Crusader (The Wayfarer Redemption, Book 6) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Sara Douglass (Author)
Key Phrases: demonic hours, lily sword, ice sisters, Strike Force, Star Dance, Star Stallion (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
At the start of Douglass's powerful conclusion to her Wayfarer Redemption saga (after 2005's Pilgrim), the surviving people of Tencendor have taken refuge in Sanctuary, where they are under siege by star-traveling demons, the TimeKeepers. When treason threatens the resistance, DragonStar, the swordswoman Faraday and other fighters leave Sanctuary in an effort to defeat their opponents through attrition rather than pitched battle. Along the way, the defenders confront any number of knotty ethical dilemmas. Faraday resolves the ambiguities of her feelings for DragonStar, and a host of secondary characters (headed by DragonStar's father, Axis) all play roles that most long-standing readers of this complex fantasy series will find satisfying. Given the large cast and a narrative broken into many short scenes, a glossary is particularly useful, even for those with a good grasp of the backstory. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist
The sixth and final novel of The Wayfarer Redemption starts with the Timekeeper demons besieging the humans of Tencendor in their last refuge, Sanctuary. Drago, now known as DragonStar Sunsoar, is prepared to send the demons to their own place. But humans being humans, there is always someone willing to deal with the enemy. In the end, the human survivors must leave Sanctuary and wear down the demons in far-flung battles of attrition. Tons of action, myriad characters in all stages of development (the glossary of names at the end is quite helpful), and a classic plot concluded with a nice twist should please everyone who has enjoyed the previous five books: The Wayfarer Redemption (2000), Enchanter (2001), Starman (2002), Sinner (2004), and Pilgrim (2005). Frieda Murray
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Tor Fantasy (February 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765342804
• ISBN-13: 978-0765342805
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #207,072 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 6 in The Wayfarer Redemption Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Bizarre and terribly disappointing. , June 5, 2007

By	Kevin Ryan (Ithaca, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Wayfarer Redemption has gone from pure brilliance to utter disappointment with this final installment of the series by Sara Douglass. As a life-long reader and lover of fantasy I have never been so appalled by the conclusion of a fantasy series - especially one that started out so good. I thought hard about whether or not to even write this review, fearing that my negativity might turn off many readers to Sara Douglass' other work. However, I was so stunned by the poor quality of Crusader that I decided that I must let other readers know how I feel.

I found the original Wayfarer Redemption trilogy, books one, two and three of this now six book series, to be absolutely brilliant. The scope of the world, the depth of the characters, the original use of magic and the epic story lines make it one of my favorite fantasy worlds. However, what started out as an amazing series quickly turned sour when Sara Douglass tacked on another three books - Sinner, Pilgrim, and finally Crusader. While it is said that the Wayfarer Redemption was always meant to be a six book series, there is a huge difference in quality between the first and second trilogy.

Everything that was accomplished, fought and struggled for in the original trilogy is quickly and utterly destroyed in this second trilogy and thus makes the original trilogy pointless and trivial. Everything, literally, is wiped out. Tencendor and everything in it - gone. Washed away like the first trilogy was nothing important. This is extremely frustrating for all the readers who spent so much time reading the first trilogy and struggling with the characters as they finally defeat Gorgrael and create peace for Tencendor. Then suddenly the demons come and, poof, all gone.

Crusader is, by far, the worst of the series. The writing becomes erratic and the plot lines start to exceed being fantastical and venture into the realm of ridiculousness. The use of magic in Crusader loses its rules and boundaries and suddenly characters, especially DragonStar, are able to do whatever they want. In all fantasy, magic must have rules and limitations in order to make it meaningful and not omnipotent. The Star Dance used to be the very original and creative way that magic was cast. In Crusader, there are no longer rules. Characters have magic when they need it and it just does whatever is needed to bail them out. DragonStar can practically do anything with his Acharite magic and in many instances it is truly ridiculous. Magic always (pardon the pun) magically appears just at the right time, even though the characters have no prior knowledge or training on how to use it. It simply works - all the time - and all the characters know just how to use it.

One of the low points in Crusader was the sudden and random relationship between Zenith and WolfStar. Out of nowhere, Zenith realizes she is in love with WolfStar and then begins a relationship with him. All this despite the fact that WolfStar raped her and she claims to be truly in love with StarDrifter. This extremely frustrating love triangle never receives any sort of resolution. All three are suddenly eaten alive at the same time. The end. Even worse, Axis barely grieves about this and then its just forgotten.

I don't wish to give away too much for those who actually make it to the end of Crusader without giving up, but believe me when I say the end is terribly disappointing. All the random magic and ridiculous elements come together to culminate in an ending that left me wondering what had happened. I had to reread the last several chapters and I still don't really understand what is supposed to have happened. So much of Crusader turns bizarre that nothing past the middle of the book really makes sense anymore. Poorly constructed connections with the original trilogy mesh with unresolved plot lines and mix together with ridiculous occurrences and last minute magic casting to form a conclusion that is so random it is hard to fathom.

So much of Crusader is bizarre and ridiculous. I really had a hard time believing it was written by the same author. If you are reading this after having finished Crusader, I'm sorry that you also had to endure such a train wreck ending. If you are reading this and haven't started the second trilogy, don't. The first trilogy stands on its own and is better if you never read the second trilogy. I wish I hadn't.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not as bad or difficult to understand as some make it out to be..., August 22, 2006

By	R. Middelkoop (Holland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Crusader (The Wayfarer Redemption, Book 6) (Hardcover)

I read this book, just like another reviewer, a few years ago while because I ordered the paperback from Australia, now however I want to buy this again in hardcover because I really like the story. Guess that says a lot about me (I'm a collector) and about how I feel about the story (It's great!).

They other reviewers said the story turned weird and was difficult to understand, I disagree...

Yes it took an unexpected turn, but this is merely "high" fantasy...strange but beautufull things happened and If u have an open mind you will love this...however this isnt "realistic" (for as far as that is possible) fantasy, so if u are after that U might pass this book.

On a final note, I live in Holland and I'm Dutch...English isnt my first language nor did I study it in school, I however read this book in English and it was not difficult to understand even for someone like me, I dont know why the other reviewers would say it is...maybe they couldnt grasp the scope of the fantasy aspect of it, or maybe they couldnt stretch their own imagination around the story that is told here...yes its weird its fantastical...but it does make sense and it is most of all FUN!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What a let down. , March 29, 2007

By	BCN - See all my reviews

I read and LOVED the first three books in the Wayfarer Redemption. They were satisfying, had great characters, and had a cohesive plot. The second trilogy of this series was disappointing. I enjoyed Sinner and to a lesser extent Pilgrim and Crusader but the final ending was very disappointing. It left a lot of unanswered questions about the overall plot of the book. I think Sara Douglass could have done better. I really enjoy her writing and her fantasy but I didn't like the finality of the fate of Tencendor. The heaven/hell theme was way overdone. She also failed to explain some major issues and left three characters hanging at the end for some unknown reason. I almost wish she would continue the series just so I could get the closure I was expecting but am not sure if I will read it for fear of another let down.