I wanted to give this a higher rating, in part because it has a lot of impressive surprises and fine moments, but I couldn't quite bring myself to do so, so let's call this a 3.5 rounded down, howabout. Instead of picking up where we left off from the first volume, Lawhead skips us ahead 10 years, which is more helpful than not, except that many of the characters don't give us the impression they, too, have aged or matured in 10 years. Quentin, our hero again, is more mature for much of it, though he does go through his existential crisis for awhile over whether he is really hero material, which is a bit annoying, and you can guess where he finally ends up (even though we don't get a whole lot of evidence to support his heroic nature, just his basic decency). Most of the other characters seem 10 years younger: Durwin, Theido, Toli, and Ronsard don't seem to have aged at all. Durwin, especially, is far feistier than he used to be. Only Biorkis, really, has seemed to age. He, and King Eskevar, who has more withered than aged, but that is tied in to the main plotline.King Eskevar is an intriguing part of this book: we didn't see him all that much in the first one, but we feel we know him well, and when this book starts, he is basically at death's door, not because he is weak but because he loves Mensandor so much and can feel his country's pain. This is one of the positives of the book, but it is also a weakness, because while many characters say they are aware of Eskevar's psychic connection to his country and its pain, they also seem to forget it and just think he is weak and crazy by the end.The main storyline is the world's great despot (of whom no one has heard), Nin, has arrived on the shores simply because he, like locusts, loves to conquer and absorb everything. He is considered a god, he has thousands under his command, and 4 main warlords who rule over 4 sub-armies. We only meet 1 of them, briefly, though we are given a glimpse of all of them early on. They are all very terrifying and impressive, but most of the suspense of this mighty army's slow march to Askelon (the main capitol) is narratively distant from these 5 villains. Lawhead does a fine job of making them powerful and dangerous, almost Borg-like in their unstoppability, but, then, like "Best of Both Worlds, pt. 2," the good guys have to win out so they just do. Because. That is one of the main irks of this: after 200 pages of slow-building menace and destruction, with 20 pages left we think "this must be part one," but suddenly it's all over and we're wondering what happened.Some of the other irksome aspects of the book are the dropped storylines: we spend some time with the Dekra ruling council early on, giving us the impression this old mighty town and its fate is connected to the story, but soon we never see them again and all the action takes place elsewhere. Similarly, Biorkis is somehow defrocked and excommunicated from the priesthood, which is a really big deal, considering they seem to be the only main priests in the entire continent, but no mention is ever made of the fact bad people have now taken over the nation's priesthood - and it wasn't even a necessary plot point to get him from the monastery to the castle. He could have just as easily been visiting the castle without the other components (it was like early Discworld books without the humor). All of these ideas are fine, but considering they never go anywhere or get resolved, especially considering so much time is spent on other things that could have easily been trimmed (like the protracted mining scene so late in the book), it's a bit annoying. Likewise, a big deal is made (almost in an attempt to give Eskevar something to do in the middle of the book) about the other lords and rulers joining Eskevar's ride against the onslaught, and when some lords don't join the fight (a bit sketchy why some wouldn't join up - it's a bit forced, I felt), Eskevar is all upset, naturally, and they ride out to meet the enemy ... only to retreat the same day and come right back to the castle! All that hemming and hawing about needing to ride out and attack, and nothing. (The passage of time among the three different character groups toward the end is also irksome and unwieldy.)Perhaps the weakest aspect of the book is its treatment of the female characters. In the first book, Queen Alinea was a ball of fire: active, witty, together, all despite the fact her husband was a captive and potentially dead. Here, after 10 more years of peace and happy marriage she likely wouldn't have gotten, she is a wreck. Now, her husband's death is imminent, and her emotions are valid and true and all that, but she comes across as weak and soppy throughout, which was a disappointment. Additionally, Lawhead brings in another new character simply because "Toli needs a girlfriend," not really for any other plot reasons. The seemingly necessary plot movements Princess Esme brings in the beginning are soon erased because all the info she brings is also brought more meaningfully by other characters. The female characters midway through the game have lost all luster and identity. A bit of a shame, since the first book and the beginning of this one had real women characters.On the whole, it was good, though the many flaws (and Lawhead's "medieval language" style is in full bloom, like pollen) prevent it from making it great. It has impressive things, as I said: Lawhead does things in here you wouldn't expect in book 2 (a book 3, maybe, but not a book 2). The book gives us insight into the fact there is a whole rest of the world out there beyond this country (a world with many cultures and nations, apparently). Quentin's faith becomes substantial here, finally (what was he doing for 10 years?). Other people come to a genuine faith in The Most High God in believable, subtle ways (Lawhead again does a fine job of working faith into it smoothly and realistically and not heavy-handedly). It has flaws, as I enumerated, it drags on for quite a bit in the middle, but it has some very impressive and exciting scenes. It has humorous and warm moments early on. It has very touching moments toward the end. It probably deserves more than a 3.5 after all. This series has impressed me a lot more than I thought it would thus far.
I ended up giving up on this book. I tend to like Stephen Lawhead's writing, or I certainly did when I was little, but this is really, really purple prose. There's thinly veiled references to Christianity, which don't ordinarily bother me, but which began to build up. There was a terrible love scene, from which I have a quote that makes me die a little:"There is trouble, Bria. I feel it, though all about me appears peaceful and serene. I start at shadows, and night gives no rest; it is as if the wind itself whispers an alarm to my ears, but no sound is heard."Bria sighed deeply and clutched him tighter. "What is happening? What will become of us, my darling?""I do not know. But I promise you this: I will love you forever."They held each other for awhile, and the sun rose and filled the sky with golden light."See how the sun banishes the darkness. So love will send our troubles fleeing far from us -- I promise.""Can love accomplish so much, do you think?" Bria said dreamily."It can do all things."Seriously? Ugh.Add to that my growing feeling that women are reduced to wives in the story -- even in the first book, now I actually think about it. Alinea can't possibly rule in her husband's stead, it seems. Bria isn't even considered for the succession. No, it's the big brave strong religious men must save the world.Okay, I get writing in a kind of medievalish world. But seriously, it's another world! You don't have to carry our medieval society over!I'd still be reading, though, despite this, if the characters were somewhat more than cardboard cutouts, or the story at all original. Not impressed.
What do You think about The Warlords Of Nin (1996)?
I thought the first book in the Dragon King Trilogy was epic, and it really is, but there is such a thing as MORE epic. The Warlords of Nin is pure awesome epicness. I love this book so much! I can't even begin to describe all the things I loved about it. It's just so good! The adventures, the battles, the quests, the characters, the world, and just everything combines to make this a wonderful story. It's one of my very favorites!Though ten years after the first book, the characters don't feel a bit older, they're just the same as they were, only just a little awesomer. If that's possible. We meet some new characters in this book and get to know the old ones better. Toli as always is my favorite character. <3 Esme is my favorite female character in the book. Theido and Ronsard are an epic pair and Quentin is a grand hero.This was one of the first Christian books that really did something good for me. I find that it's not the story of watching a character grow in faith but the profound, inspiring lines in a story that does me good. Most Christian books are just about a normal, unlikeable person becoming a Christian or a better person--which doesn't help me be a better person when all I can think of is how much I don't like the MC--so I find books with precious, good lines very hard to find.I recommend this book to all lovers of awesome books.
—Stargazer R.L.
Stephen R. Lawhead's "The Warlords of Nin" is the second book in The Dragon King Trilogy. It is a medieval fantasy novel. In it, the kingdom of Askelon, the most powerful kingdom in Mensandor, is threatened by a foreign army under the lead of the god Nin the Destroyer. King Eskevar is on his deathbed and sends for Quentin, a former temple acolyte, and because he has no son names Quentin his heir to the throne. As Nin’s army slowly takes over the land and approaches the mighty castle in Askelon, Quentin, accompanied by Durwin the Holy Hermit of Pelgrin Forest, Toli the young Jher and master armourer Inchkeith in search of the stone lanthanil. Quentin is believed to be the Priest King, foretold about in ancient prophecies. They find the lanthanil in the ancient mines of Dekra and forge the mighty sword Zalighkeer, or The Shining One. When the Dragon King’s armies have all but given up hope defending the siege of the Ningaal, Quentin returns and slays the great Nin. Peace is restored in the realm of Mensandor, however in that battle, King Eskevar is killed, so Quentin is named the new Dragon King. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading fictional fantasy thrillers.
—Zach
One of my favorites from Mr. Lawhead.Picking up right where In the Hall of the Dragon King left off, this seconded installment follows the young king, Quentin, and his faithful companion and friend, Tolli as they get ready to face their biggest challenge so far. The Wolf star is rising, prophesying the end of the age, and with it comes The Warlords of Nin, the sinister Hun-like invaders with no mercy for innocents and their pagan religion. Quentin must do all he can to fight against the coming invasion, with truth as justice as his weapons, and his faith in The Most High God. The land of Mensandor will never be the same.This is one of my favorite series, it has everything a good Christian Fantasy should have, admirable heroes who fight for truth and put their trust in the Lord, action, knights, and a touch of allegory. Even my teenage brother is a fan of this series, and he is a bit of a picky reader, I'm constantly trying to find good books that my brother would enjoy and this on was a winner. Mr. Lawhead writes with a classic touch, and sense of detail that weaves the story together, and makes the world of Mensandor come alive in all it's lush glory. My brother is a huge fantasy fan, but it's hard to find books that are Biblically correct, and don't have some strange tidbits that I can't help but question, The Warlords of Nin is not one of those books. I know that this book isn't for everyone as there are scenes of violence, that some might find disturbing, though they are in the middle of a war and gruesome things are common when on a battlefield or in cases of torture. I especially appreciated the strong faith element and watching Quentin's faith grow as he strove toward making following God the most important thing in his life. This is a book that I would highly recommend for fantasy lovers and the teen guys, like my brother who love action, knights, and a very minimum of romance (seriously, there isn't much :) Thanks.I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
—Faye
