From a reader's point of view, Master of Chains is both interesting and problematic.

On the one hand, it has a plot that's simply bigger than should've been stuffed into a single book. And it has a plot that offers several competing interests that must inevitably collide; just the thing to stir up interesting conflicts. That's what good stories are made of, right?

On the other hand, almost all the conflicts and build-ups receive fleeting attention. For example, the book's protagonist, Ryder, finds himself in a position where he has a relationship with chains (trying not to spoil anything here), but the scenarios is so brief that one is left to wonder how he suddenly has become this incredible "Master of Chains." It all sort of wags along, unbelievably.

Unfortunately, many instances in the book seem glossed over or given a light treatment, and I found myself shaking my head in disbelief--immersion breaking stuff, I'm talking about.

Atop that, the book's editor should be fired. At times, the writing reads more like a second or third draft rather than a Forgotten Realms published novel. Sometimes the text is even confusing, perhaps approaching nonsense, particularly when the author flung around pronouns too much.

And then there's the ending. This bugger felt slapped on and deflated the final, confrontational build-up central to the book. Strangely and painfully abrupt, too.

Okay, now that I've beat this thing like a pinata, let me say that the plot still, somehow, propped up the novel despite its frequent and glaring flaws. Had it been given more time to stew, the story could have smartly fit into two or three novels instead.

I still sort of like the book, even though it's not quite good. You know the type? Something you're glad you've read but you can't recommend to anyone else? Yup. Right here, folks. ( )

While it had some good spots, and not a bad storyline. The writing was horrible. There were more than a couple spots that didn't make sense. Seemed disconected and not thought out. And the ending just sucked. ( )