The Weavers Of Saramyr by Chris Wooding, 0575075422, Lowest Book Price Finder

Customer Reviews:

Gripping to the last

When I got this book it was because i needed something to read and I'd already read one of Wooding's books before so I thought why not? As I started to actually read I was surprised at how much I was enjoying it. I recommend it to anyone you loves a world of mysteries and magic without being too lord of the rings-ish. The first book of the Braided Path trilogy is a masterfully created world with intrigue, murder, faith, and most of all life. It touches of prejudices, although different to what we see, but still manages to be poignant.

There are some surprising and interesting twists and turns in the plot that keep your eyes roaming the page for answers. You become absorbed in this magical and terrifying world of colour, vibrancy and architecture.

Every time I put this book down it was with reluctance and was eagerly picked up again not long later. I won't go into detail of the plot because there is so much to tell but I will say that it touches the soul and makes you wonder what your place is in the world.

Okay maybe you're thinking that I'm getting a little carried away and am sounding a bit too touchy feely but this book gets to you. It's not sappy or romantic in the common way in fact it is harshly brutal. The lives of the people and the world jump out at you and scream at you to accept them which, in the end, you have no choice but to do so.

Amazing

Oh my. Although I may be a tad young to truly appreciate these books, they non the less were a magical and breath-taking read. Set in a world that is like yet unlike our own: beautiful buildings and scenery that hides more than a few hidious and totally unseen surprises. Heroes that hide their own, sometimes sinister motives, villans that stop at nothing to get what they want, and others, who lurk in the background: neither good nor evil, yet completely believable.
Chris Wooding's writing is flowing and discriptive but without being boring. He has captured the essences of hundreds of people, and wove them seamlessly throughout the pages to form The Braided Path series. If you don't buy, then you'll be missing out considerably.

Not another spin on the story told a thousand times over.

I tend to find that with most fiction storys, they all seem to have the same storyline and a very similar ending, most seem a spin of Tolkiens "Lord Of The Rings" series. Even though in ever book there is new and different characters to meet, sometimes one wishes to read a sory that has originality, a different angle, and something that will shock and inspire!
Wooding has succeded brilliantly in his "Braided Path" Series. I have yet to read a fiction series that tops it for originality. Wooding uses imagery unlike any author i've found. The story-line shocks and twists and turns like you would never suspect it to. I find myself every now and then having to dip back into one of the books at times: i need to re-read a certain chapter because it keeps replaying in my mind. I think to myself "How on earth did Wooding manage to pull that off?!"
I would reccommend these books to anyone who wants to read something different. Someone who loves science-fantasy and fiction but has tired of the same old story-line.
This is definatley a favourite and a classic series that I will continue to re-read and re-read until the pages of my books wear away.

Excellent Oriental Fantasy With A Hint Of X-Men

The book is set on an oriental world slightly like that of Tsuranuanni from the Empire trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts with rival houses vying for more power through alliances and deceit. People appear to be more technologically advanced than in most fantasy novels with rifles and bombs the weopons of choice alongside swords and daggers, however this in no way detracts from the story and fantasy purists should not be put off.
The style of writing is excellent, descriptive but also fast paced and you find yourself completely immersed in this strange and beautiful world. The plot is well thought out with characters responding logically to situations and plenty of suspense thrown into the mix. Put simply this is the type of book which you constantly tell yourself that you'll go to sleep/do the washing up/walk the dog after reading just one more chapter.
My only complaint is that the Weavers are just too evil and despicable, it leaves them too one dimensional and how they come up with their plans for world domination while obviously completely insane is a little puzzling, as is why the noble families put up with their habits. This is a very small complaint about an excellent book and the other two books in the trilogy maintain the high standard set with this opener.
In conclusion this is one of the best fantasy debuts that i have read and i've read alot. If you enjoy fantasy novels by Feist, Martin, Eddings etc then you'll love this book. I've read it three times since its release and enjoyed it every time.

Get caught in the Weave

I recently bought this on a whim, as I am prone to do, as I am a fan of computer games such as Onimusha and oriental movies and I have to say I was blown away. D&D style fantasy drives me mad with it's over-reliance on Tolkien-esque cliches but this story brings something new to the mix. Set in a fictional land with influences of the Orient and renaissance Italy Chris Wooding prose wraps you up in a truly fantastic world. Yes there are big monsters and evil men with magical powers but it there are no orcs or vampires here. Instead the author brings a mix of new monsters fresh from his imagination to the page. The story concerns the struggle of the Empress of Saramyr to unite her country into accepting her aberrant (read mutant) daughter as heir to the throne. The Weavers of the title have insinuated themselves over two centuries into the service of the noble houses and instilled a fear and loathing of such children into the general populace. The story almost reads like a medieval Japan version of the X-men and covers some of the same themes, racism and predjudice. This is no bad thing however as the story is more epic, intruiging and believable than those that have influenced it and as the story unfolds and twists it's way to a bloody and explosive cliffhanger you wont want to put it down. With book two already out and book three to come this year now you wont have to wait too long to find out the depths of the mystery of the Weavers and if this book is anything to go by then it will be a thrilling, sensual and beautiful journey to the truth. So put down your Forgotten Realms and read some real fantasy from one of the best young authors around.

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