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Paladin's Legacy #1
Oath of Fealty
For the first time in nearly twenty years, Elizabeth Moon returns to the thrilling realm of her superb Deed of Paksenarrion trilogy.
Thanks to Paks’s courage, the long-vanished heir to the half-elven kingdom of Lyonya has been revealed as Kieri Phelan, a formidable mercenary who earned a title—and enemies—in the neighboring kingdom of Tsaia, where Prince Mikeli suddenly faces the threat of a coup. Acting swiftly, Mikeli strikes at the powerful family behind the the Verrakaien, magelords steeped in death and evil. Mikeli’s survival—and that of Tsaia—depend on the only Verrakai whose magery is not tainted with innocent blood. Two kings stand at a pivotal point in the history of their worlds. For dark forces are gathering against them, knit in a secret conspiracy more sinister and far more ancient than they can imagine.
Thanks to Paks’s courage, the long-vanished heir to the half-elven kingdom of Lyonya has been revealed as Kieri Phelan, a formidable mercenary who earned a title—and enemies—in the neighboring kingdom of Tsaia, where Prince Mikeli suddenly faces the threat of a coup. Acting swiftly, Mikeli strikes at the powerful family behind the the Verrakaien, magelords steeped in death and evil. Mikeli’s survival—and that of Tsaia—depend on the only Verrakai whose magery is not tainted with innocent blood. Two kings stand at a pivotal point in the history of their worlds. For dark forces are gathering against them, knit in a secret conspiracy more sinister and far more ancient than they can imagine.
453 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
373 people are currently reading
4640 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Moon
138 books2,632 followersElizabeth Moon was born March 7, 1945, and grew up in McAllen, Texas, graduating from McAllen High School in 1963. She has a B.A. in History from Rice University (1968) and another in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin (1975) with graduate work in Biology at the University of Texas, San Antonio.
She served in the USMC from 1968 to 1971, first at MCB Quantico and then at HQMC. She married Richard Moon, a Rice classmate and Army officer, in 1969; they moved to the small central Texas town where they still live in 1979. They have one son, born in 1983.
She started writing stories and poems as a small child; attempted first book (an illustrated biography of the family dog) at age six. Started writing science fiction in high school, but considered writing merely a sideline. First got serious about writing (as in, submitting things and actually getting money...) in the 1980s. Made first fiction sale at age forty--"Bargains" to Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword & Sorceress III and "ABCs in Zero G" to Analog. Her first novel, Sheepfarmer's Daughter, sold in 1987 and came out in 1988; it won the Compton Crook Award in 1989. Remnant Population was a Hugo nominee in 1997, and The Speed of Dark was a finalist for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and won the Nebula in 2004.
She served in the USMC from 1968 to 1971, first at MCB Quantico and then at HQMC. She married Richard Moon, a Rice classmate and Army officer, in 1969; they moved to the small central Texas town where they still live in 1979. They have one son, born in 1983.
She started writing stories and poems as a small child; attempted first book (an illustrated biography of the family dog) at age six. Started writing science fiction in high school, but considered writing merely a sideline. First got serious about writing (as in, submitting things and actually getting money...) in the 1980s. Made first fiction sale at age forty--"Bargains" to Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword & Sorceress III and "ABCs in Zero G" to Analog. Her first novel, Sheepfarmer's Daughter, sold in 1987 and came out in 1988; it won the Compton Crook Award in 1989. Remnant Population was a Hugo nominee in 1997, and The Speed of Dark was a finalist for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and won the Nebula in 2004.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 351 reviews
October 18, 2016
Okay....I was going to go 4 stars on this, because it's not as good or absorbing as the Paksenarrion Trilogy. On the other hand, it's better than many books I've given 4 stars, limited options here. Again with half star wish. Oh well. I'll compromise. For now I won't put it among my favorites. But it is an excellent read.
The book is billed as being in the Paksenarrion universe, and it is. Paks herself is in the background of the story showing up as a sort of bit player. Or, possibly more than that, but without playing a large part, at least here.
In this volume we pick up almost at the moment of the closing of Oath of Gold and go on with the stories of the Duke (Kieri Phelan)aka King, Dorrin, and others. I read one reviewer who said that this would be a good place to start if you hadn't read the trilogy as it starts coherently. This is true, but if you haven't read the trilogy don't miss it. As good as this volume is (and it's excellent) the trilogy that sets it up (The Deed of Paksenarrion) is superb and even better.
I was prepared when I started here to be disappointed as I've not been enthralled by Moon's space operas and as anyone who's read my reviews and comments knows, I loved the Paks books. The idea that I wasn't continuing the story of Paks herself was a bit of a "put off" for me. I'm glad to say that I was wrong. While I don't like this (these as I'm halfway through Kings of the North) nearly as well as the trilogy, I do find them well done and satisfying.
Do they have a drawback? I'd say that the plot construction is a bit weak, as it's so decentralized. However that may be taken care of when all three of these books are published. The first book ends more or less at a sort of "pause" in the action and the next book ( Kings of the North as mentioned above) picks up as this book is ending.
Literally. This book ends and Kings of the North opens on that scene.
So, while in my opinion not quite as good as the Paks trilogy still an excellent read. Speaking for myself, I enjoyed it immensely.
Update: Originally reviewed May 2012.
Just a note...I now know this isn't a trilogy as I finished the third book and it ends in a cliff hanger type ending...sigh. Well, I'll have to call it a series, not a trilogy I guess. They're still good though.
Update:Upon thinking it over I came back and upped the rating to 5 stars. It's a limited rating system and while I can't say I like these as well as I do the Paksenarrion trilogy there are a lot of books I don't like that well that I rate 5 stars...so, 5 stars and recommended.
The book is billed as being in the Paksenarrion universe, and it is. Paks herself is in the background of the story showing up as a sort of bit player. Or, possibly more than that, but without playing a large part, at least here.
In this volume we pick up almost at the moment of the closing of Oath of Gold and go on with the stories of the Duke (Kieri Phelan)aka King, Dorrin, and others. I read one reviewer who said that this would be a good place to start if you hadn't read the trilogy as it starts coherently. This is true, but if you haven't read the trilogy don't miss it. As good as this volume is (and it's excellent) the trilogy that sets it up (The Deed of Paksenarrion) is superb and even better.
I was prepared when I started here to be disappointed as I've not been enthralled by Moon's space operas and as anyone who's read my reviews and comments knows, I loved the Paks books. The idea that I wasn't continuing the story of Paks herself was a bit of a "put off" for me. I'm glad to say that I was wrong. While I don't like this (these as I'm halfway through Kings of the North) nearly as well as the trilogy, I do find them well done and satisfying.
Do they have a drawback? I'd say that the plot construction is a bit weak, as it's so decentralized. However that may be taken care of when all three of these books are published. The first book ends more or less at a sort of "pause" in the action and the next book ( Kings of the North as mentioned above) picks up as this book is ending.
Literally. This book ends and Kings of the North opens on that scene.
So, while in my opinion not quite as good as the Paks trilogy still an excellent read. Speaking for myself, I enjoyed it immensely.
Update: Originally reviewed May 2012.
Just a note...I now know this isn't a trilogy as I finished the third book and it ends in a cliff hanger type ending...sigh. Well, I'll have to call it a series, not a trilogy I guess. They're still good though.
Update:Upon thinking it over I came back and upped the rating to 5 stars. It's a limited rating system and while I can't say I like these as well as I do the Paksenarrion trilogy there are a lot of books I don't like that well that I rate 5 stars...so, 5 stars and recommended.
December 15, 2017
I really enjoyed every moment of reading this book. It had a cozy feeling of homecoming to it that I didn't want to rush through. I enjoyed the multiple viewpoints, and was disappointed every time the viewpoint switched, but then got sucked into the new one very quickly. I can't think of a time that I was bored. It's very much a 'setting the stage' novel, but I felt no impatience. I just really enjoyed the experience of following the characters as they figured out their new roles and set things to rights wherever they could.
I love that all the main characters are honorable and deserving, even though they still have a lot to learn and plenty of growing to do. Some readers may think they're too good, but I find it so refreshing in these days of grim and morally gray fantasy. These are characters that I can like and root for.
I love that all the main characters are honorable and deserving, even though they still have a lot to learn and plenty of growing to do. Some readers may think they're too good, but I find it so refreshing in these days of grim and morally gray fantasy. These are characters that I can like and root for.
May 18, 2014
I like adore what Elizabeth Moon did here. Twenty years after completing The Deed of Paksenarrion she went back for a visit to Paks' world. This book picks up straight after the trilogy ends, so there is no time jump in the story, but the writing style definitely made a gigantic leap right into the 21st century. Gone is that dated feel from the story, and a lot of the more modern styles are applied, including multiple point of views and much more subtle foreshadowing.
To be clear: I don’t have anything against 80s fantasy (quite the contrary!) but the surprises of then have been used so often they became tropes and therefore many of the stories are highly predictable for the frequent fantasy reader. And that’s exactly what changed with this book. Where the plot of Oath of Gold was utterly unsurprising, ‘Oath of Fealty’ has twists and turns that I did not see coming, and it kept me wondering where things were headed throughout. I became enthralled mid-way and just had to finish the book. I didn’t even stop reading to apply sunscreen this very sunny afternoon, which is why my nose now resembles a red herring – but that’s beside the point.
I know people will ask whether they have to read The Deed of Paksenarrion before this book. In my opinion it isn’t required; the book has been written in a way that will give you all the information you really need, but having finished the trilogy will make it more pleasant as you are familiar with most of the characters and you will care so much more. If you go straight to this series, you will cheer a lot less for people's rise or downfall, nor will you care as much when my favourite sergeant goes down, simply because you won't know him.
The general world building, and especially the Gods will make more sense if you finish the previous book. In this one the names Gird, Falk, Liart are thrown around as if common knowledge, but I'm not sure that it really would hurt the reading experience. Still, while the previous trilogy is no required reading, I think it’s better to read it first.
To be clear: I don’t have anything against 80s fantasy (quite the contrary!) but the surprises of then have been used so often they became tropes and therefore many of the stories are highly predictable for the frequent fantasy reader. And that’s exactly what changed with this book. Where the plot of Oath of Gold was utterly unsurprising, ‘Oath of Fealty’ has twists and turns that I did not see coming, and it kept me wondering where things were headed throughout. I became enthralled mid-way and just had to finish the book. I didn’t even stop reading to apply sunscreen this very sunny afternoon, which is why my nose now resembles a red herring – but that’s beside the point.
I know people will ask whether they have to read The Deed of Paksenarrion before this book. In my opinion it isn’t required; the book has been written in a way that will give you all the information you really need, but having finished the trilogy will make it more pleasant as you are familiar with most of the characters and you will care so much more. If you go straight to this series, you will cheer a lot less for people's rise or downfall, nor will you care as much when my favourite sergeant goes down, simply because you won't know him.
The general world building, and especially the Gods will make more sense if you finish the previous book. In this one the names Gird, Falk, Liart are thrown around as if common knowledge, but I'm not sure that it really would hurt the reading experience. Still, while the previous trilogy is no required reading, I think it’s better to read it first.
December 14, 2020
This book thoroughly exceed expectations. I like Elizabeth Moon’s writing but was concerned that I would miss Paks as protagonist. I needn’t have worried. The new protagonists are interesting and likeable and the story actually feels somewhat better paced for the regular change in point of view.
Oath of Fealty begins where Oath of Gold left off. There is some explanatory content, so it may be possible to begin your foray into Paks’ world here, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Thanks to Paks’ efforts, Kieri Phelan is now King of Lyonya and must work to settle his realm, humans, elves and all, bolstering it against enemies from within and abroad. To the west, Mikeli, Crown Prince of Tsaia has a similar task ahead of him, made more difficult by magic-wielding assassins. Dorrin Verrakai, now Lord of her family’s lands, must rediscover her magic to protect and support her King, whilst Jandolir Arcolin must take up command of the Troop and find a place for them between the two nations. Each is thrust into a situation they did not expect and must rely on their friends and allies if they’re to survive and secure a peaceful future for all.
Unusually, I was equally interested in each of the stories and didn’t feel any of them dragged or should have been excluded. Kieri I was probably most familiar with and always liked. He’s not had a spotless history, but his experiences tell him that hope will only get you so far and a nation must be prepared against worst-case scenarios. I enjoyed watching his diplomatic efforts to bring others around to this point of view. Mikeli was completely new to me and was younger and more naive than the other characters, but he’s got a good heart and is prepared to learn. I look forward to seeing how he grows. Dorrin’s history surprised me and I was impressed with her bravery in returning to the scene of her childhood nightmares. Despite the difficulty, she puled off a delicate balancing act, ridding her home of the evil that remained without discarding the whole out of hand. If I had to choose, her sections might have been my favourite. And lastly Arcolin, who has a job finding his own place, not to mention a place for his troop, in the new world order. His is the situation that remains least sure and I hope that we learn a little more about how he plans to proceed in the next book.
Whilst no longer the protagonist, Paks remains a part of the story, interacting with each of the new protagonists. In many ways, she acts as a guardian angel, wisely guiding her fellows to their own fulfilment. I was thrilled to see her but found her new role a little much. The new characters can stand on their own two feet and, though they don’t have a god guiding their hand, they do have good hearts and good intentions.
Like a lot of traditional fantasy stories, this is a battle of good against evil, black against white, with key characters clearly defined as one or other and little shading between. It’s less complicated than most recent fantasy literature, but rather comforting because of it. Moon makes up for her lack of complexity here by adding in an unusual amount of detail around the practicalities of leadership, particularly with regard to military organisation off the battlefield. I loved hearing about rationing and recruitment and felt the book was more realistic because of it.
Commenting on the audiobook specifically, I thought it was well read but I struggled occasionally to differentiate terms that sound similar: Verrakai and Marrakai, Tsaia and Chaya. A minor point but a niggle all the same.
I’ll definitely be reading book two of the series and recommend that those who’ve read The Deed of Paksenarrion continue on. For those new to Elizabeth Moon, I recommend starting with The Sheepfarmer's Daughter
Oath of Fealty begins where Oath of Gold left off. There is some explanatory content, so it may be possible to begin your foray into Paks’ world here, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Thanks to Paks’ efforts, Kieri Phelan is now King of Lyonya and must work to settle his realm, humans, elves and all, bolstering it against enemies from within and abroad. To the west, Mikeli, Crown Prince of Tsaia has a similar task ahead of him, made more difficult by magic-wielding assassins. Dorrin Verrakai, now Lord of her family’s lands, must rediscover her magic to protect and support her King, whilst Jandolir Arcolin must take up command of the Troop and find a place for them between the two nations. Each is thrust into a situation they did not expect and must rely on their friends and allies if they’re to survive and secure a peaceful future for all.
“A tree is alive, and thus it is always more than you can see. Roots to leaves, yes-those you can, in part, see. But it is more-it is the lichens and moss and ferns that grow on its bark, the life too small to see that lives among its roots, a community we know of, but do not think on. It is every fly and bee and beetle that uses it for shelter or food, every bird that nests in its branches. Every one an individual, and yet every one part of the tree, and the tree part of every one.”
Unusually, I was equally interested in each of the stories and didn’t feel any of them dragged or should have been excluded. Kieri I was probably most familiar with and always liked. He’s not had a spotless history, but his experiences tell him that hope will only get you so far and a nation must be prepared against worst-case scenarios. I enjoyed watching his diplomatic efforts to bring others around to this point of view. Mikeli was completely new to me and was younger and more naive than the other characters, but he’s got a good heart and is prepared to learn. I look forward to seeing how he grows. Dorrin’s history surprised me and I was impressed with her bravery in returning to the scene of her childhood nightmares. Despite the difficulty, she puled off a delicate balancing act, ridding her home of the evil that remained without discarding the whole out of hand. If I had to choose, her sections might have been my favourite. And lastly Arcolin, who has a job finding his own place, not to mention a place for his troop, in the new world order. His is the situation that remains least sure and I hope that we learn a little more about how he plans to proceed in the next book.
Whilst no longer the protagonist, Paks remains a part of the story, interacting with each of the new protagonists. In many ways, she acts as a guardian angel, wisely guiding her fellows to their own fulfilment. I was thrilled to see her but found her new role a little much. The new characters can stand on their own two feet and, though they don’t have a god guiding their hand, they do have good hearts and good intentions.
'“I thought Gird’s power was stronger than evil. I thought my faith was enough. This was not wizardry, this was the old imagery that Gird once defeated, back again in today’s world.” The Prince looked angry. Arcolin knew that look, all the young squires looked that way the first time they were truly frightened. “My Lord Prince,” he said, “I believe the Gods are stronger than evil, but faith must marry with deeds. Gird had his cudgel after all. Yeoman of the granges do not merely pray for faith but train for deeds as well.”’
Like a lot of traditional fantasy stories, this is a battle of good against evil, black against white, with key characters clearly defined as one or other and little shading between. It’s less complicated than most recent fantasy literature, but rather comforting because of it. Moon makes up for her lack of complexity here by adding in an unusual amount of detail around the practicalities of leadership, particularly with regard to military organisation off the battlefield. I loved hearing about rationing and recruitment and felt the book was more realistic because of it.
Commenting on the audiobook specifically, I thought it was well read but I struggled occasionally to differentiate terms that sound similar: Verrakai and Marrakai, Tsaia and Chaya. A minor point but a niggle all the same.
I’ll definitely be reading book two of the series and recommend that those who’ve read The Deed of Paksenarrion continue on. For those new to Elizabeth Moon, I recommend starting with The Sheepfarmer's Daughter
Read
May 19, 2013Years ago, yet another book obviously inspired by Tolkien appeared, but instead of some young guy carrying a magic dingus somewhere in order to become king, the point of view was a sheepfarmer's daughter who wanted to be an ordinary foot soldier. We trudged with Paks through drill and training and first fight and gradually learned about wider matters, including magic, until the gripping end of the trilogy.
This new sequence picks up where the last Paks book leaves off. Paks is in this one (so glad to see her again!) but central are Kieri, now a king, and Dorrin, whose backstory gets revealed (and nearly takes over the book) and Arcolin, who is trying to fill Kieri's shoes as leader of his mercenary troop. It picks up right after the events of the last Paks book; within a few pages we get the action launched.
The pacing can be slow at times, as Moon describes everything, down to the horses' tack and feed, (which I love), and because people have a tendency to repeat action that we've already seen, but instead of "She reported what happened . . ." we get the entire story in dialogue, which can make me want to skim, but that is a minor thing. The story absorbed me from beginning to end, making me want to pick right up with the next one, Kings of the North.
This new sequence picks up where the last Paks book leaves off. Paks is in this one (so glad to see her again!) but central are Kieri, now a king, and Dorrin, whose backstory gets revealed (and nearly takes over the book) and Arcolin, who is trying to fill Kieri's shoes as leader of his mercenary troop. It picks up right after the events of the last Paks book; within a few pages we get the action launched.
The pacing can be slow at times, as Moon describes everything, down to the horses' tack and feed, (which I love), and because people have a tendency to repeat action that we've already seen, but instead of "She reported what happened . . ." we get the entire story in dialogue, which can make me want to skim, but that is a minor thing. The story absorbed me from beginning to end, making me want to pick right up with the next one, Kings of the North.
November 14, 2015
There is a twenty year gap between the last Paks book and this one. I am amazed by the consistency of the writing and the characters. True, we do not follow Paks herself, but she does appear every now and again. I loved this book! It was super fascinating finding out more about the other characters that we knew from the original Paks books. The magic elements are more pronounced in this book, which I enjoyed. And bloody hell does Elizabeth Moon have a talent for describing horrors and coming up with disturbing magical practices!
Typical Elizabeth Moon, this book had tons of detail in it of every day living, how to run an army, a Kingdom, a Dukedom. It is a slow build up, with a sprint to the end, then a screeching stop, and damnit I need the next book, because this story is definitely not finished at all! If I had to wait for the next books this may have annoyed me, but luckily I don't. Plus, it is the way Moon writes, and it is her style. I just really love this world and all the characters, magic, gods, detail, etc. etc. etc.
Typical Elizabeth Moon, this book had tons of detail in it of every day living, how to run an army, a Kingdom, a Dukedom. It is a slow build up, with a sprint to the end, then a screeching stop, and damnit I need the next book, because this story is definitely not finished at all! If I had to wait for the next books this may have annoyed me, but luckily I don't. Plus, it is the way Moon writes, and it is her style. I just really love this world and all the characters, magic, gods, detail, etc. etc. etc.
December 5, 2017
I gave up at a little over the halfway mark. I've read books in which nothing much happens. Heck, I made it all the way through The Magic Mountain. I've read The Glass Bead Game. So I'm no stranger to slow pacing.
That's not what this is. This book is filled with details that *seem* pointless because the author failed to make me understand why they were important. After a while I became like watching slides of someone else's vacation pictures. In fact, I got a distinct impression that this world has had other novels, and that we were supposed to be interested because the interest was carried over from those previous books. Not for me, I'm afraid.
We get a character who unexpectedly becomes king and immediately faces ... no immediate threat. There's an assassination attempt before he's even king, but after that we get endless details about exciting things like taxation policy. Worse, we follow two other characters, who likewise are faced with a laundry list of mundane business. War is looming, but not from a clear direction. When we get to Kieri's coronation and he has to do a ceremonial walk around the town and we have to go with him ... well, I gave it up. The characters are all obviously competent enough to handle any challenge brought to them. All will turn out right. Nothing's at risk.
I'm off to re-read Jules Verne.
That's not what this is. This book is filled with details that *seem* pointless because the author failed to make me understand why they were important. After a while I became like watching slides of someone else's vacation pictures. In fact, I got a distinct impression that this world has had other novels, and that we were supposed to be interested because the interest was carried over from those previous books. Not for me, I'm afraid.
We get a character who unexpectedly becomes king and immediately faces ... no immediate threat. There's an assassination attempt before he's even king, but after that we get endless details about exciting things like taxation policy. Worse, we follow two other characters, who likewise are faced with a laundry list of mundane business. War is looming, but not from a clear direction. When we get to Kieri's coronation and he has to do a ceremonial walk around the town and we have to go with him ... well, I gave it up. The characters are all obviously competent enough to handle any challenge brought to them. All will turn out right. Nothing's at risk.
I'm off to re-read Jules Verne.
May 28, 2016
3.5 stars
It took me a long time to get through this book. I had difficulty for some reason connecting to the story and the characters. Oath of Fealty is written in the style of other classic epic fantasy stories by starting off slow building all the story pieces and characters in an orderly fashion. The author states at the beginning of the book that this series can be read independently from a previous series. I felt though I was missing some background. For example, what is the true significance of a Paladin? How did Paksenarrion (Paks) get to be a Paladin? This last question is sort of explained toward the end of the book. Many of the characters have history prior to this story taking place. I think this book was kind of a "foundation" book for the other books to come in the series.
Toward the end of the book I did finally connect with the characters and story. The story itself is well written and the story does finally click. Just as I'm getting into the story it ends! It looks like be reading the next installment.
It took me a long time to get through this book. I had difficulty for some reason connecting to the story and the characters. Oath of Fealty is written in the style of other classic epic fantasy stories by starting off slow building all the story pieces and characters in an orderly fashion. The author states at the beginning of the book that this series can be read independently from a previous series. I felt though I was missing some background. For example, what is the true significance of a Paladin? How did Paksenarrion (Paks) get to be a Paladin? This last question is sort of explained toward the end of the book. Many of the characters have history prior to this story taking place. I think this book was kind of a "foundation" book for the other books to come in the series.
Toward the end of the book I did finally connect with the characters and story. The story itself is well written and the story does finally click. Just as I'm getting into the story it ends! It looks like be reading the next installment.
May 9, 2018
The Paladin's Legacy series picks up, surprisingly, immediately after the end of the original Paksenarrion trilogy. There are a number of things left unsettled by Duke Phelan's elevation to king of a different kingdom, and that is pretty much the glue that holds what could be a disjointed book together.
Overall, there's four different plot threads, with limited mobility between them, and Oath of Fealty swings through the set of them two or three times. The opening concentrates on part of Phelan's mercenary company, and Arcolin who finds out he is now the pro tem head of the company at the start of the novel. This is the second biggest thread of the novel, and is very well done with the internal workings of the company sliding into the particulars of a contract. This is always a strong point for Moon, and it's no different here.
The smallest arc deals with Phelan/Kieri himself, and has some very interesting moments, and I expect this will lead into much more important doings in later books. But at the moment, it's mostly just there. It does spin off the fourth arc of the book, featuring Dorrin and the Verrakai family that has been a source of villains. This gets a lot of attention in the middle, and opens up some new cans of worms before merging with the second arc or the book. "Second" in that it is the second one you encounter reading the book, and deals with doings in the capital of Tsaia, and provides some of the initial 'push' of the plot.
Paksenarrion is barely present in this book at all. She does show up, and helps out at some important points, but this is really more of a history of the area that Deed of Paksenarrion takes place in (that is Tsaia, Lyonya, and parts of Aarenis), than any sort of work focused on one person as the original trilogy effectively was. Despite that, it's tightly written enough to still work, and comes to a satisfactory ending. It has been just long enough since I read the original books that I needed a fair amount of mental prodding to remember many details, and therefore I feel some confidence in saying you can pick up the books at this point, though I definitely recommend reading Deed first.
Overall, there's four different plot threads, with limited mobility between them, and Oath of Fealty swings through the set of them two or three times. The opening concentrates on part of Phelan's mercenary company, and Arcolin who finds out he is now the pro tem head of the company at the start of the novel. This is the second biggest thread of the novel, and is very well done with the internal workings of the company sliding into the particulars of a contract. This is always a strong point for Moon, and it's no different here.
The smallest arc deals with Phelan/Kieri himself, and has some very interesting moments, and I expect this will lead into much more important doings in later books. But at the moment, it's mostly just there. It does spin off the fourth arc of the book, featuring Dorrin and the Verrakai family that has been a source of villains. This gets a lot of attention in the middle, and opens up some new cans of worms before merging with the second arc or the book. "Second" in that it is the second one you encounter reading the book, and deals with doings in the capital of Tsaia, and provides some of the initial 'push' of the plot.
Paksenarrion is barely present in this book at all. She does show up, and helps out at some important points, but this is really more of a history of the area that Deed of Paksenarrion takes place in (that is Tsaia, Lyonya, and parts of Aarenis), than any sort of work focused on one person as the original trilogy effectively was. Despite that, it's tightly written enough to still work, and comes to a satisfactory ending. It has been just long enough since I read the original books that I needed a fair amount of mental prodding to remember many details, and therefore I feel some confidence in saying you can pick up the books at this point, though I definitely recommend reading Deed first.
July 1, 2024
Finished it this morning and I miss it? An unexpected feeling since I sometimes felt that it was a bit slow. Nevertheless it was like a safe and warm blanket to return to this new book about Paks’s world which I spent a lot of time in as a teenager (and earlier this year when I re-read them).
December 18, 2025
This is definitely Elizabeth Moon at her very best. The difference between her writing now and when she wrote the original Paks trilogy is huge, and Oath of Fealty is far more multi-layered and less Dungeons and Dragons-y than the first three Paks books.
"Oath" sees a change of focus from Paks onto other people in the novels, bringing into focus Kieri, the new King of Lyonya and Dorrin, originally one of Kieri's captains, but now promoted to Lord Verrakai as all her relatives are placed under attainder because of their use of magery for evil in the previous book "Oath of Gold". The development of Dorrin's character and storyline is especially gripping, and I found myself reading far too late into the night as I just wanted to know what happens next.
It's nice to see a new visit to a beloved fantasy world. All too often, a return like this can seem forced or stale, but Elizabeth Moon has brought new multilayered life to Paksworld, and it's all the better for it.
Updated May 2014. Rereading, and still as gripping as the first time around. I have been up far too late into the night with this, Moon's writing is just too good and I'm devouring it much too fast. Love the Stammel storyline, what a horrible thing to happen to one of the best characters from the original series....!
"Oath" sees a change of focus from Paks onto other people in the novels, bringing into focus Kieri, the new King of Lyonya and Dorrin, originally one of Kieri's captains, but now promoted to Lord Verrakai as all her relatives are placed under attainder because of their use of magery for evil in the previous book "Oath of Gold". The development of Dorrin's character and storyline is especially gripping, and I found myself reading far too late into the night as I just wanted to know what happens next.
It's nice to see a new visit to a beloved fantasy world. All too often, a return like this can seem forced or stale, but Elizabeth Moon has brought new multilayered life to Paksworld, and it's all the better for it.
Updated May 2014. Rereading, and still as gripping as the first time around. I have been up far too late into the night with this, Moon's writing is just too good and I'm devouring it much too fast. Love the Stammel storyline, what a horrible thing to happen to one of the best characters from the original series....!
August 26, 2010
Turn back the hands of time to 1991. That was the year that I discovered a book titled The Sheepfarmer's Daughter. It was not at all what I had expected it to be. I found myself enthralled, no only with the characters but also the world that had been created by the author, Elizabeth Moon.
I wound up searching a number of second-hand bookshops to find Divided Allegiance and finally Oath of Gold, the second and third books about the life and deeds of Paksenarrion Dorthansdottor.
In 2005, during a visit to a bookshop in Florida, I found… wrapped in plastic and misfiled, a brand new copy of the Omnibus Edition of The Deed of Paksenarrion. I sat down and re-read the stories, and fell in love again.
Now, twelve years after the publication of Sheepfarmer's Daughter comes the Oath of Fealty, a return to that world. I found myself once again ensorcelled by the stories of the lives of so many of who I have come to think of as familiar old friends.
I was entranced and delighted, and I hope you will be as well.
The stories continue in March of 2011, with Kings Of The North, from Del Ray Books.
I wound up searching a number of second-hand bookshops to find Divided Allegiance and finally Oath of Gold, the second and third books about the life and deeds of Paksenarrion Dorthansdottor.
In 2005, during a visit to a bookshop in Florida, I found… wrapped in plastic and misfiled, a brand new copy of the Omnibus Edition of The Deed of Paksenarrion. I sat down and re-read the stories, and fell in love again.
Now, twelve years after the publication of Sheepfarmer's Daughter comes the Oath of Fealty, a return to that world. I found myself once again ensorcelled by the stories of the lives of so many of who I have come to think of as familiar old friends.
I was entranced and delighted, and I hope you will be as well.
The stories continue in March of 2011, with Kings Of The North, from Del Ray Books.
June 24, 2015
You know what I really lack in epic fantasy? Accounting. I always wonder, but how did you afford to buy a new saddle for your troops and under what credit line? Where are your streams of revenue and how many campaigns do you need to do to support your villagers?
This book has one plot, despite 3 characters. Person is suddenly put in position of power they feel unqualified for. They spend a lot of time bemoaning that. They encounter challenges, each one handled absolutely perfectly as the honestest, justest, honorablest person could ever handle the situation. They realize they might be able to do the job, maybe.
That being said, I wanted to keep going. I was interested in what was happening, even though it was mostly people just talking and nothing happening. It oddly falls in that weird place where though I didn't enjoy it, if I saw the next one on the shelf I would oddly want to get it.
It was said this could be read as a standalone from the other series, but I honestly think a lot of fondness for this world from a long time ago is coloring this in a brighter light than it probably deserves.
This book has one plot, despite 3 characters. Person is suddenly put in position of power they feel unqualified for. They spend a lot of time bemoaning that. They encounter challenges, each one handled absolutely perfectly as the honestest, justest, honorablest person could ever handle the situation. They realize they might be able to do the job, maybe.
That being said, I wanted to keep going. I was interested in what was happening, even though it was mostly people just talking and nothing happening. It oddly falls in that weird place where though I didn't enjoy it, if I saw the next one on the shelf I would oddly want to get it.
It was said this could be read as a standalone from the other series, but I honestly think a lot of fondness for this world from a long time ago is coloring this in a brighter light than it probably deserves.
February 4, 2012
I haven't read the Paks books in years, so in some ways I was like a new reader. If you don't already know and love the characters, this book is not going to make you fall in love with them. Everybody is competent. Everybody's uncertain they can take on their new role. Paks shows up from time to time and smiles a lot. There's a lot of sending orders and summary of action, and bearing up bravely under emotional strain that, frankly, doesn't feel particularly strained. The climax doesn't feel particularly climactic, either. Maybe if I'd remembered them better, I would have liked it better, but as a stand-alone it's not particularly great and it doesn't make me want to go out and buy the rest of the series to read more books that feel like someone summarizing a book.
January 27, 2011
I found this book wildly uneven but in the end I still liked it very much. Strangely, it had very much a first book feel, which make sense as it is the first book in the newest series set in the The Deed of Paksenarrion universe. But yet, it is a continuation of the earlier trilogy as it picks up right where that trilogy ended.
There are three storylines going on in this book. One follows ex-Duke, now King, Phelan as he takes over his duties and begins his reign in Lyonya. As much as I enjoyed the enigmatic Duke in the Paks series, I thought this was the weekest of the three storylines. It really never kept my interest. It felt very work-a-day.
The second follows Captain Arcolin as he is tapped as the replacement to take over the Ex-Duke Phelan's territory. This one starts off slow as much of the beginning is Arcolin doubting his ability and missing the Duke. But the story takes off in its' second act and gets very exciting. It felt very familiar as this one follows the cohort and plays to Moon's writing strengths as she writes about the Company and the camaraderie amongst the soldiers. It ends with a real bang..and by 'ends' I just mean this segment of the story. I can't wait to see what happens to the cohort, what they are so uneasy about facing in that abandoned village and see what happens with Sgt. Stammel.
The third storyline was by far the strongest and most exciting. Dorrin is named Duke Verraki after her entire family is put under a writ of Attainder for treason. They are all awash in the evil magics. Dorrin herself is a mage and her taking over her family holdings and finding out just how evil they were and working to undo it all is the stuff of real exciting high fantasy. This was the storyline that kept me riveted throughout and this was the one I was most impatient to get back to.
All three storylines are open ended with two of them left in some palpable peril at the close of this volume. And there is also the sense that the storylines will converge.
As this takes place right after Paks undergoes her week of sacrificial torture at the hands of the evil priests of Liart, she still looms very large in everyone's mind. She herself makes a couple of cameo appearances and it is cool to see her whip out her Paladin powers once or twice.
All this of course had the effect of making me very nostalgic for the original series, so I had to go back and read those. Lol.
Good book, a must read for Paks enthusiasts. Not the place to start for newbies. Too much referential information.
There are three storylines going on in this book. One follows ex-Duke, now King, Phelan as he takes over his duties and begins his reign in Lyonya. As much as I enjoyed the enigmatic Duke in the Paks series, I thought this was the weekest of the three storylines. It really never kept my interest. It felt very work-a-day.
The second follows Captain Arcolin as he is tapped as the replacement to take over the Ex-Duke Phelan's territory. This one starts off slow as much of the beginning is Arcolin doubting his ability and missing the Duke. But the story takes off in its' second act and gets very exciting. It felt very familiar as this one follows the cohort and plays to Moon's writing strengths as she writes about the Company and the camaraderie amongst the soldiers. It ends with a real bang..and by 'ends' I just mean this segment of the story. I can't wait to see what happens to the cohort, what they are so uneasy about facing in that abandoned village and see what happens with Sgt. Stammel.
The third storyline was by far the strongest and most exciting. Dorrin is named Duke Verraki after her entire family is put under a writ of Attainder for treason. They are all awash in the evil magics. Dorrin herself is a mage and her taking over her family holdings and finding out just how evil they were and working to undo it all is the stuff of real exciting high fantasy. This was the storyline that kept me riveted throughout and this was the one I was most impatient to get back to.
All three storylines are open ended with two of them left in some palpable peril at the close of this volume. And there is also the sense that the storylines will converge.
As this takes place right after Paks undergoes her week of sacrificial torture at the hands of the evil priests of Liart, she still looms very large in everyone's mind. She herself makes a couple of cameo appearances and it is cool to see her whip out her Paladin powers once or twice.
All this of course had the effect of making me very nostalgic for the original series, so I had to go back and read those. Lol.
Good book, a must read for Paks enthusiasts. Not the place to start for newbies. Too much referential information.
November 9, 2015
Somewhere, in the boxes upstairs, I have the books of the Deed of Paksennarion, which directly precedes the story related in 'Oath of Fealty' and 'Kings of the North'. (I'm going to talk about 'Oath' and 'Kings' together, since they're not particularly separate entities.)
Moon's introduction specifies that she considers these to be independent of the previous trilogy, and that a reader can start here.
However, I did wish I'd read the earlier books first. They apparently contain many of the same characters, and I really felt I'd have gotten into the story and felt connected with the characters a lot faster if I'd already known their background.
That said, these are very well-done books. They take place in a familiar European-based fantasy world, but the scenarios and characters are realistic, believable and well-drawn. Moon is well-known as a writer of military fiction from a woman's perspective, and that's what we get here. It's not all women, but my favorite character was probably Dorrin - a somewhat-older, capable veteran who happens to be a woman.
The hierarchical social system accepted in this world isn't one I'd particularly want to live in, but the story isn't about ideal worlds; it's about people trying to do their best in the world they've got.
My one issue with it was probably the absolutes of good and evil - one of the major plot points is that an entire family is Pure Evil and must be eradicated. Probably to balance this, there was a sub-plot about one culture thinking that another is evil due to cultural misunderstandings, but I would have liked to at least have seen the perspective of someone within the family of Evil Sorcerers.
It's also not a particularly tightly plotted or suspenseful story - it's more about enjoying the twists and turns of the complex politics and personal maneuvering of the characters. Like real life, more things keep happening... and I liked following them.
Moon's introduction specifies that she considers these to be independent of the previous trilogy, and that a reader can start here.
However, I did wish I'd read the earlier books first. They apparently contain many of the same characters, and I really felt I'd have gotten into the story and felt connected with the characters a lot faster if I'd already known their background.
That said, these are very well-done books. They take place in a familiar European-based fantasy world, but the scenarios and characters are realistic, believable and well-drawn. Moon is well-known as a writer of military fiction from a woman's perspective, and that's what we get here. It's not all women, but my favorite character was probably Dorrin - a somewhat-older, capable veteran who happens to be a woman.
The hierarchical social system accepted in this world isn't one I'd particularly want to live in, but the story isn't about ideal worlds; it's about people trying to do their best in the world they've got.
My one issue with it was probably the absolutes of good and evil - one of the major plot points is that an entire family is Pure Evil and must be eradicated. Probably to balance this, there was a sub-plot about one culture thinking that another is evil due to cultural misunderstandings, but I would have liked to at least have seen the perspective of someone within the family of Evil Sorcerers.
It's also not a particularly tightly plotted or suspenseful story - it's more about enjoying the twists and turns of the complex politics and personal maneuvering of the characters. Like real life, more things keep happening... and I liked following them.
April 9, 2010
Although Moon's note in the beginning of the book states you do not have to read the early Deed of Paks, it takes a while to understand what is going on in this book because the action starts right as the other books ended. To me, also the first 100 pages take a little while to get into.
After that the novel is split into basically three stories - Dorrin, who is now a Lord charged with cleaning up her family's holding using her magery against their evil magery; Arcolin, now head of Kieri Phelan's mercenary troop and his travels with a single cohort and Kieri Phelan's story as he tries to take over as King.
I felt that the Dorrin section was the best maybe because she is a likeable character and that the Arcolin section seemed to be too much about traveling and tack, bad merchants, etc.
Phelan's section almost got shorted. It was mostly about his initial attempts to take over power and get along with the elves. It was here especially that a little knowledge of the prior books would probably been helpful.
In the end the book is clearly the first volume in a series so hopefully it will be more about.
So while I liked the book, and I anticipate the other books in the series, I was never truly engaged by it.
After that the novel is split into basically three stories - Dorrin, who is now a Lord charged with cleaning up her family's holding using her magery against their evil magery; Arcolin, now head of Kieri Phelan's mercenary troop and his travels with a single cohort and Kieri Phelan's story as he tries to take over as King.
I felt that the Dorrin section was the best maybe because she is a likeable character and that the Arcolin section seemed to be too much about traveling and tack, bad merchants, etc.
Phelan's section almost got shorted. It was mostly about his initial attempts to take over power and get along with the elves. It was here especially that a little knowledge of the prior books would probably been helpful.
In the end the book is clearly the first volume in a series so hopefully it will be more about.
So while I liked the book, and I anticipate the other books in the series, I was never truly engaged by it.
March 11, 2019
3.5 Stars, I was very skeptical about a novel about a spin-off character, those stories are usually never as good as the original. The main characters from the original series are in this novel, this makes it a better experiences than other spin-off series that i have read. I am very happy to say that this is just as good as the original series and I look forward to continuing with the rest of the books. I really like these series and find the characters likable and enjoy the story. Sadly it is still lacking something to get into the 4-star rating but still very good and worth the read. As a individual book, I have rated 3.5 stars but the series as a whole can be given a 4-star rating just for consistently alone.
January 15, 2011
Oath of Fealty was not even close to the other Paksenarrion books. I kept on reading it because I like the story and the world. Paks takes a small part in this book. The other characters all seem to be getting some kind of promotion.
I'll probably be reading the next book as well.
I'll probably be reading the next book as well.
December 16, 2021
Another great read as this superb series continues.
August 4, 2018
picked this up at the library thinking "i've been planning on reading elizabeth moon for a while now, and this looks like a book 1, so let's go. let's hope it's fun"
brought the book home and started it only to discover that (a) this is book 1 of series 2 (or something) in this universe, and (b) it's not really "fun", as in, it didn't have the lighthearted charming feel to it that i thought i wanted at that point in time. joke's on me i guess
however! joke's on me REVERSAL because i soldiered onward, got truly interested at around page 100, and now i'm mid book 2. so y'know what they say... sometimes the good book is the book you booked along the way. what?
alright, more seriously, this is high fantasy (european-flavored) centering on 3 main protagonists. knowledge of the previous series is probably useful but evidently not necessary. the world has a lot of religions with gods that seem to have direct (relatively direct) impact on the world, and the 3 main POV characters are (were) all part of the same company of soldiers-for-hire (mercenary). there's a lot of worldbuilding, and a lot of thought put into the logistics of how this world runs (and i mean logistics. how are people fed? how do dukes manage regions? logistics!!!). not completely chock full of political machinations, which is kind of refreshing. it's kind of slow and kind of unassuming and doesn't really follow a normal... story structure(?? which is to say, was there a climax? sort of?) but i liked it. (edit to note: saw that another review described this as "cozy", which i agree with)
predictable but i'm most invested in Dorrin's storyline — she's the one female lead, and her story centers on returning to her childhood home, the site of her abuse that she ran away from and has not seen for many many years. recovery narratives, etc.
ok back to reading, bye
brought the book home and started it only to discover that (a) this is book 1 of series 2 (or something) in this universe, and (b) it's not really "fun", as in, it didn't have the lighthearted charming feel to it that i thought i wanted at that point in time. joke's on me i guess
however! joke's on me REVERSAL because i soldiered onward, got truly interested at around page 100, and now i'm mid book 2. so y'know what they say... sometimes the good book is the book you booked along the way. what?
alright, more seriously, this is high fantasy (european-flavored) centering on 3 main protagonists. knowledge of the previous series is probably useful but evidently not necessary. the world has a lot of religions with gods that seem to have direct (relatively direct) impact on the world, and the 3 main POV characters are (were) all part of the same company of soldiers-for-hire (mercenary). there's a lot of worldbuilding, and a lot of thought put into the logistics of how this world runs (and i mean logistics. how are people fed? how do dukes manage regions? logistics!!!). not completely chock full of political machinations, which is kind of refreshing. it's kind of slow and kind of unassuming and doesn't really follow a normal... story structure(?? which is to say, was there a climax? sort of?) but i liked it. (edit to note: saw that another review described this as "cozy", which i agree with)
predictable but i'm most invested in Dorrin's storyline — she's the one female lead, and her story centers on returning to her childhood home, the site of her abuse that she ran away from and has not seen for many many years. recovery narratives, etc.
ok back to reading, bye
September 3, 2019
Elizabeth Moon writes terrific fantasy that has dirt on its pants legs, rain in its hair, and saddle-sores from too long riding. :D
A former Marine and an actual horsewoman, Moon writes the most believable fantasy out there. Her female characters, especially, are no-nonsense and don't suffer fools kindly.
I met Moon once at a con, not too long after the first Paksennarion book came out, and thanked her from my heart for writing - at last - believable female characters in fantasy books. We ended up having a brief but entertaining conversation in which she told me about the masses of fanboys who complained about her book because "women aren't like that." I guess the actual woman might know a little bit more about "how women are" than the average fanboy.
Anyway, "Oath of Fealty" shares the setting of the Paks books, but takes place after the adventures of the first trilogy. I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't even know these new books existed. I'm so glad I stumbled upon "Oath of Fealty," and I can't wait to dig into the others.
Thank you, Elizabeth Moon. Thank you very much.
A former Marine and an actual horsewoman, Moon writes the most believable fantasy out there. Her female characters, especially, are no-nonsense and don't suffer fools kindly.
I met Moon once at a con, not too long after the first Paksennarion book came out, and thanked her from my heart for writing - at last - believable female characters in fantasy books. We ended up having a brief but entertaining conversation in which she told me about the masses of fanboys who complained about her book because "women aren't like that." I guess the actual woman might know a little bit more about "how women are" than the average fanboy.
Anyway, "Oath of Fealty" shares the setting of the Paks books, but takes place after the adventures of the first trilogy. I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't even know these new books existed. I'm so glad I stumbled upon "Oath of Fealty," and I can't wait to dig into the others.
Thank you, Elizabeth Moon. Thank you very much.
August 13, 2017
Ok, I really liked this book! I LOVED how the characters all believed in a God and actively prayed to them KNOWING they were real and could help. I LOVED how even though they believed in different Gods they still respected one another's beliefs and worked together, in several instances even inviting the others to help with their own prayers and powers. BUT although there is a respect for religions this book is not a preachy, religious book, and religion was not the main focus. It is a fantasy that follows several different characters stories, some of whom do not get an ending in this book, and I am anxious to know the rest of the stories. It was not a happy, carefree, laugh out loud story, but it left me with a good feeling inside.
November 8, 2023
While the story mostly followed a chronological sequence, with three primary characters, there were only somewhat minor peaks and valleys and no major climax, except possibly in the last couple of pages. Apparently, considering the series as a whole, this story's final climax is the beginning or more significant perturbations in the lives introduced so far.
One character, who at this point seems fairly minor is a Paladin. Interestingly, the parenthetical title here is different than that of the kindle edition of the book that I just read - "(Legend of Paksenarrion)". Well Paksenarrion is the name of that minor character, the Paladin. It is not clear why these series titles are different, and the list of Moon's books includes a series "Paladin's Legacy" of which "Oath of Fealty" is the first title. There is a separate series "The Deed of Paksenarrion", which seems to be about the same Paladin's origin and early antics. I may figure it out later.
One character, who at this point seems fairly minor is a Paladin. Interestingly, the parenthetical title here is different than that of the kindle edition of the book that I just read - "(Legend of Paksenarrion)". Well Paksenarrion is the name of that minor character, the Paladin. It is not clear why these series titles are different, and the list of Moon's books includes a series "Paladin's Legacy" of which "Oath of Fealty" is the first title. There is a separate series "The Deed of Paksenarrion", which seems to be about the same Paladin's origin and early antics. I may figure it out later.
October 5, 2022
This is the second book by Moon that I've read, and not even in the same series. However, it is enjoyable to the end. Not having read the other books that take place in this particular world, I didn't particularly feel like I was missing any major lore - she has made it feel like a new beginning, and my experience was not lessened for not having read the other books. Well done :)
August 21, 2024
After loving Deeds of Paksenarrion my entire life (read it when I was 11), I was so very thrilled to get a chance to go back for more time with characters that I can come to admire and care for in Deeds. This entire sub series has the rounding out of their lives that I had wanted for so long.
September 9, 2017
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. I was at a low in my choices of books and decided to give these a try. Now I have 5 or 6 more to read. I like the magic and the character building of each of the main characters in the first book 20 years ago. I had not attempted to read these before I retired because they are huge and detailed books.
Thanks to Elizabeth Moon for her imagination and story telling.
Thanks to Elizabeth Moon for her imagination and story telling.
May 11, 2025
Decent tale. Very solid. =)
August 15, 2020
Jumping from the Deeds of Paksnarrion to this was a lovely way to stay in the universe. Just as enjoyable as the original trilogy.
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