Daughter of Ancients

The Bridge of D'Arnath #4

by Carol Berg

In Avonar, Gerick investigates the ancient king D'Arnath's own daughter, held captive by the Lords of Zhev'Na for a thousand years-or so she claims. Entangled in bonds of love, family, and secrecy, Gerick unravels the mysteries of ancient kings, ancient evil-and the dreadful truth of his own destiny.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Ebooks, Adult

531 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Carol Berg is the author of the epic fantasy
The Books of the Rai-kirah, The Bridge of D'Arnath Quartet, the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winning Lighthouse Duet - Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone - the standalone novel Song of the Beast , and the three novels of the Collegia Magica.

Berg holds a degree in mathematics from Rice University, and a degree in computer science from the University of Colorado. Before writing full-time, she worked as a software engineer. She lives in Colorado at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, and is the mother of three mostly grown sons.

Reviews

[Choko · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** 4.68 ***

A great ending to a very magical series!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favourite books. EVER.
RTC

[NekroRider · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75/5

There's so much too say about this series but for now a couple notes. Seri's PoV remained my favourite throughout, but what Carol Berg did with the PoVs in this series in general was worthy of praise imo. I don't think I can recall reading another fantasy series dealing with world(s) changing events but focused solely on the perspectives of parents and their children (with the exception of Jen, who I thought was a great addition to the 4th book), and on familial love. At the same time, this can't be expressed beforehand to potential readers because its absolutely a major spoiler.

Most of this series was very much 5 stars for me, but I have trouble with the way most of the books were concluded and how things were resolved. Other than Son of Avonar (which was flawless imo), each book tended to have me loving every aspect for about 3/4s of the way through. Then the final 1/4 or even just final couple chapters would come and I would be left feel like it fell into place too easily, almost in spite of previous clever setups and interesting twists and turns. I also felt that the ending in Daughter of the Ancients felt a bit rushed. I could have done with the aftermath being a bit more drawn out and with a bit more closure.

All in all, I will definitely reading more series by Carol Berg in the near future. Definitely a unique series and it seems that's the case with many of her books.

[Jon]

Adding to my BookMooch inventory 2/25/2021: http://bookmooch.com/m/inventory/jonmoss

Condition Notes: Good to fair condition; purchased entire series (shrink wrapped) from a used book store. Would prefer NOT to break up this set. If you request all four books, I will smooch you back one point.

[Kathryn Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the mystery of this book. There were quite a few sad bits. I thought the book had a good ending and also wrapped up the series quite nicely. I would definitely recommend this series if you enjoy Fantasy.

[Nirkatze · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember the first time I discovered that the series I thought was a trilogy had a fourth installment... so very excited! And a little nervous... Berg delivers such delicious torment in her books, what new exquisite pain did she have in store for her readers? The answer: lots. Maybe not quite the heights that Soul Weaver reaches, but still a lot of great anguish. I also think that the antagonist in this book is my favorite of the four--someone who inspired sympathy even while causing pain. And I love the newly introduced characters--especially Jenn, who has a place right next to Paolo in my heart.

The conclusion was everything I could have wished for, and the epilogue is one of those oh-so-satisfying ones that gives us glimpses of everything we hoped for our characters' futures.

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very strong ending to a wonderful series. Berg has created a marvelous trio of worlds, populated them with a variety of nuanced characters, and woven them into a complex tale of magic, power, politics, love, betrayal, loyalty, change, and trust. While it appeared there was perhaps little more to say at the end of the third book in the series, Berg capped it off with this fourth book that truly brings the story to a fitting conclusion.

[Martijn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was afraid this would be 'one bridge too far' in the series, but actually it was a good finalizer for the series.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost don't feel like I should rate and review this book because it feels like my experience was tainted by things that may or may not be the fault of the book. I rate and review everything I read though, so I ended up breaking down and doing so. Anyone who is a fan of the basic high fantasy should ignore me right off, because I'm not big into it. I'm also not big into series books in general, much less wandering into the fourth book in a series without having read the first three. However, a convention I attended (which was not a fantasy convention where a majority of attendees could have been expected to have read the first three books) put this in the goodie bag. Thus, I read it. Some series you can wander in at any book and things still work okay. I don't think that's the case here, unless the style of the book itself would have annoyed me anyway. It's possible. It seemed like fancy fluff that was primarily concerned with being fancy fluff. It felt like someone at a ren fair going on and on without any concern that anyone being forced to listen was interested, and utterly unaware that they were not. It wasn't even until the final third of the book that I really started to care at all, and not much then. The world, despite the text being seemingly bloated with it, was not very clear to me. I just never cared much what happened to it, or the people in it. Some, but not enough. By the end I didn't mind that I'd read, but I didn't think that much of it and was primarily grateful to be done. It had been a slog. I imagine this is suited to a style that isn't one I favor, as it seems like others I've seen people have thought well of, but it could also be due to not having read the other three books. If it's my fault, I'd rate the book four stars. If it's the books fault, which I wouldn't have known unless I'd gone out and gotten (and read) the other three books first (but I wouldn't have been talked into that by a free book, this book being the only convincing that could be done), I'd have rated it two stars. Due to not knowing how to account, I split the difference and everyone should just ignore me anyway. Honestly, why give away the fourth book in a series at a general interest convention? People who have the background will likely already get the book or not, and everyone else isn't likely to go out and buy and read just to get up to speed. There's just no way it'd go well.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ending to a very good series.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I forgot how much I love this book. Such a wonderful ending. Such a beautiful whirlwind of a story.

[Ellyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Anant · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was coming to the close of this book, I was telling myself, wow Carol Berg did it again. She writes such deep characters, and just gets the human condition. The Rai-Kirah trilogy was my introduction to Ms. Berg, after which I did not pick up another series by her, because I was saving her for a rainy day.

Well, the rainy days came and I dove into this series with complete confidence that it will be time well spent.

By the time we begin the fourth book, it is an interesting juncture in the series because of the way Book 3 ends. I won't spoil things, so I'll just say that I wasn't sure whether a fourth book was needed.

Well, I discovered, that wow, this was the perfect way to complete this series. I adore Gerick and his strength. If Karon and Serin are the lights of the first three books, Gerick shines brighter in his tender growth into adulthood. Truly, a special, special character.

I love Carol's books for how I remember the characters years later, the way I do with Seyonne and Aleksander.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are currently my favorite fantasy books (with the possible exception of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series--I'm still deciding on that). But I love this series. The writing is excellent, the characters admirable. I love Seri--a strong female heroine who (usually) resists being TOO idylic. Mostly, though, I love the plotting. They move quickly, with plenty of action, but there's no sense that things just can't work out for these characters, and there are enough triumphs along the way to keep you hopin'.

[Mary Soon Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the final book of Carol Berg's Bridge D'Arnath fantasy quartet, and I found it bittersweet to be approaching the end of my time with these characters. I am particularly fond of Paolo, but also found Gerick and Karon very good characters. During the first three books I didn't like Seri as much as I know I was meant to, but in this book I warmed to her more. I also liked the addition of Jen to the story. The book contains many grim sequences, which engrossed me without actually upsetting me, and also has moments of sadness that did upset me. A strong end.

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book better than the 2nd & 3rd ones, I really didn't know where the 3rd one was going, here there seemed to be more purpose, a better defined plot but still with lots of twists & turns. I suppose for me everything came together & made sense in this book. Loved it & I always enjoy Carol Berg, she just has such a fantastic imagination. I feel sad to be leaving The Bridge of D'Arnath, Gerrick & Seri behind which of course is always a sign of a good book.

[Brenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty exciting conclusion to the series, I would say. Like previous books, it contained its share of deus ex machina moments for both character development and laws-of-physics-defying actions, but having come to expect that I didn't find it as perturbing as in The Soule Weaver. I wasn't quite as fond of Gerrick this time around, but other characters made up for it. I'm a little bit sad the series ends here, it's a very intriguing world.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book dos for me what Soul Weaver did not- capture me from page one. I'll admit to having been peeved when Berg introduced one of the 2 new main characters. Don't ask me why- I don't know. This book felt more complete to me than Soul Weaver. The ending was perfect- couldn't have asked for a better end for the series. I only wish the Singlars and the Bounded had played a larger role after being introduced in the last book.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last book of a reasonably good story. Well written if a bit slow. No graphic sex or over done violence so excellent for YA. Has characters with many flaws that get in their way and that they overcome so aren't the traditional one dimensional S&S types. Strong female characters along with sensitive men plus people you just want to kill.

[heardtheowl]

I had this book from the library but had to return in on interlibrary loan. Someday I'll get it back so I may finish the series. Anything by Carol Berg is worth reading. One of my favorite authors ever!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tre libri precendenti mi erano piaciuti, ma non mi avevano mai soddisfatto del tutto, invece questo libro è veramente bello! Questa volta Carol Berg è riuscita a portare avanti un plot coerente, senza perdersi <br />in descrizioni e sub-plot inutili. Veramente ben fatto!

[Nicholas Barone · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good conclusion to a very good series. While the plots of the four books in the series are good, it is the characters and there development that make this series shine. Daughter of Ancients does a great job of completing Gerrick's growth and bringing his story to a satisfying conclusion.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine finish to a solid series, I admit I will miss several of these characters. Berg's talent for storytelling is surpassed only by her ability to create believable characters whose flaws make them dynamic and beautiful.

[Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some books whose endings leave you in awe of their perfection. This is one of them. The way the series ties up is just absolutely brilliant. I don't have enough words to express it.

I'm only saddened that this series is not more popular.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was a wonderful conclusion to the series. I was really glad to see that all the loose ends were cleared up and that Gerrick was finally able to find happiness. I think Carol Berg is a super writer and look forward to reading her next series.

[Kirsten Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great ending to the series. In the earlier books when we were first getting to know Gerick, I wasn't that interested - I wanted to get back to Seri & Karon's story. I LOVED reading about Gerick in this book. Things were tied up nicely, and it was a satisfying end to a great series.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

A disappointing end to a good series; it was the first one in the series where I could see the ending coming like a Mack truck.

[Poppy · Rating 1 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT






Yeeeesssssss!!!! She FINALLY lets her character die. He's only been trying since the first book in the series....

[Mike Salzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent end to a good series. 10 times better than the third book.

[Seloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, although it was very different than the first three. I like how the story kinda got crazier and crazier and nothing was as it seemed. I drew a lot of fanart for this one.