Rating: 
Summary: superb!
Review: Carol Berg has got to be one of the best modern riders. Her characterization is far and above anything I have yet to read. Each character in the story is unique in their personafication. They, also, grow and change throughout the story based on their experiences.In this first novel of the D'Arnath trilogy, our heroine, Seri, is upper class citizen, intellegent, free speaking, and of outstanding character. She has a close nitch of friends, one of which she falls into love with. They marry and are happy. Problem: He is a sorcerer, which is punishable by torture and death in society. Seri helps keep her husbands secret and supports his choices. Karen, Seri's husband, has a special gift that allows him to heal the sick (somethimes from even close death). Regardless of the risk of being caught, Karen continues to use his powers for any in need. Eventually, he is caught. Now they, and their friends, will have to pay the price. This is only the flashback during the story. In current time, Seri meets a mysterious stranger (naked and without his memory) she has to unlock his past in order to save the world. Fast pased, fasinating, intriquing, well-written. I went sleepless nights reading this novel. You will not regret buying it either.
Rating:
Summary: superb!
Review: Carol Berg has got to be one of the best modern riders. Her characterization is far and above anything I have yet to read. Each character in the story is unique in their personafication. They, also, grow and change throughout the story based on their experiences. In this first novel of the D'Arnath trilogy, our heroine, Seri, is upper class citizen, intellegent, free speaking, and of outstanding character. She has a close nitch of friends, one of which she falls into love with. They marry and are happy. Problem: He is a sorcerer, which is punishable by torture and death in society. Seri helps keep her husbands secret and supports his choices. Karen, Seri's husband, has a special gift that allows him to heal the sick (somethimes from even close death). Regardless of the risk of being caught, Karen continues to use his powers for any in need. Eventually, he is caught. Now they, and their friends, will have to pay the price. This is only the flashback during the story. In current time, Seri meets a mysterious stranger (naked and without his memory) she has to unlock his past in order to save the world. Fast pased, fasinating, intriquing, well-written. I went sleepless nights reading this novel. You will not regret buying it either.
Rating:
Summary: Simply amazing
Review: I am normally hesitant reading an author's new series, since they normally degrade in their writing ability. I picked this up, however, with a lack of anything better to read. I'm definetly glad I did.
For those of you who read the Rai-Kirah series, Berg has improved on the few things I considered negative in that series. Often, she presented information much too quickly, and it became confusing and unclear. Here, she explains things much better without sacrificing the fast-past setting in which things are revealed.
As with her previous series, the characters are multi-faceted and easy to love (or some grow on you). There are mysteries to be solved in this trilogy, some the reader can guess and some they can't. I love this mixture- I feel like I'm super-smart because I figured it out, but I'm not smart enough to figure it all out (good thing too, otherwise this book would suck).
And for the romantic fantasy readers- have no fear. Carol shows her more feminine side with this book, using a female as her main character (in her previous trilogy, it was a man). Seri has gone through some rough times in her life, making her strong, but she still has her weaknesses. I love this character- her problems and pain take us through the plot, bringing it alive.
I definetly recommend this series, particularly because I know the next book in the series is just as good (and so far what I've read of the third as well). Carol Berg knows how to write a great story that will keep you asking for more.
Rating:
Summary: Here we go again!
Review: I had read Ms. Berg's first trilogy ("Transformation" series) and loved it. As a result, I was looking forward to reading this new one. I definitely was not disapointed! I started it about 3 in the afternoon and finished it that same day (11:00 p.m.) !! I can hardley wait for the next one in the series. I just wish that the publishing world moved faster!! Thank- you Carol for another great book!!
Rating: 
Summary: Updated review
Review: I have enjoyed all of Ms. Berg's previous books so I was eager to see that she was coming out with a new novel. So far, I have only read about 120 pages of this book so this is truly a first impression. I have to say that so far I have not been as engaged in this story as I was in her previous novels. The protagonist is simply not as likeable and I don't really know why. But the lack of this instant connection made these early pages of the book a tough read. I thought perhaps it was the fact that this protagonist is female where as her other lead characters have been male. I think Ms. Berg writes the angst-ridden sensative man very well. I don't think she has as deft a hand with a woman. Another problem I have with this book so far is the use of flash backs. I think these are rather poorly handled and as such the disrupt the flow of the framing story. Or you could even say that the frame story disrupts the flow of the flash back tale. The characters in the flash back are entriguing and the back story is also very interesting. I would much rather have seen the background tale as its own novel. It deserves that. Having that as the first book would also have allowed us to bond with and empathize with Seri (main chara) more. It is too soon to past judgement yet; I am def going to finish the book because I want to find out who aeren is and more about the characters in the back story. I think if you like this writer that you will be ok with this book. So far it isn't great but is certainly is better then most of the fantasy stuff out there. And as this is 1/3 I expect this to series to get stronger as it goes.
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5-30-04 Having now finished the book, I can say that this book gets stronger as it goes on. Character developments improves dramatically and the conclusing leaves you waiting for the next book. I particularly enjoyed D"natheil's evolving personality. He will be great in the upcoming books. In the end I found this novel very enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: Updated review
Review: I have enjoyed all of Ms. Berg's previous books so I was eager to see that she was coming out with a new novel. So far, I have only read about 120 pages of this book so this is truly a first impression. I have to say that so far I have not been as engaged in this story as I was in her previous novels. The protagonist is simply not as likeable and I don't really know why. But the lack of this instant connection made these early pages of the book a tough read. I thought perhaps it was the fact that this protagonist is female where as her other lead characters have been male. I think Ms. Berg writes the angst-ridden sensative man very well. I don't think she has as deft a hand with a woman. Another problem I have with this book so far is the use of flash backs. I think these are rather poorly handled and as such the disrupt the flow of the framing story. Or you could even say that the frame story disrupts the flow of the flash back tale. The characters in the flash back are entriguing and the back story is also very interesting. I would much rather have seen the background tale as its own novel. It deserves that. Having that as the first book would also have allowed us to bond with and empathize with Seri (main chara) more. It is too soon to past judgement yet; I am def going to finish the book because I want to find out who aeren is and more about the characters in the back story. I think if you like this writer that you will be ok with this book. So far it isn't great but is certainly is better then most of the fantasy stuff out there. And as this is 1/3 I expect this to series to get stronger as it goes.
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5-30-04 Having now finished the book, I can say that this book gets stronger as it goes on. Character developments improves dramatically and the conclusing leaves you waiting for the next book. I particularly enjoyed D"natheil's evolving personality. He will be great in the upcoming books. In the end I found this novel very enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Carol Berg is such a good writer.
Review: I have loved every single of Carol Berg's books. I read this one in about two days and I have utterly no idea what I'm going to do until the second one comes out. Berg elegantly weaves the past into the present as she tells the story of Seri, an exhiled noblewoman who's life was torn apart by her brother and her king. The story is told from Sari's point of view, as she runs into a young man who cannot speak. When people start asking after a young man who matches the mute stranger's description, Sari realizes that there is something special about him. The two of them, with the help of some minor characters, start out on a search for this man's past and his memory. Sari's story is utterly heartbreaking. She tells it with the reader already knowing the outcome. You come to know and love the characters and when it all comes down in Sari's love I kept echoing Sari's prayers that something miraculous would happen and they would all get away and live happily ever after. Son of Avonar is a very serious book, but Berg puts just enough humourous, heartwarming moments in it to make it fun to read. The character of Aeren (the mysterious young man) is at once funny and tragic in his amnesia clouded confusion. This story made me chuckle and it brought tears to my eyes. The characters, settings, and cultures are vividly constructed, and Berg's characters are so three-dimensional. It is rare to find characters who are neither good or bad, but flawed, noble, honourable people as we all are. The relationship between Sari and her brother is particularly poignant. There is also an interesting theme of nonviolence. Sari's culture is especially war-oriented, she often mentions that everyone carries a weapon, but her healer-husband's refusal to lift a hand is interesting. I am curious to see how Berg develops this theme in the future books. Son of Avonar is a wonderful book to read. It is as good or better as all of Carol Berg's books, an excellant fantasy novel.
Rating:
Summary: Carol Berg is such a good writer.
Review: I have loved every single of Carol Berg's books. I read this one in about two days and I have utterly no idea what I'm going to do until the second one comes out. Berg elegantly weaves the past into the present as she tells the story of Seri, an exhiled noblewoman who's life was torn apart by her brother and her king. The story is told from Sari's point of view, as she runs into a young man who cannot speak. When people start asking after a young man who matches the mute stranger's description, Sari realizes that there is something special about him. The two of them, with the help of some minor characters, start out on a search for this man's past and his memory. Sari's story is utterly heartbreaking. She tells it with the reader already knowing the outcome. You come to know and love the characters and when it all comes down in Sari's love I kept echoing Sari's prayers that something miraculous would happen and they would all get away and live happily ever after. Son of Avonar is a very serious book, but Berg puts just enough humourous, heartwarming moments in it to make it fun to read. The character of Aeren (the mysterious young man) is at once funny and tragic in his amnesia clouded confusion. This story made me chuckle and it brought tears to my eyes. The characters, settings, and cultures are vividly constructed, and Berg's characters are so three-dimensional. It is rare to find characters who are neither good or bad, but flawed, noble, honourable people as we all are. The relationship between Sari and her brother is particularly poignant. There is also an interesting theme of nonviolence. Sari's culture is especially war-oriented, she often mentions that everyone carries a weapon, but her healer-husband's refusal to lift a hand is interesting. I am curious to see how Berg develops this theme in the future books. Son of Avonar is a wonderful book to read. It is as good or better as all of Carol Berg's books, an excellant fantasy novel.
Rating:
Summary: Are the other readers missing something?
Review: I have read over and over again in the reviews that a lot of people seem to think that Seri, the protagonist of this book, is not as good a character as Seyonne from Berg's rai-kirah series, and that she was not NEARLY as emotionally scarred as he was and therefore has no right to be so bitter/angsty.
I must say that I disagree. While in theory Seyonne suffered more abuse than Seri, the sixteen years of slavery degradation and torment he is supposed to have suffered really do not fit in with his character. On the other hand, it is very easy to believe that Seri's friends were tortchered to death, her husband was burned at the stake, and her son was taken away and killed right after he was born.
I guess this isn't exactly a review, more of a rant, but so what.
(Son of Avonar is an excellent book and not nearly so depressing as I made it sound.)
Ha! There's the review!
Rating:
Summary: Intriquing - Characterization 5; Philosphy-3
Review: I have thoroughly enjoyed Carol Berg's work (although I have yet to read Song of the Beast.) I enjoy her writing and find her books very hard to put down -- and this one is no different in that respect. But I find myself not quite so eager to read the next book in the series. On the one hand, the heroine's blind spots and prejudices were intriquing and realistic; on the other hand -- will she ever learn not to prejudge people? OK, fine, by the end of book 1, but perhaps if she had been paying attention she might have woken up a tad earlier? I felt more that I was getting preached to than that I was reading an adventure novel. I like her well enough I will try the next book -- but if it is very fluffy (i.e., pacifism is all good and it doesn't matter that other people are dying to preserve the protagonist's right to be a pacifist) I won't be finishing this series. Just my opinion. ndm
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