Fortress of Dragons

by C. J. Cherryh

Paper Book, 2001

Status

Available

Call number

Fic SF Cherryh

Publication

Eos, 2001.

Description

The walls between the worlds are down. A new unfolding has begun... It started long ago, as a war between the shadowy Immortals that persists today, as the wizard Mauryl's Shaping confronts the Shadows summoned from Chaos. Tristen is that Shaping. Both more and less than human, he successfully fought sorcery's evil tides, a victory that brought his friend Cefwyn both a kingdom and true love. But the Lines that hold the world in place are shifting again. A ruthless enemy is preparing for battle. Once again, Tristen will take up the sword inscribed with "Truth" and "Illusion" on its blade. But he faces more than war and a pretender to Cefwyn's throne. The Shadows he sees are straight from Ruin -- a flow of darkness covering the world like ink... Fortress of Dragons completes the high-fantasy epic begun in Fortress in the Eye of Time and continued in Fortress of Eagles and Fortress of Owls --a powerful tale set in a world of magic, violence, wonder and awe -- a world as vividly real as our own.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member reading_fox

A stunning and spellbinding conclusion to the story begun two books ago. At least as good as the original and probably better.

Matters have come to a head, Tarien with Cefwyn's bastard son and her sister Orien wish for th potential heir to be born, whilst Tristen at Emuin's advising strives to delay

the moment so that wizardry and not sourcery may come to the fore. Meanwhile in Guelmarra Cefwyn trys to deal with teh northern barons and prepares to march in war against the upstart rival Tasmorden's claim to his wife's Regency. However without wizarly advice he can only do his best, and as the current of luck in the world sway from one power to another, it is Tristen's wishes that may decide the day.

Tristen is now almost grown up Mauy's Summoning having done its work, but the central issue of who exactly is he, is still to be resolved, and he has many choices to make.

As battle finally looms with armies divided, and the enemy soucery still not conquered it is down to the hearts of men to decide the fate of more than a kingdom.

Dramatic, detailed, with awe inspiring magic this is a fitting and worthy finale to one of the best fantasy series around.

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LibraryThing member DinadansFriend

While there are lots of fireworks at the end of this chapter of the "Fortress" series, I'm finding that it isn't as slam-bang as I had hoped. I enjoy the depth of the characters, some of them are too given to chewing over their relationships with each other. There's also a jarring note caused by

having some terms about the medieval combat as portrayed by Cherryh having too much in common with twentieth century missile based combat. Perhaps a chat about the mental states required for re-enactors would help? I'll finish with this group but I'm a bit disenchanted.

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LibraryThing member fuzzi

Battles lines and plans are drawn between King Cefwyn and the traitorous warlord Tasmorden, but is the self-appointed ruler of Elwynor the only traitor? And is the conflict merely between mortal men, or are The Shadows of magic orchestrating the conflicts? And where in all this mess does Tristan,

the Shaping, fit in?

Excellent fourth and final book of the Fortress saga. Bravo, Ms. Cherryh!

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LibraryThing member MarkLacy

After four books, I expected something more spectacular to the ending. But I still really enjoyed it.

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