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Transgressor Trilogy #2
Times of Change
One woman must lead her people in a desperate stand against tyranny.
“In eight generations nothing like this has been received by any Harkeran ruler. And yet now it is you, a widow, someone who has no blood-claim to the crown in your own right, who is being called upon to deal with a declaration of war.”
Fate has left Jaelya Roussal ruling as Regent of Harkera at the most troubled time in its history. The Warlord Qabal Vyazin has set his sights on seizing the country and making it part of his powerful, barbaric empire, and he would crush the stirrings of the more progressive and compassionate way of life that the nation has embraced. Harkera is also home to a powerful secret which could affect the fate of all the Coalition worlds. Jaelya needs the help of every friend she can find to keep her daughter's kingdom safe. But first she has to decide if she can trust those who offer to help her protect Harkera - or if to do so risks losing everything she cares for to betrayal.
Temsevar is an insignificant Periphery world on the very fringes of galactic civilization. Settled long before the rise of faster-than-light technologies and left isolated for hundreds of years, its population has degenerated into the barbarism of a medieval culture. This primitive world has nothing the wealthy planets of the Coalition could want, until it becomes unwitting host to one of their most dangerous enemies - Avilon Revid. But Temsevar has its own struggles, which are being played out against the backdrop of its harsh society and unforgiving climate.
Times of Change is the second Volume in the Transgressor Trilogy. It continues the story of the events on Temsevar which began in The Fated Sky and tracks the lives of Avilon Revid, Durban Chola and Jariq Zarengor as they struggle to survive in the dangerous world of Temsevaran high politics and open warfare.
“In eight generations nothing like this has been received by any Harkeran ruler. And yet now it is you, a widow, someone who has no blood-claim to the crown in your own right, who is being called upon to deal with a declaration of war.”
Fate has left Jaelya Roussal ruling as Regent of Harkera at the most troubled time in its history. The Warlord Qabal Vyazin has set his sights on seizing the country and making it part of his powerful, barbaric empire, and he would crush the stirrings of the more progressive and compassionate way of life that the nation has embraced. Harkera is also home to a powerful secret which could affect the fate of all the Coalition worlds. Jaelya needs the help of every friend she can find to keep her daughter's kingdom safe. But first she has to decide if she can trust those who offer to help her protect Harkera - or if to do so risks losing everything she cares for to betrayal.
Temsevar is an insignificant Periphery world on the very fringes of galactic civilization. Settled long before the rise of faster-than-light technologies and left isolated for hundreds of years, its population has degenerated into the barbarism of a medieval culture. This primitive world has nothing the wealthy planets of the Coalition could want, until it becomes unwitting host to one of their most dangerous enemies - Avilon Revid. But Temsevar has its own struggles, which are being played out against the backdrop of its harsh society and unforgiving climate.
Times of Change is the second Volume in the Transgressor Trilogy. It continues the story of the events on Temsevar which began in The Fated Sky and tracks the lives of Avilon Revid, Durban Chola and Jariq Zarengor as they struggle to survive in the dangerous world of Temsevaran high politics and open warfare.
- GenresScience Fiction
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2016
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Swift-Hook
49 books204 followersE.M. Swift-Hook is the author of the Fortune's Fools dark space opera series and co-author of the alternate history whodunits the Dai and Julia Mysteries.
In the words that Robert Heinlein put into the mouth of Lazarus Long: 'Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.'
Having tried a number of different careers, before settling in the North-East of England with family, three dogs, cats and a small flock of rescued chickens, she now spends a lot of time in private and has very clean hands.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 20, 2018
My rating 4.6
The book Times of Change (Transgressor Trilogy #2) by E.M. Swift-Hook is a very well written book that leads us into the world of Temsevar. Durban Chola who mourned his network around Jariq and Avilon is now achieving his goal. He does all this to help Jaelya Roussal as Regent of Harkera. The war is approaching the borders of Harkera and the only thing that can help them is Jariq and Avilon, and Durban knows that. But not everything goes according to plan and Durban will have plenty of situations where his mind will have to work knit network to make it possible. In this book, so the little things that just make you want to read, intrigues are normal and you never know what can happen. If you're a fan of sci-fi and fantasy this is the book for you, and I high-maintenance if you read the first part of the book that you will like the second part of the series. The entire book is beautifully written, the characters are complex and well-described, and the story is full of events and surprises. It was a pleasure to read this sequel and I hope to in the near future and read the third part of the trilogy.
The book Times of Change (Transgressor Trilogy #2) by E.M. Swift-Hook is a very well written book that leads us into the world of Temsevar. Durban Chola who mourned his network around Jariq and Avilon is now achieving his goal. He does all this to help Jaelya Roussal as Regent of Harkera. The war is approaching the borders of Harkera and the only thing that can help them is Jariq and Avilon, and Durban knows that. But not everything goes according to plan and Durban will have plenty of situations where his mind will have to work knit network to make it possible. In this book, so the little things that just make you want to read, intrigues are normal and you never know what can happen. If you're a fan of sci-fi and fantasy this is the book for you, and I high-maintenance if you read the first part of the book that you will like the second part of the series. The entire book is beautifully written, the characters are complex and well-described, and the story is full of events and surprises. It was a pleasure to read this sequel and I hope to in the near future and read the third part of the trilogy.
February 18, 2017
This book will stress you out in the best way.
Times of Change is a wonderfully plotted novel that follows the three original main characters from book one and now a new character as they each struggle to obtain their own separate but intertwining goals in a world that is hurtling toward inevitable disaster. So, basically, what’s not to love? The characters are complex and the obstacles they face often seem insurmountable. Most of them are both loveable and treacherous at the same time, with the exception of Caer, who needs to be beaten with his whip, and as a reader, it is difficult at times to decide whose side to choose in the struggle.
The author has created a well thought-out world that incorporates the sword and dagger feel of a fantasy novel with the anything-goes possibilities of a science fiction novel. The main storyline focuses on the conflict taking place on the planet, but the underlying thread tying in the larger inter-planetary conflict continues to run through the plot ratcheting up the intensity at every turn.
It is difficult to write a review that doesn’t give anything away, and I am going to spare you the torture of wondering what the heck is about to happen or the lost sleep or the bad dreams. Just know that the author does a masterful job creating characters you will love, even if you will love to hate them, and a plot that you can’t predict, but that you can follow in a world that is rich in culture and possibilities and she does it with excellent writing, snappy dialog and vivid imagery.
Times of Change is a wonderfully plotted novel that follows the three original main characters from book one and now a new character as they each struggle to obtain their own separate but intertwining goals in a world that is hurtling toward inevitable disaster. So, basically, what’s not to love? The characters are complex and the obstacles they face often seem insurmountable. Most of them are both loveable and treacherous at the same time, with the exception of Caer, who needs to be beaten with his whip, and as a reader, it is difficult at times to decide whose side to choose in the struggle.
The author has created a well thought-out world that incorporates the sword and dagger feel of a fantasy novel with the anything-goes possibilities of a science fiction novel. The main storyline focuses on the conflict taking place on the planet, but the underlying thread tying in the larger inter-planetary conflict continues to run through the plot ratcheting up the intensity at every turn.
It is difficult to write a review that doesn’t give anything away, and I am going to spare you the torture of wondering what the heck is about to happen or the lost sleep or the bad dreams. Just know that the author does a masterful job creating characters you will love, even if you will love to hate them, and a plot that you can’t predict, but that you can follow in a world that is rich in culture and possibilities and she does it with excellent writing, snappy dialog and vivid imagery.
October 9, 2016
It was clear to me from the beginning that Times of Change is in the “wonderfully convoluted” class fantasy novel again. Somewhere in the middle, having the feeling of an imperfect characterization, I settled for an amalgamation between “wonderfully convoluted” and “constructive chaos”. Filled with intelligent main characters, none of them dressed in just black and white, most of the story is a battle of wills and different interpretations on how a society could be governed. While already accustomed with the characters from the first book in the series, I could not pass over the increasing subtlety of Vavasor’s perception and actions. He did not follow Qabal just from loyalty. He was able to perceive that an unified kingdom will end all wars, just that they needed more wars to ... end the wars.
Between all those strong characters, there is a secondary one, the only one filled with a certain ingenuity and normal human feelings: Princess Karlynne. I wished that she could be able transfer more of her personality into the surrounding world, and I thought that Caer’s personality could have been exploited in a more restrained manner.
Between all those strong characters, there is a secondary one, the only one filled with a certain ingenuity and normal human feelings: Princess Karlynne. I wished that she could be able transfer more of her personality into the surrounding world, and I thought that Caer’s personality could have been exploited in a more restrained manner.
November 25, 2017
As the kingdoms of Temsevar fall to the might of the warlord Qabal, one will stand resolutely against the seemingly unstoppable tide. Harkera would suffer the same plight of its neighbors except for the scheming of one Durban Chola, who has arranged for the delivery of two ‘gifts’ that would turn those tides of fate to their favor. And yet, for all their promise, these gifts will alter the affairs of the small war-weary kingdom so that conflict will wage within in preparation of the siege without.
I loved reading Times of Change, a noble successor to The Fated Sky. Swift-hook is a talented writer with excellent prose, intrigue and unique description that once again, drew me into the struggles of Temsevar.
In my review of book one, my only complaint was that I felt the end lacked a cohesive moment of conclusion. I can safely say that this concern was done away with in ToC. I was engrossed in the events of the book all the way to the end and could scarcely put it down. I was invested even more with the principal characters as they gained depth and detail. With a stirring conclusion, everything is properly arranged for book III. Trepidation and curiosity are fixed in place, a perfect way to draw me into the next book of the series.
A few other items of note. I love that Swift-hook does not feel the need to rush the relationships in her work. They are allowed to grow as they should and not drawn into tropes that can often cheapen the genre. That is not to say certain characters do not act their part. We have a range of relationships that are crafted well, according to the circumstances and personalities involved. I was just pleased to invest the time that good relationships deserve. I appreciated the insight into the characters thoughts by choice of perspective.
There is an overarching thread in this series, which concerns the outer world events and various technologies of advanced civilizations. These touch lightly upon the events of this book but are not governed by it. I admit, I had entertained a thought of the Avilon riding in to save the day - all guns (blasters) blazing. Thankfully, this was not the case. The relationship between the fantasy setting and other forces is handled extremely well. There are many powers at work, but none ever feels contrived, forced, or worst of all, convenient. I admit there was one part of the book where I was confused by an internal struggle. The causation of the conflict left me pondering and through the novel, some light was shed on the subject. I am hoping more information comes to light in the next book. (Sorry for the generalized spoiler-free language).
I highly recommend this book and series and look forward to reviewing the next installment, Dues of Blood.
I loved reading Times of Change, a noble successor to The Fated Sky. Swift-hook is a talented writer with excellent prose, intrigue and unique description that once again, drew me into the struggles of Temsevar.
In my review of book one, my only complaint was that I felt the end lacked a cohesive moment of conclusion. I can safely say that this concern was done away with in ToC. I was engrossed in the events of the book all the way to the end and could scarcely put it down. I was invested even more with the principal characters as they gained depth and detail. With a stirring conclusion, everything is properly arranged for book III. Trepidation and curiosity are fixed in place, a perfect way to draw me into the next book of the series.
A few other items of note. I love that Swift-hook does not feel the need to rush the relationships in her work. They are allowed to grow as they should and not drawn into tropes that can often cheapen the genre. That is not to say certain characters do not act their part. We have a range of relationships that are crafted well, according to the circumstances and personalities involved. I was just pleased to invest the time that good relationships deserve. I appreciated the insight into the characters thoughts by choice of perspective.
There is an overarching thread in this series, which concerns the outer world events and various technologies of advanced civilizations. These touch lightly upon the events of this book but are not governed by it. I admit, I had entertained a thought of the Avilon riding in to save the day - all guns (blasters) blazing. Thankfully, this was not the case. The relationship between the fantasy setting and other forces is handled extremely well. There are many powers at work, but none ever feels contrived, forced, or worst of all, convenient. I admit there was one part of the book where I was confused by an internal struggle. The causation of the conflict left me pondering and through the novel, some light was shed on the subject. I am hoping more information comes to light in the next book. (Sorry for the generalized spoiler-free language).
I highly recommend this book and series and look forward to reviewing the next installment, Dues of Blood.
March 25, 2018
Where do I begin? Having invested in such characters as Durban Chola and Avilon Revid in the second trilogy, I was glad when opportunity came up to read the first set of books. I had read the first book in the transgressor trilogy last year, and Times of Change picked up from where The Fated Sky left off.
The story is set amidst a brewing war, of which our three main characters: Jarik Zarangor, Durban Chola and Avilon Revid are drawn into. This is a dark and forboding tale of betrayal, mistrust and death. The one I really felt for in the whole scenario was Jarik Zarangor. He was blamed for something that wasn't his fault a long time ago, and nobody trusted him. You have to read the book to see what I mean...and the ending will leave you reeling. It did me, that's for sure, and I'm not sure I'm happy about that.
Everything about this story was well done. The narrative was well paced, the dialogue, complex. The characters were believable. I rooted for the ones I wanted to root for and hated the ones I wanted to hate, they were made that way.
I can't wait to get stuck in to book 3. Actually, I think I get on the case right now.
IMO, you really need to read this author's books. I have become a huge fan and will continue to be so as long as the keep writing.
The story is set amidst a brewing war, of which our three main characters: Jarik Zarangor, Durban Chola and Avilon Revid are drawn into. This is a dark and forboding tale of betrayal, mistrust and death. The one I really felt for in the whole scenario was Jarik Zarangor. He was blamed for something that wasn't his fault a long time ago, and nobody trusted him. You have to read the book to see what I mean...and the ending will leave you reeling. It did me, that's for sure, and I'm not sure I'm happy about that.
Everything about this story was well done. The narrative was well paced, the dialogue, complex. The characters were believable. I rooted for the ones I wanted to root for and hated the ones I wanted to hate, they were made that way.
I can't wait to get stuck in to book 3. Actually, I think I get on the case right now.
IMO, you really need to read this author's books. I have become a huge fan and will continue to be so as long as the keep writing.
March 21, 2017
This was great. Good characters and a really well thought out plot.
September 10, 2016
The second volume of the trilogy pushes the pace, and I became more aware of just how high are the stakes. I also began to understand better the relationship between the three central male characters and what drives them to behave as they do.
The casual brutality was at times shocking enough to grasp me by the throat, but it is handled cleverly and the book never wallows in gore.
I liked it a lot, and I shall most certainly be reading the third volume.
So why not five stars? It's just that I'm still not quite able to immerse myself. I'm still sitting outside the story looking in. I think it's me. I do wish there was a 4.75 stars category.
The casual brutality was at times shocking enough to grasp me by the throat, but it is handled cleverly and the book never wallows in gore.
I liked it a lot, and I shall most certainly be reading the third volume.
So why not five stars? It's just that I'm still not quite able to immerse myself. I'm still sitting outside the story looking in. I think it's me. I do wish there was a 4.75 stars category.
August 25, 2017
This story starts right where book one ended. The three main characters become more embroiled in the coming battle over control of Harkera. Jariq is shackled by his sense of honor, Durban Chola has little sense of honor but we see some of his motivation when we meet his sister Jaelya Roussal, the regent of Harkera and mother to the future ruler, Karlynne. Here we witness some compassion in Durban, though he remains far from trustworthy. Avilon is caught between the others, bridging the gap between Jariq and Durban but also between Jariq and Jaelya who has lost all trust in her new commander, Jariq. Avilon is dealing with his strong sense of guilt for leaving a friend behind to face certain death and is trying to assuage these feelings by putting his life on the line for these new friends. Soon they will face the ambitious Warlard, Qabal Vyazin who is determined to wrest control of Harkera for himself.
The world created by E.M. Swift-Hook becomes more fleshed out and we begin to see where the primitive world of Temsevar and the more civilized planets of the coalition coincide. When a bounty hunter locates Avilon we get a small glimpse into what is in store in future volumes from this universe. Vivid world-building and a great team of characters make this book highly recommended.
The world created by E.M. Swift-Hook becomes more fleshed out and we begin to see where the primitive world of Temsevar and the more civilized planets of the coalition coincide. When a bounty hunter locates Avilon we get a small glimpse into what is in store in future volumes from this universe. Vivid world-building and a great team of characters make this book highly recommended.
April 21, 2017
Times of Change continues the promise I glimpsed in The Fated Sky. This is epic storytelling at it's best. I've read some of the other reviews and have seen that people complain because none of the characters are likeable. This is true. At points in Times of Change I wanted to slap each of the main characters for being obtuse, or stubborn, or just aggravating as hell, but I think that is why I am enjoying these books so much. These are not your garden variety, cookie cutter heroes. In fact there are times when I couldn't even tell for sure if any of them even were heroes. They all have a deep well of darkness inside that is being slowly, masterfully revealed to the reader. While I don't really like any of them, I am getting to know them much as I would if I knew them in real life. For me, Avilon, Jariq, and Durban are fascinating men who have secrets, agendas, passions, and fears and I eagerly devoured this book to learn more about them.
Temsevar is a richly developed world, with a history that is so complete that you don't need a lot of back story exposition. The characters know the history of their world and they fit there, so I did not need a lot of background detail to simply accept it as the characters do. It, like the main characters, is not likeable. I would not want to visit there and certainly wouldn't want to live there. Yet I do want to know Temsevar and the people that live, struggle, and die there. E.M. Swift-Hook has brought to life an entire world and culture that I would have no trouble studying for years. It is a real place, with real problems, and real beauty to be found if the explorer is willing to look for it. Sweeping sagas often leave me bogged down in the details. Not this one. I do not know how she does it, but the author made me live in her world, feel her world, see her world, even in some places smell her world, so skillfully that I never felt it dragging, or bogging down. Kudos to a master story teller.
Temsevar is a richly developed world, with a history that is so complete that you don't need a lot of back story exposition. The characters know the history of their world and they fit there, so I did not need a lot of background detail to simply accept it as the characters do. It, like the main characters, is not likeable. I would not want to visit there and certainly wouldn't want to live there. Yet I do want to know Temsevar and the people that live, struggle, and die there. E.M. Swift-Hook has brought to life an entire world and culture that I would have no trouble studying for years. It is a real place, with real problems, and real beauty to be found if the explorer is willing to look for it. Sweeping sagas often leave me bogged down in the details. Not this one. I do not know how she does it, but the author made me live in her world, feel her world, see her world, even in some places smell her world, so skillfully that I never felt it dragging, or bogging down. Kudos to a master story teller.
November 29, 2016
Review of Times of Change: Transgressor Trilogy Book 2 by E. M. Swift-Hook
As soon as I finished the first book of this series which I enjoyed so much I bought the next. I had to find out what would happen to the three main characters in their individual search for an answer to their very different problems. The difficulty in writing this review is how to describe the enthralling story without giving away the plot and the continuous twists and obstacles the trio encounter.
A warlord’s brilliant general who all believe has the blood of a massacred city on his hands, an off world freedom fighter captured and branded a slave by the backward society that captured him and a man so skilled in deception that it is difficult for any but himself to know what his goal is. These characters are cast like dice into a world on the brink of consumption by the warlord’s lust for total domination. Will the throw alter the course of history? Do any of the participants even care about the outcome? Can the last bastion of near civilisation dare to entrust its survival to a proven traitor, a man on the run and someone who many consider to be a grinning liar.
To answer these questions you will need to follow the tortured path that these men follow. To succeed they must fight their way through a world where even fait and chance seem loaded against them. Join their band, saddle your pony and make ready for a nerve jangling foray of danger betrayal and mistrust to an uncertain future.
I can promise that you will not be disappointed and will cling on by your fingernails to this splendid fantasy till the bitter end.
Five Stars.
As soon as I finished the first book of this series which I enjoyed so much I bought the next. I had to find out what would happen to the three main characters in their individual search for an answer to their very different problems. The difficulty in writing this review is how to describe the enthralling story without giving away the plot and the continuous twists and obstacles the trio encounter.
A warlord’s brilliant general who all believe has the blood of a massacred city on his hands, an off world freedom fighter captured and branded a slave by the backward society that captured him and a man so skilled in deception that it is difficult for any but himself to know what his goal is. These characters are cast like dice into a world on the brink of consumption by the warlord’s lust for total domination. Will the throw alter the course of history? Do any of the participants even care about the outcome? Can the last bastion of near civilisation dare to entrust its survival to a proven traitor, a man on the run and someone who many consider to be a grinning liar.
To answer these questions you will need to follow the tortured path that these men follow. To succeed they must fight their way through a world where even fait and chance seem loaded against them. Join their band, saddle your pony and make ready for a nerve jangling foray of danger betrayal and mistrust to an uncertain future.
I can promise that you will not be disappointed and will cling on by your fingernails to this splendid fantasy till the bitter end.
Five Stars.
June 23, 2017
Plunge deep into character development in this second installment of the Transgressor Trilogy! Swift-Hook keeps the pressure on for Avilon, Jariq, and Durban as they enter Harkera and prepare to face the wrath of a tyrant’s army. Durban’s past had some awesome reveals. I did not see a certain betrayal until it sprang off the page on me, either. This trilogy keeps getting better.
As with any good volume two, we realize in Times of Change that the stakes are much higher, and destinies seem closer twined. I’m so pumped to get through the third book, I’ve chosen to speed things along by listening to it with eReader Prestigio and the vocal talents of the GPS lady.
I received ebook copies of the trilogy in exchange for honest reviews. I’m enjoying the series so much that I bought the trilogy in paperback for my dad. He got me into scifi and fantasy to begin with and I like to get him books for presents to pay him back because I borrowed the Wheel of Time series from him for a decade. That was partially my and partially Robert Jordan’s fault, those things are huge! Anyhow, Dad said he likes how things get going right away. He’ll probably finish before me, but I hope not because his synopsis can often include the ending!
People who enjoyed the Dune series, love character driven stories, or Space Opera in general are in for a great read. Hear about my other reviews @S_Shane_Thomas.
As with any good volume two, we realize in Times of Change that the stakes are much higher, and destinies seem closer twined. I’m so pumped to get through the third book, I’ve chosen to speed things along by listening to it with eReader Prestigio and the vocal talents of the GPS lady.
I received ebook copies of the trilogy in exchange for honest reviews. I’m enjoying the series so much that I bought the trilogy in paperback for my dad. He got me into scifi and fantasy to begin with and I like to get him books for presents to pay him back because I borrowed the Wheel of Time series from him for a decade. That was partially my and partially Robert Jordan’s fault, those things are huge! Anyhow, Dad said he likes how things get going right away. He’ll probably finish before me, but I hope not because his synopsis can often include the ending!
People who enjoyed the Dune series, love character driven stories, or Space Opera in general are in for a great read. Hear about my other reviews @S_Shane_Thomas.
November 30, 2016
This is the second book I have read from this author, fittingly, for this is book two of this trilogy. It does feel like a trilogy; the first book ended with no neat resolution of the matters at hand, and the second one even more so, for it began and ended with no firm foundation. But then again, in a political, treacherous world of ever-shifting alliances and duplicity, can one find such? (Sometimes I think authors write trilogies from the onset so they can write more than they would with stand-alone books!)
The author employs intelligent, poetic words that had me reaching for a thesaurus or dictionary quite a few times, and it amazes me how she could come up with those. Apparently, on a primitive-lifestyle planet that recalls the days of the nomads on our world, everyone in nobility or the military speaks with cunning wit and with a vocabulary as wide and deep as the ocean (and maybe even a few snatched from the Mariana Trench).
My favourite part was the loyalty testing and military intelligence examination of Jariq, as a potential commander of an army.
Did I enjoy the book? I did feel enthralled by the concise prose and the much-elevated onomastics (I cheated—I checked a thesaurus) in this story. This is an intelligent piece of fiction. At other times, I waded through the endless manipulations, the insidious machinations, and the conniving stratagems (darn it, the author has influenced me!) and wondered where the story was going. Sometimes, a development happened, but then faded away without lasting consequence (such as a predicament involving a pre-teen princess, and unrelated to that, a horrible beating happening to one of the main characters).
But yes, if you have patience, love of darn good storytelling, and an expectation that this is Lord of the Rings pacing style (but much more adult), you’ll like this book.
The author employs intelligent, poetic words that had me reaching for a thesaurus or dictionary quite a few times, and it amazes me how she could come up with those. Apparently, on a primitive-lifestyle planet that recalls the days of the nomads on our world, everyone in nobility or the military speaks with cunning wit and with a vocabulary as wide and deep as the ocean (and maybe even a few snatched from the Mariana Trench).
My favourite part was the loyalty testing and military intelligence examination of Jariq, as a potential commander of an army.
Did I enjoy the book? I did feel enthralled by the concise prose and the much-elevated onomastics (I cheated—I checked a thesaurus) in this story. This is an intelligent piece of fiction. At other times, I waded through the endless manipulations, the insidious machinations, and the conniving stratagems (darn it, the author has influenced me!) and wondered where the story was going. Sometimes, a development happened, but then faded away without lasting consequence (such as a predicament involving a pre-teen princess, and unrelated to that, a horrible beating happening to one of the main characters).
But yes, if you have patience, love of darn good storytelling, and an expectation that this is Lord of the Rings pacing style (but much more adult), you’ll like this book.
January 18, 2017
Brilliant.
I really enjoyed the second book and learning more about the people from Temsevar. More of the story unfolds but still leaves much untold. Another great read and looking forward to the thrid!
I really enjoyed the second book and learning more about the people from Temsevar. More of the story unfolds but still leaves much untold. Another great read and looking forward to the thrid!
September 10, 2020
Times of Change is the second book in E.M. Swift-Hook's Transgressor Trilogy. It was a while since I'd read the first book but it didn't take long to remember the characters and pick-up the plot threads. The urbane and duplicitous Durban Chola manages to manipulate Avilon (a space-age revolutionary marooned on a low-tech, medieval-style planet) and the brilliant general, Jariq, to help in the defence of Hakira against the relentless march of a ruthless warlord. Chola's sister, Jaelya, Queen of Hakira, is not sure whether she can trust these 'gifts' or not. And then everything goes awry in a morass of misunderstandings, prejudice and betrayal. Can Jaelya and Durban save Hakira and the freedom it represents? Or are there darker forces at work?
As gripping as the first book was, I'd found it hard to fully sympathise with any of the characters. In this second book, Chola, Jariq and even Avilon become more relatable while Jaelya is an admirable character - a Queen, mother and sister, dealing with an impossible situation with courage and humanity. That said, there were a couple of turning points that seemed contrived for plot reasons rather than character driven - the misunderstanding between Jariq and Jaelya, an unexpected betrayal, and Avilon's sudden decision towards the end seemingly based only on personal loyalty.
Even so, the story hooked me in and kept me turning pages and, as book 2 ends on a cliffhanger, I was glad to be able to continue reading book 3 without a pause.
December 19, 2018
This story twisted the confines of possibilities for our heroes. Once again, I was amazed Durban Chola's intriguing character, but the changes for Jariq are what kept me reading. Witnessing the true person behind the blood-thirsty monster everyone thought he was, made my heart ache and sing at the same time. Well done, Ms. Swifthook. On to the next book, since you left me hanging with an unbearable cliff hanger!
December 6, 2016
I’d read the first book of this trilogy, ‘The Fated Sky’, earlier this year, and it was good to return to the story to see what happens next.
Many of the main characters return and their stories develop during the course of this instalment. We learn more about Avilon Revid, the space traveller now trapped on this backwards world, as well as Jariq, a general whose reputation is undeserved, and Durban, whose complex plans sometimes lead to grave personal danger.
The same detailed world building and attention to depth of characterisation are to be found in this second book. This does make for a slow paced read, not exactly a page turner, but it does draw you into the lives of the characters and it kept me happily entertained on cold winter evenings with a glass of red wine in my hand.
This detail does mean some overly long narrative passages. The change in Avilon, when he is meeting an external threat whilst also combating an internal one, felt very sudden and unexpected. Some of the major characters in the first novel barely feature in this one, and we are introduced to a major player (Jaelya) who did not feature in the first book. This did create a bit of a disjoint between the two books of the trilogy. The injection of another bit of science fiction (the background to Jaelya and Durban) also felt very unexpected, and I would have preferred some foreshadowing in the first book so that this was less of a surprise and more of a ‘oh, yes, now I understand’ moment.
Durban is one of the most intriguing characters I’ve ever found in a novel, and I found myself caring deeply for Jariq, who is so unlike the reputation which surrounds him. I also enjoyed the irony that the people who visit Temsevar by space craft view it as a backwards world, when they themselves are at least as violent as the people they detest.
This book is highly recommended, and I look forward to the third book in the trilogy.
Many of the main characters return and their stories develop during the course of this instalment. We learn more about Avilon Revid, the space traveller now trapped on this backwards world, as well as Jariq, a general whose reputation is undeserved, and Durban, whose complex plans sometimes lead to grave personal danger.
The same detailed world building and attention to depth of characterisation are to be found in this second book. This does make for a slow paced read, not exactly a page turner, but it does draw you into the lives of the characters and it kept me happily entertained on cold winter evenings with a glass of red wine in my hand.
This detail does mean some overly long narrative passages. The change in Avilon, when he is meeting an external threat whilst also combating an internal one, felt very sudden and unexpected. Some of the major characters in the first novel barely feature in this one, and we are introduced to a major player (Jaelya) who did not feature in the first book. This did create a bit of a disjoint between the two books of the trilogy. The injection of another bit of science fiction (the background to Jaelya and Durban) also felt very unexpected, and I would have preferred some foreshadowing in the first book so that this was less of a surprise and more of a ‘oh, yes, now I understand’ moment.
Durban is one of the most intriguing characters I’ve ever found in a novel, and I found myself caring deeply for Jariq, who is so unlike the reputation which surrounds him. I also enjoyed the irony that the people who visit Temsevar by space craft view it as a backwards world, when they themselves are at least as violent as the people they detest.
This book is highly recommended, and I look forward to the third book in the trilogy.
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