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Kathleen's Reviews > The Master of White Storm
The Master of White Storm
by
by
3.5 stars for this stand-alone epic fantasy complete with wizards, bloody butchery, and a touch of bittersweet romance. I had never read Janny Wurts before, but based on positive reviews, decided to give it a go. She's a whiz with words, that's perfectly clear. A masterful writer. She also crafts some very clever plots — particularly the tricks the hero Korendir uses to defeat various über-powerful banes.
Most of the book portrays Korendir fighting various evils that imperil the eleven kingdoms. Especially memorable are the tricks he used on the weather elemental (Cyondide?) at White Storm Cliff, and the subterfuge employed to reel in the Demons of Mathcek.
In some sense, this fantasy — while grim and dark — has a happy ending, but by no means should a reader expect a feel-good story of conviviality among comrades. And even though there is a heartfelt love affair, this doesn't read like a love story.
Quibbles: For me, there's not enough character development or relationship development. Various heroic, highly-intelligent endeavors (against wereleopards, witches, demons, dragons, etc.) carry the book, not the characters. It took too long to get to know and love the heartbroken, compassionate hero — Master of Whitestorm. He transformed overnight from galley-slave to brilliant strategist and sword fighter (did he learn that at home, before getting enslaved at age 17?). But I did eventually care about him, and I liked the heroine, Lady Ithariel the Enchantress. I gradually lost interest in the blacksmith, Heldrith. His role in the story diminishes midway through the book.
I felt the relationship development between Korendir and Ithariel was rushed. So, bottom line, I wasn't especially moved by this book. When bad things happened to various good people, I cared a little, but I didn't shed a tear. I liked the scene at Whitestorm Fortress, when all the wizards came knocking.
Good narration by Simon Prebbles, but he employed a gruff tone of voice for the hero that -- compounded with his accent -- was hard to understand.
Most of the book portrays Korendir fighting various evils that imperil the eleven kingdoms. Especially memorable are the tricks he used on the weather elemental (Cyondide?) at White Storm Cliff, and the subterfuge employed to reel in the Demons of Mathcek.
In some sense, this fantasy — while grim and dark — has a happy ending, but by no means should a reader expect a feel-good story of conviviality among comrades. And even though there is a heartfelt love affair, this doesn't read like a love story.
Quibbles: For me, there's not enough character development or relationship development. Various heroic, highly-intelligent endeavors (against wereleopards, witches, demons, dragons, etc.) carry the book, not the characters. It took too long to get to know and love the heartbroken, compassionate hero — Master of Whitestorm. He transformed overnight from galley-slave to brilliant strategist and sword fighter (did he learn that at home, before getting enslaved at age 17?). But I did eventually care about him, and I liked the heroine, Lady Ithariel the Enchantress. I gradually lost interest in the blacksmith, Heldrith. His role in the story diminishes midway through the book.
I felt the relationship development between Korendir and Ithariel was rushed. So, bottom line, I wasn't especially moved by this book. When bad things happened to various good people, I cared a little, but I didn't shed a tear. I liked the scene at Whitestorm Fortress, when all the wizards came knocking.
Good narration by Simon Prebbles, but he employed a gruff tone of voice for the hero that -- compounded with his accent -- was hard to understand.
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Reading Progress
October 4, 2015
–
Started Reading
October 4, 2015
– Shelved
October 4, 2015
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6.0%
"a pair of rubies pried from the eyes of Nallga’s figurehead. “I’ll build myself a holdfast,” he said carefully. “The defenses will become the death of any man who tries to break in.” “That’s well beyond price of your gems,” Haldeth pointed out. Korendir rattled the stones like dice in his palm. “These should buy me a horse and a good sword. I’ve heard any man who lifts the Blight of Torresdyr will inherit a...""
October 4, 2015
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7.0%
""Korendir straightened. Quietly he spoke. “Your Royal Grace, I request leave to recover the Wardstone of Torresdyr from the witch Anthei. Your land is dying of curse, and I have need of her riches.” “Anthei murdered every man to challenge her.” The king did not bother to suppress contempt. Korendir was every bit as nondescript as the steward described...""
October 4, 2015
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14.0%
"Wicked witch is dead, and the wardstone recovered. Now off to sea, to battle a weather elemental. ...the sailmakers labored to sew a doubly reinforced storm jib. “ ‘Tis more an elephant sling than a sail,” grumbled the master designer. Taut-lipped, Korendir silenced the craftsman’s complaint with gold.""
October 4, 2015
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15.0%
"This author knows her sailing lingo: "The mast whipped against the stays. Lines chafed and fittings rattled, and the rudder banged at her pins, despite stout lines of lashing. Toward midnight, drifting ice ground into the aft anchor rode. Chain snapped off at the hawse, and Carcadonn slewed in a bucking arc...""
October 4, 2015
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19.0%
"Nice way with words: "enraged beyond self-preservation, Cyondide channelled the sum of his being against the mortal who had mocked him. The rock glowed red, melted, and reformed into a permanent epitaph of wrath.""
October 4, 2015
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21.0%
"Very slowly we get to know what drives the hero: "The adventurer who had three times accomplished the impossible still woke sweating from his sleep, the outcries from unknown nightmares stifled behind iron control. Other nights, Korendir avoided his dreams altogether; hours at a stretch he would pace the cliffs by moonlight.""
October 5, 2015
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Finished Reading
