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Deverry Cycle #15
The Silver Mage
Read Katharine Kerr's posts on the Penguin Blog.
”Prepare to get lost in the magic” ( VOYA ) of Katharine Kerr’s newest Deverry fantasy.
The Horsekin are assembling along Prince Dar’s northern border, and the Deverry alliance simply does not have the men and resources to prevent their enemies from moving into the wilderness areas known as the Ghostlands. But suddenly, the Dwrgi folk and the dragons come to Dar’s aid, tipping the balance in their favor and offering Dar’s people a chance to defeat the Horsekin once and for all.
”Prepare to get lost in the magic” ( VOYA ) of Katharine Kerr’s newest Deverry fantasy.
The Horsekin are assembling along Prince Dar’s northern border, and the Deverry alliance simply does not have the men and resources to prevent their enemies from moving into the wilderness areas known as the Ghostlands. But suddenly, the Dwrgi folk and the dragons come to Dar’s aid, tipping the balance in their favor and offering Dar’s people a chance to defeat the Horsekin once and for all.
405 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
64 people are currently reading
1482 people want to read
About the author
Katharine Kerr
69 books1,635 followersBorn in Ohio, 1944. Moved to San Francisco Bay Area in 1962 and has lived there ever since. Katharine Kerr has read extensively in the fields of classical archeology, and medieval and dark ages history and literature, and these influences are clear in her work. Her epic Deverry series has won widespread praise and millions of fans around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
July 16, 2010
The fifteenth book in the *very* long-running Deverry series. Here Katharine Kerr seeks to wrap up those last few plot points and bring the sequence to a resounding end.
Oh dear. I've followed this series faithfully, to the extent of doing a full re-read in preparation of the release of this final book, and I am more than disappointed with the way Kerr has finished things off.
To be honest, this series has been limping along for a while, but every now and again Kerr would produce a book that sparkled amongst the relative dross that made up the rest of the second two 'Acts' that the Deverry series comprised. This compelled me to keep on reading to see whether the same quality would be repeated, but sadly it was rare that Kerr would ever produce two decent books in a row and none of her books have lived up to the promise of those first four novels.
In this book we deal mainly with Rhodry's storyline - the other plot points are dealt with summarily and all too briefly. Kerr has been building the renewed threat of the Horsekin, but this is completed with no drama and almost slips past without the reader noticing.
In fact, the whole novel suffers from a lack of drama or incidence. There is no gripping final battle. No beloved character comes anywhere near to dying. The series really just slips out with a whimper and not a bang.
To be fair, the Rhodry plotline is emotional enough - especially in the moment where he realises that his time as a dragon has reduced Arzosah to something less than she should be. I was glad that his resolution helped to also resolve the situation with Avain, who has been hovering around in the background for a long while.
There was zero resolution to the shape-shifting otter people - I'm left unsure as to exactly why Kerr even introduced them in the first place! I disliked the way that *everyone* needed to be married off or partnered up in the end. And I believe Laz was treated unfairly by Kerr, considering that he had started to feel remorse for his actions in prior lives.
To be perfectly honest, I feel extremely dissatisfied and short-changed by this effort - especially after the long wait for the series to end. I can only hope that all of those other authors stringing out long series take note and learn how NOT to finish their own stories.
Oh dear. I've followed this series faithfully, to the extent of doing a full re-read in preparation of the release of this final book, and I am more than disappointed with the way Kerr has finished things off.
To be honest, this series has been limping along for a while, but every now and again Kerr would produce a book that sparkled amongst the relative dross that made up the rest of the second two 'Acts' that the Deverry series comprised. This compelled me to keep on reading to see whether the same quality would be repeated, but sadly it was rare that Kerr would ever produce two decent books in a row and none of her books have lived up to the promise of those first four novels.
In this book we deal mainly with Rhodry's storyline - the other plot points are dealt with summarily and all too briefly. Kerr has been building the renewed threat of the Horsekin, but this is completed with no drama and almost slips past without the reader noticing.
In fact, the whole novel suffers from a lack of drama or incidence. There is no gripping final battle. No beloved character comes anywhere near to dying. The series really just slips out with a whimper and not a bang.
To be fair, the Rhodry plotline is emotional enough - especially in the moment where he realises that his time as a dragon has reduced Arzosah to something less than she should be. I was glad that his resolution helped to also resolve the situation with Avain, who has been hovering around in the background for a long while.
There was zero resolution to the shape-shifting otter people - I'm left unsure as to exactly why Kerr even introduced them in the first place! I disliked the way that *everyone* needed to be married off or partnered up in the end. And I believe Laz was treated unfairly by Kerr, considering that he had started to feel remorse for his actions in prior lives.
To be perfectly honest, I feel extremely dissatisfied and short-changed by this effort - especially after the long wait for the series to end. I can only hope that all of those other authors stringing out long series take note and learn how NOT to finish their own stories.
November 9, 2009
Kerr's writing is so simple and calm, each time I begin one of her books I wonder why I loved the previous ones so much. And yet by the 3rd page I'm sucked right in, loving it. It's a sign of an excellent writer that even tho it's been more than a year since I read her last one, everything and everyone comes right back to me and it seems I right back in her world and her characters.
With this book, her series is finally completed, and oh how nice a conclusion it is. Everything is tied up so satisfactory. I forgot how she goes into other incarnations back in time. When this happens, I always am reluctant - nooo I want to continue with the present! But it only takes a few paragraphs until I've forgotten all about that, and am engrossed. This flashback in time is short but essential to comprehending all that follows in each of the time sequences.
I'll miss the characters, but the series is now complete, so much so I can sigh with contentment even tho it's all over.
With this book, her series is finally completed, and oh how nice a conclusion it is. Everything is tied up so satisfactory. I forgot how she goes into other incarnations back in time. When this happens, I always am reluctant - nooo I want to continue with the present! But it only takes a few paragraphs until I've forgotten all about that, and am engrossed. This flashback in time is short but essential to comprehending all that follows in each of the time sequences.
I'll miss the characters, but the series is now complete, so much so I can sigh with contentment even tho it's all over.
July 23, 2015
I love this series so much, and this final volume was so fitting to end everything on. I didn't realize how much I missed Aderyn and Evandar until the very end.
Even though this was the most recently published, I almost felt like I was reading it for the first time. Most of it felt new, and had apparently slipped my mind in favor of the older stories. I don't know why, since it was every bit as good as the first book.
New Deverry is in the works, which makes me happy. But I still feel like, when I closed the cover of this book, that I finished something and that it truly is the end. (Where were my three great knocks in the sky? Haha) The characters have become my "imaginary friends" over the years and I'm sad to say goodbye. For a time. I imagine another re-read will be in the works when the publication of the new book becomes imminent. For now, I will miss them all.
Even though this was the most recently published, I almost felt like I was reading it for the first time. Most of it felt new, and had apparently slipped my mind in favor of the older stories. I don't know why, since it was every bit as good as the first book.
New Deverry is in the works, which makes me happy. But I still feel like, when I closed the cover of this book, that I finished something and that it truly is the end. (Where were my three great knocks in the sky? Haha) The characters have become my "imaginary friends" over the years and I'm sad to say goodbye. For a time. I imagine another re-read will be in the works when the publication of the new book becomes imminent. For now, I will miss them all.
March 17, 2021
I feel a sense of achievement for having finished this series that I started so very long ago! It’s been an interesting journey and I will confess that this final arc has not been my favourite. I think the series really peaked for me around the Fire Dragon, I really enjoyed the conclusion of that narrative arc with all of its pathos and inevitable tragedy. This final run of books were interesting, but I do feel like some threads were put into play that haven’t necessarily had the biggest pay-off.
One thing I do really love about this series is the interweaving Celtic knotwork that ties it all together. When they’re utilised well, the flashbacks to previous lives can be so illuminating and effective. This book takes us back the furthest and provides a lot of explanation for the origins of the conflicts that are playing out all this time later. I found that really interesting to see and it definitely provided context for events that happened much earlier in this series.
Whilst there are lots of things that I did enjoy about this, I will confess it also feels a little anticlimactic at points. The big crescendo that felt like it was building in regards to the clash with Alshandra’s forces seemed to just fizzle out a bit, plus the entire presence of the Drwgrn in the text never really seemed to go anywhere. It just contrasts quite starkly with the way other aspects of this get very neatly wrapped up with an implication of how they will play out for generations.
Also one recurring feature of the series that really felt like it got hammered home this time is pairing off every single person with their ‘destined' partner. I’m still annoyed that our only portrayals of queer sexuality in this entire 15 book series was literally tied to the pinnacle of darkness and expressed through sexual assault and rape (it’s been like 10 books and I’m not over it). Rori can be in a love triangle with a dragon and a mountain folk but god forbid any souls are reborn in a manner that could inspire a queer romance?? Also feels very weird for characters who are about to be reborn to already know who they’re going to end up with and which soul will be reborn as their child... I’m potentially overthinking this but it just sat very oddly with me!
On the whole, this has been a very interesting reading experience and there are a lot of characters in this series that I really love. I do feel like certain arcs have been a lot stronger than others and I’m left with some mixed feelings, but I will definitely be giving Sword of Fire a go at some point!
One thing I do really love about this series is the interweaving Celtic knotwork that ties it all together. When they’re utilised well, the flashbacks to previous lives can be so illuminating and effective. This book takes us back the furthest and provides a lot of explanation for the origins of the conflicts that are playing out all this time later. I found that really interesting to see and it definitely provided context for events that happened much earlier in this series.
Whilst there are lots of things that I did enjoy about this, I will confess it also feels a little anticlimactic at points. The big crescendo that felt like it was building in regards to the clash with Alshandra’s forces seemed to just fizzle out a bit, plus the entire presence of the Drwgrn in the text never really seemed to go anywhere. It just contrasts quite starkly with the way other aspects of this get very neatly wrapped up with an implication of how they will play out for generations.
Also one recurring feature of the series that really felt like it got hammered home this time is pairing off every single person with their ‘destined' partner. I’m still annoyed that our only portrayals of queer sexuality in this entire 15 book series was literally tied to the pinnacle of darkness and expressed through sexual assault and rape (it’s been like 10 books and I’m not over it). Rori can be in a love triangle with a dragon and a mountain folk but god forbid any souls are reborn in a manner that could inspire a queer romance?? Also feels very weird for characters who are about to be reborn to already know who they’re going to end up with and which soul will be reborn as their child... I’m potentially overthinking this but it just sat very oddly with me!
On the whole, this has been a very interesting reading experience and there are a lot of characters in this series that I really love. I do feel like certain arcs have been a lot stronger than others and I’m left with some mixed feelings, but I will definitely be giving Sword of Fire a go at some point!
July 19, 2010
It was good to finally get the end of this series after such a long wait, and a lot of the plot threads wrapped up pretty much how I expected they would. There really weren't many surprises, and it's pretty clear that the author herself just wanted it to be over. This is most evident by the actual ending and "Author's Note" after the epilogue. It was pretty disappointing to have read what, 15 novels of this series to get a one-page afterthought to say basically "Oh yeah, you guys are gonna be mad if I don't tell you this person went and did this, these people lived happily ever after, and frankly, I can't be bothered with how this ends up."
I loved this series in its beginning books, and I realize Kerr had some serious health problems, but these characters that were so interesting and individualized just became a bunch of homogenized Mary Sues. The dialogue got confusing in places because the characters all talk exactly the same and any one of them could have spoken any line. Instead of having names, they could just be called Westfolk 1, Cerr Cawnen Citizen A, Dwarf 3 of 9...
I'd actually have a hard time recommending this series to people now, knowing that this is the reward they'll get for sticking it out through all those books. That's a shame, since there's really some fine storytelling in the earlier volumes, with intricately-built geography and people, but all that is abandoned, along with characters who just became so many Redshirts, in favor of the dominant, easy to digest Tolkien-style races and the one central war. Speaking of the war, that's one of the things you won't really get a satisfactory ending to.
I loved this series in its beginning books, and I realize Kerr had some serious health problems, but these characters that were so interesting and individualized just became a bunch of homogenized Mary Sues. The dialogue got confusing in places because the characters all talk exactly the same and any one of them could have spoken any line. Instead of having names, they could just be called Westfolk 1, Cerr Cawnen Citizen A, Dwarf 3 of 9...
I'd actually have a hard time recommending this series to people now, knowing that this is the reward they'll get for sticking it out through all those books. That's a shame, since there's really some fine storytelling in the earlier volumes, with intricately-built geography and people, but all that is abandoned, along with characters who just became so many Redshirts, in favor of the dominant, easy to digest Tolkien-style races and the one central war. Speaking of the war, that's one of the things you won't really get a satisfactory ending to.
January 4, 2010
I was saddened to end this series and say good-bye to all the characters. I guess I'll just have to wait until they are born "again"
November 3, 2017
I realise that I finished this whole series in less than a week (including that three day period where I finished ten books, eight of which were of Deverry). I have no excuses for myself.
The book answers a lot of my questions raised in the previous one.
Basically, the Western border remains under threat of colonisation/occupation by the horsekin. Cerr Cawnen reappears as a vital site. The horsekin army threatens it. As it is not defensible, it is thereafter (bloodlessly) abandoned by its citizens to settle in Melnar Valley. The horsekin appear and take over; Rhodry and Arzosah work dweomar to ignite the caldera under Cerr Cawnen and destroy most of the army. With the horsekin having suffered a grievous defeat that will last a few years, we end there. Rhodry is restored to his human form and goes off to live with Angmar.
I'm going to expound on what else happened:
1. That scene where Rhodry is restored to dragonform is amazing. He transforms and is handed his silver dagger. Then the three women bear him away to Haen Marn, which is an island in the middle of a lake and shrouded by mists.
Through a flashback earlier in the book, we know that Haen Marn was meant to be a place of healing. Time runs differently there (in one of the earlier books, the apple trees change from fruit to flower). Rhodry bears his silver dagger. It's a scene that bears strong parallels with King Arthur being sent across the lake, attended by women.
It felt like such a treat to read that parallel. I also loved the recurrence of Rhodry's silver dagger - it truly sticks with him over time.
2. Speaking of which, Rhodry has a scene in dragon-form where he bids goodbye to his dragon-son, Devar. Recall: he had children with a human wife, children with Mountain-human hybrid [Angmar] and a son with dragon Arzosah. Not to forget the liaison which produced Rhodda and his night with Evander. It doesn't even sound like he was around to raise these children! I'm just... how does he keep being attractive to women/people? I, too, wish to be as attractive.
(As an aside, I do wonder what happened to Rhodry's human children/human line.)
3. Lastly, I really liked that scene of Rhodry performing dweomar. I wonder if it's something he could perform when he is no longer a dragon. While he remembers his previous lives, it's not clear if he'll remember these lives going forward.
4. Another early theme in the story is that Rhodry's wyrd is Elddid's wyrd. I wonder how that's shaping out, now that he's living out his days with Angmar. Is it that he ultimately obtained peace? That he managed to form so many alliances with different races?
5. There is one flashback in the story, and it centers around then-Rhodry and then-Branna. In that timeline, Rhodry is part of the invading force that caused the displacement. He links up with the elves (through Evander's intervention), teaches them riding and other horsemanship. Through his eyes, we see the destruction of the Seven Cities.
Through Branna's eyes, we see the status of dweomer. It's very clearly less developed. We also see the Westfolk/Children of Air developing and building Haen Marn - with it clearly planned to be a place of healing.
It was tough reading the flashback because I knew that they were all going to die, and since it wasa time of war, I had a feeling that it would be a violent death. That was alleviated: we see Rhodry's and Branna's separation, but we don't see their actual death as Rhodry-as-dragon skims over the manner of their death. That was a relief.
6. I was a little irritated with Branna's scene when she moves Haen Marn back to the Lake of Leaping Trout (i.e. bring Haen Marn a full circle back to its original place) - she feels like she's fulfilling a debt, but we don't actually know what the debt is that she is fulfilling? Did I miss that, or was it in the narrative?
But it is a very nice ending - i.e. going round in the circle again.
7. Speaking of Neb and Branna, their plotline was mostly settled: both find their own paths - linked, but different. Everyone had a "happy" ending, in that sense (except the horsekin) - they settle their wyrd-debts, and find their wyrd.
8. I do like the suggestion that the study of dweomer will grow - spurred on by Val's, Dalla's, and Grallezar's efforts at writing the various books. It's a nice tie-in to the earlier flashback, where Hwilli talks about studying dweomer.
9. In Haen Marn, Kov and Mara find love together, have children, etc. Happy ending - though I do wonder how Haen Marn went from something built by the Children of Air (Westfolk) & Aethyr (Hwilli) to one manned by Children of Earth (Mountain Folk).
10. Valandario (due to a throwaway comment by Branna) decides to start living. She goes to destroy the black pyramid, though that eventually goes to the Lords of Aethyr. She meets Aedryn, who asks if she can bear his reborn soul, and she agrees. She meets her reborn lover, Jav. The narrative mentions that Val and Jav's son (Aedryn) will marry Dalla's child (Dari), and their child will house Evander's soul.
So yay, we get to see Evander again! It neatly answers what happens to Evander without him turning up again.
11. The last scene - Aedryn's scene - so well mimics the start of the first book that it's great. It ties in so well with the theme of time looping. This is what makes it worth it: the time loops, the way various scenes reflect each other and how the past affects the present.
a. Speaking of looping around, the Boar clan - which was mentioned in the first book! - appears to be eliminated as well. It's a little sad - they were almost always a persistent internal threat throughout the series - fading in and out, but always there.
b. Maddyn's sprite/blue undine reappears to give vital messages or warnings. It's cool to know her origin, though she felt a bit like a convenient deus ex machina figure.
12. Through Kov's point-of-view, we meet the Dwrgwn (Children of Water). They don't play much part in the story except for destroying one of the horsekin bases - perhaps one day they'll join the rest.
There's a sense throughout that the various disparate communities are possibility coming back together:
a. Children of Air: the Westfolk are reunited with the fellow refugees in the Southern Islands; Pol also offers a link to a third group.
b. Children of Aethyr (Elddid/Deverry): alliance with Children of Air; with the Cerr Crewnan folk agreeing to settle in the Melnar Valley, there's a sense of them drawing closer together as well.
c. Children of Earth (Mountain People): alliance with the above. Mention of another potential refugee community of Mountain People (who are refugees from the first war with the horsekin).
d. Children of Fire: the Horsekin branch offers the definite antagonist; the Gel da'Thae branch offers a potential merging with the above.
e. Children of Water: Penna offers a hope for that community to grow; otherwise, the main community of Dwrgwn appears as scattered. We don't really talk about their history.
f. Dragons: Not sure how they fit into the above, but through Dar, Dragonfriend appears to be of growing importance.
Is this what it means by Rhodry's wyrd is Elddid's wyrd - i.e. that different races come together? Though a large part of that appears to be external forces (i.e. threat of violence from horsekin) rather than internal forces (i.e. trade benefits, like Cerr Cawnen was in a position to be).
13. I wonder how Evander's city (the one he wanted built) will happen. The above alliances make it seem increasingly likely. I suppose the hope is that once he incarnates, pieces are more likely to fall in place for it to happen.
14. In the meantime, the Horsekin and the Alshandra workers are still at large - potentially forming an external threat.
15. Lastly: we don't deal a lot with the politics of Dun Deverrey (the tensions of which were issues in Nevyn's long life). Voran's plotline hints that there could be potential weakness in modern-day Dun Deverrey, but - far on the Western border - it's not of pressing concern to the plot. Bardek has also dropped out of the picture. Alban has also dropped out of the picture, other than their brief appearance and contribution of a Dougie (who died). This all leaves room for expansion or future novels.
As a series review: this really is a sweeping, epic fantasy. Having reached the end, I'm a little torn on whether I would recommend it.
On the plus side: it is unashamedly a great read. One of the author's notes described it as one of the old Celtic knots: one line that doesn't appear to be one line, that overlaps etc, but is really ultimately one line. That is accurate and the overlapping plots/mirrors of the various characters are well realised - while maintaining a sense of forward motion (i.e. over various lives, you can change who you are, and this is a story about your soul becoming better). It's such an elaborate fantasy series that justifies taking a lot of words to finish. I enjoyed the world history - that we had a clear sense of the invasion that caused refugees/disruption across the island. I enjoyed the description of language, which was well-researched.
On the minus side: it's FIFTEEN books. I don't think this could be condensed without losing that something, but still.
On the neutral side:
1. I haven't figured out what I feel about the existence of the Lord of Light figures - it's certainly a part of fantasy writing, but on a personal-reading-level, I haven't decided what I feel about this presentation of gods/religion.
2. It doesn't feel new to me. Part of it might be the age - I'm used to worlds that feel new, while this feels like generic-Tolkien-type fantasy that I've read a thousand times before. The character-types don't feel new - we have the generic magician, the warrior, the concept of noblesse oblige, the elves and dwarfs... this is adding a lot to my (personal) hesitance about this series. Yes, the concept of reincarnation feels fresh, but the world's setting doesn't.
As a series, this is 3 stars - having hit the end, I definitely enjoyed having read it. However, the experience of reading it makes each book feel more like 2.5 stars each - I did, at points, feel like I was dragging myself through the series. The payoff is worth reading though, and I feel that much merit has to be given to the depth of the world and the intricacy of the storylines.
The book answers a lot of my questions raised in the previous one.
Basically, the Western border remains under threat of colonisation/occupation by the horsekin. Cerr Cawnen reappears as a vital site. The horsekin army threatens it. As it is not defensible, it is thereafter (bloodlessly) abandoned by its citizens to settle in Melnar Valley. The horsekin appear and take over; Rhodry and Arzosah work dweomar to ignite the caldera under Cerr Cawnen and destroy most of the army. With the horsekin having suffered a grievous defeat that will last a few years, we end there. Rhodry is restored to his human form and goes off to live with Angmar.
I'm going to expound on what else happened:
1. That scene where Rhodry is restored to dragonform is amazing. He transforms and is handed his silver dagger. Then the three women bear him away to Haen Marn, which is an island in the middle of a lake and shrouded by mists.
Through a flashback earlier in the book, we know that Haen Marn was meant to be a place of healing. Time runs differently there (in one of the earlier books, the apple trees change from fruit to flower). Rhodry bears his silver dagger. It's a scene that bears strong parallels with King Arthur being sent across the lake, attended by women.
It felt like such a treat to read that parallel. I also loved the recurrence of Rhodry's silver dagger - it truly sticks with him over time.
2. Speaking of which, Rhodry has a scene in dragon-form where he bids goodbye to his dragon-son, Devar. Recall: he had children with a human wife, children with Mountain-human hybrid [Angmar] and a son with dragon Arzosah. Not to forget the liaison which produced Rhodda and his night with Evander. It doesn't even sound like he was around to raise these children! I'm just... how does he keep being attractive to women/people? I, too, wish to be as attractive.
(As an aside, I do wonder what happened to Rhodry's human children/human line.)
3. Lastly, I really liked that scene of Rhodry performing dweomar. I wonder if it's something he could perform when he is no longer a dragon. While he remembers his previous lives, it's not clear if he'll remember these lives going forward.
4. Another early theme in the story is that Rhodry's wyrd is Elddid's wyrd. I wonder how that's shaping out, now that he's living out his days with Angmar. Is it that he ultimately obtained peace? That he managed to form so many alliances with different races?
5. There is one flashback in the story, and it centers around then-Rhodry and then-Branna. In that timeline, Rhodry is part of the invading force that caused the displacement. He links up with the elves (through Evander's intervention), teaches them riding and other horsemanship. Through his eyes, we see the destruction of the Seven Cities.
Through Branna's eyes, we see the status of dweomer. It's very clearly less developed. We also see the Westfolk/Children of Air developing and building Haen Marn - with it clearly planned to be a place of healing.
It was tough reading the flashback because I knew that they were all going to die, and since it wasa time of war, I had a feeling that it would be a violent death. That was alleviated: we see Rhodry's and Branna's separation, but we don't see their actual death as Rhodry-as-dragon skims over the manner of their death. That was a relief.
6. I was a little irritated with Branna's scene when she moves Haen Marn back to the Lake of Leaping Trout (i.e. bring Haen Marn a full circle back to its original place) - she feels like she's fulfilling a debt, but we don't actually know what the debt is that she is fulfilling? Did I miss that, or was it in the narrative?
But it is a very nice ending - i.e. going round in the circle again.
7. Speaking of Neb and Branna, their plotline was mostly settled: both find their own paths - linked, but different. Everyone had a "happy" ending, in that sense (except the horsekin) - they settle their wyrd-debts, and find their wyrd.
8. I do like the suggestion that the study of dweomer will grow - spurred on by Val's, Dalla's, and Grallezar's efforts at writing the various books. It's a nice tie-in to the earlier flashback, where Hwilli talks about studying dweomer.
9. In Haen Marn, Kov and Mara find love together, have children, etc. Happy ending - though I do wonder how Haen Marn went from something built by the Children of Air (Westfolk) & Aethyr (Hwilli) to one manned by Children of Earth (Mountain Folk).
10. Valandario (due to a throwaway comment by Branna) decides to start living. She goes to destroy the black pyramid, though that eventually goes to the Lords of Aethyr. She meets Aedryn, who asks if she can bear his reborn soul, and she agrees. She meets her reborn lover, Jav. The narrative mentions that Val and Jav's son (Aedryn) will marry Dalla's child (Dari), and their child will house Evander's soul.
So yay, we get to see Evander again! It neatly answers what happens to Evander without him turning up again.
11. The last scene - Aedryn's scene - so well mimics the start of the first book that it's great. It ties in so well with the theme of time looping. This is what makes it worth it: the time loops, the way various scenes reflect each other and how the past affects the present.
a. Speaking of looping around, the Boar clan - which was mentioned in the first book! - appears to be eliminated as well. It's a little sad - they were almost always a persistent internal threat throughout the series - fading in and out, but always there.
b. Maddyn's sprite/blue undine reappears to give vital messages or warnings. It's cool to know her origin, though she felt a bit like a convenient deus ex machina figure.
12. Through Kov's point-of-view, we meet the Dwrgwn (Children of Water). They don't play much part in the story except for destroying one of the horsekin bases - perhaps one day they'll join the rest.
There's a sense throughout that the various disparate communities are possibility coming back together:
a. Children of Air: the Westfolk are reunited with the fellow refugees in the Southern Islands; Pol also offers a link to a third group.
b. Children of Aethyr (Elddid/Deverry): alliance with Children of Air; with the Cerr Crewnan folk agreeing to settle in the Melnar Valley, there's a sense of them drawing closer together as well.
c. Children of Earth (Mountain People): alliance with the above. Mention of another potential refugee community of Mountain People (who are refugees from the first war with the horsekin).
d. Children of Fire: the Horsekin branch offers the definite antagonist; the Gel da'Thae branch offers a potential merging with the above.
e. Children of Water: Penna offers a hope for that community to grow; otherwise, the main community of Dwrgwn appears as scattered. We don't really talk about their history.
f. Dragons: Not sure how they fit into the above, but through Dar, Dragonfriend appears to be of growing importance.
Is this what it means by Rhodry's wyrd is Elddid's wyrd - i.e. that different races come together? Though a large part of that appears to be external forces (i.e. threat of violence from horsekin) rather than internal forces (i.e. trade benefits, like Cerr Cawnen was in a position to be).
13. I wonder how Evander's city (the one he wanted built) will happen. The above alliances make it seem increasingly likely. I suppose the hope is that once he incarnates, pieces are more likely to fall in place for it to happen.
14. In the meantime, the Horsekin and the Alshandra workers are still at large - potentially forming an external threat.
15. Lastly: we don't deal a lot with the politics of Dun Deverrey (the tensions of which were issues in Nevyn's long life). Voran's plotline hints that there could be potential weakness in modern-day Dun Deverrey, but - far on the Western border - it's not of pressing concern to the plot. Bardek has also dropped out of the picture. Alban has also dropped out of the picture, other than their brief appearance and contribution of a Dougie (who died). This all leaves room for expansion or future novels.
As a series review: this really is a sweeping, epic fantasy. Having reached the end, I'm a little torn on whether I would recommend it.
On the plus side: it is unashamedly a great read. One of the author's notes described it as one of the old Celtic knots: one line that doesn't appear to be one line, that overlaps etc, but is really ultimately one line. That is accurate and the overlapping plots/mirrors of the various characters are well realised - while maintaining a sense of forward motion (i.e. over various lives, you can change who you are, and this is a story about your soul becoming better). It's such an elaborate fantasy series that justifies taking a lot of words to finish. I enjoyed the world history - that we had a clear sense of the invasion that caused refugees/disruption across the island. I enjoyed the description of language, which was well-researched.
On the minus side: it's FIFTEEN books. I don't think this could be condensed without losing that something, but still.
On the neutral side:
1. I haven't figured out what I feel about the existence of the Lord of Light figures - it's certainly a part of fantasy writing, but on a personal-reading-level, I haven't decided what I feel about this presentation of gods/religion.
2. It doesn't feel new to me. Part of it might be the age - I'm used to worlds that feel new, while this feels like generic-Tolkien-type fantasy that I've read a thousand times before. The character-types don't feel new - we have the generic magician, the warrior, the concept of noblesse oblige, the elves and dwarfs... this is adding a lot to my (personal) hesitance about this series. Yes, the concept of reincarnation feels fresh, but the world's setting doesn't.
As a series, this is 3 stars - having hit the end, I definitely enjoyed having read it. However, the experience of reading it makes each book feel more like 2.5 stars each - I did, at points, feel like I was dragging myself through the series. The payoff is worth reading though, and I feel that much merit has to be given to the depth of the world and the intricacy of the storylines.
August 12, 2019
A re-read of this much loved series. I can't say how this would read to a newbie, and it's definitely not stand alone, but to me this is a deeply satisfying conclusion.
It's the opposite of grim dark, horrible things do happen but people are able to change and there is a positive attitude. I love these books so much.
It's the opposite of grim dark, horrible things do happen but people are able to change and there is a positive attitude. I love these books so much.
December 19, 2009
So, we've finally reached the end of the long Deverry saga. It's good to be at the end, but I can't help but feel a little let down at the way it all wrapped up. I think part of the problem is that there are so many characters and incarnations that have been dealt with, that it was hard to really wrap it all up and give everyone a satisfying ending. And the whole question of the changelings, which was so important for most of these books, was barely skimmed over, with only a mention at the end of Adeyrn being reincarnated to lead them again. Lead them to what, and to where?
Ah well. I will miss the lands of Deverry, and perhaps Kerr herself will revisit them.
Ah well. I will miss the lands of Deverry, and perhaps Kerr herself will revisit them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2013
It was a thrill to re-read this series, especially when I discovered that I had somehow missed the final book in the series! It's been a great ride, all the way. I found this last installment extremely satisfying & I'm really sad that it's the end. I shall truly miss Deverry.
October 3, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up to 5 due to loving the series so much cumulatively. A few repetitive themes and speech patterns; some language choices could have been better polished. Other than that, a near-perfect wrapping up. This will always remain dear to my heart! The characters, the cultures, the social history, the architecture, the town and camp designs, the natural magic.
December 9, 2022
My second reread of this whole series, but first in many years. What a sensational series with wonderful characters and a complex storyline (or should I say storylines) that are so cleverly woven together. Thank you Katharine Kerr for this glorious world to escape into.
December 6, 2021
Så har då den långa serien kommit till slutet.
Hon fick ihop nästan allt vilket ju är bra. Lite tomt efter de olika karaktärerna blir det men vad kan man vänta sig efter så många böcker?
Hon fick ihop nästan allt vilket ju är bra. Lite tomt efter de olika karaktärerna blir det men vad kan man vänta sig efter så många böcker?
April 11, 2016
Series Review
It's been a long time since I started this series years ago. I have to say, this last group of books was quite the let down. Maybe it's because I built it up in my mind, but I felt very, cheated, maybe? The end-but-not-really-so-yay-we-accomplished-nothing of the Alshandra cult, the dropped plot lines (seriously, what happened with that astral funnel? Did I gloss over it in my boredom?), the random jump to the dawntimes which took way too much time and didn't really tell us much, etc. It felt like the author decided that rather than explain things or write a concrete ending, mysterious ambiguity makes for a great ending.
I was so drawn in by the first cycle. It was engaging and well-built, and I really enjoyed most of the characters. By the end of the book I wanted to throttle Rhodry and most of the elven characters, facepalmed at the overblown romance between the main characters, Cara disappeared completely, and just never felt connected to any of the new characters. Am I alone in this disappointment?
It's been a long time since I started this series years ago. I have to say, this last group of books was quite the let down. Maybe it's because I built it up in my mind, but I felt very, cheated, maybe? The end-but-not-really-so-yay-we-accomplished-nothing of the Alshandra cult, the dropped plot lines (seriously, what happened with that astral funnel? Did I gloss over it in my boredom?), the random jump to the dawntimes which took way too much time and didn't really tell us much, etc. It felt like the author decided that rather than explain things or write a concrete ending, mysterious ambiguity makes for a great ending.
I was so drawn in by the first cycle. It was engaging and well-built, and I really enjoyed most of the characters. By the end of the book I wanted to throttle Rhodry and most of the elven characters, facepalmed at the overblown romance between the main characters, Cara disappeared completely, and just never felt connected to any of the new characters. Am I alone in this disappointment?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2013
In The Silver Mage, the fifteenth book in the very long-running DEVERRY series, Katharine Kerr seeks to wrap up those last few plot points and bring the sequence to a resounding end.
Oh dear. I've followed this series faithfully, to the extent of doing a full re-read in preparation of the release of this final book, and I am more than disappointed with the way Kerr has finished things off.
This series has been limping along for a while, but every now and again Kerr would produce a book that sparkled. This compelled me to keep on reading, but sadly it was rare that Kerr would produce two great books in a row and none of her later books have lived up to the promise of those first four novels.
In this book we deal mainly with Rhodry's storyline. The other plot points are dealt with ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Oh dear. I've followed this series faithfully, to the extent of doing a full re-read in preparation of the release of this final book, and I am more than disappointed with the way Kerr has finished things off.
This series has been limping along for a while, but every now and again Kerr would produce a book that sparkled. This compelled me to keep on reading, but sadly it was rare that Kerr would produce two great books in a row and none of her later books have lived up to the promise of those first four novels.
In this book we deal mainly with Rhodry's storyline. The other plot points are dealt with ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
November 23, 2010
I thought this was a proper end to a series I have held dear for so long. Okay there is that part (flashback) about very early incarnations of Jill and Rhodry which I found a bit boring and slow. But after that the story picks up really good (excuse my somewhat clumsy english). No real warscenes - which I apreciate.
February 11, 2011
As a final book in a series I agree with the consensus. Many things that it seemed were being built up into something fizzled out.
Otherwise, for what did get addressed, I'm glad to have resolution for such a long standing series. I've been reading it for more than half of my life.
I'll miss Rhodry and Jill... And to a lesser degree many others.
Otherwise, for what did get addressed, I'm glad to have resolution for such a long standing series. I've been reading it for more than half of my life.
I'll miss Rhodry and Jill... And to a lesser degree many others.
November 1, 2009
At last the story is finished. All the strands wove together beautifully. I miss the world already.
I'm so glad the author chose to revisit the start of the series, and to make sure everyone's story was connected and tied together.
I'm so happy!
I'm so glad the author chose to revisit the start of the series, and to make sure everyone's story was connected and tied together.
I'm so happy!
June 21, 2011
This is the end. But I didn't find it all that satisfying. Still well written, just not fully satisfying. I think there were just too many characters and too much going on in the world to tie up every loose end.
December 8, 2024
Last book in the series, what a trip this has been. I hold this series dear to my heart. It was my first real fantasy serie set in medieval times. I'm sad it's over with these characters, I am going to miss them.
February 27, 2011
This was a fitting end to the long running series. I won’t give any spoilers, but it was sad to leave the character after all their reincarnations, loves, losses and lessons.
July 24, 2012
I was bitterly disappointed by how the last few books just went on and ON AND ON. The first 6 books were so good that it was such a shame to watch the series die such a long lingering death.
May 7, 2015
Five stars. All I can say is that the Deverry series, taken as a whole, is world-alteringly good. World. Alteringly. Good.
June 2, 2023
This book gets a four star for itself, and it gets a four star for being the conclusion to the Dragon Mage quartet. However, for the final conclusion to a fifteen part saga spanning hundreds of years and multiple lives and characters... three stars at best.
I started reading this series many, many years ago when the original four were the complete story. The conclusion to that story felt like there was more which could be said, but it felt like an ending where all the threads that really had to be tied up were done so, and of course there were things which were not... but we did not really need to know too much about them. There were a few niggling mysteries and curiosities which had been brought up, but then not dealt with... and that lead us onto the Westland Saga. A lot of those little curiosities are resolved in that series, but then we are presented with a whole lot more... and these are not little threads, or minor things. These become rather major themes that we are expecting to see them addressed and presumably resolved... and the one series turns into another... and finally...
Well, yes, there is a resolution of some kind in this book. Some things are tied up. We are even 'treated' to the flashback of all flashbacks to where things all began... you know, the one we pretty much knew about in theory, and had been discussed, but had not been explicitly shown to us. Well now it is, and we get to see a few of the character we know so well there as well, showing us that their knot of wyrd was not something that began in Daggerspell, but rather was a part of some much greater story which began hundred of years earlier. Oh yes, and there are further deeper mysteries which relate to all of the races, including the secret of the mysterious island as well... except that it does not really have much to do with that, and the grand destiny of so many of the characters seem to not actually have amounted to anything, and the twists of fate which have brought the races together and might eventually resolve into something else... is not to be resolved here.
Yes, a lot of shit goes down in this book. Yes, it has good characters. Yes, it was exciting. Yes, I was engaged. No, I did not really need the flashback. No it was not a surprise that glorious elves of the past were just as much bastards as anyone else is the rest of the time - we had been told that already. Yes, I felt it was a good wrap up for this set of books....
However, did I for one minute feel that THIS was the conclusion to the series as a whole or that now looking over the fifteen books that this could be seen as circling Celtic knot, the beginning and the ending entwined and forming a continuous thread? No... Not even remotely. There are FAR too many unresolved aspects of this story which have been steadily brought in and added to the world. So, on the one hand this was quite a satisfying read... while on the other was distinctly unsatisfying.
Frankly, if anyone were to ask me for my recommendation of the series as a whole... I would tell them the first four books are still worth the read - but really, I would not go out of my way to read the following eleven, and while they may add more understanding, they also present more questions. Presumably Kerr is planning on delving back in at some point and just maybe actually tackling some of the big story points which have been raised... but I do not think I will be bothered to read any of those if they materialize, as I feel she has performed enough of a bait and switch on me and I'm done with Deverry.
I started reading this series many, many years ago when the original four were the complete story. The conclusion to that story felt like there was more which could be said, but it felt like an ending where all the threads that really had to be tied up were done so, and of course there were things which were not... but we did not really need to know too much about them. There were a few niggling mysteries and curiosities which had been brought up, but then not dealt with... and that lead us onto the Westland Saga. A lot of those little curiosities are resolved in that series, but then we are presented with a whole lot more... and these are not little threads, or minor things. These become rather major themes that we are expecting to see them addressed and presumably resolved... and the one series turns into another... and finally...
Well, yes, there is a resolution of some kind in this book. Some things are tied up. We are even 'treated' to the flashback of all flashbacks to where things all began... you know, the one we pretty much knew about in theory, and had been discussed, but had not been explicitly shown to us. Well now it is, and we get to see a few of the character we know so well there as well, showing us that their knot of wyrd was not something that began in Daggerspell, but rather was a part of some much greater story which began hundred of years earlier. Oh yes, and there are further deeper mysteries which relate to all of the races, including the secret of the mysterious island as well... except that it does not really have much to do with that, and the grand destiny of so many of the characters seem to not actually have amounted to anything, and the twists of fate which have brought the races together and might eventually resolve into something else... is not to be resolved here.
Yes, a lot of shit goes down in this book. Yes, it has good characters. Yes, it was exciting. Yes, I was engaged. No, I did not really need the flashback. No it was not a surprise that glorious elves of the past were just as much bastards as anyone else is the rest of the time - we had been told that already. Yes, I felt it was a good wrap up for this set of books....
However, did I for one minute feel that THIS was the conclusion to the series as a whole or that now looking over the fifteen books that this could be seen as circling Celtic knot, the beginning and the ending entwined and forming a continuous thread? No... Not even remotely. There are FAR too many unresolved aspects of this story which have been steadily brought in and added to the world. So, on the one hand this was quite a satisfying read... while on the other was distinctly unsatisfying.
Frankly, if anyone were to ask me for my recommendation of the series as a whole... I would tell them the first four books are still worth the read - but really, I would not go out of my way to read the following eleven, and while they may add more understanding, they also present more questions. Presumably Kerr is planning on delving back in at some point and just maybe actually tackling some of the big story points which have been raised... but I do not think I will be bothered to read any of those if they materialize, as I feel she has performed enough of a bait and switch on me and I'm done with Deverry.
March 24, 2024
An end (?) to the series I've taken over 20 years to complete (there was a huge gap in reading for me between the first 9 books and the last 6). I bought this, and the other books, brand new and the last six have sat on my shelves for years and the pages have gone yellow in places as if they are old (which I guess they now are).
The threads of lace had their edges sealed/joined to other threads, which was satisfying but oh heck I still wanted more. And I wonder about the love between Jill and Rhodry still...I believe it is possible to love more than one person in a lifetime, and definitely throughout lifetimes, and I still hold hope there, despite the connection between Branna/Jill and Neb/Nevyn. I won't talk too much, I don't want to drop spoilers.
I am so grateful to Katharine Kerr for continuing the series so long and I hope that all the next books get completed and published too (I know one of them has). Times are tough but I'm sure I'm not the only one who believes in you dear author. I felt the stirrings of another book with the closing Author's note in this edition, and I love the way the work seemed channelled by Spirit. I can understand that feeling.
I'm eternally grateful for this series of books, from the first moment I found Daggerspell in a now defunct bookstore before we had the internet, to reading this last book now, the series has held me constantly through the trials of my own life. I wouldn't be who I am now without reading about Deverry and beyond, without poring over glossaries, tables of incarnations, and maps. One day I hope to find and form my own alternate world, the landscape for my own novels, and a great following of fellow readers and writers. You are truly an inspiration. Thank you Katharine, thank you xxx
The threads of lace had their edges sealed/joined to other threads, which was satisfying but oh heck I still wanted more. And I wonder about the love between Jill and Rhodry still...I believe it is possible to love more than one person in a lifetime, and definitely throughout lifetimes, and I still hold hope there, despite the connection between Branna/Jill and Neb/Nevyn. I won't talk too much, I don't want to drop spoilers.
I am so grateful to Katharine Kerr for continuing the series so long and I hope that all the next books get completed and published too (I know one of them has). Times are tough but I'm sure I'm not the only one who believes in you dear author. I felt the stirrings of another book with the closing Author's note in this edition, and I love the way the work seemed channelled by Spirit. I can understand that feeling.
I'm eternally grateful for this series of books, from the first moment I found Daggerspell in a now defunct bookstore before we had the internet, to reading this last book now, the series has held me constantly through the trials of my own life. I wouldn't be who I am now without reading about Deverry and beyond, without poring over glossaries, tables of incarnations, and maps. One day I hope to find and form my own alternate world, the landscape for my own novels, and a great following of fellow readers and writers. You are truly an inspiration. Thank you Katharine, thank you xxx
October 4, 2018
And so another epic fantasy series reaches its conclusion.
The 15th overall novel in the Deverry series and the 4th book in the subset (Act IV) “Silver Wyrm” series was good but not quite up to the standards of many of the previous novels, especially those at the beginning.
While most of the novel takes place in the 1160’s era, like the rest of this fourth act, we do get treated to a nice section taking place before any of the other eras and featuring the main characters in the earliest incarnations we’ve seen yet. The rest of the book was devoted to wrapping up the major story lines of this last quartet of books, particularly Rori’s/Rhodry’s story.
Not everything was resolved however, and some new story lines introduced in this volume were left hanging. (What’s with those were-otters?). Other huge plots, such as the war against the Horsekin that has been building up forever were resolved almost as an afterthought with very little tension or peril. It’s as if the author was getting tired of writing these books and felt this one was getting too long. This shows in the pacing of the book, for it feels inconsistent, bloated in places while skipping too fast in others.
Despite these negatives, the entire series is certainly worth reading. For me, personally, I’ve been working my way through for almost five years, and always looking forward to the next in the series. For such a long, complex series, it is to be expected that some books would outshine others, but overall, the entire set will hold a lofty place of distinction on my epic fantasy shelves.
The 15th overall novel in the Deverry series and the 4th book in the subset (Act IV) “Silver Wyrm” series was good but not quite up to the standards of many of the previous novels, especially those at the beginning.
While most of the novel takes place in the 1160’s era, like the rest of this fourth act, we do get treated to a nice section taking place before any of the other eras and featuring the main characters in the earliest incarnations we’ve seen yet. The rest of the book was devoted to wrapping up the major story lines of this last quartet of books, particularly Rori’s/Rhodry’s story.
Not everything was resolved however, and some new story lines introduced in this volume were left hanging. (What’s with those were-otters?). Other huge plots, such as the war against the Horsekin that has been building up forever were resolved almost as an afterthought with very little tension or peril. It’s as if the author was getting tired of writing these books and felt this one was getting too long. This shows in the pacing of the book, for it feels inconsistent, bloated in places while skipping too fast in others.
Despite these negatives, the entire series is certainly worth reading. For me, personally, I’ve been working my way through for almost five years, and always looking forward to the next in the series. For such a long, complex series, it is to be expected that some books would outshine others, but overall, the entire set will hold a lofty place of distinction on my epic fantasy shelves.
February 19, 2018
A good book for a weekend of long train journeys. I read the others - all 14 of them - some years ago, and had been planning to read this since about the time it came out in 2008. I bought this copy in 2016 and... it sat there. Obviously it was waiting for the right moment! I enjoyed going back to a well-drawn world, although I find (still find, I think) it a bit difficult to hold all the characters and their reincarnations in my head. Nevertheless, this is a fun read, a complex plot deftly told (I liked it when I remembered bits from previous books and didn't mind when I couldn't, so I think a new reader could start anywhere in the cycle), and generally a cut above standard sword-and-sorcery fare (although it has both, plus dragons, for those of us who like that kind of thing).
March 7, 2024
I feel like Branna's story could have been a little more satisfying; and in some places the endings definitely felt a little rushed, but overall, I feel like Kerr does a pretty amazing job of weaving all the ends together. Especially, since so many of the endings were kind and gentle. I love the way Avain has a destiny and finds her way to fulfilling it, and the way this balances with Rhodry's destiny like pieces of a puzzle completing one another. And Laz! He has so much to atone for and yet, he is one of my favorite characters. He grows so much and seems truly set on a path that will heal his soul, but he also is still himself and the lessons he needs to learn are so painful.
I'm sad to see the series end, but the ending didn't disappoint.
I'm sad to see the series end, but the ending didn't disappoint.
July 5, 2018
This is a good book and it does give a nice ending to quite a few of the storylines or foreshadows their ending. However, there are also quite a few loose ends. I'd like to see more of Branna and Neb's life, as well as a more detailed ending for Laz. And even more so, I'd like to see more about that dawntime life. I loved seeing those lives and especially at the very ending of the series, when we know so much of what is to come and it's especially poignant, but they do raise a lot of questions How did it go from Rhodorix and Hwilli to Galrion and Brangwen? Did Hwilli and Galerinos ever meet? What happened with all the lives inbetween 71 C.E. and 643?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2022
https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2022/0...
Solid ending to this epic fantasy series. I might have wished for a little less of the everybody pairing up in a hetero relationship and having babies etc as a happy ending, but that is balanced out by main character ladies who don’t have babies I guess (this series features one gay kiss and one briefly mentioned possible lesbian relationship). I mean that is kind of a sidebar to everything else that happens in this book, ha! Lots of war and action and DRAGONS and an interesting focus on fatherhood and of course on correcting past mistakes. I really enjoyed being lost in this world for a little while. A-.
Solid ending to this epic fantasy series. I might have wished for a little less of the everybody pairing up in a hetero relationship and having babies etc as a happy ending, but that is balanced out by main character ladies who don’t have babies I guess (this series features one gay kiss and one briefly mentioned possible lesbian relationship). I mean that is kind of a sidebar to everything else that happens in this book, ha! Lots of war and action and DRAGONS and an interesting focus on fatherhood and of course on correcting past mistakes. I really enjoyed being lost in this world for a little while. A-.
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