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The Empire Trilogy #1
Dochter van het Keizerrijk
Kelewan is in heftige beroering. In verschillende gewesten spannen drieste krijgsheren samen om het keizerrijk Tsaranuanni aan zich te onderwerpen. De huurmordenaars en de meesterspionnen van de machtigste families strijden met inzet van magische middelen en platte intriges om de heerschappij. Dit steekspel is onderdeel van het Grote Spel, dat al eeuwenlang wordt gespeeld door de leden van de Hoge Raad. Mara, Regerend Vrouwe van de Acona heeft, nadat haar vader en broers in de oorlog met Midkemia gesneuveld zijn, de taak het voortbestaan van haar familie te waarborgen...
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
1101 people are currently reading
37290 people want to read
About the author
Raymond E. Feist
289 books9,535 followersRaymond E. Feist was born Raymond E. Gonzales III, but took his adoptive step-father's surname when his mother remarried Felix E. Feist. He graduated with a B.A. in Communication Arts with Honors in 1977 from the University of California at San Diego. During that year Feist had some ideas for a novel about a boy who would be a magician. He wrote the novel two years later, and it was published in 1982 by Doubleday. Feist currently lives in San Diego with his children, where he collects fine wine, DVDs, and books on a variety of topics of personal interest: wine, biographies, history, and, especially, the history of American Professional Football.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,485 reviews
October 3, 2022
Daughter of the Empire is a magnificent page-turning political intrigue with an amazing heroine to root for.
I am seriously shocked by how good this was. Considering the disappointment I felt from reading Magician by Raymond E. Feist, I was equally excited and terrified of reading Daughter of the Empire. But I loved it. I loved it so much. This book triumphed over Magician in every possible way. Now, I’m not sure whether the significant increase in quality is due to Feist’s improvement as a writer or whether this is because of Wurts’s collaboration; it could be both. However, Feist himself mentioned in the acknowledgment of Magician that Janny Wurts made this trilogy so much better; I believe him, and I’ll elaborate more on this later. Let me make it clear once more; I disliked Magician, and I couldn’t even force myself to continue to Silverthorn, but this? It’s easily one of the finest starts to a series I’ve read.
Daughter of the Empire is the first book in Riftwar: Empire trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. Riftwar: Empire is a spin-off—and second—series in the Riftwar Cycle, and I don’t usually say this, but I don’t think you need to read Riftwar Saga to enjoy reading this one. It would be beneficial, of course, but not mandatory; there are only a few really small cameos from Magician. The story in Daughter of the Empire follows Mara Acoma, the youngest child of the ancient and noble Acoma family, who is about to take her pledge of servitude to the goddess Lashima. However, the ceremony is disrupted by news of her father and brother’s death in battle. Despite her grief, Mara now has to take up the mantle of the Ruling Lady of the Acoma and participate in the ruthless Game of Council. This is a terrible and harsh responsibility for Mara; she has no experience in politics, and yet the Game of Council is the deadliest contest of politics in the Empire. And this is one of the reasons why the book is incredibly brilliant.
As you can probably guess, Daughter of the Empire is a political-heavy novel. And by the nature of politics, it often means there’s a lot of scheming and talking; these are indeed true to this novel as well. That said, it is immensely important to note that Daughter of the Empire was never boring. It’s the complete opposite, the stakes are dangerously high throughout the entire book, and not a page ever feels like they’re wasted. Mara constantly risks death or destruction with every scheme planned and word uttered. The characters must always pay attention to what they say and do. The Game of Council is utterly bloody and vicious, and the tradition of Kelewan demands honor to be upheld at all cost that every action and words spoken will be taken into account. The thrilling plotline and the superb characterizations definitely made Daughter of the Empire a “one more chapter” book for me.
The decisive factor on why I love this book so much more than Magician is the great focus on the characterizations. Magician felt burdened by issues I often encountered in many fantasy books published pre-1990; that I’ve read so far anyway. What do I mean by this? Well, either the prose is outdated, or the narrative didn’t feel as character-driven as I preferred, or sometimes even both. Fortunately, that’s certainly not the case here. It felt effortless for me to care for Mara; she’s flawed, humane, honorable, determined, inspiring, and her character’s development was developed astonishingly well. From the impactful first chapter, I was already hooked by Mara’s story. Seeing Mara—who doesn’t possess any physical prowess—navigate the ruthless Game of Council by relying solely on her wit, intelligence, cunning, and heart was engrossing. And it’s not just her; the supporting characters and opponents, whether they have a POV spotlight or not, were so well-developed that they enhanced the quality of Mara’s story. I loved reading Mara’s relationship with Nacoya, Arakasi, Papewaio, Keyoke, Lujan; I loved reading her trying her best to outsmart her enemies. Honestly, from reading this book alone, Mara already became one of my favorite heroines of all time. And I still have two more books in the trilogy to go!
The world of Kelewan isn’t a new setting; it’s a setting visited in Magician. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read of Tsuranni and Kelewan in Magician, but I always felt that there’s still so much untapped potential in the world-building. Thanks to the collaboration with Janny Wurts, the world of Kelewan and the culture and traditions of Tsuranni felt intensely vivid and well fleshed out. I didn’t get this sense of immersion at all from reading Magician; when I was reading this book, it felt like I was truly there with Mara, and I experienced the Ancient Japanese-inspired culture. Bushido, honor, promises, and words matter to/beyond life and death for them. In addition to the intricate culture, traditions, settings, and politics, we also get a more detailed look at the Cho-ja and their behavior. Also, unlike Magician, it is worth noting that Daughter of the Empire has close to zero portrayal of magic being used in the story. Don’t start this novel expecting there will be a lot of magic usage.
Picture: Daughter of the Empire French Edition by Miguel Coimbra
I’ve been praising Janny Wurts a lot on this review, but I can’t help it; the collaboration with her gives the series and prose a compelling strength that I wanted from Magician. The character’s emotions were palpable, and the chapters flow more naturally. Plus, the authors’ capability to set up a scene is absolutely incredible. I’m not kidding; the chapters are indeed longer than I usually prefer, but in every chapter, it felt like there’s a proper beginning, middle, and its own climax sequence. The tension, atmosphere, and character-building were damn good. With the exception of this novel, I haven’t read anything by Janny Wurts yet, but her involvement in giving the Feist’s Game of Council an astoundingly gripping narrative reassured me that I must read more of her books in the future.
Extraordinarily good and breathtaking, Daughter of the Empire exceeded my expectations wonderfully. As I always say, it’s a rare occurrence for me to be clicking this well with a fantasy book published before the year 1990; I’m not even born yet when this book was published for the first time! It’s political fantasy done right, and I’m so curious to find out whether or how the remaining two books in the series will be able to top this one. If they succeeded, though, then that means Riftwar: Empire trilogy will be a new entry to “one of my favorite trilogies of all time” list.
You can order the book from: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository (Free shipping)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Alya, Annabeth, Ben, Blaise, Devin, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas, Sarah, Sarah, Seth, Shaad, Summer, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
I am seriously shocked by how good this was. Considering the disappointment I felt from reading Magician by Raymond E. Feist, I was equally excited and terrified of reading Daughter of the Empire. But I loved it. I loved it so much. This book triumphed over Magician in every possible way. Now, I’m not sure whether the significant increase in quality is due to Feist’s improvement as a writer or whether this is because of Wurts’s collaboration; it could be both. However, Feist himself mentioned in the acknowledgment of Magician that Janny Wurts made this trilogy so much better; I believe him, and I’ll elaborate more on this later. Let me make it clear once more; I disliked Magician, and I couldn’t even force myself to continue to Silverthorn, but this? It’s easily one of the finest starts to a series I’ve read.
“If you would engage in the Game of Council, woman, you must know that the pieces you manipulate are flesh and blood. For the future, if you continue it is right that you should remember.”
Daughter of the Empire is the first book in Riftwar: Empire trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. Riftwar: Empire is a spin-off—and second—series in the Riftwar Cycle, and I don’t usually say this, but I don’t think you need to read Riftwar Saga to enjoy reading this one. It would be beneficial, of course, but not mandatory; there are only a few really small cameos from Magician. The story in Daughter of the Empire follows Mara Acoma, the youngest child of the ancient and noble Acoma family, who is about to take her pledge of servitude to the goddess Lashima. However, the ceremony is disrupted by news of her father and brother’s death in battle. Despite her grief, Mara now has to take up the mantle of the Ruling Lady of the Acoma and participate in the ruthless Game of Council. This is a terrible and harsh responsibility for Mara; she has no experience in politics, and yet the Game of Council is the deadliest contest of politics in the Empire. And this is one of the reasons why the book is incredibly brilliant.
“Who is to be more feared, one who acts from ambition or one who acts for the needs of survival?”
As you can probably guess, Daughter of the Empire is a political-heavy novel. And by the nature of politics, it often means there’s a lot of scheming and talking; these are indeed true to this novel as well. That said, it is immensely important to note that Daughter of the Empire was never boring. It’s the complete opposite, the stakes are dangerously high throughout the entire book, and not a page ever feels like they’re wasted. Mara constantly risks death or destruction with every scheme planned and word uttered. The characters must always pay attention to what they say and do. The Game of Council is utterly bloody and vicious, and the tradition of Kelewan demands honor to be upheld at all cost that every action and words spoken will be taken into account. The thrilling plotline and the superb characterizations definitely made Daughter of the Empire a “one more chapter” book for me.
“Another lesson, child: men are easily injured over matters of the heart. More often than not, those wounds are long in healing. You may have won this round of the game, but you have also gained a deadly enemy. None are more dangeroys than those in whom love has changed to hate.”
The decisive factor on why I love this book so much more than Magician is the great focus on the characterizations. Magician felt burdened by issues I often encountered in many fantasy books published pre-1990; that I’ve read so far anyway. What do I mean by this? Well, either the prose is outdated, or the narrative didn’t feel as character-driven as I preferred, or sometimes even both. Fortunately, that’s certainly not the case here. It felt effortless for me to care for Mara; she’s flawed, humane, honorable, determined, inspiring, and her character’s development was developed astonishingly well. From the impactful first chapter, I was already hooked by Mara’s story. Seeing Mara—who doesn’t possess any physical prowess—navigate the ruthless Game of Council by relying solely on her wit, intelligence, cunning, and heart was engrossing. And it’s not just her; the supporting characters and opponents, whether they have a POV spotlight or not, were so well-developed that they enhanced the quality of Mara’s story. I loved reading Mara’s relationship with Nacoya, Arakasi, Papewaio, Keyoke, Lujan; I loved reading her trying her best to outsmart her enemies. Honestly, from reading this book alone, Mara already became one of my favorite heroines of all time. And I still have two more books in the trilogy to go!
“If doubts, even uncertainty, were permitted to grow, she risked paralyzing her ability to make decisions in the future… Regret must be banished, despite her momentary sorrow, and indecision must be forever kept at bay.”
The world of Kelewan isn’t a new setting; it’s a setting visited in Magician. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read of Tsuranni and Kelewan in Magician, but I always felt that there’s still so much untapped potential in the world-building. Thanks to the collaboration with Janny Wurts, the world of Kelewan and the culture and traditions of Tsuranni felt intensely vivid and well fleshed out. I didn’t get this sense of immersion at all from reading Magician; when I was reading this book, it felt like I was truly there with Mara, and I experienced the Ancient Japanese-inspired culture. Bushido, honor, promises, and words matter to/beyond life and death for them. In addition to the intricate culture, traditions, settings, and politics, we also get a more detailed look at the Cho-ja and their behavior. Also, unlike Magician, it is worth noting that Daughter of the Empire has close to zero portrayal of magic being used in the story. Don’t start this novel expecting there will be a lot of magic usage.
Picture: Daughter of the Empire French Edition by Miguel Coimbra
“Life and death, and the winning of glory according to the code of honour, were a subject central to the Tsurani civilization.”
I’ve been praising Janny Wurts a lot on this review, but I can’t help it; the collaboration with her gives the series and prose a compelling strength that I wanted from Magician. The character’s emotions were palpable, and the chapters flow more naturally. Plus, the authors’ capability to set up a scene is absolutely incredible. I’m not kidding; the chapters are indeed longer than I usually prefer, but in every chapter, it felt like there’s a proper beginning, middle, and its own climax sequence. The tension, atmosphere, and character-building were damn good. With the exception of this novel, I haven’t read anything by Janny Wurts yet, but her involvement in giving the Feist’s Game of Council an astoundingly gripping narrative reassured me that I must read more of her books in the future.
“Learn the nature of self, accept all aspects of self, then the mastery can begin. Denial of self is denial of all.”
Extraordinarily good and breathtaking, Daughter of the Empire exceeded my expectations wonderfully. As I always say, it’s a rare occurrence for me to be clicking this well with a fantasy book published before the year 1990; I’m not even born yet when this book was published for the first time! It’s political fantasy done right, and I’m so curious to find out whether or how the remaining two books in the series will be able to top this one. If they succeeded, though, then that means Riftwar: Empire trilogy will be a new entry to “one of my favorite trilogies of all time” list.
You can order the book from: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository (Free shipping)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Alya, Annabeth, Ben, Blaise, Devin, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas, Sarah, Sarah, Seth, Shaad, Summer, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
February 19, 2021
UPDATE: $2.99 Kindle US 2/19/21
I love Mara!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
I love Mara!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
October 16, 2025
RATING BREAKDOWN
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 5⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 5⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 5⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 5⭐️
Mara is just the sort of refreshing main character I've been looking for in modern fantasy. Who knew she'd already been written decades ago? Daughter of the Empire is a tale of house rivalries and political maneuvering. The only survivor of a rival family's attempt to eradicate her house, Mara must abandon her spiritual pursuits to ensure her family's survival and exact vengeance on her father's murderer. The plot will keep you gripped, Mara will impress and terrify you, and the setting will offer some fun surprises even for seasoned fantasy readers.
Mara is cunning and strategic, stoic and restrained, patient and forebearing. She is self-assured, humble, competent, and loyal. It's easy to root for her, and respect the subtle arts she weilds to force her will. She also endures horrible trials and suffers abuse. She is underestimated. She is targeted for assassination. Throughout, she never feels safe, and you are stressed from start to finish. That is the magic of the storytelling style here, you are so invested in her. You will be equally impressed with Mara and deeply convinced she could be taken out at any moment.
Thematically, this will deliver the classic messages of loyalty, honesty, leadership, anti-classism, courage, honor, and legacy. It won't be ground-breaking, but it will pack the emotional punch, and the stakes will deliver that poignant payoff you want in a political fantasy.
What a gripping story! I couldn't put it down. It was solid across the board. I highly recommend this for fans of Game of Thrones and Dune. I am looking forward to the rest of the trilogy!
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 5⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 5⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 5⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 5⭐️
Mara is just the sort of refreshing main character I've been looking for in modern fantasy. Who knew she'd already been written decades ago? Daughter of the Empire is a tale of house rivalries and political maneuvering. The only survivor of a rival family's attempt to eradicate her house, Mara must abandon her spiritual pursuits to ensure her family's survival and exact vengeance on her father's murderer. The plot will keep you gripped, Mara will impress and terrify you, and the setting will offer some fun surprises even for seasoned fantasy readers.
Mara is cunning and strategic, stoic and restrained, patient and forebearing. She is self-assured, humble, competent, and loyal. It's easy to root for her, and respect the subtle arts she weilds to force her will. She also endures horrible trials and suffers abuse. She is underestimated. She is targeted for assassination. Throughout, she never feels safe, and you are stressed from start to finish. That is the magic of the storytelling style here, you are so invested in her. You will be equally impressed with Mara and deeply convinced she could be taken out at any moment.
Thematically, this will deliver the classic messages of loyalty, honesty, leadership, anti-classism, courage, honor, and legacy. It won't be ground-breaking, but it will pack the emotional punch, and the stakes will deliver that poignant payoff you want in a political fantasy.
What a gripping story! I couldn't put it down. It was solid across the board. I highly recommend this for fans of Game of Thrones and Dune. I am looking forward to the rest of the trilogy!
May 16, 2016
Via Book Reviews by Niki Hawkes at www.nikihawkes.com
This is a strong contender as my favorite book of all-time. It has all the elements that make a book great: strong characters, excellent world-building, masterful writing, and a page-turning story. If any of you aren’t familiar with Feist’s Riftwar saga, the arc of the series involves one world (Midkemia) being invaded by another world (Kelewan) from across a magical rift. The invading soldiers are known as the Tsurani, and Feist talks a lot about them in his second book, Magician: Master. What the Kelewan Empire trilogy does is take you deep into the Tsurani’s world, following the life of a young woman within it. I LOVED this trilogy. It was such a gripping story that I literally could not put it down!
The main character is both dynamic and endearing, and I found her completely fascinating as she develops throughout each book. The world-building was outright fantastic, and arguably the best element of this series. It’s been ten years since I read them, and I can still remember Kelewan in vivid detail. New flora and fauna, new architecture, new politial/religious systems – Feist and Wurts obviously spent a lot of time developing, and really made the world come to life! Because of this trilogy, they are without a doubt my favorite writing duo.
Overall, it was an amazing trilogy that I will forever hold on a pedestal. It definitely tops my Best Fantasy Book Bulletin!
Recommendations: If you’re new to Feist’s works, I recommend you read Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master first before switching over to this trilogy, then continue on with “Silverthorn.” Even though these were my all-time favs, the Riftwar saga also makes the top ten list and are definitely worth reading!!
by Niki Hawkes
Other books you might like:
“The Wayfarer Redemption” by Sara Douglass
“Medalon” by Jennifer Fallon
“The Aware” by Glenda Larke
“Thief’s Gamble” by Juliet E. Mckenna
“Heart of Myrial” by Maggie Furey
This is a strong contender as my favorite book of all-time. It has all the elements that make a book great: strong characters, excellent world-building, masterful writing, and a page-turning story. If any of you aren’t familiar with Feist’s Riftwar saga, the arc of the series involves one world (Midkemia) being invaded by another world (Kelewan) from across a magical rift. The invading soldiers are known as the Tsurani, and Feist talks a lot about them in his second book, Magician: Master. What the Kelewan Empire trilogy does is take you deep into the Tsurani’s world, following the life of a young woman within it. I LOVED this trilogy. It was such a gripping story that I literally could not put it down!
The main character is both dynamic and endearing, and I found her completely fascinating as she develops throughout each book. The world-building was outright fantastic, and arguably the best element of this series. It’s been ten years since I read them, and I can still remember Kelewan in vivid detail. New flora and fauna, new architecture, new politial/religious systems – Feist and Wurts obviously spent a lot of time developing, and really made the world come to life! Because of this trilogy, they are without a doubt my favorite writing duo.
Overall, it was an amazing trilogy that I will forever hold on a pedestal. It definitely tops my Best Fantasy Book Bulletin!
Recommendations: If you’re new to Feist’s works, I recommend you read Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master first before switching over to this trilogy, then continue on with “Silverthorn.” Even though these were my all-time favs, the Riftwar saga also makes the top ten list and are definitely worth reading!!
by Niki Hawkes
Other books you might like:
“The Wayfarer Redemption” by Sara Douglass
“Medalon” by Jennifer Fallon
“The Aware” by Glenda Larke
“Thief’s Gamble” by Juliet E. Mckenna
“Heart of Myrial” by Maggie Furey
November 4, 2024
This fantasy political thriller is absolutely fantastic! Full review coming soon...
March 22, 2019
“How shall we answer this murder visited upon our house?”
I like books about strong, independent women who, despite the adversities of fate, can manage well and do not worry about the growing difficulties and stakes. This is what you can expect from “Daughter of the Empire.”
When Lord Acoma and his son are killed in the war manoeuvred into a suicidal charge by family’s grand enemy, Lord Minwanabi, seventeen-year-old Mara becomes the heiress. The girl is snatched back into the world mere moments from becoming a religious initiate. There is no time for any introduction to adulthood. There is no induction period. Her father's and brother's insidious killer is setting snares for her, but also, she lives in a world, where not a deed, but the form matters. It means that she and her family riches are ripe for the taking for everybody intelligent and bold enough to do it within the strict and precise honour system that sits on the Tsuranuanni society like a corset. Fortunately, our heroine is far from a naive novice everybody takes her for; she has a keen mind and a flair for trade and politics. In the Great Game she sets her own rules.
OK, it is a cliche “from zero to hero,” but in a female version.
The heroine is a very dramatic character in which all elements are mixed up. Mara is fragile, but also courageous, so much, in fact, that she acts taking great risks more than once. She is warm and full of love for those under her care, but she can also coolly calculate her moves even if the pawns in the game are people of flesh and blood. She is pretty but she has sexual issues that make her appear cold and unfeeling. Although she does not have physical strength, she is characterised by an extraordinary analytical mind, cunning and intelligent. She is a shrewd judge of character able to see the opponent’s weaknesses and use them for her purposes. She also does not shy away from difficult, uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous situations or balk when personal sacrifice is necessary. You will be able to watch closely the transformation of a young girl into a strong, determined woman; I really loved this metamorphosis.
The main character is the most interesting of those present in the book, but also the secondary protagonists are written in a very expressive way. Each of them is interesting: the nanny and advisor - old Nacoya, courageous and faithful Papewaio; arrogant and somewhat primitive husband Buntokapi , as well as other characters from slaves to lords to spies to sentient insectoids, have been sketched in a truly masterful manner and it is perhaps the creation of the characters that is the greatest advantage of this novel.
I am writing “perhaps” because politics and intrigue is the most important and, in fact, the only villain of the whole story. Intrigues, conspirators and murderers are really the main characters of the novel.
Granted, the plot seems to be quite naive, but the world and the exquisite culture created by Mr Feist and Ms Wurts renders this novel a unique character. The empire has its own traditions, customs, rituals and beliefs. It is not so much your typical fantasy worlbuilding because the focus is mainly on decisions and their consequences, on subsequent events that allow for further development. Of course, there is magic and six-legged animals, but essentially this world, this society, could exist because the worldbuilding is based on inherent features of human nature… and this alone adds to the charm of this tale.
Strong beliefs and rituals based on the Eastern cultures also should be counted among the pros, as they enrich the fibre of the story. Funeral or marriage rites, institutional and societal customs serve as a background for personal decisions and anchor the character developments or plot twists. Everything is consistent and so (I am happy to say so) complex that even the simplest of dialogues or actions, gain surprising depths.
I think that if anyone else was writing this novel, he would have been defeated by the concept. However, Mr Feist, as a craftsman in his trade created the framework and let Ms Wurts to breath light and colour into it. While the book is not free from imperfections (mainly because Mara carries the whole weigh of the story and on top of everything she keeps her schemes to herself while her grand-enemy is a bit one-dimensional), but these are not damaging the reading experience; neither too obvious nor spoiling the fun.
A piece of solid, well-written fantasy with a Japanese twist to it: in some way it is a merger between The Goblin Emperor and the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne. “Daughter of the Empire” is a book about difficult decisions, honour, wild passions, internal strength that is hidden within and perseverance. Too little fighting, too little magic, but enormous amounts of politics, well-written protagonists, and slow-burn but interesting intrigues.
_____
Also in the series:
2. Servant of the Empire ★★★☆☆
3. Mistress of the Empire
I like books about strong, independent women who, despite the adversities of fate, can manage well and do not worry about the growing difficulties and stakes. This is what you can expect from “Daughter of the Empire.”
When Lord Acoma and his son are killed in the war manoeuvred into a suicidal charge by family’s grand enemy, Lord Minwanabi, seventeen-year-old Mara becomes the heiress. The girl is snatched back into the world mere moments from becoming a religious initiate. There is no time for any introduction to adulthood. There is no induction period. Her father's and brother's insidious killer is setting snares for her, but also, she lives in a world, where not a deed, but the form matters. It means that she and her family riches are ripe for the taking for everybody intelligent and bold enough to do it within the strict and precise honour system that sits on the Tsuranuanni society like a corset. Fortunately, our heroine is far from a naive novice everybody takes her for; she has a keen mind and a flair for trade and politics. In the Great Game she sets her own rules.
OK, it is a cliche “from zero to hero,” but in a female version.
The heroine is a very dramatic character in which all elements are mixed up. Mara is fragile, but also courageous, so much, in fact, that she acts taking great risks more than once. She is warm and full of love for those under her care, but she can also coolly calculate her moves even if the pawns in the game are people of flesh and blood. She is pretty but she has sexual issues that make her appear cold and unfeeling. Although she does not have physical strength, she is characterised by an extraordinary analytical mind, cunning and intelligent. She is a shrewd judge of character able to see the opponent’s weaknesses and use them for her purposes. She also does not shy away from difficult, uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous situations or balk when personal sacrifice is necessary. You will be able to watch closely the transformation of a young girl into a strong, determined woman; I really loved this metamorphosis.
The main character is the most interesting of those present in the book, but also the secondary protagonists are written in a very expressive way. Each of them is interesting: the nanny and advisor - old Nacoya, courageous and faithful Papewaio; arrogant and somewhat primitive husband Buntokapi , as well as other characters from slaves to lords to spies to sentient insectoids, have been sketched in a truly masterful manner and it is perhaps the creation of the characters that is the greatest advantage of this novel.
I am writing “perhaps” because politics and intrigue is the most important and, in fact, the only villain of the whole story. Intrigues, conspirators and murderers are really the main characters of the novel.
Granted, the plot seems to be quite naive, but the world and the exquisite culture created by Mr Feist and Ms Wurts renders this novel a unique character. The empire has its own traditions, customs, rituals and beliefs. It is not so much your typical fantasy worlbuilding because the focus is mainly on decisions and their consequences, on subsequent events that allow for further development. Of course, there is magic and six-legged animals, but essentially this world, this society, could exist because the worldbuilding is based on inherent features of human nature… and this alone adds to the charm of this tale.
Strong beliefs and rituals based on the Eastern cultures also should be counted among the pros, as they enrich the fibre of the story. Funeral or marriage rites, institutional and societal customs serve as a background for personal decisions and anchor the character developments or plot twists. Everything is consistent and so (I am happy to say so) complex that even the simplest of dialogues or actions, gain surprising depths.
I think that if anyone else was writing this novel, he would have been defeated by the concept. However, Mr Feist, as a craftsman in his trade created the framework and let Ms Wurts to breath light and colour into it. While the book is not free from imperfections (mainly because Mara carries the whole weigh of the story and on top of everything she keeps her schemes to herself while her grand-enemy is a bit one-dimensional), but these are not damaging the reading experience; neither too obvious nor spoiling the fun.
A piece of solid, well-written fantasy with a Japanese twist to it: in some way it is a merger between The Goblin Emperor and the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne. “Daughter of the Empire” is a book about difficult decisions, honour, wild passions, internal strength that is hidden within and perseverance. Too little fighting, too little magic, but enormous amounts of politics, well-written protagonists, and slow-burn but interesting intrigues.
_____
Also in the series:
2. Servant of the Empire ★★★☆☆
3. Mistress of the Empire
August 2, 2013
Collaborations can be a challenging way to tell a story, especially when both authors have an established voice. Ultimately, if done well, they are like an interesting ice cream swirl, something of the flavor of both authors creating a pleasant compination. Andre Norton is one of those authors that seem to collaborate well, although I'm not sure if that's partly because she was the idea generator and then had a co-writer do more of the heavy lifting, especially in her later years. One of the best examples of co-writing I remember is Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot, largely because it used letters between two young girls as the primary framing device, allowing the voices of both authors to shine. Daughter of the Empire was the result of a collaboration between Janny Wurts and Raymond Feist, and though I haven't read any Feist, I have to say it blends well, and Feist's influence tempered Wurt's writing and made it infinitely more palatable.
I've avoided writing about Wurt's books since meeting her in one of my GR groups, as she is a truly wonderful, generous and respectful person. Her contributions to different book discussions are thoughtful and circumspect, and she's willing to share her time if readers are interested. The information she shared about the collaboration was interesting, and gave a great deal of insight into the process. If you've read this book or are a fan of Wurts, I highly recommend checking out her comments.
To the book itself: it is a detailed epic fantasy, and would likely appeal to those who are looking for something in the genre that is more female-centered than most. It follows young Mara as she is pulled from a life of religious devotion and into the political games of the local fiefdoms, to both survive and to defend the honor of her house.
A note on style: Wurts' writing usually has too many superlatives for my taste, and she ends up resorting to italics in order to make her points in the more emotional sections. It must be Feist's or the editor's influence, because for one of the first times reading her books, I found myself able to concentrate on the story and characterization without being distracted by the writing. In this sense, the book worked for me.
Plotting is acceptable. However, Mara develops the habit of keeping her plans to herself, since she doesn't want to argue with her former nursemaid or her man-at-arms. This both aids and detracts the story; aiding because it keeps the reader in suspense about what she will do, but detracting because it means her actions are often not quite comprehensible to the reader. If she explains it over-much to her people. the story risks losing its sense of legitimate dialogue; if it isn't explained, readers are left with a culture and heroine that is just slightly incomprehensible. Thus, after I finished reading, I wasn't sure if I disliked Mara because of a lack of understanding, or because I disliked her because she was a truly dislikeable person. It reminds me, just a little, of the issues I faced in Joe Abercrombie's First Law series, only he was able to build a sense of complexity that lent itself to compassion. Mara just seems largely incomprehensible, except for the single-minded goal of avenging her family, a fact itself that seems inconsistent with a woman who had left her family for a religious life some time ago.
The only spot that the collaboration seemed not to have worked quite as well was the introduction of the cho-ja, the insect-like sentient beings. They played an enormous role in one chapter, and despite "Gaining this new hive would do more to preserve Acoma survival than any dozen clever plots on the High Council," they are only mentioned twice more in the rest of the book. It felt a little intrusive, and when I understood they were of Feist's creation for another aspect of the world, it made more sense. Less for the story, but more sense for the collaboration.
One of my largest barriers to enjoyment was Mara's marriage and the subsequent abuse she endured. The cynical part of me wonders if Feist wanted Wurts involved for that perspective alone, and to help legitimize a storyline that was extremely unpalatable. Regardless, my personal issues with that type of plotline are such that I will almost never like a book that involves that kind of abuse, unless done very, very, well. This was not, as it seemed mostly designed to create sympathy for Mara and how her husband was destroying her heritage--sort of. I actually ended up wondering how calculating she really was from the start, which made me like her less. .
I have other small quibbles that I won't go into, save to note they were there. Ultimately, though I read fantasy, this was not my type of sub-genre, so my thoughts are not predisposed to be generous. Two and a half stars.
I've avoided writing about Wurt's books since meeting her in one of my GR groups, as she is a truly wonderful, generous and respectful person. Her contributions to different book discussions are thoughtful and circumspect, and she's willing to share her time if readers are interested. The information she shared about the collaboration was interesting, and gave a great deal of insight into the process. If you've read this book or are a fan of Wurts, I highly recommend checking out her comments.
To the book itself: it is a detailed epic fantasy, and would likely appeal to those who are looking for something in the genre that is more female-centered than most. It follows young Mara as she is pulled from a life of religious devotion and into the political games of the local fiefdoms, to both survive and to defend the honor of her house.
A note on style: Wurts' writing usually has too many superlatives for my taste, and she ends up resorting to italics in order to make her points in the more emotional sections. It must be Feist's or the editor's influence, because for one of the first times reading her books, I found myself able to concentrate on the story and characterization without being distracted by the writing. In this sense, the book worked for me.
Plotting is acceptable. However, Mara develops the habit of keeping her plans to herself, since she doesn't want to argue with her former nursemaid or her man-at-arms. This both aids and detracts the story; aiding because it keeps the reader in suspense about what she will do, but detracting because it means her actions are often not quite comprehensible to the reader. If she explains it over-much to her people. the story risks losing its sense of legitimate dialogue; if it isn't explained, readers are left with a culture and heroine that is just slightly incomprehensible. Thus, after I finished reading, I wasn't sure if I disliked Mara because of a lack of understanding, or because I disliked her because she was a truly dislikeable person. It reminds me, just a little, of the issues I faced in Joe Abercrombie's First Law series, only he was able to build a sense of complexity that lent itself to compassion. Mara just seems largely incomprehensible, except for the single-minded goal of avenging her family, a fact itself that seems inconsistent with a woman who had left her family for a religious life some time ago.
The only spot that the collaboration seemed not to have worked quite as well was the introduction of the cho-ja, the insect-like sentient beings. They played an enormous role in one chapter, and despite "Gaining this new hive would do more to preserve Acoma survival than any dozen clever plots on the High Council," they are only mentioned twice more in the rest of the book. It felt a little intrusive, and when I understood they were of Feist's creation for another aspect of the world, it made more sense. Less for the story, but more sense for the collaboration.
One of my largest barriers to enjoyment was Mara's marriage and the subsequent abuse she endured. The cynical part of me wonders if Feist wanted Wurts involved for that perspective alone, and to help legitimize a storyline that was extremely unpalatable. Regardless, my personal issues with that type of plotline are such that I will almost never like a book that involves that kind of abuse, unless done very, very, well. This was not, as it seemed mostly designed to create sympathy for Mara and how her husband was destroying her heritage--sort of. I actually ended up wondering how calculating she really was from the start, which made me like her less. .
I have other small quibbles that I won't go into, save to note they were there. Ultimately, though I read fantasy, this was not my type of sub-genre, so my thoughts are not predisposed to be generous. Two and a half stars.
Read
May 12, 2015I read this years ago and picked it up again because I was into something non-European setting. This is an alt Asain world that is tangental to the Riftworld Saga by Feist, and is a REALLY good read. The protagonist is a young girl who must save her family and lands by growing up very quick. Nothing naughty in here, but lots of great politics a-la Game of Thrones. Highly recommend for a fun and different fantasy!
July 22, 2023
I’m going on record that at this point in time… THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!
Seriously flawless. EXQUISITE character work, world building, and the strongest female character I have ever read. Mara is amazing. She uses her cunning, and her mind to fight back against adversity.
I’m not going to lie I’m speechless with how good this was.
This is a MUST read MASTERPIECE
Seriously flawless. EXQUISITE character work, world building, and the strongest female character I have ever read. Mara is amazing. She uses her cunning, and her mind to fight back against adversity.
I’m not going to lie I’m speechless with how good this was.
This is a MUST read MASTERPIECE
August 18, 2023
Full discussion to come.
I liked this book much more than I thought I would, and after a first chapter filled to the brim with foreign terms and exposition, the plot of brilliant political maneuvering took off and I was hooked. There is a section in the middle that I didn't love because I was worried about the payoff, but the payoff was totally worth it. I love books like this--a seemingly fish-out-of-water political player gets underestimated before they start schooling the elites; it was very Augustus of her. There's some weird obsession with bosoms when it comes to the courtesan character but otherwise the book is great. Mara is a fantastic protagonist with some really good antagonists and secondary characters thrown in. Excited to read book 2 except that there's a dude named Kevin in a book filled with characters like Anakasi, Papewaio, Keyoke, Buntokapi, and Minwanabi.
I liked this book much more than I thought I would, and after a first chapter filled to the brim with foreign terms and exposition, the plot of brilliant political maneuvering took off and I was hooked. There is a section in the middle that I didn't love because I was worried about the payoff, but the payoff was totally worth it. I love books like this--a seemingly fish-out-of-water political player gets underestimated before they start schooling the elites; it was very Augustus of her. There's some weird obsession with bosoms when it comes to the courtesan character but otherwise the book is great. Mara is a fantastic protagonist with some really good antagonists and secondary characters thrown in. Excited to read book 2 except that there's a dude named Kevin in a book filled with characters like Anakasi, Papewaio, Keyoke, Buntokapi, and Minwanabi.
January 21, 2019
Having re-read the first four books in the Riftwar series, I'm FINALLY going to continue on with the full series in the order recommended.
I'll admit I was a bit skeptical about the collaboration because I was already a fan of Feist and simply wanted all the cool craziness and awesome ideas breaching time and space and two universes in his epic fantasy setup. :)
Moving on... this isn't that. It IS set on the world where Pug learned his mastery of magic, but beyond that and the focus on Korean-ish politics and The Game between houses, there's not any magic to speak of.
Mara is our focus, inheriting and learning to defend her house and its lands after her father dies. From start to finish, it's all about playing The Game. Survival by way of alliances, treachery, honor, and politics.
For what it is, namely a fantasy showcasing the rise of a single woman in an alien empire, letting us grow with her in the process, how she gains alliances, gains and loses a husband, and survives debts, and the matter of a blood feud. Pretty cool, all told, but I should mention one thing...
Even tho this came out many years ago, there have been MANY authors to follow in this particular footstep, and I'm pretty sure that this duo was not the first. If I had to rate some scenes between, say, Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight books and this, I would have to point to Sanderson... BUT, some awesome scenes first showed up in Daughter of the Empire. Just saying.
I may not love this nearly as much as I enjoyed the first four books, but I definitely enjoyed myself reading this. Mara is a strong female character dominating a tale back when it was still a rarity. :)
I'll be devouring two more of these in the trilogy in a few days. :)
I'll admit I was a bit skeptical about the collaboration because I was already a fan of Feist and simply wanted all the cool craziness and awesome ideas breaching time and space and two universes in his epic fantasy setup. :)
Moving on... this isn't that. It IS set on the world where Pug learned his mastery of magic, but beyond that and the focus on Korean-ish politics and The Game between houses, there's not any magic to speak of.
Mara is our focus, inheriting and learning to defend her house and its lands after her father dies. From start to finish, it's all about playing The Game. Survival by way of alliances, treachery, honor, and politics.
For what it is, namely a fantasy showcasing the rise of a single woman in an alien empire, letting us grow with her in the process, how she gains alliances, gains and loses a husband, and survives debts, and the matter of a blood feud. Pretty cool, all told, but I should mention one thing...
Even tho this came out many years ago, there have been MANY authors to follow in this particular footstep, and I'm pretty sure that this duo was not the first. If I had to rate some scenes between, say, Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight books and this, I would have to point to Sanderson... BUT, some awesome scenes first showed up in Daughter of the Empire. Just saying.
I may not love this nearly as much as I enjoyed the first four books, but I definitely enjoyed myself reading this. Mara is a strong female character dominating a tale back when it was still a rarity. :)
I'll be devouring two more of these in the trilogy in a few days. :)
June 27, 2022
Ookay, two days later and not quite fully rested up, let's do this.
So. Daughter of the Empire. Yes. Very good book. Highly recommended.
The characters were excellent, really. The setting was vaguely oriental, (though as Wastrel tells me, Wurts drew a lot from Korea) so a large part of this book is political intrigue and matters of honor. If that's your team, go for it. If the whole honor thing isn't for you, maybe not as much. But the political intrigue stuff is actually really excellently written.
Moving on. Mara. Oh, Mara. Mara was magnificent. Mara was fantastic. I could sing praises for Mara for weeks. Or months.
Mara is that strong female character you've always wished you'd find somewhere in fantasy. She's beautifully real and it's very easy to empathize with her.
The supporting characters really made the book for me. Wurts and Feist didn't let anything slip by them; each of their supporting characters were wonderfully realized and fully fleshed-out.
Ugh. Highly recommended. Highly.
So. Daughter of the Empire. Yes. Very good book. Highly recommended.
The characters were excellent, really. The setting was vaguely oriental, (though as Wastrel tells me, Wurts drew a lot from Korea) so a large part of this book is political intrigue and matters of honor. If that's your team, go for it. If the whole honor thing isn't for you, maybe not as much. But the political intrigue stuff is actually really excellently written.
Moving on. Mara. Oh, Mara. Mara was magnificent. Mara was fantastic. I could sing praises for Mara for weeks. Or months.
Mara is that strong female character you've always wished you'd find somewhere in fantasy. She's beautifully real and it's very easy to empathize with her.
The supporting characters really made the book for me. Wurts and Feist didn't let anything slip by them; each of their supporting characters were wonderfully realized and fully fleshed-out.
Ugh. Highly recommended. Highly.
January 21, 2025
4,25⭐️
Ogromne pozytywne zaskoczenie. Bardzo porządne, polityczne fantasy.
Recenzja: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oca0J...
Ogromne pozytywne zaskoczenie. Bardzo porządne, polityczne fantasy.
Recenzja: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oca0J...
June 6, 2018
Daughter of the Empire (and 2 following books) by Raymond Feist & Janny Wurts
This marvelous epic fantasy trilogy is full of political intrigue and subversive machinations set in an alternate medieval Japan where magic is real and the aliens landed a long time ago.
Feist & Wurts gave me one of my favorite characters of all time, Mara, who conquers an empire with the power of innovation, social acumen, and a trickster's luck.
This trilogy is a frequent reread for me. I love it so much.
This marvelous epic fantasy trilogy is full of political intrigue and subversive machinations set in an alternate medieval Japan where magic is real and the aliens landed a long time ago.
Feist & Wurts gave me one of my favorite characters of all time, Mara, who conquers an empire with the power of innovation, social acumen, and a trickster's luck.
This trilogy is a frequent reread for me. I love it so much.
October 14, 2024
4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 stars! In Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts, we find a tale of trials and triumphs. Mara of the Acoma, a young maiden, must master the maze of power and politics after a great loss. Her journey is one of courage and cunning. Fierce and fearless, she must lead her house in the world of Kelewan full of rigid rules and perilous power plays. Mara learns to be strong and smart to keep her house safe.
This world is a place of strict rules and dangerous duels, where each step must be taken with care. Mara, with her sharp mind and brave heart, navigates this treacherous terrain, across a tapestry of plots and twists, where every move is a test of wit and will.
Mara’s growth from a girl to a great leader is both sad and grand. The authors paint a Japanese inspired world that feels real and full of life. The “Game of the Council” is a key part of the tale, the political machinations, where each move can mean life or death. The prose is clear and strong. The themes of honor, duty, and the cost of power run deep. Each character, from the loyal Keyoke to the cunning Spy Master Arakasi, adds depth to this grand saga. In its Japanese inspiration, Mara reminded me of Marikosama of Shogun by James Clavell. Mariko was also adept in the craft of political machinations, and was a force to reckon with.
What sets this tale apart is its blend of grand stakes and personal growth. Mara’s path is the heart of the story. Her rise from a young girl to a wise leader both inspiring and profound.
Daughter of the Empire is a tale of power, loss, and the will to rise. It is a must-read for those who seek stories rich in depth and meaning.
This world is a place of strict rules and dangerous duels, where each step must be taken with care. Mara, with her sharp mind and brave heart, navigates this treacherous terrain, across a tapestry of plots and twists, where every move is a test of wit and will.
Mara’s growth from a girl to a great leader is both sad and grand. The authors paint a Japanese inspired world that feels real and full of life. The “Game of the Council” is a key part of the tale, the political machinations, where each move can mean life or death. The prose is clear and strong. The themes of honor, duty, and the cost of power run deep. Each character, from the loyal Keyoke to the cunning Spy Master Arakasi, adds depth to this grand saga. In its Japanese inspiration, Mara reminded me of Marikosama of Shogun by James Clavell. Mariko was also adept in the craft of political machinations, and was a force to reckon with.
What sets this tale apart is its blend of grand stakes and personal growth. Mara’s path is the heart of the story. Her rise from a young girl to a wise leader both inspiring and profound.
Daughter of the Empire is a tale of power, loss, and the will to rise. It is a must-read for those who seek stories rich in depth and meaning.
May 5, 2017
Did you read the Riftwar Saga and love it?
Want to read something just as good, if not better?
Want to learn about life on the other side of the Rift?
You need to check this out!
It is a fantastic tale of honor, politics, and strategy. While some fantasy books have lots of physical battle, this story is mainly plotting, deception, and courtly games. Reading this is more like watching a puzzle being solved and wondering how things will finally come together in the end.
It is simply just a great and well crafted story!
Want to read something just as good, if not better?
Want to learn about life on the other side of the Rift?
You need to check this out!
It is a fantastic tale of honor, politics, and strategy. While some fantasy books have lots of physical battle, this story is mainly plotting, deception, and courtly games. Reading this is more like watching a puzzle being solved and wondering how things will finally come together in the end.
It is simply just a great and well crafted story!
May 3, 2012
This book ought to have been right up my street; a non-medieval world, with limited magic, a slow pace driven by politics rather than endless battles, and a strong-minded female lead - what's not to like? In my case, the answer is: almost everything.
The opening felt surprisingly clunky and uncertain. Many fantasy works start with a dramatic event to draw the reader in, and leave the details of the background to wait for a quieter moment, but this tries to do both at once, with unconvincing results. To some extent it's necessary to explain the unusually high levels of required etiquette, which is required to account for the protagonist's unnatural calmness in a crisis, but the authors simultaneously tried to convey her deep emotions, and this made for a very uneven few chapters. And somehow the situation felt rather forced to me. Are there really no other members of the family? This seems oddly shortsighted in a hereditary system (lots of babies, people; how hard is that to understand?).
The whole story rests on the shoulders of Mara, the seventeen year old protagonist. Given that the story opens with her about to take lifelong vows at a religious order, she seems initially unsuited for the leadership role thrust upon her, and perhaps that would have been a more interesting line to follow. However, it soon becomes clear that she is the conventional spirited and ambitious protagonist, quite prepared to be ruthless to achieve her political aims, and also prepared to take risks and break with tradition where she deems it necessary. Unfortunately, this very ruthlessness makes her something of an unsympathetic character. She has no qualms, it seems, about killing off slaves, rebellious soldiers or anyone else who gets in her way, or simply to send a message to her rivals. And considering that the concept of honour is deeply embedded in this society, she has (in fact, they all have) a very curious sense of honour which allows her to do (apparently) whatever the hell she wants.
The other main characters are all very black and white. Her family servants are the ultimate in loyal retainers, willing to die for her, but also intelligent, resourceful, competent... you get the picture. Her husband, carefully selected solely to create a protective alliance and give Mara an heir, is portrayed as an uncaring and violent brute. Some attempt is made to paint a more subtle picture of Buntokapi later on, but it's really too late by this time. Her enemies are no more than ciphers: the rival leader, driven by long-standing feuds whose origins are lost in time; the stupid men driven by lust; the vengeful woman. Only the Warlord has seems like a genuinely complex character. The rest are no more than lightly sketched background the better to illuminate Mara's perfection .
And here we come to the real problem with this book.
So at this point I'm seriously disappointed. But then there's a seemingly trivial interaction between two supposedly minor characters, at the end of which there's a reveal which changes everything. All of a sudden the political shenanigans become much more complicated and very interesting indeed. For a moment the book gleams with possibilities. Sadly the rest of the book isn't like this. And in fact, immediately after this we're back to Mara being terribly clever and underhanded and devious. I would like her a bit better if she were not so downright nasty to people. Yes, I know she has reasons to be cautious of anyone approaching her, but surely the honour system would deny the sort of ritual humiliation she indulges in.
I was really looking forward to reading this. It presses all the right buttons for me. I like a world that's not a mud-bespattered caricature of the middle ages. I like the system of honour and the rigid protocol. I like a book which builds slowly without leaping from one set-piece battle to the next. I like a story built around characters. And yet none of it worked for me. The protocol and honour seemed to be no more than a clever plot device. The slowness of the book made it draggy at times - there were whole chapters devoted to seemingly trivial events which I lost interest in long before their purpose was revealed. And I hated Mara - really, really hated her. Are we actually supposed to root for a heroine who devises such unpleasant - no, downright evil schemes? There is nothing at all likeable, to my mind, about such a cruelly manipulative person. I can see the attraction in a woman facing up to adversity with spirit and determination and yes, even ruthlessness, so other readers may enjoy it much better, but it's not for me. So two stars for effort, I suppose, grudgingly.
The opening felt surprisingly clunky and uncertain. Many fantasy works start with a dramatic event to draw the reader in, and leave the details of the background to wait for a quieter moment, but this tries to do both at once, with unconvincing results. To some extent it's necessary to explain the unusually high levels of required etiquette, which is required to account for the protagonist's unnatural calmness in a crisis, but the authors simultaneously tried to convey her deep emotions, and this made for a very uneven few chapters. And somehow the situation felt rather forced to me. Are there really no other members of the family? This seems oddly shortsighted in a hereditary system (lots of babies, people; how hard is that to understand?).
The whole story rests on the shoulders of Mara, the seventeen year old protagonist. Given that the story opens with her about to take lifelong vows at a religious order, she seems initially unsuited for the leadership role thrust upon her, and perhaps that would have been a more interesting line to follow. However, it soon becomes clear that she is the conventional spirited and ambitious protagonist, quite prepared to be ruthless to achieve her political aims, and also prepared to take risks and break with tradition where she deems it necessary. Unfortunately, this very ruthlessness makes her something of an unsympathetic character. She has no qualms, it seems, about killing off slaves, rebellious soldiers or anyone else who gets in her way, or simply to send a message to her rivals. And considering that the concept of honour is deeply embedded in this society, she has (in fact, they all have) a very curious sense of honour which allows her to do (apparently) whatever the hell she wants.
The other main characters are all very black and white. Her family servants are the ultimate in loyal retainers, willing to die for her, but also intelligent, resourceful, competent... you get the picture. Her husband, carefully selected solely to create a protective alliance and give Mara an heir, is portrayed as an uncaring and violent brute. Some attempt is made to paint a more subtle picture of Buntokapi later on, but it's really too late by this time. Her enemies are no more than ciphers: the rival leader, driven by long-standing feuds whose origins are lost in time; the stupid men driven by lust; the vengeful woman. Only the Warlord has seems like a genuinely complex character. The rest are no more than lightly sketched background the better to illuminate Mara's perfection .
And here we come to the real problem with this book.
So at this point I'm seriously disappointed. But then there's a seemingly trivial interaction between two supposedly minor characters, at the end of which there's a reveal which changes everything. All of a sudden the political shenanigans become much more complicated and very interesting indeed. For a moment the book gleams with possibilities. Sadly the rest of the book isn't like this. And in fact, immediately after this we're back to Mara being terribly clever and underhanded and devious. I would like her a bit better if she were not so downright nasty to people. Yes, I know she has reasons to be cautious of anyone approaching her, but surely the honour system would deny the sort of ritual humiliation she indulges in.
I was really looking forward to reading this. It presses all the right buttons for me. I like a world that's not a mud-bespattered caricature of the middle ages. I like the system of honour and the rigid protocol. I like a book which builds slowly without leaping from one set-piece battle to the next. I like a story built around characters. And yet none of it worked for me. The protocol and honour seemed to be no more than a clever plot device. The slowness of the book made it draggy at times - there were whole chapters devoted to seemingly trivial events which I lost interest in long before their purpose was revealed. And I hated Mara - really, really hated her. Are we actually supposed to root for a heroine who devises such unpleasant - no, downright evil schemes? There is nothing at all likeable, to my mind, about such a cruelly manipulative person. I can see the attraction in a woman facing up to adversity with spirit and determination and yes, even ruthlessness, so other readers may enjoy it much better, but it's not for me. So two stars for effort, I suppose, grudgingly.
August 2, 2025
Mara was seconds away from becoming a daughter of the temple before a long-term enemy, the Lord of the Minwanabi arranged for her father and brother’s death leaving her the inheritor and Lady of the Acoma.
Thrust headlong into the Game of the Council, Mara needs every shred of wit and cunning she possesses to avoid the snares of intrigue that lay in wait for her inexperienced feet. The treachery visited upon her house would not end until, unschooled and alone, she had defeated the Lord of the Minwanabi and his minions.
Mara is one of the strongest female protagonists I have read. Alone, grieving, and only 17 years old, she must utilise the commodities of womankind - beauty, wit, charm, allure - to manipulate and strengthen her House.
”I may seem like a gazen to the Lord of the Minwanabi, but now he has taught this eater of flowers to grow teeth for meat.”
The world created is rich and filled with culture. From court artisans, to alien ant-like creatures, and a strict code of honour where taking one’s life is commonplace to preserve the family.
Despite this being linked to Feist’s Riftwar Saga, you do not have to read that series in order to read this one. In fact, this takes place on the alien world the heroes on the Magician series is fighting. To Mara, they are barbarians.
If you enjoyed this, I would recommend A Voice I the Wind. Whilst not fantasy, the tone, themes, and style is similar. Similarly, Kushiel’s Dart, a darker fantasy detailing a courtesan’s experience.
Bookstagram
Thrust headlong into the Game of the Council, Mara needs every shred of wit and cunning she possesses to avoid the snares of intrigue that lay in wait for her inexperienced feet. The treachery visited upon her house would not end until, unschooled and alone, she had defeated the Lord of the Minwanabi and his minions.
Mara is one of the strongest female protagonists I have read. Alone, grieving, and only 17 years old, she must utilise the commodities of womankind - beauty, wit, charm, allure - to manipulate and strengthen her House.
”I may seem like a gazen to the Lord of the Minwanabi, but now he has taught this eater of flowers to grow teeth for meat.”
The world created is rich and filled with culture. From court artisans, to alien ant-like creatures, and a strict code of honour where taking one’s life is commonplace to preserve the family.
Despite this being linked to Feist’s Riftwar Saga, you do not have to read that series in order to read this one. In fact, this takes place on the alien world the heroes on the Magician series is fighting. To Mara, they are barbarians.
If you enjoyed this, I would recommend A Voice I the Wind. Whilst not fantasy, the tone, themes, and style is similar. Similarly, Kushiel’s Dart, a darker fantasy detailing a courtesan’s experience.
Bookstagram
March 27, 2025
My least favorite thing is when you’re told a character is smart and then was follows is 400-500 pages of them being a straight idiot sandwich. Daughter of the Empire heard of my plight and elected to deliver 400 pages of straight plotting, politicking, and devious manipulation. And that’s because Mara our FMC really is that bitch. One of the best fantasy main characters I’ve read in a minuteeee honestly.
How do we meet Mara? Unfortunately at the lowest point in her life. She is seconds away from renouncing her heritage and joining a Holy order when terrible news arrives: her father and brother have been slaughtered at war as a result of a long standing blood feud with another house. Young and inexperienced, Mara finds herself the only living heir of her ancient and powerful family and the only one capable of restoring its honor… but the Game of the Council waits for no one to be ready for it.
“I hope fate spares me death for many years, mistress, that I may stay near your side. For I think you play the Game of the Council.” Then with a near loss of self-control, moisture gleamed in his eyes and his face split in a grin. “And I think the Empire will never be the same for it.”
While Mara has no choice but to take up the mantle of her significantly diminished stronghold and become ruling lady, she is blessed with excellent powers of observation and buckets of cunning. She plays literally everyone (including me) for a fool. I love her so much but she really goes through. Like no respite and besieged from all sides going through it. One of the villains in this? My god it’s been a while since I’ve hated a character that much. When I tell you I was genuinely enraged… and it takes a lot to pull that out of me. I was also: stressed as hell.
I give all this praise genuinely but I also want to flag that that is a superrrr different flavor of fantasy book than what I usually read and recommend. This was written in the 80s and it really shows. The writing does not feel like a modern fantasy story in the slightest but I kinda loved that. It also doesn’t have that many fantasy elements. There is an insectoid alien species though which ROCKED. Give me more of that asap.
Took a half star off for:
- WAY too casual mentions of slavery in the world building (this was written a while ago but like, come on)
- A lot of repetition of certain lines in the writing, it felt very intentional but I was like I have literally read this line before
- The fact that Mara like doesn’t fail ever, she starts off as a total underdog and then proceeds to never mess a single political swing. It was fun to read but I could see the guaranteed success formula getting old in the subsequent books
How do we meet Mara? Unfortunately at the lowest point in her life. She is seconds away from renouncing her heritage and joining a Holy order when terrible news arrives: her father and brother have been slaughtered at war as a result of a long standing blood feud with another house. Young and inexperienced, Mara finds herself the only living heir of her ancient and powerful family and the only one capable of restoring its honor… but the Game of the Council waits for no one to be ready for it.
“I hope fate spares me death for many years, mistress, that I may stay near your side. For I think you play the Game of the Council.” Then with a near loss of self-control, moisture gleamed in his eyes and his face split in a grin. “And I think the Empire will never be the same for it.”
While Mara has no choice but to take up the mantle of her significantly diminished stronghold and become ruling lady, she is blessed with excellent powers of observation and buckets of cunning. She plays literally everyone (including me) for a fool. I love her so much but she really goes through. Like no respite and besieged from all sides going through it. One of the villains in this? My god it’s been a while since I’ve hated a character that much. When I tell you I was genuinely enraged… and it takes a lot to pull that out of me. I was also: stressed as hell.
I give all this praise genuinely but I also want to flag that that is a superrrr different flavor of fantasy book than what I usually read and recommend. This was written in the 80s and it really shows. The writing does not feel like a modern fantasy story in the slightest but I kinda loved that. It also doesn’t have that many fantasy elements. There is an insectoid alien species though which ROCKED. Give me more of that asap.
Took a half star off for:
- WAY too casual mentions of slavery in the world building (this was written a while ago but like, come on)
- A lot of repetition of certain lines in the writing, it felt very intentional but I was like I have literally read this line before
- The fact that Mara like doesn’t fail ever, she starts off as a total underdog and then proceeds to never mess a single political swing. It was fun to read but I could see the guaranteed success formula getting old in the subsequent books
July 29, 2022
I think this is the first time in many years I've bothered to add a book to my "favourites" shelf.
Daughter of the Empire was one of the first books I added to my to-read list as a new Goodreads user. It's been almost a decade since then, and I finally have gotten around to reading it. I was always intrigued and very excited about it, but it just kept getting "saved" for a future occasion.
Now, in 2022, even before having finished it, it seemed pretty clear that it's one of the best, if not the best, fantasy books of the 1980s.
I am glad I read it, but am simultaneously glad to have waited and truly savoured it, and last but not least, I am glad I did read it in the series order (after Feist's original Riftwar Saga) as it all adds to the experience.
Full review to come in due course.
Daughter of the Empire was one of the first books I added to my to-read list as a new Goodreads user. It's been almost a decade since then, and I finally have gotten around to reading it. I was always intrigued and very excited about it, but it just kept getting "saved" for a future occasion.
Now, in 2022, even before having finished it, it seemed pretty clear that it's one of the best, if not the best, fantasy books of the 1980s.
I am glad I read it, but am simultaneously glad to have waited and truly savoured it, and last but not least, I am glad I did read it in the series order (after Feist's original Riftwar Saga) as it all adds to the experience.
Full review to come in due course.
July 26, 2021
Absolutely fantastic.
A gripping storyline, perfectly paced and excellent characters (the mc, Mara is superb) - Daughter of the Empire is a superb effort from Wurts and Feist. I thoroughly enjoyed the earlier Feist I read, but I thought that this book was overall better and greatly benefitted from Wurts' significant input.
A gripping storyline, perfectly paced and excellent characters (the mc, Mara is superb) - Daughter of the Empire is a superb effort from Wurts and Feist. I thoroughly enjoyed the earlier Feist I read, but I thought that this book was overall better and greatly benefitted from Wurts' significant input.
March 2, 2018
What a wonderful book. Daughter of the Empire is set in a world inspired by Asia. There's not a lot of magic, instead it's all about intrigue and politics. In addition, expect a kick-ass female character.
Mara is simply one of the best female fantasy characters I've ever encountered. She is cunning and intelligent. This entire book is one big chess game filled with politics and betrayal, and Mara does not use strength and violence to win this game but her wit. It's a joy to watch her decimate her opponents using only her brain. More of this, please.
The entire cast of characters is well developed. The villains are intriguing and relatable. On one page you want to punch them, on the next they break your heart! There was one scene especially which was a punch in the gut, and only a few pages prior I thought I'd be throwing a party.
I recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy with a lot of politics and intrigue. If several houses attempting to outwit each other in a bid to rule appeals to you, then this is for you. If you're at all interested in Feist's work and the rest of the Riftwar Cycle, start with the Riftwar Saga Trilogy before you dive into the Empire Trilogy.
Mara is simply one of the best female fantasy characters I've ever encountered. She is cunning and intelligent. This entire book is one big chess game filled with politics and betrayal, and Mara does not use strength and violence to win this game but her wit. It's a joy to watch her decimate her opponents using only her brain. More of this, please.
The entire cast of characters is well developed. The villains are intriguing and relatable. On one page you want to punch them, on the next they break your heart! There was one scene especially which was a punch in the gut, and only a few pages prior I thought I'd be throwing a party.
I recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy with a lot of politics and intrigue. If several houses attempting to outwit each other in a bid to rule appeals to you, then this is for you. If you're at all interested in Feist's work and the rest of the Riftwar Cycle, start with the Riftwar Saga Trilogy before you dive into the Empire Trilogy.
October 22, 2014
I re-read this for the 3d or 5th time, but it's been at least a decade, so it was very fresh to me. Too fresh & interesting. Dann Janny & Ray, but I hit the 1/3 point yesterday & then couldn't put it down. I stayed up until midnight reading (I never go to bed after 10pm & always wake up by 6 at the latest.) so I've been dragging all morning. I wanted to take a nap on the hay rather than move it.
The story is on the other side of the gate & we get a much better look at the 'Game of Council' from an insider's POV. Excellent! Mara is a very likable underdog & heroine. Her choices seem so few, her situation perilous, & the society is brutal underneath its Oriental politeness & customs. A nail biter all the way, I finished the last 50 or so pages this morning in a rush.
On to Servant of the Empire!
The story is on the other side of the gate & we get a much better look at the 'Game of Council' from an insider's POV. Excellent! Mara is a very likable underdog & heroine. Her choices seem so few, her situation perilous, & the society is brutal underneath its Oriental politeness & customs. A nail biter all the way, I finished the last 50 or so pages this morning in a rush.
On to Servant of the Empire!
June 29, 2023
***100 Days of Summer***
Reading prompt: Book with a word that refers primarily to a woman in the title
Virtual 12 sided dice role: 11
I have become a fan of man/woman writing teams over the last several years. Having enjoyed fiction by Ilona Andrews (husband and wife Gordon and Ilona) and Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (another married couple), I was tempted to try this fantasy by Raymond Feist and Janny Wurts. Not a married couple but a talented duo. I unfortunately forget who pointed me in their direction, but if that person reads this review, know that you have my gratitude.
This world is an interesting blend of cultural details. I think I detect a basis in Korean culture, but Mara's husband commits seppuku like a seasoned Japanese Samurai. The names of the noble houses could be Japanese or Chinese in some instances or Aztec in others. It's a fascinating mixture.
The Game of Council that Mara plays so well is highly reminiscent of George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones, which was written about 10 years later. Just as Martin gave us strong women characters acting within a system designed to oppress them, Feist and Wurts give us a heroine who is both smart and tough enough to protect her House of Acoma in this masculine world. Her female way of doing things gives her an advantage in negotiations with the insectoid aliens known as cho-ja, treating with them in their termite-like mound, queen to queen. I hope that these interesting creatures will figure more prominently in the next volume.
For its time (1987), this fantasy book is very female-forward. Mara is fortunate to have loyal soldiers and to have a talent for bending tradition to her will. She finds advantage where others would see hardship. I enjoyed Feist's Rift War Saga, but I like this novel much more. And I am wondering about Ms. Wurts solo fiction, so I may burden my already groaning TBR list.
Reading prompt: Book with a word that refers primarily to a woman in the title
Virtual 12 sided dice role: 11
I have become a fan of man/woman writing teams over the last several years. Having enjoyed fiction by Ilona Andrews (husband and wife Gordon and Ilona) and Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (another married couple), I was tempted to try this fantasy by Raymond Feist and Janny Wurts. Not a married couple but a talented duo. I unfortunately forget who pointed me in their direction, but if that person reads this review, know that you have my gratitude.
This world is an interesting blend of cultural details. I think I detect a basis in Korean culture, but Mara's husband commits seppuku like a seasoned Japanese Samurai. The names of the noble houses could be Japanese or Chinese in some instances or Aztec in others. It's a fascinating mixture.
The Game of Council that Mara plays so well is highly reminiscent of George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones, which was written about 10 years later. Just as Martin gave us strong women characters acting within a system designed to oppress them, Feist and Wurts give us a heroine who is both smart and tough enough to protect her House of Acoma in this masculine world. Her female way of doing things gives her an advantage in negotiations with the insectoid aliens known as cho-ja, treating with them in their termite-like mound, queen to queen. I hope that these interesting creatures will figure more prominently in the next volume.
For its time (1987), this fantasy book is very female-forward. Mara is fortunate to have loyal soldiers and to have a talent for bending tradition to her will. She finds advantage where others would see hardship. I enjoyed Feist's Rift War Saga, but I like this novel much more. And I am wondering about Ms. Wurts solo fiction, so I may burden my already groaning TBR list.
August 10, 2012
It's been a while since I've read a story with such complex political intrigue, and I enjoyed every word of it!
Plot Summary
Set in a Japanese-style setting and culture, Mara of the Acoma is but a few minutes away from being initiated into the service of the goddess Lashima. She is, however, rudely jerked from her chosen path when news of her father's and brother's death reaches her household. In Mara's world, power is determined by the Game of the Council, the neverending power struggle masked by a facade of courtesy--kind of like, let me respectfully bow and serve you chilled fruit while I run you through with this sword.
[image error]
No need to be rude while pillaging.
Mara must use all her wiles and courage to defeat the powerful Minwanabi house, whose members ordered the death of her family, and to rebuild her house to become one of the most powerful in the empire.
Reactions
This book has everything to satisfy any reader looking for political plotting thicker than molasses and intense behind-the-curtains wheeling and dealing. Plus, add in a few assassinations and underhanded trickery, and you've got a nice manual for your inner budding Machiavelli.
Though this book is an extension of Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar Series, I never felt lost or felt like I lacked vital information about the world. Kelewan is a refreshing change of scenery from 90% of fantasy's Western-style worlds. And despite my meme above, I imagined settings like this:
.
Governed by strict honor and warrior codes, Kelewans are fierce in their observance of duty and conduct to the point of choosing death over dishonor.
Much of this book revolves around Mara's development from an experienced young girl to a powerful political figure and leader. And believe you me, her path is not one filled with flowers and rainbows. She endures violence, abuse, frustrations, and then some, but still has the wits to emerge victorious. Mara particularly shines in her flexibility with bending Kelewan's codes of conduct to gain advantage over her enemies.
The characters were also superbly developed. Mara's complexity and vitality goes without saying. Her inner strength and intelligence reminded me a lot of Phedre from Kushiel's Dart and Catelyn from Game of Thrones. But I also need to give a shout out to the violent, cunning, bullying Bunto. He's ignorant and seemingly beyond redemption, but he became one of the most human "villains" I've ever read about just because his ignorance is so common yet real.
What I found offsetting was that the numerous codes seemed spontaneously introduced to manipulate the plot. The concept of conducting oneself courtiously and honorably is pretty much imprinted on the mind by page 50, but even at page 400, we still get schooled on how to pleasantly receive enemy house guests or how deep to bow to offer just the right amount of offense. The constant reminder of these rules became invasive to an otherwise naturally developing story.
Overall, 4.5 STARS and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. If you're a fan of political intrigue and strong female characters, this is your book.
Now, onto Servant of the Empire!
Plot Summary
Set in a Japanese-style setting and culture, Mara of the Acoma is but a few minutes away from being initiated into the service of the goddess Lashima. She is, however, rudely jerked from her chosen path when news of her father's and brother's death reaches her household. In Mara's world, power is determined by the Game of the Council, the neverending power struggle masked by a facade of courtesy--kind of like, let me respectfully bow and serve you chilled fruit while I run you through with this sword.
[image error]
No need to be rude while pillaging.
Mara must use all her wiles and courage to defeat the powerful Minwanabi house, whose members ordered the death of her family, and to rebuild her house to become one of the most powerful in the empire.
Reactions
This book has everything to satisfy any reader looking for political plotting thicker than molasses and intense behind-the-curtains wheeling and dealing. Plus, add in a few assassinations and underhanded trickery, and you've got a nice manual for your inner budding Machiavelli.
Though this book is an extension of Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar Series, I never felt lost or felt like I lacked vital information about the world. Kelewan is a refreshing change of scenery from 90% of fantasy's Western-style worlds. And despite my meme above, I imagined settings like this:
.Governed by strict honor and warrior codes, Kelewans are fierce in their observance of duty and conduct to the point of choosing death over dishonor.
Much of this book revolves around Mara's development from an experienced young girl to a powerful political figure and leader. And believe you me, her path is not one filled with flowers and rainbows. She endures violence, abuse, frustrations, and then some, but still has the wits to emerge victorious. Mara particularly shines in her flexibility with bending Kelewan's codes of conduct to gain advantage over her enemies.
The characters were also superbly developed. Mara's complexity and vitality goes without saying. Her inner strength and intelligence reminded me a lot of Phedre from Kushiel's Dart and Catelyn from Game of Thrones. But I also need to give a shout out to the violent, cunning, bullying Bunto. He's ignorant and seemingly beyond redemption, but he became one of the most human "villains" I've ever read about just because his ignorance is so common yet real.
What I found offsetting was that the numerous codes seemed spontaneously introduced to manipulate the plot. The concept of conducting oneself courtiously and honorably is pretty much imprinted on the mind by page 50, but even at page 400, we still get schooled on how to pleasantly receive enemy house guests or how deep to bow to offer just the right amount of offense. The constant reminder of these rules became invasive to an otherwise naturally developing story.
Overall, 4.5 STARS and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. If you're a fan of political intrigue and strong female characters, this is your book.
Now, onto Servant of the Empire!
September 4, 2022
اگه اپیک فانتزی خوان باشید، اگه ریموند ای فایست رو بشناسید، می دونید که اون خالق مجموعه عظیم و سی جلدی «چرخه ریفت وار» هست. ولی نترسید. درسته این مجموعه سی جلده، ولی سی جلد متوالی نیست و از سه گانه ها و پنج گانه های متفاوتی تشکیل شده که در یک جهان روایت می شن. درست مثل همین کتاب «دختر امپراطوری» که جلد اول از «سه گانه امپراتوریه». سه گانه ای که بخشی از جهان ریفت وار محسوب می شه و با اینحال روایت کننده یک داستان مستقله.
مارا تنها دختر یک خاندان سرشناسه که قراره بزودی یکی از خادمان الهه لشیما بشه. اما درست در روزی که قراره آیین خادم شدنش صورت بگیره، به اطلاعش می رسونن که اعضای خاندانش طی یک خیانت و عداوت به قتل رسیدن و حالا اون تنها عضو باقی مانده از خاندان آکوماست. این همون لحظه ایه که مارا از تبدیل شدن به یک خادم ساده، به حاکم خاندان زمین خورده ش تبدیل می شه. حالا اون باید با چنگ و دندون، میون جنگ خاندان ها و سیاست ها و دسیسه ها خودش و جایگاه خاندانش رو دوباره بالا بکشونه و در این میون، سیاه شدن قلبش و خونین شدن دستاشو به جون بخره...
یک مجموعه دارک و جذاب که جهان و آیین و رسوماتش کاملا برگرفته از کره و ژاپنه. یعنی فکر کنید سریال جومونگ و دونگ یی با المان های فانتزی ترکیب شده باشه. البته لازم به ذکره که تا اواسط قصه کلا ردی از فانتزی بودن درش دیده نمی شه.
شخصیت پردازیا رو دوست داشتم. مخصوصا شخصیت خود مارا و هوش و ذکاوت و شجاعتش...
آیین و رسومات متعددی که در قصه وجود داشت، حس خوبی بهم می داد. یجورایی قصه رو ��لموس و پر جزئیات می کرد.
واقعا خوندن این کتاب تجربه جذابی بود و ترغیبم کرد که در آینده حتما سراغ جلدای بعدیش و همچنین زیرمجموعه های دیگه جهان ریفت وار برم.
مارا تنها دختر یک خاندان سرشناسه که قراره بزودی یکی از خادمان الهه لشیما بشه. اما درست در روزی که قراره آیین خادم شدنش صورت بگیره، به اطلاعش می رسونن که اعضای خاندانش طی یک خیانت و عداوت به قتل رسیدن و حالا اون تنها عضو باقی مانده از خاندان آکوماست. این همون لحظه ایه که مارا از تبدیل شدن به یک خادم ساده، به حاکم خاندان زمین خورده ش تبدیل می شه. حالا اون باید با چنگ و دندون، میون جنگ خاندان ها و سیاست ها و دسیسه ها خودش و جایگاه خاندانش رو دوباره بالا بکشونه و در این میون، سیاه شدن قلبش و خونین شدن دستاشو به جون بخره...
یک مجموعه دارک و جذاب که جهان و آیین و رسوماتش کاملا برگرفته از کره و ژاپنه. یعنی فکر کنید سریال جومونگ و دونگ یی با المان های فانتزی ترکیب شده باشه. البته لازم به ذکره که تا اواسط قصه کلا ردی از فانتزی بودن درش دیده نمی شه.
شخصیت پردازیا رو دوست داشتم. مخصوصا شخصیت خود مارا و هوش و ذکاوت و شجاعتش...
آیین و رسومات متعددی که در قصه وجود داشت، حس خوبی بهم می داد. یجورایی قصه رو ��لموس و پر جزئیات می کرد.
واقعا خوندن این کتاب تجربه جذابی بود و ترغیبم کرد که در آینده حتما سراغ جلدای بعدیش و همچنین زیرمجموعه های دیگه جهان ریفت وار برم.
August 8, 2018
4 Stars
Filled with scheming and intrigue, Daughter of the Empire starts this Riftwar spinoff series strong. The story follows Mara, a young woman forced unexpectedly into leading her House through a dangerous game of politics as enemies circle, waiting to destroy her and her people.
There’s a lot of things to like in this book. First, the setting is fantastic. Set in the Tsurani culture, it’s very different to your average fantasy world. The culture has a lot of Asian elements and revolves around your House and family honor. There are tons of little flourishes and traditions that make the culture feel real, and the characters are all heavily influenced by the code of honor that holds their society together. The characters themselves are interesting, from Mara, the young ruling Lady, to her veteran commander to her old advisor to the various other scheming lords and rulers.
As the cover blurb alludes to, this book focuses heavily on politics, which in the Tsurani world is just as deadly as open combat. While at times I would have liked a little variety from the political intrigue, it was cleverly written and kept the tension high.
The book is written in such a way that if you haven’t read the Riftwar books, everything can still make sense. I would advise to read those books first, though, as it’ll give some additional depth and you’ll pick up on a few more things. Also, if I didn’t already know the culture and history of the Tsurani world, the beginning might have been a bit of a struggle until I got acclimatized. Besides, if you haven’t read Feist you’re missing out on some great classic fantasy.
Growing up, Feist’s Riftwar books where one of my main introductions to fantasy, and I read and reread them an embarrassing amount of times. For some reason I never picked up this series though. I think I was put off by the political intrigue focus, when I was younger that type of story didn’t interest me much. I’m glad I decided to come back and give these books a chance.
Filled with scheming and intrigue, Daughter of the Empire starts this Riftwar spinoff series strong. The story follows Mara, a young woman forced unexpectedly into leading her House through a dangerous game of politics as enemies circle, waiting to destroy her and her people.
There’s a lot of things to like in this book. First, the setting is fantastic. Set in the Tsurani culture, it’s very different to your average fantasy world. The culture has a lot of Asian elements and revolves around your House and family honor. There are tons of little flourishes and traditions that make the culture feel real, and the characters are all heavily influenced by the code of honor that holds their society together. The characters themselves are interesting, from Mara, the young ruling Lady, to her veteran commander to her old advisor to the various other scheming lords and rulers.
As the cover blurb alludes to, this book focuses heavily on politics, which in the Tsurani world is just as deadly as open combat. While at times I would have liked a little variety from the political intrigue, it was cleverly written and kept the tension high.
The book is written in such a way that if you haven’t read the Riftwar books, everything can still make sense. I would advise to read those books first, though, as it’ll give some additional depth and you’ll pick up on a few more things. Also, if I didn’t already know the culture and history of the Tsurani world, the beginning might have been a bit of a struggle until I got acclimatized. Besides, if you haven’t read Feist you’re missing out on some great classic fantasy.
Growing up, Feist’s Riftwar books where one of my main introductions to fantasy, and I read and reread them an embarrassing amount of times. For some reason I never picked up this series though. I think I was put off by the political intrigue focus, when I was younger that type of story didn’t interest me much. I’m glad I decided to come back and give these books a chance.
April 1, 2025
I read this a while ago, and was keeping my score a secret, so kinda forget my more detailed thoughts. But basically Mara is an awesome protagonist, but overall I just didn't love this, it took me more than 2 weeks to read, and is pretty short, and I wasn't really distracted by other stuff, but also it did have a lot of distinctly good scenes.
I do think some of the plans had Joker's plan from The Dark Knight itus where it overly relied on some extreme coincidences
7.5/10
I do think some of the plans had Joker's plan from The Dark Knight itus where it overly relied on some extreme coincidences
7.5/10
September 20, 2019
Daughter of the Empire is the first book in The Empire Trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. It takes place at the same time as Magician from the Riftwar Saga, but it’s set on a different world and focuses on different characters. There are a few references to the first subseries, but it would be easy to jump in here without any familiarity with the other books.
The story focuses primarily on Mara, a seventeen-year-old girl whose father and brother, not to mention a large portion of their military, are killed when an enemy house betrays them. Mara learns of this at the very beginning of the book, just as she’s in the middle of a ceremony to be initiated into a religious order. Mara is the only one left alive to lead her house, so her future is about to change drastically, if she can survive leading a house with depleted military forces and enemies determined to see her house fall.
I really enjoyed this. The story held my attention from beginning to end, and I felt like it had more depth and nuance as compared to the first subseries. There are a lot more shades of gray, both in the plot and in the characters. Mara is an easy character to sympathize with and root for, and I couldn’t help but cheer her every success, but at the same time I often felt uncomfortable about some things she did to achieve those successes. She isn’t a character I can love with blind devotion like I do some of the characters from the Riftwar Saga, but she feels real and she’s a lot of fun to read about. I loved her cleverness and her boldness, and her ability to adapt to a role that her upbringing had not prepared her for.
I also very much liked some of the other characters. The story is full of politics and scheming and some military action. I really didn’t think there were any slow parts, although it never quite became a compulsive read that I couldn’t put down. I’m rating this at 4.5 stars and rounding up to 5 on Goodreads. Despite being the first book in a trilogy, this book tells a complete story and would be satisfying on its own. I, however, am moving straight on to the next book. :)
The story focuses primarily on Mara, a seventeen-year-old girl whose father and brother, not to mention a large portion of their military, are killed when an enemy house betrays them. Mara learns of this at the very beginning of the book, just as she’s in the middle of a ceremony to be initiated into a religious order. Mara is the only one left alive to lead her house, so her future is about to change drastically, if she can survive leading a house with depleted military forces and enemies determined to see her house fall.
I really enjoyed this. The story held my attention from beginning to end, and I felt like it had more depth and nuance as compared to the first subseries. There are a lot more shades of gray, both in the plot and in the characters. Mara is an easy character to sympathize with and root for, and I couldn’t help but cheer her every success, but at the same time I often felt uncomfortable about some things she did to achieve those successes. She isn’t a character I can love with blind devotion like I do some of the characters from the Riftwar Saga, but she feels real and she’s a lot of fun to read about. I loved her cleverness and her boldness, and her ability to adapt to a role that her upbringing had not prepared her for.
I also very much liked some of the other characters. The story is full of politics and scheming and some military action. I really didn’t think there were any slow parts, although it never quite became a compulsive read that I couldn’t put down. I’m rating this at 4.5 stars and rounding up to 5 on Goodreads. Despite being the first book in a trilogy, this book tells a complete story and would be satisfying on its own. I, however, am moving straight on to the next book. :)
December 7, 2024
4.5 stars
Knowing I’m a fan of the Riftwar Cycle, people have long suggested The Empire Trilogy to me, but I've just never been interested. I think it was just never the right time for me, with it being a very political fantasy, and that not being something that I’d ever read too much of. Now though, having finally read Daughter of the Empire, I found I was able to enjoy it and able to appreciate those political aspects more.
I had been led to believe that there was a bit more of a crossover with the initial Riftwar Saga (Magician, Silverthorn, A Darkness at Sethanon), but that's not really visible in this first book. The war itself is in the background, while we focus on the impact of it, and the politicking back on Kelewan, with the young and untested Mara of the Acoma.
The men of Mara’s family are away fighting in Midkemia, but we don't really see the initial repercussions of that except for the absence of those characters, and the people trying to fill that void. I don't know whether in the second and the third book in this series we have a bit more crossover with the Riftwar Saga, but I don't necessarily think that I need that now. Previously, I probably would have thought that I might because it would give me that familiarity and a little bit that I can build around, but now I would say I don't need that because this book stands on its own perfectly well.
I would suggest that you can definitely read this without having read the Riftwar Saga, so that's obviously a good thing – it's a second starting off point, although it is very different one to the solo Feist books.
I like how in this book you've got a young character who's trying to find her way in political warfare while the more conventional war is being played out in the background. She's only I think eighteen at the start of the book, so she's not a great political player, but you can see the early tendrils of that in the story here and how she's potentially going to become someone of great power and influence.
I like the different things that Mara did to wind people around her finger and get them on her side, putting them in debt to her family and owing favours. I think it was really well done and some of the little intricacies there were really interesting. I was very much on board although I would say not a vast amount happened because of the type of story it was – but when I say that I'm referring to more conventional action as that's what I'm used to more in fantasy, and there wasn't a vast amount in here.
Overall, it was very enjoyable and I’m happy to have finally started this series.
Knowing I’m a fan of the Riftwar Cycle, people have long suggested The Empire Trilogy to me, but I've just never been interested. I think it was just never the right time for me, with it being a very political fantasy, and that not being something that I’d ever read too much of. Now though, having finally read Daughter of the Empire, I found I was able to enjoy it and able to appreciate those political aspects more.
I had been led to believe that there was a bit more of a crossover with the initial Riftwar Saga (Magician, Silverthorn, A Darkness at Sethanon), but that's not really visible in this first book. The war itself is in the background, while we focus on the impact of it, and the politicking back on Kelewan, with the young and untested Mara of the Acoma.
The men of Mara’s family are away fighting in Midkemia, but we don't really see the initial repercussions of that except for the absence of those characters, and the people trying to fill that void. I don't know whether in the second and the third book in this series we have a bit more crossover with the Riftwar Saga, but I don't necessarily think that I need that now. Previously, I probably would have thought that I might because it would give me that familiarity and a little bit that I can build around, but now I would say I don't need that because this book stands on its own perfectly well.
I would suggest that you can definitely read this without having read the Riftwar Saga, so that's obviously a good thing – it's a second starting off point, although it is very different one to the solo Feist books.
I like how in this book you've got a young character who's trying to find her way in political warfare while the more conventional war is being played out in the background. She's only I think eighteen at the start of the book, so she's not a great political player, but you can see the early tendrils of that in the story here and how she's potentially going to become someone of great power and influence.
I like the different things that Mara did to wind people around her finger and get them on her side, putting them in debt to her family and owing favours. I think it was really well done and some of the little intricacies there were really interesting. I was very much on board although I would say not a vast amount happened because of the type of story it was – but when I say that I'm referring to more conventional action as that's what I'm used to more in fantasy, and there wasn't a vast amount in here.
Overall, it was very enjoyable and I’m happy to have finally started this series.
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