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Sorcerers legacy
Elienne shook her head vehemently. 'But if you died in Pendaire, how can you be alive in this place?' Ielond placed an arm around Elienne's shoulders. 'Walk with me, I'll explain.' Thus began Elienne's introduction to the world of magic...
Widowed by a violent conquest, imprisoned as a spoil of war, spirited Lady Elienne encounters a formidable visitation inside her locked cell. A powerful, unknown sorcerer promises her a reprieve in trade for a precarious fate: safe transfer from her ruined duchy to another world, there to become chosen bride for the Prince of Pendaire. But the perilous bargain depends on her late husband’s unborn child, with the defenseless infant birthed as threatened centerpiece in a deadly struggle to upset the succession.
Alone with bare wits, Elienne faces entanglement in vicious intrigue, herself the target for ambitious usurpers already plotting Prince Darion’s downfall through dark magic.
Sorcerer’s Legacy drew Raymond E. Feist to invite Janny Wurts as collaborator on the Empire trilogy, involving another resourceful heroine from the other side of his Riftwar series.
Widowed by a violent conquest, imprisoned as a spoil of war, spirited Lady Elienne encounters a formidable visitation inside her locked cell. A powerful, unknown sorcerer promises her a reprieve in trade for a precarious fate: safe transfer from her ruined duchy to another world, there to become chosen bride for the Prince of Pendaire. But the perilous bargain depends on her late husband’s unborn child, with the defenseless infant birthed as threatened centerpiece in a deadly struggle to upset the succession.
Alone with bare wits, Elienne faces entanglement in vicious intrigue, herself the target for ambitious usurpers already plotting Prince Darion’s downfall through dark magic.
Sorcerer’s Legacy drew Raymond E. Feist to invite Janny Wurts as collaborator on the Empire trilogy, involving another resourceful heroine from the other side of his Riftwar series.
Hardcover
First published November 1, 1982
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About the author
Janny Wurts
106 books1,933 followersJanny Wurts is the author of War of Light and Shadow series, and To Ride Hell's Chasm. Her eighteen published titles include a trilogy in audio, a short story collection, as well as the internationally best selling Empire trilogy, co authored with Raymond E. Feist, with works translated into fifteen languages worldwide. Her latest title in the Wars of Light and Shadow series, Destiny's Conflict, culminates more than thirty years of carefully evolved ideas. The cover images on the books, both in the US and abroad, are her own paintings, depicting her vision of characters and setting.
Through her combined talents as a writer/illustrator, Janny has immersed herself in a lifelong ambition: to create a seamless interface between words and pictures that will lead reader and viewer into the imagination. Her lavish use of language invites the mind into a crafted realm of experience, with characters and events woven into a complex tapestry, and drawn with an intensity to inspire active fuel for thought. Her research includes a range of direct experience, lending her fantasy a gritty realism, and her scenes involving magic crafted with intricate continuity. A self-taught painter, she draws directly from the imagination, creating scenes in a representational style that blurs the edges between dream and reality. She makes few preliminary sketches, but envisions her characters and the scenes that contain them, then executes the final directly from the initial pencil drawing.
The seed idea for the Wars of Light and Shadow series occurred, when, in the course of researching tactic and weapons, she viewed a documentary film on the Battle of Culloden Moor. This was the first time she had encountered that historical context of that brutal event, with the embroidery of romance stripped from it. The experience gave rise to an awakening, which became anger, that so often, our education, literature and entertainment slant history in a manner that equates winners and losers with moral right and wrong, and the prevalent attitude, that killing wars can be seen as justifiable solutions when only one side of the picture is presented.
Her series takes the stance that there are two sides to every question, and follows two characters who are half brothers. One a bard trained as a master of magecraft, and the other a born ruler with a charismatic passion for justice, have become cursed to lifelong enmity. As one sibling raises a devoted mass following, the other tries desperately to stave off defeat through solitary discipline and cleverness. The conflict sweeps across an imaginary world, dividing land and people through an intricate play of politics and the inborn prejudices of polarized factions already set at odds. Readers are led on a journey that embraces both viewpoints. The story explores the ironies of morality which often confound our own human condition - that what appears right and just, by one side, becomes reprehensible when seen from the opposite angle. What is apparently good for the many, too often causes devastating suffering to the nonconformist minority. Through the interactions between the characters themselves, the reader is left to their own discretion to interpret the moral impact of events.
Says Janny of her work, "I chose to frame this story against a backdrop of fantasy because I could handle even the most sensitive issues with the gloves off - explore the myriad angles of our troubled times with the least risk of offending anyone's personal sensibilities. The result, I can hope, is an expanding journey of the spirit that explores the grand depths, and rises to the challenge of mapping the ethereal potential of an evolving planetary consciousness... explore free thought and compassionate understanding."
Beyond writing, Janny's award winning paintings have been showcased in exhibitions of imaginative artwork, among them a commemorative exhibition for NASA's 25th Anniversary; the Art of the Cosmos at Hayden Planet
Through her combined talents as a writer/illustrator, Janny has immersed herself in a lifelong ambition: to create a seamless interface between words and pictures that will lead reader and viewer into the imagination. Her lavish use of language invites the mind into a crafted realm of experience, with characters and events woven into a complex tapestry, and drawn with an intensity to inspire active fuel for thought. Her research includes a range of direct experience, lending her fantasy a gritty realism, and her scenes involving magic crafted with intricate continuity. A self-taught painter, she draws directly from the imagination, creating scenes in a representational style that blurs the edges between dream and reality. She makes few preliminary sketches, but envisions her characters and the scenes that contain them, then executes the final directly from the initial pencil drawing.
The seed idea for the Wars of Light and Shadow series occurred, when, in the course of researching tactic and weapons, she viewed a documentary film on the Battle of Culloden Moor. This was the first time she had encountered that historical context of that brutal event, with the embroidery of romance stripped from it. The experience gave rise to an awakening, which became anger, that so often, our education, literature and entertainment slant history in a manner that equates winners and losers with moral right and wrong, and the prevalent attitude, that killing wars can be seen as justifiable solutions when only one side of the picture is presented.
Her series takes the stance that there are two sides to every question, and follows two characters who are half brothers. One a bard trained as a master of magecraft, and the other a born ruler with a charismatic passion for justice, have become cursed to lifelong enmity. As one sibling raises a devoted mass following, the other tries desperately to stave off defeat through solitary discipline and cleverness. The conflict sweeps across an imaginary world, dividing land and people through an intricate play of politics and the inborn prejudices of polarized factions already set at odds. Readers are led on a journey that embraces both viewpoints. The story explores the ironies of morality which often confound our own human condition - that what appears right and just, by one side, becomes reprehensible when seen from the opposite angle. What is apparently good for the many, too often causes devastating suffering to the nonconformist minority. Through the interactions between the characters themselves, the reader is left to their own discretion to interpret the moral impact of events.
Says Janny of her work, "I chose to frame this story against a backdrop of fantasy because I could handle even the most sensitive issues with the gloves off - explore the myriad angles of our troubled times with the least risk of offending anyone's personal sensibilities. The result, I can hope, is an expanding journey of the spirit that explores the grand depths, and rises to the challenge of mapping the ethereal potential of an evolving planetary consciousness... explore free thought and compassionate understanding."
Beyond writing, Janny's award winning paintings have been showcased in exhibitions of imaginative artwork, among them a commemorative exhibition for NASA's 25th Anniversary; the Art of the Cosmos at Hayden Planet
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
September 20, 2018
I truly loved this book! I did not expect much from it, other than some light reading to spend some time and was surprised to have discovered such tastefully created wealth of imagery, passionate writing and plot which is better than with most of modern fantasy writings. The book is both emotionally engaging and clever.
This was my first read by this author and I was mighty impressed! I am very happy to have discovered Janny Wurts and will make sure to read more from her!
My profoundest respect to the author! I wish you all the best and will consider it an honour to read more of your books!
This was my first read by this author and I was mighty impressed! I am very happy to have discovered Janny Wurts and will make sure to read more from her!
My profoundest respect to the author! I wish you all the best and will consider it an honour to read more of your books!
January 26, 2019
Impressive. I can't believe it's a debut book. It's powerful, extremely fast moving, full of intrigue and twists, with a great, adult protagonist, a varied cast of characters, devious enemies, complex magic, smart world-building and a compelling story crafted with great prose.
Janny Wurts surely fulfilled all the author promises embedded in this work and much, much more.
While it’s clearly Wurts trademark style, particularly regarding the unpredictability of the plot and the building of tension, Sorcerer's Legacy is very fast moving since the outset, tightly focused, and all the chapters are cliffhangers.
I flew right through it.
I would easily recommend it as an entry point into the author’s work, whose later books feature more intricacy and layered plots. Particularly the Wars of Light and Shadow series, which I loved, has a complex and slow burn nature better approached with some familiarity with Wurts’ rhythm and style of delivery. Before delving into it, I read To Ride Hell’s Chasm and The Master of White Storm, two very different and compelling standalones, with adult protagonists and depth, also excellent gateways to her work. Despite the time element, the plot of Sorcerer’s Legacy is very linear, but again, it shows many of the things I love in Wurts books; I really enjoyed it and I liked to read light romance from this author.
Sorcerer’s Legacy is a court intrigue story with a romantic bent. Not the kind of romance that just sighs and turns on what one character hangs on another; there is a strong adult female lead and a Machiavellian turn of events. The book has an interesting magic system and time lore, a wealthy kingdom, a prince threatened in his royal prerogative by a most puzzling law, enemies with hidden motivations, entrenched feuds, political ambitions, assassins, corruption and lip service, powerful sorcerers and simmering menaces. Not to mention, it’s always engaging to read a story about a woman with agency and no chick in chainmail to boot.
Elienne suddenly faces the destruction of all she holds dear, her husband, her home, soon, her very life. But she refuses to let go of hope. In a dank dungeon cell, she is approached by a mysterious sorcerer who lays out the limited list of her possible futures, and with no guarantees, he offers her an uncomfortable compromise to save both their life’s work.
She is no hero. She is an intelligent woman with a sharp tongue and a temper to match, but also an emotionally-scarred widow, who is cast in a kingdom she knows nothing of, charged to rescue a prince she has never met, and with no visibility as to who is friend or foe. Her only weapons are last minute instructions, a magical item, her own guile and life experience. I liked that, as the story unfolds, she is suffering but strives to find strength within, to shape her destiny and to protect the legacies she is entrusted with standing on her own merits, taking her own decisions and trying to make the best of circumstances. She refuses the comfort of an easy way out but instead clings to her identity, her powerful sense of purpose, even when she is not sure of her choices, even when the weight of her burdens threatens to break her. Uprooted, lonely, remorseful to let go of her past, she runs a course contrary to all understanding for the sake of an unknown realm’s future while trying to make sense of her own. She is a fascinating character and well-rounded, a woman whose actions are governed by both complex passions and cold logic.
Aware of the risks of ignorance and the consequences of responsibility, Elienne plunges into the intricacy of Pendaire’s court dynamics armed only with her wits and innocent smile; she is an unknown player in the unfathomable plan of a dead sorcerer, master of the secret of time, a plan which blurs the edges of faith and duty.
The chess match has started. "This time, to the bitter death, with no bowing out."
Janny Wurts surely fulfilled all the author promises embedded in this work and much, much more.
While it’s clearly Wurts trademark style, particularly regarding the unpredictability of the plot and the building of tension, Sorcerer's Legacy is very fast moving since the outset, tightly focused, and all the chapters are cliffhangers.
I flew right through it.
I would easily recommend it as an entry point into the author’s work, whose later books feature more intricacy and layered plots. Particularly the Wars of Light and Shadow series, which I loved, has a complex and slow burn nature better approached with some familiarity with Wurts’ rhythm and style of delivery. Before delving into it, I read To Ride Hell’s Chasm and The Master of White Storm, two very different and compelling standalones, with adult protagonists and depth, also excellent gateways to her work. Despite the time element, the plot of Sorcerer’s Legacy is very linear, but again, it shows many of the things I love in Wurts books; I really enjoyed it and I liked to read light romance from this author.
Sorcerer’s Legacy is a court intrigue story with a romantic bent. Not the kind of romance that just sighs and turns on what one character hangs on another; there is a strong adult female lead and a Machiavellian turn of events. The book has an interesting magic system and time lore, a wealthy kingdom, a prince threatened in his royal prerogative by a most puzzling law, enemies with hidden motivations, entrenched feuds, political ambitions, assassins, corruption and lip service, powerful sorcerers and simmering menaces. Not to mention, it’s always engaging to read a story about a woman with agency and no chick in chainmail to boot.
Elienne suddenly faces the destruction of all she holds dear, her husband, her home, soon, her very life. But she refuses to let go of hope. In a dank dungeon cell, she is approached by a mysterious sorcerer who lays out the limited list of her possible futures, and with no guarantees, he offers her an uncomfortable compromise to save both their life’s work.
She is no hero. She is an intelligent woman with a sharp tongue and a temper to match, but also an emotionally-scarred widow, who is cast in a kingdom she knows nothing of, charged to rescue a prince she has never met, and with no visibility as to who is friend or foe. Her only weapons are last minute instructions, a magical item, her own guile and life experience. I liked that, as the story unfolds, she is suffering but strives to find strength within, to shape her destiny and to protect the legacies she is entrusted with standing on her own merits, taking her own decisions and trying to make the best of circumstances. She refuses the comfort of an easy way out but instead clings to her identity, her powerful sense of purpose, even when she is not sure of her choices, even when the weight of her burdens threatens to break her. Uprooted, lonely, remorseful to let go of her past, she runs a course contrary to all understanding for the sake of an unknown realm’s future while trying to make sense of her own. She is a fascinating character and well-rounded, a woman whose actions are governed by both complex passions and cold logic.
Aware of the risks of ignorance and the consequences of responsibility, Elienne plunges into the intricacy of Pendaire’s court dynamics armed only with her wits and innocent smile; she is an unknown player in the unfathomable plan of a dead sorcerer, master of the secret of time, a plan which blurs the edges of faith and duty.
The chess match has started. "This time, to the bitter death, with no bowing out."
October 22, 2014
This was a fun read & well written. It definitely deserves 4 stars but gets a fifth as it was the author's first book. I've heard that after reading it, Raymond Feist asked her to collaborate on the Empire Trilogy which takes place in the midst of his Rift War saga. Congrats on a fantastic decision, Ray! They were some of my favorite books in the series & I liked them all.
The crux of the book is an ugly succession where our heroine plays a key part. She's tough, but very believable. She's feminine, but not a helpless princess. She's a real lady, in every sense of the word. Her motivations & actions were very believable. The story takes place over most of a year, but never bogs down. Lots of twists & turns as the plot unfolds, but very easy to follow.
The world is a fairly 'normal' one for a sword & sorcery universe. Obvious good & bad, along with black & white magical arts. Pretty much a medieval setting; courts, kings, councils & such. Tough decisions & key events build a lot of suspense & where most books would have stopped (midway through this story) the damsel, who is in distress & durance most vile, is rescued only to find that there is still a lot more to deal with. It's a wild ride.
The crux of the book is an ugly succession where our heroine plays a key part. She's tough, but very believable. She's feminine, but not a helpless princess. She's a real lady, in every sense of the word. Her motivations & actions were very believable. The story takes place over most of a year, but never bogs down. Lots of twists & turns as the plot unfolds, but very easy to follow.
The world is a fairly 'normal' one for a sword & sorcery universe. Obvious good & bad, along with black & white magical arts. Pretty much a medieval setting; courts, kings, councils & such. Tough decisions & key events build a lot of suspense & where most books would have stopped (midway through this story) the damsel, who is in distress & durance most vile, is rescued only to find that there is still a lot more to deal with. It's a wild ride.
August 21, 2024
Such a fast, easy read!!! I absolutely loved it!
A smart, sassy and strong-willed lady with a prickly tongue and a heart full of courage,
A dashing prince to make any girl swoon,
Cunning court intrigue and a mad play for power spiced up with sorcery and darklore to keep you on the edge of your seat,
All within a scant 300 pages that will grab you from the very first chapter.
This little book is the perfect read when you want something light but with a beautiful prose, easy but still meaningful, romantic but also action packed. Sorcerer's Legacy delivers on all counts.
If you want to feel good and forget yourself in the pages of a great story that won't allow you to set it down,
try this one! And you won't be dissapointed.
It's simply... magic!
A smart, sassy and strong-willed lady with a prickly tongue and a heart full of courage,
A dashing prince to make any girl swoon,
Cunning court intrigue and a mad play for power spiced up with sorcery and darklore to keep you on the edge of your seat,
All within a scant 300 pages that will grab you from the very first chapter.
This little book is the perfect read when you want something light but with a beautiful prose, easy but still meaningful, romantic but also action packed. Sorcerer's Legacy delivers on all counts.
If you want to feel good and forget yourself in the pages of a great story that won't allow you to set it down,
try this one! And you won't be dissapointed.
It's simply... magic!
February 27, 2019
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures: http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
Next up on my stack of pulpy vintage trash… Sorcerer’s Legacy by Janny Wurts.
The basic premise is this: a woman named Elienne has sex with her husband. She’s pregnant, but doesn’t know it yet. The next morning, an invading army kills her husband, and Elienne is captured and thrown into a cell. She’s then visited by a wizard with an unusual story. He is traveling from across time and space because in his kingdom, a prince has to have an heir by a certain age in order to take the throne, otherwise he is killed and the next in line takes over. An evil wizard sacrificed a virgin to curse Prince Darion with infertility. Because Elienne is so early in her pregnancy, it shouldn’t be detectable by magic, and so if she finds Darion and sleeps with him quickly, she should be able to pass of her husband’s child as his. And since Elienne’s current situation is hopeless, she decides to go along with the wizard’s plan, messed up though it may be.
And so Elienne is carried away from her home through the icy plains of magic. The wizard who transported her through time is killed in the process, and so Elienne is left on her own to navigate court politics in a foreign kingdom, and to try to keep herself, prince Darion, and her child from getting killed in a plot to seize the throne. Can Elienne, a total transplant to this life, manage to battle an evil wizard to ensure Darion’s succession? And can she do it while maintaining her resolve not to develop feelings for him?
The book starts out as the kind of pulpy fantasy that I know and love. Wizards, dark magic, and intrigue are my jam. Unfortunately, many parts of the book fell flat to me, largely because I’m too empathetic. Elienne’s life is one of tragedy. Her entire adventure is rooted in tragic loss, and I really wanted her story to become happier, and for her adventures to bring her some kind of ultimate fulfillment. And for a hot minute, that was happening. She found her prince and actually liked him. She helped him to become a legitimate successor to the throne, all the while battling the evil wizard who was his Regent. She rescued a little girl from an abusive situation, and became friends with her. And she delivered a child. And this is where I’m going to switch into spoiler/rage mode, because the ending of the book made me angry.
If it were me writing the book, I’d have ended it differently. I would have used the prophecy and the time travel shenanigans to make it so that even though the Elienne’s child wasn’t Darion’s, that he still had the royal bloodline, just from a different point in the space-time continuum, because Elienne’s dead husband was related to Darion generations ago in the past. (This was my theory for most of the book, and I was sad it didn’t go that way.) This would have completely prevented the scenario in the spoilers above from being necessary, and would have made the story into a fun time travel sorcery romp, instead of taking it to a dark place that ruined my enjoyment of the novel.
Verdict: This book had potential, but due to the details hidden behind the spoiler tag, I couldn’t really enjoy it. And it could have so easily been salvaged!
Next up on my stack of pulpy vintage trash… Sorcerer’s Legacy by Janny Wurts.
The basic premise is this: a woman named Elienne has sex with her husband. She’s pregnant, but doesn’t know it yet. The next morning, an invading army kills her husband, and Elienne is captured and thrown into a cell. She’s then visited by a wizard with an unusual story. He is traveling from across time and space because in his kingdom, a prince has to have an heir by a certain age in order to take the throne, otherwise he is killed and the next in line takes over. An evil wizard sacrificed a virgin to curse Prince Darion with infertility. Because Elienne is so early in her pregnancy, it shouldn’t be detectable by magic, and so if she finds Darion and sleeps with him quickly, she should be able to pass of her husband’s child as his. And since Elienne’s current situation is hopeless, she decides to go along with the wizard’s plan, messed up though it may be.
And so Elienne is carried away from her home through the icy plains of magic. The wizard who transported her through time is killed in the process, and so Elienne is left on her own to navigate court politics in a foreign kingdom, and to try to keep herself, prince Darion, and her child from getting killed in a plot to seize the throne. Can Elienne, a total transplant to this life, manage to battle an evil wizard to ensure Darion’s succession? And can she do it while maintaining her resolve not to develop feelings for him?
The book starts out as the kind of pulpy fantasy that I know and love. Wizards, dark magic, and intrigue are my jam. Unfortunately, many parts of the book fell flat to me, largely because I’m too empathetic. Elienne’s life is one of tragedy. Her entire adventure is rooted in tragic loss, and I really wanted her story to become happier, and for her adventures to bring her some kind of ultimate fulfillment. And for a hot minute, that was happening. She found her prince and actually liked him. She helped him to become a legitimate successor to the throne, all the while battling the evil wizard who was his Regent. She rescued a little girl from an abusive situation, and became friends with her. And she delivered a child. And this is where I’m going to switch into spoiler/rage mode, because the ending of the book made me angry.
If it were me writing the book, I’d have ended it differently. I would have used the prophecy and the time travel shenanigans to make it so that even though the Elienne’s child wasn’t Darion’s, that he still had the royal bloodline, just from a different point in the space-time continuum, because Elienne’s dead husband was related to Darion generations ago in the past. (This was my theory for most of the book, and I was sad it didn’t go that way.) This would have completely prevented the scenario in the spoilers above from being necessary, and would have made the story into a fun time travel sorcery romp, instead of taking it to a dark place that ruined my enjoyment of the novel.
Verdict: This book had potential, but due to the details hidden behind the spoiler tag, I couldn’t really enjoy it. And it could have so easily been salvaged!
June 22, 2017
In the strictest sense of the word, this is a portal fantasy- the main character is taken by a sorcerer through a portal to another world and another time (although the rules of magic appear to be similar to her own world, and everyone speaks the same language, curiously).
But this book is fairly light on worldbuilding, and makes up for it with the character interactions. There's plenty of court intrigue, with a couple surprising twists, and the romance is very well executed.
It is a bit a product of its time, with a fiery tempered woman protagonist in a place where the power is almost exclusively held by men, but there are multiple other women throughout the story who serve as more than merely plot devices.
For readers looking for magic and romance in equal measure, and a romance filled with mutual respect.
But this book is fairly light on worldbuilding, and makes up for it with the character interactions. There's plenty of court intrigue, with a couple surprising twists, and the romance is very well executed.
It is a bit a product of its time, with a fiery tempered woman protagonist in a place where the power is almost exclusively held by men, but there are multiple other women throughout the story who serve as more than merely plot devices.
For readers looking for magic and romance in equal measure, and a romance filled with mutual respect.
July 19, 2009
A very quick read and worth even more time than it takes to get to the final page. "Sorcerer's Legacy" stands as an impressive first foray as an author. Janny Wurts possesses a beautifully broad vocabulary that lends itself well to the telling of this (or any other) tale. The duel between two sorcerers in chapter nine is particularly impressive as an example of immersing your audience in the moment -- I was almost afraid to take my eyes from the page for fear of seeing a magical battle raging in the room with me.
Janny - I know you're out there, so here's what I really think: "Sorcerer's Legacy" is a GREAT book of wizardry, court intrigue, love, and tragedy (in spite of the "ho-hum" artwork on this particular edition). I was disappointed in the fact that I didn't discover you as an author until quite recently, and now I will have to make an effort to catch up. Thank you for this thoroughly enjoyable experience, and I look forward to reading more of your work in the future... as soon as real life allows...
Janny - I know you're out there, so here's what I really think: "Sorcerer's Legacy" is a GREAT book of wizardry, court intrigue, love, and tragedy (in spite of the "ho-hum" artwork on this particular edition). I was disappointed in the fact that I didn't discover you as an author until quite recently, and now I will have to make an effort to catch up. Thank you for this thoroughly enjoyable experience, and I look forward to reading more of your work in the future... as soon as real life allows...
January 24, 2024
I love continuing to find classic fantasy and fantasy from the 1980's that feels different. This debut by Janny Wurts certainly fits the bill, as we follow a female protagonist, pregnant and imprisoned, offered a new life as a Prince's Consort, a life offered by an enigmatic sorcerer. This book is laden with magic, court intrigue, and an unorthodox plot structure that I enjoyed most. The third act occurs after several of the more action-oriented scenes, and I really enjoyed this act the most as it slowed down and focused on character, and culminated in a great conclusion. A quick and compelling read.
December 30, 2023
Its no surprise for those of you reading my reviews that Janny Wurts is my favorite author of all time, so I decided to read her debut novel Sorcerer’s Legacy where it all began. A standalone novel written in the style of a classical fantasy novel with plenty of spins to the story I didn’t see coming. A political thriller with a bit of a romance thread and some dark consequences done only in the way Janny writes her stories. If that is not enough juice for you, it was this novel which started the conversations with Janny and Raymond E. Feist to cowrite the Empire Trilogy. That is a blog post for another time but for now, lets jump into Sorcerer’s Legacy.
Elienne is being held captive in a dark and isolated cell in the dungeons of Trathmere. With her husband the duke killed in battle, Elienne is now at the mercy of the Prime Inquisitor of the enemy army and if she doesn’t cooperate with the Inquisitor dark deeds will befall her. Soon after, she is visited by a Sorcerer named Ielond who is seeking a bride for his prince in another land. This prince has a death sentence because he can not father an heir which is the result of some dark magic by his enemies. Elienne is the perfect candidate because she is pregnant with her late husbands child and the baby is to be a stand-in as the royal heir to the throne if she accepts the offer to be saved. Facing the choice of either life or death, Elienne decides to go with Ielond to another land and actually to another time as the magic of time travel exists in this world. She will find herself as a stranger in a new city with a very clear goal in mind if she can just avoid the royal court politics and all its dark secrets.
I didn’t want to get too far into the plot as there is a lot that happens in a short span of time. Obviously Elienne is thrown into an extremely difficult situation where she is pregnant with another mans child although that part is concealed by magic for a short while, sleep with the prince, and pretend that the child is his for the court to recognize him as the king in waiting. What makes Janny a master storyteller is her ability to bring forth the emotionally turmoil the characters are feeling and surprise you at every turn. Elienne is not your typical damsel in distress type of woman we see in classical fantasy. She has passion and intuition, she is smart with a great sense of humor, and she cares about the repercussions of not only her actions but that of the prince as well.
I won’t talk too much about the prince to avoid some spoilers but don’t expect him to be a big brute with a drinking problem and has affairs with all the women of the court. He has a good heart and you shall see that when all is said and done. There is magic in the world and it is handled with excellent care as you would come to expect from a Janny Wurts novel. Although the story is very linear in terms of plot, Janny will not lead you down a path we have seen hundreds of times before so prepare to be surprised.
I would consider this to be Janny’s most accessible novel for anyone looking to get a taste of her writing style. Beautiful prose are put on full display and a main female POV that you will be eager to see her story. A great book to end the year 2023 on.
Cheers!
Elienne is being held captive in a dark and isolated cell in the dungeons of Trathmere. With her husband the duke killed in battle, Elienne is now at the mercy of the Prime Inquisitor of the enemy army and if she doesn’t cooperate with the Inquisitor dark deeds will befall her. Soon after, she is visited by a Sorcerer named Ielond who is seeking a bride for his prince in another land. This prince has a death sentence because he can not father an heir which is the result of some dark magic by his enemies. Elienne is the perfect candidate because she is pregnant with her late husbands child and the baby is to be a stand-in as the royal heir to the throne if she accepts the offer to be saved. Facing the choice of either life or death, Elienne decides to go with Ielond to another land and actually to another time as the magic of time travel exists in this world. She will find herself as a stranger in a new city with a very clear goal in mind if she can just avoid the royal court politics and all its dark secrets.
I didn’t want to get too far into the plot as there is a lot that happens in a short span of time. Obviously Elienne is thrown into an extremely difficult situation where she is pregnant with another mans child although that part is concealed by magic for a short while, sleep with the prince, and pretend that the child is his for the court to recognize him as the king in waiting. What makes Janny a master storyteller is her ability to bring forth the emotionally turmoil the characters are feeling and surprise you at every turn. Elienne is not your typical damsel in distress type of woman we see in classical fantasy. She has passion and intuition, she is smart with a great sense of humor, and she cares about the repercussions of not only her actions but that of the prince as well.
I won’t talk too much about the prince to avoid some spoilers but don’t expect him to be a big brute with a drinking problem and has affairs with all the women of the court. He has a good heart and you shall see that when all is said and done. There is magic in the world and it is handled with excellent care as you would come to expect from a Janny Wurts novel. Although the story is very linear in terms of plot, Janny will not lead you down a path we have seen hundreds of times before so prepare to be surprised.
I would consider this to be Janny’s most accessible novel for anyone looking to get a taste of her writing style. Beautiful prose are put on full display and a main female POV that you will be eager to see her story. A great book to end the year 2023 on.
Cheers!
May 27, 2012
I have become quite a fan of Janny Wurts since reading her long-running "The Wars of Light and Shadow" series. Other than that series though, the only other books of hers that I had read were those that formed "The Empire Trilogy" and they were actually a collaborative effort with Raymond E. Feist. Therefore, I decided that I would try another of her books and picked up "Sorcerer's Legacy" which was her debut novel and is quite rare in today's world of fantasy writing in that it is a self contained story so I didn't need to worry about getting bogged down in another multi book epic.
The plot of the novel follows a heroine named Elienne who has recently been widowed when her husband, the Duke of Trathmere was killed in a war. Whilst languishing in the dungeons she is suddenly rescued by a Sorcerer named Ielond who hails from a distant land and is travelling through time trying to locate a wife for his ward, Prince Darion. Ielond reveals to her that Darion is apparently sterile and therefore will be forced to forfeit his throne to his cousin, who is nothing but a lackey for the evil sorcerer Faisix. However as Elienne is in the first few days of pregnancy, Ielond's hope is that her child can be passed off as Darion's should she agree to become a consort. Elienne agrees in the hope that her child will have a better future and so she is drawn into a world full of betrayal, conspiracy and sorcery.
I found that as with most debut novels it does have some flaws and to be honest there isn't anything that a seasoned fantasy fan isn't going to recognise. The plot just felt very workmanlike and average to me, with the regular medieval style setting and obvious good guys and bad guys utilising standard light and dark magic. Don't get me wrong, the book isn't a bad one and I found it to be well structured with a plot that did include some enjoyable elements of suspense and intrigue. However it just felt like it was missing some of the spark that I have seen in her later novels.
In addition, I really appreciated Elienne, she is strongly independent and has heaps of attitude. I couldn't help but smile as I followed her defiantly making her opinions known no matter the cost. The complexities and reasons behind her motivations and actions were all quite believable and really helped to endear her to the reader. Alas, the bad guy in the book, the regent and sorcerer Faisix wasn't as intriguing or believable. For someone who had supposedly been working behind the scenes for years to ensure his lackey could ascend the throne, he just seemed to act in a very ham-fisted way the moment Elieene came on the scene. He really didn't strike me as mastermind who could use his wits to work cleverly behind the scenes to get what he wanted; he actually just came across as a bit of a mindless thug who acted quickly without any real thought or cunning. I think this was probably the biggest let down in the entire novel as I just didn't consider him to be a character who I could really find threatening or believable as an evil mastermind.
Overall, I found "Sorcerer's Legacy" is a pretty standard fantasy novel that should be an enjoyable enough diversion for a rainy afternoon. In all honesty, if you are a fan of Janny Wurts then I would recommend you to try and pick this book up just to see how she started. However for someone new to her works, I would advise you to read some of her later novels first as they are a little bit more refined.
The plot of the novel follows a heroine named Elienne who has recently been widowed when her husband, the Duke of Trathmere was killed in a war. Whilst languishing in the dungeons she is suddenly rescued by a Sorcerer named Ielond who hails from a distant land and is travelling through time trying to locate a wife for his ward, Prince Darion. Ielond reveals to her that Darion is apparently sterile and therefore will be forced to forfeit his throne to his cousin, who is nothing but a lackey for the evil sorcerer Faisix. However as Elienne is in the first few days of pregnancy, Ielond's hope is that her child can be passed off as Darion's should she agree to become a consort. Elienne agrees in the hope that her child will have a better future and so she is drawn into a world full of betrayal, conspiracy and sorcery.
I found that as with most debut novels it does have some flaws and to be honest there isn't anything that a seasoned fantasy fan isn't going to recognise. The plot just felt very workmanlike and average to me, with the regular medieval style setting and obvious good guys and bad guys utilising standard light and dark magic. Don't get me wrong, the book isn't a bad one and I found it to be well structured with a plot that did include some enjoyable elements of suspense and intrigue. However it just felt like it was missing some of the spark that I have seen in her later novels.
In addition, I really appreciated Elienne, she is strongly independent and has heaps of attitude. I couldn't help but smile as I followed her defiantly making her opinions known no matter the cost. The complexities and reasons behind her motivations and actions were all quite believable and really helped to endear her to the reader. Alas, the bad guy in the book, the regent and sorcerer Faisix wasn't as intriguing or believable. For someone who had supposedly been working behind the scenes for years to ensure his lackey could ascend the throne, he just seemed to act in a very ham-fisted way the moment Elieene came on the scene. He really didn't strike me as mastermind who could use his wits to work cleverly behind the scenes to get what he wanted; he actually just came across as a bit of a mindless thug who acted quickly without any real thought or cunning. I think this was probably the biggest let down in the entire novel as I just didn't consider him to be a character who I could really find threatening or believable as an evil mastermind.
Overall, I found "Sorcerer's Legacy" is a pretty standard fantasy novel that should be an enjoyable enough diversion for a rainy afternoon. In all honesty, if you are a fan of Janny Wurts then I would recommend you to try and pick this book up just to see how she started. However for someone new to her works, I would advise you to read some of her later novels first as they are a little bit more refined.
June 9, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
A pretty start to a successful career from Janny. She’s known for her political intrigue and great prose. There’s tons of intrigue in this book. You truly have no idea what the outcome of this book will be and even if you get something right it won’t happen the way you’d guess.
The prose wasn’t all that poetic like I was expecting so I’m assuming she gets much better in later books.
The novel follows a pregnant girl who was saved by a dead wizard. His ghost tells her she is apart of his plans to save the Prince if she will agree to wed him. In this world, if a Prince isn’t fertile then he will be beheaded because they don’t want to deal with succession wars/disputes. As a favor to the wizard she obliges and agrees to wed him but there are powerful people in place that don’t want him as king so they are trying everything they can to kill her and her baby.
The premise sounds a little dumb but the last half of the book ramps up really good and it was a short quick book. I would recommend this as a little pallet cleanser in between bigger books
A pretty start to a successful career from Janny. She’s known for her political intrigue and great prose. There’s tons of intrigue in this book. You truly have no idea what the outcome of this book will be and even if you get something right it won’t happen the way you’d guess.
The prose wasn’t all that poetic like I was expecting so I’m assuming she gets much better in later books.
The novel follows a pregnant girl who was saved by a dead wizard. His ghost tells her she is apart of his plans to save the Prince if she will agree to wed him. In this world, if a Prince isn’t fertile then he will be beheaded because they don’t want to deal with succession wars/disputes. As a favor to the wizard she obliges and agrees to wed him but there are powerful people in place that don’t want him as king so they are trying everything they can to kill her and her baby.
The premise sounds a little dumb but the last half of the book ramps up really good and it was a short quick book. I would recommend this as a little pallet cleanser in between bigger books
January 16, 2025
2.5 stars. It’s hard to believe that such a fast-paced book had me bored out of my mind. The writing was solid though and the only thing that kept me interested.
Full RTC.
Full RTC.
March 2, 2016
You're doing life wrong if you're not reading this book right now.
Dear sweet mother of God. What a book.
I read it over the last couple of days. I stopped writing to read this book. I stayed up until almost 2am last night to finish reading this book. I walked with my Kobo in hand at 1am while searching for tissue to blow my nose because I was sobbing so hard, but I couldn't put the book down.
This was one of the best romance books I have ever read. This is the best fantasy-romance hybrid book I have ever read - and all of you know how picky I am about hybrids, cross overs, and fence sitters. This book was amazing. I wept. I was at the dentist reading. I was in line at the grocery store reading. I could not stop reading.
The fantasy was delightful. The court intrigue rivaled anything that's popular today. The romance was gut-wrenchingly perfect.
Romance readers: Spoilers for you, in case you need them.
Dear sweet mother of God. What a book.
I read it over the last couple of days. I stopped writing to read this book. I stayed up until almost 2am last night to finish reading this book. I walked with my Kobo in hand at 1am while searching for tissue to blow my nose because I was sobbing so hard, but I couldn't put the book down.
This was one of the best romance books I have ever read. This is the best fantasy-romance hybrid book I have ever read - and all of you know how picky I am about hybrids, cross overs, and fence sitters. This book was amazing. I wept. I was at the dentist reading. I was in line at the grocery store reading. I could not stop reading.
The fantasy was delightful. The court intrigue rivaled anything that's popular today. The romance was gut-wrenchingly perfect.
Romance readers: Spoilers for you, in case you need them.
January 11, 2025
Sorcerer's Legacy sends the reader on an intriguing journey and is a fantastic read. I am addicted to this authors work.
Jannys’ work invites readers to unravel its intricacies layer by layer. It challenges them to confront the darkness within the narrative, suggesting that those who venture into this world will want to remain amongst the pages. She masterfully weaves together a tapestry of suspenseful storytelling. The narrative unfolds through edge-of-your-seat plots and chilling enigmas that ensnare readers from the very first page.
This story seamlessly blends fantasy, supernatural and paranormal elements. I am addicted! This series is gripping and exciting. It is a tangled web that leaves you breathless and craving more. It is filled with loss and hope, magic and danger, suspense and tension, and action within a world where nothing is what it seems.
Jannys’ work invites readers to unravel its intricacies layer by layer. It challenges them to confront the darkness within the narrative, suggesting that those who venture into this world will want to remain amongst the pages. She masterfully weaves together a tapestry of suspenseful storytelling. The narrative unfolds through edge-of-your-seat plots and chilling enigmas that ensnare readers from the very first page.
This story seamlessly blends fantasy, supernatural and paranormal elements. I am addicted! This series is gripping and exciting. It is a tangled web that leaves you breathless and craving more. It is filled with loss and hope, magic and danger, suspense and tension, and action within a world where nothing is what it seems.
December 14, 2011
If I had a "Books That I Would Love to Reread if I Could Find a Damn Copy" shelf this would be on it. A great premise, and a great first effort from someone who would go on to write more of my favorite Fantasy novels.
January 26, 2020
This book was a lot of fun for the most part. It definitely reads like an older book but the pace is just constant and snappy and keeps you interested. It's mostly a single POV. I think my favorite thing was how Janny described the magic. It was...both scientific and artistic. I appreciated the good guys being Good and the bad guys being Bad and even when I guessed how it was all going to end, I was still happy to read it. I would've liked a few extra Darion POV scenes, especially at the end, but it is what it is. It's a fun, quick book that also feels dense.
January 24, 2020
Oooo that was such a good book!
We follow Elienne as she gets taken from her home, where her husband just died, and into a different land where she becomes the Consort to the prince. Shes pregnant, and her child is meant to be passed as the Princes to save him. To say a little, things don't go exactly as planned.
This novel has a happy ending, but it is most definitely not a happy novel. Which I think works for it. Its filled with death, drama, violence... and the action literally doesn't stop. The characters are vibrant, especially Elienne. I just loved everything about the plot, the characters... everything!
We follow Elienne as she gets taken from her home, where her husband just died, and into a different land where she becomes the Consort to the prince. Shes pregnant, and her child is meant to be passed as the Princes to save him. To say a little, things don't go exactly as planned.
This novel has a happy ending, but it is most definitely not a happy novel. Which I think works for it. Its filled with death, drama, violence... and the action literally doesn't stop. The characters are vibrant, especially Elienne. I just loved everything about the plot, the characters... everything!
December 20, 2020
What follows is a spoiler-filled summary!
So: The heroine is a Sassy Lady who infuriates all men. If she keeps quiet, they also notice she's beautiful. 👀 Recently impregnated and widowed, she's approached by a Good Wizard to marry his sterile Prince and save the kingdom. She has 3 days to sex the Prince so folks think the baby is his. Only after agreeing does she think about how effed up this is. TOO LATE SASSY LADY.
They reconstruct her virginity without her consent. 🙄 She swears at various men. The Prince is a Good Boy and won't sleep with her until he knows her. Her passions are inflamed by his basic human decency, so they have sex without even exchanging names. 🍆
BUT Evil Wizard who is also the regent (ofc) wants to rule. He tries to drug the Prince, then have the heroine raped. When his plans fail he abandons all subtlety and kidnaps the heroine...?! 🤔
The Good Guys rescue Sassy Lady until PLOT TWIST months later, the Evil Wizard had a Plan B that kills the baby! 😱 Never fear, a few additional deaths later, the Prince's curse is lifted and Sassy Lady is free to bear a "true" heir because a woman's only value is fertility. 🍆 THE END.
Sidenote: The weird naked scene on the cover doesn't happen. 🤷🏻♀️
➡️ READ THIS IF...
✔️ Eye rolls ✔️ Stereotypes ✔️ Sexism ✔️ 85% men characters ✔️ Assault
So: The heroine is a Sassy Lady who infuriates all men. If she keeps quiet, they also notice she's beautiful. 👀 Recently impregnated and widowed, she's approached by a Good Wizard to marry his sterile Prince and save the kingdom. She has 3 days to sex the Prince so folks think the baby is his. Only after agreeing does she think about how effed up this is. TOO LATE SASSY LADY.
They reconstruct her virginity without her consent. 🙄 She swears at various men. The Prince is a Good Boy and won't sleep with her until he knows her. Her passions are inflamed by his basic human decency, so they have sex without even exchanging names. 🍆
BUT Evil Wizard who is also the regent (ofc) wants to rule. He tries to drug the Prince, then have the heroine raped. When his plans fail he abandons all subtlety and kidnaps the heroine...?! 🤔
The Good Guys rescue Sassy Lady until PLOT TWIST months later, the Evil Wizard had a Plan B that kills the baby! 😱 Never fear, a few additional deaths later, the Prince's curse is lifted and Sassy Lady is free to bear a "true" heir because a woman's only value is fertility. 🍆 THE END.
Sidenote: The weird naked scene on the cover doesn't happen. 🤷🏻♀️
➡️ READ THIS IF...
✔️ Eye rolls ✔️ Stereotypes ✔️ Sexism ✔️ 85% men characters ✔️ Assault
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2007
I love Janny Wurts anyway, but the premise of this book is really fun. Elienne's beloved husband has just been killed, she is less than a day pregnant with his child, and a sorceror from another land appears just as she is about to be condemned to rape and death, offering her a choice - stay here, or come with him to marry another man and claim the child as his, to save a kingdom and his life.
Not only is Elienne a really fun, vibrant character, but the slow romance between her and her betrothed - Prince Darion - really works, using her grief to build the tension between them. Their enemies make sense, too, as do their allies. The prose is always engaging, and there is genuine pain and joy in the book. I only wish it wasn't a one-off novel.
Not only is Elienne a really fun, vibrant character, but the slow romance between her and her betrothed - Prince Darion - really works, using her grief to build the tension between them. Their enemies make sense, too, as do their allies. The prose is always engaging, and there is genuine pain and joy in the book. I only wish it wasn't a one-off novel.
June 2, 2014
Delightful! A fast moving, peril ridden journey for both a prince and his consort. Emily Gray is a wonderful narrator. I don't think I've listened to her before. I hadn't read this book before this audio edition was released. It was kind of hard to come by and it's only in paperback, used, and I cannot read the small print in paperbacks. So I was glad I could read this one. I think now that I've read all of Wurts' work.
July 6, 2009
Boy, this world has harsh rules for kingship, if you don't father a child by 25 you are killed? You can't marry unless you have a living child? It is amazing anyone wants to be royal/
January 13, 2012
This is one of my all-time favorite books and I think one of Janny Wurts best works, other than Master of Whitestorm. Excellent read.
July 25, 2019
I revisited this classic for nostalgia's sake. This book and others like it by this author and others like her graced the shelves of my highschool's library more than 20 years ago. The school library was a place of vivid imagination in an institution full of uniform mathematics classes, logical science classes, and ego-bruising PE classes and there, I first learnt that spending my time in worlds of wild fantasy such as the one masterfully painted in this book was far better than wasting my efforts on the dim grey world called reality.
Without books like this, I would never have picked up the pen myself. Re-reading it now was an even greater pleasure than the first read all those years ago. Janny Wurts is a brilliant writer and I found that I wasn't just enjoying the rich story she weaves or the relatable characters she has imagined but I even found pleasure in the clever ways she used to structure her paragraphs and dialogue. I found myself admiring the little details in her writing such as how smoothly a dialogue tag becomes a description of the sounds in a courtyard as a troop of soldiers arrive and dismount.
Janny Wurts pulls no punches either, she has no qualms about killing off characters to advance her plots or taking a story to very dark places to give depth to the evil of her villains. She was writing strong, stroppy and resilient female main characters with attitude before it was cool. This is a great example of her early work and being standalone it is a good book to read to get an idea of her style before committing to one of her longer series. I fully recommend it. 4.5 stars.
Adam:)
Without books like this, I would never have picked up the pen myself. Re-reading it now was an even greater pleasure than the first read all those years ago. Janny Wurts is a brilliant writer and I found that I wasn't just enjoying the rich story she weaves or the relatable characters she has imagined but I even found pleasure in the clever ways she used to structure her paragraphs and dialogue. I found myself admiring the little details in her writing such as how smoothly a dialogue tag becomes a description of the sounds in a courtyard as a troop of soldiers arrive and dismount.
Janny Wurts pulls no punches either, she has no qualms about killing off characters to advance her plots or taking a story to very dark places to give depth to the evil of her villains. She was writing strong, stroppy and resilient female main characters with attitude before it was cool. This is a great example of her early work and being standalone it is a good book to read to get an idea of her style before committing to one of her longer series. I fully recommend it. 4.5 stars.
Adam:)
September 30, 2023
8/10
Wow that was a really strong debut novel. I was so worried that it was going to be a rough experience throughout with how bombastic and fast paced chapter one was. But as the book went on, I was just wowed by Elienne’s character, the combat encounters (especially the wizard battle) and the plot intricacies. I think the antagonist in this novel is the most despicable antagonist I’ve read this year. His actions made me feel disgusting. Lordie, I felt really bad for Elienne for what he made her go through in this book. And holy crap the ending… I was not ready. It still hasn’t left me and I don’t think it will for quite awhile.
Overall this book really surprised me in a lot of ways. My only other critiques are that some of the character relationships and side characters could have been developed some more and a significant event that happened at the end of the book could have impacted the protagonist until the ending. That being said, I will most definitely be checking out Wurts’s other books. I’m very glad I picked this up!
Wow that was a really strong debut novel. I was so worried that it was going to be a rough experience throughout with how bombastic and fast paced chapter one was. But as the book went on, I was just wowed by Elienne’s character, the combat encounters (especially the wizard battle) and the plot intricacies. I think the antagonist in this novel is the most despicable antagonist I’ve read this year. His actions made me feel disgusting. Lordie, I felt really bad for Elienne for what he made her go through in this book. And holy crap the ending… I was not ready. It still hasn’t left me and I don’t think it will for quite awhile.
Overall this book really surprised me in a lot of ways. My only other critiques are that some of the character relationships and side characters could have been developed some more and a significant event that happened at the end of the book could have impacted the protagonist until the ending. That being said, I will most definitely be checking out Wurts’s other books. I’m very glad I picked this up!
June 15, 2024
Listened on audio and I didn’t like the reader much. Things got monotonous and I found myself zoning out.
In hindsight I’d definitely say read this is on a rainy day in a single sitting if possible. There’s not much to the world, and it feels more like a warm up exercise for a writer who went on to write extreme long form. I also found the second half was more interesting just because the interpersonal relationships took centre stage rather than court intrigues.
I am in a terrible slump at the moment, this may have affected my enjoyment.
In hindsight I’d definitely say read this is on a rainy day in a single sitting if possible. There’s not much to the world, and it feels more like a warm up exercise for a writer who went on to write extreme long form. I also found the second half was more interesting just because the interpersonal relationships took centre stage rather than court intrigues.
I am in a terrible slump at the moment, this may have affected my enjoyment.
April 4, 2025
The story went in some weird places, but I loved the vibes. I loved the magic being powerful and unpredictable with the feeling that anything can happen, and the sort of spooky oppressive atmosphere, reminding me of sword and sorcery and gothic at times.
July 19, 2020
High stakes from the get go and super enjoyable! The fast paced court intrigue and the devious enemies truly elevated the story. The romance was also rather lovely.
January 5, 2020
Interesting book. Weird mix of magic heavy politcking and romance. The politics and magic were great, although at times my eyes glazed over a little but the romance just didn't sit right as the male love interest is a bit perfect and they didn't spend enough time together for it to feel real. Still a great wee read.
March 17, 2010
I was a bit disappointed with this book.
Throughout I never really had much sympathy for the main character, Elienne (despite the pretty name).
Elienne gets whisked away from her native time and place to another place - a castle and a prince who needs to beget a baby on her to succeed to the throne no less. Problem is he's had a curse put on himthat makes him impotent. But luckily the wizard who her wizzed her over thought of that and picked her because she was already pregnant to her (recently slaughtered) husband.
Thus commence the intrigues in Elienne's new home of Pendaire.
Much of it is a complication between her growing love (and attempted denial of this) to the prince Darion, and her sense of loyalty to her former (dead) husband Cinndel. And a phophetess's words to her that she would 'die truthful' - hence, the lie that her former husband's child will not take the place of legitimate heir to Darion's throne.
The original wizard who sets all these events in motion for Elienne - Ielond - commits the enormity of 'Timesplice' to do so (looping time back in upon itself) and does so with his life. His name is present throughout the book, but the only time we get to meet him is at the beginning when he first brings Elienne to her new fate - forewith, he is strictly an offstage character.
I like this story - and dislike it. I was led to expect more and got less. It somehow attempted too much, and I'm sorry to say failed to deliver.
However, the story was written with enough skill to give me hope that Janny Wurts has developed as a writer. I will continue onto her 'Shadowfane' trilogy and find out.
Throughout I never really had much sympathy for the main character, Elienne (despite the pretty name).
Elienne gets whisked away from her native time and place to another place - a castle and a prince who needs to beget a baby on her to succeed to the throne no less. Problem is he's had a curse put on himthat makes him impotent. But luckily the wizard who her wizzed her over thought of that and picked her because she was already pregnant to her (recently slaughtered) husband.
Thus commence the intrigues in Elienne's new home of Pendaire.
Much of it is a complication between her growing love (and attempted denial of this) to the prince Darion, and her sense of loyalty to her former (dead) husband Cinndel. And a phophetess's words to her that she would 'die truthful' - hence, the lie that her former husband's child will not take the place of legitimate heir to Darion's throne.
The original wizard who sets all these events in motion for Elienne - Ielond - commits the enormity of 'Timesplice' to do so (looping time back in upon itself) and does so with his life. His name is present throughout the book, but the only time we get to meet him is at the beginning when he first brings Elienne to her new fate - forewith, he is strictly an offstage character.
I like this story - and dislike it. I was led to expect more and got less. It somehow attempted too much, and I'm sorry to say failed to deliver.
However, the story was written with enough skill to give me hope that Janny Wurts has developed as a writer. I will continue onto her 'Shadowfane' trilogy and find out.
April 15, 2021
Link to my blog post
Having read and enjoyed "To Ride Hell's Chasm", I've been meaning to read more books by Janny Wurts. My TBR is a mess, but another reason is that her prose is difficult for me to comprehend. Been a while since I read that book, so I'm not sure if her writing has evolved significantly, but I had a much easier time reading "Sorcerer's Legacy". The breakneck pacing 🚀 helped as well, which meant I finished the book in less than a day.
I'm not a big fan of political intrigue, but this book kept me hooked throughout. Having highly competent main characters helped too, which seems like a frequently occurring theme in the author's works.
I found the magic system interesting as well, playing a big role in driving the plot forward. However, it was quite complex and I didn't fully understand many details, especially in the first two chapters.
The book was a bit dark for my tastes. Fourth book in a row this has happened, so I'm going to choose a comfort read next for sure.
Having read and enjoyed "To Ride Hell's Chasm", I've been meaning to read more books by Janny Wurts. My TBR is a mess, but another reason is that her prose is difficult for me to comprehend. Been a while since I read that book, so I'm not sure if her writing has evolved significantly, but I had a much easier time reading "Sorcerer's Legacy". The breakneck pacing 🚀 helped as well, which meant I finished the book in less than a day.
I'm not a big fan of political intrigue, but this book kept me hooked throughout. Having highly competent main characters helped too, which seems like a frequently occurring theme in the author's works.
I found the magic system interesting as well, playing a big role in driving the plot forward. However, it was quite complex and I didn't fully understand many details, especially in the first two chapters.
The book was a bit dark for my tastes. Fourth book in a row this has happened, so I'm going to choose a comfort read next for sure.
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