What do you think?
Rate this book
Crown of Stars #2
Prince of Dogs
"Prince of Dogs" returns readers to the war-torn kingdoms of Wendar and Varre, and the intertwined destinies of: Alain, raised in humble surroundings but now the Count's heir; Liath, who struggles to unravel the secrets of her past while evading the traps set for her by those seeking the treasure she hides; Sanglant, believed dead by those who could save him, but actually a prisoner in the city of Gent; and Fifth Son, who now builds an army to do his father's bidding--or his own!.
612 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1998
139 people are currently reading
2427 people want to read
About the author
Kate Elliott
108 books2,889 followersAs a child in rural Oregon, Kate Elliott made up stories because she longed to escape to a world of lurid adventure fiction. She now writes fantasy, steampunk, and science fiction, often with a romantic edge. She currently lives in Hawaii, where she paddles outrigger canoes and spoils her schnauzer.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
March 6, 2019
Love, love, loved it! Even better than the first book!
Mel 🖤🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐺🐾
January 27, 2019
”We must all learn the measure of our strength. Otherwise we exhaust ourselves striving for that which we can never gain.”
“Crown of Stars” is a series written with great sensitivity and an ability to surprise the reader. Unconventional ideas draw you in with an irresistible strength. Book after book.
Just to remind you: Action takes place in a world similar to medieval Europe from the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries. The royal court of Wendar, the state in which most of the action takes place, brings to mind the wandering court of the Ottons. Wendar itself, strongly reminiscent of medieval Germany, but also Germany’s neighbours have their counterparts in this novel. For example, we have a sunny Aosta located behind the high mountains, reminiscent of Italy, whose capital is the holy city of Darre, very similar to Rome. Wendar is invaded by the Eika who while not human, still retain certain Viking characteristics. E.g., their headquarters are rocky fjords, the equivalent of Norway and Sweden. To the east of Wendar, we have Polenia (that would be Poland) and farther on, we will find Aretuza; its culture very reminiscent of Byzantium.
There are even more of these geographic and cultural innuendoes to early medieval Europe; those, on the one hand, attest to Author’s knowledge and finesse, on the other, are another source of fun for those readers who want to find them. The most pronounced one is the Daisanite Church, which dominates in Wendar and the rest of the civilised world, strongly reminiscent of Catholicism, albeit significantly deviating from the real one in one aspect: Namely, in this fantastic version of reality, the Church (and religion) is dominated by women (St Augustina’s City of God and St Benedicta as the founder of The Rule!).
I want to repeat that that Ms Elliott, perfectly captures the realities of the early Middle Ages, from the way of life to the way of thinking. Far too often in fantasy books, one can find rationalisms straight from the 21st century or at least rooted somewhere in the Enlightenment. You will not find those in this novel. But Ms Elliott is equally skilled in weaving in fantastic elements, like the already mentioned Eika or the legendary Aoi, who can be considered the equivalent of elves. You do not have the impression that these races, or the magic that is happening, are thrown in merely for the sake of conveniences; everything makes sense, everything is arranged in a fairly coherent picture.
The main pair of heroes is Liath and Alain. As the story progresses, other characters also play an increasingly important role, but these two protagonists still play a key role. And here I have to point out one of the most important drawbacks, namely the very uneven creation of the characters. Alain, aside from being impossibly good and humble, has no common sense, which means that at times he is unable to recognise the most obvious threats. Liath is much better in this respect and while she is also annoying and has problems with making up her mind, this sometimes is understandable due to her traumas. She is definitely not my favourite character, but still is quite bearable and her story is touching so it’s easy to root for her.
In general, I have an impression that the Author fares much better when creating secondary characters. For example, the Alain thread, especially in the second volume, is rescued by Count Lavastine. Wolfhere, Fifth Son (and the whole incredible Eika culture!) and Sanglant, both princesses or Hanna, are similarly strong and interesting protagonists. Another positive feature of the novel is the fact that antagonists are rarely demonised, in the sense of being “bad” in every aspect. They can be intelligent or beautiful or knowledgeable or show mercy (occasionally) or have other somewhat redeeming qualities. Sometimes, this makes them even more terrifying.
Plotwise, beware of minor spoilers if you have not read the previous book, King Henry fights against the rebellious nobles who are trying to seize power. The Eika occupy Gent, and our heroes, Liath, Alain, Sanglant and the Fifth Son are struggling with adversities and seemingly invincible opponents. Sanglant has been captured by the Eika, and desperately tries to preserve the last layers of humanity. Liath considers him dead and struggles with the demons of her own past. The war with the Eika drew Alain into the middle of the conflict, although inwardly he longs for peace. At his father's order, the Fifth Son gathers an army but he is far from merely fulfilling orders, instead he intends to fulfil his destiny. Who will manage to get out and come victorious out of murderous clashes? Who will pay the ultimate price?
“Prince of Dogs” by Kate Elliott takes us back to the magical land of war and intrigue. The Author is a real sorceress of words, creating an original fantasy-scape. This novel offers a mix of adventure, magic and a whirlwind of passions that can not be resisted.
I am happy to return to this surprising and intriguing world and I will surely continue the series.
Also in the series:
1. King's Dragon ★★★★★
3. The Burning Stone ★★★★☆
4. Child of Flame ★★★☆☆
5. The Gathering Strom ★★☆☆☆
6. In the Ruins ★☆☆☆☆
7. Crown of Stars ★☆☆☆☆
“Crown of Stars” is a series written with great sensitivity and an ability to surprise the reader. Unconventional ideas draw you in with an irresistible strength. Book after book.
Just to remind you: Action takes place in a world similar to medieval Europe from the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries. The royal court of Wendar, the state in which most of the action takes place, brings to mind the wandering court of the Ottons. Wendar itself, strongly reminiscent of medieval Germany, but also Germany’s neighbours have their counterparts in this novel. For example, we have a sunny Aosta located behind the high mountains, reminiscent of Italy, whose capital is the holy city of Darre, very similar to Rome. Wendar is invaded by the Eika who while not human, still retain certain Viking characteristics. E.g., their headquarters are rocky fjords, the equivalent of Norway and Sweden. To the east of Wendar, we have Polenia (that would be Poland) and farther on, we will find Aretuza; its culture very reminiscent of Byzantium.
There are even more of these geographic and cultural innuendoes to early medieval Europe; those, on the one hand, attest to Author’s knowledge and finesse, on the other, are another source of fun for those readers who want to find them. The most pronounced one is the Daisanite Church, which dominates in Wendar and the rest of the civilised world, strongly reminiscent of Catholicism, albeit significantly deviating from the real one in one aspect: Namely, in this fantastic version of reality, the Church (and religion) is dominated by women (St Augustina’s City of God and St Benedicta as the founder of The Rule!).
I want to repeat that that Ms Elliott, perfectly captures the realities of the early Middle Ages, from the way of life to the way of thinking. Far too often in fantasy books, one can find rationalisms straight from the 21st century or at least rooted somewhere in the Enlightenment. You will not find those in this novel. But Ms Elliott is equally skilled in weaving in fantastic elements, like the already mentioned Eika or the legendary Aoi, who can be considered the equivalent of elves. You do not have the impression that these races, or the magic that is happening, are thrown in merely for the sake of conveniences; everything makes sense, everything is arranged in a fairly coherent picture.
The main pair of heroes is Liath and Alain. As the story progresses, other characters also play an increasingly important role, but these two protagonists still play a key role. And here I have to point out one of the most important drawbacks, namely the very uneven creation of the characters. Alain, aside from being impossibly good and humble, has no common sense, which means that at times he is unable to recognise the most obvious threats. Liath is much better in this respect and while she is also annoying and has problems with making up her mind, this sometimes is understandable due to her traumas. She is definitely not my favourite character, but still is quite bearable and her story is touching so it’s easy to root for her.
In general, I have an impression that the Author fares much better when creating secondary characters. For example, the Alain thread, especially in the second volume, is rescued by Count Lavastine. Wolfhere, Fifth Son (and the whole incredible Eika culture!) and Sanglant, both princesses or Hanna, are similarly strong and interesting protagonists. Another positive feature of the novel is the fact that antagonists are rarely demonised, in the sense of being “bad” in every aspect. They can be intelligent or beautiful or knowledgeable or show mercy (occasionally) or have other somewhat redeeming qualities. Sometimes, this makes them even more terrifying.
Plotwise, beware of minor spoilers if you have not read the previous book, King Henry fights against the rebellious nobles who are trying to seize power. The Eika occupy Gent, and our heroes, Liath, Alain, Sanglant and the Fifth Son are struggling with adversities and seemingly invincible opponents. Sanglant has been captured by the Eika, and desperately tries to preserve the last layers of humanity. Liath considers him dead and struggles with the demons of her own past. The war with the Eika drew Alain into the middle of the conflict, although inwardly he longs for peace. At his father's order, the Fifth Son gathers an army but he is far from merely fulfilling orders, instead he intends to fulfil his destiny. Who will manage to get out and come victorious out of murderous clashes? Who will pay the ultimate price?
“Prince of Dogs” by Kate Elliott takes us back to the magical land of war and intrigue. The Author is a real sorceress of words, creating an original fantasy-scape. This novel offers a mix of adventure, magic and a whirlwind of passions that can not be resisted.
I am happy to return to this surprising and intriguing world and I will surely continue the series.
Also in the series:
1. King's Dragon ★★★★★
3. The Burning Stone ★★★★☆
4. Child of Flame ★★★☆☆
5. The Gathering Strom ★★☆☆☆
6. In the Ruins ★☆☆☆☆
7. Crown of Stars ★☆☆☆☆
August 21, 2018
*** 5 ***
This series! It is only the second book and it is not a fast paced plot, but it already has me in its clutches. The Fantasy World it takes place in is based on early medieval Europe while the pagan traditions and the different branches of Christianity intersect and each is finding its own shape and place in the hearts and minds of the populous. During that same time the political power was very intertwined with the prevalent religious orders and this book is the Fantasy mirror of all of that. There is magic, there are Saints, there are wars and we get points of view of multiple characters, allowing us to see how all the socioeconomic groups are affected by the devastation... But there seem to be four main protagonists, a Prince, a girl on the run from an unknown threat with a dangerous book, a young man who can't make himself as violent as the world around him demands of him, and a girl with simple origins who has her head on her shoulders and is working as a messenger for the King and as such tries to find her place in the world. There are others, but these are our main POVs.
As much as I love already the good guys, I will be remiss if I don't say how masterfully this author creates villains! They are not always obvious, usually they are beautiful and charming, educated and powerful... Their evilness sneaks up on you and boy, once the capacity for weaving evil plots becomes clearer, the gravity of the malice is overwhelming and all consuming! The bleakness of certain situations is so real, you as a reader have a feeling of helplessness and despair that is visceral! There have been several characters whom I would love to see tortured and slowly destroyed to never be able to even come close to collecting their atoms in one place again... But I digress...
Overall, I am so glad I have found another wonderful Fantasy series and would like for all fans of the genre to get it and read it! There is a ton of graphic violence, so just be warned...
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and may you always find what you need in the pages of a Good Book!
This series! It is only the second book and it is not a fast paced plot, but it already has me in its clutches. The Fantasy World it takes place in is based on early medieval Europe while the pagan traditions and the different branches of Christianity intersect and each is finding its own shape and place in the hearts and minds of the populous. During that same time the political power was very intertwined with the prevalent religious orders and this book is the Fantasy mirror of all of that. There is magic, there are Saints, there are wars and we get points of view of multiple characters, allowing us to see how all the socioeconomic groups are affected by the devastation... But there seem to be four main protagonists, a Prince, a girl on the run from an unknown threat with a dangerous book, a young man who can't make himself as violent as the world around him demands of him, and a girl with simple origins who has her head on her shoulders and is working as a messenger for the King and as such tries to find her place in the world. There are others, but these are our main POVs.
As much as I love already the good guys, I will be remiss if I don't say how masterfully this author creates villains! They are not always obvious, usually they are beautiful and charming, educated and powerful... Their evilness sneaks up on you and boy, once the capacity for weaving evil plots becomes clearer, the gravity of the malice is overwhelming and all consuming! The bleakness of certain situations is so real, you as a reader have a feeling of helplessness and despair that is visceral! There have been several characters whom I would love to see tortured and slowly destroyed to never be able to even come close to collecting their atoms in one place again... But I digress...
Overall, I am so glad I have found another wonderful Fantasy series and would like for all fans of the genre to get it and read it! There is a ton of graphic violence, so just be warned...
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and may you always find what you need in the pages of a Good Book!
February 18, 2017
This is definitely a slow-moving series. I knew it from the first book, but I didn't feel it as much then. Maybe I should have taken a break before starting book two, because I found myself a bit impatient at the slowness this time around. I felt like events had built to a point in the last book that I was anxious for more to happen, only to have it spread out more and begin to build all over again.
So, the pace is slow. Not much actually happens in this installment. It is a second book, and it feels like it. I couldn't believe that one character's situation really did not change at all until near the end. And Liath went back to the same problem she had before, and I really, really want some major development in that area soon!
I already knew it wasn't an action-driven series. But being character-driven means I care about those I already know and want to get back to them, and to see changes for them. It felt like a long time before I had any quality time with Alain or Liath. They were mainly viewed through minor characters' eyes at first. That's the main reason I was feeling impatient.
I did like the perspective of Rosvita, the scholar nun, and I hope we get plenty more of her in future books because she's one of my favorites. But there were other new and side characters who got a lot more attention for the first half of the book and I was just waiting to see how they fit into anything important. I'm still kind of waiting on that. I'm sure it's coming if I can just be patient. For a seven book series, some development is to be expected.
Although I enjoy character-driven books, I do also like something to happen. It did, eventually. There was just a lot of buildup with the minor points of view. It didn't really start to pick up until after the halfway mark when the main characters finally came back into focus.
Although I was a bit impatient until that point, I really miss reading this. I keep thinking about it and wanting to get back to it. I'm loving the world, which feels so real, and there are moments of real emotion about the characters. That includes loathing - it's impossible not to loathe Hugh! I can't wait to see him brought low. I hope it's truly satisfying. And Sanglant - his part was so horrifying. I can't wait to read more about how he adjusts after what happened to him. I hope I don't have to wait long.
I am really tempted to go ahead and jump into the next book already, but I feel like I should take a break this time. I just know I need to be in the mood for savoring a slow mover. Maybe just a short break is enough and I'll be ready to get back into it.
So, the pace is slow. Not much actually happens in this installment. It is a second book, and it feels like it. I couldn't believe that one character's situation really did not change at all until near the end. And Liath went back to the same problem she had before, and I really, really want some major development in that area soon!
I already knew it wasn't an action-driven series. But being character-driven means I care about those I already know and want to get back to them, and to see changes for them. It felt like a long time before I had any quality time with Alain or Liath. They were mainly viewed through minor characters' eyes at first. That's the main reason I was feeling impatient.
I did like the perspective of Rosvita, the scholar nun, and I hope we get plenty more of her in future books because she's one of my favorites. But there were other new and side characters who got a lot more attention for the first half of the book and I was just waiting to see how they fit into anything important. I'm still kind of waiting on that. I'm sure it's coming if I can just be patient. For a seven book series, some development is to be expected.
Although I enjoy character-driven books, I do also like something to happen. It did, eventually. There was just a lot of buildup with the minor points of view. It didn't really start to pick up until after the halfway mark when the main characters finally came back into focus.
Although I was a bit impatient until that point, I really miss reading this. I keep thinking about it and wanting to get back to it. I'm loving the world, which feels so real, and there are moments of real emotion about the characters. That includes loathing - it's impossible not to loathe Hugh! I can't wait to see him brought low. I hope it's truly satisfying. And Sanglant - his part was so horrifying. I can't wait to read more about how he adjusts after what happened to him. I hope I don't have to wait long.
I am really tempted to go ahead and jump into the next book already, but I feel like I should take a break this time. I just know I need to be in the mood for savoring a slow mover. Maybe just a short break is enough and I'll be ready to get back into it.
November 25, 2018
Die Geschichte verläuft sehr zufriedenstellend. Wie bei allen langen Fantasy-Büchern sind einige Charaktere / Handlungsstränge interessanter als andere, aber ich fühlte mich so für Sanglant (den gleichnamigen Prince of Dogs) und Liath wächst gut. Ich liebe das Geheimnis von Alain und freue mich darauf zu sehen, was mit ihm passiert, und ich hasse es, Hugh zu hassen, wie schrecklich und schwer es ist, ihn zu bekämpfen! Ich dachte an die Charaktere, wenn ich nicht las, und fühlte mich eifrig / ängstlich, zu ihnen zurückzukehren.
February 7, 2022
More just delicious fantasy book-cake.
CONTENT WARNING:
Things to love:
-Epicness. If you like epic fantasy, this is probably for you. Battles, great magics, ancient beings, prophecies, unrequited love, loyal animals. It's got everything!
-Not your average middle book. So much happens! Definitely not a case of the second in series syndrome.
-Alan. I think he really became one of my favorite characters here, because we see empathy.
Things that aren't perfection.
-A lot of violence against women as the norm. Trying to see women who are "taboo," lots of rape...it's not my favorite look, especially in a book that does a lot to overcome standard gender roles.
-Why is magic bad? We keep being told it's really awful, but not the cause of that, other than blind prejudice.
Definitely going to continue.
CONTENT WARNING:
Things to love:
-Epicness. If you like epic fantasy, this is probably for you. Battles, great magics, ancient beings, prophecies, unrequited love, loyal animals. It's got everything!
-Not your average middle book. So much happens! Definitely not a case of the second in series syndrome.
-Alan. I think he really became one of my favorite characters here, because we see empathy.
Things that aren't perfection.
-A lot of violence against women as the norm. Trying to see women who are "taboo," lots of rape...it's not my favorite look, especially in a book that does a lot to overcome standard gender roles.
-Why is magic bad? We keep being told it's really awful, but not the cause of that, other than blind prejudice.
Definitely going to continue.
August 14, 2018
3.75 stars
Two books in and I think it's safe to say that this is not a fast paced series. It moves with a leisurely yet sure-footed pace. In the story of the hare versus the tortoise, thisseries book is the tortoise but, just as in that fable, slow and steady wins the race.
Once again, the story follows the paths of Alain and Liath. Alain is adjusting to his new, elevated status while Liath finds herself facing an old threat. In addition to those two, there are also some additional POV characters for readers to enjoy. Hanna, Liath's good friend and fellow Eagle is still around. There is also Anna, a young girl who offers a window into the devastation of the city of Ghent and the lives of those lucky enough to have survived its siege and defeat. There is Ivar, a childhood friend of Liath and Hanna, who is straining at the constricted life of the church, a life to which he was promised but not by his own choice. There is Sister Rosvita whose curiosity leads her to ask some very important questions. Readers also get bits and pieces from Sanglant's POV. Last but not least, and probably my favorite POV, is Fifth Son, the Eika Princeling first introduced in book one. Fifth Son offers a wonderful view into the structure of the Eika culture that will leave readers wanting more. At least it did for this reader.
There wasn't really much that happened in this particular installment of the series. The characters are moving about their daily business of survival and this lends to the overall slow-paced feel of the story. That said, the pace does pick up a little in the last few chapters and there are hints sprinkled throughout the story that there are larger forces are at work plotting and pulling strings in the background. Certainly there are some old nemeses with hands in the plotting. What, exactly, they're plotting and what their final aim is is a question meant for another book to answer.
The romantic subplot, minor up to this point thankfully, still falls flat to me since it involves two people who don't really know each other. But slow pace and flat romance aside, I still enjoyed the story, the characters, and the political intrigue of this fictitious world. The lovely writing style also helps to lend a sense of realism to even the more fantastical elements of the story.
Two books in and I think it's safe to say that this is not a fast paced series. It moves with a leisurely yet sure-footed pace. In the story of the hare versus the tortoise, this
Once again, the story follows the paths of Alain and Liath. Alain is adjusting to his new, elevated status while Liath finds herself facing an old threat. In addition to those two, there are also some additional POV characters for readers to enjoy. Hanna, Liath's good friend and fellow Eagle is still around. There is also Anna, a young girl who offers a window into the devastation of the city of Ghent and the lives of those lucky enough to have survived its siege and defeat. There is Ivar, a childhood friend of Liath and Hanna, who is straining at the constricted life of the church, a life to which he was promised but not by his own choice. There is Sister Rosvita whose curiosity leads her to ask some very important questions. Readers also get bits and pieces from Sanglant's POV. Last but not least, and probably my favorite POV, is Fifth Son, the Eika Princeling first introduced in book one. Fifth Son offers a wonderful view into the structure of the Eika culture that will leave readers wanting more. At least it did for this reader.
There wasn't really much that happened in this particular installment of the series. The characters are moving about their daily business of survival and this lends to the overall slow-paced feel of the story. That said, the pace does pick up a little in the last few chapters and there are hints sprinkled throughout the story that there are larger forces are at work plotting and pulling strings in the background. Certainly there are some old nemeses with hands in the plotting. What, exactly, they're plotting and what their final aim is is a question meant for another book to answer.
The romantic subplot, minor up to this point thankfully, still falls flat to me since it involves two people who don't really know each other. But slow pace and flat romance aside, I still enjoyed the story, the characters, and the political intrigue of this fictitious world. The lovely writing style also helps to lend a sense of realism to even the more fantastical elements of the story.
October 24, 2016
I continue to enjoy this series; my forays into epic fantasy are infrequent these days, but I am glad I finally took the chance on this series despite mediocre reviews. Again, I intend to write a fuller review after reading the whole series.
So, this is a fun book; like the first, it features a grounded medieval world peopled by a large cast of believable characters. Elliott takes an unexpected turn in this book – after reading a lot of epic fantasy, I generally expect that I know where the plots will go, and it’s refreshing when they don’t go that way. In particular (trying to avoid spoilers here) I appreciate her willingness to actually resolve major plotlines, rather than having the same good guys fighting the same baddies in the same places and the same ways for seven books straight. I am very interested to see where this series goes next and how events so far fit into the larger picture.
But because this book’s merits are basically the same as those of the first installment, even though I liked this book and moved on to the third almost immediately, I’m going to spend a little more time on its weaknesses. One is that it doesn’t follow through on the momentum built up by the end of King’s Dragon; instead it takes several steps back, such that the plotting is akin to that of a typical first book in a fantasy series, with a slow, somewhat padded beginning, gradually building up to what becomes an excellent conclusion. So I had some doubts along the way, but by the end I was sold all over again; there’s some great action and it hits all the right emotional notes.
Many underwhelmed reviewers talk about a proliferation of point-of-view characters, but for epic fantasy, the number is normal (5 or 6 get substantial page time, with another 2 or 3 minor ones). The real trouble seems to be the selection of POVs. A good epic fantasy POV has both personal struggles and an active role to play in the larger story. Liath and Alain have both, which is why they’re the protagonists. So does Sanglant, although despite his eventual importance being telegraphed from page one, he’s yet to get significant page time as of the end of this book. But then there are the others. Rosvita and Hanna are observer POVs; they have access to important people and events, but have nothing personal at stake and undergo no growth or change. On the other end of the spectrum, Anna and Ivar feature in self-contained plotlines, in which their significant personal struggles have little connection to the larger story. Hence, all four of these remain background characters in readers’ minds. Playing armchair quarterback for a moment, I believe this would have been a stronger book if the POVs of Rosvita, Hanna and Ivar had been replaced by those of Sapientia, Theophanu and Wolfhere – interesting characters who are central to the big-picture story, but also have personal challenges and growth. (Anna I would keep – including the story of a pair of orphaned refugee children adds a richness and grounding that the other characters can’t provide. And I appreciate getting a complete storyline in a single book; it provides closure in what’s otherwise one chapter in an ongoing series.)
At any rate, this was fun reading and it’s always nice to find an epic fantasy series that I actually enjoy, since there aren’t many of them – the adolescent male wish-fulfillment fantasy that tends to dominate the subgenre is definitely not my thing. I am now happily into the third book and hopeful about the rest of the series.
EDIT: Crown of Stars ratings:
King’s Dragon: 4
Prince of Dogs: 3.5
The Burning Stone: 4
Child of Flame: 3
The Gathering Storm: 2.5
In the Ruins: 3
Crown of Stars: 3
So, this is a fun book; like the first, it features a grounded medieval world peopled by a large cast of believable characters. Elliott takes an unexpected turn in this book – after reading a lot of epic fantasy, I generally expect that I know where the plots will go, and it’s refreshing when they don’t go that way. In particular (trying to avoid spoilers here) I appreciate her willingness to actually resolve major plotlines, rather than having the same good guys fighting the same baddies in the same places and the same ways for seven books straight. I am very interested to see where this series goes next and how events so far fit into the larger picture.
But because this book’s merits are basically the same as those of the first installment, even though I liked this book and moved on to the third almost immediately, I’m going to spend a little more time on its weaknesses. One is that it doesn’t follow through on the momentum built up by the end of King’s Dragon; instead it takes several steps back, such that the plotting is akin to that of a typical first book in a fantasy series, with a slow, somewhat padded beginning, gradually building up to what becomes an excellent conclusion. So I had some doubts along the way, but by the end I was sold all over again; there’s some great action and it hits all the right emotional notes.
Many underwhelmed reviewers talk about a proliferation of point-of-view characters, but for epic fantasy, the number is normal (5 or 6 get substantial page time, with another 2 or 3 minor ones). The real trouble seems to be the selection of POVs. A good epic fantasy POV has both personal struggles and an active role to play in the larger story. Liath and Alain have both, which is why they’re the protagonists. So does Sanglant, although despite his eventual importance being telegraphed from page one, he’s yet to get significant page time as of the end of this book. But then there are the others. Rosvita and Hanna are observer POVs; they have access to important people and events, but have nothing personal at stake and undergo no growth or change. On the other end of the spectrum, Anna and Ivar feature in self-contained plotlines, in which their significant personal struggles have little connection to the larger story. Hence, all four of these remain background characters in readers’ minds. Playing armchair quarterback for a moment, I believe this would have been a stronger book if the POVs of Rosvita, Hanna and Ivar had been replaced by those of Sapientia, Theophanu and Wolfhere – interesting characters who are central to the big-picture story, but also have personal challenges and growth. (Anna I would keep – including the story of a pair of orphaned refugee children adds a richness and grounding that the other characters can’t provide. And I appreciate getting a complete storyline in a single book; it provides closure in what’s otherwise one chapter in an ongoing series.)
At any rate, this was fun reading and it’s always nice to find an epic fantasy series that I actually enjoy, since there aren’t many of them – the adolescent male wish-fulfillment fantasy that tends to dominate the subgenre is definitely not my thing. I am now happily into the third book and hopeful about the rest of the series.
EDIT: Crown of Stars ratings:
King’s Dragon: 4
Prince of Dogs: 3.5
The Burning Stone: 4
Child of Flame: 3
The Gathering Storm: 2.5
In the Ruins: 3
Crown of Stars: 3
March 2, 2025
4.5 stars
This was a great continuation of the first book, King’s Dragon. I really like the character development, even if I thought for a while that Alain was going to be absent. The parts and chapters are quite long, so the only real niggle I have (not quite a complaint) is that you sometimes spend a lot of time away from certain characters. Here, that period (for Alain) was at the start of the book, so it felt to me like the focus would be elsewhere.
That was not the case, however, and I really like how the different threads from book one started to come together here. It sets up a really interesting overall story, and I like the way it plays out. The pacing is great, and I really enjoyed the intense battles on show. Overall, I’m very pleased to have picked this series up and hope that continues to be the case as I move into book three.
This was a great continuation of the first book, King’s Dragon. I really like the character development, even if I thought for a while that Alain was going to be absent. The parts and chapters are quite long, so the only real niggle I have (not quite a complaint) is that you sometimes spend a lot of time away from certain characters. Here, that period (for Alain) was at the start of the book, so it felt to me like the focus would be elsewhere.
That was not the case, however, and I really like how the different threads from book one started to come together here. It sets up a really interesting overall story, and I like the way it plays out. The pacing is great, and I really enjoyed the intense battles on show. Overall, I’m very pleased to have picked this series up and hope that continues to be the case as I move into book three.
April 30, 2020
My impression of Kate Elliott is that she is a masterful, terribly hard-working writer. She writes mature and original fantasy that will not suit impatient readers. I have not read much of her work to date, randomly introducing myself to her a few years ago with her Crossroads trilogy (Spirit Gate and sequels). She appears to do a ton of ground work to establish the culture and setting for her books, and writes in a slow build. She does a ton of revisions and polishing. There is very little fluff; every chapter or section accomplishes something. She writes with a light touch, and though I don't find her prose particularly magical, I appreciate her subtlety. Most of all, her characters are complex, always growing, and never dispensible.
This second book in her longest fantasy series mirrors the first in its slow burn with an explosive finish. Those last 80 pages, yes! Prior to that, I found myself occasionally thinking that it was at times dull but never boring, if that makes any sense. Looking back now and recalling some pretty major events taking place, if less explosive than the finish, I wonder how I could have felt that way. Maybe it's that a lot of those events are internal, or particular to single characters. Even a big fire seemed this way; it affected everyone there but it was most significant for one person. I also found that, as in the first book, you really have to pay attention to the text, because significant things will often happen without any warning and if your attention is drifting off at all you will miss the start of something and then have to go back once you realize you missed it. That's what happens to me at least, as I am typically either reading with possible distractions in my environment, or it is quiet at nighttime and I am trying to stay awake solely through force of will to devour a good many pages before I pass out.
The author's devotion to the European Medieval setting is deep, and likely influenced my sometimes perception of dullness while at the same time capturing my interest in the details of life in this period. This book takes place over more than a year's time, because in that historical setting it took that long to gather, organize, supply, and move a large force across the kingdom to where they needed to be to wage war with the Eika in Gent. During that year there was plenty of royal politicking, stress about feeding the king's progress, constant religious observations, and not a lot of bathing.
The king's half-Aoi son Sanglant gets top billing, in the book title (which to me should apply equally to Alain) and cover blurb, but I don't see him as a main character and I wonder what Elliott's intentions were versus the publisher's in promoting him. I am much more invested in Liath's journey, and slightly less in Alain's. And can I just say, the situation with Liath and Hugh is SO STRESSFUL, will something terrible please happen to him before the last book? As for new characters, the story opens with young siblings Anna and Matthias (not sure if I am getting his name right) in hiding from the Eika in conquered Gent, and their arc is fascinating. With all of the privilege, importance and machinations of the nobility, the perspective of the common people, the downtrodden and the overlooked is the best window into this fascinating world.
I have no regrets about starting this 20-year-old, ~5000 page series, I still have so much to look forward to!
This second book in her longest fantasy series mirrors the first in its slow burn with an explosive finish. Those last 80 pages, yes! Prior to that, I found myself occasionally thinking that it was at times dull but never boring, if that makes any sense. Looking back now and recalling some pretty major events taking place, if less explosive than the finish, I wonder how I could have felt that way. Maybe it's that a lot of those events are internal, or particular to single characters. Even a big fire seemed this way; it affected everyone there but it was most significant for one person. I also found that, as in the first book, you really have to pay attention to the text, because significant things will often happen without any warning and if your attention is drifting off at all you will miss the start of something and then have to go back once you realize you missed it. That's what happens to me at least, as I am typically either reading with possible distractions in my environment, or it is quiet at nighttime and I am trying to stay awake solely through force of will to devour a good many pages before I pass out.
The author's devotion to the European Medieval setting is deep, and likely influenced my sometimes perception of dullness while at the same time capturing my interest in the details of life in this period. This book takes place over more than a year's time, because in that historical setting it took that long to gather, organize, supply, and move a large force across the kingdom to where they needed to be to wage war with the Eika in Gent. During that year there was plenty of royal politicking, stress about feeding the king's progress, constant religious observations, and not a lot of bathing.
The king's half-Aoi son Sanglant gets top billing, in the book title (which to me should apply equally to Alain) and cover blurb, but I don't see him as a main character and I wonder what Elliott's intentions were versus the publisher's in promoting him. I am much more invested in Liath's journey, and slightly less in Alain's. And can I just say, the situation with Liath and Hugh is SO STRESSFUL, will something terrible please happen to him before the last book? As for new characters, the story opens with young siblings Anna and Matthias (not sure if I am getting his name right) in hiding from the Eika in conquered Gent, and their arc is fascinating. With all of the privilege, importance and machinations of the nobility, the perspective of the common people, the downtrodden and the overlooked is the best window into this fascinating world.
I have no regrets about starting this 20-year-old, ~5000 page series, I still have so much to look forward to!
December 28, 2022
As you know, I wasn't supposed to read Kate Elliott's King's Dragon a few weeks ago. I'd been looking for Michelle West's The Broken Crown ever since it was announced that PRH had forced Daw to drop her. But try as I might, and I did try my damnedest, I couldn't find any of my West books. Still, rummaging through boxes in my locker allowed me to get my hands on my Elliott books. Which is why I decided to give the first installment of Crown of Stars a shot.
I received my copy of West's The Broken Crown shortly after reviewing King's Dragon and my plan was to read that one next. Trouble is, I sort of wanted to know what Elliott had in store for her protagonists in the next volume. So Michelle West was pushed back yet again and I jumped into Prince of Dogs as soon as I was done with the Africa Risen anthology, and I have no regrets!
Here's the blurb:
HELD CAPTIVE BY THEIR DESTINIES
SANGLANT -- the Prince of Dogs, King Henry's bastard son; though believed dead by all who could succor him, he is being held captive in the city of Gent by Bloodheart, the Eika warlord. Cursed by his mother's blood with an inability to die, he struggles to maintain the last shreds of his sanity in the hope rescue may yet come....
LIATH -- now a King's Eagle, and still grieving over Sanglant, she strives to unlock the secrets of her past while seeking to evade the traps set for her by an obsessively ambitious man. But even a post in King Henry's court offers her little protection from those determined to claim the forbidden knowledge she has hidden....
ALAIN -- raised in humble surroundings but now proclaimed a Count's heir, he is increasingly troubled by visions of the enemy he befriended and the Lady of Battles whom he's sworn to serve. A man who desires nothing more than peace, he is about to be thrust into the heart of war with the Eika....
FIFTH SON -- least favored child of Bloodheart, he has returned to the lands of his own people to build an army to do his father's bidding. If he survives this mission, he will become a force to be reckoned with....
And even as King Henry continues his progress through his troubled realm, defeating rebellious lords and gathering their promises of troops to use at Gent, Sanglant, Liath, Alain, and Fifth Son are fighting their own battles against almost overwhelming odds. Only time will tell who will prove triumphant as all are caught up in the dangers and turmoil of a world at war.
This second installment picks up shortly following the ending of its predecessor. The first portion of Prince of Dogs mostly deals with the aftermath of the Battle of Kassel and the Eika's conquest of the city of Gent. In many ways, it feels as though King's Dragon and Prince of Dogs are two parts of the same novel. And though Kate Elliott paved the way for a lot more to come, these first two volumes recount a more or less self-contained story. As such, even though we are aware that there's a lot more in store for readers, these two books don't move the plot as much as I expected them to.
Compared to popular contemporary SFF series of the same period, Robert Jordan's The Eye of the World and The Great Hunt, George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings, and Steven Erikson's Gardens of the Moon and Deadhouse Gates all unveiled more ambitious and multilayered tales, albeit with bigger pagecounts. Having said that, weighing in at more than 600 pages each, the first two volumes of the Crown of Stars saga are by no means slim novels. With many pieces already set on the board, I just thought that Elliott would have moved the plot much further by now. Granted, there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes. But I didn't expect that it would take this long for King Henry to try to reclaim Gent.
Elliott's meticulous worldbuilding continues to impress me. With an uncanny eye for detail, her portrayal of this medieval European analog is worthy of a historical novel. As mentioned in my review of King's Dragon, such a conscientious depiction of the historical period will please fans of worldbuilding. But the author also has a tendency to overdo this, and there's no denying that it often gets in the way of the plot and also slows the pace throughout the book. This was a flagrant flaw in young Anna's storyline and it did plague the king's progress more often than not. I'm not sure anyone wanted to know this much about the tanning process and whatever else is required to run a tannery. Too often these bits and pieces meant to add a measure of realism to this fantasy universe bog down the narrative instead.
I also mentioned that another element that sets Crown of Stars apart from most epic fantasy series out there is the presence of religion and the major role it plays in every single aspect of this tale. Elliott's gender-egalitarian rebranding of the Roman Catholic Church affects people from all walks of life, from king to peasant. Indeed, not since Katherine Kurtz's Deryni saga has any SFF author tried to make religion such an all-encompassing facet of every day life in their fantasy universe. It remains particularly well-done in Prince of Dogs, but I can see why some people would find that offputting. As I said before, religion affects everything. It's unclear whether or not Elliott's portrayal of the Church can be as impressive as Kurtz's, for she's kept everything small scale thus far and the reasoning behind certain precepts don't always make sense. Still, I have high hopes for the volumes to come. Considering that the use of sorcery was formally accepted at a past religious council, although only if under the Church's supervision, I was hoping that we would get POVs from members of the clergy to explore that aspect. Alas, the author keeps her cards very close to her chest, and even including the perspective of Biscop Antonia revealed very little in that regard. Here's to hoping that the next installment, The Burning Stone, will unveil more secrets about magic and its various uses.
As was the case with the first volume, though good overall the characterization can at times be uneven. Alain has been proclaimed heir to Count Lavastine and must now learn what's expected of him if he is to rule once his father is gone. Liath, now a King's Eagle, is torn by the death of Prince Sanglant during the fall of Gent. Probably because so little time has passed between the two novels, I was disappointed by what little character growth there ultimately was for these two. The quick return of Father Hugh doesn't help in the least, it must be said. Though Liath remains the most fascinating protagonist of this series, the fact that she is powerless to take action to change her dire circumstances often makes it hard to root for her. Many of those sequences are tedious to read, to say the least. You can't help but feel for the poor girl, but you also want to kick her in the butt and tell her to at least try to do something about her plight. The third POV in importance is that of Rosvita, the female cleric and advisor to King Henry. Of all the perspectives found in Prince of Dogs, I felt that most of her scenes could have been excised and the reader wouldn't have lost much as far as the plot is concerned. Hanna is once more a POV character and is coming more into her own. Prince Sanglant, King Henry's child by one of the Aoi and now Bloodheart's prisoner, gets a lot more air time in this novel, which is good. Fifth Son truly comes into his on in this second installment and it was captivating to learn more about the Eika and their ways every time Alain dreamed of him. New POV characters include Anna, a young girl who survived the fall of Gent with her brother and must somehow find a way to survive in a refugee camp. I found that too much importance was accorded to that plotline, especially since I'm not sure where it will fit in the greater scheme of things. There's only so many scenes of starvation and suffering one can take. I get that Elliott wanted to depict the abject misery of their living conditions, but I feel that it was overdone and got in the way of more important and interesting storylines. As mentioned, I had high hopes for Biscop Antonia's plotline, but the author obviously didn't want to reveal too much. I know it's likely too much to ask, but hopefully we'll get POVs from Wolfhere and Father Hugh down the line.
The political intrigue which is the backdrop of the first two volumes remains rather simplistic. Time will tell if this will improve in the sequels to come, or else it could be detrimental to the overall story arc. I'm currently reading Tad Williams' Into the Narrowdark, and there's no denying that the weak political intrigue of The Lost King of Osten Ard series is a major issue and something that hurts the tale at every turn. Can Kate Elliott be as good as Katherine Kurtz and GRRM in that regard? We'll have to wait and see.
Prince of Dogs is a decidedly slow-moving novel. The rhythm drags, sometimes at a snail's pace, for the better part of the first half of the book. It felt as though most of the scenes featuring Anna and the king's progress could have been shortened, or removed altogether. The pace picks up in the second half as Elliott sets the stage for the endgame, and we get an exciting finale that caps it all off with aplomb. Which makes you wonder why it took so long for the novel to get this good. It didn't need such an overlong setup stage, for most of the groundwork had been laid in the first volume.
It is said that Kate Elliott's Crown of Stars is one of the most underrated fantasy series out there. Time will tell if that is indeed the case. King's Dragon and Prince of Dogs show a lot of promise. I'm eager to see if what comes next will live up to that potential. As long as the author doesn't lose track of what's really important, in this case the tale and its protagonists, and doesn't get bogged down trying to capture every single historical detail to perfection, it looks as though she can swing with the best of them. If you are looking for a big, multilayered fantasy novels featuring intricate worldbuilding and interesting characters, then Crown of Stars might be for you!
For more reviews, check out www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
I received my copy of West's The Broken Crown shortly after reviewing King's Dragon and my plan was to read that one next. Trouble is, I sort of wanted to know what Elliott had in store for her protagonists in the next volume. So Michelle West was pushed back yet again and I jumped into Prince of Dogs as soon as I was done with the Africa Risen anthology, and I have no regrets!
Here's the blurb:
HELD CAPTIVE BY THEIR DESTINIES
SANGLANT -- the Prince of Dogs, King Henry's bastard son; though believed dead by all who could succor him, he is being held captive in the city of Gent by Bloodheart, the Eika warlord. Cursed by his mother's blood with an inability to die, he struggles to maintain the last shreds of his sanity in the hope rescue may yet come....
LIATH -- now a King's Eagle, and still grieving over Sanglant, she strives to unlock the secrets of her past while seeking to evade the traps set for her by an obsessively ambitious man. But even a post in King Henry's court offers her little protection from those determined to claim the forbidden knowledge she has hidden....
ALAIN -- raised in humble surroundings but now proclaimed a Count's heir, he is increasingly troubled by visions of the enemy he befriended and the Lady of Battles whom he's sworn to serve. A man who desires nothing more than peace, he is about to be thrust into the heart of war with the Eika....
FIFTH SON -- least favored child of Bloodheart, he has returned to the lands of his own people to build an army to do his father's bidding. If he survives this mission, he will become a force to be reckoned with....
And even as King Henry continues his progress through his troubled realm, defeating rebellious lords and gathering their promises of troops to use at Gent, Sanglant, Liath, Alain, and Fifth Son are fighting their own battles against almost overwhelming odds. Only time will tell who will prove triumphant as all are caught up in the dangers and turmoil of a world at war.
This second installment picks up shortly following the ending of its predecessor. The first portion of Prince of Dogs mostly deals with the aftermath of the Battle of Kassel and the Eika's conquest of the city of Gent. In many ways, it feels as though King's Dragon and Prince of Dogs are two parts of the same novel. And though Kate Elliott paved the way for a lot more to come, these first two volumes recount a more or less self-contained story. As such, even though we are aware that there's a lot more in store for readers, these two books don't move the plot as much as I expected them to.
Compared to popular contemporary SFF series of the same period, Robert Jordan's The Eye of the World and The Great Hunt, George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings, and Steven Erikson's Gardens of the Moon and Deadhouse Gates all unveiled more ambitious and multilayered tales, albeit with bigger pagecounts. Having said that, weighing in at more than 600 pages each, the first two volumes of the Crown of Stars saga are by no means slim novels. With many pieces already set on the board, I just thought that Elliott would have moved the plot much further by now. Granted, there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes. But I didn't expect that it would take this long for King Henry to try to reclaim Gent.
Elliott's meticulous worldbuilding continues to impress me. With an uncanny eye for detail, her portrayal of this medieval European analog is worthy of a historical novel. As mentioned in my review of King's Dragon, such a conscientious depiction of the historical period will please fans of worldbuilding. But the author also has a tendency to overdo this, and there's no denying that it often gets in the way of the plot and also slows the pace throughout the book. This was a flagrant flaw in young Anna's storyline and it did plague the king's progress more often than not. I'm not sure anyone wanted to know this much about the tanning process and whatever else is required to run a tannery. Too often these bits and pieces meant to add a measure of realism to this fantasy universe bog down the narrative instead.
I also mentioned that another element that sets Crown of Stars apart from most epic fantasy series out there is the presence of religion and the major role it plays in every single aspect of this tale. Elliott's gender-egalitarian rebranding of the Roman Catholic Church affects people from all walks of life, from king to peasant. Indeed, not since Katherine Kurtz's Deryni saga has any SFF author tried to make religion such an all-encompassing facet of every day life in their fantasy universe. It remains particularly well-done in Prince of Dogs, but I can see why some people would find that offputting. As I said before, religion affects everything. It's unclear whether or not Elliott's portrayal of the Church can be as impressive as Kurtz's, for she's kept everything small scale thus far and the reasoning behind certain precepts don't always make sense. Still, I have high hopes for the volumes to come. Considering that the use of sorcery was formally accepted at a past religious council, although only if under the Church's supervision, I was hoping that we would get POVs from members of the clergy to explore that aspect. Alas, the author keeps her cards very close to her chest, and even including the perspective of Biscop Antonia revealed very little in that regard. Here's to hoping that the next installment, The Burning Stone, will unveil more secrets about magic and its various uses.
As was the case with the first volume, though good overall the characterization can at times be uneven. Alain has been proclaimed heir to Count Lavastine and must now learn what's expected of him if he is to rule once his father is gone. Liath, now a King's Eagle, is torn by the death of Prince Sanglant during the fall of Gent. Probably because so little time has passed between the two novels, I was disappointed by what little character growth there ultimately was for these two. The quick return of Father Hugh doesn't help in the least, it must be said. Though Liath remains the most fascinating protagonist of this series, the fact that she is powerless to take action to change her dire circumstances often makes it hard to root for her. Many of those sequences are tedious to read, to say the least. You can't help but feel for the poor girl, but you also want to kick her in the butt and tell her to at least try to do something about her plight. The third POV in importance is that of Rosvita, the female cleric and advisor to King Henry. Of all the perspectives found in Prince of Dogs, I felt that most of her scenes could have been excised and the reader wouldn't have lost much as far as the plot is concerned. Hanna is once more a POV character and is coming more into her own. Prince Sanglant, King Henry's child by one of the Aoi and now Bloodheart's prisoner, gets a lot more air time in this novel, which is good. Fifth Son truly comes into his on in this second installment and it was captivating to learn more about the Eika and their ways every time Alain dreamed of him. New POV characters include Anna, a young girl who survived the fall of Gent with her brother and must somehow find a way to survive in a refugee camp. I found that too much importance was accorded to that plotline, especially since I'm not sure where it will fit in the greater scheme of things. There's only so many scenes of starvation and suffering one can take. I get that Elliott wanted to depict the abject misery of their living conditions, but I feel that it was overdone and got in the way of more important and interesting storylines. As mentioned, I had high hopes for Biscop Antonia's plotline, but the author obviously didn't want to reveal too much. I know it's likely too much to ask, but hopefully we'll get POVs from Wolfhere and Father Hugh down the line.
The political intrigue which is the backdrop of the first two volumes remains rather simplistic. Time will tell if this will improve in the sequels to come, or else it could be detrimental to the overall story arc. I'm currently reading Tad Williams' Into the Narrowdark, and there's no denying that the weak political intrigue of The Lost King of Osten Ard series is a major issue and something that hurts the tale at every turn. Can Kate Elliott be as good as Katherine Kurtz and GRRM in that regard? We'll have to wait and see.
Prince of Dogs is a decidedly slow-moving novel. The rhythm drags, sometimes at a snail's pace, for the better part of the first half of the book. It felt as though most of the scenes featuring Anna and the king's progress could have been shortened, or removed altogether. The pace picks up in the second half as Elliott sets the stage for the endgame, and we get an exciting finale that caps it all off with aplomb. Which makes you wonder why it took so long for the novel to get this good. It didn't need such an overlong setup stage, for most of the groundwork had been laid in the first volume.
It is said that Kate Elliott's Crown of Stars is one of the most underrated fantasy series out there. Time will tell if that is indeed the case. King's Dragon and Prince of Dogs show a lot of promise. I'm eager to see if what comes next will live up to that potential. As long as the author doesn't lose track of what's really important, in this case the tale and its protagonists, and doesn't get bogged down trying to capture every single historical detail to perfection, it looks as though she can swing with the best of them. If you are looking for a big, multilayered fantasy novels featuring intricate worldbuilding and interesting characters, then Crown of Stars might be for you!
For more reviews, check out www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
March 31, 2009
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.
The Crown of Stars series is well-thought out and obviously well-planned. It's epic in scope and it's got a lot of texture. There are many complex characters who we follow in parallel, as in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. Some of them are very likable, and there are some really excellent villains (e.g., Hugh). Ms. Elliott's creatures are imaginative and enjoyable, and I especially liked the way they interact with the humans. Ms. Elliott uses a lot of description and therefore her plot moves very slowly (again, similar to WOT).
The writing was inconsistent throughout the series. Sometimes it seems brilliant, but at other times I'd think "why did she tell me that?" or "this could be moving a little faster." It's often wordy. Her editor could have almost arbitrarily taken out a third of the sentences with no ill effect. Sometimes she over-explains what a character is feeling or his/her motivation when it would have been better to let the dialog or action speak for the character. Sometimes she tells me something too many times (e.g., "but his voice always sounds like that"). I wonder if the inconsistency is due to different editing processes, because it's not like that in all the books, and even some individual books are internally inconsistent. I thought the fourth book, especially, was not well edited.
The pace of these novels is so slow that I found my self bogged down in the middle of book 5 with not much desire to go on, so I decided to quit. I struggled with that decision because I really did want to find out what happened to the characters, but it was taking me too long to get there and the writing style wasn't good enough to make up for the crawling pace (unlike Wheel of Time).
Overall, these books entertained me for a while, especially the first couple of novels. The plot was interesting and the characterization was particularly notable, but it eventually got too slow. I quit in the middle of book 5.
Read more Kate Elliott book reviews at Fantasy Literature .
The Crown of Stars series is well-thought out and obviously well-planned. It's epic in scope and it's got a lot of texture. There are many complex characters who we follow in parallel, as in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. Some of them are very likable, and there are some really excellent villains (e.g., Hugh). Ms. Elliott's creatures are imaginative and enjoyable, and I especially liked the way they interact with the humans. Ms. Elliott uses a lot of description and therefore her plot moves very slowly (again, similar to WOT).
The writing was inconsistent throughout the series. Sometimes it seems brilliant, but at other times I'd think "why did she tell me that?" or "this could be moving a little faster." It's often wordy. Her editor could have almost arbitrarily taken out a third of the sentences with no ill effect. Sometimes she over-explains what a character is feeling or his/her motivation when it would have been better to let the dialog or action speak for the character. Sometimes she tells me something too many times (e.g., "but his voice always sounds like that"). I wonder if the inconsistency is due to different editing processes, because it's not like that in all the books, and even some individual books are internally inconsistent. I thought the fourth book, especially, was not well edited.
The pace of these novels is so slow that I found my self bogged down in the middle of book 5 with not much desire to go on, so I decided to quit. I struggled with that decision because I really did want to find out what happened to the characters, but it was taking me too long to get there and the writing style wasn't good enough to make up for the crawling pace (unlike Wheel of Time).
Overall, these books entertained me for a while, especially the first couple of novels. The plot was interesting and the characterization was particularly notable, but it eventually got too slow. I quit in the middle of book 5.
Read more Kate Elliott book reviews at Fantasy Literature .
March 23, 2022
This series is a bit "dark" for me, though well written. Kate Elliott holds nothing back from her abusive priest whom one comes to love to loath, hate and despise. Pray he gets hung from a very tall tree by his gonads at some point in this series. He cannot leave our young heroine alone. Abusive is a kind word.
The series is set in an Alternat Europe with all that was medieval. Included is a nasty race of creatures, sorcery and of course the machinations of the royal court.
Onto book three. Whether I make it to book seven remains to be seen.
The series is set in an Alternat Europe with all that was medieval. Included is a nasty race of creatures, sorcery and of course the machinations of the royal court.
Onto book three. Whether I make it to book seven remains to be seen.
July 20, 2024
Absolutely grand in scope and incredibly exciting!
This series has delivered on so much of what I love about epic fantasy. Heroic knights, prophetic visions, mysterious artifacts and shamanic magic, awe inspiring battles, valiant heroes and dastardly foes.
A kingdom with fractured divisions and heavily influenced with religious overtones.
Two books in and still I feel there is so much behind the curtain still.
A side note…if you ever thought of a successor for King Joffrey’s POS crown….wait until you meet Hugh. Absolutely deplorable.
Excellent. Excellent. Excellent.
This series has delivered on so much of what I love about epic fantasy. Heroic knights, prophetic visions, mysterious artifacts and shamanic magic, awe inspiring battles, valiant heroes and dastardly foes.
A kingdom with fractured divisions and heavily influenced with religious overtones.
Two books in and still I feel there is so much behind the curtain still.
A side note…if you ever thought of a successor for King Joffrey’s POS crown….wait until you meet Hugh. Absolutely deplorable.
Excellent. Excellent. Excellent.
January 1, 2008
As opposed to the first book, there's about 75 pages in here that are interesting. There are plot lines that I'm really interested in and would like to see continue, but is it worth having to slog through 600 pages of religious dogma? Hmmmm..... no. I gave up on the series after this.
August 11, 2012
Since Elliott introduces about half a dozen new subplots and at least ten new characters, Prince of Dogs is a fair bit more complicated than its predecessor King's Dragon, and as a result feels like a massive undertaking even though the book itself is only slightly more than 600 pages (long, yes, but not massive). The new plot threads blended well with those set forth in the first book (and will probably become more important later in the series), but they did slow down the pace of the story, and all the politics and social maneuvering among both the nobles and members of the clergy, while realistic, was frustrating to read about.
And yet, in the midst of a plot heavy with intrigue, mysterious otherworldly powers, and the devastation of war, Elliot never neglects her characters. Alain and Hanna really come into their own over the course of this book, and Liath makes an important discovery as to who--and what--she really is. The details of Sanglant's captivity were heartbreaking, his emotional strength and resourcefulness incredible. Some of the new characters seem promising as well. Looking forward to the next book.
And yet, in the midst of a plot heavy with intrigue, mysterious otherworldly powers, and the devastation of war, Elliot never neglects her characters. Alain and Hanna really come into their own over the course of this book, and Liath makes an important discovery as to who--and what--she really is. The details of Sanglant's captivity were heartbreaking, his emotional strength and resourcefulness incredible. Some of the new characters seem promising as well. Looking forward to the next book.
July 22, 2023
This series baffles me. Two books in and I am not sure where it's going. What is the big issue to solve? Who is the big bad?
The religious doctrine continues. Is this the best series for someone who does not at all like organized religion? Probably not. I'm hoping
for an atheist character.
Speaking of characters, I wanted more growth from established characters that I liked from the pevious book. I did enjoy the new POVs, though. Wanted more time with the "prince of dogs", a character I can see developing into an all-timer.
The sexual abuse from book one was not enjoyable and the perpetrator reemerged in this book. I don't get how women hold power in this series, but yet the female victim can't speak up about being abused?? Maybe it was explained in a drawn out exposition dump? Aggravating.
This series...I'm going to continue, hoping it takes a huge positive turn for me.
The religious doctrine continues. Is this the best series for someone who does not at all like organized religion? Probably not. I'm hoping
for an atheist character.
Speaking of characters, I wanted more growth from established characters that I liked from the pevious book. I did enjoy the new POVs, though. Wanted more time with the "prince of dogs", a character I can see developing into an all-timer.
The sexual abuse from book one was not enjoyable and the perpetrator reemerged in this book. I don't get how women hold power in this series, but yet the female victim can't speak up about being abused?? Maybe it was explained in a drawn out exposition dump? Aggravating.
This series...I'm going to continue, hoping it takes a huge positive turn for me.
May 24, 2018
Slow to start but I enjoyed the characterization and conclusion. Not a ton happened and I will be continuing with the series.
January 26, 2025
4.25 stars
Loving this series! Straight to book three!
Loving this series! Straight to book three!
December 17, 2020
Not a lot to say about this one, simply because it's book 2 of a 7-volume fantasy epic, so it'd be like reviewing the second 15 minutes of a film. I'll just say that I enjoyed it as Alain and Liath started to come into their own (not without, of course, complications) and we were introduced to additional POV characters who will have their own roles to play and/or who helped provide additional context for the larger events that are taking place; and as soon as I finished book 2, I was opening book 3 on my Kindle.
December 31, 2015
The honest-to-goodness-ugly, aged cover and the somewhat old-school elements of worldbuilding (medieval Europe, elves, evil mages) might obscure a novel that has aged very well and ultimately might not appeal to me more than Song of Ice and Fire (because much as I hate those books, they are so, so well-paced early on, and so compulsive and fan-friendly) but seems better structured (slow-paced but gathering momentum rather than losing it) and more thoughtful (so we don't get stuck reading about turtles for chapters on end). Ironically, back when I was reading SoIaF (as a teen), I scoffed at these books. They looked overblown and neither the covers nor the descriptions warranted the effort. (That, and the library didn't seem to ever have them in order, and they were quite expensive.) And so I thought, these look very military fantasy, with armies marching. Not my thing. I'd rather read SoIaF, that one is about scheming queens and noblewomen (I hope you can see where my mistake lay).
I'm really enjoying the experience of reading them now. I don't think they're as great as later trilogies by Elliott, and thus only 3 stars, but they're very readable. If I wanted to recommend them to someone, I'd say: there are amazing characters [...and Alain], chilling villains, sprawling and consistent and imaginative world-re-building, diversity built into the world and grittiness that is actually earned rather than painted by numbers. (And it's a complete series, praise the Lady!) If I were to explain why only 3 stars, I'd point to the excessive length [could we drop Alain I just don't care that much... ;_;] and the occasional stumbles (a drinking game for every time someone thinks that they can't trust Wolfhere!) - still, I might have just ordered second-hand the remaining five volumes. (I'd prefer to buy ebooks and let my bookshelves rest / the author earn more, but the difference in price is seriously terrible. Nine to twelve dollars [VAT included] per an old e-book? I simply don't make enough to afford that, 3 pounds per paper copy including postage it is :()
I'm really enjoying the experience of reading them now. I don't think they're as great as later trilogies by Elliott, and thus only 3 stars, but they're very readable. If I wanted to recommend them to someone, I'd say: there are amazing characters [...and Alain], chilling villains, sprawling and consistent and imaginative world-re-building, diversity built into the world and grittiness that is actually earned rather than painted by numbers. (And it's a complete series, praise the Lady!) If I were to explain why only 3 stars, I'd point to the excessive length [could we drop Alain I just don't care that much... ;_;] and the occasional stumbles (a drinking game for every time someone thinks that they can't trust Wolfhere!) - still, I might have just ordered second-hand the remaining five volumes. (I'd prefer to buy ebooks and let my bookshelves rest / the author earn more, but the difference in price is seriously terrible. Nine to twelve dollars [VAT included] per an old e-book? I simply don't make enough to afford that, 3 pounds per paper copy including postage it is :()
January 24, 2018
I do not know why I find this series about bloody war, sorcerers, dragon-vikings, and the fae so soothing, but I do. Maybe because it is stuffed right to the brim with classic medieval references and texts that are just slightly, delightfully different? Heleniad instead of the Odyssey, church council deciding against jesus's divinity instead of for, women being considered natural scholars? This is like a fantastic pan of brownies for me and I never want it to end.
Also I guess the fact that I trust that the author is going to get the characters through this is pretty important. If you get a POV, I know you're gonna survive, even if you have to live through horrible stuff. I think. I kinda mostly trust.
Also I guess the fact that I trust that the author is going to get the characters through this is pretty important. If you get a POV, I know you're gonna survive, even if you have to live through horrible stuff. I think. I kinda mostly trust.
October 3, 2007
The problem with re-reading a series that you read quite a while ago is you have a vague idea where the story is going and what is going to happen, but you forget most of the details.
Actually, that might be a good thing. I got to enjoy most of this series twice that way. :)
This book is no different. If you aren't pulling for the heroes and cursing the villains by now, stop reading. You don't deserve this series.
Seriously, Kate Elliot has created some of the most believable characters I've read.
Actually, that might be a good thing. I got to enjoy most of this series twice that way. :)
This book is no different. If you aren't pulling for the heroes and cursing the villains by now, stop reading. You don't deserve this series.
Seriously, Kate Elliot has created some of the most believable characters I've read.
December 11, 2007
As I said before, the first book in the series was really just character development. There was a bit more “meat and potatoes" it this one. The plots are unfolding, with a little bit of unreliable narratives. The story is good, and Kate Elliot’s characters are lovable, loathsome, and easy to befriend, or wish dead.
February 25, 2019
That was quite enjoyable.
Things are starting to come together somewhat. People are deciding who to trust and not simply taking everyone at their word. Which is refreshing. Alain is still crying a lot、but I find it endearing so it is okay.
I especially enjoy learning more about the Eika culture、so I hope that Fifth-son goes back to unite all of them. That would be fun and exciting.
Liath needs to learn to stand on her own and trust people. I am glad that she is talking to Alain and Sanglant.
Things are starting to come together somewhat. People are deciding who to trust and not simply taking everyone at their word. Which is refreshing. Alain is still crying a lot、but I find it endearing so it is okay.
I especially enjoy learning more about the Eika culture、so I hope that Fifth-son goes back to unite all of them. That would be fun and exciting.
Liath needs to learn to stand on her own and trust people. I am glad that she is talking to Alain and Sanglant.
May 16, 2021
My investment in these characters continues to grow. On to Book 3.
December 1, 2022
After the fall of the city in the previous volume, various events occur. I'm tired. This review will suck. I liked this a lot, though, it's comfort-listening fantasy that gets the balance between tough terrible things and likeable characters making their way in the world more or less right.
September 8, 2025
I absolutely love this series . I read it many years ago and reading it again is incredible. I love this series and this writer.
September 25, 2024
Really enjoyable, can't wait to continue the series!
September 2, 2018
I put this one down for a while, debating whether to get involved in another long series, even though completed.
I'm glad I did pick it up.
This volume continues immediately after volume one.
Here we have the Prince a prisoner, tortured, and due to his mother's gifts, cannot be killed. Treated awfully and degraded.
Meanwhile, the King's progress continues towards the occupied city.
All of our characters stories are advanced throughout.
Great world building and storyline.
Look forward to the next volume.
I'm glad I did pick it up.
This volume continues immediately after volume one.
Here we have the Prince a prisoner, tortured, and due to his mother's gifts, cannot be killed. Treated awfully and degraded.
Meanwhile, the King's progress continues towards the occupied city.
All of our characters stories are advanced throughout.
Great world building and storyline.
Look forward to the next volume.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews