Book recommendation

[alasse_fae]

Series of books actually. A most excellent fantasy series of seven books, that I *finally* finished last nite (been watching way too much TV and not reading enough) at 3AM. 3AM for the past two nites, really. And 2AM a couple times before that.... but anyway

The series is "The Crown of Stars" by Kate Elliot. And never mind what it says on her website, here
It *is* complete. Though it took long enough *grin*. I started reading it at least five years ago and was tapping foot impatiently waiting for more.

I really suck at describing books, esp scifi or fantasy, when someone asks me what I'm reading and what is it about, my mouth usually hangs open and I go "duh...... it's a fantasy..." Which is enough to turn off many, which is sad b/c genre books get a bad rap when they are some of the best written... but that's a rant for another time. I'll paste here what it says about the books on the author's website:



In the kingdom of Wendar, strange and dreadful portents sweep across the land: old ruins appear whole under the light of the full moon; the shades of dead elves hunt in the deep forest; dark spirits walk abroad in daylight; a saint appears to the faithful; hummings rise from the stonecircles, called crowns, that stand in ancient places of power. The Lost Ones -- elves known as the Aoi, who vanished from human sight centuries before -- speak through fire to those few who can hear them. Civil war between King Henry and his sister Sabella threatens the kingdom, and barbarians -- the inhuman Eika raiders who strike from the northern seas and the Quman horsemen, the "winged" riders, who raid from the east -- loot and burn farms and villages.

Into the midst of these troubles walk three young people: Sanglant, Liath, and Alain.

Sanglant is a prince, bastard son of King Henry. Born and bred to become captain of the elite cavalry -- the King's Dragons -- and to give his life to protect his father's kingdom, he cannot know the terrible fate that awaits him.

Liath is the child of sorcerers, trained as a mathematici, one who knows the secrets of the stars. But she and her father have been running for their lives for the past eight years, and soon that which hunts them is going to catch up.

Alain is a fosterling, seeking the truth of his parentage. Only when he accepts his destiny will he learn the truth.



I loved the setting of these books - how it was like our middle ages, and yet not. I liked the twists and turns of the religion and magic, and of course the characters. The last two books came out since SGA and in my head I've cast Jason Momoa as Sanglant, Rachel Lutrell as Liath, and Torri Higginson as Rosvita. Tho that seriously screws up my SGA ship.... *g*

Comments

[philippacrawfor.livejournal.com]

I concur that this is an excellent series. Good political intrigue, battle scenes, romantic angst and religious conflict.

I can't remember where I am with this series. I've read either three or four. I need to look at your copies on Saturday to figure it out!