The Deed of Paksenarrion
by Elizabeth Moon
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OK, so there are a few cover blurbs that have always irritated the bejeesus out of me. The damn David Eddings thing is one ("philisophical and technical problems with the genre" my fanny), and the "assimilating Tolkien" atrocity that gets attached to this novel is another. Look: it's *clearly* working through D&D, not Tolkien direct. The fucking gnomes and dark elves should have been the clue there, guys. Anyway, the Paks trilogy is really powerful epic fantasy, probably ...more
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recommended to Nobu by:
my mother (she doesn't fail all the time)
recommends it for: anyone with taste
recommends it for: anyone with taste
This has been one of my favorite books since I was 11. I reread it just about every year (though I often skip certain parts because they make me cry, so I save the pain for every few years). This book is one of the best D&D-esque fantasies ever written. Sure, Paks gets hit in the head more than seems possible for someone to survive, and the bull-headedness she displays is at times annoying, but these are qualities of an interesting and dynamic character.
Elizabeth Moon writes enterta...more
Elizabeth Moon writes enterta...more
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Read in January, 2007
Terrible. I hoped that the author’s experience in real combat would make this an interesting novel, but instead it just bogged the story down with boring and completely unnecessary details. She feels the need to describe every type of mud, but Paks’ training to be a soldier still somehow feels like a montage. Add to that unrealistic dialog, a plot that *still* hadn’t started at page 131, evil characters who are VERY VERY evil and good characters who are VERY VERY good, and you have yoursel...more
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Probably the best work of epic fantasy I have ever read. Follows the protagonist, one of my favorite fictional characters, from her decision to run away from the future her father planned for her (marriage to a pig farmer) and enlist in a mercenary company through her destiny as a paladin of the gods and a kingmaker. The descriptions of life in a mercenary company are amazingly realistic, and the principles of the company she joins, campaigns they chose to fight, and the other mercenary companie...more
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Read in January, 2002
recommends it for:
everyone!
This book is such a good read that I have purchased 5 copies so far -- I lend them out and never get them back! It still, after several reads, has the ability to make me cry for Paks.
One theme of the book is being true to who you are, even if others are encouraging you to do differently. Another is that no person is all good or all evil.
While the book has magic in it, and the characters use swords, this is NOT just another sword-and-sorcery book! It is a complex, epic tale that has you...more
One theme of the book is being true to who you are, even if others are encouraging you to do differently. Another is that no person is all good or all evil.
While the book has magic in it, and the characters use swords, this is NOT just another sword-and-sorcery book! It is a complex, epic tale that has you...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in July, 2007
i enjoyed this book. most of the time i could spend hours reading, but at times i was bored with it. i found the message to symbolic of christianity and i felt it mirrored too closely the crusades. a lot of christian plugs throughout the book.
i did find Paksenarrion to be a simplistic idiot at times. Her ideals were so black and white. I felt the author tried to develop her character with her experience throughout her many journeys, but i can't possibly imagine her being as "mature&q...more
i did find Paksenarrion to be a simplistic idiot at times. Her ideals were so black and white. I felt the author tried to develop her character with her experience throughout her many journeys, but i can't possibly imagine her being as "mature&q...more
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Read in August, 2006
A well thought out book of medieval fantasy/fiction that seems to portray the chaotic and unforgiving nature of conflict (not just warfare) rather realistically.
The underlying religious theme and how that outlined the external conflict between good and evil seemed standard fare. How paks internalized that conflict really captured my interest in this book.
I enjoyed the character development of Paks especially, she grew throughout the the book in empathetic, but still unpredictable ways. ...more
The underlying religious theme and how that outlined the external conflict between good and evil seemed standard fare. How paks internalized that conflict really captured my interest in this book.
I enjoyed the character development of Paks especially, she grew throughout the the book in empathetic, but still unpredictable ways. ...more
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Read in January, 1992
recommends it for:
veronica belmont
This is in my opinion the best fantasy novel ever. I actually read all three of the individual books before this omnibus came out, but they are really one complete story.
It has fantasy elements done in a deep way I haven't seen anywhere else. If you want to understand Paladins, this is the place to do it. If you want to get an idea of how a God or gods could use someone's life through pain and trial, this is the book.
Did I say it was the best fantasy novel ever? Go read it now.
It has fantasy elements done in a deep way I haven't seen anywhere else. If you want to understand Paladins, this is the place to do it. If you want to get an idea of how a God or gods could use someone's life through pain and trial, this is the book.
Did I say it was the best fantasy novel ever? Go read it now.
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Read in January, 1992
recommends it for:
teenage girls
OK, I loved this book when I was twelve. Paks was my first screenname and hell I even named a cow after her. Yes, I said a cow, I grew up on a farm and that's what you do when you love something on a farm. You name a cow after it. My dad once named a cow after an ex-girlfriend of his and it pissed my stepmom way off. Ok I digress. This book is about a paladin. What's that you say? Only a holy knight! Only a divine warrior of good! And what else is Paks? A sheepfarmers daughter! Do you see why I ...more
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recommends it for:
Fantasy fans
I remember being pretty keen on this book when I first read it. There's been a lot of Fantasy Water under the Literary Bridge however, so I'm pretty eager to see how it holds up to the test of time.
I remember this being very detailed, and nicely microcosmic, as opposed to "Oh Noes! We's gotta saves the world again! ZOMG!!1!one!"
Which is always a nice change of pace. I also remeber the second book (or second part of this particular book) as being terribly slow, so we'll see if I...more
I remember this being very detailed, and nicely microcosmic, as opposed to "Oh Noes! We's gotta saves the world again! ZOMG!!1!one!"
Which is always a nice change of pace. I also remeber the second book (or second part of this particular book) as being terribly slow, so we'll see if I...more
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Read in January, 1990
recommends it for:
Fantasy fans
It was pretty good. Moon obviously dragged in her knowledge of real-world military affairs, but in this case (and in Gird novel), I think she overdid it. Still, in this book, I thought it was a good way of making someone the "paladin" ideal that is so familiar to us gamers.
Unfortunately, Moon also has the habit of giving *all* of her main characters emotional damage, either early in the story, or just before it starts. Reading some of her other works has jaded me on this one.
Unfortunately, Moon also has the habit of giving *all* of her main characters emotional damage, either early in the story, or just before it starts. Reading some of her other works has jaded me on this one.
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Read in January, 1994
recommends it for:
any noble hearted idealist
i'm a fantasy/sci-fi buff, but i don't dig the gratuitous elf/ maiden dragon crap. stuff it w/ the lurid, thinly vieled romance novels. this is the real deal, hard knocks, disappointment, spiritual coming of age against all odds, buddah trek- STARING A CHICK!
when i first brought this home, it was another of those books my whole family fought over. (the true litmus test). over a decade later, I re-read this every so often. Thanks to Krishna for turning me onto this one.
when i first brought this home, it was another of those books my whole family fought over. (the true litmus test). over a decade later, I re-read this every so often. Thanks to Krishna for turning me onto this one.
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Read in June, 2007
I highly enjoyed this series by Elizabeth Moon. The main character, Paksenarrion, or Paks for short, is the epitome of an honorable and down-to-earth heroine that you can't help but root for her throughout the entire book. Though there are a few slow parts to the story, it's quite engaging and well written and Moon is definitely not afraid of killing off key characters! Not the most stimulating or exciting story, but quite believable and good plotline.
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Excellent fantasy, wonderful characters. However, Moon does a terrible job of writing mystery elements...the reader sees them a mile away, and that can be frustrating waiting for the seemingly blind characters to catch up. However, the descriptions of warfare and the nature of battle and courage are explored with great craft and affection. Seeing the main character progress throughout the series is wonderful and at times heartbreaking. A fantastic read.
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Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
Fantasy fans
This was a fresh take on fantasy novels. It's heavy on detail, so it feels a bit more like a low fantasy/military fantasy, but then it veers into high fantasy at some points too. It's a good mix and it's interesting to see the main character go from marrying stock to "paladin" over the course of the story. The details offered in the book can be a bit much, but it's worth reading.
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Read in June, 2007
This is the most amazing book i have ever read. The characters in this book range from proud warrior to humbled servant. The journey of the title character Paksenarrion is one of triumph and tragedy. There are many religious themes and theological depth to this unbelievable story. this is the first book that i am actually rereading.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in January, 2004
This is a fantastic fantasy novel. It's about a sheep farmer's daughter who has big dreams of fighting for good. The book has been praised for the accuracy of military descriptions. (The author was a Marine, I think), though I know one person who found the detailed descriptions a little bit rough to get through.
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Another favorite of mine for nearly two decades. This is simple, straightforward fantasy but what I love is the attention to detail in the military setting, the campaigns and her story of a female mercenary who rose to something greater without losing compassion for the common soldier.
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Read in May, 2001
This book was the first fantasy book I read that didn't seem to be a knock off of Lord of the rings. Even better it was really good, so good I read it twice. You should too; come on join the cool people read it.
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Read in March, 2008
This fantasy novel is the only fantasy novel I've really cared to read. It's a little slow for the first book (it's a trilogy,) but the third is amazing. I read this to celebrate the start of summer for years.
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