The Outstretched Shadow

The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 1

De: Mercedes Lackey, James Mallory

Narrado por: Susan Ericksen

Kellen Tavadon, son of the Arch-Mage Lycaelon, thought he knew the way the world worked. His father, leading the wise and benevolent Council of Mages, protected and guided the citizens of the Golden City of the Bells. Young Mages in training---all men, for women were unfit to practice magic---memorized the intricate details of High Magic and aspired to seats on the council.

Then Kellen found the forbidden Books of Wild Magic---or did they find him? Their Magic felt like a living thing, guided by the hearts and minds of those who practiced it and benefited from it. Questioning everything he has known, Kellen discovers too many of the City's dark secrets. Banished, with the Outlaw Hunt on his heels, Kellen invokes Wild Magic---and finds himself running for his life with a unicorn at his side.

Rescued by a unicorn, healed by a female Wild Mage who knows more about Kellen than anyone outside the City should, meeting Elven royalty and Elven warriors, and plunged into a world full of magical beings, Kellen both revels in and fears his new freedom. The one thing all the Mages of the City agreed on was that practicing Wild Magic corrupted a Mage---turned him into a Demon. Would that be Kellen's fate?

Deep in Obsidian Mountain, the Demons are waiting. Since their defeat in the last great War, they've been biding their time, sowing the seeds of distrust and discontent between their human and Elven enemies. Very soon now, when the Demons rise to make war, there will be no alliance between High and Wild Magic to stand against them. And then all the world will belong to the Endarkened.

©2003 Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory (P)2010 Tantor

Long, but enjoyable

I have read this book (and the rest of the series) several times since buying them in paperback a few years ago. The audio version highlighted a few flaws, such as the overly-long descriptions (especially of the various antagonists) and the very slow first half of the book. Susan Ericksen, however, is a fantastic narrator, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening. Kellen is presented as a youth who is dissatisfied with his life. Although he could easily have grown up as a spoiled brat, he thinks about the people around him and is indignant on their behalf as he learns about various ways in which the high mages take advantage of them.

One reviewer claims that Kellen acts like a 10-13 year old. I have two teenage boys, and I can only wish they showed the kind of concern for others I see in this character. Yes, he has doubts, but I don't see any evidence of the whining some others complain of. In fact, being handed one shock after another, being uprooted and having to make major adjustments in his life, he deals with it quite well for the most part.

The biggest problem with this book is the amount of repetition. Especially when Kellen is musing over a problem, injustice, or puzzle, the same questions and observations are repeated way too many times. It's almost like the authors are concerned the reader will forget something important, which is unfortunate.

I fully intend to get the next two books on audio. To avoid spoilers, I will only say that some of the story arcs resolve very interesting and surprising ways, and there are enough plot twists to keep the reader (or listener) guessing. Even with the occasionally too-wordy descriptions, the trilogy is carefully woven together, rich in detail, with characters that have motivations most of us can relate to.

Good Story but gory / violent at Times

Love Mercedes Lackey, but when she teams up with Mallory, there is more emphasis on torture and graphic violence. The scenes become bloody, even horrific. So don’t mistake this for fiction appropriate for young adults. Yet the story line IS young adult. The main characters are teenagers at the start of the novels, the world building is very fantastical. It’s kids fighting great evil.

The writing is good, you get pulled into the story, and interesting enough to pull you along to the next book. Just wish the horror were toned down.

can't wait for the rest of the books!

This first book has a dense and satisfying story. Well written so you know that the stories are relevant, each has its own people, tempo and purpose. And as you reach the last "act" all the stories become interwoven as you understand that without the beginnings the end would not have been possible.
I'm starting the next book now!

Very good story.

Well developed and thought out. If you are looking for an outstanding fantasy novel this is it

These book could have been shorter.

By chapter 4 I was highly sick and tried of being brow beating with Kiliens needing something new and his father vomiting the "its for the better of the city." These chapters are over an hour long and if you cut out the repeated "I need something new" and the "women are evil and nothing can change for the better of the city" they could have been half that.

A solid unique fantasy story using common elements.

I got the first book in this series from a box of random books my dad bought me from a garage sale. I had never heard an author be as descriptive and meticulously detailed as how I have always tried to do(often to the annoyance of those listening...) but I couldn’t put it down.
After finishing it, I went out and bought the final two in the series, and thoroughly enjoyed the series, so much so that I bought them on audible just so my girl could experience them while we’re on road trips.

The heroes are noble, the villains are ruthless, the world is perfectly fleshed out, and I’d never thought I’d say this before reading this book, but unicorns are awesome...

Good plot; Melodramatic Characters

The intrigue of the plot was enjoyable and the method through which the characters did things were clear. the word choice and sentences were well made. I just didn't buy the characters themselves. When big moments came, each foot dragged, every blink had to be explained, it was like walking through syrup and painful to listen to, especially during the climax. For all the important moments, the actual action didn't take long, while the mind of the character we listened to took forever.

Absorbing drama

I thoroughly enjoyed this book...the reader is excellent...the plot is intriguing. It was so excellent I bought the second one (hint: even better). This is a very clever storyline, with well articulated characters that you care about. Warmly recommended series.

Great Series But Not The Best

What made the experience of listening to The Outstretched Shadow the most enjoyable?

The narrator has great inflections when she speaks. I really enjoy the sound of her voice and the attention to detail she gives each sentence.

What did you like best about this story?

The story had a nice plot but my favorite part of the book was the descriptions of how magic worked in the world

Have you listened to any of Susan Ericksen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

The book is great, though sometimes it feels as though the authors tried a little hard to make the lexicon larger. Overall this book was great. Nevertheless the prose isn't top tier if that is important to you.

A little slow but an awesome book

This was a great book first and foremost. the pace was a bit slow through parts and one of the final scenes was so wordy it got almost monotonous, but when 20 minutes of mediocrity in a book this long is the only complaint, then overall it qualifies as a great book.