The Prize in the Game

Tir Tanagiri #3

by Jo Walton

Jo Walton's first two novels, The King's Peace and The King's Name , earned her widespread praise and moved her to the front rank of contemporary fantasists. Now she returns with a powerful epic set in the same world.

The Prize in the Game is the tale of the intertwined fates of four friends, destined for kingship but riven by rivalry and war. Gods stalk the island of Tir Isarnagiri, laying subtle and inescapable dooms upon the feuding kingdoms there. And to those gods, the cares of men and women are less than nothing--but still men and women strive to defy their fates and build destinies of their own.

When a friendly competition leads to the death of a beloved horse and incurs the wrath of the Horse Goddess, the stage is set for a deadly game of politics, love, and betrayal. And as the goddess's curse chases them down the years, Conal, Emer, Darag, and Ferdia will find that ties of friendship, and even love, may not be enough to prevent their respective countries from attacking each other in a war that will devastate the island.

The Prize in the Game takes us to a shining era of dark powers, legendary heroes, and passionate loves--all of them ruled by the hand of Fate.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Arthurian, Historical, Ebooks

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 13, 2002

About the author

Jo Walton writes science fiction and fantasy novels and reads a lot and eats great food. It worries her slightly that this is so exactly what she always wanted to do when she grew up. She comes from Wales, but lives in Montreal.

Reviews

[Wealhtheow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is set years before The King's Peace, and focuses on several characters mentioned only in passing. Like many fantasy heroines, Emer yearns to prove her mettle in battle--although unlike most fantasies, what holds her back is not her sex but her youth. She throws herself headlong into the life of a warrior, and in so doing falls completely in love with Conal, another would-be warrior. Their love affair (which readers of the King books know ends tragically) is a frame for cattle-raids, duels, and visitations from deities. Walton has a gift for writing exhilerating battles, and her world-building is excellent. The Prize of the Game exists in an alternate Europe, and Walton has clearly thought about each and every aspect of it, from lawgivers to religion to who does the menial jobs. There is always a feel of solidity to her work.

Unexpectedly, the character I was most interested in was Elenn, Emer's older, calmer sister. Each of the characters in the book have clearly been strongly influenced by their parents, and most have been damaged. Emer's malevolant mother and manipulative father turn her into a headstrong hoyden who forces her way through society. That same upbringing molds Elenn into a self-contained, untouchable princess of ice. In the King books, Elenn marries the High King Udo and remains his childless but incomparably beautiful queen (a la Guinevere). We got little glimpses of her there, but here she gets whole chapters to herself. I loved that Walton turned the usual heroine convention on its head: the people around Elenn are disturbed and saddened that she voices no desires other than to be a good princess and a valuable tool in building alliances. She is similar to GRRMartin's Sansa, but smarter--she knows her strengths (beauty, charm, social graces, piety) and her weaknesses (she will never be a good warrior). At the end of the book after (SPOILERS) Emer has given up hope, Elenn is just getting a glimpse of it. She has no expectations of actual love, only courtly admiration, but hopes to expand her mind and prospects by becoming an excellent queen.

Unlike the King books, this did not leave me breathless. It is a slightly more clinical, less exciting story; seen in retrospect, it is a nuanced exploration of honor.

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked The King's Peace and The King's Name, but I loved The Prize in the Game. I read The Tain recently in preparation. It turns out to be a straighter (heh) retelling of The Tain than the Sulien books are of Arthuriana -- though, of course, I think The Tain has just one source text, whereas the Arthurian texts are a disparate bunch.

The fact that it's a fairly direct retelling threw me a little, but it isn't a bad thing. It's a very human version, especially in its portrayal of the deep love between Ferdia and Darag (hence my 'heh': in one sense, this isn't at all a straight retelling: Ferdia clearly loves Darag romantically). I found Emer and Conal less interesting, less mature, especially given that I know what they're like as a mature couple from the Sulien books, but I was intrigued to learn more about Elenn, and her love for Ferdia. The brief human glimpses of Atha are lovely, too.

The fight scenes are well done, and I love that the women are equally as much involved in fighting as the men. The society is well thought out, and believable, particularly after reading the Tir Tanagiri books, and is nice at a glimpse of pre-Christian-analogue Ireland.

But, most of all, oh, Darag and Ferdia. Your names in my heart. /reference

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another novel set in the same world as The King's Peace and The King's Name, about people who appear in those books (and some who are only mentioned). I was quite a way into this when I suddenly realized that it's a reworking of the Irish legend the Tain Bo Cuailnge, or the Cattle-Raid of Cooley. I'm sure I didn't pick up on all of the parallels to the Tain, as it's been a long time since I read it (I'll have to reread it before I reread The Prize in the Game).

Anyway, it was fascinating to learn more about Emer, Conal, and Elenn, who appeared in the earlier books, and to meet Ferdia and Darag, who were only mentioned. I thought the ending was a little abrupt, or perhaps it's just that the book didn't continue up to the point where the characters were introduced into the previous books.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fantasy based on ancient Ireland full of Champions, wars and cattle raids, based loosely upon the Tain. This story gives more agency to the women than other retellings of Cúchulainn, the Hound of Ulster I've read. Still pretty grim, which shouldn't surprise anyone.

[Elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

More depressing than I had expected -- and given what I knew from having read The King's Peace, I expected it to be significantly depressing.

[Falynn - the TyGrammarSaurus Rex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a retelling of the Tain and a prequel to the King's name books, but can be read as a standalone (as I did).

It took a while for me to get through this one, and I'm not sure why.

The characters were varied and interesting, although I could have lived with a few less POVs. And I really liked that the women could do or be anything - King, warrior, lawspeaker, poet - without reference to their gender. I did think the story was a little stilted in parts, possibly because it was trying to stay true to the legend. And, whilst I believed happily in Connal and Emer's relationship, it did seem to go from non-existent to committed in the blink of an eye.

I have read a couple of other of the author's books and loved them and, therefore, I think part of the reason this one disappointed me slightly was because I wanted to love it too but didn't.

It's a good story, well told, but didn't quite work for me. YMMV.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was frustrating; a decent book, but I expected it to be a fantastic one and was thus disappointed. I very much liked the four points of view and the way they interwove through time -- it is not so unusual to move between differing points, or even the same ones in the same order, but the way that each chapter was the same events but might go back and forth in time between the viewpoints was lovely.

So what, then, was amiss? I did not find the voices different enough; the characters, yes, they were clearly different people with different goals, but the actual voice was the same to me across each character, and the more I identified it with Emer (whom I liked the most), the less plausible I found it for the others, especially Elenn, so by the end when Elenn has her moments of insight, I could not find them plausible because it read to me like Emer's voice.

I am certainly glad I read it, and I may even read it again, in some years. There is much to like in the worldbuilding and the shape of the story and all. But I rather wish Walton had written it now, rather than when she did, because she might have the skills now to make it as fantastic as I hoped.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is sort of a prequel and sort of a companion novel to the Tir Tanagiri series. Here we see how Queen Elenn, Conal/Fishface, and Emer were raised on the nearby island of Tir Isarnagiri. All of them come from royal blood and all are angling for kingship in one way or another (except for Elenn, who only wants to be a queen). I love the different depictions of femininity Walton shows us: Elenn, so beautiful poets write songs about her, doesn't understand anyone who isn't infatuated with her. In fact, she is down right bored with them. In the end, her desire to be desired and become a queen leads to a torturous situation in which she is used like a pawn, somewhat like Sansa Stark in the Song of Ice and Fire books. Emer, her sister, is not conventionally beautiful, but she has a loyal heart and will do anything for the people she loves. Their mother, Maga, is king of their region and plans to use both her daughters as pawns in her game to become king of the entire island. She has no mercy or compassion and does not respect the honor of the land. I love that Walton can write a medieval style sword and sorcery book without falling into the trap of chivalry or sexism.

[September · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It took a little while to get rolling, but once it did... it was excellent! I almost want to reread it again, right now!

I just fell in love with several of the characters, whether they were good or bad, kind or nasty. The lengths they would go to for their honour or for the appearances of being honourable. The characters were so well developed. I grew so attached, I didn't want the book to end!

I read this book knowing it was a prequel to The King's Peace. So, when I finished, I was all geared up for picking up where things left off. At the very least, I was hoping to continue with some of the same characters. I'm not far into The King's Peace, but it would appear it's only going to follow some of the cursory roles from the prequel. That said, I'm already hooked, even though I desperately miss several characters.

[Millerbug · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good. You get to know Conal, Emer, Elenn And Atha better. You meet new characters that are mentioned in King's Peace and The King's Name, like Maga and Darag. Walton did a very good job with her third installment (this was sort of a prelude to The King's Peace). More adventures and a little bit more magic and a more romantic story line (which none of them end good...). Jo Walton does tend to lean toward the tragic love thing. I don't think anyone has a happy ending at all. But it was still worth the read. I think there will probably be more books... we still need to find out why Conal killed Maga and the bloodfeud. The ending kind of leaves you dangling...

[Glee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I loved the first two of this trio, The King's Peace and The King's Name, which are a retelling of the Arthurian legends. This is a prequel (sort of) to the other two. Whereas the first two have to do with the kingdom of Tir Tanagiri (England) this has to do with its counterpart and heros of Tir Isarnagari (Ireland) who appear in the first two but are secondary characters. If you loved the first two, this will be icing on the cake. But these books aren't for everyone, so if you were not interested in the first two, you won't be interested in these.

I hope there are many of you out there who enjoy this series as much as I have.

[Ry Herman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this one somewhat disappointing, considering that I quite liked both The King's Peace and The King's Name. Some parts of this are very well done, as I would expect from Jo Walton -- particular the ruling family of Connat, with its scheming, warped older generation and the two daughters rebelling in entirely different ways. But far too much of what's interesting happens offstage in this one; much more often than not, everything exciting is recounted secondhand or skipped over entirely. It's an odd choice, and it ultimately makes the book feel like nothing much happens.

[Vickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a prequel to Jo Walton’s other Tir Tanagiri books, and a retelling of the Irish epic The Tain, but filled with teenaged emotion. It’s a coming of age story focused on 6 teens who are royal kin. It’s set in historical times but addresses issues current teens grapple with - sexuality, identity, relationships. It’s full of adventure and great characterisation and I read it quickly because I was enjoying it so much!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I preferred this one to The King's Peace. There's an archaic, formal prose style but it's very readable all the same. I sped through it in a couple of day.
When you're introduced to Elenn she's presented as this feminine girly-girl but her character deepens through the novel. By the end she's shown to have as much strength of character as her sister Emer.
I like the way we have a Celtic fantasy where it's just taken for granted that women can be warriors.

[Tanita Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, MAN this book -- kind of ends like Hamlet, with piles of bodies... it's also reminiscent of Greek mythologies, etc. Really well done, if a bit bewildering in terms of character's actions -- I'm left with a lot of "whys," but I think reading more of the Sulien series might answer them. Or then again, maybe not.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure if the tell-not-show stuff is a weakness or not - some things I would very much have enjoyed seeing on screen, but I know the point of the book is a bunch of teenagers being themselves around the edges of Irish legends. I do love this world, but the two Sulien books are stronger, I think.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prequel to the other books in the series. It doesn't quite connect -- the main actors here are minor players in the other couple books, but the key killing isn't in any of the stories. Elenn seems to be a different person in this story, although partially this is just the making of that woman, and partially we see such a different view of the same woman (girl).

[Nicholas Whyte]

http://nhw.livejournal.com/452927.html[return][return]My first reaction was faint irritation that I had managed to end up with yet another retelling of the T

[Nicholas Whyte]

http://nhw.livejournal.com/452927.html[return][return]My first reaction was faint irritation that I had managed to end up with yet another retelling of the T

[William Gerke]

I sat in several sessions with Jo Walton and watched her on several panels. She was funny, wise, and intelligent. Frankly, she struck me as someone I would like to get to know better. Since she's a writer, reading her stuff seems like a good beginning.

[Matti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh so beautiful, tragic, and so down-to-earth real! This feels just like it could have been, those legendary tales from the misty times, if they had been told by someone understanding how actual people feel and work and change.
Seriously fantastic histories!

[bluetyson]

The Prize In The Game by Jo Walton (2000)

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written book.

[Dormouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the way it felt like it was both real people and re-talling of old myths or folk-stories. I liked the way Ferdia very obviously loved Darag.

I liked the switching points of view.

[Mely · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025 reread

[Anthony Faber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Backstory of the folks from Tir Isarnagiri. I think you could read this independent of the 2 "The King's..." books without much of a problem. If you liked her first 2, you'll probably like this, too.

[Elecia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow & slightly incomprehensible with annoying cliffhanger ending. But ok otherwise.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Note: Book jacket did a terrible job of summarizing this story). Coming of age stories for a group of royal youths in a Celtic world.

[Kathy Piselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

How does she do it? Take what could have been a hackneyed, ordinary fantasy story with Celtic overtones and make me read it all in one sitting?

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much like the other two in this series (The King’s Peace and The King’s Name), The Prize in the Game is a gripping, emotional journey. Jo Walton has done it again by making me feel extreme empathy and sadness for the loss these characters endure, this time actually moving me to tears at some parts. I cannot recommend this little series more. 10/10 would let Jo Walton break my heart again.