A Crown Disowned

The Cycle of Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan #3

by Andre Norton

A Crown Disowned is the third volume of the cycle of Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan that began with To the King a Daughter and was continued in Knight or Knave.

The earth is shaking and splitting as the forces from the North draw nearer. The Ice Dragon Riders are speaking to the land, and more fire mountains awaken in the Bog. Rohan seeks to join forces with Tusser, leader of the Bog-folk, as Queen Ysa raises an army to clear the Bog.

War draws closer until even the Queen cannot deny it any longer. Raids from the North increase and for the first time, the Riders of the Ice Dragons appear. It is time for the Queen to give up her game of pitting one faction against another. Four great armies assemble and they all march under the same banner. Though they do not—cannot—represent the Four Trees, this is nevertheless seen as a good omen.

Many good men from all four armies fall in battle, yet the Great Foulness is still at large. Is the combined might of the four powers enough to free the land from evil?

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Andre Norton, born Alice Mary Norton, was a pioneering American author of science fiction and fantasy, widely regarded as the Grande Dame of those genres. She also wrote historical and contemporary fiction, publishing under the pen names Andre Alice Norton, Andrew North, and Allen Weston. She launched her career in 1934 with The Prince Commands, adopting the name “Andre” to appeal to a male readership. After working for the Cleveland Library System and the Library of Congress, she began publishing science fiction under “Andrew North” and fantasy under her own name. She became a full-time writer in 1958 and was known for her prolific output, including Star Man’s Son, 2250 A.D. and Witch World, the latter spawning a long-running series and shared universe. Norton was a founding member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America and authored Quag Keep, the first novel based on the Dungeons & Dragons game. She influenced generations of writers, including Lois McMaster Bujold and Mercedes Lackey. Among her many honors were being the first woman named Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy and SFWA Grand Master. In her later years, she established the High Hallack Library to support research in genre fiction. Her legacy continues with the Andre Norton Award for young adult science fiction and fantasy.

Reviews

[Kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10
It’s hard to know where this story can go from here. Norton and Miller do a good job of wrapping up the story that arced through the first 3 books of the Cycle of Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan, and it feels like this is a fitting conclusion to a trilogy. Yet there are 2 more books in the Cycle—which I will read, and I hope they are not just tacked on appendages.
As for this volume—the various plot threads are untangled and resolved. I was surprised how easy it was for Flavielle the Sorceress to be overcome. In fact, I was sure she had somehow escaped her body and didn’t believe she was truly dead until the Great One Whom All Served himself acknowledged that she had died. And I was surprised that Rohan went back to the Sea-Rovers with his wife, but I think he will bring some changes to their traditions. I was pleased with the change to Tusser and the other Bog-men, even before the Great Foulness was defeated. This book was the best of the first 3 in the series.

[Sparkle32 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. The characters felt so real, as the plots were formed. The plots were more focused this time (which makes sense given the context), and the characters working together didn't all completely trust each other. It was a good story, and I liked it.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing for Andre Norton. Usually love her work. I suppose it is a sign of aging. Will still read her earlier works, but I do not plan to finish this series.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm, this one I can't really remember. I know I read it, but it didn't leave much an impression. I know there are supposed to be 4 books in this series, but I think this is going to be the end for me.

[Batsap · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't enjoy it as much as 'Knight or Knave'. It also annoyed me how callously characters were killed off.

[Jocelyn Montalvo Cullum]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14093326

[Lauren Mcnabb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than Knight or Knave

[Mary Maarse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ending to a great story.