From the Bookshelf of Fantasy Aficionados…

Daughter of the Empire (The Empire Trilogy, #1)

Raymond E. Feist,

Janny Wurts

Start date: July 1, 2013

Finish date: July 31, 2013

Discussion: Monthly Read: Epic Fantasy

Discussion leader: L.Y. Levand

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Monthly Read: Epic Fantasy

* July 2019 BotM: Wheel of the Infinite by Martha Wells
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What Members Thought

Nov 19, 2007 TinaNoir rated it really liked it

Shelves: sff-fantasy, z2018-reads, audiobook, re-read

RE-READ: this trilogy is now available on audio but I had read it so long ago I decided to give it a whirl as an audiobook. My original review (below) and rating still stand up as my feelings are still the same. This is great book, and just like when I originally read it, one of the things I appreciate the most about it is that an old skool epic fantasy doesn't have to take place in a setting that is a Medieval Western Europe analogue.

One thing that did change for me a bit is that, while yes, I RE-READ: this trilogy is now available on audio but I had read it so long ago I decided to give it a whirl as an audiobook. My original review (below) and rating still stand up as my feelings are still the same. This is great book, and just like when I originally read it, one of the things I appreciate the most about it is that an old skool epic fantasy doesn't have to take place in a setting that is a Medieval Western Europe analogue.

One thing that did change for me a bit is that, while yes, I sill really rooted for Mara, this time around I saw her as more manipulative than I did the first time around. I mean, to survive the game of council -- which is their way of life -- you have to be constantly thinking ten moves ahead of the other people around you or else you die. And Mara's situation was more dire than most. But there were flashes where Mara's manipulation feels like a punch down. Her two biggest pawns in the book, Buntokapi and Bruli, were rather weak and really just not up to her weight in either intelligence or cunning. She singled them out to neutralize bigger threats and while it is a rather delicious to read on one hand, it is a rather dirty victory. To her credit, Mara does come to the same conclusion. But still I just felt it more this time around compared to my hand-wave of the collateral damage the first time around.

The narrator was great. I plan to follow up with the rest of the trilogy on audio.
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ORIGINAL REVIEW:

SYNOPSIS: Just a few short gongs away from being pronounced a priestess of the Goddess Lashima, Mara of the Acoma is whisked away from the sanctuary of the Goddess to take over as Ruling Lady of her House. Her father and brother, through the devious machinations of a lifelong enemy have perished in the Riftwar. Now it is up to Mara, a young, naïve girl to see to it that her family name isn't obliterated.

In the land of Tsurani, the ruling houses play a deadly form of political one-upmanship known as The Great Game. Murder is only frowned upon if you do it in poor form. And Mara's death is being meticulously planned by the same wily person who planned her father's death. But Mara, young though she is, won't go without a fight. Desperate times call for desperate measures and Mara flouts long held traditions in order to bring her family name back to strength. Mara quickly learns how to play the Game and to manipulate events to her favor. She gains a provident alliance with an alien race, she chances upon a very clever spy, and she brokers herself into an advantageous marriage. And while Mara only does what she needs to in order to survive, others see her as ambitious and dangerous, creating more enemies than she started with.

The Good:
I love political intrigue books especially set in fantasy, alien worlds. Tsurani has a very oriental flavor which is a real nice departure from the more common western-European/medieval flavor most fantasy novels have. The authors do a fantastic job of painting a picture of a very mannered culture steeped in very rigid ideals of honor, caste and duty.

Mara is an engaging heroine. You get her inner dialogue full of doubt, fear, desperation and you get her outer visage that is remote, serene and above all, correct. She is the ultimate out-of-the box thinker and in the context of the story it works. Desperation often makes people do unconventional things. It is also nice that while the authors make her a generally sympathetic character she can also be as manipulative and ambitious as her detractors think she is.

Great set up for the next book in the series.

The Not So Good.
Things happen too neatly for Mara. She is extremely lucky and I think this is a flaw in the storytelling. Yes, it is great to see Mara triumph and outwit her enemies, but I wish the road to her triumph was a bit sloppier, not so precise. People don't act like you want them to all the time. They are unpredictable and surprising. But they fall into her traps easily enough. Also she hits the right mark too often. Yes, she listened to her father practice state craft as a child but sometimes her actions bespeak a sophistication that should be beyond her.

But these are small quibbles. Overall this was a fun and fast read and leaves you anticipating the follow up. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Nov 07, 2011 Philippa rated it it was amazing

One of my all time favourite books. The main character is a strong female without having to wield a sword, and I really enjoyed the conspiracies and plotting in the Court.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 10, 2011 Jackie rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

Better than most in the fantasy genre. Lots of unpredictable twists and surprises, always a plus. I admire the main character Mara, and enjoyed observing her growth into a strong and clever young woman. She is by far one of my favorite female heroines to date. Realistically portrayed, not the usual (and annoying) archetypal female in fantasy. Another plus. The story wraps up without cliffhangers, another plus.

3 likes · Like · see review