The first thing I would say if asked about this book is that is it extremely original. I read a lot of sci-fi and fantasy and this just really impressed me. The plot was fantastic. A frog-like child born in a well with a stone . . . who would have ever guessed the ending! I loved the nexus system. At first glimpse of the map I was weary and unsure how it was going to be done, but it was another part of the book that impressed me. I loved the explanation of the ships, born from a single seed to cross the nexus. I loved the characters, I LOVED the first appearance of Dravikos So intimidating and intense. I liked that some of the monsters have almost a Lovecratian hue to them. It was very easy for me to fall into the story. It was easy to make me want more. I wanted more description. The characters had so much going for them, but I felt like I wanted to know them a little more. I felt almost like I was thrown into the middle of a series. There was so many unknown faces, culture, species, and I felt like it was a little under described. I was flipping pages, going back and forth trying to figure out what exactly a Ziggurat was, or to learn more about the green-faced man. I felt like I had skipped over a page that held pertinent information. AND FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS LITERARY, what happened to Niran?! It sounded like there was hope for him, maybe being healed with the quirma of the mask, but then nothing! No mention of his wife's ending either.

Over all though it was a *fantastic* read and I am sorry I didn't get to it sooner. ( )

Once I started the story kept me reading on and on (which actually doesn't happen that often) without wanting to stop. The whole universe and characters where all new to me, although I read a lot of fantasy and there are often similarities in the stories - this was very refreshing! ( )

The mask of the river king is a science - fiction fantasy book involving the interplantetary travel between worlds via the great river ninagel. If you are looking for a science fiction that is new and stands out from the others this is for you.

Jules has created characters, animals and everything in these worlds that you havent read about before, and she articulates these characters very well. Showing great detail.

I especially like Frey, he was a slave, until he was saved by Niran and Umsu and he had no choice but to go with the saviours and join the adventure.

Frey might be all they need to help save the world.

On a personal note this book did take me a long time to get into it which was of my doing not jules, as this book is not my type of read/genre. I did skip a over a few chapters to read ahead and then went back and this helped me understand the concept of the worlds alot more finding it easier to read.

Others who love and live for sci-fi fanatsy worlds would devour
this book as jules is unique and creative just like her book.

I found the premise of this book promising but had a hard time following the story. I had a hard time getting into this story. It has potential but isn't there yet. ( )

I've been reading this book for a long time. It's got a good premise, and the world that Jules creates in this one is beautiful. I just can't seem to keep things straight in this one. I don't know why, but it's been very difficult for me to read. Every time I pick it up I have to go back and re-read a bit of it to re-orient myself as to what is going on.

I really want to like it. I like Frey, the main character. He really seems to be coming into his own. The other characters are so neat. The way some of them are mixed breeds is a cool concept. They're not mixed like characters we're familiar with, from mythology or something, they're really unique mixes.

The idea of the Nexus is a really cool idea. It gives the book endless possibilities.

I just, for whatever reason, can not get situated with this one. I really want to like it, and I've been trying to. I just can't get there...

It's got some great qualities. The world(s) that Wellesley creates are amazing. I would love to give this a much better review, as I think it has the potential to be a great book. ( )