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The Sun Sword #5
The Riven Shield: The Sun Sword
The fifth novel of the acclaimed Sun Sword series returns to a war-torn world of noble houses divided and demon lords unleashed...
Valedan kai di’Leonne, last survivor of the ruling clan of the Dominion, has forged an alliance with his people’s ancestral enemies, the Northern armies of the Essalieyan Empire. Though young and untried, he has also won the support of Dominion Tyr’agnate Ramiro di’Callesta. Whether he can now do the impossible, and bring Tyr’agnate Mareo di’Lamberto over to his side, remains to be seen. Even with such powerful backers, if Valedan can’t gain possession of the Sun Sword and survive the wielding of it, all will be lost.
Jewel of House Terafin has joined forces with the Voyani, bringing with her the legendary Warlord, Avandar, the bard-assassin, Kallandras, and Lord Celleriant of the Winter Queen’s court. Hunted by the demonic Kialli, they will be hard-pressed to escape from the Sea of Sorrows and link up with Valedan’s troops.
In Averalaan, House Terafin is on the brink of a bloody dynastic war—and Jewel’s den is caught in deadly political infighting within the House, forced by command of the Terafin herself to take on the most difficult roles of their lives.
Kiriel, child of the Lord of Darkness and a mortal woman, also must face the greatest challenge of her life, torn between the conflicting demands of her father’s demonic realm and her human heritage.
The Kialli demon lords and their human allies are banding together, too, readying to sweep down upon the Northern armies in a devastating campaign of terror and destruction that will either see peace restored or all the furies of the Hells and the Lord of Darkness himself released upon the world.
Valedan kai di’Leonne, last survivor of the ruling clan of the Dominion, has forged an alliance with his people’s ancestral enemies, the Northern armies of the Essalieyan Empire. Though young and untried, he has also won the support of Dominion Tyr’agnate Ramiro di’Callesta. Whether he can now do the impossible, and bring Tyr’agnate Mareo di’Lamberto over to his side, remains to be seen. Even with such powerful backers, if Valedan can’t gain possession of the Sun Sword and survive the wielding of it, all will be lost.
Jewel of House Terafin has joined forces with the Voyani, bringing with her the legendary Warlord, Avandar, the bard-assassin, Kallandras, and Lord Celleriant of the Winter Queen’s court. Hunted by the demonic Kialli, they will be hard-pressed to escape from the Sea of Sorrows and link up with Valedan’s troops.
In Averalaan, House Terafin is on the brink of a bloody dynastic war—and Jewel’s den is caught in deadly political infighting within the House, forced by command of the Terafin herself to take on the most difficult roles of their lives.
Kiriel, child of the Lord of Darkness and a mortal woman, also must face the greatest challenge of her life, torn between the conflicting demands of her father’s demonic realm and her human heritage.
The Kialli demon lords and their human allies are banding together, too, readying to sweep down upon the Northern armies in a devastating campaign of terror and destruction that will either see peace restored or all the furies of the Hells and the Lord of Darkness himself released upon the world.
Audible Audio
First published July 1, 2003
33 people are currently reading
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About the author
Michelle West
73 books467 followersSee also:
Michelle Sagara West
Michelle Sagara
Michelle is an author, bookseller, and lover of literature based in Toronto. She writes fantasy novels as both Michelle Sagara and Michelle West (and sometimes as Michelle Sagara West). You can find her books at fine booksellers.
She lives in Toronto with her long-suffering husband and her two children, and to her regret has no dogs.
Reading is one of her life-long passions, and she is sometimes paid for her opinions about what she’s read by the venerable Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. No matter how many bookshelves she buys, there is Never Enough Shelf space. Ever.
She has published as Michelle Sagara (her legal name), as Michelle West (her husband's surname), and as Michelle Sagara West (a combination of the two).
Michelle Sagara West
Michelle Sagara
Michelle is an author, bookseller, and lover of literature based in Toronto. She writes fantasy novels as both Michelle Sagara and Michelle West (and sometimes as Michelle Sagara West). You can find her books at fine booksellers.
She lives in Toronto with her long-suffering husband and her two children, and to her regret has no dogs.
Reading is one of her life-long passions, and she is sometimes paid for her opinions about what she’s read by the venerable Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. No matter how many bookshelves she buys, there is Never Enough Shelf space. Ever.
She has published as Michelle Sagara (her legal name), as Michelle West (her husband's surname), and as Michelle Sagara West (a combination of the two).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 11, 2020
These books take so much out of me. Every review I write for the next book in the series is at least 9 months later because it takes me that long to make it through. I drop them for any and all reasons. The thing is, they are actually interesting in the moment, while I'm reading it. The second I put it down, I don't want to pick it back up. They are just so much work to read. I picked it up recently with the goal of actually finishing it and I read 100 pages in no time. Then put it down and it was another week before I could handle touching it again.
Those 100 pages were a description of a single conversation then the subsequent action of a single evening. Things take so long to happen. Conversations will take place over the course of pages and pages because the characters sit there and remember things from their past, they lift a single brow in courtly grace, they think about their lord back home taking care of the wives, their nanny from childhood, I dunno it goes ON AND ON.
She is only so-so at writing action scenes, but they are memorable. Huge things happen. The earth and seas move and it is darn cool. If Avandar Gallais is about to take the field I am not about to put that book down. But because I am taking forever to read the series there are many small details I am missing. There is a small character in this book (literally a child - Ariel) that I completely forgot how the hell she even showed up or what she is doing there. I had to just roll with it. This is a problem with me and how I am reading the series. If I were going quicker, I probably would not have forgotten. But I just can't bring myself to read it most of the time.
One book left. I'll see y'all in a year when I finish it.
Those 100 pages were a description of a single conversation then the subsequent action of a single evening. Things take so long to happen. Conversations will take place over the course of pages and pages because the characters sit there and remember things from their past, they lift a single brow in courtly grace, they think about their lord back home taking care of the wives, their nanny from childhood, I dunno it goes ON AND ON.
She is only so-so at writing action scenes, but they are memorable. Huge things happen. The earth and seas move and it is darn cool. If Avandar Gallais is about to take the field I am not about to put that book down. But because I am taking forever to read the series there are many small details I am missing. There is a small character in this book (literally a child - Ariel) that I completely forgot how the hell she even showed up or what she is doing there. I had to just roll with it. This is a problem with me and how I am reading the series. If I were going quicker, I probably would not have forgotten. But I just can't bring myself to read it most of the time.
One book left. I'll see y'all in a year when I finish it.
June 12, 2016
Every book she has written in this series can easily be cut down to 1/3rd its size and you won't miss anything.
The writing is poor, forcibly fancy and to make it worse, things are repeated again and again. The only thing this writer does well is write good characters and its only to know their fate that I keep reading this terrible series. I truly regret ever starting this.
Without a doubt the worst fantasy series I have ever read. Too bad that I care about what happens to kallandras, illarphaniel, and the rest of the gang.
The writing is poor, forcibly fancy and to make it worse, things are repeated again and again. The only thing this writer does well is write good characters and its only to know their fate that I keep reading this terrible series. I truly regret ever starting this.
Without a doubt the worst fantasy series I have ever read. Too bad that I care about what happens to kallandras, illarphaniel, and the rest of the gang.
July 28, 2020
I think it's safe to say that this series has my whole heart. I don't want the next book to be the last one!
June 25, 2020
Anytime the author starts a book with the disclaimer that their manuscript ran too long and they had to cut it in half, it's a bad sign. All of these books are unnecessarily wordy but this felt like treading water. It's only been a week between finishing the book and writing this review, and I'm having to flip back through it just to remember what happened. Having finished the final Sun Sword installment, you could skip this book without missing anything much because everything you need to know gets explained again.
Valedan FINALLY heads to the Dominion and everyone continues to imply he's a wimpy Northern brat because he believes in silly things like gender equality, abolishing slavery and class mobility. There's a LOT of discussions of battle strategies and potential allies, but they don't add anything new because it was clear from the start that Valedan was a wunderkind who would draw followers like moths to a flame, and that Alesso's allies were only there out of convenience. We spend an inordinate amount of time with priest Marakas par el'Sol who simply shows up to help escort Diora to Valedan. Diora leaves the Arkosan caravan but makes a stop in the lands of Clemente, which is only significant for one reason:
Jewel helps save a village in the Dominion from destruction. Well, it would be more accurate to say that Avandar, her butler/bodyguard/mage/personal demigod, saves the village. There are a few chapters dedicated to whether or not Valedan's army is going to defend it because it has little strategic significance. Of course they save it because Jewel can't stand to let anybody die, but the death toll isn't really lessened, simply redistributed more towards soldiers than civilians. I agree in principle that the casualties should accrue to the folks who showed up voluntarily but Jewel's self-righteousness over the situation isn't merited because plenty of villagers still die, and they wouldn't even have won if not for her domicis.
Oh! I almost forgot. Remember Elena, the Arkosan Matriarch's cousin/heir who got kidnapped by a demon in the last book? Well nothing much happens to her except Telakar walks around caressing her face, being creepily possessive and going on about the good old days when gods and demons alike walked the earth and crushed mere mortals beneath their feet. Ya know, like you do.
And that's about it. My least favorite installment so far.
Valedan FINALLY heads to the Dominion and everyone continues to imply he's a wimpy Northern brat because he believes in silly things like gender equality, abolishing slavery and class mobility. There's a LOT of discussions of battle strategies and potential allies, but they don't add anything new because it was clear from the start that Valedan was a wunderkind who would draw followers like moths to a flame, and that Alesso's allies were only there out of convenience. We spend an inordinate amount of time with priest Marakas par el'Sol who simply shows up to help escort Diora to Valedan. Diora leaves the Arkosan caravan but makes a stop in the lands of Clemente, which is only significant for one reason:
Jewel helps save a village in the Dominion from destruction. Well, it would be more accurate to say that Avandar, her butler/bodyguard/mage/personal demigod, saves the village. There are a few chapters dedicated to whether or not Valedan's army is going to defend it because it has little strategic significance. Of course they save it because Jewel can't stand to let anybody die, but the death toll isn't really lessened, simply redistributed more towards soldiers than civilians. I agree in principle that the casualties should accrue to the folks who showed up voluntarily but Jewel's self-righteousness over the situation isn't merited because plenty of villagers still die, and they wouldn't even have won if not for her domicis.
Oh! I almost forgot. Remember Elena, the Arkosan Matriarch's cousin/heir who got kidnapped by a demon in the last book? Well nothing much happens to her except Telakar walks around caressing her face, being creepily possessive and going on about the good old days when gods and demons alike walked the earth and crushed mere mortals beneath their feet. Ya know, like you do.
And that's about it. My least favorite installment so far.
April 18, 2008
I devoured this series as whole, so my review of one book has to cover my review of all the books. This is one of my favorite series (and Michelle West is one of my favorite authors). When I finished the series the first time through I was compelled to go back and re-read just the parts that featured my favorite character (Jewel). I keep this series handy, because it's one I reach for time and again when I'm in the mood for a good book. Sometimes I re-read the whole series and other times I just re-read my favorite parts.
May 31, 2023
I have to admit that I was a bit concerned about this one, because it is essentially the first half of what was meant to be the final volume in the series. When West reached 2000 manuscript pages, she knew she was in trouble and got in touch with her publisher. Instead of trying to cut 600 pages' worth of material, it was decided that the novel would be split into two books. Hence, The Riven Shield and the sixth and final installment, The Sun Sword.
I was concerned, for splitting a manuscript in two doesn't necessarily mean that the first half would stand that well on its own. Moreover, would it have its own sort of ending? Michelle West has proven time and again that she knows how to end a book with style and aplomb. And with the author somehow finding a way to elevate her game yet again, and thus making Sea of Sorrows the best installment so far, could The Riven Shield deliver like its predecessors?
Well, I'm pleased to report that it does! The endgame and the finale may not be as rousing as the previous ones, but this fifth volume turned out to be more self-contained than I thought it would be.
Here's the blurb:
The fifth novel of the acclaimed Sun Sword series returns to a war-torn world of noble houses divided and demon lords unleashed…
Valedan kai di’Leonne, last survivor of the ruling clan of the Dominion, has forged an alliance with his people’s ancestral enemies, the Northern armies of the Essalieyan Empire. Though young and untried, he has also won the support of Dominion Tyr’agnate Ramiro di’Callesta. Whether he can now do the impossible, and bring Tyr’agnate Mareo di’Lamberto over to his side, remains to be seen. Even with such powerful backers, if Valedan can’t gain possession of the Sun Sword and survive the wielding of it, all will be lost…
Jewel of House Terafin has joined forces with the Voyani, bringing with her the legendary Warlord, Avandar, the bard-assassin, Kallandras, and Lord Celleriant of the Winter Queen’s court. Hunted by the demonic Kialli, they will be hard pressed to escape from the Sea of Sorrows and link up with Valedan’s troops…
In Averalaan, House Terafin is on the brink of a bloody dynastic war—and Jewel’s den is caught in deadly political infighting within the House, forced by command of the Terafin herself to take on the most difficult roles of their lives…
Kiriel, child of the Lord of Darkness and a mortal woman, also must face the greatest challenge of her life, torn between the conflicting demands of her father’s demonic realm and her human heritage…
The Kialli demon lords and their human allies are banding together, too, readying to sweep down upon the Northern armies in a devastating campaign of terror and destruction that will either see peace restored or all the furies of the Hells and the Lord of Darkness himself released upon the world…
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Structurally, it often feels as though six volumes were not enough to recount the full tale Michelle West wanted to tell. On the positive side of things, this means that her editor forced West to keep a lid of things, so to speak, thus preventing her from getting lost in the mire of extraneous plot threads that plagued portions of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time, George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, Steven Erikson's The Malazan Book of the Fallen, and Brandon Sanderson's The Stormlight Archive. On the other hand, it forces the author to juggle with several storylines, all of them important in the greater scheme of things, and somehow write them in a way that creates an interesting and cohesive whole. Alas, that is easier said than done. The great finales of both The Shining Court and Sea of Sorrows set the stage for bigger and better things to come. Sadly, since the bulk of those novels takes place in the Dominion, West is forced to backtrack and elaborate on the events that concurrently took place in the Essalieyan Empire. This wouldn't be so bad if it still held some importance in the current series. However, the bulk of those scenes, and they amount to hundreds of pages spread out throughout the six volumes, mostly exist to lay the groundwork for the subsequent House War series. Which is why such sequences involving the Terafin household and Jewel's den always feel somewhat discordant and superfluous. They'll be extremely important later on, but they serve little purpose in The Sun Sword.
The worldbuilding was already impressive and Sea of Sorrows raised the bar to another level. In my previous reviews, I claimed that there was a depth to Michelle West's universe that rivals that of Tolkien, Erikson, and Bakker. Now I'm starting to believe that she might surpass them all in that regard. How she managed to up her game with each new installment, I have no idea. And the House War series promises to add yet more threads to this complex and enthralling tapestry. The Riven Shield continues to build on the storylines of its predecessors, adding layers upon layers to an already convoluted plot that should satisfy even the most demanding fantasy aficionados.
Weighing in at 877 pages, The Riven Shield is no slender volume. Like The Shining Court and Sea of Sorrows, it is another sprawling book that covers a lot of plot threads and locales. And yet, unlike the last two volumes, it is not as tightly written. This one is more akin to The Broken Crown in terms of rhythm. There are some pacing issues, most of which having to do with the Terafin plotline and the drawn-out attempt by two canny Serras to establish a truce between Mareo di’Lamberto and Ramiro di’Callesta so that the true Leonne heir and his forces might triumph over the armies of the Lord of Night and save the Dominion. Having said that, I was still fascinated by how two supposedly powerless wives to two of the most powerful men in the South were able to pull some strings, as it were, in an attempt to influence their husbands as war reaches their borders. It was overwritten and overdone to a certain degree, but it was by no means boring. Political intrigue has been at the heart of this series and it was great to see the love and respect that both men have for their wives and how this could perhaps change the course of their lives and that of those men, women, and children under their rule.
Once again, the characterization is top notch. À la Robin Hobb and Jacqueline Carey, Michelle West continues to flesh out a cast of endearing and fascinating three-dimensional characters. I was a bit sad to say goodbye to Margret and the Arkosa Voyani, but war has finally come to the Dominion and it was time for Teresea, Diora, Kallandras, Yollana, Jewel, Avandar, and their companions to move on. Kiriel, Auralis and the Ospreys, Valedan, Serra Alina, Ramiro kai di'Callesta, Meralonne APhaniel, and Ser Anton di'Guivera all return as the endgame begins. As mentioned, Serra Donna en’Lamberto and Serra Amara en’Callesta proved themselves to be significant players in the decision of whose army their husbands would support in the coming conflict. Anya, the poor deranged girl who's also the most powerful mage born since the fall of the Cities of Man, returns as well. Yollana, the old Matriarch of the Havalla Voyani clan, continues to play a far-reaching role as the story unfolds. The Radann Marakas par el’Sol, due to both past and present circumstances, turned out to be more important than I thought he would be. Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't say how much Teresa's storyline, by seemingly reaching its end in the greater scheme of things, is both poignant and gut-wrenching.
Even if the finale cannot match those of The Shining Court and Sea of Sorrows, which were next level, the author nevertheless weaves the various plotlines of her tale together and make them come together in another thrilling ending. The war has begun and there's no turning back.
Do yourself a favor and read The Sun Sword. If you relish detailed worldbuilding, multilayered storylines, and powerful characterization, Michelle West will amaze you!
For more reviews, check out www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
I was concerned, for splitting a manuscript in two doesn't necessarily mean that the first half would stand that well on its own. Moreover, would it have its own sort of ending? Michelle West has proven time and again that she knows how to end a book with style and aplomb. And with the author somehow finding a way to elevate her game yet again, and thus making Sea of Sorrows the best installment so far, could The Riven Shield deliver like its predecessors?
Well, I'm pleased to report that it does! The endgame and the finale may not be as rousing as the previous ones, but this fifth volume turned out to be more self-contained than I thought it would be.
Here's the blurb:
The fifth novel of the acclaimed Sun Sword series returns to a war-torn world of noble houses divided and demon lords unleashed…
Valedan kai di’Leonne, last survivor of the ruling clan of the Dominion, has forged an alliance with his people’s ancestral enemies, the Northern armies of the Essalieyan Empire. Though young and untried, he has also won the support of Dominion Tyr’agnate Ramiro di’Callesta. Whether he can now do the impossible, and bring Tyr’agnate Mareo di’Lamberto over to his side, remains to be seen. Even with such powerful backers, if Valedan can’t gain possession of the Sun Sword and survive the wielding of it, all will be lost…
Jewel of House Terafin has joined forces with the Voyani, bringing with her the legendary Warlord, Avandar, the bard-assassin, Kallandras, and Lord Celleriant of the Winter Queen’s court. Hunted by the demonic Kialli, they will be hard pressed to escape from the Sea of Sorrows and link up with Valedan’s troops…
In Averalaan, House Terafin is on the brink of a bloody dynastic war—and Jewel’s den is caught in deadly political infighting within the House, forced by command of the Terafin herself to take on the most difficult roles of their lives…
Kiriel, child of the Lord of Darkness and a mortal woman, also must face the greatest challenge of her life, torn between the conflicting demands of her father’s demonic realm and her human heritage…
The Kialli demon lords and their human allies are banding together, too, readying to sweep down upon the Northern armies in a devastating campaign of terror and destruction that will either see peace restored or all the furies of the Hells and the Lord of Darkness himself released upon the world…
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Structurally, it often feels as though six volumes were not enough to recount the full tale Michelle West wanted to tell. On the positive side of things, this means that her editor forced West to keep a lid of things, so to speak, thus preventing her from getting lost in the mire of extraneous plot threads that plagued portions of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time, George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, Steven Erikson's The Malazan Book of the Fallen, and Brandon Sanderson's The Stormlight Archive. On the other hand, it forces the author to juggle with several storylines, all of them important in the greater scheme of things, and somehow write them in a way that creates an interesting and cohesive whole. Alas, that is easier said than done. The great finales of both The Shining Court and Sea of Sorrows set the stage for bigger and better things to come. Sadly, since the bulk of those novels takes place in the Dominion, West is forced to backtrack and elaborate on the events that concurrently took place in the Essalieyan Empire. This wouldn't be so bad if it still held some importance in the current series. However, the bulk of those scenes, and they amount to hundreds of pages spread out throughout the six volumes, mostly exist to lay the groundwork for the subsequent House War series. Which is why such sequences involving the Terafin household and Jewel's den always feel somewhat discordant and superfluous. They'll be extremely important later on, but they serve little purpose in The Sun Sword.
The worldbuilding was already impressive and Sea of Sorrows raised the bar to another level. In my previous reviews, I claimed that there was a depth to Michelle West's universe that rivals that of Tolkien, Erikson, and Bakker. Now I'm starting to believe that she might surpass them all in that regard. How she managed to up her game with each new installment, I have no idea. And the House War series promises to add yet more threads to this complex and enthralling tapestry. The Riven Shield continues to build on the storylines of its predecessors, adding layers upon layers to an already convoluted plot that should satisfy even the most demanding fantasy aficionados.
Weighing in at 877 pages, The Riven Shield is no slender volume. Like The Shining Court and Sea of Sorrows, it is another sprawling book that covers a lot of plot threads and locales. And yet, unlike the last two volumes, it is not as tightly written. This one is more akin to The Broken Crown in terms of rhythm. There are some pacing issues, most of which having to do with the Terafin plotline and the drawn-out attempt by two canny Serras to establish a truce between Mareo di’Lamberto and Ramiro di’Callesta so that the true Leonne heir and his forces might triumph over the armies of the Lord of Night and save the Dominion. Having said that, I was still fascinated by how two supposedly powerless wives to two of the most powerful men in the South were able to pull some strings, as it were, in an attempt to influence their husbands as war reaches their borders. It was overwritten and overdone to a certain degree, but it was by no means boring. Political intrigue has been at the heart of this series and it was great to see the love and respect that both men have for their wives and how this could perhaps change the course of their lives and that of those men, women, and children under their rule.
Once again, the characterization is top notch. À la Robin Hobb and Jacqueline Carey, Michelle West continues to flesh out a cast of endearing and fascinating three-dimensional characters. I was a bit sad to say goodbye to Margret and the Arkosa Voyani, but war has finally come to the Dominion and it was time for Teresea, Diora, Kallandras, Yollana, Jewel, Avandar, and their companions to move on. Kiriel, Auralis and the Ospreys, Valedan, Serra Alina, Ramiro kai di'Callesta, Meralonne APhaniel, and Ser Anton di'Guivera all return as the endgame begins. As mentioned, Serra Donna en’Lamberto and Serra Amara en’Callesta proved themselves to be significant players in the decision of whose army their husbands would support in the coming conflict. Anya, the poor deranged girl who's also the most powerful mage born since the fall of the Cities of Man, returns as well. Yollana, the old Matriarch of the Havalla Voyani clan, continues to play a far-reaching role as the story unfolds. The Radann Marakas par el’Sol, due to both past and present circumstances, turned out to be more important than I thought he would be. Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't say how much Teresa's storyline, by seemingly reaching its end in the greater scheme of things, is both poignant and gut-wrenching.
Even if the finale cannot match those of The Shining Court and Sea of Sorrows, which were next level, the author nevertheless weaves the various plotlines of her tale together and make them come together in another thrilling ending. The war has begun and there's no turning back.
Do yourself a favor and read The Sun Sword. If you relish detailed worldbuilding, multilayered storylines, and powerful characterization, Michelle West will amaze you!
For more reviews, check out www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
October 14, 2017
Trigger warning: rape
I have returned to Michelle West’s Sun Sword series! This epic fantasy series starts with The Broken Crown and contains plenty of well written female characters. It’s also got what I think of as an older fantasy book style, with fairly dense prose, tons of characters, and battles between good and evil. While I wasn’t thrilled with this installment, I’d still recommend the series. The Riven Shield is book five out of six, so plot spoilers for previous books may follow.
Reading The Riven Shield meant me frantically trying to remember what the heck happened in Sea of Sorrows. Basically, Diora, Jewel, and Jewel’s collection of random characters are all in a city that’s risen from the desert. After spending the last book getting to this city, they now need to get back. Why they had to go to this city in the first place, I’m still not entirely certain. Hopefully it will become relevant in the last book, but my hopes are not high.
While various characters are trying to get Diora and the Sun Sword over to Valedan, Valedan is… talking politics? I’m not sure what he achieved in this book. There is some demon fighting, but since there’s been at least one scene of demon fighting per book, this doesn’t feel particularly significant.
Can I tell you a spoiler? Okay, end spoilers.
Oh, regarding the trigger warning. For whatever reason the beginning of the book is a flashback to Anya Cooper’s backstory, which includes rape. Why this narrative decision was made, I have no idea. In fact, I have no idea why so much time was spent on Anya’s backstory when she wasn’t really in the rest of the book.
Michelle West has written some characters I love, but the ratio of “characters I care about” to “characters I don’t care about” was not favorable here. I don’t really care about Jewel. Or Kallandras. Or Markos (or whatever his name is). And I hate Avandar with a passion. Also, for a series with so many characters to keep track of, the names are awfully similar.
There were bits of The Riven Shield I liked. There was one especially good scene with Teresa and Diora. Then again, I tend to enjoy any scene with Diora. Otherwise, I ended up skimming parts of this. I get the feeling West never uses one word where she can manage five instead.
The Riven Shield may edge out Sea of Sorrows for my least favorite Sun Sword installment. I just don’t have much patience for eight hundred page fantasy books where hardly anything happens. Let’s hope the next and final book can restore my positive feelings for this series.
Originally posted in The Illustrated Page.
I have returned to Michelle West’s Sun Sword series! This epic fantasy series starts with The Broken Crown and contains plenty of well written female characters. It’s also got what I think of as an older fantasy book style, with fairly dense prose, tons of characters, and battles between good and evil. While I wasn’t thrilled with this installment, I’d still recommend the series. The Riven Shield is book five out of six, so plot spoilers for previous books may follow.
Reading The Riven Shield meant me frantically trying to remember what the heck happened in Sea of Sorrows. Basically, Diora, Jewel, and Jewel’s collection of random characters are all in a city that’s risen from the desert. After spending the last book getting to this city, they now need to get back. Why they had to go to this city in the first place, I’m still not entirely certain. Hopefully it will become relevant in the last book, but my hopes are not high.
While various characters are trying to get Diora and the Sun Sword over to Valedan, Valedan is… talking politics? I’m not sure what he achieved in this book. There is some demon fighting, but since there’s been at least one scene of demon fighting per book, this doesn’t feel particularly significant.
Can I tell you a spoiler? Okay, end spoilers.
Oh, regarding the trigger warning. For whatever reason the beginning of the book is a flashback to Anya Cooper’s backstory, which includes rape. Why this narrative decision was made, I have no idea. In fact, I have no idea why so much time was spent on Anya’s backstory when she wasn’t really in the rest of the book.
Michelle West has written some characters I love, but the ratio of “characters I care about” to “characters I don’t care about” was not favorable here. I don’t really care about Jewel. Or Kallandras. Or Markos (or whatever his name is). And I hate Avandar with a passion. Also, for a series with so many characters to keep track of, the names are awfully similar.
There were bits of The Riven Shield I liked. There was one especially good scene with Teresa and Diora. Then again, I tend to enjoy any scene with Diora. Otherwise, I ended up skimming parts of this. I get the feeling West never uses one word where she can manage five instead.
The Riven Shield may edge out Sea of Sorrows for my least favorite Sun Sword installment. I just don’t have much patience for eight hundred page fantasy books where hardly anything happens. Let’s hope the next and final book can restore my positive feelings for this series.
Originally posted in The Illustrated Page.
June 20, 2009
I always think it's a bad sign when an author intends to finish a series but can't stop writing and feels compelled to add another nearly 1000 page book to the pile. That's what West did with The Sun Sword books 5 and 6. Instead of one book that actually followed the characters in a reasonably efficient fashion that didn't leave me wanting to stop reading before the ending, she chose to write two extremely long-winded tales that cover so little ground for so many characters I felt like she should have shortened each one by three fourths. While I've read worse books, these two really make me glad I've finished the series. Which is unfortunate since some of the characters were interesting and compelling and if West could have just settled for telling a smaller story about one or two of them, the books would have been wonderful. It actually makes me feel more disappointed since I could see the potential that the stories had.
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January 6, 2021there are so many characters it gets confusing. especially when there SO many things are similarly named. dont get me wrong, i love the book. i just have a hard time keeping everyone and everything separate.
mareo, marano, marelo, meralonne, marente, marakas, markess, markaso, mancorvo
duarte, duvari, devon, devlin, devran
amar, amara, amarais
annagar, anton, andaro
alessandro, alesso, allasakar
averalaan, avander, averda
kallandras, kalakar, kalliaris, kialli, kiriel
"he knew, now, that he had accomplished only the unenviable task of lying to himself."
mareo, marano, marelo, meralonne, marente, marakas, markess, markaso, mancorvo
duarte, duvari, devon, devlin, devran
amar, amara, amarais
annagar, anton, andaro
alessandro, alesso, allasakar
averalaan, avander, averda
kallandras, kalakar, kalliaris, kialli, kiriel
"he knew, now, that he had accomplished only the unenviable task of lying to himself."
May 30, 2019
I liked this one a lot more than the first couple in the series, by far. Quite a lot happened in this one, it wasn't all just about setting up pieces for a grand finale in the next book, although that's clearly happening also. Good action, and character development - sometimes too much; there's such a thing as too much introspection especially when you've got an 800 page book to deal with. Some key Dominion characters bring their exposure with the north and the Voyani, and the interminable perfection, grace, bowing, mysoginy, &c, is noticably reduced.
May 26, 2008
Mostly this one is concerned with getting everyone in the right spot for the finale, but there are some good bits with how long to carry a grudge in the face of honor, and Jewel continues to be fascinating as she continues her reluctant path to leadership, of a different sort than her followers are used to.
June 21, 2021
3.5?
Let’s see, stream of consciousness thoughts:
I thought the prologue telling the backstory of Anya was equal parts horrifying and really well done, and definitely made me feel for her and that whole situation. But then Anya barely showed up for the rest of the book, and her backstory boyfriend also didn’t (and I couldn’t tell if we were supposed to recognize him as another character or not???) so it felt kind of out of place.
Diora has changed and grown so much and I love her way more than I did in the previous books now that she’s not so obsessed with perfection/appearances and has experienced more with life with the Voyani. I enjoy that her relationship with Margret has grown so strong and that, even if they have to be separated, she knows she has a place with Margret for the rest of her life, and that that fact gives her some amount of peace/hope. I really hope they’re able to reconnect when they get a little older.
Teresa might be my favorite now, so I was kind of devastated that her gift of the voice is now apparently gone forever. But what an amazing moment she had, killing the demon! And just sacrificing so much in general, without Diora really acknowledging a lot of her sacrifices (which, understandable, and I appreciate that Diora has this self-centered flaw sometimes; I still love their relationship overall). Anyway, Teresa is great and I’m super curious what she’ll do next now that so much of her identity - family name, status as clans woman, and now voice - she has given up.
I kind of like Valedan, but I’m also annoyed because he’s constantly being given these ‘tests’ and thinking he’s in over his head in the south, but then miraculously whipping out the perfect thing to say or the perfect action to take and having all of these people be super impressed at how amazing he is, without exception. Like, come on. I get that he has to have a lot of positive traits in order to be justified to rule, but he’s still 18 or whatever and largely raised in the north. It beggars belief that he is so well-spoken that those much older than him who have reason to be wary of him are universally shown that he is in fact wonderful and perfect and worthy of following, even if he does have all these radical northern views of ‘women are equal’ and ‘slavery is bad, maybe’.
I still like Jewel, and appreciate her slow character growth to leadership, and still don’t really care about a good chunk of her super-powered retinue + Kallandras. Honestly my favorite among them is probably the stag. And now she’s caring for a random small child sent to her by Isladar (or however you spell his name)? Intriguing, I suppose, but it didn’t really go anywhere in this book.
Lots of politicking, lots of flashbacks, and the book was significantly longer than it really needed to be.
The Northern army has finally landed in the South! Kiriel has regained some of her powers (sometimes? On and off?) and now has a demon underling! That part was honestly kind of hilarious with literally everyone else being like ‘wtf Kiriel this is a terrible idea’. Sucks for Elena, though, that her life is now just being used as a bargaining chip to keep the demon at heel.
The House Terafin struggles continue, and at this point I’m kind of shocked the Terafin is still alive. Her musings on her own mortality were interesting though - it must be so weird to be certain of your own coming death, but still fight it as much as you can. I also appreciated Finch’s chapters and how she’s taking on more leadership and confidence in the absence of Jewel. Also Ellerson is back as their domicis! I liked him way better than Avandar, honestly.
Avandar and Jewel still have their connection, blah blah, at least she accepts it now so hopefully not as much time will be spent with it on the next book. I still live in dread of their relationship becoming romantic, but the book in general has been refreshingly romance light, which I appreciate. Kallandras and the northern immortal lord dude are still wind battle buddies and I still don’t care.
God, I felt so bad when the Tyr’agnate’s son had died, then a demon possessed his body and he ended up just cradling his head. Wow. What a powerful scene.
Part of me can’t wait until Valedan and Diora finally meet and the plots converge and the finale can finally start happening, and part of me wants to put it off because I suspect that she will be yet another one who doubts him at first but then comes to realize how wonderful he is. We shall see.
Let’s see, stream of consciousness thoughts:
I thought the prologue telling the backstory of Anya was equal parts horrifying and really well done, and definitely made me feel for her and that whole situation. But then Anya barely showed up for the rest of the book, and her backstory boyfriend also didn’t (and I couldn’t tell if we were supposed to recognize him as another character or not???) so it felt kind of out of place.
Diora has changed and grown so much and I love her way more than I did in the previous books now that she’s not so obsessed with perfection/appearances and has experienced more with life with the Voyani. I enjoy that her relationship with Margret has grown so strong and that, even if they have to be separated, she knows she has a place with Margret for the rest of her life, and that that fact gives her some amount of peace/hope. I really hope they’re able to reconnect when they get a little older.
Teresa might be my favorite now, so I was kind of devastated that her gift of the voice is now apparently gone forever. But what an amazing moment she had, killing the demon! And just sacrificing so much in general, without Diora really acknowledging a lot of her sacrifices (which, understandable, and I appreciate that Diora has this self-centered flaw sometimes; I still love their relationship overall). Anyway, Teresa is great and I’m super curious what she’ll do next now that so much of her identity - family name, status as clans woman, and now voice - she has given up.
I kind of like Valedan, but I’m also annoyed because he’s constantly being given these ‘tests’ and thinking he’s in over his head in the south, but then miraculously whipping out the perfect thing to say or the perfect action to take and having all of these people be super impressed at how amazing he is, without exception. Like, come on. I get that he has to have a lot of positive traits in order to be justified to rule, but he’s still 18 or whatever and largely raised in the north. It beggars belief that he is so well-spoken that those much older than him who have reason to be wary of him are universally shown that he is in fact wonderful and perfect and worthy of following, even if he does have all these radical northern views of ‘women are equal’ and ‘slavery is bad, maybe’.
I still like Jewel, and appreciate her slow character growth to leadership, and still don’t really care about a good chunk of her super-powered retinue + Kallandras. Honestly my favorite among them is probably the stag. And now she’s caring for a random small child sent to her by Isladar (or however you spell his name)? Intriguing, I suppose, but it didn’t really go anywhere in this book.
Lots of politicking, lots of flashbacks, and the book was significantly longer than it really needed to be.
The Northern army has finally landed in the South! Kiriel has regained some of her powers (sometimes? On and off?) and now has a demon underling! That part was honestly kind of hilarious with literally everyone else being like ‘wtf Kiriel this is a terrible idea’. Sucks for Elena, though, that her life is now just being used as a bargaining chip to keep the demon at heel.
The House Terafin struggles continue, and at this point I’m kind of shocked the Terafin is still alive. Her musings on her own mortality were interesting though - it must be so weird to be certain of your own coming death, but still fight it as much as you can. I also appreciated Finch’s chapters and how she’s taking on more leadership and confidence in the absence of Jewel. Also Ellerson is back as their domicis! I liked him way better than Avandar, honestly.
Avandar and Jewel still have their connection, blah blah, at least she accepts it now so hopefully not as much time will be spent with it on the next book. I still live in dread of their relationship becoming romantic, but the book in general has been refreshingly romance light, which I appreciate. Kallandras and the northern immortal lord dude are still wind battle buddies and I still don’t care.
God, I felt so bad when the Tyr’agnate’s son had died, then a demon possessed his body and he ended up just cradling his head. Wow. What a powerful scene.
Part of me can’t wait until Valedan and Diora finally meet and the plots converge and the finale can finally start happening, and part of me wants to put it off because I suspect that she will be yet another one who doubts him at first but then comes to realize how wonderful he is. We shall see.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2018
I am not going to do a big detailed review, because at this point we are many books in to a long epic fantasy series... so you are either continuing to read because you like it, or you've dropped it.
As for me, I like it very much.
My continuing gripe, though, is regarding the South and the people in it. Aside from their horrific, misogynistic slave-trading culture, I just cannot get over how much they whine about people they lost in a war they started with the Empire. Like, dude! You claim to be some badass warrior culture, so far above the puny Empire because you are all about power and war. You started a war, like a bunch of bullies, and the Empire handed your ass to you. And now, more than a decade later, you bitch constantly about people you lost in the war. It was your fucking war! You don't get to play the victim here!
As a wise man once said: don't start none, won't be none.
You tried to be bully-boy warriors and you got beat. Suck it the fuck up. The Empire lost a lot of people too, but you don't see them bitching at you about it now as you are forced to ally and deal with a greater threat. And the Empire has EVERY REASON to despise you over it. The Ospreys have every reason. But no. They put on their big boy pants and are bending over backwards to make an alliance with a group of baby-men with swords.
Why? I have no idea. Frankly, the entire nation of the Dominion should be purged. But I swear to all the gods, if I have to read one more condescending bitch-fest from Alina or Mareo about the kai the North "murdered" I am going to start skipping their chapters, because I am way beyond done. Every time they start, the Ospreys or the Kalakar should start listing off all the people the Dominion murdered in that war.
As for me, I like it very much.
My continuing gripe, though, is regarding the South and the people in it. Aside from their horrific, misogynistic slave-trading culture, I just cannot get over how much they whine about people they lost in a war they started with the Empire. Like, dude! You claim to be some badass warrior culture, so far above the puny Empire because you are all about power and war. You started a war, like a bunch of bullies, and the Empire handed your ass to you. And now, more than a decade later, you bitch constantly about people you lost in the war. It was your fucking war! You don't get to play the victim here!
As a wise man once said: don't start none, won't be none.
You tried to be bully-boy warriors and you got beat. Suck it the fuck up. The Empire lost a lot of people too, but you don't see them bitching at you about it now as you are forced to ally and deal with a greater threat. And the Empire has EVERY REASON to despise you over it. The Ospreys have every reason. But no. They put on their big boy pants and are bending over backwards to make an alliance with a group of baby-men with swords.
Why? I have no idea. Frankly, the entire nation of the Dominion should be purged. But I swear to all the gods, if I have to read one more condescending bitch-fest from Alina or Mareo about the kai the North "murdered" I am going to start skipping their chapters, because I am way beyond done. Every time they start, the Ospreys or the Kalakar should start listing off all the people the Dominion murdered in that war.
March 10, 2024
It's nice to read a book that grips you and that doesn't let you go.
It's also nice to read a book that time flows as life does. A book where travelling takes time, where the majority of the war takes place in the preparation for the war and not just in the glorious battle itself.
We are now five books in, each book had at least 600 pages, if not more, and we still haven't gotten to the actual battle yet. We still don't even really know the motivation of the bad guy, we don't know the roots of the battle, or why it's taking place completely. We don't know where the weapons came from or what purpose they serve, and I...dig it. I like not knowing everything. That's why I didn't like the first two books, and why I liked the second trilogy and am enjoying the third trilogy.
Avandar is a mystery. Jewel and Avandar's relationship is a mystery. I want to know what it is. Are they actually falling in love? It can't be.
But I wonder if it is?
Will Alina and her brother finally reconcile after decades of mutual disdain?
What made Avandar what he is? What is he?
Will Jewel walk the Oracle's path? What will she learn how to do from it?
I have all kinds of questions that I look forward to finding the answers to. So, off I go, to read the next nearly 1000 page book.
It's also nice to read a book that time flows as life does. A book where travelling takes time, where the majority of the war takes place in the preparation for the war and not just in the glorious battle itself.
We are now five books in, each book had at least 600 pages, if not more, and we still haven't gotten to the actual battle yet. We still don't even really know the motivation of the bad guy, we don't know the roots of the battle, or why it's taking place completely. We don't know where the weapons came from or what purpose they serve, and I...dig it. I like not knowing everything. That's why I didn't like the first two books, and why I liked the second trilogy and am enjoying the third trilogy.
Avandar is a mystery. Jewel and Avandar's relationship is a mystery. I want to know what it is. Are they actually falling in love? It can't be.
But I wonder if it is?
Will Alina and her brother finally reconcile after decades of mutual disdain?
What made Avandar what he is? What is he?
Will Jewel walk the Oracle's path? What will she learn how to do from it?
I have all kinds of questions that I look forward to finding the answers to. So, off I go, to read the next nearly 1000 page book.
January 10, 2021
The first book in this series blew me away, I was deeply fascinated by the world West created, particularly the pseudo-Asian society of the Dominion and the enigmatic character of Serra Diora De'Marano. The rest of the series has been so-so, mostly because I don't like Jewel at all, and find everything concerning her and her "den" overwhelmingly boring and to a large degree irrelevant to the story. I don't care who ends up ruling Terafin, I really don't.
Luckily this book concerns itself almost exclusively with the goings on in the South, and is by far my favourite excepting the first one. As a rule I often find West unnecessarily long winded and her language excessively poetic, but she also manages to create scenes that will stay with me for a long time. Heartbreaking.
I'm looking forward to finally reading the conclusion of this saga. I just wish West would get over her abhorrence of definite article and the possessive pronouns. And the lifting of brows. Jeeze.
Luckily this book concerns itself almost exclusively with the goings on in the South, and is by far my favourite excepting the first one. As a rule I often find West unnecessarily long winded and her language excessively poetic, but she also manages to create scenes that will stay with me for a long time. Heartbreaking.
I'm looking forward to finally reading the conclusion of this saga. I just wish West would get over her abhorrence of definite article and the possessive pronouns. And the lifting of brows. Jeeze.
December 13, 2022
This is the book that wasn't supposed to happen. Originally, this was planned as a five-book series. But as is often the case with great authors who are not great outliners, there was simply too much story left to write to fit into one book. So I guess you can say The Riven Shield is book 5a and The Sun Sword book 5b.
This book definitely was a bit of a step up from The Sea of Sorrows. Diora takes less a role and Jewel a greater in the events that happen here. That's a good thing since Diora continues on that downhill slide. I was a huge fan of her in books 1-3, but not so much these past two. More and more is revealed of Avandar and, frankly, I couldn't care less. The more that is revealed of him, the more OP he seems and the less I want to hear. That is probably my biggest complaint about the series the further it goes on. Everyone keeps talking about how there is no true power in the world, but all these characters that seemed middling keep getting more and more powerful not through any effort of their own but rather through authorial revelation.
This book definitely was a bit of a step up from The Sea of Sorrows. Diora takes less a role and Jewel a greater in the events that happen here. That's a good thing since Diora continues on that downhill slide. I was a huge fan of her in books 1-3, but not so much these past two. More and more is revealed of Avandar and, frankly, I couldn't care less. The more that is revealed of him, the more OP he seems and the less I want to hear. That is probably my biggest complaint about the series the further it goes on. Everyone keeps talking about how there is no true power in the world, but all these characters that seemed middling keep getting more and more powerful not through any effort of their own but rather through authorial revelation.
November 27, 2024
I can't remember much of this book because i was stressed out of my mind planning for work events .
but loved markas's story and how it all came around with alessandro in the end
kalkar war of words with the southern women was really cool too , first time in the series showing really that the women of the south indeed has talent with the war of words
the war scenes were awesome kallandaras , celleriant , avanadar and marakas duking it out
serra teresa's sacrifice was so saddddd too tbh !!
also kiriel having a kinlord serve under her that's cool !! foreshadowing her ultimate power ? or maybe betrayal??
all in all freaking solid book , too bad i was falling asleep alot reading it due to being really tired !
but loved markas's story and how it all came around with alessandro in the end
kalkar war of words with the southern women was really cool too , first time in the series showing really that the women of the south indeed has talent with the war of words
the war scenes were awesome kallandaras , celleriant , avanadar and marakas duking it out
serra teresa's sacrifice was so saddddd too tbh !!
also kiriel having a kinlord serve under her that's cool !! foreshadowing her ultimate power ? or maybe betrayal??
all in all freaking solid book , too bad i was falling asleep alot reading it due to being really tired !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2024
Penultimate novel in this six book series. This was a faster read for me, in part because it had only been three months since I read the last book and so had a good grasp on what was happening/who everyone was and because we're moving toward the war. The usual excellent world-building and some nice character payoffs.
November 11, 2025
I'm slowly making my way through a re-read of the Essalieyan books, this time on audiobook and have reached The Riven Shield. It's hard to review the individual parts of the Sun Sword, as they are all part of the greater whole. Would I recommend them, yes, if you like epic fantasy, but start at the beginning!
October 22, 2023
The series returns from the desert back to the looming war with most of the focus on some key 'skirmishes'. Out of the rest of the series, this is my least favourite as it seems to lack some of the amazing plot and story that I've got used to in the first few books. Only one more book to go!
March 14, 2021
6.5/10*
A good read, but not one of the better books in this series.
A good read, but not one of the better books in this series.
December 30, 2022
3 stars, this entry jogged in place a little too much but I’m still looking forward to what seems like an epic closer to this series
March 3, 2025
This is an excellent series, the author weaves very interesting story, once you start reading, it's hard to put it down.
November 22, 2024
This whole book was more a vessel to move the plot toward climax than anything else. But it was well written, and though there was a lot of it, West is just amazing at writing dialogue.
Slow paced, and takes some work to read, but another solid installment in the series. Now, on to the finale!
Slow paced, and takes some work to read, but another solid installment in the series. Now, on to the finale!
February 8, 2016
I started the Sun Sword Series over four years ago. It's been a process both of devoting my time to it and of tracking down all the books. This particular one was the most difficult and I can only hope others have an easier time of it than I(and if anybody at the respective publishing house, which is DAW I believe reads this, please publish a few thousand more of these...)
Things are beginning to come to a head in this book. In the previous work, the Sea of Sorrows, I covered how the different strands of plot were converging. Their convergence broadens again but all towards a final resolution. Jewel, her cotorie, and the Serra Diora have met, and stay together, even as they leave behind Margaret of the Vodane. The Tor'agar has entered the South, along with a Northern Army. Both of these stories center around the political complexities of the south and the brewing and inevitable war. The contrast between the social identities and contrast of the south, as a culture of rigid definitions, and the challenges posed there-in in the face of war, and the Demonic Kin, who infiltrate one side of the War.
As always I found Jewel's sections pretty interesting, and their intersection now with the thing I've liked most about this series, the elements of the Dominion culture, is only makng things more interesting. She has become a person of power, defined by those she travels with. As a character in the story says, she walks out of legend. And yet she is terrified of this power and the legends she in theory commands. Her once Domisis, known in a past life as the Warlord, is a being of incomparable violence. A sword she dreads to unsheathe least she loose him entirely. she has to contend with the alienness of her other allies.
It's always hard to rate a continuing series, but this book has alot yet to live up to. Since I first read, years ago, about Kiriel's creation by the Dark God, it's been building to a conclusion. Will Serra Diora and the Sun Sword make it to the Tor'Agar. Will this be enough, along with Northern Armies and Jewels strange mix, to defeat the armies of the Dominion and of the Dark Lord. What of the other powers arrayed? What games do the various Kin Lords play and how will they play out. I think I'll be taking a brief break before diving back in. These books command a certain level of attention, but I'm eager to see the conclusion.
Things are beginning to come to a head in this book. In the previous work, the Sea of Sorrows, I covered how the different strands of plot were converging. Their convergence broadens again but all towards a final resolution. Jewel, her cotorie, and the Serra Diora have met, and stay together, even as they leave behind Margaret of the Vodane. The Tor'agar has entered the South, along with a Northern Army. Both of these stories center around the political complexities of the south and the brewing and inevitable war. The contrast between the social identities and contrast of the south, as a culture of rigid definitions, and the challenges posed there-in in the face of war, and the Demonic Kin, who infiltrate one side of the War.
As always I found Jewel's sections pretty interesting, and their intersection now with the thing I've liked most about this series, the elements of the Dominion culture, is only makng things more interesting. She has become a person of power, defined by those she travels with. As a character in the story says, she walks out of legend. And yet she is terrified of this power and the legends she in theory commands. Her once Domisis, known in a past life as the Warlord, is a being of incomparable violence. A sword she dreads to unsheathe least she loose him entirely. she has to contend with the alienness of her other allies.
It's always hard to rate a continuing series, but this book has alot yet to live up to. Since I first read, years ago, about Kiriel's creation by the Dark God, it's been building to a conclusion. Will Serra Diora and the Sun Sword make it to the Tor'Agar. Will this be enough, along with Northern Armies and Jewels strange mix, to defeat the armies of the Dominion and of the Dark Lord. What of the other powers arrayed? What games do the various Kin Lords play and how will they play out. I think I'll be taking a brief break before diving back in. These books command a certain level of attention, but I'm eager to see the conclusion.
May 26, 2023
I enjoyed it, but I did have some problems. The Riven Shield is book five in the Sun Sword series, and it shows some of the problems common to huge, long-running fantasy series that feature seemingly hundreds of characters. Problem one is that the book features what seems like hundreds of characters, many of them kin in some ways. The first book came out in 1997, so trying to remember who is whose brother/cousin/liege lord/etc. and who's pissed off at whom for what reason can really wear the reader out. Problem one-B is that many characters have similar names. If Serras Alina and Amara are in a scene together, it takes me some time to remember who's the very proper Serra and who's kind of a rebel. Lord Ishavriel and Lord Isladar are both demons and sometimes I can't keep them straight.
Also, the narrative language may fit one of the cultures she's depicting, but it can sometimes be so formal and vague that it's opaque.
Still, there are characters I enjoy and cultures that may crib from some easily recognizable ones but are at least a stab at a different fantasy environment. I'm curious to see how she pulls it all together and ends it in the concluding book, The Sun Sword, due out in January.
Also, the narrative language may fit one of the cultures she's depicting, but it can sometimes be so formal and vague that it's opaque.
Still, there are characters I enjoy and cultures that may crib from some easily recognizable ones but are at least a stab at a different fantasy environment. I'm curious to see how she pulls it all together and ends it in the concluding book, The Sun Sword, due out in January.
June 29, 2023
Book 5 or 8 depending on your reading order, so it's harder to not spoil things :)
We leave the Arkosan Voyani in the desert to follow the Havallan Matriarch, the Serra's Diora and Theresa, Jewel, Avandar, Kallandras, Cellarient and the Winter King as they journey towards Valedan as he arrives in the South with the Northern army at his back.
This part of the story is more about the journey and prep for war, so it's a little less interesting to me but you can't just skip these things as they are necessary to the story and there are enough interesting twists and turns to keep my attention through out in spite of the war prep stuff.
We leave the Arkosan Voyani in the desert to follow the Havallan Matriarch, the Serra's Diora and Theresa, Jewel, Avandar, Kallandras, Cellarient and the Winter King as they journey towards Valedan as he arrives in the South with the Northern army at his back.
This part of the story is more about the journey and prep for war, so it's a little less interesting to me but you can't just skip these things as they are necessary to the story and there are enough interesting twists and turns to keep my attention through out in spite of the war prep stuff.
November 20, 2016
I thought this was a little slow and while the author felt the need to split it into two novels, it could perhaps have been just one. This is the Brandon Sanderson method of why have one book when you can have three? I think of the books in the series this felt the longest because of all the scene setting for what you know must be a climactic end.
January 16, 2016
This is just one of my favorite new (sort of) series, hands down. I love all the characters and I wish there was more than one book left! The themes are interesting and handled well, and the story is always exciting.
May 22, 2012
The prologue was specially good, I would have love to read a stand alone book just focusing on Anya. Sadly, the focus on too many characters made this book a bit unsatisfying.
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