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9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
 A solid addition to the fantasy genre Feb 10, 2008
By Andrew Gray
"Beezer Review"
Kelven's Riddle by Daniel Hylton is the first book in Kelven's Riddle series. It is interesting to note that the series is titles Kelven's Riddle and this particular book is actually subtitled `The Mountain at the Middle of the World'. However, due to some limitations with the publisher they were not able to put that directly on the cover. The second book in this series is titled `The Walking Flame' and is scheduled for release early May, 2008.
The plot of this book, at least the first half, is fairly linear. A man, Aram, breaking the chains of a life of slavery and going out on his own to find himself. There are of course a series of challenges and tribulations that he must face, but by and large, that if the starting plot. Later in the novel there are a couple of subplots that are introduced such as Aram's heritage, the requisite love interest, and further development of the great evil threatening to take over the world. Readers of the fantasy genre will recognize many of these elements as being present in countless other novels. While this seems to stunt the overall plot development of the novel, Mr. Hylton writes it in such a way that many of these elements seem new and different. This book never feels like a formulaic set of events. Mr. Hylton succeeds in weaving the plot so that, while it certainly seems familiar, the reader is never truly certain of what is going to happen.
The characters in this book are where I think it's true strength lays. The novel centers on the character Aram and his journeys. If you are a fan of character development, I think you will really be pleased with the development of Aram. He truly takes amazing steps during this novel. The nature of this book is that aside from Aram, the rest of the characters are secondary. Being that this is the first book in the series, it is evident that there is a great deal of set-up for book two and beyond. With things such as Ka'en and how she plays into the story. Other characters from the town of Derosa will certainly play key parts later on. The secondary characters are fleshed out just enough to give them depth, but not enough to burden the reader with unnecessary details. One thing I really appreciate about the characters in this novel, is that of Manon. Mr. Hylton teases the reader several times about him yet holds back revealing him. This reminded me of a good horror movie where the monster is never really revealed but all present know he is there. The one negative about the characters, is that there are a couple times where the dialogue seems stiff and almost a little forced. It only happened a couple of times, and it could very well be my own perception of that dialogue, but it didn't really take away from my overall enjoyment of the novel.
I do have a couple minor criticisms with this novel.
First, there are some minor word choice issues. Such as using the word `suddenly' too much. The first quarter of the book, I had the impression that everything was `suddenly' happening. Also, some `modern terms' seem to have snuck into a medieval setting. It's not enough to totally distract the reader, and I fully realize that it is a nitpicky thing, yet I see it as something that should be addressed in future books. (On the positive side, if I have to be that nitpicky to find a criticism, that tells you the quality of this novel)
Secondly, the ending of this novel was... sudden. As I was reading, and getting closer and closer to the end, I found myself wondering where it would end and what would happen. Yet, when it did end I was left feeling almost cheated. Certainly the book had to end somewhere, and in all due fairness it is a logical place, but I wanted more. Again, as with above, this is a good indication of the quality of the book in that I wanted more.
Some things I really enjoyed about this novel.
As I mentioned above, the teasing of the villain Manon without revealing him. Sure everyone knows he's there, and everyone talks about him but he is still an enigma. It was well written and well played by Mr. Hylton.
Secondly, Mr. Hylton's prose is fluid and easy to read. He provides just enough description to give the reader an idea of what his vision is, yet not enough description to stunt the reader's imagination. It's a fine line, but one that Mr. Hylton walks very well.
Lastly, the quality of the story. He does a good job of intertwining a solid story and good characters. Some books have a great story and uninteresting characters. Other books have a sub-par story and interesting characters. This novel features both interesting characters and a good story making it more enjoyable.
When I read a fantasy novel, I don't seek out things that are negative I simply want to be entertained. I can honestly say that not only did this book meet my expectations, it exceeded them. The way it is written the reader can read a hundred or more pages in one sitting and not realize how much time has passed. It is a well polished entertaining novel. I am all for supporting small press authors and I will certainly be recommending this book to many, many people.
I ultimately settled on rating this novel 4 stars simply because, to me, 5 stars represents perfect and I think there is room for growth here. I see a lot of potential in Mr. Hylton and am eagerly looking forward to the next installment in this series.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 Bound to be a classic Jan 29, 2008
By Derek Thyber
"Derek T."
I hesitated to give this book five stars because I feel that five stars is a kind of benchmark and should generally be reserved for the old masters: Tolkien, Bradbury, Knight, Van Vogt, even Donaldson. But in the end this book kept me involved at that level.
I really like the hero, Aram. He's a hard, strong man without ringing shallow and false, like James Bond. As tough as steel and as durable as asphalt, yet a woman melts him. And what a woman! - why can't I meet someone like Ka'en?
Florm, the lord of horses, reminds me a bit of my grandfather, and his son, the strong, silent Thaniel is a real warrior. I like Durlrang, the wolf, and Alvern, the eagle. The various characters, animal and human alike, react to each other believably, and the dialogue is some of the best I've read lately. This book made me - yes, me - emotional in places, something that rarely happens.
Ferros, the god of the underearth is a spooky cat; I can't wait to see what he's all about. Manon, the enemy, remains beyond the horizon most of the time, a distant, hulking menace. I can't wait until April and book two.
Yes, five stars.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Great book!! Dec 05, 2007
By K. Mitchell
This is a page turner that kept me mesmerized. I love to get caught up in a story and this book definitely gave me that!The relationship between the main character and the animals is very fascinating!
Can't wait to continue the adventure!BOOK 2 PLEASE?!!!!!
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Not Just For Men Dec 13, 2007
By Fantasy Maiden
"Sarah"
One of my professors lent me this book with the caveat that it was basically a "man's book". I disagree. I can see why men like it; brutality begins in the first chapter and there is plenty of violence and blood throughout. But I found none of it to be gratuitous. Mr. Hylton is very adept at making everything mean something in the end. The battle scenes are thrilling and believable but he doesn't waste print on describing gore.
But it was the love story that got to me. I was totally into it. The relationship between the main character and the woman, Ka'en, is tender and geunine. And I was happy to discover that she is not a leather-clad, sword-wielding Amazon. Although I don't mind that kind of heroine in the proper context, it's nice to find a real woman in the pages of a great fantasy novel.
And it is great. This is the best book I read this year.
The only complaint I have is about the ending. I was surprised at where he left things. Obviously, he means for this series to be linear a la LOTR, rather than episodic, but I felt almost like I was abandoned along with the main character, with nothing resolved.
If he intended to make me want the next book, he succeeded, however, I cannot find out when Book Two is going to be released and this novel obviously cannot stand alone.
Nevertheless, I will read it again, and I bought my own copy. I have a feeling that this might well be one of those epic series that I will want to own and keep, again, a la LOTR.
I absolutely love the horses and the wolves the way they are presented in this book. The author has plumbed the ancient history of humans and and their relationships with those two species in astonishing fashion. I always wondered about horses charging into battle with humans, and he deals with this amazing fact in a very unique and remarkable way.
If the next books (and there better be more) are done as well as this first volume, Kelven's Riddle will be one of the finest epics ever. I loved it.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Awesome first book Dec 03, 2007
By V. Barnes
I just read this, now I'm dying to see the next book in the series. Great characters. I especially like the horses, Florm, Thaniel, and the others, as a people. Very fast paced most of the way. Never drags. I've never seen horses, wolves, eagles, etc. done this way before. Awesome. Tolkienesque, even.
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