Month: October 2024

Daughter of the Lion – Chronicles of the Cheysuli #6 by Jennifer Roberson

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Daughter of the Lion, Chronicles of the Cheysuli #6 by Jennifer Roberson

Title: Daughter of the Lion

Author: Jennifer Roberson

Series: Chronicles of the Cheysuli

Sexual Content: minimal

Objectional Content: Violence, torture

Synopsis (from Goodreads): She is Keely, twin sister to Corin, and daughter to Niall, the ruler of Homana, and she alone has the power to shapechange into any form—a power akin to that of the Firstborn. Like her brothers, Keely has been chosen to play a crucial part in the Firstborn’s prophecy. Yet Keely is no weak pawn to be used in men’s games of power and diplomacy. Trained alongside her brothers in the art of war, gifted with more of the old magic than most of her close kin, she will not easily give way even to Niall’s commands, nor be forced against her will into an arranged marriage.

But others besides Keely’s father have plans for her future. Strahan, the most powerful Ihlini sorcerer, is preparing a trap from which even one as magically-gifted as Keely may find no escape. And in the deepwood, another waits to challenge Keely—an outlaw fully as dangerous to her future freedom as Strahan is to her life…

My Review

Daughter of the Lion follows Keely, Niall’s youngest daughter, in the first person POV. I found a lot in Keely that I can relate to. Unlike every other female character in this series, Keely absolutely hates the idea of getting married and having babies. Everyone around her assumes that she wants to be a man because she wants to learn how to use weapons and doesn’t like wearing dresses. Keely doesn’t want to be a man, she just wants the freedom to be herself.

I can relate to this as a woman who does not want to ever get married or have children, and I am so grateful that I live in a world where I can make this choice. Keely, on the other hand, is under immense pressure to marry the Prince of Erinn in order to secure the proper bloodlines for the prophecy. Brennan, the eldest son, is married to the Princess of Erinn, but their son is sick, may not live and she cannot have more children. If the child dies, then it is all up to Keely to provide the right children for the prophecy.

There are a few times where I think Keely should keep her thoughts to herself, especially when it comes to telling other women to “rid themselves” of their pregnancy. Her feelings regarding pregnancy and childbirth are valid, however, there are some things better kept internal.

Daughter of the Lion touches on some pretty heavy topics including rape, abortion and a woman’s right to choose. People in this series staunchly believe that there is absolutely no reason to ever terminate a pregnancy and that women exist to have babies. It is a disgusting attitude.

There is a scene in this book that really irritated me. Despite protesting that she does not want to hold a baby, her sister in law forces her to do so and then leaves her alone with said baby. I am not a person who is crazy about babies. I have no interest in holding them. If someone did this to me, I would be furious! And of course, in the book, it’s not a big deal and forcing Keely to hold a baby would surely make her maternal instincts kick in. That is so unfair.

Overall, I did really enjoy Daughter of the Lion. Keely’s perspective is so different from everyone’s that has come before. I loved seeing everything from her point of view and how people treat her because of her beliefs. I’m interesting to see how this all turns out with the prophecy and the opposing side trying to stop it. Only two more books to go.

My rating for Daughter of the Lion is 4 out of 5 stars.

A Pride of Princes – Chronicles of the Cheysuli #5 by Jennifer Roberson

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A Pride of Princes, Book 5 of the Chronicles of the Cheysuli by Jennifer Roberson

Title: A Pride of Princes

Author: Jennifer Roberson

Series: Chronicles of the Cheysuli

Sexual Content: minimal

Objectional Content: Violence, torture

Synopsis: (from Goodreads) Brennan, Hart and Corin were the three Cheysuli sons of Niall, ruler of Homana, and the next link in the generations-old prophecy of the Firstborn. Now the time had come for all three to take the paths for which they were fated:

Brennan, heir to the throne of Homana, would face the menance of unknown assassins and trecherous Ihlini magic.

Hart, Brennan’s younger twin, must journey to Solinde, the kingdom which would one day be his to rule—a land that longed to see the Cheysuli prince overthrown.

And Corin, the youngest prince, must battle sorcery and madness in the court of distant Atvia.

Three princes, three destinies—and if even one should fail to fulfill the patterns of prophecy, Homanan and Cheysuli alike would pay a deadly price…

My Review

Much as I expected, there was a time jump of about 20 years from the Track of the White Wolf. However, in A Pride of Princes, the story isn’t following just one character, but 3, the sons of Niall. So far, this is the first book in the Chronicles of Cheysuli that has multiple points of view.

I found A Pride of Princes to be much more engaging as the story follows the three brothers. Each of them are very different from one another, something the author takes pains to establish from the very beginning. Each man has had his life planned out for him basically from birth. Which kingdom they will rule and who they will marry has already been established.

We also get to see some of Lillith and her brother, Strahan, the ongoing villains of this series. Strahan wants Niall’s sons so he can turn them into puppet kings and rule the kingdoms through them. It begins to become evident what exactly the fulfillment of the prophecy may mean. It could be the end of both the Ilhini and the Cheysuli.

There are instances of emotional and psychological manipulation as well as physical torture, which some readers may find disturbing or triggering.

The female characters continue to leave something to be desired. Their only purpose seems to be marrying the right person and having sons.

Of the five books so far, A Pride of Princes has been the most interesting and engaging. I enjoyed the differences in the three brothers, even as I railed against some of their choices. I think this book also highlights the dangers of a gambling addiciton.

My rating for A Pride of Princes is 4 out of 5 stars.

Review – The Track of the White Wolf by Jennifer Roberson

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Track of the White Wolf, Chronicles of the Cheysuli #4 by Jennifer Roberson

Title: Track of the White Wolf

Author: Jennifer Roberson

Series: Chronicles of the Cheysuli

Sexual Content: mild

Objectional Content: Violence

Summary: (from Goodreads) Niall, Prince of Homana, key player in a prophecy that spans generations, should have been the treasured link between Cheysuli and Homanan. Yet neither of the peoples he is destined to someday rule feel anything but suspicion of Niall. Homanans fear him for his Cheysuli heritage, while Cheysuli refuse to accept him as their own because he has acquired neither a lir-shape nor the lir companion which is the true mark of the Cheysuli shapechangers.

And now, despite his precarious situation within the kingdom, Niall must undertake a journey to fulfill yet another link in the ancient prophecy. He must travel through war-torn lands to claim his bride—a mission which may prove his doom. For searching for both his destiny and his lir, Naill is about to be plunged into a dangerous maelstrom of intrigue, betrayal, and deadly Ihlini sorcery…

My Review

Events jump forward about 20 years from the end of the last book. We are now following Niall, son of Donal and Aislinn, from first person point of view. The reader learns very quickly that Niall does not have a lir or any of the Cheysuli gifts. In fact, he looks almost identical to his grandsire, the famous Carillon. He is not truly accepted by the Homanans or the Cheysuli, and many would rather see someone else on the throne.

Finally, since Alix in the first book, I actually like the POV character. Niall actually feels relatable as he struggles to fit in as a Cheysuli warrior and his position as the heir. He feels inadequate in both the palace and Clankeep. I think this is something a lot of people struggle with in their lives. That feeling of not belonging, of not being good enough, is something I myself can understand. Because of this, I felt more connected to this book.

I could not have predicted anything that happened in this book. Honestly, I don’t know where it is all going. Everything revolves around the prophecy of the First Born. I anticipate the next book will pick up years later with one of Niall’s sons, likely his heir.

I continue to be disappointed with the female characters in this series. Their only purpose seems to be to have babies. Thinking about it, I think every female character has had a baby at some point and then if they were no longer important, they died or were exiled.

My rating for the Track of the White Wolf is 3 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed it a bit more than the previous books but I wouldn’t say it’s amazing either. I plan to continue with the series. I’d like to know how it all ends and being half way through, I feel invested.

Thanks for reading and if you have read the Chronicles of the Cheysuli, I’d love to know what you thought of it.