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Isavalta #1
A Sorcerer's Treason
A World of Magic and Peril
1899, Sand Island, Bridget Lederle is a lighthouse keeper on this stormy, windswept shore of Lake Superior. One cold night she sees a boat foundering near the island's shoals, and rescues its lone occupant. The strangely dressed sailor tells her a fantastic tale, of Isavalta, a world where magic reigns, and where she is-incredibly-destined to play a key role in a power struggle between the Dowager Empress and her foes.
Isavalta, where magic can be found in the pattern of knots on a string, the colors of a dress, or even smoke in the air, beckons to her. Bridget has the second sight of her family, but the magical land where she will go with the sailor holds far greater marvels, and terrible perils that even she cannot see. For she carries secrets within her that even she doesn't know, secrets that could change the fate of the fabulous magical world that calls her home . . .
1899, Sand Island, Bridget Lederle is a lighthouse keeper on this stormy, windswept shore of Lake Superior. One cold night she sees a boat foundering near the island's shoals, and rescues its lone occupant. The strangely dressed sailor tells her a fantastic tale, of Isavalta, a world where magic reigns, and where she is-incredibly-destined to play a key role in a power struggle between the Dowager Empress and her foes.
Isavalta, where magic can be found in the pattern of knots on a string, the colors of a dress, or even smoke in the air, beckons to her. Bridget has the second sight of her family, but the magical land where she will go with the sailor holds far greater marvels, and terrible perils that even she cannot see. For she carries secrets within her that even she doesn't know, secrets that could change the fate of the fabulous magical world that calls her home . . .
499 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
16 people are currently reading
966 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Zettel
60 books437 followersSarah Zettel is the critically acclaimed author of more than twenty novels, spanning the full range of genre fiction. Her debut novel, Reclamation, won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. Her second release, Fool’s War, was a 1997 New York Times Notable Book, and the American Library Association named Playing God one of the Best Books for Young Adults of 1999. Her novel Bitter Angels won the Philip K. Dick Award for best science fiction paperback in 2009. Her latest novel, Dust Girl, was named as one of the best young adult books of the year by both Kirkus Reviews and the American Library Association. Zettel lives in Michigan with her husband, her rapidly growing son, and her cat, Buffy the Vermin Slayer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 26, 2011
What I like most about this book – series, in fact – is the unusual setting. So many fantasy books are set in the same sort of western European, pseudo-medieval setting. These books begin in late nineteenth-century America but the majority of the story takes place in an alternate world made up of cultures drawn from Russian, Indian and Chinese history. Immediately the world feels richer, more colourful and infinitely more interesting than many books I’ve read in recent years.
Furthermore, some elements of real-world mythology are woven into the plot. Our characters – Bridget Lederle, the woman who didn’t know she was a sorceress, and the sorcerers Kalami and Sakra – periodically visit The Land of Death and Spirit, a sort of alternate plane ruled by the Great Powers. Baba Yaga is one of these, in her chicken-legged house, and fox-spirits play an important role in the story. The dangers and trickiness of this place are well presented; it’s easy to appreciate that in this world, magic is not something which everyone would love to have, but in fact deeply dangerous.
The characters are excellent. Bridget herself borders on a touch of cliche – she’s unwittingly the world’s most powerful sorceress, if only she knew how to use it – but she’s complex enough to seem real. It’s easy to identify with Empress Ananda, supposedly the most powerful woman in the empire of Isavalta but rendered powerless and afraid. But I was most impressed with the dowager empress, Medeoan, a villain without meaning to be. She’s one of the most complicated and interesting characters I’ve come across in some time.
The tangle of politics, magic and individual desires makes for an intriguing tale and there are some good twists in the plot. This book still deserves a place among my top favourite fantasy novels.
Furthermore, some elements of real-world mythology are woven into the plot. Our characters – Bridget Lederle, the woman who didn’t know she was a sorceress, and the sorcerers Kalami and Sakra – periodically visit The Land of Death and Spirit, a sort of alternate plane ruled by the Great Powers. Baba Yaga is one of these, in her chicken-legged house, and fox-spirits play an important role in the story. The dangers and trickiness of this place are well presented; it’s easy to appreciate that in this world, magic is not something which everyone would love to have, but in fact deeply dangerous.
The characters are excellent. Bridget herself borders on a touch of cliche – she’s unwittingly the world’s most powerful sorceress, if only she knew how to use it – but she’s complex enough to seem real. It’s easy to identify with Empress Ananda, supposedly the most powerful woman in the empire of Isavalta but rendered powerless and afraid. But I was most impressed with the dowager empress, Medeoan, a villain without meaning to be. She’s one of the most complicated and interesting characters I’ve come across in some time.
The tangle of politics, magic and individual desires makes for an intriguing tale and there are some good twists in the plot. This book still deserves a place among my top favourite fantasy novels.
July 5, 2009
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.
Bridget Lederle is the lighthouse keeper on Sand Island, Wisconsin in 1899. She's an outcast, having had a baby (which died) while she was single. One night she saves the life of mysterious Valin Kalami whose boat crashed onto the rocky shore of Lake Superior.
It turns out that Kalami is a sorcerer sent from the kingdom of Isavalta to find Bridget — who doesn't realize that she has a tie to this parallel world and some powers of her own. With not much to keep her on Sand Island, she agrees to return to Isavalta with Kalami. There she finds a world full of political intrigue, treachery, and magic. The state of things isn't exactly how Kalami described it back in Wisconsin, and it's very hard to know who to trust.
The Plot: A Sorcerer's Treason winds up slowly until Bridget gets to Isavalta, and then it becomes fast-paced. There is plenty of intrigue and treason going on in the Isavaltan court, but Bridget uncovers it for us too early in the plot — we aren't left wondering who are the bad guys for long. There were several plot elements that seemed only loosely tied to the story. I didn't really understand the motives of the Vixen and Baba Yaga, for example, and I wondered why they were included at all. Perhaps this is made clear in future installments, but it has me confused so far. The ending scene was strange and, I think, kind of cheesy. It was one of those triumphant "I've dealt with my past and now I can move forward" kind of scenes.
The Characters: Sarah Zettel writes some wonderful and believable characters. Ananda, the dowager, Mikkel, Sakra, and Kalami are all interesting and I would have liked to read more from their perspectives. Unfortunately, Bridget, whose perspective we mainly follow, is not so admirable. There's nothing wrong with her, but there's not much interesting, either. For the most part, she gets passively pulled through the plot and doesn't actually do much herself, even though we're told that she's a very powerful sorceress. There was plenty of tension and many problems for her to deal with, but mainly they resolved themselves quickly with little conscious effort on Bridget's part. I was hoping to see her rise up to her potential, but she never did.
The World of Isavalta: Before choosing this book, I'd heard much about the unique setting of glorious Isavalta, but I didn't experience much of it in A Sorcerer's Treason. Isavalta is only briefly described. I think the references I read must be for other books in the Isavalta series. I'm tempted to read one just to find out more because it sounds like Sarah Zettel's world has wonderful potential.
The Magic System: The magic system involves weaving spells with fabric, hair, etc. and I liked it at first. However, I soon realized that it seemed to have no clear rules. When we don't know the rules, we can't anticipate what can and can not be done with magic. Therefore, the author can get the characters out of tight spots too easily by just adding a new magic spell. In contrast, consider the rule-based systems of J.K. Rowling, Brandon Sanderson, or Janny Wurts. When you know there are limits to the heroes' powers, not only does this make them more understandable, but it makes us worry and fret when things go bad for them. And, of course, that makes us connect with them emotionally. In fact, the characters I liked best in A Sorcerer's Treason were the ones who had no powers at all. I can't give you specifics without spoiling the plot, but those two had the best scene in the book — I actually had to dab at my eyes with a hanky.
The writing: Sarah Zettel's writing is pleasant, easy, and understandable, but not particularly gorgeous. My Tor hardback edition had multiple distracting editorial mistakes — mostly words missing.
Conclusion: A Sorcerer's Treason is light standard epic fantasy from an independent, but somewhat soft, female protagonist's perspective. Its strengths are the suspense and multi-textured plot. I'd recommend it to those looking for a mysterious and easy read.
Kat
Fantasy Literature
Bridget Lederle is the lighthouse keeper on Sand Island, Wisconsin in 1899. She's an outcast, having had a baby (which died) while she was single. One night she saves the life of mysterious Valin Kalami whose boat crashed onto the rocky shore of Lake Superior.
It turns out that Kalami is a sorcerer sent from the kingdom of Isavalta to find Bridget — who doesn't realize that she has a tie to this parallel world and some powers of her own. With not much to keep her on Sand Island, she agrees to return to Isavalta with Kalami. There she finds a world full of political intrigue, treachery, and magic. The state of things isn't exactly how Kalami described it back in Wisconsin, and it's very hard to know who to trust.
The Plot: A Sorcerer's Treason winds up slowly until Bridget gets to Isavalta, and then it becomes fast-paced. There is plenty of intrigue and treason going on in the Isavaltan court, but Bridget uncovers it for us too early in the plot — we aren't left wondering who are the bad guys for long. There were several plot elements that seemed only loosely tied to the story. I didn't really understand the motives of the Vixen and Baba Yaga, for example, and I wondered why they were included at all. Perhaps this is made clear in future installments, but it has me confused so far. The ending scene was strange and, I think, kind of cheesy. It was one of those triumphant "I've dealt with my past and now I can move forward" kind of scenes.
The Characters: Sarah Zettel writes some wonderful and believable characters. Ananda, the dowager, Mikkel, Sakra, and Kalami are all interesting and I would have liked to read more from their perspectives. Unfortunately, Bridget, whose perspective we mainly follow, is not so admirable. There's nothing wrong with her, but there's not much interesting, either. For the most part, she gets passively pulled through the plot and doesn't actually do much herself, even though we're told that she's a very powerful sorceress. There was plenty of tension and many problems for her to deal with, but mainly they resolved themselves quickly with little conscious effort on Bridget's part. I was hoping to see her rise up to her potential, but she never did.
The World of Isavalta: Before choosing this book, I'd heard much about the unique setting of glorious Isavalta, but I didn't experience much of it in A Sorcerer's Treason. Isavalta is only briefly described. I think the references I read must be for other books in the Isavalta series. I'm tempted to read one just to find out more because it sounds like Sarah Zettel's world has wonderful potential.
The Magic System: The magic system involves weaving spells with fabric, hair, etc. and I liked it at first. However, I soon realized that it seemed to have no clear rules. When we don't know the rules, we can't anticipate what can and can not be done with magic. Therefore, the author can get the characters out of tight spots too easily by just adding a new magic spell. In contrast, consider the rule-based systems of J.K. Rowling, Brandon Sanderson, or Janny Wurts. When you know there are limits to the heroes' powers, not only does this make them more understandable, but it makes us worry and fret when things go bad for them. And, of course, that makes us connect with them emotionally. In fact, the characters I liked best in A Sorcerer's Treason were the ones who had no powers at all. I can't give you specifics without spoiling the plot, but those two had the best scene in the book — I actually had to dab at my eyes with a hanky.
The writing: Sarah Zettel's writing is pleasant, easy, and understandable, but not particularly gorgeous. My Tor hardback edition had multiple distracting editorial mistakes — mostly words missing.
Conclusion: A Sorcerer's Treason is light standard epic fantasy from an independent, but somewhat soft, female protagonist's perspective. Its strengths are the suspense and multi-textured plot. I'd recommend it to those looking for a mysterious and easy read.
Kat
Fantasy Literature
Read
January 22, 2018Does exactly what it says on the tin, and what it says is treason, betrayal, uneasy alliances with unreliable great powers, and people promising you great destinies and great power.
So not exactly to my taste, which is an indicator that I perhaps should read the tin more carefully.
So not exactly to my taste, which is an indicator that I perhaps should read the tin more carefully.
April 8, 2020
I like the world building and characters. Things are a bit too confusing for my liking. There is lots of talk about magic, foxes and crows but it takes a long time before you start to understand what is going on. This makes it harder to connect to the story. I thought the story was okay, but am not going to continue the series
February 12, 2019
7/10 There were strong elements to this book—the main character, Bridget, and the settings in our world and Isavalta. Being a lighthouse lover, I enjoyed the sections on Sand Island and in Bayfield, places I have visited. I would have liked a map of Isavalta and its neighbors. The method of weaving magic, literally by weaving, was a fresh take. And there was plenty of plotting and palace intrigue, not to mention power plays by those who are beyond mortal.
So why not a higher rating? Other than Bridget, and to some extent Kalami, none of the characters had much depth or nuance. There were too many mysteries and unanswered questions, elements that were not addressed directly and didn’t become clear in context. I realize there are sequels, but I felt like a number of things were either glossed over or left unexplained and/or incomplete.
So why not a higher rating? Other than Bridget, and to some extent Kalami, none of the characters had much depth or nuance. There were too many mysteries and unanswered questions, elements that were not addressed directly and didn’t become clear in context. I realize there are sequels, but I felt like a number of things were either glossed over or left unexplained and/or incomplete.
April 23, 2014
I'm impressed with Sarah Zettel's ability to create worlds ranging from her light adult murder mysteries in a vampire/chef world, to YA historical fiction set in the 1776 court of King George 1, and another YA historical fiction (with fairies!) set during the Dust Bowl period in America. And now she builds a fantasy world with Russian, Indian, and Chinese motifs, whose court intrigues and political upheaval pull Bridget from her lonely world faithfully tending the lighthouse on Lake Superior to a world of sorcerers, magical creatures, and souls of the dead--"Isavalta, where magic can be found in the pattern of knots on a string, the colors of a dress, or even smoke in the air".
The story moved slowly for me at first as Bridget tries to make sense of what is happening, moving from her hard but useful life where she knows her place, through The Land of Death and Spirit where Baba Yaga, crow people, and the Vixen appear, to the Isavalatan court of the Dowager Empress and her imprisoned Phoenix. Bridget learns her gift of second sight is just an indication of the greater power that awakens in the alternate world of Isavalta. Unwilling to be a pawn, Bridget struggles to understand what is going on, how magical powers work, and who she should trust. Author Zettel did a good job creating fully rounded characters whose actions are hard to judge as right or wrong, given the motivations that govern them.
I felt adrift at first, wanting someone to identify with, and that was Bridget to begin with, except that we got so little of her as the world building and character introductions were happening. And the powerful spirit world of the crows and foxes and Baba Yaga--the whys and wherefores and rules--were hard to follow. Maybe in the succeeding books, their relationship with people and the rules and limitations of the use of magic will be better delineated. It wasn't until the last third of the book that I began to have a sense of who I trusted and who I wanted to succeed. Perhaps that is a literary strength--that the reader is experiencing the same uncertainty the main character is dealing with--but it kept me unconnected with the story. I sort of slogged through the book at first but then got much more involved as the plot picked up and Bridget made some decisions about who she trusted and what she needed to do. It really was more a two-star book for me until that last third, but if you like epic fantasy, you'll probably give it more stars than I did.
The story moved slowly for me at first as Bridget tries to make sense of what is happening, moving from her hard but useful life where she knows her place, through The Land of Death and Spirit where Baba Yaga, crow people, and the Vixen appear, to the Isavalatan court of the Dowager Empress and her imprisoned Phoenix. Bridget learns her gift of second sight is just an indication of the greater power that awakens in the alternate world of Isavalta. Unwilling to be a pawn, Bridget struggles to understand what is going on, how magical powers work, and who she should trust. Author Zettel did a good job creating fully rounded characters whose actions are hard to judge as right or wrong, given the motivations that govern them.
I felt adrift at first, wanting someone to identify with, and that was Bridget to begin with, except that we got so little of her as the world building and character introductions were happening. And the powerful spirit world of the crows and foxes and Baba Yaga--the whys and wherefores and rules--were hard to follow. Maybe in the succeeding books, their relationship with people and the rules and limitations of the use of magic will be better delineated. It wasn't until the last third of the book that I began to have a sense of who I trusted and who I wanted to succeed. Perhaps that is a literary strength--that the reader is experiencing the same uncertainty the main character is dealing with--but it kept me unconnected with the story. I sort of slogged through the book at first but then got much more involved as the plot picked up and Bridget made some decisions about who she trusted and what she needed to do. It really was more a two-star book for me until that last third, but if you like epic fantasy, you'll probably give it more stars than I did.
November 4, 2014
I almost reevaluated my one star rating planned for this book after seeing the most recent reviews giving it 4 or 5. Im aware that there's a chance I have just read SO much fantasy and have such firm favourites that I'm likely to be overly critical.. But then I didn't feel that way when I gave Percheron 5 stars last month.
So one star it is.
I think the books introduction is too long, too much time is spent getting Bridget to the place where he story will begin. Not only that but the intro is where you should begin to fall in love with the lead character(s) and that just never happened.
I didn't appreciate the various settings either.. Shoreside Wisconsin esque countryside to a land feeling almost gothic and a little Persian. Very confusing.
What I did like, no, love, was the authors creativity in how magic is weaved (literally) in to the plot. This felt original and gave the book a uniqueness that almost warrants a second star. It's so easy to go for wand waving, or 'the gift' or something recycled when conveying magical ability, but this originality was appreciated.
Too much going on.. Animal spirits, character history, character future, demons and bad blood.
I won't be reading book two.
So one star it is.
I think the books introduction is too long, too much time is spent getting Bridget to the place where he story will begin. Not only that but the intro is where you should begin to fall in love with the lead character(s) and that just never happened.
I didn't appreciate the various settings either.. Shoreside Wisconsin esque countryside to a land feeling almost gothic and a little Persian. Very confusing.
What I did like, no, love, was the authors creativity in how magic is weaved (literally) in to the plot. This felt original and gave the book a uniqueness that almost warrants a second star. It's so easy to go for wand waving, or 'the gift' or something recycled when conveying magical ability, but this originality was appreciated.
Too much going on.. Animal spirits, character history, character future, demons and bad blood.
I won't be reading book two.
February 6, 2013
I am sometimes suspicious of fantasy stories based on people from our world crossing into A Magical Land. This book is an excellent example of that trope working well.
Bridget is smart, tough, and competent, and it's a good thing, too, as she is plunged into a world where magic is rife and promises mean more than she is used to. She has to learn to navigate with the dubious assistance of the treasonous sorcerer.
There are three sequels, and each of them moves through a different part of Isavalta, replete with its own mythos and magical rules, characters and peoples and semi-people.
There is romance, but it's not easy or obvious. There is adventure, and heartbreak and heroism in ample measure. And at the end, I think Bridget is someone I would be proud to know.
Read if: You are looking for a great story about a woman who knows who, if not what, she is. Also, it's only $3 right now. What are you waiting for?
Skip if: You don't feel like you can commit to four books right now.
Also read: Wheel of the Infinite
Bridget is smart, tough, and competent, and it's a good thing, too, as she is plunged into a world where magic is rife and promises mean more than she is used to. She has to learn to navigate with the dubious assistance of the treasonous sorcerer.
There are three sequels, and each of them moves through a different part of Isavalta, replete with its own mythos and magical rules, characters and peoples and semi-people.
There is romance, but it's not easy or obvious. There is adventure, and heartbreak and heroism in ample measure. And at the end, I think Bridget is someone I would be proud to know.
Read if: You are looking for a great story about a woman who knows who, if not what, she is. Also, it's only $3 right now. What are you waiting for?
Skip if: You don't feel like you can commit to four books right now.
Also read: Wheel of the Infinite
October 10, 2007
This book slots neatly into the category of "too good to be true fantasy", where the main character is led to another world where she is not only incredibly magically powerful, but is also the child of a legendary sorcerer, and a legend in her own right. People gape at her in the streets and kiss her feet, that sort of thing. Amazingly, back in her home world (ie our world) she is shunned because she had an illegitimate child. She's a bit too good to be true, our Bridget (who is a lighthouse keeper in our world and describes herself as "tending the light". And she has red hair. Oh lord, could we make our inspiration for character names a bit more obvious?). Nevertheless, despite this it's a semi-decent fantasy, has a bit of atmosphere and some interesting elements, and yeah, I'll be reading the next one despite our insipid heroine. Although I just read on Amazon it's a prequel - *snore*
June 30, 2015
Beautifully written and an engaging tale set in an evocatively detailed world with strong emphasis on Russian folklore. I've read this book thrice now - the third reading was just after I finished reading book #2, The Ursurper's Crown. I would actually recommend reading #2 first as it contains the backstory of Bridget and I think enhances the plot more if you know the story behind Medeann as well.
Filled with twists, turns and political intrigue, Sorcerer's Treason is about an Earth woman (with sorcerous powers) drawn into a fantastical world with the intention of using her as a pawn. However, Bridget has a mind and will of her own, and will not allow herself to be manipulated.
Should appeal to fans of Robin Hobb, Juliet Marillier and Cecilia Dart-Thornton.
Filled with twists, turns and political intrigue, Sorcerer's Treason is about an Earth woman (with sorcerous powers) drawn into a fantastical world with the intention of using her as a pawn. However, Bridget has a mind and will of her own, and will not allow herself to be manipulated.
Should appeal to fans of Robin Hobb, Juliet Marillier and Cecilia Dart-Thornton.
October 16, 2010
What a terrific book!
This book succeeds at doing a slow burn, pulling together characters of disparate political goals without overly complicating the plot, and creates a rich fantasy universe in the world of Isavalta. Every character has depth, is fully rounded, seems real. The complexity was fascinating, and I didn't want the book to end because I didn't want to leave the world she'd created.
In some ways, it reminded me of Donaldson's "The Mirror Of Her Dreams," but better.
This book succeeds at doing a slow burn, pulling together characters of disparate political goals without overly complicating the plot, and creates a rich fantasy universe in the world of Isavalta. Every character has depth, is fully rounded, seems real. The complexity was fascinating, and I didn't want the book to end because I didn't want to leave the world she'd created.
In some ways, it reminded me of Donaldson's "The Mirror Of Her Dreams," but better.
October 1, 2015
I was on some long flights and looking for some light fantasy, and this didn’t disappoint. The premise is pretty standard; the action is enjoyable; the world is richly built and left me curious enough to consider picking up the next book the next time I’m traveling. All around solid.
September 1, 2017
In the year 1899 Bridget is the keeper of the lighthouse on Sand Island in Lake Superior, having taken over the job her father had until he died. She thought she had found love, had a child with Asa, but he left never to return, and Anna didn't make it through a full year. Bridget has one or two friends, but many of the townspeople are disapproving and almost openly hostile to her. When Kalami crashes on her beach and starts telling her of Isavalta, magic, and how she is needed there, she thinks about it and finally accepts.
Ananda is a princess from the southern land of Hastinapura sent to Isavalta to make peace. Medeoan, mother of Mikkel, is the Dowager and thanks to advice from her Lord Sorcerer, Kalami, doesn't trust Ananda and won't let her near her husband who has been walking around under some spell for years.
Sakra is a sorcerer who has been Ananda's mentor since she was a baby. Sakra is able to briefly kidnap Bridget when she first gets to Isavalta. Bridget makes a blind escape and ends up with the Vixen. The Vixen is very powerful, her domain is in the land of Sprit and Death. Bridget tends to the Vixen's injured sons. Meanwhile Kalami finds out where Bridget is and makes a bargain with the Vixen to bring her back to Isavalta.
There is a lot of not knowing who to trust. We, the readers, automatically like Bridget because she's from our world, we know her background and she is the one getting sucked in to the mess. The rest of the people are to be determined. I still don't know about the foxes and the crow people. They seem to have their own agenda that doesn't seem to include taking over the human areas.
Entertaining. I really enjoyed the characters and felt they stayed true to themselves. The magic takes more leeway to believe. What sort of checks and balances are there? It seemed a little too easy to put spells on someone. I can picture that turning into a landslide. That said it's still very good world building and The Usurper's Crown and The Firebird's Vengeance are on my to read list.
Ananda is a princess from the southern land of Hastinapura sent to Isavalta to make peace. Medeoan, mother of Mikkel, is the Dowager and thanks to advice from her Lord Sorcerer, Kalami, doesn't trust Ananda and won't let her near her husband who has been walking around under some spell for years.
Sakra is a sorcerer who has been Ananda's mentor since she was a baby. Sakra is able to briefly kidnap Bridget when she first gets to Isavalta. Bridget makes a blind escape and ends up with the Vixen. The Vixen is very powerful, her domain is in the land of Sprit and Death. Bridget tends to the Vixen's injured sons. Meanwhile Kalami finds out where Bridget is and makes a bargain with the Vixen to bring her back to Isavalta.
There is a lot of not knowing who to trust. We, the readers, automatically like Bridget because she's from our world, we know her background and she is the one getting sucked in to the mess. The rest of the people are to be determined. I still don't know about the foxes and the crow people. They seem to have their own agenda that doesn't seem to include taking over the human areas.
Entertaining. I really enjoyed the characters and felt they stayed true to themselves. The magic takes more leeway to believe. What sort of checks and balances are there? It seemed a little too easy to put spells on someone. I can picture that turning into a landslide. That said it's still very good world building and The Usurper's Crown and The Firebird's Vengeance are on my to read list.
July 7, 2017
This has to be one of the most frustrating books I've ever read! It wasn't only the bad kind though, it was actually mostly the "I can't put this book down because I must know what happens next" kind.
The plot isn't a very complicated one and this is mostly due to quite a few different POV's that give the reader an all knowing perspective. But I found that this was exactly what made reading A Sorcerer's Treason so entertaining. The reader knows who the good and the bad are but Bridget Lederle (the main character) remains in the dark about who to trust in this new world of magic that is Isavalta. Following Bridget as she tries to acquaint herself with her new surroundings and determine who to trust while already knowing the answers yourself is what made it such a great read for me.
However, having said that, it is one of the most difficult books to read and this is all due to seriously bad editing. Every grammar, synthesis and correcting mistakes you can think of where in this book. This is the second part of my frustration with the novel. You can only enjoy a badly edited book so much... even if the plot is outstanding.
If you're wanting a straightforward plot line that can still invoke a whole host of emotions in you as the reader and editing errors don't bug you then A Sorcerer's Treason is a great read.
I gave the book a four star rating based on the actual storyline and characters. Solely based on editing I would have given it two stars.
The plot isn't a very complicated one and this is mostly due to quite a few different POV's that give the reader an all knowing perspective. But I found that this was exactly what made reading A Sorcerer's Treason so entertaining. The reader knows who the good and the bad are but Bridget Lederle (the main character) remains in the dark about who to trust in this new world of magic that is Isavalta. Following Bridget as she tries to acquaint herself with her new surroundings and determine who to trust while already knowing the answers yourself is what made it such a great read for me.
However, having said that, it is one of the most difficult books to read and this is all due to seriously bad editing. Every grammar, synthesis and correcting mistakes you can think of where in this book. This is the second part of my frustration with the novel. You can only enjoy a badly edited book so much... even if the plot is outstanding.
If you're wanting a straightforward plot line that can still invoke a whole host of emotions in you as the reader and editing errors don't bug you then A Sorcerer's Treason is a great read.
I gave the book a four star rating based on the actual storyline and characters. Solely based on editing I would have given it two stars.
July 24, 2017
Rating: Interesting in parts, but it never really captured my interest enough to read it faster.
The setting is imaginative, as is the magical system. The main character is certainly complex and worthy of caring about, yet this book took me nearly a month to read because I never really felt compelled to get back to it until the last quarter of the book when the threads finally began to come together.
The setting is imaginative, as is the magical system. The main character is certainly complex and worthy of caring about, yet this book took me nearly a month to read because I never really felt compelled to get back to it until the last quarter of the book when the threads finally began to come together.
November 25, 2020
Fantasy series - I returned to this great series after finally buying the fourth book. It is a great fish out of water story where Bridget moves from being a light house keeper on Lake Superior to a power in Isavalta. Lots of political intrigue and great introduction of sorcery.
No Canadian references.
Pharmacy reference - Kalami and Bridget walk by a local pharmacy.
No Canadian references.
Pharmacy reference - Kalami and Bridget walk by a local pharmacy.
June 12, 2017
Wasn't too sure at the start, seemed a little slow going building the main characters but I kept on reading. Was worth it in the end. After Bridget the main character got to the other land the book got far more interesting.
July 13, 2020
Not an easy to read fantasy. There's time jumps and a zillion pov changes and half the characters have ulterior motives so basically go in with your brain switched on.
Except don't, because it doesn't all hold together too well and you'll drown in the plot holes.
Except don't, because it doesn't all hold together too well and you'll drown in the plot holes.
January 20, 2022
It started very slow and the hometown drama felt overdone, yet beside the point. I had a hard time understanding the gestalt of the protagonist; she seemed all over the place. Without a strong protagonist and the tedious beginning, I lost interest and put down the book.
October 31, 2017
I don't like the cop-out visions and the magic system is too vague.
October 20, 2018
3.5 stars such a promising start and a very muddled ending.
March 14, 2019
I'm sad. I really wanted to like the book but I just got bored with it. I made it 40% before I DNF'D.
October 23, 2019
Good book to escape from the real world into.
July 7, 2021
Exciting and unusual magical story about a lighthouse keeper
April 8, 2025
4.5 stars, 4 doesn't do it justice. It has definitely been a refreshing break from typical fantasy. The magic was interesting, the multi villains were interesting.
August 3, 2019
Le mie ultime letture @goodreads Da anni sono in cerca di una saga fantasy in qualche modo simile a quella di Jacqueline Carey di Phedre, la Kushiel saga per intenderci, e non l'ho mai trovata. Ma quest'anno mi ci sto mettendo d'impegno e ho vari candidati da sondare, questo era uno di quelli. Posto che io preferisco leggere il fantasy in lingua italiana se possibile (leggo da anni in inglese capisco quanto leggo senza problemi ma stilisticamente per un mio gusto personale credo che la lingua italiana molto ricca di vocaboli renda i fantasy migliori a volte) e qui non lo era, quindi qualche difficoltà che ho avuto nel farmi piacere lo stile può essere dovuta a questo, devo dire che come è scritto questo libro mi è piaciuto. E per me non è poco. E' chiaro, abbastanza scorrevole, la trama seppur classica è interessante, l'unica cosa è che forse il lettore sa troppo fin da subito e questo toglie molto mistero. I personaggi specialmente alcuni sarebbero più ambivalenti se non avessimo chiaro fin da subito chi mente prima ancora dei personaggi stessi. E' all'altezza dei libri di Jacqueline Carey? Neanche per sogno, è tutt'altra cosa ma se siete in cerca di un fantasy classico ma non troppo con qualche idea interessante questo non è malaccio, però non posso lodarlo di più di così.
May 13, 2011
De Ware Heks is geschreven door een talentvolle schrijfster, maar mist duidelijk een goede editor.
Het boek begint met veel vage insinuaties, waardoor het verschrikkelijk lastig is om in het verhaal te komen. Ook de haperige vertaling draagt hier niet aan bij.
Na een pagina of 50 neemt het verhaal in snelheid toe en als het eenmaal zover is, leest het als een trein. Het is echter wel een boek waarbij de lezer continue oplettend moet zijn. Buiten het feit dat het bomvol intriges zit, hecht de schrijfster er meer waarde aan de motieven van de personages uit te lichten dan de plannen die zij uitvoeren. Dit, tezamen met een personage dat in een nieuwe wereld terecht komt waarbij de informatievoorziening door de intriges wordt beperkt, maakt het verhaal soms onduidelijk. Het is aan te raden het boek binnen een paar dagen uit te lezen, zodat de lezer niet de details vergeet, want alle details zijn belangrijk en ze worden slechts één keer genoemd in niet meer dan een handvol woorden.
De namen van de personages, goden en steden hadden wel wat beter gekozen mogen worden. Namen als Peshek Pachalkasyn Ursulvin of Agnidh Sakra dra Dhiren Phanidraela dragen weinig bij aan het verhaal en zijn alleen maar tongobstakels voor de lezer.
Het spreekt in het voordeel van de schrijfster (of editor) dat ze geen open einde heeft gekozen om haar boek af te sluiten. Zeker aangezien de overige delen van deze trilogie in het Nederlands niet verkrijgbaar zijn, is dit een pluspunt.
Wel blijven er vragen over Bridgets toekomst in Isavalta en uiteraard, waardoor de geïnteresseerde lezer altijd nog een vervolgboek in een andere taal kan oppakken. Wat mij bijvoorbeeld persoonlijk wel interesseert: het kind van Valim Kalami en Bridget. Daar zit vast ook nog een mooi verhaal in voor de volgende delen, hoewel we daar in het Nederlands alleen maar naar zullen kunnen gissen.
Wat het nadeel is van de keuze van de schrijfster (wederom: of editor) om dit verhaal af te ronden, is dat de lezer naar de climax nog 80 pagina's moet doorworstelen waarin de spanning wordt uitgemolken om de eindjes aan elkaar te knopen. De laatste paar pagina's wordt dit weer goed gemaakt met een miniclimax, maar de pagina's ertussenin zijn bijna een doodsteek voor het verhaal. De lezer zag de intriges ontrafelen, kreeg antwoorden en denkt de laatste pagina's te naderen, alleen om erachter te komen dat hij nog bijna 100 pagina's verder moet lezen. De moed zakt je dan een beetje in de schoenen, hoewel dit dan wel weer bijdraagt aan het inlevingsvermogen voor de moedeloosheid van de personages als ze met hetzelfde probleem in aanraking komen.
Toch zou ik dit boek zeker wel een aanrader vinden voor lezers die houden van een beetje fantasy met pit. Zoals zoveel fantasy-verhalen, heeft ook dit boek een hoofdpersonage met een mary sue-karakter, maar verder zijn de personages goed en is hun interactie realistisch uitgewerkt. Ook mist dit verhaal de typische good guys en bad guys, zonder dat dit afdoet aan de strijd aan het hof van Isavalta.
Het is zeker geen fantasy-verhaal met een nadruk op roze prinsessentorens, eenhoorns en andere fantastische creaties. Het is een hard leven, gericht op de mensen die leven in een wereld waar de creaturen uit de Slavische mythologie spelen met hun verlangens, terwijl de mensen onderlingen vechten om de macht over het keizerrijk te krijgen.
Het boek begint met veel vage insinuaties, waardoor het verschrikkelijk lastig is om in het verhaal te komen. Ook de haperige vertaling draagt hier niet aan bij.
Na een pagina of 50 neemt het verhaal in snelheid toe en als het eenmaal zover is, leest het als een trein. Het is echter wel een boek waarbij de lezer continue oplettend moet zijn. Buiten het feit dat het bomvol intriges zit, hecht de schrijfster er meer waarde aan de motieven van de personages uit te lichten dan de plannen die zij uitvoeren. Dit, tezamen met een personage dat in een nieuwe wereld terecht komt waarbij de informatievoorziening door de intriges wordt beperkt, maakt het verhaal soms onduidelijk. Het is aan te raden het boek binnen een paar dagen uit te lezen, zodat de lezer niet de details vergeet, want alle details zijn belangrijk en ze worden slechts één keer genoemd in niet meer dan een handvol woorden.
De namen van de personages, goden en steden hadden wel wat beter gekozen mogen worden. Namen als Peshek Pachalkasyn Ursulvin of Agnidh Sakra dra Dhiren Phanidraela dragen weinig bij aan het verhaal en zijn alleen maar tongobstakels voor de lezer.
Het spreekt in het voordeel van de schrijfster (of editor) dat ze geen open einde heeft gekozen om haar boek af te sluiten. Zeker aangezien de overige delen van deze trilogie in het Nederlands niet verkrijgbaar zijn, is dit een pluspunt.
Wel blijven er vragen over Bridgets toekomst in Isavalta en uiteraard, waardoor de geïnteresseerde lezer altijd nog een vervolgboek in een andere taal kan oppakken. Wat mij bijvoorbeeld persoonlijk wel interesseert: het kind van Valim Kalami en Bridget. Daar zit vast ook nog een mooi verhaal in voor de volgende delen, hoewel we daar in het Nederlands alleen maar naar zullen kunnen gissen.
Wat het nadeel is van de keuze van de schrijfster (wederom: of editor) om dit verhaal af te ronden, is dat de lezer naar de climax nog 80 pagina's moet doorworstelen waarin de spanning wordt uitgemolken om de eindjes aan elkaar te knopen. De laatste paar pagina's wordt dit weer goed gemaakt met een miniclimax, maar de pagina's ertussenin zijn bijna een doodsteek voor het verhaal. De lezer zag de intriges ontrafelen, kreeg antwoorden en denkt de laatste pagina's te naderen, alleen om erachter te komen dat hij nog bijna 100 pagina's verder moet lezen. De moed zakt je dan een beetje in de schoenen, hoewel dit dan wel weer bijdraagt aan het inlevingsvermogen voor de moedeloosheid van de personages als ze met hetzelfde probleem in aanraking komen.
Toch zou ik dit boek zeker wel een aanrader vinden voor lezers die houden van een beetje fantasy met pit. Zoals zoveel fantasy-verhalen, heeft ook dit boek een hoofdpersonage met een mary sue-karakter, maar verder zijn de personages goed en is hun interactie realistisch uitgewerkt. Ook mist dit verhaal de typische good guys en bad guys, zonder dat dit afdoet aan de strijd aan het hof van Isavalta.
Het is zeker geen fantasy-verhaal met een nadruk op roze prinsessentorens, eenhoorns en andere fantastische creaties. Het is een hard leven, gericht op de mensen die leven in een wereld waar de creaturen uit de Slavische mythologie spelen met hun verlangens, terwijl de mensen onderlingen vechten om de macht over het keizerrijk te krijgen.
May 22, 2013
Bridget Lederle is the lighthouse keeper on Sand Island, Wisconsin in 1899. She's an outcast, having had a baby (which died) while she was single. One night she saves the life of mysterious Valin Kalami whose boat crashed onto the rocky shore of Lake Superior.
It turns out that Kalami is a sorcerer sent from the kingdom of Isavalta to find Bridget — who doesn't realize that she has a tie to this parallel world and some powers of her own. With not much to keep her on Sand Island, she agrees to return to Isavalta with Kalami. There she finds a world full of political intrigue, treachery, and magic. The state of things isn't exactly how Kalami described it back in Wisconsin, and it's very hard to know who to trust.
The Plot: A Sorcerer's Treason winds up slowly until Bridget gets to Isavalta, and then it becomes ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
It turns out that Kalami is a sorcerer sent from the kingdom of Isavalta to find Bridget — who doesn't realize that she has a tie to this parallel world and some powers of her own. With not much to keep her on Sand Island, she agrees to return to Isavalta with Kalami. There she finds a world full of political intrigue, treachery, and magic. The state of things isn't exactly how Kalami described it back in Wisconsin, and it's very hard to know who to trust.
The Plot: A Sorcerer's Treason winds up slowly until Bridget gets to Isavalta, and then it becomes ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
April 8, 2013
The story begins with Bridget, a scorned woman in her small town, saves a stranger from a ship wreck. Bridget lives in a lighthouse during the summer and dreads returning to the town. The stranger turns out to be from another world and offers Bridget a chance to be more than a lighthouse keeper – she has premonitions and in the stranger's world, this indicates powerful sorcerer. Bridger chooses to return to return with the stranger to Isavalta and becomes quickly involved in the political intrigue of the land. She has to navigate who to trust and how magic works in this new world. The story runs like a soap-opera with lots of double crossing and disguises, passionate characters. It was an interesting diversion during a plane ride and I admired the main character as the underdog in the story.
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