Jones, J.V.

A Cavern of Black Ice (Sword of Shadows)

Average customer rating:

extremely slow and overly descriptive
Author of mixed brilliance
If I could give it 6 stars I would
Black and cold search for evil
Good read

A Cavern of Black Ice (Sword of Shadows)
J. V. Jones
Manufacturer: Tor Fantasy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Similar Items:

A Fortress of Grey Ice: Book Two of Sword of Shadows
A Man Betrayed (Book of Words/J.V. Jones, Vol 2)
Master and Fool (The Book of Words)
The Barbed Coil
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ASIN: 076534551X
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Amazon.com

A Cavern of Black Ice opens J.V. Jones's Sword of Shadows trilogy. (Her first novel was The Baker's Boy.) The story is set in a land divided among small warring clans of hunters and more sophisticated southern cities whose lords covet the clan territories.

Young clansman Raif has a touch of "old blood" magic that guides his arrows to the heart. Bad times come when a hunting party that includes his father and clan chief is wiped out by a supernaturally aided attack, and Raif's open suspicion of the brutal new leader eventually drives him into exile. Meanwhile, Iss, overlord of Spire Vanis city, keeps a chained-up sorcerer whose powers he channels by revolting means, and has unexplained but shuddersome plans for his "foster daughter" Ash--herself an unwilling focus of dread forces. Raif and Ash find themselves fleeing together through wintry, hostile clanlands, pursued by Iss's vilest henchmen, seeking the dubious goal of the Cavern of Black Ice.

What lifts this tale far above routine quest fantasy is Jones's deft characterization, relentless intensity, and unsparing depiction of pain and slow-healing injury. She has a flair for memorably horrid images. Here a sorcerer gloats over one of his nastier tricks: "A man could not fight when his corneas were snapped from his eyes like badges from a chest."

This hefty volume is over 800 pages long, but the narrative grips hard once it's gained momentum, and the pages turn increasingly fast. Strong meat. Next comes book two, A Fortress of Grey Ice. --David Langford, Amazon.co.uk

Book Description

HIGH ADVENTURE ON THE SWORD EDGE OF DESTINYAs a newborn Ash March was abandoned--left for dead at the foot of a frozen mountain. Found and raised by the Penthero Iss, the mighty Surlord of Spire Vanis, she has always known she is different. Terrible dreams plague her and sometimes in the darkness she hears dread voices from another world. Iss watches her as she grows to womanhood, eager to discover what powers his ward might possess. As his interest quickens, he sends his living blade, Marafice Eye, to guard her night and day.Raif Sevrance, a young man of Clan Blackhail, also knows he is different, with uncanny abilities that distance him from the clan. But when he and his brother survive an ambush that plunges the entire Northern Territories into war, he yet seeks justice for his own . . . even if means he must forsake clan and kin.Ash and Raif must learn to master their powers and accept their joint fate if they are to defeat an ancient prophecy and prevent the release of the pure evil known as the End Lords.

Download Description

It is said in the Known Lands that when one prophecy dies in its fulfilling, somewhere another moves into place. When Jack, the baker's boy, successfully fulfills the prophecy that centered around his birth, a new prophecy arises to the north, where lie other lands, harsher places, populated by people just as intriguing and complex as those we met in the Book of Words trilogy. Two young residents of the northern territories--Raif Sevrance, member of the Clan Blackhail, and Ash March, a girl who is suddenly overtaken by powerful dreams--find themselves first drawn together, then swept up in a series of events that will bring their peoples into a vast war. Dark magic, great bravery, treachery, danger and heroism join in a three-book series that brings to a new level the writing talents of J. V. Jones.

Customer Reviews:

extremely slow and overly descriptive.......2007-04-24

I am amazed at the numerous positive reviews. I can only conclude a lot of people like excessive descriptions and a slow pace. Compared to other fantasy book the one has the pace of a halfstarved, half dead, handicaped turtle. Jones uses 300 pages before we find out what the plot is. During those boring 300 pages very litte happens. Someone in here wrote that Jones must have family members come on and rate her book. I would say that needs consideration.

Author of mixed brilliance.......2007-02-15

J.V. Jones's Cavern of Black Ice is an unusual book even in the field of fantasy. She's an adept world builder and her words easily bring to my mind the frosty winter hunting grounds of Clan Blackhail and the sprawling decaying expanses of Spire Vanis. The story Ms. Jones has started is very original and epic on the same scale as Wheel of Time or a Song of Ice and Fire. Her characters are well written, they have distincts personalities, and she writes each chapter from a dfferent point of veiw, incoporating that person's motivation and logic (much like George R.R. Martin).

My biggest problem with her writing is that she puts too much information and detail into her work. It's obvious she a broad knowledge of how things work and are arranged in her world. This book is very well researched and it shows, but her obsessive effort at storycraft made parts of this books almost unreadable. There were times when I wished I could have screamed, "GET TO THE ACTION," at her. I have a short attention which doesn't help any since this book is a read which requires your FULL ATTENTION. The violence is pretty graphic and may be troublesome to other readers.

Over all, this book is very stimulating even if it requires nothing less than your complete attention. Pros outweigh the cons here.

If I could give it 6 stars I would.......2005-11-25

I must totally disagree with a previous reviewer by saying that the "constant" references to how cold her world is was one of her greatest strengths. A break from the mideaval world with a touch of magic thrown in was in order! I have never experienced a world like hers and (shiver) it was truly a memorable experience. A cavern of Black Ice is absolutely brutal. Know that before you buy. There are images painted in her world that I will never forget. Its dark fantasy at its best and all driven by her artic world. George RR Martin has a cold world but it never really touched me and it didn't affect the characters or the world he created. JV's cold is....not conducive to life. The characters fight daily to survive the weather. The things they ate routinely...and the conditions they lived in were simply horrifying. I found myself shivering under my blankets and sweating at the same time. I was so wrapped up in this saga I thought I was cold too. I regret now how many books I have given 5's and wish I could downgrade them to fours to show the difference between them and this novel. As I said in my title it really deserves a six. It is truly original and unforgettable. If dark fantasy is your drug of choice as it is mine then purchase this novel, brew a cup of good java, gather your comfiest blanket and prepare to be very, very cold.

Black and cold search for evil.......2005-11-09

A romance and fantasy at the same time. We are transported into an imaginery world in which you have old primitive germanic-like clans, city kingdoms organized on a feudal tyranical pattern, a world beyond normal human conditions in which the human beings living there possess special powers that have to do with witchcraft as well as with the control and domination of supernatural forces living behind, beneath and inside all things and people, then a dark world of the damned and two beings who can bring the wall that contains them down. The whole novel is well written and perfectly constructed avoiding the moments when things would become too slow, too long, repetitive, hence using the ellipse as a plot-pattern. That makes it a page-turner, even a chapter-turner. And this first volume comes to the end of all the situations presented and to the conclusion of the fate of practically all the people met along the way, except of course the main hero Raif, the main heroin Asarhia (she has the power to free the damned onto the world), the members of Raif's family, the main leaders of the clans, the leaders of the main cities, the Sull (this supernatural human species), and the newly born Baralis who liberates the dark forces that Asarhia had tried to destroy. What happens then will be in the next volume. One remark though. The author speaks too much of different « races » of human beings. They cannot be races, only particular subspecies of the general human species. This is a little bit irritating, and politically incorrect, when the word race is hammered into our minds too often. A last note : if you don't like the cold, don't enter that world. It is a world of ice, snow and extreme antarctic winter.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, Université Parus Dauphine, Université Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne

Good read.......2005-07-06

I found this book engaging and interesting. I like the setting, the detail and the characters. I like that it seems to be a series that won't be dealing with an entire world on the verge of destruction. I also like that it doesn't have a cast of thousands. In that, it's a slight departure from the crap that the fantasy people have been producing of late. I think there are only a few authors of fantasy worth reading. The rest are clones. This is the first book by Jones I've read and I have to say I like it. That being said, she could screw up the others in the series. There's always the danger of that. Anyway, I recommend this book to anyone who likes good characters, a dark edge to their fantasy, and an interesting setting, created by a writer with a gift for economic, yet insightful description. My only beef with Jones is her constant reminders of how cold it is in just about every other sentence.

A Fortress of Grey Ice: Book Two of Sword of Shadows

Average customer rating:

I really enjoyed this book
So Much Potential Wasted in this Frustrating Book
Still going strong
Good stuff!
Flawed Genius?

A Fortress of Grey Ice: Book Two of Sword of Shadows
J. V. Jones
Manufacturer: Tor Fantasy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Similar Items:

A Cavern of Black Ice (Sword of Shadows)
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ASIN: 0765345498
Release Date: 2004-07-29

Book Description

"Wonderful . . . J.V. Jones is a striking writer." So says Robert Jordan, the author of The Wheel of Time epic fantasy series. And Jones lives up to that praise in the highly charged epic adventure of Ash March and Raif Sevrance, two outcasts whose fates are entwined by fate and by need, in the cold, dark world that threatens to be torn asunder by a war to end all wars. They are but two of many who fight the dreaded Endlords, but both Ash and Raif are special in unique ways that isolate them, yet which also enable them to perform heroic acts that might save their world.

Raif, wrongly accused and cut off from his clan by the treachery of their new headsman, has a talent for killing that is part of his curse and his burden. But he bears another burden of greater weight. Ash is a sacred warrior to the Sull, an ancient race whose numbers have declined.Raised as a foundling, she never knew her true heritage, she must learn to accept the terrible gifts of her heritage.

But as Ash learns more of her greater fate, Raif's task looms dark and desperate, for he must journey through the nightmare realm of the Want, a place where even the Sull now fear to tread. For deep within the Want is the Fortress of Grey Ice, and there he must heal the breach in the Blindwall that already threatens the world. Should he fail, not even Ash's powers can save them...

Customer Reviews:

I really enjoyed this book.......2007-06-12

I enjoy fantasy books. Allot have underdeveloped and totally unreal characters. This one is not like that at all. I picked up this book at Wal-mart on clearance sale. I thought I might get through a chapter or two. I couldn't put it down.

So Much Potential Wasted in this Frustrating Book.......2007-05-14

A Fortress of Grey Ice had great potential. The author definately has a knack for developing characters who are interesting and complex and putting them in a compelling world.

But the potential is lost because the book is so weakly plotted, so poorly written and so tedious.

First off, as others have mentioned, there is too much narrative and too little dialogue. In the second half of the book I found myself skimming along reading the rare dialogue between characters and the first sentence of narrative paragraphs. In other words I was interested in the characters but bored by the tedious exposition.

Secondly, there are eight or ten main characters and, for the whole length of the book, with the exception of Angus Lok who flits from here to there, they have nothing to do with each other. The entire novel could have been broken down into ten short stories each telling the tale of a single character.

Third, the author has hopelessly screwed up the character of Raif. Perhaps she just can't get into the mindset of a young man but Raif, as written, is a muddle. I never for one moment believed that he would choose to go live with the maimed men. I think it was just a plot device to get him to the rift. Meanwhile he gives no thought to the Uncle who befriended him and saved him. Why doesn't he go look for his uncle? Because it would not suit the plot, that's why.

And we are supposed to believe that he would take part on a raid on his old clan and kill clansmen when, at the same time, he still holds clan honor so high that he won't speak a single word against clan, even to save himself? It makes zero sense. He would run first. Or kill himself. Anything before that.

Also, in the first book, it was made very clear that Raif has the gift of heart killing living things. But it was also made very clear that he was an average target bowman. Now, suddenly, even injured and out of practice, he can out-shoot the best bowman in the known universe? Why? Because it makes a dramatic scene? How? The Gods helped? Fate?

In the end the author creates compelling characters. But she doesn't let them talk. She doesn't let them interact. And she makes them act in ways that are radically out of character in order to further the "plot". It all adds up to 2 stars but it could have been a lot more.

Still going strong.......2006-06-30

Although I do agree with other reviewers that the second installment in the "Sword of Shadows" series did not benefit from the high level of narration and pacing that made the first book so addictive, it was still a very engaging novel, and she's quickly becoming one of the better Fantasy acts out there nowadays. The novel still focuses primarily on Raif and Ash, and the relationship that we all know them to be developing, but it's the accessory characters and the landscapes that truly elevate this novel. With characters like Vaylo Bludd, Marafice Eye, Mace Blackhail, Angus Lok, Drey, Effie, and Robbie Doone, J.V. Jones has truly populated her world with well written and believable people, and with few exceptions, she avoids the wretched fantasy stereotypes of the "too good" or "too evil" character.

Much like the first novel, the description of the landscape is stark and breathtaking, and provides the second great strength of the novel. Even though this wasn't as pleasing as the first installment, Ms. Jones has laid the foundation for a heck of a series, and I can't wait to see where she's going next with the story. For the most part, it's a great combo of drama, action, and fantasy, and if she can straighten out the narration a bit, there's no reason not to expect a 5 star effort on the 3rd installment.

Good stuff!.......2006-03-19

I like fantasy and I enjoyed this series so far. There is plenty of intrigue and magic to keep you reminded that this is not just another series and the author is not afraid to kill one of the good guys. I like the fact that she is able to track multiple cultures and settings so well.

My only irritation is that I can't seem to locate anything to finish the series. I hate having to wait this long to see what else is going to happen.

Flawed Genius?.......2005-09-22

First of all, I should state emphatically that this book (and the earlier book in this series) is excellent. Jones has a strong, detailed, highly imaginative writing style that is refreshing to read in a genre that has nearly run out of promising authors. Most other reviewers on this site have thoroughly covered all of Jones' many strengths, and it serves little purpose to rehash them.

That being said, I have noticed several problems that seem in stark contrast to her otherwise great writing. It would be unfortunate if one were to buy these books after hearing nothing but rave reviews that will not discuss her faults.

One of the more frustrating of these is the authors desire to endow her characters with almost supernatural mood-reading abilities. Personally, I have never been in a conversation with someone and read much into a "darkening of the eyes", whatever that even means. In fact, so much is conveyed in the conversations in this book "under the surface", without words, that I'm starting to doubt my own conversation skills. There's a whole world of communication that I've been missing! I want to emphasize how distracting this writing style is. There are conversations that involve more thinking and analyzing of the other's thoughts than actual speaking. Imagine a converstation like that! "Thank you for coming. We have a lot to talk about." Five minute pause while both people stare at each other, analyzing every minute facial movement and gesture. "Well, you asked me to come here. Should we start?" Five more minutes...you get the point. Its more than a little ridiculous.

A second, more glaring issue is Jones' overuse of narration. There are literally whole chapters where no action takes place and no words are spoken between characters. Perhaps if that were to happen in just one chapter, when all others moved swiftly, it would be powerful. But the author seems to feel the need to TELL us what her characters are thinking, rather than SHOWING us through actions or dialogue.

This point may be a little niggling, but I've noticed that no one ever does anything "roughly", it is always "not gently". There have actually been several times I had to re-read a sentence to understand exactly how character A grabbed character B, and what that implies, because of the author's reluctance to use a phrase that does not involve a qualified gentle action.

Finally, and this is perhaps my most serious critique of Jones' writing, is the egregious lack of judgement--or worse, lack of action--of her characters. So many of the problems in the story could be solved if people simply DID something, usually the painfully obvious thing. For instance, so many of the problems in the Blackhail clan could be solved if Raina would simply tell everyone she knew that her bastard of a husband had raped her to force her into marrying him, which was itself a rather ridiculous plot device in the first book. In another example, Raif suffered days of torture and faced imminent execution for a crime he never even committed, but refused to tell his captors of his innocence because he did not want to stain the honor of his clan--who had banished him, and had in fact committed the very crimes Raif was being accused of! Simply put, it is maddening. It reminds me of those old 80s sitcoms where the entire infuriating episode is driven along because of some ridiculous misunderstanding, and where if one character just stopped for a moment and had an open conversation with someone else, the entire problem would be solved.

Don't misunderstand me. This is very, very good book. However, these problems are so distracting that I cannot honestly say it deserves more than 3 stars. Any fan of the fantasy genre will definitely enjoy it. Think Robert Jordan mixed with George Martin. If Jones manages to avoid the "Jordan Bug" and wraps this up in another book or two, this could well be one of the best series to be published in the past 10 or 15 years.

Master & Fool (The Book of Words , Vol 3)

Average customer rating:

Good Trilogy
Did she fall off the face of the earth?
Wanted More
Cheap Thrills
Didn't live up to the hype...

Master & Fool (The Book of Words , Vol 3)
J. V. Jones
Manufacturer: Aspect
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0446670960

Book Description

The Known Lands are teetering on the brink of war. Desperate to avert worldwide catastrophe, Jack, the baker's boy, must learn to harness the full strength of his magic to face his ultimate destiny--a final confrontation with the murderously evil Kylock.

Download Description

The Known Lands are teetering on the brink of war. Alliances are made, armies are mobilized, and once strong loyalties are shattered. Melliandra is married to the Duke of Bren and widowed on the same day, her husband murdered by the wiles of Baralis. Baralis's own candidate for duke, Kylock, gives in to madness and brutally kills the duke's daughter on their wedding knight. The knight Tawl is framed for both crimes and must flee the city of Bren, forced to break his sworn oath to protect Melliandra. Meanwhile, Jack, the baker's boy, has grown in the study of magic, learning to control his powerful strength. Searching for Melliandra, he finds both her and Tawl--thus fulfilling another part of Marod's prophecy. The alliance between Annis, Highwall, and Halcus lay siege to Bren, escalating into all-out war. Desperate to avert world-wide catastrophe, Jack and Tawl travel to the mystic island of Larn to find more answers, and Jack's magic comes into its full power as he destroys the seers of Larn and their hideous worship forever. He learns of his mother, and yet more pieces of his past come together. Returning to Bren, Tawl enlists the aid of his brothers in the knighthood who are becoming disenchanted with their order, which has been taken over by a greedy mercenary. Already dangerously unstable, Kylock is pushed closer to insanity as Baralis struggles to suppress his natural magical talents. Kylock's prophesied relationship to Jack grows clearer as his magical powers come closer to erupting. With the thunder of battle growing louder outside the city-state of Bren, Jack learns fully of his past, and he knows that the fulfillment of Marod's prophecy rests upon his confrontation with Kylock.

Customer Reviews:

Good Trilogy.......2006-03-25

Is it one of the best ever? Hardly but you will enjoy reading it. It's quick and engaging if a bit unsurprising at times. The trilogy as a whole is worthwhile

If you like books like this one, might I suggest another I've recently come across. The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt. It's another fantasy adventure sure to please. I highly recommend it.

Did she fall off the face of the earth?.......2005-12-03

Still waiting for the rest of the barbed coil....

Wanted More.......2005-08-26

While I enjoyed the book, the story left me a little flat at the end. I would have prefered the story to go out with a definative bang instead of leaving things sort of open for sequels. For some reason, after the first two J.V. Jones novels, I have enjoyed her work less and less. I could not even get through the Barbed Coil book.

Cheap Thrills.......2005-01-27

The trilogy was OK, but I had some problems with it.

The writing was poor a good chunk of the time. Jones seems to have a penchant for silly names and cliches and uses them liberally throughout the books. The characters are flat and (again) cliched. The dialogue is appauling.

These things are all pretty standard in fantasy writing, which is a shame, but the difference --the important difference-- is that I still wanted to keep reading.

The story was nothing original but somehow, even though I scoffed at the names and the dialogue and the writing, I tore through all the books in a few days and I couldn't stop.

These books seem to be a fluke. I started reading Barbed Coil and didn't even get half way through. By far too painful to read. I wouldn't bother with her other writing, but this series has something going for it.

If you're looking for a cheap thrill, this trilogy is perfect. It doesn't require any sort of real thought on the part of the reader and is chucky jam full of action packed adventure and weird/violent sex.

Didn't live up to the hype..........2005-01-12

Okay, so if you were snooping around in the fantasy circles circa 1995, you are indubitably aware that this trilogy generated an enormous buzz. That in itself was surprising, since The Baker's Boy was Mrs. Jones' very first novel. In addition, it was published by Aspect (Warner Books), an imprint not particularly renowned for publishing bestsellers.

In any event, to a certain extent taking the market by storm, the series was an instant success. The three volumes were all national bestsellers, which is quite unusual. They all topped the Locus Bestseller List. Okay, so it's not the New York Times, but it is still quite an accomplishment for a new author.

Like a lot of people, I bought the books when they came out. Unlike many, I didn't read them yet. The hype was too strong, and I didn't want it to influence me when I read the series. Of course, I didn't really expect to wait nearly 9 years before reading them, either! For some reason, even though Mrs. Jones wrote 3 more novels since the publication of Master and Fool, she never did create waves the way The Book of Words trilogy initially did. Now was the time for me to see what the buzz had been about. . .

As is usually the case, the series did not live up to the expectations the buzz had created within me. Hence, I'm happy to have waited before reading the novels. Otherwise, I would probably have been VERY disappointed by this series. With the enormous number of books I've read over the years, I'm afraid that I have become definitely hard to please. . .

But although the trilogy suffers from several shortcomings, in all objectivity I must admit that it is still a relatively good read.

My main problem with the series is the fact that it appears to be aimed at a younger crowd. In my mind, it seems to be aimed at readers who are under 18. Being 30 (yes, I AM getting old!), I couldn't quite get into it. But I am persuaded that if I had read the series when I was 16 years of age, I would probably have loved it. There is a certain innocence inherent to the characters and their views of love, honor, obligation, etc, that makes the whole thing not ring true to my "adult" perspective.

The biggest shortcoming of the series, however, is the fact that the characters are far from being three-dimensional. As a matter of fact, they are not "real." The author fell into a popular trap, namely creating "cliché" characters: the innocent boy with immense potential, the beautiful and spoiled young woman who turns out to be stronger and more courageous than she believed herself to be, the evil mage, the power-hungry prince, etc. And some characters are just caricatures, case in point being the Archbishop Tavalisk. And yet, having said that about the characters, they are still a likeable bunch. Which, in the end, helps you enjoy the books.

Several plotlines had a lot of potential (the knights of Valdis, the Seers of Larn, Jake's parentage, etc), but they were not exploited to their fullest. Had they been, this series would have been much better. Mrs. Jones took the easy road instead. . .

In light of all this, I have to admit that I nevertheless like J. V. Jones' writing style. She has a witty way to write, which I truly enjoyed. I think that she must challenge herself a little more with her storylines, and explore a bit more those concepts that she creates. It would certainly give ner novels more depth, which in turn would make them more enjoyable.

I believe that J. V. Jones shows great promise and could be a bright voice in the fantasy genre. Hopefully her other novels will show just how much potential she truly possesses. . .:-)

Check out my blog: www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com

The Baker's Boy (The Book of Words, Book 1)
Average customer rating:

Best Adult Fantasy!

Uneven and disappointing

Didn't live up to the hype...

A semi-convert

great, except for the ending

The Baker's Boy (The Book of Words, Book 1)
J. V. Jones
Manufacturer: Aspect
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Jones, J.V. | ( J ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Similar Items:

A Man Betrayed (Book of Words/J.V. Jones, Vol 2)

Master and Fool (The Book of Words)

The Barbed Coil

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A Fortress of Grey Ice: Book Two of Sword of Shadows

ASIN: 0446602825

Book Description

The first novel in a brilliantly crafted trilogy. As the King of the Four Kingdoms lays dying, traitorous conspirators prepare a political marriage to ensure their control of the crown. But the young Melliandra refuses to betroth a sinister Prince and flees the castle in the company of a miracle-working kitchen apprentice.

Download Description

An ancient prophecy, court intrigue, and a world war directed by magical means are the basis for this three-book series set in the world of the Four Kingdoms. It stars Jack, a young man of unknown parentage whose magical talents will be either his salvation or his bane; the highborn young woman Melliandra, determined to run away from her life of privilege rather than be married to a man she despises; the tragic knight Tawl, whose mission is doomed from the day he undertakes it; the evil Baralis, traitor to his King; and a cast of many more, all finely drawn. For countless years magic has fueled a conspiracy to capture the crown of the Four Kingdoms. Now, as the King lays dying, traitorous powers prepare a political marriage to secure the taking of the throne. But the highborn young Melliandra refuses to bethroth a sinister prince, and flees the castle with Jack, a kitchen apprentice terrified by his sudden power to work miracles. Stalked by the conniving sorcerer Baralis, Melli and Jack embark on a dark and wondrous journey--in which an ancient prophecy, The Book of Words, will bear frighteningly true.

Customer Reviews:

Best Adult Fantasy!.......2007-02-19

Other reviewers are way off in giving this book such a low review. The trilogy (which includes The Baker's Boy, A Man Betrayed and Master and Fool)kept me reading one book after another. I haven't read fantasy in a long time, so I was pleasantly surprised there were still books out there that would hold my attention. I didn't want to put the books down. Some people are very critical, but you don't see them creating a story with such detail, not just character detail, but historical detail, dialogue, setting, etc. The explanation for this: Others just want to be overly critical out of pure jealousy and spite. Although these books are not sexually graphic, there is quite a bit of violence and graphic descriptions of violent acts. This is not for young children. Some characters are humorous, some very dark, but most characters are quite lovable. I was sad to come to the end of the epic. This trilogy was wonderful! I would highly recommend all three books.

Uneven and disappointing.......2006-01-02

Very uneven writing--melodramatic and cliched, obviously a first novel. The plot itself is interesting enough but most of the characters are flat renderings/caricatures and it makes it painful to read. Skip this one and try J.V. Jones' later works.

Didn't live up to the hype..........2005-01-12

But although the trilogy suffers from several shortcomings, in all objectivity I must admit that it is still a relatively good read.

I believe that J. V. Jones shows great promise and could be a bright voice in the fantasy genre. Hopefully her other novels will show just how much potential she truly possesses. . .:-)

Check out my blog: www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com

A semi-convert.......2004-08-17

More like 3.5/3.75 stars. I really really loathed this book when I started it & was resentful of having to shell out the dough to obtain the other two installments of the book. However, in retrospect, the images & incidents in this series stayed with me. The Seers of Larn linger in one's imagination. And it strikes you later how complex the political system is which Jones created. It is not the best written, nor does it have the most complicated characters in the history of fantasy, but if you are a fantasy fan, then it is certainly worth your time to see some of Jones' intriguing devices & ideas.

great, except for the ending.......2004-08-06

J.V. Jones knows how to give the character's depth, which was shown quite well in The Baker's Boy. I was able to relate to and enjoy some of the characters, thus allowing me to feel their pain, sorrow, happiness, and every other emotion expressed.

Jack is an apprentice to a baker. He has grown up with little knowledge of his parents, and is treated, by the people he works with, with disdain. His journey does not begin until he turns back time, catching the eye of an evil sorcerer, Baralis.

Tawl is a knight with a distressing past. He has obtained two of the three circles needed to become a full Knight of Valdis. The two are tatooed on his arm with an interesting mark through them. To obtain the third circle, he is sent to a wise man who needs to find a boy, an unusual boy.

Melli is the daughter of the richest noble in the Four Kingdoms and has been arranged to marry Prince Kylock of the Four Kingdoms. Although, there is something about him that she does not like and decides to run away.

Melli and Jack meet up once they have both run away and become two extremely close friends through all of their trials and tribulations. J.V. Jones writes from all perspectives, both good and bad, so you are allowed some insight into the evil sorcerer's mind, along with Tawl's, Jack's, and Melli's.

The only problem I found with the book was that there was no ending. The book felt like it just stopped without any big bang and some hint towards the future. I probably wouldn't have read this book if it wasn't for the fact that the other two in the series were so highly praised. So, if you can get through this one then you will be pleasantly suprised with the next two.

A Man Betrayed (Book of Words/J.V. Jones, Vol 2)

Average customer rating:

Great
Didn't live up to the hype...
much better than the first
Even better than the first
Tasty!

A Man Betrayed (Book of Words/J.V. Jones, Vol 2)
J. V. Jones
Manufacturer: Aspect
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Master and Fool (The Book of Words)
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ASIN: 0446670987

Book Description

The electrifying sequel to the bestselling The Baker's Boy. Demented Prince Kylock murders his father, gaining the vast empire of the Four Kingdoms. Meanwhile, Jack, and Melli, who have escaped from the Four Kingdoms, as separted--Jack is under the spell of a woman's seductive shemes, and Melli is captured by brutal slavers.

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Prince Kylock, heir apparent to the ruling throne of the Four Kingdoms, murders King Lesketh. With this foul act, 'A Man Betrayed' brings the reader further into the turbulent world of the Four Kingdoms. Picking up where ' The Baker's Boy' left off, the betrothment party from the Four Kingdoms is well on the road to meet Kylock's bride-to-be, Catherine, daughter of the Duke of Bren. This is purely a political move meant to solidify The Four Kingdoms' power in the Known Lands. Meanwhile, Jack and Melli, long since escaped from the Four Kingdoms, are separated. Jack falls into the company of a smuggler and black marketeer while Melli is now the pride of a slave trader on his way to Bren. Nabber has followed Tawl westward to Bren only to find Tawl fighting for his living as a pit fighter. Kylock resumes hostilities with the Halcus in what grows to be a full-scale war. As the wedding comes closer to reality, loyalties change hands, marriages are announced, Kylock asserts his Machiavellian power . . . and Jack comes closer to understanding his powers and his origins.

Customer Reviews:

Great.......2005-08-26

A fantastic follow up to the first book. The author keeps the story going strong with enough twists and turns to keep the reader hooked.

Didn't live up to the hype..........2005-01-12

But although the trilogy suffers from several shortcomings, in all objectivity I must admit that it is still a relatively good read.

I believe that J. V. Jones shows great promise and could be a bright voice in the fantasy genre. Hopefully her other novels will show just how much potential she truly possesses. . .:-)

Check out my blog: www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com

much better than the first.......2004-08-09

A Man Betrayed is the continuation of the Book of Words trilogy by J.V. Jones. The first seemed to end poorly, but I was still determined to read the series because of the numerous praises I have heard. Once I picked this one up, I could not put it down. Betrayal evokes the most primitave of emotions, and this book was able to do just that. I felt for the characters and went through their pain and pleasure with them.

Jack, the main character, is separated from Melli and told that she is dead. He uses this as fuel to light his fire for revenge. Jack is taken under the wing of a bad trader, Rovas, who teaches him how to fight so he can kill the man responsible for Melli's supposed death. While being taught, he falls in love with a seductive older woman, Tarissa. It isn't until his downfall that he realizes the betrayal.

Melli is captured and sold to a flesh trader. Although, the flesh trader finds out that Melli could cause trouble for his business, so he sells her as soon as possible to the Duke of Bren. Each time she tries to find out a way to escape captivity, but all she has is a knife, which ends up being her downfall.

As for the others, Tawl is sent into despair, and it is only Nabber who can bring him back. Maybor and Baralis travel to Bren to set up King Kylock's marriage to Catherine of Bren. Kylock, as the newly crowned King, is destroying the Halcus. And Catherine is not exactly what Kylock believes.

It all adds up to one great story. I normally think of the middle book of a trilogy as just a bridge to gap the first and the last, but this one stands alone, and is even my favorite of the series. Master and Fool, here I come!

Even better than the first.......2003-11-15

This book continues right where The Baker's Boy left off and it doesn't let up. Jack is coming to grips with his power and his destiny but takes several lumps along the way and Baralis is bringing his evil schemes to a head. Kylock isn't yet fleshed out in the book except for two quick glimpses and from what we see, he is one "bad" guy. Not a drop of good in him and I hope he gets it in a painful way in the third installment (which I am about to start tonight). Tawl is also going through some rough times but luckily he has Nabber with him to lessen some of the damage.

All in all a great book and I only had one or two minor dislikes. They did nothing though to make me dislike the book. Need a good fantasy book to read? Get this series.

Tasty!.......2003-01-25

I stayed up until four am to finish this awesome book! Having read the third book first and the first book second I was drooling with anticipation to read A Man Betrayed. I was not disappointed. J.V. Jones does a wonderful job of keeping the audience in her grasp all through the book. Skipping between characters pulls the audience into a fevered frenzy of anticipation while waiting to see what happens next!

Average customer rating:

Good concept, Hollywood ending
J.V. Jones writes an interesting story
Yes, it WAS wonderful
A book worth reading more than once
A uniquely new way of looking at magic

The Barbed Coil
J. V. Jones
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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A Man Betrayed (Book of Words/J.V. Jones, Vol 2)
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The Baker's Boy (The Book of Words)

ASIN: 0446606235

Amazon.com

On Earth, the Barbed Coil is a ring that transports Tessa McCamfrey to another world. After Tessa appears in the city of Bay'Zell, she quickly meets up with a mercenary named Ravis, who takes her under his wing just in time for the pair to be drafted by Camron of Thorn. Camron is bent on defeating the mad king, who is being controlled by a larger version of the Coil. And Tessa's newly discovered gift for magical illuminations might be the best weapon in the fight. J. V. Jones, one of fantasy's hottest new authors, provides plenty of action in The Barbed Coil.

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Tessa McCamfrey, young and rootless resident of Southern California, has never found much in life that interests her. All of that changes when she stumbles upon a ring that transports her to a distant time and place. There she discovers her unexpected talent: She can create luminous, magical illustrations that have the power to influence others' lives. She becomes involved in the fate of kingdoms when her power is brought to bear against an evil king whose mind has been taken over by a golden crown called the Barbed Coil. As in The Book of Words trilogy, J. V. (Julie) Jones imbues every one of her characters with personality, from the dashing mercenary Ravis, who becomes Tessa's protector in this strange new world, to the sailors, innkeepers, soldiers, and others who populate her lush, involving story.

Customer Reviews:

Good concept, Hollywood ending.......2004-12-14

(...)
Good idea for a story, and for the most part well done, but Jones lacks maturity in her need to tie up all of the loose ends into a neat little package. Every character that was met along the way got a mention in the last chapter and without fail: the good guys were rewarded and the bad guys were punished. The treatment of the banker was especially strange, as it did absolutely nothing for the plot, and only served reassure everyone that every bad person always gets it in the end. Honestly, it's almost as if Jones finished the book, read it to an eight year old child, and then rewrote the last chapters to make sure all of the child's questions were answered.
4 stars for the first 90% of the book/1 star for the ending

J.V. Jones writes an interesting story.......2004-05-04

This book took me a while but after reading it. I found out that it was well worth the time put into it. Tessa and Ravis make up very interesting characters in a tale about mystery and murder. Tessa from the future is pulled back into time to fulfill a density which is to free the barbed coil from its slavery under Izgard of Garizon. My only complaint about this book is the length. She could have cut out about 100 pages here or there and it would have held together even better. But I will definitely read The Book of Words series eventually when I get to it.

Yes, it WAS wonderful.......2003-11-13

I couldn't put it down. This was one of my favorites! It was delightfully descriptive, I could tell exactly what was happening. It has great vocabulary too. This is definatly a book I would recommend to big-time readers (or anyone who likes action/adventure mixed a little bit with mysteries). I am definatly going to read this again, and I would suggest other people do the same!

A book worth reading more than once.......2003-09-29

This book has so much packed into it that you need to read it more than once to catch all the details. I loved this book! The story is rich, dynamic, thought-provoking and the characters have more than just the author's story to tell - they have pasts, they aren't perfect, they have been manipulated for years by a scribe who knew their meeting was imperative. I have already read this book twice and know I will read it again someday.

A uniquely new way of looking at magic.......2003-08-01

I grew to respect J.V. Jones in her Book of Words series. She is truly skilled in making an adventure feel very real. The Barbed Coil puts an interesting new spin on magic. It is almost refreshing to have a different method to fantasy books. Instead of the usual pattern -- bad thing happens, group forms, journey ensues -- Jones gives us something entirely new. There is a journey, but the problem has to be solved through ink and paper rather than battles and conventional ideas of magic. So why did I give it four stars?? I spent well over half of the story trying to decipher just what the story was. Plus, there is a huge rush at the end to tye up loose ends that is almost completely unsuccessful. I was left unfulfilled at the end, after hundreds of pages of fighting that should have killed all of the characters anyway. This would have made a five star rating if Jones had managed to find her story a bit faster. I think it took her half the book to decide where she was going with her ideas.

Cardiac Reconstructions with Allograft Tissues

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Cardiac Reconstructions with Allograft Tissues
Richard A. Hopkins
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Cardiology | Internal Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0387949623

Book Description

Cryopreserved allograft tissues are now standard materials for the reconstructive cardiac surgeon. Since publication of the first edition ("Cardiac Reconstructions with Allograft Valves") in 1989, the field has progressed dramatically with increased clinical use of cardiovascular allograft tissues, with the development of new surgical techniques, and with advances in the understanding of the fundamentals of valve transplantation biology and cryopreservation. As a result, over two-thirds of the present volume represents new material. Fifty-six authors bring their expertise to thirteen comprehensive, lavishly illustrated sections which discuss the principles of the use of homograft valves, major clinical series of homograft valves for both left and right ventricular outflow tracts, cryopreserved allograft tissue for cardiac reconstruction, cell biology of heart valve leaflets, cryobiology of heart valve preservation, morphological, biochemical, and explant pathology studies of allograft heart valves, allograft valve banking, as well as detailed explanation of surgical techniques for valve and root methods for left and right ventricular outflow tract reconstructions, the Ross operation and variants, and complex reconstructions. A final section presents potential future directions for the field. Over 400 illustrations, created expressly for this book, depict the surgical techniques from the perspective of the surgeon standing at the operating table. All surgeons performing pediatric and/or adult valve replacements and reconstructive cardiac surgeries will benefit from the described methods. Cardiothoracic residents and cardiologists will also find the text useful. It will provide the surgeon with an enhanced understanding of the biological and material properties of allografts and increased familiarity with the range of surgical techniques applicable for the use of these valves, particularly in the successful management of challenging cardiac reconstructions.

A Fortress of Grey Ice (Sword of Shadows, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

Great Series...... pretty great anyways...

A Fortress of Grey Ice (Sword of Shadows, Book 2)
J. V. Jones
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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A Cavern of Black Ice (Sword of Shadows)
Legend (Drenai Tales, Book 1)
House of Chains (The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 4)
A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire)
Master and Fool (The Book of Words)

ASIN: B000GX57X6

Customer Reviews:

Great Series...... pretty great anyways..........2006-11-23

Love the series and have even re-read the first 2 books while waiting for the sequel... Waiting 2 years now! I would highly recommend Sword of Shadows to pretty much anyone looking for depth of character, great story lines and some of the best descriptive writing around. I would highly recommend you find another few writers too if you want to pass the time waiting for the sequel. Sword from Red Ice has been advertised for like 3 years and you still can't get it.... a word to the publisher, you aren't the only game in town. If you want loyalty, don't make us wait a decade....

Prentice Hall Physical Science (Science Explorer)

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Prentice Hall Physical Science (Science Explorer)
Michael J. Padilla , Ioannis Miaoulis , Martha Cyr , David V. Frank , Beth Miaoulis , Camille, Ph.D. Wainwright , T. Griffith, Ph.D. Jones , Steve Miller , John G. Little , Jay M. Pasachoff , and Thomas R. Wellnitz
Manufacturer: Pearson Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Prentice Hall Physical Science: Guided Reading And Study Workbook (Science Explorer)
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ASIN: 0131901230

Classroom Supervision and Instructional Improvement

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Classroom Supervision and Instructional Improvement
Jerry J. Bellon , Elner C. Bellon , and Richard V. Jones
Manufacturer: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Authors

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