2011-10 FORTRESS IN THE EYE OF TIME: discussion of the entire series! (*SPOILERS FOR LATER BOOKS IN THE SERIES*)

[Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired)]

Here's a topic for people who have read the entire Fortress series and would like to discuss it in more detail.

WARNING: this topic is likely to contain spoilers for later books in the series, so you may want to avoid this if you've only read Fortress in the Eye of Time!

Please uncheck the "Add to my Update Feed" box so your friends don't accidentally see the spoilers in their update feeds.

[Sandra]

**SPOILERS ABOUND**


I read the BoM, 'Eye of Time' and couldn't stop. I just finished Fortress of Dragons and have read the prologue of Fortress of Ice. I love the series. I'm taking a break before going on with Ice because I'm getting sad it's the last book and there was an interruption in publishing. I'm cheering for C.J. to make enough money with her website to be able to write another.

The series seems to me like one long novel. In fact, I wonder if there was publisher pressure to break books 3 and 4 into two stories, as the ending of 3 was so unsettled and I had to immediately proceed with 4.

The writing is unlike anything I've read by C.J. before, much more slow paced and poetic. Tristan is a character that I find totally awesome and trustworthy. The way he observes the wonders of life, the way things 'Unfold' to him, the way he connects to and cares for his friends is just beautiful. Words kind of fail me.

As someone with a background in psychology, I can't help but look at the symbolism in fantasy, and thus the 'shadows' intrigue me greatly. Much work in psychotherapy involves the uncovering of shadows, or secrets, or suppressed/repressed things, and usually the more hidden they are, the more 'evil' or 'scary' they become. Also the more powerful they are. So I look at the shadows in this story more or less that way. Therefore, when Tristan makes his sword with 'illusion' on one side and 'truth' on the other, it satisfies my analytical soul. He also wrapped around it, a medal given to him by his most loved friend, Cefwyn. So all is tempered with love or caring.

The climax of book four, when the most powerful, the most evil shadow is defused by the edge of this sword, thus makes ultimate sense to me. It was a most satisfying ending.

I could go on and on, and probably anyone who has read this far has had enough, but I'd love to hear input from others.

[Janny]

This is a series that grows more powerful as it progresses. I, too, long for the completion. I have read Fortress of Ice, and so won't say too much, but it's left me haunted, wanting to know how it comes out.

Tristen is a completely unique character in fantasy. And this story - wonderfully told. The themes of love and caring and triumph and the way the magic works, and the shadows - it is a tour de force.

Also Cefwyn, and the way politics force a person IN power to constantly have to compromise integrity and values - the damned if he does, and doubly damned if he doesn't - where the line gets drawn, and how the manipulations of other factions crumple resolve.

Nobody does political pressure better than CJ.

I recommend it, highly.

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

OK, so I finished the series as published so far. While I loved the build-up and the end of Fortress of Dragons, I was very dissatisfied with Fortress of Ice.

YES--SPOILERS!!!!

Cefwyn's two sons, one illegitimate, take center stage in this installment of the Fortress series. While Tristen, Cefwyn, Paisi, and Uwen make appearances, the story revolves around the two young men as they learn about themselves and each other.

I found Otter/Elfwyn to be a most frustrating character, mostly because he didn't seem to learn from his mistakes until very, very late in the game. He's a puzzle, not only to himself, but to the other characters and to the reader, and Cherryh's hints and clues are hard to follow, at least for this reader.

Three other points were irritating to me as well. First of all, Tristen repeatedly talks about becoming a dragon in Fortress of Dragons, which I don't recall happening. Secondly, in that same book, it's made quite clear that Hasufin Heltain is not the main source of evil or wickedness, but rather a point of entry and action in the world for some greater dark power, but in this book (Fortress of Ice), Hasufin is clearly the main "bad guy" with Orien and Tarien as his minions. And lastly, Tarien did not name her son Elfwyn, that was Tristen's doing. These deviations from the established story were jarring.

My favorite part of the book was Emuin's reentry into the storyline!

But the main reason I didn't rate this book higher is because it ends so unsatisfactorily. Fortress of Dragons, perhaps because it wrapped up the major story arcs to that point, was more satisfying. The fact that this book is so open-ended tells me there will be more, but the wait may be long, from what I understand.

[Sandra]

Well, I agree that it SEEMED like Tristan named Elfwyn... but he may have had input from Tarien, no?

But I agree, there are lots of unfinished story lines here. Unfortunately, getting dropped by the publisher interrupted things. And yes, there will probably be a long wait for another book, as CJ has stated she needs to start making enough to live on from her own website. So I've bought every book she has available there. And griped and complained in the discussion thread (and pleaded).

[Sandra]

Just to let you all fans know, the new book, Intruder, is available for preorder at Barnes & Noble! I ordered one last night.

[Helen]

Is this a new book in the same story line?

[Sandra]

Helen wrote: "Is this a new book in the same story line?"

Oh, no. It's the newest in the Foreigner series, which I think you haven't read yet.

[Helen]

No, but I think it will feature on my kindle in 2012.

[Sandra]

Helen wrote: "No, but I think it will feature on my kindle in 2012."


It was the first Cherryh that I read and I am totally addicted!

[Helen]

I have really enjoyed them, will definitely read more of her.