Status
Available
Call number
Series
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Collection
Publication
Voyager (2000), Paperback, 528 pages
Description
An epic tale of adventure and intrigue, Daughter of the Empire is fantasy of the highest order by two of the most talented writers in the field today. Magic and murder engulf the realm of Kelewan. Fierce warlords ignite a bitter blood feud to enslave the empire of Tsuranuanni. While in the opulent Imperial courts, assassins and spy-master plot cunning and devious intrigues against the rightful heir. Now Mara, a young, untested Ruling lady, is called upon to lead her people in a heroic struggle for survival. But first she must rally an army of rebel warriors, form a pact with the alien cho-ja, and marry the son of a hated enemy. Only then can Mara face her most dangerous foe of all--in his own impregnable stronghold.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member souloftherose
This is the first book of a trilogy co-authored by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. It is set in Kelewan which is part of the setting of Raymond Feist's Riftwar saga. I've read the Riftwar Saga and a couple of other books by Feist but I haven't read anything by Janny Wurts before (although I have
Hell's Chasm on my TBR shelf).
Before I properly review this book I have to admit that I absolutely loved Feist's debut novel, Magician, but ever since I have been slightly disappointed by the other books of his I've read. He also has a couple of annoying writing habits (well I find them annoying, anyway) which really bug me:
1) Every chapter starts with a short (three - six words) sentence as the opening paragraph. ("The storm had broken") I can sort of understand why he does this. It's short, it's pithy, it draws you in. But several chapters into a book it starts to get irritating and when he does it for every chapter of every book it makes me want to scream!
2) Character descriptions. Particularly at the beginning of his novels, when he spends time setting the characters up Feist seems to describe his characters' personality by using descriptive passages. I prefer writers who let you discover their characters' personalities based on how they act in the book or interact with other characters rather than having it explicitly spelled out for
me. I find it slightly patronising and it reminds me that I'm reading a book rather than being completely immersed in the world of the characters in the novel.
These habits are again present in Daughter of the Empire. I've assumed they're Feist's habits rather than Janny Wurts' and I'm starting to think that all Feist novels will have these traits.
Rant over.
This story is based exclusively in the world of Kelewan rather than Midkemia which was the setting for most of the Riftwar Saga. Although this is a world where magic is possible there is actually very little magic in this story, rather the focus of the book is on politics and intrigue.
The main character, Mara Acoma, is unexpectedly called away from her future as a novice in a religious order on the death of her father and elder brother. She becomes the leading lady of their house and must learn quickly to survive amidst the intrigues of Kelewan society; a society where assassination and murder are considered socially acceptable and even admirable as long as they
are done within the complex rules of Kelewan honour and 'The Game of the Council'.
This book was slow to start with but I quickly became fascinated by the complex plots and intrigued by Mara's plans to overcome her family's foes and ensure the prosperity of House Acoma.
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To Ride Hell's Chasm on my TBR shelf).
Before I properly review this book I have to admit that I absolutely loved Feist's debut novel, Magician, but ever since I have been slightly disappointed by the other books of his I've read. He also has a couple of annoying writing habits (well I find them annoying, anyway) which really bug me:
1) Every chapter starts with a short (three - six words) sentence as the opening paragraph. ("The storm had broken") I can sort of understand why he does this. It's short, it's pithy, it draws you in. But several chapters into a book it starts to get irritating and when he does it for every chapter of every book it makes me want to scream!
2) Character descriptions. Particularly at the beginning of his novels, when he spends time setting the characters up Feist seems to describe his characters' personality by using descriptive passages. I prefer writers who let you discover their characters' personalities based on how they act in the book or interact with other characters rather than having it explicitly spelled out for
me. I find it slightly patronising and it reminds me that I'm reading a book rather than being completely immersed in the world of the characters in the novel.
These habits are again present in Daughter of the Empire. I've assumed they're Feist's habits rather than Janny Wurts' and I'm starting to think that all Feist novels will have these traits.
Rant over.
This story is based exclusively in the world of Kelewan rather than Midkemia which was the setting for most of the Riftwar Saga. Although this is a world where magic is possible there is actually very little magic in this story, rather the focus of the book is on politics and intrigue.
The main character, Mara Acoma, is unexpectedly called away from her future as a novice in a religious order on the death of her father and elder brother. She becomes the leading lady of their house and must learn quickly to survive amidst the intrigues of Kelewan society; a society where assassination and murder are considered socially acceptable and even admirable as long as they
are done within the complex rules of Kelewan honour and 'The Game of the Council'.
This book was slow to start with but I quickly became fascinated by the complex plots and intrigued by Mara's plans to overcome her family's foes and ensure the prosperity of House Acoma.
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LibraryThing member Narilka
As the only daughter of Lord of the Acoma, Mara was expected to marry and bear children to continue the Acoma line and bring honor to her house. Instead, Mara has chosen a life of chastity and service of Lashmina, the Lady, Goddess of Inner Light. In the temple of Lashima seventeen-year-old Mara is
Daughter of the Empire is the first in the Empire Trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. Overlapping the timeline of the Riftwar, we get a look into the life and world on the other side of the Rift in the empire of Tsuranuanni. It has been many years since I read the Riftwar quartet so I was a little concerned going in that I would be missing out on something as I don't remember many details at this point. Turns out that this book only has a couple mentions of the war and the context for what you need to know are given in the book. I would say you can probably read these first though I imagine you'll have a deeper experience if you read the series in publishing order and closer together than I did.
The Empire of Tsuranuanni has a lot of Asian influences with touches of Mayan/Incan cultures. The society is based on Great Houses and heavily caste based with a highly complicated and strict system of honor. The people of the world hold their cod of honor so high they will often choose death over dishonor. It also makes navigating society an interesting game, the Game of the Council as it's called, as the slightest change in expression or wording can take people from being the best of friends to the most hated of enemies. While the rules are not well explained I felt like I understood it well enough to follow along with Mara's decision making in her society's context.
The story is told from Mara's point of view. She is the type of heroine I love in fantasy. She meets her challenges head on and proves she's up to the task. Highly intelligent, she constantly proves that people underestimate her abilities at political intrigue. She tackles her problems logically and it's with her rigid political structure in mind that she's able to manipulate events to turn in her favor. She goes on quite a character arc that by the end of the book most of Tusarni society knows that Mara of the Acoma is a force to be reckoned with.
Overall this was an intriguing read. There were some great moments though it is a slow burn in general as the story takes a lot of setup for each situation to come to fruition. It made for some uneven pacing as I blew through some parts and the book was easy to set aside others. There were also a couple other minor annoyances that I won't get into save to note they are there. I enjoyed the book enough I will definitely be continuing on to the second.
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about to take her oaths and join the Order of Lashima. Before the last gongs can sound there is a commotion in the temple as a warrior breaks through with news. Mara's father and brother are dead to treachery of a rival house. Mara must return home and take up her inheritance as Ruling Lady of the Acoma lest her house fall into ruin. Untried and untested Mara now must lead her people in her society's complex game of honor among the great houses if the Acoma are to have a future. Let the Game of the Council begin!Daughter of the Empire is the first in the Empire Trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. Overlapping the timeline of the Riftwar, we get a look into the life and world on the other side of the Rift in the empire of Tsuranuanni. It has been many years since I read the Riftwar quartet so I was a little concerned going in that I would be missing out on something as I don't remember many details at this point. Turns out that this book only has a couple mentions of the war and the context for what you need to know are given in the book. I would say you can probably read these first though I imagine you'll have a deeper experience if you read the series in publishing order and closer together than I did.
The Empire of Tsuranuanni has a lot of Asian influences with touches of Mayan/Incan cultures. The society is based on Great Houses and heavily caste based with a highly complicated and strict system of honor. The people of the world hold their cod of honor so high they will often choose death over dishonor. It also makes navigating society an interesting game, the Game of the Council as it's called, as the slightest change in expression or wording can take people from being the best of friends to the most hated of enemies. While the rules are not well explained I felt like I understood it well enough to follow along with Mara's decision making in her society's context.
The story is told from Mara's point of view. She is the type of heroine I love in fantasy. She meets her challenges head on and proves she's up to the task. Highly intelligent, she constantly proves that people underestimate her abilities at political intrigue. She tackles her problems logically and it's with her rigid political structure in mind that she's able to manipulate events to turn in her favor. She goes on quite a character arc that by the end of the book most of Tusarni society knows that Mara of the Acoma is a force to be reckoned with.
Overall this was an intriguing read. There were some great moments though it is a slow burn in general as the story takes a lot of setup for each situation to come to fruition. It made for some uneven pacing as I blew through some parts and the book was easy to set aside others. There were also a couple other minor annoyances that I won't get into save to note they are there. I enjoyed the book enough I will definitely be continuing on to the second.
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LibraryThing member seldombites
I love this book. The Tsurani have a fascinating culture that puts me in mind of a cross between the Japanese and Chinese warlords. Mara is a strong heroine and a character to be admired.
Anyone who read the Riftwar Saga will enjoy this tale of life beyongd the rift.
Anyone who read the Riftwar Saga will enjoy this tale of life beyongd the rift.
LibraryThing member reading_fox
Superb dual authored continuation of the tales of the Rift. Set solely in Kelewan at about the time of Magician (a few events are mentioned). Mara of the Acoma family assumes the Lady of the house after her father and elder brother are killed during an attack in Midkemia. A rival house pulled back
Mara only 17 has to quickly rise to the intelligence and cunning required to survive at this level of the Game of the Council. Her expolits with various neighbours and schemes show that she is remarkably talented in this.
Superbly written - each author took an alternate chapter and then polished the gaps - you can't tell the difference in style. There are a very few glitches in tense which I think may be attributable to this, but it is marvelous. It has all of Janny's polished prose and attention grabbing world details with Feists' quick running smooth talking characters. A joy to read, the only slight downside is that is occasionally disjointed. There are some hefty jumps between chapters and past events are not neatly rounded up in the manner one might expect.
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instead of supportying them, earning a bloodfued. Mara only 17 has to quickly rise to the intelligence and cunning required to survive at this level of the Game of the Council. Her expolits with various neighbours and schemes show that she is remarkably talented in this.
Superbly written - each author took an alternate chapter and then polished the gaps - you can't tell the difference in style. There are a very few glitches in tense which I think may be attributable to this, but it is marvelous. It has all of Janny's polished prose and attention grabbing world details with Feists' quick running smooth talking characters. A joy to read, the only slight downside is that is occasionally disjointed. There are some hefty jumps between chapters and past events are not neatly rounded up in the manner one might expect.
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LibraryThing member goldnyght
I adore this book. I've re-read it half a dozen times and it's just as timeless as ever!
LibraryThing member shavienda
A truly riveting story, I devoured this novel in two days. It was given to me by a friend who said I would enjoy it, so I happily took it from him and found his words to be true. The main character, Mara struggles through many hardships, dancing a dangerous political game where losing means not
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only the end of her life, but her entire lineage’s history and honour. The authors keep the drama and suspense high, while the characters are in a whirlwind of dramatic intrigue, assassination attempts, and clever subterfuge. Extremely satisfying novel, I cannot wait till I get my hands on the next one of the trilogy. Show Less
LibraryThing member shavienda
A truly riveting story, I devoured this novel in two days. It was given to me by a friend who said I would enjoy it, so I happily took it from him and found his words to be true. The main character, Mara struggles through many hardships, dancing a dangerous political game where losing means not
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only the end of her life, but her entire lineage’s history and honour. The authors keep the drama and suspense high, while the characters are in a whirlwind of dramatic intrigue, assassination attempts, and clever subterfuge. Extremely satisfying novel, I cannot wait till I get my hands on the next one of the trilogy. Show Less
LibraryThing member ashooles
At first, it was difficult to get into to and understand, but eventually, everything made sense and I found myself thoroughly enjoying this story. There were sad bits, parts that made me angry and others that made me kepp on reading until I found out what happened. What a great story!
LibraryThing member willowcove
This trilogy, while set in the 'other' universe, is a wonderful addition to the Riftwar series
LibraryThing member BooksForDinner
Enjoyed this, but have never finished the series. Running out of Feist, so I'm sure I'll get there.
LibraryThing member thedenathome
I received this book as a Christmas present and have saved it until summer. Feist writes books that move me. They captivate my attention and I find them hard to put down. The Empire Trilogy finds us in the world that is linked to Midkemia in which Feist introduced us to Pug and his friends and the
Daughter of the Empire begins with the central character, Mara, about to be irrevocably admitted to the Temple as a sister when military men under her father's orders come to return her to her home. Both her father and brother, the only surviving members of her family have been killed in battle and she must assume the leadership of her Clan, the Acoma.
The world of Kelewan, more precisely, the nation of Tsuranuanni is a society based on concepts of honour and of obedience to the will of the gods.
Although Mara, only 17 years old, has now become the Ruling Lady of a very high ranking family, she is aware that intrigue has led to the deaths of her father and brother and that the powerful War Lord of the Tsurani people would like nothing more than to finish the job of ending the history of the Acoma. Mara must learn how to play the "Great Game of the Council" quickly and well if she is to have any hope at all of living!
Mara does survive through to the end of the triology but, in the process becomes my favorite female character of all time...OK, one of my favorite female characters (How can I turn my back on Anne of Green Gables?) Mara is by turns tough, resourceful, willful, ingenious, dedicated and focused.
In this first book she must counter the evil intent of the Lord of the Minwanabi by building the strength of the Acoma both militarily and economically. Mara gains the protection of another family by marriage and thereby giving up her role as Ruling Lady to her new husband. But she must regain the upper hand if she is to survive Buntokapi's brutality and to protect the heir that must be born to continue the Acoma's future.
Multiplied twists and turns, mistakes and miscalculations must be remedied while, all the might and trickery of the Minwanabi comes to play against her and her family.
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world of magic that Pug grows into as the battles grow between these two worlds magically linked by a rift that allows passage back and forth.Daughter of the Empire begins with the central character, Mara, about to be irrevocably admitted to the Temple as a sister when military men under her father's orders come to return her to her home. Both her father and brother, the only surviving members of her family have been killed in battle and she must assume the leadership of her Clan, the Acoma.
The world of Kelewan, more precisely, the nation of Tsuranuanni is a society based on concepts of honour and of obedience to the will of the gods.
Although Mara, only 17 years old, has now become the Ruling Lady of a very high ranking family, she is aware that intrigue has led to the deaths of her father and brother and that the powerful War Lord of the Tsurani people would like nothing more than to finish the job of ending the history of the Acoma. Mara must learn how to play the "Great Game of the Council" quickly and well if she is to have any hope at all of living!
Mara does survive through to the end of the triology but, in the process becomes my favorite female character of all time...OK, one of my favorite female characters (How can I turn my back on Anne of Green Gables?) Mara is by turns tough, resourceful, willful, ingenious, dedicated and focused.
In this first book she must counter the evil intent of the Lord of the Minwanabi by building the strength of the Acoma both militarily and economically. Mara gains the protection of another family by marriage and thereby giving up her role as Ruling Lady to her new husband. But she must regain the upper hand if she is to survive Buntokapi's brutality and to protect the heir that must be born to continue the Acoma's future.
Multiplied twists and turns, mistakes and miscalculations must be remedied while, all the might and trickery of the Minwanabi comes to play against her and her family.
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LibraryThing member katie.chase
"Daughter of the Empire" is a classic fantasy of manners. Mara, a teenager thrown into the leadership of her clan, must fight for survival and (no less important) honor. It's a little unfortunate that, after her first major stumble, Mara doesn't make any tactical mistakes: scheme after "just crazy
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enough to work" scheme ends with her enemies shaking their heads and saying, "well played, rival. It seems there's more to you than your lithe young form would indicate". But still, there's a satisfaction in that, right? Show Less
LibraryThing member NineLarks
Mara is swept into the Game of Councils as the Lady of Acoma when her father and brother are killed in a plot of her greatest enemies, the Minwanabi. As a young girl, she has to learn quickly to avoid death and humiliation. There are assassinations and plots and honor to uphold, she must learn it
The book opens very slowly. The reader is slogged down with descriptions and passive spoon-feeding about the characters, the plot, and the world. It's all very time-consuming, lengthy, and really not that interesting. But it picks up after Mara is ushered into the role of Lady of Acoma.
At first I found myself going "yeah! This girl knows what's up". Instead of letting things happen, she manages to grab opportunities and take risks. But somewhere after the third time this happens, I'm getting a little frustrated.
I really don't like this world. That is my conclusion. Men find it so easy to die for honor here. Oh, Bunto said a couple of words in anger that no one heard? Kill him for honor! Another man puts his household into debt? Kill him! Someone saves you on sacred ground? Let me die in honor! Ahhh I can't stand it. Does this book not treat death with true significance?
Even the way the "Game" is played makes this whole book very callous. Every single character in this book is cold-hearted and dismissive of inherent humanity. Honor is more important than life, staying in the Game is more important than family. And Mara is no exception. Her whole "goal" for this book is vengeance because her father and brother died. But instead of getting revenge and solving it like so, she kills so many other people in the same way. How can she be angry at the Minwanabi if she has essentially trapped other families into killing their own kin the same way? She is just like them. She has no moral ground to stand on. And it wasn't as if it there was a "descent into darkness" either. It was made on rational decisions for the good of her and Acoma. So what, I must conclude that at the heart of her is a cold and ruthless woman.
So why then should I root for her? The only reason I might is because she is the protagonist and I guess also the underdog. But as a character, she does not have my sympathy. At all. Especially since she is initially presented as a girl filled with deep passion for justice and revenge. Her revenge is so slight. It's not to see them dead, just gone from the game.
Essentially, this world doesn't make sense to me. The excessive honor over death mentality, the way the Game is more important than family or one's own life, etc.
I mean, come on. Also such flimsy plot mechanics by Mara - oh let me repeat a couple of words Bunto said and of course they'll take it as a killing offense. Or seeing someone murder your son and then helping them as an ally. I don't get it. I really don't. Pretty words are not enough to mitigate that. It's too flimsy for me to buy.
This book also felt very sexist. Like stereotypical gender roles were in place, despite Mara supposedly being a strong woman. Like the idea that men are lead around by their dicks and lose their mind after seeing a bit of boobage. Or the way Mara easily turns towards her sex appeal to gain advantage. Ugh.
I thought this book was strong enough on its own merits. There was definitely cohesive plot and a semi-clear goal. Characters had their own voice. The world was totally not fleshed out, but was interesting enough that you're intrigued. I don't really know what merits it over 4 stars on goodreads, but I can see why some people like it.
But it's really not for me. I don't really like Mara and I don't really care for this world. It was okay and I didn't have any trouble finishing the book. Good pacing and all that. But not a feel-good book either.
2.5 stars rounded down. It was okay.
Recommended for people who are not looking for happy endings or protagonists they want to empathize with. Recommended for those who want a story about fake machinations.
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all. And of course, learn how to play the Game. The book opens very slowly. The reader is slogged down with descriptions and passive spoon-feeding about the characters, the plot, and the world. It's all very time-consuming, lengthy, and really not that interesting. But it picks up after Mara is ushered into the role of Lady of Acoma.
At first I found myself going "yeah! This girl knows what's up". Instead of letting things happen, she manages to grab opportunities and take risks. But somewhere after the third time this happens, I'm getting a little frustrated.
I really don't like this world. That is my conclusion. Men find it so easy to die for honor here. Oh, Bunto said a couple of words in anger that no one heard? Kill him for honor! Another man puts his household into debt? Kill him! Someone saves you on sacred ground? Let me die in honor! Ahhh I can't stand it. Does this book not treat death with true significance?
Even the way the "Game" is played makes this whole book very callous. Every single character in this book is cold-hearted and dismissive of inherent humanity. Honor is more important than life, staying in the Game is more important than family. And Mara is no exception. Her whole "goal" for this book is vengeance because her father and brother died. But instead of getting revenge and solving it like so, she kills so many other people in the same way. How can she be angry at the Minwanabi if she has essentially trapped other families into killing their own kin the same way? She is just like them. She has no moral ground to stand on. And it wasn't as if it there was a "descent into darkness" either. It was made on rational decisions for the good of her and Acoma. So what, I must conclude that at the heart of her is a cold and ruthless woman.
So why then should I root for her? The only reason I might is because she is the protagonist and I guess also the underdog. But as a character, she does not have my sympathy. At all. Especially since she is initially presented as a girl filled with deep passion for justice and revenge. Her revenge is so slight. It's not to see them dead, just gone from the game.
Essentially, this world doesn't make sense to me. The excessive honor over death mentality, the way the Game is more important than family or one's own life, etc.
I mean, come on. Also such flimsy plot mechanics by Mara - oh let me repeat a couple of words Bunto said and of course they'll take it as a killing offense. Or seeing someone murder your son and then helping them as an ally. I don't get it. I really don't. Pretty words are not enough to mitigate that. It's too flimsy for me to buy.
This book also felt very sexist. Like stereotypical gender roles were in place, despite Mara supposedly being a strong woman. Like the idea that men are lead around by their dicks and lose their mind after seeing a bit of boobage. Or the way Mara easily turns towards her sex appeal to gain advantage. Ugh.
I thought this book was strong enough on its own merits. There was definitely cohesive plot and a semi-clear goal. Characters had their own voice. The world was totally not fleshed out, but was interesting enough that you're intrigued. I don't really know what merits it over 4 stars on goodreads, but I can see why some people like it.
But it's really not for me. I don't really like Mara and I don't really care for this world. It was okay and I didn't have any trouble finishing the book. Good pacing and all that. But not a feel-good book either.
2.5 stars rounded down. It was okay.
Recommended for people who are not looking for happy endings or protagonists they want to empathize with. Recommended for those who want a story about fake machinations.
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LibraryThing member CarsonKicklighter
The fast-paced, feudal-Japan style politicking makes this story a lot of fun.
From the start, I rooted for Mara. She struggles to rebuild her House after some dirty tricks in the Great Game of the Council leave her father, brother, and most of their army dead in a war against the barbarians. My
An underdog cleverly breaking the rules to get ahead: that’s a perfect formula for engaging your reader. It hooked me especially because Mara’s strategic, quantifiable gains made the novel seem like a narrative for a strategy video game. Mara recruits more troops, then she acquires a spy network, and so on.
On closer inspection, a lot of Mara’s crafty victories are unfair from a storytelling perspective. We’re not told about whatever esoteric aspect of honor is going to help Mara until she’s right about to appeal to it. Still, it’s an efficient way to construct plot:
1) Tell your reader that your fantasy Empire is ruled by a labyrinthine code of honor.
2) Write your protagonist into a corner.
3) Invent a rule of honor that gets her out.
In any case, watching Mara return her House to power was so much fun that I didn’t much care if the authors were firing their guns before setting them on the mantle.
From the start, I rooted for Mara. She struggles to rebuild her House after some dirty tricks in the Great Game of the Council leave her father, brother, and most of their army dead in a war against the barbarians. My
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admiration for her grew as she bent tradition to get what she wants. For example, she recruits “gray warriors” whose Houses have been destroyed and are tradionally supposed to roam the country in social limbo until they die (in other words, ronin). However, there’s another tradition that says warriors can swear fealty to any House they’re related to. And, since everyone in the Empire is distantly related to everyone else, she convinces the gray warriors that swearing allegiance to her is an honorable thing to do.An underdog cleverly breaking the rules to get ahead: that’s a perfect formula for engaging your reader. It hooked me especially because Mara’s strategic, quantifiable gains made the novel seem like a narrative for a strategy video game. Mara recruits more troops, then she acquires a spy network, and so on.
On closer inspection, a lot of Mara’s crafty victories are unfair from a storytelling perspective. We’re not told about whatever esoteric aspect of honor is going to help Mara until she’s right about to appeal to it. Still, it’s an efficient way to construct plot:
1) Tell your reader that your fantasy Empire is ruled by a labyrinthine code of honor.
2) Write your protagonist into a corner.
3) Invent a rule of honor that gets her out.
In any case, watching Mara return her House to power was so much fun that I didn’t much care if the authors were firing their guns before setting them on the mantle.
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LibraryThing member Razinha
For my Year of Feist. I was having a hard time remembering this book, but early into it I realized that was because I had never read it, or never read very far. I thought I had, and it presented the same challenges I do remember...but this time I persevered. Moving on to the second in the Empire
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sub-series... Show Less
LibraryThing member lovesbooksandcats
Great read. Excellent story.
LibraryThing member JohnFair
Technically this is part of the Midkemia/Rift War series but rather being set on that rather more familiar world we find ourselves on the world of Kelewan home of the inscrutable Tsurani. 'Jointly' written by Feist and Wurtz, I have a feeling that most of the background and the characterisation
The story opens as the lady Mara is about to be ordained as a Sister of Lashima but just as she's about to be sealed to goddess's service the service is interrupted by a squad of her house soldiers as she is informed of the death of her father and brother along with most of the rest of House Acoma's forces, lost in combat on Midkemia. Taken home to reluctantly take up her duties as Ruling Lady, Mara is introduced to the dangers facing her when an assassin attacks her in the Acoma's sacred grove. Saved by one of her loyal guards, Mara is faced by her first test as the loyal soldier had, by tradition, to die. But Mara finds a way to satisfy tradition while keeping her man alive. Over the next few years, Mara continues to bend tradition as far as she can to keep her house alive but when her actions lead to the death of a husband married only for political expediency Mara realises that survival of her House must mean more than just its physical survival
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belongs to Wurtz. The story opens as the lady Mara is about to be ordained as a Sister of Lashima but just as she's about to be sealed to goddess's service the service is interrupted by a squad of her house soldiers as she is informed of the death of her father and brother along with most of the rest of House Acoma's forces, lost in combat on Midkemia. Taken home to reluctantly take up her duties as Ruling Lady, Mara is introduced to the dangers facing her when an assassin attacks her in the Acoma's sacred grove. Saved by one of her loyal guards, Mara is faced by her first test as the loyal soldier had, by tradition, to die. But Mara finds a way to satisfy tradition while keeping her man alive. Over the next few years, Mara continues to bend tradition as far as she can to keep her house alive but when her actions lead to the death of a husband married only for political expediency Mara realises that survival of her House must mean more than just its physical survival
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LibraryThing member Vinjii
What a wonderful book. Daughter of the Empire is set in a world inspired by Asia. There's not a lot of magic, instead it's all about intrigue and politics. In addition, expect a kick-ass female character.
Mara is simply one of the best female fantasy characters I've ever encountered. She is cunning
The entire cast of characters is well developed. The villains are intriguing and relatable. On one page you want to punch them, on the next they break your heart! There was one scene especially which was a punch in the gut, and only a few pages prior I thought I'd be throwing a party.
I recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy with a lot of politics and intrigue. If several houses attempting to outwit each other in a bid to rule appeals to you, then this is for you. If you're at all interested in Feist's work and the rest of the Riftwar Cycle, start with the Riftwar Saga Trilogy before you dive into the Empire Trilogy.
Mara is simply one of the best female fantasy characters I've ever encountered. She is cunning
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and intelligent. This entire book is one big chess game filled with politics and betrayal, and Mara does not use strength and violence to win this game but her wit. It's a joy to watch her decimate her opponents using only her brain. More of this, please.The entire cast of characters is well developed. The villains are intriguing and relatable. On one page you want to punch them, on the next they break your heart! There was one scene especially which was a punch in the gut, and only a few pages prior I thought I'd be throwing a party.
I recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy with a lot of politics and intrigue. If several houses attempting to outwit each other in a bid to rule appeals to you, then this is for you. If you're at all interested in Feist's work and the rest of the Riftwar Cycle, start with the Riftwar Saga Trilogy before you dive into the Empire Trilogy.
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LibraryThing member JessMahler
Really enjoyed this story of a young woman thrown into the deep end and how she manages not just to survive but thrive. I've returned to it multiple times over the years and it always holds up.
LibraryThing member allison_s
Still great.
LibraryThing member jklugman
Surprisingly good, given how boring and cardboard Feist's Midkemia characters tend to be. The protagonist is not really a nice person--she is a slaver after all-but she is interesting, and I was caught up in her courtly intrigues. It is tempting to attribute the uptick in quality to departing the
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generic Tolkien-esque Midkemia setting for the vaguely Asian/Mesoamerican Kelewan. In reality, I suspect Feist's coauthor Jenny Wurts deserves the credit. My main complaint is that the novel focuses on how the protagonist navigates the aristocratic circles of the Tsuranuanni Empire, governed by byzantine rules of honor and gentility, and often the narrative progresses by the authors introducing a new rule that works in favor of the protagonist. It is a common trope in science fiction but oh well. Show Less
LibraryThing member BooksForDinner
Years ago only read the first of the three books in this trilogy. Remembered almost nothing of it. So it was like reading a new book.
LibraryThing member krazykiwi
Hmmm. So this is a bit of a classic, but I've never read it before. So I'm not really coloured by a bunch of fond memories, and I think I would have liked this book a lot more as a teenager.
For: A smart and capable female protagonist to add to my pile of books for the kids to read. Albeit one not
Against: Really just one thing: She's so damn lucky. It's deus ex fluke after fluke. She ought to take up poker or something. Every bluff works, every feint, every huge gamble with her life and that of her entire clan, pays off. Each one in turn is well written, and fun, but in total it's a little overwhelming just how damn lucky Mara is.
So, a 3.5, if there were half stars, but down a little, because the luck factor doesn't work right for me.
It's still a ripping good read, and I can be a little harsh on my scores, and it's a really good example of co-writing at it's best, the writing is seamless and the voice is united, there's no sign who wrote what and no jarring transitions between authors. So take the 3 as what it says: I liked it.
For: A smart and capable female protagonist to add to my pile of books for the kids to read. Albeit one not
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above using sex to get her way. In fact, quite ruthlessly. She's smart and kind to the downtrodden, the poor and the disenfranchised, ensuring their loyalty, but she's calculating and cruel to her peers. Actually that may be an against. She's smart enough to use and trust her employees and advisors to their best capability, something that is the downfall of so so many characters, in so so many books. Against: Really just one thing: She's so damn lucky. It's deus ex fluke after fluke. She ought to take up poker or something. Every bluff works, every feint, every huge gamble with her life and that of her entire clan, pays off. Each one in turn is well written, and fun, but in total it's a little overwhelming just how damn lucky Mara is.
So, a 3.5, if there were half stars, but down a little, because the luck factor doesn't work right for me.
It's still a ripping good read, and I can be a little harsh on my scores, and it's a really good example of co-writing at it's best, the writing is seamless and the voice is united, there's no sign who wrote what and no jarring transitions between authors. So take the 3 as what it says: I liked it.
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LibraryThing member readafew
In my opinion this is one of the best of the Kelewan/Midkimia books. I've liked all of them that I have read but I think this one is near the top. This is the 1st of a trilogy that takes place on Kelewan. This is about the Tsuranuanni people and their politics.
We begin with Mara about to take vows
We begin with Mara about to take vows
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to become a member of the order of Lashima. Before it is complete she is recalled home to become the head of her house because the others in her line were killed in battle. As a mere girl of 17 s she is thrust into a pit of viperous politisians who would enjoy watching her demise and the end of the Acuma line. She set herself the task of more than mere servival, but revenge on the one who orcestrated the death of her father and brother. Show Less
LibraryThing member zjakkelien
This is quite a good book, with very good female representation. The main character is not flawless, but she is brave, smart, competent and willing to learn. She is not overshadowed by any of the men and her allies do not condescend to her.
One thing I thought was a pity was that there is an alien
One thing I thought was a pity was that there is an alien
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insect-like race that is made much off in the beginning, but that hardly shows up afterwards. I hope the reason for introducing it is so that they can make a larger appearance in one of the following books. And one slight annoyance: sometimes this read like a conjunction of short stories to me, each with a problem and a solution. I think the flow would have been better if it would have been mixed more. Show Less
Subjects
Original publication date
1987-06
Physical description
528 p.; 6.77 inches
ISBN
0586074813 / 9780586074817
Local notes
Magic and murder engulf the realm of Kelewan. Fierce warlords ignite a bitter blood feud to enslave the empire of Tsuranuanni. While in the opulent Imperial courts, assassins and spy-master plot cunning and devious intrigues against the rightful heir. Now Mara, a young, untested Ruling lady, is called upon to lead her people in a heroic struggle for survival. But first she must rally an army of rebel warriors, form a pact with the alien cho-ja, and marry the son of a hated enemy. Only then can Mara face her most dangerous foe of all--in his own impregnable stronghold.
Midkemia and Kelewan
Midkemia and Kelewan