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The Horn #3
Overseer
Those who hold the secrets of the Fortresses can remake the world...
A new player has arrived at Horn Keep, and it’s up to Amal to decide whether he’s the key to keeping her people safe, or the threat they’ve feared the most. Aulis is, like Dalyan, a version of the same long-dead engineer, a Founder of the Salonen Fortress. That alone should make him worth keeping alive.
But he’s served the Cince Empire for almost two decades, the very people who want to steal Salonen Fortress. Now Amal is faced with the task of deciding whether he’s even capable of telling the truth, whether he can lie to Dalyan. The question is…are they the same man or not?
And is buying Aulis’ loyalty worth the risk of giving him the one thing he wants more than life itself? It’s within Amal’s power, but she knows that doing so will forever change her people’s world…
A new player has arrived at Horn Keep, and it’s up to Amal to decide whether he’s the key to keeping her people safe, or the threat they’ve feared the most. Aulis is, like Dalyan, a version of the same long-dead engineer, a Founder of the Salonen Fortress. That alone should make him worth keeping alive.
But he’s served the Cince Empire for almost two decades, the very people who want to steal Salonen Fortress. Now Amal is faced with the task of deciding whether he’s even capable of telling the truth, whether he can lie to Dalyan. The question is…are they the same man or not?
And is buying Aulis’ loyalty worth the risk of giving him the one thing he wants more than life itself? It’s within Amal’s power, but she knows that doing so will forever change her people’s world…
- GenresFantasy
324 pages, Paperback
Published October 12, 2017
15 people want to read
About the author
J. Kathleen Cheney
46 books252 followersJ. Kathleen Cheney is nothing if not versatile in her story telling. But, weaving through her work is a common thread, that of the improbable heroine. From worlds set in humanity’s distant post-apocalyptic future to alternate worlds of today or of the near past, Kathleen’s heroines include a siren who with help from a gentleman of the city must stop a regicidal plot, the neglected daughter of an absent king coming to terms with her shapeshifting ancestors, a blind teenager who dreams of others’ deaths and who uses her gift of touch to find their killers, and the widow of a trainer who with a most unusual horse must save her farm and way of life. All use their unusual gifts and talents to overcome obstacles and find their place in the world.
In 2005 Kathleen decided to pursue writing as a full-time endeavor and has since enjoyed seeing her stories published in Shimmer, The Sword Review, and Baen’s Universe. Her novella “Iron Shoes” was a 2011 Nebula nominee. Kathleen twice attended the summer Writer’s Workshop at the Center for the Study of Science Fiction under the tutelage of James Gunn. She lists C. J. Cherryh, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Georgette Heyer among the writers who influenced her most–as well as Ansen Dibell, whose ghostly fingerprints can be seen all over her work.
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Kathleen’s parents actually were rocket scientists (they worked at White Sands Missile Range), which made for interesting dinner-time conversations. After graduating with degrees in English and Marketing she worked as a menswear buyer for retail department store chains before changing careers to become a teacher, where she taught mathematics ranging from 7th Grade Arithmetic up to Calculus. Kathleen also served a brief stint as a Gifted and Talented Specialist. She coached the Academic Team and the Robotics Team and was the Chess Club sponsor.
When not writing, Kathleen likes to don a mask and get sweaty fencing, both foil and saber. Quieter hobbies include putting on her Wellingtons and getting her hands dirty in the garden. She also enjoys traveling and taking care of her dogs. Two large, hairy, dogs.
Her first novel, "The Golden City" came out from Ace Books, November 2013.
In 2005 Kathleen decided to pursue writing as a full-time endeavor and has since enjoyed seeing her stories published in Shimmer, The Sword Review, and Baen’s Universe. Her novella “Iron Shoes” was a 2011 Nebula nominee. Kathleen twice attended the summer Writer’s Workshop at the Center for the Study of Science Fiction under the tutelage of James Gunn. She lists C. J. Cherryh, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Georgette Heyer among the writers who influenced her most–as well as Ansen Dibell, whose ghostly fingerprints can be seen all over her work.
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Kathleen’s parents actually were rocket scientists (they worked at White Sands Missile Range), which made for interesting dinner-time conversations. After graduating with degrees in English and Marketing she worked as a menswear buyer for retail department store chains before changing careers to become a teacher, where she taught mathematics ranging from 7th Grade Arithmetic up to Calculus. Kathleen also served a brief stint as a Gifted and Talented Specialist. She coached the Academic Team and the Robotics Team and was the Chess Club sponsor.
When not writing, Kathleen likes to don a mask and get sweaty fencing, both foil and saber. Quieter hobbies include putting on her Wellingtons and getting her hands dirty in the garden. She also enjoys traveling and taking care of her dogs. Two large, hairy, dogs.
Her first novel, "The Golden City" came out from Ace Books, November 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 20, 2017
4.5 stars, actually.
I really really like this pre-trilogy to Cheney's Dreaming Death (Palace of Dream Series). It's kind of like...a cozy post-apocalyptic fantasy adventure. Is that a genre? It should be. This is the third book in the series, and I'm assuming, the final since the teaser at the end leads into Dreaming Death. Also some loose ends are tied up, so I have the feeling the overall impending political upheaval in the land of Larossa is what we encounter in Dreaming Death.
Amal is still dealing with the repercussions of marrying the mysterious Dalyan when she is called home suddenly, leaving Dalyan to face the King. In this book, we watch Amal deal with being pregnant while she handles two more mysterious strangers who look like Dalyan. This is the cozy part for me. Most of the action is actually people in the Horn Fortress going to talk to each other or going to ask questions of the prisoners. But this is where Cheney excels-- I'm already in love with Amal and her family-group, and watching the way they care for each other and their Fortress while dancing around each other's weaknesses is really satisfying.
There are developments in the search for the Salonen Fortress and some lovely bits between Amal and Dalyan when he returns that both explain why he so fiercely protected Nimi-- his dog with one leg-- and also reveal the emotional depth of their relationship as Amal keeps on helping Dalyan realize he is not defined by his genetics.
The epilogue gives us just a taste of the rich life Amal and her family group are embarking on, and I am sad I don't get to see them handle the Salonen Fortress :( But hopefully the next Palace of Dreams novel will come out soon. Hint. Hint.
I really really like this pre-trilogy to Cheney's Dreaming Death (Palace of Dream Series). It's kind of like...a cozy post-apocalyptic fantasy adventure. Is that a genre? It should be. This is the third book in the series, and I'm assuming, the final since the teaser at the end leads into Dreaming Death. Also some loose ends are tied up, so I have the feeling the overall impending political upheaval in the land of Larossa is what we encounter in Dreaming Death.
Amal is still dealing with the repercussions of marrying the mysterious Dalyan when she is called home suddenly, leaving Dalyan to face the King. In this book, we watch Amal deal with being pregnant while she handles two more mysterious strangers who look like Dalyan. This is the cozy part for me. Most of the action is actually people in the Horn Fortress going to talk to each other or going to ask questions of the prisoners. But this is where Cheney excels-- I'm already in love with Amal and her family-group, and watching the way they care for each other and their Fortress while dancing around each other's weaknesses is really satisfying.
There are developments in the search for the Salonen Fortress and some lovely bits between Amal and Dalyan when he returns that both explain why he so fiercely protected Nimi-- his dog with one leg-- and also reveal the emotional depth of their relationship as Amal keeps on helping Dalyan realize he is not defined by his genetics.
The epilogue gives us just a taste of the rich life Amal and her family group are embarking on, and I am sad I don't get to see them handle the Salonen Fortress :( But hopefully the next Palace of Dreams novel will come out soon. Hint. Hint.
October 20, 2017
Excellent third entry in the Horn series
Excellent ending for the series. Like it when the final entry asters questions, but has plenty of surprises and twists to keep it interesting. I also like that continuity in the stories, the world built in each book, and the characters are maintsined. Great story!
Excellent ending for the series. Like it when the final entry asters questions, but has plenty of surprises and twists to keep it interesting. I also like that continuity in the stories, the world built in each book, and the characters are maintsined. Great story!
May 21, 2019
What a satisfying read!
I had enjoyed Oathbreaker and Original (the first two Horn books) but Overseer (the third Horn book) really brought the story all together.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy the Six Families and the Fortresses in this author's Horn trilogy and Palace of Dreams (set in the same world) series!
I had enjoyed Oathbreaker and Original (the first two Horn books) but Overseer (the third Horn book) really brought the story all together.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy the Six Families and the Fortresses in this author's Horn trilogy and Palace of Dreams (set in the same world) series!
November 6, 2020
A solid conclusion to the Horn series that reveals quite a bit about the larger universe but leaves an awful lot of questions. Pretty solid plotting, it really picks up in pace about 60 pages in. The relationships are mature and the development of Dalyan as he meets his seeming doubles is affecting.
March 24, 2024
I find this world fascinating... every time I finish one these books I am always wishing there was more.
January 27, 2022
Just as enjoyable as the first 2, and wrapped up well for the most part, although I'm curious now to know how things continued as the group split.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews