The Broken Crown (The Sun Sword, Book 1)

Michelle West has an incredible ability when it comes to creating realistic worlds. Yes, this book is lengthy, detailed, complex, and verbose at times. But I know of very few authors with the same ability to create a universe like hers. You will become completely immersed in this new world: West thoroughly fleshes out the different aspects of politics, religion, family life throughout her novels. Her characters are genuine: you learn to understand what drives each one of them. There are no clear cut 'bad guys' or 'good guys'. Simply stated: there are people who have goals and ambitions that clash with others to create conflict throught her story. I think that this makes her characters more human like: even the most likeable characters have their flaws. In the end, I am as attached to some of the 'villains' as i am attached to the 'heroes'. This isn't a simple good versus bad story: instead it is multi-dimensional and constantly changing. The first hundred pages are slow going: you have to get the hang of West's terminology. Once you do, you start to appreciate all the intricate details that West has woven into her world and story. It does get confusing: just as you get used to reading about Diora and life among the clans, West decides to switch it up and you're suddenly reading about characters from the Northern Realms. But once I started to understand her world, I could not put the book down. I think that this book is completely worth the initial struggle and confusion, and five books later in the series, I still feel that way. West's books remain at the top of my bookshelf as one of my favorite series. Mayhap it'll become one of your favorites too.

So, I'm the kind of person that likes long (and I mean LONG) story arcs. I don't like a good tale to end and often retain books to re-read and relive every few years. In that context, I often play roulette at the bookstore, picking out the "fat books" - ones that seem like they might be time consuming, arduous - but in the end dense with plot and inundated with characters that I can connect with. I'm often disappointed and I'd be lying if I said that my initial reading of The Broken Crown didn't fall short of my expectations. This was also the first Michelle West book I'd read (or Michelle Sagara for that matter). I understand many of the average-scoring reviews, because so many of those readers haven't had the opportunity to explore the complexity of the remainder of the series. But I implore any reader that is hesitant about reading this book or its successors: please understand that The Broken Crown is simply an exposition. It's meant to introduce characters and plot elements in a very subtle way by mostly presenting back story. And for those who toss their books away in frustration every time the plot shifts? Kudos to the author for drawing you into the tale and those characters to whom you've become mildly attached. It is the hallmark of a good author. West does have a tendency to wax poetic. However, she glides through passages with such grace and dignity, that you can hardly fault her flowery style. In fact, this echos of a time when grand epochs might be told to pampered, honored women on silken cushions. Her use of stock archetypes (her own devices) is effective and amusing at times. As you read the Sun Sword series, yes, it may seem as if the author is making things up as she writes. On the other hand, unlike much current drivel masquerading as fantasy, she's not writing as some omniscient being. I think this provides a perspective that is both discovery-oriented and refreshing for the reader. It may seem inconsequential, but almost everything that happens in this first book plays an important role in the events of the following books. Oh, and also unlike much current popular fantasy, this series does - well and truly - end. That's not to say that other stories in the same world-stage aren't forthcoming (e.g. House War), but this series stands on its own as a self-contained entity. It takes patience to read this series, but I encourage anyone who has found this book to be cumbersome (or confusing) to read on. Or, as some have suggested, go back and read the Hunter duology. It's written in a slightly less heady style that introduces you to some of the key players in both stories.

I was worried when I saw the list of characters at the beginning of the novel. Ususally, I find that a sign that the author hasn't bothered to make them unique and memorable enough for you to figure out who's who without a cheat sheet. That's not the case here. Each character has his or her own unique voice and perspective, and it is impossible to mistake one for the other. They are not all fully developed, of course, or the book would be much longer than it is, but the main characters are shown in rich detail and compelling depth. This particular book at least (as opposed to the series as a whole) is not really a standard fantasy plot of good versus evil. It is a more realistic story than that. The main action takes place in the land of Annagar, a patriarchal society where there is slavery, casual crulety, oppression of women, and a feudal society where life is cheap. The contrasting country is Essalieyan, where society is more egalitarian (women can become warriors and rule families), slavery does not exist, and the atmosphere is less oppressive. You're probably thinking "Sounds like good versus evil to me," but it isn't that simple. The plot revolves around political intrigue, preparations for war, and a half-demon child. Then it gets complicated. Don't get me wrong, the plot is easy to follow, but it isn't a book you're going to be able to read through in 30 minutes chunk while riding the train to work. It's going to take some focus. The story is primarly seen from the perspective of various female characters, but the main characters are two Annagarian women, Teresa and Diora. By following the action through their eyes, you see that the reality of Annagarian society is far more complex than it first appears, and that women actually have more power and larger voices than you would at first expect. Other reviewer's seem to have been put off by the language in the novel, and as I said, it isn't a quick read. And even I got a little tired of the way colors are described, for example. I mean what color are you describing exactly when you say someone's clothing is the "color of sunlight on water?" Is that blue? Gold? White? Rainbow? I haven't a clue. But such quibbles aside, the rewards are definitely there if you are willing to take your time and read each page. If you start skipping sections, you are sure to come across something later and wonder why it is important, what the meaning of the action was. This book is not for everyone. If you love Robert Jordan and Terry Brooks, you will probably find this book too complex and involved. But if you are the kind of person who reads Victorian and Restoration era novels in your spare time just for fun, this a fantasy novel to take your breath away. (For the record, I followed this book up with "Hard Times" by Charles Dickens). If you think it's nuts to read Dickes for fun, then there's probably a new Robert Jordan novel coming out soon, try that instead. But if you nod in

Hunter's Oath and Hunter's Death were the first books I read from Michelle West and I liked them enough to check out this series too. (Recommendation: read those before this series. That way you'll get more out of the Sun Sword books.) Anyway, now I'm hooked. ^^ The world West has created in these books is simply captivating. Everything is rich in detail, the characters are real and enjoyable, and the plot seems really good so far (I've read the first three books). The narrative is a bit slow, as others have pointed out, and the writing style isn't the easiest, but this wasn't a problem to me. On the contrary, I love West's style (even though - being a non-native English speaker - I do need to have a dictionary at hand...) But if you need to have much action so that you won't lose your interest and/or if you get easily bored of long descriptions, this might not be the right series for you. I did not have the problem another reviewer mentioned about the world being too cruel and unjust (and I might add that I am a somewhat sensitive girl). From a Western point of view, yes, there is a certain kind of slavery and repression of women going on in this book, but it didn't occur to me that it should be a matter about good vs. evil... it was just a realistic description of a culture into which such things belong. The fact that some of the protagonists do not seem to care about these things is simply because they have grown up in this culture and to them these things are natural. The author doesn't say whether this is good or bad - it just is so. (And anyway, these matters apply only to another of the two cultures in the book... personally I find the contrast interesting.) Besides... as the story goes on, not everyone approves on these things. I also get the feeling that women are not as repressed as it would look on the first glance. In this book, Diora shows that even women can play these political games, and for example Serra Alina does not seem very 'repressed' to me, although she strictly follows all the rules that bind women. A quote that came to my mind (from part 2, which I was rereading): "She is only a woman," Anton said genially. "She is a woman in the North," Andaro replied levelly. "And you yourself have said that the women in the North are as dangerous as men, in their fashion." "If you think this does not apply to a Serra, you are young, Andaro." All in all, I find this series extremely enjoyable, and I can't wait till I get my hands on the next part.

The Sacred Hunt books were like a drug to me. I had never experienced anything like them, and I found myself in a state of withdrawal upon their completion, hence why I was ecstatic to discover the Sun Sword series. Now, I confess, it took me *three years* to finish this book, simply because you cannot just pick up this book and read it. You have to prepare yourself to be engulfed in the world West has created. Welcome to the Southern Dominion of Annagar- there is slavery, war, death... women are treated as insignificant beings so long as they do not have a man to lay claim to them. A new system of politics in which only the strongest, not necessarily the firstborn of a family, can achieve power... because if you're not the strongest, you most likely will not survive your younger siblings into adulthood. It might sound dreary, but it's the perfect atmosphere for West to open up a new plotline with. West has a slow start, but it's crucial background information, as always, because West never wastes our time. West creates an incredible, unique cast of characters to inhabit the Dominion, but she hasn't forgotten about the Empire to the North. The Empire is critical to the plot as well, for war is brewing between it and the Dominion. It all involves on single man who has suddenly and unexpectedly become the heir to a seat of power, but he will not be able to get that seat if he cannot fight both humans and demon-kin alike for it (that is all I will say about plot, however- you have to read it to get the good stuff!). Fans of the Sacred Hunt series might be excited to learn that most of the cast has returned, save for those from Breodanir. However, ****you do not need to read the Sacred Hunt series in order to appreciate the Sun Sword***. While it was difficult to get into, it was one of the most worthwhile reads I've ever experienced. Aside from the fact that there is nothing out there, IMO, to rival Michelle West's works (including, of course, her writing style and plotlines), even if you just want to explore a new world and new ideas, this book is the exact story you are looking for. Just don't pick it up as a light read- be prepared to read it slowly, carefully, as to understand everything she has to present to the readers in this incredible world of hers. And also be prepared to start the second book when you're done with this one, because you most likely won't be able to wait to search for a copy. Prepare to become addicted ^^