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Circle of Conspiracy #1
The Challenge
Friend against friend, lover against lover,
ally against ally. Conflict is coming …
Nine months have passed since Brynne Sullyan helped forge an alliance between the realms of Albia and Andaryon. A fragile peace reigns as both sides recover from the events of the previous year. Then mysterious raiders strike Andaryon villages.
Attempts are made on the life of Albia’s High King. As Sullyan scrambles to find those responsible, unseen enemies threaten to pull apart everything she has worked for, including her marriage.
The alliance begins to crumble, and Sullyan finds herself caught between two monarchs: the king she’s sworn allegiance to, and the man she loves as a father. To betray either one would break her heart, but if conflict is inevitable, she must make a choice…
ally against ally. Conflict is coming …
Nine months have passed since Brynne Sullyan helped forge an alliance between the realms of Albia and Andaryon. A fragile peace reigns as both sides recover from the events of the previous year. Then mysterious raiders strike Andaryon villages.
Attempts are made on the life of Albia’s High King. As Sullyan scrambles to find those responsible, unseen enemies threaten to pull apart everything she has worked for, including her marriage.
The alliance begins to crumble, and Sullyan finds herself caught between two monarchs: the king she’s sworn allegiance to, and the man she loves as a father. To betray either one would break her heart, but if conflict is inevitable, she must make a choice…
425 pages, Paperback
Published April 19, 2014
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 30, 2014
This book is an epic (and heroic) fantasy, a genre I like very much. Though I won’t try to compare this book to the masters, it has a depth of history and a magic system that is really strong. I was very impressed and happily surprised.
The characters in this book are well written, and have a lot of history, which (besides making for great, deep characters) is required due to all the sub-plotting and conspiratorial stuff that is happening in the back ground. The conflict in the book between characters is also powerful, because of the relationships between them. Honor and Duty are difficult values to adhere to when they come in conflict with love and affection. I think that the characters are very much the strong point of the novel.
This may sound trite, but I particularly enjoy strong female leads—at least female leads that aren’t stereotypical (or basically male leads with a gender change). Some authors find it difficult to thread that needle after decades of the industry’s familiar male leads and established norms for them. This author has done a good job with Sullyan. But, I also can’t forget to mention her myriad companions—they too have a depth of character that is admirable. All of these characters are enhanced throughout the story by well-written conflict, both small and epic.
My only real criticism is that the story started out a little slow for me. Being a big fan of action stories, I often look for a rapid introduction to action and conflict in fantasy novels. This one took a while longer to build than I might have liked. Once it got there—no complaints at all. And, I think much of it may have been necessary to build the backstory for this rich novel.
Overall, I thought that this was a good book, and a fun read. I liked the setting, the characters and the overall story. I’m very happy I read it.
The characters in this book are well written, and have a lot of history, which (besides making for great, deep characters) is required due to all the sub-plotting and conspiratorial stuff that is happening in the back ground. The conflict in the book between characters is also powerful, because of the relationships between them. Honor and Duty are difficult values to adhere to when they come in conflict with love and affection. I think that the characters are very much the strong point of the novel.
This may sound trite, but I particularly enjoy strong female leads—at least female leads that aren’t stereotypical (or basically male leads with a gender change). Some authors find it difficult to thread that needle after decades of the industry’s familiar male leads and established norms for them. This author has done a good job with Sullyan. But, I also can’t forget to mention her myriad companions—they too have a depth of character that is admirable. All of these characters are enhanced throughout the story by well-written conflict, both small and epic.
My only real criticism is that the story started out a little slow for me. Being a big fan of action stories, I often look for a rapid introduction to action and conflict in fantasy novels. This one took a while longer to build than I might have liked. Once it got there—no complaints at all. And, I think much of it may have been necessary to build the backstory for this rich novel.
Overall, I thought that this was a good book, and a fun read. I liked the setting, the characters and the overall story. I’m very happy I read it.
May 20, 2014
Having been a fan of Cas Peace's first trilogy, I was more than eager for this novel. I wasn't disappointed. The book does start at an easy pace. I certainly didn't mind meeting up with old friends, having been so familiar with them and their prior adventures. Don't let the early chapters deceive you if you're new to the series and crave lots of action and mystery. Peace, as always, delivers on both scores. I'm not one to make heavy speculations or mightily try to unravel the truths sealed in a book's plot. I'm not very good at it, and I usually settle for brief musings. There's something about Peace's story and the way she tells it that sets fires in my mind and makes me want to see if I can make the right discoveries.
In this book we finally meet at length Herza Reen, the mysterious Albian Baron, who remained in the shadows until the last chapters of King's Artesan. In a way, you almost wish you hadn't the privilege because he's such a vile, self-righteous individual (and I can think of many things to call him that aren't fit for a public review, because just as Peace is so good at giving us honest-to-life, easy to relate to protagonists, she is equally skilled at giving us realistically slimy antagonists). His scheme with the Staff failed, he implements a second plot which might well be more devastating than the first. Everything erupts into so much chaos, and there is so much unresolved it will be a difficult wait until Autumn-time to see how much of this damage can be repaired.
In this book we finally meet at length Herza Reen, the mysterious Albian Baron, who remained in the shadows until the last chapters of King's Artesan. In a way, you almost wish you hadn't the privilege because he's such a vile, self-righteous individual (and I can think of many things to call him that aren't fit for a public review, because just as Peace is so good at giving us honest-to-life, easy to relate to protagonists, she is equally skilled at giving us realistically slimy antagonists). His scheme with the Staff failed, he implements a second plot which might well be more devastating than the first. Everything erupts into so much chaos, and there is so much unresolved it will be a difficult wait until Autumn-time to see how much of this damage can be repaired.
November 28, 2014
Another stellar offering in this series. I love the characters, and my heart goes out to them. Boy, what can I say? Sometimes authors are just mean to their characters!
February 23, 2015
“The Challenge” is the first volume in the “Circle of Conspiracy” trilogy and the fourth book in Cas Peace’s sweeping “Artesans of Albia” cycle. Positioned in the middle of this epic, it does a good job of holding its unique place in the notable hierarchy, although it is not a stand-alone novel.
This book is on a smaller scale than earlier novels of the series. No sweeping battle scenes and dramatic duels here; much of the conflict takes place in whispered rumour, innuendo and political machinations. The battleground is mostly the human heart. Bribery, envy, and coercion are the order of the day, and the challenge for the heroes is to come out victorious at the end without compromising their virtue or stooping to the depths the villains are happy to inhabit.
This author does an excellent job of creating scenes wherein characters are forced or lured into situations that require them to act contrary to their better natures. Clever turns of phrase and false impressions create the sand that causes the cogs of human interaction to grind to a halt. And into the cracks that result, the evil and ambition insinuate their greasy fingers.
This book, like others in the series, has a complex plotline involving treachery and intrigue at several levels. It also contains a good helping of fine swordplay and medium-scale military action, all described in exciting detail.
I do have one concern about this novel that may or may not bother other readers. I think the heroine is too strong. Oh, certainly she is a well-rounded, empathetic character who makes her share of mistakes, but in general, she is simply held in too high esteem by all the others in the story. This makes it very difficult for the other characters to hold up their part of the story arc. Dissention between positive characters is one of the necessary conflicts in a well-written novel. If one character is too good, then in order for there to be conflict, the other guys have to be idiots. And I like the other characters far too much to want to be told that.
Maybe by book four I’ve just been pulled into the story too far and I’m taking sides, but this volume leaves me with some very pressing unanswered questions. I hope my curiosity will be satisfied in the next book in the series, “The Challenge.” So as not to keep you in suspense too long, I will be reviewing that novel next week.
Recommended for Epic Fantasy and Romance readers.
August 27, 2014
Sullyan's and her friends' battles are just beginning in Cas Peace's The Challenge. I fell in love with the world Peace created in the first trilogy Artesans of Albia. From the magic systems to the different realms, I enjoyed understanding more about the world created. The book started out strong for me, but then again, Taran is one of my favorite characters and the reason I fell in love with the very first Artesans of Albia book. He's honorable, caring, and has so much room to grow. Yet as I read, the pace slowed to a trickle and Sullyan started getting on my nerves. I almost gave up reading, but I'm glad I pressed through because the pace picked up and roared full-steam until the end. I still want to throttle certain men in the book for their idiotic behaviors, though, and perhaps do worse to the main loathsome villains. The Challenge by Cas Peace is the start of what looks like an intense new trilogy.
March 8, 2015
Another brilliant book by Cas Peace. A fast paced, intricate plot where loyalties are tested and allegiances are undermined. Cas’s expert story telling draws you into this wonderful world she has created and immerses you into the lives of the characters, and then you are along for the ride. This is a must read, and I am so glad there are still 5 more books still to come!
April 3, 2019
The Challenge is the first installment from Cas Peace’s series, Circle of Conspiracy. It is, also, my first introduction this author’s work. It will not be the last. I have to admit I am not a huge fan of the fantasy genre but I did enjoy this story. I found it to be magical, adventurous and intriguing.
I give The Challenge four stars. I look forward to the next book in the Circle of Conspiracy series.
I received this book from the author. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
I give The Challenge four stars. I look forward to the next book in the Circle of Conspiracy series.
I received this book from the author. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews