30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant installment in a magnificent series., April 19, 2008
Stormed Fortress is book 5 in the second arc of the War of Light and Shadows. For long time fans of Ms. Wurts this represents a significant closure of many different facets of a series that has been many years in the crafting. This is not a starting point in the series despite a good summation of the previous books at the beginning.
Ms. Wurts has been developing a running conflict between the two half-brothers Arithon and Lysaer. This conflict has been exacerbated by a magical curse placed on the brothers to ensure their enmity and assure that their cooperation doesn't allow for a complete solution to much of the world's problems. This conflict finds a significant culmination as allies of Arithon are exposed for the role they have played in undermining Lysaer's interests. The results of this major engagement and the events leading up to it are the meat of the story.
The more important undercurrent of Stormed Fortress is a continuation of Wurts' discussion of how faults and character weaknesses can be exploited. This has been an on-going issue throughout the story, but it rises as a major subplot when characters are repeatedly twisted into actions not of their choosing because of their own flaws. This leads to some really interesting examination of how our purest motivations can be twisted entirely out of the scope of our intent.
For those who are looking for the final chapter, I am sorry to see you denied. Stormed Fortress represents a very acceptable resting place in the story, but it is far from the end. If you have enjoyed the series thus far, then that's not a bad thing. Many important, seemingly underdeveloped storylines are brought to a successful conclusion and there are also sweeping changes effected on many of the persistent supporting characters. Some of this is saddening, but other changes and the comeuppance that certain factions endure are gloriously satisfying.
What I enjoyed most in the story has been the evolution of Sulfin Evend. A central figure to the forces of the opposition to the protagonist, his evolution from blinded, fanatic, to enlightened, knowing catalyst in support of the good in his twisted master, has been very well done. This is not a simple wave of the wand from bad guy to good guy, but a knowing, painful transition between ignorance and knowledge. Great stuff.
The writing is very vocabulary intensive. Don't expect weak descriptive terms that are used over and over again. Ms. Wurts doesn't skimp in trying to give description to experience and events that would normally defy the attempt. How do you describe the breath-taking harmony of a musically based magical event that affects and entire battlefield? Well, she does.
Stormed Fortress has been worth the wait and seeds a happy anticipation of what is still to come. Buy this book, even if you have to get it from Amazon.uk because it's that good.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An immensely rewarding read, October 31, 2009
Simply put, Stormed Fortress sets a new standard for the difficulty of putting a book down. Though it is the fifth volume of the third story arc of The Wars of Light and Shadow, Stormed Fortress is as exciting or more than the first installment. The giddy laughter and heart-felt tears that you're likely to experience while reading are indicative of the rare fantasy series that Ms. Wurts has created--though I impatiently await the remaining three books, I can hardly bear the thought of it ending. As a lifetime enthusiast I confidently proclaim that this is truly fantasy at its best.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant conclusion to the Alliance of Light, May 9, 2010
This review is from: Stormed Fortress (Alliance of Light, Vol. 5) (Bk. 5) (Paperback)
Stormed Fortress is the conclusion to the five book, third arc of the Wars of Light and Shadow and does so brilliantly. The characters of Arithon and Lysaer continue to evolve and we see aspects of each that cause one to reflect on their actions in the previous volumes. We also get to see more of their internal motivations and struggles. For those who have expressed the opinion that Lysaer is one-dimensional this volume reveals a side of him that must evoke a sympathetic response. In addition we get to see more of the forces at work on Athera.
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