King's Sacrifice

Star of the Guardians #3

by Margaret Weis

After inheriting the galactic throne, Dion Starfire battles alien and human enemies and must give up his lover and one of his men as he learns the true meaning of being a king

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Space Opera, Science Fiction Fantasy, Collections, Space

519 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

About the author

Margaret Edith Weis is an American fantasy and science fiction author of dozens of novels and short stories. At TSR, Inc., she teamed with Tracy Hickman to create the Dragonlance role-playing game (RPG) world. She is founding CEO and owner of Sovereign Press, Inc and Margaret Weis Productions, licensing several popular television and movie franchises to make RPG series in addition to their own.
In 1999, Pyramid magazine named Weis one of The Millennium's Most Influential Persons, saying she and Hickman are "basically responsible for the entire gaming fiction genre". In 2002, she was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame in part for Dragonlance.

Reviews

[G.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books and one of my Top 5 Book Series!

[Leslie Munday · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is a very good writer, which is why this review has more than 1 *. Like the previous 2 books, the storyline is predictable and doesn't make sense. It reads like a local gangster dispute set across multiple galaxies. This book might have been more realistic if it was set in a city with 2 mobsters fighting for control (with some pathetic aliens thrown in for good measure). Galaxies are described like a small city, planets like they are the size of a city block and travel between them is like catching the city bus.
As for the plot - Darth (or Derek as he is known by his friends) has completed his personality transition from the evil guy to the 2nd in command of the good guys and has found religion. (The author makes several 100 references to Darth's god, but no-where is the basis for this god elaborated. God makes an appearance towards the end, but is otherwise irrelevant to the plot.) Darth has fallen for the cunning plan of believing the bad guy is holding his dad prisoner and therefore has no choice, but to try and rescue him by himself, whereupon Darth is captured and also held prisoner, so now the other good guys have to rescue Darth. The other good guys, use lots of similarly unpredictable cunning plans to get to the home of the bad guy and attempt the rescue.
To be fair, there is a lot more to the story, such as mind-control, a political party whose purpose I never really understood, an alien race that couldn't defend their entire galaxy from a group of mercenaries, and more religion.
P.S. I bought this as a set of 4 books in a series. Only 1 more book to go.

[David Steyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this four stars instead of five as some of the story itself is just ok. Especially in the beginning. Your looking for Segan to be something. After all your set up with him as the main character. But here he is basically absent till the end. Now your in a situation where to you need to rescue him? And what is the cost of that rescue?

This book affects me the most emotionally. So there are plenty of spoilers if you do not want to read. As the book has God in it (the creator) and is real the questions of Free Will vs Divine Will (or he has a plan for everyone) are relevent. In addition, what becomes more important, to be and love someone forever, or to do ones duty and marry for political reasons?

Lord Segan falls into a trap, that he knew he was walking into. But with his journey with the Priest Brother Daniel he learns that everything he did may have been the fire God wanted on the ineptitude and corruption of both the Church and State. You also are presented with the facts that had Maigrey and Sagan actually been honest they both loved each other very much. For whatever reason, jealousy, power, God, they could never express it. Its not until Bear tells Dion and Dion realized that love for another that can also not be filled.

What are the sacrifices one is willing to make?

[Steven Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those that know Margaret Weis with Tracy Hickman from the epic Dragonlance series, you will no doubt know she is an amazing author with an eye for detail, a talent for weaving stories, and a skill for pulling you in and making you fall in love with every character of her stories. This series is no exception. Writing solo this time, Margaret Weis delves into fantasy and science fiction together in a way I have encountered from no other! Her characters are rich and involved, detailed and with great depth to every one, pulling the reader into loving a whole new universe with a entire new cast in such a way that I have found myself re-reading this series at least 4 times completely now, (and I will be reading it all over again within the year, they are that good!!). I am copying this review on the entire 4 book set to encourage everyone to try this series out. If you love space opera with suspense, fantasy with science fiction, and characters you'll cheer and cry for, respect and rail against, love and hate simultaneously, you'll fall in love with the Star of the Guardians series. Trust me on this one.

[Lauren Beck · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first book of this series was incredibly slow, but it picked up enough towards the end to motivate me to read the second book. The second book was amazing, and I breezed through it in a matter of days only to eagerly pick up this. My thoughts on this book: Margaret Weiss has failed me. I've loved everything I've read by her until Star of the Guardians. King's Sacrifice was complete sludge and was only interesting for maybe seventy pages. The only reason I didn't give up on it was that I enjoyed the second book and thought that maybe this third book would be like the first and get extremely good towards the end. It didn't. And the ending was the crummiest ending I've ever read. It wasn't a happy ending. It wasn't a tragedy. It was just a flat situation where none of the characters seemed to be satisfied with the results. Highly disappointing. Apparently, there's a fourth book, but I kind of don't want to waste my time with it, but I kind of do because I want some sense of closure that this book didn't offer. I'll decide that later.

[Dorian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fitting end to the trilogy. I think Lady Maigrey and Lord Sagan's story ended perfectly, whereas Dion's story is still beginning. Felt like I was left hanging with Dion, which left me feeling unsatisfied.

I have to say, this entire series was hard for me to read, as a woman, because I identify the most with the female characters - of which I've really got only Maigrey and Nola to look to. Maigrey was feeling tortured and longed for death throughout much of the trilogy - as a result I felt tortured and long to be through with the story so that I could stop feeling that way. Nola's happy ending wasn't much of a comfort, because we never experienced any narration from her point of view.

I don't think I could handle reading this trilogy again for that reason. Even though the author added another book for the sake of Dion's character, Maigrey's life is over, and it feels like an ending to me. Good writing, but good riddance.

[Martina Sanjaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm rather disappointed with this book. Some things were too easy. Like how Abdiel finally died, like how Maigrey called Sagan back to life. Given all the exhausting planning, horrifiying obstacles, and elaborated drama, I expected more than just - that. Anyway, still a good ending of a trilogy after all. And I'm curious how the Goddess worship would commence side by side with the God's faith, which were not explained. Will continue to book 4.

[James]

The spellbinding conclusion to the star-spanning saga of adventure and intrigue. At the end of King's Test, Sagan--the man who overthrew Dion's father--pledged his allegiance to Dion as the new king. Now, Dion battles alien and human enemies, and must give up both his lover and one of his men as he learns what it truly means to be king. Original.

[Xitron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the first 3 of this "Star of the Guardians" series by Margaret Weis, and I've loved them! I've read them twice.

I just learned today that there is a fourth book, and I promptly bought it for my Kindle. I'll start reading it today!

[Eddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the story is decent, the play out between the characters good, I found the writing to feel slower than I wanted and by the end of this installment, I was ready to be done with the series. There is one additional book in the series, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*.

[brian bainter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Brilliant blend of sci-fi and fantasy without leaning to far into either genre and remaining true to the spirit of the story.

[Jay Kawasaki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely the best of the series

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the Star of the Guardians trilogy for the first time when I was 17 years old - I had NO idea how much it subtly introduced new ideas into my life.

The book list that one of the main characters, Maigrey, works through in part of the book, is one of the reasons I went on to become a book reader myself - Weiss used Sci Fi to open my mind to the world of books out there!

To this day, Charles Dickens is one of my favourite authors... not because he was one of Maigrey's favourites, I've grown to appreciate him apart from that fact.

It's a sad story, all in all, with some strange theology and a world view that I no longer subscribe to. In fact, I'm not sure I'm going to recommend the series to my own kids some day, and I'm not even sure if it's worth a 4 star rating, to be honest, but the series is certainly one of those that shaped me as a kid, and those are always memorable, aren't they?!

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fine conclusion to a good trilogy. I like it when authors can put a definite end to a story.

I normally associate these authors with fantasy, but this is a really fun space opera trilogy. A bit depressing, though. Still, lots of action with blood swords & blood space ships - only those of a specific breeding or something can operate these super weapons. If you liked Simon R. Green's Deathstalker series, you'd probably like this which predates it, although only by a decade or so, as I recall. I liked both, but have no urge to re-read them.

[Rob Marney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The trilogy's finale isn't as tightly plotted and often forgets that it's supposed to be sci-fi, but the dramatic resolution of the Big Prophecy and the final battle are so juicy that I forgive everything. Cyborg mercenary Xris is a standout not just for being a cool new character design that isn't involved with the royalty plot, but for providing a new angle on the series' core themes of struggling against fate, denying love, and resisting temptation. The saintly, one-note Brother Daniel is more of a miss, albeit a structurally necessary audience proxy. Does the king make a sacrifice in this book? Technically, yes, but what we're all here for is the star-crossed romance between drama queen Maigrey and darkly brooding Sagan, and this book delivers 100% on that front.

[Goo Foo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and chaotic series. Many times I found myself unable to put the books down and others I wanted to throw it across the room( but not in a bad way). Weis,if anything, wrote at a higher level than she had before or after. The culmination of all the plot lines came together beautifully and with great care. Was it the happiest ending, no. But it sure did pull my heart strings. The journey taken with Dion with forever be with me. I did not expect to discover a series that shook up my preferences and favorite series order so much. It is not fair to call this a star wars like. It is its own entity. Bloodswords are much cooler than lights lightsabers. Easily in my top 5 series of all time.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like space opera at all, you have got to try this series. It is pretty much amazing!

Sagan and the priest Daniel go to the former Academy to meet with Sagan's father, who is dying. Sagan has a feeling that he walking into a trap. Meanwhile, Dion wants to be king, but in order to become king, he finds that he must make the ultimate sacrifice.

I thought this series was out of print, but I recently found it for sale in the Kindle store. I was so excited to find it available. When you reach the end of this book, it seems like the end of the series, but it is not. Margaret Weis went on to write a fourth book about Dion.

[Divia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the best in the series so far in my opinion. This book was quite thrilling at many instances and had some really great quotes.

Derek and Maigrey are still my favourites in this story, along with XJ of course. They had such a tragic end but it felt inevitable.

I actually started to like the Dion more in this book. I actually think it was fitting to not have him marry the girl that he fell in love with but instead marry for political gain which is typical of royal marriages. It is realistic despite it not being satisfying.

This series could have easily ended here at this bittersweet note.

[Jessica Mathes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I love this book. Just love it. It’s beautiful in so many ways, the writing, the characters, the emotion.

I love Maigrey and Sagan so much. They are so flawed and their journey has been so dark, but there have also been unbelievable moments of courage, joy, and love.

I love the growth of Dion although my heart always aches for him and the things he must do to be king. As always I love Tusk, Nola, and XJ. I love the miracle that Dion was able to perform!

Honestly the series could’ve ended here easily and satisfyingly, but there is one more book to go!

[Alexander Draganov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great ideas and setting, painfully slow-moving plot. Kinda like book one really - the second one deceived me that there is a vast improvement in the series, but alas, we were back with the infodump for every freaking episodic character and zero action policy. Not for me!

[Stephen Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this series eons ago because I liked the Dragonlance novels that Ms. Weis helped author. I remember liking this series but couldn't really remember the story. This time around I still enjoyed it but not as much as the Dragonlance series.

[Beatrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the best of the trilogy, but still felt like a mediocre book. I never felt like I connected with or cared for the characters.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

So-so. I could not quite get into the groove of this story. Well-written but not my cup of tea.

[Greymalkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ending was satisfying, but really I love this book because it is so freakin' romantic. I cried.

[RogueHireling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the reason to read the whole series. Its gripping.
Still not what I would call a happy story, it being an exercise in everyone losing, but I found it quite compelling.

[Dchavez06 · Rating 4 out of 5]

(see book 1)

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most recent (third?) re-read.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

good conclusion to the story.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Weis's writing.