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Dhulyn and Parno #4
Path of the Sun
A new fantasy adventure featuring "the highly talented Dhulyn and Parno."( Locus ).
Mercenary partners Dhulyn Wolfshead and Parno Lionsmane think they're escorting the Princess of Arderon to her wedding with the new Tarkin of Menoin, but the Mercenary Brotherhood has a secret mission for find out what happened to the two Brothers who were sent on assignment to Menoin a year ago-and vanished.
Once in Menoin, they discover that the Brothers' disappearance is linked to a series of killings. And when the Princess of Arderon's corpse is found mutilated in the same way as the others, Dhulyn and Parno track the killer into the Path of the Sun, an ancient labyrinth from which people sometimes never return...
Mercenary partners Dhulyn Wolfshead and Parno Lionsmane think they're escorting the Princess of Arderon to her wedding with the new Tarkin of Menoin, but the Mercenary Brotherhood has a secret mission for find out what happened to the two Brothers who were sent on assignment to Menoin a year ago-and vanished.
Once in Menoin, they discover that the Brothers' disappearance is linked to a series of killings. And when the Princess of Arderon's corpse is found mutilated in the same way as the others, Dhulyn and Parno track the killer into the Path of the Sun, an ancient labyrinth from which people sometimes never return...
400 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2010
5 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Violette Malan
26 books92 followersViolette Malan lives in a nineteenth-century limestone farmhouse in southeastern Ontario with her husband. Born in Canada, Violette’s cultural background is half Spanish and half Polish, which makes it interesting at meal times. She has worked as a teacher of creative writing, English as a second language, Spanish, beginner’s French, and choreography for strippers. On occasion she’s been an administrative assistant and a carpenter’s helper. Her most unusual job was translating letters between lovers, one of whom spoke only English, the other only Spanish. She can be found at violettemalan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 13, 2014
The Dhulyn & Parno books are largely standalone and self-contained; they take place in different parts of the world with different casts of characters. Mention is sometimes made of previous events, but you don't need to have read the previous books to understand what's going on.
Having said that, in this book I was happy to be reintroduced to some old friends from the first volume of the series. Again, there's trouble brewing -- this time Dhulyn & Parno find themselves tracking a serial killer across tribal plains.
Very enjoyable and I only hope there are more installments to come.
Having said that, in this book I was happy to be reintroduced to some old friends from the first volume of the series. Again, there's trouble brewing -- this time Dhulyn & Parno find themselves tracking a serial killer across tribal plains.
Very enjoyable and I only hope there are more installments to come.
June 5, 2018
Perhaps the best of the series.
Looking forward to the next story.
Looking forward to the next story.
May 1, 2020
I liked the world-building, the mercenary brotherhood's shoras and common rule and especially the mysterious labyrinthine Path of the Sun. This is one of those books where the readers know who the bad guys are long before the heroes figure it out, which made some scenes very tense and others frustrating. I would have liked more of a character arc for Dhulyn or Parno.
June 10, 2018
I really enjoyed this series and was sad to learn that it's been discontinued. I would have loved to see more.
March 1, 2021
Be warned, it ends on a terrible cliffhanger and there is no fifth book. Still excellent competence porn and a stable adult relationship.
May 24, 2021
Wonderfully written, with lots of twists. I sure hope there is another book after this!!
June 26, 2017
Sadly, the last of the adventures of Dhulyn Wolfshead and Parno Lionsmane, a first-class team of kick-butt mercenaries in which the butt-kicking duties are equally shared. I love epic and historical fantasy novels in which cool heroines get to do cool stuff, but I love it even more when cool heroes AND heroines get to do cool stuff together. Dhulyn and Parno give me what I need, and I can't help feeling a little melancholy that I won't get to spend any more time with them.
Even more regrettable: I didn't find this adventure quite as satisfying as I did the previous ones. Like the other Dhulyn & Parno books, this one features an intriguing mystery with a frisson of creepiness, vivid descriptions of magic and its movements, solid action sequences, and an array of intriguing characters in support of our leading pair. Here, as in the other books, Violette Malan lets us get to know the supporting characters and root for them, and to hope for their sakes, as much as anything else, that Dhulyn and Parno win the day. Princess Alaria comes from a proudly matriarchal society, and I appreciate that she's treated with sympathy throughout. Entirely too often, women from matriarchal societies are depicted as short-sighted harridans; here, Alaria works through vestiges of sexism very quickly and naturally, without being "put in her place," and she's just as strong at the end as she was at the beginning. The Tarkin proves a Prince Charming deserving of the name. And it's good to see Gundaron and Mar, old friends from the first book, returning. The romantic couples in this series are some of the best in fantasy literature, simply because there's a solid undergirding of mutual respect and admiration between the couples. I've said it before, but it bears repeating: it's a darn shame that more people don't know about these books.
So what was wrong with it? Two words: the ending. When a book is the last in a series of adventures featuring characters to which readers have become attached, those readers are sadly underserved by a too-abrupt ending. This book puts on squealing brakes in the last two pages. While I was more than happy to see a detestable villain meet his deserved fate (and I appreciate seeing the heroine take the life of the bad guy, because that still happens all too rarely), I really needed to see a solution to the problem of the "broken" female Seers beyond the Path of the Sun, and instead their fate is left open-ended. Darn it, Malan, why would you take the time to make me care about this subplot only to leave it dangling with that too-quick ending? I don't want this disappointment to linger as the last thing I remember about a series of books featuring characters I like and admire.
A novella sequel, maybe -- just so we can see the female Seers get un-broken? Please? Please?
Even more regrettable: I didn't find this adventure quite as satisfying as I did the previous ones. Like the other Dhulyn & Parno books, this one features an intriguing mystery with a frisson of creepiness, vivid descriptions of magic and its movements, solid action sequences, and an array of intriguing characters in support of our leading pair. Here, as in the other books, Violette Malan lets us get to know the supporting characters and root for them, and to hope for their sakes, as much as anything else, that Dhulyn and Parno win the day. Princess Alaria comes from a proudly matriarchal society, and I appreciate that she's treated with sympathy throughout. Entirely too often, women from matriarchal societies are depicted as short-sighted harridans; here, Alaria works through vestiges of sexism very quickly and naturally, without being "put in her place," and she's just as strong at the end as she was at the beginning. The Tarkin proves a Prince Charming deserving of the name. And it's good to see Gundaron and Mar, old friends from the first book, returning. The romantic couples in this series are some of the best in fantasy literature, simply because there's a solid undergirding of mutual respect and admiration between the couples. I've said it before, but it bears repeating: it's a darn shame that more people don't know about these books.
So what was wrong with it? Two words: the ending. When a book is the last in a series of adventures featuring characters to which readers have become attached, those readers are sadly underserved by a too-abrupt ending. This book puts on squealing brakes in the last two pages. While I was more than happy to see a detestable villain meet his deserved fate (and I appreciate seeing the heroine take the life of the bad guy, because that still happens all too rarely), I really needed to see a solution to the problem of the "broken" female Seers beyond the Path of the Sun, and instead their fate is left open-ended. Darn it, Malan, why would you take the time to make me care about this subplot only to leave it dangling with that too-quick ending? I don't want this disappointment to linger as the last thing I remember about a series of books featuring characters I like and admire.
A novella sequel, maybe -- just so we can see the female Seers get un-broken? Please? Please?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2011
Pros: detailed fantasy world, interesting characters
Cons: not a standalone, slow moving at times
Path of the Sun has Dhulyn and Parno, Mercenary Brother partners, involved in a murder mystery in the Menoin Tarkinate.
They come escorting the Tarkin's bride-to-be, but a grisly murder causes them to pass through a Caid ruin, the Path of the Sun, in pursuit of the killer. The path leads to another world where those Marked with the powers of Healing, Finding, Mending and Seeing - like Dhulyn - are broken and put to death. And the Espadryni, Dhulyn's extinct people, still live.
The identity of the killer is revealed to the reader early on. The makes for an interesting character study, as we see the killer interact with several people, lying and manipulating his way to his goals.
As with her other books, Path of the Sun examines a new corner of her fantasy world. The peoples are all distinct, with cultures, tastes, politics, etc. that differ from those used in the past.
Newcomers to the series will not be able to start here, however. Too much of this book depends on knowledge of events in earlier books. Characters from book 1 reappear, the trouble the partners get into in book 2 is finally resolved, and some actions from book 3 are referred to.
Still, if you haven't discovered her and want to read a quieter, more thought provoking fantasy, Malan is a great choice. Her characters grow with each novel and there's always more of the world to discover.
Cons: not a standalone, slow moving at times
Path of the Sun has Dhulyn and Parno, Mercenary Brother partners, involved in a murder mystery in the Menoin Tarkinate.
They come escorting the Tarkin's bride-to-be, but a grisly murder causes them to pass through a Caid ruin, the Path of the Sun, in pursuit of the killer. The path leads to another world where those Marked with the powers of Healing, Finding, Mending and Seeing - like Dhulyn - are broken and put to death. And the Espadryni, Dhulyn's extinct people, still live.
The identity of the killer is revealed to the reader early on. The makes for an interesting character study, as we see the killer interact with several people, lying and manipulating his way to his goals.
As with her other books, Path of the Sun examines a new corner of her fantasy world. The peoples are all distinct, with cultures, tastes, politics, etc. that differ from those used in the past.
Newcomers to the series will not be able to start here, however. Too much of this book depends on knowledge of events in earlier books. Characters from book 1 reappear, the trouble the partners get into in book 2 is finally resolved, and some actions from book 3 are referred to.
Still, if you haven't discovered her and want to read a quieter, more thought provoking fantasy, Malan is a great choice. Her characters grow with each novel and there's always more of the world to discover.
April 30, 2018
This is one series I wish had gotten enough attention that it had continued. I have, unfortunately, found series I wish the plug would either be pulled on or wished they had ended the series before they did, but this series...this one is overlooked. Violette Malan created an enchanting series with a spin on mercenaries I found different from anything I, personally, had read before.
While most of the series contains books that could have been stand-alones, this novel ended on a cliffhanger, and it still disappoints me there has been no resolution to the series due to the publisher dropping it. I still hope, one day, that there will be a sequel to this book (and perhaps several more) but my hope is starting to fade.
While most of the series contains books that could have been stand-alones, this novel ended on a cliffhanger, and it still disappoints me there has been no resolution to the series due to the publisher dropping it. I still hope, one day, that there will be a sequel to this book (and perhaps several more) but my hope is starting to fade.
March 4, 2014
I love Dhulyn and Parno. I love their relationship with each other, the way they deal with outsiders, and how they are two very different people even though they are bonded so well. I really appreciate the work that Ms Malan has done creating such memorable characters and also creating great plots that don't revolve around conflict all the time. There is never conflict between Dhulyn and Parno and yet the stories always move forward effortlessly. I think this is a sign of a strong writer. Every Dhulyn and Parno book is an excellent read and I have already recommended these books to friends. I impatiently await the next installment.
November 16, 2012
I was so happy to get my hands on Path of the Sun. I felt as though I had waited forever for it to come out in paperback. Needless to say, when I picked it up Path of the Sun immediately went to the top of my TBR mountain. I was not dissappointed. The characters and story drew me in and wouldn't let me go until I finished it. Now I can't wait for the next in the series!
July 20, 2014
Quite nerve-wracking in a way I can't explain because it gives too much away. Another excellent adventure with Dhuyllin and Parno. Also another great couple of characters from a previous adventure share in the fun this time around.
Read
September 11, 2010I love this duo, can't wait to see what they are up to.
Bah ending sucked! SUCKED!
Bah ending sucked! SUCKED!
October 22, 2010
This duo is just as much fun in this novel as the others. I am a bit stymied by the ending but I am looking forward to the next book to see if it continues where this one stopped.
October 9, 2010
Loved it, can't wait for more.
October 25, 2010
I love every one of the Dhulyn and Parno books, but had to take away a star because of the cliffhanger to be continued ending. Then again, guaranteed sequel ...
November 30, 2011
OMGTHEENDING. The next book in this series cannot come fast enough. Excellent series, great read.
December 8, 2012
A good book in this series, but the ending was a clifhanger!
February 16, 2015
I love these characters and this series! I highly recommend them! The first book is called The Sleeping God.
September 5, 2022
Excellent, love books with strong female protagonists.
Read
October 12, 2010DNF
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews