A Pride of Princes

Chronicles of the Cheysuli #5

by Jennifer Roberson

Brennan, Hart and Corin were the three Cheysuli sons of Niall, ruler of Homana, and the next link in the generations-old prophecy of the Firstborn. Now the time had come for all three to take the paths for which they were fated:

Brennan, heir to the throne of Homana, would face the menance of unknown assassins and trecherous Ihlini magic.

Hart, Brennan's younger twin, must journey to Solinde, the kingdom which would one day be his to rule—a land that longed to see the Cheysuli prince overthrown.

And Corin, the youngest prince, must battle sorcery and madness in the court of distant Atvia.

Three princes, three destinies—and if even one should fail to fulfill the patterns of prophecy, Homanan and Cheysuli alike would pay a deadly price...

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Speculative Fiction

464 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 2, 1988

About the author

Over a 40-year career (so far), Jennifer Roberson has published four fantasy series, including the Sword-Dancer Saga, Chronicles of the Cheysuli, the Karavans universe, and urban fantasy series Blood & Bone. Other novels include historicals LADY OF THE GLEN, plus two Robin Hood novels, LADY OF THE FOREST, and LADY OF SHERWOOD.

New novels are percolating in her always-active imagination.

Hobbies include showing dogs, and creating mosaic and resin artwork and jewelry.  She lives in Arizona with a collection of cats and Cardigan Welsh Corgis.

Reviews

[Richard Houchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chronicles of the Cheysuli series is the first fantasy epic I read. In fact, it's one of the few series I read repeatedly, likely due to my young age and limited literary horizons.

Nevertheless, these books shaped my first views on philosophy, religion, sexuality, racism, and sexism. The responsible way Roberson handles these issues is inspiring and commendable.

On returning to read these books in later years, some of the characters and plot devices appear hackneyed and cliched, and some of themes aren't exactly as I remember them. But still, these stories provided the scaffolding on which I built my literary future.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niall's sons are grown and ready to take their thrones: Brennan in Homana, Hart in Solinde, Corin in Atvia. Keely is scheduled to marry into Erinn. Another link in the Prophecy to fall into place. But the brothers harbor fears and resentments that Strahan twists to his own ends when he captures them. They almost break, but Corin finds his confidence and saves them all. They don't escape unscathed--Brennan must confront his claustrophobia, Hart loses a hand, and Corin loves Brennan's betrothed, but they force adversity to make them stronger in defiance of the Ihlini.

[Knitwit Tarvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember not really liking the character Hart the first times I read this series. As a more mature adult, I think I understand him better, hence I enjoyed this book more than I had before. It's always a little strange going back and re-reading a favorite series from a different point in your life. You view things differently because of your own life experiences. I am still thoroughly enjoying resubmersing myself in this world.

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

The fifth book of the Chronicles of the Cheysuli, I must say is one I did not like much. The main characters of book are the sons of Niall, Mujhar. The story itself was slightly predictable versus some of the earlier Cheysuli books. The ending was fairly good, which leads to the next Cheysuli novel fairly well.

My main problem with this Cheysuli novel was how the main characters, Niall's sons, act like total irresponsible idiots throughout most of the novel. One of the main characters is Hart who is a gambler. His behaviors I find the most ridiculous of all and difficult to suspend disbelief to enjoy the novel. I understand how character development is suppose to affect the ending but some of the behaviors of the main characters are just overtly ridiculous & out of character for heirs to different kingdoms. In simple terms I would call it "Debauchery & Irresponsibility on overdrive". I still like Jennifer Roberson & her books but this novel was one I did not care for much. Overall out of all the Cheysuli novels, this one I liked the least, ranking it on the lower side. Now on to book 6 of the Cheysuli series.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, Jennifer manages to create characters who are interesting to follow. However, I do find that occasionally their behaviours seem a bit erratic. Overall really enjoyed reading about the Cheysuli brothers Brennan, Hart, and Corin.
Throughout the series thus far, the Cheysuli have been presented as a race of 'super-men,' however, I am beginning to wonder given the frequency and relative ease with which they are continually trapped by their Ilhini adversaries.

[James]

The prophecy of the Firstborn has shaped the lives of the Cheysuli nobility since the beginning of their kind. Now the time has come for the three Cheysuli sons of Homana's current ruler to fulfill their destinies. The price if even one of them fails will be the total destruction of their kingdom.

[N.A. Fedorak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done. I'm glad I grabbed this from a second hand store. I'll have to hunt down the rest of the books at a later date.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

After re-reading the fourth installment for the who-knows-how-many-th time, I thought it was my favorite of the entire series... but now that I have finished re-reading this fifth book in the series, I am starting to think that maybe it is my favorite after all. Told from alternating third-person perspectives, the story relays the story of Niall’s three sons - Brennan, Hart and Corin. The story opens when they are little more than spoiled adolescents, but as the novel progresses all three mature in different ways. All three brothers face challenges and hardships that make this a fast-paced and thrilling read. The added complexity to the plot begins to foreshadow later novels in the series. Though this series starts off a little rough, it really improves with each novel. With two sets of twins, this one has always been particularly dear to me, and I can’t wait to keep reading this fun series!

[Sunsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gut gegen Böse - Ihlini gegen Cheysuli - und ein Ende ist noch nicht in Sicht. Magie, Gestaltwandel, Intrigen, Mord und Verstümmelung - in diesem Band ist alles enthalten.

07/10 Punkte. Meine Meinung könnt ihr hier nachlesen: http://sunsys-blog.blogspot.de/2015/0... .

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the switching of perspectives (of which I'm not a huge fan in general) actually I thought this really was one of the best books in the set. With multiple proponents the pace picked up to a more enjoyable level for me, which I felt the prior few books had been lacking.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review of the first book, Shapechangers.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 5 of the Cheysuli

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, a series I was completely hesitant to take on...specially after having loved the Dragonlance charcters so much...I never thought I would care again...but there you go. Great series.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good world that Roberson builds here.

[tlmfarmgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series - and especially this book in particular, sooo much as a young teenager, that I named my firstborn, Brennan, after the firstborn son in this book!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

looking at the brothers of this dynamic series of sibling shape changers

[Todd R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think I'm done with this series. At this point it's fairly predictable and monotonous. Roberson however is still great writer and will probably pick up another of her series'.

[Gosia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should I say more? The brothers are great, the challenges they had to face made my heart tremble...

[Kate Millin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still interested in this tale of the fight between the ailing and Cheysuli magical races, but I am beginning to find it a drag to read about the awful things that are done by a few of the former on the latter. Looking forward to the end if the series now. This time it is 3 brothers who are targeted and who also need to come to terms with their future as predicted for them many years before their birth.