Elizabeth Moon
Baen Books
Copyright: 1992
978-0671721046
Product Description copied from the chapters/indigo.ca website:
From the PublisherThe Deed of Paksenarrion is a book I've read and reviewed several times now. My most recent previous review is here, and the one before that is here. In a way, I'm glad I finished the read finally, just because of how long it took this time. I definitely love the book though, so that's not a complaint in any way.
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.
Elizabeth Moon has created a wonderfully detailed world with this series. This time I was noticing little things about the way she's written all the scenes involving horses. Mostly I think that's due to my having read Writing Horses: The Fine Art of Getting It Right, by Judith Tarr. If my memory's not playing tricks, I seem to recall that Judith Tarr had some good things to say about Elizabeth Moon's writing there. But, based on my own limited knowledge, she's gotten it right.
Reading The Deed Of Paksenarrion after reading the two most recent books in this world, Oath of Fealty and Kings of the North was kind of neat. This is a completely self-contained novel, and yet, after reading the two latest books, I was noticing all these little details that hinted at things which are being revealed now. And there are things I'd love to know more about too - the sleepers in Luap's stronghold, for example.
That's honestly how I've been looking at this book this time, in relation to the two newest books. It's a wonderful story on it's own, and even better with the hints of things to come.
Watching Paksenarrion grow through her experiences, first with Phelan's mercenary company, and then later on her own is an intriguing experience. There's a gritty reality to all this which I find quite different and enjoy. The mud, blisters and all the little details that the author has included just make the book for me.
If you haven't given The Deed of Paksenarrion a try and you like fantasy novels, you should. This is a book that I rate with five stars every time I read it.
2 comments:
This was a great book for all the details it had in it but it definitely wasn't a page turner for me. Good grief...I think it took me a year to read this one while I took breaks from it to read other things.
This was a weird read for me - more like what it sounds like your read was. I kept reading other books at the same time.
I remember the first time I read The Deed of Paksenarrion - three days, cover to cover and I started reading it again right away.
Thanks for commenting, Michael.
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