Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: straightforward fantasy Review: For nine centuries since the devastation of the Qirsi Wars, the Forelands have lived in peace. However, the murder of Lady Brienne of Kentigern allegedly by her lover Lord Tavis of Curgh has stirred up emotion especially when the prime suspect escapes his incarceration. While Tavis flees for his life, the Qirsi assassins who killed Brienne cause more havoc in the Forelands as their rumored leader the Weaver seeks domination through belligerence.Meanwhile some Qirsi mages remain loyal to the current ministers they have served as advisors for years. Although their non-sorcerer leaders now fear and distrust them, this group attempts to stop the "Conspiracy" of their peers that if successful would turn the subservient class both sides belong to into the rulers of the Forelands. While civil war brews amidst the mages, Tavis plans revenge as his way of redemption, but fighting powerful enemy magicians seem doomed from the start. The second book in "The Winds of the Forelands Tetralogy" is a straightforward fantasy that never loses its direction even while numerous subplots abound. The story line is as action packed as a sword and sorcery tale becomes without ignoring the cast. Tavis is a wonderful character struggling to control his ire boiled further by frustration to find any solid way to enact on his obsession to avenge and consequently redeem himself. Both sides of the Qirsi mages make sorcery seem so real so that fantasy fans will want to join this journey, but for greater delectation readers should try book one first though David B. Coe's insure that the SEEDS OF BETRAYAL can stand on its own. Harriet Klausner
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: straightforward fantasy Review: For nine centuries since the devastation of the Qirsi Wars, the Forelands have lived in peace. However, the murder of Lady Brienne of Kentigern allegedly by her lover Lord Tavis of Curgh has stirred up emotion especially when the prime suspect escapes his incarceration. While Tavis flees for his life, the Qirsi assassins who killed Brienne cause more havoc in the Forelands as their rumored leader the Weaver seeks domination through belligerence. Meanwhile some Qirsi mages remain loyal to the current ministers they have served as advisors for years. Although their non-sorcerer leaders now fear and distrust them, this group attempts to stop the "Conspiracy" of their peers that if successful would turn the subservient class both sides belong to into the rulers of the Forelands. While civil war brews amidst the mages, Tavis plans revenge as his way of redemption, but fighting powerful enemy magicians seem doomed from the start. The second book in "The Winds of the Forelands Tetralogy" is a straightforward fantasy that never loses its direction even while numerous subplots abound. The story line is as action packed as a sword and sorcery tale becomes without ignoring the cast. Tavis is a wonderful character struggling to control his ire boiled further by frustration to find any solid way to enact on his obsession to avenge and consequently redeem himself. Both sides of the Qirsi mages make sorcery seem so real so that fantasy fans will want to join this journey, but for greater delectation readers should try book one first though David B. Coe's insure that the SEEDS OF BETRAYAL can stand on its own. Harriet Klausner
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: A wonderful book!!! Review: I absolutely loved the Rules of Ascension. I couldn't put it down, and read it in three days. I raced out and bought this book to continue my journey through the Forelands. Boy am I glad I did. This book picks up pretty much where ROA left off. The pacing and characterizations were excellent as well. Political intrigue, swords, socerey, magic, romance, fighting, poisoning...what else could you possibly ask for. I'm frankly surprised more people haven't discovered this author or series. Very fine work, and great mindless fantasy. My only complaint about this book (and the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5) was that there was not nearly enough interplay with the 2 main characters, Tavis and Grinsa, as I would have expected. I realize Coe's setting up the next book, and introducing Aneiria to the audience to show the evil Weaver spinning his magic down south of Ebithar, but I would have liked more focus on Tavis and Grinsa. Oh well, I'll just have to wait until the next book, Bonds of Vengence, which hopefully will be out soon. I can hardly wait to see what happens. PIck this book up, as well as ROA if you haven't already read it---i guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: A great book...Keep 'Em Coming David Review: I absolutely loved the Rules of Ascension. I couldn't put it down, and read it in three days. I raced out and bought this book to continue my journey through the Forelands. Boy am I glad I did. This book picks up pretty much where ROA left off. The pacing and characterizations were excellent as well. Political intrigue, swords, socerey, magic, romance, fighting, poisoning...what else could you possibly ask for. I'm frankly surprised more people haven't discovered this author or series. Very fine work, and great mindless fantasy. My only complaint about this book (and the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5) was that there was not nearly enough interplay with the 2 main characters, Tavis and Grinsa, as I would have expected. I realize Coe's setting up the next book, and introducing Aneiria to the audience to show the evil Weaver spinning his magic down south of Ebithar, but I would have liked more focus on Tavis and Grinsa. Oh well, I'll just have to wait until the next book, Bonds of Vengence, which hopefully will be out soon. I can hardly wait to see what happens. PIck this book up, as well as ROA if you haven't already read it---i guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Action Pack Sequel Review: I enjoyed this book very much. There were alot of surprises.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: This is an excellent fantasy series Review: It may no be in the same category with George RR Martin or Tad Williams when he is at his best, but I would say this series is very very good and worth purchasing for anyone that is a fantasy aficienado. I do not want to put any spoilers in this evaluation but suffice it to say that there is action and in both booksin this sereis there is that wanting for more that all of us love and hat at the same time
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: A wonderful book!!! Review: Okay, to be honest, this book got off to a slow start, I wanted to hear about Tavis and Grinsa immediately, and I had to wait a few chapters. I also could have done without the Evanthya/Fetnalla bit, but that's just because I felt that it didn't add much to the story. However, Dusaan is an AMAZING character, well worth the wait it takes to introduce him. Keziah emerges here as her own well-developed character, not just a counterpart to Grinsa, and I liked her much better here than in RoA. Once again, David B. Coe has written a story that details the plots of several lands, creating characters that have their own personal agendas. The writing comes naturally, as if these people are going on with their lives, and Coe is simply chronicling it, rather than masterminding the entire story. I was NOT let down. I still wanted to know more about Tavis though. He's easily my favorite character, but he didn't get enough "air time" here. Still, I love this book. Coe truly shines in his storytelling!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Another fantastic read! Review: Once again, Coe has crafted a wonderful, totally engrossing book, which seamlessly follows the first in its series. I was absolutely chomping at the bit to read this book, and I stayed up late several nights because I was so anxious to see what happened next! I had very high expectations, but I was not disappointed. Coe continues his thorough character development and keeps making his readers bite their nails in suspense. The book has plenty of action to keep the story moving, but not so much that you feel that the action dominates the story. It is also refreshing to see that there are still authors who take as much care in describing the characters' world as well as they describe the main players. If you did not read the first book, it doesn't matter, as Seeds stands alone. The one negative thing I could say is that I finished reading it so soon that I will have to wait a whole year for the third installment of the story. Go on, dive in...before you know it, you will be mesmerized, the book will be over, and you will be begging for more.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Top of my list Review: Rules of Ascension set the stage with great worldbuilding, unforeseeable plot twists, and characters I came to care deeply for, but I had no idea how much more the author had up his sleeve. This book delivered everything I expected after reading the first, and also went far beyond it. I read a lot of fantasy, and this series is now right at the top of the list I recommend to friends. You know from the very start that you're in the hands of a master storyteller--and an insightful historian with a keen emotional intuition and a flair for the magical and exotic. I'm dying to find out what happens next, and I also feel that I got a totally satisfying read in one volume. Dive right in here, or start with Rules--either way, you'll be completely hooked.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: unbelievable except for the ending Review: Seeds of Betrayal follows David B. Coe's Rules of Ascension, Book One of the Winds of the Forelands. This book contained all of the plot developments that the first had, added on some more from a different part of the Forelands, and lived up to its title's hype.
Tavis and Grinsa are now searching in Aneira for Brienne's killer and are figuring out more and more that there is a much larger threat to the Forelands than just Cadel, Brienne's assassin. The Eandi nobles in Aneira and Eibithar are finally realizing that the Conspiracy is not some hoax but reality, because of the many connections between the high profile murders occuring throughout the two realms. At the same time two Quirsi women in Aneira and one in Eibithar are ready and willing to oppose the so called Conspiracy, although they are not the only ones.
Enemies must become friends, and friends must become enemies, for the Forelands to stay in peace. David B. Coe did an excellent job again, but the ending seems to be a prologue for his next novel. His first in this series easily stood alone and hinted towards the next installment, but this one doesn't seem to end. It just stops. I am still anticipating the rest to come in the series and throroughly enjoyed this one even with the ending.
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