Path of Honor (Path of Fate)

I basically just copied the same review for all three books in this series What can I say, five stars says it all. I bought this book more than three times then traded it at a used book store. This time I got all three of the series and then started at the beginning and read them from first to last. Then I placed them on the bottom of all my books, I got to quit wasting my money rebuying this series so I'll just keep them this time.

After reading "Path of Fate," this book answered my need for more of Resil. I loved this book as much as I loved the first one. The continuation of the characters and their growth was exciting. The information about the sorcerers and Resil's struggle with evil was exciting! I would read this book again even if the author decided to put more information in it to make the pages twice as long. Usually the quality of detail is only necessary but it takes a GREAT author to write a both qualitative and quantitative, exciting novel. Each book is different but it all ties together to form a wonderfully written trilogy. This is a true Science Fiction/Fantasy novel and a series that I will re-read again.

This book was some amazing fantasy. You MUST read "Path of Fate" first or you'll definitely be lost though. It started out slow at first and I had to re-orient myself with the characters, but after the first few chapters the storyline became clearer and I really got into it. There are some graphic torture scenes and therefore I would not call this a child's fantasy book. On the other hand, the characters are memorable, likeable (or detestable), and extremely believeable. I'm very excited to read the third book in the series.

The problem in writing a trilogy is the second book. It is one that has to provide enough complications to warrant a third book, and yet do so without confusing the reader, at the same time as keeping the reader's interest. Some writers fail to do this well, which really indicates that the book should be in two parts, not three. (Sean Russell's recent trilogy really should have just been two books rather than three.) However, Path of Honor manages to keep the reader's interest. It also provides enough intrigue to show that this story warrants three books, and will therefore make a strong trilogy. The characterisation could be made a little stronger, but overall this is a minor weakness in the novel. The story IS complicated, but that is necessary in order to develop the entire tale.

After reading Path of Fate, I half expected Path of Honor to follow along the same lines... a good, fast read, but relatively light in mood. Was I wrong. This book is considerably darker with a lot of fascinating political intrigue. Francis is a master of the natural world and her skill in "court" is equally involving. Some of the names and titles are a bit confusing at first, but once you get into the book, it gets easier. I'd love for her publishers to include some extra world info in the back... I want to know more about Kodu Riik, Patverseme and this newly introduced land, Scallas. Overall a good read. I recommend this book to any fan of fantasy.