Barrenlands [Paperback]

Doranna Durgin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 23, 2003

When his sovereign and friend was killed, Ehren, favored King's Guard, was far away-sent on a wild goose chase by the First Level Ministry, whose number he now believes must contain at least one traitor. When he's ordered to stop his investigation, and sent to find and destroy stray branches of the royal family tree instead, his suspicions deepen to near certainty. And he is determined to find the exiles-but only so that he may guard them with his life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Doranna Durgin is the author of seven fantasy novels the first of which, Dun Lady's Jess, received the 1995 Compton Crook/Stephen Tall Award for the best first novel in the fantasy, science fiction and horror genres. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Wildside Press (July 23, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592241247
• ISBN-13: 978-1592241248
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,459,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good, Quick Read, July 7, 2001

By 

AllieKat - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barrenlands (Mass Market Paperback)

While Ehren was away on a foolish errand for the First Level Ministry, Benlan, his king and best friend, was assassinated, along with most of the king's guard. Now, a member of the First Level, Varien, has ordered to stop his ongoing search for the king's murderers. Many years ago, King Benlan's brother, Dannel, set off across the Barrenlands, a near impossible feat for a man alone, to be with the woman he loved. Now, the First Level Ministry wants Ehren to find Dannel and his family and "neutralize" them. They want no one trying to make a claim for the throne. By now, Ehren is almost certain in his suspicions that there is a traitor among the First Level wizards. Ehren sets out to find Dannel and his family. When Ehren finds Dannel's children, Laine and Shette, in a merchant caravan, he doesn't tell them what his mission is. He just travels with them for a while. He grows quite attached to them on the trip. He's gathered a lot of information on his trip, and has grown even surer of Varien's involvement with Benlan's death. Now Ehren is determined to protect Dannel's family and get his revenge against Varien.

Barrenlands is a good story with likable characters. You can feel Ehren's pain at his friend's death and determination to do what is right. Durgin keeps the story to the point, rather than branching out into plots and subplots. The story is fast-paced and exciting. Very enjoyable.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable adventure, September 27, 2000

By 

Diane, genre fiction & wordplay lover "diane_d" (suburban southern NY state) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barrenlands (Mass Market Paperback)

Likable people (including Ehren, the young brother and sister he seeks out, and secondary characters), physical and magical excitement, psychic visions, and secrets of the past. It may not be "deep", but I'll reread it sometime when I'm in the mood for a story I know I'll enjoy.