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For those considering this newly released book by first time author, David Keck - mostly likely due to the gracious and compelling review Mr. Erikson penned for the book's jacket - I offer my own humble thoughts here. Please ask any questions you might have - I'll be happy to answer as best I can.
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The caliber of David Keck's talent is evident from the outset of his magnificent debut novel, In the Eye of Heaven. His lean prose tangles its fingers in the scruff of your nightshirt and jerks you into the mud and brambles of Creation, a world humbling in its depth and authenticity.
From sword-polishing to the accuracy of battle-injury, the layout of keeps and castles to the very real horror of ancient dentistry, at no point does Keck's strong hand not lead astutely and confidently. His knowledge of medieval life and history is astonishing, and his skill at making that knowledge relevant to his story is exemplary.
But this world is not composed entirely of sandpaper realism. Here, fairy tales and chilling morality plays are based in fact - there IS an Otherplace, and the veil that separates it from our heroes' reality is not only thin, but in places torn to tatters and worn as rags by those things that have stepped from it seeking prey. Here, the Brothers Grimm would caper and dance, shouting down doubters with cries of, "Told you so!" The appearances of these Others and the peeks we get of their side of reality are gloriously haunting, and always gratifying.
Details aside, it is on strength of story and successful characterization that a novel is judged - and here is where In the Eye of Heaven shines brightest. Durand, and the cast that support - and oppose - his evolving struggle are fully developed and each discernable by their personal motivations.
Because, In the Eye of Heaven is the first installment of a three-part story-arc, Keck does strategically dangle several unresolved plot-threads at the book’s end like glittering lures, enticing us to seek out book two. Let the wait be a short one!
Courageous, assured, chilling - In the Eye of Heaven. Bravo!
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In the Eye of Heaven - David Keck
#2
pat5150 
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Posted 14 April 2006 - 09:04 PM
Hi there!
Having read and reviewed the book a while back, I agree with you with everything but the characterizations. I found them lacking for the most part, and I'm curious to read the sequel in order to see if we'll finally learn more about the characters. . .
Glad you liked the book!
Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
Having read and reviewed the book a while back, I agree with you with everything but the characterizations. I found them lacking for the most part, and I'm curious to read the sequel in order to see if we'll finally learn more about the characters. . .
Glad you liked the book!
Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
#3
Mithfanion
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Posted 18 April 2006 - 09:06 PM
Sounds great.
I saw book II, A Time of Treason, will be released sometime next year, hopefully in the first half.
I saw book II, A Time of Treason, will be released sometime next year, hopefully in the first half.
#4 Guest_Arcaelus_*
Posted 19 April 2006 - 01:52 AM
Mithfanion said:
Sounds great.
I saw book II, A Time of Treason, will be released sometime next year, hopefully in the first half.
I saw book II, A Time of Treason, will be released sometime next year, hopefully in the first half.
That is the schedule (the book is being finished as we speak), and the series will conclude the following year with book III.
Yes, an honest-to-goodness trilogy.
Pat, I have read several reviews of this book so far, and what I've found interesting (and curious :Erm: ) have been some of the complete contradictions I've found in few cases: most lauding the character development, one other panning the same aspect. But so go opinions regarding art! It has ever been so! (And so it should!
)In my own opinion, because Keck uses what is, these days, an almost forgotten convention in fantasy literature - first-person perspective - I've found the opportunity (as a reader) to reside within the main character's head both refreshing and illuminating. Especially with regard to the minutae of the character's mindset and motivations.
Though no one in fantasy right now can capture a character's essense with the brevity and efficiency of a GRRM, I find Keck's decision to tell his tale entirely from the perspective of his main character courageous AND effective. It cloaks the motivations and schemes of the novel's other characters with a bit of mystery, with neither Durand (and most importantly, ourselves as readers) ever truly knowing who stands with him - or against him (and the why's as to their loyalties).
Where Keck's use of this convention brings real power to the book is in scenes where the creatures from "the other side" of reality appear. We have no residence in their alien minds - and they are all the more chilling for it.
I will not say that the greatest strength of In the Eye of Heaven is its characterization - that designation I hold for the power of the story Keck weaves within the living world he has crafted.
Because I've found the book's story and Keck's world so intriguing, I am eager to hear the reactions of other readers as they are exposed to this series. Just like I knew SE's Malazan series was going to be a titanic success when I was given my first copy, I expect Keck's popularity will also grow given time, as the "fantasy audience" comes to recognize this writer's talent and his obvious love for telling "gritty" and authentic stories.
#6
Karsa Orlong
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Posted 20 April 2006 - 08:55 PM
Arcaelus said:
In my own opinion, because Keck uses what is, these days, an almost forgotten convention in fantasy literature - first-person perspective - I've found the opportunity (as a reader) to reside within the main character's head both refreshing and illuminating. Especially with regard to the minutae of the character's mindset and motivations.
Just a quick question: Is the book really written in first-person view? I read an excerpt on the author's homepage and that was not written in first-person.
First-person perspective through a book (like, for example, in Robin Hobb's works) is a major turn-off for me. I just can't dig into it.
So if "In the Eye of Heaven" truly is written in that fashion, i can save 20$
#7 Guest_Dryad_*
Posted 03 June 2006 - 03:34 AM
Okay, I won't say I enjoyed the book - but I didn't dislike it, either. I will finish the trilogy, so I guess I...something'd it enough to read more. It is interesting, and novel, and yet, like the other big fantasy series (not Martin) that people have been talking about lately, which for the life of me I cannot recall either title or author, except he's Canadian and Erikon's a fan, it lacks something in the actual construction of writing department.
It's sparse. Sparse to the point of 'huh?'. A style I keep running across in fantasy written by male authors of late, which I find intriguing. Maybe it stems from too much Black Company?
Dryad, now in the US!
It's sparse. Sparse to the point of 'huh?'. A style I keep running across in fantasy written by male authors of late, which I find intriguing. Maybe it stems from too much Black Company?
Dryad, now in the US!
#8
Brys
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Posted 03 June 2006 - 10:28 AM
I still don't know whether I'm going to read this - I've heard some positive reviews, some very negative reviews, and some saying that it's just mediocre. I think it'll have to wait until I've got the time to read it, but there seems to be a consensus that it isn't quite up to the level of Erikson/Martin/Bakker - though that's as far as the consensus extends.
#9 Guest_Jay Tomio_*
Posted 03 June 2006 - 09:05 PM
I read this maybe a month or so ago, and while there are brief pockets of what I felt were very good and a times exceedingly good ideas, overall I felt the work was disjointed, and the application of these ideas didn't fully exploit the premises themselves. I found it very hard to read the book, not speaking of complexity, or of an ambitious or unusual narrative, but in the terms that it seem to take excessive time to tell essentially very basic instances and that it really wasn't a seamless read, and I (like many) read several books at a time always found tha it was the book I least wanted to continue at the time (which may very well speak of the quality of the other books I was readng at the time).
This sounds rather negative, but I actually still like the potential of the series, because I think I understand what Keck was trying to accomplish in his first book, and it is rather innovative, and those moments were eye opening, it just lost steam on too many occasions, a very up-and down read. I would have reviewed this already, but it was given to another member at FBS, but it's a book that I actually want to review, because while I thought it was lacking focus and overall I'd have to say I didn't really like it, there are some really interesting elements to talk about in the book that I haven't seen touched on in reviews, and I plan on getting to this at my blog (as we don't do mulitple reviews at FBS) sometime this month.
Some debuts are solid books that take no chances and you get the feeling already represent the ceiling of the author , I much prefer a book like this, a book that I think has tremendous flaws, even to the point of me saying I didn't really enjoy it, but shows glimpses of a voice that may be worth listening to in the near future. There have been better debuts that made me sure I never wanted to read an author again, and this was a book that at times I'd describe as absolutely awful, but I think the brief instances I discussed make Keck an author I will follow to at least to his next book.
I will have more later this month when I have some time to really ponder the read, but if I could make just one request - please, I dont have the stats on hand, but it seemed to me the title of this book was stated in the text an overwhelming amount of times. I get it, it's a common saying
, and thus fitting, but done to the point that it actually annoyed. 
This sounds rather negative, but I actually still like the potential of the series, because I think I understand what Keck was trying to accomplish in his first book, and it is rather innovative, and those moments were eye opening, it just lost steam on too many occasions, a very up-and down read. I would have reviewed this already, but it was given to another member at FBS, but it's a book that I actually want to review, because while I thought it was lacking focus and overall I'd have to say I didn't really like it, there are some really interesting elements to talk about in the book that I haven't seen touched on in reviews, and I plan on getting to this at my blog (as we don't do mulitple reviews at FBS) sometime this month.
Some debuts are solid books that take no chances and you get the feeling already represent the ceiling of the author , I much prefer a book like this, a book that I think has tremendous flaws, even to the point of me saying I didn't really enjoy it, but shows glimpses of a voice that may be worth listening to in the near future. There have been better debuts that made me sure I never wanted to read an author again, and this was a book that at times I'd describe as absolutely awful, but I think the brief instances I discussed make Keck an author I will follow to at least to his next book.
I will have more later this month when I have some time to really ponder the read, but if I could make just one request - please, I dont have the stats on hand, but it seemed to me the title of this book was stated in the text an overwhelming amount of times. I get it, it's a common saying
, and thus fitting, but done to the point that it actually annoyed.
#10
Mithfanion
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Posted 05 June 2006 - 11:21 AM
I've been reading it four five weeks now and I'm on page 100. I think that tells you plenty about my feelings for this decidedly mediocre new offering. What a massive disappointment sofar, and as Jay says, it's a hard book to pick up again. I have to tell myself " you really should pick it up and finish it" instead of actually wanting to.
I'm a week away from giving up completely.
I'm a week away from giving up completely.
#11 Guest_Dryad_*
Posted 06 June 2006 - 12:34 AM
I'd say it's worth reading...in the hopes that he will improve as a writer. Because, in all honesty, do you really want to read it again?
Dryad
Dryad
#12 Guest_Binadas_*
Posted 07 June 2006 - 12:42 AM
At page 100 of the first Prince of Nothing I considered quitting. I found little intriguing in the book at that point. 30 or so pages later I couldn't put it down mostly due to Cnair and Conphas. Achamian grew on me with time. I haven't read Kech but based on the positive reviews here and SE's nod will give him at least a full reading of the first book.
ZZZZZZZZZ-Chief
ZZZZZZZZZ-Chief
#13
pat5150
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Posted 07 June 2006 - 12:52 AM
Honestly, THE DARKNESS THAT COMES BEFORE, although it suffers from pacing problems, is head and shoulder above IN THE EYE OF HEAVEN. Though the latter is okay, you can't compare the two.
But let's give Keck a chance to show us what he's made of with the second volume. I think we'll have a better idead then...
Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
But let's give Keck a chance to show us what he's made of with the second volume. I think we'll have a better idead then...
Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
#14
ChrisW
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Posted 02 December 2006 - 01:43 AM
I've read 60 pages and i'm struggling. I can't bloody well understand half of what he's trying to say. The way he writes just doesn't allow me to picture what's happening. Tis very annoying and i'm considering giving up already.
Me thinks Tor wasted there money just as I did.
Me thinks Tor wasted there money just as I did.
#15
Valgard
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Posted 02 December 2006 - 06:51 PM
I liked it a lot thought it was very good he really captured the feel of the myth in that book more so than in the majority of other current authors. this book isn't for everyone but it should be remembered that the book strikes me as much closer to King Arthur and his knights as opposed to an epic fantasy series. I definately loved in and will get the next one with out question.
#17
pat5150
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Posted 03 December 2006 - 01:21 AM
Chris,
I can understand why you feel this way. In the Eye of Heaven is not for everyone.
Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
I can understand why you feel this way. In the Eye of Heaven is not for everyone.
Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
#18
Malarion
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Posted 17 December 2006 - 02:38 AM
I was pretty much underwelmed, to be honest. It was a couple of months ago I read it and I already struglle to recall much of what happened.
Good in places, perhaps, but overall average.
Maybe it'll go somewhere in book 2.
I've not given up. But I ain't shouting out for more either.
Good in places, perhaps, but overall average.
Maybe it'll go somewhere in book 2.
I've not given up. But I ain't shouting out for more either.
Grumpy is only my middle name.
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