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Lyremouth Chronicles #3
The Empress And the Acolyte
After three years of studying with the Empress Bykoda, Jemeryl has learned all that the elderly sorcerer can teach her and is ready to return to Lyremouth. However, before she leaves, Bykoda reveals a grim secret - an oracle of death, and asks her to perform one final assignment. Jemeryl must take Bykoda's talisman to a place of safety. Failure will mean complete destruction not only in the present, but also the past.
While in Tirakhalod, Tevi has been working as an officer in Bykoda's army. It has been a difficult time for her, living in a land where those who cannot work magic are treated as insignificant. Only Jemeryl's love has made life bearable. With the return to the Protectorate drawing close, she hopes that the worst is over. However, somebody is after the talisman, and that person is willing to commit murder to get what they want.
While in Tirakhalod, Tevi has been working as an officer in Bykoda's army. It has been a difficult time for her, living in a land where those who cannot work magic are treated as insignificant. Only Jemeryl's love has made life bearable. With the return to the Protectorate drawing close, she hopes that the worst is over. However, somebody is after the talisman, and that person is willing to commit murder to get what they want.
232 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2006
9 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Jane Fletcher
21 books202 followersJane Fletcher is a GCLS award-winning writer and has also been short-listed for the Gaylactic Spectrum and Lambda Literary awards. She is author of two ongoing sets of fantasy/romance novels: the Celaeno series—The Walls of Westernfort, Rangers at Roadsend, The Temple at Landfall, Dynasty of Rogues, and Shadow of the Knife; and the Lyremouth Chronicles—The Exile and The Sorcerer, The Traitor and The Chalice, The Empress and The Acolyte, and The High Priest and the Idol.
Her love of fantasy began at the age of seven when she encountered Greek Mythology. This was compounded by a childhood spent clambering over every example of ancient masonry she could find (medieval castles, megalithic monuments, Roman villas). Her resolute ambition was to become an archaeologist when she grew up, so it was something of a surprise when she became a software engineer instead.
Born in Greenwich, London, in 1956, she now lives in southwest England where she keeps herself busy writing both computer software and fiction, although generally not at the same time.
Her love of fantasy began at the age of seven when she encountered Greek Mythology. This was compounded by a childhood spent clambering over every example of ancient masonry she could find (medieval castles, megalithic monuments, Roman villas). Her resolute ambition was to become an archaeologist when she grew up, so it was something of a surprise when she became a software engineer instead.
Born in Greenwich, London, in 1956, she now lives in southwest England where she keeps herself busy writing both computer software and fiction, although generally not at the same time.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 16, 2016
This book is my favorite out of the Lyremouth Chronicles so far. To me, it's by far the most exciting. I felt I hardly had time to catch my breath before something else happened. Jem and Tevi are tested a lot in this book, their relationship, their morals, and their lives. Jane Fletcher really knows how to write great fantasy books... plus did I mention this book has Dragons?!
I would recommended this series to any fantasy genre fans. You won't be disappointed!
I would recommended this series to any fantasy genre fans. You won't be disappointed!
June 2, 2018
I had a harder time with this one.
Mostly because of the effect Jem's choices have on Tevi and the impact on their relationship.
Would I go with the love of my life to a place where I would be professionally ecstatic but where she would be scorn, ignored, or used just because she's on the weaker side of the social ladder ? So while I would spend my days happily doing something I love, she would be in a social misery ?
Still, the story goes on and there are some interesting aspect. The grief versus moral dilemma was well explored.
And I loved the Dragon ;)
Mostly because of the effect Jem's choices have on Tevi and the impact on their relationship.
Would I go with the love of my life to a place where I would be professionally ecstatic but where she would be scorn, ignored, or used just because she's on the weaker side of the social ladder ? So while I would spend my days happily doing something I love, she would be in a social misery ?
Still, the story goes on and there are some interesting aspect. The grief versus moral dilemma was well explored.
And I loved the Dragon ;)
February 26, 2013
Really good chapter in the ongoing Lyremouth Chronicles.
Forget (if you can or want to) that these are written in a lesbian context and rather approach them as a pure fantasy novel, then they are at least as good as the majority of David Eddings output.
The evolving world that the author has presented remains as interesting as at the outset, with additional turns and kinks in the road that ensures that you cannot guess which way the novel will take you.
Loved the playfulness that the author was able to build in, like the part where an earlier mention of a magically developed prosthetic leads you to believe that some major nastiness will be delivered to one of the heroines. Great set-up and play with our emotions and pre-conceptions.
Roll on Book 5!
Forget (if you can or want to) that these are written in a lesbian context and rather approach them as a pure fantasy novel, then they are at least as good as the majority of David Eddings output.
The evolving world that the author has presented remains as interesting as at the outset, with additional turns and kinks in the road that ensures that you cannot guess which way the novel will take you.
Loved the playfulness that the author was able to build in, like the part where an earlier mention of a magically developed prosthetic leads you to believe that some major nastiness will be delivered to one of the heroines. Great set-up and play with our emotions and pre-conceptions.
Roll on Book 5!
January 23, 2011
Another strong book in this series and the first not linked to the whole chase for the chalice. There are elements similar to the last book (some Potter-ish murder mystery stuff), but everything is different enough and the characters have matured a bit more. Plus, there's some cool stuff with Dragons.
February 18, 2012
Another great story from this series. I have a good time reading this, it had romance, action, adventure, and suspense. The suspense was especially good in this one, more than in the previous book. Romance was good, just the way I liked it, as well as the action. The adventure was not what I expected, but in a good way. Overall, I think it was worth reading and worth to add to my collection.
May 7, 2022
The worldbuilding in this series is among my favourites; I simply love how, because of the sorcerers' power, the usually present inequality between the sexes is completely absent here, except for Tevi's homeland where it is inverted also due to the intervention of magic. The plot was more exciting in this book compared to the previous two and I was squealing at the addition of dragons. The love shared by Tevi and Jemeryl is just as beautiful as in the other instalments. The short story after the ending was super funny and entertaining.
My only complaint: why is the next book the final one ?I want more!
My only complaint: why is the next book the final one ?
August 2, 2019
Clearly the best of the three. I like the two main characters, the moral dilemmas posed, the feats and explanations of magic and the world building. Jane Fletcher has written a very good WLW fantasy series. Jemeryl the Sorcerer and Tevi the Ungifted Soldier make an unlikely pair in their world but in the end love conquers all.
December 4, 2022
Loving this series more and more - the characters including the supporting characters are getting more and interesting and complex as are the storylines. So many shades of gray and moral ambiguities.
Normally I will not read anything involving time but this really works. If you are a Sword and Sorcery fan you need to read this series.
Normally I will not read anything involving time but this really works. If you are a Sword and Sorcery fan you need to read this series.
June 12, 2018
The book was better than expected. Mostly because I thought that the first two books in the series made a perfect duology and wasn't really interested in 'what happens next'. Yet, I fell into this story, and, when I emerged, I was quite happy I decided to try it.
June 24, 2024
Once again good mystery elements, as well as a good magic system along with other familiar fantasy world building.
The relationship grows stronger and the themes of morality in this one is intriguing.
The relationship grows stronger and the themes of morality in this one is intriguing.
July 29, 2018
This one was worse than the others bc it presents a character that could be argued to be autistic as evil bc of it.
July 26, 2015
The entire Lyremouth series was a surprisingly very enjoyable read! Book 1 starts very slow, but it does pick up when Jem and Tevi get together (near to two-thirds of book 1, so don't give up :D), and they are such a cute couple, so adorable!
The premise of this series is definitely not as ambitious or serious as the author's Celaeno series, but I felt the fantasy world she created here was equally rich (each territory has its own unique culture), more fun (sarcastic talking magpie lol) and very imaginative (the dimensional magic she created here is pretty cool).
Book 3 was my favourite as it has the most action and suspense with the mysterious and ruthless empress Bykoda being a very cool side character, but I really enjoyed the entire series and am crossing my fingers for book 5 because I want to read more of Jem and Tevi, they are just so cute! :D
The premise of this series is definitely not as ambitious or serious as the author's Celaeno series, but I felt the fantasy world she created here was equally rich (each territory has its own unique culture), more fun (sarcastic talking magpie lol) and very imaginative (the dimensional magic she created here is pretty cool).
Book 3 was my favourite as it has the most action and suspense with the mysterious and ruthless empress Bykoda being a very cool side character, but I really enjoyed the entire series and am crossing my fingers for book 5 because I want to read more of Jem and Tevi, they are just so cute! :D
March 17, 2009
Book one of the Lyremouth Chronicles - one of my favorite series ever....
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July 14, 2024Not as good as the previous books in the series imo
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews