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Borderlands #1
Die Verpflichtung
Ein episches Fantasy-Abenteuer voller Intrigen, Verrat, Mord und mächtiger Magie. Die Grenzlande – regiert von Drachen, Elfen und Zauberern – gehören zu den fantasievollsten Welten, die je erdacht wurden.
Hase ist ein einfacher Soldat der Grenzpatrouille, scheinbar nur ein weiterer Junge vom Land in der Armee des Königs von Iversterre. Da stößt sein Trupp auf einen Faena – einen der magischen Wächter der Grenzlande. Plötzlich findet sich Hase mitten in einer tödlichen Intrige wieder, die das Ziel hat, das magische Reich der Grenzlande und das Menschenkönigreich Iversterre in einen Krieg zu treiben. Aber Hase ist doch nicht nur ein „einfacher Junge vom Land“! Er entstammt dem Hochadel – und ist ein Magier von noch ungeahnter Macht!
Hase ist ein einfacher Soldat der Grenzpatrouille, scheinbar nur ein weiterer Junge vom Land in der Armee des Königs von Iversterre. Da stößt sein Trupp auf einen Faena – einen der magischen Wächter der Grenzlande. Plötzlich findet sich Hase mitten in einer tödlichen Intrige wieder, die das Ziel hat, das magische Reich der Grenzlande und das Menschenkönigreich Iversterre in einen Krieg zu treiben. Aber Hase ist doch nicht nur ein „einfacher Junge vom Land“! Er entstammt dem Hochadel – und ist ein Magier von noch ungeahnter Macht!
704 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2004
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3849 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
January 6, 2021
[4.5/5 stars] I’d call this a hidden gem.
I went through my entire collection of unread books and combined my highest priorities into a bookshelf on Goodreads. Of them all, Covenants happened to have the highest average rating among my peers. Aka, a perfect place to start.
And I was not disappointed.
This is one of those slow burn classic fantasy reads that focuses on character development and immersing the reader in the world. If you sit down and map out all of the major plot points it wouldn’t take you very long because the story was more about the journey than the destination. I enjoyed the flow of the writing so much that I didn’t even really notice this was the case until about halfway through the book.
If a book is going to be highly character-driven, those characters better be good. Rabbit was understated and relatable but also strong-willed and funny. It made for a good combination. My favorite moments were the banters between him and the other characters. Almost all of them left an imprint on my memory, which is saying something considering I don’t always retain even the names of main characters in books.
There was enough solid world-building to spark my interest, and the author did a great job expanding on it as the book progressed. It’s a cool combination of magicals and non-magicals many years after a war between them, and I liked the role the magical world had on the mundane. It explores prejudices, self righteousness, religious zealotry, and fear of the unfamiliar in ways I thought frighteningly applicable to real life. It’s a great example of how fantasy novels are just as adept at teaching empathy and understanding as “serious” fiction. As much as I enjoyed the world and the concepts, I’m not sure the author left a lot of room for expansion in future books, but we shall see.
Because I was enjoying it so much, I gave it a lot of leeway on the few “just go with it” scenes. The book isn’t perfect, but what it does well, it does well enough to compensate for the flaws. I’ll be continuing the series with delight, even if that means reading the old, nasty copy I found secondhand (my only option – book #2 was rather difficult to get ahold of). I will be wearing gloves to read it (germaphobe alert!), so that should tell you my commitment to the series at this point.
Recommendations: Covenants was a delightful surprise and one I’m glad I read. The writing style, heavy focus on character development, and memorable plot reminded me strongly of Hobb’s Farseer trilogy. The first two are only available in print format, so that might be my only holdup for recommending. Other than that, it was great!
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
Other books you might like:
I went through my entire collection of unread books and combined my highest priorities into a bookshelf on Goodreads. Of them all, Covenants happened to have the highest average rating among my peers. Aka, a perfect place to start.
And I was not disappointed.
This is one of those slow burn classic fantasy reads that focuses on character development and immersing the reader in the world. If you sit down and map out all of the major plot points it wouldn’t take you very long because the story was more about the journey than the destination. I enjoyed the flow of the writing so much that I didn’t even really notice this was the case until about halfway through the book.
If a book is going to be highly character-driven, those characters better be good. Rabbit was understated and relatable but also strong-willed and funny. It made for a good combination. My favorite moments were the banters between him and the other characters. Almost all of them left an imprint on my memory, which is saying something considering I don’t always retain even the names of main characters in books.
There was enough solid world-building to spark my interest, and the author did a great job expanding on it as the book progressed. It’s a cool combination of magicals and non-magicals many years after a war between them, and I liked the role the magical world had on the mundane. It explores prejudices, self righteousness, religious zealotry, and fear of the unfamiliar in ways I thought frighteningly applicable to real life. It’s a great example of how fantasy novels are just as adept at teaching empathy and understanding as “serious” fiction. As much as I enjoyed the world and the concepts, I’m not sure the author left a lot of room for expansion in future books, but we shall see.
Because I was enjoying it so much, I gave it a lot of leeway on the few “just go with it” scenes. The book isn’t perfect, but what it does well, it does well enough to compensate for the flaws. I’ll be continuing the series with delight, even if that means reading the old, nasty copy I found secondhand (my only option – book #2 was rather difficult to get ahold of). I will be wearing gloves to read it (germaphobe alert!), so that should tell you my commitment to the series at this point.
Recommendations: Covenants was a delightful surprise and one I’m glad I read. The writing style, heavy focus on character development, and memorable plot reminded me strongly of Hobb’s Farseer trilogy. The first two are only available in print format, so that might be my only holdup for recommending. Other than that, it was great!
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
Other books you might like:
January 15, 2019
An absolute gem of a fantasy novel. Criminally overlooked and underrated.
Also, some rather groovy cover art.
I sometimes wish I could shake some sense into people. While everybody busies themselves with high profile, well promoted and, let’s be honest, sometimes inferior books (and series), there are some truly commendable works slipping through the cracks, and into obscurity. This is one such a book.
Covenants is a debut novel and, arguably, comes with a few of the quirks that you might expect as such. However, it is really, really, easy to overlook these and just immerse yourself in the story. It is just such a comfortable and endearing novel, with a likeable protagonist. While the story deals with intrigue of a political and magical nature, it doesn’t neglect the actiony-adventury bits, and it is a cracking read with some satisfying reveals. At times funny, at times sinister, always entertaining; if there was any justice in the world this one would be on every fantasy lover’s list.
The book is a Bildungsroman, but it is rather unique in presentation and even though the world is immediately recognizable as a fantasy-type setting, the story retains an edge of authenticity by presenting races such as the Faena in a way that sets them apart from standard conventions. Covenants also features a very intriguing magic system. I can’t help thinking that this is a book that would possibly even appeal to people who don’t generally like fantasy, because of the exemplary character development and the finely balanced plot. Perhaps a good entry point into the genre?
Recommended for anybody who enjoys Fantasy. Period.
Also, some rather groovy cover art.
I sometimes wish I could shake some sense into people. While everybody busies themselves with high profile, well promoted and, let’s be honest, sometimes inferior books (and series), there are some truly commendable works slipping through the cracks, and into obscurity. This is one such a book.
Covenants is a debut novel and, arguably, comes with a few of the quirks that you might expect as such. However, it is really, really, easy to overlook these and just immerse yourself in the story. It is just such a comfortable and endearing novel, with a likeable protagonist. While the story deals with intrigue of a political and magical nature, it doesn’t neglect the actiony-adventury bits, and it is a cracking read with some satisfying reveals. At times funny, at times sinister, always entertaining; if there was any justice in the world this one would be on every fantasy lover’s list.
The book is a Bildungsroman, but it is rather unique in presentation and even though the world is immediately recognizable as a fantasy-type setting, the story retains an edge of authenticity by presenting races such as the Faena in a way that sets them apart from standard conventions. Covenants also features a very intriguing magic system. I can’t help thinking that this is a book that would possibly even appeal to people who don’t generally like fantasy, because of the exemplary character development and the finely balanced plot. Perhaps a good entry point into the genre?
Recommended for anybody who enjoys Fantasy. Period.
September 6, 2023
Der ich-weiß-nicht-mehr-wievielte Reread eines meiner absoluten Lieblingsbücher. <3
Inhalt:
Der junge Soldat Hase dient zusammen mit seinem besten Freund Jeff als einfacher Reiter in der Bergpatrouille von Freston. Als sie eines Tages in den Bergen auf den Abgesandten der Grenzlande, Laurel Faena, einen sprechenden, aufrecht gehenden, magisch begabten Berglöwen, treffen, ahnt Hase noch nicht, wie sehr diese Begegnung sein Leben auf den Kopf stellen wird.
Laurel Faena, der als Botschafter der Grenzlande zu König Jusson, dem Herrscher von Iversly, unterwegs ist, um einen Krieg beider Länder zu verhindern, schließt mit Hase einen Pakt der gegenseitigen Verpflichtung. Aus diesem Grund sind es Hase und seine Kollegen unter dem Befehl der Hauptmänner Suiden und Javes, die als Begleitschutz des Berglöwen ausgewählt werden. Auf dem Weg nach Iversly stellt sich, sehr zu Hases Unmut, heraus, dass er mehr als nur ein einfacher Bauernjunge aus den Grenzlanden ist. Er ist auch der Sohn zweier mächtiger Adelshäuser, Chause und Flavan, und damit ein Cousin des Königs sowie ein entlaufener Zauberlehrling.
In Iversly angekommen geraten Hase und seine Freunde schnell in ein Nest komplizierter Intrigen, Verschwörungen und Aufstände, in denen neben hochrangigen Adligen und mächtigen Offizieren auch Verwandte und missgünstige Kameraden von Hase verwickelt sind. Bald muss Hase erkennen, dass ihn nicht nur sein altes Leben und sein früherer Meister eingeholt haben, sondern dass auch das Schicksal zweier Königreiche plötzlich in seinen Händen liegt.
Meine Meinung:
„Die Verpflichtung – Grenzlande 1“ ist der Auftakt zu einer meiner Lieblingsserien der letzten Jahre. Lorna Freeman verfügt nicht nur über einen tollen, fesselnden und mitreißenden Schreibstil, sondern hat auch eine faszinierende Story voller Humor und überraschenden Wendungen geschaffen.
Der größte Trumpf der Reihe ist jedoch ihr Ich-Erzähler und Held Hase. Sympathisch, bodenständig, mutig, bescheiden und voller Geheimnisse ist er eine spannende und faszinierende Figur, mit der man sich als Leser gerne identifiziert und mit der man sich gerne anfreunden würde. Neben Hase spielt eine Reihe weiterer interessanter Figuren eine Rolle: Hauptmann Suiden, ein turalischer Prinz und Drache; Hauptmann Javes, ein scheinbar eitler Gockel, hinter dem sich mehr Tiefe und Charakter verbergen, als zunächst vermutet; Laurel Faena, ein Berglöwe, Botschafter, Detektiv und eine reizbare, aber weise Katze; der gewitzte König Jusson, der König von Iversly und Hases Cousin; sowie Elfen, Feen, Drachen, Dschinns und viele weitere Fabelwesen.
Daneben hat Lorna Freeman mit Iversly und den Grenzlanden zwei faszinierende und sehr unterschiedliche konkurrierende Königreiche geschaffen, die viel Platz und Entwicklungsraum für viele weitere Abenteuer, Konflikte und Figuren lassen, auf die ich mich schon sehr freue. Klasse, atemberaubende High Fantasy, von der ich nicht genug bekommen kann und für die ich gerne 5 Sterne vergebe. Ein absolutes Muss!
Inhalt:
Der junge Soldat Hase dient zusammen mit seinem besten Freund Jeff als einfacher Reiter in der Bergpatrouille von Freston. Als sie eines Tages in den Bergen auf den Abgesandten der Grenzlande, Laurel Faena, einen sprechenden, aufrecht gehenden, magisch begabten Berglöwen, treffen, ahnt Hase noch nicht, wie sehr diese Begegnung sein Leben auf den Kopf stellen wird.
Laurel Faena, der als Botschafter der Grenzlande zu König Jusson, dem Herrscher von Iversly, unterwegs ist, um einen Krieg beider Länder zu verhindern, schließt mit Hase einen Pakt der gegenseitigen Verpflichtung. Aus diesem Grund sind es Hase und seine Kollegen unter dem Befehl der Hauptmänner Suiden und Javes, die als Begleitschutz des Berglöwen ausgewählt werden. Auf dem Weg nach Iversly stellt sich, sehr zu Hases Unmut, heraus, dass er mehr als nur ein einfacher Bauernjunge aus den Grenzlanden ist. Er ist auch der Sohn zweier mächtiger Adelshäuser, Chause und Flavan, und damit ein Cousin des Königs sowie ein entlaufener Zauberlehrling.
In Iversly angekommen geraten Hase und seine Freunde schnell in ein Nest komplizierter Intrigen, Verschwörungen und Aufstände, in denen neben hochrangigen Adligen und mächtigen Offizieren auch Verwandte und missgünstige Kameraden von Hase verwickelt sind. Bald muss Hase erkennen, dass ihn nicht nur sein altes Leben und sein früherer Meister eingeholt haben, sondern dass auch das Schicksal zweier Königreiche plötzlich in seinen Händen liegt.
Meine Meinung:
„Die Verpflichtung – Grenzlande 1“ ist der Auftakt zu einer meiner Lieblingsserien der letzten Jahre. Lorna Freeman verfügt nicht nur über einen tollen, fesselnden und mitreißenden Schreibstil, sondern hat auch eine faszinierende Story voller Humor und überraschenden Wendungen geschaffen.
Der größte Trumpf der Reihe ist jedoch ihr Ich-Erzähler und Held Hase. Sympathisch, bodenständig, mutig, bescheiden und voller Geheimnisse ist er eine spannende und faszinierende Figur, mit der man sich als Leser gerne identifiziert und mit der man sich gerne anfreunden würde. Neben Hase spielt eine Reihe weiterer interessanter Figuren eine Rolle: Hauptmann Suiden, ein turalischer Prinz und Drache; Hauptmann Javes, ein scheinbar eitler Gockel, hinter dem sich mehr Tiefe und Charakter verbergen, als zunächst vermutet; Laurel Faena, ein Berglöwe, Botschafter, Detektiv und eine reizbare, aber weise Katze; der gewitzte König Jusson, der König von Iversly und Hases Cousin; sowie Elfen, Feen, Drachen, Dschinns und viele weitere Fabelwesen.
Daneben hat Lorna Freeman mit Iversly und den Grenzlanden zwei faszinierende und sehr unterschiedliche konkurrierende Königreiche geschaffen, die viel Platz und Entwicklungsraum für viele weitere Abenteuer, Konflikte und Figuren lassen, auf die ich mich schon sehr freue. Klasse, atemberaubende High Fantasy, von der ich nicht genug bekommen kann und für die ich gerne 5 Sterne vergebe. Ein absolutes Muss!
March 27, 2016
4/5; 4 stars; A-
This was a great fantasy story from a new to me author. Even though it was a long book, it kept moving fairly well and the characters and magic system really held my interest. As I was nearing the end of this book I was feeling glad that I had the next one waiting on my shelf because I did not want to leave this world.
This was a great fantasy story from a new to me author. Even though it was a long book, it kept moving fairly well and the characters and magic system really held my interest. As I was nearing the end of this book I was feeling glad that I had the next one waiting on my shelf because I did not want to leave this world.
December 6, 2020
Leider hat mich hier der Schreibstil vom vollen Lesegenuss abgehalten. Was sehr schade ist, denn der Weltenaufbau und die Charaktere sind durchaus interessant und auch die Geschichte nimmt nach dem etwas zähen Beginn gut Fahrt auf. Der emotionslose, fast märchenhafte Schreibstil der öfter zwischen altmodischer und moderner Sprache schwankt, hat es mir jedoch schwer gemacht zu den Charakteren eine Bindung aufzubauen, und das wäre bei den vielen Intrigen doch recht hilfreich gewesen. Und trotzdem habe ich 700 Seiten durchgehalten, weil die Welt hochinteressant war und so viel Potential hatte, das es mit mehr Augenmerk auf wichtige Ereignisse und weniger auf die Armeewitzchen, so viel mehr hätte sein können. Die Hauptfigur (übrigens Vegetarier, was gut erklärt und sehr sympathisch war) macht eine erstaunliche Entwicklung durch und ich wüsste wirklich gern, wie es mit ihr weitergeht – ob ich die weiteren Bände noch lese, weiß ich allerdings noch nicht. Ein Fazit, was mich selbst etwas erstaunt zurücklässt ;)
May 15, 2019
Was given this as a Christmas present last year by someone who's opinion I trust.
And this book is a good reason why I trust her opinion. It's a very well done and fresh fantasy novel.
The human kingdom that the action focuses around (there are others on the periphery of the novel) is built on land that not so long ago inhabited by the Faena - basically all sorts of magical creatures. In many senses the setting harkens to a type of fantasy old frontier ca. 1800. The civilized human nation does its best to forget the magical creatures that it recently displaced, but they still exist across the border, and the novel is in many ways about the intersection of the two worlds. I can only assume the further books continue to examine the same theme.
And this book is a good reason why I trust her opinion. It's a very well done and fresh fantasy novel.
The human kingdom that the action focuses around (there are others on the periphery of the novel) is built on land that not so long ago inhabited by the Faena - basically all sorts of magical creatures. In many senses the setting harkens to a type of fantasy old frontier ca. 1800. The civilized human nation does its best to forget the magical creatures that it recently displaced, but they still exist across the border, and the novel is in many ways about the intersection of the two worlds. I can only assume the further books continue to examine the same theme.
September 30, 2023
I absolutely love this book -- I own two dead tree copies as I was afraid I may read the first to death. THis is my comfort series -- I adore it beyond reason.
Full of action, adventure, humor -- with a touch of a regency/historical feel. Cannot recommend it enough. Just wish it would be published as ebook (both books 1&2 -- #3 is on kobo).
previously re-read Feb 2016
previously re-read Mar 4/16
Full of action, adventure, humor -- with a touch of a regency/historical feel. Cannot recommend it enough. Just wish it would be published as ebook (both books 1&2 -- #3 is on kobo).
previously re-read Feb 2016
previously re-read Mar 4/16
July 26, 2020
What an excellent coming of age story! Rich imagery, excellent world building ( talking cats!), great cast of characters and fun adventure.
Rabbit is lost.
Having been born and raised in the Borderlands where talking trees, philosophical boars, and dragons as bards are normal neighbors, Rabbit is also very unusual. Decades ago, human-only Iverstarre kingdom ceded the Borderlands to the magicals after a crushing defeat. The Borderland sent in their faena, magical arbitrators, creatures with power enough to stop any human army. Now the faena are back asking Iverstarre to stop the blatant organ trafficking of Their people or there will be war.
Rabbit, a simple farmer's son now a common trooper in the ass-end of the kingdom is asked to escort the talking and upright cat faena, Laurel Faena, to the king to negotiate peace. Rabbit with his close blood ties to Iverstarre's king has also a deadly secret. He is an untried mage with powerful forces after his skills and he can no longer hide.
Rabbit is my #1 male favorite fantasy character.😍
What's not to love about an all powerful mage, humble and imperfect who is pulled in so many directions and tied down to so many loyalties but is fighting the good fight for peace between kingdoms. Yes there is a bit of happy coincidences with Rabbit's heritage which still works for me, and a certain naivety in Rabbit's personality that make it too easy to empathize with his situation, which again still works for me.
I like that Rabbit was bullied by Lieutenant Slevoic, that he is scared of and down-to-his toes respects Captain Suiden, likes that he cares that his pants hang properly over his shoes, misses his parents Two Trees and Lark, and is nobility but grew up with hand-me-downs from three older brothers. Rabbit follows the rigid hierarchy of the army, hiding his true past, but retains his Borderland tradition, making a meal covenant with a cat. Freeman created a character that perfectly straddles two distinct worlds- human and magical- but is noble and modest through life experiences.
In the words of my lil bro 'Rabbit is not the paragon alpha character but he gets sh** done'.
Of course, the politicking both in the human and magical kingdom was fun to read. The magic system were unusual enough to be memorable especially the nature ties. There is enough immersive details for the general setting without dragging the plot and characters down but probably nowhere near the depth of the power-hitters of fantasy genres, but again works for me.
One of my absolute favorite series. Waiting, ever so impatiently, for the conclusion.😑
Rabbit is lost.
Having been born and raised in the Borderlands where talking trees, philosophical boars, and dragons as bards are normal neighbors, Rabbit is also very unusual. Decades ago, human-only Iverstarre kingdom ceded the Borderlands to the magicals after a crushing defeat. The Borderland sent in their faena, magical arbitrators, creatures with power enough to stop any human army. Now the faena are back asking Iverstarre to stop the blatant organ trafficking of Their people or there will be war.
Rabbit, a simple farmer's son now a common trooper in the ass-end of the kingdom is asked to escort the talking and upright cat faena, Laurel Faena, to the king to negotiate peace. Rabbit with his close blood ties to Iverstarre's king has also a deadly secret. He is an untried mage with powerful forces after his skills and he can no longer hide.
Rabbit is my #1 male favorite fantasy character.😍
What's not to love about an all powerful mage, humble and imperfect who is pulled in so many directions and tied down to so many loyalties but is fighting the good fight for peace between kingdoms. Yes there is a bit of happy coincidences with Rabbit's heritage which still works for me, and a certain naivety in Rabbit's personality that make it too easy to empathize with his situation, which again still works for me.
I like that Rabbit was bullied by Lieutenant Slevoic, that he is scared of and down-to-his toes respects Captain Suiden, likes that he cares that his pants hang properly over his shoes, misses his parents Two Trees and Lark, and is nobility but grew up with hand-me-downs from three older brothers. Rabbit follows the rigid hierarchy of the army, hiding his true past, but retains his Borderland tradition, making a meal covenant with a cat. Freeman created a character that perfectly straddles two distinct worlds- human and magical- but is noble and modest through life experiences.
In the words of my lil bro 'Rabbit is not the paragon alpha character but he gets sh** done'.
Of course, the politicking both in the human and magical kingdom was fun to read. The magic system were unusual enough to be memorable especially the nature ties. There is enough immersive details for the general setting without dragging the plot and characters down but probably nowhere near the depth of the power-hitters of fantasy genres, but again works for me.
One of my absolute favorite series. Waiting, ever so impatiently, for the conclusion.😑
July 13, 2008
To think I almost didn't pick this up! It's very difficult to write from first person, but you'd never know it from the ease with which Lorna Freeman lets us see through Rabbit's eyes. Loved it. One of my treasures when I was away from home.
June 21, 2015
Very good. At first I was not totally engrossed by it. But by around a third of the way in I was solidly hooked.
June 3, 2013
I wanted to like this book a lot, I really did. It started out so promising. But eventually I had to put it down. I got so frustrated with the lack of detail; almost everything is described via the talking of the characters. Most recently I have been reading The Way of KingsThe Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. His world building is beautiful and immersive and oh so detailed. Going from that to this was just too jarring and frustrating. What was the magic that Rabbit summoned when he almost killed his bully? We know it was the result of all his anger and frustration, but I want to know what all the characters were freaking out about. I want to know what the cities look like; the capital is described briefly as an elf city, but what does an elf city look like? And the politics in this book were also frustrating. I like a steady bit of politics in my books; I love A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin, and other "political" books. However, the politics in this book were annoying. You are never given a clear picture of the politics; instead they're used as an excuse, with the characters frequently saying "politics!" accusingly, but you never actually find out how it was the fault of politics.
I'll probably give this book a try again when I'm not feeling like reading some world building. But as of now I am, and so this book was disappointing, despite the excellent premise.
I'll probably give this book a try again when I'm not feeling like reading some world building. But as of now I am, and so this book was disappointing, despite the excellent premise.
May 7, 2013
I originally picked up this book because I was lead to believe that it included gay main characters.
There are actually none as there is no sex scene at all.
I was not disappointed by the book itself, though.
It is far from spotless and it shows its author's lack of writing experience but it is enjoyable.
The first person POV makes it easier to identify with the endearing main character but it also makes it much more difficult for the author to draw a detailed picture of what happens in such eventful plot. Some inconsistencies and strained passages are the price she must pay for her stylistical choice.
The plot is hardly an original one, the same old story of the same old boy next door turning out to be more than he looks like and saving the day in a rather pompous way, but there is a good tension and some good climaxes. Writing is pleasant an rich (overrich?) with details and background information.
Some situations tend to become repetitive after a while and in my opinion a good editor could have suggested some cuts.
Characterization is a bit commonplace, with the villains being despicably so and the heroes unfaltering in any difficult condition.
On the other hand irony and lightness lighten up several pages.
Making the Border the home of any fairy creature ever known to fantastic literature, from unicorns to dragons to elfs, is probably an exaggeration but it is tolerable.
This book is certainly not a masterpiece but it manages to be entertaining.
P.S. a more accurate blurb, especially on the bookcover would not have hurt.
There are actually none as there is no sex scene at all.
I was not disappointed by the book itself, though.
It is far from spotless and it shows its author's lack of writing experience but it is enjoyable.
The first person POV makes it easier to identify with the endearing main character but it also makes it much more difficult for the author to draw a detailed picture of what happens in such eventful plot. Some inconsistencies and strained passages are the price she must pay for her stylistical choice.
The plot is hardly an original one, the same old story of the same old boy next door turning out to be more than he looks like and saving the day in a rather pompous way, but there is a good tension and some good climaxes. Writing is pleasant an rich (overrich?) with details and background information.
Some situations tend to become repetitive after a while and in my opinion a good editor could have suggested some cuts.
Characterization is a bit commonplace, with the villains being despicably so and the heroes unfaltering in any difficult condition.
On the other hand irony and lightness lighten up several pages.
Making the Border the home of any fairy creature ever known to fantastic literature, from unicorns to dragons to elfs, is probably an exaggeration but it is tolerable.
This book is certainly not a masterpiece but it manages to be entertaining.
P.S. a more accurate blurb, especially on the bookcover would not have hurt.
Read
September 14, 2010I really liked the story, and I think I would have loved the way it was told if I'd read it many years ago. Freeman has a vivid imagination--I bet she's a fellow visual writer--and a knack for creating appealing characters. I loved Rabbit, even if he is a bit of a Gary Stu. Freeman makes him so charming that I am totally along for the ride.
My problem is the excessive scaffolding in the sentences, which slow the pace tremendously for me. I know many readers don't notice that, and love the books the way they are.
My problem is the excessive scaffolding in the sentences, which slow the pace tremendously for me. I know many readers don't notice that, and love the books the way they are.
April 22, 2014
This was an excellent debut novel by someone I've never even heard about. And more the pity, because Freeman's book had everything an epic fantasy needs: a talented young man of peasant nobility who runs away to the Army, a magical being who attaches itself (ok, himself) to him, and a war to stop. Add in a large cast of multi-dimensional characters who almost all grow and change over the course of the book, action, magic, mystery, betrayal, and of course the Plutonium Dragon, and you get book one of a New Epic Fantasy Series (dum dum da!). The only thing - thankfully - missing from the story was any kiss of romance. Romance would have needlessly tangled an already complicated plot and forced it out of its all-male starring cast.
When the story opens, Rabbit (a human of indistinct brownish description) is a regular horse-riding soldier in the Royal Army of Iversterre. He enlisted as a farmer's son who left the Border lands in order to "See the world." While trying to get his troop un-lost in the mountains, Rabbit encounters a Fae cat named Laurel. Laurel is on his way to see the human king in order to stop the killing and smuggling of Border residents (cats, dragons, trees) through the human lands. The adventure starts in the Border, goes all the way to the royal palace in Iversterre and then all the way back to Elanwryfindyll, an unpronounceable elvish coastal city currently hosting the Border Council.
Ok, so my praise is up top. It was a good book. But it wasn't perfect. My complaints are three. 1) While almost all of the names given to everyone regardless of race or species (trees, dragons, elves, sprites, etc.) are easily parsed and pronounced, Freeman insists on "traditional" (Tolkien?) location names that cause tongue sprain. 2) Freeman dropped in three female characters in positions of power but not plot. Gee, thanks. If you are going to bother, at least make someone on the girl team important and interesting. And 3) The editor got tired or I started getting picky. On page 400, I started noticing the weird editing anomalies.
I recommend it to fans of Terry Brooks' Shanara or possibly Patricia Brigg's Dragon duology. Though, interestingly, after I finished it, I kept thinking about girl books like By the Sword and The Hero and the Crown.
When the story opens, Rabbit (a human of indistinct brownish description) is a regular horse-riding soldier in the Royal Army of Iversterre. He enlisted as a farmer's son who left the Border lands in order to "See the world." While trying to get his troop un-lost in the mountains, Rabbit encounters a Fae cat named Laurel. Laurel is on his way to see the human king in order to stop the killing and smuggling of Border residents (cats, dragons, trees) through the human lands. The adventure starts in the Border, goes all the way to the royal palace in Iversterre and then all the way back to Elanwryfindyll, an unpronounceable elvish coastal city currently hosting the Border Council.
Ok, so my praise is up top. It was a good book. But it wasn't perfect. My complaints are three. 1) While almost all of the names given to everyone regardless of race or species (trees, dragons, elves, sprites, etc.) are easily parsed and pronounced, Freeman insists on "traditional" (Tolkien?) location names that cause tongue sprain. 2) Freeman dropped in three female characters in positions of power but not plot. Gee, thanks. If you are going to bother, at least make someone on the girl team important and interesting. And 3) The editor got tired or I started getting picky. On page 400, I started noticing the weird editing anomalies.
I recommend it to fans of Terry Brooks' Shanara or possibly Patricia Brigg's Dragon duology. Though, interestingly, after I finished it, I kept thinking about girl books like By the Sword and The Hero and the Crown.
November 15, 2007
There isn't much that's *new* new to this story, but the way it's done makes it fresh and interesting. It's a cute, enjoyable read. The characters are individual, and fascinating; lots of shades of grey. The pacing is phenomenal, and the author keeps a firmhand on all the plots, subplots and extras, so much so that I rather suspect she has a lot more to say about this world -- which can only be a good thing :-)
Lots of humour, magic, snark, plots, treachery, coming-of-age (or not *g*), elisions of the Truth, and a happy ending which edges into the beginning of another adventure. I don't re-read often, but this one got re-read today for the umpteenth time, and I can't wait for the third one to come out!
Lots of humour, magic, snark, plots, treachery, coming-of-age (or not *g*), elisions of the Truth, and a happy ending which edges into the beginning of another adventure. I don't re-read often, but this one got re-read today for the umpteenth time, and I can't wait for the third one to come out!
January 17, 2008
For a first novel it is good. It has a lot of the standard sword and sorcery tropes, but does spice it up with some new elements. Individual characters are all pretty definitively good or evil, but groups (priests, nobles, etc) are morally mixed. The hidden heir comes of age and learns his place in the noble rankings, but wants no part of it. Talking animals who are not cute. I do have an american squick when the tyrant is good and the capitalists are evil (although Terry Pratchett can pull this off). Good enough that I want to read the sequel. (Oh yes, this looks like a trilogy.)
August 15, 2008
Covenants has great dialogue, tense and intelligent. It also presents horror in a sublime way. It is perfectly organized and memorable. I couldn't put it down and really got into the action, and the ideas (the relationship between the Border and Iversterre, the People and humans). I also love the layers of identity discovered in various characters. Quite a few characters are intriguing, and their interractions keep you on your toes. It has become a book that I prefer to reread instead of picking up a new one.
January 6, 2011
I bought this book when it was first released. I admit it was because of the art work. Then I read it, the sarcasm in this book still cracks me up. I found I really liked not only Rabbit but the cast of characters he was surrounded by. I still recommend this book to people who like books like Blue Moon Rising by Simon Green. This is the first book of an ongoing series. There are three books in the series now, with at least one more.
November 12, 2021
I have read this and the subsequent books several times, most recently this week. This is one of the very best fantasy novels and I am in awe at the author's skill.
* She creates a world with none of the "well, Susie, here's all the backstory..." dialogue that is obviously nothing but explanation.
* Characters are excellent, fully developed, detailed people. Besides Rabbit and Laurel, the captains Suiden, Javes and Esclaur, Rabbit's best friend Jeff are complete people. Others, such as Groskin who could have been minor characters are also well done and show tremendous growth during the story.
* Complex, rich world that is so real we can almost smell the cities and hear the troopers' jingling tack.
* Wonderful plot with plenty of tension and conflict and considerable suspense as to who is ultimately responsible. Characters play multiple roles and twist and turn themselves along with the plot. There is no quest per se, no rings to seek but a mystery of who are the poachers and why are they instigating war. Peace is the prize at the end.
* Excellent, clear writing.
* No romance but plenty of friendship, fellowship, learning to trust, giving and taking, learning, growing.
The only fantasy series I can think that comes close to this one, especially given the emphasis on characters and how the authors create vivid worlds simply by telling a story, is Ivory by Doris Egan. And sadly for us readers, like Ivory, Borderlands ends after three novels.
All fantasy series have the choice between continuing on a plot arc, usually a quest of some sort (in this case, the quest for peace and self-mastery) or a series of vignettes, episodes, the continuing adventures of... Reading the full series I got the impression the author started the series with the first approach, having Rabbit grow along with the rest of the kingdom, as evidenced by Coventants and The King's Own, then adding in more of the adventures-of approach with the third novel Shadows Past. Shadows continues Rabbit's story of growth and the ongoing quest for peace, but it has considerable side shoots that lend themselves to the episode approach.
If you haven't read this then do so. The paperbacks are still available used and are on Archive.org and the third book is available in E format from Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
* She creates a world with none of the "well, Susie, here's all the backstory..." dialogue that is obviously nothing but explanation.
* Characters are excellent, fully developed, detailed people. Besides Rabbit and Laurel, the captains Suiden, Javes and Esclaur, Rabbit's best friend Jeff are complete people. Others, such as Groskin who could have been minor characters are also well done and show tremendous growth during the story.
* Complex, rich world that is so real we can almost smell the cities and hear the troopers' jingling tack.
* Wonderful plot with plenty of tension and conflict and considerable suspense as to who is ultimately responsible. Characters play multiple roles and twist and turn themselves along with the plot. There is no quest per se, no rings to seek but a mystery of who are the poachers and why are they instigating war. Peace is the prize at the end.
* Excellent, clear writing.
* No romance but plenty of friendship, fellowship, learning to trust, giving and taking, learning, growing.
The only fantasy series I can think that comes close to this one, especially given the emphasis on characters and how the authors create vivid worlds simply by telling a story, is Ivory by Doris Egan. And sadly for us readers, like Ivory, Borderlands ends after three novels.
All fantasy series have the choice between continuing on a plot arc, usually a quest of some sort (in this case, the quest for peace and self-mastery) or a series of vignettes, episodes, the continuing adventures of... Reading the full series I got the impression the author started the series with the first approach, having Rabbit grow along with the rest of the kingdom, as evidenced by Coventants and The King's Own, then adding in more of the adventures-of approach with the third novel Shadows Past. Shadows continues Rabbit's story of growth and the ongoing quest for peace, but it has considerable side shoots that lend themselves to the episode approach.
If you haven't read this then do so. The paperbacks are still available used and are on Archive.org and the third book is available in E format from Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
March 11, 2021
Wonderful story! I loved the characters! I've already bought the next two books in the series!
May 8, 2016
The main plot of the book, at its core, is actually really engaging. Unfortunately, not only is it executed poorly, it's also hidden behind heaps and mounds of tedious stuffing.
The book has a very odd mixture of being both fast-paced and exhaustively humdrum. I'll try to explain what I mean by this. After the first 50 pages (of the 550 page novel,) my first complaint was that events happened way too quickly; without any characterization background or any kind of setup to make events seem organic, the events that kept piling up just seemed confusing. And yet, by the time I reached page 200, I was nearly ready to put the book down for good, I was so bored. Despite a lot of "stuff" happening, it all ended up seeming devoid of any substance.
By page 220 I was REALLY ready to put it down, but I forced myself to try to get to page 250, which is good, because things FINALLY begin to happen around page 240 or so.
Which brings me to my next complaint - general writing style.
1) There are WAY too many characters in this book. By the ending scenes, where 80% of the characters are in one room at the same time, I felt like I needed a bloody flow chart just to keep track of who was saying what. The main character, (a soldier,) encounters and hangs around at LEAST a dozen different officers and comrades throughout most of the book.
1b) As a consequence, most of these characters don't get very much characterization... but even the most prominent of these guys doesn't get a heck of a lot. This led to a lot of small scenes and lines that left me thinking, at first, "Gee, that seemed REALLY out of character for that guy to do." Then I realized, "Well, I guess I don't really know what IS in character for someone who's only had a few paragraphs of dialog over the last 100 pages..."
1c) At least half of these million characters are surrogate father figures. TWO wise old captains, a few preachers, a kindly king, a magic mentor, an admiral, a vice admiral, ANOTHER king, an ancient elf prince... for the love of GOD.
2) Speaking of dialog, the author chooses a lot of really weird phrases. One character's "ass smile" is mentioned about 20 times. The main character's peer/rival constantly calls him a "puke." And I've heard of ending sentences with "eh?" before, (like a stereotypical Canadian,) but never with "what?" before. As in, "It's a nice day out, what?" Very off-putting.
3) As a result of having a metric shit ton of characters, MOST of the scenes in the book are scheduled meetings. I'm not even joking. Like, "Lieutenant, gather characters A thru X in my tent so that we may discuss vague unimportant things."
3b) In EVERY single one of these scenes, the main character (a young soldier with the fate of the world on his shoulders,) either says, thinks, or does something that is outspoken, borderline rude, or just plain stupid, and has to be gently admonished by one of his 17 older male father figures.
3c) A fair number of these meetings get interrupted in the middle of a conversation that was JUST getting important and interesting... and rather than finish the conversation at the soonest opportunity, the characters seem to just forget all about it or make really lame excuses for why we have to wait several chapters before talking about it again.
3d) An annoying number of these scenes are interrupted by "a nearby commotion." Oy. Vey.
4) Sudden revelations should be used sparingly and should have enough context to make an impact, as opposed to just leading to a "wait... what?" moment. This author is awful in that regard. "By the way, I used to be a mage. Is that relevant?" "Did I mention this big obvious tattoo I've had through the whole book? No? Oops." "Hey guys I'm a royal prince. No biggie."
5) The action scenes are rushed, vague, sparse, and therefore are usually confusing or unsatisfying. I could go on and on but I'll leave it at that.
In conclusion, if a competent author had received a one-page brief on this book's core plot, he could have done something wonderful with it. THIS author created about 75 compelling pages and 475 pages of tedium.
The book has a very odd mixture of being both fast-paced and exhaustively humdrum. I'll try to explain what I mean by this. After the first 50 pages (of the 550 page novel,) my first complaint was that events happened way too quickly; without any characterization background or any kind of setup to make events seem organic, the events that kept piling up just seemed confusing. And yet, by the time I reached page 200, I was nearly ready to put the book down for good, I was so bored. Despite a lot of "stuff" happening, it all ended up seeming devoid of any substance.
By page 220 I was REALLY ready to put it down, but I forced myself to try to get to page 250, which is good, because things FINALLY begin to happen around page 240 or so.
Which brings me to my next complaint - general writing style.
1) There are WAY too many characters in this book. By the ending scenes, where 80% of the characters are in one room at the same time, I felt like I needed a bloody flow chart just to keep track of who was saying what. The main character, (a soldier,) encounters and hangs around at LEAST a dozen different officers and comrades throughout most of the book.
1b) As a consequence, most of these characters don't get very much characterization... but even the most prominent of these guys doesn't get a heck of a lot. This led to a lot of small scenes and lines that left me thinking, at first, "Gee, that seemed REALLY out of character for that guy to do." Then I realized, "Well, I guess I don't really know what IS in character for someone who's only had a few paragraphs of dialog over the last 100 pages..."
1c) At least half of these million characters are surrogate father figures. TWO wise old captains, a few preachers, a kindly king, a magic mentor, an admiral, a vice admiral, ANOTHER king, an ancient elf prince... for the love of GOD.
2) Speaking of dialog, the author chooses a lot of really weird phrases. One character's "ass smile" is mentioned about 20 times. The main character's peer/rival constantly calls him a "puke." And I've heard of ending sentences with "eh?" before, (like a stereotypical Canadian,) but never with "what?" before. As in, "It's a nice day out, what?" Very off-putting.
3) As a result of having a metric shit ton of characters, MOST of the scenes in the book are scheduled meetings. I'm not even joking. Like, "Lieutenant, gather characters A thru X in my tent so that we may discuss vague unimportant things."
3b) In EVERY single one of these scenes, the main character (a young soldier with the fate of the world on his shoulders,) either says, thinks, or does something that is outspoken, borderline rude, or just plain stupid, and has to be gently admonished by one of his 17 older male father figures.
3c) A fair number of these meetings get interrupted in the middle of a conversation that was JUST getting important and interesting... and rather than finish the conversation at the soonest opportunity, the characters seem to just forget all about it or make really lame excuses for why we have to wait several chapters before talking about it again.
3d) An annoying number of these scenes are interrupted by "a nearby commotion." Oy. Vey.
4) Sudden revelations should be used sparingly and should have enough context to make an impact, as opposed to just leading to a "wait... what?" moment. This author is awful in that regard. "By the way, I used to be a mage. Is that relevant?" "Did I mention this big obvious tattoo I've had through the whole book? No? Oops." "Hey guys I'm a royal prince. No biggie."
5) The action scenes are rushed, vague, sparse, and therefore are usually confusing or unsatisfying. I could go on and on but I'll leave it at that.
In conclusion, if a competent author had received a one-page brief on this book's core plot, he could have done something wonderful with it. THIS author created about 75 compelling pages and 475 pages of tedium.
August 4, 2021
Ich tue mich etwas schwer, dieses Buch zu bewerten. Ich wollte es mögen. Die Welt erscheint recht interessant (wenn auch bisher eher oberflächlich beschrieben) und die Dialoge sind amüsant geschrieben. Mir gefällt das Magiesystem mit den vier Elementen. Die Elemente sind hier mit Jahreszeiten und bestimmten Eigenschaften verbunden. Anfangs mochte ich auch, wie Hase die Geschehnisse kommentiert. Doch später geht er mir nur noch auf die Nerven. Er dusselt irgendwie durch die Geschichte, hat trotzdem ständig voll den Durchblick und äußert das ziemlich neunmalklug. Später wird er mir auch einfach zu mächtig.
Gerade in der ersten Hälfte tritt die Geschichte sehr auf der Stelle. In immer ähnlichen Dialogen wird immer dasselbe besprochen, ohne dass man zu einer Lösung kommt. Ja, die Dialoge lesen sich sehr angenehm, aber das ist halt nur die halbe Miete. Man (oder eher ich) hat dadurch das Gefühl, dass die Handlung sich nur seeehr langsam weiterentwickelt. Das wird in der zweiten Hälfte definitiv besser. Der Ortswechsel tut der Geschichte sehr gut und dadurch dass ständig was passiert, zieht es sich auch nicht so.
Das Kernstück der Geschichte ist eine groß angelegte Verschwörung. Das mag ich eigentlich. Aber die Ausführung gefällt mir hier gar nicht. Durchgängig unsympathische Charaktere sind in diese Verschwörung verstrickt (mit einer Ausnahme) und man lernt sie auch als sehr unsympathische Figuren kennen. Das ist mir zu einfach. Das ist mir zu Gut-Böse gedacht.
Zu den Charakteren finde ich auch kaum Zugang. Es wuseln recht viele in der Geschichte herum und obwohl ich das sonst mag, habe ich hier gerade bei den Soldaten ein wenig den Überblick verloren, wer nun wer ist und wer zu wem gehört. Es hat mich auch gestört, dass Hase ständig irgendwie Tiergestalten oder Fabelwesen in ihnen gesehen hat. Ja, ich habe verstanden, dass das Land die Menschen verändert und sie sich somit den Grenzlandbewohnern mehr annähern als ihnen lieb ist. Aber dieses Element gefällt mir einfach nicht. Dasselbe gilt für das ständige Gedankenlesen. Oder vielmehr Hases Gedanken-Rausschreien. Warum Jusson direkt so besessen von Hase ist und ihn quasi sofort während ihrer ersten Begegnung in seine Familie adoptiert, ist mir auch schleierhaft. Vllt fand er ihn im Gegensatz zu seinen ganzen anderen adligen Verwandten erfrischend anders. Am Anfang wird auch immer wieder thematisiert, wie Hase und Jeff sich total zerstritten hätten. Besagter Streit besteht eigentlich nur darin, dass Jeff meint, Hase hätte zu viele Geheimnisse. Und Hase ist ja auch sehr zugeknöpft. Aber ich habe nicht wirklich gesehen, dass sie sich deswegen wirklich gezofft hätten.
Alles in allem habe ich also sehr viele Kritikpunkte. Teilweise ist die Geschichte auch zu lang. Man hätte hier und da sicher kürzen können. Daher ist die Bewertung vllt etwas vernichtend. Trotzdem bin ich neugierig auf die beiden weiteren Bände und hoffe einfach, dass die Handlung dort ein wenig ausgefeilter ist und ich besser mit Hase klar komme.
Gerade in der ersten Hälfte tritt die Geschichte sehr auf der Stelle. In immer ähnlichen Dialogen wird immer dasselbe besprochen, ohne dass man zu einer Lösung kommt. Ja, die Dialoge lesen sich sehr angenehm, aber das ist halt nur die halbe Miete. Man (oder eher ich) hat dadurch das Gefühl, dass die Handlung sich nur seeehr langsam weiterentwickelt. Das wird in der zweiten Hälfte definitiv besser. Der Ortswechsel tut der Geschichte sehr gut und dadurch dass ständig was passiert, zieht es sich auch nicht so.
Das Kernstück der Geschichte ist eine groß angelegte Verschwörung. Das mag ich eigentlich. Aber die Ausführung gefällt mir hier gar nicht. Durchgängig unsympathische Charaktere sind in diese Verschwörung verstrickt (mit einer Ausnahme) und man lernt sie auch als sehr unsympathische Figuren kennen. Das ist mir zu einfach. Das ist mir zu Gut-Böse gedacht.
Zu den Charakteren finde ich auch kaum Zugang. Es wuseln recht viele in der Geschichte herum und obwohl ich das sonst mag, habe ich hier gerade bei den Soldaten ein wenig den Überblick verloren, wer nun wer ist und wer zu wem gehört. Es hat mich auch gestört, dass Hase ständig irgendwie Tiergestalten oder Fabelwesen in ihnen gesehen hat. Ja, ich habe verstanden, dass das Land die Menschen verändert und sie sich somit den Grenzlandbewohnern mehr annähern als ihnen lieb ist. Aber dieses Element gefällt mir einfach nicht. Dasselbe gilt für das ständige Gedankenlesen. Oder vielmehr Hases Gedanken-Rausschreien. Warum Jusson direkt so besessen von Hase ist und ihn quasi sofort während ihrer ersten Begegnung in seine Familie adoptiert, ist mir auch schleierhaft. Vllt fand er ihn im Gegensatz zu seinen ganzen anderen adligen Verwandten erfrischend anders. Am Anfang wird auch immer wieder thematisiert, wie Hase und Jeff sich total zerstritten hätten. Besagter Streit besteht eigentlich nur darin, dass Jeff meint, Hase hätte zu viele Geheimnisse. Und Hase ist ja auch sehr zugeknöpft. Aber ich habe nicht wirklich gesehen, dass sie sich deswegen wirklich gezofft hätten.
Alles in allem habe ich also sehr viele Kritikpunkte. Teilweise ist die Geschichte auch zu lang. Man hätte hier und da sicher kürzen können. Daher ist die Bewertung vllt etwas vernichtend. Trotzdem bin ich neugierig auf die beiden weiteren Bände und hoffe einfach, dass die Handlung dort ein wenig ausgefeilter ist und ich besser mit Hase klar komme.
June 14, 2013
This is a 550 page teen power fantasy, which is a story type that long since lost any appeal for me. Our hero, Rabbit, is the specialest of special snowflakes. The fate of nations revolves around him, mostly because of who he was born to be, not because of anything he does. The politics of the novel are clumsy and unbelievable, and the author tries to show that Rabbit is clever by having everyone around him be fairly dense, so that his suggestions seem insightful when they really aren't. And the novel would have been half the length if they didn't let the bad guys go again and again and again so that they can cause trouble again later at the worst possible time. As I said, everyone around Rabbit is pretty dense, and there is a very unbelievable lack of consequences for actions throughout the book.
If I had read this when I was fifteen, it's quite likely I would have enjoyed it. But as an adult, there were too many holes and problems for me to find it satisfying.
If I had read this when I was fifteen, it's quite likely I would have enjoyed it. But as an adult, there were too many holes and problems for me to find it satisfying.
February 16, 2010
My brother gave me this book to read and told me that I would probably like it...he was right. I found Covenants to be extremely intriguing with many twists and turns that you can lock yourself in. If you like elves, mages and a good dose of main character embarrassment and power, this is the book for you
July 6, 2011
One of my favorite books.
May 5, 2025
This is one of my all-time favorite books. I've read it until it's falling apart.
September 18, 2016
Best fantasy I've read in a long time. I am hoping she will write another book. Please please write another book in the series.
March 6, 2022
I should have given "Covenants" 2 stars. Rabbit's feelings and thoughts are so often hardly described that it's very hard to relate to him and understand him sometimes although he seems like a complex and interesting character. I guess the author wanted to rely on subtlety, but too much subtlety makes it difficult sometimes to really grasp implications especially in the dialogues. By continually wanting to produce surprise effects, the author doesn't manage to give enough clarity to some actions, which again makes them hard to understand fully. There's actually a general lack of description, be it regarding actions or attitudes or thoughts. In addition, Rabbit is so passive that I forgot from time to time that he was telling the story in the first person and that he was present in some scenes. However, I had to add one star for the rare but exquisite and brilliant humor. I absolutely loved the "enlightening" moments.
June 7, 2025
I have--strike that--I thought I had read all of the great fantasy novels: Tolkien, Eddings, Poe, Lovecraft, Butcher, Hall, Saintcrow, and Lukyanenko [for a very short yardstick to measure this series]. If you love fantasy novels as I love fantasy novels, you get the point.
Lorna Freeman's novel 'Covenants' blew me away. The last book I devoured this greedily and quickly was King's 'It.'
This novel is densely packed with intrigue, the promise of war, the loneliness which grows from being away from Family, Friends, Loved Ones. But, the density does nothing to detract from the sheer pleasure of reading a great, unknown writer [at least to me], and watch as she wraps a large amount of volume into a novel that, I say, Faulkner could have written.
If this novel is the means to jumping into another GREAT fantasy series, then I am now shy one of my bucket list items!
Robert Lamb
Lorna Freeman's novel 'Covenants' blew me away. The last book I devoured this greedily and quickly was King's 'It.'
This novel is densely packed with intrigue, the promise of war, the loneliness which grows from being away from Family, Friends, Loved Ones. But, the density does nothing to detract from the sheer pleasure of reading a great, unknown writer [at least to me], and watch as she wraps a large amount of volume into a novel that, I say, Faulkner could have written.
If this novel is the means to jumping into another GREAT fantasy series, then I am now shy one of my bucket list items!
Robert Lamb
January 9, 2021
I really liked this book. The characters were well-drawn and the plot hung together well. The mix of political intrigue and magical discovery was enjoyable. I was drawn in from the first page and read the book twice in a row. I liked the revelation scenes, though some people might view them as too pat. The world the author created is really interesting and unique. The tone and mild humor of the book reminded me somewhat of David Eddings' Belgariad & Mallorian series. I'm looking forward to more Borderland books.
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