Track of the White Wolf

Chronicles of the Cheysuli #4

by Jennifer Roberson

Niall, Prince of Homana, key player in a prophecy that spans generations, should have been the treasured link between Cheysuli and Homanan. Yet neither of the peoples he is destined to someday rule feel anything but suspicion of Niall. Homanans fear him for his Cheysuli heritage, while Cheysuli refuse to accept him as their own because he has acquired neither a lir-shape nor the lir companion which is the true mark of the Cheysuli shapechangers.

And now, despite his precarious situation within the kingdom, Niall must undertake a journey to fulfill yet another link in the ancient prophecy. He must travel through war-torn lands to claim his bride—a mission which may prove his doom. For searching for both his destiny and his lir, Naill is about to be plunged into a dangerous maelstrom of intrigue, betrayal, and deadly Ihlini sorcery...

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

375 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 7, 1987

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

[greeneyes9999 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Series, Amazing Author!

I am greatly enjoying rereading this series after 25yrs! I remember waiting in front of Waldenbooks to get every book in this series on their release date. I’m so excited that I came across them for the Kindle. Now I can reread them as much as my heart desires. You will love the characters, plot line and many adventures. Enjoy!

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed rereading this installment in my reread of Roberson's Cheysuli series.

The issue with women (or the lack thereof) in the series remains, but I've accepted that these are boy's adventure books and reading this one this way, I found it a very good read.

I know Niall's book is a friend's favourite of the series, and I can see why. I was quite surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this.

Okay, on to the next one soon.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Four of the Chronicles of the Cheysuli.

Niall is Donal's heir, but, at 19, he still has no lir, and the Cheysuli will not accept him. Homana won't accept him either. He sails to Atvia to get his bride and is shipwrecked on Erinn, where he falls in love with Dierdre. He must leave her to marry Gisella, who is insane, but Dierdre gives birth to twins. The Ihlini send a plague which almost gets Ian. Niall gets his lir, the wolf Serri, and sets out to stop the plague, Succeeds, but loses an eye. Donal loses his lir and must sacrifice himself. Gisella is put aside because of her madness. Dierdre comes at the end.

Good volume. Moving.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, totally unique story that is very much like an epic fantasy with lots of world building and exploration into the people who populate it. The characters are very interesting and the story has real world implications about races and their divergent belief systems in that one tries to erase their actual joint history all because of one man’s ego truly tried to wipe out and commit genocide amongst other crimes against the indigenous population of the region.

[Charmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is almost the least likeable of the series but the most likeable at the same time. A bunch of horrible things transpire but on the other hand there is more character growth in this epic than the previous.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, the depth of Jennifer Roberson's characters continue to grow.
The behaviour between characters seems to be becoming more consistent.
I'm just sorry that I took so long getting around to reading this book.

[James]

Niall, the heir to the crown, has been forced to flee the kingdom of Homana. But in exile, the prince finds his true power--a power which may prove Homana's only hope for salvation from a deadly menace. Original.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a ridiculously cheesy 1990s fantasy novel with sorcerers, mind control, shape shifting, and angst. So I'm glad to have reread it.

[Zoe Liew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the last book

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

18 Another example of YA before it was a thing. The opening pages makes mention of the age of the character-18- so it’s a coming of age story where the hero is different from the others.

[Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked it!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fourth installment in the Chronicles of the Cheysuli series feels very reminiscent of the second book, The Song Of Homana. Told in the first person, Niall’s story has always been one of my favorites in the series. For me, this is one of the most memorable novels in the entire series, and its exciting events are ones that I haven’t forgotten. Niall’s feelings and the way he stands outside of his family gives this book more of a coming-of-age feel than any of the others. The romantic liaisons described here, too, are among the most exciting, too. The story moves along at a fast pace and once again, this is a stronger novel than its predecessor. More details emerge about this land and its varied countries, peoples and cultures continuing to add more complexity to the storyline. Niall is one of my favorite characters though and I am really enjoying re-reading this series after so many years! It is exciting and quite fun!

[Leslie Wiederspan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was not one of my favorites. Niall is a whiny, self-centered brat. Over half of the book is him going on and on about how he doesnt want and doesnt deserve the throne. Hes not worthy, not good enough, hes only half a man because he is lirless, and so on. All he thinks about is himself, and I was happy when he was almost forgotten on Erinn after the shipwreck. I almost liked him when he had genuine feelings for Diedre, but then he went back to self-loathing. It made me happy to find out he married a mad woman. The worst part... He turns suddenly and decides that even though he wasnt worthy of the throne before, now he is the ONLY one that is worthy. Sigh... I wont lie, I giggled when he lost his eye. And, of course, another main character dies to make way for all of Niall's children. Maybe the next book will be better.

[Margo Berendsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been years since I read this book, but something made me think of it the other day, and now I think I'm going to have to re-read and see if it still holds the magic that I remember from my early 20's.

I was intrigued by the world-building: shapeshifters living in an uneasy truce with the main society of this fantasy world.

But what really captivated me with the relationship between the shapeshifters and their lir (sort of like familiars, but much, much more).

I identified with Niall's fears that the shape-shifting talents of his family would skip over him entirely. (for any teen or twenty-something that is afraid they'll never find their "place")

There's also a beautiful romance. I read the entire series but this book was by far my favorite.

[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.

[Kate Millin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niall is the latest person who is responsible for achieving the Cheysuli prophecy of bringing together a number of realms through marriage and children. As usual his story is not an easy one as he battles with his mixed heritage from 3 of the realms. It is very much a story of giving up his own wishes and desires to meet the greater need of the country he is the prince of. Family is also very important, although not always easy!

[Rachael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally not everyone dies! I loved the first book in this series but have yet to find one that I have liked. At least in the end of this one his love isn't dead and he isn't forced to marry the girl he doesn't love and it mad..... Anyways glad I finished the book.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This series had so much potential, but it was so dang depressing after the first book. I got supremely tired of forced marriages and such all as part of fulfilling some prophecy. Isn't the point of prophecy that it's going to happen no matter what you do?

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review of the first book, Shapechangers.

[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.

[Sunsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Auch für den 4. Band der Reihe gebe ich 08/10 Punkte.

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

[Gosia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just great. Read like a million times like the rest:)

[Penel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book. Very interesting hero.

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuation of the Chronicles of the Cheysuli. This one surrounding Niall the son of Donal

[Ameena Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, Fantastic, Fantastic. So heart wrenching, and bittersweet as all these books are. Niall is one of my favorites in this series, as is Ian. On to the next one.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful story about family and growing into a legend

[Gregoire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toujours fan ...

[John Carlo]

not