eBook Carnivores of Light and Darkness download

The first science fiction novel I ever read was Foster's Tar-Aiym Krang when I was twelve. Perhaps because it was such a momentous and important event in my life, I've never given up on ADF. Sure the plots are simplistic and perhaps a bit too bubbly. And I'm sure that it's been said that his characters tend to be a tad bit under-dimensional. I don't care... the entertainment value of an Alan Dean Foster book is consistent and reliable. I mean, if I want a mind-blowing experience, I can wait for a Stephen R. Donaldson or Neal Stephenson novel. But in the meantime, I don't mind following the adventures of a smelly shepherd who can talk to monkeys and ants...

I'm a big fan of this series, the protagonist is unique and the world is whimsical, a look at what it might be like to be a native in a fairytale world.

Very colorful descriptions. Excellent series!

What I wanted was a satisfying read, imaginative, different, unusual, thoughtful. This I received. My only criticism is that this is a highly male-centric story with little to no room for the female and I miss the female. However, most of Foster's work follows a similar vein so it is something I simply accept at this point. Thank you Mr. Foster - I am now off to the library for sequels. Be jealous fine world :)

This novel is not a conventional sword/sorcery novel; such novels are set in an imaginary world, but their authors try to depict events in a credible and consistent way. Rather, this novel is more like Aladdin and the Lamp, or Alice in Wonderland, or Lovecraft's "Dream Quest of Unknown Kaddath." That is, it seems like a dream fantasy -- unfolding with all the associative confusion of someone's dream. The country appears to change from chapter to chapter, there are embedded folktales, and the fantasy is beyond extravagant at times. Even so, I was willing to grant Foster his premise-- but there are problems. Is Foster laughing at his readers?

Foster damages our willingness to "buy into" the story by interjecting strange passages that may (God help us!) reflect his sense of humor at our expense (I hope not!). Example: midway through the book, the lead character is swimming a river. He looks up and meets a talking frog wearing scuba gear. Yup -- flippers, mask, snorkel, the works. The conversation is brief and insignificant. The frog soon disappears -- but readers MUST wonder how they can possibly "suspend disbelief" when the author is indulging himself in such a foolish way. Let me assure you, Foster's putting the frog into present-day scuba gear garb is in NO WAY connected with anything else in the story.

On the plus side, there are some imaginative and rather original monsters, to include wind and earth elementals, as well as a "living wall" -- perhaps the oddest of all, but fun! And heck, there's that favorite of sword/sorcery novels, a magic sword!

I liked best the way Foster developed the warrior lead character -- a man understated, self-depreciating, humble -- but an impressive man and powerful wizard or magician to boot. He appears to be so much more than his own modest account of himself. I'm eager to see what Foster will do with him. I have to admit, I am curious to follow the adventures of the brave threesome into the next book.

I might add, on the level of the sentence and paragraph, and for vivid portrayal of a strange world, it stands up with the best of them.

But is it all just Foster's joke at our expense? -- remembering the frog in scuba gear, just for one example. Some authors have written almost too many books -- they are burned out, and don't appear to take seriously what they are doing any more.

Alan Dean Foster, possibly the greatest science fiction and fantasy writer of all time, author of dozens of best selling novels, short stories and horror, has once again created a work of simple excellence that will spellbind and enchant its readers for years to come. "Carnivores of Light and Darkness" is such a book. This is a story of the just and innocent against the dark and unjust, a story that has been told many times before, in many forms, shapes, and ideals, set in a world where there is no concept of the impossible, and the greatest weapons one can possess are one's own morals and honor. This is a world of monsters, talking animals and tales of both good and evil, a world of endless possibilities. An injured outsider washes up on the beach of a small tribe of herdsmen, simple down-to-earth people who marvel at the stranger's clothing, and wonder why he has decided to wash up on their beach of all the beaches in the world. So when the outsider's last words "Save the Vishoness..." were spoken to a "simple" herder Etjole Ehomba, the hero of the story decides that he is about to go on a very long journey. Etjole leaves his community with only a sword, a spear and a bag of gifts given to him by his village. His future is an uncertain one as he goes in search of a way to cross the great sea, a feat never even comprehended by his people before, let alone tried to save a woman he has never seen before and fight an evil that is
darkness incarnate, all because a dying man passed it on to him in a fit of dying panic. To do any less would bring dishonor on his name. Etjole doesn't have much in his life in the way of riches, houses, or servants, but he does have his family and his honor. In his journeys Etjole has many adventures, meets many people and stops many injustices. He also acquires two very special travel companions: Simna ibn Sind the greedy (yet secretly good at heart) swordsman and the great Lita (a sort of cross between a cheetah and a lion) Ahlita who follow Etjole because they believe that he is more than he seems, after all only a great wizard would dare the trip across the world that Etjole has chose to undertake, a great wizard, or a great fool. Here is a tale of good against evil in its purest form. Read this great work of honor, courage and adventure, reminiscent of the fairy tales told at story time as a grandfather tucks his grandchild into the world of slumberland, knowing that his stories will evoke dreams of knights in shinning armor, dragon's fire and the virtue of a true heart. "Carnivores of Light and Darkness" is book one of the "Journeys of The Catchiest" and is published by Aspect books. Book two "The Pale of Overthinking" will be available in April of 1999 from Aspect books.