Starman (Axis Trilogy, Book 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Sara Douglass (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 20, 2003

Axis is the StarMan of prophecy and legend, destined to lead the three races of his world to unite as one people. The people of his world all know the Prophecy of the Destroyer, despite the failed attempts of the Seneschal to suppress it in the name of the god Artor the Ploughman, and it predicts and dictates Axis's path through war and destruction to the creation of Tencendor.

The Prophecy foretold that Axis would defeat his half-brother and lay claim to the land that Tencendor will be created upon. The Prophecy told of the traitor in Axis's camp-Faraday's champion, Timozel.

And the Prophecy foretold many a choice that Axis must make in order to fulfill his destiny . . . but neglected to mention the choice between the beautiful and courageous Faraday, his late half-brother's wife, and the feisty and hauntingly enchanting Azhure.

To Faraday, he had pledged his love and a place by his side as ruler of Tencendor; to Azhure, he had given his children, his time, and his devotion.

His love for both women is what the last twist of the Prophecy relies on. While Azhure explores her newfound powers as an Icarii Enchantress, and Faraday replants the ancient forests of the Mother, the evil Gorgrael is plotting Axis's downfall, invading the sky with ice and terror and the flesh-hungry Gryphons. His most daring move is to follow prophecy, to taunt Axis with the pain of his beloved.

But which beloved woman will Gorgrael choose . . . and will she be the one whose death will distract Axis from saving the world?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

More about femmes fatales then fatal battles, this final imaginative novel in the Axis Trilogy (The Wayfarer Redemption; Enchanter) should satisfy a fantasy readership hungry for strong female characters despite their restricting romantic relationships with magical men. Axis SunSoar must fulfill the ambiguous prophecy of WolfStar, the Icarii patriarch, by fighting WolfStar's evil half-brother, Gorgrael, and by sacrificing Gorgrael's lover. It's unclear whether the lover is Azhure, WolfStar's daughter and Axis's wife, or Faraday, Axis's former fianc‚e and the replanter of the great forests. Whoever the Prophecy of the Destroyer names is likely to die at Gorgrael's hands. Azhure has the added burden of being pregnant with sorcerous twins, who harbor an intense, deadly dislike for the rest of their family. While the plot features several mystical pregnancies, the most destructive are those of the devouring Gryphons that Gorgrael has created; they're born pregnant with nine pups and multiply fast enough to lay waste to the world. Faraday has her own problems: the need to fight a god, her own exhausted condition and other women who believe Axis wronged her by marrying Azhure. Gods, women, sorcerers and babies all figure in the battles that neatly conclude this trilogy while leaving enough open questions to seed other stories. Douglass may manipulate her characters such as via the strange rebirth of the sainted Faraday in ways that have more to do with romance convention than logic, but this won't deter the faithful.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Assuming his role as the Starman of the Prophecy of the Destroyer, the warrior-wizard Axis makes his way to his final confrontation with his corrupt half-brother, Gorgrael. Meanwhile, Azhure, Axis's wife, discovers her own powers as an Enchantress and learns the twin strengths of love and friendship. Douglass (Enchanter, Battleaxe) brings to the fore her world-building abilities and storytelling expertise in this satisfying conclusion to a fantasy epic set in a world of winged sorcerers and ancient races. A few loose ends pave the way for future novels featuring a new generation of heroes and villains. Recommended for most fantasy collections.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 688 pages
• Publisher: Tor Fantasy; First Edition edition (January 20, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765342812
• ISBN-13: 978-0765342812
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #402,793 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

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Good start, horrendous ending..., August 23, 2005

By 

MDL - See all my reviews

This review is from: Starman (Axis Trilogy, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

The first book, Wayfarer Redemption or Battleaxe, was really good (judging by how entertaining it was). The second one, Enchanter, was slightly above average (but still entertaining). The third one, Starman, is so bad words cannot begin to describe it.

I agree with another reviewer, the second and third book should have been called Enchantress part I & II.

I am convinced that the author projected all her desires as a woman into this character.

The author picks her favorite character Ahzure and gives her everything (yup, you read it right, everything). Suddenly she's the smartest, wisest, fastest, strongest, most powerful sorceress, most beautiful, all men lust for her and all women envies her. She can talk to the trees, can travel anywhere at will, and did I mention she can't die?

All characters become useless without her, and that includes Axis (the main character). Nothing can be done without her; no decision is possible if she's not around; they can't win any battle if not for her. Whereas before the battles were epic, Ahzure can now defeat an army of thousands all by herself. Whereas everyone required extreme concentration to use magic, Ahzure can wield as much as she likes without a problem. The fights are won so easily it's not even funny. And of course, after every fight everyone cheers for their savior Ahzure.

I am so disappointed with the third book. It's no longer fantasy, it's just absurd.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars What was Sara thinking??? Spoilers ahead !, July 21, 2005

By 

eos - See all my reviews

This review is from: Starman (Axis Trilogy, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

The first book in the series isn't bad..in fact I loved it. However, by the third book Sara has destroyed the one character who you have bonded with from the very beginning....Faraday, the heroine. It seemes as through while writing the trilogy, the author thought to herself "Hey, Faraday is just not the heroine I wanted when I started the series...Let's add another woman who can take over," which is the case in the second book. Faraday becomes a second rate female character whose actions mirror that of a slave's. I know there are three more books after this and that Faraday comes back a bitter woman...well wouldn't you be too? But that fact alone does not save Starman from turning out to be the worst book in Douglass's career. In fact, after Starman I swore to myself that I would never buy another Sara Douglass book. If I could've given this a review a negative star I would have.
/rant off

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't anyone feel bad for Faraday?!, February 23, 2003

By 

"moongirl5353" (somewhere) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Starman (Axis Trilogy, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

I really did not like Axis. He betrayed Faraday, and didn't take responsiblity for it. He was really lucky that she decided Tendesor was worth her sacrifice, because Axis definitely wasn't. He was soooooooo stupid. I don't understand how both Azhure and Faraday fell in love with him. Also, I thought Azhure became too powerful too quickly. They defeated the Skraelings and Gryphons way too easily.
I think that Faraday desearves more recognition for what she did. She suffered a lot more than Azhure did, and got a lot less. I think most people in her position would hate Axis, and try to make him suffer. I really wanted him to lose to Gorgrael after being such a [jerk] to her.