Path of Honor

Path #2

by Diana Pharaoh Francis

Two years after Reisil's arrival, Kodu Riik is decimated by plague and famine. And now a race of sorcerers is trying to take over. Reisil's power is feared by the nobility, others wish to exploit her, and her fellow ahalad-kaaslane begin to doubt her loyalty, as her healing magic fails to stem the rising plague. But Reisil will discover that although she has lost her power to heal, she now possesses a surging new ability-to destroy.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, High Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, Epic Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

I was raised on a cattle ranch in Northern California (outside a town called Lincoln which is now part of an enormous sprawl). I taught myself to ride a horse at the age of six, as no one had the time to teach me—they were all busy learning how to irrigate, how to cajole an angry bull into another field, how to pull a calf… Afraid of heights, and absolutely sure I was going to die, I managed to scramble up on the back of a very patient and lazy strawberry roan destrier, and plod off into the sunset.

Thereafter, I spent much of my early life on horseback, or so far buried into a book that the rest of the world ceased to exist (much to the annoyance of my family—it took several attempts to get my attention). We all had very specific jobs on the ranch and mine was horses and cattle—out rounding up at dawn. And since I rode bareback, my standing request was to wake me up 5 minutes before everyone else headed for the barn—time enough to dress and eat my Wheaties, and no sleep time wasted on saddling.

After high school, I attended college after college, racking up a BA and MA in creative writing and a Ph.D. in literature and theory. My very patient and supportive husband traipsed across the Midwest and back to Montana for me (though my husband insists that he’s been running and hiding and I just keep finding him), where I now teach at the University of Montana-Western. We also a son Q-ball, who in our humbly unbiased opinions, is the most wonderful son ever produced, and a daughter, Princess Caesar, who is the most wonderful daughter ever produced.

I have a fascination for the Victorians, weather, geology, horses, plants and mythology, I like spicy food, chocolate and cheesecake, and I have an odd sense of humor. (Or so I’ve been told. Often.) Incidentally, the Pharaoh is in fact my real name, and oddly enough, is of British origin.

Some of my current favorite sf/f writers are Ilona Andrews, Carol Berg, C.E. Murphy, Patty Briggs, Lynn Flewelling, Rachel Caine, David Coe, and Anne Bishop.

Reviews

[Wardah · Rating 1 out of 5]

After reading the first book of the series i was really looking forward to the second because the series had potential to be a good, perhaps that is why i couldn't even give it 2 stars. Seljane and Reisil's bond was something that should have been focused on more, I thought it would be something like Eragon and Saphira's bond perhaps, but apart from the repetitive insistence that the two were Ahalad-Kaaslane, there was nothing to show for that bond. The book was vulgar when there was no need for it to be so. The story line not at all gripping. I trudged through the book and 50 pages from the end, I gave up. The fact that Reisil has soooo much power and yet she's powerless left a sour taste. Kebonast and Vertina are given no "screen time" at all, until Kebonast starts to mourn the fact that he tends to love un-attainable women. Reisil tells Juhrnus that the sorceress worries her, and what Juhrnus does is to "feel a connection" to the sorceress instead. No character is given its due in the book.

[Hanako · Rating 2 out of 5]

Path of Fate was a fairly strong debut novel for Diana Pharaoh Francis and I was excited about reading the second novel in her series. Unfortunately, Path of Honor was not nearly as enjoyable, as a transition novel it lacked a focused plot line and had other serious flaws.

Often the second novel of a trilogy serves a "transitioning" purpose. Path of Honor was supposed to lead up to the third novel, but in doing so it lacked a directed plot line for the first 300 pages. It was hard to figure out where Francis was going.

On top of that, even though only a year has passed between novels, two of the main characters developed entirely different personalities over that period. Not only that, but Francis fails to develop compelling or interesting supporting characters. As a result, her dialogue lacks wit and sparkle.

I also felt like Francis tried really hard to make this second book more "adult." In Path of Honor Francis has suddenly created cursing vernacular (something missing in book one) and writes more graphic sex and torture scenes. Path of Fate had none of these items, which makes the two novels seem inconsistent.

I will read the third book to see if the series can redeem itself, but I would not recommend Path of Honor.

[Shari Mulluane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content is dark, tragic and grisly at times. There are some disturbing torture scenes, plague and famine are never pretty, and some of the "bad" guys in this tale are truly evil and depraved. The pace is fast though, alot happens and the story clips right along. There is also a cliffhanger ending, unlike book one, so it is a good thing that you can go straight on to book three! This book is not the type that will "wow" you but it is a good read and a great adventure. If you enjoy reluctant heroines, animal companions, do not object to dark content and want a story where there are more questions then there are answers, this is well worth a read.

Full review here:
Dragons, Heroes and Wizards

[Michelle Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

QUICK PITCH: Book two of the Path series, sequel to Path of Fate.

VERDICT: This book suffers from all the potential pitfalls of middle books—a murky conflict, no clear resolution at the end (it's actually a cliffhanger), and a plodding pace—with nothing to bring it out of the doldrums, and with the addition of more POV characters and funky, off-kilter time jumps.

If you read the first book and liked it, I can't recommend continuing.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew right away I'd want to read this book as soon as I fnished Path of Fate so I bought a copy. But after reading a few chapters, I grew worried. I wasn't ready to begin reading a series that has no ending. I've been assured that there is an ending in Path of Blood.

I liked that there's more opportunities for love but i don't like how much betrayal there is. Did she even have a chance of ever really getting trained because there was a lot of emphasis in Path of Fate on how much she needed to be trained?

I also appreciate that the path to paladin is not easy. Paladins are only needed under specific situations with none of them as happy times.

I'm waiting for Path of Blood.

[Limecello · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book but I did page through some of the battle preparation ... I did like the time Reisil spent with the wizards, actually, because she appeared the happiest - the writing conveyed a warm, pleasant, beautiful time. Of course it was all a lie, but it presented as the best, basically, because for the rest she's pretty much exhausted and half dead and fighting for her life/the fate of the world.

I knew about Numera - which was pretty clear from the talisman thing

Very sad about Sodur - girl can't catch a break

C-

[Stuart Macmartin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Debated 4 stars for more fleshed out characters and world development and kept my interest to the end. Elements of Arrows of the Queen book 2, but only if you look hard. Marred by story stopping with no overly clear resolution of anything except training, some overpowered characters, Sodur POV making sense but not always in line with what he shows others. My 4 stars are reserved for books with more solid impact, and I’m not sure how much of this book I’ll actually remember. Yes I’ll read the next

[Alli · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate when series reset their characters in each book -- that's what this did. I think I got through 1/4 or 1/3 of this book, and nothing happened other than the character getting reset and being dopey passive about it, and I couldn't go on. I own the whole trilogy, so I must have liked it before?... but I just can't stand it now.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good continuation of the story, I enjoyed seeing how J (I'm not looking up names) matured, and I'm hoping his friendship with the sorceress will pay off eventually, and not end up just being a heartbreak for him.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

It needed less pages. Meaning with the amount of pages there were I thought there would be more story. It was hard to get through this one. And some of the reasoning for some of the major choices was thin. It just felt like unnecessary or forced drama for the story. Silly Sodur

[Gowri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resiltark grows

[Bailey Olfert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first in the series. Too much politics!

[Angela]

11 May 2020: $1.99 on Kindle

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this suffered from middle book syndrome, where it felt like a lot of place setting for another book.

[Yuhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

POV

*****SPOILERS READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL*****

This whole series was a reread for me. It had been at least 5 years since I read them last. I didn't remember them being this difficult to read. I always have had difficulty when the point of view changes consistently. I think I liked the first book because everything was very clear and the point of view was just Reisil. I am not fond of politics, so with path of honor primarily being deeply rooted in politics I had a hard time. I was consistently getting angry at people, which I guess would be a good thing in a book right? When the book can rouse your emotions it generally means that the writer has done her job in entangling you into the story.

The storyline is good, but I think a bit too complex. There were so many elements and players in the book that it was difficult to bond with anyone except for Reisil. It was also sad that Reisil doesn't really have someone that is just solely rooting for her. Almost everyone spends the entire beginning completely alienating her, pushing her aside. The goddess has been viewed as abandoning Kodu Riik, and no one really pushes the idea that maybe Reisil was there for a reason? Kebonsat is basically kicked out of his country, which I found a little out of his family's character, since they showed such love for their family in the first book.

I only give this book 3 stars. The plot twists were great, world building was good, and character building was good as well. But it lacks something, and it was not a page turner for me.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Path series continues the colourful world that Diana Pharaoh Francis created in Path of Fate. The emotional bonds between ahalad-kaaslane, treatchery, deceit, unconditional love and friendships of book one are also present in Path of Honor.

The story finds Reisiltark in Koduteel one year after the end of book one. Ostracised by her fellow ahalad-kaaslane, shuned by the nobels, and deserted by the Blessed Lady, Amiya. A plague is sweaping Kodu Riik and dangerous monsters have started appearing and travelling in packs. Farmers cannot tend to their crops and food supplies are deminishing. Reisil has lost touch with her magic and feels helpless against the onslaught of disasters the land is facing. She visits the poor and returns to her roots as tark, helping and healing in the only way she can with herbs and medicines. Her anger at their conditions begins to help her to reconect to her powers.

The Iisand has disapeared after the death of his wife. Only Sodur and the Lord Marshall know the reasons and location of the Iisand and they must protect this secret to save the city from his heir, Aare. There is nothing Aare will not do to take control and rule with tyranny and fear.

Reisil believes that the only way to save Kodu Riik is to find the exiled wizards of Patversme. They after all had created the plague and the Nokulas, the wraith-like monsters prowling the lands when they attacked Mysane Klosk. Unknown to her, the wizards are also looking for Reisil.

Path of Honor offers a very enjoyable read with many of your favorite characters from 'Fate' playing major roles in this installment. New and strange characters from afar appear to pledge their loyalty to Reisil and The Lady. A storm is brewing in Kodo Riik and Reisil is at the heart of it.

[Rhianon · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the halfway point of this book, I'm discovering that it's rather removed from the first one. Same lead, expanded supporting cast. Secondary character POV's are more varied.
Some of those secondary POV's lead the reader into a graphically violent realm of torture that is almost more disturbing than it is dark, in some points. This is not a read for the faint of heart. The journey the characters are taking does not fail to intrigue, but following them is not easy.
This is one of those stories, thus far, that one must needs read in small doses. It is good that Francis breaks much of it up, switching POV's to give the reader a necessary respite.

--

Having finished the book, I had difficulty wanting to give this one five stars. Francis has not learned to overcome her penchant for info-dumping. I can appreciate that some of the details needed to be understood by the reader, but lectures aren't the way to do it, even when they're "masterfully" disguised as dialogue clumps.
Except for that flaw, the plot twists and developments, character depth, and worldbuilding remained solid. There was a moment or two when I thought the MC was horribly out of character, but then I thought about it within the context of the MC's recent experiences and trials, and realized, "anyone remotely human would jump at the chance to be accepted and welcomed after such ostracizing and persecution." So it wasn't all that unrealistic a behavior after all.

If you enjoyed the first, and have a strong constitution, you'll enjoy this one every bit as much. If not the latter, you'll still enjoy it but need to skim some to keep your lunch from threatening to crawl back up your throat.

[Chrissy Wissler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story continues for heroine, Reisil, except this time she's facing a lot of self-doubts and everyone but her close friends stand against her. This book was a great follow up to the first one in the trilogy, Path of Fate. Where the first book was much more focused on a single goal, this one expands the story to greater heights.

The Blessed Lady is missing, the king is hiding from grief and his son is about to become Regent. Then there's the plague and a few assassin wizards thrown in. Although the book had it's own ending, the conclusion wasn't nearly as strong or satisfying as "Path of Fate," but this book was definitely meant as a continuation for the final book, "Path of Blood."

I found Reisil's internal struggle not nearly as engaging. I believe this had to do with my personal feelings about power and being seduced by the destruction it can do. Nonetheless, Reisil is tempted, but never to the point where I thought she'd abandon her beliefs and instincts as a healer. It may not have been the best internal conflict, but at least she also had a few other issues going on like her once again being alone and betrayal. There was still plenty there to keep me engaged.

I will definitely pick up the next one to see how Francis concludes the trilogy.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing on to book two of a fun but middling fantasy series. After Prescription Medication Reisil’s stunning defeat over the wizards using the powers of the Lady, her healing powers have left her and her order treats her as an outcast. Unfortunately, this is terrible timing, as a plague ravages the land, a succession crisis threatens, and there are reports of strange beasts attacking people.

I was rather disappointed by this sequel. I feel that Francis made Reisil too overpowered too fast, and had to quickly take away her powers for no real plot reason. This is echoed by the political side of things, where it seems like everyone hates her even though she was feted as a hero in book 1. One thing I did like is how Reisil has a different romance in this book after she was separated from the last guy for political reasons. Which is a realistic depiction, but you hardly ever see it in novels vs the One Perfect Romance Narrative.

Middle of the line fantasy book and even more middling sequel. Don’t start here, read book 1 first.

[Bagtree · Rating 3 out of 5]

It takes a while to adjust to the drastic veering-away it does from the first book. Yes, the events that happen here are results of the events of the first book, but they seem completely out there at first; the magic we meet here has a completely different flavor than what I expected to see after the first book. There are also more serious pacing problems.

But the world does get fleshed out quite a bit more in this installment, once you can get over the direction in which it's being fleshed out. New subplots, new POV characters, old characters coming back in drastically different circumstances - and yeah I definitely continued to fangirl Kebonsat. Reisil's new love interest for this book isn't as cool and I find their relationship a bit harder to buy into. But it's still quality writing, and Reisil is still a quality protagonist.

[Echo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to finish this series, but despite having read this book before, I remembered absolutely nothing about it. I remembered a little about the first book when I reread it, but this one was almost a total blank for me (with the exception of one scene toward the middle). Strange, too, because I rated it well, so I must have enjoyed it.
Oh well. Upon re-reading, I still enjoy it. By the end, I had a hard time putting it down. Now that I'm caught up, I look forward to finishing the third book and seeing how this story ends.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the first book, not quite what I was expecting. The story did progress, and the characters did grow and learn; the plot has become more twisted, so to speak. But there were scenes in this book that I had to skip over that were not a problem in the first book--short ones, but in my opinion were unneccessary, blatant sex scenes that did not move the story forward or even give good reason for "character interaction". I really wanted to love this book. I will still read the third, but my expectations are now lower.

[Karyogini · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the 1st book better... But this book is equally interesting... There were parts that I didn't care for... boring for me... But it didn't matter, the book as a whole is captivating. I couldn't put it down... This is bad... I've only slept for 4 hrs... My FB games are suffering, my work is suffering... but I can't stop. I love how Francis writes her books. :)

OH! this book is a cliffhanger... GRRR. But since I have the 3rd book, on to the next. I didn't bother reading the trailer they put in the end. :) Must know what happens next!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book, but I didn't like that it ended quite abruptly, so unless you have the third book in the series (Path of Blood) already queued up, I'd hold off. It's really more of a Part I of the continuation of Path of Fate (which was great as a stand-alone). This does set up the third book very well though, and the characters are just as fabulous as the first book.

[Megan Sewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

it took me a bit to get back into the story, it has been awhile since I read the first one, once I was back in, great. I really like the fact that I had the third book already because this book had a MAJOR cliffhanger. Recommend the series, if you like Maria V. Snyder's Poison Study, you will really like this.

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one even better than the first one. Francis gets into the heads of several different characters, not just Reisil, and it expands the story a lot--necessary now that she's playing with court intrigue and not just zapping the bad guys. Can't wait to start the third one!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the characters in this book -- female heroine. Got me thinking about the fact that I read these books for amusement -- to appreciate the role of the hero -- and that there are real life evils to confront as well.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Path of Honor by Diana Pharaoh Francis – Reisel’s healing gift begins to fail in the wake of a plague (if you are trying to avoid pandemic triggers, this is not your book). I loved watching Reisel figure out who she is and what she wants from her life! Happy Reading!

[Sarah Vecchi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series. There were a few graphic torture scenes in this one that put me off, but they went with the story, and were really only so powerful because Francis' writing is so absorbing. Finished it and picked up the third one right away.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent sequel. Started off a little slow, but this might be because i waited quite some time between books 1 and 2. I look forward to book 3 because this book pretty much abruptly stops. Good character development.