Path of Fate (Paperback)

by Diana Pharaoh Francis (Author) "Reisil's spine twinged protest as she lurched into a shadowed wagon rut..." (more)
Key Phrases: wizard night, golden ivy, two monarchs, Kodu Riik, Blessed Lady, Dure Vadonis (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
This pleasant read by a new writer tells the story of Reisil. Once an orphan, taunted by the other children in her village, she is now a newly minted healer, hoping to find a secure place in a world that has known sporadic fighting for years. But the lady she serves chooses her to be ahalad-kaaslane, or a wandering judge-warrior-explorer bound through a companion animal to no one but the lady. Afraid of losing her newly won security to go adventuring, Reisil refuses the honor and the companion goshawk. She picks a bad time, however. The leaders of the warring lands have agreed to a truce as a preliminary to ending the war, but many who have suffered on both sides regard the truce as a betrayal. Moreover, Reisil's decision threatens the truce. Plausible, engrossing characters, a well-designed world, and a well-realized plot distinguish Francis' debut. Frieda Murray
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description
In the land of Kodu Riik, it is an honor to be selected by the Lady to become an ahalad-kaaslane-to have your soul bonded with one of Her blessed animals, and roam the land serving Her will.

But Riesil refuses to bow to fate-a decision that may have repercussions across the realm...

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Roc (November 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451459504
• ISBN-13: 978-0451459503
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #209,458 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Good First Effort, May 15, 2004

By	ChaucerCat "ChaucerCat" (Staten Island, NY) - See all my reviews

In a nutshell, "Path of Fate" is what would happen if Gayle Greeno's "Ghatti's Tale" series met and married Joanne Bertin's "Dragonlord" series. There are mind-melding animal partners, a reluctant heroine who doesn't want to leave a career she loves, and evil, evil mages.

I won't say the plot was original, but the book was decently written--although I did catch a few awkward sentences and grammatical errors. The pace and language were good, and the plot twists were well executed. And even though the characters were more "types" than fully realized individuals, they were written fairly well.

I liked that Resil, our heroine, had to pay for a big mistake right at the beginning--that of refusing Saljane the goshawk as her divinely sent "ahalad-kaaslane". I also liked that Reisil was a poor judge of character from time to time, as well as unsure of herself. It made her seem more like a real person.

I have a feeling that as Ms. Francis' career progresses, we will see great things from her. As it is, "Path of Fate" was a good first effort.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars realistic and emotionally moving fantasy, November 7, 2003

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Ever since she was a baby, abandoned by her mother all Reisil ever wanted was a place to call home. Growing up in Kallas, she was fostered to different families so that nobody would have to bear the burden of another mouth to feed for any extended periods. When Reisil is old enough, the village pays for her training as a healer and she hopes that they will want her to stay with them permanently.

Just when it looks like her dream will come true; the goshawk comes to bond with Reisil, choosing her to be one of the Lady's soldiers in the fight against evil. Reisil tries to avoid this dubious honor but when a noble woman from another country is kidnapped in Kallas and spirited away, Reisil accepts her destiny to find her. If she fails, the realm of Kudas will be plunged into war against an army that can use magic to cause terrible harm.

Very rarely does a writer's first novel come along that is so realistic and emotionally moving that it achieves total acclaim from reviewers and readers alike. PATH OF FATE will because of the strong protagonist who grows and changes to meet each situation that comes her way. She charms her way into the readers' hearts and the audience will adore the special relationship she has with Saljane the goshawk who has a winning and loveable personality of her own.

Harriet Klausner

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Mentor to Emulate, November 11, 2003

By	Tasmine Harrington (Dillon, MT) - See all my reviews

How do you do justice to the first novel written by someone you admire? I feel that the description available here doesn't do this book service at all, and many people won't read what they don't understand. I urge anyone who sees this: please read this book!

Reisiltark desires only to belong. She has fought her whole life to find a place for herself, building up to being Kallas' resident healer after the death of her mentor. And when it seems that she has finally accomplished her goal, Saljane, her bonded ahalad-kaaslane, comes to tear down her perceptions of herself and her world.

The names may become a bit confusing for some who are insistant on being able to pronounce everyone's name. That aside, there is a reason this book is universally touching: it reveals the simple human desire to be ourselves and yet belong, a conflict that we all struggle with. She laughs and cries, makes mistakes and helpful realisations. She's strong, stubborn...yet afraid of recrimination. It doesn't matter if we live in the US or in Kodu Riik, Reisil is the epitome of "us." The best part of the book was reaching the end and realising how far Reisil had come as a person -- and hoping that she will continue to move forward.

I look forward to following her struggles, saving Kodu Riik, bonding further with Saljane...and ultimately fulfilling herself. The second book cannot come fast enough.