Chronicles of the Cheysuli

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.

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.

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.