Introduction - Is this series for you?

[Janny]

Welcome to the opening of Daughter of the Empire's discussion!

Without spoiling anything, Is this series for you?

First, it stands alone. The events run concurrently with some other events in Magician, but since the story takes place across the Rift, the main characters are different, with a whole other story line and other motivations. So if you wish to plunge in, you need not have read any thing else in this series discussion.

The story involves a young, inexperienced woman of the ruling class who falls heir to her family honor and all its holdings, in a male dominated, rigidly traditional society. She is completely unprepared for the responsibilities she must face, and only in power because she is last of her lineage.

Some have described this as A Woman of Substance meets Shogun. It seems to draw equally from a male and female audience, and I was once told, through a translator, that the trilogy was considered subversive women's literature, in Japan. I was stunned with surprise, since Ray and I set out only to tell a rousing good story.

What to expect? Bloody Machiavellian politics, battle and action, some magic, but more of a character story where ideas collide, invention and cleverness engage, and the Game of the Council means winner takes all.

Each book provides a conclusion to the plot and none of the volumes are cliff hangers.

Ray will still answer your questions in the 'Questions for Ray' topic. I will set up the folders, but expect that he may pop in with a post. There may be anecdotes about the creation of this work, and insights into working in collaboration.

If we need a Questions for Ray and Janny folder, I will consult with the mods - don't hesitate to ask anything about the writing, or the particulars of the business.

Welcome, and let the discussion begin.

[Leighann]

So excited to see a group read of this series. It is one of my favorites. I tend to re-read it at least once a year!

[Dawn]

I'm excited to finally read this! I've read all of Feist's other work, but never got around to this series. I can't wait to start! Tonight, hopefully.

[Amelia]

I started this last night and am one chapter in. So far it's been very intriguing. I'm looking forward to the discussion of this book and ones following.

[Sandra]

I'm starting it very soon. Am finishing up a couple of others first. Am excited. I read the first paragraph and am already intrigued! One I'm reading is The Master of Whitestorm which is a lot of fun. An early Wurts and can definitely see precursors of what comes later in WoLaS.

[Bill]

Janny wrote: "Welcome to the opening of Daughter of the Empire's discussion!

Without spoiling anything, Is this series for you?..."

Indeed yes!. I read the Empire Trilogy as it was 1st published and at least once again in the '90s. It is a favorite political Fantasy and IMO one of the best such trilogies extant. I was immediately reminded of works of CJ Cherryh, in the depth of character and detail of an Alien world and culture. The culture reminded me of a cross between the Japanese and the Klingon cultures, not a tribal culture, but one based on Families who juggle for power and influence. In a way it is not dissimilar to our current international corporate culture.

I have only general memories of the plot, more a memory of the cultural milieu and of Mara, one the great protagonists in fantasy literature. She is one I would emulate, unusual for me since I typically only can identify with males.

Though the Kelewan Saga can be read as a standalone, I think it was better for me to read after the Riftwar Saga, as it made the Tsuranuanni much more real and not just the bad guys wanting to take over my world. I feel that the 2 trilogies are complementary, if not necessary to each other. Also IIRC, the interaction between Pug and the Kelewan magicians deepened my understanding of both.

It's amazing, 'literary' fantasy which I would like to re-read if I can find my books.

[Jim]

I'm looking forward to reading this with you giving us the insider story, Janny. I've read the trilogy several times over the years & loved it.

[Kara]

Janny wrote: "So if you wish to plunge in, you need not have read any thing else in this series discussion. "

Oh good! That was my question. Sorry group, but I dropped of on A Darkness at Sethanon. Caught myself massively skimming pages and just not caring anymore...

Now, I'm sure the book is fine, but I have trouble reading month-after-month in the same world with the same writing style, and the same...etc. It is a known problem I have, and keeps me from finishing series. I actually chose to do this FBCS group read so that I would have some support to keep me reading.

Anyway, that's not the point. Point is, I'm still looking forward to reading Daughter of the Empire (it has arrived and is waiting for me at the library) with the group, and I'm glad I don't have to finish A Darkness at Sethanon to do so.

[Jon]

I have been unable to put this book down all weekend. I expect I'll finish it before the sun sets.

I admire Mara but would not want to be her. I could never be so ruthless. Fascinating!

[Suzanne]

I just found this group referenced from another group I'm in, and am very excited to read this series again. I remember loving Daughter of the Empire when I read it years ago, and it will be fun reading it from an older perspective =).

[Jon]

Suzanne wrote: "I just found this group referenced from another group I'm in, and am very excited to read this series again. I remember loving Daughter of the Empire when I read it years ago, and it will be fun r..."

Glad you found us, Suzanne. And I'm looking forward to your insights from a more seasoned perspective. :)

[Kara]

Note to other readers: There is no magic. (view spoiler)[ Ok fine, near the very end when the Great Ones re-play the events of the evening, but that's it! (hide spoiler)]

(It's still really good - but just a heads up so your expectation aren't thrown off).

[Janny]

Kara wrote: "Note to other readers: There is no magic. [spoilers removed]

(It's still really good - but just a heads up so your expectation aren't thrown off)."

(whisper, in Vol. I, not much....)

[Suzanne]

I hadn't thought about that- but sure enough, magic is not a big part of the storyline. Maybe I didn't notice because the politics and the world are so detailed. I am hoping to learn more about the cho-ja and the hive!

[Kara]

Janny wrote: "Kara wrote: "Note to other readers: There is no magic. [spoilers removed]

(It's still really good - but just a heads up so your expectation aren't thrown off)."

(whisper, in Vol. I, not much....)"

lol. *silent thanks*

Suzanne wrote: "I hadn't thought about that- but sure enough, magic is not a big part of the storyline. Maybe I didn't notice because the politics and the world are so detailed."

True enough. SO much so that it almost seemed like I was reading a historical fantasy.

But help me out here - I generally think of the genre "historical fantasy" as known Earth-histories/cultures warped with elements of fantasy (King Arthur tales, Nordic sagas, new steampunk genres, etc.)

But this was like Kelewan-history (which is fantasy) with elements Earth-histories/cultures interwoven. It was a unique twist and I'm trying to think of other books that do a similar technique. It almost seems like it should be a different sub-genre... is there one? (I am currently tagging it fantistory...)

[Sandra]

Guy Gavriel Kay - The Lions of al-Rassan, Sailing to Sarantium, Lord of Emperors, Under Heaven; Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn and it's sequels.

[Kara]

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Guy Gavriel Kay - The Lions of al-Rassan, Sailing to Sarantium, Lord of Emperors, Under Heaven; Across the Nightingale Floor by..."

Ahh... you would mention my lacking knowledge of Guy Kay.

=)

(I'm starting with the Fionivar Tapestry and just need to finish The Darkest Road. I do really like his works so far, and actually picked up Last Light Of The Sun cheap at a used book store the other day. But Under Heaven always looked the most interesting to me.)

[Sandra]

Kara wrote: "Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Guy Gavriel Kay - The Lions of al-Rassan, Sailing to Sarantium, Lord of Emperors, Under Heaven; [book:Across the Nig..."

There's actually a lot of magic in Fionavar. And Last Light of the Sun. The ones I mentioned, not so much.