Read in June 2011
I could never see myself becoming a Mara, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading of her struggles and setbacks, her uncanny ability to turn even the most desperate tragedy into a resounding triumph. Daughter of Empire occurs on Kelewan, the home world of the Tsuranuanni, the flip-side of the coin that embodies the Riftwar Saga (as told mostly from Midkemia through Magician, Silverthorn and A Darkness at Sethanon).
Despite a near complete lack of traditional fantasy elements, this novel delivers an astonishing number of surprises, twists, intrigues and gambles. The rich world of Kelewan and the culture and heritage that is the Tsuranuanni Empire infuse all aspects of the reading experience. Mara’s journey from virginal novitiate to one of the twenty gods of the Tsuranuanni to ruthless Ruling Lady of one of the oldest Houses in the Empire steeped us in her gut-wrenching grief, unflinching resolve through spousal abuse and sweet relief through each successful gambit in the Game of the Council.
I plan to continue reading the rest of the Empire Trilogy and highly recommend this first installment in that series.
Gorgeous cover art by Janny’s husband, Don Maitz:
For more discussions of Daughter of Empire, led by one of the authors, Janny Wurts, and including a Q&A thread with Raymond E. Feist, follow this link.
GR Status Updates:
| 06/03/2011 | page 1 | 0.0% | ||
| 06/03/2011 | page 25 | 6.0% | “Finished One: Lady” | |
| 06/04/2011 | page 56 | 13.0% | “Finished Two: Evaluations” | |
| 06/04/2011 | page 86 | 20.0% | “Finished Three: Innovations” | |
| 06/04/2011 | page 112 | 27.0% | “Finished Four: Gambits” | |
| 06/04/2011 | page 140 | 33.0% | “Finished Five: Bargain” | |
| 06/04/2011 | page 161 | 38.0% | “Finished Six: Ceremony” | |
| 06/05/2011 | page 187 | 44.0% | “Finished Seven: Wedding” | |
| 06/05/2011 | page 218 | 52.0% | “Finished Eight: Heir” | |
| 06/05/2011 | page 244 | 58.0% | “Finished Nine: Snare” | |
| 06/05/2011 | page 267 | 63.0% | “Finished Ten: Warlord” | |
| 06/05/2011 | page 296 | 70.0% | “Finished Eleven: Renewal” | |
| 06/05/2011 | page 316 | 75.0% | “Finished Twelve: Risks” | |
| 06/05/2011 | page 340 | 81.0% | “Finished Thirteen: Seduction” | |
| 06/06/2011 | page 363 | 86.0% | “Finished Fourteen: Acceptance” | |
| 06/06/2011 | page 379 | 90.0% | “Finished Fifteen: Arrival” | |
| 06/06/2011 | page 402 | 95.0% | “Finished Sixteen: Funeral” | |
| 06/06/2011 | page 421 | 100.0% |
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