The Mirror of Her Dreams (Mordant's Need)

In the sea of mediocrity that is the fantasy genre, it's great to have Donaldson around. Like the Covenant series, Mordant's Need is that rarest of things in the genre; a bonafide original premise. Unlike the last few fantasy tales I read before this one (by other authors), I did not feel the imposing influence of Tolkien in "The Mirror of Her Dreams." What's more, it's not a quest plot, has no immediately recognizable Dark Lord, stars an anti-hero female, and is more of a mystery than an epic. The innovative premise is the magic called Imagery, which is really the only thing that places the book in the fantasy genre; without it the story would be more akin to historical fiction because the world in which Mordant is located is very similar to our own Dark Ages. Imagery is an entirely new take on magic which fans of the truly imaginative will appreciate fully.

Donaldson proves with this one that he is as capable of intertwining plots, foreshadowing, and suspense as the bestsellers in the mystery and thriller genres. This is truly a rarity in the fantasy genre, where plots are often regurgitated excuses for action, elves, dragons, and orcs.
Donaldson does a great job of describing Terisa's battle against her attraction for the bad boy, Eremis, and gets the reader invested in the book superbly by having her always on the brink of falling into his trap. In a sense her supposed naivette is what makes her somewhat of an anti-hero (not as extreme as Covenant of course but still an anti-hero, at least in the beginning), but it is also her inability to take action and responsibility (due to her sheltered upbringing). But unlike Covenant, Terisa is much more acceptable to the sensibilities of most people and the changes in character she undergoes are much more profound and recognizeable.

I have read in other reviews that Donaldson's overuse of obscure/complex words made this book burdonsome, but I couldn't disagree more; in this one Donaldson strikes a perfect balance, being a bit more challenging than your average rot but not as challenging as the somewhat cumbersome Covenant series. If you think this one is too verbose, you missed too many spelling lessons or have a stronger than average aversion to dictionaries. Sure it's got some new words, but not too many, and we NEED to learn new words every once and a while. What I don't like so much about this book is that Donaldson seems to have taken on more of the slick, commercial style that most fantasy and popular fiction writers swear by today-i.e.- pacing is EVERYTHING, overuse the humor, pile on the romance, overdo the character development. The Covenant series FELT older, more arcane, but wasn't a carbon copy of Tolkien's style. I missed that in this book, because I'm still yearning for fantasy books that make themselves FEEL authentic by not dripping with modern style.

Like The Covenant series, this one does start out slow. But here the pay-off is excellent. The background and set-up create a wonderful suspension of disbelief which sets the writing high above the heads of other bestselling fantasy novelists. The build-up creates a page-turning obsession once it's gotten a grip on you, and you are delightful wondering what's going on through the majority of the book. It's good to see post-modernism being applied to sword and sorcery.

J. Lyon Layden
An Adventure in Yore for Bedtime Reading

I just wanted to reach out and slap Terisa. That is how engrossing this story is. Donaldson is the master of dual universes. So, to effectively capture the readers attention in this genre, the story has to strong. "Mirror" definately has a strong storyline. As I previously indicated, I just wanted to slap that naive oaf Terisa. I wanted to take Geraden by the hand to keep him from tripping, shake the King back to reality and expose Eremus for what he really is. I felt like I was looking into a window of someone's life. I was virtually frustrated by this book, but the second book straightened out the priorities. And as you look back upon the first book, you realize these different frustrations are necessary to the storyline. Don't read "Mirror" without reading the second volume "A Man Rides Through." That is easily a 9. Together, "Mordant's Need" is a necessary read for epic fantasy readers to fill the gap between new releases in their favorite series.

Donaldson uses the love story between Terisa and Geraden as a framework to explore complex themes. The tale is set in a medieval fantasy realm where Terisa and Geraden are part of a larger community that strive to serve their king (King Joyse) and save Geraden's home, Mordant.
The novel explores various Christian themes of servanthood and leadership. King Joyse uses a bewildering technique in defeating his enemies. He chooses to appear mad and alienates his friends and family on purpose, so as to determine his real enemies. A large portion of "A mirror rides through" is devoted to this confusing issue on whether or not the King Geraden serves is working for or against Mordant.
The novel has a very clear cut idea on what "evil" and "good" is, but Donaldson is very skilful to create confusion on what is "good" or "true" for both the reader and Terisa in the first book by bringing in the arrogant Master Eremis (who doesn't seem quite so bad until the end of the series). The good characters are always humble and placing a greater good over their individual selves while the "bad" characters are proud and self-absorbed. The skill he displays in characterisation of the evil characters is applause worthy. Master Eremis could be any man you meet in your life. Master Eremis is not unlikeable. It is his actions (not his personality) that are unlikeable and destructive to others. But as I said before, Donaldson is very subtle with the "good" and "evil" binary.
I am not usually a fantasy reader, but this book is so well written that I finished the series within a week! His writing is fluid and unified so that by the end of the series every loose end is tied up. There are also some moments (usually character's thoughts or dialogue) when Donaldson's writing shines through in beautiful clarity (a bit like CS Lewis). The issues that Donaldson raises in the series, of love, loyalties, weakness, strength, power and responsibility make it worthy of a slower and more pleasurable re-reading.

I never cease to enjoy this book and its sequel, "A Man Rides Through". I just finished "The Mirror of Her Dreams" for the fourth time and will be diving into the sequel tonight. These are the kind of books you read well into the night when you should be sleeping. Because of these, I read Donaldson's "Gap" and "Thomas Covenant" series -- both of which I enjoyed greatly and will read again and again -- but these remain my favorites.
There really is only one thing I might add to the other positive reviews here -- and it is something I noticed in "Thomas Covenant" as well: Mr. Donaldson takes an ordinary person from our own world, places them in an extraordinary place and situations and allows them to grow from there. Terisa Morgan is a woman with no sense of self, no confidence, and no purpose. Her passivity and doubt are frustrating -- frustratingly real. But her arrival in Mordant and her subsequent involvement in its crisis -- as well as the faith shown in her by the loyal Geraden -- allows her to discover the woman she truly is: powerful, courageous, and passionate (to name a few) -- qualities she never would have discovered if she'd remained in her own world.
The action and intrigue are captivating -- but it is the characters and their evolution (and not just Terisa's but Geraden's as well) that make these books so addictive.
In the paperback version, there is a rather major editorial mistake. In the last pages of the second to last chapter, a few sentences have been left out, making things a little confusing. Having always read the hardcover edition before, I noticed the mistake. Briefly, and hopefully without giving anything away, what was left out is this: Castellan Lebbick informs the Congery that Nyle wishes to speak to Geraden alone. This is what he whispers into the Castellan's ear. That's really all that was left out. I had to read it a few times to make sure I hadn't skipped something. Hopefully, this helps anyone who thinks they missed something, too!
All in all, two wonderful books with characters that stay with you.

I originally read this monolithic duet as a sophomore in high school (we're not going to disclose when that was) and I find myself craving it from time to time, and each time I go back to it I find that it completely satisfies some deep need to escape in fiction.

Donaldson creates this beautifully detailed world with its own social constructs and laws of physics, and unlike some SF/Fantasy authors, he doesn't sacrifice character development to the story line.

I will say, there are times when it drags a bit, and perhaps a little more liberal editing would have made it more accessible to a wider audience, but after many rereadings I've embraced the story in its entirety.

All that being said, I find it very odd that his more acclaimed works, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, appeal to me not at all. I was kind of excited when I discovered just how prolific Donaldson is. I thought I would dive into this seemingly endless series, and I tried very hard to immerse myself into it but found it to be very tiresome. So if you love the Thomas Covenant books, you won't necessarily love this story, but I suggest you try anyway.

My all time favorite series; I only wish that there were more books written about Mordant. Poetic, really well-paced, just absolutely wonderful! Every few years I re-read all three of these books, as well as the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit series.

After owning this book for many years, I just read it the third time, and it just keeps getting better. The characters, though complex, lack the suicidal tendencies that seem to be so popular in Donaldson's other works, which makes for a more entertaining read. The system of magic, one based on mirrors, is original and well thought out. Donaldson has a knack for taking improbable hero's and putting them through the paces, and "The Mirror of Her Dreams" is no exception. We begin the book to find a land with a king apperantly too far gone in his old age to understand what is happening, an assembly of magic users frozen by inner turmoil and deception, and a country beset by forces both natural and magical from all sides. From here unfolds an incredible story of love and hate, deception and need. I can't recommend this book enough.

Powerful. One word describes it. A word of caution though. Make sure you have the sequel "A man rides through" with you in hand before you start on this one. The ending of the first book will make you feel like jumping into the second book straight away without a break. This was the first book of Stephen Donaldson that I read and I was really impressed by the plot and character development. This book has everything, court politics, intrigue, mystery, blunders, puzzle, sword fighting, invasion, treachery, patriotism, alien beasts, imagery and you name it. The character development is not very fast and at times the characters are really helpless. I agree with a previous reviewer that "gets maddening to the point where you wish you could jump into your own mirror and help them out". Towards the end you will just stop doing anything else except reading the book. This book is a must read for all those who are fascinated by the concept of magic mirrors and people being translated though mirrors to other worlds, this is the book for you. The concept is stunning. I cant wait to read the sequel. Light reading, and extremely well written.

It took me a horrifically long time to finish this book, and not because I didn't like it! The author leaves absolutely nothing unexplored. Postively everything that goes on in that castle is recorded in extreme detail. The pace is maddeningly slow, but surprisingly, all those little details are delicious. I was fascinated by all the characters, particularly the king and his batty companion Havelock. You spend much of the book trying to figure out everyone's motives, and just exactly whom is allied with whom. The magic of this book is done entirely through glass, which was unusual and refreshing but lost me in some of the technical explanations. Geraden is a thoroughly likable character, though Terisa's continual passivity will make you want to slap her around a bit. Very complex but well worth the time. Be sure to get the sequel.

Teresa Morgan, a lonely, ordinary woman in our world, steps through a mirror in her apartment and finds herself in the land of Mordant. Geraden, son of the Domme, thinks that she is a powerful Imager, one who can manipulate the magic of mirrors, and believes that she is the key to saving their world. The only problem is, Teresa feels they have made a terrible mistake. But even her attempts to deny this alleged importance cannot save her from being sucked into a web of mystery, intrigue, danger, and betrayal. And just when things couldn't get any worse, the Congery of Imagers take matters into their own hands, setting even more catastrophic events into motion.
I have to admit that this book tends to be a little slow in the beginning, and I even found myself skimming a few parts. But if you can manage to hang in there, things really start to pick up and very soon you'll be hooked. Nothing is as straightforward as the characters think, and treachery, deceit, and lies run deeper than they could ever imagine. Just when you think you've got it figured out, the story takes a different turn and you're left scratching your head again in puzzlement. The one thing that really connected me to this book is the fact that the main characters constantly struggle to understand what is really going on, and I found myself right there in Teresa's shoes, feeling completely frustrated and paranoid ... not knowing at all who to trust!
Just a little warning, this book ends with a nail-biting cliffhanger. And trust me, you'll want to have the sequel (A Man Rides Through) handy as soon as you finish the last page. If it weren't for the slow pace in the beginning, and a few spots of tiresome info-dumps, I would have rated this one five stars. But, it definitely gets four stars for eventually grabbing hold and not letting me go, and for making me want to rush out and buy the sequel!

I bought this hardcover as a new release in 1986. I didn't realize at the time it was the first of a two book series. As the ending of pt.1 will leave you hanging, I agree that you should purchase both parts at the same time. I've read both books several times over to the point that the bindings are beginning to come apart.
I don't usually enjoy a book that depicts a weak female lead (usually twists my spine in a knot) but I really enjoyed how she developed as the book progresses.
Now all I need is to get these books onto the kindle format before my copies completely fall apart.

The Mirror of Her Dreams was the first fantasy book that I've ever read and it turned out to be the absolute best. I now search for books in this category that can hold my interest and intrigue like this book did, but have thus failed. Although I have read many other excellent stories, I have never read a book that gets the reader so highly involved with the senses, emotions, etc. It is a story of depth and of course dreams. I have read this book and it's sequel twice and will read them both again and probably many times more. These books leave your imagination swirling into fantasies and lands beyond into the mirrors of your own dreams....-a soul searching novel that I would recommend to anyone.

I normally don't write negative reviews, but I absolutely had to write one here in hopes of deflecting a potential reader. I am a HUGE fan of the Thomas covenant novels and still consider myself a HUGE fan of Stephen Donaldson. I have no idea what this novel is supposed to accomplish. I have no idea what the true story being told is supposed to be.
The extreme skill used is creating this monstrosity is clearly misused and misguided. There is NO doubt that this is beautifully written, but there should also be no doubt that is beauty without form. This novel is terrible and boring. Excuse the bad language, but it is a piece of mental masturbation: "How can I string together well crafted sentences and over explain the most MUNDANE things possible to the point of nausea?" that had to be thought process behind this behemoth.
I started this novel as an audio purchase and was incapable of not getting bored or sleepy. So I went and purchased the written novel version to see if the narrator was the problem... NO, it was the book itself. They need to create a new classification of novels: Beautiful and boring. Before anyone tries the mad fan(boy)(girl) nonsense, I am a college graduate who reads 3-6 books a month depending on how much free time I have available.

Donaldson depicts the despair and confusion that result from lives turned awry: in Teresa's case by childhood abuse/neglect and in Geraden's case by an inability to understand and use his gifts, in the realm's case by a hero-king who has suddenly stopped defending the kingdom. These confusions lead the characters into mistakes and dilemmas so true to life that I have read every one of Donaldson's long-winded words in the two Mordant books for the gift of better understanding despair and hope, confusion and clarity, seduction and care, and the redemptive possibility of hope. I find Donaldson's other series dark and lacking in the hope and genuine love that make this tale one of my all-time favorites.

Note: this book may trigger those with PTSD from sexual abuse.

This tale is a delicious mix of intrigue, fantasy, and science which succeeds to be a non-stop page-turner. It is loaded with sword fighting, monsters, and mysterious characters; and it has an incredible puzzle that comes together in a slow, fascinating way. Characters are sometimes so helpless that it gets maddening to the point where you wish you could jump into your own mirror and help them out. Any book that can bring out emotions like that is worth reading! The ending of the second novel is completely satisfying. I would say that this is the best series of books that I have ever read in this genre or in any. Also, it's the only set of books I have read multiple times.

Preface: If you like long books, lots of detail and a great story, you'll love Donaldson.

First off, let me say that if you were at all turned off by Donaldson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, please do not overlook this book or the follow-up book to this one. I wish this series was as long as the Covenant ones.

Donaldson weaves a great story here that is not as elaborate and in depth as his Covenant series. And I love that the main character in this one is a woman. So many are men so this changes things up a bit. The main characters are truly lovable and the romance aspect is great, but not overdone. I hate rehashing the storyline in reviews because you can read the synopsis online if you want, so I will leave it at that. I found that these books fall somewhere between Donaldson's Covenant series and David Eddings' novels. Truly enjoyable. I rarely give a book 5 stars, but gave 5 to this one and his follow-up book to it. You don't need a bunch of maps or glosseries for this one, it's just a great fantasy book, so don't expect it to be all Dungeons & Dragony where you have a lot to keep up with. But I would label this a "cozy fantasy" and not a hard core fantasy duo for those of us who like a break from all the minute details that usually come with entering this realm of literature.

This review deals with both books (the mirror of her dreams and a man rides through), since they are in fact the same story (no satisfying conclusion, even temporary, is reached by the end of the first book).
So, how does it compare with Thomas Covenant? First, you do not get in this book the sensation of vast spaces with few inhabitants. What I found annoying in Covenant was that the place seemed to have been put together in patches; the centrestage in the fastness with the lords was rich enough, while the rest of the land seemed empty. That, happily, does not occur in the mirror of her dreams.
It is also supposed to be more ambiguous than mere epic fantasy, and the plot was to unravel itself inch by inch. In that, I think, it fails. First, the ambiguous characters are merely bland (particularly Teresa), and the plot is heavy with weird devices (so all these attempts on Teresa's life by a master fighter and an Imager just fail one after the other? Either they're really bad at their job, or the author is having us on). Also, some 'twists' in the plot are risible: the king's madness, which serves as an elaborate plot, is much too far-fetched to fit in with the story; it comes as no surprise that the ugly, difformed characters like Master Gilbur are villains, and anyone could have predicted that Master Eremis was up to no good. There also seems to be some confusion on the matter of translations (at least, I did not understand exactly what was happening with flat or curved mirrors, what kind of translations made you mad, etc.) Geraden, at first clumsy, becomes an Imager of great power, and so does Terisa. Sorry, it's all a bit too much: these two just turn out to have this incredible power for which we should all be thankful (or perhaps not, given the sheer stupidity and inefficiency of their opponents). And the plot meanders between too many characters that hold centrestage, and then disappear and are only seen from afar.
It's good, it's a page-turner, but when you close it you'll feel disappointed; the secrets that Donaldson lets dangle before your eyes turn out to be not worth the trouble in the end.

Great read. Part one of a two part story. Teresa is translated from her New York apartment where she lives a life of quiet desolation surrounded by mirrors so that she can affirm her existence to a quasi medieval land where mirrors or imagery are magic. She gets involved in a supporting a collapsing King beset by plots and enemies.
Rereading these after many years and they have held up very nicely.

I enjoyed the concept of the world where mirrors really are doors to other universes. But I could not stand the main character nor her motivations in regards to one of the characters who basically sexually assaulted her.

That is to say, even this, the weakest of Donaldson's epics, is still leagues beyond all but a few stories in the genre. Donaldson's favorite theme seems to be the capacities and limitations his characters have, due entirely to their self-definitions, and how these abilities change as the characters do, compelled by their situations. Less patient readers may become frustrated with the time these changes take, and to them I suggest any of the thousands of Star Trek novels, with their casts of cardboard characters who start perfect and don't have to grow.

I have been reading fantasy fiction since age 10 (22 years). After just re-reading this series for the third time I can confidently state that this is still the best fantasy fiction I have ever read. It is the only book(s) I have ever written a review for in all that time. Donaldson is a master creator of perverse, intense, and deliciously complex stories with the most unbearably reluctant heros and unfathomably malignant antagonists. It will keep you enthralled and guessing until the end. If you call yourself a fantasy fan and do not read this series, you are depriving yourself of pure reading extasy.

I love the meticulous world creation and its consistent laws. I love how Teresa fell into a world that seemed to discount her just as much as she was ignored and discounted in her own world. But Mordant had a need. Mordant needed Teresa to discover herself and learn who she was and how much she could affect events just by living, and then bu thinking and doing. Mordant needed Teresa to come alive to herself.She is forced from dreamlike complaisance to fight for her recognition of self. Teresa then becomes the solution to Mordant's Need, indeed.
I also love the use of mirrors and how they are the basis of the magic that moves the world of Mordant but also how the mirrors use reflects Teresa inner turmoil and then her growth. Awesome fantasy. Definitely 5 stars

Excellent Donaldson storyline (with A Man Rides Through). I read these every couple of years. I've gone through a hard back set, two paperback versions and now a Kindle version. They never fail to hold my attention and always entertain. Crisp clear writing, likeable characters, and action galore! I highly recommend these.

I read "Mirror of Her Dreams" in the local library quite by chance many years ago, and immediately bought it. Since then it has set the standard by which I judge other fantasy novels. Just recently I found my old dog-eared copy and even after the umpteenth re-reading the story has lost none of its magic.

Terisa, who starts the book in such self-doubt she is uncertain of her very existence, is brought through a mirror by mistake into a castle in another world thick with deception and desperation. The King of Mordant has gone mad, and his land is falling into ruin, beset by enemies without, and hidden traitors within. No one knows where Terisa's unexpected arrival fits into Mordant's impending doom, but there are those determined to find out, or use her for their own ends - or eliminate her. Caught unavoidably in the proverbial web of intrique, the frightened and lost Terisa has no choice but to thread her way through the plots with her own wits and discover who is friend and who is foe.

I would not call the start of the book "slow," but rather "measured," as characters are carefully introduced and plots are intricately spun. Normally I have very little patience for books that drag, but this one doesn't - even the long passages of exposition by characters like Eremis, Elega and Quillon draw you in. Every character in this book is a joy to read, from the fumble-footed but heroically earnest Geraden, to the harsh and dominating Castellan Lebbick, to the mad King Joyse, to the scheming Master Eremis. Terisa herself ranks as one of my favourite fantasy heroines, and by the end of the book (in a cliff-hangar that ensures you must read the second part, "A Man Rides Through") has started to find her own courage and become the woman who will help save Mordant - in the next volume.

Donaldson shows the fantasy world how to do court intrique, and not until Martin's recent "A Song of Ice and Fire" series has anyone matched him.

I've read both of the Thomas Covenant chronicles and I quite frankly think that Mordant's Need far surpasses both trilogies in every aspect, except of course for length!
This is Donaldson at his mature, original best. I could not help feeling as I read Thomas Covenant that it had been written by a young author still very much eager to jump onto the Tolkien bandwagon. The lands and peoples of those earlier series felt little more than new twists to Middle Earth, but in Mordant's Need Donaldson had evidently grown into his own shoes and created a sophisticated, intriguing, yet very endearing classic that stands on its own merit. In fact, I still could hardly believe that they were written by the same author, especially when I was reading A Man Rides Through, the second volume in this duology, which I think is the greatest book he has ever written (even the brilliant sci-fi Gap series could not outshine this gem).
Trust me, as you delve deeper and deeper into the world of Mordant, you will find the company of Terisa and Geraden, Adept Havelock and King Joyse, and even Master Eremis and the Prince of Alend, more and more like the company of friends.

OMG!! I love this book!! Must read!! The Story,plot,chracters,etc are sooooo out there its just a great story to read.

I have to admit that I actually have an audiobook when i read/listen to the book and i wasn't too thrilled reading it becasue the genre i usually read are like horro, vampires, werewolfs,etc. I only read it becasue I was bored, I didn't have anything new to read, and I wasnted to try something new. Im sooooooooo glad I did it!!! When I read it I (almost)cried, I was angery,I was happy,etc. I was very emotional toward the story and the characters and thats when I knew that I was reading a very good book. When ur fustrated that the main chracter is sooo blind to her detined love and u just want to shout out " Ur in love with.......!!" Thats when u realized thats a terrfic book.

I was kinda mad that you have to read the second book to know what happens but I'll gurantee that u wont be dispointed. Please buy and read the book!!! ^.^

Mirror Of Her Dreams is superb fantasy. None of the usual fare that makes fantasy so weak when not in the hands of Tolkien (monsters, wizards, fairies, etc.). This is an intricate, well thought out and executed piece of work. The characters are wonderful, the world fascinating and believable, and the story first rate in every regard. `Page Turner' is a phrase thrown around WAY too often but hey, this one fits the bill. An excellent read to enjoy more than once.

Donaldson's writing never ceases to amaze me and his imagination is endless. The Mordant's Need series is definitely my favorite. It the perfect story for good vs. evil with some romance, magic, deception, betrayal, and hope all mixed together. This is a book that is a continual re-read in my library.

I was so disappointed when I finished this book because I just wanted it to go on forever! Fortunately, there's a sequel, and a whole other series to read (Thomas Covenant).
Like his other books, it draws you in and involves you, the reader, emotionally. Furthermore, he doesn't give away any of the plot, and I found myself getting caught up in the emotions of the characters.

This novell, which I bought eagerly after finishing the second trilogy of the Thomas Covenant saga, Fulfilled my expectations. Although not quite up to the standards of The Unbeliever series, this book emphasizes Donaldson's divergence from the main stream. His characters are flawed, vulnerable and make mistakes. The court politics which take most of the book are well written and draw you into the complex world of Mordant.
Basically a good novel, although it could be better

Mr. Donaldson's books always have a knotty emotional issue at the center of his stories, this series is no exception. The further I get into it, the more I have to stop and think about it. I love it!

I really liked this book and its sequel (continuation), they're well paced and interesting with an intelligent plot.
All in all, just as well crafter but much lighter and happier than the Covenant books.

I was disappointed and even slightly disgusted by "The Mirror of Her Dreams" and its sequel, "A Man Rides Through."

SPOILER ALERT! I don't give away the end or even the middle, but still a bit of a SPOILER...

My biggest complaint was that this was too obviously a middle-aged male author's botched attempt at portraying a young female protagonist (Terisa). Terisa's thoughts and motivations were heavily-influenced by MALE psyche and ego to the point of being unrealistic. Her obsession with Eremis, an older, unattractive and arrogant man, was weird and unnatural in light of the fact that there was a super-nice, handsome young man hanging about who was obviously in love with her. Her ridiculous whining about "how will I know I'm real unless I have sex and no one will have sex with me except Eremis" was pitiful. Like she couldn't have figured out that Geraden might possibly be interested. Yeah right. I felt like I was reading the thinly-disguised and slightly perverted fantasies of a middle-age man who wants to pretend that teenage virgins still desire him.

I realize many of you will mark me as unhelpful for that. Oh well! Sorry!

King Joyse's behavior was about the stupidest and most frustrating I've ever read. That logic just doesn't hold up.

I did enjoy the mirror ploy, with its accompanying philosophical "what's real" questions, that was clever.

Last complaint: why entitle the second book "A Man Rides Through"? That's so not what this book is about!!! If it did even happen (which I can't vouch for), it was maybe .0005% of the plot?

Those of you who love this series, consider trying instead Glen Cook's incredible "Black Company" series. Or how about Brent Week's "Lightbringer" series, a better treatment of a (similar) young male hero just coming into himself. Compared to these series, "Mordant's Need" is deficient.

What exactly was Donaldson talking about? I have no idea...
merely sex-obsessed nonsense which causes the reader to yawn and snore. I bought a copy since I was recommended to do so by a Phantom phan... Nevertheless I regret wasting my moeny; thus you should not with yours.

This intriging fantasy is so near reality that you'l wish it was true. Donaldson uses a special way to combine a fantasy world with something from our real world to something you just have to believe in. You will feel the same passion (in lovemaking and i quests), the hurt (in battle and in heart) and the confusion (in general) like the caracters in the novel. Warning ! Do not read the book sitting near a mirror.

I absolutely love this book, have for years, but the MP3 version I just bought is missing chapters 12 through14. The one star is for this version. So very sad, but luckily I do have the text version to fill in these missing chapters.

Update - There are at least three more chapters missing, all critical to the story. Amazingly, one of the missing chapters is the very last one in the book. DO NOT PURCHASE unless you have a copy of the actual book on hand.

A truly memorable novel that will grab your mind and never let go.
Stephen R. Donaldson details the adventures of a heroine as she travels into another
dimension. Every character is elaborately detailed both in body and mind.
As a result you feel as if you personally know everyone in this book.
It is truly a must read -- as is the book that follows.

This book captivates the imagination. It is one of those books which consumes your weekend regardless of any other plans you may have made. It is full of intrigue, mystery, romance and action. Then it ends... I cannot find a sequel so I am stuck within its bounds.

I've just limply tossed this quagmire of inaction and graceless dialogue onto my bedside table.

I devour books. As a teenager I recall loving the 2 Thomas Covenent series, so when I spotted this for 25Cents at a library sale, I snatched it up. Not since ploughing my way through all of Jordan's Wheel of Time books do I recall having to so strenuously force myself to finish a book. The prose is dense and stilted ("chaos and choler" ...really? You had to unearth a 16th century term for alliteration? Who writes like this?) and the plot zings along at a pace that makes Henry James seem like Hemmingway. The vapid protagonist is portrayed so misogynistically, it made me want to take a shower. Seriously: eew. I hope Donaldson doesn't have any daughters who might read his novels - this dude should not be writing from the female perspective.

Such a shame, as the concept of mirrors as doorways in a world without reflective surfaces has such potential. The romance between a man who doesn't know himself and a woman who fers she may not exist is intriguing...what a shame it wasn't developed better. This book needed a serious haircut of a few hundred pages, re-written dialogue, and cut the creepy molestation scenes with Eremis...or at least don't write them from Terisa's point of view.

Imagine my horror when I approached the end of this book and realized there was no way this was a self-contained novel; it's half of a 2-book series! The the store reviews of the sequel, A Man Rides Through, have convinced me it's probably not worth the effort..even if I found it on the 25-cent table at another library sale.

Man, when people say this book starts off slow, they MEAN IT! I see what Donaldson is trying to set up -- unassertive Terisa gradually learns that she has value and self-worth and eventually stands up for herself, and Geraden finally leaves behind his klutzy ways and learns to be a man, and of course they end up a couple, yadda-yadda -- but I've given up on it because it goes so slowly. The imagery is nice, the through-her-eyes perspective is interesting, but I kept wanting to smack this girl upside the head and tell her to stand up for herself already. I even tried flipping forward through it and found no real action to keep me interested.

If you're looking for suspense, intrigue, and intense, detailed descriptions, and you don't mind waiting 'til maybe even the end of the book for explanations of what's going on, this might be the book for you. If you're looking for action, adventure, magic, and most importantly, FUN, try something else.