The Charnel Prince by J. Gregory Keyes
September 18, 2004 | 
4 Comments
Summary: Book review. Greg Keyes serves up a memorable second chapter in his epic fantasy series.
J. Gregory Keyes is fast becoming my favorite author. I’m a big fan of his writing style and love the inventive new take he’s got on tried and true themes.
The Charnel Prince is the second book in his outstanding The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series and it’s a very entertaining follow-up to the opener, The Briar King. You can read my thoughts on that book here.
As with his previous books, he manages to tell and incredible story in a way that doesn’t skim on detail, but still leaves just enough room for a reader imagination to run wild. I love this style of writing. It’s straightforward, fast paced and concentrates on the story.
In this volume we find our various players scattered across the land, embattled with the various nefarious, yet still unexplained, forces. The Briar King walks the forest, yet there is some question as to who the real enemy is. All of the main characters from the first book are back, and we’re introduced to a few new players who hold interesting story-lines of their own. I particularly enjoyed the story of Leovigild “Leoff” Ackenzal, the queen’s composer.
The chapters are short and filled with action and dialogue and each seems to end with a bit of a cliffhanger. Fortunately they’re not spaced too far apart so it actually helps to keep the plot moving through all the story-lines and develop a sense of urgency. Keyes really has a way with plotting in my mind.
That’s not to say he doesn’t develop his characters well, he certainly does, it’s just that he doesn’t waste too much time on unnecessary detail. He’s got what I feel is a perfect balance between moving the plot along and providing the detail to keep the reader engaged.
This was a great book and it’s got the makings of a classic series. I hoping it doesn’t drag (like many other great fantasy series out there) and there is nothing to indicate that it will.
There have been many comparisons made between this series and George R. R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire books and a few of those are valid. However, they’re not that similar. Both very good, but for different reasons. Keyes is very lively and action oriented, while Martin tends to be very character driven.
Both represent very good epic fantasy, and if you’re waiting for Martin to finish up his next book, Keyes is an author you should check out. It’s truly top notch stuff.
Recommended if you like: George R. R. Martin, Sean Russell, Robert Jordan, Raymond Fiest, Tad Williams
My Rating: 5 out of 5.
Filed under: Review
Comments
1. Kevin Tamura said:
He was just at the B&N downtown Seattle, or at least I think so since they had all his books signed. Unfortunately they had none of the fist book; for that matter none of the 5 book stores I went to had the Briar King in stock. Doh!
Posted on September 21, 2004 03:37 PM | #
2. Zelnox said:
I’ll try this if it’s at my public library. I know they have another book by him there, but did not open. I’m a big fan of Martin and Williams. ^_^
Posted on September 24, 2004 05:43 AM | #
3. Anymouse said:
If you live in Georgia, South Carolina, or the surrounding areas, I suggest checking B&N. He likes to go into those and sign his books.
Posted on October 15, 2004 05:24 PM | #
4. Rorie said:
I *just* finished this particular book and I have some really good things to say about it. I really enjoyed the writing style of Mr. Keyes, speaking as someone who has been reading fantasy books for something like nine years. After reading the Starman trilogy by Sarah Douglass and dispising every word of it I was really convinced that I had read everything in the genre worth reading. I know all the greats- Jordan, Martin, Robin Hobb, Mercedes Lackey, ect ect ect.
I tagged along with my mom to a bookstore after being on strike for three months (I was really disappointed at the end of the Tawny Man trilogy) and picked up The Briar King. I opened it to the first page and I recognized good writing on the spot, so I took it home and started reading it.
I admit, I was really skeptical at first, when I realized that it was the same old tired epic plot (there are two tavern scenes in the first four chapters) and the same old characters. It wasn’t until half way through the book I realized I was absolutely right as identifying him as a good writer. I thought at first that he’d seen Lord of the Rings too many times, but as I picked up The Charnel Prince, I realized it wasn’t really the same old tune anymore. There is romance and gore and action and *gasp* Dare I say it? Character development! Real, actual, good character development!
Robert Jordan could really use some tips from this guy. If he could move a plot the way Keyes does and retain good, realistic *ahem!* characters… well, maybe he could save WOT. Maybe.
And that’s my two cents!
Posted on November 23, 2004 08:08 PM | #
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