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lout's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
chicafrom3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A high fantasy epic following the journey of Paksenarrion, a young girl from a rural community, after she joins a mercenary army under the self-appointed Duke Phelan to escape an unwanted marriage; over the years she overcomes many obstacles and challenges and eventually becomes a paladin of the god Gird. An omnibus of three books; each one follows immediately after the other, very clearly forming one story. Very dense, but very tightly written, and Paks rapidly became one of my favorite characters. The author's real-world military experience - and experience of being a woman in the fairly male-dominated field of armed combat - shines through, but it's in the personal interactions between the characters, and Paks's continuing determination to strive for more, that the story really succeeds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Torture
Moderate: Sexual assault
local_hat's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Blood
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Rape
Minor: Bullying, Slavery, Vomit, Death of parent, and Child abuse
stephenmeansme's review against another edition
4.0
The greatest solo-paladin D&D campaign story ever told.
humvee's review against another edition
4.0
An epic fairytale with a strong female protagonist that undergoes many trials
I liked the character of Paksenarrion. Sometimes, the storytelling seemed muddled and hard to follow, and the writing sometimes felt too much like a recounting of a tabletop role-playing game. But this was mostly at the start of the epic story, and the writing generally got more engaging as the story progressed.
I liked the character of Paksenarrion. Sometimes, the storytelling seemed muddled and hard to follow, and the writing sometimes felt too much like a recounting of a tabletop role-playing game. But this was mostly at the start of the epic story, and the writing generally got more engaging as the story progressed.
kortirion's review against another edition
4.0
This book is actually a whole trilogy published in one volume.
The Deed of Paksennarrion is DND-style sword and sorcery. Somehow, despite (because of?) the fantasy cliches the story (all 1,000+ pages of it) is utterly and completely satisfying.
Paksennarrion is a sheepfarmer's daughter who runs away from home to join a mercenary company, for adventure and to become a warrior. The first book is a little slow but still interesting for its portrayal of military life and all of its mundaneness, work, and pain. Elizabeth Moon's background as a Marine and a fencing enthusiast are evident, and Paks's journey to sword-wielding badass is much more practical and realistic than in most fantasy novels, where the protagonist discovers fighting skills when a weapon is placed in his hand.
Over the course of the trilogy, Paks is built up as a hero, utterly demolished by the end of Book 2 (I may have cried here), and then rises like a Phoenix in Book 3. I don't know why I hadn't heard of this book--I picked it off the shelf at the library because I liked the author's other series Vatta's War.
One great thing I learned by the end of the trilogy was not to make assumptions about a character's gender or appearance. Very little time is spent describing characters' physical attributes, and often a character is introduced and then several sentences go by before the author uses any helpful pronouns. I found this annoying at first, but kind of liberating by the end.
The Deed of Paksennarrion is DND-style sword and sorcery. Somehow, despite (because of?) the fantasy cliches the story (all 1,000+ pages of it) is utterly and completely satisfying.
Paksennarrion is a sheepfarmer's daughter who runs away from home to join a mercenary company, for adventure and to become a warrior. The first book is a little slow but still interesting for its portrayal of military life and all of its mundaneness, work, and pain. Elizabeth Moon's background as a Marine and a fencing enthusiast are evident, and Paks's journey to sword-wielding badass is much more practical and realistic than in most fantasy novels, where the protagonist discovers fighting skills when a weapon is placed in his hand.
Over the course of the trilogy, Paks is built up as a hero, utterly demolished by the end of Book 2 (I may have cried here), and then rises like a Phoenix in Book 3. I don't know why I hadn't heard of this book--I picked it off the shelf at the library because I liked the author's other series Vatta's War.
One great thing I learned by the end of the trilogy was not to make assumptions about a character's gender or appearance. Very little time is spent describing characters' physical attributes, and often a character is introduced and then several sentences go by before the author uses any helpful pronouns. I found this annoying at first, but kind of liberating by the end.
twowhoodles's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly one of the best fantasy trilogies I've ever read. I have no idea how I missed reading it in the last 15 years, and I'm glad I finally did.
When you read a lot of fantasy novels - especially those about war and mercenary companies and female warriors - you sort of get a feeling about how things will go and what will happen.
This trilogy left me guessing - and often sitting on the edge of my seat. The end of book 2 is probably one of the most heart-wrenching reading experiences of my adult life. I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue reading the third book - but I did, and I'm pleased with the final chapter. The author certainly didn't take the easy way out, wrapping up the loose ends and ending on a high note, but it was a very satisfying - and true to the world - conclusion to Paksenarrion's story.
When you read a lot of fantasy novels - especially those about war and mercenary companies and female warriors - you sort of get a feeling about how things will go and what will happen.
This trilogy left me guessing - and often sitting on the edge of my seat. The end of book 2 is probably one of the most heart-wrenching reading experiences of my adult life. I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue reading the third book - but I did, and I'm pleased with the final chapter. The author certainly didn't take the easy way out, wrapping up the loose ends and ending on a high note, but it was a very satisfying - and true to the world - conclusion to Paksenarrion's story.
fantastiskfiktion's review against another edition
4.0
https://fantastiskfiktion.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/the-deed-of-paksenarrion/