What do you think?
Rate this book
Worldwalker Duology #2
Wayfinder
THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE—IF IT DOESN’T KILL YOU FIRST Lara Jansen is a truthseeker, gifted—or cursed—with the magical ability to tell honesty from lies. Once she was a tailor in Boston, but now she has crossed from Earth to the Barrow-lands, a Faerie world embroiled in a bloody civil war between Seelie and Unseelie. Armed with an enchanted and malevolent staff which seeks to bend her to its dark will, and thrust into a deadly realm where it’s hard to distinguish friend from foe, Lara is sure of one her love for Dafydd ap Caerwyn, the Faerie prince who sought her help in solving a royal murder and dousing the flames of war before they consumed the Barrow-lands.But now Dafydd is missing, perhaps dead, and the Barrow-lands are closer than ever to a final conflagration. Lara has no other she must harness the potent but perilous magic of the staff and her own truthseeking talents, blazing a path to a long-forgotten truth—a truth with the power to save the Barrow-lands or destroy them.From the Trade Paperback edition.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
60 people are currently reading
944 people want to read
About the author
C.E. Murphy
97 books1,795 followersCE Murphy began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine selected (inevitably) the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her–a six year old kid–to keep writing, which she has. She has also held the usual grab-bag of jobs usually seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer (at ages 9 and 10; it’s clear she was doomed to a career involving books), archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better.
She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.
She also writes paranormal romance as Murphy Lawless and cozy mysteries as Catie Murphy.
She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.
She also writes paranormal romance as Murphy Lawless and cozy mysteries as Catie Murphy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
May 4, 2019
This book was good it was fast-paced and a read in a day and half
October 14, 2017
It’s okay not as good as the first but not terrible. Over all it is a super quick easy read with a descent plot. The world building is okay and the character are mostly like-able.
Before you being the story there is a 3 page summary of the entire first book. (It’s sad it could be condensed that easy but it was). It still however spent a good 40 pages reliving everything that just happened.
There is so much traveling and going to and from this novel. It feels like even more than the first. The ending is a bit predictable I figured it out from the first book alone.
The romance still annoys me. The main characters have barely spent any time together . Combined total in the first book maybe 4 days and then this one the same maybe? And they are “so in love.” Other than Lara’s growing powers there isn’t much character growth. I still think she acts like a brat in the Fae world. She really needs a good dose of humility.
Overall it’s enjoyable though.
Before you being the story there is a 3 page summary of the entire first book. (It’s sad it could be condensed that easy but it was). It still however spent a good 40 pages reliving everything that just happened.
There is so much traveling and going to and from this novel. It feels like even more than the first. The ending is a bit predictable I figured it out from the first book alone.
The romance still annoys me. The main characters have barely spent any time together . Combined total in the first book maybe 4 days and then this one the same maybe? And they are “so in love.” Other than Lara’s growing powers there isn’t much character growth. I still think she acts like a brat in the Fae world. She really needs a good dose of humility.
Overall it’s enjoyable though.
July 10, 2021
I loved it but I think it could have had a better ending.
There are so many things left unanswered.
But over all it was a really great read but I still need more.
There are so many things left unanswered.
But over all it was a really great read but I still need more.
June 25, 2012
Warning: This review is for both Truthseeker and Wayfinder.
I had such high hopes for this series, though truthfully I'm not sure why I did. I'd heard of C.E. Murphy before, but hadn't read any of her books before these. Maybe it's because of the inclusion of a fey prince and I was likening it to the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, who writes the fey princes as walking sex sticks and inhuman to the point of being alien. But that's not how he was written at all. I was actually generally confused when he was introduced in the series because he was too... human. And nice. And generally likeable and I was like, hold up. What the hell is going on? He's not fey!
The other thing I wasn't able to get over was how much description there was. Lara tends to recycle over previous ones you read not even a chapter ago, and they also tend to get in the way of conversations, breaking answers to questions by multiple paragraphs so you've forgotten what was asked a page ago due to her internal dialogue. It was rather annoying toward the end.
Overall, it wasn't a bad series. I just had different expectations for it. Also, there's next to none romance. There's mention of sexytimes but nothing more than a couple kisses is described to the reader. This made me sad. So, read at your own risk. If you're looking for a lengthy urban fantasy story without wanting to go through a long ass series, you might want to check these books out.
I had such high hopes for this series, though truthfully I'm not sure why I did. I'd heard of C.E. Murphy before, but hadn't read any of her books before these. Maybe it's because of the inclusion of a fey prince and I was likening it to the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, who writes the fey princes as walking sex sticks and inhuman to the point of being alien. But that's not how he was written at all. I was actually generally confused when he was introduced in the series because he was too... human. And nice. And generally likeable and I was like, hold up. What the hell is going on? He's not fey!
The other thing I wasn't able to get over was how much description there was. Lara tends to recycle over previous ones you read not even a chapter ago, and they also tend to get in the way of conversations, breaking answers to questions by multiple paragraphs so you've forgotten what was asked a page ago due to her internal dialogue. It was rather annoying toward the end.
Overall, it wasn't a bad series. I just had different expectations for it. Also, there's next to none romance. There's mention of sexytimes but nothing more than a couple kisses is described to the reader. This made me sad. So, read at your own risk. If you're looking for a lengthy urban fantasy story without wanting to go through a long ass series, you might want to check these books out.
April 1, 2019
I'm not mad at it. I really think this could have been better accomplished in one book.
September 5, 2011
C.E. Murphy created a beautiful world full of intrigue and mystery and the music of truth. This book really was beautifully written and I found myself drawn into the story more and more with each page that I turned.
I won't lie, I had a little trouble with the first book, I found myself wanting to skim ahead to see what would happen about half way through the book and I didn't find myself wanting to do that with this one.
It was packed full of adventure and mystery from the get go.
I found myself invested in what would happen with Lara and the Barrow Lands.
I loved watching not only Lara's powers grow but Lara growing from a meek mouse of a girl to a strong confident person as she learned more about herself, her powers and what she stood for.
Even though there was a lot going on through this book it was all handled beautifully and everything was tied together neat and tidy by the end. It didn't leave questions unanswered or you wondering what in the world would happen next.
I actually found myself wanting more at the end and was a little disappointed that the end had come.
I think this was a fun series and anyone who enjoys fantasy would really like this series.
I won't lie, I had a little trouble with the first book, I found myself wanting to skim ahead to see what would happen about half way through the book and I didn't find myself wanting to do that with this one.
It was packed full of adventure and mystery from the get go.
I found myself invested in what would happen with Lara and the Barrow Lands.
I loved watching not only Lara's powers grow but Lara growing from a meek mouse of a girl to a strong confident person as she learned more about herself, her powers and what she stood for.
Even though there was a lot going on through this book it was all handled beautifully and everything was tied together neat and tidy by the end. It didn't leave questions unanswered or you wondering what in the world would happen next.
I actually found myself wanting more at the end and was a little disappointed that the end had come.
I think this was a fun series and anyone who enjoys fantasy would really like this series.
June 30, 2016
THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE—IF IT DOESN’T KILL YOU FIRST
Lara Jansen is a truthseeker, gifted—or cursed—with the magical ability to tell honesty from lies. Once she was a tailor in Boston, but now she has crossed from Earth to the Barrow-lands, a Faerie world embroiled in a bloody civil war between Seelie and Unseelie. Armed with an enchanted and malevolent staff which seeks to bend her to its dark will, and thrust into a deadly realm where it’s hard to distinguish friend from foe, Lara is sure of one thing: her love for Dafydd ap Caerwyn, the Faerie prince who sought her help in solving a royal murder and dousing the flames of war before they consumed the Barrow-lands.
But now Dafydd is missing, perhaps dead, and the Barrow-lands are closer than ever to a final conflagration. Lara has no other choice: she must harness the potent but perilous magic of the staff and her own truthseeking talents, blazing a path to a long-forgotten truth—a truth with the power to save the Barrow-lands or destroy them.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
ReviewPraise for C. E. Murphy’s *Truthseeker*
“Pure C. E. Murphy at her best.”—Kim Harrison
“A charming and fast-paced novel . . . featuring a contemporary setting with a fantastical twist . . . a compelling story that will leave you wanting more.”—Romantic Times (four stars)
“Thoroughly enchanting. . . This master of urban fantasy has done it again!”—Jeri Smith-Ready, author of Shade and Bring on the Night
From the Trade Paperback edition.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.CHAPTER ONE
Music tore the world apart.
There was no rhythm to it, no melody to find, no predictable rise or fall to thundering notes. Instead it was the sound of instruments at war with one another, screeching and bellowing as they strove to be heard. Lara Jansen stumbled under the cacophony, battered by it from all sides, and wondered what had gone wrong. She had traveled between worlds twice before--once under her own power, which should have been impossible. Even then, though, the pathway between her home and the elfin world called the Barrow-lands hadn't been fraught with agonizing, aggressive music.
But the worldwalking spell distorted the very weft of the universe. It was a magic not meant to be: her world and the Barrow-lands were barely meant to touch, much less to be traversed regularly. That was a truth she knew in her bones, in the same way she'd always known whether she was being lied to. Falsehood had rung sour notes in her mind as far back as she could remember, and that gift now said the magic that thrust her between worlds was dangerously wrong.
Worse, the staff she carried reverberated in her hands, its ivory carvings bright with power that could break worlds. Its presence clearly distorted the spell further, as if the Barrow-lands, a world of magic, struggled to keep the weapon's destructive ability away.
The music surrounding her surged, stringed instruments breaking with groaning snaps, keyboards playing flat and sharp with desperation. A vocalist joined the music in Lara's mind, searching for a harmony until her voice turned to an unholy shriek. It finally shattered, and Lara fell between worlds to land hard in the Barrow-lands.
Music turned to the sounds of battle: to cries of pain and anger, to the metallic bash of blades, and to the incessant rumble of hooves against packed earth. A singular, voluble curse shot out above the rest of the uproar. Lara cowered as hooves flashed over her head, a horse's belly looking broad and endless above her. There was no time for panic, just for a single terrified lurch of her heart that twisted into unexpected awe. She'd seen animals leap cameras in film, but the effect paled beside actually having a thousand pounds of horseflesh sail overhead.
No one, she thought, no one in her right mind would take time out from being nearly trampled to think how poorly cinema compared to reality in such situations. And because truth was her gift, and lies came hard to her, it seemed likely that in that moment, she was very probably not in her right mind.
Nothing else would explain why she scrambled to her feet, using the staff as leverage, and whipped to face an oncoming army. A rear vanguard, perhaps, given the sounds of fighting that came from behind her, but still enough to be called an army. What had once been meadow was flattened into green-streaked dirt beneath the horses' hooves, fresh earth ripped free and offering a loamy scent to counteract the tang of blood in the air.
The riders wore armor of moonlight silver, sculpted and patterned so delicately it looked like it couldn't possibly withstand a single blow, much less the height of war. Lara knew better: she had worn a suit of the armor once, and for all its lightweight beauty, it was improbably strong as well. There was magic in its forging, as there seemed to be magic in every aspect of the Barrow-lands.
Cries of surprise rose up as the battle host swept to either side of her, leaving her a fixed point in a thundering wave of riders. Pale hues shot by: white, golden, strawberry blonde hair streaming from beneath silver helmets; blue and green and yellow gazes glancing her way as the riders rushed past. Seelie warriors, so close that she felt horseflesh and body heat against her skin. Her heartbeat soared, fear so acute it became a kind of excitement.
The staff reacted to the emotion with an upsurge of its own, as if it had life and personality. She grasped it more firmly, half-formed thoughts rushing through her mind. It had sent tremors through her own world. She was certain that in this one, where it had come from, it was a force to be reckoned with.
Without fully considering her actions, Lara lifted the staff in both hands and slammed it end-down into the torn ground.
It groaned, waves rippling away from the epicenter she'd made. Discordant music erupted around her again, though this time she heard a thin true note buried in the sour tune. There was no time to follow it: keeping her feet took all her concentration, and the riders surging around her had no less trouble with their mounts. The sky boiled over with a spiral of clouds, the staff's magic reaching as high as it did low. It urged destruction, eager to lash out with pain and--it seemed to Lara--vengeance. She tightened her hands, feeling the carvings press into her palms, and whispered to the cool ivory. "A truthseeker of legend could make things come true by force of will alone. You will not destroy the Barrow-lands while I wield you. I will temper your magic and guide it, and you will bend to my will. This is true!"
The words built to a crescendo in her mind, then released with a flood of pure song that roared across the staff's more static will. Strength surged from Lara so quickly that only her grip on the rod kept her upright, but the earth's rumbling ceased, and the skies stopped boiling. She put her forehead against the stave, feeling its objection to the limits she'd enforced, but certain her desire to do no harm had mitigated the staff's passion for destruction.
A fleeting thought crossed her mind: that the weapon was humoring her, and would only behave so long as doing so suited it. For anyone else, it would be a fanciful idea, but there was no inherent dissonance, suggesting there was truth to it.
That was a problem to be considered later. A voice broke through the other sounds of battle, and Lara lifted her gaze to find the man who bellowed, "Truthseeker!" with such fury.
Emyr, king of the Seelie court, bore down on Lara with his sword bared and hatred raging in his cold blue gaze.
The part of her that had become bold in the past few weeks felt the impulse to stand her ground, to see if the Seelie king would swerve at the last moment. Pragmaticism prevailed, though, and she ducked to the side, trusting Emyr's guards not to trample her. They scattered, avoiding her andgiving him room to wheel his horse. Dirt flew from beneath its hooves as it charged her a second time. This time the guards scattered to avoid Emyr, and Lara found herself abruptly alone on broken earth, awaiting a fate she had no way to avoid.
Then another rider was between her and the king, so sudden, so close, that a collision between them should be impossible to avoid. Lara caught a glimpse of fresh anger blackening Emyr's face before his horse gathered itself and leapt over the intrusive rider and Lara alike. Not effortlessly: it couldn't be effortlessly, not with the scant feet the beast had to prepare itself, not with the height it had to clear. But to Lara's eye it looked as though Emyr's mount had suddenly, carelessly, decided to ignore gravity, and by so choosing had ceased being in its thrall.
The crash with which it came down on her far side belied their weightlessness. Soft earth gave way, the horse sinking to its ankles. Lara gasped in concern for the animal's well-being, but it barely stumbled as it continued forward, then came around again under Emyr's guidance.
"He'll ride you down." A gauntleted hand thrust itself into Lara's vision, fingers grasping in invitation. Lara heard the truth in the words and seized the offered hand, then shouted with surprise as the rider hauled her bodily upward. She caught a glimpse of white hair, of green eyes, and then she was seated behind the rider and gasping with astonishment. Her savior, Aerin, owed her nothing, much less a life-saving gesture--especially since the last time they'd seen one another, Lara had broken the Seelie woman's elegant nose.
"What audacity is this!" Emyr did ride them down, broadsiding Aerin's horse with his own. Lara shrieked and slammed one arm around Aerin's waist, holding on desperately while trying not to drop the staff. She had been horseback a countable number of times in her life. A second impact would dislodge her.
And Emyr knew it. He pulled his horse around, blade leveled at Lara, though his words were for Aerin. "The mortal is mine!"
"The mortal," Aerin replied with remarkable calm for a woman bellowing to be heard over the battle, "is our only chance at learning what's happened to your son and heir, my lord."
Dismay turned to a cold weight in Lara's stomach, beating back the heat of the day. Her whole purpose in returning to the Barrow-lands was to make certain of Dafydd's safety. She hadn't even considered the possibility that something had gone wrong with the magic meant to bring him home, though the worldwalking spell had certainly fought against her return. "Dafydd didn't make it back?"
Aerin half-turned in the saddle, giving Lara a cool look for all that she was little more than a helmeted profile. "Dafydd ap Caerwyn disappeared on the battlefield this half-year ago, moments before you joined forces with the Unseelie heir."
"Joi--" Lara thunked her head forward, not caring that it met Aerin's cold silver armor. "You mean before he seized me. Or kidnapped me, more accurately. Not that it was actually Ioan..." She trailed off as the difficulty of explaining her adventures washed over her.
"Half a year," she said much more quietly. She had been torn from her own timeline when she'd traveled from the Barrow-lands back to Earth, but h...
July 17, 2022
I didn't read the first book in this series, but I don't feel like it took away from my ability to enjoy this book because the author did a great job explaining the backstory in the prologue.
"Lara Jansen is a truthseeker, gifted—or cursed—with the magical ability to tell honesty from lies." Dafydd ap Caerwyn, is the Faerie prince of the Seelie courts who traveled to Boston from the Barrow-Lands to seek her help in finding the man who had murdered his brother, Merrick ap Annwn. In working together, they fell in love, but the going wasn't easy for them. Now, they are working together again, but this time the fate of the Barrow-lands hangs in the balance, and only Lara and her staff (if she can just keep it under control) can save it.
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were strong and well defined, and the world building was phenomenal. The plot was easy to follow and exciting enough to keep me interested. The ending was very satisfying, as well.
All told, I enjoyed this book so much that I plan to go back and read the first book in the series.
5/5 stars.
*** I would like to thank C.E. Murphy and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book.
"Lara Jansen is a truthseeker, gifted—or cursed—with the magical ability to tell honesty from lies." Dafydd ap Caerwyn, is the Faerie prince of the Seelie courts who traveled to Boston from the Barrow-Lands to seek her help in finding the man who had murdered his brother, Merrick ap Annwn. In working together, they fell in love, but the going wasn't easy for them. Now, they are working together again, but this time the fate of the Barrow-lands hangs in the balance, and only Lara and her staff (if she can just keep it under control) can save it.
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were strong and well defined, and the world building was phenomenal. The plot was easy to follow and exciting enough to keep me interested. The ending was very satisfying, as well.
All told, I enjoyed this book so much that I plan to go back and read the first book in the series.
5/5 stars.
*** I would like to thank C.E. Murphy and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 20, 2018
The only negative thing about this duology is it's a duology. I would love to know more about what happens to Lara and Dafydd, and how Anwnn, with Ioan as the steward turns out. An excellent read that kept me up until early in the morning. I love C.E. Murphy's books, but I believe this, and the first one, Truthseeker, are my favorites.
September 13, 2011
You can also read this review at Reflections on Reading Romance
Wayfinder is the second book in the fantasy Worldwalker Duology, and I highly recommend that you read the first in the series before reading this one. I did not, and while there’s a short plot summary of the first book, Truthseeker, at the beginning of the second novel, it’s actually more confusing than if you simply pick up the second book and start reading. That said, this was an outstanding fantasy with romantic elements, and I’ve already started reading several of Ms. Murphy’s other series because of how much I enjoyed it.
The second novel of the duology picks up exactly where the first leaves off, which is why I suggest you read Truthseeker before beginning Wayfinder. I should warn you that this review will reveal spoilers for the first book, so be prepared. In Truthseeker, Lara Ann Jansen is a tailor in present-day Boston, and she always knows when a lie is told. She learns the importance of her gift when she meets Dafydd ap Caerwyn, a Seelie elf who has been searching for a Truthseeker in this world for over a hundred years. Dafydd wants her to return to his world, the Barrowlands, to uncover his foster brother Merrick’s murderer. To make a long story short, Lara learns that Merrick staged his murder and is acting against Dafydd and his father, Seelie king Emyr. Dafydd is seriously injured when attacked by creatures sent by Merrick, and Lara is forced to leave him with his brother, Ioan, and return to Boston to search for a staff that she hopes will save Dafydd.
As Wayfinder begins, Lara is returning to the Barrowlands with the Worldbreaker, the staff that she’s hoping can save her Seelie lover. The staff has a mind of its own, and despite yielding to Lara’s powers, demonstrates a dangerous inclination to destroy worlds. When Lara arrives, she discovers that although only a day has passed in Boston, more than six months have passed in the Barrowlands, leaving Dafydd’s fate up in the air. When she learns that he is so ill that his body has been sent to the Drowned Lands, she decides to journey there in an attempt to rescue her love. She and her companions face numerous trials in their attempts to save Dafydd and possibly reunite the now divided Barrowlands, but as Lara begins to develop her power as Truthseeker and arbiter of justice, she learns that Merrick’s deception might not be the worst she’ll uncover, placing everyone she cares for in danger.
Fantasy is not my favorite genre, but this book is compelling for many reasons. The world building is complex without being overly complicated, and I like that you get a feel for the terrain of the Barrowlands. The physical descriptions of the different regions were almost tactile, and I think this was an effective method of immersing the reader in the new world. The differences between the Seelie and Unseelie courts juxtaposed with the impressive descriptions of the Drowned Lands make for fascinating reading. Characters’ physical traits also reflect the region in which they live, making for a rich fantasy world that I very much enjoyed.
Another selling point is that the characters are intriguing and well developed, especially the female protagonist, Lara. While the romance is not the focus of this novel, Dafydd and Lara’s relationship is charming, although I should mention that if you’re interested in lots of smexy times, this book might not be for you. That said, it is clearly Lara’s journey as a Truthseeker that is the focus of this novel, and as such, it is highly successful. We see Lara grow more confident in her abilities and demonstrate her willingness to use them to intervene in this new world. I particularly liked her time in the Drowned Lands, as she displays heroic qualities when faced with unfavorable odds and stubborn companions.
My only complaint about the novel is that if you have not read Truthseeker, the sections of the second book that take place in Boston with Lara’s best friend Kelly will leave you confused. I’m not really sure that in the end Kelly and her fiancé were all that necessary to the overarching arc of the story. It’s clear that these sections resolve some questions raised in the first book, but Dafydd and Lara’s rescue of his brother Ioan and the resulting destruction could have been accomplished without Kelly’s presence. If you’ve read the first book, you will have more of a connection to these characters, but if you start the series with Wayfinder, the drama between Kelly and her fiancé is distracting at best and annoying at worst. Their easy dismissal from the Barrowlands later in the novel merely reinforced my belief in their superfluity.
In the end, this is easily one of my favorite fantasy reads this year, and I highly recommend it. I do want to emphasize that you should read Truthseeker before beginning this novel. But given the stellar writing and lush landscapes of the Barrowlands, I can’t imagine that reading the entire duology would be much of a chore.
I received this book for review from the Publisher through NetGalley.
Wayfinder is the second book in the fantasy Worldwalker Duology, and I highly recommend that you read the first in the series before reading this one. I did not, and while there’s a short plot summary of the first book, Truthseeker, at the beginning of the second novel, it’s actually more confusing than if you simply pick up the second book and start reading. That said, this was an outstanding fantasy with romantic elements, and I’ve already started reading several of Ms. Murphy’s other series because of how much I enjoyed it.
The second novel of the duology picks up exactly where the first leaves off, which is why I suggest you read Truthseeker before beginning Wayfinder. I should warn you that this review will reveal spoilers for the first book, so be prepared. In Truthseeker, Lara Ann Jansen is a tailor in present-day Boston, and she always knows when a lie is told. She learns the importance of her gift when she meets Dafydd ap Caerwyn, a Seelie elf who has been searching for a Truthseeker in this world for over a hundred years. Dafydd wants her to return to his world, the Barrowlands, to uncover his foster brother Merrick’s murderer. To make a long story short, Lara learns that Merrick staged his murder and is acting against Dafydd and his father, Seelie king Emyr. Dafydd is seriously injured when attacked by creatures sent by Merrick, and Lara is forced to leave him with his brother, Ioan, and return to Boston to search for a staff that she hopes will save Dafydd.
As Wayfinder begins, Lara is returning to the Barrowlands with the Worldbreaker, the staff that she’s hoping can save her Seelie lover. The staff has a mind of its own, and despite yielding to Lara’s powers, demonstrates a dangerous inclination to destroy worlds. When Lara arrives, she discovers that although only a day has passed in Boston, more than six months have passed in the Barrowlands, leaving Dafydd’s fate up in the air. When she learns that he is so ill that his body has been sent to the Drowned Lands, she decides to journey there in an attempt to rescue her love. She and her companions face numerous trials in their attempts to save Dafydd and possibly reunite the now divided Barrowlands, but as Lara begins to develop her power as Truthseeker and arbiter of justice, she learns that Merrick’s deception might not be the worst she’ll uncover, placing everyone she cares for in danger.
Fantasy is not my favorite genre, but this book is compelling for many reasons. The world building is complex without being overly complicated, and I like that you get a feel for the terrain of the Barrowlands. The physical descriptions of the different regions were almost tactile, and I think this was an effective method of immersing the reader in the new world. The differences between the Seelie and Unseelie courts juxtaposed with the impressive descriptions of the Drowned Lands make for fascinating reading. Characters’ physical traits also reflect the region in which they live, making for a rich fantasy world that I very much enjoyed.
Another selling point is that the characters are intriguing and well developed, especially the female protagonist, Lara. While the romance is not the focus of this novel, Dafydd and Lara’s relationship is charming, although I should mention that if you’re interested in lots of smexy times, this book might not be for you. That said, it is clearly Lara’s journey as a Truthseeker that is the focus of this novel, and as such, it is highly successful. We see Lara grow more confident in her abilities and demonstrate her willingness to use them to intervene in this new world. I particularly liked her time in the Drowned Lands, as she displays heroic qualities when faced with unfavorable odds and stubborn companions.
My only complaint about the novel is that if you have not read Truthseeker, the sections of the second book that take place in Boston with Lara’s best friend Kelly will leave you confused. I’m not really sure that in the end Kelly and her fiancé were all that necessary to the overarching arc of the story. It’s clear that these sections resolve some questions raised in the first book, but Dafydd and Lara’s rescue of his brother Ioan and the resulting destruction could have been accomplished without Kelly’s presence. If you’ve read the first book, you will have more of a connection to these characters, but if you start the series with Wayfinder, the drama between Kelly and her fiancé is distracting at best and annoying at worst. Their easy dismissal from the Barrowlands later in the novel merely reinforced my belief in their superfluity.
In the end, this is easily one of my favorite fantasy reads this year, and I highly recommend it. I do want to emphasize that you should read Truthseeker before beginning this novel. But given the stellar writing and lush landscapes of the Barrowlands, I can’t imagine that reading the entire duology would be much of a chore.
I received this book for review from the Publisher through NetGalley.
June 30, 2023
Wayfinder (Book 2 of The Worldwalker Duology
WOW! A great story and end to the Duology! C.E.Murphy really knows how to create a world, characters and storyline that will keep the reader hooked to the end! ;)
WOW! A great story and end to the Duology! C.E.Murphy really knows how to create a world, characters and storyline that will keep the reader hooked to the end! ;)
May 26, 2025
indeed
You are a true legend with words and deeds. Stupendous characters and the belief and wonder of the fantastic people, beings, and creatures of imagination. Breathing life into the unimaginable. Loved
You are a true legend with words and deeds. Stupendous characters and the belief and wonder of the fantastic people, beings, and creatures of imagination. Breathing life into the unimaginable. Loved
December 23, 2025
Wow, I could hardly put it down! After the slow start of the first book, this was an intense race to the finish! Definitely one story, should just be one longer novel. Will read more from this author.
October 28, 2017
Fine world building
I really enjoyed this tale of Fairyland not quite a fairytale. The characters were complex and enjoyable. Tells the story of power and temptation. Well done.
I really enjoyed this tale of Fairyland not quite a fairytale. The characters were complex and enjoyable. Tells the story of power and temptation. Well done.
October 21, 2020
A cute conclusion to a good story, and what more do you really need?
April 11, 2022
After reading this 2 book series…I don’t want to hear the words truth seeker, for a long long long time. 😒
January 7, 2023
I really liked this duology
November 30, 2023
I was hoping for more dark faerie lore.
April 1, 2024
This storyline has a lot of adventure and twists in it.
July 26, 2025
A solid finish to the duology though there was less description than would be expected for some of the events. A happily ever after with some good character development all-around.
September 7, 2011
Wayfinder is the exciting conclusion to CE Murphy's Worldwalker Duology. You can't read Wayfinder without having read Truthseeker or you will literally be missing half the story.
Read my review of Truthseeker
And the truth shall set you free...
Wayfinder begins where Truthseeker ends. Dafydd has been badly injured, betrayed by Merrick and rescued by Iaon, and Lara has followed them to the Barrowlands. She finds time has once more distorted, 6 months has passed and Dafydd has not returned to the Seelie court. With King Emryn and warrior Aerin she sets out to confront Prince Iaon who reveals he has placed Dafydd in The Drowning Lands to help him recover. To find the truth, Lara must face the trials of the sea to awaken both Dafydd and Hafgan, the Unseelie King but her accomplishment is threatened when Merrick intervenes throwing Lara and her companions back into her own world. To defeat Merrick and save Anwen, Lara must find a way for them to return to Faerieland and fulfil the prophecy and her promise to heal the world.
I am glad I waited to read Truthseeker until Wayfinder was released as I was enjoyed Truthseeker so much I was eager to read the conclusion as soon as I had finished it and the delay between publication dates may have otherwise blunted my pleasure.
All of the elements I thought highly of in Truthseeker are evident in Wayfinder and Murphy pushes everything just that little bit more to ensure the adventure stays fresh and exciting. Wayfinder moves at a faster pace than Truthseeker as it races towards the conclusion. Again the author juggles shifts between worlds and time with skill adding to the tension as Lara struggles to prevent the destruction of both worlds.
The author carefully matures both Lara's talent and her personality to meet the demands the storyline makes on her character. Lara continues to develop her unique gift of truth which gains new subtleties and strength the longer she spends in Faerieland.
The characters from the first novel all have a role in the second though their importance varies. Lara's relationship with Dafydd becomes a more substantial part of the plot but Lara continues to shine as the heroine of the story.
The conclusion has a twist I didn't expect but perfectly completes the various story threads and perhaps intentionally, leaves the glimmer of a possibility for Murphy to return the characters and this world again.
The Worldwalker Duology is a well crafted, imaginative and exciting story with appealing characters to which Wayfinder is the wonderful conclusion. I enjoyed every moment of the adventure through Boston and Faerieland with Lara and her companions. I'm hoping to read more of CE Murphy's series soon starting with The Walker Papers.
Read my review of Truthseeker
And the truth shall set you free...
Wayfinder begins where Truthseeker ends. Dafydd has been badly injured, betrayed by Merrick and rescued by Iaon, and Lara has followed them to the Barrowlands. She finds time has once more distorted, 6 months has passed and Dafydd has not returned to the Seelie court. With King Emryn and warrior Aerin she sets out to confront Prince Iaon who reveals he has placed Dafydd in The Drowning Lands to help him recover. To find the truth, Lara must face the trials of the sea to awaken both Dafydd and Hafgan, the Unseelie King but her accomplishment is threatened when Merrick intervenes throwing Lara and her companions back into her own world. To defeat Merrick and save Anwen, Lara must find a way for them to return to Faerieland and fulfil the prophecy and her promise to heal the world.
I am glad I waited to read Truthseeker until Wayfinder was released as I was enjoyed Truthseeker so much I was eager to read the conclusion as soon as I had finished it and the delay between publication dates may have otherwise blunted my pleasure.
All of the elements I thought highly of in Truthseeker are evident in Wayfinder and Murphy pushes everything just that little bit more to ensure the adventure stays fresh and exciting. Wayfinder moves at a faster pace than Truthseeker as it races towards the conclusion. Again the author juggles shifts between worlds and time with skill adding to the tension as Lara struggles to prevent the destruction of both worlds.
The author carefully matures both Lara's talent and her personality to meet the demands the storyline makes on her character. Lara continues to develop her unique gift of truth which gains new subtleties and strength the longer she spends in Faerieland.
The characters from the first novel all have a role in the second though their importance varies. Lara's relationship with Dafydd becomes a more substantial part of the plot but Lara continues to shine as the heroine of the story.
The conclusion has a twist I didn't expect but perfectly completes the various story threads and perhaps intentionally, leaves the glimmer of a possibility for Murphy to return the characters and this world again.
The Worldwalker Duology is a well crafted, imaginative and exciting story with appealing characters to which Wayfinder is the wonderful conclusion. I enjoyed every moment of the adventure through Boston and Faerieland with Lara and her companions. I'm hoping to read more of CE Murphy's series soon starting with The Walker Papers.
September 8, 2011
Wayfinder by C.E. Murphy is the follow up to Truthseeker, and concludes the story. The heart of the plot lays with Lara Jansen, a woman with the ability to tell the difference between truth and lies, even the little white lies that we tell in polite society. Lara is now caught up in the civil war in the Barrow-lands and surrounded by magic and those that have mastered using their words in such a way that they do not lie, but are not speaking the truth either. If you have not read Truthseeker, there is a brief introduction to the world and story, but I highly suggest reading both books. I liked the little reminders of the earlier story, since it seems like it has been far too long since I read Murphy’s work.
In Wayfinder, we pick up the story right as Truthseeker has left off. Lara is only sure of one thing, that she loves Dafydd ap Caerwyn. The faerie prince might have been the one that initially got her involved in the danger and intrigue that currently surrounds her, but she has a mission and will see it through to the end. Now Dafydd is missing and the Barrow-lands are closer than ever to imploding. Lara needs to harness the perilous magic of the staff and her own truth seeking skill to discover the truth behind the division of the faerie world, and put it to rights if possible. Finding missing friends and surviving a series of perilous trials along the way keeps Lara, her companions and readers on their toes. Deception, danger and discovery are the key elements that keep the story going, and just when readers might think they have it all figured out, and that Lara and her friends are out of danger, new twists and conflicts arise until the very last page.
Wayfinder offers readers a world that is as complex and layered as the characters and their motivations. The use of magic and music was done very well, and as someone that loves music, it added an extra element of interest to the story. Thus far, I have greatly enjoyed all of the urban fantasy Murphy has written, and I honestly think that Wayfinder might be the best I have seen from her yet. My only regret is that I did not get a chance to read the galley earlier; I really could have used such a great read a few weeks ago. If you like urban fantasy that uses Celtic mythology and complex stories that draw you into new worlds then I highly suggest picking up Truthseeker and then Wayfinder and enjoy.
In Wayfinder, we pick up the story right as Truthseeker has left off. Lara is only sure of one thing, that she loves Dafydd ap Caerwyn. The faerie prince might have been the one that initially got her involved in the danger and intrigue that currently surrounds her, but she has a mission and will see it through to the end. Now Dafydd is missing and the Barrow-lands are closer than ever to imploding. Lara needs to harness the perilous magic of the staff and her own truth seeking skill to discover the truth behind the division of the faerie world, and put it to rights if possible. Finding missing friends and surviving a series of perilous trials along the way keeps Lara, her companions and readers on their toes. Deception, danger and discovery are the key elements that keep the story going, and just when readers might think they have it all figured out, and that Lara and her friends are out of danger, new twists and conflicts arise until the very last page.
Wayfinder offers readers a world that is as complex and layered as the characters and their motivations. The use of magic and music was done very well, and as someone that loves music, it added an extra element of interest to the story. Thus far, I have greatly enjoyed all of the urban fantasy Murphy has written, and I honestly think that Wayfinder might be the best I have seen from her yet. My only regret is that I did not get a chance to read the galley earlier; I really could have used such a great read a few weeks ago. If you like urban fantasy that uses Celtic mythology and complex stories that draw you into new worlds then I highly suggest picking up Truthseeker and then Wayfinder and enjoy.
September 11, 2011
I rushed out to pick up Truthseeker when I found out I was approved to get Wayfinder from Netgalley. Both are quick reads, quick enough that I questioned the (probably marketing) decision to split the books into two. But at least the split is in a natural place, not leaving a horrible cliffhanger dangling for those readers who had to wait between books. I suppose one reason the books were split is because Wayfinder takes place mainly in the lands of the Fae, whereas Truthseeker took place in our world.
Lara is a likable heroine, even with her lack of humor due to her truth-sensing abilities. But as she comes into her power, she learns to fudge the truth, letting the music of truth become just a little discordant. As the Fae are masters of dancing along the thin line between true and lie, it's natural that they would need a truthseeker to find out what exactly caused the rift between Seelie and Unseelie. Some of the twists in Wayfinder were a little out there, but for the most part the writing flowed well. The author portrayed the MC's way of perceiving the truth very clearly, and with beautiful language. I could almost hear the truth in my head, as if a symphony were playing along as I read. Little things, like how Lara's job as a tailor, are described in as much detail as the new worlds in which Lara walks, and that made the story that much more real.
This book falls squarely in the fantasy romance category, though it's not a paranormal romance. The characters aren't randomly falling into bed with each other in the heat of the moment just because there happens to be magic in the world. Thank goodness! There is certainly romance between the main protagonists, and love (or lack thereof) informs a lot of choices made in the story. It's also a romance, because there's a happy ending, even after some hard decisions have to be made. Sometimes I felt a little surprised at how characters chose to act, and I didn't always feel that the bad guy was behaving as he is characterized, but on the whole the writing is good and moved along at a nice pace. I've liked other books this author has written, and will probably go back and read more of the series I've missed.
I received this book as a free digital ARC from Netgalley.
Lara is a likable heroine, even with her lack of humor due to her truth-sensing abilities. But as she comes into her power, she learns to fudge the truth, letting the music of truth become just a little discordant. As the Fae are masters of dancing along the thin line between true and lie, it's natural that they would need a truthseeker to find out what exactly caused the rift between Seelie and Unseelie. Some of the twists in Wayfinder were a little out there, but for the most part the writing flowed well. The author portrayed the MC's way of perceiving the truth very clearly, and with beautiful language. I could almost hear the truth in my head, as if a symphony were playing along as I read. Little things, like how Lara's job as a tailor, are described in as much detail as the new worlds in which Lara walks, and that made the story that much more real.
This book falls squarely in the fantasy romance category, though it's not a paranormal romance. The characters aren't randomly falling into bed with each other in the heat of the moment just because there happens to be magic in the world. Thank goodness! There is certainly romance between the main protagonists, and love (or lack thereof) informs a lot of choices made in the story. It's also a romance, because there's a happy ending, even after some hard decisions have to be made. Sometimes I felt a little surprised at how characters chose to act, and I didn't always feel that the bad guy was behaving as he is characterized, but on the whole the writing is good and moved along at a nice pace. I've liked other books this author has written, and will probably go back and read more of the series I've missed.
I received this book as a free digital ARC from Netgalley.
January 8, 2012
C.E. Murphy went in the right direction
Normally I prefer to start a series with the first book, but when I saw Wayfinder (book 2 in the Worldwalker Duology) listed I couldn’t help myself. The cover was nice and premise sounded very interesting. Overall, it turned out to be an enjoyable read. This was a little more on the high fantasy side as opposed to urban fantasy because you spend a great deal of time in the Barrowlands (a post-apocalyptic land for their Faerie-kin). Thankfully, even though I didn’t read the first book the author catches you up to speed.
The book is centered on Lara Jansen, a not-so-ordinary tailor that has special powers allowing her to be a human lie detector. Her gift makes her very attractive for the beings of this other world, so she reluctantly trades her sewing kit for a magical staff that proves challenging to control… Or is it trying to control her? Either way, she needs it to fend off enemies in the Barrowlands as she tries to rescue her beloved Dafydd, the Seelie prince who originally sought her out for her gift to save his world. As she takes this journey she meets many powerful characters, some friend and some foe.
I found it very easy to immerse myself into the story. There’s a lot of decent action and world-building and the magic was cool. Lara isn’t particularly special or quirky, but the character experiences the necessary growth into her roles as a Truthseeker and then a Wayfinder. The romance for me is a little bland, but this may have been because I didn’t read the first book where a lot of the development happens. As it stands, this book didn’t need that angle to be interesting.
I liked the author’s writing style and I felt as if the pacing was just right. I enjoyed this book enough that I have added the first book to the TBR queue. As a Duology, we’re not committed to an on-going series which is good and bad. I appreciate that the books didn’t drag on, but I think this could have been a decent on-going series if handled well. Either way, I recommend this series.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
Normally I prefer to start a series with the first book, but when I saw Wayfinder (book 2 in the Worldwalker Duology) listed I couldn’t help myself. The cover was nice and premise sounded very interesting. Overall, it turned out to be an enjoyable read. This was a little more on the high fantasy side as opposed to urban fantasy because you spend a great deal of time in the Barrowlands (a post-apocalyptic land for their Faerie-kin). Thankfully, even though I didn’t read the first book the author catches you up to speed.
The book is centered on Lara Jansen, a not-so-ordinary tailor that has special powers allowing her to be a human lie detector. Her gift makes her very attractive for the beings of this other world, so she reluctantly trades her sewing kit for a magical staff that proves challenging to control… Or is it trying to control her? Either way, she needs it to fend off enemies in the Barrowlands as she tries to rescue her beloved Dafydd, the Seelie prince who originally sought her out for her gift to save his world. As she takes this journey she meets many powerful characters, some friend and some foe.
I found it very easy to immerse myself into the story. There’s a lot of decent action and world-building and the magic was cool. Lara isn’t particularly special or quirky, but the character experiences the necessary growth into her roles as a Truthseeker and then a Wayfinder. The romance for me is a little bland, but this may have been because I didn’t read the first book where a lot of the development happens. As it stands, this book didn’t need that angle to be interesting.
I liked the author’s writing style and I felt as if the pacing was just right. I enjoyed this book enough that I have added the first book to the TBR queue. As a Duology, we’re not committed to an on-going series which is good and bad. I appreciate that the books didn’t drag on, but I think this could have been a decent on-going series if handled well. Either way, I recommend this series.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
June 24, 2011
Wayfinder is the conclusion to the story begun in Truthseeker, and picks up right where that book ends. For those who haven’t read the first half of the tale, or don’t remember it well, there is a brief recap included to get you up to speed. However, Truthseeker is well worth the time, and also highly endorsed.
Wayfinder is set almost entirely in the Barrow-lands (faerie), as Lara Jansen struggles to master the innate power of the truthseeker. Originally just able to determine whether someone was lying to her or not, the scope of Lara’s power continues to expand, even as she endeavors to ferret out several different truths.
There is the original quest that drove elven prince Daffydd out of the Barrow-lands and into our world seeking a truthseeker. There is the question of what happened so very long ago that created The Drowned Lands, a section of the Barrow-lands that has been underwater for as long as anyone can remember. And Lara has acquired an ancient artifact along the way that she needs to master, before someone misuses it and destroys one world or the other.
The seelie and unseelie are at the precipice of full-out war and only mortal Lara has any hope of stopping it before the barrow-lands are totally annihilated. Will she survive the attempt? And what about the developing romance between her and Daffydd–is there any hope for love between mortal and immortal?
This is a beautifully crafted tale, and a wonderfully complex world of magic and music. I was cheering for Lara through every bump and bruise, watching her learn and grow into her power. Despite the numerous plot threads and tangles, everything is tidily resolved by the ending, yet I was still left wanting more.
Highly recommended, as are all of C.E. Murphy’s books.
I was lucky enough to win an arc of Wayfinder and I got to read it early (thank you Catie!)–most folks will need to wait until September. I don’t envy you.
Wayfinder is set almost entirely in the Barrow-lands (faerie), as Lara Jansen struggles to master the innate power of the truthseeker. Originally just able to determine whether someone was lying to her or not, the scope of Lara’s power continues to expand, even as she endeavors to ferret out several different truths.
There is the original quest that drove elven prince Daffydd out of the Barrow-lands and into our world seeking a truthseeker. There is the question of what happened so very long ago that created The Drowned Lands, a section of the Barrow-lands that has been underwater for as long as anyone can remember. And Lara has acquired an ancient artifact along the way that she needs to master, before someone misuses it and destroys one world or the other.
The seelie and unseelie are at the precipice of full-out war and only mortal Lara has any hope of stopping it before the barrow-lands are totally annihilated. Will she survive the attempt? And what about the developing romance between her and Daffydd–is there any hope for love between mortal and immortal?
This is a beautifully crafted tale, and a wonderfully complex world of magic and music. I was cheering for Lara through every bump and bruise, watching her learn and grow into her power. Despite the numerous plot threads and tangles, everything is tidily resolved by the ending, yet I was still left wanting more.
Highly recommended, as are all of C.E. Murphy’s books.
I was lucky enough to win an arc of Wayfinder and I got to read it early (thank you Catie!)–most folks will need to wait until September. I don’t envy you.
April 10, 2012
I received this as an ARC through the LibraryThing Early Reviewer Program.[return][return]One of my complaints about the first book in this series, TRUTH SEEKER, is that it ended on a major cliffhanger. The good news is that the second book begins right at that point and the action is intense. Lara Jansen used to be a high-end tailor in Boston. However, she has always had an uncanny knack for discerning the truth. That ability gets her into trouble when an exiled Elven prince recognizes her as a truth seeker and begs her to return to the Barrow-lands to solve his brother's murder. Things don't go well. According to prophecy, the truth seeker is also the world breaker. Endless warfare between the seelie and unseelie has already driven their realms to ruin, and now Earth is suffering as well. It's up to Lara to figure out how the world breaker can become the world's healer as well.[return][return]This book is a fast read. However, I have to repeat my opinion from my review of the first book: this series is nowhere near as good as Murphy's Walker Papers series. The intensity and chemistry just isn't there. There were also some bothersome plot holes, like how why Halfgar went to the Drowned Lands at all, how Daffyd ended up in a particular place there, and how Merrick manages to fool everyone even though it's known that his power is air and can extend to illusions. Lara is in some ways too gifted and things just happen to fall into her lap at times. That said, it's still a fun read. The action is pretty consistent and I like Daffyd as a romantic lead, though I never felt he had a chance to develop much in this book. [return][return]One of the strongest aspects of this duology is the idea of truth as a sort of magic, and how it can be manipulated through white lies and expectations. That created some brilliant plot twists and I especially like how the truth is akin to beautiful music and lies are discordant notes.
September 6, 2011
Finding the magical ivory staff in the mortal world may not be the toughest part of her quest to help fix the part of fairyland that the Truthseeker in Lara Jansen was coming to know as Annwn. Returning to the land of the fae only to find out Ioan ap Annwn truly believed that Dafydd ap Caerwyn may be dying from the wounds he sustained helping her. To find Hafgan, the Unseelie King, who was in the same place in the Drowned Lands that Ioan had left Dafydd to either heal or die. Facing all the trials to get to the memorial gardens with the help of only Aerin, the tall beautiful Seelie warrior that Lara had to trust and that had to trust Lara in return. If they expected to head off Emyr’s impending attack on his enemy, keep Hafgan from taking revenge, heal the Drowned Lands and the Barrowlands, they may have to ask for help from more places than they ever expected to.
Book 2 ….. Enjoyable from the fairytale beginning, middle to the end. I really enjoyed the progression of Lara’s powers, the interactions with Dafydd, Ioan, Aerin and Kelly was so much better in this one than the first one was. Going from the tailor’s apprentice to a magical truthseeker that learns to control her power as it grows into a wayfinder, a worldwalker, a worldbreaker, and a gatekeeper. In the first book I struggled with Dafydd as the prince of his people, but his redemption (in my mind) was easy, gentle and complete in this one. There are so many characters, but since it is the second book (and it seems to be the end), it is easy enough to follow the characters through their adventure, conflicts and triumphs. Really liked the interaction between the worlds, royalty, goddess and each other. I was lucky enough to receive this as a reviewers copy, but I am very interested in reading more of C.E. Murphy’s books after this great reading experience.
Book 2 ….. Enjoyable from the fairytale beginning, middle to the end. I really enjoyed the progression of Lara’s powers, the interactions with Dafydd, Ioan, Aerin and Kelly was so much better in this one than the first one was. Going from the tailor’s apprentice to a magical truthseeker that learns to control her power as it grows into a wayfinder, a worldwalker, a worldbreaker, and a gatekeeper. In the first book I struggled with Dafydd as the prince of his people, but his redemption (in my mind) was easy, gentle and complete in this one. There are so many characters, but since it is the second book (and it seems to be the end), it is easy enough to follow the characters through their adventure, conflicts and triumphs. Really liked the interaction between the worlds, royalty, goddess and each other. I was lucky enough to receive this as a reviewers copy, but I am very interested in reading more of C.E. Murphy’s books after this great reading experience.
November 22, 2011
The second and final book in the Worldwalker Duology continues in the same vein as the first one. And perhaps, for that very reason, it didn’t appeal to me either. It’s not that the writing is bad, it’s C. E. Murphy, there’s no way her writing can be bad. And it’s not even that the plot. The plot is fast-paced, strong and compelling. As I said in my review of the first book, the problem, for me, likes in the characterization of the characters of the novel.
I just don’t like them. No, let’s rephrase them. I just can’t like them. There is nothing compelling about them. I don’t care about them and I realized how important characters are in this book here where the only thing between enjoyment and me are the characterizations. Lara does redeem herself – somewhat – but mostly she falls flat. Her motivations, her assertions, her “I’m the most powerful being here” – these all ring false considering that she’s human in front of being who are not and who are powerful in many more ways than she is. I didn’t see the justification for her strength. It seemed contrived and I don’t know, disappointing.
Daffyd is not a hero I would want anywhere near me. He’s too passive for my tastes. He has no quality in him that sets him distinct from other urban fantasy heroes. I am not even sure where Lara loves him as much as she claims to. I don’t know… I was just extremely disappointed by the lack of joie de vivre in this series. It seemed far too removed, far to distanced, a deliberately cultivated distance between the reader and the events that either the author intentionally incorporated or was unable to bridge. I can’t relate to these characters – having sex while the house is full of other people who can probably hear you going at it…is not cool. It’s very uncool.
Try this series anyway. You may like Lara and Daffyd more than I did.
I just don’t like them. No, let’s rephrase them. I just can’t like them. There is nothing compelling about them. I don’t care about them and I realized how important characters are in this book here where the only thing between enjoyment and me are the characterizations. Lara does redeem herself – somewhat – but mostly she falls flat. Her motivations, her assertions, her “I’m the most powerful being here” – these all ring false considering that she’s human in front of being who are not and who are powerful in many more ways than she is. I didn’t see the justification for her strength. It seemed contrived and I don’t know, disappointing.
Daffyd is not a hero I would want anywhere near me. He’s too passive for my tastes. He has no quality in him that sets him distinct from other urban fantasy heroes. I am not even sure where Lara loves him as much as she claims to. I don’t know… I was just extremely disappointed by the lack of joie de vivre in this series. It seemed far too removed, far to distanced, a deliberately cultivated distance between the reader and the events that either the author intentionally incorporated or was unable to bridge. I can’t relate to these characters – having sex while the house is full of other people who can probably hear you going at it…is not cool. It’s very uncool.
Try this series anyway. You may like Lara and Daffyd more than I did.
December 1, 2011
Wayfinder is a unique and engaging story set in a vibrant world and brought to life through evocative writing. I particularly loved the imagery.
Lara’s truth seeking abilities manifest through music. Each thing someone says has an accompanying symphony, discordant if it’s a lie, harmonious if it’s the truth and shades in between for half truths. The descriptions of these perceptions are beautiful and give a real sense of the nature of Lara’s magic. The idea of magic in sound is extended to the power of Laras words, especially those of prayer to her own God, a wonderful concept well portrayed.
The staff is dangerously powerful, wreathed in mystery, and its relationship to Lara is complex. It constant presence is a thread running through the story and eventually ties it up in an unexpected way.
Lara is an easy character to like and relate to. She’s smart, determined and courageous, and the fey are, well fey; you’re never quite sure if you can trust them. Dafydd is an interesting character, his speech modern due to decades in the human realm spent searching for a truth seeker but still clearly fey.
The story is unpredictable and highly imaginative. At one point Lara and her companions go under the water to a drowned city, but due to lifesaving magic, she is able to breathe as she wanders through the ruins, facing trials of ghosts, deadly hybrid creatures and difficult choices. Her ability to find true paths and then manifest them physically emerges when she needs an escape route and must rely on her own abilities or face certain death.
This is the second in a series of two and though I haven’t read the first one, it didn’t matter in the least. I would recommend that you read it first though just to get longer to immerse yourself in this wonderful world. I give it 5 stars and recommend it to anyone who loves powerful fey stories.
Lara’s truth seeking abilities manifest through music. Each thing someone says has an accompanying symphony, discordant if it’s a lie, harmonious if it’s the truth and shades in between for half truths. The descriptions of these perceptions are beautiful and give a real sense of the nature of Lara’s magic. The idea of magic in sound is extended to the power of Laras words, especially those of prayer to her own God, a wonderful concept well portrayed.
The staff is dangerously powerful, wreathed in mystery, and its relationship to Lara is complex. It constant presence is a thread running through the story and eventually ties it up in an unexpected way.
Lara is an easy character to like and relate to. She’s smart, determined and courageous, and the fey are, well fey; you’re never quite sure if you can trust them. Dafydd is an interesting character, his speech modern due to decades in the human realm spent searching for a truth seeker but still clearly fey.
The story is unpredictable and highly imaginative. At one point Lara and her companions go under the water to a drowned city, but due to lifesaving magic, she is able to breathe as she wanders through the ruins, facing trials of ghosts, deadly hybrid creatures and difficult choices. Her ability to find true paths and then manifest them physically emerges when she needs an escape route and must rely on her own abilities or face certain death.
This is the second in a series of two and though I haven’t read the first one, it didn’t matter in the least. I would recommend that you read it first though just to get longer to immerse yourself in this wonderful world. I give it 5 stars and recommend it to anyone who loves powerful fey stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews