Book Review - The Pit by Jim Melvin
The Pit
Book One of The Death Wizard Chronicles
Jim Melvin
Rain Publishing
ISBN # 978-1897381472
The Pit is the first of a six-book epic fantasy series called The Death Wizard Chronicles. It is an incredibly dark, yet inspiring book that turns the typical good versus evil parable right on its ear.
After reading the first five pages of The Pit, I wasn't sure I was going to get through it. By page six, Jim Melvin was off and running, creating a new world, new theories, new perspectives - a new twist on the age old story of good versus evil. I was hooked!
I should probably, in the interest of full disclosure, tell you I'm not a huge fan of the Science Fiction/Fantasy genre. Sure, I've read Tolkien, McCaffrey and Robert Jordan, but the only reason I stayed with them was the amazing writing, the vivid descriptions and the sheer entertainment value of each. And, oh yeah, the fact that those particular authors have always left me thinking long after I closed the books.
The Pit is beautiful - gorgeous, even - yet it is also dark and deep and vibrant. There is a fine line between love and hate. The distinction can be a bit foggy at times. Jim has illustrated that fine line. It is possible to feel sympathy for someone you hate, as well as despise someone you love.
I fell into this book. Time disappeared, as well as the chores that needed to be done, the bills that needed to be paid, and virtually everything else that had been chasing itself around in my head. This book is inspiring, entertaining, and I want to say absolute escapism, but after I finished reading I found myself pondering what I had just read. Escapism doesn't typically elicit that reaction in me.
I am purposely not sharing much about the story or the plot, because anything I say could quite possibly take away from the pleasure of discovering this book on your own. The Pit is fabulous, but don't take my word for it. Go get a copy, set aside some time and fall in love the way you did with the first book that truly grabbed you!(September 2007, pp 290, $18.00)
9 comments:
a great review. I,too, am not much for sci fi/fantasy. But I'm always looking for a great read. And of course, anything that works as an excuse to put off housework, I'm there. I'll be checking it out-thx!
a great review. I,too, am not much for sci fi/fantasy. But I'm always looking for a great read. And of course, anything that works as an excuse to put off housework, I'm there. I'll be checking it out-thx!
I've been looking forward to this book anyway, and now I'm doubly sure that I just have to read it! Thanks for the insightful review!
Twizzle and Loquacious:
Thanks so much for your nice comments. And Lynn, thanks for the great review. Much appreciated on all counts.
Very well crafted review. I thought this was an especially good line, "I fell into this book..."
Bill Fullerton
Thanks, Bill! And it's true, I did fall into the book. One second I was listening the dull roar of my family around me, and the next, I was in the world of the book. It probably would have taken a train plowing into my house to shake me into reality.
What a fantastic book review! You hit the perfect balance of making people want to read the book without giving away a ton of plot. If you don't already do book reviews for a big site... perhaps you've missed your calling!
I have now put this book on my "to read" list.
Hmm. I don't know--I need to know something about the book to try and guess whether I'll like it? I mean one person's great can still be another's "meh"....
I agree, Veinglory. But, I also figure if someone wants to know what it's about, all they really have to do is go to Amazon and read the write up. I don't like to know too much about a book before I read it, so I try to strike a balance.
Thanks, everyone, for your comments. Super feedback!
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