Book Reviews

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A Tapestry of Lions – Chronicles of the Cheysuli #8 by Jennifer Roberson

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Title: A Tapestry of Lions

Author: Jennifer Roberson

Series: Chronicles of the Cheysuli

Sexual Content: minimal

Objectional Content: Violence

Synopsis (From Goodreads): Nearly a century has passed since the Prophecy of the Firstborn was set in motion—the generational quest to recreate the magical race which once held sway in the lands ruled by Homana’s Mujar. Now, Kellin, heir to Homana’s throne, has only to sire an offspring with an Ihlini woman to reach this goal. But Kellin wants nothing of prophecy, nor even of his own magical heritage. Embittered by tragedy, he refuses the sacred lir-bonding, becoming anathema in the eyes of his Cheysuli kin. But willing participant or not, Kellin provides a very real threat to the Ihlini—the ancient enemies of the Cheysuli people—for should the prophecy be fulfilled, life as the Ihlini know it will end. How can a lirless warrior ever hope to escape the traps of the Ihlini sorcerers? And how can the prophecy ever be realized when the man born to become its final champion shuns his destined role?

My Review

Going into this book, I really didn’t know what to expect. All the previous books have been about the prophecy and mixing the correct bloodlines to bring the prophecy to fruition. Only one bloodline remains, that of the Ihlini. But what Cheysuli would willingly and knowingly be with an Ihlini?

Kellin, Aidan’s son, is the main focus of A Tapestry of Lions. He is a child filled with bitterness that his own father gave him up (though he eventually does the same to his own bastard children). After experiencing tragedy and loss, Kellin rejects the gods and vows to never have a lir. As a man he has become even more bitter and rebellious, closing himself off to any meaningful relationship so he can’t be hurt by losing someone. He also resents that he is not so important as the son he will one day sire.

Kellin honestly changes and grows in leaps and bounds in this book. He starts out as a child proud of his Cheysuli heritage, looking forward to the day he receives his lir and lir gold, wanting to be recognized as a warrior of the clans. Then he experiences loss and grows up to sleep with random whores, get in fights and gambles. He goes through a lot and comes out the end a much better person.

I wasn’t sure how it was all going to end. As I was reading, I kept thinking there wasn’t enough left in the book to wrap it all up. In the end though, I was satisfied with the ending. I’m sure the author could write more books in this world if she wanted to, but I wouldn’t say it was necessary to round off the story.

Overall, I would say the series is an enjoyable one. There were definitely elements about it that I didn’t like. For instance, the first book is about a strong female character and then the subsequent books are almost all about male characters and the majority of the female characters are sort of relegated to a background role of have babies.

My rating for A Tapestry of Lions is 3 out of 5 stars. My rating for the Chronicles of the Cheysuli is also 3 out of 5 stars and I would recommend it to people who enjoy older, slower paced fantasy that covers multiple generations and different protagonists.

Flight of the Raven – Chronicles of the Cheysuli #7 by Jennifer Roberson

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Flight of the Raven, book 7 of the Chronicles of the Cheysuli by Jennifer Roberson

Title: Flight of the Raven

Author: Jennifer Roberson

Series: Chronicles of the Cheysuli

Sexual Content: minimal

Objectional Content: Violence

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Aidan, only child of Brennan and Aileen, and the grandson of Niall, is heir to the Lion Throne of Homana and inheritor, too, of a prophecy carried down through the generations and finally on the verge of fulfillment.  But will Aidan, driven as he is by strange visions and portens, prove the weak link in the ages-old prophecy—the Cheysuli who fails to achieve his foretold destiny? For as Aidan prepares to set out for Erinn to claim his betrothed, he will become the focus of forces out of legend, visited by the ghosts of long-dead kinsmen, and by the Hunter, a mysterious being who may be a Cheysuli god incarnate.

Commanded by the Hunter to undertake a quest to claim a series of “god-given” golden links, Aidan will find himself challenged by the Cheysuli’s most deadly foe—Lochiel, the son of Strahan—who will use every trick of Ihlini sorcery to stop Aidan and destroy the promise of the prophecy once and for all…

My Review

Aidan is an interesting character. He has what is known as kivarna, the ability to sense others emotions, a gift from his Mother’s side of the family. From the time he is a child, Aidan is plagued by strange dreams and a compulsion to go the throne room in the middle of the night. There, he sees a chain made of gold, though no one else sees it and when he tries to touch it, it crumbles to dust.

Unlike the heirs before him, Aidan was not betrothed to anyone and now has the freedom to choose who he wants for a bride. He travels first to Solinde, then to Erinn, to meet his cousins of similar age to see if they are suitable to one another. Honestly, the intermarrying in this family is getting to be too much.

I have to admit, I was extremely disappointed to learn that Keely had children. In her book, Daughter of the Lion, she was adamant that she didn’t want to have babies. However, in a world where their is no birth control and she married for love, pregnancy is pretty inevitable. Still, this felt like a disservice to her character.

Aidan’s fate is different than most who have come before him, and his life takes a tragic turn. I don’t want to say much more than that as to avoid spoilers.

I honestly don’t know how this series is going to turn out. It feels like everything should be coming to a head, but at the time of writing this I’m about halfway through the final book and I really don’t know how it can all be wrapped up in the few hundred pages left.

I feel like this review is somewhat lacking but I don’t know what else to say.

My rating for Flight of the Raven is 3 out of 4 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.

Review – Legacy of the Sword – Chronicles of the Cheysuli #3 by Jennifer Roberson

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Legacy of the Sword, book 3 of the Chronicles of the Cheysuli by Jennifer Roberson

Title: Legacy of the Sword

Author: Jennifer Roberson

Series: Chronicles of the Cheysuli

Sexual Content: mild

Objectional Content: Violence

Synopsis (from Goodreads):For decades, the magical race of shapeshifters called the Cheysuli have been feared and hated exiles in their own land, a land they rightfully should rule. Victims of a vengeful monarch’s war of annihilation and a usurper king’s tyrannical reign, the Cheysuli clans have nearly vanished from the world.

Now, in the aftermath of the revolution which overthrew the hated tyrant, Prince Donal is being trained as the first Cheysuli in generations to assume the throne. But will he be able to overcome the prejudice of a populace afraid of his special magic and succeed in uniting the realm in its life and death battle against enemy armies and evil magicians?

My Review

Legacy of the Sword picks up 15 years after the events of The Song of Homana. Donal, the son of Alix and Duncan, and now Carillon’s heir, is travelling to the Crystal Isle to bring home Aislinn, Carillon’s daughter and Donal’s betrothed. Aislinn has spent the last two years there with her mother, the exiled Queen, Electra. It quickly becomes evident that Electra has tampered with her daughter’s mind, turning Aislinn against the idea of marrying Donal. This presents some interesting challenges along the way and causes Aislinn to act out in violent ways that she would normally never do.

From the beginning, I didn’t particularly like Donal. He seemed very selfish, often thinking and even expressing out loud, that he doesn’t want to be king or marry Aislinn. He has a lover and children among the Cheysuli who he wants to be with instead. Perhaps if the book had begun when Donal was younger and these relationships were being established, I might have felt more sympathy for him. Instead, I thought him a cruel person and felt sympathy for Aislinn, who is treated as a pawn. She knows from a young age that her only purpose is to bear children, especially sons.

At the end of The Song of Homana, Alix had been abducted by the enemy sorcerer, Tynstar, and it was revealed at the end of the book that Alix was pregnant. That child was what I really wanted to know about in this book. Oh, the child, Bronwyn, is there, but she’s such a minor character it felt like a wasted plot point.

There were several events in this book that I thought should have had more weight to them, to the point where I thought some things were actually a fake out. It just didn’t seem like enough of an impact for the importance of what happened. I’m trying really hard not to spoil anything so apologies if this sounds really vague.

For all my dislike of the characters, the Chronicles of the Cheysuli have a really rich world that I enjoy. The overall narrative still has me wanting to know more so I will continue with the series.

My rating for Legacy of the Sword is 3 out of 5 stars.

Thanks for reading!

Review – The Song of Homana – Chronicles of the Cheysuli #2 by Jennifer Roberson

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The Song of Homana, Book two fo the Chronicles of the Cheysuli by Jennifer Roberson

Title: The Song of Homana

Author: Jennifer Roberson

Series: Chronicles of the Cheysuli

Sexual Content: mild

Objectional Content: Violence

Synopsis (from Goodreads): For five long years the land of Homana had been strangling in the grasp of a usurper king—its people ravaged by strife, poverty and despair; its magical race, the Cheysuli, forced to flee or face extermination at the hands of their evil counterparts, the sorcerous Ilhini.

The time had come for Prince Carillon, Homana’s rightful ruler, to return from exile with his Cheysuli liege man, free his land from the evil domination of the tyrant Bellam and his villainous magicians, restore the Cheysuli to their rightful position of grace, and claim his birthright. To do this, he would not only have to raise an army, but overcome the fear and prejudice of an ignorant population and answer the call of a prophecy he never chose to serve!

Since I was reading the omnibus edition, Shapechanger’s Song, I was expecting the narrative to continue from Alix’s perspective. However, the pov changes to first person from Carillon’s perspective. Unexpected, but not an issue.

The Song of Homana picks up five years after the events of Shapechangers, with Carillon and Finn preparing to return to Homana and reclaim the throne. The people of Homana are more than ready for him to return, and rebels are already assembling to fight for him.

I wouldn’t say that I dislike this book, but there were a few things about it that I disliked, especially when it comes to Carillon. He has a sense of entitlement that I tried to see past based on his upbringing. He is a prince and accustomed to having certain things go his way. He knows he has value to his enemies, which isn’t really a bad thing, but there are times when he seems to think he’s more important than he is.

A lot of my dislike of him comes from how he treats women. For example, the first time he sees Alix after five years, he kisses her despite knowing full well that she is married. Upon first meeting Electra, the daughter of the king who usurped the Homanan throne, Carillon immediately decides that he has to have this woman, no matter what she thinks of it. He even decides he’s going to marry her, though he says it’s to unite two kingdoms, and not just because he’s completely in lust with her. Even his own sister is looked at as a pawn in his political games.

Carillon allows Electra to influence him despite being warned by people around him that she is dangerous. She herself admits to be the lover of the enemy sorcerer, Tynstar. She does at one point make it sound like she had no choice in the matter, but later it becomes obvious that even if that is true, she does want to be with Tynstar, not Carillon.

Hi poor decisions nearly cause his downfall, and force him to find an heir in his extended family as he doesn’t have a son of his own.

All that being said, the Song of Homana is still an enjoyable book. The prose is wonderful and there is so much more going on besides what we just see with Carillon. Although I saw a few things coming in regards to Electra, there was a great deal that I would never have predicted would happen. there’s a fair amount going on and more to come as the series continues.

My rating for the Song of Homana is 3 out of 5 stars and I would recommend it to those who enjoy older fantasy with a lot going on.

Thanks for reading!

Shapechangers – Chronicles of the Cheysuli #1 by Jennifer Roberson

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Title: Shapechangers

Author: Jennifer Roberson

Series: Chronicles of the Cheysuli

Sexual Content: suggested

Objectional Content: Violence

Synopsis (from Goodreads): The first book in the Chronicles of the Cheysuli spins a tale of magical warriors and shapeshifters as they battle the sorcerers that threaten their existence

They were the Cheysuli, a race of magical warriors gifted with the ability to assume animal shape at will. For centuries, they had been allies to the King of Homana, treasured champions of the realm. Until a king’s daughter ran away with a Cheysuli liege man and caused a war of annihilation against the Cheysuli race.

Twenty-five years later the Cheysuli were hunted exiles in their own land, feared for their sorcery, their shapeshifting.

This is the story of Alix, the daughter of that ill-fated union between Homanan princess and Cheysuli warrior, and her struggle to master the call of magic in her blood, and accept her place in an ancient prophecy she cannot deny.

*Note: I am reading the omnibus edition, Shapechanger’s Song, but I will be reviewing the books seperately as they were originally published.

I picked up Shapechanger’s Song on something of a whim. I’d been in a bit of a reading slump but wanted to read. I just didn’t know what. So, I looked at my book shelf and my eyes fell on Shapechanger’s Song. It has been on my shelf for quite some time so I decided it was now the time to read it.

In the omnibus edition, there is an introduction from the author, Jennifer Roberson, which I kind of wish I hadn’t read because I think it may have influenced my expectations a little. The gist of it is that Alix, the main character, is supposed to be a strong female character who changed some reader’s perspectives on women.

Now, this book was originally written in 1984 and people’s world views would be different than they are now.

I started this book, expecting a great female character, a woman that younger women reading this book could really look up to and aspire to. This isn’t quite what I got.

Alix is seventeen years old, a crofter’s daughter, who has lead fairly simple and sheltered life. She meets the prince of the land, Homana, quite by accident and the two of them form a relationship that isn’t quite romantic, but could potentially be. One day, when the two meet, they are abducted by a Cheysuli warrior and brought to the rest of the Cheysuli against their will.

This is the catalyst for the entire story. The warrior, Finn, who abducts the two, desires Alix. Because of the king’s purge of the Cheysuli race, their numbers are dwindling and some warriors have started taking Homanan women to bear children. It is soon discovered that Alix isn’t the simple crofter’s daughter she has always believed. In fact, she is the King’s granddaughter and Cheylusi.

Earlier in this review I said that Alix is supposed to be a strong female character, and while I wouldn’t say that she isn’t, there are very few other women in the story to actually compare her too. There are a couple of other women who appear, but their appearances are so brief as to be inconsequential.

There are things that Alix does and decisions that she makes that I can’t really agree with. In one case I was even disappointed in her choice. This book is very male dominated, and no less than three men are in love with Alix. Though she ultimately chooses who she will be with, she was never given the choice to not be with anyone. The misogyny was fairly irritating.

Despite it’s flaws, I did enjoy reading the book and have continued on to the second part, The Prince of Homana.

My rating for Shapechanger is 3 out of 5 stars and I would recommend it to fans of older, classic fantasy.

Mountain Echoes – Walker Papers #8 – by C.E. Murhpy

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Mountain Echoes, Book 8 of the Walker Papers by C.E. Murphy

Title: Mountain Echoes

Author: C.E. Murphy

Series: The Walker Papers

Sexual Content: suggested

Objectional Content: Violence

Synopsis (from Goodreads): You can never go home again.

Joanne Walker has survived an encounter with the Master at great personal cost, but now her father is missing – stolen from the timeline. She must finally return to North Carolina to find him – and to meet Aidan, the son she left behind long ago. 

That would be enough for any shaman to face, but Joanne’s beloved Appalachians are being torn apart by an evil reaching forward from the distant past. Anything that gets in its way becomes tainted – or worse. 

And Aidan has gotten in the way. 

Only by calling on every aspect of her shamanic powers can Joanne pull the past apart and weave a better future. It will take everything she has – and more. 

Unless she can turn back time… 

My Review

After her adventures in Ireland, all Joanne Walker really wants is to sleep for about a week and maybe eat everything in sight. A phone call from an old friend sends her back to North Carolina. Her father is missing and whatever is going on is Joanne’s kind of problem.

Mountain Echoes, like Raven Calls before it, is basically non stop action. Joanne barely has any time to recover from her previous ordeal in Ireland when she’s thrust into another harrowing situation. And then another.

In previous books, we learn some of Joanne’s past, of how she grew up with her father, how she has twins when she was 15 and how the little girl didn’t survive and the boy was put up for adoption. Being back in Qualla Boundary, other things about Joanne’s past come to light. I really enjoyed learning all these things about her and seeing her look at her past from a new, more mature, perspective.

There was honestly nothing about this book I didn’t like. From beginning to end, I was riveted. I felt like I was on the edge of my seat and didn’t want to put the book down for a moment. C.E. Murphy has a knack for ending books on a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to start the final book in the series, Shaman Rises.

My rating for Mountain Echoes is 5 out of 5 stars. I would highly recommend reading the previous books if you haven’t already. I think anyone who enjoy Urban Fantasy would love this series.

Thanks for reading!

Raven Calls – Walker Papers #7 – by C.E. Murphy

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Raven Calls by C.E. Murphy

Title: Raven Calls

Author: C.E. Murphy

Series: The Walker Papers

Sexual Content: suggested

Objectional Content: Violence

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Something wicked this way comes…

Suddenly, being bitten by a werewolf is the least of Joanne Walker’s problems.

Her personal life in turmoil, her job as a cop over, she’s been called to Ireland by the magic within her. And though Joanne’s skills have grown by leaps and bounds, Ireland’s magic is old and very powerful…

In fact, this is a case of unfinished business. Because the woman Joanne has come to Ireland to rescue is the
woman who sacrificed everything for Joanne—the woman who died a year ago. Now, through a slip in time, she’s in thrall to a dark power and Joanne must battle darkness, time and the gods themselves to save her.

My Review

After the cliffhanger that Spirit Dancers left on, I couldn’t wait to start Raven Calls. I was devouring it, I couldn’t put it down! And then…I just stopped. And I don’t know why. This book is so good! It’s basically non stop action from start to finish. At some point I had to put it down and then I just didn’t pick it back up again for quite some time.

When I did pick it back up, I finished it in one session and honestly I’m kicking myself for not picking it up again sooner.

Joanne is in Ireland for this book, trying to find a cure for the werewolf bite she got at the end of Spirit Dances. Along the way, she ends up time travelling, meeting her own ancestor and joining up with a cousin in Ireland. Shennanigans ensue. It feels odd to say that, but it’s probably the best way to describe it. It’s all one thing after another and the entire book takes place in the span of about a day.

It’s hard to say much more about Raven Calls, as it’s the seventh book in the series. The characters are mostly established and the few new ones that come in aren’t necessarily going to be around for the next book.

I’m really excited to read the next book, and I really hope I don’t put it down for months at a time.

My rating for Raven Calls is 5 out of 5 stars and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves Urban Fantasy. Just don’t forget to read the previous books in the series.

Spirit Dances – Walker Papers #6 – By C.E. Murphy

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Title: Spirit Dances

Author: C.E. Murphy

Series: The Walker Papers

Sexual Content: suggested

Objectional Content: Violence

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

For Seattle detective Joanne Walker, spring is about new beginnings. She’s mastered her shamanic abilities (mostly), survived a cannibalistic serial killer (barely) and now she’s facing the biggest challenge of her career–attending a dance concert with her sexy boss, Captain Michael Morrison. But when the performance–billed as transformative–actually changes her into a coyote, she and Morrison have bigger things to deal with.

And there’s more. Homeless people are disappearing, a mystical murder puts Joanne way out of her jurisdiction and with the full moon coming on, it’s looking like the killer is a creature that can’t possibly exist.

But Jo could probably handle all of that, if one ordinary homicide hadn’t pushed her to the very edge….

My Review

I literally just finished this book and I am basically chomping at the bit to start the next one because OMG! this series just keeps getting better and better.

Joanne Walker may have accepted her life and powers as a Shaman, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t above epically screwing up still. Her intentions are always good but sometimes, unexpected things just happen.

I would really love to see a real performance of the Ghost Dance that happens in this book. I’m sure that the written description couldn’t begin to do justice to an actual dance like that.

I was not expecting the ending of this book at all! It absolutely floored me. The moment I am done writing this, I’ll be picking up the next book.

I can’t recommend this series enough! 5 out of 5 stars! If you haven’t read it yet, go pick up Urban Shaman and get started!