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Mirage Makers #2
The Shadow of Tyr
Continuing the exciting trilogy from the author of the acclaimed Isles of Glory series.While Ligea struggles to start a rebellion against the Exaltarch, her young son, Arrant, struggles with his own inadequacies. He believes himself rejected by his father, and is alienated from his mother because of her relationship with her one-time slave, Brand. At the same time, he is unable to control his own Magor powers predictably Arrant's only companion is his half-brother, tarran, a member of the Mirage Makers, who has little idea of what it is like to be human. this unlikely pair do their best to grow up in a changing, hostile world, but when the Ravage once again threatens the Mirage Makers, tarran disappears. Without his brother, Arrant is vulnerable to the plotting of the Brotherhood and Falmon. He is tricked into placing Brand and his mother in danger. While Demitra and her son have the power to save themselves - and each other - the price they will pay for their lives may be too high.
576 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
12 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
Glenda Larke
26 books377 followersGlenda was born in Western Australia, the daughter of a farmer. She was educated at government state schools and the University of Western Australia, where she obtained a degree in history and a diploma in education. Married to a Malaysian scientist, she has grown-up children, and now lives in Malaysia, where she is actively involved in rainforest conservation.
Author of The Isles of Glory trilogy (The Aware, Gilfeather, The Tainted); The Mirage Makers trilogy (Heart of the Mirage, The Shadow of Tyr, Song of the Shiver Barrens) and, writing as Glenda Noramly, a stand-alone book Havenstar.
Author of The Isles of Glory trilogy (The Aware, Gilfeather, The Tainted); The Mirage Makers trilogy (Heart of the Mirage, The Shadow of Tyr, Song of the Shiver Barrens) and, writing as Glenda Noramly, a stand-alone book Havenstar.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 22, 2021
This is the second book in Glenda Larke's 'The Mirage Makers' trilogy. Having originally found Larke purely as she's my namesake, it has been a delight to read her work. This second trilogy is even more accomplished, more detailed than the first with some excellent writing for the fantasy genre.
In the second book, the main character, Ligea, returns to Tyr with the sole aim of overthrowing the tyrannical regime that had kidnapped her as a child and used her as the means to try and destroy resistance in her native land, Kardiastan. Kardiastan is a country originally ruled by a magical upper class of people with special gems embedded in their palms. The book spans 13 years – from the time of her return and the birth of her son, Arrant, until her son reaches 13. Strong links are drawn back to Kardiastan, particularly through a metaphysical link between Arrant and Tarran, Arrant's half brother who was given over to the Mirage Makers in the first volume. It is Tarran's role to help the Mirage Makers fight against a mysterious blight that is destroying their realm in the west of Kardiastan. The story spends very little time in Kardiastan itself in this volume, but Larke has setup the tale to return in the third volume.
Larke introduces a number of new characters, but only two of any great significance, and most of the characters, including the protagonists, are back from the first volume. The most important, and another example of Larke's ability to introduce flawed, but well backgrounded and interesting characters, is Gevenan, a ex-general from the far west of the world, who failed to defeat the Tyr invaders in his own country and who is now a slave himself in Tyr.
There are a couple of themes in Larke's work that I really like. First is the strong, main female character, Ligea – in her first set of books, there was a similar main character, Blaze. Unlike some (perhaps many) other writers, Larke makes her women equal to men with no silly pandering to female stereotypes such as taking the role of concubines, witches, or some other sexually orientated character formation. This makes the read all the more enthralling as it creates a narrative based around genuine human situations. Her characters, as I said, are far from perfect, with their own fears and prejudices, all of which and a lot of colour and interest to the narrative.
The second point, which is similar to her first work, is the shift from the original main character to a new main character as the work progresses. In her first work, Blaze was the centre of the first book, but the story then shifted to Gillfeather later on. In the Mirage Makers, Larke concentrates almost entirely on Ligea in volume one, and she remains a central character in the second volume, but as her son, Arrant, grows, he gradually takes over as the main part of the story.
If the volume has any fault it is that it spans a very long period of time. In one way, this makes it realistic. Other fantasy novels may have their powerful, magical characters overthrow nasty rulers in a single battle, but Ligea spends years planning and organising her rebellion. By the end of two thirds of the book, I was beginning to feel there was a lack of action. This is made up for in the finale, which, while a little predictable in terms of what happens, is very well written and highly visual in its narrative.
Overall, an excellent piece of work and I will be immediately moving on to the third and final book in the sequel. Glenda Larke
In the second book, the main character, Ligea, returns to Tyr with the sole aim of overthrowing the tyrannical regime that had kidnapped her as a child and used her as the means to try and destroy resistance in her native land, Kardiastan. Kardiastan is a country originally ruled by a magical upper class of people with special gems embedded in their palms. The book spans 13 years – from the time of her return and the birth of her son, Arrant, until her son reaches 13. Strong links are drawn back to Kardiastan, particularly through a metaphysical link between Arrant and Tarran, Arrant's half brother who was given over to the Mirage Makers in the first volume. It is Tarran's role to help the Mirage Makers fight against a mysterious blight that is destroying their realm in the west of Kardiastan. The story spends very little time in Kardiastan itself in this volume, but Larke has setup the tale to return in the third volume.
Larke introduces a number of new characters, but only two of any great significance, and most of the characters, including the protagonists, are back from the first volume. The most important, and another example of Larke's ability to introduce flawed, but well backgrounded and interesting characters, is Gevenan, a ex-general from the far west of the world, who failed to defeat the Tyr invaders in his own country and who is now a slave himself in Tyr.
There are a couple of themes in Larke's work that I really like. First is the strong, main female character, Ligea – in her first set of books, there was a similar main character, Blaze. Unlike some (perhaps many) other writers, Larke makes her women equal to men with no silly pandering to female stereotypes such as taking the role of concubines, witches, or some other sexually orientated character formation. This makes the read all the more enthralling as it creates a narrative based around genuine human situations. Her characters, as I said, are far from perfect, with their own fears and prejudices, all of which and a lot of colour and interest to the narrative.
The second point, which is similar to her first work, is the shift from the original main character to a new main character as the work progresses. In her first work, Blaze was the centre of the first book, but the story then shifted to Gillfeather later on. In the Mirage Makers, Larke concentrates almost entirely on Ligea in volume one, and she remains a central character in the second volume, but as her son, Arrant, grows, he gradually takes over as the main part of the story.
If the volume has any fault it is that it spans a very long period of time. In one way, this makes it realistic. Other fantasy novels may have their powerful, magical characters overthrow nasty rulers in a single battle, but Ligea spends years planning and organising her rebellion. By the end of two thirds of the book, I was beginning to feel there was a lack of action. This is made up for in the finale, which, while a little predictable in terms of what happens, is very well written and highly visual in its narrative.
Overall, an excellent piece of work and I will be immediately moving on to the third and final book in the sequel. Glenda Larke
August 24, 2019
3.5 stars. This book took me a little longer to get into than the first, but once again, I did enjoy it. Something new that intrigued me was the introduction of Arrant, Ligea's son. He was a nice addition to the story and brought on a lot of emotions throughout the story. Mostly it was sadness with his constant determination and always feeling like a failure. I'm sure we've all been there at some stage with one thing or another, but I loved that he never gave up and kept trying, regardless.
I can't say I particularly enjoyed Ligea here either. She really irritated me in the first, but in this she just made me plain angry at times with her disappointment/anger at Arrant. Whilst it is kind of explained, it didn't really justify it in my opinion. The introduction of Gevanen was enjoyable as he had a great sense of humour and really brought some light heartedness to the whole situation.
Despite a few faults in the book, I look forward to the third and final installment and seeing Arrant's development.
I can't say I particularly enjoyed Ligea here either. She really irritated me in the first, but in this she just made me plain angry at times with her disappointment/anger at Arrant. Whilst it is kind of explained, it didn't really justify it in my opinion. The introduction of Gevanen was enjoyable as he had a great sense of humour and really brought some light heartedness to the whole situation.
Despite a few faults in the book, I look forward to the third and final installment and seeing Arrant's development.
October 24, 2018
Finally finished this book. It covers quite a long span of time, marked by Arrant's birth and growth and we spend more time with him than we do with his mother. Ligea is busy co-ordinating rebellions and trying to bring down an empire, which leaves her son feeling rather left out - especially as his powers don't seem to work as expected.
Despite the fantasy setting, the book deals with the realities of war, the pressures of being a leader and having to juggle different roles, as well as living with the consequences.
It took me a while to remember who was who from book 1, but hopefully it won't be as long before I read book 3. It will be interesting to see where things go from here.
Despite the fantasy setting, the book deals with the realities of war, the pressures of being a leader and having to juggle different roles, as well as living with the consequences.
It took me a while to remember who was who from book 1, but hopefully it won't be as long before I read book 3. It will be interesting to see where things go from here.
May 1, 2019
Maybe 4.5... a little annoying in parts (that whole regurgitating the same words by specific key characters gets a trifle wearing). Thing is I was actually disturbed emotionally by this book and I cannot help but wonder if that makes it a 5?
May 16, 2018
Not as good as the first book in the series. This one dragged, even though there were a few years skipped at times. A bit disappointing.
January 16, 2019
Really enjoying the second part of the trilogy. The pace is good and keeps me wanting to see what happens next.
October 1, 2013
Der Bund der Illusionisten - Trügerisches Licht" von Glenda Larke schließt direkt an den Vorgänger an.
Ligea verlässt mit Brand Kardistan um in Tyr eine Rebellion zu starten. Um heraus zu finden wie das Orakel sie damals beeinflusst hat, dringen die beiden in dem Tempel der Melete ein. Dabei finden sie heraus, dass die Orakelsprüche manipuliert sind. Außerdem finden sie einen geheimen Zugang über den sie ungesehen rein und raus kommen können. Ligea verkauft all ihren Besitz und kümmert sich darum einen Platz für die zukünftigen Rebellen zu finden und alles nötige dafür zu organisieren. Um die Menschen dazu zu bewegen ihr zu folgen, benutzt sie ihre Magie um sich als Göttin Melete auszugeben. Doch dies birgt Risiken. Ihr Magieverbraucht schwächt ihren ungeborenen Sohn und der Exaltrach weiß, dass ein Karde mit Magie dahintersteckt.
Die ganze Geschichte wird nicht mehr nur aus Ligeas Sicht geschildert. Brand, Rathox und später ihr Sohn legen ihre Sicht dar. Daran muss man sich erst gewöhnen. Dennoch ist es notwendig um die ganzen Handlungsstränge im Zuge der Revolution nachvollziehen zu können. So bekommt man einen guten Eindruck über Ligeas Gegner, ihrer Verbündeten vor allem aber auch was ihr Sohn Arrant alles aufnimmt.
Denn die Beziehung von Arrant und Ligea ist eine Schlüsselfunktion im Buch. Eigentlich sollte Arrant kurz nach der Geburt zu seinem Vater. Doch Temellin wollte, das der Junge bei seiner Mutter aufwächst. So wird Arrant schon von klein auf mitgenommen zu kleineren Überfällen. Er ist zwar nie direkt dabei, aber er muss sich verstecken. Für ihn ist das anfangs ein Spiel. Doch ist es auch eine Bürde alles zu lernen und zu verstehen. Was noch hinzukommt, er kann seine Magie nicht immer kontrollieren und einsetzten. Er fühlt sich deswegen immer klein und als kein richtiger Magor. Als Temelln ihn auch noch zurückweist, bekommt er noch einen Knack. Der einzige der ihm hilft ist Tarran, sein Halbbruder. Er ist jenes Kind, welches Ligea den Illusionisten geben hat. Doch auch er offenbar seinem Bruder nicht nur postive Sachen über seine Eltern. Dies gipfelt dann mit Brands Ankunft. Denn Brand kann Arrant wegen der Beziehung zu seiner Mutter nicht leiden.
Etwas schade allerdings ist, dass man mache Sachen einfach nicht mitbekommt, wie die Geburt, die Aufstände in den anderen Teilen des Landes, ... Man bekommt später sehr kleine Infofetzen darüber. Was auch noch anders ist als der erste Teil ist, dass hier große Zeitsprünge drinnen sind. Somit kann man zwar die weniger ereignisreichen Jahre ausblenden, aber man muss sich dran gewöhnen.
Dennoch behalten alle Charaktere ihre Tiefe und werden mit der Zeit reifer. Hinzu kommt noch das die Rebellenaufstände gut durchdacht sind und Glenda Larke somit wieder eine vollkommen authentische Welt geschaffen bzw. beibehalten hat.
Die Spannung wird durch die Rebellion und durch das Befinden von Arrant aufgebaut und gehalten. Nach der erfolgreichen Übernahme von Tyr gibt es zwar eine kleine Flaute, aber die Spannung kommt zu Ende zu einem weiteren Höhepunkt.
Auf die Fortsetzung hab ich mich echt super gefreut und ich bin nicht wirklich enttäuscht worden. Ein paar winzige Abstriche muss ich allerdings machen. Denn es gab gerade im Erzählstil einige Veränderungen, die zwar zur Handlung passen, an die ich mich aber gewöhnen musste. Gelacht habe ich auch wieder viel und diesmal mussten auch ein paar Taschentücher herhalten. Gerade zum Schluss.
Deswegen verteile ich 4 1/4 von 5 Wölfen:
Ligea verlässt mit Brand Kardistan um in Tyr eine Rebellion zu starten. Um heraus zu finden wie das Orakel sie damals beeinflusst hat, dringen die beiden in dem Tempel der Melete ein. Dabei finden sie heraus, dass die Orakelsprüche manipuliert sind. Außerdem finden sie einen geheimen Zugang über den sie ungesehen rein und raus kommen können. Ligea verkauft all ihren Besitz und kümmert sich darum einen Platz für die zukünftigen Rebellen zu finden und alles nötige dafür zu organisieren. Um die Menschen dazu zu bewegen ihr zu folgen, benutzt sie ihre Magie um sich als Göttin Melete auszugeben. Doch dies birgt Risiken. Ihr Magieverbraucht schwächt ihren ungeborenen Sohn und der Exaltrach weiß, dass ein Karde mit Magie dahintersteckt.
Die ganze Geschichte wird nicht mehr nur aus Ligeas Sicht geschildert. Brand, Rathox und später ihr Sohn legen ihre Sicht dar. Daran muss man sich erst gewöhnen. Dennoch ist es notwendig um die ganzen Handlungsstränge im Zuge der Revolution nachvollziehen zu können. So bekommt man einen guten Eindruck über Ligeas Gegner, ihrer Verbündeten vor allem aber auch was ihr Sohn Arrant alles aufnimmt.
Denn die Beziehung von Arrant und Ligea ist eine Schlüsselfunktion im Buch. Eigentlich sollte Arrant kurz nach der Geburt zu seinem Vater. Doch Temellin wollte, das der Junge bei seiner Mutter aufwächst. So wird Arrant schon von klein auf mitgenommen zu kleineren Überfällen. Er ist zwar nie direkt dabei, aber er muss sich verstecken. Für ihn ist das anfangs ein Spiel. Doch ist es auch eine Bürde alles zu lernen und zu verstehen. Was noch hinzukommt, er kann seine Magie nicht immer kontrollieren und einsetzten. Er fühlt sich deswegen immer klein und als kein richtiger Magor. Als Temelln ihn auch noch zurückweist, bekommt er noch einen Knack. Der einzige der ihm hilft ist Tarran, sein Halbbruder. Er ist jenes Kind, welches Ligea den Illusionisten geben hat. Doch auch er offenbar seinem Bruder nicht nur postive Sachen über seine Eltern. Dies gipfelt dann mit Brands Ankunft. Denn Brand kann Arrant wegen der Beziehung zu seiner Mutter nicht leiden.
Etwas schade allerdings ist, dass man mache Sachen einfach nicht mitbekommt, wie die Geburt, die Aufstände in den anderen Teilen des Landes, ... Man bekommt später sehr kleine Infofetzen darüber. Was auch noch anders ist als der erste Teil ist, dass hier große Zeitsprünge drinnen sind. Somit kann man zwar die weniger ereignisreichen Jahre ausblenden, aber man muss sich dran gewöhnen.
Dennoch behalten alle Charaktere ihre Tiefe und werden mit der Zeit reifer. Hinzu kommt noch das die Rebellenaufstände gut durchdacht sind und Glenda Larke somit wieder eine vollkommen authentische Welt geschaffen bzw. beibehalten hat.
Die Spannung wird durch die Rebellion und durch das Befinden von Arrant aufgebaut und gehalten. Nach der erfolgreichen Übernahme von Tyr gibt es zwar eine kleine Flaute, aber die Spannung kommt zu Ende zu einem weiteren Höhepunkt.
Auf die Fortsetzung hab ich mich echt super gefreut und ich bin nicht wirklich enttäuscht worden. Ein paar winzige Abstriche muss ich allerdings machen. Denn es gab gerade im Erzählstil einige Veränderungen, die zwar zur Handlung passen, an die ich mich aber gewöhnen musste. Gelacht habe ich auch wieder viel und diesmal mussten auch ein paar Taschentücher herhalten. Gerade zum Schluss.
Deswegen verteile ich 4 1/4 von 5 Wölfen:
November 28, 2022
3.5 stars
The Shadow of Tyr is a difficult book to review, partly because it spans a huge time frame (Ligea goes from 5 months pregnant to the mother of a teenage boy in 470 pages!) and partly because it’s jam packed with action.
One of the things I liked best about the Mirage Makers series is that Larke has created a heroine that’s easy to root for but often difficult to like. Ligea is just not a nice person. She’s manipulative, sometimes cold, and often cruel in her pursuits, whether they be revenge or power or justice. Motherhood doesn’t change her, and in fact, only showcases the lack of nurturing instinct. She loves Arrant, her son by Temellin, but it’s his nurse’s arms he runs to when he needs coddling. Yet Larke was careful: Ligea does love her son and tries to protect him in every way that she can, while still not displaying that cooing maternal nature that would be so out of character for her. I thought Larke’s portrayal of Ligea’s motherhood was excellent, and fit completely with the character she’d built. While Ligea reminds me a lot of her lead character in the Isles of Glory series. While Blaze and Ligea are both tough, and both collect allies and friends who love them despite their sometimes hard natures, Ligea is driven not only by revenge but a thirst for power, though she says it’s justice. What’s interesting is that it creates a certain suspicion on the part of the reader: is our heroine about to go evil? Are they going to have to overthrow her in book 3? Sometimes her actions go so far that you really do wonder.
I know that’s a weird thing to explain, but it’s all part of what I’ve decided is the Larke method. Like some of my other favorite authors, Larke isn’t afraid to take chances, hurt her characters, make you dislike them because that’s where the story is going, yet still make you feel like you just read something brilliant when you’re done. Her stories are full of surprises, with enough nods to the genre to be familiar, but enough originality and twists that you’re never quite sure where the story will go. I love being surprised by plot twists, and all of Larke’s series have done that for me so far.
The inclusion of Arrant’s POV in The Shadow of Tyr was unexpected, but welcome by the end. The chapters of his boyhood were fine and helped paint a picture of his relationship with Ligea, but as the novel progressed, he sometimes annoyed me (as probably, he was supposed to). I wasn’t sure I would even like him by the end of the novel, but novelist and mastermind Glenda Larke pulled through. Every bit of his personality and progression was geniously plotted until we get to the end, and everything, EVERYTHING falls apart in the way that books do at the end.
If you love high fantasy and you haven’t picked up a Glenda Larke novel yet, you are SERIOUSLY missing out.
This review for "The Shadow of Tyr" first appeared on StarlightBookReviews.com.
The Shadow of Tyr is a difficult book to review, partly because it spans a huge time frame (Ligea goes from 5 months pregnant to the mother of a teenage boy in 470 pages!) and partly because it’s jam packed with action.
One of the things I liked best about the Mirage Makers series is that Larke has created a heroine that’s easy to root for but often difficult to like. Ligea is just not a nice person. She’s manipulative, sometimes cold, and often cruel in her pursuits, whether they be revenge or power or justice. Motherhood doesn’t change her, and in fact, only showcases the lack of nurturing instinct. She loves Arrant, her son by Temellin, but it’s his nurse’s arms he runs to when he needs coddling. Yet Larke was careful: Ligea does love her son and tries to protect him in every way that she can, while still not displaying that cooing maternal nature that would be so out of character for her. I thought Larke’s portrayal of Ligea’s motherhood was excellent, and fit completely with the character she’d built. While Ligea reminds me a lot of her lead character in the Isles of Glory series. While Blaze and Ligea are both tough, and both collect allies and friends who love them despite their sometimes hard natures, Ligea is driven not only by revenge but a thirst for power, though she says it’s justice. What’s interesting is that it creates a certain suspicion on the part of the reader: is our heroine about to go evil? Are they going to have to overthrow her in book 3? Sometimes her actions go so far that you really do wonder.
I know that’s a weird thing to explain, but it’s all part of what I’ve decided is the Larke method. Like some of my other favorite authors, Larke isn’t afraid to take chances, hurt her characters, make you dislike them because that’s where the story is going, yet still make you feel like you just read something brilliant when you’re done. Her stories are full of surprises, with enough nods to the genre to be familiar, but enough originality and twists that you’re never quite sure where the story will go. I love being surprised by plot twists, and all of Larke’s series have done that for me so far.
The inclusion of Arrant’s POV in The Shadow of Tyr was unexpected, but welcome by the end. The chapters of his boyhood were fine and helped paint a picture of his relationship with Ligea, but as the novel progressed, he sometimes annoyed me (as probably, he was supposed to). I wasn’t sure I would even like him by the end of the novel, but novelist and mastermind Glenda Larke pulled through. Every bit of his personality and progression was geniously plotted until we get to the end, and everything, EVERYTHING falls apart in the way that books do at the end.
If you love high fantasy and you haven’t picked up a Glenda Larke novel yet, you are SERIOUSLY missing out.
This review for "The Shadow of Tyr" first appeared on StarlightBookReviews.com.
April 20, 2012
Demitra Ligea was stolen from her home as a child and then sent back, many years later, to destroy them. Unfortunately for her captors, things didn't exactly go according to plan and now, in book two, Ligea is looking for revenge - and her unborn baby is along for the ride.
The second instalment of the Mirage Makers trilogy focuses on Ligea's rise to power and the gathering of her army to mount a huge rebellion against the dictator of Tyr. It is a very personal journey, filled with self-doubt, determination and a good sprinkling of very cool magic.
After Arrant's birth, the narrative shifts to include the young boy and we begin to see a very different side of Ligea, through her sons eyes. His connection to his half brother is probably my favourite thing about this series. Tarran is joyful, innocent and also, somehow, very old and wise. As the reader, you completely understand what Arrant is going through, especially with his jealousy over his mother's 'new' lover and when his decisions lead to disaster, it is hard to blame him as much as he blames himself.
I was impressed by the scope and weight of this fantasy. Glenda Larke has built a solid world and populated it with real people I both believed in and cared about. The Shadow of Tyr is both an excellent second instalment and a thrilling prologue to what will, no doubt, be a rather dramatic conclusion in Book 3: Song of the Shiver Barrens.
The second instalment of the Mirage Makers trilogy focuses on Ligea's rise to power and the gathering of her army to mount a huge rebellion against the dictator of Tyr. It is a very personal journey, filled with self-doubt, determination and a good sprinkling of very cool magic.
After Arrant's birth, the narrative shifts to include the young boy and we begin to see a very different side of Ligea, through her sons eyes. His connection to his half brother is probably my favourite thing about this series. Tarran is joyful, innocent and also, somehow, very old and wise. As the reader, you completely understand what Arrant is going through, especially with his jealousy over his mother's 'new' lover and when his decisions lead to disaster, it is hard to blame him as much as he blames himself.
I was impressed by the scope and weight of this fantasy. Glenda Larke has built a solid world and populated it with real people I both believed in and cared about. The Shadow of Tyr is both an excellent second instalment and a thrilling prologue to what will, no doubt, be a rather dramatic conclusion in Book 3: Song of the Shiver Barrens.
February 6, 2015
Δεν είμαι σίγουρη τι μου φταίει σε αυτό το βιβλίο. Από τη μία δεν υπολείπεται σε τίποτε από το πρώτο, όσον αφορά χαρακτήρες, κοσμοπλασία και περιγραφές. Πολλές φορές μάλιστα, όταν είσαι σίγουρος ότι τσίμπησες τη βλακεία και την παράβλεψη, τσακ! στη φέρνει και σου λέει ότι υπήρχε λόγος που σε άφησε να το πιστεύεις αυτό.
Από την άλλη, τραβάει σε μάκρος, πλατειάζει προσπαθώντας να χωρέσει 13 χρόνια μέσα σε 470 σελίδες και κάποιες φορές νομίζω ότι τα πράγματα ήρθαν πολύ βολικά για την πλοκή και με περιορισμένη συνέπεια ως προς την ιδέα και την κοσμοπλασία της.
Έχοντας αυτά υπόψην, είναι ένα υπέροχο βιβλίο. Αληθινό και βαθύ και με ένα γυναικείο χαρακτήρα που αποβάλει εκείνη την αντιπάθεια που του είχες στο πρώτο βιβλίο και ολοκληρώνεται σαν πολεμιστής, σαν πολιτικός, σα γυναίκα, σα μάνα. Η Domina Ligea Gayed, Miragerin-sarana, Exaltarch of Tyr είναι ένας από τους ωραιότερους και πολυπλοκότερους χαρακτήρες που έχω διαβάσει ποτέ.
Από την άλλη, τραβάει σε μάκρος, πλατειάζει προσπαθώντας να χωρέσει 13 χρόνια μέσα σε 470 σελίδες και κάποιες φορές νομίζω ότι τα πράγματα ήρθαν πολύ βολικά για την πλοκή και με περιορισμένη συνέπεια ως προς την ιδέα και την κοσμοπλασία της.
Έχοντας αυτά υπόψην, είναι ένα υπέροχο βιβλίο. Αληθινό και βαθύ και με ένα γυναικείο χαρακτήρα που αποβάλει εκείνη την αντιπάθεια που του είχες στο πρώτο βιβλίο και ολοκληρώνεται σαν πολεμιστής, σαν πολιτικός, σα γυναίκα, σα μάνα. Η Domina Ligea Gayed, Miragerin-sarana, Exaltarch of Tyr είναι ένας από τους ωραιότερους και πολυπλοκότερους χαρακτήρες που έχω διαβάσει ποτέ.
April 29, 2013
I didnt enjoy this book as much as the first one. I really didnt like the begining it moved the years too fast, i liked the pace of the first book but this one goes though about 13 years in the same number of pages as about 1 year in the last book! It gets better near the end. I also didnt really like that the main character changes from the first book i wanted to know more about Ligea and how she was changing with leading a nation and being a mother whether she is feeling guilty of leaving her child, how she is dealing with her love life, has got any really good freinds around Tyr?
April 20, 2012
c2007. Not quite as good as the first one...not even close. Seemed to have droned on a bit. I won't bother with the next one in the series. Again, very cosy clique of writers with Karen Miller providing the recommendation on the front of the book ie "Glenda Larke is magical. If you don't read her, you're missing out on a treat" and then Larke goes on to thank her in the Acknowledgments. Hmmmmm.
November 4, 2015
Gripping, again. Was wholeheartedly pissed at the cover synopsis which I felt was a bit too specific re events which don't come up until the very end of the book... Like the first in this series, you kind of get the idea where it's all headed early on but it's a pleasant ride, and the stupid overly detailed plot outline on the cover ruined that a little for me.
December 1, 2015
Once again, a very readable page turner. But this felt more like a series of short stories than a coherent novel and with arguably three men all willing to wait for our heroine who refuses to commit romantically to any of them... it felt stretched.
It might be mostly suffering from middle book syndrome but ultimately this makes it less likely that I'll track down book 3.
It might be mostly suffering from middle book syndrome but ultimately this makes it less likely that I'll track down book 3.
November 9, 2012
This was a good follow up to the first book and it is a good read but I just find I don't particular feel for any of the characters and due to this it loses something for me. That said Iw ill still read the 3 book in the installment as it is a well written book.
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April 18, 2009Getting into the politics of slave rebellion in a fantasy world. I like where she's going with the story and the underlying issues.
December 3, 2010
Another great book by one of my Favorite female authors!
August 5, 2011
I thought it was just as good as the first one, Glenda Larke is a brilliant writer.
November 8, 2011
Lagged a bit towards the end, but none the less, was still brilliant :)
October 14, 2015
have not got to the end yet but really enjoying it
anyone who love fantasy should read this book
anyone who love fantasy should read this book
August 11, 2017
I struggled a bit when Arrant was young but I grew to like him as a character and really feel for him. I think this was a really good book.
January 1, 2009
See my review of the first book in this trilogy.
December 30, 2012
Great series. Quality writer.
January 17, 2013
I couldn't put this book down, entirely absorbing.
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