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The Deed of Paksenarrion #3
Oath of Gold
Paksenarrion - Paks for short - was somebody special. Never could she have followed her father's orders and married the pigfarmer down the road. Better a soldier's life than a pigfarmer's wife, and so though she knew that she could never go home again, Paks ran away to be a soldier. And so began an adventure destined to transform a simple Sheepfarmer's Daughter into a hero fit to be chosen by the gods.
512 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1989
About the author
Elizabeth Moon
149 books2,530 followersElizabeth Moon was born March 7, 1945, and grew up in McAllen, Texas, graduating from McAllen High School in 1963. She has a B.A. in History from Rice University (1968) and another in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin (1975) with graduate work in Biology at the University of Texas, San Antonio.
She served in the USMC from 1968 to 1971, first at MCB Quantico and then at HQMC. She married Richard Moon, a Rice classmate and Army officer, in 1969; they moved to the small central Texas town where they still live in 1979. They have one son, born in 1983.
She started writing stories and poems as a small child; attempted first book (an illustrated biography of the family dog) at age six. Started writing science fiction in high school, but considered writing merely a sideline. First got serious about writing (as in, submitting things and actually getting money...) in the 1980s. Made first fiction sale at age forty--"Bargains" to Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword & Sorceress III and "ABCs in Zero G" to Analog. Her first novel, Sheepfarmer's Daughter, sold in 1987 and came out in 1988; it won the Compton Crook Award in 1989. Remnant Population was a Hugo nominee in 1997, and The Speed of Dark was a finalist for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and won the Nebula in 2004.
She served in the USMC from 1968 to 1971, first at MCB Quantico and then at HQMC. She married Richard Moon, a Rice classmate and Army officer, in 1969; they moved to the small central Texas town where they still live in 1979. They have one son, born in 1983.
She started writing stories and poems as a small child; attempted first book (an illustrated biography of the family dog) at age six. Started writing science fiction in high school, but considered writing merely a sideline. First got serious about writing (as in, submitting things and actually getting money...) in the 1980s. Made first fiction sale at age forty--"Bargains" to Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword & Sorceress III and "ABCs in Zero G" to Analog. Her first novel, Sheepfarmer's Daughter, sold in 1987 and came out in 1988; it won the Compton Crook Award in 1989. Remnant Population was a Hugo nominee in 1997, and The Speed of Dark was a finalist for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and won the Nebula in 2004.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 300 reviews
March 10, 2017
I spent the first two chapters of this book crying. Why, you ask? Because the second book left Paks in such a hopeless, lonely place and in the first couple of chapters Master Oakhollow takes her in and is SO KIND. He demonstrates a kindness that’s often missing in our world today.
I had difficulty setting the book down—I really wanted to know what happened. But I just couldn’t give it 5 stars, despite these two factors. Once she was healed, Paks went right back to being a Mary Sue character, who could do no wrong and could see her way through all kinds (and I mean ALL kinds) of troubles without getting bent out of shape. This despite assurances to her on several occasions that she is a better Girdsman now, because she knows how helpless people feel. Plus she’s gone all religious and holy in the cult of Gird. For a girl who used to fight & cuss in Duke Phelan’s troops, it was odd to see her go so far to the other end of the spectrum.
Having said that, Moon creates a fascinating world—I would have loved to spend more time with the elves and gnomes and know a bit more about their societies. The ending, although okay, just kind of petered out. Rather like a fairy tale, when they just say that everyone lived happily ever after. A bit more detail in the resolution would have made me feel better about it.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable trilogy and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys high fantasy.
Book number 249 in my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project.
I had difficulty setting the book down—I really wanted to know what happened. But I just couldn’t give it 5 stars, despite these two factors. Once she was healed, Paks went right back to being a Mary Sue character, who could do no wrong and could see her way through all kinds (and I mean ALL kinds) of troubles without getting bent out of shape. This despite assurances to her on several occasions that she is a better Girdsman now, because she knows how helpless people feel. Plus she’s gone all religious and holy in the cult of Gird. For a girl who used to fight & cuss in Duke Phelan’s troops, it was odd to see her go so far to the other end of the spectrum.
Having said that, Moon creates a fascinating world—I would have loved to spend more time with the elves and gnomes and know a bit more about their societies. The ending, although okay, just kind of petered out. Rather like a fairy tale, when they just say that everyone lived happily ever after. A bit more detail in the resolution would have made me feel better about it.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable trilogy and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys high fantasy.
Book number 249 in my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project.
June 20, 2015
I LOVED this series. The world building was wonderful, the characters were compelling, and I cried. A LOT.
Poor old Paks goes through many trials before the completion of this trilogy - many of which were painful to read but were completely necessary as both an affirmation to Paks as a character and me, as a reader - that Paks absolutely deserves to be the hero in this story.
Sigh.
Really.
So why the four stars? I took one off because the ending felt rushed and left me feeling unsatisfied. Like my last boyfriend.
Poor old Paks goes through many trials before the completion of this trilogy - many of which were painful to read but were completely necessary as both an affirmation to Paks as a character and me, as a reader - that Paks absolutely deserves to be the hero in this story.
Sigh.
Really.
So why the four stars? I took one off because the ending felt rushed and left me feeling unsatisfied. Like my last boyfriend.
February 17, 2012
Very good, brought the series together wonderfully (almost as if it was fated); I just could have done without You know the one, the Giant Metaphor Scene. It became a little too Epic. Loved the character development and the deeper insight into the lives of the citizens.
Will have to revisit the review after a re-read.
Will have to revisit the review after a re-read.
August 12, 2016
(given this is book 3 in a series, it might contain some mild spoilers, consider yourself warned)
I was psyched to start this book: At the end of book 2, we went somewhere peculiar and unexpected and Paksenarrion could be found at the metaphorical rock bottom of the ocean. The first half was (by far) the best part of the book: Paks struggling to get through the days, her finding her way back to Brewersbridge and getting helped by my favourite Kuakgan. That whole part was actually really cool.
The second half on the other hand was a bit disappointing: The entire sword-plot was so predictable that a toddler could see it coming from a mile away. The ending with Paks sacrificing herself was just over the top and too ridiculous to be true. I really wish Moon would have stayed away from that, and have it ending on a fight.
The first half (and the rest of the series) are making up for it though. As a whole, it's still a really enjoyable fantasy series.
I was psyched to start this book: At the end of book 2, we went somewhere peculiar and unexpected and Paksenarrion could be found at the metaphorical rock bottom of the ocean. The first half was (by far) the best part of the book: Paks struggling to get through the days, her finding her way back to Brewersbridge and getting helped by my favourite Kuakgan. That whole part was actually really cool.
The second half on the other hand was a bit disappointing: The entire sword-plot was so predictable that a toddler could see it coming from a mile away. The ending with Paks sacrificing herself was just over the top and too ridiculous to be true. I really wish Moon would have stayed away from that, and have it ending on a fight.
The first half (and the rest of the series) are making up for it though. As a whole, it's still a really enjoyable fantasy series.
October 18, 2020
“What has hurt you will leave scars. But as a tree that is hacked and torn, if it lives, will be the same tree - will be an oak if an oak it was before - so you are still Paksenarrion. All your past is within you, good and bad alike.”
It is a mark of the quality of the writing that, writing this review two months later, I still remember the utter despair I felt at the start of this book. I didn’t weep, but it was a close call.
Oath of Gold is the last in the Deed of Paksenarrion series, though the world and some of its characters continue on in Oath of Fealty and its sequels. It begins where Divided Allegiance ends, with Paksenarrion wandering from place to place, hopeless, vulnerable and alone. With little thought to her destination, she stumbles one day into Brewersbridge and the open arms of Master Oakhallow. With a firm hand, endless patience and a way with the nature of things, Master Oakhallow manages what no others have been able to: he brings back Paks’ spirit.
Wanting to test the waters, she joins the Ranger’s for a time and then finds herself drawn back to her old mercenary band. With the grace of Gird upon her, Paks’ gut instincts are a little more on point than most and Paks must figure out what hers are trying to tell her if she’s to avert disaster in all Lyonya, and maybe its neighbours too.
Paks is not the same girl she was is book one or early book two; she’s wiser and stronger for her experiences. To be honest, I think we could all benefit from a little of Master Oakhallow’s wisdom.
“It seems to me that two mistakes have clouded your mind. First is the notion that having as little courage as an ordinary person is somehow shameful, that you must have more than your share. That’s nothing but pride, Paksenarrion. So it is you felt you couldn’t live with the meager amount of courage most folk have: it was too shameful. And that’s ridiculous. Here you are, young, strong, whole-bodied now, with wit enough - with gifts above average - and you feel you cannot go on without still more bounty of the gods.” Paks blushed. Put that way . . . “Paksenarrion, I want you to think of those common folk awhile. They live their lives out, day by day, in danger of fever, robbers, fire, storm, wolves, thieves, assassins, evil creatures and powers - and war. They most of them have neither weapons nor skill at arms, nor any way to get them. You’ve lived among them, this past winter: you know, you feel, how helpless is a farmwife against an armed man, or a craftsman against a band of thieves. You are right, they are afraid - full of fear from moment to moment, as full of fear as you have been. And yet they go on. They plow the fields and tend flocks, Paksenarrion, and weave cloth for you to wear, and make pots, and cheese, and beer, and boots, and wagons: everything we use, these frightened people make. You think you don’t want to be like them. But you must be like them, first. You must have their courage before you get more.”
“But - sir, you said they had none.”
“No. I said they were frightened. Here’s the second mistake. Courage is not something you have, like a sum of money, more or less in a pouch - it cannot be lost, like money spilling out. Courage is inherent in all creatures; it is the quality that keeps them alive, because they endure.”
Paks has come to realise that the world is not black and white - the good and the bad, the strong and the weak, the leaders and the followers - but infinite shades of grey, and it is up to her to decide, in each case, how to act. It’s a hard lesson to learn and one that, at 27, I’m still struggling to come to terms with. There is a lot of comfort in definite answers.
Seeing Phelan again was its own comfort. I love that man. He’s not perfect, but he’s like a father to Paks and wants what’s best for her. In Oath of Gold, we finally learn a little more of his back-story and its only left me hungry for more. I’m fascinated by the elves too, who, no matter how similar they may look to us, are shaped by their own realities and make choices with those in mind - no matter how uncomprehending or mistaken those choices may seem to us, lowly humans.
The darker elements in this story really are quite dark. Content warning: there is a long torture scene towards the end of the book which contains graphic images and allusions of rape. I found it quite hard to read and, although it certainly made for a dramatic ending, I think I would have preferred something a little less gory.
Overall, I find it very hard to rate this book and this series. On finishing, I gave it 4 stars; thinking about it now, I feel it may deserve another 1/2 star, and may even a whole one. Similarly, the series as a whole averages 4 stars and yet I feel, together, it may be greater than the sum of its parts. So, for now, I will leave this book at four stars and rate the series as a whole 4.75 stars, on the premise that, if I’m not sure it deserves 5 stars, it doesn’t. Would I recommend it? Yes! Particularly to those who like an epic tale, a humble heroine, and a little bit of magic.
December 16, 2021
So very good. I highly recommend this series.
May 8, 2012
More of the great re-reading kick. I've re-read this trilogy a couple times--this time, I just skipped to my favorite book of the three.
Paks is a fabulous character. She's incredibly human--her strengths and flaws are far more subtle than most authors manage to accomplish. She grows up over the course of the three books, but keeps her essential nature. She's loyal and good-hearted, but headstrong and not exactly the cleverest. Not annoying dumb, but she has a certain simplicity that begins as naivete, turns into willfulness, falls into devastation, and finally is burnished into wisdom. If she were a D&D character, I'd say that her intelligence score stays as a 7 for the duration, but her wisdom goes from a 6 to a 20.
This particular book begins with her as a PTSD-plagued hobo an inch from suicide. It charts her slow recovery of herself, and how she turns her own weaknesses into strengths. It's both one of the most quiet, thoughtful books I've read and also one of the most violent. There are certain passages that still choke me up every time. Moon has a tendency to close chapters on an unexpectedly soft note that reinforces that careful pacing. But near the end, there's an extended torture scene that's hair-raising but anything but gratuitous. It's a painful but necessary development of character, the moment that Paks' entire life has been leading towards. The joyous, hopeful ending is a counterpoint to the angst that the novel begins with, balancing beautifully. This trilogy is one of my favorite works of fantasy.
Paks is a fabulous character. She's incredibly human--her strengths and flaws are far more subtle than most authors manage to accomplish. She grows up over the course of the three books, but keeps her essential nature. She's loyal and good-hearted, but headstrong and not exactly the cleverest. Not annoying dumb, but she has a certain simplicity that begins as naivete, turns into willfulness, falls into devastation, and finally is burnished into wisdom. If she were a D&D character, I'd say that her intelligence score stays as a 7 for the duration, but her wisdom goes from a 6 to a 20.
This particular book begins with her as a PTSD-plagued hobo an inch from suicide. It charts her slow recovery of herself, and how she turns her own weaknesses into strengths. It's both one of the most quiet, thoughtful books I've read and also one of the most violent. There are certain passages that still choke me up every time. Moon has a tendency to close chapters on an unexpectedly soft note that reinforces that careful pacing. But near the end, there's an extended torture scene that's hair-raising but anything but gratuitous. It's a painful but necessary development of character, the moment that Paks' entire life has been leading towards. The joyous, hopeful ending is a counterpoint to the angst that the novel begins with, balancing beautifully. This trilogy is one of my favorite works of fantasy.
May 21, 2017
I choose this series based upon the reviews I read. I consider myself a well rounded reader since I have never limited myself to one genre. However, I will say that Fantasy is my true love and I am always drawn back to this style of writing. So, when I picked up this series I was extremely excited due to the fact that I have found a lot of Fantasy to be either formulaic or bogged down with politics. After reading the first book I was "meh" about the book but I kept telling myself it has to get better due to the reviews. "This series has spoiled other Fantasy books for me." So, I kept on reading.
Now, I have finished the whole series and I'm really confused. What exactly makes this one of the best Fantasy series ever written?
The first book was all about Paks being trained as a soldier and a loyal fighter. Okay, I can forgive her nativity and at times stupidity. Heck, she was a sheep farmers daughter. The author hands out punishments to further strength Paks as a warrior. Okay, a lot writers do this. Yet, I think that a lot of this could have been established through the first half of the book.
Furthermore, as they are traveling to new areas there is not a decent map in the whole book. These kingdoms are completely unknown to me and half the time I had no idea where they were going or who they were really fighting. MAPS people they're important and so are glossaries.
Then Book 2 is all about the education of Paks. Really can't have a hero who is stupid and let me tell you her pure superstitious ignorant behavior was really rubbing me wrong. So, I think okay that makes sense but where is the story Arc? As, I kept reading all I know is that Paks is destined, perhaps by the gods, to do great things. Yet, I kept wondering where the hell is this story going? Especially after another bought of brutal punishment. So, now we know that Paks is tough and loyal. Which really has been covered in the first book. I feel this could have been covered half way or perhaps with at least 100 pages that lead to the main purpose of the story.
And then I get to the third book. My expectations are high since the writer spent 2 whole books to lead to the conclusion of Paks story. Let, me drift for a moment and tell you why the 3rd book really annoyed me. David Eddings wrote wonderful Fantasy novels and perhaps they were simplistic but one thing he did was give enough time to fully conclude the story. That means not rushing through and ending it with a basic " and they lived happily ever after." Eddings tied up loose ends and gave you the satisfaction of knowing how your characters lived. Plus, Eddings world building was amazing so you felt you knew the culture that he was writing about. There is none of this in the series. I mean their are elves, dwarves and gnomes but what about all of the other kingdoms?
Then we get little to no satisfaction on Paks fate.
***spoiler alert*********
We know that she becomes a Paladin of the Gods and that is it! When the author finally reveals the whole purpose of Paks it is simply to find the lost Prince! Really? Come on now I had that figured out in two seconds. Then, Elizabeth Moon decides to put Paks through an extremely long section of rape and torture (which is particulair brutal as Paks is a virgin and has fought off previous attempts to rape her). Who, after 5 days and 1 night, is then miraculous healed by the Gods because of her unwavering faith in them. And really don't get me started on the Holy Scar on her forehead that covers the evil brand from the torturers.
The series ends with the lost Prince put on his throne and she rides off to do more Godly work. The End. Which lend me to scratching my head and wonder why this series got the rave reviews that it did. It lacks in so many areas like a strong story line, world buidling, and a satisfactory ending. How many times is Paks going to be called in question? How many times can she be seriously injured and tortured before she is taken seriously or that she herself takes her calling seriously? The order she pledged to failed her and yet another God helped her heal. Does she praise his name? Nope. Not saying Gird was to blame but I think his followers got too much credit in this story line.
Perhaps, many people can relate to Paks since she started as a simple girl and turns into a great warrior? Maybe it is the hidden religious over tones that appeal to people? Or that the main character is a woman? I don't know and I'm still baffled by it. I kept wondering if I was reading the same book as everyone else.
In the end this book lacked meat and clear definition. One map in the first book, no glossary and little depth to any of the characters; outside of Paks. I have not been this disappointed in a series in very long time. In the end, I guess it comes down to a matter of taste and I guess mine differ from many of the other people who read this series.
Now, I have finished the whole series and I'm really confused. What exactly makes this one of the best Fantasy series ever written?
The first book was all about Paks being trained as a soldier and a loyal fighter. Okay, I can forgive her nativity and at times stupidity. Heck, she was a sheep farmers daughter. The author hands out punishments to further strength Paks as a warrior. Okay, a lot writers do this. Yet, I think that a lot of this could have been established through the first half of the book.
Furthermore, as they are traveling to new areas there is not a decent map in the whole book. These kingdoms are completely unknown to me and half the time I had no idea where they were going or who they were really fighting. MAPS people they're important and so are glossaries.
Then Book 2 is all about the education of Paks. Really can't have a hero who is stupid and let me tell you her pure superstitious ignorant behavior was really rubbing me wrong. So, I think okay that makes sense but where is the story Arc? As, I kept reading all I know is that Paks is destined, perhaps by the gods, to do great things. Yet, I kept wondering where the hell is this story going? Especially after another bought of brutal punishment. So, now we know that Paks is tough and loyal. Which really has been covered in the first book. I feel this could have been covered half way or perhaps with at least 100 pages that lead to the main purpose of the story.
And then I get to the third book. My expectations are high since the writer spent 2 whole books to lead to the conclusion of Paks story. Let, me drift for a moment and tell you why the 3rd book really annoyed me. David Eddings wrote wonderful Fantasy novels and perhaps they were simplistic but one thing he did was give enough time to fully conclude the story. That means not rushing through and ending it with a basic " and they lived happily ever after." Eddings tied up loose ends and gave you the satisfaction of knowing how your characters lived. Plus, Eddings world building was amazing so you felt you knew the culture that he was writing about. There is none of this in the series. I mean their are elves, dwarves and gnomes but what about all of the other kingdoms?
Then we get little to no satisfaction on Paks fate.
***spoiler alert*********
We know that she becomes a Paladin of the Gods and that is it! When the author finally reveals the whole purpose of Paks it is simply to find the lost Prince! Really? Come on now I had that figured out in two seconds. Then, Elizabeth Moon decides to put Paks through an extremely long section of rape and torture (which is particulair brutal as Paks is a virgin and has fought off previous attempts to rape her). Who, after 5 days and 1 night, is then miraculous healed by the Gods because of her unwavering faith in them. And really don't get me started on the Holy Scar on her forehead that covers the evil brand from the torturers.
The series ends with the lost Prince put on his throne and she rides off to do more Godly work. The End. Which lend me to scratching my head and wonder why this series got the rave reviews that it did. It lacks in so many areas like a strong story line, world buidling, and a satisfactory ending. How many times is Paks going to be called in question? How many times can she be seriously injured and tortured before she is taken seriously or that she herself takes her calling seriously? The order she pledged to failed her and yet another God helped her heal. Does she praise his name? Nope. Not saying Gird was to blame but I think his followers got too much credit in this story line.
Perhaps, many people can relate to Paks since she started as a simple girl and turns into a great warrior? Maybe it is the hidden religious over tones that appeal to people? Or that the main character is a woman? I don't know and I'm still baffled by it. I kept wondering if I was reading the same book as everyone else.
In the end this book lacked meat and clear definition. One map in the first book, no glossary and little depth to any of the characters; outside of Paks. I have not been this disappointed in a series in very long time. In the end, I guess it comes down to a matter of taste and I guess mine differ from many of the other people who read this series.
October 6, 2014
The completion of what to my mind is one of the best epic fantasy trilogies of all time. It compares well to LotR and I can't recommend it highly enough. I gave a longer review of the omnibus edition The Deed of Paksenarrion, check it out if you like. I love these books and can't recommend them highly enough.
This book following the "deed" of Paksenarrion culminates in another series of events that are so well written that they can be very, very hard to read
(in that it can be disturbing). I've read some who were genuinely upset by them/it. This event (or the events) is/are what might be described as even emotionally painful to read but as is often the case leads into a climax that is well worth it.
My only complaint? The book ends leaving me wishing for more of the story of Paksenarrion. I hope we may get that some day. So far Ms. Moon has not followed with that. There is a very fine series of books in progress that follows up the events here, but Paks herself is more of a side player in those books and the last I saw of her (in Kings of the North) she was riding off in answer to another call.
This is a wonderful book, in a wonderful series. Don't miss it.
This book following the "deed" of Paksenarrion culminates in another series of events that are so well written that they can be very, very hard to read
(in that it can be disturbing). I've read some who were genuinely upset by them/it. This event (or the events) is/are what might be described as even emotionally painful to read but as is often the case leads into a climax that is well worth it.
My only complaint? The book ends leaving me wishing for more of the story of Paksenarrion. I hope we may get that some day. So far Ms. Moon has not followed with that. There is a very fine series of books in progress that follows up the events here, but Paks herself is more of a side player in those books and the last I saw of her (in Kings of the North) she was riding off in answer to another call.
This is a wonderful book, in a wonderful series. Don't miss it.
October 30, 2015
No Spoilers.
This trilogy wraps up very nicely as Paks, our heroine, discovers her true self, powers and, purpose as more is discovered of plot and further character development of our main players is uncovered, including their pasts with some plot twits thrown in.
This is a satisfying series in the traditional sense, and I highly recommend this trilogy. I only wish our author would write more of this character, although there is a series of books in the same world, where Paks has only a supporting role.
This trilogy wraps up very nicely as Paks, our heroine, discovers her true self, powers and, purpose as more is discovered of plot and further character development of our main players is uncovered, including their pasts with some plot twits thrown in.
This is a satisfying series in the traditional sense, and I highly recommend this trilogy. I only wish our author would write more of this character, although there is a series of books in the same world, where Paks has only a supporting role.
April 4, 2024
Book 1 in this series "Sheepfarmer's Daughter" was a pretty strong military story set in a medeival style fantasy world. Book 2, "Divided Allegiance", changed gears and focused on being a D&D style campaign story with Paksenarrion serving as a Paladin. However, this book combines the two ideas together.
The strongest part of this book is the middle section. It starts close to page 100 when Paksinarrion finds her old company and Duke Phelan. This whole section was sweet and provided some interesting character growth for Paksinarrion. I also really liked the section as Paks had to go and find the King of Lyonya and essentially is sent on a new quest. This lasted until about page 400, and was really strong.
However, the opening of this book and the ending were incredibly underwhelming and not particularly interesting to me. I think the opening felt too much of the same from book 2 and the ending just felt rushed and unfocused.
The whole discussion of succession and who should take the throne was by far the most compelling part of this book. I thought Elizabeth Moon really presented the options well, and I was so invested to find out what would happen, and Moon kept me guessing as I read.
Overall, a better book than book 2, but I don't think it's as strong as book 1. I'll give the book a 7 out of 10.
The strongest part of this book is the middle section. It starts close to page 100 when Paksinarrion finds her old company and Duke Phelan. This whole section was sweet and provided some interesting character growth for Paksinarrion. I also really liked the section as Paks had to go and find the King of Lyonya and essentially is sent on a new quest. This lasted until about page 400, and was really strong.
However, the opening of this book and the ending were incredibly underwhelming and not particularly interesting to me. I think the opening felt too much of the same from book 2 and the ending just felt rushed and unfocused.
The whole discussion of succession and who should take the throne was by far the most compelling part of this book. I thought Elizabeth Moon really presented the options well, and I was so invested to find out what would happen, and Moon kept me guessing as I read.
Overall, a better book than book 2, but I don't think it's as strong as book 1. I'll give the book a 7 out of 10.
February 24, 2024
Oath of Gold is the finale of The Deed of Paksenarrion series which is a good conclusion of the series.
The protagonist Paksenarrion, is the heroine who was recruited in the first book, in second book she gave up the paladin membership, in the finale she helped the duke reclaim his rightful hereditary title and his kingdom.
she as a character has grown since she ran away from the marriage was arranged by her father, was being trained in the mercenary company, gave up being a paladin and was self-exiled in outside world. I've seen her being tortured, suffered, almost being raped etc, but I didn't see any kind of Deus ex machina, magic power, or convenient plot developments that which solve her debacles. I've seen her truly grow as a real person, even she doubt that was she a Gird's emissary or just a unqualified soldier? She has overcome the suffering, the enduring of repulsive torments, and became a legend.
I've seen many cliches, motifs, tropes in fantasy books, include this book, the races, plots and world building may not be evocative; however this series indeed has done something which hit the right tone when I was reading it; the character, Pak outshines the flaws that would mar the repetitive used formulas in this series. I scarcely see a female character as a heroine develop profoundly excellent in fantasy books! I followed Pak's POV and know that she is a flawed character, made wrong decision, unsecured facing her destiny, being circumspect what is wrong or right things to do. And I see the result is totally fabulous, to see a farmer's daughter became a heroine, not just received help from others also having faith at what she did and believed that help more people in the world where Gird can not reach to assist them.
I've seen many females characters are depicted as very good at everything and beautiful. being kind to everyone and lovable, or confront any enemy without struggles etc. I seldom see a believable heroine is being built in gradual in fantasy books. Pak isn't a lovable or elegantly attractive, but what she had been trough and believed what she was doing which benefit others. showing that she is one of the best female characters In fantasy books.
The protagonist Paksenarrion, is the heroine who was recruited in the first book, in second book she gave up the paladin membership, in the finale she helped the duke reclaim his rightful hereditary title and his kingdom.
she as a character has grown since she ran away from the marriage was arranged by her father, was being trained in the mercenary company, gave up being a paladin and was self-exiled in outside world. I've seen her being tortured, suffered, almost being raped etc, but I didn't see any kind of Deus ex machina, magic power, or convenient plot developments that which solve her debacles. I've seen her truly grow as a real person, even she doubt that was she a Gird's emissary or just a unqualified soldier? She has overcome the suffering, the enduring of repulsive torments, and became a legend.
I've seen many cliches, motifs, tropes in fantasy books, include this book, the races, plots and world building may not be evocative; however this series indeed has done something which hit the right tone when I was reading it; the character, Pak outshines the flaws that would mar the repetitive used formulas in this series. I scarcely see a female character as a heroine develop profoundly excellent in fantasy books! I followed Pak's POV and know that she is a flawed character, made wrong decision, unsecured facing her destiny, being circumspect what is wrong or right things to do. And I see the result is totally fabulous, to see a farmer's daughter became a heroine, not just received help from others also having faith at what she did and believed that help more people in the world where Gird can not reach to assist them.
I've seen many females characters are depicted as very good at everything and beautiful. being kind to everyone and lovable, or confront any enemy without struggles etc. I seldom see a believable heroine is being built in gradual in fantasy books. Pak isn't a lovable or elegantly attractive, but what she had been trough and believed what she was doing which benefit others. showing that she is one of the best female characters In fantasy books.
May 7, 2015
Oath of Gold is by far the plottiest book in a trilogy that tends towards the episodic. Almost (but not quite) from the beginning, the adventures all center around Duke Phelan and his heritage, as discovered and restored by Paks. It's stronger for it - less of a history and more of a story, even if a bit on the shopworn side. Even when it was written, lost princes and magic swords were not exactly fresh. But it does a decent job of bringing together many disparate threads and is generally satisfying.
All else I could say about the book is overshadowed by the torture porn scene towards the end, so that will have to be the focus of my reaction. On the one hand, I recognize that it's there to make a specific statement about the nature of evil and the people who fall into it, and it does that well enough. It's actually fairly moving, I think. On the other hand, it's yet another graphic torture of a female heroine, and I don't have much time for that any more. Quite a few characters get tortured in this series (it's a hazard of having a pain god, I guess) but Paks's ordeal is the only one shown in excruciating detail. I don't think the gruesome descriptions add anything to the scene - it really just feels like torture porn to me. Incidentally, this makes the series three for three in rape scenes. Not a stat I'm thrilled with.
Aside from that, I did want to highlight somewhere that Paks is a relatively rare creature - an asexual heroine, not because of trauma or religious impulse or any negative quality, just out of personal inclination. It spares me the tedium of a romance plot - that's my primary interest - but I am generally pleased to see a wider variety of sexualities in fiction. (I'd be happier about the general nonchalance with which the series approaches homosexuality if one of two named lesbians doesn't turn out to be as evil as it gets. Sigh.)
All else I could say about the book is overshadowed by the torture porn scene towards the end, so that will have to be the focus of my reaction. On the one hand, I recognize that it's there to make a specific statement about the nature of evil and the people who fall into it, and it does that well enough. It's actually fairly moving, I think. On the other hand, it's yet another graphic torture of a female heroine, and I don't have much time for that any more. Quite a few characters get tortured in this series (it's a hazard of having a pain god, I guess) but Paks's ordeal is the only one shown in excruciating detail. I don't think the gruesome descriptions add anything to the scene - it really just feels like torture porn to me. Incidentally, this makes the series three for three in rape scenes. Not a stat I'm thrilled with.
Aside from that, I did want to highlight somewhere that Paks is a relatively rare creature - an asexual heroine, not because of trauma or religious impulse or any negative quality, just out of personal inclination. It spares me the tedium of a romance plot - that's my primary interest - but I am generally pleased to see a wider variety of sexualities in fiction. (I'd be happier about the general nonchalance with which the series approaches homosexuality if one of two named lesbians doesn't turn out to be as evil as it gets. Sigh.)
February 5, 2017
Moon can write fights and battles. And that's about it, sadly.
I have trouble with main characters who are being led by the story and Paks is that times a million. In this book she's full on paladin and doesn't display any initiative or individuality, she has no goals, she just follows her gods and does what they tell her. It's boring.
The story is also predictable and yet it keeps up the tedious exposition for things that weren't established before and don't seem to be really needed. It tries to tie things up with what happened in previous books, but I don't think the author had it planned from the beginning.
The worldbuilding is dated as ever, the elves especially are cringeworthy clones of every fantasy cliche. And of course, we get more orcs, trolls and evil cultists. The evil cultists, good grief...
Evil in Moon's world is as if Warhammer's Chaos put on a fake moustache and started twirling it cheesily.
I wonder what these books would've been like if the gritty "realistic" dark fantasy wave happened ten or twenty years earlier. The good parts of the Paksenarrion trilogy hint that this author might've thrived in it more than in the Tolkien clone land.
I have trouble with main characters who are being led by the story and Paks is that times a million. In this book she's full on paladin and doesn't display any initiative or individuality, she has no goals, she just follows her gods and does what they tell her. It's boring.
The story is also predictable and yet it keeps up the tedious exposition for things that weren't established before and don't seem to be really needed. It tries to tie things up with what happened in previous books, but I don't think the author had it planned from the beginning.
The worldbuilding is dated as ever, the elves especially are cringeworthy clones of every fantasy cliche. And of course, we get more orcs, trolls and evil cultists. The evil cultists, good grief...
Evil in Moon's world is as if Warhammer's Chaos put on a fake moustache and started twirling it cheesily.
I wonder what these books would've been like if the gritty "realistic" dark fantasy wave happened ten or twenty years earlier. The good parts of the Paksenarrion trilogy hint that this author might've thrived in it more than in the Tolkien clone land.
August 8, 2013
Awesome series! The first two books were very good, 4 stars, but this last book really upped the level, so that I'd give the series as a whole 5 stars. No more meandering! We get right to it. The world-building is very detailed and the characters are developed to the point where you really care about them. Paks, the main character, grows tremendously throughout the series, which I always appreciate.
Some additional things that point to a well-written book are that while the plot was rather predictable, I found that it just heightened my anticipation for what I knew was eventually coming, rather than being a drawback. Also, the series had me in tears multiple times, especially in this third book, and they were not always tears of sadness.
I found the religious elements and the elves and kuakgan to be very interesting and all were as well-developed as the rest of the book.
Recommended for anyone who likes traditional fantasy!
Some additional things that point to a well-written book are that while the plot was rather predictable, I found that it just heightened my anticipation for what I knew was eventually coming, rather than being a drawback. Also, the series had me in tears multiple times, especially in this third book, and they were not always tears of sadness.
I found the religious elements and the elves and kuakgan to be very interesting and all were as well-developed as the rest of the book.
Recommended for anyone who likes traditional fantasy!
January 3, 2019
I'm so disappointed the framing device set up in the first book was never brought back up! I love framing devices, really sad that it was forgotten.
I knew this book series was about a paladin. I'm not sure where I got that knowledge from, general genre osmosis I guess. I don't think I can name another fantasy book about a paladin. And I don't think I will seek one out, either. The overt religious aspects paralleled Christianity and it made me uncomfortable. I even took a break from this book for about a week for a palette cleanser after how much religion there was in it.
Overall, I found the series disappointing. Paks became completely unknowable in the last book - basically as soon as she actually got her powers, the whole point of the series. There is apparently a sequel/prequel series about Gird that I might pick up and read to round out the world, but I'm going to take a break before I do that.
I knew this book series was about a paladin. I'm not sure where I got that knowledge from, general genre osmosis I guess. I don't think I can name another fantasy book about a paladin. And I don't think I will seek one out, either. The overt religious aspects paralleled Christianity and it made me uncomfortable. I even took a break from this book for about a week for a palette cleanser after how much religion there was in it.
Overall, I found the series disappointing. Paks became completely unknowable in the last book - basically as soon as she actually got her powers, the whole point of the series. There is apparently a sequel/prequel series about Gird that I might pick up and read to round out the world, but I'm going to take a break before I do that.
November 30, 2019
4 stars--I really liked it.
This is Classic high fantasy. Moon writes excellent military fantasy, and is exceptional at pacing and plotting. Paks' journey was a delight to read, and both the writing style and characterization remind me a lot of Tolkien--a bit removed, clear standards of good and evil, lots of archetypes, and so on. (The similarities are intentional, I'm sure.)
As a warning, there is a lot of torture in this book (some of it sexual) that made me a bit squeamish. Other than that, I highly recommend this series to fantasy readers.
This is Classic high fantasy. Moon writes excellent military fantasy, and is exceptional at pacing and plotting. Paks' journey was a delight to read, and both the writing style and characterization remind me a lot of Tolkien--a bit removed, clear standards of good and evil, lots of archetypes, and so on. (The similarities are intentional, I'm sure.)
As a warning, there is a lot of torture in this book (some of it sexual) that made me a bit squeamish. Other than that, I highly recommend this series to fantasy readers.
December 6, 2020
Denna bok har delar av det som gör den första volymen läsvärd, men också delar av den "D&D-sjuka" som gör att andra volymen inte var det. Dess första tredjedel är rehab, syftande till att ställa huvudpersonen utanför de organisationsstrukturer som kunde stoppat henne från att utvecklas; den andra tredjedelen är intriger, som är ganska klumpigt skrivna, och den sista tredjedelen är en utdragen tortyrfest à la Godiva, syftande till att bygga hennes legitimitet i folkets ögon. Alla tre delar hanteras relativt naivt - rehabdelen mindre än de andra. Boken avslutas abrupt, och utan att hantera de svårare frågorna.
Det som är bra med den är att den är målerisk i sin miljö. Det är i den första tredjedelen bokens behållning finns; resten är ärligt sagt inte riktigt värt mödan. Dess budskap genomgående är att vi väljer vår tolkning av verkligheten, vilket ger frihet om vi söker den. Det är ett viktigt och bra budskap, men det kan inte bära upp en hel bok när den inte har de intrigmässiga kvaliteter man kunde önska.
Det som är bra med den är att den är målerisk i sin miljö. Det är i den första tredjedelen bokens behållning finns; resten är ärligt sagt inte riktigt värt mödan. Dess budskap genomgående är att vi väljer vår tolkning av verkligheten, vilket ger frihet om vi söker den. Det är ett viktigt och bra budskap, men det kan inte bära upp en hel bok när den inte har de intrigmässiga kvaliteter man kunde önska.
August 6, 2012
Oath of Gold is the final book in the "The Deed of Paksenarrion" trilogy. I had high hopes for this book because I enjoyed the second book so much, but I ended up rating this down to two stars because the story wasn't original, it was so predictable, and the graphic torture scenes.
Originality
The book could also be titled, "The Return of The King", but I guess the author felt that was a bit too obvious of a theft from Tolkien's work. The story centers around Paks' quest to find the true king of Lyona, and to see him crowned despite deadly plots from the priests of Liart and Archaya.
While the crowning of a lost, unknown king isn't original, I did enjoy the paladin angle with Paks' character. I would have liked to see this fleshed out with more character/skill development.
Predictability
Several times in the book I wondered if the author was deliberately making it so obvious because she was going to introduce a surprise twist. Unfortunately, I knew who the King was in the previous book, and I spent three-fourths of this one waiting for Paks to figure it out. It was painful reading through Paks' deliberations as she wondered who the king might be. Hmm, who is the only character we know that matches the physical characteristics and cannot remember his childhood?!?
Torture
Where as the previous two books were relatively clean from a graphic violence and sex standpoint, this final book spent too long detailing horrific torture scenes including rape. I think the Bible is a great standard on how to depict extreme violence, and still get the point across about great suffering. Jesus didn't suffer as long or in as much gory detail as we see portrayed in this book.
I understand where the author was going with the need to understand depravity and for followers to see how bad things really are, but that only lasts for a generation, maybe two at the most. Evil will find a way to rise again in a new generation. As such, I don't think the author needed to dwell so long on the torture scenes.
Overall, I enjoyed the series, but I found the final book a let down after the series really picked up for me in the second book.
Originality
The book could also be titled, "The Return of The King", but I guess the author felt that was a bit too obvious of a theft from Tolkien's work. The story centers around Paks' quest to find the true king of Lyona, and to see him crowned despite deadly plots from the priests of Liart and Archaya.
While the crowning of a lost, unknown king isn't original, I did enjoy the paladin angle with Paks' character. I would have liked to see this fleshed out with more character/skill development.
Predictability
Several times in the book I wondered if the author was deliberately making it so obvious because she was going to introduce a surprise twist. Unfortunately, I knew who the King was in the previous book, and I spent three-fourths of this one waiting for Paks to figure it out. It was painful reading through Paks' deliberations as she wondered who the king might be. Hmm, who is the only character we know that matches the physical characteristics and cannot remember his childhood?!?
Torture
Where as the previous two books were relatively clean from a graphic violence and sex standpoint, this final book spent too long detailing horrific torture scenes including rape. I think the Bible is a great standard on how to depict extreme violence, and still get the point across about great suffering. Jesus didn't suffer as long or in as much gory detail as we see portrayed in this book.
I understand where the author was going with the need to understand depravity and for followers to see how bad things really are, but that only lasts for a generation, maybe two at the most. Evil will find a way to rise again in a new generation. As such, I don't think the author needed to dwell so long on the torture scenes.
Overall, I enjoyed the series, but I found the final book a let down after the series really picked up for me in the second book.
February 6, 2009
Book three of the trilogy, and this book simultaneously has some of the best bits and some of the worst bits.
Best: the whole first part, wherein a broken Paksenarrion finds her way back to Brewersbridge. The sensitivity of the writing in this part is always a huge pleasure to read. Her fear, her phobia and illness, both mental and physical, is so perfectly portrayed in just the right words.
As soon as Paks is with the rangers in the Ladysforest the shortcomings of this volume make themselves felt; the intricate details of life get glossed over and things just don't ring as true. We are told rather than shown what happens.
Her return to the Duke is another high point, but this entire section is both delightful and frustrating; it is a turning point for Paks, as she begins to truly become a Paladin and to learn to really act like a Paladin... yet because her experiences are glossed over and summarized it all seems a bit fake, and her resulting sophistication (when she eventually makes her way to Lyonya) doesn't really seem like her... because we didn't get to watch her change.
I'm not sure how I feel about the torture scene. It's an important part of the tale, and her escape and recovery are equally important, and yet... it's LONG. And DETAILED. Could have used more of some other bits and less of the torture, perhaps.
Best: the whole first part, wherein a broken Paksenarrion finds her way back to Brewersbridge. The sensitivity of the writing in this part is always a huge pleasure to read. Her fear, her phobia and illness, both mental and physical, is so perfectly portrayed in just the right words.
As soon as Paks is with the rangers in the Ladysforest the shortcomings of this volume make themselves felt; the intricate details of life get glossed over and things just don't ring as true. We are told rather than shown what happens.
Her return to the Duke is another high point, but this entire section is both delightful and frustrating; it is a turning point for Paks, as she begins to truly become a Paladin and to learn to really act like a Paladin... yet because her experiences are glossed over and summarized it all seems a bit fake, and her resulting sophistication (when she eventually makes her way to Lyonya) doesn't really seem like her... because we didn't get to watch her change.
I'm not sure how I feel about the torture scene. It's an important part of the tale, and her escape and recovery are equally important, and yet... it's LONG. And DETAILED. Could have used more of some other bits and less of the torture, perhaps.
June 27, 2019
Final book in the Deed Of Paskenarrion original trilogy.
After the events of the last book, Paks is at an all time low. She returns to the town of Brewersbridge where she spent so much time after leaving the Duke's Company. But even though people there would know her and welcome her, she still shies away from people. Instead she is in so much despair that she finds herself in need of serious help. She does receive it from a earlier character who manages to hep her to return to herself in a gradual way, until finally all of her pain and suffering is shown to it's purpose and she is made a Paladin of the God Gird.
From then on the book becomes a true adventure/quest fantasy, Paks is literally on a quest to restore a lost king. And frankly,if the reader has been paying attention, the identity of the lost king should not be a surprise at all. But the story starting from when Paks gets her 'nudge' from the Gods to when she restores the King is pure high fantasy good times. It if full of action, adventure, thrilling fights, excitement and the knowledge that our heroine can now kick ass and take names.
I have enjoyed my re-read of the Paks series immensely. Even though I have read this before it never gets stale.
After the events of the last book, Paks is at an all time low. She returns to the town of Brewersbridge where she spent so much time after leaving the Duke's Company. But even though people there would know her and welcome her, she still shies away from people. Instead she is in so much despair that she finds herself in need of serious help. She does receive it from a earlier character who manages to hep her to return to herself in a gradual way, until finally all of her pain and suffering is shown to it's purpose and she is made a Paladin of the God Gird.
From then on the book becomes a true adventure/quest fantasy, Paks is literally on a quest to restore a lost king. And frankly,if the reader has been paying attention, the identity of the lost king should not be a surprise at all. But the story starting from when Paks gets her 'nudge' from the Gods to when she restores the King is pure high fantasy good times. It if full of action, adventure, thrilling fights, excitement and the knowledge that our heroine can now kick ass and take names.
I have enjoyed my re-read of the Paks series immensely. Even though I have read this before it never gets stale.
June 4, 2011
This series is more about Paksenarrion's internal journey towards grace than about the moving and shaking of its fantasy world, so it surprised me that her crippling spiritual and physical wounds, received at the end of the previous book, were resolved so quickly and perfunctorily. If nothing else, it proves the importance of seeking a second medical opinion.
Once accomplished, however, her growth is essentially complete and she becomes a relatively static character until the end, where she undergoes an even more harrowing and unsettling-to-read ordeal. Its consequences are not thoroughly explored and it really doesn't have any outward effect on her behavior.
So the greater expanse of the book is not about her self-discovery, but about her actions, and it becomes a fairly conventional hero-quest-plot.
The author's strengths remain: her approach to battles and combat are spare and tactical, and she knows when to zero in on the specific and when to fade back and report the impressions.
Once accomplished, however, her growth is essentially complete and she becomes a relatively static character until the end, where she undergoes an even more harrowing and unsettling-to-read ordeal. Its consequences are not thoroughly explored and it really doesn't have any outward effect on her behavior.
So the greater expanse of the book is not about her self-discovery, but about her actions, and it becomes a fairly conventional hero-quest-plot.
The author's strengths remain: her approach to battles and combat are spare and tactical, and she knows when to zero in on the specific and when to fade back and report the impressions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2014
I take what I said about the ending of the last book back. In fact, it was perfect for this conclusion. In fact, this has been one of the best conclusions to a trilogy I've read in a while. Overall, it takes elements from the previous two and ties them all together to make a great story in three parts.
Paks grows considerably as a character, and her final trial is both painful to read yet almost had me standing up and cheering at its conclusion. How she persevered through it is a succinct and perfect demonstration of her development as a woman of courage, strength, devotion, and faith.
In fact, there were plenty of times I wanted to cheer at the end of the book.
The story continued at the same pace. Moon doesn't waste time in each situation. She paints a scene expertly without wasting words, and draws us in without making us wait on interior musings.
In all I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves fantasy.
Paks grows considerably as a character, and her final trial is both painful to read yet almost had me standing up and cheering at its conclusion. How she persevered through it is a succinct and perfect demonstration of her development as a woman of courage, strength, devotion, and faith.
In fact, there were plenty of times I wanted to cheer at the end of the book.
The story continued at the same pace. Moon doesn't waste time in each situation. She paints a scene expertly without wasting words, and draws us in without making us wait on interior musings.
In all I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves fantasy.
February 26, 2008
I was a little disappointed with the end of the this series. Paks just becomes too perfect - great fighter, beloved of the gods. The end really pissed me off - this great strong female character has been built up, and then to save the day, she basically (without trying to give to much away) passively sacrifices herself to save the day. Except because she's so good and perfect it's all OK in the end. Everyone lives happily ever after, and Paks continues through the world making things better wherever she goes. I think Elizabeth Moon's storytelling has really improved in her later books.
February 24, 2019
A re-read of an old favorite. This one is the best of the three. It still has some pacing problems. It does start well, with Paks at the lowest point ever. And then her time with the Rangers worked well. I had forgotten about her trip back to see the Duke. All in all a mostly fast read that still worked even knowing what the big reveal is. But not quite as good as I remembered. 4.5 of 5.
November 26, 2019
Series ruined for me, by second part of the third book.
Start of the slippery slope, the preachyness of the main character.
Then book goes all Joan of Arc, with gratuitous violence; author demures from gratuitous sex.
But the inevitable ending comes about, after a convenient saving and the high lords intervention.
Maybe such endings come to you when singing in the church choir.
Start of the slippery slope, the preachyness of the main character.
Then book goes all Joan of Arc, with gratuitous violence; author demures from gratuitous sex.
But the inevitable ending comes about, after a convenient saving and the high lords intervention.
Maybe such endings come to you when singing in the church choir.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2023
The series definitely bounced back with this one, to the point that I can safely say I enjoyed the whole trilogy and may in fact seek out the sequels at some point. Last time, Paksenerraion had run away from the religious order of Gird after an attempt to heal her left her with basically magical PTSD. The story picks up with her wandering back into the town she spent a lot of time in in the second book, once again meeting the druid who lives there. He's able to heal her, and where this could feel unearned and like a quick fix to the problem, it works reasonably well here. Paks still has all her memories of her suffering, and it's clear it takes time and a lot of magical effort for her to be better. Plus, it's clear that feeling like a total coward for a time has a big impact on her character.
From there, she realizes she's a true paladin whether she's passed the training or not, and in fact this is one of the ideas I especially like here. I had a lot of issues last book with the hierarchy of the Girdsmen and I sense that was intentional on Moon's part, as Paks is raised as a paladin by the gods directly. This is a neat idea and allows for an interesting contrast between her and other Girdish paladins and characters. It enables an exploration of what it means to protect the weak and do right without being burdened by a religious hierarchy that clearly makes the wrong decisions much of the time.
The rest of the story involves Paks returning to Duke Phelan, saving him from the machinations of evil gods, and then embarking on a quest to find the rightful king of a neighboring nation. It's nice to see the story move away from the D&Disms I found grating in the previous book and focus more on a proper quest story. There's some neat stuff with elves that helps make them more interesting, and while I'd accidentally spoiled myself on the identity of the rightful king by reading the blurb for the first sequel book, I still had a good time following Paks on her quest. I do feel like the torture scenes towards the end detracted from things a bit, and the healing from that did feel a bit too easy, reminding me of the rape stuff in Arrow's Fall. But it wasn't enough to detract from an otherwise quite fun and enjoyable book.
And while this was clearly intended as the end of the story when originally written, I'm glad there are more books because it's clear there's plenty more story that could be told here. I'm not sure I'd go so far as to agree with the blurb in my omnibus that calls this the "true heir to Middle-Earth", but this is definitely one of the most enjoyable fantasy trilogies I've read in a while. And I appreciate how it shifts through various modes over the course of the story while still generally being a pretty good read. Honestly, I wish I'd gotten into this in my high school days of inhaling fantasy omnibuses, but I guess there's no time like the present, and I'll definitely be revisiting this at some point.
From there, she realizes she's a true paladin whether she's passed the training or not, and in fact this is one of the ideas I especially like here. I had a lot of issues last book with the hierarchy of the Girdsmen and I sense that was intentional on Moon's part, as Paks is raised as a paladin by the gods directly. This is a neat idea and allows for an interesting contrast between her and other Girdish paladins and characters. It enables an exploration of what it means to protect the weak and do right without being burdened by a religious hierarchy that clearly makes the wrong decisions much of the time.
The rest of the story involves Paks returning to Duke Phelan, saving him from the machinations of evil gods, and then embarking on a quest to find the rightful king of a neighboring nation. It's nice to see the story move away from the D&Disms I found grating in the previous book and focus more on a proper quest story. There's some neat stuff with elves that helps make them more interesting, and while I'd accidentally spoiled myself on the identity of the rightful king by reading the blurb for the first sequel book, I still had a good time following Paks on her quest. I do feel like the torture scenes towards the end detracted from things a bit, and the healing from that did feel a bit too easy, reminding me of the rape stuff in Arrow's Fall. But it wasn't enough to detract from an otherwise quite fun and enjoyable book.
And while this was clearly intended as the end of the story when originally written, I'm glad there are more books because it's clear there's plenty more story that could be told here. I'm not sure I'd go so far as to agree with the blurb in my omnibus that calls this the "true heir to Middle-Earth", but this is definitely one of the most enjoyable fantasy trilogies I've read in a while. And I appreciate how it shifts through various modes over the course of the story while still generally being a pretty good read. Honestly, I wish I'd gotten into this in my high school days of inhaling fantasy omnibuses, but I guess there's no time like the present, and I'll definitely be revisiting this at some point.
January 9, 2022
The very worst book of the whole trilogy; barely readable.
After the decent plot of the second book, and the reasonable growth of our main character, Paks once again becomes a flat, one-dimensional, flawless character. Never a mistake, never a misstep, just virtue, light, grace, selflessness, heroism.
At every moment Gird is summoned and it all becomes a sort of epic against evil.
The plot is extremely predictable, but obsessive detail is kept on tedious conversations. One therefore has the urge to skip sections, meanwhile you already know where this is going.
The ending is really glued together, a sense of "is this all there is? Did I really read a thousand pages to get to this?" remains.
The impression I got is that Moon almost wanted to cut it short at the end.
Many pieces of the trilogy are resolved, but not all; are they left on the road?
Moon's obsession with torture scenes verges on sadism here, really heavy to read; I understand and like the need for realism, but then let's devote the same love for detail to character introspection, growth, reflections. Not just gore.
The trilogy was only an enjoyable read in parts, much however marred by this very poorly thought out epilogue.
I finally read the whole trilogy and reviewed here on Goodreads all the books and the trilogy itself:
Book I
Book II
Book III
Trilogy
After the decent plot of the second book, and the reasonable growth of our main character, Paks once again becomes a flat, one-dimensional, flawless character. Never a mistake, never a misstep, just virtue, light, grace, selflessness, heroism.
At every moment Gird is summoned and it all becomes a sort of epic against evil.
The plot is extremely predictable, but obsessive detail is kept on tedious conversations. One therefore has the urge to skip sections, meanwhile you already know where this is going.
The ending is really glued together, a sense of "is this all there is? Did I really read a thousand pages to get to this?" remains.
The impression I got is that Moon almost wanted to cut it short at the end.
Many pieces of the trilogy are resolved, but not all; are they left on the road?
Moon's obsession with torture scenes verges on sadism here, really heavy to read; I understand and like the need for realism, but then let's devote the same love for detail to character introspection, growth, reflections. Not just gore.
The trilogy was only an enjoyable read in parts, much however marred by this very poorly thought out epilogue.
I finally read the whole trilogy and reviewed here on Goodreads all the books and the trilogy itself:
Book I
Book II
Book III
Trilogy
April 25, 2023
9/10
At the end of book two of this trilogy I was wondering how things would go from there in this latest installment. It did not disappoint.
The first few chapters were one of the best reading experiences I've had. Not because of action, intrigue, or big twists and turns. But because of how the story of recovery and healing (both of body and mind) is told in a way that really got to me. The way Master Oakhallow treated Paks with kindness, patience, wisdom and direction... is brilliant to say the least.
After this the story actually does take the reader through all kinds of action, adventures, intrigue and ordeals. Some more pleasant than others. Where the story warmed my heart at times, it sickenend my stomach at others. But at all times I felt connected to Paks, other characters and the story overall.
I really enjoyed the writing of the entire trilogy and how it slightly differs each book. I really appreciate the world building. I felt like the world I was reading about kept getting bigger and richer with each chapter.
The pacing to me is perfect. The story takes it's time to tell itself with a certain calmness without it getting boring.
Excellent book and trilogy overall.
At the end of book two of this trilogy I was wondering how things would go from there in this latest installment. It did not disappoint.
The first few chapters were one of the best reading experiences I've had. Not because of action, intrigue, or big twists and turns. But because of how the story of recovery and healing (both of body and mind) is told in a way that really got to me. The way Master Oakhallow treated Paks with kindness, patience, wisdom and direction... is brilliant to say the least.
After this the story actually does take the reader through all kinds of action, adventures, intrigue and ordeals. Some more pleasant than others. Where the story warmed my heart at times, it sickenend my stomach at others. But at all times I felt connected to Paks, other characters and the story overall.
I really enjoyed the writing of the entire trilogy and how it slightly differs each book. I really appreciate the world building. I felt like the world I was reading about kept getting bigger and richer with each chapter.
The pacing to me is perfect. The story takes it's time to tell itself with a certain calmness without it getting boring.
Excellent book and trilogy overall.
January 20, 2024
I had some highs and lows with the Deed of Paksenarrion series. I loved the first book. DNFd the 2nd book 3 or 4 times before I finally managed to push through and read it and enjoyed most of this third book until towards the end with the graphic torture scene. (Lots of content warnings with that one including but not limited to SA).
I think if you really like 80s and 90s fantasy and want that vibe with a female protagonist then pick this series up.
If you loved the first book but hated the 2nd (like I did) then this is entirely worth picking up
I think if you really like 80s and 90s fantasy and want that vibe with a female protagonist then pick this series up.
If you loved the first book but hated the 2nd (like I did) then this is entirely worth picking up
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