Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Limits of Power - Elizabeth Moon

Limits of Power
Elizabeth Moon
Del Rey
Copyright Date: June 11, 2013
978-0345533067

The amazon.com product description:
Elizabeth Moon is back with the fourth adventure in her bestselling fantasy epic. Moon brilliantly weaves a colorful tapestry of action, betrayal, love, and magic set in a richly imagined world that stands alongside those of such fantasy masters as George R. R. Martin and Robin Hobb.

The unthinkable has occurred in the kingdom of Lyonya. The queen of the Elves—known as the Lady—is dead, murdered by former elves twisted by dark powers. Now the Lady’s half-elven grandson must heal the mistrust between elf and human before their enemies strike again. Yet as he struggles to make ready for an attack, an even greater threat looms across the Eight Kingdoms.

Throughout the north, magic is reappearing after centuries of absence, emerging without warning in family after family—rich and poor alike. In some areas, the religious strictures against magery remain in place, and fanatical followers are stamping out magery by killing whoever displays the merest sign of it—even children. And as unrest spreads, one very determined traitor works to undo any effort at peace—no matter how many lives it costs. With the future hanging in the balance, it is only the dedication of a few resolute heroes who can turn the tides . . . if they can survive.
Limits of Power is the most recent addition to the Paladin's Legacy series by Elizabeth Moon. Fourth in the series, which I understand is planned to go for five books in total. As a result, while this was an incredible read, it didn't resolve very much, leaving a lot for the concluding book.

As much as Paksenarrion was my favourite character in the original book set in this world, The Deed of Paksenarrion, all the secondary characters from that book who became the main characters in this series have all grown on me as well. Dorrin, Arvid, Stammel, Arcolin and more, all these characters have become more than they were through their time in these pages.

Arvid is becoming quite the character in this series. He's definitely come a long way from the thief who helps Paks with a couple of situations in the original books. The same thing can be said about a lot of the other minor characters from those days as well though - Andressat, and the king of Tsasia for example.

One thing I found on reading Limits of Power was just how much it relies on the previous books. I do have to note that it's been a while since I last read Echoes of Betrayal, the previous book in the series, and perhaps I should have re-read that one before starting on the newest book.

Now, I have to wait a year to find out what's going to happen next with so many different things. I don't want to list them though, in case that counts as spoilers. Suffice it to say that there are lots of things going on in this world that I'd love to have answers to.

Elizabeth Moon is one of my favourite fantasy and science fiction authors. Every one of her efforts has been top-notch in my mind. Limits of Power is no different, although I'd recommend starting with either The Deed of Paksenarrion or Oath of Fealty, which is the first book in the Paladin's Legacy series.

Just a question for other readers. Who do you think is pictured on the cover of Limits of Power? I know that one of the figures is Paksenarrion herself, but the other one? I can't remember if Elizabeth Moon said anything on her Paksworld blog.

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