Echoes of Betrayal: Paladin's Legacy (Legend of Paksenarrion Book 3) --by Elizabeth Moon

Fiction / Fantasy

466 pages / 4071 KB

5 Stars

We have now reached the middle book of the five-book series. Not the place to start, trust me. Start with Book 1 and read in order.

Arvid, the Master Thief, becomes a major character in this book. Or, perhaps, I should say his story is told, as he's been a major character since he rescued Paks way back when. His story is very interesting, and he became one of my most favorite people. He's a thief, an assassin, and suddenly a god starts speaking to him, and always at inopportune times. Well, mostly inopportune times.

Dorrin must deal with the evil of her family, and the distrust of the other nobles in the king's court. A crown that speaks to her doesn't seem to help, either. King Kieri must deal with betrayal, dragon fire, and a less than helpful grandmother.

I strongly suggest you have book four on your pile of books before you finish this one, as the story only gets more intense and exciting.

Kings of the North --by Elizabeth Moon

Fiction / Fantasy

491 pages / 4504 KB

5 Stars

Kings of the North is the second of five books in this series. Whereas I don't think it necessary to have read the earlier five books about Paks, I think this series needs to be read in order, as the ending of one book leads directly into the beginning of the next book.

I learned many years ago not to get hooked in series (if I could help it) until the series was complete and I could buy all the books if I wanted, and not have to wait a year or so between stories, I bought all these books in fast order. I read them in fast order.

Moon creates marvelous worlds, and populates them with believable characters. An ex Marine, she knows how to write about the military, a horsewoman, she knows how to write about horses. Although these books are fantasy, they are believable fantasy. She establishes rules for her realms, and then sticks to those rules.

Kieri Phelan is no longer a mercenary—he's a king! Talk about career advancement. Dorrin Verrakai has also moved up in the world, and is now Duke Verrakai. Magic abounds within realistic limits, and we are introduced to dwarves, gnomes, and even a dragon.

While I don't think it is necessary to have read the earlier Paks books from 20 years or so ago, it is assumed you are somewhat familiar with the characters. If you're a fantasy aficionado, you shouldn't have any trouble fitting, and playing, in this world.  Just be sure the next book is close at hand before you finish this one.

Oath of Fealty (Legend of Paksenarrion Book 1) --by Elizabeth Moon

Fiction / Fantasy

485 pages / 3557 KB

5 Stars

Twenty years or so ago, I was introduced to Elizabeth Moon's trilogy about Paksenarrion, a young woman who ran away from a forced marriage to become a mercenary. She then came out with two more Paks books, and then nothing more about Paks or her world. Until now.

Oath of Fealty isn't about Paks, but is about her world, and people we met in the earlier books. Paks visits, now and then, so if you're looking for more about her, you may be a tad disappointed. Moon, an ex Marine, continues to draw upon her military background, adding a touch of realism to her various bands of mercenaries that I find sorely lacking in military stories by people who haven't been there, done that.

Moon creates a world that is believable, populates it with fascinating characters, both light and dark. Her story telling has only grown stronger in the intervening 20 years. Her writing has matured, and if you're ready to begin a 5-book adventure, all I can say is fasten your seat belt and proceed to page 1.

It is not necessary to have read the earlier Paks books in order to enjoy this series.

The Saga of Hugh Glass: Pirate, Pawnee, and Mountain Man --by John Myers Myers

Nonfiction / American History

237 pages / 2151 KB

5 stars

I was in elementary school when I first came across the story of Hugh Glass, and he immediately became one of my childhood heroes. I wanted to grow up and be a Mountain Man like Glass and Bridger, Colter and Meek. I was in fifth, possibly sixth grade when I came across a copy of Lord Grizzley by Frederick Manfred. By the time I read Neihardt's The Song of Hugh Glass I was an adult, and well aware I would never be a Mountain Man.

How I missed Myers' book, I'll never know, but thanks to the new movie, The Revenant, I did some research online and came across, bought, and read his book. If, perchance, you're looking for a dry, date, and fact-filled, history book, look elsewhere, please. Myers had a voice unique, and this book, though filled with facts and dates, is not dry. He explained how he found his sources, why he believed this one and not that one, and spun a history as captivating as any campfire yarn you could hope to read or hear.

If Hugh Glass had not had such an intimate introduction to Mama Grizzly, chances are we would never have heard of him, beyond a name in a ledger in one of the fur companies for which he worked. But Glass had that introduction, and against all odds, survived to tell about it. And to seek revenge on the two men (Jim Bridger and John Fitzpatrick) who abandoned him.  In Bridger's defense, he was a greenhorn, young, Glass was barely alive, and a war party of Indians was about. Besides, Fitzpatrick wanted to keep both his life, and Hugh's rifle.

If your only introduction to Hugh Glass is via the movie with Leonardo Di Caprio, then read the real story. Or as close as we'll ever get to the real story. This is an extremely entertaining book by an accomplished author. Well worth the time and money.

The Black Jewels Trilogy --by Anne Bishop

Fiction / Fantasy

1216 pages

5 Stars

Daughter of the Blood

Heir to the Shadows

Queen of the Darkness

I first became enamored with Ms. Bishop's writing in reading her series about the Others. When I saw this book, I was pretty sure I'd be in for a great read. Boy Howdy! Was I ever!!

Anne Bishop creates marvelous worlds, fantastical and yet believable. The world of the Jewels is unlike any I've ever read. It is spellbinding, it is dark with shafts of brilliant light. It is the story of Jaenelle Agneline, born Witch, the "dream made flesh" and her struggles to stay sane, and free from the asylum where her family locks her away and unspeakable horrors are perpetrated on her and the other children who have magic.

The three books take us into the Realms, where we meet Saetan, the adopted father of Jaenelle, her adopted brother, Lucivar, and the man she loves, Daemon Sadi. We meet Priestesses who corrupt the magic and try to destroy all men. And all the while we cannot put the book down, we cannot stop turning the pages until we get to the end, with it's surprise and more than satisfactory conclusion. I don't want to say too much, because I want you to read the books. I can assure you they are not what you think they are. They are infinitely better than you can possibly imagine. Did I mention there are dragons, among other wonderful Kindred?

Anne Bishop is perhaps one of, if not the, most polished writers of fantasy I have ever read. I know better than to go to bed and start one of her books – unless I go to bed really, really early, because I know I will read until my eyes burn and no longer focus, then will get up in the morning and promise myself just one more chapter until the book is finished. I began this trilogy on Thursday afternoon, and finished it Sunday evening. I think I took time out to eat, but am not positive. You are warned.

Speaking of warning you, I should mention this is a fantasy series for adults. It contains sexual matter, and not the kind you want your kids reading. I know that can be a real turn-off for some, so keep that in mind.