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Truth #1
First Truth
Alissa didn't believe in magic, not until she was sent on a journey to an endangered fortress known as The Hold and discovered the gifts within herself to save it.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2002
About the author
Dawn Cook
20 books381 followersaka Kim Harrison
Dawn Cook was born on 1966 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. She grew up in the Midwest as the only girl in a family of boys, and is a self-proclaimed "former tomboy". She grew up reading science fiction and fairytales. She discovered her talent for writing at the age of 15, when she began writing down the stories that she conceived. Despite her love of writing, she took an unorthodox approach to writing, and claims to have avoided English courses beyond the basic requirements in high school and college. After she obtained a Degree in Sciences, she moved to she moved to South Carolina during ten years, but now she has moved back to her home state. She married and had two children. She began publishing after the birth of their kids. After the success of her novels, she was able to resign from her day job, devoting herself to writing full time. She continued publising novels as Kim Harrison. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
Dawn Cook was born on 1966 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. She grew up in the Midwest as the only girl in a family of boys, and is a self-proclaimed "former tomboy". She grew up reading science fiction and fairytales. She discovered her talent for writing at the age of 15, when she began writing down the stories that she conceived. Despite her love of writing, she took an unorthodox approach to writing, and claims to have avoided English courses beyond the basic requirements in high school and college. After she obtained a Degree in Sciences, she moved to she moved to South Carolina during ten years, but now she has moved back to her home state. She married and had two children. She began publishing after the birth of their kids. After the success of her novels, she was able to resign from her day job, devoting herself to writing full time. She continued publising novels as Kim Harrison. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 331 reviews
November 6, 2011
Best damned book about dragons ever... period. Some might argue that fact, but they haven't read this book. Or they're a guy and they prefer their dragons spitting fire.
I've never read a book that describes magic so thoroughly either. You start thinking you might actually be able to grasp how it's all done, and attempt some of it yourself.
Also, very real relationships throughout the series.
I can say this as well... it all ends very nicely, and is wrapped up beautifully.
I just didn't want the series to end.
I've never read a book that describes magic so thoroughly either. You start thinking you might actually be able to grasp how it's all done, and attempt some of it yourself.
Also, very real relationships throughout the series.
I can say this as well... it all ends very nicely, and is wrapped up beautifully.
I just didn't want the series to end.
August 10, 2011
I'm not quite sure if this deserves three or four stars. I would've given this one five stars, but Strell got on my nerves with his incessant cheesy, romantic lines.
----
"Who," he breathed roughly, "will sing you to sleep when your rest is troubled?"
Clang!
"Who will tease you until you stamp your foot?" he sobbed, his unnoticed tears of frustration freezing on his cheek.
Clang!
"And who," he whispered fiercely, raising Alissa's staff high over his head. "Who will ever love you more than I?"
----
That made me cringe. To others, it probably sounded quite romantic or whatever, but that just wasn't my cup of tea. Thankfully, Alissa never heard this impassioned speech. If she had, I'm pretty certain that she would've been running for the hills...
Although the development of Alissa and Strell's relationship was entirely predictable, the whole concept of magic in this book was novel (for me, at least). Unfortunately, the villain was too stock of a character for me to really hate him, so I wasn't able to really get into it and thoroughly hate the man along with the protagonists. I often judge a book by how invested I am in the characters, and here, I wasn't feeling much. On a more positive note, I loved how Strell and Alissa were flawed, as it made their characters far more believable. Also, I was glad to see that Alissa wasn't the typical "I-can-do-it-all" female lead that's running rampant in the fantasy world, even if she did display an extraordinary talent for so untrained a Keeper (is that what she really is?). Anyway, to cut my ramblings short, I enjoyed reading First Truth, and that's all I have to say about it. Clearly.
----
"Who," he breathed roughly, "will sing you to sleep when your rest is troubled?"
Clang!
"Who will tease you until you stamp your foot?" he sobbed, his unnoticed tears of frustration freezing on his cheek.
Clang!
"And who," he whispered fiercely, raising Alissa's staff high over his head. "Who will ever love you more than I?"
----
That made me cringe. To others, it probably sounded quite romantic or whatever, but that just wasn't my cup of tea. Thankfully, Alissa never heard this impassioned speech. If she had, I'm pretty certain that she would've been running for the hills...
Although the development of Alissa and Strell's relationship was entirely predictable, the whole concept of magic in this book was novel (for me, at least). Unfortunately, the villain was too stock of a character for me to really hate him, so I wasn't able to really get into it and thoroughly hate the man along with the protagonists. I often judge a book by how invested I am in the characters, and here, I wasn't feeling much. On a more positive note, I loved how Strell and Alissa were flawed, as it made their characters far more believable. Also, I was glad to see that Alissa wasn't the typical "I-can-do-it-all" female lead that's running rampant in the fantasy world, even if she did display an extraordinary talent for so untrained a Keeper (is that what she really is?). Anyway, to cut my ramblings short, I enjoyed reading First Truth, and that's all I have to say about it. Clearly.
September 13, 2020
Fantasy involving magic, a journey-quest, and racial prejudice in medieval earth-like world, complete with some romance. Average plot, clean enough for kids, fairly predictable, with one character veering strongly towards obnoxious.
Audiobook isn’t the best because the narrator has a singsong cadence. It distorts the dialogue and the narrative bits. Pace is fairly slow in the first half.
Characters Alissa and Strell aren’t careful enough around Bailic. They openly discuss how to “find my papa’s book.”
Too much squabbling. For that, I charge Alissa. She is ungrateful and thoughtless and spoiled. Stupid, too. In the end, she’s willing to doom the world, just to save her own life.
I like Strell. And Useless. And the kestrel falcon Talon. Of course I guessed the supposed plot twist at the end, regarding the true nature of Useless.
Slightly curious to see how book 2 goes. I hope it’s free. Not sure I’d pay for it.
Audiobook isn’t the best because the narrator has a singsong cadence. It distorts the dialogue and the narrative bits. Pace is fairly slow in the first half.
Characters Alissa and Strell aren’t careful enough around Bailic. They openly discuss how to “find my papa’s book.”
Too much squabbling. For that, I charge Alissa. She is ungrateful and thoughtless and spoiled. Stupid, too. In the end, she’s willing to doom the world, just to save her own life.
I like Strell. And Useless. And the kestrel falcon Talon. Of course I guessed the supposed plot twist at the end, regarding the true nature of Useless.
Slightly curious to see how book 2 goes. I hope it’s free. Not sure I’d pay for it.
October 29, 2010
If you aren't already aware, Dawn Cook is the pen name of Kim Harrison, author of the Hollows series. It was because of this that I picked this book up in the first place. After all, I love the Hollows books & even though this isn't exactly my cup of tea, I figured that I'd enjoy this series.
First Truth follows the character of Alissa, a young woman who is forced to set out in search of a place she's only heard about in stories- the magical Hold of the Masters. She doesn't know where to go- just that her mother insists that she must travel to this place. Along the way she runs into flute player Strell, who was originally heading back home before hearing tragic news. When Alissa discovers that not only does he carry one of her father's maps, but one that gives the location of her destination, the two of them set out to reach the Hold before winter sets in. Unfortunately for them, there's only one sole human occupying the Hold. And he's far from benevolent...
I won't lie- I've been a little burnt out on what I call "hard core fantasy" for the last few years. (To me, hard core is any fantasy that's set on an alternate world ala DragonLance, although some might argue that First Truth isn't all that hard core.) However, once I got past the slow start I found that I really did enjoy this book. There's a fun chemistry between Strell & Alissa, so I enjoyed their bantering back & forth. I even loved the insane Bailic, who has easily turned into my favorite character of the series.
It's just that the story took a long time to get where it was going. The story didn't really pick up until our duo reached the Hold, which was about halfway in the book. It was a necessary evil, as events that took place during this time do come up later in the book.
If you are picking this up in the hopes that it'll be another Hollows-esque book, then I have to warn you that it isn't really similar at all. These series are two entirely different beasts (apart from the obvious) & you'll probably find yourself disappointed. I'd recommend this as a nice leisurely read for a good rainy (or snowy) day. Despite the slow beginning, the rest of the book was fun to read & I'm curious to get the next book in the series. My advice? Keep with the book. It gets better.
I still struggled through this book, so I can't really give this book more than three stars. Hopefully the future books will improve upon that & I have faith that they will.
First Truth follows the character of Alissa, a young woman who is forced to set out in search of a place she's only heard about in stories- the magical Hold of the Masters. She doesn't know where to go- just that her mother insists that she must travel to this place. Along the way she runs into flute player Strell, who was originally heading back home before hearing tragic news. When Alissa discovers that not only does he carry one of her father's maps, but one that gives the location of her destination, the two of them set out to reach the Hold before winter sets in. Unfortunately for them, there's only one sole human occupying the Hold. And he's far from benevolent...
I won't lie- I've been a little burnt out on what I call "hard core fantasy" for the last few years. (To me, hard core is any fantasy that's set on an alternate world ala DragonLance, although some might argue that First Truth isn't all that hard core.) However, once I got past the slow start I found that I really did enjoy this book. There's a fun chemistry between Strell & Alissa, so I enjoyed their bantering back & forth. I even loved the insane Bailic, who has easily turned into my favorite character of the series.
It's just that the story took a long time to get where it was going. The story didn't really pick up until our duo reached the Hold, which was about halfway in the book. It was a necessary evil, as events that took place during this time do come up later in the book.
If you are picking this up in the hopes that it'll be another Hollows-esque book, then I have to warn you that it isn't really similar at all. These series are two entirely different beasts (apart from the obvious) & you'll probably find yourself disappointed. I'd recommend this as a nice leisurely read for a good rainy (or snowy) day. Despite the slow beginning, the rest of the book was fun to read & I'm curious to get the next book in the series. My advice? Keep with the book. It gets better.
I still struggled through this book, so I can't really give this book more than three stars. Hopefully the future books will improve upon that & I have faith that they will.
June 6, 2014
Well, again I have a situation. A lot of people like this(these) book(s) and I can see why. It's well done and I stayed mildly interested. I'm just not the target audience for this (these).
What we have here is a journey that turns into a quest that turns into a romance (or is a romance underneath). There are conspiracies, plots and lies along the way and some revelations about the nature of "things".
I started out interested as the young woman left home (very much against her will). We met the young poet/minstrel/bard/potter (and future love interest) and got to know the two of them. For me the story just began to fade as I went along. I lost interest.
I'm sure others will like this much more than I did as the writing itself is good and the story hangs together. You just need to get more involved with the characters and the story-line.
Try for yourself.
What we have here is a journey that turns into a quest that turns into a romance (or is a romance underneath). There are conspiracies, plots and lies along the way and some revelations about the nature of "things".
I started out interested as the young woman left home (very much against her will). We met the young poet/minstrel/bard/potter (and future love interest) and got to know the two of them. For me the story just began to fade as I went along. I lost interest.
I'm sure others will like this much more than I did as the writing itself is good and the story hangs together. You just need to get more involved with the characters and the story-line.
Try for yourself.
May 13, 2019
I read this one so many times as a teenager (no idea how many) and it remains a fun entrance into Dawn Cook's four book series. It's got all the good stuff: an abandoned magic school, shapeshifting, dragons, ghost cities and romance. While it doesn't really measure up to teen-Dani's love of it, it was still a solid pulpy fantasy romance with a fun female protagonist. I'll probably read book #2 when I have my next reading slump!
December 4, 2017
Alissa, a young (20ish) woman has set out on a journey to a mythical “Hold” where she is to hone her magical abilities much like her father had done before her. The problem is that she thinks it a fool’s errand due to the ludicrous idea of magic existing at all, much less a mystical "Hold" where prior magicians had learned their skills. Strell, a wandering musician/storyteller from the plains meets her on the journey and together they make their way to where they believe the hold may be. Their journey is fraught with danger and their own prejudices against each other.
I’ve had this 4-book series on my shelf for quite some time and they likely would have languished there for much longer had I not discovered that the author’s name, Dawn Cook, is actually a pen name for the well-regarded Kim Harrison, author of the best-selling “Hollows” series. I’m happy I took the plunge because this first book, while following a somewhat typical fantasy plot line, is still a worthy read and sets up the rest of the series in fine fashion. We know going in that these two main characters will grow past their differences and their bickering and a genuine friendship and probably a romance will blossom. But I thought all of that was handled very realistically, and wasn’t rushed along at all. My biggest negative is that while the ending provided a big reveal concerning the very nature of the world in which they live, I had seen it coming through most of the book…but even so, I didn’t feel any kind of major letdown. The world building is appropriately kept to a minimum but I would have preferred the magic system to be a little less nebulous. I’m still not sure how the various aspects of Alissa’s threads and tendrils and rivulets and globes of energy work but then again, at the end of book one, Alissa doesn’t either. Thus…three more books.
The cover of the paperback I read is from back in the early 2000's, when the book was first published. I see that today’s covers are definitely geared more toward the YA market. I suppose that is appropriate for the book I just read but it works as a traditional epic fantasy as well.
I’ve had this 4-book series on my shelf for quite some time and they likely would have languished there for much longer had I not discovered that the author’s name, Dawn Cook, is actually a pen name for the well-regarded Kim Harrison, author of the best-selling “Hollows” series. I’m happy I took the plunge because this first book, while following a somewhat typical fantasy plot line, is still a worthy read and sets up the rest of the series in fine fashion. We know going in that these two main characters will grow past their differences and their bickering and a genuine friendship and probably a romance will blossom. But I thought all of that was handled very realistically, and wasn’t rushed along at all. My biggest negative is that while the ending provided a big reveal concerning the very nature of the world in which they live, I had seen it coming through most of the book…but even so, I didn’t feel any kind of major letdown. The world building is appropriately kept to a minimum but I would have preferred the magic system to be a little less nebulous. I’m still not sure how the various aspects of Alissa’s threads and tendrils and rivulets and globes of energy work but then again, at the end of book one, Alissa doesn’t either. Thus…three more books.
The cover of the paperback I read is from back in the early 2000's, when the book was first published. I see that today’s covers are definitely geared more toward the YA market. I suppose that is appropriate for the book I just read but it works as a traditional epic fantasy as well.
September 28, 2010
What Kim Harrison wrote before she was Kim Harrison: generic quest fantasy with cardboard worldbuilding and a paint-by-numbers romance. I was looking for something fluffy an stupid and I thought this might do it. Unfortunately, it was a bit fluffier and way stupider than anticipated.
The whole thing was not helped by Marguerite Gavin’s audio narration. She has this way of delivering dialogue with oversold! Quivering! Emotion! That did this book in particular no favors. I mean, a straight-faced scene where the villain trashes his tower room and shouts to himself about all his plans being for naught (no, seriously) is never going to impress me, but Gavin’s narration turned it into something that actually made me go “ow.”
The whole thing was not helped by Marguerite Gavin’s audio narration. She has this way of delivering dialogue with oversold! Quivering! Emotion! That did this book in particular no favors. I mean, a straight-faced scene where the villain trashes his tower room and shouts to himself about all his plans being for naught (no, seriously) is never going to impress me, but Gavin’s narration turned it into something that actually made me go “ow.”
May 12, 2021
I found this book in a library while I was waiting for someone. I couldn't finish it right then. But I found myself looking for the book again because I was curious what will happen next. Not many book can do that. So I'm sure this book is a good one with proper writing that can make you go for a long time. The protagonist, Alissa, is an underdog that I rooted for in her journey.
Alissa doesn't believe in magic. Her father's stories about the Hold, a legendary fortress where human Keepers learn magic from the enigmatic Maters, are just that―stories. But her mother insists that Alissa has inherited her father's magical ability, and so she must go to the Hold―the only place her talents can be trained.
Alissa doesn't believe in magic. Her father's stories about the Hold, a legendary fortress where human Keepers learn magic from the enigmatic Maters, are just that―stories. But her mother insists that Alissa has inherited her father's magical ability, and so she must go to the Hold―the only place her talents can be trained.
March 8, 2008
I really enjoyed this authors style of writing. Very detailed, but keeps your interest. She doesn't describe the room to the smallest detail, however she will describe it while the characters walk around it/touch it/sense it. I read every word on every page.
June 11, 2016
3.5 stars. I enjoyed First Truth, but felt that Bailic was not nearly as sinister as he could have been, and I thought he was a bit slow not to have figured out who the keeper was. I did like the slow pace that the relationship between Alissa and Strell is developing at though.
January 11, 2010
I wanted to check out this series as I really like this authors other books under a different name. In the end this book couldn't hold my attention, so it ended up not being for me.
June 22, 2017
After 3 weeks I finally got through this book! I don't think it's ever taken me this long to read a book. While the fantasy element and the characters were interesting, the story kept such a slow pace that it never held my interest for long when I picked it up to read (hence the 3 weeks).
While First Truth provides the perspectives of multiple characters, the main protagonist was Alissa, a young woman who is one day thrown out of the house by her mother. She's sent off to follow in the steps of her deceased father and travel to the Hold, a place that trains its students in magic and a place that Alissa doesn't believe in. As she sets out, she picks up Strell, a wandering piper and storyteller, as a traveling companion.
My only real complaint with this book is that it was extremely slow paced and failed to hold my interest. Nonetheless, I think it's a decent fantasy read, I just don't think it was for me. (I also could have done without the long chapters from Bailic's perspective-- he was extremely boring)
Despite the dragging pace, I thought the characters and the setting were well developed. I did get a little confused on how the mind magic worked. There didn't seem to be any clear cut rules when it came to magic and that bugged me.
I do want to praise this book for it's slow growth in friendship and romance. Insta-love has been a big pet peeve of mine lately, and I appreciated how it took most of the book for the idea of love and romance to even cross the minds of the protagonists. Alissa and Strell's bantering were entertaining and felt very realistic.
Overall, I thought this was a good fantasy novel, it just didn't work me. If you find the synopsis intriguing, I say pick it up. I, however, do not plan to continue on with the series.
While First Truth provides the perspectives of multiple characters, the main protagonist was Alissa, a young woman who is one day thrown out of the house by her mother. She's sent off to follow in the steps of her deceased father and travel to the Hold, a place that trains its students in magic and a place that Alissa doesn't believe in. As she sets out, she picks up Strell, a wandering piper and storyteller, as a traveling companion.
My only real complaint with this book is that it was extremely slow paced and failed to hold my interest. Nonetheless, I think it's a decent fantasy read, I just don't think it was for me. (I also could have done without the long chapters from Bailic's perspective-- he was extremely boring)
Despite the dragging pace, I thought the characters and the setting were well developed. I did get a little confused on how the mind magic worked. There didn't seem to be any clear cut rules when it came to magic and that bugged me.
I do want to praise this book for it's slow growth in friendship and romance. Insta-love has been a big pet peeve of mine lately, and I appreciated how it took most of the book for the idea of love and romance to even cross the minds of the protagonists. Alissa and Strell's bantering were entertaining and felt very realistic.
Overall, I thought this was a good fantasy novel, it just didn't work me. If you find the synopsis intriguing, I say pick it up. I, however, do not plan to continue on with the series.
September 22, 2013
Via Book Reviews by Niki Hawkes at www.nikihawkes.com
As a whole, this series is one of my absolute favorites, despite the fact that nothing particularly "epic" happens throughout. Although the pacing of the story can sometimes be rather slow, I was so smitten with the characters that it didn't bother me. While most fantasy novels tend to be more event or world-building driven, this book was all about highlighting the characters. For any of you who have read Kim Harrison's (Dawn Cook's alias) Rachel Morgan series, you know that she is exceptionally talented at creating characters we care about. On top of that, she really knows how to tell a compelling love story, which was actually my favorite element to this series. There's just something magical about it that keeps me coming back to reread it over and over again. What's more, the plot gets increasingly more interesting as the series progresses, creating a great momentum for the end of the story - so much so that I was up all night the first time I read it.
Overall, its incredibly charming. If you're in the mood for a character-based, magic-filled, sweet love story, this is the book for you!
Recommendations: The cover I've featured is from the original publication. The covers they're marketing the series with now are incredibly cheesy and do nothing to represent the story... don't let them deter you from giving it a try!
Other books you might like:
"The Aware" by Glenda Larke
"The Heart of Myrial" by Maggie Furey
"The Magician's Guild" by Trudi Canavan
"Dragon Bones" by Patricia Briggs
"Sorcery Rising" by Jude Fisher
As a whole, this series is one of my absolute favorites, despite the fact that nothing particularly "epic" happens throughout. Although the pacing of the story can sometimes be rather slow, I was so smitten with the characters that it didn't bother me. While most fantasy novels tend to be more event or world-building driven, this book was all about highlighting the characters. For any of you who have read Kim Harrison's (Dawn Cook's alias) Rachel Morgan series, you know that she is exceptionally talented at creating characters we care about. On top of that, she really knows how to tell a compelling love story, which was actually my favorite element to this series. There's just something magical about it that keeps me coming back to reread it over and over again. What's more, the plot gets increasingly more interesting as the series progresses, creating a great momentum for the end of the story - so much so that I was up all night the first time I read it.
Overall, its incredibly charming. If you're in the mood for a character-based, magic-filled, sweet love story, this is the book for you!
Recommendations: The cover I've featured is from the original publication. The covers they're marketing the series with now are incredibly cheesy and do nothing to represent the story... don't let them deter you from giving it a try!
Other books you might like:
"The Aware" by Glenda Larke
"The Heart of Myrial" by Maggie Furey
"The Magician's Guild" by Trudi Canavan
"Dragon Bones" by Patricia Briggs
"Sorcery Rising" by Jude Fisher
April 30, 2011
First off, I was really annoyed with the cover of this book...I am buying the original covers. Every time Alissa complained that her short straight hair was getting longer or Strell commented on it, I'd growl at the cover. And I hate that they made Talon glow, as that started me thinking...well something about Talon is magical. And I would have preferred they not give me that nudge.
As for the story, Alissa is fine...but not someone I really connected with for some reason. Some books I walk away from feeling like I've made a new friend, but I just felt like I'd heard her story. At the same time, I still wanted to see what happened. I liked Strell a lot, which is good because I didn't care for the male characters in Cook's Princess series. I liked Lodesh and Useless. So that was enough for me to invest in the story.
This book was definately just the introduction, but I don't want to give anything away about where the other books lead. By the time I finished the series, even though I smacked my head when I read the plot lines of books 3 & 4 on their covers, I liked this series a lot more than I thought I would.
As for the story, Alissa is fine...but not someone I really connected with for some reason. Some books I walk away from feeling like I've made a new friend, but I just felt like I'd heard her story. At the same time, I still wanted to see what happened. I liked Strell a lot, which is good because I didn't care for the male characters in Cook's Princess series. I liked Lodesh and Useless. So that was enough for me to invest in the story.
This book was definately just the introduction, but I don't want to give anything away about where the other books lead. By the time I finished the series, even though I smacked my head when I read the plot lines of books 3 & 4 on their covers, I liked this series a lot more than I thought I would.
Shelved as 'dnf'
February 21, 2011I gave it 123 pages, but I just don't like the voice. Strell and Alissa are too juvenile for me - I would have thought the way they grew up would have made them more mature.
You know, what I actually wanted to read was the story of Rema and Meson, Alissa's mom and dad, who we met in flashbacks and in person.
I liked what I saw of the worldbuilding and the customs, but with me characters keep me reading. These don't, at the moment anyway.
As Janicu said in her review here:
though Alissa and Strell seem quite young and naive at times, and are often having silly arguments.
Yes, this.
You know, what I actually wanted to read was the story of Rema and Meson, Alissa's mom and dad, who we met in flashbacks and in person.
I liked what I saw of the worldbuilding and the customs, but with me characters keep me reading. These don't, at the moment anyway.
As Janicu said in her review here:
though Alissa and Strell seem quite young and naive at times, and are often having silly arguments.
Yes, this.
September 25, 2023
First Truth is the first book in the fantasy series 'Truth'.
The book has many interesting elements to follow, with the main heroes, along with the reader, slowly discovering the magic system, its potentials, their potentials, and the whole politics of the Hold and the keepers.
Overall, it is a nice enough fantasy book, with an enjoyable narration and some likable characters. Though, the pace goes a bit rough towards the ending, and the romance is more or less forced, it is a promising start.
The book has many interesting elements to follow, with the main heroes, along with the reader, slowly discovering the magic system, its potentials, their potentials, and the whole politics of the Hold and the keepers.
Overall, it is a nice enough fantasy book, with an enjoyable narration and some likable characters. Though, the pace goes a bit rough towards the ending, and the romance is more or less forced, it is a promising start.
March 12, 2018
I really enjoyed the first third of this book a lot. Then my interest dropped some in the next third or so, but I was willing to keep reading to see what happened. By that last third of the book I had to force myself to get through it. I didn't care what happened to anybody. It's too bad, because it really did start well.
I think the fundamental problem may be that there really are only three character in this book and we never get to know them. There's no motivation for what they want, we're just told she really wants the book because it belonged to her father, for instance. But that only takes me so far. Why will she risk her life, and that of her friend's, for the book? And what does the bad guy want to do that's so horrible? What will he get out of whatever he wants to do? There's just no motivation for anyone. The characters are really thin. They each have one thing they want and that's all.
Then there's the lack of plot. They end up snowed in the Hold and none of them can go anywhere. But nothing happens, either. If you're going to have practically no plot and only a very few characters you really have to make them compelling. These folks weren't. I might have enjoyed it more when I was younger, but I doubt it. Even as a girl I wanted well-rounded characters I could believe in the books I read. I understand this is an earlier book by the author. I might try a later one someday, but I'm in no rush. 1.5 stars
I think the fundamental problem may be that there really are only three character in this book and we never get to know them. There's no motivation for what they want, we're just told she really wants the book because it belonged to her father, for instance. But that only takes me so far. Why will she risk her life, and that of her friend's, for the book? And what does the bad guy want to do that's so horrible? What will he get out of whatever he wants to do? There's just no motivation for anyone. The characters are really thin. They each have one thing they want and that's all.
Then there's the lack of plot. They end up snowed in the Hold and none of them can go anywhere. But nothing happens, either. If you're going to have practically no plot and only a very few characters you really have to make them compelling. These folks weren't. I might have enjoyed it more when I was younger, but I doubt it. Even as a girl I wanted well-rounded characters I could believe in the books I read. I understand this is an earlier book by the author. I might try a later one someday, but I'm in no rush. 1.5 stars
September 3, 2018
3.5 The characters are interesting. I love the idea of the book and didn't get bored. However she seems to think more than one character being xenophobic is entertainment, and regurgitates this idea incessantly. This didn't need as much attention as she loved to give it. The flirting between the two main characters is forced and juvenile a lot of the time. All that being said the characters are mostly endearing and you are rooting for them to flourish. I also wish the writing had been a bit more descriptive, feels almost too simple at times. The pluses of this book are the setting, the origin story being a great start to a multi-book series, and the main characters memories of her dad. I look forward to reading more and seeing how the characters develop.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
January 19, 2018Quit after about five chapters. Something about the writing style was irritating to me, and I could tell it was just going to be a distraction during the whole book. There weren't typos or glaring grammatical errors, but I found myself pausing frequently to mentally re-write sentences in my head. I wanted to take a red pen, cross out chunks of text, and then rearrange them so that the sentences flowed better.
This one had mixed reviews, so I feel that I can quit guilt-free.
On the other hand....I remember loving "The Decoy Princess" by the same author, and I re-read that one several times. I'm worried now that if I re-read it NOW, I might find that it doesn't hold up over time....
This one had mixed reviews, so I feel that I can quit guilt-free.
On the other hand....I remember loving "The Decoy Princess" by the same author, and I re-read that one several times. I'm worried now that if I re-read it NOW, I might find that it doesn't hold up over time....
September 24, 2020
This book wasn't for me. I found it slow and un-interesting, and the only reason I even finished was because I don't have anything better to fill my days with right now.
Writing was ok and the world was interesting, but the characters were flat and too-stupid-to-live - all of them, even the one that was supposed to be hundreds of years old and super smart, and I had trouble with the magicsystem. It felt... unfinished?
Writing was ok and the world was interesting, but the characters were flat and too-stupid-to-live - all of them, even the one that was supposed to be hundreds of years old and super smart, and I had trouble with the magicsystem. It felt... unfinished?
October 26, 2010
Alissa has never been accepted by the people around her parents' foothills farm, as her mother is from the plains, and her father from the foothills. There is fierce rivalry and much prejudice between the tradesmen of the plains and the farmers of the foothills and intermarriage between the peoples is frowned upon, and the offspring of such unions are treated as outcasts.
Alissa's father has been missing since she was five, and now, at nearly twenty, her mother is sending her away, claiming she needs to find the mystical Hold and learning to use her latent magical powers. Alissa doesn't believe in magic, and is crushed, but has no choice but to set off. She has to make her way through the mountains before the first snows fall, and see if the mythical Masters and Keepers of the Hold can shed some light on her father's disappearance and her own supposed heritage. Accompanying her is Talon, her tiny kestrel, who guards her fiercely despite her diminutive size and warns her of dangers.
Having fallen into a ravine looking for water, Alissa is saved by Strell, a wandering minstrel who has is trying to make his way to the coast. Strell is from the plains, and has been travelling for years, collecting stories and music. He discovers that his entire family has been wiped out in a flood five years earlier, and no longer has any true home or connection. At first, he is suspicious of the clearly half-blood foothills girl, and he and Alissa get off to a bad start. As they are going the same way, however, they decide to travel together and quickly become friends.
Alissa is unaware that the Hold is nearly empty, with only one crazy former Keeper having sent all the Masters on a pointless quest far away, and killed the other Keepers. Only one Master is left, trapped in the dungeons. Bailic, the ex-Keeper is an old friend of Alissa's father, and wants a legendary magic book, First Truth, which was given to Alissa's dad by his teacher. Bailic has dreams of world domination, and quickly realizes that one of the two strangers that show up to the Hold can help him find the book he needs to achieve his goal. But he is unable to figure out whether it's Alissa or Strell who have the latent magical abilities. Alissa and Strell need to try to find the book before Bailic gets to it, and stay safe during the winter, hoping Bailic doesn't kill them too.
I had read both of Dawn Cook's Princess books (The Decoy Princess, Princess at Sea) before I discovered that the author is also Kim Harrison, an author whose paranormal fantasy series I've been reading and loving for years. As far as I can tell, she started writing traditional, vaguely romantic fantasy and did OK, but never became particularly successful. Then she created her paranormal series under the pen name Kim Harrison, and became a several times bestselling author. Ace has recently republished her Truth books pointing out that the authors are one and the same, but the new covers are absolutely awful, and I'm glad I was able to get the classic covers.
The first book (in a series of four) is mostly setup, and the friendship between Alissa and Strell is slowly developing into something more romantic, but anyone wanting a passionate love story, should possibly pick something else. Nor is this a very epic fantasy story, but a nicely paced little adventure tale. I'm looking forward to reading the next three.
Alissa's father has been missing since she was five, and now, at nearly twenty, her mother is sending her away, claiming she needs to find the mystical Hold and learning to use her latent magical powers. Alissa doesn't believe in magic, and is crushed, but has no choice but to set off. She has to make her way through the mountains before the first snows fall, and see if the mythical Masters and Keepers of the Hold can shed some light on her father's disappearance and her own supposed heritage. Accompanying her is Talon, her tiny kestrel, who guards her fiercely despite her diminutive size and warns her of dangers.
Having fallen into a ravine looking for water, Alissa is saved by Strell, a wandering minstrel who has is trying to make his way to the coast. Strell is from the plains, and has been travelling for years, collecting stories and music. He discovers that his entire family has been wiped out in a flood five years earlier, and no longer has any true home or connection. At first, he is suspicious of the clearly half-blood foothills girl, and he and Alissa get off to a bad start. As they are going the same way, however, they decide to travel together and quickly become friends.
Alissa is unaware that the Hold is nearly empty, with only one crazy former Keeper having sent all the Masters on a pointless quest far away, and killed the other Keepers. Only one Master is left, trapped in the dungeons. Bailic, the ex-Keeper is an old friend of Alissa's father, and wants a legendary magic book, First Truth, which was given to Alissa's dad by his teacher. Bailic has dreams of world domination, and quickly realizes that one of the two strangers that show up to the Hold can help him find the book he needs to achieve his goal. But he is unable to figure out whether it's Alissa or Strell who have the latent magical abilities. Alissa and Strell need to try to find the book before Bailic gets to it, and stay safe during the winter, hoping Bailic doesn't kill them too.
I had read both of Dawn Cook's Princess books (The Decoy Princess, Princess at Sea) before I discovered that the author is also Kim Harrison, an author whose paranormal fantasy series I've been reading and loving for years. As far as I can tell, she started writing traditional, vaguely romantic fantasy and did OK, but never became particularly successful. Then she created her paranormal series under the pen name Kim Harrison, and became a several times bestselling author. Ace has recently republished her Truth books pointing out that the authors are one and the same, but the new covers are absolutely awful, and I'm glad I was able to get the classic covers.
The first book (in a series of four) is mostly setup, and the friendship between Alissa and Strell is slowly developing into something more romantic, but anyone wanting a passionate love story, should possibly pick something else. Nor is this a very epic fantasy story, but a nicely paced little adventure tale. I'm looking forward to reading the next three.
August 16, 2014
This review was posted at Under the Covers
I have to admit that it has taken me FOREVER to get to read this book. I’ve had it on my TBR for a while mainly because I love Kim Harrison and I have never read her stuff beyond The Hollows, so I’ve been extremely curious. However, time is always an issue.
But then this book released on audio and there was my chance to get to it! Finally! And to top it all off, it’s narrated by one of my all-time favorite narrators: Marguerite Gavin. *cue fangirl squeeeee*
FIRST TRUTH is both very similar and very different than The Hollows. How is that? The world is completely different. This is fantasy not urban fantasy. The world created by Ms. Cook is unique and with endless possibilities. I thought all aspects of world building were developed perfectly without giving me an info-dump headache. I was intrigued from the very beginning.
Then there’s the characters. This is where I find this book so similar to The Hollows. Alissa is a lot like Rachel in many ways. Personality wise, she’s strong and resilient in fighting for what she’s looking for. She can be stubborn and go the wrong way to follow her way of thinking.
Strell on the other hand was all new, and all interesting. I loved his character!! And I also loved the immediate connection between him and Alissa. They helped each other and learned to like each other.
This is definitely a fantasy world I will not be missing out no longer! Excellent job!
I have to admit that it has taken me FOREVER to get to read this book. I’ve had it on my TBR for a while mainly because I love Kim Harrison and I have never read her stuff beyond The Hollows, so I’ve been extremely curious. However, time is always an issue.
But then this book released on audio and there was my chance to get to it! Finally! And to top it all off, it’s narrated by one of my all-time favorite narrators: Marguerite Gavin. *cue fangirl squeeeee*
FIRST TRUTH is both very similar and very different than The Hollows. How is that? The world is completely different. This is fantasy not urban fantasy. The world created by Ms. Cook is unique and with endless possibilities. I thought all aspects of world building were developed perfectly without giving me an info-dump headache. I was intrigued from the very beginning.
Then there’s the characters. This is where I find this book so similar to The Hollows. Alissa is a lot like Rachel in many ways. Personality wise, she’s strong and resilient in fighting for what she’s looking for. She can be stubborn and go the wrong way to follow her way of thinking.
Strell on the other hand was all new, and all interesting. I loved his character!! And I also loved the immediate connection between him and Alissa. They helped each other and learned to like each other.
This is definitely a fantasy world I will not be missing out no longer! Excellent job!
November 21, 2009
Pretty good first book in the series the only bad thing is that it ends in such a way that you HAVE to read the second book immediately. Luckily for me I bought it.
Characters are good, a little childish at first but then begin to grow into themselves and their roles slowly. Alissa - who doesn't believe in magic but clearly has a latent power - and Strell - a musician who doesn't believe in magic until he meets her - are the two main characters.
They travel together and become friends...until one of them realizes they want more. In the spirit of friendship, nothing is said and things are hinted at and you root for these characters, you really do.
The ending seemed a bit rushed and the actual use of the magic could have been explained a bit better but it's still pretty good and should be read with the second book immediately following.
Characters are good, a little childish at first but then begin to grow into themselves and their roles slowly. Alissa - who doesn't believe in magic but clearly has a latent power - and Strell - a musician who doesn't believe in magic until he meets her - are the two main characters.
They travel together and become friends...until one of them realizes they want more. In the spirit of friendship, nothing is said and things are hinted at and you root for these characters, you really do.
The ending seemed a bit rushed and the actual use of the magic could have been explained a bit better but it's still pretty good and should be read with the second book immediately following.
February 18, 2010
A few thoughts about this book:
The book ended abruptly – not a problem given the next book in the series is available.
The reader was told a lot of time was passing – but it didn’t “feel” like a lot of time was passing.
Detailed descriptions of domestic chores were too frequent and didn’t add anything to the story in my opinion.
Author spent a lot of time showing us the main characters falling in love – which was cute, but it did not advance the plot. I think the story suffered from the time spent on the main characters “noticing” each other, and the plot was hastily wrapped up at the end (see abrupt ending).
Not bad overall. Most of the time the story was a 3, a few times it was a 4. Not sure if I’m willing to read 3 more books though. I’ll wait a few weeks and see if I’m still curious about the story and the characters.
The book ended abruptly – not a problem given the next book in the series is available.
The reader was told a lot of time was passing – but it didn’t “feel” like a lot of time was passing.
Detailed descriptions of domestic chores were too frequent and didn’t add anything to the story in my opinion.
Author spent a lot of time showing us the main characters falling in love – which was cute, but it did not advance the plot. I think the story suffered from the time spent on the main characters “noticing” each other, and the plot was hastily wrapped up at the end (see abrupt ending).
Not bad overall. Most of the time the story was a 3, a few times it was a 4. Not sure if I’m willing to read 3 more books though. I’ll wait a few weeks and see if I’m still curious about the story and the characters.
February 14, 2011
I am a big fan of Kim Harrison, she is one of my top 5 authors. I had to try her Dawn Cook books, I found it very enjoyable. It is an easy to read, fantasy. The two main characters are from opposite sides of the track in this world. Alissa is stubborn, powerful with latent magic and naive. Strell is humorous, musical and stubborn. Both distrust each other, and think less of the other because of where they are from. They are forced to combine their journeys after events tear their families apart.There is some repetition I found grating on my nerves at times, but the story moves quickly. The relationship that grows is believable and follows a natural course for the time period.
I enjoyed the story, I could believe in the characters and their relationships, the world created and it's magic was new and exciting. I have already ordered the next book in the series.
I enjoyed the story, I could believe in the characters and their relationships, the world created and it's magic was new and exciting. I have already ordered the next book in the series.
November 4, 2011
I had completely forgotten about this book until I found it buried in one of my bookshelves gathering dust.
This book was written by Dawn Cook, otherwise known as Kim Harrison. Honestly, I adore it and I think it's almost superior to her Hallows books, which were by far my favorites until I stumbled upon this series. Within the last few years i'd almost given up on finding favorites in fantasy and was leaning far more towards the preternatural genre, but this has reminded of how much I love high fantasy settings and the magical worlds that are found within them.
A great read for fans of authors such as Robin McKinley, Mercedes Lackey and Andre Norton. A definite must read for all who love the fantasy genre and may have drifted away from it in the past few years or those who still read and are looking for something new to take a gander at.
This book was written by Dawn Cook, otherwise known as Kim Harrison. Honestly, I adore it and I think it's almost superior to her Hallows books, which were by far my favorites until I stumbled upon this series. Within the last few years i'd almost given up on finding favorites in fantasy and was leaning far more towards the preternatural genre, but this has reminded of how much I love high fantasy settings and the magical worlds that are found within them.
A great read for fans of authors such as Robin McKinley, Mercedes Lackey and Andre Norton. A definite must read for all who love the fantasy genre and may have drifted away from it in the past few years or those who still read and are looking for something new to take a gander at.
April 27, 2012
...2,5
Pas du tout ce à quoi je m'attendais, et je n'ai pas franchement été sensible à l'histoire racontée. Alors que les protagonistes semblent être des adultes, ils se comportent pourtant comme des gosses, ce qui est assez déroutant. Puis le manque d'action m'a beaucoup gênée. En dépit d'une fin qui laisse planer un léger suspens, je ne compte pas continuer cette série trop enfantine, qui me semble destinée à un jeune public dont je ne fais pas partie.
Grande amatrice de fantasy, ce n'est clairement pas ainsi que j'aime la mienne !
Pas du tout ce à quoi je m'attendais, et je n'ai pas franchement été sensible à l'histoire racontée. Alors que les protagonistes semblent être des adultes, ils se comportent pourtant comme des gosses, ce qui est assez déroutant. Puis le manque d'action m'a beaucoup gênée. En dépit d'une fin qui laisse planer un léger suspens, je ne compte pas continuer cette série trop enfantine, qui me semble destinée à un jeune public dont je ne fais pas partie.
Grande amatrice de fantasy, ce n'est clairement pas ainsi que j'aime la mienne !
September 29, 2014
I gave up 226 pages into this book. Like many others, I picked it up because I was interested in what other works Kim Harrison had to offer. However, it is easy to see why this one isn't well known. It is rather lackluster in comparison to the Hollows. I kept picking it up and then setting down for weeks at a time because I just wasn't interested enough. It had a high fantasy adventure buried in there somewhere but it was too plain and generic, nothing stood out.
November 19, 2008
I quit after about 50 pages because I was bored. It was developing like a stereotypical fantasy series, and nothing about the plot or characters made the series feel unique or inviting or interesting.
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