I know it's been awhile since I've done a book review, but I assure you I have still been reading! for the past while I've been reading The Dreamers Series by David & Leigh Eddings.
David and Leigh Eddings introduce readers to their newly minted Land of Dhrall with The Elder Gods, the first book in the four-book Dreamers Saga. Dhrall is under the gentle rule of four gods representing the four compass points. These gods are reaching the end of their terms of power when the god of the North brings four children who are destined to take over for them into his siblings' lairs. The children are dreamers and able to see the possible outcome of battles in a coming war with the evil creature that controls the wasteland at the center of Drahll's map. Thus, the gods and their young charges undertake quests to hire mercenary armies and thwart the initial invasion into their lands. (goodreads.com)
David Eddings has TONS of fantasy novels out! Which is one reason why I was a bit surprised and how little I enjoyed this series. After taking a writing class and having every letter scrutinized over by my teacher/editor I have learned a lot, and am surprised at some of the things Eddings editor let him get away with.
1st irritation, WAY too many view points. Usually fantasy is written in 3rd person from the view of 1 to 4 main characters thoroughout the book or series. These books were constantly changing view points to characters I honestly don't care that much about and see no reason to care about them. They are minor characters their background stories just felt like filler.
2nd irritation, not only where there way too many character views, but occasionally Eddings would switch from 3rd person to 1st person nerration with no logical purpose I could see.
3rd and main irritation, Holy redundant! Every time a new character view came into play we backtracked and described what we had just read the chapter before. Let me give you an example. Say there was this cool battle. It's being described by the character actually fighting in it. That's good. Then next character view it has that character tell another character what happened in the battle. Then THAT character goes and tells another what happened. Yup that makes three almost identical descriptions of the same battle. Yawn. I actually ended up skimming paragraphs and even whole chapters. This was the worst in the 2nd and 3rd books.
I can see no reason for this what so ever! It's as if the author is just padding the books to make them longer. It kills what otherwise would have been an interesting plot, though a bit predictable.
I hope all of Eddings books aren't like this, but I gotta say I won't be finding out anytime soon.
When Ryan and his friends are stranded and penniless late one night, they steal some coins from a well for their bus fare home. Soon, they find they are cursed, and commanded to fulfil the wishes attached to each coin they stole. goodreads.com
