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The Princess of Flames
On the stolen throne of Darion sits the usurper, Sedry, haunted by the silent grey eyes of the half-sister he banished, whose gift for magic was equal to his own; Elfrid, the Bastard. At watch, folded into the darkness, Bal of Korent remembers a half-grown, dark-haired child, swift as a sabre, trained in the ways of the warrior, as no woman Elfrid, the Sword. In the hugshed gloom of night, a shadowed figure walks alone. Waiting for the morning, for battle, for vengeance. She has waited in exile for eight long years. Now, Elfrid of Darion has come home....
327 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
3 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Ru Emerson
53 books52 followersaka Roberta Cray
Ru Emerson was born on December 15th, 1944 in Montana. She and her husband, Doug, live in Oregon with their only child, a silver mackerel tabby cat named Roberta. She likes to lift weights, run, bike, skate in-line, ski, play basketball, tennis, racquetball, garden, play guitar, scuba dive, and fly stunt kites. Her favorite reading material includes Megan Lindholm, science fiction by Larry Niven, murder mysteries by Patricia Cornwell, plus any other good historical non-fiction.
Ru Emerson was born on December 15th, 1944 in Montana. She and her husband, Doug, live in Oregon with their only child, a silver mackerel tabby cat named Roberta. She likes to lift weights, run, bike, skate in-line, ski, play basketball, tennis, racquetball, garden, play guitar, scuba dive, and fly stunt kites. Her favorite reading material includes Megan Lindholm, science fiction by Larry Niven, murder mysteries by Patricia Cornwell, plus any other good historical non-fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 15, 2015
I have loved this book for a while. The copy I have has a Martin Springett cover that I think is nicer to look at than the one posted on Goodreads. Part of my love for this is the way that tarot reading is woven into the story, how the cards and fate are never really defined but it is clear that some people have the ability to manipulate both. Magic is used sparingly and is often disbelieved by the people of the world, thus ensuring that it is never overused or heavily relied upon for plot devices. I think part of my enjoyment of this book is the nostalgia it brings, this was the first book to surprise me with who the main character was (and wasn't) and I've never forgotten that. The characters themselves are interesting and full of depth, each voice is distinctive and well done. My younger self loved the use of the archaic thee's and thou's, even now that I'm older I enjoy it because it isn't over done. Overall, this is a book that I enjoy pulling out to reread and I don't get tired of it.
August 27, 2016
One of my all-time favourites, I must have read this at least 20 times over the years. I wish they'd release it as an e-book, my paperback copy is getting very fragile.
November 4, 2020
One of my favorite comfort reads.
July 2, 2022
Hubo un tiempo, allá por el siglo XX, en el que la fantasía heróica, la espada y brujería o la alta fantasía era escrita por y para hombres. Sus historias las protagonizaban ellos, y los valores que se ensalzaban eran esos que «benignamente» siempre los han definido: valentía, arrojo, fuerza, habilidad con las armas...
Por suerte, en los '70 y '80, cuando la fantasía daba señales de agotamiento, surgió una hornada de escritoras que decidieron darle un giro al género y poner a las mujeres en el centro de sus historias. Los valores habituales de los protagonistas varones se trasladaron a las mujeres, pero inyectándoles, además, una visión más introspectiva, donde los sentimientos y los pensamientos adquieren su importancia. Esto, que en nuestros días nos resulta tan habitual, se lo debemos en parte a escritoras como Marion Zimmer Bradley, Barbara Hambly o C.J. Cherryh. Y a ese grupo pertenece también Ru Emerson, una autora casi desconocida en nuestro país.
𝙇𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙖 𝙙𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨 fue su primera novela, y nos presenta una clásica historia de venganza, con una protagonista, Elfrid, que se pasa la mayor parte del libro oculta tras un velo mágico que la hace parecer un hombre, Gentry.
Si bien en líneas generales sigue los cánones de la fantasía heróica, usando por ejemplo una magia difusa y de carácter personal, se aprecian tímidos intentos de enfocar las cosas desde otra óptica, una en la que no todas las mujeres son hijas/esposas/madres y en la que las batallas y la sangre no tienen un papel central.
El libro empieza bien, con una traición que sabemos que definirá el futuro de la protagonista, pero va perdiendo fuelle a medida que la historia avanza, con demasiadas escenas íntimas que poco aportan a la trama, mientras pasa de puntillas sobre el escenario bélico en el que se enmarca. Solo al final recupera algo de su fuerza inicial, pero nada que pueda levantar ya ese impulso perdido, ni las oportunidades desperdiciadas para haber hecho de este libro algo mucho mejor.
Por suerte, en los '70 y '80, cuando la fantasía daba señales de agotamiento, surgió una hornada de escritoras que decidieron darle un giro al género y poner a las mujeres en el centro de sus historias. Los valores habituales de los protagonistas varones se trasladaron a las mujeres, pero inyectándoles, además, una visión más introspectiva, donde los sentimientos y los pensamientos adquieren su importancia. Esto, que en nuestros días nos resulta tan habitual, se lo debemos en parte a escritoras como Marion Zimmer Bradley, Barbara Hambly o C.J. Cherryh. Y a ese grupo pertenece también Ru Emerson, una autora casi desconocida en nuestro país.
𝙇𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙖 𝙙𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨 fue su primera novela, y nos presenta una clásica historia de venganza, con una protagonista, Elfrid, que se pasa la mayor parte del libro oculta tras un velo mágico que la hace parecer un hombre, Gentry.
Si bien en líneas generales sigue los cánones de la fantasía heróica, usando por ejemplo una magia difusa y de carácter personal, se aprecian tímidos intentos de enfocar las cosas desde otra óptica, una en la que no todas las mujeres son hijas/esposas/madres y en la que las batallas y la sangre no tienen un papel central.
El libro empieza bien, con una traición que sabemos que definirá el futuro de la protagonista, pero va perdiendo fuelle a medida que la historia avanza, con demasiadas escenas íntimas que poco aportan a la trama, mientras pasa de puntillas sobre el escenario bélico en el que se enmarca. Solo al final recupera algo de su fuerza inicial, pero nada que pueda levantar ya ese impulso perdido, ni las oportunidades desperdiciadas para haber hecho de este libro algo mucho mejor.
August 13, 2009
Una novela de fantasía heroica entretenida y con muchos elementos novedosos. Sin embargo, introduce demasiados personajes con poca relevancia para la historia central y el desarrollo es anticlimático (SPOILER): la historia trata de una guerra y de una rebelión para arrebatarle el trono a un usurpador y todas las batallas se libran contra un enemigo que no tiene NADA que ver con esta historia. Todas las batallas de la guerra civil se libran fuera del relato y los antagonistas principales mueren sin librar batalla contra la protagonista, que es una espadachín de temer...
(SPOILER) Muy bueno el giro a mitad de la historia (cuando se descubre que el Arzobispo de Rhames es en realidad Elfrid), aunque considero que la narradora debió haber seguido tratando al personaje de "Gespry" y no de "Elfrid" o "el supuesto Arzobispo", ya que daba la impresión de que la narradora estaba tan atónita como el lector. Además, eso contribuía a romper ante el lector la máscara que el personaje de Elfrid usaba ante todos.
La guerra contra los Fegez, que, si uno lo observa a la distancia, es un acontecimiento menor en la trama principal, cobra un protagonismo excesivo y ocupa los 4/5 de la extensión del libro. Otro problema es que los personajes de Morelis y Merasma, que son hermanas gemelas y son conspiradoras con una importancia fundamental en la introducción de la historia, después desaparecen totalmente de la historia. ¿Por qué la autora se gasta tiempo entonces en desarrollar su personalidad y además agregarle la característica de que son gemelas?
Hay montones de detalles por el estilo que le quitan fuerza a la novela. En su favor puedo decir que es entretenida, que tiene algunos personajes memorables e ideas innovadoras para el género (recordemos que la novela es de 1986).
(SPOILER) Muy bueno el giro a mitad de la historia (cuando se descubre que el Arzobispo de Rhames es en realidad Elfrid), aunque considero que la narradora debió haber seguido tratando al personaje de "Gespry" y no de "Elfrid" o "el supuesto Arzobispo", ya que daba la impresión de que la narradora estaba tan atónita como el lector. Además, eso contribuía a romper ante el lector la máscara que el personaje de Elfrid usaba ante todos.
La guerra contra los Fegez, que, si uno lo observa a la distancia, es un acontecimiento menor en la trama principal, cobra un protagonismo excesivo y ocupa los 4/5 de la extensión del libro. Otro problema es que los personajes de Morelis y Merasma, que son hermanas gemelas y son conspiradoras con una importancia fundamental en la introducción de la historia, después desaparecen totalmente de la historia. ¿Por qué la autora se gasta tiempo entonces en desarrollar su personalidad y además agregarle la característica de que son gemelas?
Hay montones de detalles por el estilo que le quitan fuerza a la novela. En su favor puedo decir que es entretenida, que tiene algunos personajes memorables e ideas innovadoras para el género (recordemos que la novela es de 1986).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2015
I read this book many years ago and was allowed to borrow it from a friend of mine recently. I remembered reading it and enjoying it the first time but I was glad to read it again.
While this book tells a stirring story of betrayal, death, backstabbing galore and the joy of war it also shares the warmth of love and affection between family, friends and lovers. Elfrid, the Princess of the story, faces many trials and tribulations and that's only in the first chapter or two! The tale is then transported some years later and shows how betrayal, greed and selfishness have been taken to an extreme and how courage, friendship and loyalty can work to overcome these excesses. Surprises abound as the story unfolds. I wish you joy in the discovery.
While this book tells a stirring story of betrayal, death, backstabbing galore and the joy of war it also shares the warmth of love and affection between family, friends and lovers. Elfrid, the Princess of the story, faces many trials and tribulations and that's only in the first chapter or two! The tale is then transported some years later and shows how betrayal, greed and selfishness have been taken to an extreme and how courage, friendship and loyalty can work to overcome these excesses. Surprises abound as the story unfolds. I wish you joy in the discovery.
October 16, 2019
Good standalone. Okay conanesque world. But aside from one twist midway through and two tense ending chapters it feels like nothing out of the ordinary happens. The hero's plan goes according to plan.
August 24, 2021
One my favourite fantasy books when i was young with very interesting story!!!
June 10, 2014
There are some books that are stand-alone books, and they should be. You finish the book and you think, "That was good. That was how it should have ended." You bask in the glow for awhile, because man, what a good book. A few months or even years later, you pick it up again and start from the top, nostalgic and still caught up anew. The Princess of Flames is a book like that.
It's definitely a low-magic fantasy novel, and the setting is sort of European-esque, but there's so much here to love. There's complexity of character and setting that's handled so deftly, you never get an info dump but you know everything you need to by the time you need it. There's a richness, a depth to the writing. I could smell the camps, I knew the dampness of the Marches. There's a twist but it's not forced, it's not done because the author wanted to throw a twist in to screw with readers. And it's revealed exactly where it should be, neither too early to spoil the buildup nor so late as to be annoying.
I have read multiple copies of this book to tatters. I dream of it being e-pubbed someday so I can never lose it again. The one copy I have left is starting to fall apart, and its cover is now mostly duct tape. I could read this book forever and, home repairs willing, I will.
It's definitely a low-magic fantasy novel, and the setting is sort of European-esque, but there's so much here to love. There's complexity of character and setting that's handled so deftly, you never get an info dump but you know everything you need to by the time you need it. There's a richness, a depth to the writing. I could smell the camps, I knew the dampness of the Marches. There's a twist but it's not forced, it's not done because the author wanted to throw a twist in to screw with readers. And it's revealed exactly where it should be, neither too early to spoil the buildup nor so late as to be annoying.
I have read multiple copies of this book to tatters. I dream of it being e-pubbed someday so I can never lose it again. The one copy I have left is starting to fall apart, and its cover is now mostly duct tape. I could read this book forever and, home repairs willing, I will.
September 8, 2020
This long out-of-print gem has been sitting on my shelf for years. Seventeen or so, I think. It's looking a bit tattered, but I reread it regularly.
The story is complex and multi-layered, involving the fate of the bastard princess Elfrid after treachery and conspiracy leave her without home or sanctuary, and her eventual return to the kingdom ruled now by one of her brothers, and how she manipulated events to bring about his downfall.
The nuance of worldbuilding, the character of Elfrid and the tremendous emotion that plays out over the course of the book - tension between family members, memories of old treachery, tentative alliances, and an incredible feat of long-term disguise and espionage - all contribute to the long life of the book on my shelf. It also features divination by cards, using an original variation that echoes back to the major arcana of the tarot, thus the title is also the name of a pivotal card.
The story is complex and multi-layered, involving the fate of the bastard princess Elfrid after treachery and conspiracy leave her without home or sanctuary, and her eventual return to the kingdom ruled now by one of her brothers, and how she manipulated events to bring about his downfall.
The nuance of worldbuilding, the character of Elfrid and the tremendous emotion that plays out over the course of the book - tension between family members, memories of old treachery, tentative alliances, and an incredible feat of long-term disguise and espionage - all contribute to the long life of the book on my shelf. It also features divination by cards, using an original variation that echoes back to the major arcana of the tarot, thus the title is also the name of a pivotal card.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2023
It was an ok book. She's the author of one of my favourite books that she wrote under a pseudonym. I finally found that out and have been looking to read more of hers and found this one in a used bookstore. I think it's one of her first and it shows. :/ Like the writing isn't the best, nor the characterization. :( But the story was great! Complex and interesting. :) I just wish I'd cared more about what happened and the characters.
ps. Reading some of the reviews of folks that loved this book and are worried about the survival of their dog-eared copies ;) I'd be happy to mail you mine coz I know how upset I'd be to lose a copy of a favourite book! Message me if so. :)
ps. Reading some of the reviews of folks that loved this book and are worried about the survival of their dog-eared copies ;) I'd be happy to mail you mine coz I know how upset I'd be to lose a copy of a favourite book! Message me if so. :)
April 3, 2011
The plot was great, but it lacked any clear character motivations. That's probably because it skipped the entire period between the attack on the palace and the Princess's return.
April 19, 2014
2.5 stars
June 18, 2014
Another re-read, of another excellent book from my hoary past.
January 6, 2008
An interesting tale of revenge.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews