Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
New York : Roc, c2007.
Description
Magiere the Dhampir was created by a shadowy, long-forgotten enemy of many names-an enemy who the elf Leesil was trained from childhood to kill. They were brought together by the Fay to forge an alliance that might have the power to stand against the forces of dark magics. But as Magiere and Leesil uncover the truth, they discover just how close the enemy has always been...
User reviews
LibraryThing member Lman
This series just gets better and better! To think, when reading the first book of The Noble Dead Saga I surmised that I had found a somewhat light-hearted adventure, with an unusual premise and full of interesting characters. But never once did I consider that such a convoluted, well-crafted weave
Rebel Fay, the fifth book, now spills this dark fantasy into the realm of high fantasy when the company, under the blind, obsessive drive of Leesil to free his mother, gain access to the Elven Territories. The intrigue continues, as the four are rescued from their precarious journey over the snow-filled mountains and led into these lands by an unknown ally, three questions plague Chap: Aoishenis-Ahâre - Most Aged Father – and his persistence in waging war against humans; the Anmaglâhk and their role in creating Leesil to kill an unknown enemy; and his abandonment by his kin, the Fay. This book takes a side-path from the previous books in that the reader is now immersed in the world of the elves, and the machinations and politics of these are brought to the fore. Almost as an afterthought, with little concern for consequences, Magiere and Wynn are pulled into a land where humans are not tolerated, and used as a ploy to control Leesil, in a game being played between the leader of the Anmaglâhk assassin caste, Most Aged Father, and subversives of his clan. Throughout this Chap continues to seek the answers to his questions, protect his companions and adhere to his original plan.
And answers are forthcoming. Chap, with the help of the ‘touched’ guardians of the forest, the majay-hì and the crystal-eyed deer, determines his kins' silent schemes and their betrayal. Magiere is unable to control her dhampir nature and, once revealed, is brought to trial under the laws of the Elven Land, only to find kinship in the strangest of places. Leesil, intent on saving Magiere and gaining his mother's freedom, is manipulated into confronting his origins and thus finds his true name and purpose of being. And Wynn, whilst aiding her companions immeasurably, is a continuous and considerable nuisance - for an intelligent sage, in my opinion, she often displays an enormous lack of sense – but is invaluable as a conduit for her companions; and through her lessons, the reader also learns.
There are no ‘Noble Dead’ confrontations in this book; though Welstiel and Chane plod ominously along, aside, throughout the story. The book is more about revelations: the long-forgotten histories are now reappearing; the role Chap is now preparing to play; and the devastating basis for both Magiere’s and Leesil’s conception is becoming distressingly apparent. Again, the story is full of fascinating, vibrant characters in a scheme rich with a truly original design.
This rich design will be quite lost in the making if you read these books out of sequence, as each follows strictly from before; an investment in the whole series, in due order, is strongly advocated and highly recommended. This is a series, to my mind, well worth such an endeavour.
And those long black ominous coils – they never go away! I hope this orb is worth it; the suspense is killing me!
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of a tale would emerge from the pages of the following books, offering a unique, engrossing and deeply satisfying on-going chronicle.Rebel Fay, the fifth book, now spills this dark fantasy into the realm of high fantasy when the company, under the blind, obsessive drive of Leesil to free his mother, gain access to the Elven Territories. The intrigue continues, as the four are rescued from their precarious journey over the snow-filled mountains and led into these lands by an unknown ally, three questions plague Chap: Aoishenis-Ahâre - Most Aged Father – and his persistence in waging war against humans; the Anmaglâhk and their role in creating Leesil to kill an unknown enemy; and his abandonment by his kin, the Fay. This book takes a side-path from the previous books in that the reader is now immersed in the world of the elves, and the machinations and politics of these are brought to the fore. Almost as an afterthought, with little concern for consequences, Magiere and Wynn are pulled into a land where humans are not tolerated, and used as a ploy to control Leesil, in a game being played between the leader of the Anmaglâhk assassin caste, Most Aged Father, and subversives of his clan. Throughout this Chap continues to seek the answers to his questions, protect his companions and adhere to his original plan.
And answers are forthcoming. Chap, with the help of the ‘touched’ guardians of the forest, the majay-hì and the crystal-eyed deer, determines his kins' silent schemes and their betrayal. Magiere is unable to control her dhampir nature and, once revealed, is brought to trial under the laws of the Elven Land, only to find kinship in the strangest of places. Leesil, intent on saving Magiere and gaining his mother's freedom, is manipulated into confronting his origins and thus finds his true name and purpose of being. And Wynn, whilst aiding her companions immeasurably, is a continuous and considerable nuisance - for an intelligent sage, in my opinion, she often displays an enormous lack of sense – but is invaluable as a conduit for her companions; and through her lessons, the reader also learns.
There are no ‘Noble Dead’ confrontations in this book; though Welstiel and Chane plod ominously along, aside, throughout the story. The book is more about revelations: the long-forgotten histories are now reappearing; the role Chap is now preparing to play; and the devastating basis for both Magiere’s and Leesil’s conception is becoming distressingly apparent. Again, the story is full of fascinating, vibrant characters in a scheme rich with a truly original design.
This rich design will be quite lost in the making if you read these books out of sequence, as each follows strictly from before; an investment in the whole series, in due order, is strongly advocated and highly recommended. This is a series, to my mind, well worth such an endeavour.
And those long black ominous coils – they never go away! I hope this orb is worth it; the suspense is killing me!
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LibraryThing member jshillingford
It seems I've been disappointed recently by multi-book series releasing a new title that has no plot development (Mistral's Kiss, anyone?) Not so here! The Noble Dead saga just keeps getting better, as does the writing and character development.
Magiere, Leesil, Chap and Wynn finally make it to the
Magiere, Leesil, Chap and Wynn finally make it to the
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Elven Lands to discover the fate of Leesil's mother. During their "visit," the reader will discover more about the motives (or lack there of) of Chap's fay kin, why Leesil was trained as an assassin and the role Magiere is destined for. The ending wasn't a cliffhanger, but the story obviously will continue in the next book. I highly recommend this entire series! Show Less
LibraryThing member lewispike
This is a hard book to review. There is a lot of intrigue as several factions of elves reveal various hidden agendas under stress. There is relatively action though, and as some of the other movers in the bigger story comment this story is very much an offshoot, a tangent to the main quest and it
Leesil, driven to rescue his mother, has dragged Chap, Wynn and Magiere into Elven lands and the elves, for large parts of the story, come across as laudably not human. They end in faction politics that grows organically from the story, but seems rather human in its drive - but that might be my feeling that they don't write intrigue so well coming through.
The thing that does work amazingly well, and in a fashion that makes me hope they're not writing from their personal experience for their sakes, is being on the brunt of prejudice - and there's no other term for it. There are elves who hate for a reason (you may think hatred is a bad emotion, but you understand why they feel that way), but there is an amazing level of impersonally directed hatred at the "evil humans" and "vile half-bloods" as well. It's perhaps a terrible reason to like a book, but I'd use it start a discussion about prejudice any day.
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feels like it too.Leesil, driven to rescue his mother, has dragged Chap, Wynn and Magiere into Elven lands and the elves, for large parts of the story, come across as laudably not human. They end in faction politics that grows organically from the story, but seems rather human in its drive - but that might be my feeling that they don't write intrigue so well coming through.
The thing that does work amazingly well, and in a fashion that makes me hope they're not writing from their personal experience for their sakes, is being on the brunt of prejudice - and there's no other term for it. There are elves who hate for a reason (you may think hatred is a bad emotion, but you understand why they feel that way), but there is an amazing level of impersonally directed hatred at the "evil humans" and "vile half-bloods" as well. It's perhaps a terrible reason to like a book, but I'd use it start a discussion about prejudice any day.
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LibraryThing member slothman
After a visit to Leesil's home in the Warlands, our heroes have a lead that his mother may still be alive in elven territory. They set out for a land that is known not to be welcoming to non-elves, and become embroiled in elvish struggles. Leesil, as only a half-elf, is already controversial
The Hendees put a lot of thought into the workings of elven society, even the underlying details like plumbing and food. As a game master, I find this particularly useful.
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enough, but Magiere, as a half-vampire, is trouble indeed. By now, the main characters have learned to (mostly) rely on each other, and handle the challenges rather well.The Hendees put a lot of thought into the workings of elven society, even the underlying details like plumbing and food. As a game master, I find this particularly useful.
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LibraryThing member Alera
This book series is always a bit of a weird one for me. I actually openly despise certain characters, and yet even through that I'm still drawn to others and this series just continues to keep my interest. This one kept the theme of the previous novels and furthered the over-arcing plot. And the
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relationship between Leesil and Magiere just continues to become more intriguing. Show Less
LibraryThing member krau0098
This book is the fifth installment of The Noble Dead series by Barb and JC Hendee. This has been a pretty good series.
In this book Leesil, Magiere, Wynn, and Chap make their way into the elvish lands to find and rescue Leesil's mother who is being held captive by the very elves she was working for.
There are many plotline advances and surprises in this book. You find out more about the secret group of elves that Nien'a is part of and what their plans are for Leesil. You find out more about Magiere and what her involvement as the Sister of the Dead is. You find out a lot about Chap. In fact much of this book is centered around Chap and he takes a center role in this book which is a bit unusual for a glorified dog :-) You find out more about Chap's mission and his position with the Fey. There are a few new and endearing characters introduced in this book; I especially like the old elf Glenn, Chap's girlfriend Lily, and we learned a lot more about Botun (not sure of this spelling). The Most Aged Father was also an interesting, if unlikeable, character.
All the above being said I was very disappointed with the pacing of this book. There really isn't much that happens in the first 2/3rd's of the book. It took me forever to get through this book because it just wasn't holding my interest. I feel like we spent a lot of time listening to Leesil whine, listening to Magiere listen to Leesil whine, you listen to Wynn whine, and you listen to Chap whine. It was ridiculous. Thankfully the last third of the book had a ton of action, huge amounts of plot development, and really hooked me again. The main quest in the book is resolved but I felt like a lot more questions were created at the end that will, most likely, be answered in the next book of the series.
Maybe this book should get more then 3 stars but I didn't think it really compared to the other books in the series. In general this whole series had been of mediocre writing quality. I think the only thing that draws me to it and keeps me reading is that these are nice basic swords and sorcery books with a vampire twist to them..oh yeah and they have that whole darkness is going to destroy the world going on in the background. I really hope that this series doesn't continue for more than a couple more books. Any longer than that and I think it will be just barely limping along.
In this book Leesil, Magiere, Wynn, and Chap make their way into the elvish lands to find and rescue Leesil's mother who is being held captive by the very elves she was working for.
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As you can imagine upon entering the elvish land things start to get complicated. The party run into a number of elves that they have meet before. They are granted guardianship by Sgaile and Leesil finds that the Most Aged Father of the elves wants to make a deal to bargain for the freedom Leesil's mother Nien'a. Chane and Welstial are seen infrequently in the book and their quest to find the place of Welstial's dream doesn't make much progress.There are many plotline advances and surprises in this book. You find out more about the secret group of elves that Nien'a is part of and what their plans are for Leesil. You find out more about Magiere and what her involvement as the Sister of the Dead is. You find out a lot about Chap. In fact much of this book is centered around Chap and he takes a center role in this book which is a bit unusual for a glorified dog :-) You find out more about Chap's mission and his position with the Fey. There are a few new and endearing characters introduced in this book; I especially like the old elf Glenn, Chap's girlfriend Lily, and we learned a lot more about Botun (not sure of this spelling). The Most Aged Father was also an interesting, if unlikeable, character.
All the above being said I was very disappointed with the pacing of this book. There really isn't much that happens in the first 2/3rd's of the book. It took me forever to get through this book because it just wasn't holding my interest. I feel like we spent a lot of time listening to Leesil whine, listening to Magiere listen to Leesil whine, you listen to Wynn whine, and you listen to Chap whine. It was ridiculous. Thankfully the last third of the book had a ton of action, huge amounts of plot development, and really hooked me again. The main quest in the book is resolved but I felt like a lot more questions were created at the end that will, most likely, be answered in the next book of the series.
Maybe this book should get more then 3 stars but I didn't think it really compared to the other books in the series. In general this whole series had been of mediocre writing quality. I think the only thing that draws me to it and keeps me reading is that these are nice basic swords and sorcery books with a vampire twist to them..oh yeah and they have that whole darkness is going to destroy the world going on in the background. I really hope that this series doesn't continue for more than a couple more books. Any longer than that and I think it will be just barely limping along.
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LibraryThing member dbhutch
I got this from the local library based on its jacket. i had a hint that it was part of a series, and usually thats not an issue for me. Not so in this case.
This is the second book in a trillogy (it seems) of the Noble Dead Saga. A bit hard to follow at times, due to the fact I hadn't read the
A good detailed tale, with a mix of half blooded beings and outcasts for one reason or another, all being manipulated by forces and issues older than they are. Beings learning that they were born/created with the intent on them one day bcoming weapons in an age old dormant war.
This is the second book in a trillogy (it seems) of the Noble Dead Saga. A bit hard to follow at times, due to the fact I hadn't read the
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first book. It would have probably flowed better, and left less confusion if I had.A good detailed tale, with a mix of half blooded beings and outcasts for one reason or another, all being manipulated by forces and issues older than they are. Beings learning that they were born/created with the intent on them one day bcoming weapons in an age old dormant war.
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LibraryThing member krazykiwi
Book 4 took me three weeks to read, this one I knocked off on the train this afternoon. And not entirely because they were both due back at the library. In fact this is easily the best book of the series.That said, Magiere is still grumpy (but actually making sensible decisions and not just being
Chap has a major part in this, which is always good. He learns a whole lot more about himself, and finally gets to actually have a life of his own, for at least a while. I love Chap, he's a great character.
And Wynn instead of flouncing about the place getting lost and needing to be rescued, flounces about the place, gets lost, needs to be rescued, but actually makes a useful breakthrough in the plot in the process. Well it had to happen eventually, right?
But the elves. Haughty, arrogant, insular, beautiful and deadly know-it-alls, everything we love about high fantasy since Tolkien elves. Ok, maybe that's just me. In fact they are magnificent bastards nearly to a one, except for maybe Sgäile's grandpa and Sgäile's niece (I'm not even going to attempt to spell their names.) And most especially the Most Aged Father.
The Hendee's tendency to over-describe is not so bad when the environment is new to everyone, and everything is alien and fascinating, and they are reacting to that. But still, there's endless pages in the first third or so devoted to some thieving rodent thing, and it just keeps on coming up. I figured after about the fifth time, there had to be a point, it was going to be important later. But no, at some point someone says "oh that thieving rat thing hasn't been around stealing things lately, I guess we left it at the last village... ha-ha-ha, sucks to be them". Seriously, do these guys just not have an editor any more? Does it matter that the unnamed barge captain wears his goatskin vest without a shirt and fur side in? Or that Wynn saw a mushroom and two birds and a tree and another tree and....
Anyway, as I said, although they do go on a bit, it's much more readable here, because we're also seeing Leesil feeling alien in a place that should be his home, Wynn being fascinated by evvvvvverything, and Magiere being cranky (because, Magiere), and Chap feeling totally at home, and having a wonderful time. Also, I think I have a small reader-crush on Sgäile. Because I can. I have a thing for blondes, and he seems to be the only character in the whole book series who just says what's going on. (Oh and I'm on to you Hendees, nicking gaelic words and substituting random nordic letters and apostrophes, does not a new language make.)
But now we're all set up for the final book in this particular arc. Which is where I'm stopping, because even useful Wynn still sets my teeth on edge, so I'm just not going to read a whole new series about her and Chane.
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Miss Stubbornpants), Leesil is sullen and confused but sort of actually has a reason now, Wynn is still annoying but actually gets useful, Welstiel and Chane... meh, who cares about them.Chap has a major part in this, which is always good. He learns a whole lot more about himself, and finally gets to actually have a life of his own, for at least a while. I love Chap, he's a great character.
And Wynn instead of flouncing about the place getting lost and needing to be rescued, flounces about the place, gets lost, needs to be rescued, but actually makes a useful breakthrough in the plot in the process. Well it had to happen eventually, right?
But the elves. Haughty, arrogant, insular, beautiful and deadly know-it-alls, everything we love about high fantasy since Tolkien elves. Ok, maybe that's just me. In fact they are magnificent bastards nearly to a one, except for maybe Sgäile's grandpa and Sgäile's niece (I'm not even going to attempt to spell their names.) And most especially the Most Aged Father.
The Hendee's tendency to over-describe is not so bad when the environment is new to everyone, and everything is alien and fascinating, and they are reacting to that. But still, there's endless pages in the first third or so devoted to some thieving rodent thing, and it just keeps on coming up. I figured after about the fifth time, there had to be a point, it was going to be important later. But no, at some point someone says "oh that thieving rat thing hasn't been around stealing things lately, I guess we left it at the last village... ha-ha-ha, sucks to be them". Seriously, do these guys just not have an editor any more? Does it matter that the unnamed barge captain wears his goatskin vest without a shirt and fur side in? Or that Wynn saw a mushroom and two birds and a tree and another tree and....
Anyway, as I said, although they do go on a bit, it's much more readable here, because we're also seeing Leesil feeling alien in a place that should be his home, Wynn being fascinated by evvvvvverything, and Magiere being cranky (because, Magiere), and Chap feeling totally at home, and having a wonderful time. Also, I think I have a small reader-crush on Sgäile. Because I can. I have a thing for blondes, and he seems to be the only character in the whole book series who just says what's going on. (Oh and I'm on to you Hendees, nicking gaelic words and substituting random nordic letters and apostrophes, does not a new language make.)
But now we're all set up for the final book in this particular arc. Which is where I'm stopping, because even useful Wynn still sets my teeth on edge, so I'm just not going to read a whole new series about her and Chane.
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Subjects
Language
Original publication date
2007
Physical description
544 p.; 24 inches
ISBN
0451461215 / 9780451461216