BOOK REVIEWS FOR

TWO HEADS, TWO SPIKES 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

    

     Politics, backstabbing, (I suppose the two go hand in hand), murder, sex, heroes and villains all have a place in Book 1 of the The Pearl of Wisdom Saga. Rice has done a good job of creating a world where there is not really any obvious evil man in a black castle, or heroic virgin being pulled from her impending priesthood. Good and bad look very similar and, as in real life, often depend entirely on your perspective and your motivations.

These idea’s are explored really well through a large cast and an epic scope although early on I found it a little hard to keep track of so many characters being introduced with really only a very small amount of time given to any backstory or characterisation before we were onto the next guy. For this reason a breakdown of characters at the beginning would, I think, be really beneficial.

Our prologue begins with Ollar, an accomplished swordsman, who is forced to slaughter three guardsmen, who are watching a river. He is waiting to rescue a female baby in a basket, like Moses, someone who has been foretold. As he plucks the girl from the water we see that with him is a little boy who seems to have been also told of and possess some degree of prophesised magic or wonder. We only really meet these three again at the end of the book so I wont give too much away but by the end I was actually really into what they were doing despite only having two scenes.

We then cut Edburgh Etburn shagging his wife Caroline. We get a very quick history on the two of them before she tries to kill him Sharon Stone/Total Recall style.

Cut to the Colberts. Jon father to Krys, Ryno, Ruxin and a younger brother Riceros who is having something kept from him. We also meets Jon’s Wife Camille, daughter Mariah, Count Sproul a teacher to Riceros, Brehan a castaway…. and this is quite early on and continues until about 40 pages in.

I guess there is a reason GRRM’s books are 900 pages plus and that is you are going to have such an large scope it helps to be eased into it gently and with a good idea of who the writer wants us to follow. Even if you kill the one we are following early on, like Ned Stark, it gives us an entry point to the rest of the characters and how they relate to that one instance.

Leimur a warrior Princess, who kills her father the King after he tries to arrange her death and Riceros Colbert, a smart child who has never spoken for reasons unknown, were the two characters I was most drawn to. Leimur was very action orientated and seems to have risen from the ashes she was intended for. In Riceros there is an underlying importance being alluded to early on….we know there is more to him than meets the eye, we just don’t know why….yet. My favourite moments in the book were invariably one’s where one of these two characters were involved.

Rice writes his actions sequences well which is a big positive. Nothing like waiting for a fight and then having it suck and I can happily say he does a good fight justice. Fast paced and well written they tend to be quick brutal and uncompromising, often told from multiple points of view which helps fill them out. You never get to comfortable though as the Author shows he is not averse to killing off someone we like, another positive in my book, as it lends weight and reality to the action sequences and moments of suspense.

There were a couple of moments in the book that did not agree with me. There is a character called the Imp Wizard, who I hate to say it, seemed to be Tyrion Lannister with magical powers, ‘Weakness and shortcomings. Wear them like a badge of honor. Make them your strength, not your weakness. Shove them in someone’s face before they can tease you about it”. This was all very reminiscent of Jon Snows meeting with Tyrion where he implores him to embrace being a bastard the way he has embraced being a dwarf. Sadly anything that approaches similarity to Game of Thrones is going to get judged as such. The only other negative for me was that I am also not a huge fan of sex scenes and phrases like ‘moistened love box’ don’t sit well with me especially when they appear out of the blue. I am pretty immature so they get more of a laugh factor out of me than anything else.

So small complaints aside, I thought this was an enjoyable and pretty easy read especially once you have the characters bedded down in your head. The first book in the Pearl of Wisdom Saga is a little raw at times and could benefit from a bit more patience with the storytelling, I always think it is a compliment to say I wanted more from this or that as it shows an interest and that the Author has grabbed me in some way, but I think this is something we will see as Jason Paul Rice develops his writing and his personal style. There is a massive amount more to come from this series and, with some work and fine touches here and there, it could be the start of something very special.

 

 

      

 

 

          I read all types of books, but I fantasy is probably the most prevalent. This is good because I enjoy it, but at the same time it begins to feel cliché and ‘overdone’ sometimes, especially with new writers who basically just rehash the same plot and tropes over and over again. So I’m always a bit wary when reading a ‘new’ fantasy author. But I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that even if there were some familiar themes (really, what makes a fantasy book be one in the first place), author Jason Paul Rice brings a fresh voice to the table, and is highly creative in a genre where that bar is definitely raised. He has a great flair for descriptive writing that really paints the scene and pulls you in. I did feel at times it felt almost “too fast paced” and jumped around from character to character before I really had a chance to sink my teeth in. At times, it seemed to lose focus, and we had several storylines and characters to keep track of. If I had to put it down for any length of time I sometimes found myself a little confused as to whose head I was in and what their story was. But overall it was an exciting read, I was never bored, and I am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          At first I wasn’t really sure what I was getting myself into (I admit the title had me wondering! Haha), but within the first few pages I knew I’d like it and I was right! I love the way this author writes, it is so descriptive (without being overdone) and the world building just keeps going and going. No info dumps, just layers of characters and storylines that create a fun adventure read that fantasy fans will enjoy. At first I thought the formatting would bug me, as it looks different than what I’m used to, but actually I feel like I liked it better as it broke up the texts into very readable chunks, and I felt like I could read easier and faster. As with most fantasy books there are a lot of characters, but this one was different in the sense that so many parts of the story are told from so many different ones ( at least 10) and while I’ve read other books that employ multiple POV, I don’t recall any that used so many. But I think it worked here. Curious to see where this series will lead as the first book is definitely off to a great start!

 

 

 

 

 

          Wow, I really loved this book! I read it all in practically one sitting, and it had my attention from beginning to end (and even into the next book!) I like Mr. Rice’s writing style – it is straightforward and has good descriptions, but has enough conversations and engaging dialogue to carry the plot forward instead of just narrating it all to us (hate that). This book is really action-packed, and it’s hard to rehash the plot as a lot happens (and that is what the book description is for), but just know that this is one of those books that is actually better than it sounds! At least it was for me. Great characters, solid writing, a great mix of reality and magic/fantasy… gods and demon, men and monsters… oh and dragons. What more could you want? Recommend for older readers as there are some graphic scenes. Ready for the next book in the Pearl of Wisdom Saga!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           For some reason lately I’ve read several books where the characters just seem flat and lifeless and downright dull, so I was especially pleased when reading “Two Heads Two Spikes” and they just sprang to life! I’m not sure who I liked the best… Edburgh, Ali-ster, Leimur, Jon… They all bring something exciting and fresh to the table, and I loved how unpredictable it was at several parts. That’s probably what kept my attention the most, the fact that I wanted to know what would happen and was never quite sure what would go down (no spoilers!) There are some adult themes (sex scenes, violence) so this book is probably only appropriate for adults. But it has all the great makings of a fun, fantasy read and I could totally see this being a movie or TV show. Recommend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

          I really liked this book by Jason Paul Rice. “Two Heads Two Spikes” is an epic, action fantasy, but doesn’t feel as long winded, convoluted or crazy dense as some others I’ve read. In a way that’s what made me like it more… it was really easy to read and get lost in. So even if you’re not necessarily a hardcore fantasy fan, you will still enjoy this. It is fast paced and well written. Plenty of interesting characters, and the story is told from many different perspectives, which I also liked. The dialogue was witty and lough out loud funny at parts. Hardly any editing errors that I spotted, which is always nice. Looking forward to reading more in this series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

          This is a faster paced Game of thrones type story with some serious world building. It is a little easier to read without long, drawn out descriptions and the quick moving plot continues to develop as you go forward by revealing/uncovering secrets of the past through dialog and new character introductions.(A technique I really like) It looks like the authors first book which is pretty unique considering it compares nicely to the better epic fantasy out there. Looking for the second volume right now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

          This is a perfect start to a series. I was hooked from the opening sentence. I'm not usually a fan of stories where each chapter is told by a different character. In this case, it enhanced the story. The scenes are very detailed. There are very colorful characters. Some appear good, some appear bad and some you have to question. The political aspect was enthralling. Treachery, deceit, disloyalty and murder are peppered throughout the pages. This is a fascinating story.

Pros: very detailed, intriguing characters, no lull moments
Cons: I have no complaints about this story. I just wish the second book was available now.

I would highly recommend this story and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Got a new favorite show? You been watchin’ HBO? If you have, you’re going to want to get your hands on this book. The Pearl of Wisdom saga is a dive into the realm of fantasy set in a real-world backdrop, finding us in a Donegal, Ireland that never was. For a new author Mr. Rice creates a story worthy of Game of Thrones, leading us into a world of intrigue and violence that will leave you checking behind doors and having your food tested for poison. Enjoy your trip traveler, but beware, for here there be Dragons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

          This is not my usual genre and I don't review books, but this was excellent. It set the story of a waning Kingdom ripe with problems. The vivid characters tell the tale and the plot-lines could transcend time with themes of misdirected revenge and glory in the afterlife that still exist to this day. I generally read books set in current times but this one hooked me in the free preview and I can't wait to see what happens to Ollor and the kids, Russell, the Colberts and will somebody smack King Ali-Stanly please? When the classless King screamed "Kill the girl" my blood boiled. And I almost forgot about my favorite, Leimur. I am looking forward to the next one to see what happens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

         This is by far the best book that I have read in a while...and I read a lot of books! The author does an excellent job of painting a picture of who each character is and provides the back stories that make you care about them all. As each new character is introduced they become your favorite...or most hated. You quickly and completely get swept away by this compelling world that is so rich with detail, it seems impossible that it's not real. The author has such an eloquent way of writing; you feel that you can see the picture he is painting with his words.
I CAN NOTwait for the next book, or the one after that - note to the author, Jason Paul Rice: get writing!!! I can't get enough of the Kingdom of Donegal and beyond!

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Two Heads, Two Spikes” is a rare treat, with female characters as strong as the male, something you don’t often see from a male author. This well written fantasy tale kept me up late more than a few nights.

I was hooked after the first couple pages and this is a story with no lags and a lot of on the edge of my seat moments.

Cool read and I definitely recommend it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

          I’ve read my fair share of epic tales, from the works of Shakespeare through the more modern Tolkien and the Elfstones of Shanarra series, just to name a few.

Two Heads, Two Spikes falls solidly into the category of can't put down books.

It has all the elements of a classic tale of high adventure, fantasy and intrigue. I was drawn in from the first page. The author did created well detailed characters who sprang to life as I read.

Highly enjoyed this book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

          This book was an accidental discovery for me, I was running the kids to yet another game when I noticed my daughter had left her Kindle reader in the car.
I had a good hour of waiting time and decided to skim through this book to make the wait go a little faster.
Being blunt, the fantasy genre hasn’t been one that I ever had much interest in – until this book.
To say I was impressed is an understatement. Quality read all the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Dazzling, sweeping fantasy story. If you're a fantasy lover, this is a book for you.
Loved the technique of the multiple points of view - can't wait for the movie to come out

 

 

 

 

 

 

          I have mixed feelings on this fantasy novel “Two Heads, Two Spikes” by Jason Paul Rice. On one hand, I enjoyed many elements, such as the characters and the interwoven plot, and the fact that it was not only very fast paced for a fantasy (in a genre that tends to drag), but he also manages to make it feel very fresh and original… not an easy feat. However, personally I found it to be difficult to connect to any one character with any real depth as it kept shifting around And by the time it got back to a character, sometimes I had a hard time remembering that one’s story and actually had to go back and refresh. Maybe I just have a bad memory, I don’t know. I did like their ‘backstories’ and how they tied together, just for me it would have worked better had it been more tightly focused, There were some punctuation errors and a few small typos, but nothing too terrible. I think many people will like reading this novel, and I will be checking out the next one when it’s available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

          I enjoyed this book. I found the characters to be well written - its a nice change to see female characters be just as strong as the males. I especially like the Warrior Princess/Queen.

Some of the dialogue didn't sit right with me and felt a bit forced but for a first novel it was not bad and was certainly readable.

There were some elements that felt a bit Game of Thrones-y . This is not necessarily a bad thing and to be fair all fantasy is similar. I can't say I felt the author had borrowed from Game of Thrones so much as being inspired by it which is a very different thing.

I will definitely be looking to read the next novel to find out what happens next.

An enjoyable book which I recommend. The only reason it gets 4 stars instead of five is because of the dialogue point mentioned above. This is not necessarily a problem but something which I think the author will improve upon with each novel. A good effort for a first novel and an enjoyable read.

 

 

 

 

          I know we aren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover—or its title. But when I saw this one I admit I had an eyebrow raised and wondered of it would be some gory book (images of Vlad the Impaler came to mind…). However, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Not only was this a well-executed fantasy, it wasn’t nearly as ‘dark’ as I expected, even though there are some more intense elements. It was humorous, sexy, interesting, and really easy to read. Sometimes fantasy novels bog the reader down with endless details and scenarios, but I appreciated the fast pacing of this novel. Lots of characters, some more fleshed out than others, but all serving an interesting role that guides the readers through a memorable and entertaining journey. Recommend to (adult) fans of action/fantasy.

 

 

 

          I’m always a bit nervous when I agree to read an unknown author, especially when it’s in a genre that might not necessarily be a favorite, because I always finish a book no matter what, even if it’s terrible. Well, suffice it to say I was SHOCKED at how much I LOVED this book! Each character was almost more interesting and entertaining then the last, and the dialogue was totally on point. I found myself flipping through the pages of my kindle so fast I almost got a finger cramp, hahaha. At first I wondered if the plot would work, as the story seemed to lack a certain “focus” shall I say, and I feared it was just wandering over the place. But as things progress, it all seems to fall into place, and I’m so eager to see where it will continue to go!

 

 

 

 

          Read this over the weekend, and I must say I am very impressed with this author! Jason Rice is new to me, but he’s definitely one to watch out for in the future. It’s not easy to create such an intricate, multi layered and angled plot that not only makes sense, but builds momentum as it goes along, and creates a story arc where everything comes together seamlessly. Great imagination and detailing. Editing fine for the most part, and although I wasn’t fond of the formatting at first, I got used to it. Highly recommend to fantasy lovers, and suggest for adults only. Ready for the rest of the series to continue.

 

 

 

          What an unexpected and fun read by author Jason Paul Rice! Action filled, adventurous, funny, and descriptive, it pulled me in from the get-go and kept me actively engaged through the ending. The writing style was very good, and although at first I had a bit of a tough time with all of the different characters giving their various points of view, once the bigger picture started to emerge and the storylines merged, it became clear that this is an extraordinary book that will amaze and surprise. Looking forward to the next in the series.

 

 

    Great book, couldn’t put it down until I’d finished. Strong writing and unique spin on fantasy tropes that feel fresh and familiar… a nice, comforting mix. Many, many character POV’s utilized, providing backstory and current time events… this had a duel effect on me, where at times I felt it perhaps stretched the story too thin to have the focus so spread out, and we are unable to really connect with any core few characters. But it did create a big, epic feel that will appeal to many fans of the fantasy genre. Will look for more from this author.

 

 

 

          Jason Paul Rice's writing ability made me fall in love with the book from the first sentence. From the eccentric details about characters, to the vapid descriptions of battle, his use of descriptive words outshines some other authors I have read. Though I had slight trouble keeping up with the back stories, I found it a great read. LOVE LOVE LOVE this book and the Author.

 

 

          I'm always impressed with this author's first effort. I think there is a good story here. The character jumping is a little quick at times, but frankly, not bad for the author's first book. I think there is some real potential and I'll read the next.