Adolescent male fantasy

I think if I had read this in 1985, I would have been thrilled that a female character was depicted as a competent warrior. In 2020, it's hard to stomach the depiction of every female character in this book as a pair of breasts with a two-dimensional opinion. Credit to the author for trying to include well rounded female characters, but when we say "rounded" we don't mean in the chest. I mean, Mr. Weeks, just imagine every time you introduced a male character, you included a description of his package, of how the men in the room couldn't help noticing his attractive little behind and the old women commented on how he wore his pants immodestly tight in the crotch. This is a world of your invention; you could have dialed back the sexism. I didn't like any central character in this book. The 16 year old male protagonist sees every woman as a flesh object first and a person maaaaaybe later after she saves his life...at least until he notices her breasts again. If you are a female, reading this book is a little like having a guy talk to your nipples--cringey. The Prism is a liar and an abuser of women. The man in the iron mask--oops, I mean the dungeon--is a 2-time rapist and a liar. And they are all murderers and abusers. I don't like any of them. I didn't root for any of them. I don't really care what happens in this story. As I was listening, I was thinking this is the flip side of a romance novel. In romance novels the female protagonist is often chubby and awkward--relatable to the female readers. In this book, the 16 year old boy is chubby and awkward. In romance novels, the male romantic interest is impossibly handsome and so generically heroic as to repeatedly rescue the protagonist. In this story, the big-breasted women rescue the 16 year old boy. In romance novels, the brawny men chop firewood for the excitement of the female reader. In this book a large breasted woman is put into a bondage situation for the excitement of the 16 year old male reader. It's a formula. In addition to articulated physical appearance of women, there is a lot of description of fighting and destruction and war and maiming and killing...so, if that's your thing, then this book delivers. I quite liked the reader. I will probably see what other authors he's read.

38 people found this helpful

Nice first book. slow start

I'm a fantasy junkie and put there somewhere in the mix of top 20 books I've listen to. If you like gritty war fantasy (think Cooke or Abercrombie) then you'll like this book. it starts off really slow but once it gets going (about 3/5th of the way) it really can keep you captivated for hours. If you haven't read a lot of fantasy I recommed something better, but if you're a junkie like me and running out of options then this is well worth the money and time. if you haven't listen to acclaimed books like the Stormlight series, Black Company, First Law series, etc. then go listen to those first. if you have mowed through most of these "slam dunk" options then give this a go. lots of magic, and the hero isn't a super-stud that is perfect in everyway. this hero has tons and tons of flaws. Likewise, the villains have many redeeming factors. definitely a gray novel.

89 people found this helpful

original and entertaining

I am late to this party and I guess from reading previous reviews that it is a lucky thing since I got to start right out with Simon Vance (one of my favorite readers). Actually, I found this book by looking up books read by him. I often do that with readers when I can't find something that seems to interest me. I am only about half way through the first book but the originality of this book reminds me very much of the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson. Not because the story lines are similar so much but the fresh idea and spot on execution of the storyline. It begins with 2 storylines that mesh up in about 15 chapters and then just keeps getting better as it goes. Based on all the reviews for the rest of the books I am looking forward to many more hours of these wonderful books. How did I miss this series? If you are on the fence, think no more, just hit the button. It is well worth your time and credit.

69 people found this helpful

Simon Vance Finally!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Black Prism to be better than the print version?

Absolutely, Simon Vance is one of my favorite narrators without a doubt.

Any additional comments?

I was incredibly excited that Week's got them to go back and have Simon Vance do this one. The other narrator made the characters flat and boring. Simon Vance made these books something special in the sequels and it's great to not have to suffer through the first one to get to the rest of the series anymore.

58 people found this helpful

Formulaic and rife with stereotypes

What did you like best about The Black Prism? What did you like least?

The voice acting was pretty good.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

--

Did The Black Prism inspire you to do anything?

Yes, be more careful with my fantasy selections.

Any additional comments?

If you like tired tropes, pathetic female characters, disheartening dialogue and rehashing old fantasy stories into something that resembles a teenage fantasy, this is your book. It wasn't all bad; just mostly bad.

12 people found this helpful

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the reissue!

Would you listen to The Black Prism again? Why?

I definitely will. I love Brent Weeks and I love Simon Vance. I have read the print version of this book multiple times and I have listened to the Blinding Knife and the Broken Eye several times as well because of the nuances in the story and performance. Unfortunately, I was only able to listen through the original audiobook version of the Black Prism once, and I think I only persevered because I had already read the book and loved it. The original narrator was horrible!!! As others have stated, he made Gavin Guile sound like Keanu Reeves in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. I kept waiting for him to say "Dude" at the end of each sentence. It was painful and it was one the first books I got from Audible. At the time I didn't know I could return books, so that version is still in my Audible library taking up space. Such a waste of a credit! But this version ... I will listen again and again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Black Prism?

I'm still listening through for the first time, so I may find more moments, but I think the opening scene of the book as read by Simon Vance will always be a favorite of mine. I loved the beginning of this book from the first time I read it, because it reveals Kip's personality and the world he lives in so clearly in what is really a very short (well constructed) passage. I have always loved Kip and found him so easy to relate to. He is every awkward kid I knew growing up and he is me every time I lost confidence in myself. He is convinced he is a worthless failure, yet he always manages to persevere and make things happen. He has no idea of his true worth and potential.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

In short ... everything. His characterizations, his pronunciations, his feel for the story, his pacing. He has been one of my favorite narrators ever since I heard the Blinding Knife.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Gavin Guile is respected, loved, and feared; the most powerful Prism in living memory ... or is he?I'm not very good at this, but I do hope a movie series is made based on these books ... as long as it is done by someone who respects Mr. Weeks' story.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait to hear the Blood Mirror. I'm counting the days.

38 people found this helpful

Colourful story!

The magic system is new to me and neat. The characters are enjoyable and grow throughout the entire story! Simon Vance like always is on point and an amazing narrator! If you have listened to the Cycle of Arawn you will enjoy this series as well I think.

13 people found this helpful

Great beginning - better than I expected

I read the Audible and Amazon reviews as well as blogs and reader sites to narrow my listening choices. If I am going to invest 10-30 hours listening to something I want it to be entertaining or thought provoking or profound. Fantasy novels are for me a guilty pleasure, and the best ones build solid foundations on multi faceted characters. I also am reluctant to take on multi-book series without having a good idea that the series improves upon the early expositions of a magic system or political setting to reward the reader later when it all comes together and the imagined underpinnings provide that exhilarating climax. That said, I am excited to move forward in this series because this was so much better than I expected: a great story with twists anchored by a talented and proven narrator.

27 people found this helpful

Started out good and then I got bored.

Why was this such a bore?! This book holds many cool premises but it just falls short.

The spectrum magic is super cool and done well but that's about it for me. The plot arc seems hindered and the characters even more so, also - flintlock guns? Not into it. The world would derive fine from a classic medieval-esque fantasy base since everything else in the book seems to.

I could tell where each and every plot arc was going to go and I hated it. Gavin - super cool mysterious character - completely lined out before halfway through the book. Its the same with all the other characters. I was not surprised once.

Brent Week also tends to over explain character thoughts and interactions and it gets a bit tedious.

... I don't know, I really wanted to like this book but I didn't.

Simon Vance was great though, so five stars to you buddy.

15 people found this helpful

YES!

Thanks for the do-over and with Simon Vance! Now the story is not only well narrated, but the voices and performance match the remaining awesome books.

14 people found this helpful