Wars of Light & Shadow: Introduction - is this series for you?

[Janny]

This story has been designed in depth and intricacy over a period of three decades. It was fully conceived - even written in large part - before book I ever hit print. Although certain elements will appear very 'traditional' at the outset, expect that the underpinnings revealed with each subsequent volume will revise that initial presumption.

What this story is NOT!!!

A coming of age or farmboy quest story.
An 'epic' battle between good/evil with elves, dwarves, a Dark Lord, or a travelogue D&D style 'adventure'
A romance.
Hack and slash sword & sorcery.
Cynical dystopia/horror/or urban fantasy.
If you are looking for another cookie cutter escape, or a story where the Big War fixes the inequities of the world, this story is not for you.

What should you expect?
A mature read - due to layers of complexity and intricacy, not X rated smut.
A plot that will carry many levels of meaning, and will continuously deepen and unveil more levels.
Creative language - designed to create an immersive experience, and heightened impact - be warned, for some, the style may take a few chapters to settle; when it does, the purposeful design will become apparent. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SKIM.
No cookie cutter predictability.
Action that includes Why things happen, not just what the characters did. Deep characters and deep motivations, all handled with the gloves off.
A full spectrum range of experience that will span the gamut from joy and optimism to gritty edges.
Each volume will peel another layer, and deepen the picture, until looking back on the events of Vol. I, you will perceive all that occurred from a renewed perspective.

Expect a many-angled look at issues that WILL NOT be handled in a black/white perspective - but viewed from many, often poignant angles - that could open food for thought and discussion.

The story will not sprawl, but deepen - and your initial keyhole view of the world of Athera will vastly expand as the story progresses.

Typical handling: the books will set up to a half point, deliver a climactic bang, then converge strongly and deliver a hammering finish. If you find the start slower than much of today's quick punch script style 'commercial' books, rest assured, there is a design, and the pace will become breakneck - all in due time.

There are NO Cliffhanger endings - the books all wind up to a resounding finish and a pause point. Each arc, however, should be viewed as ONE STORY - while each book has a climactic finish point, expect that the arc starts will 'gear down' just a touch from the last arc's finish, to set up for the next stage of the conflict.

Each book is set up with a glossary of names and places to help you to orient; NOTE: do NOT reach for the glossary of a subsequent volume - each book holds the information pertinent to that stage of the story. The entries can be read without spoiling ONLY for the volume in which those entries appear. Map and glossary are updated for each book.

If you have questions, get lost, wish to ask more about the story, or list what sorts of books you like so that I can give you an honest steer as to whether to make the plunge - or not - shout here, or if there are spoilers, message me. I am with this group for the duration.

Stefan (and others) have reviewed the books on this site; their opinions may help to guide you.

It's a pleasure to be here - put straight, I love this group!

[Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired)]

Thank you for the introduction to the series, Janny! I thought I'd copy links to my reviews here, in case anyone is still on the fence.

The Curse of the Mistwraith: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
The Ships of Merior: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Warhost of Vastmark: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Fugitive Prince: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Grand Conspiracy: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

All of these reviews have also been published on Fantasy Literature.

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

I'm game, I think. I read Stefan's review of the first book and it encouraged me. I think by pacing myself with the group I will avoid my natural temptation to read quickly. I actually enjoy a lot of the things that Janny has said this series is not, but I also enjoy the things she said this series is. I've not read any of Janny's work before, and this seems an excellent place to start, especially with her participation in the group.

[Kerry]

I started today and have now read a grand total of 7 pages! I figure if I aim for about 20 a day I'll stay on track so I'm a third of the way there.

I must say, even in such a few pages, I'm enchated by Janny's turns of phrase.

[Chris]

I'll add my reviews (so far) as well:

The Curse of the Mistwraith: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28...
The Ships of Merior: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...
Warhost of Vastmark: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28...

[orannia]

Thank you Janny. I'm about to start shortly and am both excited and scared. Excited because I have read the series previous (as the books were released) and loved it...which means I'm scared that the books won't live up to what I remember. Saying that, I like to think I'm matured, so I'm hoping that I'll pick up more of the nuances and layers than the first time.

And I should have faith. I re-read To Ride Hell's Chasm at the end of last year and adored it just as much the second time as the first. It's still one of my all-time favourite books. And the ending always makes me cry.

[Jeff]

orannia wrote: "which means I'm scared that the books won't live up to what I remember. Saying that, I like to think I'm matured, so I'm hoping that I'll pick up more of the nuances and layers than the first time.

And I should have faith..."

Have no fear. I believe that you will find the second (third, fourth, fifth...) time to reveal aspects of things that weren't apparent the previous time(s) through. I found that there is no window dressing. Seemingly small events and pieces of information are laying the groundwork for what is to come. I often find myself saying "ahhh, so that's why that was here". :)

[Rachel]

Janny wrote: "This story has been designed in depth and intricacy over a period of three decades. It was fully conceived - even written in large part - before book I ever hit print. Although certain elements wil..."

I have been planning on reading this series for a long time. Reading this with you makes it even more special

[Janny]

Rachel wrote: "Janny wrote: "This story has been designed in depth and intricacy over a period of three decades. It was fully conceived - even written in large part - before book I ever hit print. Although certai..."

Rachel, the opportunity to enjoy the pages along with the readers is even more special - in fact a priceless treat, nice to have you along.

[Sandra]

I am planning a reread of the series prior to the release of the 9th novel, Initiate's Trial. I'm so glad these threads and this discussion are here. I may well be adding to them as I do my reread.

[orannia]

I am planning a reread of the series prior to the release of the 9th novel, Initiate's Trial.

I'm in awe. I don't think I could do a re-read for a while.

[Sandra]

orannia wrote: "I am planning a reread of the series prior to the release of the 9th novel, Initiate's Trial.

I'm in awe. I don't think I could do a re-read for a while."

Well it'll be over a year by then.

[Alissa]

I'm totally in love. I'm mid-series and the awareness is stunning, how the design for this series runs deep.

My reviews (all safe to read even if you haven't started the series yet, Merior to Grand Conspiracy may have some story anticipations, but I try to convey my thoughts in general terms):

Curse of the Mistwraith
Ships of Merior
Warhost of Vastmark
Fugitive Prince
Grand Conspiracy
Peril's Gate (wholly spoiler free. My thoughts about the whole series after Peril's Gate)
Traitor's Knot (again no spoilers about the whole series)

and, the reviews of some Janny Wurts standalones, which I hugely recommend as starting entry to her work, both for new readers and for readers of the The Empire Trilogy co-written with Raymond E. Feist:

To Ride Hell's Chasm
Master of Whitestorm

[Alissa]

My thoughts on Stormed Fortress, spoiler free for anyone, which is the engulfing finale of the Alliance of Light Arc, and prelude to Initiate's Trial. AWESOME series.

[Alissa]

My review on Initiate's Trial, one minor spoiler allusion if you have not read Stormed Fortress yet, much less than the blurb, it's a plot-free review. This series keeps the highest standards.

[Sandra]

Thought I'd pop in to let fans know that Janny has completed the first draft of Destiny's Conflict! I can see it looming on the horizon!

[Shel, Moderator]

Woohooooo!

[Sandra]

Shel wrote: "Woohooooo!"

Yes!

[Alissa]

:):):):):):):):D