Customer Reviews

Dagger-Star (Epic of Palins, Book 1)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Dagger-Star tells the story of Red Gloves - a female mercenary who has come to the land of Palins in search of work. Josiah - a goatherder - knows very little about her, but he knows her dagger-star birthmark indicates she's a Chosen. Part of a prophecy that may set the land of Palins free.

Red Gloves is a name, that for me, took some getting used to and I think it distanced me a little from the story to begin with, though by page 7 I was interested and by page 40 completely hooked. It's more like a label than a name as such - she's a mercenary who wears red gloves. This is in a world where people change their names as their circumstances change.

Red is the alpha in this story, and is not exactly the most sensitive person. She's a much more prickly character than Lara(from the War Plains books) not so ready to be the martyr. She's practical to the point of insensitivity, stroppy, knows her own mind. But she's also loyal, brave and determined. This is a woman we believe capable of leading an army.

There is a slight role reversal. Red is very take charge, whilst Josiah is more beta. That doesn't mean he's a wimp - think Daniel Jackson from Stargate. There's strength in being able to bend rather than break. I also think it can be harder to write a believable beta hero, than a believable alpha.

This book has a large 'cast' and is told from multiple points of view, but each character has their own beliefs, quirks, desires and ambitions. Red - the mercenary, Bethral her sword-sister, Ezren - the storyteller, Evelyn - the priestess. I suspect for some people this style won't work, but I do like seeing the same situation through different eyes. There are a couple of wonderfully written parallel scenes where it's clear Red and Josiah are thinking the same thing, but are convinced the other person is thinking something else. They need to talk. :) I think as long as it adds more to the story then it's working. I wish the book had been longer so we could have gone into more depth, but hopefully there will be more books to come.

My main concern whilst I was reading was how this world fits in with that of the War Plains trilogy. The thing I liked about the trilogy was that it was a fantasy, which dealt with the cultural conflict between two peoples. There was no magic, no easy solution. Everything had to be strived for. There are hints that this is the same world - kavage, references to the Tribes of the Plains. I think what concerns me, is how what we find out in Dagger-Star, affects the world of the Plains.

In Dagger-Star we find out there is magic - elves, portals, magical fire. And in a way I wish Dagger-Star had been set in a new world, that the two worlds had been kept separate. If magic is real then maybe the warrior-priests of the plains weren't lying to Lara.

That aside, this was another story I immersed myself into and at the end there are still questions that haven't been answered. Still stories there to be told. I want to know what happens next not only to Red and Josiah, but also to Ezren, Bethral, Evelyn, Dominic, Fael, Helene. And I really want to know how Verice and Warna got together.

Elizabeth Vaughan writes stories about women who change their world. Heroines who may doubt themselves or their gifts but who ultimately triumph. And it's not through use of magic but through self-belief and determination. She's one of my favourite authors and I'm counting the days 'til the next book.

First, cards on the table. I am an (almost) 50 year old male so take that into account with this review.

Over this side of the pond the books was released with quite a striking cover, it appears to me that in the US the cover is more aimed at female readers (I notice that a lot - are the majority of fantasy readers in the US female?!) But anyway, our UK cover was very striking and although I had never heard of Beth Vaughn, I bought it.

Two female warriors ("Sword Sisters") take refuge in a barn only to find that a birthmark on one identifies her as a 'chosen' - someone that will lead the kingdom from despair into prosperity once more. Initially this is rejected but eventually Red comes around to liking the idea and joins the revolution.

The author builds some strong and interesting characters with some very powerful female leads and there is a gentle vein of humour that runs through the book. Perhaps a fraction too much romance and nocturnal activity for your average male reader, but the rest makes up for it.

There are some story elements not properly explained or followed through and the 'reveal' about the reason for the red gloves was a little of an anti-climax (although it did help explain Red's character traits), so this does have minor weaknesses but that may be my male perspective.

I found this an easy reading page turner and although perhaps more geared towards the lady reader, I have to confess I quite enjoyed it. I must be going soft.

Dagger-Star is the first book in a new series by Elizabeth Vaughan, the much talked about author of the Chronicles of the Warlands trilogy. With a distinctive story-telling style and a talent for creating a rich tapestry of characters Vaughan has another hit on her hands.

Meet Red Gloves, a saucy, seductive warrior woman and Bethrel, her sword-sister. The story begins with these strong women of Soccia seeking shelter from the rain in the war ravaged land of Palins. Taken in by a lonely goat-herder named Josiah, the two women get drawn into a world of prophecies and preistesses, mages and barons. A rescued slave turns out to be a legendary story-teller and Josiah himself holds some great secrets. Born with the dagger-star birthmark, Red too, is pulled against her will into fighting for the future of Palins and maybe for the love of Josiah. But when Red claims the throne will she be able to remove her mysterious scarlet gloves and rule over Palins, leaving behind the humble goat-herder she's grown to love?

Fans of Vaughan's Chronicles of the Warlands won't be dissapointed to know that this series is indeed set in the same world as her previous trilogy. It's uncertain whether it is set in another part of the same world or perhaps the future but you'll notice some similarities right away. With strong world-building and even stronger character creation I fell in love with Ezren and other members of the secondary cast. If you're new to Vaughan this book is a great place to start as this series is completely seperate from the Warlands and is a decent example of Vaughan's ability to tell a story. My only trouble with this story was how easily Red won everyone over in her adventure and how easily she defeated her enemies, warrior woman or no I felt like she needed some weakness. Overall this is a great fantasy story and an okay romance. I look forward to hopefully reading Bethral's story next.

I have waited for the new adventure from Elizabeth Vaughan and DAGGER-STAR arrived last week. I kept thinking it would get better but I was a bit disappointed at the end. Vaughan has taken the usual characters and juxtaposed them, the hero is a peaceful, defeated mage who is broken by the destruction of his land and the loss of his power. The heroine is a mercenary who is free spirited and capable.

Josiah as I already pointed out is broken, both in power and spirit, he lives alone with only five magic goats for company. For five years he has battled his depression and thought about death.

Red Gloves, so named by the red gloves she always wears, stumbles upon his hut with her friend, Bethral, during a bad thunderstorm. Her only folly is that she never takes off her red gloves.

While undressing in a barn Josiah stumbles upon her and sees the birthmark under her breast, of a red dagger, this is the mark of the Chosen who will save Athylbright and free the land of the evil that rules now. Because the king and all his family died at once the barons fought amongst themselves and one of them with the help of the archbishop rules as regent. She is the one who betrayed and crippled Josiah.

Choosing to become the Chosen one for mercenary gain, Red Gloves embarks on the adventure to free this land. Josiah is dragged along because of the bargain he makes with Red Gloves. As the story developes both he and Red Gloves find life is opening up to both of them and the magic of love can free even a free spirit and a broken mage.

The action was good and the story kept my interest, I thought the red gloves would prove to be invaluable to the story, however that did not happen. And I think that may be why I was a bit disappointed with it. I also think there will be another book because of something that happens at the end of the story.

It is not bad and it is worth reading, just don't expect to be as caught up with the adventure so much you drool for the next book. WARPRIZE left you with a good ending but the expectation of more. This one ends well, but I can probaly take it or leave it about the next novel.

WOW! I just bought this and had to MAKE myself go slow. I loved Vaughn's first trilogy that started with <u>Warprize</u> and bought this book based on that love.

Red Gloves is a true mercenary. Everything has a profit or it is of no use to here. Vaughn doesn't muddy Red's focus with emotions right away. She truly crafts a character that upholds the idea of sword-for-hire. When Red discovers that her unusual birthmark tags her as an answer to a prophecy, she wisely saddles up her horse and leaves! Finally a heroine that does what I would do. No diving into someone else's mess for our girl!

Josiah, however, intrigues her on such a deep level that Red can't even vocalize at first. She tries to tell her sword-sister and fails. When she and her sword sister buy a badly injured slave, they are forced back to Josiah when the sellers suddenly want this slave back.

Weaving in a very funny poke at the traditional hero's journey via the character of Ezren, Vaughn managed to keep me amused as a writer as well as an informed reader. She literally mocks Joseph Campbell's time-honored hero's journey--not in a mean, derisive way but rather a nudge in the ribs to those of us who get the joke.

The only thing that bothered me in this book was Red as sexual aggressor. At times she seemed to be emulating masculine tendencies without any motivation for it. By the end of the book, the reason for this behaviour is revealed.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted high fantasy with a healthy dollop of romance. This hero's journey is one I will keep on my shelf (or rather my e-book reader) for ever.

I was drawn into Elizabeth Vaughan's Dagger-Star just as surely as Red Gloves was drawn into Evelyn's rebellion, if far less reluctantly. This tale plays host to a panoply of fantastic characters; not only are all the main faces made into fascinating, multi-faceted people, but so are many of the ones that only appear briefly.

Red Gloves is a wonderful main character: stubborn, willful, far from perfect yet perfectly enjoyable. Bethral, a quiet `mountain' of a woman who talks to animals and takes on every lost cause she comes across, makes the perfect foil to Red's bluster, temper, and crudeness. Josiah, too, is far from the expected male lead of a romance or fantasy novel: quiet, contemplative, and a farmer at heart, surrounded by an odd quintet of magical goats that go everywhere he does.

The chemistry between Red and Josiah is quite good; the sex is explicit and for adults only, but not extremely adventuresome. The book does touch on some dark adult subject matter, however.

I'd love to babble about some of the wonderful plot twists; in particular, an incredibly interesting variant on what should be a tired-and-true (no, that isn't a typo) prophecy plot. However, I'd hate to spoil anything. There are lovely twists near the end that absolutely delighted me. You'll also find laugh-out-loud funny moments, such as a scene that makes unashamed fun of the impracticality of female armor designed to appeal to male readers, game-players, etc.

It seems obvious that there are meant to be more books--there are certainly things that don't get wrapped up in this volume--but happily, it does stand alone well enough.

All in all, Dagger-Star was a sheer delight to read, and Elizabeth Vaughan just joined my list of favorite authors.

Red Gloves and her companion Bethral are mercenaries who are looking for work. They have ventured from their homeland, to that of the Palins people and it appears they have ventured into a land fraught with danger and hopelessness. But, when they stumble onto the falling down croft of a goat herder they are offered the lodging and kindness they have needed for a while. But, when Josiah accidentally sees Red Gloves while she is bathing, he is stunned to see that she has a birthmark that marks her as one of the Chosen among his people. She means more to his people than a simple mercenary would. She is one of those who are supposed to lead his people back "into the light" and out of the darkness and hopelessness. But, Red Gloves has other ideas. That is until Bethral sidetracks them at a local slave auction. Now things are different and after they return to Josiah he is able to contact others that might be able to better explain things to her. But will she accept the fact she is one of the Chosen? Will Josiah ever forgive himself, for what he believes was his role in sending his people into despair? More than that will the emotional journeys, along with the physical ones, heal them both and let them fall in love?

Dagger-Star is the much-awaited new series by Elizabeth Vaughan, after the super successful "War" series. I again thoroughly enjoyed the alternate world that Ms. Vaughan has developed. She is also very astute in developing real characters that you will laugh and cry with. There are a number of twists and turns in this first story that I didn't see coming. While this story will not go on my keeper shelf with the War series (there was just some spark missing for me and I am not sure what was) it is a solid offering. Dagger-Star is not light reading and does take on a number of tough subjects, though it was entertaining. I will continue to look for the next offering by Ms. Vaughan.

Tanya
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

The time has come for the Chosen of Palins to arise and defeat the enemy...

Red Gloves is a mercenary, thinking only of herself, earning a bit of coin, and her sword-sister, Bethral. Josiah is a man who has lost everything, all except for a few goats that accompany him everywhere. Even his gift of magic is gone in the war that devastated the area and left his land in ruins and haunted by death. Red has the mark of the Chosen, but will she be willing to lead? And will she allow Josiah into her heart at the same time?

Admittedly, my expectations were high. I'd loved each and every moment of Elizabeth Vaughan's Chronicles of the Warlands trilogy and couldn't resist another fantasy tale by this gifted author. Sadly, DAGGER-STAR stumbled a bit.

The storyline is sluggish, sometimes describing so much minutiae that it took effort not to skim. Buried in all the trivial details, however, is the real heart of the story. Elizabeth Vaughan shows some flashes of the greatness seen in the Chronicles of the Warlands but sadly those moments are few and far between. Instead, there are too many moments where magic seems to poof the problems away without any true explanations.

Red is a character with so much potential. Her history had so much promise, the chance to be uplifting even, as we could see a woman empowered rather than cowered. Unfortunately, one has to wade through a myriad of unremarkable characters and side stories to uncover the growth of Red as a character. Josiah's meekness only makes Red look too aggressive in comparison, although only a man as submissive as Josiah could hope to win Red's heart and trust. What a disappointment!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

I am a voracious reader of all genres, but fantasy and historical romance are my favorites. Lately I have been disappointed with the books I have been reading so I didn't really expect much from Dagger-Star. Dagger-Star was the first Elizabeth Vaughan book I had ever read and I enjoyed it tremendously. So much, in fact, that I purchased the three War books and read them. They were good, but not as good as Dagger-Star. After reading the reviews posted here for Dagger-Star and seeing the low ratings by others, I read it again thinking maybe it wasn't as good as I thought the first time I read it. IT WAS! I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

After Warprize I was so excited to see Vaugh release a new book. However, it lacked all of the majic of the Warprize series. The characters are not likable, I couldn't get engaged in the story and it is not likely I will purchase any others in this series.

The story itself has potential, but never quite pulls off what it promises.