Riverrun Trilogy

This is one of the best books I have ever read. The Characters are very well developed; the story is enrapturing. He makes you care about what will happen and the book made me look into my own sociological workings as well as the characters. It has changed my view and often when I encounter something new I relate it to this book for reference. It can be applied and enjoyed on so many levels. I would suggest this book for anyone, (provided they are old enough to deal with some sexual content and strong language, like PG13 or so). I only wish it was better known so more could enjoy it. Please if you haven't already, consider reading this book, you will not regret it.

When I first sat down to read this book many years ago during the first publishing run of the trilogy, I was instantly pulled in.The story is told in the first person, by several of the main characters; in essence, each main character has their own perspective on the events around them. Odd quotes and poetry litter the beginnings of each long chapter, which in of themselves, set the mood of the events to come. The story itself is about a family (a father, two brothers and their cancer-ridden mother) on a road trip to a cancer clinic. From there each of their lives get swept away in the cosmic battle between the mad king of all universes who is drunk on power, his son, the vampire and prince of darkness and his daugther, the vixen half-dragon as they each plot to use the powers that lie dormant in the younger brother of the family to overthrow their father.If I say anymore it will just confuse you and ruin the intricate plot. If your ready to read an urban fantasy story like none other, then this is the book for you.

A very lyrically written novel with more than one origional idea up its sleave. It tells a very mystical tale of a boy who's dreams of another universe in turmoil enters his own. He is ripped away from the life and family that he knows by a dark prince of a corrupted dead world. The universe that he has left is manipulated, such that slowly even his own family forgets that he exsisted. He is forced to help the dark prince in a feud with his father, a crazed King, and his siblings, who fight over control of multiverses. The boy fights against the plots that drew him to this Netherworld, and slowly his brother, and parents are drawn into a fight for the future of the universes. Throw all conventions you have about story writing out the window. Firstly the tale is told in the first person. Nothing new? Well, it tells the story in first person from multiple perspectives, with portions told by different characters discerned by the name of the narrarator at each changing point. The story is the extreme of fantasy with plot twists so twisted that you will be still realing in awe pages after they happen.Very, very origional.

Reading this book is like being caught in a monstrous maze, with no logical way out and no desire to escape. Somtow writes in such a way, your world actually becomes that of the Etchinson family. If ever you are in need of intelligent and fantastic entertainment-read this book.

Somtow creates a universe where our archtypes come alive. Where the dysfunctional, immortal, powermad children of an insane king battle for the control of a dying reality. What's fascinating is that the epic scope of Somtow's world jumping, reality busting novel never overshadows the primary theme of the family in Riverrun. With all the Campbellian archtypes and clever, poetic languague Somtow employs to paint a picture of a vast battle of the Darkling family and the Erickson family you are always aware that this is a story of redemption and the binding force of love. This is done without being overpowering in a melodramatic sense and instead Somtow weaves the cosmic scope of his novel together with the psychological, personal scope with more skill than any writer I've seen in a long time. Some may be put off by the reality shifting and surrealism or the subjective reality of some parts of the novel, but it is an engrossing tale well told. An epic fantasy unlike any to come alomg in quite awhile.