I read this book a long, long, time ago around 7th grade or so. I remember severely disliking it and I did not read the second book in the series. I remember nothing from that reading other than not liking it. I don't even remember why I didn't like it. But if I had to guess, I would presume that it was because it was unlike any of the other fantasy books I had read and loved; The Hobbit, The Sword of Shannara, Pawn of Prophecy, etc.

Here is a story with an unlovable un-hero. A man who is a leper, who is consumed with rage, who hates himself, who lashes out at everyone around him. Cowardly, bitter, unlikable.

Yet, the author has created a world full of a rich people who revere the world and all of the life in it. Who have sworn an oath of peace even as their world is threatened by an ancient evil.

Now that I'm older and I do not have to have an obvious and likable hero to enjoy a story, I was able to appreciate more about this book, but it still leaves a lot to be desired. The author's names for things are a bit generic and simple. Lord Foul, Drool, Ur-viles, etc. I think I will finish the trilogy. Partly because this series is one of those series that any self-respecting fantasy fan should probably read (kinda like Wot) as a badge of honor if nothing else, and partly because every fan of these books say that the author's genius is revealed over the next two books. I suppose we shall see.