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The Deed of Paksenarrion #2
Divided Allegiance
Once a sheepfarmer's daughter, now a seasoned veteran, Paksenarrion has proven herself a fighter. Years with Duke Phelan's Company taught her weaponry, discipline and how to act as part of a military unit.
Now, though, Paks feels drawn to a solitary destiny. Against all odds she is accepted as a paladin-candidate by the Fellowship of Gird. Years of study will follow, for a paladin must be versed in diplomacy and magic as well as the fighting arts. But before she is fully trained, Paks is called to her first mission: to seek out the fabled stronghold of Luap far to the west. The way is long, the dangers many — and not even the Marshal-General of Gird can say whether glory or ruin awaits.
'A most engrossing, highly readable work' Anne McCaffrey
Now, though, Paks feels drawn to a solitary destiny. Against all odds she is accepted as a paladin-candidate by the Fellowship of Gird. Years of study will follow, for a paladin must be versed in diplomacy and magic as well as the fighting arts. But before she is fully trained, Paks is called to her first mission: to seek out the fabled stronghold of Luap far to the west. The way is long, the dangers many — and not even the Marshal-General of Gird can say whether glory or ruin awaits.
'A most engrossing, highly readable work' Anne McCaffrey
522 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
130 people are currently reading
1859 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Moon
140 books2,636 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 362 reviews
February 17, 2012
Amazingly better than Sheepfarmer's Daughter; all I could think of was "here is everything I was missing in the first." Mostly. Took awhile to get there, but we finally see people encouraging Paks to think about what she is seeing and doing. The plot moved along, in a clever, winding way, and side characters came in who were given more to do than just moral support. I sucked it down in one evening (granted, I had nowhere else to be, but still). Moon brought out all the emotions and connections I was missing in the first. The incident with the snow cat was highly troubling, and justly so, and one of those scenes where the reader discovers the main character isn't entirely likeable or supportable. I enjoyed the section of Paks taking on work in the village to earn her stay as well as a new horse, and thought it was built well. The sojourn to the college and her introduction there was not remarkable, but was done well.
Further review will have to wait on re-read--I was engrossed enough in the story that I didn't want to stop to write down thoughts.
Further review will have to wait on re-read--I was engrossed enough in the story that I didn't want to stop to write down thoughts.
March 8, 2017
The biggest impression that this book made on me was thinking, “We still don’t treat our wounded veterans very well.” Paksenarrion, the golden girl, leaves her fighting unit for a while to do advanced training. Being the Mary Sue character that she is, she shines at all of it, and is ear-marked to become a Paladin of Gird until she is captured & tortured. Suddenly, her fellow fighters & superiors are questioning her future, even questioning her past dedication to her profession.
Moon was a Marine, and her service experience colours the Paksenarrion saga. Not nearly as dark as Glen Cook’s Black Company series (she obviously had a less traumatic experience than he did), her portrayals of camaraderie in the ranks are pretty sunny until late in this book, when Paks has what we would call post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and things get pretty bleak for her. As things still are for returned veterans who are suffering, making this still a rather timely book.
The extra portions of angst for Paks actually make this a better book than the first installment, where she could do no wrong. It is much more interesting & engrossing. No question about whether I will read book 3—it is already in my book bag as my next “work break” book.
Book 248 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project.
Moon was a Marine, and her service experience colours the Paksenarrion saga. Not nearly as dark as Glen Cook’s Black Company series (she obviously had a less traumatic experience than he did), her portrayals of camaraderie in the ranks are pretty sunny until late in this book, when Paks has what we would call post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and things get pretty bleak for her. As things still are for returned veterans who are suffering, making this still a rather timely book.
The extra portions of angst for Paks actually make this a better book than the first installment, where she could do no wrong. It is much more interesting & engrossing. No question about whether I will read book 3—it is already in my book bag as my next “work break” book.
Book 248 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project.
November 28, 2018
Please see my review of the omnibus edition The Deed of Paksenarrion. This is a transitional book as many second books in trilogies are. This one however will rip your heart out (if you have one). I love these books and gave a longer review of the one volume set, the omnibus edition. The trilogy gets my highest recommendation.
I have recently reread these and still love them, and I don't use that word lightly. You don't often see (hear) me say that I love a book. This trilogy is one that I can read over and over again, and have. It's one of those books that once it's finished you miss it. It can be very hard to find another read as (for me at least) the story, the characters are so exceptional that other reads don't live up to it (again for me).
What more can I say? I've said this book gets my highest recommendation. Beyond that all I can say is if you haven't read it, don't miss it. All three books get five stars plus. 5+
I have recently reread these and still love them, and I don't use that word lightly. You don't often see (hear) me say that I love a book. This trilogy is one that I can read over and over again, and have. It's one of those books that once it's finished you miss it. It can be very hard to find another read as (for me at least) the story, the characters are so exceptional that other reads don't live up to it (again for me).
What more can I say? I've said this book gets my highest recommendation. Beyond that all I can say is if you haven't read it, don't miss it. All three books get five stars plus. 5+
May 15, 2014
The ‘problem’ with reading 80’s-fantasy a few decades later, is that it sometimes feels somewhat… dated and predictable. I cannot judge whether it would have been predictable at the time, but I suspect not. Many of their twists and turns have been used so frequently by now that they became tropes.
Still, I liked this book much better than the first. First of all, I’m happy to report that my beef with book 1 (the lack of secondary characters) has been removed. Not because it’s gone, but because I now understand why it was done that way.
Most of all though, I liked the way this book ended, which took a turn I definitely hadn’t expected. Up to that part, it did feel a bit ‘too easy, too soon’, but the end put a good stop to that and I was actually baffled by it. Nicely done, Mrs Moon!
Still, I liked this book much better than the first. First of all, I’m happy to report that my beef with book 1 (the lack of secondary characters) has been removed. Not because it’s gone, but because I now understand why it was done that way.
Most of all though, I liked the way this book ended, which took a turn I definitely hadn’t expected. Up to that part, it did feel a bit ‘too easy, too soon’, but the end put a good stop to that and I was actually baffled by it. Nicely done, Mrs Moon!
May 25, 2015
Oh man. The last third of this book had all the feels. I was despairing along with Paks and as a result, unashamedly doing the big ugly cry. Thankfully, I live alone. So no judgement there.
RTC.
RTC.
December 16, 2021
Another great read, in an awesome series.
July 22, 2020
Probably a 3.5 star as parts of the book were slow though I don’t know how relevant knowing all the details of the gods and peoples might be.
On the other hand I love how Moon describes some of Paks’ activities such as learning to gentle a once-abused horse or the weapons workouts at the grange.
But what really blew me away was the description of Paks as she lost confidence in herself leading to the devastating cliffhanger artfully written in a series of letters from various Marshalls.
On the other hand I love how Moon describes some of Paks’ activities such as learning to gentle a once-abused horse or the weapons workouts at the grange.
But what really blew me away was the description of Paks as she lost confidence in herself leading to the devastating cliffhanger artfully written in a series of letters from various Marshalls.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2022
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (Paks) has spent three years fighting as part of Duke Phelan’s mercenary company and she’s seen some things she would rather have not. Though her skills and approach to such a life is admirable, it just isn’t a good fit for her. So she strikes out on her own with only a vague notion of where to go or what to do next. Her path leads through one adventure after another and ultimately leads to what seems to be her future: following the path of Gird as a paladin. But first comes training and education as a paladin candidate and her first real test becomes more than she can cope with.
I will save my real review until after I finish reading book three of this trilogy because, it really is just one single, long book. That’s the way it was written and the way it is often marketed. Frankly, I wasn’t sure I would tackle this second part because the first part, while well written, got too bogged down in the minutia of military battles, and so many secondary characters that I couldn’t keep track of them all. Many of them died, and I realized I didn’t really care, something that makes me reluctant to pick up a second volume. But this trilogy shows up on many “best of all fantasy ever written” lists and there’s a reason why.
This second part really takes off, with full-on world building and much more varied adventures. Paks is growing into her skills and her own perception of what a valuable life can be which is very interesting to observe. There are far less characters (but still quite a few) and they are fleshed out nicely. The ending of this part leaves Paks in just about the worst possible scenario I can imagine – truly a dreadful, heartbreaking ordeal for her. More proof that this is one long book.
Book three awaits and this time, instead of dreading what may be coming, I look forward to it with great anticipation.
I will save my real review until after I finish reading book three of this trilogy because, it really is just one single, long book. That’s the way it was written and the way it is often marketed. Frankly, I wasn’t sure I would tackle this second part because the first part, while well written, got too bogged down in the minutia of military battles, and so many secondary characters that I couldn’t keep track of them all. Many of them died, and I realized I didn’t really care, something that makes me reluctant to pick up a second volume. But this trilogy shows up on many “best of all fantasy ever written” lists and there’s a reason why.
This second part really takes off, with full-on world building and much more varied adventures. Paks is growing into her skills and her own perception of what a valuable life can be which is very interesting to observe. There are far less characters (but still quite a few) and they are fleshed out nicely. The ending of this part leaves Paks in just about the worst possible scenario I can imagine – truly a dreadful, heartbreaking ordeal for her. More proof that this is one long book.
Book three awaits and this time, instead of dreading what may be coming, I look forward to it with great anticipation.
August 3, 2020
Another stirring story by Elizabeth Moon. More varied and emotionally complex than its predecessor, it is probably more deserving of the title, Sheepfarmer's Daughter - the phrase is certainly mentioned enough.
Beware, spoilers from Sheepfarmer's Daughter below.
Siniava is dead and, in return for his help during the war, Duke Phelan is helping ex-pirate, Duke Alured, to secure is rule. Uncomfortable with the violence carried out at Alured's command, Paks leaves the Duke's company to see what else the world has to offer.
Over the course of the book, Paks carries out three quests. The first she stumbles upon when traveling north to Tsaia with Macenion, an elf, and in return is given treasure and a number of old manuscripts. The second, she completes in order to earn the right to stay in Brewersbridge, a town near to the taig. Here she befriends Master Oakhallow, a Kuakgan (almost a Druid), and gets her first taste of Girdish training with Marshall Cedfer. Impressed with Paks, Cedfer suggests she seek additional training with the Company of Gird and Paks sets off for Fin Panir.
This portion of the book was, by far, my favourite. I love a good fantasy school, and Fin Panir had everything from weapons training and military supply to the more standard subjects of history and geography. Paks is, once more, among people her age and soon makes friends. It was nice to be reminded that, however mature, Paks is still young - just 22 for most of the story. The section lent a lightness to the book which nicely contrasted with the darker sections later on.
Excelling in her studies, Paks is invited on her third quest under the tutelage of Amberion, a Paladin of Gird (a knight of sorts). On their journey west to find Luap's ancient stronghold, however, the party is attacked. Without wanting to ruin the story for you, I'll simply say that a dark time ensues. The quality of Moon's writing is showcased here as she portrays Paks' struggles with her changing circumstances and the helplessness that her friends feel to do anything about it. I was almost in tears by the end of the book.
I have absolutely no idea how Moon is going to recover the situation, but I'm eager to find out. No doubt, Oath of Gold will see Paks on new adventures, continuing to learn and grow as she goes. We now have a religious element to incorporate into her character, and new friends and allies of all races to lean upon - if Paks will allow herself to lean. My eagerness to read Liar's Oath has also been renewed. The second in the Legacy of Gird series, I imagine it tells of Luap's lost stronghold. Why did he go west after Gird died? What happened to it? So many questions. Hopefully, some will be answered.
Beware, spoilers from Sheepfarmer's Daughter below.
Siniava is dead and, in return for his help during the war, Duke Phelan is helping ex-pirate, Duke Alured, to secure is rule. Uncomfortable with the violence carried out at Alured's command, Paks leaves the Duke's company to see what else the world has to offer.
'"Paks, you–" Stammel cleared his throat. "You shouldn't be in this.[...] You don't belong." His voice gather firmness as he went on. "By Tir, I can't stand by and see you fall apart. Not for this. You've served the Duke as well as anyone could. D'you think he doesn't know it? Or I? [...] You don't belong here, in this kind of fighting. That Marshal was right; even the Duke said you might be meant for better things." He stopped again, and his voice was calmer when he resumed. "I think you should leave, Paks."'
Over the course of the book, Paks carries out three quests. The first she stumbles upon when traveling north to Tsaia with Macenion, an elf, and in return is given treasure and a number of old manuscripts. The second, she completes in order to earn the right to stay in Brewersbridge, a town near to the taig. Here she befriends Master Oakhallow, a Kuakgan (almost a Druid), and gets her first taste of Girdish training with Marshall Cedfer. Impressed with Paks, Cedfer suggests she seek additional training with the Company of Gird and Paks sets off for Fin Panir.
This portion of the book was, by far, my favourite. I love a good fantasy school, and Fin Panir had everything from weapons training and military supply to the more standard subjects of history and geography. Paks is, once more, among people her age and soon makes friends. It was nice to be reminded that, however mature, Paks is still young - just 22 for most of the story. The section lent a lightness to the book which nicely contrasted with the darker sections later on.
Excelling in her studies, Paks is invited on her third quest under the tutelage of Amberion, a Paladin of Gird (a knight of sorts). On their journey west to find Luap's ancient stronghold, however, the party is attacked. Without wanting to ruin the story for you, I'll simply say that a dark time ensues. The quality of Moon's writing is showcased here as she portrays Paks' struggles with her changing circumstances and the helplessness that her friends feel to do anything about it. I was almost in tears by the end of the book.
I have absolutely no idea how Moon is going to recover the situation, but I'm eager to find out. No doubt, Oath of Gold will see Paks on new adventures, continuing to learn and grow as she goes. We now have a religious element to incorporate into her character, and new friends and allies of all races to lean upon - if Paks will allow herself to lean. My eagerness to read Liar's Oath has also been renewed. The second in the Legacy of Gird series, I imagine it tells of Luap's lost stronghold. Why did he go west after Gird died? What happened to it? So many questions. Hopefully, some will be answered.
March 31, 2017
Elizabeth Moon does a great job at character development in this series. She takes a sheepfarmer's daughter from being completely naive and ignorant of the world outside her village and realistically broadens her worldview and her understanding of herself and her purpose. The first book in the trilogy felt limited because it was - Paks only grew so far in those years in the mercenary company. It's in this second book that she really starts to come into her own.
Divided Allegiance still seems to wander somewhat randomly in the beginning because Paks is wandering randomly, trying to find a new place. As the book progresses, though, she starts to make her own decisions about the type of fighter she wants to be and to learn when to trust and when not to. Her adventures are captivating and formative, and we see the world more clearly - and the magic. If you missed magic in the first book, you won't be disappointed in this one.
Paks experiences some wonderful high moments in this book, but she also loses tragically. The last part of this is truly heartbreaking and the ending is hopeless. What a twist! I thought I knew where it was all headed, heroic-fantasy-style, and it suddenly took a completely different turn. I loved it, even with the sadness and darkness I felt. I just had to know what happened to Paks and continued reading book 3 without pause.
Divided Allegiance still seems to wander somewhat randomly in the beginning because Paks is wandering randomly, trying to find a new place. As the book progresses, though, she starts to make her own decisions about the type of fighter she wants to be and to learn when to trust and when not to. Her adventures are captivating and formative, and we see the world more clearly - and the magic. If you missed magic in the first book, you won't be disappointed in this one.
Paks experiences some wonderful high moments in this book, but she also loses tragically. The last part of this is truly heartbreaking and the ending is hopeless. What a twist! I thought I knew where it was all headed, heroic-fantasy-style, and it suddenly took a completely different turn. I loved it, even with the sadness and darkness I felt. I just had to know what happened to Paks and continued reading book 3 without pause.
October 22, 2015
This was a good middle book for a trilogy, which added to the story and background of all the magic, religion and peoples that were touched upon in the first book, where character development had been much more important.
Here we expand the story of Paks as she gets thrown into some severe trials and tribulations, and suffers great changes.
Here we expand the story of Paks as she gets thrown into some severe trials and tribulations, and suffers great changes.
February 14, 2024
I enjoyed "Sheepfarmer's Daughter", which really felt like a Military Fantasy novel, the fantasy equivalent to a Military Sci-Fi book. However, this book feels very different. I would categorize this book as a D&D campaign, with the windowdressing of military fantasy.
This book still follows Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter as she leaves the Duke's company and searches for what she should do next. She joins up with an elf who promises so much (and also is just a jerk), she goes and experiences a nice small town that is in need of her help, and she goes off to become a member of the fellowship of the Gird. As I read it, it absolutely felt like the sequence of events that might happen in a D&D campaign.
I got most excited by the sequence where she was in the small town. She connected well with the locals, and I liked her connection with the girl who wanted to be her squire. And I really liked the idea of the locals hiring Paks to do a job they knew they weren't competent or powerful enough to do. I was really sad when this sequence ended, as I thought it was the absolute highest quality this book got.
I just didn't care for the sequence where Paks was in the Fellowship of the Gird, mostly because I felt we have already seen Paks go through training sequences in book 1 and the sequence here didn't feel interesting or original.
The sequence where Paks is in the forest with the elf was ok, but I thought it went on for too long and needed to have more speed to it.
However, the biggest issue not only for this book, but for the series as a whole is the character of Paks. By making her so bland and honorable, she doesn't really feel interesting to follow. I think what makes bland heroes usually work is they have wacky sidekicks who balance them out. Except for the elf at the beginning of the book and the young girl who wants to be a squire, we really only follow Paks by herself.
Overall, the book was ok. I didn't love it, I didn't hate it. It's just ok. 6 out of 10.
This book still follows Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter as she leaves the Duke's company and searches for what she should do next. She joins up with an elf who promises so much (and also is just a jerk), she goes and experiences a nice small town that is in need of her help, and she goes off to become a member of the fellowship of the Gird. As I read it, it absolutely felt like the sequence of events that might happen in a D&D campaign.
I got most excited by the sequence where she was in the small town. She connected well with the locals, and I liked her connection with the girl who wanted to be her squire. And I really liked the idea of the locals hiring Paks to do a job they knew they weren't competent or powerful enough to do. I was really sad when this sequence ended, as I thought it was the absolute highest quality this book got.
I just didn't care for the sequence where Paks was in the Fellowship of the Gird, mostly because I felt we have already seen Paks go through training sequences in book 1 and the sequence here didn't feel interesting or original.
The sequence where Paks is in the forest with the elf was ok, but I thought it went on for too long and needed to have more speed to it.
However, the biggest issue not only for this book, but for the series as a whole is the character of Paks. By making her so bland and honorable, she doesn't really feel interesting to follow. I think what makes bland heroes usually work is they have wacky sidekicks who balance them out. Except for the elf at the beginning of the book and the young girl who wants to be a squire, we really only follow Paks by herself.
Overall, the book was ok. I didn't love it, I didn't hate it. It's just ok. 6 out of 10.
July 21, 2022
DNF around the time she becomes Girdish.
This started so well, plateaued around 3 and then dropped like a lead baloon.
There are two chunks of this book I could address
The Decent Lull
There’s at least half a book where Paks traipses through fairly aimlessly. It’s a bit slow, after the relevant adventuring bits and she stays in a village(?) town(?) for ages. Can’t tell why.
It’s dull. Like a video game side quest.
Here’s one thing, despite her obvious strengths and advantages, she falls on her face a lot for being naive and people abuse her trust. This is a recurring theme and I like it a lot. It’s organic and it’s a relevant point and a huge weakness that most true Mary Sue characters don’t address.
Still. Slower than I usually prefer.
The obnoxious Priest Fighter Academy
This quote represents the book fairly well, and if it doesn’t make every GRRM fan clench, then you’re all summer children and I’m done with you.
Yeah, her naivite is shown as a weakness enemies will exploit — good job — but to an adult reading this, the armed priesthood of Gird is no less a bunch of dickheads and also take advantage of the same.
Having read the above and the blind faith she has in them — again, naivite — I can’t help but recall she was brought in under the false pretences.
From scholarship to free taster, it’s a bit of a leap.
She was offered a arms training summer camp, to discover that it was in fact a free taster with a dose of mild gaslighting leading into a paid subscription of religion. Are religious characters cool? Sure. Hella nuanced, too. Am I cool to the use of socratic rhetoric to make her feel like a moron from people she trusts in positions of authority? Nope.
In a similar situation, Stammel took her aside and made her objectively balance her values and career.
Dickheads 1 and 2 basically took advantage of her trust in the hierarchy and confused her into doubting her initial objections. Were they rhetorically robust objections? No. Were they something she held on to for a book and a half only to have them swept under a rug in seconds while she was suffering from blood loss? Poor narrative choices.
Is it realistic? Sure.
But the author does absolutely nothing to indicate the Girdish order is wrong and this is annoying. If this was a first person perspective, it would have been easier to swallow, but this is a third person narrator! Drop some shade! The fact that nothing happens to the dickhead duo makes me think the author went ‘but it was for a good purpose in the end’.
You can’t make other people’s decisions for them and not call it tyranny. Let this book be classical high fantasy or let this book be Game of Thrones, but you can’t pull a Jaime Lannister while it’s been Prince Charming for the last book and a half.
It’s inconsistent and poorly done.
If this is meant to illustrate that the military think they are righteous and a gift unto the pupils, while being essentially self-involved, then it works.
But then comes another classic:
‘Oh, you have money! Dumbledore didn’t tell you there’s a fee for this scholarship/free taster-with-religion-or-we-haze-you when you join? No? You don’t need it? No worries, let me take this sack of gold off your hands.’
Screw these guys she just joined, I’m done with reading of these idiots like they’re worth anything.
This started so well, plateaued around 3 and then dropped like a lead baloon.
There are two chunks of this book I could address
The Decent Lull
There’s at least half a book where Paks traipses through fairly aimlessly. It’s a bit slow, after the relevant adventuring bits and she stays in a village(?) town(?) for ages. Can’t tell why.
It’s dull. Like a video game side quest.
Here’s one thing, despite her obvious strengths and advantages, she falls on her face a lot for being naive and people abuse her trust. This is a recurring theme and I like it a lot. It’s organic and it’s a relevant point and a huge weakness that most true Mary Sue characters don’t address.
Still. Slower than I usually prefer.
The obnoxious Priest Fighter Academy
This quote represents the book fairly well, and if it doesn’t make every GRRM fan clench, then you’re all summer children and I’m done with you.
Paks tried to control her excitement, but she could not think of anything but her oldest dreams. Paladin. It meant shining armor, and magic swords, and marvelous horses that appeared from nowhere on the day of the Trials. It meant old songs of great battles, bright pictures in her mind like that of the paladin under the walls of Sibili, all brightness and grace and courage. Another picture moved in her mind, herself on a shining horse, riding up the lane from Three Firs to her father’s farm, with children laughing and cheering alongside. Her mother smiled and wept; her brothers gaped; her father, astonished, finally admitted he had been wrong, and asked her pardon.
Yeah, her naivite is shown as a weakness enemies will exploit — good job — but to an adult reading this, the armed priesthood of Gird is no less a bunch of dickheads and also take advantage of the same.
Having read the above and the blind faith she has in them — again, naivite — I can’t help but recall she was brought in under the false pretences.
From scholarship to free taster, it’s a bit of a leap.
She was offered a arms training summer camp, to discover that it was in fact a free taster with a dose of mild gaslighting leading into a paid subscription of religion. Are religious characters cool? Sure. Hella nuanced, too. Am I cool to the use of socratic rhetoric to make her feel like a moron from people she trusts in positions of authority? Nope.
In a similar situation, Stammel took her aside and made her objectively balance her values and career.
Dickheads 1 and 2 basically took advantage of her trust in the hierarchy and confused her into doubting her initial objections. Were they rhetorically robust objections? No. Were they something she held on to for a book and a half only to have them swept under a rug in seconds while she was suffering from blood loss? Poor narrative choices.
Is it realistic? Sure.
But the author does absolutely nothing to indicate the Girdish order is wrong and this is annoying. If this was a first person perspective, it would have been easier to swallow, but this is a third person narrator! Drop some shade! The fact that nothing happens to the dickhead duo makes me think the author went ‘but it was for a good purpose in the end’.
You can’t make other people’s decisions for them and not call it tyranny. Let this book be classical high fantasy or let this book be Game of Thrones, but you can’t pull a Jaime Lannister while it’s been Prince Charming for the last book and a half.
It’s inconsistent and poorly done.
If this is meant to illustrate that the military think they are righteous and a gift unto the pupils, while being essentially self-involved, then it works.
But then comes another classic:
‘Oh, you have money! Dumbledore didn’t tell you there’s a fee for this scholarship/free taster-with-religion-or-we-haze-you when you join? No? You don’t need it? No worries, let me take this sack of gold off your hands.’
Screw these guys she just joined, I’m done with reading of these idiots like they’re worth anything.
April 8, 2011
The setting is taken almost wholesale from Dungeons and Dragons, and this bothered me more than was reasonable. _Sheepfarmer's Daughter_ had as context the mercenary company, which sliced the standard warmed-over Tolkien tropes in an interesting direction, and made the derivation less apparent. Here, Paksenarrion leaves the company and treks out for adventure either alone or with a small band. So there's no hiding it.
It bothered me I guess because of the implied bankruptcy of imagination involved. I'm not just talking "there are elves and dwarves and wizards and clerics": the author spends some time where characters discuss how magic scrolls work and the powers of a paladin, and they might as well be reading from the rule book.
Admittedly, despite this the story kept me glued. The shattering ending has left me debating a search for the third of the series.
It bothered me I guess because of the implied bankruptcy of imagination involved. I'm not just talking "there are elves and dwarves and wizards and clerics": the author spends some time where characters discuss how magic scrolls work and the powers of a paladin, and they might as well be reading from the rule book.
Admittedly, despite this the story kept me glued. The shattering ending has left me debating a search for the third of the series.
November 7, 2025
Much better than the first!
Better the second reading 3rd and even 4th and 14th!
Paks is a strong character, she has been in many battles. She chooses to leave the company, but will she become a Paladin she might try? She has traveled to Fin Panier to learn more about weapons, battle strategy, leadership. She faces more challenges, realizes she's been nieve about many things.
She has to faces many evil, the kwaknami/Inysin are very bad evil elves. She is captured and Paks has to survive them, they force her to fight Orcs, and resist the enemies of Achreia. can she overcome this challenge and heal whole?
*14th time around. I really enjoy this trilogy.
Better the second reading 3rd and even 4th and 14th!
Paks is a strong character, she has been in many battles. She chooses to leave the company, but will she become a Paladin she might try? She has traveled to Fin Panier to learn more about weapons, battle strategy, leadership. She faces more challenges, realizes she's been nieve about many things.
She has to faces many evil, the kwaknami/Inysin are very bad evil elves. She is captured and Paks has to survive them, they force her to fight Orcs, and resist the enemies of Achreia. can she overcome this challenge and heal whole?
*14th time around. I really enjoy this trilogy.
October 21, 2019
4 stars--I really liked it.
Elizabeth Moon is an excellent fantasy writer, and is an especially good military fantasy writer. Her grasp of military details is incredible, and she brings those details to life on the page with ease.
Paks continues to grow as a warrior, and also mentally as well, attempting various quests and learning more about the world and its peoples. Minor quibble: there's another attempted rape in this book; this seems to be a common trope in '80s fantasy, and I find it annoying. This book ends on a really sad note (Paks is at a very low point, to put it mildly). Can't wait to read book 3!
Elizabeth Moon is an excellent fantasy writer, and is an especially good military fantasy writer. Her grasp of military details is incredible, and she brings those details to life on the page with ease.
Paks continues to grow as a warrior, and also mentally as well, attempting various quests and learning more about the world and its peoples. Minor quibble: there's another attempted rape in this book; this seems to be a common trope in '80s fantasy, and I find it annoying. This book ends on a really sad note (Paks is at a very low point, to put it mildly). Can't wait to read book 3!
June 27, 2018
Well that was a depressing ending.
Overall I think I liked it. It definitely doesn't have the epic scope of a lot of fantasy, but I love how it focuses on Paksennarion. There's a lot of mundane activities, but I am finding it rather endearing.
Gonna take a quick break before the third book but I will DEFINITELY be finishing it, I must know how it ends.
And it had better be a happy ending.
Overall I think I liked it. It definitely doesn't have the epic scope of a lot of fantasy, but I love how it focuses on Paksennarion. There's a lot of mundane activities, but I am finding it rather endearing.
Gonna take a quick break before the third book but I will DEFINITELY be finishing it, I must know how it ends.
And it had better be a happy ending.
May 29, 2021
*As per all of my reviews, I like to preface by saying that I listened to this book in audiobook format. This does indeed slightly skew my rating. I have found that audiobooks, give me a better "relationship" with the characters if done well, but also kills the book for me if narrated poorly. Also due to the nature of listening to the text, names and places may be spelled incorrectly here as I often do not have the physical volume in front of me.
Also, I have written this review in a "rolling updates" style. In that I basically chronicle my reading as I progress. This may make for a jarring and spoilery review so be warned.**
Back in for Book II. I'm not exactly liking the turn this has taken. We leave the military context of Paks being in company of Duke Phelan, and she now is alone with an Elf. Who...is narrated in the most annoying voice possible. The narrator here who I try desperately to never let it ruin my enjoyment of a book, has made this character sound like a flat, bored, 13 year old boy. I ask you to cast your mind to Spaceballs, the really sleepy, prince that Princess Daphne is going to marry in the beginning? That his exactly what this sounds like. It's grating. So of course in the first book, I wanted a character for Paks to meet and have them stick around, and development a working relationship with...well..careful what you ask for, I'm give this crap. The story started out very interesting in that it seemed to be diving into the idea of a "cold war" type scenario where one of the allied Mercenary companies is led by a man who was a Pirate. And the other allied companies are now wondering and waiting to see how he reacts to the war being over... The idea that the other companies are growing more and more suspicious and paranoid about this one commander...but..not alas we turn from that story line and just follow this really cliche'd elf around who is such much of a caricature it's off putting.
As I'm getting further in I can see the narrator talks like this for all Elves and this is going to be a real sticking point for me. It's so grating..so annoying and silly It's taking me out of the book. I can not stand how and why it's read like this.
Thank Gird...so that horrid really bad accent on the Elf characters seems to have passed now that we're back with human characters. I don't know what possessed them to think that was a good read, but not that the distracting voice work is over, the story picks up. Paks is once again put in a position to prove herself on this new company of hosts. So while she was ask to leave honorably the Duke's company to see if she could find some higher calling (which apparently is with these rando's...) she has to earn their trust now by...of course, going on a fetch quest. Well more like a kill quest to stop some bandits. Tale as old as Fantasy writing time...This book was written at an era of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons so I can't fault it too much for lack of originality.
The book continues to send Paks through a series of fetch quests, that are leading up to her building more and more experience. She still considers herself a newbie, as she catches the fancy of a young grange girl who is enamoured by the warrior's lifestyle. Paks haughtily tells the girl she's not ready and "has much to learn have you." She treats the girl like a complete novice, but admits that it's only because she herself has such little experience... In the next scene, Paks is then put in the same position. She's applies to a battle company is very well respected, filled with Girdsman, so they're holy warriors. She's slapped back and questioned about her faith and devotion. Paks at this point, is Girdsman in name only, if that. She pledges no allegiance and tells the captaining marshall this. (who I love is a woman, but it's not made a big deal..it's just there...love it) She tells Paks that she has much to learn....but much to offer as well. Unlinke what Paks did the Suvi, the Captain accepts Paks into the company. Now I know it's probably not going to happen, but I would love the idea of Suvi growing up bitter towards Paks for not allowing her to squire for her.
The book's dialogue, something I was praising in Book I, has become so repetitive it's unbelieve...I spent twenty minutes listening to a conversation that followed the form of:
"Are you sure you want to join and be a Girdsman?"
"I will join"
"But will you become a trusted Girdsman?"
"I want to join your company"
"You have secrets, we can't trust you."
"But I want to to be a trusted warrior."
"Will be a trusted Girdsman?"
"I will fight with my all"
"Can we trust you?"
::Fights and gets hurt and yells::
"We can't trust you."
"But I want to join you."
"Can we trust you to be a faithful Girdsman?"
...and on..and on and on..
The dialogue which I enjoyed in the first book is nauseating here... I like Paks as a character, but meandering and waffling is pretty annoying. I do enjoy that all of these trials and tests await her. And I enjoy dialogue that goes someplace. I recently read Three Body Problem, and that book has the opposite problem, where all the dialogue was horribly masked exposition. This is belabored dialogue just for the sake of talking. The point was made 2 minutes into these conversations.
Also again I return to the voices...the human acting is spot on...but the dwarf, gnome and elf voices are terrible... enough so to really sour the interactions Paks has with any of the other races.
This book is so freaking...weird. So much of the stuff that happens to Paks seems so random and inconsequential. She gets captured by some sub-race of fallen elves....who have her fight other creatures. The scene comes out of no where, shows her getting beat and barely surviving, and then she's passed out and wakes back up in the safety of her camp. This keeps happening... the author wants to put her in a bad position, but then pull her out of it in the weakest, laziest way possible. No effort is shown to see how she was rescued, or how she was captured. She just wakes up in bad place, fights in bad place, wakes up in good place. The story has gotten so abstract, I have absolutely zero idea what the overall goal here is. I know she's trying to fit in with this company of Girdsmen, but there's so little going on everything has to be made to be a big deal. I find it hilarious that Paks shows literally any sign of weakness and she's suddenly not fit to be a Girdsmen.. Jesus christ, if she can get captured by an enemy forced to fight to the death and she comes back with a bit of a chip on her shoulder for being blamed for touching the enemies weapons...then fuck off, why would you want to join such a barbaric company? They seem outraged that she gets slightly annoyed. I can't stress how silly this reads. She was captured, beaten and forced to fight to survive...she comes back and is yelled at and reprimanded for even touching the enemy's swords and armor. Rightfully so she bites back at this, and then suddenly she's a loose canon, and too wild and touched with darkness... They call up Duke Phaelen like calling a child's parents into school to discuss a disciplinary problem. This is so ridiculous it's hard to stay with the narrative here..
Well..I'm done, and I think I may be taking some time before going on. The first book in this series I enjoyed immensely. The sort of 'boots on the ground' story of just being a soldier in the field was great. The problem is that no characters stuck around, and this is doubled down on in this book. None of the characters that are around Paks mean anything to me. They're all background characters just to set the scene. As Paks went through the story of randomly falling into battles, no one around her had any personal investment. And that brings up the other point in that I liked the idea of the story jus following her...sure..but this felt so boring and haphazard, it was like watching a shopping bag blow around in the wind. I like that the Duke came back for her, but what was the point? Why not just put her back in the company? I get it, she needs to earn her stripes and discover her own path...but have we even seen that? I just see her getting kicked around more and more and generally having this God she's been obsessed with, ignore her. I will return to book three, but I have more pressing, more interesting books lined up... This one felt like sort of a waste.
Also, I have written this review in a "rolling updates" style. In that I basically chronicle my reading as I progress. This may make for a jarring and spoilery review so be warned.**
Back in for Book II. I'm not exactly liking the turn this has taken. We leave the military context of Paks being in company of Duke Phelan, and she now is alone with an Elf. Who...is narrated in the most annoying voice possible. The narrator here who I try desperately to never let it ruin my enjoyment of a book, has made this character sound like a flat, bored, 13 year old boy. I ask you to cast your mind to Spaceballs, the really sleepy, prince that Princess Daphne is going to marry in the beginning? That his exactly what this sounds like. It's grating. So of course in the first book, I wanted a character for Paks to meet and have them stick around, and development a working relationship with...well..careful what you ask for, I'm give this crap. The story started out very interesting in that it seemed to be diving into the idea of a "cold war" type scenario where one of the allied Mercenary companies is led by a man who was a Pirate. And the other allied companies are now wondering and waiting to see how he reacts to the war being over... The idea that the other companies are growing more and more suspicious and paranoid about this one commander...but..not alas we turn from that story line and just follow this really cliche'd elf around who is such much of a caricature it's off putting.
As I'm getting further in I can see the narrator talks like this for all Elves and this is going to be a real sticking point for me. It's so grating..so annoying and silly It's taking me out of the book. I can not stand how and why it's read like this.
Thank Gird...so that horrid really bad accent on the Elf characters seems to have passed now that we're back with human characters. I don't know what possessed them to think that was a good read, but not that the distracting voice work is over, the story picks up. Paks is once again put in a position to prove herself on this new company of hosts. So while she was ask to leave honorably the Duke's company to see if she could find some higher calling (which apparently is with these rando's...) she has to earn their trust now by...of course, going on a fetch quest. Well more like a kill quest to stop some bandits. Tale as old as Fantasy writing time...This book was written at an era of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons so I can't fault it too much for lack of originality.
The book continues to send Paks through a series of fetch quests, that are leading up to her building more and more experience. She still considers herself a newbie, as she catches the fancy of a young grange girl who is enamoured by the warrior's lifestyle. Paks haughtily tells the girl she's not ready and "has much to learn have you." She treats the girl like a complete novice, but admits that it's only because she herself has such little experience... In the next scene, Paks is then put in the same position. She's applies to a battle company is very well respected, filled with Girdsman, so they're holy warriors. She's slapped back and questioned about her faith and devotion. Paks at this point, is Girdsman in name only, if that. She pledges no allegiance and tells the captaining marshall this. (who I love is a woman, but it's not made a big deal..it's just there...love it) She tells Paks that she has much to learn....but much to offer as well. Unlinke what Paks did the Suvi, the Captain accepts Paks into the company. Now I know it's probably not going to happen, but I would love the idea of Suvi growing up bitter towards Paks for not allowing her to squire for her.
The book's dialogue, something I was praising in Book I, has become so repetitive it's unbelieve...I spent twenty minutes listening to a conversation that followed the form of:
"Are you sure you want to join and be a Girdsman?"
"I will join"
"But will you become a trusted Girdsman?"
"I want to join your company"
"You have secrets, we can't trust you."
"But I want to to be a trusted warrior."
"Will be a trusted Girdsman?"
"I will fight with my all"
"Can we trust you?"
::Fights and gets hurt and yells::
"We can't trust you."
"But I want to join you."
"Can we trust you to be a faithful Girdsman?"
...and on..and on and on..
The dialogue which I enjoyed in the first book is nauseating here... I like Paks as a character, but meandering and waffling is pretty annoying. I do enjoy that all of these trials and tests await her. And I enjoy dialogue that goes someplace. I recently read Three Body Problem, and that book has the opposite problem, where all the dialogue was horribly masked exposition. This is belabored dialogue just for the sake of talking. The point was made 2 minutes into these conversations.
Also again I return to the voices...the human acting is spot on...but the dwarf, gnome and elf voices are terrible... enough so to really sour the interactions Paks has with any of the other races.
This book is so freaking...weird. So much of the stuff that happens to Paks seems so random and inconsequential. She gets captured by some sub-race of fallen elves....who have her fight other creatures. The scene comes out of no where, shows her getting beat and barely surviving, and then she's passed out and wakes back up in the safety of her camp. This keeps happening... the author wants to put her in a bad position, but then pull her out of it in the weakest, laziest way possible. No effort is shown to see how she was rescued, or how she was captured. She just wakes up in bad place, fights in bad place, wakes up in good place. The story has gotten so abstract, I have absolutely zero idea what the overall goal here is. I know she's trying to fit in with this company of Girdsmen, but there's so little going on everything has to be made to be a big deal. I find it hilarious that Paks shows literally any sign of weakness and she's suddenly not fit to be a Girdsmen.. Jesus christ, if she can get captured by an enemy forced to fight to the death and she comes back with a bit of a chip on her shoulder for being blamed for touching the enemies weapons...then fuck off, why would you want to join such a barbaric company? They seem outraged that she gets slightly annoyed. I can't stress how silly this reads. She was captured, beaten and forced to fight to survive...she comes back and is yelled at and reprimanded for even touching the enemy's swords and armor. Rightfully so she bites back at this, and then suddenly she's a loose canon, and too wild and touched with darkness... They call up Duke Phaelen like calling a child's parents into school to discuss a disciplinary problem. This is so ridiculous it's hard to stay with the narrative here..
Well..I'm done, and I think I may be taking some time before going on. The first book in this series I enjoyed immensely. The sort of 'boots on the ground' story of just being a soldier in the field was great. The problem is that no characters stuck around, and this is doubled down on in this book. None of the characters that are around Paks mean anything to me. They're all background characters just to set the scene. As Paks went through the story of randomly falling into battles, no one around her had any personal investment. And that brings up the other point in that I liked the idea of the story jus following her...sure..but this felt so boring and haphazard, it was like watching a shopping bag blow around in the wind. I like that the Duke came back for her, but what was the point? Why not just put her back in the company? I get it, she needs to earn her stripes and discover her own path...but have we even seen that? I just see her getting kicked around more and more and generally having this God she's been obsessed with, ignore her. I will return to book three, but I have more pressing, more interesting books lined up... This one felt like sort of a waste.
January 12, 2025
Re-reading an old favorite. Has a bit of MOTs
December 4, 2025
Great follow up to the first installment
Love these books. Great story and well written to boot! If you’re reading these know that there are more books related to this series published.
Love these books. Great story and well written to boot! If you’re reading these know that there are more books related to this series published.
January 28, 2011
Continuing my re-read of the original Paksenarrion trilogy.
First I have to talk about the cover of this book. This is obviously a re-issued cover but I like my original cover better.
Both covers actually do a good job of depicting a pivotal character-building event in the book. But I think the original cover depiction of Paks' brutal, continuous death-cage fighting match with the multiple orcs, while all the time being invaded by total evil is the defining element of this entire book.
But enough about the covers.
Of the three books, i think this is my least favorite. Not because it is bad but it has none of the stuff that I really loved about the first one. One of my favorite aspects of that book was the depiction of the Company and how Paks fit in and made a new family with them. That is all missing in this book.
After the end of the first book, Paks takes a leave from the company. At the conclusion of Siniava's war, there are some things about the way the end of the war was being handled that did not sit well with Paks. So she strikes out on what is a typical hero's quest.
She travels, meets people and has a series of adventures. And that sounds incredibly tame for a book that actually turns out to be incredibly harrowing for our heroine and somewhat depressing actually. My problem largely is that Paks seems so isolated throughout this book, learning a bunch of hard lessons especially about such things as trust. She is a person who has never been out in the world alone and thus is learning in quick and brutal fashion that the world is not a safe place to be. Having read the series multiple times, I realize in retrospect that the things in this book had to happen in order for Paks to become the person she does. She has to suffer, essentially, in order to be the type of hero she becomes.
The ending of this book always makes me so sad. After Paks is lost in Achrya's (the evil spider demon) lair and has to fight her way out in a series of escalatingly awful matches, she is rescued and 'cured' of the evil that has been done to her. Only problem is the cure is almost as bad as the evil. So in the end, Paks is a mere shadow of herself. The book ends with a series of letters from various people who are looking for her and they describe a person who is light years away from the tough warrior.
As an ending to a middle book of a trilogy it is brilliant because, when you look at the cover of the next book --- with Paks on a horse, magical sword ablazing -- you know something gives. So you have to read the final book to find out what.
First I have to talk about the cover of this book. This is obviously a re-issued cover but I like my original cover better.
Both covers actually do a good job of depicting a pivotal character-building event in the book. But I think the original cover depiction of Paks' brutal, continuous death-cage fighting match with the multiple orcs, while all the time being invaded by total evil is the defining element of this entire book.
But enough about the covers.
Of the three books, i think this is my least favorite. Not because it is bad but it has none of the stuff that I really loved about the first one. One of my favorite aspects of that book was the depiction of the Company and how Paks fit in and made a new family with them. That is all missing in this book.
After the end of the first book, Paks takes a leave from the company. At the conclusion of Siniava's war, there are some things about the way the end of the war was being handled that did not sit well with Paks. So she strikes out on what is a typical hero's quest.
She travels, meets people and has a series of adventures. And that sounds incredibly tame for a book that actually turns out to be incredibly harrowing for our heroine and somewhat depressing actually. My problem largely is that Paks seems so isolated throughout this book, learning a bunch of hard lessons especially about such things as trust. She is a person who has never been out in the world alone and thus is learning in quick and brutal fashion that the world is not a safe place to be. Having read the series multiple times, I realize in retrospect that the things in this book had to happen in order for Paks to become the person she does. She has to suffer, essentially, in order to be the type of hero she becomes.
The ending of this book always makes me so sad. After Paks is lost in Achrya's (the evil spider demon) lair and has to fight her way out in a series of escalatingly awful matches, she is rescued and 'cured' of the evil that has been done to her. Only problem is the cure is almost as bad as the evil. So in the end, Paks is a mere shadow of herself. The book ends with a series of letters from various people who are looking for her and they describe a person who is light years away from the tough warrior.
As an ending to a middle book of a trilogy it is brilliant because, when you look at the cover of the next book --- with Paks on a horse, magical sword ablazing -- you know something gives. So you have to read the final book to find out what.
July 7, 2022
In previous book of Paksenarrion series, Sheepfarmer's Daughter, focuses on life of Mercenaries and against Siniava. In Divided Allegiance, Pak left the Duke's company and accept a new mission to seek out the fabled stronghold of Luap far to the west. Before she was involved in a quest to destroy the spider queen's cult was located near where Pak's accommodation. The second half of Divided Allegiance was after Pak was sent to Girid's headquarter to be trained as a paladin, she was accompanying the delegation to accomplish discovering the stronghold of Luap.
Compare to Sheep Farmer's Daughter, This book is more adventurous type of fantasy. Doesn't have military maneuvers and battles. More like S&S type fight with malign spider priest, brutal orcs, atrocious Elf. Pak has introspect in her deed of being Gird's Paladin, and struggle with her ethic of goodness. Her conflict in the end of the book was built up pretty well! I can see very realistic afflictions of PTSD after she was captured by evil enemies. Also I didn't expect that magic portal exit in this world! It's interesting to see characters tried to figure out the function of the portal was set in the stronghold Laup. However, it's merely a solid setting than Plot device which just let the cohort went back to their home quickly.
Overall, a decent fantasy second book of The Deed of Paksenarrion series. It has Good character's developments, adventures, military drills, coming of age elemental all mix up in this book and has done well.
Compare to Sheep Farmer's Daughter, This book is more adventurous type of fantasy. Doesn't have military maneuvers and battles. More like S&S type fight with malign spider priest, brutal orcs, atrocious Elf. Pak has introspect in her deed of being Gird's Paladin, and struggle with her ethic of goodness. Her conflict in the end of the book was built up pretty well! I can see very realistic afflictions of PTSD after she was captured by evil enemies. Also I didn't expect that magic portal exit in this world! It's interesting to see characters tried to figure out the function of the portal was set in the stronghold Laup. However, it's merely a solid setting than Plot device which just let the cohort went back to their home quickly.
Overall, a decent fantasy second book of The Deed of Paksenarrion series. It has Good character's developments, adventures, military drills, coming of age elemental all mix up in this book and has done well.
October 6, 2014
Again, as in the first book of this trilogy, I've read the text version and this year (2010) received them in audio CD from my daughter for Christmas. Sometimes a book that is good or exceptional in print form turns out not to be so in audio.
But this one is still great. While Jennifer Van Dyck may not be the best or narrators she's still good and manages to transfer the feeling of the book, the characters, the writer to you.
I am rating the book 5 stars, but must admit to being a little annoyed after a while to the way she reads the elves... If you hear you may see what I mean. Not a deal breaker or anything, but I wish she'd gone another direction. And...at one point two characters switched voices, but that was more of a laugh than anything else.
On the whole this is still a moving book a story of the forming of Paksenarrion's character and growth. A book let me say, when you read or listen to it, have the next, Oath of Gold on hand and ready. Still 5 stars. This trilogy as a whole as a single book makes up one of my all time favorite books. I'd rate it in my top 5 novels of all time.
But this one is still great. While Jennifer Van Dyck may not be the best or narrators she's still good and manages to transfer the feeling of the book, the characters, the writer to you.
I am rating the book 5 stars, but must admit to being a little annoyed after a while to the way she reads the elves... If you hear you may see what I mean. Not a deal breaker or anything, but I wish she'd gone another direction. And...at one point two characters switched voices, but that was more of a laugh than anything else.
On the whole this is still a moving book a story of the forming of Paksenarrion's character and growth. A book let me say, when you read or listen to it, have the next, Oath of Gold on hand and ready. Still 5 stars. This trilogy as a whole as a single book makes up one of my all time favorite books. I'd rate it in my top 5 novels of all time.
June 24, 2025
This middle book in the Deed of Paksenarrion covers a lot of ground, traveling with Paks on a series of adventures all over the land. Rather than one big narrative, this feels like many different episodes, although they string together seemlessly. We literally are exploring the world and learning with her. She goes on numerous missions, joining up with a large and diverse cast of characters, ever growing all the while along her journey. We don't know how it will end up or what's coming next, but that's all part of the fun.
This world is starting to feel very similar to D&D, particularly the Forgotten Realms series, with its systems of classes and magic, pantheon of gods and races. But the tight writing and focus on character is far superior to D&D, if not on the epic scale of something like Malazan. I'd recommend this series to D&D fans for sure, over and above the official novels.
There are places where this book drags, and others that keep you engrossed. It ends on a cliffhanger and a huge downer, with Paks at her lowest point yet, but we know that things are going to improve from here. It definitely makes you eager to start the last book to find out what happens. Not a bad middle book in the trilogy.
This world is starting to feel very similar to D&D, particularly the Forgotten Realms series, with its systems of classes and magic, pantheon of gods and races. But the tight writing and focus on character is far superior to D&D, if not on the epic scale of something like Malazan. I'd recommend this series to D&D fans for sure, over and above the official novels.
There are places where this book drags, and others that keep you engrossed. It ends on a cliffhanger and a huge downer, with Paks at her lowest point yet, but we know that things are going to improve from here. It definitely makes you eager to start the last book to find out what happens. Not a bad middle book in the trilogy.
April 2, 2023
8.5/10:
The story of Paks continues in this second installment of the trilogy and it's full of excitement. Where the previous book focused more on the military workings of the world, this book reads much more as a great adventure. The world "opens up" so to speak, and you get to know more about everything in it. Things like religion, Elder races and magic unfold in this part of the story.
Paks strikes out on her own, meets different travel companions and becomes part of some sort of fellowship in different order troughout the book. The new characters that are introduced are great! Some more likeable than others, but all very well written. They feel like actual people each with their own merits and flaws.
There's a lot of character development happening in this book, and Paks is trying to find her place in the world.The battle between good and evil plays a big part, in the story as a whole as well within Paks.
Some moments and events that happen throughout the story make an impact on the reader for sure.
I really liked this second installment of the trilogy. I'm going to start reading the third and last book immediatly after writing this review.
The story of Paks continues in this second installment of the trilogy and it's full of excitement. Where the previous book focused more on the military workings of the world, this book reads much more as a great adventure. The world "opens up" so to speak, and you get to know more about everything in it. Things like religion, Elder races and magic unfold in this part of the story.
Paks strikes out on her own, meets different travel companions and becomes part of some sort of fellowship in different order troughout the book. The new characters that are introduced are great! Some more likeable than others, but all very well written. They feel like actual people each with their own merits and flaws.
There's a lot of character development happening in this book, and Paks is trying to find her place in the world.The battle between good and evil plays a big part, in the story as a whole as well within Paks.
Some moments and events that happen throughout the story make an impact on the reader for sure.
I really liked this second installment of the trilogy. I'm going to start reading the third and last book immediatly after writing this review.
September 24, 2025
4.5 Stars
Definitely gets things going faster than the first book. More immediate action and generally more interesting side characters I think. It also does a better job of showing Paks as a multi-layered character than the first book does.
I think the main problem here is just a lack of defining things for the reader. Like what the heck is an "elfen taig"? "elfen" is simple enough, but Google tells me "taig" is a derogatory word for Catholic, which I don't think is quite what the author was going for. There's a slight problem throughout the book of assuming the reader knows what certain terms mean, I think. Not a massive issue as context clues fill in enough of the blanks to remove the worst confusion but it's frustrating throughout the book.
The last few chapters are pretty heartbreaking both because of the situation and because of how stubborn Paks still is. A whole other book left though so maybe she'll get shaken out of her stubbornness a bit.
Definitely gets things going faster than the first book. More immediate action and generally more interesting side characters I think. It also does a better job of showing Paks as a multi-layered character than the first book does.
I think the main problem here is just a lack of defining things for the reader. Like what the heck is an "elfen taig"? "elfen" is simple enough, but Google tells me "taig" is a derogatory word for Catholic, which I don't think is quite what the author was going for. There's a slight problem throughout the book of assuming the reader knows what certain terms mean, I think. Not a massive issue as context clues fill in enough of the blanks to remove the worst confusion but it's frustrating throughout the book.
The last few chapters are pretty heartbreaking both because of the situation and because of how stubborn Paks still is. A whole other book left though so maybe she'll get shaken out of her stubbornness a bit.
March 10, 2020
Divided Allegiance is the second book in the 1980s epic military fantasy. Despite being written over twenty years ago, it still stands the test of time. Yes, Paks is a bit of a Mary Sue character, but the author is not afraid to have her tested in dire circumstances. Paks is the perfect character to highlight the rest of the world in this series. Having only known home and fighting under Duke Phelan, her outlook on life is expectedly naive. And yet she grows and learns to make more decisions for herself. Especially as she meets other species of this fantasy world- the elves, the dwarves. Once again, Elizabeth Moon has Paks undergo another traumatic military experience. And yet, I can agree with other readers who noted that her post-traumatic path remains unchanged for current war veterans.
So like all other readers, this sophomore book actually advances the plot narrative even though there is a glaring plot hole. Will be listening to the last book of this series soon.
So like all other readers, this sophomore book actually advances the plot narrative even though there is a glaring plot hole. Will be listening to the last book of this series soon.
August 24, 2024
Divided Allegiance is a much better book than Sheepfarmer's Daughter. Rather than a padded out mercenary's diary, the sequel consists of adventure after adventure, with a lot more magic and intriguing creatures. The reluctance of Paks' gradual conversion to Gird feels a bit uncomfortable, but it's an adequate substitute for character development.
Unfortunately Paks is still painfully naive and ignorant. Going into this series I had hoped for interesting ethical questions springing from the protagonist's desire to do the most good. Instead Paks suffers from a kind of childish stubbornness on moral issues, ameliorated only by her earnest humility. Overall I am still enjoying the series as warm-blanket/cinnamon-bun D&D fanfiction - a comfortable read, but not the incisive, complex novel I was led to expect.
Unfortunately Paks is still painfully naive and ignorant. Going into this series I had hoped for interesting ethical questions springing from the protagonist's desire to do the most good. Instead Paks suffers from a kind of childish stubbornness on moral issues, ameliorated only by her earnest humility. Overall I am still enjoying the series as warm-blanket/cinnamon-bun D&D fanfiction - a comfortable read, but not the incisive, complex novel I was led to expect.
May 2, 2023
I have a fondness for Paks after the first book and was interested in continuing her adventure. This book was a bit frustrating for me. There were a lot of parts that were slow and in some places, achingly so. Especially toward the end, when it becomes clear that the story is taking a turn. It really seemed to drag and the ending was so melancholy. I'm saddened by the ending and can only hope that the last installment will do Paks and this trilogy justice. I'm also hoping we pick up the pace a bit.
December 4, 2020
Detta var inte mycket att hänga i julgran!
Historien är platt i jämförelse med den förra - ett förlängt träningsmontage, två uppdrag tydligt hämtade ur D&D och en beskrivning av karaktärens ptsd. Det finns en enda intriglinje, och inga stabila sidokaraktärer; de som finns saknar personlighet.
Det enda som räddar boken, är att Moon skriver ganska bra, och verkar ha något slags tydlig bild av vart hon vill med karaktären.
Historien är platt i jämförelse med den förra - ett förlängt träningsmontage, två uppdrag tydligt hämtade ur D&D och en beskrivning av karaktärens ptsd. Det finns en enda intriglinje, och inga stabila sidokaraktärer; de som finns saknar personlighet.
Det enda som räddar boken, är att Moon skriver ganska bra, och verkar ha något slags tydlig bild av vart hon vill med karaktären.
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