Alice Hoffman - The River King: Library Edition

Pros: Magical and Poetic prose as only Hoffman can write

Cons: None for me, but some might find the story dark

The Bottom Line: This book is a great example of the magic of Alice Hoffman's writing! If you like Hoffman, you'll love "The River King". If you've never read Hoffman - you should!

Review: The first Alice Hoffman novel that I read was “Here on Earth”. I’m usually a fairly leisurely reader, but I gulped down that book in one weekend of reading gluttony! Hoffman’s ability to weave a story through poetic prose and magical...

Pros: Flowing, easy prose. Many characters who are well developed.

Cons: Ending seems cut short in comparison with development of earlier story.

The Bottom Line: The River King is a fine story, with strong character development. You may think you know who the River King is, but you will be surprised.

Review: I really enjoy Alice Hoffman’s books. The books I have read (The River King, Practical Magic, and Second Nature tell a quiet, dreamy sort of story, with a mystical twist woven in. The River King is no exception.

The story...

Pros: Complex, fun and satisfying - an excellent read, especially for Hoffman fans!

Cons: Suspension of belief is required; grizzly scene toward the end.

Review: It took just a little over a year for Alice Hoffman to emerge as my favorite contemporary author. Her latest novel, "The River King," has the depth, intrigue and beauty that I have come to expect from her work. Stylistically comparable to her...

Pros: Simple uncomplicated language, well developed plot and characters, beautiful scenic depictions

Cons: May leave some readers feeling frustrated or disturbed

The Bottom Line: The River King, true to Hoffman's style, is eloquently written. The symbolism is layers and very poignant. However, the book does have disturbing themes of death and emotional pain.

Review: Alice Hoffman is most likely best know as the author of the book which was made into the movie "Practical Magic". If you have seen this film you will appreciate some of Hoffman's trademarks of mysticism and magic. However, you will also likely remember...

Pros: Fast paced, compelling, murder mystery, intriguing to the end

Cons: I didn't have any cons with this book.

The Bottom Line: This is a very compelling book that digs deep into the heart of betrayal, love and courage. Very good reading experience.

Review: To date, I have only read three of Alice Hoffmans books but I am finding myself becoming a fan of her work. In this book "The River King" she masterfully places her readers into a suspenseful plot and unravels the mystery slowly. The story starts off...

Pros: Slightly Mystic Quality

Cons: Flat, lacking in vitality

Review: After reading about a third of this novel, I decided I did not like it
and that I wouldn't finish reading it. I thought about writing an
opinion on it stating my dislike, but first I wanted to read what others
had to say about it.
...

Pros: Characters are interesting

Cons: Somewhat repetitive

The Bottom Line: If you are a teenager you might like it more than an old mid-lifer like me. It was somewhat repetitive, depressing and predictable.

Review: I am a huge Alice Hoffman fan. Practical Magic is one of my favorite books. Hoffman's character development is one of the things I love about her writing. River King has characters galore. This book features more teenagers including a...