More Moon Magic

Paks plays a cameo in this first book of a trilogy sequel to The Deed Of Paksenarrion, but there is nothing lost in the new focus. The reader is treated to more of the same in the DOP - moral courage, personal challenge, physical trauma and other fare of good fantasy. The book reads well and smoothly. Moon spends sufficient time with each of her three main characters before moving on to the next. I found Moon's character development more detailed and nuanced than I found in the DOP. Of course, DOP was written in the late 80's and OOF was written just recently. I would recommend this book to any Moon fan and to people who like a good, fast read. I found the reading quite workmanlike and enjoyable. Van Dyke is a good choice for narrator, decently talented with several voices. I was disappointed to come to the end...not because it ended badly but because it ended at all. Have to wait another year or so for the next. What's the series title, anyway?

15 people found this helpful

Somewhat disappointing

I read the first series of the Paks books when they came out and was thoroughly taken with them. Looking back, the facet of the books which really delighted me was Moon's facility for describing military life in a pikes, shields and swords setting, both the action sequences and the forging of a unit of warriors who depended upon one another at a completely visceral level for survival. She created a richly detailed and textured martial world which was completely believable and gave it to us from the intimate viewpoint of a new recruit.

Also, Paks' rise to glory in those books was always rooted in the mud, blood and sheep manure from which she sprang, and that was really unique and very interesting, Especially since Moon also has an insightful voice when it comes to human motivations and ambiguities. Even the magic was gritty with a common touch. Holy Gird's roots were earthy and had as much to do with sweat as holy water.

I found this extension of the original story a good deal less interesting or compelling. Moon still writes characters I can believe, and they still rise from humble beginnings, but those origins are so far in their past now as to generate little vitality. In addition, there is a lot more politics than action in this book, all nicely constructed from the viewpoint of plot, but not much of it was unusual or gripping, at least for me. Perhaps the fact that the book is split between the stories of two different rising stars and never unites the two threads, or the fact that it all ends very much in the middle of things and leaves the rest for another installment, kept it from being as satisfying as the earlier books.

In any event, while I was never ready to put the story aside, it failed to captivate me as did The Deed of Paksenarrion. I'll still try the next book in the series, however. Moon is much too good a writer to dismiss

12 people found this helpful

Fantastic Sequel to The Deed Of Paksenarrion!!

Found this follow up to DOP to be thoroughly enjoyable. It DOES help to have read the original Paksenarrion trilogy since this story is about several of the characters that were in the first series. While this is not about Paks, I found it just as engaging. Elizabeth Moon is an incredible story teller. Also Jennifer Van Dyck knocks it out of the park again. Very soothing to listen to for a long time. She is easy to understand and has a comfortable pacing, with a variety of character voices that at times sounds like a full cast audio production. If you loved DOP, I think you will be well pleased with this one!! Hope there is more to come.

10 people found this helpful

Weak beginning better ending

This and the two others to follow will have big shoes to fill when it comes to following up the previous three books. And while reading the first three books isn't necessary it provides a lot of background to the story presented. My only real issue with the book (and it might ahve been the narrator) was the Arcolin/Phaelan bits seemed... stilted. I wish there had been more Dorrin as her parts seemed to be rushed somehwat. Overall though I enjoyed this and look forward to the next book which isn't out until 2011.

6 people found this helpful

Good, but could have been better

This novel kicks off the 2nd series. Jennifer Van Dyck is great as usual in her narration. Characters are easily distinguished and the pacing is great. My primary issue is while the first series focused on a primary character, this new series focuses on many characters. I normally has no problem with that structure if the author plays out each fully. While the plotline is great, as usual from Elizabeth Moon, I wish each character's story line was explored more fully and in the same kind of detail she used so wonderfully in the first series.

3 people found this helpful

Does not work without reading the originals

Despite the opening stating that this book stands without having read the original... it doesn't. Within the first chapter I was completely lost. There must have been a dozen characters within the first two chapters, repeated referenses to things as if we knew what had happened and the whole things felt like a part 2. Got through eight chapters and had no idea who the protagonist(s) were, who the bad guys were, or why I should care of any of them. Should be entitled... PART 2 of the world of ... whatever.

2 people found this helpful

wonderful book

This book is very different then the first 3 books but address a lot of the things you are left to wonder about in those books.

1 person found this helpful

Excellent continuation of a great series

This is the follow up series to the Sheep Farmers Daughter trilogy. This series stands up on it's own without listening to the Sheep Farmers Daughter trilogy, but I highly recommend listening to it first. This series is about the lives of people who were minor characters in the Sheep Farmers Daughter series rather than the life of Paksenarrion. I really enjoyed this series as much as I did in the Sheep Farmers Daughter series. I highly recommend it.

1 person found this helpful

Quality Moon! Excellent female leads

This series is Moon at her mature best - compelling characters, evocative descriptions, ingenious plot and story arcs. An inspiration to girl/women writers. I’ve read the Deed of Paks, so I can’t say how it would strike a Paksworld newbie, but I love it. I have always loved how she intertwines concrete detail of feudal military practicalities & medieval socio-cultural details, and her characters are fantastic. My only note is that this narrators voicing of elves is awful, weird nasal sing-songy. But I can muscle past that for the quality story telling. I re-read & listen to all these books once every few years, like Tolkien. Kudos, Moon!

Writing & Narration Elegant As It Gets

I got hooked on Elizabeth Moon’s writing last year and have devoured the “Paksenarian” world series, and am going through my second listen now. The stories are all wonderful and rich in detail- I love them & Ms Moon.
That said, this is one of those extreme cases where I feel so compelled to also praise the narrator. Ms Van Dyck is the perfect showcase for why I prefer to listen to audiobooks now rather than simply read. She brings such talent to bear & weaves Ms Moon’s writing with such vocal skill that I’m sometimes almost mesmerized! Whether voicing a noble duke or a peasant farmer, a high lady or a cruel priest of Liart, she becomes that person.