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posies23's review against another edition
5.0
The third installment of Hodgell's Kencyrath series sustains the high quality of the first two books. It juggles multiple storylines and characters deftly, and begins to unravel some of the unexplained backstory that is hinted at in the first two books.
Jame is still the main focus, as she tries (and fails) to fit into "proper society," she runs into all sorts of unexpected trouble. Tori is still consolidating his power, and struggling with his position and politics.
This is pretty dense reading -- you have to be able to juggle multiple storylines and chronologies to really appreciate it, but Hodgell's deft writing make it worth the time and effort.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the books in the series!
Jame is still the main focus, as she tries (and fails) to fit into "proper society," she runs into all sorts of unexpected trouble. Tori is still consolidating his power, and struggling with his position and politics.
This is pretty dense reading -- you have to be able to juggle multiple storylines and chronologies to really appreciate it, but Hodgell's deft writing make it worth the time and effort.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the books in the series!
kmoses87's review against another edition
1.0
I read about halfway through and then gave up. I kept losing track of who was talking/doing what because the author keeps changing the name she uses for the characters (for instance it might be their first name, their title, or their race all in one page). At one point I even forgot why Jame was going to the castle of her arch enemy. I was excited when another character asked her, thinking that would remind me, but no, the response was just "she told her". It's also worth mentioning that the synopsis of the book is only about the first quarter (Jame having to live in the women's quarters). Then she leaves on the long walk that I forgot the purpose of. Hopefully it gets better, but I have too many other things I want to read to waste time on a poorly written book.
assaphmehr's review against another edition
4.0
I've recently decided to re-read this excellent epic fantasy cycle, and review as I go.
What to Expect
The story continues from where Dark of the Moon left off. Hodgell is continuing to explore the Kencyrath culture and world, this time focusing on the Women's World within it and the Riverland valley that they occupy.
This time, the story again focuses on Jame, while Tori (her twin, who took half the previous book) is relegated to brief interludes in the narrative. As often happens in epic fantasy, there is a slow beginning and accumulating clues, as the plot progresses towards realisation and mythic confrontations. As with the previous books, there are open questions leading to the sequels - the cycle is far from over.
What I liked
Hodgell's story-telling and world-building are top-notch, her story pacing is excellent, and she balances light and dark themes perfectly. We learn more about Jame's past, about the complex politics of her people, and about the supernatural powers that inhabit her world. I absolutely love the mythic feel of the supernatural world and competing powers, between the old-world native powers and the Kencyrath own.
What to be aware of
The story builds up on the previous volume. While referenced events are explained in short, it always helps to read in order. Do start with God Stalk.
The opening reflects Jame being trapped in the Women's World of her people. A lot of the story is told from other points of view, and reflects the frustration of Jame being muzzled. Some of this frustration naturally leaks to the reader, but it does get better after the first part, once Jame gets proactive again.
Torisen needs a swift kick up his back side (perhaps the reason he was relegated to the interludes), and one hopes the event in this volume provide it.
Summary
A highly recommended series. This is epic fantasy done right, with perfect balance of light and dark, and excellent, slowly-building pacing. If you love fantasy, I strongly suggest you add it to your TBR pile.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
The story continues from where Dark of the Moon left off. Hodgell is continuing to explore the Kencyrath culture and world, this time focusing on the Women's World within it and the Riverland valley that they occupy.
This time, the story again focuses on Jame, while Tori (her twin, who took half the previous book) is relegated to brief interludes in the narrative. As often happens in epic fantasy, there is a slow beginning and accumulating clues, as the plot progresses towards realisation and mythic confrontations. As with the previous books, there are open questions leading to the sequels - the cycle is far from over.
What I liked
Hodgell's story-telling and world-building are top-notch, her story pacing is excellent, and she balances light and dark themes perfectly. We learn more about Jame's past, about the complex politics of her people, and about the supernatural powers that inhabit her world. I absolutely love the mythic feel of the supernatural world and competing powers, between the old-world native powers and the Kencyrath own.
What to be aware of
The story builds up on the previous volume. While referenced events are explained in short, it always helps to read in order. Do start with God Stalk.
The opening reflects Jame being trapped in the Women's World of her people. A lot of the story is told from other points of view, and reflects the frustration of Jame being muzzled. Some of this frustration naturally leaks to the reader, but it does get better after the first part, once Jame gets proactive again.
Torisen needs a swift kick up his back side (perhaps the reason he was relegated to the interludes), and one hopes the event in this volume provide it.
Summary
A highly recommended series. This is epic fantasy done right, with perfect balance of light and dark, and excellent, slowly-building pacing. If you love fantasy, I strongly suggest you add it to your TBR pile.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
msaari's review against another edition
4.0
Olipa mukava palata Jamen seikkailujen pariin vuoden tauon jälkeen. Onneksi P. C. Hodgell piti kirjojen välissä vielä pidemmän tauon ja kenties siksi kirja tuntuu viittailevan varsin runsaasti aikaisempiin juttuihin.
Jame, joka edellisen osan (Dark of the Moon) päätteeksi kohtasi kaksoisveljensä Torin vuosikausien tauon jälkeen, on joutunut taas eroon Torista. Koska aatelisnaisen osa on olla hiljaa, hillitä itsensä, totella ja kestää, Jame on suljettu Torin linnoituksen Gothregorin naisten puolelle, ulkopuolisena naisten maailman salaisuuksista, koulutettavaksi pikkutyttöjen joukkoon.
Jame, varkaiden killan koulima Tai-Tastigonin tuho ja hävitys, pikkutyttöjen keskellä, koulutettavaksi alistumaan? Hyvä vitsi. Jame ehtii saada aikaan monenlaista sekaannusta, kunnes Varjokillan näkymättömät salamurhaajat tulevat viimeistelemään vuosikymmeniä sitten kesken jääneen palkkamurhan — ja Jame nyt sattuu olemaan listalla.
Siitä alkaa melkoinen meno, joka vie Jamen lopulta pakenemaan pitkin Rathillienia. Ja tämä on vasta alkua… Tarina on rauhallisen alun jälkeen todella vauhdikasta pyöritystä. Outoja tapahtumia riittää, samoin Hodgellille ominaista huumoria. Kirjan maailma on edelleen todella rikas ja melenkiintoinen, kuten ovat ne varsin veriset salaisuudet, joita Jame onnistuu kirjan aikana paljastamaan.
Tästä on hyvä jatkaa seuraavaan osaan (To Ride a Rathorn). Onneksi vuosikausien odotus on palkittu ja viides osa, Bound in Blood, on sekin ehtinyt jo ilmestyä. Hodgell kirjoittaa hitaasti, mutta varmasti. Omaperäisen fantasiakirjallisuuden ystävien on yksinkertaisesti pakko lukea nämä kirjat. (19.12.2010)
Jame, joka edellisen osan (Dark of the Moon) päätteeksi kohtasi kaksoisveljensä Torin vuosikausien tauon jälkeen, on joutunut taas eroon Torista. Koska aatelisnaisen osa on olla hiljaa, hillitä itsensä, totella ja kestää, Jame on suljettu Torin linnoituksen Gothregorin naisten puolelle, ulkopuolisena naisten maailman salaisuuksista, koulutettavaksi pikkutyttöjen joukkoon.
Jame, varkaiden killan koulima Tai-Tastigonin tuho ja hävitys, pikkutyttöjen keskellä, koulutettavaksi alistumaan? Hyvä vitsi. Jame ehtii saada aikaan monenlaista sekaannusta, kunnes Varjokillan näkymättömät salamurhaajat tulevat viimeistelemään vuosikymmeniä sitten kesken jääneen palkkamurhan — ja Jame nyt sattuu olemaan listalla.
Siitä alkaa melkoinen meno, joka vie Jamen lopulta pakenemaan pitkin Rathillienia. Ja tämä on vasta alkua… Tarina on rauhallisen alun jälkeen todella vauhdikasta pyöritystä. Outoja tapahtumia riittää, samoin Hodgellille ominaista huumoria. Kirjan maailma on edelleen todella rikas ja melenkiintoinen, kuten ovat ne varsin veriset salaisuudet, joita Jame onnistuu kirjan aikana paljastamaan.
Tästä on hyvä jatkaa seuraavaan osaan (To Ride a Rathorn). Onneksi vuosikausien odotus on palkittu ja viides osa, Bound in Blood, on sekin ehtinyt jo ilmestyä. Hodgell kirjoittaa hitaasti, mutta varmasti. Omaperäisen fantasiakirjallisuuden ystävien on yksinkertaisesti pakko lukea nämä kirjat. (19.12.2010)
kgrhoads's review against another edition
5.0
I have the first five as paperbacks. I have re-bought them as e-books.
I have just started re-reading Seeker's Mask and I expect to love it as much as before ...
Strongly recommended -- the book and the series
I have just started re-reading Seeker's Mask and I expect to love it as much as before ...
Strongly recommended -- the book and the series
assaphmehr's review
4.0
I've recently decided to re-read this excellent epic fantasy cycle, and review as I go.
What to Expect
The story continues from where Dark of the Moon left off. Hodgell is continuing to explore the Kencyrath culture and world, this time focusing on the Women's World within it and the Riverland valley that they occupy.
This time, the story again focuses on Jame, while Tori (her twin, who took half the previous book) is relegated to brief interludes in the narrative. As often happens in epic fantasy, there is a slow beginning and accumulating clues, as the plot progresses towards realisation and mythic confrontations. As with the previous books, there are open questions leading to the sequels - the cycle is far from over.
What I liked
Hodgell's story-telling and world-building are top-notch, her story pacing is excellent, and she balances light and dark themes perfectly. We learn more about Jame's past, about the complex politics of her people, and about the supernatural powers that inhabit her world. I absolutely love the mythic feel of the supernatural world and competing powers, between the old-world native powers and the Kencyrath own.
What to be aware of
The story builds up on the previous volume. While referenced events are explained in short, it always helps to read in order. Do start with God Stalk.
The opening reflects Jame being trapped in the Women's World of her people. A lot of the story is told from other points of view, and reflects the frustration of Jame being muzzled. Some of this frustration naturally leaks to the reader, but it does get better after the first part, once Jame gets proactive again.
Torisen needs a swift kick up his back side (perhaps the reason he was relegated to the interludes), and one hopes the event in this volume provide it.
Summary
A highly recommended series. This is epic fantasy done right, with perfect balance of light and dark, and excellent, slowly-building pacing. If you love fantasy, I strongly suggest you add it to your TBR pile.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
The story continues from where Dark of the Moon left off. Hodgell is continuing to explore the Kencyrath culture and world, this time focusing on the Women's World within it and the Riverland valley that they occupy.
This time, the story again focuses on Jame, while Tori (her twin, who took half the previous book) is relegated to brief interludes in the narrative. As often happens in epic fantasy, there is a slow beginning and accumulating clues, as the plot progresses towards realisation and mythic confrontations. As with the previous books, there are open questions leading to the sequels - the cycle is far from over.
What I liked
Hodgell's story-telling and world-building are top-notch, her story pacing is excellent, and she balances light and dark themes perfectly. We learn more about Jame's past, about the complex politics of her people, and about the supernatural powers that inhabit her world. I absolutely love the mythic feel of the supernatural world and competing powers, between the old-world native powers and the Kencyrath own.
What to be aware of
The story builds up on the previous volume. While referenced events are explained in short, it always helps to read in order. Do start with God Stalk.
The opening reflects Jame being trapped in the Women's World of her people. A lot of the story is told from other points of view, and reflects the frustration of Jame being muzzled. Some of this frustration naturally leaks to the reader, but it does get better after the first part, once Jame gets proactive again.
Torisen needs a swift kick up his back side (perhaps the reason he was relegated to the interludes), and one hopes the event in this volume provide it.
Summary
A highly recommended series. This is epic fantasy done right, with perfect balance of light and dark, and excellent, slowly-building pacing. If you love fantasy, I strongly suggest you add it to your TBR pile.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
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