of a series.
All in all, despite the few criticisms I have made, I thoroughly enjoyed it and Mr. Lebbon will be pleased to know that I shall be purchasing his other books shortly (awaiting pay day)!
David’s work had a grandeur and regality about the way he described the land and the relationship that the people of his worlds have with it. By the end of one of David’s books, I would love the place too. Noreela has a similar feel but it is not fully developed as yet; however, I feel that this is the first book I have read in some time that I feel is Gemmellesque. The heroes are not perfect, the land is vital, the incidental characters made human. I could learn to love this world, but at present I only like it and it intrigues me... I would like to think that Mr. Lebbon’s future novels could make me passionate about Noreela, in the same way I feel about the lands of my other favourite authors (Arrakis, Midkemia, Westeros, the lands of the Drenai or Rigante etc).
In conclusion, it was a good rip-snorting tale, I finished it wanting more, which I’m happy to know I’ll get, as I can read the previous books, and definitely Gemmellesque. Is it the best book I have read this year? Yes, so far, but then I did read it over the New Year!
Reviewed by Phil Keeton
This was my first foray into Tim Lebbon’s world of Noreela and it was a fun read. Thank you DGLA for introducing me to a new author and supplying the book! As this is the second review on the book, I shall dispense with the background on the book supplied previously.
The story starts with the feeling that all is not well and ends with a glimmer of hope, something I always like in a fantasy novel. I do not like a story to be “and everyone lived happily ever after”.
Like Gemmell, Lebbon gives his characters some back story and his main hero, Kel, has far more in common with the reluctant heroes of David’s later books.
The tension in places was good, and the action in others great, but in places I felt the pace falter. Also, I felt that for a technologically advanced enemy, their plans were grand, but ultimately poorly executed... I think they would be more organised by now! What this author has is a lot of good ideas, and I wonder how much he has actually developed them as yet? For me this would make a great movie, because visually it could be quite stunning and the pace issues improved. As a movie, it would carry the watcher due to the suspension of disbelief, whereas a reader is left asking questions. It would be a great stand alone film or part of a series.
All in all, despite the few criticisms I have made, I thoroughly enjoyed it and Mr. Lebbon will be pleased to know that I shall be purchasing his other books shortly (awaiting pay day)!
David’s work had a grandeur and regality about the way he described the land and the relationship that the people of his worlds have with it. By the end of one of David’s books, I would love the place too. Noreela has a similar feel but it is not fully developed as yet; however, I feel that this is the first book I have read in some time that I feel is Gemmellesque. The heroes are not perfect, the land is vital, the incidental characters made human. I could learn to love this world, but at present I only like it and it intrigues me... I would like to think that Mr. Lebbon’s future novels could make me passionate about Noreela, in the same way I feel about the lands of my other favourite authors (Arrakis, Midkemia, Westeros, the lands of the Drenai or Rigante etc).
In conclusion, it was a good rip-snorting tale, I finished it wanting more, which I’m happy to know I’ll get, as I can read the previous books, and definitely Gemmellesque. Is it the best book I have read this year? Yes, so far, but then I did read it over the New Year!
Reviewed by Phil Keeton
Last updated by Deborah J Miller - Award Administrator Jan 8.
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