Sinner [Paperback]

Sara Douglass (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 1998

Following on from the success of "The Axis Trilogy", this is the fist book in a new trilogy by Australia's best fantasy author. Forty years have passed since Axis defeated Gorgrael. Now, simmering tensions threaten to tear apart both Tencendor and the SunSoar clan.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Australian author Douglass's solid fourth installment in her Wayfarer Redemption series (after 2002's Starman), control of the land of Tencendor has passed from Axis SunStar to his son, StarSon Caelum SunSoar. A benevolent ruler, Caelum faces his first great challenge when Zared, Prince of the North, plots treason against him. Surprised by Zared's betrayal, Caelum doesn't take the threat seriously until disaster strikes. Meanwhile, Caelum's unpopular brother, Drago, who has already tried to kill Caelum, stands accused of murdering his twin sister, RiverStar. Drago flees for his life, taking with him the Rainbow Scepter with which Axis destroyed the monster Gorgrael in Starman. Caelum must save Tencendor from a multitude of dangers, any one of which is likely to tear the country to pieces. While Douglass smoothly fills in some backstory about the SunSoar dynasty, even those who've read the three earlier volumes will welcome the extensive glossary. The bouts of narcissism that some characters suffer tend to slow the plot, but fans of this ambitious epic fantasy should be eager to find out what happens in book five after the muted cliffhanger of an ending.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

At the end of the first three volumes of the Wayfarer Redemption, the Starman, Axis SunSoar, defeated the evil Gorgrael and brought peace to the humans, Icarii bird people, and the Avar of the trees of the world of Tencendor. Eventually, Axis and his consort retired to the celestial sphere, leaving the kingdom to their son Caelum. Now, after a generation or so of peace, envy and bitter memories are resurfacing. Many humans feel dispossessed because there is no longer a human king, but the other two peoples, long oppressed by humans, don't want one. The ancient enchanter WolfStar, formerly a dubious supporter of the Starman, returns, again weaving webs of intrigue. In the middle of things is Axis' son Drago, who, deprived of immortality when he attempted murder as an infant, has aged while his siblings have not. Douglass' return to a well-established world features strong characters and, set as it is in the aftermath of a hero-king's departure, an interesting milieu. Readers of Sinner's predecessors--and not only they--won't be disappointed. Frieda Murray
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

• Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd (February 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0732259398
• ISBN-13: 978-0732259396
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,564,011 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sara Douglass was born in Penola, South Australia, and spent her early working life as a nurse. Rapidly growing tired of starched veils, mitred corners and irascible anaesthetists, she worked her way through three degrees at the University of Adelaide, culminating in a PhD in early modern English history. Sara Douglass currently teaches medieval history of La Trobe University, Bendigo and escapes academia through her writing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Redeems the Series, September 30, 2004

By 

Rachel A. Karfit (Mt. Airy, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sinner (Wayfarer Redemption) (Hardcover)

After reading this latest installment in "The Wayfarer Redemption" I can say that I came away from the book without feeling frustrated. That wasn't the case with the previous three books. There is no nearly omnipotent hero and heroine, and due to a surprising twist near the end of the book it is no longer clear whether Axis and Azhure will be able to effortlessly "save the day." Much of the story does not involve the protagonists of the previous books, with the exception of Wolfstar, who always seems to be hanging around waiting for trouble, Stardrifter and Faraday. (Hooray!) That really made this book worthwhile for me, because after "Starman" ended I was left hanging around wondering about her. I hate cliffhangers...

There are several plotlines in "Sinner" (some of which were hinted at in the previous books) and at first they don't really seem to go together. As the book progresses though, it's apparent that all aspects of the story are equally important, and at the novel's conclusion everything ties together nicely. Every plotline concerns different characters, and they end sort of abruptly, so it keeps the reader wanting to turn the pages to find out what's going to happen. I finished the book in three hours, so yes, it's that addicting.

Characterizations are much better this time around. Drago, for example is a very complex and sympathetic character, even though he attempted to murder his brother Caelum in the previous book. It's very easy to see things from his point of view, and it helps the story along to be able to connect with characters on this level. They are more like people instead of fillers or gods, and the hero in this book is much more human and easier to relate to. (Did anyone else think Axis was a jerk, or is it just me?) Douglass' female characters are stronger and more intelligent than before, and if you're like me you will be cheering for Faraday and Zenith.

In conclusion, I suppose that if you didn't like the previous volumes due to Douglass' style, you probably won't like "Sinner." I confess that they left me sort of irritated, but I'm glad that I decided to go on faith and pick this one up. I felt that it was worth my time and my money.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Fantasy Read!, May 26, 2000

By 

Heather Rayment (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wayfarer Redemption Trilogy: Sinner Book 1 (Paperback)

Continuing on from the epic Axis Trilogy, Sinner is a novel that continues to deliver an amazing story. Rich in description, Sinner invites the reader into a world bound by prophecy where the characters are a curious mix of glorious heroes, fey creatures, dazzling gods and malevolent demons, where triumph is often overshadowed by tradegy and where the entire land of Tencendor is on the brink of destruction due to the actions of one man...or is it? Sara Douglass is Australia's finest fantasy writer, and with Sinner, the first in the Wayfarer Redemption Trilogy, she has created a story that will stay with you long after you have put down the novel.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazed, February 1, 2003

By 

Geoff (St Thomas, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wayfarer Redemption Trilogy: Sinner Book 1 (Paperback)

When I first started to read this book it was very slow getting into it. It started out just like any other fantasy story, introducing the characters and whatnot but by the time I was about thirty pages in, I couldent put it down.

I am twelve years old and in grade seven, and for english class we have to fill out a monthly reading log. When my english teacher saw that I had read "Sinner" in three days, she didn't believe me. It just geos to show you that the book is uterly captivating and I couldn't put it down. So if you have the means I highly recommend picking a copy of "Sinner" up at your local bookstore!