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Rules of Ascension (Winds of the Forelands, Book 1)
 
 
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Rules of Ascension (Winds of the Forelands, Book 1) [Hardcover]

David B. Coe (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)


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Book Description

Winds of the Forelands Tetralogy March 1, 2002
David B. Coe, winner of the William L. Crawford Award for Best First Fantasy Series for the LonTobyn Chronicle, continues his rise to the top rank of fantasy writers with Rules of Ascension, the first novel of an exciting new epic fantasy quartet, Winds of the Forelands.

For centuries the Forelands were disputed by several tribes. Then came the magically gifted Qirsi--physically no match for their foes, but capable of mindsight, creating and controlling mists and fire, and bending solid matter to their purpose. After a Qirsi traitor betrayed his race to save himself, the Qirsi were defeated and dispersed among the seven realms of the Forelands. Those specially endowed Qirsi capable of multiple powers, the Weavers, were all put to death.

For centuries the Forelands enjoyed relative peace. But when Tavis, the heir to the Kingdom of Curgh, is wrongfully blamed for the murder of a noble, the accusation sets in motion a series of events culminating in civil war. The ensuing chaos topples the throne in Eibithar and threatens to rain chaos on all the realms of the Forelands. Tavis, thrust into the center of deadly controversy and stripped of the protection of his family's nobility, turns to the Qirsi, his last remaining hope for redemption. But another Qirsi traitor, secretly fomenting fear and mistrust among the Dukedoms, seeks to destroy Tavis. Tavis must survive long enough to clear his name and save an entire kingdom. A powerful, compelling tale set in an unforgettable land, rules of Ascension will capture your heart and fire your imagination.


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Magic and mayhem, politics and personal sacrifice weave a sophisticated tapestry in this first in an epic fantasy series from award-winner David B. Coe. Once, the magic-wielding Qirsi fought the Eandi clans for control of the Forelands. Defeated by a traitor, the Qirsi have been uneasily absorbed into Eandi society, serving as councilors to the powerful, but they are still mistrusted. Now a Qirsi faction hopes to subvert the rules of ascension to the Eandi throne. Tavis, a young noble in line for the kingship, becomes a target of the conspiracy and finds that he must turn to an unlikely source for help--a powerful and enigmatic Qirsi who may be more than he seems.

The opening chapters take the time to develop the politics, history, and customs of the Forelands. The patient reader will be rewarded with adventure, betrayal, love, and hope set against a well-realized blend of epic events and the beginning of Tavis's personal hero-quest. --Roz Genessee

From Library Journal

Some 900 years ago, the war between the magically gifted Qirsi and the people of Eandi ended with the destruction of the most powerful Qirsi mages, called Weavers. Now a plague of assassinations threatens the ruling houses of Eibithar and the world draws closer to another war. Only an unlikely alliance between a Qirsi seer and a fugitive noble can prevent a tragic conflict that promises to unleash chaos upon the land. The author of the "Lontobyn Chronicle" (e.g., Children of Amarid) begins a new fantasy epic set in a world of rival nobles, sinister mages, and a few men and women of courage and conviction. Well-developed characters and an intriguing political background recommend this title for most fantasy collections.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 608 pages
  • Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (March 1, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0312878079
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312878078
  • Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,867,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

38 Reviews
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4 star:
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3 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (38 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great epic fantasy, March 12, 2002
This review is from: Rules of Ascension (Winds of the Forelands, Book 1) (Hardcover)
The Forelands consist of seven dukedoms reporting to a central monarch. The land is sent into turmoil with the deaths of the current king and his heir until the RULES OF ASCENSION prevail with Javan becoming the ruler and his self-centered teenage son Tavin next in line.

As required of the rite of passage of a sixteen-year-old, Tavin visits a Qirsi seer to learn his fate. Instead of glorious royal trappings, Tavin sees a future in chains inside a dark dungeon. Not long afterward, the foretelling occurs as Tavin is incarcerated for murdering his girlfriend based on strong physical evidence that include the means and opportunity. The incident leads to war among the dukedoms. To prove his innocence, save his life, and ultimately the kingdom Tavin reluctantly turns to the Qirsi, but that race is divided between loyalty to the throne and a desire to take the crown.

On the surface RULES OF ASCENSION is a typical sword and sorcery epic adventure set in a feudal land. In actuality, the first novel in David B. Coe's Winds of the Forelands is a fast-paced story line loaded with political intrigue that would have awed the whole line of King Henrys and a conspiracy who-done-it for mystery aficionados. The charcaters and the land feel genuine so that the audience for accepts the authenticity of the magical abilities of the Qirsi. Fantasy lovers will fully enjoy this tale that can stand alone, but the author has cleverly planted the seed for book two.

Harriet Klausner

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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read, March 12, 2002
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This review is from: Rules of Ascension (Winds of the Forelands, Book 1) (Hardcover)
This fantasy adventure has as many twists and turns as a castle labyrinth. Devious plots, epic battles, gentle love, poignant sacrifice. It's all played out on a field of shifting political and personal fortunes. It always kept me guessing. The Qirsi race is a wonderful creation, eerie and mysterious, and I can't wait to find out more about them. I love having my assumptions turned on their heads. There I am, thinking I'm so smart and I have it figured out, and then the writer takes me by surprise.

If you like intrigue and characterization along with interesting magic and blowout battle scenes and sense of wonder, this is for you.

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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic novel that kept me going, April 15, 2002
This review is from: Rules of Ascension (Winds of the Forelands, Book 1) (Hardcover)
I have been looking for the next great series of high fantasy ever since I finished George R.R. Martins last book and have been going through a dry spell until I happened on Mr. Coe's book.

The worst thing about this book is the cover.

Some of the ideas and the characters are very similar to other writers, but his development of the families and such is very unique and his manner of writing and dialogue are wonderful. I will say that his first installment in very similar to Mr. Martin's Song of fire and ice, although it is with less violence and sexual conotation.

I will anxiously await the Seeds of Betrayal and hope that I can now find another novel to tide me over until Jordan, Martin, or Willimas come out with another novel.

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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
After the bright glare of the dirty road and sunbaked fields, it took Pytor's eyes some time to adjust to the darkness of the tavern. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
gleaning tent, master armsman, forgetting chamber, hurling arms, sorcerer race, other major houses, midday bells, duke glanced, duke nodded, inner ward, liege man, outer ward, pale yellow eyes, prison tower, inner keep, first minister, high minister
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Kentigern Castle, Lady Brienne, Kentigern Wood, City of Kings, Audun's Castle, Curgh Castle, Rules of Ascension, Lord Kentigern, Tavis's Fating, King's Guard, Lord Glyndwr, Pitch Night, Night of Two Moons, Kentigern Tor, Mother Prioress, Bian's Sanctuary, Silver Bear, Silver Gull, Amon's Ocean, Javan of Curgh, Lord Curgh, Aindreas's Qirsi, Bohdan's Revel, Glyndwr Castle, Heneagh River
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