Peril's Gate (Wars of Light and Shadow, Book 6) [Mass Market Paperback]

Janny Wurts (Author)

Book Description

Series: Alliance of Light | Publication Date: December 31, 2002

On the world of Athera, the fate of all realms hangs on the resolution of the brutal conflict born of prince against prince. Branded a minion of evil -- escaping the death sentence imposed by his half-brother Lysaer and his Alliance of Light -- Arithon, Master of Shadow, now faces the last choice remaining to him in the merciless winter wilds: to cast his lot with a renegade enchanter whom Arithon dares not trust ... or die by the swords of fanatical enemies.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The latest installment in the Wars of Light and Shadow series, also the third movement of an inner story arc called the Alliance of Light, well represents the vast and tangled plot lines readers have come to expect from this prolific and popular author. In the first book in the series, Curse of the Mistwraith (1993), the half-brothers dark Arithon s'Ffalenn and blond Lysaer s'Ilessid were set against each other by the eponymous enemy, and now, 30-some years later, they're still going after each other. This book's action begins in mid-flight during a winter gale, with Arithon fleeing the walled city Jaelot, where he's been imprisoned. With him he drags the unwilling peasant Fionn Areth Caid'an, magically raised as his double to trap him. Soon they join forces with Dakar the Mad Prophet (whose prophecies have an erratic track record, though some have been important), assigned by the Fellowship of Sorcerers to defend our protagonist. Dakar has supplies and horses ready. Much geography is traversed with many turgid pages spent attempting to describe the indescribable effects of magic. Occasionally the focus moves to Lysaer, with his large retinue of soldiers and fanatic priests, who in private practice rituals as sorcerous as the techniques of which they accuse Arithon. While fans have compared this series to Robert Jordan's extended Wheel of Time series, newcomers may be put off by the stilted language ("The guard captain's baleful stillness held threat") and the mishmash of plot.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Sustaining the considerable momentum of previous volumes, the third in Wurts' Alliance of the Light series opens at a dead run with Arithon, Master of Shadow, just barely escaping the clutches of evil. Though wounded, desperately sick, and on the run in the depths of winter, Arithon realizes that if his world is to have any future at all, he must stay alive at any cost. Already, the cost in the lives of his countrymen has been high and weighs heavily on his soul. Meanwhile, the sorcerers of the Fellowship of Seven are spread thin attempting to hold together the wards and other magics that keep the world of Athera whole and spinning, and other factions are hotly pursuing their own ambitions. The building pressures and responsibilities fall directly on Arithon's weakened shoulders. Yet, despite many real and potential external threats, Arithon's final undoing may lie within the depths of his heart. Wurts is in fine form here, providing endless twists and turns of plot and an artful complexity that is marvelous to behold. Paula Luedtke
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 960 pages
• Publisher: Eos (December 31, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061054674
• ISBN-13: 978-0061054679
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,070,354 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I value direct experience over virtual experience and research alone.
Most of the things I write about, I have done at one point in my life.
I find inspiration in the natural world, travel, insatiable curiosity, and in music.

I paint the covers and do all the interiors artwork and maps for my novels.

Experiences have included horse training and competitive riding, offshore sailing, Outward Bound, music gigs, and extensive amateur bagpiping competition, and a second career in oil painting and illustration.

One of my goals is to bring the vividness of these experiences to the readers on the pages of my stories.

For the past fifteen years, I've been happily married to Don Maitz, the artist of SF/Fantasy book cover and Captain Morgan Spiced rum fame.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving onwards and upwards, January 22, 2002

By 

Phome "phome" (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peril's Gate (Wars of Light and Shadow, Book 6) (Hardcover)

Wurts'latest book in the Wars of Light and Shadow series is, in a word, magnificent.

After a somewhat repetitive period in the last few books that focused on the exile of Arithon and pursuit of his half brother, Lysear, Wurts has in "Peril's Gate" created a new scenario. This time, Arithon is not successful in his attempt to seek solace on the wide blue ocean. Instead, due to circumstances beyond his control, he is forced to stay on dry land. As such, Lysear is able to feel the pull of his half brother through the curse they share, and orders a relentless pursuit of Arithon.

Peril's Gate moves paces ahead in the story of the two half-brothers. Wurts draws readers deeper into the troubles of the world and the roles the magicians play in saving it. In "Peril's Gate", we experience the growth of Dakar the Prophet, soul-searching of Arithon, a renewed love for Arithon by Elaira, mysterious events that occur around Lysear's wife and son, and we learn more of Davien the Betrayer.

The book is brilliant, pace-y and brings renewed interest and focus to Wurts' world. It is a step up and forward from previous dallying. It is darker, heavier, more serious; but all the more pleasurable to read.

I can't wait for the next book, as we reach a pinnacle and pivotal point of the story of the Master of Shadow.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Grand Story, February 2, 2002

By 

David A. Cornelson (Chicago/IL/USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Peril's Gate (Wars of Light and Shadow, Book 6) (Hardcover)

Peril's Gate probably exceeds the might of the first books. This is a book of wonder. The pace seems to bog down at points, but overall, the evolution of Arithon's character is masterfully articulated, which it turns out is very likely the centerpiece of the entire series.

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. I recommened this series to people with only a warning that Grand Conspiracy is not up to par. Otherwise, this is equal to Thomas Covenant, Dune, and possibly even Tolkien.

Thanks Janny for holding my faith in whom I deem to be the torchbearer of modern epic fantasy.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The finest Wurts' book to date - follow Arithon's journey, March 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Peril's Gate (Wars of Light and Shadow, Book 6) (Hardcover)

Peril's Gate is the finest book written by Janny Wurts. Peril's Gate continues the Wars of Light and Shadow series and is the third of four books making up the Alliance of Light sub-series - the fourth being Stormed Fortress.
Peril's Gate takes up where Grand Conspiracy left off with Arithon and Fionn Areth having just escaped Jaelot, Morriel is still camped in the Skyshiels having upset Athera's lane flux which threatens the fabric of Athera as the overstretched Fellowship battle to keep the grimwards and other protections intact. Arithon and Jieret dominate the subsequent action, carrying the reader with them on a journey that will thrill, exhilirate, appal and make them cry. This is not a book for light reading - this book will leave you shaken and disturbed because of where Arithon and Jieret take you. The grand wheel of the Wars and Light and Shadow rolls on as the wider elements of the story are evolved at a cracking pace, but the immediacy, emotion and sacrifice of the lead characters will stay with you after you put the book down.

And all this without having mentioned that in this book we meet Davien, Elaira starts to take control of her destiny, a Paravian or two appears, the Fellowship battles to keep the Mistwraith contained and Kevor continues to win the hearts of his people.

Peril's Gate is not simply a good book, it marks a new level in the intricate writing of Janny Wurts. A must have.