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Boreal Moon #3
Sorcerer's Moon
The stunning conclusion to a powerful epic fantasy from the worldwide bestselling author of the Saga of the Pliocene Exile. For sixteen years King Conrig Ironcrown has ruled High Blenholme, battling both to preserve the Sovereignty he ruthlessly established over the four provinces of the island kingdom and to repel the invading Salka monsters that threaten them all. His hope for the future is his heir, Prince Orrion, whose betrothal to a princess of the province of Didion should assure the future peace of High Blenholme. But Orrion has no interest in the girl, and is determined to marry instead his childhood sweetheart, Lady Nyla. Orrion's madcap twin, Corodon, dreams up a scheme to keep Orry and Nyla together by asking the supernatural Beaconfolk, who appear as lights in the sky, for a magical intercession. The twins are unaware that the Beaconfolk are fighting their own battle with others of their kind; to them all humans, even princes, are but pawns to be used in their own conflict. Their granting of Orrion's wish comes in a manner the twins far from expected, and precipitates chaotic infighting amongst the folk of High Blenholme. As battles rage both on the ground and in the sky, the only hopes for peace can be found deep in King Conrig's murky past. His former spy, Deveron Austrey, has secret magical powers and no love for the Beaconfolk. And while many of his subjects no longer remember the King's first wife, Maudrayne, she has never forgotten that her son is the true heir to the throne of High Blenholme.
645 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2006
8 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Julian May
201 books593 followersJulian May was an American science fiction, fantasy, horror, science and children's writer who also used several pseudonyms including Ian Thorne, Lee N. Falconer and many others.
Some 1960's and 1970's biographies and children's science books may belong to Julian May (the science fiction & fantasy writer) profile but no reliable source has been found
Per Encyclopedia.com, May wrote juvenile science non-fiction along with the science fiction novels for adults. (https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/edu...)
Some 1960's and 1970's biographies and children's science books may belong to Julian May (the science fiction & fantasy writer) profile but no reliable source has been found
Per Encyclopedia.com, May wrote juvenile science non-fiction along with the science fiction novels for adults. (https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/edu...)
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 5, 2015
I so enjoyed the first book, even with its flaws. The second was a decent follow up, but the third book of the trilogy took a sharp nosedive in quality.
First and foremost, there were just too many characters. Killian, a major player in the first two books, barely does anything of note yet still manages to be a focus for the first 150 pages. Dyfrig, who was built up in the second book to be a major player in the politics of Blenhome, does practically nothing in the few segments that actually involve him. Madye and Rusgaan got more pages than he did, yet they were even less important. On the flipside, Deveron, the narrator/main character, had almost as much time focused on him as Dyfrig. Ullanoth likewise got no more than 10 pages, even though she's the one that brings about the end of the Conflict. To top it off, there were several named characters that saw even a paragraph, less space than some scenery descriptions, that felt like they should have a larger role, like Queen Risala. Beynor and Conrig were the only two characters that were both important and got decent coverage, but considering how flat they were (their plans and motives never changed across the entire trilogy) that's hardly a ringing endorsement.
Second, and this is true for all three books, a lot of the action scenes happen elsewhere. So instead of their being sections of fighting or adventuring, it's just a lot of talking and political/warfare counsels. This made the entire thing very dry, especially when there were terms used throughout the books yet no appendix/glossary defining these terms. Worse, unique/archaic terms were also used for distances and time, so it was hard to gauge just how threatening or dire certain things were because I couldn't fathom how far away or when they were happening.
Thirdly, there were a lot of elements that were glossed over or forgotten about. Ice-Maker was built up to be powerful, but was never used. The royal engagement went nowhere. The Didionites literally sat on their asses and died of heart attacks. What the hell were Cray and Thallasa doing besides just shuffling people around the island and why didn't they have a more active role? Why did Ullanoth not have a more active role? Why the hell did Beynor survive the poisoning?
Finally, the epilogue. Is that really the note things needed to end on? Especially how Wysganda, whose name appeared once before and was mentioned a grand total of three times in both the second and third books, basically took over Cathra. And Iduna, why does she not even warrant more than a sentence? Yes, she wasn't exactly a character (minor or major), but she still played a more significant role than Wysganda and Dyfrig.
Overall, I'd say that the first book is a good stand alone, but don't touch the second or third.
First and foremost, there were just too many characters. Killian, a major player in the first two books, barely does anything of note yet still manages to be a focus for the first 150 pages. Dyfrig, who was built up in the second book to be a major player in the politics of Blenhome, does practically nothing in the few segments that actually involve him. Madye and Rusgaan got more pages than he did, yet they were even less important. On the flipside, Deveron, the narrator/main character, had almost as much time focused on him as Dyfrig. Ullanoth likewise got no more than 10 pages, even though she's the one that brings about the end of the Conflict. To top it off, there were several named characters that saw even a paragraph, less space than some scenery descriptions, that felt like they should have a larger role, like Queen Risala. Beynor and Conrig were the only two characters that were both important and got decent coverage, but considering how flat they were (their plans and motives never changed across the entire trilogy) that's hardly a ringing endorsement.
Second, and this is true for all three books, a lot of the action scenes happen elsewhere. So instead of their being sections of fighting or adventuring, it's just a lot of talking and political/warfare counsels. This made the entire thing very dry, especially when there were terms used throughout the books yet no appendix/glossary defining these terms. Worse, unique/archaic terms were also used for distances and time, so it was hard to gauge just how threatening or dire certain things were because I couldn't fathom how far away or when they were happening.
Thirdly, there were a lot of elements that were glossed over or forgotten about. Ice-Maker was built up to be powerful, but was never used. The royal engagement went nowhere. The Didionites literally sat on their asses and died of heart attacks. What the hell were Cray and Thallasa doing besides just shuffling people around the island and why didn't they have a more active role? Why did Ullanoth not have a more active role? Why the hell did Beynor survive the poisoning?
Finally, the epilogue. Is that really the note things needed to end on? Especially how Wysganda, whose name appeared once before and was mentioned a grand total of three times in both the second and third books, basically took over Cathra. And Iduna, why does she not even warrant more than a sentence? Yes, she wasn't exactly a character (minor or major), but she still played a more significant role than Wysganda and Dyfrig.
Overall, I'd say that the first book is a good stand alone, but don't touch the second or third.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2017
I enjoyed this trilogy; however, it was good without being amazing or standing out and considering that Deveron is narrating the story I would have expected it to focus a bit more on him.
July 22, 2018
A slap-dash, incomplete, unsatisfying ending. It feels like the author envisioned a fourth book, but wrote an epilogue instead. A disappointing end to an otherwise fine series.
April 16, 2018
IT was a nice ending to the story even though it was a bit strange. The introduction of a new species of creatures did the trick and all the loose ends were tucked in at the end.
November 30, 2022
Bit of a disappointing conclusion. Last quarter of the book seemed like a rush to tie up the threads of the story and finish the book.
January 1, 2015
reviews.metaphorosis.com
3, 2, 2 stars
I'm a big fan of the Saga of Pliocene Exile, and I also enjoyed the Galactic Milieu. So, since I was unable to get the books one by one as they appeared, I bought the entire Boreal Moon trilogy in one go, excited for a real treat.
This wasn't it. From the start, the first book failed to capture my interest, but eventually, I forced my way into the story, and after a few chapters, it got better. Sadly, not much.
The series relies on complex politics, and simplistic individual motivations. The evil foe (the Salka) are a caricature - literally stupid, evil, slimy, green, tentacled baddies - sidestepping the fact that they somehow created the special magic sigils the entire trilogy depends on. Worse, the entire story ignores the fact that the slimy creatures are the aboriginal inhabitants of the island, and that humans displaced them through conquest. The fact that they want their land back just proves their evil nature. Good creatures who want their land back are fine, though.
The omniscient narrator tends to forget that the characters are not (meant to be) omniscient, and central figures keep picking up key bits of information almost at random. The magic system is barely examined, and is highly inconsistent - for example, "windscrying" (clairvoyance) is widely used, but virtually no one takes even simple precautions against it. This means that all sides can easily pick up opponents' plans - except when scrying mysteriously doesn't work (or isn't considered) - all too apparently for the convenience of the author. Finally, the resolution of the trilogy is very much ex machina.
May relies here heavily on an omniscient, yet coy and perpetually vague oracle/fate. She used this same technique to slightly better effect (though near-equal reader frustration) in the Galactic Milieu books. Having now read all her major works (including parts of the Trillium and Rampart Worlds series), I can say that she was at her best in Pliocene Exile, when her voice was fresh and the setting unique. Much less successful, though still interesting in the Galactic Milieu, which built on part of the same background. The Boreal Moon trilogy, however, uses the same techniques in a fairly standard-issue fantasy setting, and it just doesn't work.
The trilogy is slightly dull and convoluted in the first volume, but still worthwhile for May fans. The second volume (Ironcrown Moon (The Boreal Moon Tale)) is substantially less interesting, but does carry the story forward. The final volume (Sorcerer's Moon (The Boreal Moon Tale)) is a very hard slog indeed, and worth reading only for those who just can't stand to quit a story part way through.
If you enjoy Julian May and epic fantasy, skip this series.
March 18, 2012
Once again Julian May leads us to a completely boring story with a lot of wasted potential and many flaws in workmanship.
In the last book of this trilogy the characters continue to take incomprehensible actions, but this time it leads to the death of many of them. The author does not seem to learn from her previous mistakes making up plans behind the scenes that the reader is only told about after everything is already said and done.
In most fantasy tales that I have read the last decisive battle is something the author works towards to create a memorable ending for his/her book. May manages to cram it in it´s entirety into two pages and then cuts to the epilogue.
What bugged me the most about the ending is that the epilogue does not really make sense to me. I don´t want to spoiler anyone so I´ll just say that the account of what happened in the years after the great conflict are implausible and contradict the whole political system May created in the first place.
The novel could have been much more exciting if it contained more fighting scenes. Except for the two pages at the end the opposing host never clash. All action is done by poison or dagger while being told in a very unsatisfying manner.
At the end my review review I want to mention that not even the publisher seemed to care that much about this book. In the cover blurb Maude´s son is named Orrion, but her real son´s name was Dyffig. Orrion was a son of King Corig and Queen Risalla.
In the last book of this trilogy the characters continue to take incomprehensible actions, but this time it leads to the death of many of them. The author does not seem to learn from her previous mistakes making up plans behind the scenes that the reader is only told about after everything is already said and done.
In most fantasy tales that I have read the last decisive battle is something the author works towards to create a memorable ending for his/her book. May manages to cram it in it´s entirety into two pages and then cuts to the epilogue.
What bugged me the most about the ending is that the epilogue does not really make sense to me. I don´t want to spoiler anyone so I´ll just say that the account of what happened in the years after the great conflict are implausible and contradict the whole political system May created in the first place.
The novel could have been much more exciting if it contained more fighting scenes. Except for the two pages at the end the opposing host never clash. All action is done by poison or dagger while being told in a very unsatisfying manner.
At the end my review review I want to mention that not even the publisher seemed to care that much about this book. In the cover blurb Maude´s son is named Orrion, but her real son´s name was Dyffig. Orrion was a son of King Corig and Queen Risalla.
December 29, 2023
02/11/2020
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English
I have no words for this book. Overall the book was not the worst book ever, just not a satisfying ending to the series as I had hoped. But then I read the epilogue. Just don't read the epilogue. It's seriously the weirdest thing I've ever read and I don't think I will ever read anything again that makes me so angry. I loved this series, but unfortunately this was horrible. If you're going to read this book, please don't read the epilogue. It will ruin a beautiful series for you.
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Dutch
Ik heb geen woorden voor dit boek. Over het algemeen was het niet eens het slechtste boek ooit, het was gewoon niet een heel bevredigend einde van de serie zoals ik had gehoopt. Maar toen las ik het nawoord. Lees niet het nawoord. Lees gewoon niet het nawoord. Het is serieus het aller raarste dat ik ooit heb gelezen en ik denk niet dat ik ooit nog iets ga lezen dat me zo boos maakt. Ik vond deze serie fantastisch, maar helaas was dit verschrikkelijk. Als je dit boek al gaat lezen, lees alsjeblieft niet het nawoord. Het zal een prachtige serie voor je verpesten.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
English
I have no words for this book. Overall the book was not the worst book ever, just not a satisfying ending to the series as I had hoped. But then I read the epilogue. Just don't read the epilogue. It's seriously the weirdest thing I've ever read and I don't think I will ever read anything again that makes me so angry. I loved this series, but unfortunately this was horrible. If you're going to read this book, please don't read the epilogue. It will ruin a beautiful series for you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dutch
Ik heb geen woorden voor dit boek. Over het algemeen was het niet eens het slechtste boek ooit, het was gewoon niet een heel bevredigend einde van de serie zoals ik had gehoopt. Maar toen las ik het nawoord. Lees niet het nawoord. Lees gewoon niet het nawoord. Het is serieus het aller raarste dat ik ooit heb gelezen en ik denk niet dat ik ooit nog iets ga lezen dat me zo boos maakt. Ik vond deze serie fantastisch, maar helaas was dit verschrikkelijk. Als je dit boek al gaat lezen, lees alsjeblieft niet het nawoord. Het zal een prachtige serie voor je verpesten.
September 8, 2016
Book three in a trilogy. I'd recommend reading the second and third books close together; I had a gap of a few months and couldn't remember half of what had happened in the second book, and it didn't help that book three was set sixteen years after book two!
The series gets off to a bit of a slow start, but then gets more interesting as the intrigue level racks up. The underlying premise is unusual (intelligent aurora manipulating the ground-dwelling races by means of magical favours) and works well. The magic is somewhat reminiscent of May's earlier Galactic Milieu work, but the pseudo-medieval setting breathes new life into it.
I was a little disappointed with this book, though. It was rolling along quite nicely, but then seemed to finish in rather a rush, almost like the author had run out of ideas. The whole resolution of the major invasion that was taking place seemed just a little too convenient and deus ex machina for my liking. Oh well, it was still a good read.
The series gets off to a bit of a slow start, but then gets more interesting as the intrigue level racks up. The underlying premise is unusual (intelligent aurora manipulating the ground-dwelling races by means of magical favours) and works well. The magic is somewhat reminiscent of May's earlier Galactic Milieu work, but the pseudo-medieval setting breathes new life into it.
I was a little disappointed with this book, though. It was rolling along quite nicely, but then seemed to finish in rather a rush, almost like the author had run out of ideas. The whole resolution of the major invasion that was taking place seemed just a little too convenient and deus ex machina for my liking. Oh well, it was still a good read.
January 16, 2011
Having quite enjoyed the first two books in the series, I found the last book a massive let-down. Storylines which had been building throughout the earlier books just kind of fizzled out in random, anti-climactic, seemingly make-it-up-as-you-go-along fashion.
October 10, 2015
One of the author's drawbacks is the number of characters who do nothing for the storyline. Some character arcs were so anti-climactic it was a puzzle as to why they were there.
The final battle was boring.
A let down.
The final battle was boring.
A let down.
June 15, 2016
It was ok. The ending seemed rushed. The trilogy itself seemed to drag on forever with every little detail, but then the end was just like "then all the rest of this stuff happened." I wonder if Julian May was just as ready to be finished writing it as I was reading it.
July 10, 2008
Not my favourite Julian May book, I found the characters a bit hard to connect to, and the story wasn't hugely engaging.
December 29, 2013
Sadly, a weak ending to a pretty good trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews