The Wayfarer Redemption, Book 1 [Hardcover]

Sara Douglass (Author)

Book Description

Series: Wayfarer Redemption | Publication Date: February 24, 2001

A millennia-old prophecy was given when the Forbidden Ones were driven from Achar. And now, the Acharites witness its manifestation: Achar is under attack by an evil lord from the North, Gorgreal-his ice demons strike from the sky and kill hundreds of brave warriors in the blink of an eye.

All Acharites believe the end is near.

One young woman, Faraday, betrothed of Duke Borneheld, learns that all she has been told about her people's history is untrue. While fleeing to safety from the dangerous land, Faraday, rides with Axis, legendary leader of the Axe-Wielders-and hated half-brother of Borneheld-and a man Faraday secretly loves although it would be death to admit it. She embarks on a journey, which will change her life forever, in search of the true nature of her people.

This grand and heroic story tells the tale of one woman's plight to learn the truth of her people and change their hearts and their minds forever. She fights against oppressive forces to share this reality and will not desist until everyone knows. . . . . The truth of the Star Gate

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Setting her first American-published fantasy in a world where mankind reveres the plough and the axe and fears the forest, talented Australian Douglass delivers an initially beguiling story of human struggle to put aside its age-old enmity for two other races and join in battle against a deadly invasion. Axis the BattleAxe, bastard nephew of the king and leader of the Axe-Wielders, marches his crack troops north to help his despised half brother and the king's heir to repel winter-strengthened wraiths poised to decimate the land. A prophecy unearthed in a monastery explodes Axis's beliefs about man's ancient battle against the Forbidden--two hated races driven into exile, both of whom, according to the prophecy, must ally with man to defeat the wraiths. Axis's own part in the prophecy, as well as that of his half brother's betrothed, grows clearer with every stride closer to the northern menace. Invoking most of a conventional epic's elements, Douglass sets her hero on a path that reveals his hidden parentage and key role in the reuniting of the three races. Strongest at the beginning while exploring the plough-based traditions of man and its fear of the Forbidden races, this first volume soon loses dramatic tension: the prophecy is so straightforward that the continuing books will play connect-the-dots unless Douglass introduces twists to lift her orthodox, well-written series up to originality. (Mar. 26)Forecast: This novel carries bright blurbs from David Drake and Elizabeth Haydon, among others, and the publisher is pushing it as "an epic fantasy in the tradition of David Eddings and Terry Goodkind." But both Douglass, who is a bestseller in Australia, and Tor will have to work hard to bring Douglass up to the sort of numbers enjoyed by Eddings/Goodkind--or Drake and Haydon, for that matter.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

When a plague of monsters threatens the realm of Achar, a military commander and a noblewoman find themselves part of a Prophecy that leads them to question what they once believed true about the history of their world. Australian fantasy author Douglass's American debut features an exotic world peopled with complex characters whose motivations and desires often conflict with their duties and loyalties. Epic storytelling on a par with Terry Goodkind and Robert Jordan make this a solid selection for most fantasy collections. Highly recommended.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; First Edition edition (February 24, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031287717X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312877170
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (183 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,086,950 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

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, May 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wayfarer Redemption, Book 1 (Hardcover)

After reading some of the other reviews on this site, I was given the impression that Ms. Douglass' books were absolutely terrible! However, I was recommended by a friend of mine (A Mr Jason Byrne of Australia) to have a look at the series, and tell him what I thought... and all I can really say is wow!

The Plot was fresh and exciting, without being overly complicated or simple. There were plenty of twists and turns within the novel which made this book simply un-putdownable, and the character development was excellent. Unlike many other fantasy novels, where you feel like an observer on the battle feild, or in the castle, in Ms. Douglass' books you can actually put yourself in the character's shoes and identify with them! It was a very refreshing change!

The setting of the book is a mythical land that was once called Tencendor. The series follows the escapades of Axis, a man born of human and bird-man blood, and his son, Drago. While this brief (extremely brief!) description may lead you to believe that the story line is cliched/unoriginal (how many stories have you read with bird people? Countless!), I can ssure you that Ms. Douglass gives every character within her plot a unique and unmistakable "Douglass touch" which leaves you in no doubt that her story is not some re-hashed script, but a refreshing, living, in-a-class-of-it's-own story-line, and leaves you wondering why you hadn't discovered Ms. Douglass sooner.

I can not express my delight in finding out that not only has Ms. Douglass finished all six books in this series (don't let the amount put you off, it'll seem like they're not long enough!), but her new series, entitled the Crucible is half way through completion! I can't wait.

I would also like to express my appreciation of Ms. Douglass' efforts in compiling a delightful and entertaining web page, which not only contains information on the author and books, but actual short stories which relate to the plot of the book.. I'd advise all the reviewers here to have a look at www.saradouglass.com it's well worth the experience.

This book is exactly the kind that the literary world needs to keep their plotlines and characters fresh... well done Ms Douglass, keep up the good work!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Much Better than Average, February 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wayfarer Redemption, Book 1 (Hardcover)

I read this book before having read the reviews. I had never heard of Sara Douglass. While I don't really prefer prophesy-based stories, and thought the "Sentinels" a substandard device, I thought the characters in this one more than made up for that deficiency. They don't act from the same motives that modern characters might, but isn't that a plus for a fantasy novel? Their motives are consistent with the setting. I plan to read the others in the series.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Axis, Battleaxe of the Axewielders!?, April 12, 2002

By 

Mulank (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wayfarer Redemption (The Axis Trilogy, Bk 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have to admit I am stupefied by the positive reviews this book has received including several five star (!) reviews. I bought this based on the positive blurb on the cover by Locus. How bad could it be? It's plenty bad with a stupid dull plot and uninteresting characters. How bout Axis, Battleaxe of the Axewielders? Sounds like a bad D&D character I created when I was thirteen. It has some embarassing scenes that play out like a bad three for a dollar Harlequin novel. Axis is naturally a brunette Fabio and all woman leer at him like oglers at Chippendales. Don't waste your money, I leafed through the last 150 pages or so. In fact, I might use the book as target practice. Makes hacks like Eddings and Goodkind look like Shakespeare in comparison. Looking for great fantasy, George Martin, Nuff said!