The Realms Thereunder
The Ancient Earth Trilogy
by Ross Lawhead
GoodBookStall Review:
A vague feeling of Gaiman’s Neverwhere, mixed with Tolkien, a sprig of Stephen Lawhead to flavour it and then throw in a touch of dichotomy as the feel of young adult material mixes in with high fantasy and a timescape crossover, would be my best description of this book. This is not to say that it’s not an enjoyable read, it is, but it doesn’t really feel like an original read. All along you constantly feel that you’ve perhaps been here before – a sense of reader’s déjà vu, and as it’s only book one of a trilogy it certainly doesn’t feel completed either.
I do have to admit that it reads well, there is a pacing to the story and a feeling to the characters of Daniel, Freya and others that carries the book along well enough. You do find yourself wanting to know more of what’s going on, what’s happening.
It’s a story about choices, faith, end times and the classic battle of good against evil that rages always just out of sight for the most part but nevertheless lurks there waiting.
Reviewer: Melanie Carroll (20/02/12)
A vague feeling of Gaiman’s Neverwhere, mixed with Tolkien, a sprig of Stephen Lawhead to flavour it and then throw in a touch of dichotomy as the feel of young adult material mixes in with high fantasy and a timescape crossover, would be my best description of this book. This is not to say that it’s not an enjoyable read, it is, but it doesn’t really feel like an original read. All along you constantly feel that you’ve perhaps been here before – a sense of reader’s déjà vu, and as it’s only book one of a trilogy it certainly doesn’t feel completed either.
I do have to admit that it reads well, there is a pacing to the story and a feeling to the characters of Daniel, Freya and others that carries the book along well enough. You do find yourself wanting to know more of what’s going on, what’s happening.
It’s a story about choices, faith, end times and the classic battle of good against evil that rages always just out of sight for the most part but nevertheless lurks there waiting.
Reviewer: Melanie Carroll (20/02/12)
