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Westria #1
Lady of Light
It was the sixth century after the Cataclysm...
...and in the fair coastal kingdom of Westria, the dashing young King set out to find a bride, a lady who could be not only mistress of his heart, but also Mistress of the Jewels.
The Jewels of Westria: whoever could master their mysteries controlled the awesome power of the elements – and ensured the survival of fair Westria.
And in a windswept northern province, a frail girl named Faris, beautiful but meek, humbly hid a secret beneath her cloak and told no-one of the powers she had long felt struggling within her. For she never dreamed she would be the King's choice.
...and in the fair coastal kingdom of Westria, the dashing young King set out to find a bride, a lady who could be not only mistress of his heart, but also Mistress of the Jewels.
The Jewels of Westria: whoever could master their mysteries controlled the awesome power of the elements – and ensured the survival of fair Westria.
And in a windswept northern province, a frail girl named Faris, beautiful but meek, humbly hid a secret beneath her cloak and told no-one of the powers she had long felt struggling within her. For she never dreamed she would be the King's choice.
261 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1982
About the author
Diana L. Paxson
171 books415 followersDiana L. Paxson (born 1943) is a novelist and author of nonfiction, primarily in the fields of Paganism and Heathenism. Her published works include fantasy and historical fiction novels, as well as numerous short stories. More recently she has also published nonfiction books about Pagan and Heathen religions and practices.
In addition to her multiple novels and collaborations, she has written over seventy short stories. Her best-known works are the Westria novels, and the later books in the Avalon series, which she first co-wrote with Marion Zimmer Bradley, then took over sole authorship of after Bradley's death.
Paxson was nominated for the Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards twice, in 1989 for the "White Raven" and in 1983 for "Lady of Light".
Paxson's non-fiction books include Taking Up the Runes, Essential Asatru, and Trance-Portation. She writes a regular column for the women's spirituality magazine, Sagewoman.
Paxson has been active in the leadership of a number of organizations. She hosted the first activities of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and was subsequently among that group's founding Directors and Corporate Officers when it incorporated[1]. She was the western regional director of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, and is a frequent panelist at science fiction conventions, especially Baycon, where she was the 2007 Fantasy Guest of Honor.
A leader in the Neopagan and Heathen revivals, Paxson is the founder of the The Fellowship of the Spiral Path and has served as First Officer of the Covenant of the Goddess. She has been Steerswoman of the Heathen group, The Troth, a member of its Board of Directors, and currently edits its journal, Idunna. She is a pioneer in the revival of Oracular Seidh, which she has taught and performed at many Neopagan and heathen festivals and retreats.
She composes and plays music for the harp. She currently lives at her home, Greyhaven, in Berkeley, California.
More can be found on her blog: http://dpaxson.livejournal.com
In addition to her multiple novels and collaborations, she has written over seventy short stories. Her best-known works are the Westria novels, and the later books in the Avalon series, which she first co-wrote with Marion Zimmer Bradley, then took over sole authorship of after Bradley's death.
Paxson was nominated for the Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards twice, in 1989 for the "White Raven" and in 1983 for "Lady of Light".
Paxson's non-fiction books include Taking Up the Runes, Essential Asatru, and Trance-Portation. She writes a regular column for the women's spirituality magazine, Sagewoman.
Paxson has been active in the leadership of a number of organizations. She hosted the first activities of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and was subsequently among that group's founding Directors and Corporate Officers when it incorporated[1]. She was the western regional director of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, and is a frequent panelist at science fiction conventions, especially Baycon, where she was the 2007 Fantasy Guest of Honor.
A leader in the Neopagan and Heathen revivals, Paxson is the founder of the The Fellowship of the Spiral Path and has served as First Officer of the Covenant of the Goddess. She has been Steerswoman of the Heathen group, The Troth, a member of its Board of Directors, and currently edits its journal, Idunna. She is a pioneer in the revival of Oracular Seidh, which she has taught and performed at many Neopagan and heathen festivals and retreats.
She composes and plays music for the harp. She currently lives at her home, Greyhaven, in Berkeley, California.
More can be found on her blog: http://dpaxson.livejournal.com
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 26, 2020
6/10
Obviously, the first book of a series sets the stage and opens the action, and this book does that, but not much more than that. The characters, at this point, are somewhat two-dimensional, with the exception of the king’s seneschal, Caolin, who has a bit more depth.
A map would have been helpful.
Obviously, the first book of a series sets the stage and opens the action, and this book does that, but not much more than that. The characters, at this point, are somewhat two-dimensional, with the exception of the king’s seneschal, Caolin, who has a bit more depth.
A map would have been helpful.
April 8, 2011
This is not a sweet, gentle happily ever fantasy. This book kicks your ass. I can't remember ever crying over a fantasy book as I did this one.
October 8, 2026
Now, this was her very first published book back in 1982, and she went on to write a whole bunch more of 'em in what she calls the Westria series. Miss Paxson is real big into medieval history, playing the harp, and old-school pagan magic traditions, so when she writes about spells and ceremonies, she ain't just pulling stuff out of a hat—she treats it serious-like, like your grandma talkin' about her prize-winning sourdough starter. Here’s the lay of the land in this neck of the woods. The story takes place some six hundred years after a massive, world-ending "Cataclysm". Folks have built things back up, and the kingdom of Westria is a beautiful, coastal paradise. The dashing young King Jehan is gettin' nagged by his politicians to find a wife and make some heirs. But he can't just pick any pretty gal from the next county over. He needs a queen who can help him handle the Jewels of Westria—four magical rocks tied to the earth, wind, fire, and water that keep the kingdom running smooth. Down in a chilly northern province, there’s a quiet, meek girl named Faris. She’s got a fire-scarred arm and thinks she’s damaged goods, so she keeps her head down. But deep inside her bones, she’s got a heap of raw, untapped elemental magic. Well, the King goes on a grand tour to find a bride, and wouldn't you know it, he and Faris cross paths and get drawn right to each other like a moth to a kerosene lamp. But just because she gets picked to be the queen don't mean it's all biscuits and gravy. The local high priests don't trust her, she’s got to go through some grueling, exhausting magical boot camp to learn how to handle those heavy power jewels, and there's trouble brewing in the shadows. It’s high fantasy, meanin' it spends a lot of time on royal court manners, pretty descriptions of silk dresses and sparkling jewels, and deep, spiritual magic systems. It's about a young gal findin' her confidence when everyone is staring her down. If you like stories with heavy world-building, romantic court politics, and a main character who has to grow a backbone real quick, you'll think this is a mighty fine yarn.
April 2, 2025
I picked up Lady of Light at a used book store. It appears this is book 1 of 8 in the Westria series.
I wanted to like this book, and I did find parts of it charming, but overall this feels like a set up for future installments in the series. Much of what happens felt like prologue at best.
I was also not impressed with the love story. There are several romances in this novel, but all of them really feel like they come out of nowhere. Characters appear in the same scene as one another, and later are just stated to be in love without any build up or even dialogue sometimes. In the main love story between Faris and the King, they share a single conversation before professing their love and getting married.
I don’t mind star crossed lovers or love at first sight tropes, but when that is the only thing going on for the entire book it gets old.
Overall, not amazing but I am interested to see where the series goes from here. The page count is short so not terribly disappointed.
I wanted to like this book, and I did find parts of it charming, but overall this feels like a set up for future installments in the series. Much of what happens felt like prologue at best.
I was also not impressed with the love story. There are several romances in this novel, but all of them really feel like they come out of nowhere. Characters appear in the same scene as one another, and later are just stated to be in love without any build up or even dialogue sometimes. In the main love story between Faris and the King, they share a single conversation before professing their love and getting married.
I don’t mind star crossed lovers or love at first sight tropes, but when that is the only thing going on for the entire book it gets old.
Overall, not amazing but I am interested to see where the series goes from here. The page count is short so not terribly disappointed.
May 16, 2024
*
When the time comes for King Jehan to take a wife, he chooses the meek Faris, who is expected to not only be Jehan's wife and queen, but to also be magically trained to help Jehan use the four elemental crystals.
Having enjoyed several of Paxson's works over the years, I finally decided to finally try a Westria book. Unfortunately, I shouldn't have bothered. This book was drawn out, boring, and Faris is one of the most unlikable characters I have ever encountered, mostly because she is so weak-willed and has absolutely no agency. She's more of a plot device than a character. I had a difficult time to find the will to even finish the book.
Personal history: Purchased in a used book lot.
When the time comes for King Jehan to take a wife, he chooses the meek Faris, who is expected to not only be Jehan's wife and queen, but to also be magically trained to help Jehan use the four elemental crystals.
Having enjoyed several of Paxson's works over the years, I finally decided to finally try a Westria book. Unfortunately, I shouldn't have bothered. This book was drawn out, boring, and Faris is one of the most unlikable characters I have ever encountered, mostly because she is so weak-willed and has absolutely no agency. She's more of a plot device than a character. I had a difficult time to find the will to even finish the book.
Personal history: Purchased in a used book lot.
July 24, 2026
Used bookstore find. I love old and rather obscure fantasy, so I was excited about this. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a disappointment.
Technically I read the omnibus edition containing books 1 &2 of the Westria series, but when the second book opened with some extremely distasteful - and to my mind entirely unnecessary - content, all interest was lost and I put it away. These books were already leaning way too heavily into sexy nature rituals, but that was gross.
Even during the first book, while I enjoyed the setting and world building, the characters were 2d and the writing just so-so. If the book hadn't been so short, I may have DNFed it.
Too bad - it could have been really cool with more characterization and less nasty sex.
Technically I read the omnibus edition containing books 1 &2 of the Westria series, but when the second book opened with some extremely distasteful - and to my mind entirely unnecessary - content, all interest was lost and I put it away. These books were already leaning way too heavily into sexy nature rituals, but that was gross.
Even during the first book, while I enjoyed the setting and world building, the characters were 2d and the writing just so-so. If the book hadn't been so short, I may have DNFed it.
Too bad - it could have been really cool with more characterization and less nasty sex.
October 28, 2020
I don't remember why this book was on my TBR list but it was, and had been for a very long time, so I finally looked it up and ordered a used copy.
I may try again later but I just could never get into it. It's a short book and it took me two months to finish. I dunno. Maybe I'll find a strange wind that compels me to give it a go again and I'll love it but as for now I feel less than meh about it.
I may try again later but I just could never get into it. It's a short book and it took me two months to finish. I dunno. Maybe I'll find a strange wind that compels me to give it a go again and I'll love it but as for now I feel less than meh about it.
March 19, 2024
I was quite disappointed with this book. I have really enjoyed other books by this author and have been looking for a complete set of Westria books for more than 20 years. I will continue this series in the hopes that the "set up" in book 1 will bear fruit in future volumes.
August 22, 2021
The book just sort of ends, without resolving several story lines.
April 18, 2024
Męczące i nudne
November 28, 2013
Faris is an unusual young lady. She has been in the shadows for most of her life. Now she has come into the light as she moves from being treated as inferior to being one of the most important women in the land of Westria.
This tale is a good mixture of the magical and the mundane. It is easy to imagine this world and to believe that it is just out of sight over the horizon.
This tale is a good mixture of the magical and the mundane. It is easy to imagine this world and to believe that it is just out of sight over the horizon.
April 9, 2015
An interesting read. It takes this story a little bit to get up to pace for me, and I was worried that our heroine was going to need saving, but it turns out it's not unreasonable for a woman who's never done BIG PLOT THINGS LIKE THIS before to take some time to get into it and kick ass.
Want to Read
April 27, 2015Cant remember a thing about this book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews