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White Magic #3
Shattered Dance
Once again the Aurelian Empire is in danger, and once again Valeria must risk more than her life to save it. With threats from without, including sorcerous attacks against the soon-to-be empress, and pressures from within--the need to continue the dynasty and Kerrec, the father of Valeria's child, the first choice to do so--Valeria must overcome plots and perils as she struggles to find a place in this world she's helped to heal.
But her greatest foes have not been vanquished.
And they won't be forgotten or ignored. Nor will the restless roil of magic within Valeria herself. Soon the threat of Unmaking, a danger to all the empire, begins to arise in Valeria's soul once more. It is subtle, it is powerful, and this time it might win out!
But her greatest foes have not been vanquished.
And they won't be forgotten or ignored. Nor will the restless roil of magic within Valeria herself. Soon the threat of Unmaking, a danger to all the empire, begins to arise in Valeria's soul once more. It is subtle, it is powerful, and this time it might win out!
448 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2006
9 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Brennan
6 books49 followersA pseudonym used by Judith Tarr.
Caitlin Brennan believes wholeheartedly in the writer's favorite adage, "Write what you know." She is a history buff and a lifelong reader and writer of fantasy, and she breeds and trains Lipizzan horses--the original "White Gods." She lives near Tucson, Arizona, with her stallion, Pluto Carrma III, and his herd of Ladies and his rival the Evil Gelding, along with five cats, two dogs, and a goat.
Caitlin Brennan believes wholeheartedly in the writer's favorite adage, "Write what you know." She is a history buff and a lifelong reader and writer of fantasy, and she breeds and trains Lipizzan horses--the original "White Gods." She lives near Tucson, Arizona, with her stallion, Pluto Carrma III, and his herd of Ladies and his rival the Evil Gelding, along with five cats, two dogs, and a goat.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 5, 2009
I absolutly hate it when I like every book in a series EXCEPT the last one!
July 13, 2011
All I can say is WOW! I'd been putting off reading this book because I was afraid of disappointment. My feelings toward the first two books in this series have always been complicated. The heroine is a complicated person who is sometimes difficult to relate to. I love her spirit and her practical nature which causes her to do what she thinks best in every situation. Unfortunately, sometimes she makes hard choices that are uncomfortable for the reader, particularly in her choice of men to bring to her bed. But really, why should a woman have to choose to be the faithful one? I mean, if this character were a man, nobody would have a problem with her. But I digress...
Anyway, I'm so glad I finally read this final book in the trilogy. The storyline is still going strong, and I found the conclusion both surprising and somehow fitting. I don't know if young teenage girls who are in love with horses will see the book the way I do. When I first read White Magic #1, I did not like it much. But when I re-read it many years later, my perspective had changed and I loved it. I do admit to enjoying any story with a horse in it, but this one has the added benefit of a strong plot, fully developed characters, and enough suspense to keep me turning the pages long past my bedtime. Well done!
Anyway, I'm so glad I finally read this final book in the trilogy. The storyline is still going strong, and I found the conclusion both surprising and somehow fitting. I don't know if young teenage girls who are in love with horses will see the book the way I do. When I first read White Magic #1, I did not like it much. But when I re-read it many years later, my perspective had changed and I loved it. I do admit to enjoying any story with a horse in it, but this one has the added benefit of a strong plot, fully developed characters, and enough suspense to keep me turning the pages long past my bedtime. Well done!
May 4, 2017
4.5 stars
June 9, 2017
i need a spinoff series about the daughter between kerric and valerie
June 1, 2020
I greatly enjoyed this series and the world created by Ms. Brennan.
March 5, 2011
This was a satisfying end to the trilogy. In a world where gods disguise themselves as white horses, their riders are mages who can see the patterns of the future. Valeria is the first woman to get the call to be a rider, where she fell in love with Kerrec, who was the Emperor's son before he got the call. Despite a barbarian invasion, and a barbarian prince who is also in love with Valeria, the two came together and now have a daughter.
But the Emperor is dead, and Kerrec's sister is set to take the throne when she is attacked in a way that leaves her unable to produce an heir. The only thing she can do is tweak the law so that while Kerrec cannot take the throne, his child could. And not his daughter by Valeria, since she isn't noble. Instead, he must make a political marriage to an appropriate woman to produce an heir for his sister.
Meanwhile, Euan, the barbarian (very Irish) prince has become High King of the Tribes, and Kerrec's dead and resurrected insane mage of a brother is trying to destroy the world, and Valeria is called to try to stop him, while dealing with the emotional distress of her beloved having to marry someone else that the doesn't love.
I would have liked to have seen more in this world, but the publisher dropped the series. Still, this is a good place to have ended it.
But the Emperor is dead, and Kerrec's sister is set to take the throne when she is attacked in a way that leaves her unable to produce an heir. The only thing she can do is tweak the law so that while Kerrec cannot take the throne, his child could. And not his daughter by Valeria, since she isn't noble. Instead, he must make a political marriage to an appropriate woman to produce an heir for his sister.
Meanwhile, Euan, the barbarian (very Irish) prince has become High King of the Tribes, and Kerrec's dead and resurrected insane mage of a brother is trying to destroy the world, and Valeria is called to try to stop him, while dealing with the emotional distress of her beloved having to marry someone else that the doesn't love.
I would have liked to have seen more in this world, but the publisher dropped the series. Still, this is a good place to have ended it.
December 17, 2013
While this is my least favourite of the trilogy, I still enjoyed this book. I liked that Brennan didn't depict Valeria as a perfect mother, and one who struggled with that itself, but the guilt she felt because she though she was 'wrong' (a common feeling for real life mothers sadly). Though, quite frankly, the kid was used like a far off prop for 99% of the book.
Proving once again that I have some deep seated issues, Euan remains my favourite character of the series (Euan/Valeria forever yo!). I also liked Braina in this, because she is one cold and calculating monarch, and I respect that (even if it's a little appalling, from an emotional view). The other characters didn't really stand out for me, though I didn't want to strangle any of them, so that's always good.
Proving once again that I have some deep seated issues, Euan remains my favourite character of the series (Euan/Valeria forever yo!). I also liked Braina in this, because she is one cold and calculating monarch, and I respect that (even if it's a little appalling, from an emotional view). The other characters didn't really stand out for me, though I didn't want to strangle any of them, so that's always good.
August 11, 2016
I thought I wouldn't like this series because of my previous experience with The House of Star, but surprisingly I liked it. As with any good romance/drama there is a love triangle. The whole by-play between Valeria and her two lovers frustrates but also makes the reader want to keep reading to find out what happens. The ending is satisfying if a little bitter-sweet (because she has to choose between lovers). It's definitely made my favorite's list. A really well written book will make you laugh out loud and it will also make you cry. This series fits under that description. I would definitely recommend this series to horse-lovers and fantasy-lovers.
April 24, 2009
i have gotten to page 130 and its kind of slow starting. i loved the first two books. I have owned this book for two years and now i just picked it up and put it down again. its just seems hard to get though it. so i guess i will finish reading it one day
May 9, 2015
The best that's ever happened in this trilogy was Grania. And I think, without Gothard, the Unmaking, and the war, Valeria and Euan could have been perfect for each other. I liked him better than Kerrec.
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January 6, 2021valeria fell back in her chair, arms flung wide in mock despair. "oh gods. i've become my mother."
"it happens to the best of us." morag said. (valerias mother)
"i never wanted it to happen to me."
"none of us does."
"it happens to the best of us." morag said. (valerias mother)
"i never wanted it to happen to me."
"none of us does."
March 1, 2015
This is one of the best series I have ever read. I highly recommend this series for readers who enjoy this genre.
June 11, 2013
Did not enjoy this book as much as the others in the series.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews