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Kencyrath #7
The Sea of Time
Book #7 in the popular Kencyrath Saga. The Past Returns . . .
Kothifir: a land where time shifts and the past can circle around to the present and vice versa at any moment. Here Jame, Kencyrath heir doomed to stalk the gods, joins the Southern Host to find that the past is infringing on the present and eating away at the foundations of the city state itself. Jame must quest to the Wastes nearby in search of a mystery which is infinitely valuable to Kothifir--as well as being a window into the Kencyrath's tortured history. It is a mystery that may save the land, but may spell doom for Jame's brother, heir to the Kencyrath legacy. Into the past Jame must go in search of a younger version of her brother. But how can she save him as he was then and still keep the future intact? And as the Kothfir gods fail and its towers are falling, Jame realizes that somewhere in the Waste lies not merely the promise of saving the land, but the threat of complete destruction. For somewhere in the Waste, the Master lurks. And it is up to Jame to stop him.
Kothifir: a land where time shifts and the past can circle around to the present and vice versa at any moment. Here Jame, Kencyrath heir doomed to stalk the gods, joins the Southern Host to find that the past is infringing on the present and eating away at the foundations of the city state itself. Jame must quest to the Wastes nearby in search of a mystery which is infinitely valuable to Kothifir--as well as being a window into the Kencyrath's tortured history. It is a mystery that may save the land, but may spell doom for Jame's brother, heir to the Kencyrath legacy. Into the past Jame must go in search of a younger version of her brother. But how can she save him as he was then and still keep the future intact? And as the Kothfir gods fail and its towers are falling, Jame realizes that somewhere in the Waste lies not merely the promise of saving the land, but the threat of complete destruction. For somewhere in the Waste, the Master lurks. And it is up to Jame to stop him.
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First published May 15, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 7, 2014
P.C. Hodgell is gradually peeling the onion in her long running story of Jame Priest-Bane. The question for long time fans is whether to stick with the series or abandon it to read something else. Hodgell, who had to almost self publish some of the early books in this series, when there were no ebooks, has now happily hooked up with Baen Books, which has actively supported this memorable series. Hodgell has created a memorable world, but annoys and enchants in each of her latest Baen Books. She enchants because Jame is a wonderful character, smart, caring, a fighter, a thief, a hero, but Hodgell annoys because her overall series plot barely advances, the reader and Jame know all kinds of information that almost every other character has no knowledge and Hodgell frequently revisits situations that she has covered. Also, Jame, who grew up in evilness, but survived because of her adherence to honor and rightness, and has now metamorphosised into one of the prophesied three heroes that can save her people, but the other two heroes, her brother and cousin, either do not know their role, or just have not embraced it. Nonetheless, if you are a fan of this series, despite its flaws, this volume will be satisfying.
Jame has now graduated from military school at Tentir and has been appointed Lordan or heir by her brother, the Highlord. She has been sent south to join the Southern host, at the city of Kothifir, home of the obscenely obese, God-King, Krothen. Here the old gods and the new gods, are like those in Tastigon, the city in which Jame cut her eyeteeth. The New Pantheon, the Lady Protectorate, the Lord Merchandy, the Lord Artifice and Krothen all gain their power from Jame's God's temple, which emits power on a large enough scale to empower immortality on the new pantheon. But every once in a while the Temple turns off its power and the new pantheon are powerless.
Again Jame, who seems to know more about the the underpinnings of the world than any other character in the series, must navigate the past and the present to save the native inhabitants from the ills caused by her God. She dons the garb of the Talisman, her alter ego in God Stalk, as she tries to learn about the new gods and she must travel back in time to when her brother Torisen was captured and tortured and to the days again when her people arrived on the planet three thousand years ago.
Jame, who always has to prove her worth to her people, will end up traveling back and forth through time in the Sea of Time, fighting a giant lizard, venture into Perminal Darkling yet again and face off once again against her evil Uncle.
Meanwhile, Torisen will confront the King of the Deep Weald and again face his darkest fear.
This is a very good segment of the overall story, but once could wish for a little more Torisen and Kindrie growing up into their roles.
Jame has now graduated from military school at Tentir and has been appointed Lordan or heir by her brother, the Highlord. She has been sent south to join the Southern host, at the city of Kothifir, home of the obscenely obese, God-King, Krothen. Here the old gods and the new gods, are like those in Tastigon, the city in which Jame cut her eyeteeth. The New Pantheon, the Lady Protectorate, the Lord Merchandy, the Lord Artifice and Krothen all gain their power from Jame's God's temple, which emits power on a large enough scale to empower immortality on the new pantheon. But every once in a while the Temple turns off its power and the new pantheon are powerless.
Again Jame, who seems to know more about the the underpinnings of the world than any other character in the series, must navigate the past and the present to save the native inhabitants from the ills caused by her God. She dons the garb of the Talisman, her alter ego in God Stalk, as she tries to learn about the new gods and she must travel back in time to when her brother Torisen was captured and tortured and to the days again when her people arrived on the planet three thousand years ago.
Jame, who always has to prove her worth to her people, will end up traveling back and forth through time in the Sea of Time, fighting a giant lizard, venture into Perminal Darkling yet again and face off once again against her evil Uncle.
Meanwhile, Torisen will confront the King of the Deep Weald and again face his darkest fear.
This is a very good segment of the overall story, but once could wish for a little more Torisen and Kindrie growing up into their roles.
February 6, 2020
Her time at Tentir over(?), Jame finds herself sent to be part of the Kencyr host near the city of Kothifir, a place almost as weird and memorable as Tai-Tastigon (where we first met her a long, long time ago back in God Stalk).
This time, in addition to the inter-House Kencyrath politics she already has to navigate, and her sometimes-prickly relationship with her brother Torisen (highlord of the Host), Jame will have to deal with squabbles in the city (which can have surprisingly far-reaching consequences) while trying to balance her obligations to the other Kencyr under her command, and her duties to the Merikit tribesmen.
Also, we'll get more hard evidence that time & space on Rathillien aren't always the fixed constants we might think them to be ...
This time, in addition to the inter-House Kencyrath politics she already has to navigate, and her sometimes-prickly relationship with her brother Torisen (highlord of the Host), Jame will have to deal with squabbles in the city (which can have surprisingly far-reaching consequences) while trying to balance her obligations to the other Kencyr under her command, and her duties to the Merikit tribesmen.
Also, we'll get more hard evidence that time & space on Rathillien aren't always the fixed constants we might think them to be ...
May 2, 2017
Series Review: Chronicles of the Kencyrath by P. C. Hodgell
This is one of my favorite high fantasy series, the first two books of which I first read in the early-1980’s and then waited ten years for the third book. Publication of subsequent novels has been sporadic, but the author’s move to a new publisher seems to have facilitated a more regular release schedule, with reissue of the previous books. The latest novel (Book 8) is due out in August, and I can’t wait to get it in my itchy little fingers.
The setting and backstory are wonderful in scope and original detail. The personal flaws and internal conflicts expressed by the reluctant hero(s) evolve/resolve slowly over time in truly longitudinal storytelling. What begins as a simple fantasy story, well-executed but not superficially exceptional, quickly expands to a wide-ranging epic that rivals anything currently considered modern masterpieces. If you’re looking to take a break from Game of Thrones or House of Cards, consider this political and mystical rollercoaster through the world of Rathillien, and its diverse cast of characters in a hopeless battle against darkness, with nothing left to guide them but Honor’s Paradox, the conflict between duty and integrity.
This is one of my favorite high fantasy series, the first two books of which I first read in the early-1980’s and then waited ten years for the third book. Publication of subsequent novels has been sporadic, but the author’s move to a new publisher seems to have facilitated a more regular release schedule, with reissue of the previous books. The latest novel (Book 8) is due out in August, and I can’t wait to get it in my itchy little fingers.
The setting and backstory are wonderful in scope and original detail. The personal flaws and internal conflicts expressed by the reluctant hero(s) evolve/resolve slowly over time in truly longitudinal storytelling. What begins as a simple fantasy story, well-executed but not superficially exceptional, quickly expands to a wide-ranging epic that rivals anything currently considered modern masterpieces. If you’re looking to take a break from Game of Thrones or House of Cards, consider this political and mystical rollercoaster through the world of Rathillien, and its diverse cast of characters in a hopeless battle against darkness, with nothing left to guide them but Honor’s Paradox, the conflict between duty and integrity.
November 19, 2018
I've recently decided to re-read this excellent epic fantasy cycle, and review as I go.
What to Expect
The Sea of Time takes Jame finally out of the Riverland (after four novels). We get a wonderful look at the world of Rathilien, with its bizarre societies and locations. We also get an important history lesson -- both to the Kencyrath and the world, and personally to Jame and Torisen -- as the past shadows the present. The novel also contains the first real skirmish with what would be the main conflict and resolution of the entire epic cycle. This last bit I felt a little underdone, but other than that quibble the book is as well written as the rest of the series.
What I liked
Hodgell's story-telling and world-building are top-notch, her story pacing is excellent, and she balances light and dark themes perfectly. We get a lot more background in this volume (for questions that have been hinted at for a while). If you've read this far in the series, you should know why this is excellent epic fantasy.
What to be aware of
This is book 7 of a long running series (over 35 years, so far). You really need to start at God Stalk if you're to have any chance of understanding what is going on. The series, as I understand it, is still not complete (though I imagine that wouldn't stop any GRRM fans).
Also as noted above, I felt the big battle (with is the first real skirmish with the "big enemy") a little bit underdone. This will perhaps be addressed later, as Hodgell exposes more of the motivations and reasons for both side's actions.
Summary
A highly recommended series. This is epic fantasy done right, with perfect balance of light and dark, and excellent, slowly-building pacing. If you love fantasy, I strongly suggest you add God Stalk to your TBR pile.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
The Sea of Time takes Jame finally out of the Riverland (after four novels). We get a wonderful look at the world of Rathilien, with its bizarre societies and locations. We also get an important history lesson -- both to the Kencyrath and the world, and personally to Jame and Torisen -- as the past shadows the present. The novel also contains the first real skirmish with what would be the main conflict and resolution of the entire epic cycle. This last bit I felt a little underdone, but other than that quibble the book is as well written as the rest of the series.
What I liked
Hodgell's story-telling and world-building are top-notch, her story pacing is excellent, and she balances light and dark themes perfectly. We get a lot more background in this volume (for questions that have been hinted at for a while). If you've read this far in the series, you should know why this is excellent epic fantasy.
What to be aware of
This is book 7 of a long running series (over 35 years, so far). You really need to start at God Stalk if you're to have any chance of understanding what is going on. The series, as I understand it, is still not complete (though I imagine that wouldn't stop any GRRM fans).
Also as noted above, I felt the big battle (with is the first real skirmish with the "big enemy") a little bit underdone. This will perhaps be addressed later, as Hodgell exposes more of the motivations and reasons for both side's actions.
Summary
A highly recommended series. This is epic fantasy done right, with perfect balance of light and dark, and excellent, slowly-building pacing. If you love fantasy, I strongly suggest you add God Stalk to your TBR pile.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
July 7, 2014
Seventh in a series, so I can't say that this is a starting point... I've really all of the Kencyrath books with the exception of #5, which I missed somehow... Even for those who've been following the story, chronologically, Hodgell's presentation can get confusing. And here, even chronology is skewed...
We're still following Jame, as she continues to struggle balancing her studies at the randon college with her ever-increasing extra-curricular responsibilities and powers.
Here, there's a mission into a city that may be in another time altogether. And wherever Jame goes, it seems trouble follows. The city of Kothifir is caught up in a Change, where all power structures and official posts are turned on their head. And those power structures any all emanate from the Temple that dates to Jame's peoples' arrival on this world...
Well, that's the main (?) plot line. There are quite a few others, There are flashbacks, visions, and segment's from Jame's brother Torisen's POV, where I wasn't quite sure where or when they quite belonged. This is typical of this series, and fans will not be dismayed.
I like quite a lot of things about Hodgell's writing - not least the no-holds-barred violence and dark elements which are a bit unusual in this type of story. But at this point I'm not sure that Jame will ever graduate - and not because of any plot on her enemies' part... it just seems like she's been in this school for many years!
Advance copy provided by NetGalley - many thanks for the opportunity to follow this series! As always, my opinions are my own.
We're still following Jame, as she continues to struggle balancing her studies at the randon college with her ever-increasing extra-curricular responsibilities and powers.
Here, there's a mission into a city that may be in another time altogether. And wherever Jame goes, it seems trouble follows. The city of Kothifir is caught up in a Change, where all power structures and official posts are turned on their head. And those power structures any all emanate from the Temple that dates to Jame's peoples' arrival on this world...
Well, that's the main (?) plot line. There are quite a few others, There are flashbacks, visions, and segment's from Jame's brother Torisen's POV, where I wasn't quite sure where or when they quite belonged. This is typical of this series, and fans will not be dismayed.
I like quite a lot of things about Hodgell's writing - not least the no-holds-barred violence and dark elements which are a bit unusual in this type of story. But at this point I'm not sure that Jame will ever graduate - and not because of any plot on her enemies' part... it just seems like she's been in this school for many years!
Advance copy provided by NetGalley - many thanks for the opportunity to follow this series! As always, my opinions are my own.
June 3, 2014
The saga continues
I could hardly wait to read the latest episode in the Chronicles of the Kencyrath.
I have loved this series from the beginning, when I fell across the first novel of the Godstalker Chronicles, Godstalk.
I notice that the dedication in Hodgell's latest novel is in memory of Diana Wynne Jones, another of my favourite writers. I love seeing where my interests and an author's converge.
Once more in The Sea of Time, Jame, that is Jamethiel Priest's Bane--sister of Torisen Black Lord, is being tested as a senior cadet. Jame has been sent to the Southern Host at Kothifir. It is here her brother was captured and tortured. Once more the hazing continues. With cadets from senior years playing dangerous games. Journeys and wars are only part of the story. Deserts are crossed and under the earth pathways traversed. Time plays tricks and as always the gods are once more enmeshed.. As always, confusing the situation, as they play out their godliness in strange ways.
Jame learns more of her brother's life, his capture and torture, as do we in the shadow of the area he was captured. Past and present intertwine as the story breaks into our consciousness. Kings are under threat. The Changes are becoming more frequent. Anything can happen. The confrontation between the Kencyr's god, the Three-faced God and Perimal Darklings, with the Kencyr's being wielded as a weapon is real. Jame has many roles to play. Characters from previous novels are met.
As others have recommended, one should begin the series from the beginning to understand the now.
A NetGalley ARC
I could hardly wait to read the latest episode in the Chronicles of the Kencyrath.
I have loved this series from the beginning, when I fell across the first novel of the Godstalker Chronicles, Godstalk.
I notice that the dedication in Hodgell's latest novel is in memory of Diana Wynne Jones, another of my favourite writers. I love seeing where my interests and an author's converge.
Once more in The Sea of Time, Jame, that is Jamethiel Priest's Bane--sister of Torisen Black Lord, is being tested as a senior cadet. Jame has been sent to the Southern Host at Kothifir. It is here her brother was captured and tortured. Once more the hazing continues. With cadets from senior years playing dangerous games. Journeys and wars are only part of the story. Deserts are crossed and under the earth pathways traversed. Time plays tricks and as always the gods are once more enmeshed.. As always, confusing the situation, as they play out their godliness in strange ways.
Jame learns more of her brother's life, his capture and torture, as do we in the shadow of the area he was captured. Past and present intertwine as the story breaks into our consciousness. Kings are under threat. The Changes are becoming more frequent. Anything can happen. The confrontation between the Kencyr's god, the Three-faced God and Perimal Darklings, with the Kencyr's being wielded as a weapon is real. Jame has many roles to play. Characters from previous novels are met.
As others have recommended, one should begin the series from the beginning to understand the now.
A NetGalley ARC
March 16, 2014
Stayed up all night reading... gonna read the whole series again... forgot a lot of stuff!! must read again... yesh sleepy now MORE TO COME BECAUSE SO GOOD BUT SLEEPY NOW so I go... sleep...
3/15/2014 3:54 PM
Okay! I came home from work, and had FIVE WHOLE HOURS of sleep beforehand so I was like greased lightning running those transactions and barely made any mistakes at all (woot).
I loved this book, I loved it a lot and am gonna go read all the previous books again so I can remember who all these freaking people *are*. I hope, pray and send all my positive energies and witchy magic powers towards the fact that the next book will COME OUT SOONER, because I need a sequel!!
As for advancing the over-arcing plot: Progress Was Made, but I'm hoping that the next book will really "get down to bidness" and that some things'll be ironed out between Tori and Jame (it seems to be heading in that direction, though, cross fingers!)
I had some lol's.
3/15/2014 3:54 PM
Okay! I came home from work, and had FIVE WHOLE HOURS of sleep beforehand so I was like greased lightning running those transactions and barely made any mistakes at all (woot).
I loved this book, I loved it a lot and am gonna go read all the previous books again so I can remember who all these freaking people *are*. I hope, pray and send all my positive energies and witchy magic powers towards the fact that the next book will COME OUT SOONER, because I need a sequel!!
As for advancing the over-arcing plot: Progress Was Made, but I'm hoping that the next book will really "get down to bidness" and that some things'll be ironed out between Tori and Jame (it seems to be heading in that direction, though, cross fingers!)
I had some lol's.
October 16, 2023
The Torisen b-plot re: the library was really really good here, like, it felt like huge dramatic steps. As did Jame’s efforts in the close.
But it does wear a bit thin, how obviously throttled down the story is. The best stretches require so much grab-bag to get to, and I think 7 books in, we probably deserve a bit of generous pacing management to continue on with this story.
But it does wear a bit thin, how obviously throttled down the story is. The best stretches require so much grab-bag to get to, and I think 7 books in, we probably deserve a bit of generous pacing management to continue on with this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2020
FINALLY some SUBSTANTIAL plot advancement!
All three potential Tyr-ridan are finally in close enough proximity for things to start happening. I wish there could have been a little more Kindrie and Torisen and a little less Kothifir, but I won't complain. In Sea of Time, because the connections between the Three and the Four are finally becoming clear. Kindrie is starting to come into his own and Torisen is discovering (albeit slooooowly) that it takes a bit of Jame's willingness to bend the rules in order to be a good Highlord. We also get some great exposition on the the role that the Kencyr landing on the Rathillien played out in local history.
Just a few comments/questions/complaints:
- The female Kencyr are so much more complex than their male counterparts. Kinda makes me wish Jame had stayed in the women's world a little bit longer. Seeker's Mask is my favorite in the series so far.
- Glad to see more of Trishien & Kirien Jaran and Timmon Ardeth in this installment, they're always interesting.
- I understand that Jame is annoyed by Graykin. But after seeing his soul-image she still has next to zero compassion for him? This isn't going to end well.
- I wish that for once Jame would take one of her (apparently unlimited) off days and give Tori some of this CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT INFORMATION she's always discovering.
All three potential Tyr-ridan are finally in close enough proximity for things to start happening. I wish there could have been a little more Kindrie and Torisen and a little less Kothifir, but I won't complain. In Sea of Time, because the connections between the Three and the Four are finally becoming clear. Kindrie is starting to come into his own and Torisen is discovering (albeit slooooowly) that it takes a bit of Jame's willingness to bend the rules in order to be a good Highlord. We also get some great exposition on the the role that the Kencyr landing on the Rathillien played out in local history.
Just a few comments/questions/complaints:
- The female Kencyr are so much more complex than their male counterparts. Kinda makes me wish Jame had stayed in the women's world a little bit longer. Seeker's Mask is my favorite in the series so far.
- Glad to see more of Trishien & Kirien Jaran and Timmon Ardeth in this installment, they're always interesting.
- I understand that Jame is annoyed by Graykin. But after seeing his soul-image she still has next to zero compassion for him? This isn't going to end well.
- I wish that for once Jame would take one of her (apparently unlimited) off days and give Tori some of this CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT INFORMATION she's always discovering.
July 14, 2022
Overall, I enjoyed this addition to the Kencyrath series. Hodgell's writing has improved since her first novels, and it really shows in this book. More descriptions lead to less incidents of vague detail, while still retaining all of the important bits and not overcrowding her book with detail. However, my main gripe with the novel is that many things are still left painfully vague and left up to reader interpretation, which is rather crippling for the long-form series she's trying to create.
As a stand alone, the novel is great, as most of them usually are. As an addition to a series, however, I'm painfully disappointed. I feel like Hodgell keeps building and building, and when we start to reach what feels like a major turning point at the end of the book, it ends in a fizzle . I just keep waiting for the plot against Perimal Darkling to advance, but now, even seven books in, we still don't know what the true enemy looks like, how the Kencyrath plans to deal with it, and what the ultimate goal of either party truly is. It's frustrating. I'm going to proceed with the next one, because again, I like them as standalones, but if you're reading these novels for the series progression, just stop at the last novel, or else you'll run the risk of disappointment.
As a stand alone, the novel is great, as most of them usually are. As an addition to a series, however, I'm painfully disappointed. I feel like Hodgell keeps building and building, and when we start to reach what feels like a major turning point at the end of the book, it ends in a fizzle . I just keep waiting for the plot against Perimal Darkling to advance, but now, even seven books in, we still don't know what the true enemy looks like, how the Kencyrath plans to deal with it, and what the ultimate goal of either party truly is. It's frustrating. I'm going to proceed with the next one, because again, I like them as standalones, but if you're reading these novels for the series progression, just stop at the last novel, or else you'll run the risk of disappointment.
May 22, 2020
I'm read or rereading this entire series in order, including the short stories. I must admit, this volume is not one of my favorites. I didn't feel like the world building held together as well as in previous volumes and could definitely have done with less possibly unintentional equating fat characters with decadence/villany, etc. At the same time, I don't think you ever really drop any of the books in this series because each one builds on the previous ones. Jame learns more, the plot moves forward, the world comes into brighter contrast. So, mixed feels, but onwards!
September 6, 2021
This volume fills in a lot of the details I was missing when I read later volumes out of sequence. Jame is spending time with the Southern Horde where she manages to destroy cities, induce Changes, and face off with one of the terrors of the past. Meanwhile Tori has his own problems with rouge lords and wolvers. A very necessary read!
December 26, 2023
Nice to catch up
Although there's a lot I don't remember from the last few books, I was able to keep up with what was happening. The time travel fits perfectly in the nature of this universe. And I was surprised to realize that I'd forgotten about Gerridon still being quite alive.
It will be intriguing to see what comes next.
Although there's a lot I don't remember from the last few books, I was able to keep up with what was happening. The time travel fits perfectly in the nature of this universe. And I was surprised to realize that I'd forgotten about Gerridon still being quite alive.
It will be intriguing to see what comes next.
April 2, 2018
Cannot put it down!
Love the characters . Best story since I started reading this when it first came out. Finally get to find out what happens next.
Love the characters . Best story since I started reading this when it first came out. Finally get to find out what happens next.
August 12, 2020
These books are so good. This one starts out weaker than the others and a bit disjointed but it quickly pulls together. Very much looking forward to the next
February 26, 2021
A good installment to Jame's saga. A bit of a cliffhanger ending.
(Fortunately, I have the next book on a pile waiting to be read.)
(Fortunately, I have the next book on a pile waiting to be read.)
December 7, 2021
4.5* This is a massive, well written, epic fantasy series that deserves to be on more people's TBR piles.
July 30, 2019
So Jame’s story is slowly progressing with a change of location to Kofithir. A fascinating city, beautifully realised with an interesting plot line. Going to move straight on to the gate of tagmeth.
July 10, 2014
I've managed to read all seven published novels of P.C. Hodgell's Kencyrath series since last Friday. Which is quite a lot of reading - but the world and the characters she's created are really that compelling. And since this particular installment ended on another wicked cliffhanger, now I'm stuck waiting for yet another novel in an incomplete series (*shakes fists at George R. R. Martin*) However, I'm encouraged by the fact that, while apparently it took decades between the second and third books of this series due to the vagaries of the publishing world, the last three books seem to have come out at roughly eighteen month intervals. I think I can (maybe) wait that long!!
So … the five-star review might be less for this specific book than for the series as a whole, which is wonderfully written, exciting, haunting, asks some big questions (aka Honor's Paradox) and has some brilliant characters. One reason I liked this novel so much is that
So … the five-star review might be less for this specific book than for the series as a whole, which is wonderfully written, exciting, haunting, asks some big questions (aka Honor's Paradox) and has some brilliant characters. One reason I liked this novel so much is that
May 31, 2018
Excellent Storytelling
This is one of my favorite authors and the world that she has created and the characters are not black and white but many shades of gray.
This is one of my favorite authors and the world that she has created and the characters are not black and white but many shades of gray.
June 19, 2014
I don't suppose anybody's going to start this series on book six, so I'll just do the short comparison.
_Sea of Time_ brings Jame to the southern city of Kothifir. It's as colorful and madcap and fey as Tai-Tastigon was back in book one, though in utterly different ways. Jame, too, seems to be getting back to her roots; she even pulls out the thief-weeds for some second-story work. But she is not the same Jame. She's got claws. She's got a mature rathorn ("horse-rhino!", my friend said, looking at the cover art). She's got a coterie, if not a power-base, among the Kencyrath.
I am coming to think that Hodgell has *never* been good at book-scale story flow. (Eventually I will go back to the early books to check this.) She does wonderful incidents and set-pieces, and terrific characters, and they all get thrown into a bag and shaken until a book falls out. This is not a bad thing. As I said, I think it's what we've always gotten. You go with the ride and ignore the bumps.
The ride, in this case, is excellent. We get a little more about the arrival of the Kencyrath on Rathillien. (Which we already knew was a disaster for all concerned, right?) We get more of Torisen's early life. (Also a disaster, and he's going to have to deal with it someday.) We get plenty of the fluid mad logic that underlies Hodgell's writing at its best. A lot of people fall down stairs, or fall off towers, or both. Sometimes it hurts. I forgot that, even when Hodgell is being gentle and funny, she's also bloodthirsty as heck.
_Sea of Time_ brings Jame to the southern city of Kothifir. It's as colorful and madcap and fey as Tai-Tastigon was back in book one, though in utterly different ways. Jame, too, seems to be getting back to her roots; she even pulls out the thief-weeds for some second-story work. But she is not the same Jame. She's got claws. She's got a mature rathorn ("horse-rhino!", my friend said, looking at the cover art). She's got a coterie, if not a power-base, among the Kencyrath.
I am coming to think that Hodgell has *never* been good at book-scale story flow. (Eventually I will go back to the early books to check this.) She does wonderful incidents and set-pieces, and terrific characters, and they all get thrown into a bag and shaken until a book falls out. This is not a bad thing. As I said, I think it's what we've always gotten. You go with the ride and ignore the bumps.
The ride, in this case, is excellent. We get a little more about the arrival of the Kencyrath on Rathillien. (Which we already knew was a disaster for all concerned, right?) We get more of Torisen's early life. (Also a disaster, and he's going to have to deal with it someday.) We get plenty of the fluid mad logic that underlies Hodgell's writing at its best. A lot of people fall down stairs, or fall off towers, or both. Sometimes it hurts. I forgot that, even when Hodgell is being gentle and funny, she's also bloodthirsty as heck.
November 7, 2017
Overall a perfectly enjoyable read. Hodgell is a skilled writer and her prose and humor are delightful. The story and characters continue to interest me but. There's always a but. While I enjoyed the time I spent in the novel's world, the plotting was subpar, by which I mean the plot and things actually happening of consequence didn't kick in until the last quarter of the book. Then it's the end and you are gnashing your teeth, realizing you now have to wait years to get the next installment. In addition to filling in some historical details, part of the problem is that while the information is well and good it doesn't do much in terms of having any effect. So Jame learns about Tori's hazing as a young cadet with the host. Well and good but it doesn't change how she feels about her brother (whom she lives and pities) and the man who did it Genjer is dead so it's not like she can take her revenge. Or take for instance her trip to the Sea of Time - it seems like a fascinating adventure but it happens so quickly it had no real weight. Basically my beef came down to Hodgell padding her story. I'd rather have her write two more great, packed books than string out the story over four books, although I can hardly begrudge Hodgell the sale and success of her books as I feel it's well deserved. Guess I'll just have to sit tight and wait for the next one.
November 5, 2015
Great Continuation of Jame's Story
This STAND ALONE book continues the story of Jamethiel Priests' Bane in her second year at the Academy. All 2nd year Cadets must serve with the Southern Host at Kothifir. While there, Jame's ten command is selected to ride with and guard the caravan traveling to Langadine. She discovers the secret of Langadine and the great dry inland sea.
As in previous books about the adventures (or should it be misadventures?) of Jame, there is constant action and she is the center of it, although seldom the cause. She saves the life of her brother Tori (the highlord) 15 years in the past while trapped in the present in the House of Gerridon, the ultimate betrayer of the Kencyrath, and while searching for her friend Shade (short for Nightshade).
This series of books, which began with God Stalk, has remained among my favorites since I read the first book in the 1980's. Each book is a complete story in itself, but part of a much larger picture. Jame is a strong heroine who constantly stumbles from one crisis to the next, making some powerful friends along the way. Ms. Hodgell has a definite gift as an author and story teller. Although the book is a stand alone story, many parts won't make sense unless you've read the prior books.
I would highly recommend all of the books in the series to anyone who enjoys good fantasy.
This STAND ALONE book continues the story of Jamethiel Priests' Bane in her second year at the Academy. All 2nd year Cadets must serve with the Southern Host at Kothifir. While there, Jame's ten command is selected to ride with and guard the caravan traveling to Langadine. She discovers the secret of Langadine and the great dry inland sea.
As in previous books about the adventures (or should it be misadventures?) of Jame, there is constant action and she is the center of it, although seldom the cause. She saves the life of her brother Tori (the highlord) 15 years in the past while trapped in the present in the House of Gerridon, the ultimate betrayer of the Kencyrath, and while searching for her friend Shade (short for Nightshade).
This series of books, which began with God Stalk, has remained among my favorites since I read the first book in the 1980's. Each book is a complete story in itself, but part of a much larger picture. Jame is a strong heroine who constantly stumbles from one crisis to the next, making some powerful friends along the way. Ms. Hodgell has a definite gift as an author and story teller. Although the book is a stand alone story, many parts won't make sense unless you've read the prior books.
I would highly recommend all of the books in the series to anyone who enjoys good fantasy.
May 26, 2014
I would give this book a high three point something but perhaps not a four star rating.
This is a series I have followed since I was in high school. The first book came out in 1982. I loved it and still have an old paperback here in Korea. The author has had some hard luck. Relatively recently, she switched to a new publisher which got the book out then disappeared.
Alright, she's an underdog and I connected to her story a long time ago and want her to do well.
This book is satisfactory. The world building and connections to events first written about thirty years ago are smooth and seamless. The author's love for Ivanhoe and the issue of honour shine through for the book... but not as much as they did in previous books. Hodgell might be getting tired.
The story is still great, Rathellien is still a wonderfully weird planet and I still want to read more. Everyone worries that GRRMartin may pass away before his series is finished and now I have similar worries for Hodgell. Hang in there.
As for the story, the plot is moved forward properly and Torisen's back-story is filled in. Jame has many adventures and learns how to be a soldier rather than a individual in a fight.
I really do recommend this story, it is just not up to Hodgell's normal high standards.
This is a series I have followed since I was in high school. The first book came out in 1982. I loved it and still have an old paperback here in Korea. The author has had some hard luck. Relatively recently, she switched to a new publisher which got the book out then disappeared.
Alright, she's an underdog and I connected to her story a long time ago and want her to do well.
This book is satisfactory. The world building and connections to events first written about thirty years ago are smooth and seamless. The author's love for Ivanhoe and the issue of honour shine through for the book... but not as much as they did in previous books. Hodgell might be getting tired.
The story is still great, Rathellien is still a wonderfully weird planet and I still want to read more. Everyone worries that GRRMartin may pass away before his series is finished and now I have similar worries for Hodgell. Hang in there.
As for the story, the plot is moved forward properly and Torisen's back-story is filled in. Jame has many adventures and learns how to be a soldier rather than a individual in a fight.
I really do recommend this story, it is just not up to Hodgell's normal high standards.
June 12, 2014
P C Hodgell started her tale of Jame, a young girl Kencyr who wandered out of the desert into the city of Tai-tastigon where she did a God Stalk. Her people were brought together by their Three-Faced God to face the Primal Darkling who has chased them across worlds. A few years of her time later, her first assignment after military school is to the Southern Host based below the city of Kothifir ruled by an immortal king and immortal guild heads. They are on the side of the huge desert, the Sea of Time (paper from Baen) and the city flourishes from the silk trade with a city in that desert that actually existed three thousand years before. Trust Jame to get into trouble. The main problem this time is that the rulers get their immorality from the magic of the Kothifir temple which sometime shrinks and removes the magic. The problem this time is that someone has stolen the temple and Jame has to face her father’s strange camp that stretches across time and multiple worlds to get it back. I’ve read the first tale in this series several times in the thirty plus years since it was published. I am really glad that Baen decided to pick up the series and let Ms. Hodgell continue it.Review printed in the Philadelphia Weekly Press
August 29, 2014
Dear P.C. Hodgell,
Girl, you know you are my girl. I mean, I've hung in with your series for, what 30 some years and 7 books?
The reasons you made me your girl with Godstalk and Dark of the Moon is because you wrote Low morphing into High Fantasy with a heroine who was both kickass and awesomely inept yet also canny in dealing with her half-forgotten place in the world. She's often in distress but always rescues herself. No romance for Jamethiel Priest's Bane, nope, also a point in the story's favor.
Your fantasy is dark, a more than a little twisted but not as gross as George R.R. Martin's. It's epic. It's smart. It's funny.
Having kissed your booty for all of those reasons, allow me to complain a bit.
Nothing much happened in this book, except for the Big Bad popping up in a Snidely Whiplash fashion to twirl his mustache and our heroine Jame wandering around time like the hapless "I'm basically destruction personified" gal she is. We've seen it.
More Big Arc plot, please, less wandering around collecting all the Dark Things as if it's a damn RPG!
Love,
Amy
Girl, you know you are my girl. I mean, I've hung in with your series for, what 30 some years and 7 books?
The reasons you made me your girl with Godstalk and Dark of the Moon is because you wrote Low morphing into High Fantasy with a heroine who was both kickass and awesomely inept yet also canny in dealing with her half-forgotten place in the world. She's often in distress but always rescues herself. No romance for Jamethiel Priest's Bane, nope, also a point in the story's favor.
Your fantasy is dark, a more than a little twisted but not as gross as George R.R. Martin's. It's epic. It's smart. It's funny.
Having kissed your booty for all of those reasons, allow me to complain a bit.
Nothing much happened in this book, except for the Big Bad popping up in a Snidely Whiplash fashion to twirl his mustache and our heroine Jame wandering around time like the hapless "I'm basically destruction personified" gal she is. We've seen it.
More Big Arc plot, please, less wandering around collecting all the Dark Things as if it's a damn RPG!
Love,
Amy
January 4, 2017
This book is about strange people in a strange world. Magic works. Many kinds of magic. Time and space can change without warning, yet somehow ordinary people manage to survive. The viewpoint character is no ordinary person, though. Jame is honorable, hard-working, a fighter, peculiar and dangerous, and literally not of this world (the world of the story; of course she is not of our world). Her people are peculiar and dangerous, too, but when they come up against her, bad things tend to happen to them.
I have been reading this series since the first book was published in 1982 and it has certainly been a long strange trip. My wife and I have started to beg all of the powers that might be to keep PC Hodgell alive long enough to finish the series. The way things are going, that will be at least three or four more books and several decades. But is that too much to ask? I think when the next book comes out. I will treat myself to the almost unendurable pleasure of rereading the entire series from the beginning. You should do that now.
I have been reading this series since the first book was published in 1982 and it has certainly been a long strange trip. My wife and I have started to beg all of the powers that might be to keep PC Hodgell alive long enough to finish the series. The way things are going, that will be at least three or four more books and several decades. But is that too much to ask? I think when the next book comes out. I will treat myself to the almost unendurable pleasure of rereading the entire series from the beginning. You should do that now.
May 19, 2014
I was puzzled by this book. Overall, it was an excellent story, and carried along the storyline nicely, but parts of the book were disjointed, and it seemed that Hodgell just didn't handle this installment with as much care as she had on all the other books. Sometimes, it was hard to tell what was happening until you realize you're in a flashback, but this happened way too often for my tastes. Overall, these complaints aside, the book was a good read, if a bit slow at first, and there were some hanging threads explained, which was nice, though none of them were vital to the storyline, but it did keep things moving along well enough. While this wasn't the best book in the series, it's definitely one you don't want to miss if you're a fan, but don't be disappointed if it falls short of the extremely high expectations all the other books delivered.
July 8, 2017
I had to start this a second time after being reminded it was sitting there waiting for me. I didn't find enough in the early part of the book to keep me going and after starting over again and plodding along I decided to skip ahead and just randomly cracked it open about a quarter of the way through. It was probably a little past where I had left off, but it hit a small bit of action as an attempted rescue failed and the woman turned to dust. Well that was interesting and then I was hooked. It wasn't the best storytelling as it didn't always seem to be going anywhere, but there was just enough wondering what was next to keep me tied to it all day. I've really enjoyed this series in the past, but this one felt too much like filler. A few small stories found resolution, but somehow were still a bit unsatisfying.
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