The Deed Of Paksenarrion - Elizabeth Moon

The Deed Of Paksenarrion
Elizabeth Moon
Baen Books
Copyright: 1992
978-0671721046

Product Description copied from the chapters/indigo.ca website:

From the Publisher
The Finest Trilogy of the Decade -- in a Single Volume

Paksenarrion, yearning for adventure and glory, joins a mercenary company. Her chosen path will lead her on a holy quest that will bring down the gods'' wrath on her and test her to destruction.

From the Jacket
Never in our experience has a new author burst upon the sf/fantasy field to such immediate enthusiastic recognition as Elizabeth Moon with her fantasy trilogy, Sheepfarmer''s Daughter, Divided Allegiance, and Oath of Gold. Now at last we are able to offer all six hundred thousand words of The Deed of Paksenarrion in a single trade edition. Note that because of its size the complete Deed of Paksenarrion will probably never be offered in a mass market edition.

I love this book. Elizabeth Moon has created a world that feels 'real', with characters that are well rounded, solid and interesting. You can't help but feel for Paksenarrion as she experiences the highs and lows along her life journey. The Deed of Paksenarrion is made up of Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance and Oath of Gold.

From reading Elizabeth Moon's livejournal/blog (MoonScapes) I've become aware that she has a military background herself. That may well be one of the things that adds realism to the writing in this book. Elizabeth Moon has not ignored all of the less pleasant things of life in the writing of these books. There are so many details we don't normally hear about included in this book, and all of it just adds to the story.

I've seen reviews and blurbs that compare this book to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and honestly, I think that Elizabeth Moon's writing comes closer than some of the other authors and books that have been given the same comparison. There's a sense of stories untold and a depth of history that somebody knows about, even if the reader doesn't. So many things are hinted at. Everything about the story is coherent. The writing is rich and moves along well. The Deed of Paksenarrion is over a thousand pages, but you wouldn't know it, the way the story catches you up.

The first time I read this book, I ended up turning back to the first page and reading it again as soon as I'd finished it, it was that good. Five stars aren't enough for this book.


If you love the Deed of Paksenarrion, you should know that there's finally another book in the series coming out next month: Oath of Fealty, which, I think, starts a new series. I can't wait.