Daughter of the Empire

This trilogy explores the world beyond the rift with it's vastly different culture and belief system. It is definitely influenced by all the major Asian cultures which Feist had already established in his Riftwar Saga. It is amazingly told by Wurts and I got the sense that Feist's role was to fill in the gaps and check continuity since the style of writing is completely different. One servant girl ends up overcoming incredible odds, countless spies and intrigue to kill an army of men. She ends up becoming the most powerful woman in Kelewan history ... but not without sacrifices and compromises. This trilogy shares some similarites to the Riftwar Saga (servant to most powerful being for example) but there are so many other things that set it apart too. I really identified with the main character Mara, but the spy master definitely stood out above the rest.Make sure you read the other books in the series if you like this one: Servant of the Empire (book #2) and Mistress of the Empire (book #3). Does the world of Kelewan enthrall you? Then pick up the the Riftwar Saga (starting with Magician: Apprentice) which shows you how it all began.

"Daughter of the Empire" is a powerful story of Mara of the Acoma who, upon the murder of her father and brother by an sinister plot of the family's arch-enemy, is left as the only remaining heir of the Acoma estate. In a world where life has no meaning, so long as it is forfeited via subtle political strokes through great Game, Mara needs every scrap of her wits, stubborness and determination to survive and continue the Acoma line.In this book and the rest of the series, the innocent girl from convent life becomes a powerful and dangerous Player. Determined to be unmoved by her unfortunate position, Mara's keen political sense ensures her survival. Her resolve, persistance and imagination (unusual for the ever traditionally minded Tsurani) propels her family from what is, at best, an uncertain position to one of the most powerful in the world. BUT, not without paying a price. Mara must learn that she is, first and foremost, human, before she is a player. Based on Feist's Kelewan world, the "aliens" as created in the "Magician" series, Wurts adds her talent for detailed plot, intrigue and human emotion to Feist's imaginative series, to create one of the most powerful stories in fantasy today. For those who've read the "Magician" series, you will be excited to recognise a number of characters and learn to understand what drives the "aliens". For Wurts fans - this book will not disappoint you - it has every speck of Wurts-ness that make her other series so darn good.In one word: "unputdownable".

The plot is great, the background a twisted version of Asia's culture, making it old and new. Makes you want to go read the other two (which I did). I can't help but compare it's sweeping, epic-like story to the novel 'Shogun'.Mara is a smart and strong female character in a world which has limited her greatly. It is nice to see her work out her problems both with her mind and her clan's loyal soldiers.

Raymond E. Feist's and Janny Wurt's fantasy novel, Daughter of the Empire, is wonderful. It is the first in the so called "Empire Trilogy". The "Empire Trilogy" is filled with political intrigue and intricate schemes, and slight hints to the Riftwar that rages through the counterpart books, Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master. If you read only one book in your life, I feel sorry for you, but if you read three... read the Empire Trilogy: starting with Daughter of the Empire. (you should also read the Riftwar Saga) :)

I am a great fan of Raymond E. Feist, and have read all of his books numerous times. In fact, most of the books are so worn out that the pages are falling out. The Empire trilogy is almost as good or better than the Riftwar Saga. It explores the strange culture of Kelewan touched on in Magician:Master and a little in Silverthorn.Lady Mara is an intriguing character, and is extremely loveable. She is one of the greatest fantasy characters I have ever encountered. Despite the length of the books in this series, it is impossible to put them down. The intrigue and trials in the "Great Game" are unmatched in any other book that I have read. If you are a fan of Eddings, Jordan, McCaffery, or any other fantasy author, READ THIS SERIES, you won't be disappointed.