Customer Reviews

Fugitive Prince: The Wars of Light and Shadow (Third Part) (Alliance of Light/Janny Wurts, 1st Bk)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In the latest volume of The Wars of Light and Shadow, Janny Wurst continues the saga of two brothers, cursed with a hatred for one another brought on by a sinster alien.

The scope of varying motivations in this series is comparable to Tolkien, Donaldson, and Herbert. Her writing style, formal, and descriptive, leaves little room for vagaries. The characters achieve their independant splendor by acting in ways that make sense, yet are unpredictable. This story centers on the political asperations of the Koriani witches, a group of secondary sorceresses bent on disdaining the lesser known Paravian magic. Their struggle against the Fellowship sorcerers and Arithon culminates in a series of enchantments that center on the death of Arithon and the destruction of the clans. With a traitor in his midst, and Arithon's own stubborness pushing him to the limits, the witches succeed in thwarting all of his mechinations and destroying lives in the process.

This is a superior work of fiction, perfect for slow, spiritual reading next to the fireplace. The depth and scope, the care and serious tone of the characters make for a once in a life-time read.

These books will mark you as surely as Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam, as Thomas Covenant and as Paul Atriedes have done.

Sincerely,

David A. Cornelson

Nowadays I find that there are very few books making new strides in the fantasy genre. They all have the same elements, the only variations are the characters names, but the characters and plot remain essentailly the same as when Tolkien first penned his works. Not so with Janny Wurts series of the War of Light and Shadow. Here she boldly goes where no fantasy novel has gone before. To say that she reinvents fantasy would not be too far from the truth. Each word seems to conjure the image it was meant to, something sorely lacking with other books. The plot is gripping, the characters believable. The accolades I can bestow on ths book are endless. If, as the myth goes, there is a book in each of us, read Janny Wurt's efforts to see a perfect example of how it should be done.

First I want to make a point. There are plenty of useless fantasy writers out there, and Ms. Wurts is completely and utterely, and without a shadow of a doubt, NOT one of them. So naturally I am horrified when I see some of the commentaries on this book, where the occaisional Philistine urged people not to read the book, or worse still, urge Ms. Wurts to stop writing. I have read every last one of her books, and, countrary to the general Law of Sequels, they get better as they go on. The Wars of Light and Shadows series is my number #1 series in any type of book (and I read a LOT). I make weakly visits to the local book store to see whether the next in the series has come out. Fourtunately, I found that those who liked the book far outweighed the detractors of it. So I will now enjoy complementing Ms. Wurts on another really first class book. I openely invit any who wish to comment on my comments to e-mail me.

Wow - looking at previous reviews, the newest of which is in 1998 or 1999 I guess this isn't an overly popular series. I have no idea why. I find the characters and the premise to be positively engaging. Can't imagine why more people aren't reading - and reviewing.

Okay - so anyone who has read my previous reviews on all of the preceeding books knows that I have an issue with Lysear and how he is written. Well - he is given more attention in 'Fugitive' and let me just say...he is definatley becoming less and less likeable regardless of the curse or geas that he is under because of the mistwraith. On more than one occasion Lysear is given the opportunity to really *see* beyond the curse and how his actions are affecting the world of Athera. He has the potential to overcome the curse, as Arithon has, and does not take it on at least three different occasions. It would be difficult - but it could be done. Despite or because of this the reader still cannot help but feel for the fair haired prince. In his quest for 'justice' he loses many things - two of which in this book that can't help but pull at your heart. It's all the more sad as you, the reader, know that it didn't have to be so.

My irritation in the previous books that Arithon was always upstaging Lysear in an unfair turn of events and was always written as the martyr and hero was really turned on me in this book. I got what I thought I wanted in that it appeared that Lysear finally had the upper hand. Turns out that is not what I wanted at all. I was on the edge of my seat as the Alliance closed in on Arithon and found myself hoping against hope that he would be able to come up with another clever trick to get himself out of the situation. He could not. Due to assistance from the Korianni, Arithon was all but out of commission and unable to aid in his own escape. Luckily, those around him, the loyal band of followers that have sworn oath to him (including Dakar) were able to pick up the slack. Some secondary and highly likeable characters really come into play to help save their soveriegn. And in an act of desperation, Asandir, one of the fellowship sorcerers open a grimward to help aid in Arithon's flight. It is an amazing journey within a dragon's dream and across time that is definately one of the highlights of this book.

New allies, enemies, betrayals and plots all come in to play in this fourth installment and will have long reaching implications well into the next few books. One particularly startling plot is only hinted at towards the end. It involves the Korianni and will take years to come to fruition. The means and method used is horrifying - as well as the person forced to participate. For this alone you will want to read and see how it all plays out. Exactly what is done is revealed at the beginning of the next book...Grand Conspiracy.

The Fugitive Prince is definately an engaging and enjoyable read.

As always, the characterization is excellent. Janny's editors might want to watch word repetition. I had hoped for a more satisfying development of the story, but even so I recommend this series without reservation.

Just read it!! Wonderfully created, you can't help but feel sorry for both princes, especially the clans that follow my fav - Arithon, Master of shadow. Your doing great work Janny, keep it up(which is not hard for some one so talented) and you'll still have your many readers here in the 'land of the long white cloud', plus the tongans.

And that creep from new york, as if the person had written a master piece in their miserable little life! How dare they be so negative! About something so far out! Anyway, like great wine, great magic takes time... So anyone waiting long has definitely not been to nz, where it so happens we get everything last!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series being a follower of Janny's work since her Feist collaborations (thoroughly recommended). This book fully lives up to Janny's development as a writer of compelling, believable characters and far from being a slow read, it carried me on a very consuming journey. Why does this installment feel so unleavened with humour and joy? I found this novel too dark to merit a full five stars - not enough of Elaira's presence, Dakar's growing maturity and a catastrophic event in the weave of characters might be a few of the reasons. I don't know if I can take too much more desperate straits, depletion of Arithon's resources and faint hope in the face of adversity without some moments to lift my sinking heart. I care about these characters and reading this actually put a strain on my emotions. Please, Janny, give some thought to what you are doing to us! Marvellous work, though - I am waiting earnestly for the next installment.

Luckily I've been previously introduced to Ms. Wurts's books. "Fugitive Prince" is an excellent beginning for the next, well developed, story arc in the Mistwraith series. The book reads slow only if you dislike the depth of character Janny establishes. If you keep in mind the fact that the characters make these books what they are, the reading is quite entertaining. What the book may lack in action it makes up for in plot development and epic promise. Janny does a fine job handling capable adult heroes. The theme of accountability plays heavy against the theme of justice here. I'm very pleased to hear that Ms. Wurts plans to lengthen the scale of this series. This lets her do a little more of the development we see in "Fugitive Prince". If you liked the other books in the series definitely get a hold of this one. It has just the right mix of, "what'll happen next," and, "jeeze that was rough".

I LOVED it! This book just keeps the thrills of the Atheran saga coming. I can't wait for the next book to come out. This series has captivated me since the first book. The characters are enthralling, the world detailed and clearly defined, the conflicts heartlifting and soulwrenching. I'm always tempted to just let myself HATE Lysaer, but then I get reminded that the situation isn't that simple. All of the people in these books shine with life; their hope and their much more common despair is communicated straight out of the book and into the reader. It's well-nigh impossible to put the book down, and the wait between books is almost unbearable. If you haven't read the book, READ IT NOW! I don't know whether it's just me or what, but I've found this series to be better than Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Granted, I was young when I read that trilogy, and I've only read it once, but I've enjoyed Janny Wurts's books far more. I've read several reviews on her books that comment on atroscious grammar and other such complaints. I've never noticed it; the books have engrossed me beyond any ability to notice anything of the sort.

I had been waiting 2 years before i could get my hand on this book. It was great. I would have liked to have seen more of Elaira in it, and her relationship with Arithon, but i like the way Janny writes his trying to escape from his demons. I also can't wait for the return of the Paravians, that should really shake things up. One little thing, and this is a guess but i think that Sethvir might be Callum Kincaid whom Morriel talks about when she visits Althain Tower.