Customer Reviews

Covenants: A Borderlands Novel

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If I had any Idea how good this was it would have been read as soon as I got my hands on it. I like to try novels from first time authors, and ROC is wise enough to publish them in paperback so you can afford to try books by their new authors. So when I saw this on the shelves I picked it up and put it onto my pile of first time writers to be read when I had finished off some books by favorite authors. And there it sat until last weekend.

Once I started I was drawn into the charaters, the world the author has created and the story she has spun and pulled along until I had finished the book. All these parts were so polished that it is still hard to believe that ( as far as I know) this is a first novel. One of the real strengths is that the central character - Rabbit - is surrounded by such interesting/strong characters that it is more as if the story revolves around him than that he is the "hero".

So if you are looking for a Fantasy read, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. And know that when the next Borderlands novel comes out ( we are promised the author is working on that), that it will be going straight to the top of my "To Read List".

Covenants is a fascinating, stellar fantasy novel that will have many readers scrambling to find all of Lorna Freeman's previous novels - but there are no previous Lorna Freeman novels. The book reads as if it is the work of a master craftsman in the genre, but Covenants is in fact the author's first published work. This novel is so engaging that I actually read it twice. The action takes place in a world divided into two kingdoms, one human and the other Faena. The Border kingdom is made up of "magical" creatures of all shapes and sizes - dragons, fairies, sprites, elves, and the like. They once called the land of Iversterre home, and they trounced the human army of Iversterre once before in the not too distant past. Mysterious forces at work threaten to bring war to the land once again.

Rabbit is a regular soldier in the Royal Army of Iversterre, a self-described farmer's son who left the Border in order to see the world; when we meet him, he and his entire troop are lost, right on the outskirts of their base in Freston. Up in the hills, Rabbit encounters a Fae cat named Laurel, and a meal covenant between the two sets the stage for a grand adventure that takes the reader to the heart of the royal palace in Iversterre and then all the way to Elanwryfindyll, a coastal city deep within the Border kingdom itself. Laurel has come from the Borderlands on a mission of peace, and Rabbit soon finds himself playing a crucial role in preventing another war between Iversterre and the land of his birth. A number of secrets are revealed as Rabbit and his fellow troopers accompany Laurel to Iversterre, including the fact that Rabbit is actually a cousin to King Jusson of Iversterre and family to many of the leading members of the human aristocracy. Rabbit holds an even deeper secret than that, though - one that has everything to do with why he left the Border kingdom in the first place.

War appears to be imminent; raiders have plundered the Borderland, killing significant numbers of its sacred residents and turning them into staffs, furniture, armor, and the like. It turns out that significant conspiracies - against both King Jusson of Iversterre and the High Council of the Borderlands - are afoot. The novel takes a number of twists and turns, staying ever fresh, exciting, and unpredictable. Even Rabbit's commanding officers are much more than they seem. The whole novel is in fact filled with all manner of fascinating characters, human as well as "magical," and the complexity of the interpersonal and professional relationships keeps this story zooming along in a highly addictive manner. Things can be confusing a bit early on, especially when Rabbit begins seeing men in their translated (magical) form, but all is made clear when the reader learns just who and what Rabbit actually is. For his part, Rabbit is a remarkably normal, likeable character who wants nothing more than to be an anonymous soldier but is compelled to become a hero by the remarkable circumstances of his heritage.

Covenants easily secures a spot on my list of "must read" fantasy novels. Freeman has written a highly entertaining, refreshingly original story that proceeds at a fast pace, introduces us to dozens of unforgettable characters (not to mention spirits), and takes us to a world brimming with fantastical possibilities and intrigues. There is also a lot of humor to be found in these pages. The plot itself is rather complex, but Freeman's writing is so polished and well-nigh perfect that few readers should have any problems keeping up. The story is told in the first person, from Rabbit's viewpoint, so the reader feels as if he is right there each and every step (and surprise) of the way. It takes a special kind of writer to make a first-person fantasy novel work, and Lorna Freeman shows herself to be more than up to the challenge. Covenants is an extraordinary debut by a rising star in the fantasy genre.

This fantasy will definitely stay near the top of my list. I am amazed that it is the writer's first book and hope not her last. The plot is unique and exhilarating and the characters absolutely endearing from a trooper all the way to the dark elf lord. Freeman has written a spellbinding tale intermingling humans with the fae and the fantastics effortlessly. There is never a dull moment with both story and characters holding you from page 1 to page 548. Length is definitely not a problem here. Just wish there is more. Told from Rabbit's view, I often found myself laughing out aloud at the happenings around him. Don't get me wrong. Covenants is by no means comical. Far from it. It is just Freeman's marvellous and enlightening writing style. Some reviewers complain about the lack of romance. But it is the very absence of romance, (a common theme which could be boring in a good fantasy-boy meets girl, fall in love and happily ever after), which makes Covenants totally engaging and absorbing. Some complain about the lack of female role but I always like stories concentrating on the brotherhood of men, be them humans or fae, and Covenants has that. Nothing sexual but that's what makes the story great. And of course the protagonist Rabbit is absolutely adorable. I hope to read more of him in the next Borderland novel, which is long overdue. I wish a hard copy is available because this one is for keeps.

Covenants is a wonderful book by a new author - with twists and turns of plot, a glowing backdrop of politics and fantasy, and a likeable, flawed main character with a dozen or more strong secondary characters behind him. This is, I think, one of the best new fantasy novels to be printed in several years. The book was immediately engaging, had a fast, labrynthine plot, and the characters are all incredibly intriguing. This is the kind of book where each new main character seems to deserve an entire novel in his or her own right, and they come together for a story that is unpredictable, enthralling, and gorgeously told. Obviously, I cannot reccomend it enough, or indeed, stop babbling about it.
If you are fond of fantasy, you must read this book. If you're not a fan of the fantasy genre, read Covenants anyway and then see if you like fantasy.

I'm surprised to see this new novel does not have dozens of reviews. Freeman does a wonderful job of characterization. As stated before in previous reviews, each character is well rounded and interesting (evil, as well as the good guys). It was hard for me to pick up this book in the first place since the front cover was a turn off for me. It reminded me of Planet of the Apes; only with mountain lions. I am so not into Planet of the Apes, but now that I've finished it I regret not reading it sooner.

The story is about a young soldier (like a foot soldier) named Rabbit (human) who while out lost with his troop meets up with Laurel (the human form mountain lion-a magical being). After making a convenant with Laurel to save his troop, Laurel returns with the troop to speak with the commander to ask for protection to visit the king with a serious problem from his land.

The conflicts:
1. Humans hate, fear, and in some cases--don't believe in magical beings. Therefore it is dangerous for Laurel to be out on his own.
2. Possible war is on the horizon. Since Laurel want's to speak to the king about the murder of several other magical beings (including sprites, unicorns, dragons, and other Faena like himself.)
3. Several people are trying to take over the kingdom
4. Humans are turning. You'll have to read to find out into what.

The action is fast paced and the 548 page book is very difficult to put down. Happy reading!

Covenants is a terrific book on many levels. The protagonist, Rabbit, is well drawn, likeable and sometimes downright hilarious in regards to the smarmy comments he interjects into various situations -- he reminds me of Miles Vorkosigan or Naga Teot at times. The plot, while somewhat familar in that it follows the journey of a "chosen one" as he grows into his power and responsibilities, is exciting and fast paced. The author avoids infodumping and lets us discover aspects of Iverterre, Turalian & Border culture along with the characters. I dislike books that provide the reader with too much information and the characters with too little, leaving the reader frustrated with the seeming stupidity of the characters. Freeman avoids this pitfall while many other contemporary fantasy authors have not.

My favorite part of the novel (along with Rabbit's sense of humor) is the characterization. All too often, fantasy novels feature a cast of thousands among which only a few have any relevance to the story or are discussed in detail. In contrast, every main and supporting character in Covenants comes alive. Even those with "bit parts" are described in such a way that you can picture them clearly and understand their relationship to the story. The people that surround Rabbit have their own lives and stories to tell and don't just exist to move him from point A to B. Indeed, most of the story consists of Rabbit being swept along by other's desires and agendas. However, he never becomes a puppet of other wills and always retains his honor and sense of self. I definitely recomend this book to anyone who enjoys strong characterization, humor and lots of intrigue as well as to those who appreciate a novel that wraps up loose ends by the last page.

I admit it, I'm a picky reader. I have a hard time reading badly written books regardless of how good the story is. Sadly it is hard to find books that are well written anymore, especially in the fantasy genre where story often takes precedence over grammar and expression. I am therefore thrilled to say that this book is both well written and FABULOUS! Ms. Freeman is a new author with a wonderful and complex imagination.

Covenants has an intricate plot and is at times very intense both emotionally and in the action occuring in the story. The surprises just keep rolling out and you can never be sure who to trust. The characters are engaging and very very well rounded, with the heroes hiding dark secrets and very human weaknesses, and the villain both constantly changing and having a variety of motivations.

The plot does get a bit intricate at times and I had to re read a few pages to make sure I caught all the nuances of the dialogue. But the author is pretty good about recapping in a way that does not make the reader feel stupid. All in all, I can't wait for the next book in the series, even though due to the success of Covenants it will most certainly be released in hardcover and be more expensive. In this case, it's worth every penny!

I was completely surprised at how good this book was, the publisher write up does not nearly describe the scope of this book. I read it in a day and can't wait to start the next one.

Here is where the tragedy starts. Due to what the publisher thinks are low sales numbers Ms. Freeman's third book in this series has been put on hold until further notice!!!

I urge anyone who has read this book and enjoyed as much as I did to contact Penguin Publishing group to rally behind this author and get her books published.

This is one of the many reasons to buy new books when you find an author you appreciate. By buying used books talented authors like this get dumped by their publisher because the sale numbers are high enough.

Support your favorite authors, BUY NEW!!!

I picked up this book on a whim with about fifteen other books of the same genre. Two months later, most of the other fourteen books are still in the bag and I ended up heading to the mall on Boxing Day to pick up the sequel.

It's hard to pin down exactly what makes this book so engaging, but a large part of it may be due to the author's ability to avoid many of the standard fantasy pitfalls. The large cast of characters is never overwhelming, and all of them are distinct enough to be interesting in their own right and therefore memorable. Seeing everything through Rabbit's eyes means that you end up feeling very invested in the storyline, while at the same time it also means that you spend a large portion of the book having *no idea what is going on*, which is much more enjoyable than it should be. The questions are all answered in ways that make sense, the powers used never seem to veer into the godlike, and the evil characters range from the merely petty to the humanly greedy to the sadistically deranged. Funny as all heck, too.

I guess that the reason this book is so enjoyable all comes down to the likeability of Rabbit himself. It's not that everyone likes him, and certainly he's not the typical hero type, but rather that there is a strong current of affection for him that runs through the book and you end up sharing in it. The guy needs a keeper, really, and there are several characters in the book who seem to feel the same way. It's hard not to feel fond of a character whose insistence on being 'just a horse soldier' passes all reasonable limits fairly early on, just as it's hard not to feel fond of a world where the human invaders lost the war but the magical residents couldn't stop arguing amongst themselves long enough to kick them out.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, fiction of the 'men-with-powers' type, humorous POV, strong friendships, quests, fallible narrators, and generally excellent writing. (In other words, everyone. Everyone should read this book.)

I won't go into detail, as other reviewers have most admirably done so already, but this book was very enjoyable, on many levels, not the least of which is the humor suffusing the book. I highly recommend it! Additionally, it is pleasurable to read a book that has had competent editing, as so many these days do not. I cannot wait for more of Rabbit!