Rating: 
Summary: The return of Jame, at long last!
Review: Great, complex high fantasy from an author people should read more of! Reminds me of CJ Cherryh (Especially the Fortress in the Eye of Time) in a way, in the sense of complex motivations, major interior dialogue, but more inventive and more humor. Very fast paced and complex - sometimes a bit too much so: you can't miss a word or you'll miss something. A short synopsis of the previous 2 books would have been nice, as it's (probably) been a while since the reader has read the first 2 (which are happily back in print in the omnibus edition Dark of the Gods). Also a short glossary would be good too - lots of place names, gods, etc which aren't explained and you have to skip or figure out by context (the list of dramatis personae is useful though). But overall a great sequel, and a great standalone novel too- here's hoping there isn't another FIFTEEN YEAR WAIT for the next one!
Rating:
Summary: Thank You Meisha Merlin
Review: I confess I am purchasing this book though I have a copy from the previous publication. That one was poorly done; the binding so tight that the spine broke on both copies I know of. Ironicly, that was the only one of Hodgell's books I purchased new...until last year.'Godstalk' and 'Dark of the Moon' were out of print by the time I discovered Hodgell by reading 'Stranger Blood' in the anthology 'Imaginary Lands'. Even now, I find it hard to pass by any copy of her work in a used book store. I've bought nearly a dozen of each to pass on to other people who I thought would enjoy them, and at least seven of us have been awaiting book four for an eternity. Hodgell's world has the richness and logic of dreams, the main plot being garnished with seemingly incidental details which appear again and again until a new pattern becomes clear; woven like the discarded silk threads that form the Peacock Gloves. The people and places you meet here will fire your imagination and enrich your dreams. Nearly two years ago I found out from Stephen Pagel, of Meisha Merlin Publishing, that they were picking up Hodgell's work and publishing the first two in an omnibus edition, with plans to release 'Seeker's' mask and then the fourth book of the series at one year intervals. I was thrilled, when I purchased 'Dark of the Gods', to discover they'd included a short story I hadn't previously been able to get my hands on. I am purchasing this publication of 'Seeker's Mask' despite having another, because Meisha Merlin's quality of paper and binding is outstanding and will last for my lifetime and beyond. Thank you, Meisha Merlin. This coming year looks to be a long one, but thanks to you I can see a light at the end. I still haven't heard the title for book four, but having heard it referred to, long-ago, as "Jame goes to the Citadel," I have no doubt it will have all the power and intensity of her previous three.
Rating:
Summary: Thank You Meisha Merlin
Review: I confess I am purchasing this book though I have a copy from the previous publication. That one was poorly done; the binding so tight that the spine broke on both copies I know of. Ironicly, that was the only one of Hodgell's books I purchased new...until last year. 'Godstalk' and 'Dark of the Moon' were out of print by the time I discovered Hodgell by reading 'Stranger Blood' in the anthology 'Imaginary Lands'. Even now, I find it hard to pass by any copy of her work in a used book store. I've bought nearly a dozen of each to pass on to other people who I thought would enjoy them, and at least seven of us have been awaiting book four for an eternity. Hodgell's world has the richness and logic of dreams, the main plot being garnished with seemingly incidental details which appear again and again until a new pattern becomes clear; woven like the discarded silk threads that form the Peacock Gloves. The people and places you meet here will fire your imagination and enrich your dreams. Nearly two years ago I found out from Stephen Pagel, of Meisha Merlin Publishing, that they were picking up Hodgell's work and publishing the first two in an omnibus edition, with plans to release 'Seeker's' mask and then the fourth book of the series at one year intervals. I was thrilled, when I purchased 'Dark of the Gods', to discover they'd included a short story I hadn't previously been able to get my hands on. I am purchasing this publication of 'Seeker's Mask' despite having another, because Meisha Merlin's quality of paper and binding is outstanding and will last for my lifetime and beyond. Thank you, Meisha Merlin. This coming year looks to be a long one, but thanks to you I can see a light at the end. I still haven't heard the title for book four, but having heard it referred to, long-ago, as "Jame goes to the Citadel," I have no doubt it will have all the power and intensity of her previous three.
Rating: 
Summary: Slightly disappointed, but I had VERY high expectations
Review: I read God Stalk and Dark of the Moon when they were first published. I spent the next decade and a half actively looking for the sequel. Considering the long gap between the first two books and Seeker's Mask, the characterization of Jame remained amazingly consistent (I have read sequels in which this was violently untrue, where the characters seemed mere paper cut-outs of themselves). However, the storyline in Seeker's Mask seemed rather confused. Characters are transported about willy-nilly, and some events seem to occur only in order to reveal information to the reader. Perhaps this book serves a more intermediary function within the series as a whole. Important information is revealed. Jame's situation, which was somewhat stalemated at the end of Dark of the Moon, has broken loose. In the next book, she will have much greater scope for action. Taken as a whole, this is one of the best fantasy series I have read and I eagerly await the next installment.
Rating: 
Summary: Usual Superb writing, just not about Jaime and her brother
Review: I was oh-so-excited when the book finally became available and I was able to purchase it. When I received the book I discovered that maybe half of the short stories contained within involved Jaime and her family. Hodgell's writing is excellent, of course, but I was expecting to spend the day feasting on unread tales of the adventures of my favorite heroine. I had no interest in the other stories that were included. What is there is good, but I would not have purchased the book if I had actually known what was contained. Borrowed it, absolutely, but not bought it. I guess I will just have to wait until her next book to get my Jaime fix. *grins*
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional Fantasy
Review: If you haven't read the first two books in this series (published together as Dark of the Gods) I cannot recommend that you read them enough, first for their own merits as exceptional fantasy works and because you really need the background to fully enjoy Seeker's Mask. Seeker's Mask opens shortly after the end of Dark of the Moon. Jame's quest has ended. She is reunited with her long-lost brother Tori and has returned their father's sword and ring. Unfortunately before she and Tori have a chance to reconnect, she is bundled off to learn how to be a Highborn lady. Although this section of the book takes an opportunity to explore the Women's World with its own hidden powers and politics, it isn't long before Jame has shed her mask and is off on a quest with Jorin in tow, creating mayhem where ever she goes. Like DoG, Tori is featured intermittently in his own sections, and little is resolved between brother and sister which I felt was a missed opportunity. Their relantionship, while complex and requiring a realistic resolution to their many misunderstandings, hardly advanced from the previous books. They remain seperated until the end of Seeker's Mask, and the next book hints that this trend will continue (and let the next book be here soon!) Despite this quibble, this is an excellent book. Hodgell's plot will keep you turning through 400 + pages without fatigue and Jame the heroine never fails to retain our interest. She is the most complex heroine in fantasy today. Conflicted by honor and the demands of her religion and upbringing, she nevertheless takes charge of her actions. While striving to be true to herself, she also makes mistakes, sometimes pulling down entire cities in the process! Many characters are carried by events or react only to situations created by others but Jame is a catalyst for change in her own right, as perhaps a Tyr-Ridan should be. Her stuggles with the good and evil in her nature, the expectations of her society and what she expects of herself makes for a flawed but real person whom you can't help but connect with and want to succeed. Written with a sense of style, and full of danger and intrigue, Hodgell never loses her, or Jame's sense of humor. Full of fresh concepts (arboreal drift comes immediately to mind) and offering plenty of future plot points, characters (new and dead), and a destiny for Jame that is only hinted at in oblique references, Seeker's Mask will make you look forward to Jame's continued adventures. Buy a copy - or two ! for yourself and get one for your fantasy loving friends as well.
Rating:
Summary: Slow at first but worth rereading
Review: It is not as fluid as the first two but still an excellent story.
Really intriguing characters and development. Great job, Patricia!
Rating:
Summary: lacked the fluidity of the previous 2 books
Review: Let me first say that I am a huge fan of P C Hodgell and consider her books amongst the greatest in high fantasy. Like many of my fellow reviewers I waited for years for the "new" Jame book. When it finally came I was surprised that the writing did not grab me from the first page as the first two books had, it also seem to down play the enormity of some of the key incidents that were mentioned in the previous two books the disaster of the "white hills" and the massacre of Mark's family. It also cast the high borns as power hungry factions with the kendar slaves to their precocious whims. An aspect I did not enjoy. I can only assume that Hodgell tried to paint the Kencyrath with more realistic strokes in an attempt to flesh them out more. Unfortunately what she has done is make Jame - a paragon of virture less plausiable by contrast. Tori also played far too small a role in this novel. Why did I give it 5 stars? Because thats what her sort of brilliance deserves, even if I was not totally enamoured with the book as much as I was her with her first two.
Rating:
Summary: A World that you can believe in
Review: The whole Jame series is so good. I love them. They are so good because the plot is so original, there are so many books out there that should be sued for stealing plot lines. These books are such a refreshing read and amazingly enough, our main characters aren't omnipotent gods. While Jame has a great deal of power as a Shanir (aka, Kencyr Highborn with supernatural abilities) she is haunted by her abusive childhood and adolescence that she is only starting to remember. She makes terrible mistakes and is tempted to make selfish decisions. Torisen, her brother is the Highlord of the Kencyrath, and also has great power. But unlike Jame Torisen tries to deny his heritage as one of the Shanir (once again, thanks to an abusive childhood). One of his abilities is farseeing, particularly in his sleep, and so he is an insomniac, haunted by the voice of their insane, dead father. The Lords he governs with on the High Council at best try to minipulate him, and at worst would love to see him dead. It doesn't help anything that in the first book Jame made the Kencyr High Priest stationed in the city of Tai-Tastigon, Ishtier, hate her either. And our other protagonist is Kindrie, a Shanir Priest with a awsome gift of healing, but has been locked out of his own soul by Ishtier and his allies which greatly limits his powers. He is also troubled and as result of his priestly upbringing in the luxurious Priest's College is completely unprepared for the journey with Jame that he embarks on, especially now that his healing powers are nearly nonexistent. Jame must also deal with responsibility for her semi-demonic half brother. Turned into an undead shadow being that was killed and then forced to keep on existing by a freak mistake, precipitated by Jame who had without knowing blood bound him through another one of her unknown Shanir abilities. This means that his sould is bound to her to death and maybe beyond, and now he must perforce consume other souls to remain in the world. Jame has to deal with the guilt of creating this thing and putting her half brother through such pain. Not to mention the fact that since she had blood bound him she was now resposible for him. Obviously Jame and Tori go through some awsome trials and yet do make mistakes. Everyone should read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Hodgell Rocks!
Review: This is an absolute must-have for any fantasy reader. I have read and re-read her books and eagerly anticipate the arrival of the next ones to find out what happens. The characters within have a depth to them that is really pretty impressive. The detail in the cultures and the world has astounded me. Can you tell that I am a Hodgell fan yet? I won't go into the details on the storyline, you owe it to yourself to buy the book and find out for yourself. Every fantasy lover owes it to themselves to do that
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