CLAN WARS 1

Clan Wars #1

by Peter Morwood

When going to war, hire allies stronger than your enemy. Not stronger than you.Otherwise getting rid of them can be a problem.That was how the Horse Lords came to Alba, and how they came to rule it. That was how Bayrd ar'Talvlyn rose from a mere captain's rank to become lord of his own clan. And that was how the Art Magic became a part of life and death for the Horse Lords, sowing the seeds of conflict for years to come.Later chronicles sought to cast the newcomers' deeds in a better light. They didn't mention how an entire country had been stolen from its rightful owners at sword's point and any resistance crushed in the invaders' iron fist.And most of all they didn't talk about why a haughty people who'd at first disdained the Art Magic then started to use it like any other weapon... or how this new development triggered the terrible Clan Wars that followed.This is the tale the Book of Years dared not tell...

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Peter Morwood was an Irish novelist and screenwriter. He is best known for his Horse Lords and Tales of Old Russia series. He lived in Ireland with his wife, writer Diane Duane, with whom he co-authored several works.

Reviews

[Venture Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is published by Venture Press.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

C1993: FWFTB: invaders, snow, magic, banner, sport. A GR recommendation which I go through from time to time but sadly I can’t remember the “because you added” bit. Over the last couple of years, I have got used to the ‘new’ type of spec-fic which sometimes makes the old style fantasy stories seem a little tame. I shouldn’t really have worried because, it seems, you can’t keep a good story down. I loved it and the main character was just fractured enough to overcome any Prince Valiant description. Interestingly, there is no dedication in the edition that I have. Neither are there any reviews from other authors on the front or back cover. The cover has been credited to Mick Posen who has also produced covers for Andre Norton, Tanith Lee and Robert Sawyer.Definitely recommended to the normal crew.
FCN: Bayrd ar’Talvlyn (”His clean-shaven, regular if not especially handsome face was unmarred by that, and his straight nose was unmarred by the usual stamp of a warrior who has seen battle.”): Marc of clan ar’Dru (”He was a better soldier than a warrior, warriors having occasionally to reach their own decisions about matters.”),

“Truth is sometimes difficult, but preferable. Though every now and again.’ He grinned quickly to cover a sudden feeling of unease at the way her line of questioning was trending, ‘it can get skewed a little. Or small, unimportant parts of it fall out.’

[Sam Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, it was mystrious and exciting and a quick read, well quite quick. Anyone who likes fantasy, this is great.

[Neil · Rating 2 out of 5]

For some reason I just could not get into this book finding the characters and the story confusing from the start.
Other readers may be able to enjoy it more but it was not for me.