| Title | : | The Reader of Acheron |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0991057341 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780991057344 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 412 |
| Publication | : | First published January 6, 2014 |
The Reader of Acheron Reviews
-
This is a very complex dystopian fantasy, which is a good deal more than it seems. It is a story of self-discovery, the search for freedom and what that means, and a picture of an ignorant and dark society in which reading and self-improvement are forbidden. The characters are intriguing, especially Kikkan, an escaped slave, who is trying to survive in a world he knows nothing about. Freedom is terrifying and yet glorious and, unlike most slaves who are drugged into docility, his mind is sharp and he craves learning, but like a child he is untutored and the journey of his mind and his experience is enthralling. That said he kills, both symbolically and physically and asks questions no one will ask. Quillion, too is interesting, a rebellious mercenary who experiences servitude and prejudice, holds a contempt for stupidity and also must find his way in this dangerous world. He approaches gaining his power from a different direction.
Power is key, and its definitions are rapier sharp in this book. More than a fantasy, more than a dystopian novel, this is in part a social commentary. Don’t let that put you off, as this is also a well-written adventure complete with swords, monsters, heroes and villains and with a dark humour and intelligence throughout. -
“Beneath the rule of tyrants, monsters may become heroes.”
Walter Rhein gives us something different in the way of heroic fantasy – a story set in a future world where it is forbidden to learn how to read, forbidden to teach people to read. In the hierarchy of Erafor, reading and writing has been outlawed for decades, though basic iconography is allowed for the sake of keeping records. The mysterious and powerful Seneschals are charged with eliminating all texts and “readers” in this brave new world, a world I hope to never myself living in. For this is also a world where slaves are kept as animals, and are doped up on a brain-rotting drug called Bliss that keeps them docile, so they won’t rise up and pose a threat to their masters. But one slave, named Kikkan, manages to murder his master and mistress, and eventually escape to explore his world, in search of freedom and knowledge and understanding. But he chooses not to kill the slave owners’ children, and thus they vow revenge. This is not only the story of Kikkan’s murderous revolt; it is also the story of his education and his growth as a character, and as a human being. And then there’s Quillion, a rebellious soldier patrolling the border just north of the lands of Acheron, who also commits murder when he kills his buffoon of a commanding officer, a man who risks everyone else’s life but his own. Quillion has a rudimentary knowledge of reading, and wants to learn more because there are things he desires to know, and he believes that knowledge is his right to own. When he and Cole, his friend, companion and fellow soldier are conscripted to help in the hunt for the Reader of Acheron – someone who is teaching people to read, in violation of all the laws of the land – they find themselves caught up in politics and social ideals, and ideas…which are dangerous, and what the hierarchy is dedicated to stamping out.
At one point in Rhein’s masterful tale, Cole asks Quillion why he wants to read, and Quillion tells him: “Because I’m told not to! Why would anyone go through the effort to forbid something unless it was important, and that importance posed a threat to them?”
“Maybe they’re forbidding it for your own good?” Cole replies.
This, short and sweet, sums up perfectly Quillion’s character, the nature of his heart and soul, and gives us a hint of what his overall arc will be in subsequent volumes in this series.
And then there’s a boy with an eidetic memory, who is being taught to read by the Reader himself. How will he play into all this? What will become of Kikkan, the murderous slave, now a fugitive who finds himself involved with a group of rebels hiding out in the forests of Acheron? And what of the children of the slave owners murdered by Kikkan? Will they find him, exact their revenge? There is a lot going on in this novel: ideas and adventure, action and social commentary, all skillfully blended and beautifully written by a natural-born storyteller. There is something deep and dark and frightening lurking at the core of this fine novel that speaks volumes about our own world, governmental control of the media, and the conspiracy of misinformation – all without interfering with the flow and pace of this action-packed adventure. A key passage halfway through the story sums it all up nicely, I thought:
“Not for the first time, Quillion recognized the power to be gain from cursory record-keeping – or none. In the absence of recorded facts, only the hierarchy could give guidance. Without decisions based on recorded evidence, those in power chose preferred truths. It was convenient and efficient, the only thing sacrificed was reality.”
There is power in knowledge, and therein lies the truth of it all: the pen is mightier than the sword, and words are more powerful than weapons. This is a thoughtful novel, filled with insight, mystery and suspense, and as I said before…it’s heroic fantasy of a different breed. I highly recommend it.
-
Dystopia without the baggage—that is what I call this excellent book—Or how about just excellent fantasy.
There is so much Dystopian Fiction out there these days that one can hardly swing a disembodied zombie arm without hitting another book about our broken future. But, so many of them feel like regurgitations of the tried and true, the same-old-same-old. Because of that, I rarely break open a dystopian story.
But, that is the beauty of this book—I didn’t know it was a dystopian fantasy when I opened it up and I was well into the story before it struck me. That says something, I think. It is easy to create the next Escape from New York or Bladerunner or Planet of the Apes, based on over-done models and a million stories of the same ilk. But, authors of these sorts of stories can never really compete with the originals.
This book is very different. It isn’t the typical in-your-face, evil empire, dark, corporate take-over, or even over-used nuclear fall-out stuff. It was more subtle, more deeply ingrained in the culture of the people involved, an almost invisible but ever present feeling that accompanied the cool characters as they dealt with the conflicts that arose from that very same setting.
It was organic, naturally occurring.
I completely lost the sense that we were on some dark future earth. Instead, I was there, living in the world that these characters lived in, facing the dangers and challenges that they faced. They didn’t know it was a dystopian future; it wasn’t part of their experience, so why should it be part of mine. It was pretty awesome. The dystopia was part of the fabric of the world, not simply a setting, an obvious tool to elicit cheap reader-associations.
Focusing on the setting and the author’s masterful world building is only half the story though. The characters are real and deep and filled with their own internal conflicts. Rage and sorrow comes to a reader as slavery is set against the emotional co-dependency of people that evolve in such a world, and the empathy that one cannot help but feel towards them.
We are set in a world of people that cannot read, and reading is a crime punishable by the unthinkable. It is the in-born quest for knowledge and freedom that create the conflict in this story. The characters feel it. The characters live it and strive against it unconsciously, but with all the need and desperation of a drowning man.
And I loved it. I loved them.
I think that you will enjoy this book immensely. I did, and I am not even a fan of the genre. Come—take a read. I know you won’t regret it. -
A rousing tale!
A freed slave on a journey of self discovery, a philosophical sell sword, and a lethal enforcer all travel throughout a land where only the strongest and most cunning survive. The Reader of Acheron is a post- apocalyptic tale in which reading and knowledge have been outlawed and the populace undergoes mass indoctrination to ensure their unquestioning obedience. Drug addled slaves toil for their masters until they are no longer of use and are cast aside to become desperate killers, driven by an unquenchable desire for the very thing that has caused their demise.
I was instantly drawn to the character Quillion as he battles foes with both his sword and an intellect that is equally as sharp and dangerous. He lives by a code that is many times at odds with those he is supposed to obey, as well as the rule of law in the land. And yet he continues forward, undaunted, searching for enlightenment in a dark age. While not a slave in the traditional sense, Quillion, like many others in his time lives under the thumb of a tyrannical ruling class that suppresses their ability to think and act freely.
Kikkan is intriguing in his own right as he comes to recognize and then embrace the strength that he possesses and his right to be free. His actions are driven by pure instinct, without the intercession of educated thought or an imposed morality. Kikkan simply acts based upon his own experiences and what he feels driven to do.
The Reader of Acheron held my attention all from beginning to end, and had a pace that flowed well. Walter Rhein has created not only an extremely entertaining story, but also a brilliant treatise on oppressive government, the true nature of slavery and the true power of the human mind. I truly enjoyed this book and am eager for the next book in the Erafor series. -
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
The Reader of Acheron is set in a dystopian future where books and reading are outlawed, and the masses are enslaved, their minds dulled with the drug Bliss. However, a few books survive, in hidden stashes in abandoned homes, and the desire for knowledge can never be outlawed. A soldier, Quillion, and his sidekick Cole, are seeking after a fabled teacher, while an escaped slave, Kikkan, falls in with a group of elderly wanderers led by an enigmatic old scholar. In the meantime, Cassius, a formidable fighter and one of the elite authorities, is on the hunt for both scholar and slave.
This was an interesting book. It seemed kind of slow-moving as it followed the three different characters (or groups of characters) to their ultimate meeting, and it's clearly a setup for further books, since nothing is really resolved at the end. The main point of it seems to be to bring Kikkan and Quillion together (with Cole tagging along) and launch them on a future quest to discover the meaning behind the old scholar's cryptic statements about the true power to be found in knowledge. But we do get a fascinating tour through this chilling society, and a philosophical look at the powers of knowledge and education and the nature of various forms of slavery. There is some action along the way, some exciting fights, and also blood-sucking zombies (actually slaves who have been deprived of Bliss, who are so desperate to get their fix they'll drink blood that has any drug content in it at all).
The characters are well-drawn individuals and I was interested in what happened to them. (Unfortunately, my favorite character ) As a matter of my own personal preferences, I was disappointed that there are no female characters of any significance in the book - this seems to be entirely a man's world, and a story of men.
There are a few editing problems, most notably missing commas, but otherwise the book reads well.
If you want to read a dystopian novel featuring interesting characters, that takes a philosphical look at the nature of knowledge, education, and freedom, with some action and adventure along the way, I recommend The Reader of Archeron. -
First, my sincere thanks to Walter Rhein who so generously sent me a copy of this delightful work of his. As my true love is the printed page, this is now on my favorite reads bookcase.
I was hooked from the moment I opened the package when it arrived in the mail, having first judged by the cover, with "Beneath the rule of tyrants, monsters may become heroes." on the back and the use of Prometheus Being Chained rather grand and fitting. Then I opened the book and found a dystopian future where reading is outlawed, people are drugged to be complacent slaves in a most horrific manner, and the adventures of several characters whose paths eventually connect. Written in under 400 pages, I'm now anticipating the next book with great eagerness. The author's words flow fast but keen, keeping you needing to find out what happens next. His characters have personalities that are vivid and full of life. Their journeys to find freedom from tyrants and ignorance, and learning about themselves along the way was amazing. Sort of a vague reminiscent mix of Fahrenheit 451/Day of the Dead/The Giver bit of blending and feel, yet this story isn't quite like any I've read. It holds it's own with me and was a grand way to spend a day watching a storm while cuddled with pets, hot tea and the gift of this story.
There were a few things noticed, lest you think I'm just all agog since it was a gift. A few typo's, nothing major, a bit of punctuation here and there, and the phrase "due to the fact" interjected more than once, but that's due to me never liking that particular phrase. I find it to be spawned from the depths of the "Department of Redundancy Dept.". Just a pet peeve of mine. Over all though, this was creepy, thought provoking, cleverly written with descriptions that were vivid without being overly wordy (unlike this review), and other than the aforementioned peeve, found the story as a whole to be a very worthwhile read. I have already recommended it to several others not in my Goodreads world. Alas, I'm not inclined to loan books though (well, most find the process of the unbreakable contract and blood that I demand to be a bit much so they no longer ask) so you all MUST to get your own copy! >;P -
Walter Rhein’s “The Reader of Acheron (The Slaves of Erafor)” is an excellent introduction into a post-apocalyptic/dystopian fantasy work of intriguing characters and page-turning plot.
Rhein reveals his world through the perspective of two main characters, who are both more alike than they know. Kikkan is a slave, who has known nothing but a slave’s life. In Rhein’s world, slaves are fed an addictive, mind-numbing drug called Bliss. Kikkan, however, has been kept off the drug because while it makes slaves passive, it also weakens them and rots their mind. Quillion, on the other hand, is a professional soldier, trapped in a world of soldiering and a hierarchy so oppressive that he’s not much better off than Kikkan. Abused by his superior officer, he and his friend Cole must flee into the wilderness to save their lives, and seek their destiny.
Rhein does an excellent job developing the story and the characters, but it’s the background of his world where he really hits the home run. This is a place where reading, and books, are prohibited, sought out, and destroyed. It’s a fascinating, fantasy riff on “Fahrenheit 451” that he makes his own. The flow of his writing is very smooth, and the dialogue flows logically throughout. When Kikkan finds himself confronted with the choice of starving to death or attacking a carriage, he reasons out his choices before arriving at a decision.
In “The Reader of Acheron (The Slaves of Erafor)”, Rhein brings to life the physical and mental struggle of characters thrust into a world they didn’t create, hungering for knowledge to make lives better, and matched by a mysterious hierarchy that seeks only ignorance and slavery. As Kikkan, Quillion and Cole battle their way through the obstacles, the reader will find themselves drawn into the adventure, and hungry for more. -
I consider myself lucky to have stumbled on this book. When I read it just struck a chord deep inside me. As soon as I started reading (which seemed rather odd, reading about a place where reading is a death sentence) I was pulled in to this rather twisted society. What it boiled down to for me was the HAVES vs. the HAVE NOTS....The HAVES...they are the upper echelon of society, the privileged....the HAVE NOTS..they are the slaves, the people that have to put up with the B.S. that the Haves dish out.
I very much liked Kikkan, the slave that dares to want more, his discussions with Adam are thought provoking and eye opening. Especially of interest to me was the way children were educated prior to the fall. Educated enough to be docile good workers and not try to rise above their station in life, bowing to authority, not taught to think outside the box...The HAVES want to keep their spot in society, with the all the power.Sent shivers down my spine when I see how that situation is similar to the way our kids are currently being taught. Scary to think how this could happen!
but Quillion and Cole just stole my breath, Quillion especially. He hates the way things ARE, and does his part to rid the world of stupidity. Q reads covertly..when he finds the rare material. I couldn't quite figure out if I liked Cassius or not. This was obviously written with a sequel in mind, and I can't wait!
The plot is tight, the characters well written and thought out. Highly recommended! There was not a single thing that I didn't like, it had all the parts that I love in a book. One of the best I have read in ages, ranking up there with some of the best authors on my fantasy list. Bravo Walter! Simply....Bravo! -
I picked up The Reader of Acheron by Walter Rhein because I very much enjoyed Seed of Vyldur and The Bone Sword (two of his earlier exploits). I have to say…not only does this book have a stunning cover provided by Perseid Publishing, this is his best work to date!
By the time I reached page fifty, I was hooked! Kikkan, bootlicker and slave, had meager beginnings but emerged as my favorite character. His journey and internal struggle are very compelling and made me want to read through the other perspectives in the book to get back to his storyline like I did with Jon and Tyrion in A Song of Ice and Fire. His human condition is captured really well by Rhein and it brings Kikkan to life as a three dimensional character.
I want to be fair and pinpoint a flaw in The Reader of Acheron but that is a tough thing to do. The writing is solid, the pacing is great, and overall it’s easy to read. There are similarities in his storyline to other works (Kikkan reminds me of Spartacus to an extent) but with the author's additions, the story is actually quite unique.
It’s been a fun adventure watching Walter Rhein grow as a writer and get better with each piece. Even I was surprised how fast the storyline was able to reel me in. Looking forward to this series and his future releases. -
From an inspired beginning, Walter Rhein weaves an edged tale that will sweep you away, challenge what you believe, and perhaps even make you reconsider some of those things you take for granted.
Through the eyes of not one, but several very human heroes, he brings you along the path of each of them, through an uncomfortably familiar dystopian future, where knowledge isn’t so much power as freedom is.
His gift of weaving disparate themes into a cohesive whole means that when they finally do come together, they don’t coalesce, they explode. And you can feel it building every step of the way.
Don’t miss Reader of Acheron. -
Walter Rhein’s
The Reader of Acheron is 'A Reader-Haunted World' (yes, that is a call-out to
Carl Sagan's
The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark.)
Rhein begins with a bunch of characters struggling to survive in a futuristic earth in which reading is prohibited. Three key individuals emerge as tour guides. Two are the sword-swinging duo of Quillion and Cole who are reminiscent of
Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser (famous Sword and Sorcery adventurers which share brawn and some intellect). The third is Kikkan, a slave who is rather like Marvel’s Hulk.
This is a fast reading narrative, with well-placed doses of humor, horror, and brutal fighting. The pacing is spot on. The conflict is ever present and breathtaking; the plight of Kikkan the slave is most compelling. To avoid spoilers but still highlight Kikkan’s drama, the below excerpt is taken from Kikkan’s first appearance; here his owner was encouraged to demonstrate his power over his property:"He dropped his head to Duncan’s boot. The road smell was upon it. The dirt and the filth of miles of walking. The sweat of man and animal imbibed the leather. The scent of urine and fecal matter, all the trappings of a farm. Kikkan’s command was to clean the boot. But it was not enough to clean it. It had to be cleaned absolutely. Kikkan extended his tongue. The work began."
You’ll be rooting for Kikkan to overcome his oppression, but beware; Rhein rapidly takes Kikkan into even more emotive scenes that will leave you breathless. Like most dystopic fantasy (from Planet of The Apes, The Hunger Games, and Fahrenheit 451), the author invites readers to consider humanity’s societal flaws. And it is not just the possible re-emergence of slavery that is posited; many other group behaviors are on display here, the most obvious being state-based censorship (book burning), but also drug-use and blind-obedience to institutions (religious and political). Actually, the author’s voice occasionally sneaks through too strongly via Kikkan (whose articulate dialogue is a bit too refined given his life).
In summary,
The Reader of Acheron is entertaining dystopia with intellectual depth. This establishes (a) an interesting dystopia and (b) a group of interesting characters to explore it. With such a solid foundation in place, this screams for a sequel. Indeed some places refer to this as "The Slaves of Erafor- Volume 1", so expect more! -
The beginning of The Slaves of Erafor series, and a tremendous opening salvo from Walter Rhein. I have had the pleasure of reviewing several of Walter’s previous works, and this one does not disappoint. His growth as a writer is readily apparent from the first books through this one. This one is hard to do without spoilers. Anyhow, my review.
Characters. Deeply developed, emotionally, physically, mentally, all the way around. No throw away characters and each one has a place and a reason for being there. Kikkan and Quillion are thoroughly crafted with care and time.
Setting is laid out very well, as with any book I read, I must be able to stroll along the countryside alongside the characters and experience what they do. Within the first three chapters I was snagged hook, line, and sinker. Difficult to put down once I was into the story.
Pacing was good, I did not experience any typos, errors, or story line lulls. Nothing caught my attention in the negative, for me the story once it had caught me kept me entertained throughout.
This review is difficult because I want to spoil things, but I won’t so I better stop here. It is better to experience it yourself. I have come to expect the highest of quality from Walter Rhein, and again, The Reader Of Acheron did not disappoint.
What is the final score on the Papi Z Book-O-Meter? 5 out of 5 stars. Buy it, love it, and share it widely my friends. If you enjoy fantasy you will enjoy this entry into a new series. I look forward to the coming books and you will too. -
The Reader of Acheron by Walter Rhein is by far the most intriguing novel of its kind. Here, readers are introduced to a world where reading is forbidden. Many of us would die of shock hearing these world from our own government if one day this were to happen. Just reading the first sentence brings readers minds into a swirl of possibiites oh why, how, and who would make reading forbidden...I was definitely intrigued with that statement.
Inside this novel, readers will meet military men and men who have been turned into zombies. Those who read are taken as slaves and put on a drug that melts their brains and when they become so weak, they are let loose into the wild. It is then that they turn into these frightening zombies. Zombies that need the drug called Bliss to keep going...but instead go after other humans...if one of their own has been slaughtered...they eat him alive. Hence, the zombie is the correct term to describe the horrors, dangers, and suspense of this novel. The Readers of Acheron takes readers on an intense journey that will leave them on the edge of their seats, their palms sweating and their hearts pounding with fear. The anticipation of what is to happen next will keep readers turning this mind blowing read. Overall, I enjoyed reading this fantasy and look forward to the next book. Walter Rhein's writing is suspenseful and vivid. His talent is amazing. I highly recommend The Readers of Acheron to readers worldwide. Beware once you open it, you will be plunged into one of the most dangerous worlds of fiction... -
Amazing book!Walter Rhein is such a brilliant author and I was so intrigued by this book! the characters and the story were so creative that I couldn't put it down for a second. The story was real and gripping from beginning to end and his ideas on how reading could be a crime punished by death were both shocking and horrific. I don't ever think I would be able to live in a world were reading wasn't allowed. I would definitely be one who would fight for the right for people to read everywhere. So in this book I wouldn't live very long!...lol
In a world were reading is a death sentence and slavery is the highest order of the day. Kikkan, a slave on the run and Quillion, a mercenary and scholar seek out a band of rebels who will help them create a better world. There leader known only as the Reader of Acheron.
Walter Rhein really went all out when creating this book. He wrote a masterpiece of fiction, and I am honoured that he asked me to review it! This book has changed me forever and I know it will change all others who read it too!
I highly recommend this book! it is truly amazing and a total life changer! TBR Today -
While it felt odd to be reading of a world where reading is outlawed and most of the population illiterate, I haven't yet seen or read of a similar book. While at first i got a little bit confused and had to go back and reread a passage or two (but that may be me and my way of reading) I was quickly captivated by the world his words painted. I was quickly on the side of the former slave, Kikkan. I was also quietly rooting for Quillion, the mercenary who taught himself to read and who somewhat reminds me of myself and my yearning to find a book to read.
Walter definitely left this book open for a sequel, and I cannot wait to pick up the next in line. -
To read is forbidden. So nobody knows even a letter. The roads are dangerous. Mercenaries armed with swords round them.
Slavery is the common currency. But are not Middle Ages. Memories of an ancient world remind that someday things were different.
Known objects presented as something new, completely unknown. Past or Future? Known or Unknown?
That's the captivating ambiguity which author uses to show us an oppressive system where the salvation appears to be in those who transgress the law... -
Freedom is great if you have it and the money to afford it. Slavery is what you get when you don't have anything at all. Kikkan is a slave bought and paid for. Who has been working his whole life so far. His master never wanted him weak or on drugs and feed he good. His mistake was letting him think.... Without the bliss to make his mind obey completely he escapes and goes to the open road to try and hide besides eating when he can. Meeting people nice or in some cases greedy. Will he survive the night out or will he be brought back to justice
-
A dystopian fantasy that explores an unsettling future in which knowledge is withheld, reading is banned and slaves are drugged to keep them docile and subservient. It is an unpleasant world, and yet Humanism shines through--in both Kikkan the slave who experiences an awakening and in Quillion, a soldier who has his secrets. It is a pleasure to watch their stories unfold and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
-
Great, thought provoking fantasy novel. More people need to learn about this book!
-
Imagine a world where reading is prohibited and anyone caught reading or in possession of books is sentenced to a life of slavery, forced to take a controlling substance which pretty much turns slaves into zombies. It’s my worst nightmare and unfortunately, this future is closer than we think.
Kikkan is a slave when we first meet him. His owner treats him well and doesn’t force him to take the zombie drugs. But Kikkan is still someone’s property and in a moment of rebellion, he forces his own freedom. He’s on the run but doesn’t know where he belongs, torn between two worlds.
Quillion is a member of the local militia and in need of freedom of his own. He and his buddy (Cole) strike out on their own. They happen upon a farmhouse and discover a roomful of treasures: books. Quillion confesses to Cole his ability to read letters and sentences but has yet to comprehend what he’s reading. Quillion reveals the man who taught him to read was none other than the Reader.
Both Kikkan and Quillion are on an epic journey of self-discovery and the power of reading. Both will face conflicts and everything they believe will be tested. It’s not until their paths cross that we finally understand what it means to be truly free.
This is my first book I have read by this author and I must tell you how much I enjoyed it. He’s a terrific storyteller who weaves philosophy into the story without the reader realizing it. After reading a passage, I had to stop and think about what just happened while contemplating how I’d handle the situation. The scenes with Kikkan were powerful and emotional because the author immerses the reader into the mind of a slave. Rhein strips away pretense and you’re left with raw emotion. Well done!
The characters were realistic and original, which is a feat in today’s publishing market. I connected with each of the characters and found it fascinating to see each one’s morality play out.
When I finished the book, one question echoed in my head: does the banning of reading make society better or worse?
My answer is clear: without books and improving one’s mind, society is much, much worse.
I can’t recommend this book enough! This should be read in every high school classroom and by every adult so we ensure this post-apocalyptic future never comes to fruition.
Favorite Character:
Quillion. I loved his thirst for knowledge and determined to improve his reading skills so that he can understand the meaning in each story. His attempting to read classic literature was a treat for me. He’s a cautious man but knows there’s someone out there who can help him.
Favorite Quote:
“It is the most dangerous weapon in the world. It can play tricks on you. It can drive an unconquerable warrior to take his own life. It can dupe a competent leader into a course of action that will spread death and destruction among his charges. Unless the mind has been disciplined it will consume you.”
My Rating: 5 stars
This review first appeared:
https://princessofthelight.wordpress.com -
It took me about a hundred pages to really get "drawn into" this story. Usually, I might have stopped reading, but I had received the book in exchange for an honest review, and I wanted to uphold my end of the bargain. I am glad that I did, as the second half of the book is far more intriguing and interesting than the first half.
The story has two separate story lines and sets of characters that do not seem likely to intersect at first. I think that may have been part of my struggle at the beginning. I also didn't really start to like any of the characters until later in the book, and I have a hard time reading about characters I don't enjoy. I think I was also expecting something a bit more snidely sarcastic like the short story of this author's that I really enjoyed in his chapter of Battle of Ebulon, and this was very different from that.
However, none of those things are major drawbacks, just personal preferences and preconceived notions on the reader's (my) part.
Things I enjoyed:
-The way that the author described everyday, ordinary objects that characters would come across that were no longer everyday or ordinary.
-That the story is set in the near future of Earth, an Earth that has degenerated into an illiterate, caste system in the past 60 years
-How the two story lines did intersect
-The hints about a grander story surrounding all of the characters
Things that could be categorized as "cons:"
-Hard to believe society could degenerate so far in such a short amount of time, and that 30-year old men would not have any concept of the past or be able to recognize a gun - even if they've never seen one, it doesn't make sense that there aren't even any stories about them, particularly in the military. The "lost knowledge" trope is just not my favorite story telling device.
-Although the first 100 pages are fairly error-free, the second half of the book had a lot of typos: missing words, sentences that ended with both a period and a comma, and a few places where sentences were not separated by any punctuation at all.
-The slow start to the book. As I said before, it took about 100 pages to grab my attention, which is more time than I would normally give to a book I had picked up from the library.
Overall, the writing was very good, the characters well-developed, and the dialogue was believable. I can honestly say I "liked it," hence the 3 stars.
The story felt a bit like a cross between Farenheit 451, Equilibrium, and 1984... but it had some unique qualities all its own, as well.
- I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review - -
Walter Rhein’s The Reader of Acheron, is book one of the Slaves of Erafor series, a fantasy set on a future Earth at a time when reading is prohibited. The eponymous Reader is, necessarily, a figure of mystery living under threat of torture and death.
There is a prologue to the tale, which I’m not certain is essential and which may even stop some readers from moving into the tale itself. I have to tell you that it’s definitely worth getting past this short barrier. The real story, couched in language that evokes another time, builds inexorably to the denouement and an ending that closes this portion of what is clearly going to be a continuing adventure for those characters remaining.
There are two story threads that interweave. Initially, there appears to be no connection between these accounts, though clues and hints slowly build. Both tales describe the domain in which the characters exist, unfolding a world of slavery and class, where those not in the upper strata are either drug-addled slaves in everything including name or are paid slaves in everything but name. The whole of society is structured to maintain the status quo of those few with power and position.
Characters are well drawn and have their idiosyncrasies, making them human and accessible. As with a great number of books in this genre, women are little represented. But that results from the narrative viewpoints, which, in one case reduces female contact to the wife and child of the slave owner and, in the other, provides the typical mercenary soldier’s view of women.
There is a well expressed underlying theme here of the abuse of knowledge; the way in which society may be structured in such a way as to filter information and program learning so that it truly benefits only those at the peak of the social pyramid. Those in power, curating the knowledge, have a terror of their underlings discovering this knowledge, of course. The message is sobering and pertinent, but doesn’t get in the way of the story, which is well told and absorbing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I was able to empathise with the characters and understand their motives, desires, hopes and anxieties. There is a great adventure here, but there is also a great deal more going on beneath the surface, and I have no hesitation in recommending this book. I look forward to the sequels. -
The Reader of Acheron by Walter Rhein Review 2/7/17 ARC copy from Author
To READ or to not to READ? That is the question????
Book One of the Slaves of Erafor series: Reading is forbidden, and the penalty for non-compliance is a life of slavery enabled by the forcible administration of a mind rotting drug. Yet, there are those possessed of the will to seek illumination. Kikkan, a former slave on the run, and Quillion, a mercenary and self-taught scholar. Together they seek out a small band of rebels living in hiding who offer the promise of a better world. Their leader is a mysterious figure known only as The Reader of Acheron.
What did I like? There are several main characters in this storyline and each of them are unique and play such an important part in the story. Each of them are well developed and flow with what is happening. This story includes some very brutal details and some very thoughtful ideas. Could this possibly happen to us in the future?? Could we be put in this position and could our world come to the desperation that you will hear in this group of characters?? It is within the realm of something like this happening in the future and at the rate we are going, who knows?????
What are you going to like? You’re going to like the well written flow to this story, how it does not get to mind boggling and yet gives you enough details that you know what is happening all the time with delightful descriptions. You will like the focus of the intrigue, mystery and the interaction with the other characters bringing it all alive and with this great plot but with an ending that will lead to more and hopefully not stop there. I loved the possibilities that the storyline gives and how it will play out in the hopeful future. I also liked that it was more than the average sci-fi type plot… as it leaves so much to the imagination. Can’t wait for the next book don’t let us down keep going!
I received this from the author for an honest opinion with no compensation. -
Reader of Acheron, a review
From the first chapter that draws you into the story, to second chapter with an OMG I didn’t see that coming, and all the way through to the end; the author, Walter Rhein, takes you on an incredible journey. You travel through a world that has regressed from a highly civilized society to something akin to the dark ages.
The journey is experienced primarily through the eyes of Kilkan, an escaped slave and Quillion, a soldier for hire. The description of this dystopian society that has made it against the law to be able to read or write is rich and well thought out. But, the author goes even further and delves into the psychological ramifications of slavery, as Kilkan struggles with what it means to be a free man. At the same time, Quillion struggles to understand what the books he finds have to tell him.
The villains are just despicable enough for you to wish the worst on them, a feature that will always draw me to the end of a book on its own
.
The writing is superb with in depth character development and a thorough description of the world you are taken into. The ending is a perfect segue for a second novel with these very interesting individuals and where their journey will take them. I hope that you enjoy this read as much as I did. -
This novel blew me away! This absorbing and attention-grabbing work had me riveted from the beginning. The story flows from scene to scene effortlessly, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling.
As much as this genre can be predictable, I found this tale of intrigue to be refreshingly imaginative. There are twists and turns in this page turner that will take the reader on a gripping journey. Also, the writing style is uncomplicated which makes for an enjoyable read.
It’s one of those rare stories that come along that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery!
A highly recommended read! Looking forward to reading more from this author in the future. I received a copy for my unbiased review. -
this book was amazing, it's about slaves and them trying to seek freedom. you follow two salves called Cole and quillion who go through everything together and then there is a separate slave who we follow called kikkan. in the end there story's emerge as one.
I love how easy this book was to read as the pace and writing flowed so nicely.
I got through this book fast as there was so many suprised and it kept me hooked all the way though and left me wanting more, I can't wait for the next book xxx -
This is Dystopian Action Fantasy with a thread of philosophy running through it. Not enough to slow the action down, just enough to give the plot deeper meaning and intensify the conflict.
The characters are interesting, but not exceptionally so. Quillion, the soldier-philosopher, is likeable but not lovable. The freed slave, Kikkan, is the most interesting of the bunch, but due to his stunted intellectual development, does not particularly appeal to the reader. The rest are the standard group of minor villains and spear-carriers one would expect in this genre.
The strength of the writing is in the suspense. There is consistent conflict, and this author knows how to nurture tension in every small moment. The overall story arc is smooth, with action causing effect, which builds to further trouble. However, a lack of deep connection with any of the main characters prevents this tension from really affecting us.
Individual characterization is a problem. A “lean warrior,” one moment is a “stout northerner,” later on. Quick point-of-view slips make it difficult to distinguish the differences between the main characters and to decide how we should react to them.
Likewise, the world building is sufficient but hardly entertaining. The social setting is a world that bans literacy, which is key to the conflict. Other than that, the story takes place in a post-apocalyptic void, with ruins of the old society available when needed for the plot, but little other description.
A solid example of the genre, lacking outstanding flash or emotional connection. This is an ARC, so I cannot comment on the editing. -
From the moment I started reading the first word of The Reader Acheron, by author Walter Rhein, I knew I'd enjoy it, and I wasn't let down by thinking that. Intelligently written, with interesting, likeable characters and a unique plot, this books worth the five stars I'm rating it, and look forward to more from this author.
