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The House War #7
Firstborn
The seventh book in the epic fantasy House War series returns to a beloved world of magic and political intrigue, where new threats are stirring.Jewel ATerafin has never wanted to be a power. What she truly wants, she built in the streets of the poorer holdings. To protect what she built, to protect what she values above all else, she has accepted that power is necessary.But with power comes responsibility.Jewel has forced herself to do what would have once been She has surrendered her den-kin, Carver, to the wilderness, because she must if she is to have any hope of saving the rest of her family, and the city in which they dwell.But she cannot leave him with nothing. Into his hands, she has placed the single, blue leaf that came from the wilderness and the dreaming combined. She doesn’t know what it does or what it was meant to do—but it is the most powerful item on her person, and it is the only thing she can leave him. That leaf, however, was created to serve a purpose that Jewel does not understand. Nor does Carver, who now possesses it. With Ellerson by his side, Carver intends to traverse the wild Winter in an attempt to reach home—and the people who are waiting for him. There are those who do understand the significance of Carver’s gift, and the disaster that will prevail if it remains in his hands. But time is of the essence. These lands are not unclaimed, and the Lord of these lands is waking from his ancient slumber. Nor is the Lord the only threat. Firstborn, demons, and wild elementals are swirling around two mortal men in a storm that threatens to end the only chance the city of Averalaan has of surviving what is to follow.
588 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2019
50 people are currently reading
470 people want to read
About the author
Michelle West
73 books467 followersSee also:
Michelle Sagara West
Michelle Sagara
Michelle is an author, bookseller, and lover of literature based in Toronto. She writes fantasy novels as both Michelle Sagara and Michelle West (and sometimes as Michelle Sagara West). You can find her books at fine booksellers.
She lives in Toronto with her long-suffering husband and her two children, and to her regret has no dogs.
Reading is one of her life-long passions, and she is sometimes paid for her opinions about what she’s read by the venerable Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. No matter how many bookshelves she buys, there is Never Enough Shelf space. Ever.
She has published as Michelle Sagara (her legal name), as Michelle West (her husband's surname), and as Michelle Sagara West (a combination of the two).
Michelle Sagara West
Michelle Sagara
Michelle is an author, bookseller, and lover of literature based in Toronto. She writes fantasy novels as both Michelle Sagara and Michelle West (and sometimes as Michelle Sagara West). You can find her books at fine booksellers.
She lives in Toronto with her long-suffering husband and her two children, and to her regret has no dogs.
Reading is one of her life-long passions, and she is sometimes paid for her opinions about what she’s read by the venerable Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. No matter how many bookshelves she buys, there is Never Enough Shelf space. Ever.
She has published as Michelle Sagara (her legal name), as Michelle West (her husband's surname), and as Michelle Sagara West (a combination of the two).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 6, 2018
I was provided a copy of this book in return for an honest review. I read everything this author publishes under any name. This may be the best book she has written so far. The review is (of course) spoiler-free, so I will write in generalities. First, every character has a story that is interesting. Not all of the characters have a major part to play in this story, but each has a defined part when they are present. That is one of my favorite parts of the writing. Second, the book is absolutely emotive. I cried all through the end, not because of what was happening onstage but because how the onstage action was going to affect characters not even present. Third, the writing is, as always, lyrical. Usually that is something that I do not enjoy, however, the author uses language in such a way that the flow of words feels perfectly natural. Finally, it is just a ripping good story. The action moves along well and combines perfectly with the character development. I still don't know how it will end or who will survive until the end. Oh, and the foreshadowing, if it is foreshadowing, for possible outcomes of some story lines is simply maddeningly nail-biting. I cannot say enough about this series and, in particular, this book. The wait begins....
February 24, 2019
Let me just say first that I adore this series. I've been reading the "West novels" as fans refer to this universe, for well over 20 years. Every time a new book comes out, I do a little happy dance in my living room.
That being said, I feel as though this novel, aside from a few key moments, spent a bit too much time waxing philosophical inside various characters' minds. A little more action with a little less inner musing-some topics of which, the characters, particularly Jewel, have done before-would have been nice. Also, while the winged cats are amusing, they often distract from more serious moments with their whining of how Stuuuupid everyone is. In this vast magnum opus, there are just too many characters to spend so much time on them (and I love cats). Besides that, this book adds far more characters with the addition of numerous forest creatures from the Terafin's forest and elsewhere on the Hidden Ways. Some paring down and restraint going forward would be nice to keep the novels more tightly written imho.
Things I loved about this book: the contrast/comparisons between Haval, Jarven, and Hectore of Araven. Same with Calliastra, Duster, and Kiriel. Ellerson and Adam. Finch's verbal fencing with Jarven. Jester and Angel. The emotions I feel when I read about Evayne, one of my favorite characters, and an event (which I will not spoil, but I had been afraid would happen from foreshadowing in prior books) that profoundly affects the Den.
I am anxious and excited for book 8 to come in June 2019. The final volume, War, closes out the House War arc of the story, but leads us into The Black Gauntlet, which is supposed to be the final arc of the twenty-plus-year series. I have hopes that War will finally lead to the turning of the Seasons, and Jewel's acceptance of her role in the final battles will allow for a more tightly condensed plot going forward. Particularly since the Black Gauntlet will bring back much-loved characters from Breodanir and the Dominion. Bring on War, I say!
That being said, I feel as though this novel, aside from a few key moments, spent a bit too much time waxing philosophical inside various characters' minds. A little more action with a little less inner musing-some topics of which, the characters, particularly Jewel, have done before-would have been nice. Also, while the winged cats are amusing, they often distract from more serious moments with their whining of how Stuuuupid everyone is. In this vast magnum opus, there are just too many characters to spend so much time on them (and I love cats). Besides that, this book adds far more characters with the addition of numerous forest creatures from the Terafin's forest and elsewhere on the Hidden Ways. Some paring down and restraint going forward would be nice to keep the novels more tightly written imho.
Things I loved about this book: the contrast/comparisons between Haval, Jarven, and Hectore of Araven. Same with Calliastra, Duster, and Kiriel. Ellerson and Adam. Finch's verbal fencing with Jarven. Jester and Angel. The emotions I feel when I read about Evayne, one of my favorite characters, and an event (which I will not spoil, but I had been afraid would happen from foreshadowing in prior books) that profoundly affects the Den.
I am anxious and excited for book 8 to come in June 2019. The final volume, War, closes out the House War arc of the story, but leads us into The Black Gauntlet, which is supposed to be the final arc of the twenty-plus-year series. I have hopes that War will finally lead to the turning of the Seasons, and Jewel's acceptance of her role in the final battles will allow for a more tightly condensed plot going forward. Particularly since the Black Gauntlet will bring back much-loved characters from Breodanir and the Dominion. Bring on War, I say!
March 1, 2019
Hoping for more!
As with all her writing, Michelle West has produced a dense work in this return to the world inhabited by denizens of the House War novels.
I had to back peddle my thinking just to catchup to the here and now of this seventh book of this series.
Jewel ATerafin and her den-kin Carver Rae are the central springboards for what is to follow. I was challenged by the pacing of the tale but rewarded somewhat for my perseverance.
I read all that I can of Michelle West / Sagara and although the Chronicles of Elantra are my personal favorites, I'm hoping to become more convinced by these new contributions to the House War series. Looking forward to what will be!
A NetGalley ARC
As with all her writing, Michelle West has produced a dense work in this return to the world inhabited by denizens of the House War novels.
I had to back peddle my thinking just to catchup to the here and now of this seventh book of this series.
Jewel ATerafin and her den-kin Carver Rae are the central springboards for what is to follow. I was challenged by the pacing of the tale but rewarded somewhat for my perseverance.
I read all that I can of Michelle West / Sagara and although the Chronicles of Elantra are my personal favorites, I'm hoping to become more convinced by these new contributions to the House War series. Looking forward to what will be!
A NetGalley ARC
March 22, 2019
I'm with the cats. Stupid girl and it's getting a bit longwinded. I don't find this book especially illuminating. I actually love the books, but jewel markess? No. Reading about such a selfish person, through so many books, who doesn't really grow as person, bur remain a teenager, despite being in her thirties, gets boring. It's a trademark of Michelle sagara. Those who has the main character, are rarely growing emotianelly. So yeah. 2 stars despite the fact I love the serie. The whole serie. Sun sword is my favorite, because the people grow.
This book.. I'm reaaaally disappointed 😔 the cats say it best. Stupid and boring 🤷♀️
This book.. I'm reaaaally disappointed 😔 the cats say it best. Stupid and boring 🤷♀️
July 7, 2020
I'll get right to it. There is a lot of good stuff going on here but the interesting parts are bogged down in unnecessary details. We get character exposition at the expense of plot exposition. Jewel doesn't know what she's doing, except when she does, and every supernatural being teaches via the Socratic method so the rules of this universe aren't clear fifteen books in. I understand that this is adult fantasy but if I have to slog through multiple books that approach 1,000 pages, then some moments of clear explanation are not patronizing but well earned.
That said, it feels like there may be a new editor at work on these novels, because the dialogue sections are flowing much better. Oh, we still get at least two introspections or flashback from each individual every time they have a conversation, but the bulk of it it put at the front or the back end of several lines of dialogue rather than breaking up each one, which made these a much easier read. Having the dialogue grouped together also made it easier to skim past the extra bits. Yes, following a character's every tangential though during a conversation adds depth, but only when we actually find out something new about them. Carver and Ellerson got their own lengthy POV sections in this book, for the first time ever. It was nice but hardly revelatory. At this point, the only folks whose motives remain shrouded are Haval, Jarven, Hectore and Andrei and they are still somewhat mysterious. We know each and every one of Jewel and her den's loves, hates and insecurities in painstaking detail. I make allowances for the fact that this is a saga with a revolving main cast of about 20 people, and as most read these books years apart a reminder is welcome. But the reminder doesn't need to be added in every single chapter. At this point, I'm seeing whole passages replicate themselves from within this book or earlier books and it's a waste of time!
Plotwise, Jewel is continuing on the Oracle's path, seeing wonders and being told at every turn that leadership comes with responsibility and hard decisions. Jewel continues to turn away from these unpleasant facts and protect her den, and her sense of herself, at the cost of strangers' lives. Carver and Ellerson struggle to survive the wilderness and have to make sacrifices along the way. The rest of the den is preparing for war and trying to learn what exactly Jewel's forest is and how they fit in to her life now. And if you thought petty house politics ended just because the apocalypse is nigh, you'd be wrong! It would have been more fun if the action didn't keep getting interrupted by endless talking.
That said, it feels like there may be a new editor at work on these novels, because the dialogue sections are flowing much better. Oh, we still get at least two introspections or flashback from each individual every time they have a conversation, but the bulk of it it put at the front or the back end of several lines of dialogue rather than breaking up each one, which made these a much easier read. Having the dialogue grouped together also made it easier to skim past the extra bits. Yes, following a character's every tangential though during a conversation adds depth, but only when we actually find out something new about them. Carver and Ellerson got their own lengthy POV sections in this book, for the first time ever. It was nice but hardly revelatory. At this point, the only folks whose motives remain shrouded are Haval, Jarven, Hectore and Andrei and they are still somewhat mysterious. We know each and every one of Jewel and her den's loves, hates and insecurities in painstaking detail. I make allowances for the fact that this is a saga with a revolving main cast of about 20 people, and as most read these books years apart a reminder is welcome. But the reminder doesn't need to be added in every single chapter. At this point, I'm seeing whole passages replicate themselves from within this book or earlier books and it's a waste of time!
Plotwise, Jewel is continuing on the Oracle's path, seeing wonders and being told at every turn that leadership comes with responsibility and hard decisions. Jewel continues to turn away from these unpleasant facts and protect her den, and her sense of herself, at the cost of strangers' lives. Carver and Ellerson struggle to survive the wilderness and have to make sacrifices along the way. The rest of the den is preparing for war and trying to learn what exactly Jewel's forest is and how they fit in to her life now. And if you thought petty house politics ended just because the apocalypse is nigh, you'd be wrong! It would have been more fun if the action didn't keep getting interrupted by endless talking.
January 14, 2023
Fuck. Don't mind me crying over here.
April 14, 2019
If you like big, epic fantasy, with gods and demons, magic and history, and stunning prose, then you can't go past Michelle West.
January 17, 2024
You may recall that I was concerned about how well this book would stand on its own. Indeed, since Firstborn is essentially the first half of War, which grew too big to be published as a single novel, my fears seemed justified. This is a recurring problem for Michelle West, for The Sun Sword was also split into two installments and The Hidden City was turned into no less than three books. I was hoping that this one would be akin to The Riven Shield and thus a worthy addition to the series.
Alas, it was not to be. Although Firstborn features some of the best stuff in the House War sequence thus far, it also features some of the worse cases of West totally losing herself into pointless extraneous storylines. Given how bad the author has been in that regard in the previous volumes, that's really saying something. I figure that a good fourth, if not a third, of this novel could have been excised without the reader losing anything important as far as the plot is concerned.
Here's the blurb:
Jewel ATerafin has never wanted to be a power. What she truly wants, she built in the streets of the poorer holdings. To protect what she built, to protect what she values above all else, she has accepted that power is necessary.
But with power comes responsibility.
Jewel has forced herself to do what would have once been unthinkable: She has surrendered her den-kin, Carver, to the wilderness, because she must if she is to have any hope of saving the rest of her family, and the city in which they dwell.
But she cannot leave him with nothing. Into his hands, she has placed the single, blue leaf that came from the wilderness and the dreaming combined. She doesn't know what it does or what it was meant to do--but it is the most powerful item on her person, and it is the only thing she can leave him.
That leaf, however, was created to serve a purpose that Jewel does not understand. Nor does Carver, who now possesses it. With Ellerson by his side, Carver intends to traverse the wild Winter in an attempt to reach home--and the people who are waiting for him.
There are those who do understand the significance of Carver's gift, and the disaster that will prevail if it remains in his hands. But time is of the essence. These lands are not unclaimed, and the Lord of these lands is waking from his ancient slumber.
Nor is the Lord the only threat. Firstborn, demons, and wild elementals are swirling around two mortal men in a storm that threatens to end the only chance the city of Averalaan has of surviving what is to follow.
As is the author's wont, the worldbuilding remains the most amazing aspect of these books. And in my humble opinion, it's the only thing holding the story together at the moment. It's obvious that there is a depth to Michelle West's universe that rivals those of Tolkien, Erikson, and Bakker, and it's a depth that keeps growing with each new installment. The previous volume, Oracle, raised the bar in a way we hadn't seen since Sea of Sorrows. New revelations about the firstborn, the Ariani, the Sleepers, the gods and goddesses, the cats, Meralonne, the Oracle, the Winter Court, the Sen, the Cities of Man, and more added yet new layers to what is already one of the most convoluted fantasy series of all time. Firstborn continues to shine in that regard, which is great.
Unfortunately, the characterization is severely lacking. To claim that it leaves something to be desired would be a gross understatement. As fascinating as some worldbuilding elements are, the poor characterization that leads to bad execution often undermines what should have been key and emotionally charged moments in this grand saga. As mentioned in my past reviews, I believe that your mileage will vary regarding this. Readers who love Jewel will likely enjoy them as much as the others. Perhaps more. For those for whom, like me, Jewel is just one of the protagonists and not their favorite by far, it remains quite tricky. I claimed that I doubted that Jewel could carry this series on her own, ever, and I will stand by those words until proven wrong. With a single volume to go, I doubt it's going to happen. More's the pity. I continue to bemoan the absence of thoughtful perspectives of such flawed protagonists as Diora, Teresa, Kallandras, Margret, Valedan, Alina, Ser Anton, and others. With each new installment, West continues to give more importance to Finch and Teller, yet both den members can't seem to come into their own. House business and commercial ventures and unending conversations meant for the younger ATerafin to be brought up to speed by more experienced people make me want to throw the book across the room. I've officially add it with both characters and dearly hope they die as soon as possible. Sadly, West appears to suffer from the Robert Jordan syndrome. Even with the looming apocalypse, it's evident that the vast majority of the main protagonists will live through it. Like its predecessor, the addition of new important POVs, the perspectives of both Carver and Ellerson, was a welcome change. Once more, as Jewel walks the path of the Oracle, we see events unfold through the eyes of her companions nearly as much as her own, which helps a lot if you've grown to dislike Jewel as much as I do. What hurts the characterization aspect to such a degree in Firstborn is the fact that every single den member suffers from bouts of nostalgia throughout the book. They all reminisce about Duster and the others, for some reason, and these inner monologues go on for page after page after page, killing the momentum of every scene in which they are involved. One after the other, they regurgitate their feelings about Duster's sacrifice and the death of the others, which are things we've known since the Sun Sword series. Why Michelle West felt it was important to go through all this again as we approach the end of the House War sequence, I'll never know. But all that waxing philosophical made me want to open my veins.
There is no way to sugarcoat this. The pace throughout Firstborn is awful. Which is too bad, for the plot was quite fluid to begin with. The first few chapters dealing with Carver and Ellerson, as well as the ones featuring Jewel's companions while she was unconscious moved at a good clip. Alas, Jewel had to regain conciousness at some point and it goes downhill from there. As was the case with the previous entries in the series, everything that has to do with the greater scheme of things is interesting and the implications for the future quite engrossing. New secrets are revealed and I can't wait for the ending. And yet, dealing with the minutiae of House business continues to make for long and boring chapters. As mentioned before, the rationale behind spending so many pages (in both series) elaborating on House Terafin business/members/what not is that Jewel will need something she loves and cannot stand to lose to stand up against the forces of evil that will try to destroy the capital and the rest of the world. We've known this since the very start, so I'm wondering why West feels the need to "waste" hundreds and hundreds of pages over the course of numerous books just to hammer this into readers' minds. We get it. Seriously, we got it many books ago. Another thing that I can't stand anymore is the cats. They were fun to begin with, but they've got to go. And the mystery hanging over them is just annoying. Every elder being knows who/what they are. But when Jewel asks them to tell her, they just reply that she must work it out on her own. Stupid and boring, the cats keep repeating. Well, that's what they have become over time. But what totally kills the rhythm of this novel is the sequence occurring in the Tangle. As good as some of the scenes turned out to be, there's no denying that it was overdone and overwritten.
Unlike The Riven Shield, which featured a rousing endgame and a thrilling finale, as the first half of what was meant to be one novel Firstborn doesn't benefit from the same sort of ending. Nevertheless, it is more exciting than the rest of the book and sets the stage for the final installment in the House War series. One has to wonder why so much focus was put on seemingly irrelevant scenes and plotlines when the end of it all is so near.
So there's only one volume to go. I'll be bringing War with me on my month-long trip to Asia in January. Hopefully Michelle West can close the show the way she did with The Sun Sword. But the fact that many fans gradually lost interest with this series and that most of those who started it never finished it (until West announced that she was being dropped by Daw and that the numbers were dwindling for each new House War installment, I had never encountered a fantasy series that lost popularity as time went by. Usually, it's the other way around.), I'm wondering if the author can knock it out of the park again. All the ingredients are there, no question. If she could just let the story unfold instead of focusing so much on the den and their past, this series could swing with the best of them. We'll have to wait and see. . .
For more reviews, check out www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
Alas, it was not to be. Although Firstborn features some of the best stuff in the House War sequence thus far, it also features some of the worse cases of West totally losing herself into pointless extraneous storylines. Given how bad the author has been in that regard in the previous volumes, that's really saying something. I figure that a good fourth, if not a third, of this novel could have been excised without the reader losing anything important as far as the plot is concerned.
Here's the blurb:
Jewel ATerafin has never wanted to be a power. What she truly wants, she built in the streets of the poorer holdings. To protect what she built, to protect what she values above all else, she has accepted that power is necessary.
But with power comes responsibility.
Jewel has forced herself to do what would have once been unthinkable: She has surrendered her den-kin, Carver, to the wilderness, because she must if she is to have any hope of saving the rest of her family, and the city in which they dwell.
But she cannot leave him with nothing. Into his hands, she has placed the single, blue leaf that came from the wilderness and the dreaming combined. She doesn't know what it does or what it was meant to do--but it is the most powerful item on her person, and it is the only thing she can leave him.
That leaf, however, was created to serve a purpose that Jewel does not understand. Nor does Carver, who now possesses it. With Ellerson by his side, Carver intends to traverse the wild Winter in an attempt to reach home--and the people who are waiting for him.
There are those who do understand the significance of Carver's gift, and the disaster that will prevail if it remains in his hands. But time is of the essence. These lands are not unclaimed, and the Lord of these lands is waking from his ancient slumber.
Nor is the Lord the only threat. Firstborn, demons, and wild elementals are swirling around two mortal men in a storm that threatens to end the only chance the city of Averalaan has of surviving what is to follow.
As is the author's wont, the worldbuilding remains the most amazing aspect of these books. And in my humble opinion, it's the only thing holding the story together at the moment. It's obvious that there is a depth to Michelle West's universe that rivals those of Tolkien, Erikson, and Bakker, and it's a depth that keeps growing with each new installment. The previous volume, Oracle, raised the bar in a way we hadn't seen since Sea of Sorrows. New revelations about the firstborn, the Ariani, the Sleepers, the gods and goddesses, the cats, Meralonne, the Oracle, the Winter Court, the Sen, the Cities of Man, and more added yet new layers to what is already one of the most convoluted fantasy series of all time. Firstborn continues to shine in that regard, which is great.
Unfortunately, the characterization is severely lacking. To claim that it leaves something to be desired would be a gross understatement. As fascinating as some worldbuilding elements are, the poor characterization that leads to bad execution often undermines what should have been key and emotionally charged moments in this grand saga. As mentioned in my past reviews, I believe that your mileage will vary regarding this. Readers who love Jewel will likely enjoy them as much as the others. Perhaps more. For those for whom, like me, Jewel is just one of the protagonists and not their favorite by far, it remains quite tricky. I claimed that I doubted that Jewel could carry this series on her own, ever, and I will stand by those words until proven wrong. With a single volume to go, I doubt it's going to happen. More's the pity. I continue to bemoan the absence of thoughtful perspectives of such flawed protagonists as Diora, Teresa, Kallandras, Margret, Valedan, Alina, Ser Anton, and others. With each new installment, West continues to give more importance to Finch and Teller, yet both den members can't seem to come into their own. House business and commercial ventures and unending conversations meant for the younger ATerafin to be brought up to speed by more experienced people make me want to throw the book across the room. I've officially add it with both characters and dearly hope they die as soon as possible. Sadly, West appears to suffer from the Robert Jordan syndrome. Even with the looming apocalypse, it's evident that the vast majority of the main protagonists will live through it. Like its predecessor, the addition of new important POVs, the perspectives of both Carver and Ellerson, was a welcome change. Once more, as Jewel walks the path of the Oracle, we see events unfold through the eyes of her companions nearly as much as her own, which helps a lot if you've grown to dislike Jewel as much as I do. What hurts the characterization aspect to such a degree in Firstborn is the fact that every single den member suffers from bouts of nostalgia throughout the book. They all reminisce about Duster and the others, for some reason, and these inner monologues go on for page after page after page, killing the momentum of every scene in which they are involved. One after the other, they regurgitate their feelings about Duster's sacrifice and the death of the others, which are things we've known since the Sun Sword series. Why Michelle West felt it was important to go through all this again as we approach the end of the House War sequence, I'll never know. But all that waxing philosophical made me want to open my veins.
There is no way to sugarcoat this. The pace throughout Firstborn is awful. Which is too bad, for the plot was quite fluid to begin with. The first few chapters dealing with Carver and Ellerson, as well as the ones featuring Jewel's companions while she was unconscious moved at a good clip. Alas, Jewel had to regain conciousness at some point and it goes downhill from there. As was the case with the previous entries in the series, everything that has to do with the greater scheme of things is interesting and the implications for the future quite engrossing. New secrets are revealed and I can't wait for the ending. And yet, dealing with the minutiae of House business continues to make for long and boring chapters. As mentioned before, the rationale behind spending so many pages (in both series) elaborating on House Terafin business/members/what not is that Jewel will need something she loves and cannot stand to lose to stand up against the forces of evil that will try to destroy the capital and the rest of the world. We've known this since the very start, so I'm wondering why West feels the need to "waste" hundreds and hundreds of pages over the course of numerous books just to hammer this into readers' minds. We get it. Seriously, we got it many books ago. Another thing that I can't stand anymore is the cats. They were fun to begin with, but they've got to go. And the mystery hanging over them is just annoying. Every elder being knows who/what they are. But when Jewel asks them to tell her, they just reply that she must work it out on her own. Stupid and boring, the cats keep repeating. Well, that's what they have become over time. But what totally kills the rhythm of this novel is the sequence occurring in the Tangle. As good as some of the scenes turned out to be, there's no denying that it was overdone and overwritten.
Unlike The Riven Shield, which featured a rousing endgame and a thrilling finale, as the first half of what was meant to be one novel Firstborn doesn't benefit from the same sort of ending. Nevertheless, it is more exciting than the rest of the book and sets the stage for the final installment in the House War series. One has to wonder why so much focus was put on seemingly irrelevant scenes and plotlines when the end of it all is so near.
So there's only one volume to go. I'll be bringing War with me on my month-long trip to Asia in January. Hopefully Michelle West can close the show the way she did with The Sun Sword. But the fact that many fans gradually lost interest with this series and that most of those who started it never finished it (until West announced that she was being dropped by Daw and that the numbers were dwindling for each new House War installment, I had never encountered a fantasy series that lost popularity as time went by. Usually, it's the other way around.), I'm wondering if the author can knock it out of the park again. All the ingredients are there, no question. If she could just let the story unfold instead of focusing so much on the den and their past, this series could swing with the best of them. We'll have to wait and see. . .
For more reviews, check out www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
February 25, 2019
"Firstborn" was worth reading. That's true of most of Michelle West's (or Michelle Sagara's) writing. But it wasn't necessary to the story. At the end of book 5, Jewel has taken the Oracle's test and is ready to seek the Winter Queen. At the end of book 6, Jewel is almost ready to seek the Winter Queen. The intervening 600 pages consist mostly of character studies. We learn a good deal about the characters through their interactions and discussions. (More of the latter, unfortunately.) But after three thousand pages of this story, we know the characters we care about fairly well - and don't really welcome the opportunity to learn more about hitherto-peripheral characters.
If you're still reading this series after this many volumes, you'll welcome the appearance of this book and you'll likely enjoy it. I did. But I'd rather have seen the end of this story edited down to one book's length - with the considerable talent that went into the extra book going into the next story.
If you're still reading this series after this many volumes, you'll welcome the appearance of this book and you'll likely enjoy it. I did. But I'd rather have seen the end of this story edited down to one book's length - with the considerable talent that went into the extra book going into the next story.
March 29, 2019
Excellent. So much is coming together now.
I like these people. I am fascinated by this world. I want to finish the story but I don't want my time here to end.
I like these people. I am fascinated by this world. I want to finish the story but I don't want my time here to end.
March 12, 2019
Disappointed fan
I've read every book in the series multiple times. I'm just going to forget this book was ever published. I'm tempted to say no one edited this at all, but I'm guessing someone tried because the first third is passable. Unfortunately, it goes downhill from there until it becomes drivel. Nothing happens, and if I read the word stupid on one more time, I'll scream. The opening with Ellerson rambling on is the first warning. Too long and it doesn't push the story forward. If it was meant to set up the end, it failed. Have I said I hate the cats? And Jarvan is becoming almost as bad. Also, there was no point in the Hectore and Andre subplot. Adam solved the problem. There were also essential characters reduced to window dressing. I will read the last book and this is an open offer to help edit if it will help get back to the stories I love
I've read every book in the series multiple times. I'm just going to forget this book was ever published. I'm tempted to say no one edited this at all, but I'm guessing someone tried because the first third is passable. Unfortunately, it goes downhill from there until it becomes drivel. Nothing happens, and if I read the word stupid on one more time, I'll scream. The opening with Ellerson rambling on is the first warning. Too long and it doesn't push the story forward. If it was meant to set up the end, it failed. Have I said I hate the cats? And Jarvan is becoming almost as bad. Also, there was no point in the Hectore and Andre subplot. Adam solved the problem. There were also essential characters reduced to window dressing. I will read the last book and this is an open offer to help edit if it will help get back to the stories I love
March 15, 2019
4.5 stars
I'm loving this series so much. However there are certain elements to a Michelle West book that you need to deal with. First the characters like to discuss every single option in great detail even in a life or death situation. Secondly each character has a backstory and certain characteristics and these get repeated ad nauseam. For instance the cats are whiny, find everything boring and take advantage of Jewel's nature etc etc. Sigurne was raised by an evil Mage and some demons. What I'm saying is that there is a lot of material that could probably be thrown out although I find the style endearing now.
I'm also a little concerned as to how the number of important characters is starting to bloat whilst the focus is narrowing down to just Jay. How important are the South and the Cities of Men going to be? I know that the final instalment is complete and out soon so I guess I will find out. I am loving the journey though. EDIT. Apparently War will conclude this arc and there will be a new series, starting with Black Gauntlet, to complete the overarching plot which I might not live to read.
Are these for everyone? No. And they do require perseverance imho. They are rewarding, however, and a great example of epic fantasy.
I'm loving this series so much. However there are certain elements to a Michelle West book that you need to deal with. First the characters like to discuss every single option in great detail even in a life or death situation. Secondly each character has a backstory and certain characteristics and these get repeated ad nauseam. For instance the cats are whiny, find everything boring and take advantage of Jewel's nature etc etc. Sigurne was raised by an evil Mage and some demons. What I'm saying is that there is a lot of material that could probably be thrown out although I find the style endearing now.
I'm also a little concerned as to how the number of important characters is starting to bloat whilst the focus is narrowing down to just Jay. How important are the South and the Cities of Men going to be? I know that the final instalment is complete and out soon so I guess I will find out. I am loving the journey though. EDIT. Apparently War will conclude this arc and there will be a new series, starting with Black Gauntlet, to complete the overarching plot which I might not live to read.
Are these for everyone? No. And they do require perseverance imho. They are rewarding, however, and a great example of epic fantasy.
May 30, 2019
Wonderful setting, bloat and pacing issues:
First of all, picking up the book after 7 months away from the series felt good. I really love the world that West has created. The characters, the lore, the depth of history. It felt like coming home to someplace both familiar and wondrous. The setting remains a strong point of the series, and this book does a lot to explain and expand the setting and its ancient history. Gods, demigods (the Firstborn of the title), cursed warrior magicians, personified natural forces taking the guise of cats and foxes, bard-born, seer-born, healer-born, regular mortals who are just trying to live their lives. This setting breathes magic and mystery. I love it so much.
The characters are strong. They feel like real people, their motivations are carefully thought out, their reactions feel natural. There are characters who throughout the series have hinted at ancient secrets, and now those secrets are out in the open and coming to call. There are characters whose growth has been a slow roll over 15 books and it is all paying off.
But this book, like much of the rest of the series, suffers from two main flaws: bloat and pacing. They are related, but separate. West has added too many characters, too many threads to follow, too many voices trying to chime in and she struggles to make them all relevant. We are faced with three somewhat different, though essentially similar, old plotting clever men (Jarven, Haval, and Hectore) who get far too much 'page time', often bantering with each other. Meanwhile two powerful characters who have been essential from the beginning of the series (Avandar and Kallandras) are basically invisible and thrown in as after thoughts when used at all, despite being present for most of the scenes. West has grown her cast too large and was not able to effectively wield them all.
Pacing. The book starts off well enough, but often repeats itself. Characters will have the same or similar thoughts over and over. "This character reminds me of another dead character. But she's not! But she sort of is!". Chapters go by where very little happens. Then suddenly crazy important plot stuff. Then nothing for a long time. Then a chapter filled with tertiary characters talking about why they didn't kill each other decades ago. Then crazy plot stuff! Then a long explanation of why the main character feels guilty, like we didn't already realize that her sense of responsibility started in her childhood. Also there were a few chapters where multiple characters decided to start using the phrase 'for the nonce' for some reason, and then they stopped again.
These flaws come down to the same issue: Lack of a good editor. West has repeatedly stated that her editor lets her tell the story she wants. I'm sorry, but the editor is doing her a huge disservice. It's clear West has amazing ability to create worlds, characters and tell an interesting story that leaves you wanting to continue. But she wanders, she gets lost, she tells the same events from multiple POVs, she repeats herself. And I get it, I'm betting most authors do this. But it's the editor's job to fix this. To look at the book and say 'Hey, why is everyone saying 'for the nonce' all of a sudden?' or 'Do you think you could combine these very similar characters?' or 'You spent 6 chapters with these secondary characters not doing much, do you think you could pare it down?' or 'How many intelligent animal ancients do you really need?' or 'Hey, how come the powerful bard and warlord that have been important from the beginning are just standing around doing basically nothing for half the book?'
This series had the potential to be one of the best. But lack of effective editing kept it from being so.
If I was given the role of fixing it, I would turn it from 16 books to 12. 4 books combining Sacred Hunt and House War 1-3. 4 books for Sun Sword 1-6. 4 books for House War 4-8.
That said, I will keep reading. I really want to know how the story ends, how the characters end up, how the world ends up.
First of all, picking up the book after 7 months away from the series felt good. I really love the world that West has created. The characters, the lore, the depth of history. It felt like coming home to someplace both familiar and wondrous. The setting remains a strong point of the series, and this book does a lot to explain and expand the setting and its ancient history. Gods, demigods (the Firstborn of the title), cursed warrior magicians, personified natural forces taking the guise of cats and foxes, bard-born, seer-born, healer-born, regular mortals who are just trying to live their lives. This setting breathes magic and mystery. I love it so much.
The characters are strong. They feel like real people, their motivations are carefully thought out, their reactions feel natural. There are characters who throughout the series have hinted at ancient secrets, and now those secrets are out in the open and coming to call. There are characters whose growth has been a slow roll over 15 books and it is all paying off.
But this book, like much of the rest of the series, suffers from two main flaws: bloat and pacing. They are related, but separate. West has added too many characters, too many threads to follow, too many voices trying to chime in and she struggles to make them all relevant. We are faced with three somewhat different, though essentially similar, old plotting clever men (Jarven, Haval, and Hectore) who get far too much 'page time', often bantering with each other. Meanwhile two powerful characters who have been essential from the beginning of the series (Avandar and Kallandras) are basically invisible and thrown in as after thoughts when used at all, despite being present for most of the scenes. West has grown her cast too large and was not able to effectively wield them all.
Pacing. The book starts off well enough, but often repeats itself. Characters will have the same or similar thoughts over and over. "This character reminds me of another dead character. But she's not! But she sort of is!". Chapters go by where very little happens. Then suddenly crazy important plot stuff. Then nothing for a long time. Then a chapter filled with tertiary characters talking about why they didn't kill each other decades ago. Then crazy plot stuff! Then a long explanation of why the main character feels guilty, like we didn't already realize that her sense of responsibility started in her childhood. Also there were a few chapters where multiple characters decided to start using the phrase 'for the nonce' for some reason, and then they stopped again.
These flaws come down to the same issue: Lack of a good editor. West has repeatedly stated that her editor lets her tell the story she wants. I'm sorry, but the editor is doing her a huge disservice. It's clear West has amazing ability to create worlds, characters and tell an interesting story that leaves you wanting to continue. But she wanders, she gets lost, she tells the same events from multiple POVs, she repeats herself. And I get it, I'm betting most authors do this. But it's the editor's job to fix this. To look at the book and say 'Hey, why is everyone saying 'for the nonce' all of a sudden?' or 'Do you think you could combine these very similar characters?' or 'You spent 6 chapters with these secondary characters not doing much, do you think you could pare it down?' or 'How many intelligent animal ancients do you really need?' or 'Hey, how come the powerful bard and warlord that have been important from the beginning are just standing around doing basically nothing for half the book?'
This series had the potential to be one of the best. But lack of effective editing kept it from being so.
If I was given the role of fixing it, I would turn it from 16 books to 12. 4 books combining Sacred Hunt and House War 1-3. 4 books for Sun Sword 1-6. 4 books for House War 4-8.
That said, I will keep reading. I really want to know how the story ends, how the characters end up, how the world ends up.
June 28, 2024
Well, that's over.
If by over you mean a brief interlude in the long and drawn out prequel to the actual war came to an end.
I'm not going to lie. As much as I appreciate fractious cats and their constant squabbling, I'm tired of everyone but the main characters being all knowing and never actually volunteering any information. Every immortal seems to be able to decode the nuance of the depth of a bow and the flicker of an eyelash, as well as knowing every possible world and all of the mores that world has, and they never share. They just call everyone who doesn't know those things stupid. I'm getting annoyed for Jewel. Probably because I feel like these characters are calling me stupid too, since I only know as much as Jewel.
This book was inordinately long. It could be summed up as: Jewel went on a journey in her dream, lost some people she loves, gained some other people she doesn't love, learned some things about herself, and ended up back home.
Granted, every hero's journey book follows that same essential pattern, but normally I enjoy the journey more than I did with this book. I think it's because I like things to have meaning, and not just be explained away as being unconscious. I also like to have characters not just randomly disappear for no reason. I don't mean like Ellerson and Carver into the closet, I mean like Kiriel and Diora. Main characters, super important characters, gone. Kiriel was adopted into the den, she got unadopted real quick and with no real closure. Does she know she's no longer part of it?
There are a lot of loose ends left over from the Sun Sword trilogies. When do we get to go back to them instead of wandering through Jewel's subconscious?
When do we get to have the actual final war? This is taking slow burn too far.
If by over you mean a brief interlude in the long and drawn out prequel to the actual war came to an end.
I'm not going to lie. As much as I appreciate fractious cats and their constant squabbling, I'm tired of everyone but the main characters being all knowing and never actually volunteering any information. Every immortal seems to be able to decode the nuance of the depth of a bow and the flicker of an eyelash, as well as knowing every possible world and all of the mores that world has, and they never share. They just call everyone who doesn't know those things stupid. I'm getting annoyed for Jewel. Probably because I feel like these characters are calling me stupid too, since I only know as much as Jewel.
This book was inordinately long. It could be summed up as: Jewel went on a journey in her dream, lost some people she loves, gained some other people she doesn't love, learned some things about herself, and ended up back home.
Granted, every hero's journey book follows that same essential pattern, but normally I enjoy the journey more than I did with this book. I think it's because I like things to have meaning, and not just be explained away as being unconscious. I also like to have characters not just randomly disappear for no reason. I don't mean like Ellerson and Carver into the closet, I mean like Kiriel and Diora. Main characters, super important characters, gone. Kiriel was adopted into the den, she got unadopted real quick and with no real closure. Does she know she's no longer part of it?
There are a lot of loose ends left over from the Sun Sword trilogies. When do we get to go back to them instead of wandering through Jewel's subconscious?
When do we get to have the actual final war? This is taking slow burn too far.
February 21, 2019
I almost wish that I had reread at least the last couple of books in this series before I read this as it took me a bit to sink back into all the characters and this world, especially since it has been a while since Oracle. As usual, I loved this book, so that isn’t much of a shock.
I did hit a couple of places with regards to Jarven, Haval and Hectore that felt repetitive or redundant, making those portions of this book drag, especially when I wanted to get back to what was going on with Carver and Ellerson. I also still didn’t get enough page time with Avandar or Angel, which I was still expecting/hoping for.
In the grand scheme of things, those are minor gripes as this was supposed to be the last book in the series, but in classic MS tradition, one book became two, which means we get another book. I’ll take those gripes instead.
Much like Oracle, though, this book does more to fill in blank areas that are needed before we can get to that last book. I don’t know that we saw any overwhelming change or growth from any of the characters, with the exception of Carver, because of that. I don’t really see that as a negative, though. Lack of growth and the few times of feeling that bit of redundancy aside, this book felt like a whole lot happened. Including my prediction that I was definitely going to be needing lots of tissues by the time this is all said and done.
The last book is due out this June, so only a tiny bit of patience is required.
I did hit a couple of places with regards to Jarven, Haval and Hectore that felt repetitive or redundant, making those portions of this book drag, especially when I wanted to get back to what was going on with Carver and Ellerson. I also still didn’t get enough page time with Avandar or Angel, which I was still expecting/hoping for.
In the grand scheme of things, those are minor gripes as this was supposed to be the last book in the series, but in classic MS tradition, one book became two, which means we get another book. I’ll take those gripes instead.
Much like Oracle, though, this book does more to fill in blank areas that are needed before we can get to that last book. I don’t know that we saw any overwhelming change or growth from any of the characters, with the exception of Carver, because of that. I don’t really see that as a negative, though. Lack of growth and the few times of feeling that bit of redundancy aside, this book felt like a whole lot happened. Including my prediction that I was definitely going to be needing lots of tissues by the time this is all said and done.
The last book is due out this June, so only a tiny bit of patience is required.
March 5, 2019
Maybe someday I’ll like this book as well as I’ve enjoyed the previous House War books when I read it another time, but right now it is just so so.
Jewel may be growing in power, but she still isn’t growing any kind of common sense. And I cannot count how many times the three cats call someone “stupid” in this book. Probably thousands of times, and that gets old quickly. Also, there are pages and pages that rehash her early life. Every book is done that to some extent, but it seems like this book moves far too slowly because of it.
Add in quite a few new characters of dubious intent, and I was just praying for the book to be over. I’m hoping that the last book in the series can wrap things up and make sense out of all the chaotic threads.
Jewel may be growing in power, but she still isn’t growing any kind of common sense. And I cannot count how many times the three cats call someone “stupid” in this book. Probably thousands of times, and that gets old quickly. Also, there are pages and pages that rehash her early life. Every book is done that to some extent, but it seems like this book moves far too slowly because of it.
Add in quite a few new characters of dubious intent, and I was just praying for the book to be over. I’m hoping that the last book in the series can wrap things up and make sense out of all the chaotic threads.
June 5, 2019
I really really liked this one
Unlike the last couple of books in this series, there were no unexpected character shifts or oddly disappointing plot point resolutions. Instead, everyone was purely themselves and the story was grounded in what came before. Did it provide any sense of closure? No, but that isn’t its job, that’s the job of the final book. Instead, it gave us, in vignettes large and small, a real sense of who several of the characters are at this point in their lives and stories. It also shows with exquisite poignancy how much each person in the den will have to give to the war, and how much more Jewel will have to surrender before she can lead it.
Lovely, grounded writing and surety regained.
Unlike the last couple of books in this series, there were no unexpected character shifts or oddly disappointing plot point resolutions. Instead, everyone was purely themselves and the story was grounded in what came before. Did it provide any sense of closure? No, but that isn’t its job, that’s the job of the final book. Instead, it gave us, in vignettes large and small, a real sense of who several of the characters are at this point in their lives and stories. It also shows with exquisite poignancy how much each person in the den will have to give to the war, and how much more Jewel will have to surrender before she can lead it.
Lovely, grounded writing and surety regained.
February 23, 2019
This one I think started as a trilogy? We’re seven books in and she’s promised us one more...before we start the final arc of the story of this world.
A lot of little pieces have come together in this story. We find out a lot on the backstory of the cats, Evayne, and her first born companions. There are many pieces that are slotting together to create the final shape of Jewel’s story.
I have to say, this is not where I would have thought this story was going, and I’m really glad I made it past the trauma of the first Jewel book (My theory is that West does not like writing romances and thus writes heroines who will never want a romance) to get to explore the world that Jewel is building.
A lot of little pieces have come together in this story. We find out a lot on the backstory of the cats, Evayne, and her first born companions. There are many pieces that are slotting together to create the final shape of Jewel’s story.
I have to say, this is not where I would have thought this story was going, and I’m really glad I made it past the trauma of the first Jewel book (My theory is that West does not like writing romances and thus writes heroines who will never want a romance) to get to explore the world that Jewel is building.
November 29, 2023
We begin with Ellerson who we haven't seen since he vanished inside the closet when he was sent to find Carver, both men have landed inside one of the sleeping princes dreams of winter and we follow their journey of finding each other and then trying to escape back home.
Meanwhile we also follow Jewel and company as she continues to learn about her abilities first in the Oracle's lands and then in other ways as they journey towards home even though home isn't where her journey/training ends.
I love this series but now I'm worried how the author is going to be able to finish this in only one more book, but on the flip side of that props to any author who's willing to actually sacrifice main characters and rip your heart out instead of just side characters that you never learned to love, I was crying by the end of this.
Meanwhile we also follow Jewel and company as she continues to learn about her abilities first in the Oracle's lands and then in other ways as they journey towards home even though home isn't where her journey/training ends.
I love this series but now I'm worried how the author is going to be able to finish this in only one more book, but on the flip side of that props to any author who's willing to actually sacrifice main characters and rip your heart out instead of just side characters that you never learned to love, I was crying by the end of this.
March 8, 2022
Calliastra great, loved the lore (tangled, firstborns, artisans, etc), carver sacrificing himself sad, but not as sad as I might have expected given how long he’s been a character, glad Jarven got a bit of comeuppance as I still don’t particularly like him, I thought the cats/winter king/time travel (?) thing was cool, book maybe a bit longer than it needed to be, that leaf thing was way darker than anticipated and I really can’t see Jewel using it, but intrigued if it’s literally the only option
Need to rewrite when I have an actual keyboard
Need to rewrite when I have an actual keyboard
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2023
There's a lot of typos and other errors. Every character seems to say the same stuff about everyone, or think it. A lot of passages feel like deja vu. Like it is the same stuff over and over, maybe slightly altered. This 8 book series SHOULD have been a trilogy, but I feel like someone wanted to stretch it out absurdly.
February 20, 2019
I still want to read the series end, but these recent books seem to drag out the story unnecessarily past the point where i just want to get to the finale already:(
jewel is still avoiding her fate like always
jewel is still avoiding her fate like always
March 11, 2019
Drawn out too long
As much as I love this series, I get the feeling that it's just going on and on and on without arriving at a solution. I don't know if the author is trying it out so she can sell more books or what but I know that it's disappointing
As much as I love this series, I get the feeling that it's just going on and on and on without arriving at a solution. I don't know if the author is trying it out so she can sell more books or what but I know that it's disappointing
June 15, 2019
The story gets better with each book
I think my header says it. I loved the sun sword series, and love the Elantra’s chronicles but this series is my favorite as I feel the story has built in a fabulous way. I can’t wait to read War.
I think my header says it. I loved the sun sword series, and love the Elantra’s chronicles but this series is my favorite as I feel the story has built in a fabulous way. I can’t wait to read War.
January 5, 2019
Received an arc from netgalley. First book in this series that I have read and it was great! I need to get the first 6. Definitely recommend this book!
February 22, 2019
Great book that was hard to put down. I cried at the end but can't wait for the next one.
June 4, 2019
Review by winged cats
Boring
Stupid
My review endless. Maybe a total of 20 written pages that advanced the
plot. Get I bought it
Boring
Stupid
My review endless. Maybe a total of 20 written pages that advanced the
plot. Get I bought it
June 27, 2019
Setting up the big ending to a long series (which is embedded in an even bigger set of series).
September 17, 2019
Deep
Amazing, deep, more tension(if that’s possible)as the story goes on. Unthinkable responsibility. Wonderful and tearful all at once. Artfully descriptive.
Amazing, deep, more tension(if that’s possible)as the story goes on. Unthinkable responsibility. Wonderful and tearful all at once. Artfully descriptive.
November 2, 2022
Carver... Carver....carver.
A whole lot of words about nothing. Repeating the same thing over and over. And the story continues...continually unfinished. And carved is left ....
A whole lot of words about nothing. Repeating the same thing over and over. And the story continues...continually unfinished. And carved is left ....
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