SEPTEMBER FEATURE #2: The Black Prism by Brent Weeks

[paulgoatallen]

[Melhay]

I am wanting this book.  I like the idea of the use of colors.  (and after reading Sanderson's Warbreaker with colors, I really like the idea even more.)  Which I know from reading the synopsis this is a different take, but I really like the idea here.

I am going to see how this month goes.  With the heavy weight of Way of Kings.  I will try to get through it and get to this one around the end of the month.  Such a hard choice here with these books anymore.  They all sound amazing.

[Nallia Distinguished Bibliophile]

I just started this this evening.  I'm only on chapter 8 so far, and there is a lot of information being thrown out really quickly, so I'm trying to get all the characters and the politics straight.  I love Brent Weeks' writing and am hoping I enjoy this book as much as his Night Angel Trilogy.

[paulgoatallen]

Also – FYI – The Black Prism is #23 this week on the NYT's Hardcover Fiction bestselling list!If you look at the other titles on this list, you'll see how awesomely impressive this is!

Paul

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/books/bestseller/besthardfiction.html?_r=1&ref=bestseller

[dalnewt]

That's something! I didn't know Weeks was so popular. Sure, a lot more people that usual seemed to write reviews of his Night Angel books. But, not to the extent of books like The Passage or Angelology. He does weave really complex worlds and interesting conflicts. The Night Angel series was definitely male centric though as all the strong female characters became too subservient/secondary in the end. But, from the get-go Black Prism boasts a female protagonist, so maybe Weeks will break out of that. 

P.S. Since this book was available for immediate delivery in August for $15 something, I didn't expect B&N to raise the price to $18.71. Seems excessive, especially since it's still available at Amazon for $15.20. 

[dalnewt]

Whadda know! B&N is now offering The Black Prism for the low price of $15.20. I'm so glad to see that someone is paying attention to these minor pricing details. 

P.S. When you consider the free shipping for B&N members regardless of minimum purchase, B&N offers the book for less out-of-pocket expense than Amazon right now. 

[Nallia Distinguished Bibliophile]

I'm almost done with this.  I'm really enjoying the magic system in this book, as well as the story.  There are a lot of hints about something deeper going on beyond the main storyline, and they have me really curious. 

[paulgoatallen]

Just started this one today – I'm in!!!

Paul

[paulgoatallen]

Okay, I talked a little about this in my Explorations blog – http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Explorations-The-BN-SciFi-and/A-New-Epoch-in-Epic-As-Some-Cla...   –but here are a few more thoughts:

1. Very comparable to Brandon Sanderson's Warbreaker in terms of the use of chromaturgy (the use of different spectrums of light in magic) – cool concept!

2. Great central characters – many grandscale epics have a cast of characters that aren't really memorable, essentially pawns used to forward the storyline, but the cast of The Black Prism was really well developed. Kip was my favorite – he goes hrugh so many chanes in this book alone – and of course Gavin and Dazen, Liv, Kallis, Corvan, Ironfist, the White, etc. I loved the characters!

3. World building – nothing spectacular here but Weeks did a good job of creating a distinctive realm that an interesting history and people... very much reminiscent of what Feist has done with Midkemia.

I am so glad I finally read Brent Weeks!!!

Paul

[dalnewt]

Can't wait to start but right now I'm literally in the middle of The Way of Kings. (Fortunately, I got The Black Prism at the early price of $15 plus change. (I guess the up-pricing is due to Amazon's similar raise to $17.15 combined with B&N's no minimum free shipping for anyone registered on the site.) 

[dalnewt]

I finally started the book and am literally zipping through it. I've only reached page 93, but considering my late start this evening as well as dinner/pet/clean-up interruptions, that's really fast progress.

I'm impressed by the humanity and spontaneity of the characters as well as the naturally flowing story lines. I also like the system of chromatic magic, and the imaginative things created by that magic. Note, I'm occasionally frustrated by Kip's fear locked inability to act, but his trepidation adds to the intensity and seems an offshoot of his intelligence, imagination and youthful age.    

[dalnewt]

This book is lightning fast. I'm already on page 229.

And wow, talk about a plot twist! I love surprises! 

You're right about the world building being secondary to the character and plot line development. Week's jostling world of competing satrapies plus one independent breakaway kingdom is interesting and colorful but doesn't come up to the uniquely dilapidated criminal city of his 'Night Angel' trilogy. But, his cast of characters is much broader in their appeal than his three main 'Night Angel' characters. I'm alternately entertained then fascinated by Gavin Giles; I sympathize with and am totally entertained by Kip and Karris; and, so far, I'm attracted to the characters of both Liv Danavis and her magic drafting father, x-general Corovan Danavis. At this point the book really hasn't highlighted the prisoner (Danzen Giles) held by Gavin in the hidden underground prison chamber, but, (following certain revelations), I feel more sympathy for him and am sorta routing for his escape and looking forward to the havoc that would cause.     

[dalnewt]

I finished early in the A.M. I couldn't  tear myself away from the book. It culminates in an intense, action-packed siege/battle with Gavin, Kip and Karris all contributing separately. And, each of the main characters' story-lines end with a twist that leaves the reader hungry to find out what happens next. 

The characters are really entertaining in this series, and the story lines are often captivating/thrilling. Plus, there's unpredictable twists and revelations as the plot threads progress that really add to each character's story. In addition, the overall story-arc, (that has an old rival of Gavin building an army of malcontents, magic drafters and insane color 'wights', who've succumbed to the allure of their particular brand of chromaturgy, in a bid to challenge the power-structure and religion that holds the satrapies together), is totally engaging.  

[paulgoatallen]

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dalnewt wrote:

I finished early in the A.M. I couldn't  tear myself away from the book. It culminates in an intense, action-packed siege/battle with Gavin, Kip and Karris all contributing separately. And, each of the main characters' story-lines end with a twist that leaves the reader hungry to find out what happens next. 

The characters are really entertaining in this series, and the story lines are often captivating/thrilling. Plus, there's unpredictable twists and revelations as the plot threads progress that really add to each character's story. In addition, the overall story-arc, (that has an old rival of Gavin building an army of malcontents, magic drafters and insane color 'wights', who've succumbed to the allure of their particular brand of chromaturgy, in a bid to challenge the power-structure and religion that holds the satrapies together), is totally engaging.  

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I had the same feelings, dalnewt – I will be soooo excited when I have the second Lightbringer novel in my hands! 

Paul

[kimba88]

Finally..i have started reading this...super excited  

[kimba88]

I finished and I am so glad that I read this. Wow! 

[MADIS]

Listened to this on our way home from vacation, but we did not quite make it to the end.  I had oodles of housework this weekend so I got a chance to finish listening to the end of this book.  I really love the depth of characters and the plot twists and turns.  I cannot wait until the next book!  It was a great start in getting me back reading for the fall.  I never get much done in the summer.  On to the next...

[infael]

I'm really glad I found this forum recently! When I was with Chatelaine's Keep a few years ago, I discovered A Song of Fire and Ice, the Kingkiller Chronicles, Dresden and Sanderson among others, through people's recommendations. After CK folded, I couldn't find a good forum until now. I've discovered Weeks and another author through this forum, which I really appreciate!

[paulgoatallen]

The sequel to Black Prism – The Blinding Knife – won't be released until Fall '12..... OH THE AGONY!

[MADIS]

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paulgoatallen wrote:

The sequel to Black Prism – The Blinding Knife – won't be released until Fall '12..... OH THE AGONY!

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UGH!!!! That is a really long time!