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Open Letters Monthly
Just noticed a smart review of THE RISEN at Open Letters Monthly. Very pleased with it.
I like these folks. Of course I do, considering they say things like:
"Durham delivers a fuller, grittier, and more satisfying one even than the standard-bearer, Howard Fast’s 1951 blockbuster Spartacus. This is a near-perfect thinking-person’s dramatization of the Spartacus story..."
They also quote from the novel several times, which is nice because I get to go, "Hey, I wrote that!" Labels: Reviewed, Spartacus, The Risen
He Was Spartacus - WSJ
Pleased to say that THE RISEN just picked up a stellar review, this
one from the Wall Street Journal! The reviewer is Allan Massie, quite a
veteran of Roman biographical novels himself. So I'm pleased.
He said
some very nice things, including, "THE RISEN is full of blood, thunder
and excitement. Spartacus is an inspiring, attractive hero."
(I've linked to the review just because, but sometimes only subscribers
can actually read the whole thing. Other times it appears for me.
Weird.) Labels: Reviewed, Spartacus, The Risen
"an absorbing new historical novel about Spartacus..."
The Risen Is Historical Fiction for Fantasy Fans
Historical Novel Society on THE RISEN
Book review: Legend of Spartacus retold in 'The Risen'
Kirkus Reviews The Risen!
I'm pleased to say that my new novel just received it's first pre-publication review. It's from Kirkus Reviews, and it's pretty good. Even has some film casting suggestions!
Think Brad Pitt's interested?
You can read it HERE.Labels: Reviewed, Spartacus, The Risen
Acacia tome 2 : terres étrangères, numéro d’équilibriste littéraire
Staffer's Book Review
I love series reviews. Great to have an entire sequence of books discussed as a whole. I'm very pleased with a new review of the Acacia Trilogy, just up at Staffer's Book Review.
Among other things, the reviewer - Justin - writes that the series:
"...rekindled in me a love of fantasy and for that it will always hold a place in my pantheon. More importantly though, it's a series I'll pass it on to my children for the honesty that David Anthony Durham brings to the Known World."
Wonderful to hear that. You can read the whole thing HERE. Labels: Acacia, Reviewed
Strange Horizons on The Sacred Band
Matt Hilliard recently published a very insightful review of TSB over at Strange Horizons. He says a lot of terrific stuff, actual analysis of theme and all that! Nice.
He concludes:
" The world's problems may not be solved, but the Acacia
series shows us it is a victory just to confront those problems rather
than shrinking back in despair at their size. The final political
settlement at the end of the story is clearly not even remotely final,
but it's a step in the right direction that carries with it hope that
the sacrifices made might purchase a slightly better world for the next
generation. It may not be possible to fix the world in a day, or even a
lifetime, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't begin."
Agreed.
If you want to read more take a look HERE.Labels: Reviewed, The Sacred Band
Neth Speaketh
Seems like the Acacia Trilogy is getting a flurry of series-wide reviews.
Neth Space has another one up, in which he says interesting things like:
"Durham wants to show what a progressive message in epic fantasy can look like. Not the conservative, nostalgic end so common and not a cynical response to that conservatism. He presents a truly progressive move forward rather than backward or a simple reestablishment of a status quo – a vision of hope that could translate into our own lives and society."
Agree with that? Check it out HERE for more.Labels: Acacia, Reviewed
One Book After Another
There's a very interesting piece on the Acacia Trilogy over at the blog One Book After Another.
It not so much a review as it is a wide-ranging critical/philosophic/political examination of the books.
Take a look HERE.Labels: Acacia, Reviewed
Merry Christmas To Me
....From The Washington Post.
I heard last week that a review of The Sacred Band was coming from The Washington Post. Been wondering ever since who was going to write it and what he/she was going to say. Now I know.
It's a terrific piece from none other than the marvelous Jeff VanderMeer! He says all sorts of lovely things. He writes:
"The Sacred Band... provides a deeply satisfying conclusion to an ethnically
diverse series in which Durham has proved just as comfortable exploring
the uses of power as conjuring up strange magic."
I'm very pleased.
You could read the whole thing HERE: if you're so inclined.Labels: Reviewed, The Sacred Band
Strange Horizons on TSB
Niall Harrison has just included a review of The Sacred Band for his weekly blog post at Strange Horizons. He says some terrific things. I'm very grateful he connected so strongly with the book - and the series in general.
Among other things, he wrote: " The Sacred Band is a rich, rewarding novel that is a
patient, gracious reminder that we hold the world in trust, and must try
to improve on it, generation to generation. I suspect there's only room
for one epic fantasy on next year's Hugo ballot for Best Novel -- you
know the one -- but I'd love to see this one up there as well."
You can read the full review HERE: Sunday Reading.Labels: Reviewed, The Sacred Band
Spread The Positive!
Almost two weeks since publication and, I'm pleased to say that The Sacred Band reviews have been really solid. The pre-pubs were fantastic. The blog-love has been terrific. I've even picked up a few print reviews. Fancy that in this day and age! Not least, the reader reviews on Amazon have been good. I've got five at the moment. All very positive. I know that before long someone will write a stinker, but for now I want to bask in the kind words those most important of people - readers! - have penned for me. They include... Reviewer #1: "I found it to be a very solid book. It was addictive to read, and often quite emotional. I strongly recommend it for readers of the earlier books in the trilogy, and the trilogy itself for readers looking for an excellent fantasy series." Reviewer #2: "In revealing the reasons, some of which are recent, others ancient, of why the characters act as they do, the author shows empathy to all of them. He shows us what binds people to their fate and what could possibly free them. It's this sensitivity that pushes the trilogy beyond it's exciting story, solid worldbuilding and characterization." Reviewer #3:"I for one, believe this series should be on your shelf right next to Tolkien and Martin. I could not put this book down and finished it in 3 days... Buy this now." Reviewer #4: "Now that was an amazing read! I kinda wish now that I hadn't finished it so quickly!. The Sacred Band wraps up a fantastic trilogy that began with Acacia. I didn't know what to expect from this final installment, but I have to admit, I was blown away. Blown away by the characters, the plot, and especially the creativity." Reviewer #5: "What a great series! I loved the last book. I thought the first and second were great...but sort of dragged a bit in parts. The third volume moved at a whip-crack pace." It means a lot to get reviews like this. A lot of people seem to take some bitter pleasure out of writing negative reviews. Those can take a lot out of a writer - regardless of how wrong you might find them to be. Good ones, though, are each a reminder of why I do this writing stuff in the first place. That matters. So... with that in mind, don't be shy! If you've enjoyed my books - or any author's books, really - say so! Spread some positivity! Labels: Reviewed, The Sacred Band
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