A Woman Worth Ten Coppers

I haven't read the Orc books, and I am not generally a reader of fantasy or quest stories. So people who have, and are, may well disagree with me. I see this story as a parable of the increasing violence overtaking our own world. The puzzle of how and why it is happening is central to the plot. The partial answers of greed, selfishness and a willingness to be corrupted are clear but not the entirety, and the protagonists are searching rather blindly for answers. The clear message that what god or goddess people worship declares their personal values and draws them further toward the way they have chosen, can be extended to the awareness that strength of character and kindness (religious or not) have an importance in the world and in the fate of worlds. None of the other reviewers mentioned this, so that is why I added my review. I enjoyed the book and look forward to the sequel. The philosophy doesn't slow the plot or get in the way (lest I frighten someone off).

Honestly its a great book! I had nothing bad to say about it, I was very pleased to have purchased this. It has the same kind of flavour as Queen of the Orcs (his first fantasy series) and thats what makes this book even better! Morgan Howell is an absolute great writer and if you read his first series or you like fantasy novels I have no doubt in my mind you would like it! This book takes a different kind of fantasy, in some way its a cruel (but not bad) view it leaves nothing out and has nothing to hide. He seems to tell it how it is and how he believes it would have been if it had been fact. Though I was wary about the title, it explains in full why it is called that, and why it had to be called that, making it that the title fits the story fully! I absolutely one-hundred percent recommend this book to everyone.

The Wise Woman leaves young Yim with the the Seer who takes her South across the Highlands from her home near the Cloud Mountains of the Northern Reach so she can serve in the temple although he knows troubles are worse in the direction he leads them; he has no choice because the vision from the Goddess directs him. She asks if he is Theodus as that is the name of her guide as "whispered" to her; he says no insisting the Goddess Karn is her guide. Yim realizes "her father" as she is to call him in front of strangers is trying to hide his fear behind a veneer of calm. His fears prove right when they are attacked on the road; the Seer is murdered and Yim bound and raped by he who calls her scornfully "Ribbon Girl" before selling her to a slaver. Honus, the Sarf warrior dedicated to Goddess Karm, is rudderless. He prefers to die for he has no purpose in life, but is unable to do so. His reason for living serving the holy Bearer ended when the followers of the evil God Devourer killed her. At the slave market, Honus for no reason he can discern decides to buy a back packer to carry his bags. Thus he travels to the village of Durkin where he buys the youthful Yim for ten coppers. He will soon know why the Goddess sent him to buy A WOMAN WORTH TEN COPPERS as their adventures just begin as nearby Lurwic Castle is burning down and its ducal family dead; Lord Bahl is on the deadly march.. Following up to the exciting Queen of Orcs trilogy, Morgan Howell starts a new saga with a superb quest fantasy starring two intriguing protagonists who both have emotional issues from recent traumas. The story line is fast-paced filled with plenty of action. However, as with Ms. Howell's Orc tales like KING'S PROPERTY the insight into the culture make for a dynamic tale; even the villains seem real. Fans will enjoy the opening gamut, which in many ways is a coming of age tale as the relationship between Yim and Honus change over the course of their escapades. Harriet Klausner

I'm rather torn about this author. I enjoyed the first 2 books of the Orc series, while not enjoying the conclusion. This one is even better then the orc series in some respects. Its an engrossing and entertaining read. While telling a dark story, it gives hints of violence, but thankfully steers clear of actually giving descriptions. The suggestions of romance help alleviate to a certain degree the darkness inherent in the overall story. The one problem I have with the book, is in showing the villains actions. While it gave me a better feel for the overarching story, I've found that theres almost a direct correlation between how much screentime they give the bad guys and how much I enjoy a story. I also dislike having characters be introduced, starting to like them, and then have them be killed off. I sincerely hope the sequels will be as good as this one.