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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
More Tightly Focused Than Previous Two Books, July 28, 2000
This review is from: Warhost of Vastmark (Wars of Light and Shadow) (Mass Market Paperback)
After perusing sales rankings and reviews, it would appear that this series has not garnered the audience of some of its peers, such as Jordan's "Wheel of Time," Martin's "Song of Ice and Fire," Hobb's "Liveship Traders," Kerr's "Deverry and Westlands Cycle," Goodkind's "Sword of Truth," or even Feist's "Riftwar Saga." While popularity is not necessary evidence of worth, I suspect, as previous reviewers have noted, both for this work, as well as the preceding volumes, that the author's at times over-exuberant use of language in her writing has contributed as much as anything else to keeping a larger audience at a distance. This is unfortunate, as this ongoing tale, particularly as witnessed by the stirring and tautly rendered battle scenes in this book, has much to offer. Wurt's strengths are evocative characterizations, complex and multi-layered plotlines and magical realms, and, when not engaged in over-embellishment, vivid and energetic descriptive detail. Unfortunately it is true that the tale at times gets bogged down or muddied by a profuse use of language, and this becomes variously a strength as well as the series' greatest detriment. Nonetheless, I believe there is far more of value going on here than should be dismissed simply because of a difficulty with language. Perhaps it is because I have become inured to Wurt's tendency to overwork her prose, but it seemed as if in this book she had lightened the flourish of her pen. In any event, for those that have become engaged in the world of Athera, there is much that takes place in this volume, and in a more compressed fashion than in the previous two books. A major revelation occurs, and several of the main characters face trials that will permanently alter their lives. The events build to tension that should keep you reading, and the suspense is handled deftly, keeping the imaginary nerves taut. In many ways I feel this is the best book yet of the series. Highly recommended if you can work past the densely worded use of narrative.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Tour de Force completion to Ships of Merior!, June 28, 1997
By A Customer
This review is from: Warhost of Vastmark (Wars of Light and Shadow) (Mass Market Paperback)
The tale of the two half-brothers continues in volume 2A of The Wars of Light and Shadow. A carefully balanced alliance has been shattered by
actions not in the control of either brother. Actions that not even the Fellowship of Seven are able to counter. Move and counter move proceed
across the continent of Paravia as Lysaer moves town Mayors and armies in his never ending desire to see the destruction of Arithon. Arithon flees back to the ships that served himself so well as a pirate on his home world of Dascen Elur. But Lysaer pursues him closely. Into this mix comes a character from CURSE OF THE MISTWRAITH, Dakar the Mad Prophet, he of the West Gate prophecy. Devoted to his cups and wenching. Desiring nothing so much as to be left to his own devices he is entwined into the fate of the two brothers. Ms. Wurts weaves a deft tale that reveals incredible depths in these characters. You care so much about each of these that it is hard to take sides. But take sides you will. Lesser characters shine in the roles of friends, lovers or opponents. Stroke and counter stroke are described with a delicate nicety that leaves you wanting more. Events of such striking compassion occur that you will be forced to lay the book aside, but not for long, and contemplate the results.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning, addictive, May 11, 2006
This review is from: Warhost of Vastmark (Wars of Light and Shadow) (Mass Market Paperback)
This is the third installment of a broad epic involving the plight of two half-brothers, Arithon and Lysaer, princes by birth, who are twisted by curse to fight each other.
The prior two books were a little ponderous, the first in particular due to its 700-800 page length. While this one weighed in at 520 pages, the pages seemed to fly. Perhaps this is in part due to the fact that Wurts has already explained their pasts and can focus purely on the plot at hand.
This book brings Lysaer, twisted by the curse of the mistwraith in to false belief that his is a just cause, to summon an army of three kingdoms, 40,000 strong, to defeat his half-brother, Arithon. While that is the main focus of the book (and the final scenes when the armies draw close is truly gripping), in the background plays the development of friendship, trust and understanding between Arithon and Dakar The Mad Prophet. At times, Dakar's emnity of Arithon has almost cost the prince his life, so it's both intriguing and brilliant to watch the erosion of this hatred transform into tepid acceptance to, ultimately, a freely given friendship.
Seeded further still in the background is the laced danger posed by the entities which comprised of the Mistwraith, residing on another world and seeking access to Athera, the world on which these novels take place. It will be interesting to see how Wurts evolves this threat in future installments.
This is the best so far of the three books, and I thoroughly recommend it (although I'd advise reading the first two, as it would make more sense).
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