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Chronicles of the Cheysuli #7-8
The Lion Throne
The last two novels in Jennifer Roberson’s dynastic fantasy epic Chronicles of Cheysuli , now available in an omnibus edition.
In Flight of the Raven : Aidan, only child of Brennan and Aileen, is heir to the Lion Throne of Homana and inheritor of a prophecy carried down through the generations. But will Aidan, driven as he is by strange visions and portents, prove the weak link in the ages-old prophecy—the Cheysuli who fails to achieve his foretold destiny? For as Aidan prepares to set out for Erinn to claim his betrothed, he will become the focus of forces out of legend, visited by the ghosts of long-dead kinsmen, and by the Hunter, a mysterious being who may be a Cheysuli god incarnate.Commanded by the Hunter to undertake a quest to claim a series of “god-given” golden links, Aidan will find himself challenged by the Cheysuli’s most deadly foe—Lochiel, the son of Strahan—who will use every trick of Ihlini sorcery to stop Aidan and destroy the promise of the prophecy once and for all….
In A Tapestry of Lions : Nearly a century has passed since the Prophecy of the Firstborn was set in motion—the generational quest to recreate the magical race which once held sway in the lands ruled by Homana’s Mujar. Now, Kellin, heir to Homana’s throne, has only to sire an offspring with an Ihlini woman to reach this goal. But Kellin wants nothing of prophecy, nor even of his own magical heritage. Embittered by tragedy, he refuses the sacred lir -bonding, becoming anathema in the eyes of his Cheysuli kin. But willing participant or not, Kellin provides a very real threat to the Ihlini—the ancient enemies of the Cheysuli people—for should the prophecy be fulfilled, life as the Ihlini know it will end. How can a lir less warrior ever hope to escape the traps of the Ihlini sorcerers? And how can the prophecy ever be realized when the man born to become its final champion shuns his destined role?
In Flight of the Raven : Aidan, only child of Brennan and Aileen, is heir to the Lion Throne of Homana and inheritor of a prophecy carried down through the generations. But will Aidan, driven as he is by strange visions and portents, prove the weak link in the ages-old prophecy—the Cheysuli who fails to achieve his foretold destiny? For as Aidan prepares to set out for Erinn to claim his betrothed, he will become the focus of forces out of legend, visited by the ghosts of long-dead kinsmen, and by the Hunter, a mysterious being who may be a Cheysuli god incarnate.Commanded by the Hunter to undertake a quest to claim a series of “god-given” golden links, Aidan will find himself challenged by the Cheysuli’s most deadly foe—Lochiel, the son of Strahan—who will use every trick of Ihlini sorcery to stop Aidan and destroy the promise of the prophecy once and for all….
In A Tapestry of Lions : Nearly a century has passed since the Prophecy of the Firstborn was set in motion—the generational quest to recreate the magical race which once held sway in the lands ruled by Homana’s Mujar. Now, Kellin, heir to Homana’s throne, has only to sire an offspring with an Ihlini woman to reach this goal. But Kellin wants nothing of prophecy, nor even of his own magical heritage. Embittered by tragedy, he refuses the sacred lir -bonding, becoming anathema in the eyes of his Cheysuli kin. But willing participant or not, Kellin provides a very real threat to the Ihlini—the ancient enemies of the Cheysuli people—for should the prophecy be fulfilled, life as the Ihlini know it will end. How can a lir less warrior ever hope to escape the traps of the Ihlini sorcerers? And how can the prophecy ever be realized when the man born to become its final champion shuns his destined role?
784 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2001
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About the author
Jennifer Roberson
123 books807 followersOver a 40-year career (so far), Jennifer Roberson has published four fantasy series, including the Sword-Dancer Saga, Chronicles of the Cheysuli, the Karavans universe, and urban fantasy series Blood & Bone. Other novels include historicals LADY OF THE GLEN, plus two Robin Hood novels, LADY OF THE FOREST, and LADY OF SHERWOOD.
New novels are percolating in her always-active imagination.
Hobbies include showing dogs, and creating mosaic and resin artwork and jewelry. She lives in Arizona with a collection of cats and Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
New novels are percolating in her always-active imagination.
Hobbies include showing dogs, and creating mosaic and resin artwork and jewelry. She lives in Arizona with a collection of cats and Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 3, 2011
Flight of the Raven
Aidan, son of Brennan and Aileen, heir to the Lion Throne of Homana and the Cheysuli prophecy of his ancestors, is plagued by dreams he doesn't understand and whispers that his grandmother's insanity may be his as well. Guided by an instinct he doesn't understand, he shares none of his dreams or his fears with his parents. Sent to seek a bride from among the kingdoms his kin now rule, he meets with Beings that may be Cheysuli gods and begins a journey that will reveal his destiny as well as the new face of the Ihlini enemy that waits to prevent the prophecy from coming to pass.
Impression: This was probably my least favorite in the Cheysuli books so far. Not that it was bad—the story telling was good, the story itself interesting—but it isn't all the memorable a week later. Aidan's path ends up being very different from those who came before him, which is a good thing, but the character himself struck me as a bit flat for someone who's supposed to have so much angst. For example, his father decides it's time for him to find a bride and sends him off to do so, and he has no real feelings about it one way or another. Even with his other concerns, I find it hard to believe that a young man wouldn't care whether or not his father has decided it's time for him to marry. Given his history, I can understand him not being enthusiastic about meeting several young women who are candidates for the position, but the rest of his reaction didn't read quite true to me.
One of the strengths of the book, however, was that in some ways, how it was written reinforced the dreams Aidan struggles with. His meetings with the "gods" come across as dream-like, as does his time with some travelers who serve them. I really liked this aspect of the novel. However, this strength is weakened by the fact that there's no sense of danger to Aidan. The Ihlini villain doesn't even direct his machinations towards Aidan, so the entire conflict rests on Adain and his dreams and Aidan seeking a wife. It just never felt like enough, in light of the books before it. It's only at the end of the story does the Cheysuli/Ihlini conflict come into play for Aidan, and while it helps him make the choices that affect the next book, it's not enough to really carry this story.
I can't say I disliked it—like I said earlier, it isn't a bad book. As a reader of the series going on to the final book, it's definitely helpful to see the story behind Aidan's final choice that so influences what comes later. But neither can I say I really liked it. It was okay. I do recommend it for those who want to read the final book in the series so they have an understanding of the circumstances that influence that story, but I'm sad that is the only reason for that recommendation. I'd rather the book be memorable in its own right than a mere bridge between two others as it is now.
A Tapestry of Lions
Overall, I liked this final installment in the Cheysuli series, but I did have some initial issues with Kellin. Initially he seemed much younger than the age we're told he is, and even allowing that he had been rather sheltered didn't help me accept the difference between age and the lack of age appropriate behavior. It also felt like the author had gone too far back in the character's history. I understand why she did it, but it delayed the start of the events that really counted in the novel.
The good news is that the novel works despite the early part of the book. While I think the opening with the younger Kellin can be trimmed, it is needed to set up the remainder of the story. And once the story picks up, it makes up for the problems in the earlier section. Roberson brings about the events that will determine the success or failure of the Cheysuli prophecy without it feeling gimmicky or forced. The events flow well, make sense, and, more importantly, work. They not only come from the events that happen within this novel, but from the events that have occurred in the previous books, and the entire story is well wrapped up in this final installment.
I think this book forms the near perfect bookend to the series, and the author did a great job of finally bringing all threads together to complete the story. Nothing is left hanging. The characters are compelling, the world and culture building is well done and intertwines with the stories and overall plot arch, and the writing is generally well done. The few issues within the books themselves are easily set aside, and the one weak novel in group still forms a necessary bridge and doesn't indicate the beginning of a downward spiral for the remaining books the way many weak installments within a series do. I definitely recommend this novel, and the entire Cheysuli series, for lovers of fantasy.
Aidan, son of Brennan and Aileen, heir to the Lion Throne of Homana and the Cheysuli prophecy of his ancestors, is plagued by dreams he doesn't understand and whispers that his grandmother's insanity may be his as well. Guided by an instinct he doesn't understand, he shares none of his dreams or his fears with his parents. Sent to seek a bride from among the kingdoms his kin now rule, he meets with Beings that may be Cheysuli gods and begins a journey that will reveal his destiny as well as the new face of the Ihlini enemy that waits to prevent the prophecy from coming to pass.
Impression: This was probably my least favorite in the Cheysuli books so far. Not that it was bad—the story telling was good, the story itself interesting—but it isn't all the memorable a week later. Aidan's path ends up being very different from those who came before him, which is a good thing, but the character himself struck me as a bit flat for someone who's supposed to have so much angst. For example, his father decides it's time for him to find a bride and sends him off to do so, and he has no real feelings about it one way or another. Even with his other concerns, I find it hard to believe that a young man wouldn't care whether or not his father has decided it's time for him to marry. Given his history, I can understand him not being enthusiastic about meeting several young women who are candidates for the position, but the rest of his reaction didn't read quite true to me.
One of the strengths of the book, however, was that in some ways, how it was written reinforced the dreams Aidan struggles with. His meetings with the "gods" come across as dream-like, as does his time with some travelers who serve them. I really liked this aspect of the novel. However, this strength is weakened by the fact that there's no sense of danger to Aidan. The Ihlini villain doesn't even direct his machinations towards Aidan, so the entire conflict rests on Adain and his dreams and Aidan seeking a wife. It just never felt like enough, in light of the books before it. It's only at the end of the story does the Cheysuli/Ihlini conflict come into play for Aidan, and while it helps him make the choices that affect the next book, it's not enough to really carry this story.
I can't say I disliked it—like I said earlier, it isn't a bad book. As a reader of the series going on to the final book, it's definitely helpful to see the story behind Aidan's final choice that so influences what comes later. But neither can I say I really liked it. It was okay. I do recommend it for those who want to read the final book in the series so they have an understanding of the circumstances that influence that story, but I'm sad that is the only reason for that recommendation. I'd rather the book be memorable in its own right than a mere bridge between two others as it is now.
A Tapestry of Lions
Overall, I liked this final installment in the Cheysuli series, but I did have some initial issues with Kellin. Initially he seemed much younger than the age we're told he is, and even allowing that he had been rather sheltered didn't help me accept the difference between age and the lack of age appropriate behavior. It also felt like the author had gone too far back in the character's history. I understand why she did it, but it delayed the start of the events that really counted in the novel.
The good news is that the novel works despite the early part of the book. While I think the opening with the younger Kellin can be trimmed, it is needed to set up the remainder of the story. And once the story picks up, it makes up for the problems in the earlier section. Roberson brings about the events that will determine the success or failure of the Cheysuli prophecy without it feeling gimmicky or forced. The events flow well, make sense, and, more importantly, work. They not only come from the events that happen within this novel, but from the events that have occurred in the previous books, and the entire story is well wrapped up in this final installment.
I think this book forms the near perfect bookend to the series, and the author did a great job of finally bringing all threads together to complete the story. Nothing is left hanging. The characters are compelling, the world and culture building is well done and intertwines with the stories and overall plot arch, and the writing is generally well done. The few issues within the books themselves are easily set aside, and the one weak novel in group still forms a necessary bridge and doesn't indicate the beginning of a downward spiral for the remaining books the way many weak installments within a series do. I definitely recommend this novel, and the entire Cheysuli series, for lovers of fantasy.
November 8, 2015
I was pretty pleased with the ending. The series has a lot of internal parallels, which is interesting to take note of. The main character of the last book, Kellin, is super emo-angsty, but matures and ends up being a likeable sort by the end. The conflict with the Ihlini wraps up nicely, and it's satisfying conclusion to the prophecy introduced in the first book.
November 19, 2007
The last two volumes of an 8-volume series about a race of shapechangers and their magical animals, a divine prophecy, and a throne.
December 27, 2009
Now I see why it took her a long time to write this series.
August 17, 2010
so sad for it to end:(
July 17, 2018
The Lion Throne
Roberson, Jennifer
The Lion Throne is a the continual story of family and legend of the series enabling the children to finally find their place in the world.
Roberson, Jennifer
The Lion Throne is a the continual story of family and legend of the series enabling the children to finally find their place in the world.
November 10, 2013
I really liked how these two stories summed up the entire saga. It was a fabulous read. I can't wait to read them again. This group of books are definitely on my reread list.
April 25, 2012
I loved this and didn't want it to end- but did like how it ended!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews