A Man Rides Through - Book Two of Mordant’s Need by Stephen Donaldson

Review by Jojo

It was.

Everything I loved about the first book was either gone (the fact that the bulk of first novel took place in one setting, hardly ever leaving the stronghold of Mordant, strong, intelligent, interesting, alive characters) or suddenly incredibly annoying (the fact that the characters all talked to each other, discuss their plans--even with their enemies. To the point of distraction.)

There is more dialogue than action and halfway through I wanted to toss the book across the room. Little more than halfway through I wanted to just be done with the entire thing. But I had loved the first book. I would finish this!

Finish it I did. The conflict was finally resolved, everything was well thought out (and pointed out to us, often) and there was much rejoicing. By the victors, and me as well.

Admittedly, I wasn’t really in the state of mind to read this book these last few days and that’s probably done it an injustice. So, I’m trying not to count that. Even before that point, however, I knew this was not going to live up to the first one, in my mind.

I’m glad I finished it. I’m glad I found a copy of it. And it hasn’t turned me completely off of Donaldson’s writing, so I suppose it’s not as bad as all that.