Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Baen (Riverdale, NY, 1992). 1st edition, 7th printing. 1040 pages. $18.00.
Originally published in parts in slightly different form as Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance, and Oath of Gold.
Description
Ignoring her father's plans for her, Paksenarrion leaves her family and sets off for the army, where her heroic restoration of a lost ruler to his throne will make her a legend.
User reviews
LibraryThing member eleanor_eader
This is the omnibus edition of the Paksennarion trilogy, and first of the ‘Paksworld’ series, a fairly hefty tome, yet I raced through it at speeds that would, if you compared it to a meal, have left me with fatal indigestion. What can I say; I’ve been starved of truly engaging reading
At first I didn’t even know if I was going to warm to it; Paks herself was a little too dutifully eager, the story and world a little too straightforward… other reviewers suggest a link to D&D rules which, as I’ve never played, I can’t comment on, but there’s a definite discipline going on, not just with Paks, but with the author too… her protagonist had to go through training as a recruit, innumerable marches, daily drills and the confusion of fighting as a private; and that, with some increasingly important battles towards the end, is the first book. At which point, Paks still isn’t even a veteran fighter, although she’s earned some respect and some responsibility. And I think it’s this realism that hooked me, that and the sense that her journey of discovery would be extended over the course of the three books and tightly woven into the plot.
The more that seemed ordinary about these books, the closer I started to look… firstly, although she’s a female protagonist who acquires skills and powers, written by a female author, Paks is no Mary Sue … why in the world would Elizabeth Moon need one? She’s a US marine with several other skill sets and a writing career under her belt. Paks is written entirely for the story, and the reader’s satisfaction, earning everything she gains. Secondly, there’s no romantic sub-plot; a strong loyalty to the Duke who first enlists her, a close friendship with another young private, but Paks states herself ‘not interested’ in bedding anyone from the company, and there it rests. No male crutch to hold her up in ‘weak’ moments (although she accepts help when she needs it) and no over-compensating by sleeping around casually as a sop to ‘equality’. Elizabeth Moon is going to the top of my ‘great writers of female characters’ list (which she was already on for Remnant Population). Then there’s the slow unfolding of Paks’ career… such focussed storytelling ought to have sent me to sleep, but it’s exciting… the reader gets caught up in Paks’ eagerness to fight and to learn, and most of what’s revealed about the world which she inhabits comes as she discovers it herself, slowly acquiring more than just a view of the enemy in front of her… by the end of the second book, it’s shaping up into a richly imagined landscape of allies and looming dangers, using every possible leeway and advantage in the ‘dwarves, elves, magical artefacts’ base-line; and by the end of the second book, Paks has met with real trouble.
This trouble is the catalyst for a series of hard life-lessons at the beginning of the third book, and it’s this balance that makes this trilogy of stories a great ‘omnibus’ collection, (although the series now extends beyond this trilogy, I don’t believe they follow Paks except as a recurring character)… read separately, I don’t think any of the stories would be as satisfying, but taken as one long series of adventures with a overreaching purpose, they work very well.
I’ve enjoyed Moon’s writing in the past, but on a sort of well, it’s there so I’ll read it basis, and never so thoroughly… I’m now going to have to find the rest of the ‘Paksworld’ books and dedicate myself to some prolonged fantasy-fiction immersion.
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material all year.At first I didn’t even know if I was going to warm to it; Paks herself was a little too dutifully eager, the story and world a little too straightforward… other reviewers suggest a link to D&D rules which, as I’ve never played, I can’t comment on, but there’s a definite discipline going on, not just with Paks, but with the author too… her protagonist had to go through training as a recruit, innumerable marches, daily drills and the confusion of fighting as a private; and that, with some increasingly important battles towards the end, is the first book. At which point, Paks still isn’t even a veteran fighter, although she’s earned some respect and some responsibility. And I think it’s this realism that hooked me, that and the sense that her journey of discovery would be extended over the course of the three books and tightly woven into the plot.
The more that seemed ordinary about these books, the closer I started to look… firstly, although she’s a female protagonist who acquires skills and powers, written by a female author, Paks is no Mary Sue … why in the world would Elizabeth Moon need one? She’s a US marine with several other skill sets and a writing career under her belt. Paks is written entirely for the story, and the reader’s satisfaction, earning everything she gains. Secondly, there’s no romantic sub-plot; a strong loyalty to the Duke who first enlists her, a close friendship with another young private, but Paks states herself ‘not interested’ in bedding anyone from the company, and there it rests. No male crutch to hold her up in ‘weak’ moments (although she accepts help when she needs it) and no over-compensating by sleeping around casually as a sop to ‘equality’. Elizabeth Moon is going to the top of my ‘great writers of female characters’ list (which she was already on for Remnant Population). Then there’s the slow unfolding of Paks’ career… such focussed storytelling ought to have sent me to sleep, but it’s exciting… the reader gets caught up in Paks’ eagerness to fight and to learn, and most of what’s revealed about the world which she inhabits comes as she discovers it herself, slowly acquiring more than just a view of the enemy in front of her… by the end of the second book, it’s shaping up into a richly imagined landscape of allies and looming dangers, using every possible leeway and advantage in the ‘dwarves, elves, magical artefacts’ base-line; and by the end of the second book, Paks has met with real trouble.
This trouble is the catalyst for a series of hard life-lessons at the beginning of the third book, and it’s this balance that makes this trilogy of stories a great ‘omnibus’ collection, (although the series now extends beyond this trilogy, I don’t believe they follow Paks except as a recurring character)… read separately, I don’t think any of the stories would be as satisfying, but taken as one long series of adventures with a overreaching purpose, they work very well.
I’ve enjoyed Moon’s writing in the past, but on a sort of well, it’s there so I’ll read it basis, and never so thoroughly… I’m now going to have to find the rest of the ‘Paksworld’ books and dedicate myself to some prolonged fantasy-fiction immersion.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Isisunit
Sheepfarmer's Daughter 4 stars
Paksenarrion — Paks for short — is somebody special. She knows it, even if nobody else does yet. No way will she follow her father’s orders to marry the pig farmer down the road. She’s off to join the army, even if it means she can never see her family
And so her adventure begins . . . the adventure that transforms her into a hero remembered in songs, chosen by the gods to restore a lost ruler to his throne.
Here is her tale as she lived it.
A well woven introduction to what looks to be an epic fantasy, complete with warriors, mages, gods, and the clear cut good versus evil. Paksenarrion, Paks for short, grew up in a tiny town, so small most have never even heard of it. A week before her arranged marriage is to happen she has a huge fight with her father and runs of to join a mercenary band of soldiers. However, although they are a mercenary troop, and do hire out, they are an honorable lot. Luckily she signs on with Duke Phelan's recruiter, thus beginning her new life. Paks begins as all recruits do, pledging to stay with the unit for two years after her initial training is complete.
She is a tall, attractive woman, whose looks occasionally attract the wrong kind of attention. But then she seems to be a lightening rod for unusual situations. Luckily these situations end up working in her favor for the most part, and she rises through the ranks more quickly than she'd anticipated. Part of what makes her situation so interesting is the fact that she appears to be under the protection of some sort of deity, likely Gird, even though she had never even heard of him before joining the Duke's Company. This protection has brought her to the attention of both a paladin and Grand Marshal of Grid, and they would like nothing more than for her to join their order. In reality they do much the same thing that the Duke's Company's, except they don't do it for money. However Paks is not ready to leave this new family she's found, where she has people she's knows will die for her, just as she would die for them.
Paks is a great character, with strengths and weaknesses just like anybody. Yet something about her makes her stand out just a bit at first, then a bit more, and so on - not that anyone tells her this. She makes friends quickly and easily, but as her daring exploits become more widely known she unknown she also acquires some enemies - both known and unknown. Through Paks we meet a variety of characters, many of whom will remain active throughout the story.
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Divided Allegiance 4.5 Stars/4stars
Now a seasoned combat veteran, Paksenarrion must seek the fabled stronghold of Luap far to the west. The way is long, the dangers many -- and none can say whether glory or ruin awaits....
With the defeat of their dire enemy Sinivia the Duke's soldiers thought they'd be heading home; much to their dismay they found themselves in an increasingly unwanted position. However for Paks the situation had become intolerable; eventually Stammel convinced her to take a leave, maybe go home for a visit, and consider returning once this campaign was done.
Paks signed on to escort a caravan partway on their travels, both to earn some money and not be traveling alone on through war-torn countryside. Her plans of splitting off and heading North alone change when she agrees to travel with Macenion, a half-elf from the caravan who is going the same direction and claims to know the way. Paks catches him in several lies, but by this point it is to turn back. Eventually she ends up in a dire situation, escaping by the grace of the gods. She rendered aid to one in vast need as part of that adventure and was sent on her way with unanticipated reward, part of which included some ancient scrolls. In her travels she stopped in a village for a time, and exchanged most of her treasure with the local money changer. She remained in the village to replenish her supplies, staying at the local inn while waiting for them to be completed. She meets both Cedfer, the local Marshal of the grange of St. Gird, and the local Kuakgan, Master Oakhallow, each of whom have important roles in her life going forward. While in town she is hired by the local Councillors to try to rout the brigands that have been attacking the area caravans, and during that adventure ends up facing off against a servant of the evil Achrya, losing a companion and gaining a potential ally. Achrya, the Webmistress, and Liart, the Master of Torments, while below the gods in terms of power, still have more power than human or even elf. Both these evil beings are
Eventually she ends up in Fin Panir, the main seat for the Company of Gird's training - particularly for Marshals, knights, and paladins. Although she's not of the order they consent to train her for a time and take it from there. She is eventually selected as a paladin-candidate for training as a future paladin; everything she'd ever dreamt of was suddenly within her grasp. While there she gave them the scrolls she received as part of her reward, only to later discover they were written by Gird's closest friend and boon companion. This leads to an expedition in which she is invited to join. Terrible misfortune befalls her on the trip, which was an ideal place to stop the book to guarantee the reader would seek out the next book with all possible speed.
A sweeping saga on its own, as part of a larger tapestry this story has been skillfully woven, line by line, creating a masterful tale filled with delightful characters, harrowing ordeals, emotional growth, and suspense enough for several books. As wonderful as the story is thus far, I'm almost certain that the final book will serve to further enrich the images we've been shown, replete with vivid details, continued character growth, and the full range of human emotions.
------------------
Oath of Gold 5 stars
Paksenarrion-—Paks for short-—was somebody special. Never could she have followed her father's orders and married the pig farmer down the road. Better a soldier's life than a pigfarmer's wife, and so though she knew that she could never go home again, Paks ran away to be a soldier. And so began an adventure destined to transform a simple Sheepfarmer's Daughter into a hero fit to be chosen by the gods.
This book picks up where book two left off, with Paks starving and so filthy no one even recognizes her, if they catch a glimpse of her. She has become so fearful of everything that she hides from the world. She is wanders into a town thinking to maybe get a meal from the local inn, but is frightened by a man-at-arms, and more so when she realizes where she is. She can't bear to have people she once knew and helped see what she's become. To escape the soldier she claims to have a question for the Kuakgan, and ends up in his grove. After much work he is able to heal her as the others couldn't, not just physically but mentally as well, though it takes her some time to know the healing really did fix her mind.
After spending the summer working with the rangers of the neighboring kingdom of Lyonya, Paks ends up traveling through Brewersville again, on her way back to see Duke Phelan. With the Inn full she spends the night at the Kuakgan's. It is while there that she becomes fully endowed with gifts from each of the gods she'd thought of during a ritual intended to help her find joy in her craft. Ultimately this means that she has become a true paladin, selected the way they used to be originally - not by the Company of Gird and it's Marshals, but by the gods themselves.
After her experience with the Kuakgan and the gods Paks heads to see the Duke. She is driven there due to a sensation that she needs to be there, and soon. Once there she begins learning a bit more of her powers, and has yet another adventure. Once that is over she feels the call again and heads out once more, being sent by the gods on a quest.
This final book is, like the two preceding it, chock full of action, suspense, surprises and roiling emotions. Be prepared to ride an emotional roller coaster with this book. While it is clearly the final book in the trilogy, it could easily be expended past a trilogy. While I loved the book, and the astounding changes in Paks from the first book to this one (even her growth in this one book alone), my only issue was that the big mystery was far to easy to puzzle out. I knew the answer to the quest almost before I knew that the topic would be focused on in the final book. Aside from that, this book is a dazzling example of an epic fantasy; a series I would recommend to anyone who loves fantasy, especially the (mostly) traditional epic fantasy.
Paksenarrion — Paks for short — is somebody special. She knows it, even if nobody else does yet. No way will she follow her father’s orders to marry the pig farmer down the road. She’s off to join the army, even if it means she can never see her family
Show More
again.And so her adventure begins . . . the adventure that transforms her into a hero remembered in songs, chosen by the gods to restore a lost ruler to his throne.
Here is her tale as she lived it.
A well woven introduction to what looks to be an epic fantasy, complete with warriors, mages, gods, and the clear cut good versus evil. Paksenarrion, Paks for short, grew up in a tiny town, so small most have never even heard of it. A week before her arranged marriage is to happen she has a huge fight with her father and runs of to join a mercenary band of soldiers. However, although they are a mercenary troop, and do hire out, they are an honorable lot. Luckily she signs on with Duke Phelan's recruiter, thus beginning her new life. Paks begins as all recruits do, pledging to stay with the unit for two years after her initial training is complete.
She is a tall, attractive woman, whose looks occasionally attract the wrong kind of attention. But then she seems to be a lightening rod for unusual situations. Luckily these situations end up working in her favor for the most part, and she rises through the ranks more quickly than she'd anticipated. Part of what makes her situation so interesting is the fact that she appears to be under the protection of some sort of deity, likely Gird, even though she had never even heard of him before joining the Duke's Company. This protection has brought her to the attention of both a paladin and Grand Marshal of Grid, and they would like nothing more than for her to join their order. In reality they do much the same thing that the Duke's Company's, except they don't do it for money. However Paks is not ready to leave this new family she's found, where she has people she's knows will die for her, just as she would die for them.
Paks is a great character, with strengths and weaknesses just like anybody. Yet something about her makes her stand out just a bit at first, then a bit more, and so on - not that anyone tells her this. She makes friends quickly and easily, but as her daring exploits become more widely known she unknown she also acquires some enemies - both known and unknown. Through Paks we meet a variety of characters, many of whom will remain active throughout the story.
------------------
Divided Allegiance 4.5 Stars/4stars
Now a seasoned combat veteran, Paksenarrion must seek the fabled stronghold of Luap far to the west. The way is long, the dangers many -- and none can say whether glory or ruin awaits....
With the defeat of their dire enemy Sinivia the Duke's soldiers thought they'd be heading home; much to their dismay they found themselves in an increasingly unwanted position. However for Paks the situation had become intolerable; eventually Stammel convinced her to take a leave, maybe go home for a visit, and consider returning once this campaign was done.
Paks signed on to escort a caravan partway on their travels, both to earn some money and not be traveling alone on through war-torn countryside. Her plans of splitting off and heading North alone change when she agrees to travel with Macenion, a half-elf from the caravan who is going the same direction and claims to know the way. Paks catches him in several lies, but by this point it is to turn back. Eventually she ends up in a dire situation, escaping by the grace of the gods. She rendered aid to one in vast need as part of that adventure and was sent on her way with unanticipated reward, part of which included some ancient scrolls. In her travels she stopped in a village for a time, and exchanged most of her treasure with the local money changer. She remained in the village to replenish her supplies, staying at the local inn while waiting for them to be completed. She meets both Cedfer, the local Marshal of the grange of St. Gird, and the local Kuakgan, Master Oakhallow, each of whom have important roles in her life going forward. While in town she is hired by the local Councillors to try to rout the brigands that have been attacking the area caravans, and during that adventure ends up facing off against a servant of the evil Achrya, losing a companion and gaining a potential ally. Achrya, the Webmistress, and Liart, the Master of Torments, while below the gods in terms of power, still have more power than human or even elf. Both these evil beings are
Eventually she ends up in Fin Panir, the main seat for the Company of Gird's training - particularly for Marshals, knights, and paladins. Although she's not of the order they consent to train her for a time and take it from there. She is eventually selected as a paladin-candidate for training as a future paladin; everything she'd ever dreamt of was suddenly within her grasp. While there she gave them the scrolls she received as part of her reward, only to later discover they were written by Gird's closest friend and boon companion. This leads to an expedition in which she is invited to join. Terrible misfortune befalls her on the trip, which was an ideal place to stop the book to guarantee the reader would seek out the next book with all possible speed.
A sweeping saga on its own, as part of a larger tapestry this story has been skillfully woven, line by line, creating a masterful tale filled with delightful characters, harrowing ordeals, emotional growth, and suspense enough for several books. As wonderful as the story is thus far, I'm almost certain that the final book will serve to further enrich the images we've been shown, replete with vivid details, continued character growth, and the full range of human emotions.
------------------
Oath of Gold 5 stars
Paksenarrion-—Paks for short-—was somebody special. Never could she have followed her father's orders and married the pig farmer down the road. Better a soldier's life than a pigfarmer's wife, and so though she knew that she could never go home again, Paks ran away to be a soldier. And so began an adventure destined to transform a simple Sheepfarmer's Daughter into a hero fit to be chosen by the gods.
This book picks up where book two left off, with Paks starving and so filthy no one even recognizes her, if they catch a glimpse of her. She has become so fearful of everything that she hides from the world. She is wanders into a town thinking to maybe get a meal from the local inn, but is frightened by a man-at-arms, and more so when she realizes where she is. She can't bear to have people she once knew and helped see what she's become. To escape the soldier she claims to have a question for the Kuakgan, and ends up in his grove. After much work he is able to heal her as the others couldn't, not just physically but mentally as well, though it takes her some time to know the healing really did fix her mind.
After spending the summer working with the rangers of the neighboring kingdom of Lyonya, Paks ends up traveling through Brewersville again, on her way back to see Duke Phelan. With the Inn full she spends the night at the Kuakgan's. It is while there that she becomes fully endowed with gifts from each of the gods she'd thought of during a ritual intended to help her find joy in her craft. Ultimately this means that she has become a true paladin, selected the way they used to be originally - not by the Company of Gird and it's Marshals, but by the gods themselves.
After her experience with the Kuakgan and the gods Paks heads to see the Duke. She is driven there due to a sensation that she needs to be there, and soon. Once there she begins learning a bit more of her powers, and has yet another adventure. Once that is over she feels the call again and heads out once more, being sent by the gods on a quest.
This final book is, like the two preceding it, chock full of action, suspense, surprises and roiling emotions. Be prepared to ride an emotional roller coaster with this book. While it is clearly the final book in the trilogy, it could easily be expended past a trilogy. While I loved the book, and the astounding changes in Paks from the first book to this one (even her growth in this one book alone), my only issue was that the big mystery was far to easy to puzzle out. I knew the answer to the quest almost before I knew that the topic would be focused on in the final book. Aside from that, this book is a dazzling example of an epic fantasy; a series I would recommend to anyone who loves fantasy, especially the (mostly) traditional epic fantasy.
Show Less
LibraryThing member utoxin
One of my favorite mid-fantasy series, this omnibus is great to re-read on a regular basis. Moon really builds a believable character, and the hints and clues laced through the early part of the series make re-reads all the more enjoyable. I hope that someday, Moon returns to this world and tells
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further stories of Paksenarrion. Show Less
LibraryThing member alspachc
I've never seen such a disjointed trilogy
The first book is military fantasy for people who don't like military fantasy? There is way to much guts and torture to be YA, but the protagonist all the good guys are so disturbingly blandly flawless that it feels kinda juvenile and happy-go-lucky? Nobody
The second book Is like someone's disjointed D&D campaign? We actually have some character development of both the protagonist and some NPCs, which is new. The protagonist has some original thoughts, which are also new. And things are interspersed with a few trips into what I can only call 'dungeons' which I can't put quite into words what feels so disjointed about them, other than that they are obviously made according to rules published in a handbook from the 70s. This book has it's flaws, but is OK overall.
The third book does some real delving into the true meaning of 'good' and self and what it means to be brave. It's definitely still drawing on the D&D idea of a paladin, but it's doing some real work on how that might play out. We've also got a compelling plot for once, going on a quest and accomplishing things. Plot is predictable and side charactes and pretty one-dimensional, but ti's pretty decent if you like heroic fantasy.
The first book is military fantasy for people who don't like military fantasy? There is way to much guts and torture to be YA, but the protagonist all the good guys are so disturbingly blandly flawless that it feels kinda juvenile and happy-go-lucky? Nobody
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ever questions anything. Nobody ever does anything selfish or lazy or corrupt or hasty. Nobody ever has misunderstandings. Oh, and it starts of with troperiffically stereotypical 'running away from home' and 'attempted rape of the female protagonist' scenes. (don't worry, everyone but the rapist is super-duper sympathetic and right-thinking and goody goody and everything turns out hunky-dory because they're all so gosh-darned wholesome.) Honestly, this book is kind of terrible. It's probably possible to skip it with only minor confusion.The second book Is like someone's disjointed D&D campaign? We actually have some character development of both the protagonist and some NPCs, which is new. The protagonist has some original thoughts, which are also new. And things are interspersed with a few trips into what I can only call 'dungeons' which I can't put quite into words what feels so disjointed about them, other than that they are obviously made according to rules published in a handbook from the 70s. This book has it's flaws, but is OK overall.
The third book does some real delving into the true meaning of 'good' and self and what it means to be brave. It's definitely still drawing on the D&D idea of a paladin, but it's doing some real work on how that might play out. We've also got a compelling plot for once, going on a quest and accomplishing things. Plot is predictable and side charactes and pretty one-dimensional, but ti's pretty decent if you like heroic fantasy.
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LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
This book, being three in one, has a _lot_ of story. The first book is relatively simple - the story of a runaway girl who becomes a mercenary, including details of training and battle that are immensely rich. There's a lot here that becomes more important later, but there's also a relatively
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simple and direct story being told. The second book veers wildly in tone and mood. Over the mountains and dealing with Macenion; Brewersbridge, with Marshall Oakhallow and Paks' first long exposure to Girdsmen, as well as her first independent command; Fin Panir and the specifics of her training; the quest and her capture; the aftermath, and ending in dark and cold. This is the book that shows most clearly its roots in both Tolkien and D&D - the exploration of the elfane taig, Arvid's request to join her, and the exploration of the ruin, are perfectly standard campaign tropes. Descriptions of corridors, random encounters, guardroom encounters.... And the cross-country hike to the Rangers, especially the elven waybread, was pure Tolkien. For that matter, the ending in darkness sounded familiar - doesn't Frodo similarly disappear at the end of one book? It is utterly depressing here - the first time I read the series, it took me a long time (a couple of years, I think) to go on from there into Oath of Gold. Then the third book, where a lot of things start coming together and making painful sense. First the healing, then her actions for the Duke - she disrupted several different plans of the Webmistress right there. Then the new quest, into Lyonya - some of her minor adventures on the way get to be important later. Figuring out the answer and proving it; convincing the lords and the elves to give it a chance; fighting, and other important encounters. And then telling him the truth about his ancestry - his reaction is funny because it's so right. Then - the whole last portion feels simultaneously like the culmination of all the threads which have been forming throughout the trilogy and like an anticlimax. I actually like the short story (elsewhere) that tells it from the POV of a thief better. Good solid conclusion, though. Show Less
LibraryThing member iftyzaidi
Fairly well-written for what is in effect, someone's AD&D campaign world. Overall, this trilogy gets few points for world-building, imagination or writing style, but Paksenarrion's journey from sheep farmer's daughter to mercenary to knight-in-training to outcast to paladin hero is for the most
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part an engaging one. Its a pity that the supporting cast is so poorly drawn, the religious dogma over-wrought and the psychological potency of Paks' journey of self-discovery undermined by the simplistic good/evil division [if you worship the right god you are good, the wrong god and you are evil]. When all political and social strife is reduced to the machinations of evil men following the will of evil gods, the book loses a little something. Oh well. Show Less
LibraryThing member jshillingford
This trilogy more than gives the Dragonlance Chronicles a run for their money - and that is saying something! Moon is well-known for her military/scifi fiction, but with Paksenarrion she proves she is a master of fantasy as well.
Paks wants more in her life than sheep. So, she sets out to join a
Paks wants more in her life than sheep. So, she sets out to join a
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mercenary band. Her bravery and determination win her a place among them, but the Soldier's god, Gird, has a greater destiny in store for her. Awesome!! Show Less
LibraryThing member Poetgrrl
oh please do get this book. LEARN something! elizabeth moon demonstrates the human potential, not just female, but all of us. compassion, wisdom, strength... it's all for the asking. she's a fabulous writer and makes a grrl belive she can be all that, and no dragon or magic sword is required. thank
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you, ms. moon!! (oh, and ... if you love tolkien-lore, i'm sure ye'll love it too) Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
This is an omnibus edition of three novels, conceived as one story, dealing with the paladin Paksenarrion: Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance and Oath of Gold. I loved this book on first read, one of my favorite works of fantasy, and one that read quickly despite the doorstopper length.
It's true that Paks is almost too good and earnest and pretty asexual. But it should be remembered Moon is telling the story not of an ordinary knight, but a paladin: originally meaning one of the 12 peers in the court of Charlemagne, but used in the fantasy role playing sense of "holy knight" imbued with godly powers. And in fact, I've read Paks was indeed inspired by Moon wanting to work through how such a figure out of the Dungeons and Dragons role play would really act (and with more than a bit of inspiration from Joan of Arc.) I think Moon succeeded in her purpose--and gave us one of the great heroines in fantasy in the bargain.
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Reading over the reviews, I've been told the books strictly follows Dungeons and Dragons rules, and that this step-by-step follows "the Heroes Journey." Maybe I'm lucky I've never played the game nor read Campbell's The Hero With a Thousand Faces, because this story didn't ever feel formulaic to me. I had heard Moon had a military background--she was a United States Marine--and I could well believe it reading this book. The military details and training come through with a credibility I rarely see, especially when involving a female heroine. Those parts of the book never bored me, but rather fascinated me with their verisimilitude. It's true that Paks is almost too good and earnest and pretty asexual. But it should be remembered Moon is telling the story not of an ordinary knight, but a paladin: originally meaning one of the 12 peers in the court of Charlemagne, but used in the fantasy role playing sense of "holy knight" imbued with godly powers. And in fact, I've read Paks was indeed inspired by Moon wanting to work through how such a figure out of the Dungeons and Dragons role play would really act (and with more than a bit of inspiration from Joan of Arc.) I think Moon succeeded in her purpose--and gave us one of the great heroines in fantasy in the bargain.
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LibraryThing member laurai
As a whole, this is a really good book and quite addictive. Although the first book, especially the first couple chapters, have a vaguely amateurish feel (it is Moon's first novel), the author doesn't fall into a lot of the traps that amateur fantasy authors tend to fall into. Her heroine does not
However,I didn't really like the fact the book was MOSTLY from Paks' perspective, but there'd be occasional one-shot passages from another character's perspective. If you're going to switch perspectives, I think it works better artistically to do it often. If it's only in a few passages, it basically says that the author thought you needed to know what happened in that passage, but couldn't think of a way to communicate it through the protagonist's point of view.
Having read _Surrender None_ and _Liar's Oath_, I can also say that Moon does a good job planning out the history of her world. The well-thought-out history helps explain why the life of the farmers in this world, while difficult, is not as miserable as that of serfs and peasants under historical feudalism. It is also important in order for Girdism to have the sense of realism and history that it does in these books.
One of the most interesting things about these books, in fact, is its treatment of religion. Girdism becomes kind of a stand-in for Christianity or for any organized religion in these books. But it's also interesting and refreshing to see a polytheistic culture where even though people follow particular gods, other people's gods are respected unless they're, say, the god of torment. (Normal people don't really worship those gods.) When people try to convert others to their religion, they're not asking them to abandon their ancestral gods. Paks' doubts about Gird because he's not a traditional god of her family are an interesting part of the inner conflict of this book, and the extent to which she relies on and respects people following other religious paths (such as the Kuakgannir) is refreshing. Characters' sadness and anger about why Gird does not heal certain of his followers are dealt with maturely and sympathetically even if no one has a good answer to the question.
Another thing I really liked about this book was its military accuracy. The drill is influenced by the military life that Elizabeth Moon is familiar with, but more important was the psychological realism--it dealt with survivor guilt and with PTSD/PTSD-like symptoms. I really liked its message of healing related to this.
So if you're looking for a fantasy book that's both intelligent and addictive, I highly recommend this one.
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start off with good fighting skills or great wisdom--she needs to work for both. Elizabeth Moon doesn't flinch from making Paks look foolish or try (often) to keep bad things from happening to her. After all, some of the most interesting parts of the book occur when bad things are happening to Paks. However,I didn't really like the fact the book was MOSTLY from Paks' perspective, but there'd be occasional one-shot passages from another character's perspective. If you're going to switch perspectives, I think it works better artistically to do it often. If it's only in a few passages, it basically says that the author thought you needed to know what happened in that passage, but couldn't think of a way to communicate it through the protagonist's point of view.
Having read _Surrender None_ and _Liar's Oath_, I can also say that Moon does a good job planning out the history of her world. The well-thought-out history helps explain why the life of the farmers in this world, while difficult, is not as miserable as that of serfs and peasants under historical feudalism. It is also important in order for Girdism to have the sense of realism and history that it does in these books.
One of the most interesting things about these books, in fact, is its treatment of religion. Girdism becomes kind of a stand-in for Christianity or for any organized religion in these books. But it's also interesting and refreshing to see a polytheistic culture where even though people follow particular gods, other people's gods are respected unless they're, say, the god of torment. (Normal people don't really worship those gods.) When people try to convert others to their religion, they're not asking them to abandon their ancestral gods. Paks' doubts about Gird because he's not a traditional god of her family are an interesting part of the inner conflict of this book, and the extent to which she relies on and respects people following other religious paths (such as the Kuakgannir) is refreshing. Characters' sadness and anger about why Gird does not heal certain of his followers are dealt with maturely and sympathetically even if no one has a good answer to the question.
Another thing I really liked about this book was its military accuracy. The drill is influenced by the military life that Elizabeth Moon is familiar with, but more important was the psychological realism--it dealt with survivor guilt and with PTSD/PTSD-like symptoms. I really liked its message of healing related to this.
So if you're looking for a fantasy book that's both intelligent and addictive, I highly recommend this one.
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LibraryThing member SimonW11
The Deed of Paksenarrion is quite remarkable at first sight a description makes it seem so derivative. The universe is straight out of the original AD&D Players and Dungeonmasters guide. with special attention paid to the paladin section..
But by dint of good writing, characteristation and an
From a raw mercenary recruit to the epitome of Paladinhood becomes absorbing.
This shows that if you are willing to put in the work you can turn a pigs ear into a silk purse.
But by dint of good writing, characteristation and an
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understanding of the methods and mindsets of those trained for close order low tech combat. The development of Paksenarrion.From a raw mercenary recruit to the epitome of Paladinhood becomes absorbing.
This shows that if you are willing to put in the work you can turn a pigs ear into a silk purse.
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LibraryThing member tuxable
A very interesting book. Unique style and some interesting themes. A relative of Lord of the Rings, but nothing at all like those books that get labelled as "The new Lord of the Rings!" One of the best epic fantasies I've read.
LibraryThing member jamespurcell
I read these books along with my grand daughter when she was not even a teenager. She is now 17 and in the fall will go to Imperial College in London where she and her family have lived for 10 years. She enjoyed the books thoroughly and so did I. They tell a great story; never a bad thing for a
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writer, while raising social and moral issues that led to wonderful discussions which easily transcended our 50+ age difference. Should she have time to read them again, I would look forward to having the opportunity to do it again. Show Less
LibraryThing member meersan
Highly rewarding portrayal of a paladin in a believable fantasy military setting. Not-so-believable every other scene ends with the character knocked unconscious. Convenient healing of injuries makes elaborate torture climax entirely pointless, if not prurient.
LibraryThing member Darla
This is an omnibus of a trilogy about a female warrior named Paksenarrion.
* *** Sheep Farmer's Daughter.
Paksenarrion runs away from home to avoid an unwanted marriage and joins Duke Phelan's army. She discovers that army life is both more and less than she'd expected, and that she has an aptitude
* ***½ Divided Allegiance.
Paks has completed her initial enlistment, and, feeling increasingly dissatisfied, enters training to become a Palladin.
* *** Oath of Gold.
The culmination of The Hero's Journey--Paks first has to lose everything to achieve her destiny.
The Deed of Paksenarrion was recommended to me by somebody, years ago, and had been in my TBR pile ever since. It's a trilogy, but the kind of trilogy like LotR--one really long story artificially cut up into separate volumes. So in that respect, it works best in the omnibus form. And to tell you the truth, the books really blurred into one another.
It took me a while to figure out what was going on; what the whole point was for this trilogy. It's a Hero's Journey. There's no other point to it. It's simply a biography of the character of Paksenarrion--a laundry list of events from the time she decided to leave home until she fulfilled her destiny as a Palladin of the Gods. You can go through the books with a list of Hero's Journey steps and check them off clearly, in order, one by one.
This might work, if I had any reason whatsoever to care about Paksenarrion becoming a Palladin. A lot of the reviews (and again, Amazon baffles me--144 reviews, averaging 4.5 stars--we obviously read different books again) compared it to LotR, but there's a huge difference: LotR had a Hero's Journey, true, but it also had an overarching plot. The journey in LotR took place within the context of returning the ring to Mt. Doom. There is no comparable plot to The Deed of Paksenarrion.
It would also have been more effective for me if the characters were more engaging. If, for example, I'd met the character of Paksenarrion in a previous book, when she was already a Palladin, and this was a prequel showing how she got where she was. Perhaps there is such a book, written before, but taking place after The Deed of Paksenarrion. If so, I wish I'd read it first. It's a certainty I won't search it out now.
I do enjoy military details, thankfully, so some of Paksenarrion's adventures were entertaining. The second book, where she came into her own as a warrior, was marginally more exciting. Unfortunately, that didn't last, and by the third book, I started feeling bashed over the head by the Hero's Journey concept.
Her infallibility really started grating, as well. Even when things went wrong, as when her colleagues were killed, it was only because she couldn't save them because she was serving The Greater Good. Also tiresome was the fact that each separate adventure had little to nothing to do with the other adventures in the books.
Two things would have saved this series for me: 1) a context in which to put the Hero's Journey. It could actually have been quite simple--if the evil she defeated at the end had been threatening her home at the beginning--it would have made the entire trilogy more coherent and given me a reason to want her to succeed. 2) Something other than gender to distinguish Paksenarrion from a generic Hero. She's asexual, succeeds at everything she does, and everyone except those who are evil or small-minded loves her. Give her a flaw or two, or make her have to choose between love and destiny. That would have been a story worth reading.
* *** Sheep Farmer's Daughter.
Paksenarrion runs away from home to avoid an unwanted marriage and joins Duke Phelan's army. She discovers that army life is both more and less than she'd expected, and that she has an aptitude
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for it.* ***½ Divided Allegiance.
Paks has completed her initial enlistment, and, feeling increasingly dissatisfied, enters training to become a Palladin.
* *** Oath of Gold.
The culmination of The Hero's Journey--Paks first has to lose everything to achieve her destiny.
The Deed of Paksenarrion was recommended to me by somebody, years ago, and had been in my TBR pile ever since. It's a trilogy, but the kind of trilogy like LotR--one really long story artificially cut up into separate volumes. So in that respect, it works best in the omnibus form. And to tell you the truth, the books really blurred into one another.
It took me a while to figure out what was going on; what the whole point was for this trilogy. It's a Hero's Journey. There's no other point to it. It's simply a biography of the character of Paksenarrion--a laundry list of events from the time she decided to leave home until she fulfilled her destiny as a Palladin of the Gods. You can go through the books with a list of Hero's Journey steps and check them off clearly, in order, one by one.
This might work, if I had any reason whatsoever to care about Paksenarrion becoming a Palladin. A lot of the reviews (and again, Amazon baffles me--144 reviews, averaging 4.5 stars--we obviously read different books again) compared it to LotR, but there's a huge difference: LotR had a Hero's Journey, true, but it also had an overarching plot. The journey in LotR took place within the context of returning the ring to Mt. Doom. There is no comparable plot to The Deed of Paksenarrion.
It would also have been more effective for me if the characters were more engaging. If, for example, I'd met the character of Paksenarrion in a previous book, when she was already a Palladin, and this was a prequel showing how she got where she was. Perhaps there is such a book, written before, but taking place after The Deed of Paksenarrion. If so, I wish I'd read it first. It's a certainty I won't search it out now.
I do enjoy military details, thankfully, so some of Paksenarrion's adventures were entertaining. The second book, where she came into her own as a warrior, was marginally more exciting. Unfortunately, that didn't last, and by the third book, I started feeling bashed over the head by the Hero's Journey concept.
Her infallibility really started grating, as well. Even when things went wrong, as when her colleagues were killed, it was only because she couldn't save them because she was serving The Greater Good. Also tiresome was the fact that each separate adventure had little to nothing to do with the other adventures in the books.
Two things would have saved this series for me: 1) a context in which to put the Hero's Journey. It could actually have been quite simple--if the evil she defeated at the end had been threatening her home at the beginning--it would have made the entire trilogy more coherent and given me a reason to want her to succeed. 2) Something other than gender to distinguish Paksenarrion from a generic Hero. She's asexual, succeeds at everything she does, and everyone except those who are evil or small-minded loves her. Give her a flaw or two, or make her have to choose between love and destiny. That would have been a story worth reading.
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LibraryThing member kdcdavis
The first time I read this book I was completely captivated. The second time I read this book I was completely captivated. I just read it again for the fourth or fifth time and was completely captivated. It is my favorite fantasy novel, and one of my favorite books in general. I love the way
It's a mistake to compare this trilogy to The Lord of the Rings; it's not a saga or an epic, either. It's the story of one woman, whose faults and mistakes are much subtler than those of other fantasy protagonists. She is strong, brave, fortunate, talented, good-natured, and hard-working, and manages to survive all of her harrowing adventures; however, she is also stubborn, deceitful (in that she withholds important information), blind to subtlety or middle ground, and too easily ruled. Throughout her adventures the reader can see the gods tapping on her shoulder, trying to get her attention; and finally they have to smack her over the head before she can admit to her weaknesses. It is weakness rather than strength that makes a saint (or a hero), and Elizabeth Moon demonstrates this beautifully through Paksenarrion.
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Elizabeth Moon incorporates military details, religion, and magic, and I find Paksenarrion's transformation fascinating. It's a mistake to compare this trilogy to The Lord of the Rings; it's not a saga or an epic, either. It's the story of one woman, whose faults and mistakes are much subtler than those of other fantasy protagonists. She is strong, brave, fortunate, talented, good-natured, and hard-working, and manages to survive all of her harrowing adventures; however, she is also stubborn, deceitful (in that she withholds important information), blind to subtlety or middle ground, and too easily ruled. Throughout her adventures the reader can see the gods tapping on her shoulder, trying to get her attention; and finally they have to smack her over the head before she can admit to her weaknesses. It is weakness rather than strength that makes a saint (or a hero), and Elizabeth Moon demonstrates this beautifully through Paksenarrion.
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LibraryThing member AnnaOok
(No spoilers in this review, except possibly a minor one at the end which I've marked in advance)
A very good classic fantasy trilogy, with great care to realism in detail and clearly well researched for late medieval warfare. The first book is entirely set within mercenary training and fighting;
As I kept reading, it became ever clearer that this book is based on straight Advanced Dungeons and Dragons rules, but I've never seen such a good job done of it. The rules are really not in-your-face: to the point that a friend I lent it to before I read it myself didn't spot it, though he knows the game as well as I do -- and recognised it once I'd pointed it out to him. The author keeps faithful to the rules while using her own creativity to write a story that is very far from a dungeon crawl (though there is one dungeon adventure) or a campaign write-up (though in a way the trilogy is one big campaign, with all the threads coming together at the end).
I will certainly read the next book in this series -- it's next on my list!
One final note about blood&sex which may involve a *** SPOILER *** (mild) to some, so read on at your peril:
There's gore, as you'd expect on battlefields, but very little torture and no rape -- until one point in the last book, which I won't spoil but has fairly graphical physical torture, while the rape is only mentioned and not described. In the earlier books there are a couple of instances of attempted rape, and the torture is less detailed and doesn't involve the main characters the reader is likely to root for. Other than the violent instances mentioned, there is no sex at all in the whole trilogy.
A very good classic fantasy trilogy, with great care to realism in detail and clearly well researched for late medieval warfare. The first book is entirely set within mercenary training and fighting;
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the other two follow the eponymous protagonist in her own separate adventures as well as within different fighting groups.As I kept reading, it became ever clearer that this book is based on straight Advanced Dungeons and Dragons rules, but I've never seen such a good job done of it. The rules are really not in-your-face: to the point that a friend I lent it to before I read it myself didn't spot it, though he knows the game as well as I do -- and recognised it once I'd pointed it out to him. The author keeps faithful to the rules while using her own creativity to write a story that is very far from a dungeon crawl (though there is one dungeon adventure) or a campaign write-up (though in a way the trilogy is one big campaign, with all the threads coming together at the end).
I will certainly read the next book in this series -- it's next on my list!
One final note about blood&sex which may involve a *** SPOILER *** (mild) to some, so read on at your peril:
There's gore, as you'd expect on battlefields, but very little torture and no rape -- until one point in the last book, which I won't spoil but has fairly graphical physical torture, while the rape is only mentioned and not described. In the earlier books there are a couple of instances of attempted rape, and the torture is less detailed and doesn't involve the main characters the reader is likely to root for. Other than the violent instances mentioned, there is no sex at all in the whole trilogy.
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LibraryThing member GSB68
My favorite depiction of a fantasy paladin. I wish Ms. Moon would write more fantasy. I have given away several copies of this over the years something I've never done with any other book.
It has just come to my attention through the goodreads blogs that Ms. Moon is working on a trilogy of sequels!
It has just come to my attention through the goodreads blogs that Ms. Moon is working on a trilogy of sequels!
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Hooray! Show Less
LibraryThing member coffeesucker
Very good! I loved it!
LibraryThing member TomMcGreevy
This consolidates three novels (Sheepfarmer's Daughter; Divided Allegiance; Oath of Gold) - a long tale and ultimately a good one. The characterization wasn't as strong as I would have liked - Paksenarrion herself lacked ambiguity which strains credulity. The saving grace is that the world
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Elizabeth Moon creates is complex and engaging and I may well read more of her books simply to get to know it better. Show Less
LibraryThing member mollydot
I found the first book rather boring, because it was too realistic - she was a soldier, so she was doing what she was told, with very little of her own goals & motivations. This changed in the second book, which was my favourite of the three.
LibraryThing member JeremyPreacher
This is feminist fantasy of a particular period, and it's a good example of the type. My only beef with an otherwise enjoyable adventure is the author's tendency to use one-syllable names that mostly sound alike - and in a couple of places, have two identically-named bit characters sprouting a
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chapter apart. Otherwise, good sword-swinging fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member zjakkelien
I liked the idea, but not the execution, and I didn't finish it. Some parts worked for me (e.g. when something was happening), but I found large parts to be boring.
LibraryThing member TerriBooks
This book is actually the first three Paksenarrion novels combined into a single book, so it's quite long. Loved it. The main character develops along the way, maturing into her chosen life. The world developed by the author is rich, consistent with other fantasy worlds but unique enough to be
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interesting. We get the elves, and the magic horse, and the hidden prince -- it's a world worth spending a few weeks in. Show Less
LibraryThing member wealhtheowwylfing
Terrible. I hoped that the author’s experience in real combat would make this an interesting novel, but instead it just bogged the story down with boring and completely unnecessary details. She feels the need to describe every type of mud, but Paks’ training to be a soldier still somehow feels
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like a montage. Add to that unrealistic dialog, a plot that *still* hadn’t started at page 131, evil characters who are VERY VERY evil and good characters who are VERY VERY good, and you have yourself a piece of drek. I feel no need to finish the book (because A)the characters have no personalities whatsoever, B)the main character is a boring Mary-Sue, and C)there is no plot), let alone the series. At least Mercedes Lackey’s Arrows of the Queen had a feel of joy to it; this is just one long slog through cliché-land. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1992 (omnibus)
Physical description
1040 p.; 4.19 inches
ISBN
0671721046 / 9780671721046