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Fortress in the Eye of Time Fortress Series C J Cherryh 9780061056895 Books

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Fortress in the Eye of Time Fortress Series C J Cherryh 9780061056895 Books

I grew up as a reader in the decades following the spike in popularity of J.R. Tolkien's work half a century ago. Many of the sword and sorcery classics written in years following have sadly dimmed to eyes not clouded by nostalgia. The Fortress in the Eyes of Time came out halfway between that initial surge and today and to my eyes has stood the test of time as a true classic should. While paying obvious homage to past greats in the field,C.J. Cherryh has added an overdue sense of maturity to her works. No longer as accessible to a gifted preteen,older readers may find this a welcome change. Quite standard sword and sorcery set in a British flavored feudal society with magic and sorcery woven into the fabric of the culture. There is also a distinct difference between good and bad,dark and light. All that is the same old,same old,where Cherryh excels is in her writing skills fleshing out her world and characters with depth and sympathy-no cartoon cutouts need apply. And flesh it out she does,this is the first of a five part series and even with its near 800 page length this is merely an introduction to the following books-the body of the story. If you like a quick and conclusive read perhaps not here. What you get is a slowly woven tapestry that gives you a solid background to the world, its politics, and most importantly the characters you will be spending close to 3,000 pages with if you continue. Make no mistake if long,satisfying reads are your thing this is not a slog but an the start of an engrossing story in a world you will not wish to leave. Recommended.


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Fortress in the Eye of Time Fortress Series C J Cherryh 9780061056895 Books Reviews

This is a book that I go back and reread when nothing else appeals. Cherryh's writing style can be described as "stream of consciousness" so the reader follows the characters thoughts. Intense and atmospheric, this is the first book in a very satisfying series, and among her best.
I confess I am a long time fan of C. J. Cherryh and have read nearly everything she has written over the years. When I first read this book, I was looking for fantasy and romance, and it has that, in between pages and pages of feudal politics and medieval court life that I once skimmed past. This time, older and more patient, I read all the between bits and found of wealth of detailed research that surprised and impressed me. Not for those looking for a light read, but if you are looking for a curl-up-by-the-fire venture into another time and place, this book is for you.
I am a huge C.J. Cherryh fan. When people ask me who my favorite author is, its her. My two favorite series are The Faded Sun and The Chanur Saga. So, i really wanted to like this book. I was excited to read more books of her, and bought the whole series without reading the first. I sure hope that this series gets better in the next book. I tried to read this book a few times. I'd start and then get bored and start something else. Then, I'd pick it pu again, start it again, and I'm not 2/3rds the way through, and STILL mot much has happened. I can say I like Tristen as a character, and for an innocent, infantile but strangely knowledgeable man, he is well written. I got a good sense of both his inexperience and bewilderment and his unnatural stores of experience and knowledge. I even like the other characters. Uwen, his guard and man servant, I think, is loyal and caring as well as capable. Cefwyn, the prince and heir, is what I imagine a prince and heir to be, he is capable and suspicious. He is Trisen's friend and sort of mentor but at the same time he uses him for his own ends. Unlike many, I rather liked the beginning where Tristen is living in the crumbling old castle with the wizard, Mauryl. I thought it was excellent character set up with Tristen wandering around talking to Owl and the pigeons and taking lessons. His innocence, inexperience and infuriating distraction was clearly illustrated. It was after he left that things got slow and boring for me. The journey was the same thing over and over, and once he reached the castle, its just a whole lot of Tristen running around where he's told not to go, talking to people he's not supposed to talk to, and just generally underfoot without effecting anything. I'm trying to finish this book. I'm not allowing myself to start reading anything else, because I have high expectations for Cherryh and I am hoping this book is just set up for a great second book. I have been frustrated with slow, plodding, boring fantasy books lately, from authors I love, and looks like I'll be adding Cherryh to the list. I'm disappointed and bored, not what to be during an evening of relaxing reading. Reading this book has been a chore, not a pleasure.

UPDATE I have gotten through the first two books, and the story picks up considerably. Book Two, Fortress of Eagles, about 1/3 third into it, this series really started to get good. The story became fast paced, with many things happening, intrigue and betrayal and uncertainty and traitors, and all of a sudden I couldn't put it down! It took me months to get through book one, Fortress in the eye of time, and the first part of book Two, Fortress of Eagles, but I've read the rest of book two, all of book three and half of book four all in a week! When I think about it, there is history and set up in the first two books that cannot be eliminated, so I wouldn't recommending skipping these two. However, there is a very thorough recap of pertinent plot points at the beginning to each book, so I supposed you could start with book two if you wanted. but, if you can power through the first book, the series really does get good.

UPDATE I have finished books three and four (Fortress of Owls and Fortress of Dragons). Book three, Fortress of Owls, was as excellent as the second half of book two. I read it in a few days, staying up too late and basically becoming a hermit, it was that good. More of the like in book two, Tristen is given more influence and power and rank, leading men, ruling a castle, building defenses and being a major player in the building conflict and coming war. There is uncerainty, more political intrigue, some social manuvering, betrayals and twisting turns. Its great! And the fourth book, Fortress of Dragons, starts out strong in all these same ways. However, the second half goes down hill into a disatifying and hurried finish with little climax and even less resolution.
The opening 'summoning' spell alone was worth the purchase price. The hero's development is slow, painful, and frustrating, shared with the reader via excellent writing. Achieved, of course, just in time to save the day. Decent support characters, evil enemies, and grand horses. Great book.

I took away a star for bewildering names, with too many consonants and vowels in odd places. Possibly a personal failing, but it took me a long time to sort everyone/everywhere out.
If you are looking for an action-packed and exciting fantasy story, please look elsewhere. Having said that, if you are looking for an intelligent, intriguing, compelling, slow-burn amazing fantasy story, pick this up and relish it. C.J. Cherryh is primarily known for her Foreigner series but this lesser-known fantasy series should not be missed by anyone who loves court intrigue and political maneuvering. Totally under the radar and underappreciated. I absolutely loved it, although I admit it is not for everyone.
I grew up as a reader in the decades following the spike in popularity of J.R. Tolkien's work half a century ago. Many of the sword and sorcery classics written in years following have sadly dimmed to eyes not clouded by nostalgia. The Fortress in the Eyes of Time came out halfway between that initial surge and today and to my eyes has stood the test of time as a true classic should. While paying obvious homage to past greats in the field,C.J. Cherryh has added an overdue sense of maturity to her works. No longer as accessible to a gifted preteen,older readers may find this a welcome change. Quite standard sword and sorcery set in a British flavored feudal society with magic and sorcery woven into the fabric of the culture. There is also a distinct difference between good and bad,dark and light. All that is the same old,same old,where Cherryh excels is in her writing skills fleshing out her world and characters with depth and sympathy-no cartoon cutouts need apply. And flesh it out she does,this is the first of a five part series and even with its near 800 page length this is merely an introduction to the following books-the body of the story. If you like a quick and conclusive read perhaps not here. What you get is a slowly woven tapestry that gives you a solid background to the world, its politics, and most importantly the characters you will be spending close to 3,000 pages with if you continue. Make no mistake if long,satisfying reads are your thing this is not a slog but an the start of an engrossing story in a world you will not wish to leave. Recommended.