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160th out of 218 books
—
35 voters
Path of Fate (Path #1)
by
Diana Pharaoh Francis (Goodreads Author)
In the land of Kodu Riik, it is an honor to be selected by the Lady to become an ahalad-kaaslane-to have your soul bonded with one of Her blessed animals, and roam the land serving Her will.
But Riesil refuses to bow to fate-a decision that may have repercussions across the realm...
But Riesil refuses to bow to fate-a decision that may have repercussions across the realm...
Paperback, 384 pages
Published
November 4th 2003
by Roc
(first published 2003)
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The best of the Path trilogy. Not that the latter two books are bad, but this one stands on its own. Reisil is tough, interesting, and never so important that she can't get called on doing stupid or embarrassing things. Saljane is one of the best-realized telepathic companion animals I've encountered - she provides love and support and all that wonderfulness, but she is a bird and she acts like a bird, always, not only when it would be cute or plot-convenient or funny. Kebonsat is fantastic, and...more
As I've mentioned before, I'm not really into this Historical Fantasy type of books. I like Urban fantasies. Since I'm having a hard time waiting for Diana Francis' other series, Horngate Witches, I've decided to read this series of hers.
Having said that, I was curbing my expectation for this book. Surprisingly, I liked this book. :) Sure there were a lot of, "huh? what's that?" and lots of travel travel for days... Those I didn't care for. But the plot was captivating and the characters are int...more
Having said that, I was curbing my expectation for this book. Surprisingly, I liked this book. :) Sure there were a lot of, "huh? what's that?" and lots of travel travel for days... Those I didn't care for. But the plot was captivating and the characters are int...more
First in the series, Ms. Francis sets the stage and does it well. This book isn't quite the same caliber of her newer series; all the same, it stands as one of the more eloquent and finely crafted fantasy novels I've read.
From character development, to plot depth and world-building, Ms. Francis knows how to balance everything without weighing the reader down. I honestly had my doubts when I began reading: "oh, the cliches: chosen one, must save her people from certain destruction, and only SHE h...more
From character development, to plot depth and world-building, Ms. Francis knows how to balance everything without weighing the reader down. I honestly had my doubts when I began reading: "oh, the cliches: chosen one, must save her people from certain destruction, and only SHE h...more
I actually really enjoyed this book! It's the kind of fantasy novel where Our Plucky Heroine is chosen by the gods for a great fate she doesn't want, and she has to accept her destiny and save the world. In that sense it reminded me a lot of Kristen Britain's Green Rider books, and indeed, Britain read early drafts of Francis's manuscript, but it's definitely different and worth reading on its own. There are also totem animals that communicate telepathically, and who doesn't love that?? Overall,...more
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The story itself is very enjoyable. There is adventure, romance, friendship, and betrayal. Some parts are touching while others are tragic. The pacing is even for the most part. This novel does suffer alittle from first book in a trilogy syndrome, there is alot of setup and back-story to cover, but I did not feel that it bogged the story down very much. Overall, a nicely paced light read with well-balanced elements of tragedy and triumph.
Full review here:
Dragons, Heroes and Wizards
Full review here:
Dragons, Heroes and Wizards
This book started out really great for me. The author either knows something about birds or really did her research, because I'm a falconer and didn't get angry very often while reading it. Haha. Raptors don't eat cooked meat, for example, but I enjoyed Reisel's relationship with Saljane and Saljane's perspective on things.
This book really needed a glossary or something to help keep invented words and titles straight. The foreign words really got ponderous at times.
By the end of the book, I cou...more
This book really needed a glossary or something to help keep invented words and titles straight. The foreign words really got ponderous at times.
By the end of the book, I cou...more
I finally sat down to read this book on Saturday. On Sunday, finished reading and rushed off to Barnes and Noble to buy books two and three. I haven't done that in awhile, but I really connected with the main character, Reisil, and I wanted to see where her story took her next.
The story starts with Reisil, the female protagonist, finally finding her place in life. Abandoned as a child by her parents, she was raised by the entire village. She had no place to call 'home,' no family, always felt li...more
The story starts with Reisil, the female protagonist, finally finding her place in life. Abandoned as a child by her parents, she was raised by the entire village. She had no place to call 'home,' no family, always felt li...more
This book was a pretty darn decent read. The setting is rather reminiscent of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar universe, though without such an intricately formulated "magic" structure. It was easy to read and get into. I'd rate it PG13 (aka: ok for any adults in my family to read, though, I don't think it appropriate for children & anyone under 13 or possibly even 16 would likely be too into it). I'm down with getting the next one to see if it is as enjoyable.
Overall this was a good book. The characters are well developed and interesting and the world holds great potential. One thing that disturbed me was her lack of animal knowledge which for folks who know critters was glaring. If the poor goshawk ate one more fish I was going to scream. There were a few other inconsistencies which the editor should have caught. But other than those few things an excellent high fantasy book with great characters.
What path would you take?
You will not be disappointed with this story as you follow Reisil, a young woman torn between continuing her dream as a town healer or the challenging path as a chosen protector of the nation.
The land of Kodu Riik has been ravaged by war and many people have been left homeless and injured. Reisil must now do her part to help cure the people and the land, restore peace, and learn the true meaning of friendship and unconditional love.
You will not be disappointed with this story as you follow Reisil, a young woman torn between continuing her dream as a town healer or the challenging path as a chosen protector of the nation.
The land of Kodu Riik has been ravaged by war and many people have been left homeless and injured. Reisil must now do her part to help cure the people and the land, restore peace, and learn the true meaning of friendship and unconditional love.
It was fine. The build up to the climax was fun enough - a calm sort of adventure through the country side. The climax was terrible. The heroine did nothing but stand around and watch other people solve their own problems. I wondered what the point was.
I stuck with it simply because it was a bit of fun, but I'd only recommended it if you have nothing else to read, or want something really light.
I have started the next book in the series, but I'm on chapter 2 and it's not shaping up well. I might...more
I stuck with it simply because it was a bit of fun, but I'd only recommended it if you have nothing else to read, or want something really light.
I have started the next book in the series, but I'm on chapter 2 and it's not shaping up well. I might...more
This book was interesting, although lacked pace in the beginning. The premise was good, and the action kept me interested. I was disappointed in how rushed the love story was, and it only occurred in the last 50 or so pages, then all of the sudden the two jump into bed together!
I give this book 3 stars, although I am not choosing to read the next in the series.
I give this book 3 stars, although I am not choosing to read the next in the series.
I enjoyed this one. The world building was very well done and original. The characters were quite likeable. The plot flowed well and I found myself wondering what would happen next to Reisil, our main character, as well as her friends (especially Saljane, her bonded bird).
Some might find this one a bit slow going (in the beginning especially), particularly if they're addicted to constant life or death situations. The reason for this is that the author does take her time to build a well-crafted...more
Some might find this one a bit slow going (in the beginning especially), particularly if they're addicted to constant life or death situations. The reason for this is that the author does take her time to build a well-crafted...more
A really good book, especially for a first novel! The main characters are well rounded and believable. There are a lot of secondary characters that can be sometimes hard to keep track of, but overall well done. Especially nice is the lack of explicit sex scenes. Some sex is implied, but that's all, so I would give it 5 stars on the "clean fantasy" scale--and that doesn't happen often any more!
I feel guilty saying this about any book, but... I thought this one was a complete waste of time. In the "show, don't tell" sense, this is a very "tell" book. The cardboard characters and inconsistencies in plot and description had me practically tearing my hair out. The limits of magic were not well delineated, and except for the main character's hawk, all the magic users' animal familiars were pointless decorations in the story. On top of that, as the book progressed, the main character was gr...more
I started reading this book because I saw on a website that it was one of Kristen Britain's favourite books, and since I love her work I was curious to see what she liked in a fantasy series. I can say I didn't like it quite as much as Green Rider, but I really did enjoy this book and am definitely going to read the rest of the series.
This one is new to me.
It's not actually that the heroine stumbles into a intrigue that will resolve in a war.
No, the war is already over and now the peace negotiations are made. The Story begins were many others end. Of course, it doesn't end with a truth there are hatred and misunderstandings and still enemies.
And the heroine also doesn't want to be a hero. She refuses her gift.
I'm quite irritated by the many love interests since I can't make my mind up which one should or could be the One at t...more
It's not actually that the heroine stumbles into a intrigue that will resolve in a war.
No, the war is already over and now the peace negotiations are made. The Story begins were many others end. Of course, it doesn't end with a truth there are hatred and misunderstandings and still enemies.
And the heroine also doesn't want to be a hero. She refuses her gift.
I'm quite irritated by the many love interests since I can't make my mind up which one should or could be the One at t...more
I liked the world created here, the major characters, and the plot. The heroine agonizes a bit much over her fate, but overall a good start to a new series.
New world, with one of my favorite types of main characters. The story is fast and clearly a set up for the next book, but very enjoyable. I recommend!
One of my favorite books ever. It's a bit older, but it's a beautiful world that kind of unfolds as you go along. Magic and exploration and badass woman!
This series was written first, but I came across it after discovering The Cipher. This is the series I end up handing out to friends.
Jul 27, 2011
Bethany C
added it
I really enjoyed it- just bought the other 2 in the trilogy as soon as I finished it. Exactly what I look for in fantasy.
Great characters and worldbuilding in this animal-companion fantasy. I'm looking forward to reading the next volumes.
The beginning was difficult to get through because the names of places and the names of characters were very similar. A map would have also been helpful. Once I was past the beginning the story took off and kept me captivated the entire time. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
A well-written book, highly recommended for any fans of the "companion animal" genre.
Reminded me of Anne McCaffrey. No higher recommendation can be given.
Yeah. Yeah, I liked this book. It was difficult for me to get into, I had to force myself to the end, but that's how Simon R. Green's books are for me. Doesn't mean the story isn't good. I enjoyed watching Reisel grow, watching her relationships with Saljane and Kebonsat deepen, while others had to be...pruned. And if I do say so myself, she turned into a pretty awesome heroine. And I loved Juhrnus. He may have been annoying, but he was willing to own up to his own mistakes and he grew quite a b...more
(Really wanted to give it 2.5 stars) Started really slow, picked up at the very end with a big reveal. The names confused me. But the characters were good, and there's a fairly complicated hero's journey.
Glad I bought all three of this trilogy. Very nicely done.
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I was raised on a cattle ranch in Northern California (outside a town called Lincoln which is now part of an enormous sprawl). I taught myself to ride a horse at the age of six, as no one had the time to teach me—they were all busy learning how to irrigate, how to cajole an angry bull into another field, how to pull a calf… Afraid of heights, and absolutely sure I was going to die, I managed to sc...more
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