Urshurak

For all the Hildebrandt fans out there it represents some of their best art. I wish there was a more recent edition. I purchased mine used and love every chapter of it. If only there were an interest in publishing it again with the Lord of the Rings popularity that is recent. It's time we see this book return again with a possible sequel!

If you want to add an acceptable fantasy book with nice illustrations by the brothers Hildebrandt to your collection, then this is it. The story isn't bad but it is very formulaic and unoriginal. The new Tolkein this isn't. However if you are prepared to take it for what it is, a vehicle to hang pictures on, it's worth having.

It amazes me how many people make reference to Terry Brooks' The Sword of Shannara in review of this book. The Sword of Shannara was the first novel that I ever wanted to read when I was very resistant to "reading books" back in the late-70s. Urshurak was the second novel that I read. It was wonderful for me as someone who was just discovering the joys of reading because, in a sense, it helped me learn how to better use my imagination. I used the fantastic and beautiful illustrations and color plates kind of as references for the story, which was very helpful to me. You see, as a kid, my family and I had been traveling overseas, and having been immersed in a completely non-English speaking environment, I was having a tough time re-learning English when we returned. The last thing on my mind was reading. Urshurak forever changed that.I would highly recommend Urshurak for parents whose children are interested in the fantasy genre. (In light of the popularity of the Lord Of The Rings movies, I can see how this might be the case.) I would also recommend it for bright children who nevertheless might be having trouble reading. Adults who have an interest in reading it might argue that it tends to make too great a leap from scene to scene, but I don't believe that it's enough to disrupt the flow of what is basically a well thought out and fun story. Did I mention the beautiful illustrations? These are some of the best works of art that the Brothers Hildebrandt made in my humble opinion.Another nice thing about Urshurak is that right away, it launches you into a chase scene, then feeds you enough information make you want to ask what's going on. The pace pretty much stays that way. There are very few lulls in the story. The characters are archetypical fantasy characters, but at the same time have their own unique flavor to them.Any of you folks that out-grew D & D but reminisce about the epic battles and quests you enjoyed, this book will likely take you back to those less complicated days before your mortgage payments, when cold pizza in the fridge meant breakfast at your dorm.For me, this book - considering it's one of the very first ones I ever read - still stands the test of time. I know I've read hundreds of books since the late-70s, but Urshurak is still one of my favorites. It entertains me still, and I think it will entertain you.

I also read this book a (long) while back and enjoyed it enough that I gave it to my children to read. We, now that they are grown have a conflict everyone wants the copy of the book that is on my shelf. It is a great story and was read and reread by all. Wish that the authors had written a follow on. Perhaps it should be reissued.