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The Tales of Einarinn #3
Livak's Fortuin
The renowned thief Livak employed her great courage and cunning to escape the evil, mindbending sorcery of the Elietimm -- with the help of Ryshad, the noble swordsman who stole the beautiful bandit's heart. Now a fortune awaits her and her beloved, if Livak can secure a powerful, ancient, and forgotten magic that the Empire seeks to defend itself from its enemies.
But there are others who covet the secrets of these lost arts....
480 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
15 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
About the author
Juliet E. McKenna
102 books235 followersJuliet E McKenna is a British fantasy author living in the Cotswolds, UK. Loving history, myth and other worlds since she first learned to read, she has written fifteen epic fantasy novels so far. Her debut, The Thief’s Gamble, began The Tales of Einarinn in 1999, followed by The Aldabreshin Compass sequence, The Chronicles of the Lescari Revolution, and The Hadrumal Crisis trilogy. The Green Man’s Heir was her first modern fantasy inspired by British folklore in 2018. The Green Man’s Quarry in 2023 was the sixth title in this ongoing series and won the BSFA Award for Best Novel. The seventh book, in 2024, is The Green Man’s War.
Her 2023 novel The Cleaving is a female-centred retelling of the story of King Arthur, while her shorter fiction includes forays into dark fantasy, steampunk and science fiction. She promotes SF&Fantasy by reviewing, by blogging on book trade issues, attending conventions and teaching creative writing. She has served as a judge for the James White Award, the Aeon Award, the Arthur C Clarke Award and the World Fantasy Awards. In 2015 she received the British Fantasy Society’s Karl Edward Wagner Award. As J M Alvey, she has written historical murder mysteries set in ancient Greece.
Who’s to say what will come next?
Learn more about all of this at julietemckenna.com and on Twitter @JulietEMcKenna
Her 2023 novel The Cleaving is a female-centred retelling of the story of King Arthur, while her shorter fiction includes forays into dark fantasy, steampunk and science fiction. She promotes SF&Fantasy by reviewing, by blogging on book trade issues, attending conventions and teaching creative writing. She has served as a judge for the James White Award, the Aeon Award, the Arthur C Clarke Award and the World Fantasy Awards. In 2015 she received the British Fantasy Society’s Karl Edward Wagner Award. As J M Alvey, she has written historical murder mysteries set in ancient Greece.
Who’s to say what will come next?
Learn more about all of this at julietemckenna.com and on Twitter @JulietEMcKenna
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 4, 2021
Heerlijk ontspannen lezen. Dat had ik wel even nodig. Livak en haar vrienden krijgen te maken met een nieuwe aanval van de Eliëtimm. Dit keer ontketend Eresken een oorlog tussen het Noorden en het midden van Einarinn.
Livak is op een tocht naar het noorden gestuurd om te ontdekken of er in een boek met liederen dat gevonden is, verwijzingen of spreuken zijn verborgen die de oorsprong zouden kunnen zijn van de andere soort magie die de Eliëtimm gebruiken. De magiër Usara gaat ook mee, net als Sorgard en Sorgren. Natuurlijk komen ze weer in allerlei soorten moeilijkheden. Gewoon lekker lezen. Jammer dat de volgende delen niet meer zijn vertaald.
Livak is op een tocht naar het noorden gestuurd om te ontdekken of er in een boek met liederen dat gevonden is, verwijzingen of spreuken zijn verborgen die de oorsprong zouden kunnen zijn van de andere soort magie die de Eliëtimm gebruiken. De magiër Usara gaat ook mee, net als Sorgard en Sorgren. Natuurlijk komen ze weer in allerlei soorten moeilijkheden. Gewoon lekker lezen. Jammer dat de volgende delen niet meer zijn vertaald.
May 17, 2020
One of my favourites in the series.
July 6, 2022
4,5 stars - English Ebook
Livak has decided it's time she turned her new-found connections with powerful mages and mighty princes into solid advantage for herself. If she is to have any sort of future with the swordsman Ryshad, they need the means to live independently of her gambling and travel and the ties of his oath.
Livak discovers that knowledge of the ancient aetheric magic - Artifice as the Tormalin call it - is being sought by both Messire D'Olbriot and Planir the Archmage. By locating those who hold the secrets of Artifice first, Livak will hold the key to untold riches.
With each new installment, McKenna's reason for subtitling her series as "tales of Einarinn" becomes increasingly evident: the world itself shares center stage with events and characters. There's ample action in The Gambler's Fortune, but like its predecessors it's best appreciated by readers whose taste for adventure includes a hunger to explore new places and cultures in addition to a thirst for intrepid exploits.
Livak has returned as first-person narrator, like a welcome breath of fresh air. She seems much more natural than currently-absent associate and lover Ryshad. Maybe that's the nature of her personality, or maybe a female point of view just comes more naturally to McKenna.
Livak's storyline is intercut with three others told in third-person: an in-depth view of life among the Mountain Men, or Anyatimm, as they call themselves; the most revealing look to-date at the elusive Elietimm; and glimpses of Archmage Planir's ongoing machinations back in Hadrumal.
Livak has entered the pay of Messire D'Olbriot, Ryshad's patron prince, who continues to pool resources with Planir against the Elietimm. One thing they've learned is that the ancient magic now being called "Artifice" is deeply rooted in the oldest races still living on Einarinn. Livak has convinced D'Olbriot to send her on a fact-finding mission among two of those reclusive groups, with wizard Usara along to represent Planir.
Figuring her mixed blood will gain entrée among the Forest Folk, she recruits a pair of old friends, brothers Sorgrad and Sorgren, to help with the Mountain Men. She's angling for a discovery big enough to net a fortune in bonus money from D'Olbriot and Planir. Incidentally, she expects her quest to take her well away from further confrontation with the Elietimm, but there she's proven abysmally wrong. In fact, while the most obvious "gambler's fortune" here is Livak's hoped-for bonus, the book's title applies equally well to her changing fortunes on the road.
The time among the Forest Folk is interesting, productive, and not without its tense moments, but the Mountain Men really drive The Gambler's Fortune. Livak has remarked in previous books on the strong resemblance between the Elietimm and her friends Sorgrad and Sorgren.
The storylines here tie both peoples firmly together. Through the Anyatimm, McKenna also tells a tale with echoes common to aboriginal peoples of any time or place: heedlessly overrun and gradually supplanted by empire-building outsiders.
She declines to let the blame be entirely one-sided, however; if the Anyatimm are indeed doomed, it's due as much to their own tradition-bound inflexibility as to outside influences.
As always, the writing is rich and colorful. The characters continue to evolve. They settled into a measured pace rather slower than some readers might prefer, but there's plenty to see along the way between crises.
The incidence of minor basic writing glitches has increased slightly since the first book, but that's fairly common and not particularly noticeable here. The Gambler's Fortune left me with much to think about and even more to look forward to.
Livak has decided it's time she turned her new-found connections with powerful mages and mighty princes into solid advantage for herself. If she is to have any sort of future with the swordsman Ryshad, they need the means to live independently of her gambling and travel and the ties of his oath.
Livak discovers that knowledge of the ancient aetheric magic - Artifice as the Tormalin call it - is being sought by both Messire D'Olbriot and Planir the Archmage. By locating those who hold the secrets of Artifice first, Livak will hold the key to untold riches.
With each new installment, McKenna's reason for subtitling her series as "tales of Einarinn" becomes increasingly evident: the world itself shares center stage with events and characters. There's ample action in The Gambler's Fortune, but like its predecessors it's best appreciated by readers whose taste for adventure includes a hunger to explore new places and cultures in addition to a thirst for intrepid exploits.
Livak has returned as first-person narrator, like a welcome breath of fresh air. She seems much more natural than currently-absent associate and lover Ryshad. Maybe that's the nature of her personality, or maybe a female point of view just comes more naturally to McKenna.
Livak's storyline is intercut with three others told in third-person: an in-depth view of life among the Mountain Men, or Anyatimm, as they call themselves; the most revealing look to-date at the elusive Elietimm; and glimpses of Archmage Planir's ongoing machinations back in Hadrumal.
Livak has entered the pay of Messire D'Olbriot, Ryshad's patron prince, who continues to pool resources with Planir against the Elietimm. One thing they've learned is that the ancient magic now being called "Artifice" is deeply rooted in the oldest races still living on Einarinn. Livak has convinced D'Olbriot to send her on a fact-finding mission among two of those reclusive groups, with wizard Usara along to represent Planir.
Figuring her mixed blood will gain entrée among the Forest Folk, she recruits a pair of old friends, brothers Sorgrad and Sorgren, to help with the Mountain Men. She's angling for a discovery big enough to net a fortune in bonus money from D'Olbriot and Planir. Incidentally, she expects her quest to take her well away from further confrontation with the Elietimm, but there she's proven abysmally wrong. In fact, while the most obvious "gambler's fortune" here is Livak's hoped-for bonus, the book's title applies equally well to her changing fortunes on the road.
The time among the Forest Folk is interesting, productive, and not without its tense moments, but the Mountain Men really drive The Gambler's Fortune. Livak has remarked in previous books on the strong resemblance between the Elietimm and her friends Sorgrad and Sorgren.
The storylines here tie both peoples firmly together. Through the Anyatimm, McKenna also tells a tale with echoes common to aboriginal peoples of any time or place: heedlessly overrun and gradually supplanted by empire-building outsiders.
She declines to let the blame be entirely one-sided, however; if the Anyatimm are indeed doomed, it's due as much to their own tradition-bound inflexibility as to outside influences.
As always, the writing is rich and colorful. The characters continue to evolve. They settled into a measured pace rather slower than some readers might prefer, but there's plenty to see along the way between crises.
The incidence of minor basic writing glitches has increased slightly since the first book, but that's fairly common and not particularly noticeable here. The Gambler's Fortune left me with much to think about and even more to look forward to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2011
(Repost from http://drying-ink.blogspot.com/2010/0... )
Juliet E. McKenna's Tales of Einarinn is a series I've been reading earlier, with - mostly - a lot of enjoyment. The Gambler's Fortune is the third book in the series, and one more returns to Livak, an itinerant gambler and trickster, now aiding Tormalin efforts against the Elietimm - for a price.
The Elietimm, or "Men of the Ice" - established as the main antagonists of the series, opposing the Kel Ar'Ayen colonists and the mainland alike. Although few in number, they use a magic lost to the mainland, and pose a significant threat.
The aspect I like most about this series is the worldbuilding: the more structured and formal bureaucracy and tradition after the "Chaos" is especially realistic, but I particularly enjoy the magic. First's, it's realistically reacted to: the power of the Archmage is in fact restrained more by tacit undertsnading between him and the nobles of what would happen if he used it than any actual strictures. Secondly, it's an example of elemental magic done well, and in fantasy, that's pretty rare. Mages have an "affinity" for an element in childhood, and when trained, this allows them to develop ability for other elements as well, to an extent. There are several good things about the system:
- It's balanced and interesting. The talents are put to much more practical use, and earth mages are actually interesting.
- It's not too powerful. Although exhaustion is a fairly stereotypical cost, in the "Tales of Einarinn", a mage using their power to a large extent will simply collapse unconscious, leaving him or her at the mercy of anybody.
- There are limits: a lot of things simply cannot be achieved using this type of magic, unlike some elemental systems, which feel the need to divide up every single possible use of magic into elental skills.
- It restricts the user: an elemental mage cannot use the other magic system.
There's also a second type: aetheric magic, or Artifice, used in certain priestly traditions - and by the Elietimm. This is simply done by chanting in the most parts, although as Livak investigates further, it's uncovered that this isn't the only way... Artifice concentrates mainly on the mind and senses, and is linked to belief: but not wholely understood yet.
The plot begins with research: Livak believes she has found the rhythm of the aetheric chant in the oral traditions and songs of the "Forest Folk", and, with Usara, a mage sent to facilitate communication more quickly, and Sorgrad and 'Gren, former mercenaries, they begin to investigate. However, an Elietimm enchanter begins to meddle with the border dispute between uplands and lowlands, and steps into the path of our protagonists' enquiries. The result? Magical deception, trickery, kidnapping- and a large dollop of action.
The characters are interesting, but I find Usara the most sympathetic, which makes it just a little dissonant when he is treated relatively badly, and this is looked on by Livak as natural. However, Livak is hardly the average protagonist (a gambler and charlatan, as well as an occasional thief), which perhaps gains the reader more insight into her character. However, I didn't particularly like these parts.
Several characters also became "designated antagonists", for lack of another word. The reader is meant to dislike them, and, equally certainly, they are Bad. If Jeirran, the manipulated and misguided leader of the upland part of the border conflict had remained in character, - instead of being portrayed, later on, as enjoying abusive behaviour - it would have been a much more realistic conflict. Instead, he becomes rather too much of a "designated" antagonist for my likinbg, through this late addition.
Overall, I'd recommend it as a fun, quite light read: and a nice example of elemental magic gone right. It's a good book, but not a great one.
6.25/10
Juliet E. McKenna's Tales of Einarinn is a series I've been reading earlier, with - mostly - a lot of enjoyment. The Gambler's Fortune is the third book in the series, and one more returns to Livak, an itinerant gambler and trickster, now aiding Tormalin efforts against the Elietimm - for a price.
The Elietimm, or "Men of the Ice" - established as the main antagonists of the series, opposing the Kel Ar'Ayen colonists and the mainland alike. Although few in number, they use a magic lost to the mainland, and pose a significant threat.
The aspect I like most about this series is the worldbuilding: the more structured and formal bureaucracy and tradition after the "Chaos" is especially realistic, but I particularly enjoy the magic. First's, it's realistically reacted to: the power of the Archmage is in fact restrained more by tacit undertsnading between him and the nobles of what would happen if he used it than any actual strictures. Secondly, it's an example of elemental magic done well, and in fantasy, that's pretty rare. Mages have an "affinity" for an element in childhood, and when trained, this allows them to develop ability for other elements as well, to an extent. There are several good things about the system:
- It's balanced and interesting. The talents are put to much more practical use, and earth mages are actually interesting.
- It's not too powerful. Although exhaustion is a fairly stereotypical cost, in the "Tales of Einarinn", a mage using their power to a large extent will simply collapse unconscious, leaving him or her at the mercy of anybody.
- There are limits: a lot of things simply cannot be achieved using this type of magic, unlike some elemental systems, which feel the need to divide up every single possible use of magic into elental skills.
- It restricts the user: an elemental mage cannot use the other magic system.
There's also a second type: aetheric magic, or Artifice, used in certain priestly traditions - and by the Elietimm. This is simply done by chanting in the most parts, although as Livak investigates further, it's uncovered that this isn't the only way... Artifice concentrates mainly on the mind and senses, and is linked to belief: but not wholely understood yet.
The plot begins with research: Livak believes she has found the rhythm of the aetheric chant in the oral traditions and songs of the "Forest Folk", and, with Usara, a mage sent to facilitate communication more quickly, and Sorgrad and 'Gren, former mercenaries, they begin to investigate. However, an Elietimm enchanter begins to meddle with the border dispute between uplands and lowlands, and steps into the path of our protagonists' enquiries. The result? Magical deception, trickery, kidnapping- and a large dollop of action.
The characters are interesting, but I find Usara the most sympathetic, which makes it just a little dissonant when he is treated relatively badly, and this is looked on by Livak as natural. However, Livak is hardly the average protagonist (a gambler and charlatan, as well as an occasional thief), which perhaps gains the reader more insight into her character. However, I didn't particularly like these parts.
Several characters also became "designated antagonists", for lack of another word. The reader is meant to dislike them, and, equally certainly, they are Bad. If Jeirran, the manipulated and misguided leader of the upland part of the border conflict had remained in character, - instead of being portrayed, later on, as enjoying abusive behaviour - it would have been a much more realistic conflict. Instead, he becomes rather too much of a "designated" antagonist for my likinbg, through this late addition.
Overall, I'd recommend it as a fun, quite light read: and a nice example of elemental magic gone right. It's a good book, but not a great one.
6.25/10
September 15, 2022
Finally through.
I like Livak a lot, she is who we started with and I suspect who we will end with.
This time we get to spend a good chunk of time with Usara, Sorgrad and Sorgren.
The brothers are charming, I like how there are twists and bends. You don't see whats coming and it keeps you guessing until the end.
For me that is rare thing for me to find in a book.
So read up and enjoy!
I like Livak a lot, she is who we started with and I suspect who we will end with.
This time we get to spend a good chunk of time with Usara, Sorgrad and Sorgren.
The brothers are charming, I like how there are twists and bends. You don't see whats coming and it keeps you guessing until the end.
For me that is rare thing for me to find in a book.
So read up and enjoy!
March 13, 2013
This book is the third in the series concerning Livak and the wizards of Hadrumal.
Although I enjoyed the first two books this one was a bit of a drag. The story was slow and did not achieve much. Livak annoyed the hell out of me and could have done with a good slap.
Overall this seemed a half hearted attempt at a filler book, to pad out the overall series.
Although I enjoyed the first two books this one was a bit of a drag. The story was slow and did not achieve much. Livak annoyed the hell out of me and could have done with a good slap.
Overall this seemed a half hearted attempt at a filler book, to pad out the overall series.
February 23, 2020
I didn't find this story as easy to read as the first two in the series. The story was slow to move, and the sheer nastiness of the villains had me having to put the book down quite often. However, I did enjoy it, and read the last quarter in one go, once it got moving and suspenseful. Onto book 4!
March 5, 2019
My least favourite of the series so far. I felt like it took a while to get going and the characters were stuck in one place for ages. Ended up enjoying it towards the end though and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
July 12, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up. It started to drag a bit two thirds in (although to be fair that may be because the previous books were so entertaining and fast moving); still very good though.
February 20, 2020
This one dragged a bit, compared to the first two. The big bad was on its way for so long, and I found it hard to care about the new characters. All the same, this miles better than so much epic fantasy. And I do want to see what happens next.
March 3, 2021
I liked this book better than book two, but not as much as book one. After this many pages the series might come to an end. Unfortunately I'll need to read about 800 more pages before knowing how Livak will finally fare.
June 1, 2017
Great story, too many typos
I love this story, but it is plagued by a number of typos. The sense of the plot isn't lost, but it ruins the flow.
I love this story, but it is plagued by a number of typos. The sense of the plot isn't lost, but it ruins the flow.
March 13, 2019
Digital transfer isn't great - looks like it's been done by OCR and some sentences are incomprehensible. Which is a shame because the characters and story are great!
February 22, 2021
the tension really builds in this one, largely due to the new secondary POV. some other characters get fleshed out well, the world gets more fully developed, and the action continues.
April 26, 2024
Really enjoyed the slight twist at the ending of this one. It's a good series.
March 9, 2017
excellent book
Read
October 21, 2007http://nhw.livejournal.com/61786.html[return][return]McKenna's work scores well above the average in at least three respects.[return][return]First, oddly enough, is the fact that the books are clearly rooted in role-playing. (McKenna makes no bones about this in any of her interviews.) It seems to me that this has a fundamental impact on the way the books are structured - you have a campaign, you have to begin it and end it, you have to provide a certain rate of incidence of exciting events, the characters are classified into particular categories (magic-user, warrior, thief) - but this is no bad thing. If the fundamentals of your universe are sound, then that provides a much firmer basis for the story. Elsewhere I've compared McKenna favourably to Raymond E. Feist, and more favourable comparisons follow below.[return][return]Second is the fact that there are no non-human nasties. All of McKenna's villains (and heroes) are people like us. The breadth and variety of human cultures depicted in her world is something I have only seen surpassed by George R.R. Martin (Tolkien loses on this score by having too many Elves, Dwarves and Ents). To this she injects a conflict between two different kinds of magic which are mutually incomprehensible. And population pressures are driving technological and economic change in a fantasy environment. On top of that, as you would hope for from an Oxford graduate in Classics, there is a whole store of knowledge from the ancients waiting to be decoded. Good stuff.[return][return]Third is the sex. McKenna is no Silverberg or Delany (let alone a Jacqueline Carey, whose Kushiel's Avatar is next-but-one on my "to read" list). But it is really refreshing to encounter protagonists who are not young folks going through a rite-of-passage narrative, but people much nearer to my own age, juggling the conflicting needs of a demanding career with the need for a decent home life. OK, so McKenna's characters are battling to save their continent from the evil invader rather than analysing the Balkan Question (like me) or writing best-selling novels (like Juliet). But I still feel a much greater sympathy for them than I do with the protagonists of Eddings' Belgariad (let alone Jordan's woeful Wheel of Time).[return][return]Anyway, The Gambler's Fortune is a worthy third book in the series, and I'll be looking out for the others.
March 29, 2020
The third installment in “The Tales of Einarinn” series continues from the point the previous volume left us – the remarkable discovery of the rich traditions of the Archipelago and the dark, coveted secrets of people from ages long gone. Our main characters Ryshad and Livak have started to plan their future life together, but before their final reunion one last impediment remains. The point of view in “The Gambler’s Fortune” is yet again transferred to Livak, as the retired thief-turned-almost-noblewoman starts her personal adventure in the Great forest aided by the talented pupil of the Archwizard. Her mission and intuition for ever-present trouble lead her to the mountains inhabited by a race closely resembling the hated Elietimm, where old alliances will be tried out by fire and steel.
“The Gambler’s Fortune” is Juliet Mckenna’s testing ground for developing strong characters from the “enemy lines”, such as a disillusioned highlander with high hopes, a beautiful woman craving for knowledge and happiness, as well as an unscrupulous and crafty Elietimm. Furthermore, the author delves more deeply into the magic system of artifice with some excellent description of intense battles. Unfortunately, no major events occur during this novel, as it suffers from the middle-book syndrome and is thus too predictable and schematic to live up to the expectations set by the previous volumes. Be prepared that superfluous information and sluggish pace are the bane of “The Gambler’s Fortune”, though the dreary picture is enlivened by the presence of two new witty and memorable characters.
To sum up, the third book in “The Tales of Einarinn” series is lagging a couple of steps behind its predecessors, though in my opinion, the author is still setting the scene for the upcoming groundbreaking, world-shattering events and thus, the novel is worth a try. As I have mentioned, Juliet Mckenna spends a lot of time giving life to her fantasy setting, the epic war conflicts are just as spectacular, the main characters continue to come across insurmountable hurdles and gush out smart remarks (not necessarily in this order). So, although the author may not win an award for ingenuity, “The Gambler’s Fortune” is a passable novel in the series and will satisfy Mckenna’s fans.
“The Gambler’s Fortune” is Juliet Mckenna’s testing ground for developing strong characters from the “enemy lines”, such as a disillusioned highlander with high hopes, a beautiful woman craving for knowledge and happiness, as well as an unscrupulous and crafty Elietimm. Furthermore, the author delves more deeply into the magic system of artifice with some excellent description of intense battles. Unfortunately, no major events occur during this novel, as it suffers from the middle-book syndrome and is thus too predictable and schematic to live up to the expectations set by the previous volumes. Be prepared that superfluous information and sluggish pace are the bane of “The Gambler’s Fortune”, though the dreary picture is enlivened by the presence of two new witty and memorable characters.
To sum up, the third book in “The Tales of Einarinn” series is lagging a couple of steps behind its predecessors, though in my opinion, the author is still setting the scene for the upcoming groundbreaking, world-shattering events and thus, the novel is worth a try. As I have mentioned, Juliet Mckenna spends a lot of time giving life to her fantasy setting, the epic war conflicts are just as spectacular, the main characters continue to come across insurmountable hurdles and gush out smart remarks (not necessarily in this order). So, although the author may not win an award for ingenuity, “The Gambler’s Fortune” is a passable novel in the series and will satisfy Mckenna’s fans.
September 24, 2013
This, the best book in McKenna's series so far, draws together the separate threads of sorcery & aetheric magic, Eliettimm & mainlanders, history & quest to satisfying effect. Now that the threat from the Ice Islands has been identified, Livak seeks her own measure of profit from the hunt for hidden aetheric magic. But the Eliettimm themselves are now strong enough to cross the wide oceans and wreak havoc across the North...
Even here on the middle of a series, McKenna takes time to set the stage and introduce us to fresh antagonists, but this is time well spent as we come to sympathise with the Mountain Men and understand how Eresken has usurped their desires.
The idea of two inimical magic systems is an interesting one and the conflict continues to play out well. The personal conflicts and actual warfare are almost back grounded by contrast.
Good stuff all the way. Recommended.
Even here on the middle of a series, McKenna takes time to set the stage and introduce us to fresh antagonists, but this is time well spent as we come to sympathise with the Mountain Men and understand how Eresken has usurped their desires.
The idea of two inimical magic systems is an interesting one and the conflict continues to play out well. The personal conflicts and actual warfare are almost back grounded by contrast.
Good stuff all the way. Recommended.
January 8, 2015
The first two books in this fantasy series were a bit tough for me to get through...pretty good world building but lots of characters that seemed cut from the standard molds. I awarded them both 3 stars but even that felt forced.
However, I do tend to be a completist and just hate to leave a series in the middle so I decided to give this third one a try. I had thought it was the last of a trilogy but now realize there are two more (so far?) but I just don't plan on continuing. It's not a good sign when I have to reel in my mind from where it's wandered off thinking about work, or the kids, or anything besides the story. It's a shame because the magic system the author has created is intriguing. I just wish the story held my attention better.
However, I do tend to be a completist and just hate to leave a series in the middle so I decided to give this third one a try. I had thought it was the last of a trilogy but now realize there are two more (so far?) but I just don't plan on continuing. It's not a good sign when I have to reel in my mind from where it's wandered off thinking about work, or the kids, or anything besides the story. It's a shame because the magic system the author has created is intriguing. I just wish the story held my attention better.
September 2, 2016
I struggled to finish this book. Having re-read the first two books in the series to re-visit the stories (I first read them both more than 15 years ago), I was anticipating the same type of complexity.
I was perplexed by the high level of seemingly gratuitous violence; at times it felt overdone and without purpose. I felt that this installment was lacking somewhat in complexity and not up to this talented author's usual standard.
That being said, I will continue with the series because Ms McKenna is certainly worth reading!
I was perplexed by the high level of seemingly gratuitous violence; at times it felt overdone and without purpose. I felt that this installment was lacking somewhat in complexity and not up to this talented author's usual standard.
That being said, I will continue with the series because Ms McKenna is certainly worth reading!
March 18, 2011
Livak has decided to use her connections (read they owe her) into a chance to make a fortune for herself so as to allow her to establish a homestead with her paramour.
She travels with a motley crew of misfits, seeking the source and skill to use ancient magic. I never quite got into the story though - maybe you had to have read the previous books in the series (this is the 3rd in the series).
I definitely liked the ending though - a final solution to a bad marriage deal!
She travels with a motley crew of misfits, seeking the source and skill to use ancient magic. I never quite got into the story though - maybe you had to have read the previous books in the series (this is the 3rd in the series).
I definitely liked the ending though - a final solution to a bad marriage deal!
November 1, 2007
An excellent sequel to "The Thief's Gamble" and "The Swordsman's Oath". It's nice to catch up with the lead character of the first novel, and to meet Sorgrad and Sorgren; intriguing though slightly worrying characters.
Unreservedly recommended.
Unreservedly recommended.
December 14, 2009
fun fantasy book, a little slow moving with an obvious plot. still curious to see what happens and thought the end was creative.
Want to read
March 25, 2010I am still reading this series and all that I can say is that these books are good reads.
September 6, 2013
The Tales of Einarinn #3
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews