Prince of Dogs

I really connected with the first book in this series and am eagerly awaiting the third (August can't come soon enough!). This is a fantastic series with serious scholarly kudos due! If you like fantasy and historical fiction than don't miss Crown of Stars. The detail on medieval life and the spin on religious schisms is fantastic - all on top of a great story with great characters. It was fantastic to see Sanglant, a character of whom more was heard than read about in the first book, come to the fore, and the degradation of his character relly struck a chord. Similarly for Liath - the trials she went through in the first novel come back to haunt her and Elliott convincingly relates her trauma and inability to act in the face of her past. She develops a longing for the fulfillment of the characters separate destinies in the third novel very well. I think that it helps to have some knowledge of the classic texts and languages she manipulates in this novel for fuller appreciation, for example if you knew Sapientia meant wisdom in the first book (she only says so in the second) you can appreciate her character a lot more readily. This goes for Lupus/Wolfheim as well. And the ironies of the attributions of classical texts in this novel is also enriched by knowing the originals e.g. the Heleniad by Virgilia (a story about a woman by a woman) rather than the Illiad by Homer and the Aeneid by Virgil (stories about men by men, with a woman at the heart of it all - Helen and Pallas Athene respectively). But even if you aren't interested in the development of heresies or other topics that are entwined through the heart of the fast-paced action and character travails that propel this series, if you like good quality fantasy you'll still enjoy Crown of Stars. I recommend Gore Vidal's JULIAN for anyone interested in the idea of the development of the Church as a succession of Synods, and Guy Gavriel kay's one off novels TIGANA, LIONS OF AL_RASSAN, and A SONG FOR ARBONNE for anyone interested in fantasy which is enrichened by a historical basis. For medieval historical fiction I can't recommend anyone more than Sharon Kay Penman's Plantagenet series.

A seperate story from the first, which told of the fall of Gent. This tells of the recapture of Gent but yet continues the series in an excellent manner. Elliot uses great elements of literature to make the story seem real and derives another totally believable world into pieces of paper bound together to amuse readers of the world. The characters were totally believable except for how Liath acted when Hugh was around. Besides that I would have to say the best character is Wolfhere, he reminds you of a Sean Connery type in a way, next would be Sanglant. A charater completely changed by his year in captivity by Bloodheart. Yet his character seems a lot more developed now than during his time as the captain of the Kings Dragons. I read it once. Then I read it again after the third came out, which I am in the middle of. An excellent series for everybody who likes true fantasy.

I thought that some of the previous reviews were a little unfair. I think that this book is well written. It doesn't matter that the history is similar. You're surprised with little similarities that for me made the characters seem more real. I can picture every character and I'm still remembering them days after reading. It's not the best but what is? I'd say it is a definite great read.

King Henry's bastard son Sanglant is considered dead by most residents of the Kingdoms of Wendar and Varre. However, the PRINC OF DOGS is actually alive, held prisoner by the Eika, Bloodheart. Sanglant, who is immortal, finds his last vestiges of sanity slipping away during his unwelcome stay as the guest of the warlord. The reported death of his son has shook King Henry, who is completing his victory over several rebel lords before engaging in the ultimate battle with Bloodheart. PRINCE OF DOGS, The second novel in "Crown Of Stars" series, is an action-packed, exciting other world fantasy novel that works because the characters seem so real. Like its predecessor, KING'S DRAGON, (which is coming out in paperback), the captivating story line holds reader attention throughout the novel. Fans of the fantasy genre need to read the two volumes of this well written series for a taste of a realistic fantasy adventure. Harriet Klausner

If you liked A GAME OF THRONES, you will love this series. It combines intrigue, love, great warriors and battles, magic, and mystery in a Medieval European-style high fantasy land. Liath, Alain, Sanglant, Fifth Brother, and their friends, family, and enemies come alive in this gripping story.