Matthew Woodring Stover

An interesting writer. Certainly he writest the action sequences well, with his knowlege of the martial arts he brings a level of realism to the writng that is hard to find in other novels.

Hereos Die is an interesting book, mixing both science fiction and fantasy with its caste riddled view of earth and the fantasy world of Overworld. An interesting if not entirely original view of Earth in a few years time, with the inreasing gaps between social levels solidfying. Overworld is pretty much your regular fantasy world, filled with elves, dwarves and the like.

His protagonist Caine is quite human, and his desires and motivations are quite clear. The first book is quite fun to read through and certainly worth picking up

Blade of Tyshalle on the other hand tries too hard I feel. While a good read, it strives to be too much and Stover just cannot get the final grasp of it. there are too many conflicting forms of writing going on, too many conflicting characters and viewpoints and no underlying thread, in the end diffusing the tension he tries to build up. It is an interesting premise but the tension is never truly built up, and the conflict in the end is too simple an answer. Quite literally using th gods to finish it up.

All in all, an interesting author to pick up who given time could become a great author. Possibly.

Do not stand at my grave and weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunglight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
--Anonymous