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Rating: 
Summary: Books three and four perhaps the weakest of the series
Review: The remember really enjoying the first four books of the Cheysuli Chronicles the first time I read them as a teenager.After the omnibus editions came out I re-read the first four so that I could continue on to (previously unread) books five through eight. That, however, might have been a mistake, as I almost gave up, I was so disgusted with the perpetually cycling dynastic plot. Just too many unfulfilled romances, unwilling crown princes and altogether too much holier-than-thou Cheysuli arrogance. Books one and two are great, and the series gets better, but books three and four are, IMHO, the weakest of the Cheysuli Chronicles.
Rating: 
Summary: Even in the middle it's a good intro
Review: This is actually the place I started the series the first time around, _Legacy of the Sword_ is the first book I read. Did I not get a few things? Sure. Was I totally lost? Nope. Ms. Roberson is a good writer and she gave enough information in summary that while you knew you missed something it wasn't a plot-stopper. All that being said, this is a great introduction to the world of the Cheysuli. Politics are at a high boil and parts of it are set in an urban enviroment that you don't often see elsewhere in the series, so you get to see what the 'common man' thinks of all the change that is swirling around him. I like Ms. Roberson's style. Not too lush but not too spare either, she gives you plenty of concrete details to hang your imagination on. I liked this one enough to go read her other series and wait impatiently for her to finish this one. The only drawback is that it is clearly part of a long series and while you can pick up anywhere, you can't really walk away at the end of any one book and feel satisfied. Each generation overlaps the next and the past one, great for continuity, not so great for the wallet.
Rating:
Summary: Even in the middle it's a good intro
Review: This is actually the place I started the series the first time around, _Legacy of the Sword_ is the first book I read. Did I not get a few things? Sure. Was I totally lost? Nope. Ms. Roberson is a good writer and she gave enough information in summary that while you knew you missed something it wasn't a plot-stopper. All that being said, this is a great introduction to the world of the Cheysuli. Politics are at a high boil and parts of it are set in an urban enviroment that you don't often see elsewhere in the series, so you get to see what the 'common man' thinks of all the change that is swirling around him. I like Ms. Roberson's style. Not too lush but not too spare either, she gives you plenty of concrete details to hang your imagination on. I liked this one enough to go read her other series and wait impatiently for her to finish this one. The only drawback is that it is clearly part of a long series and while you can pick up anywhere, you can't really walk away at the end of any one book and feel satisfied. Each generation overlaps the next and the past one, great for continuity, not so great for the wallet.
Rating: 
Summary: A painful read
Review: This is only the second book I've had to put down without finishing it (The first being the latest in Jordan's Wheel of Time series). The characters cause their own problems by being so stupid. Here's an example. Let me see if I got this right...The King's wife is a witch living in guarded exile because, among other things, she: a) Plotted his downfall with the enemy
b) Tried to kill him (a few times)
c) Committed adultery and got pregnant with the powerful enemy evil sorcerer.
d) Is evil, untrustworthy, and will be-witch anyone but the Cheysuli. Does this King not have any advisors? - perhaps someone around with a little common sense? Hey, I have an idea... Wouldn't it make sense for the King to send his 14 year old daughter, (his own daughter, not the child mentioned in point 'c' above), away to be with this witch for a FEW YEARS!!! Sounds like a great idea. (yes/no?) Or how about the scene where there's an emergency and everyone is rushing back to the Keep and they bump into Duncan, the long dead tribe leader. Now this is within walking distance of their keep, and 15 years after he is supposed to be dead. Shouldn't some warning bell go off here (even a little one)? Shouldn't someone clue in that this doesn't make sense? Is there anyone out there that read this book that didn't have the first thought go through their mind - "This looks like a trap, Trap, TRAP!!!". But our characters don't clue in. In fact, they decide that it would be a worthwhile risk to release enough magic that it could potentially destroy the planet in order to fall into the trap, err, I mean, in order to try to help Duncan. Sorry, I couldn't read any further. The rave reviews for book one raised my curiosity, and I trudged through it. I could only make it through 176 pages of book two. Homerinvests
Rating:
Summary: A painful read
Review: This is only the second book I've had to put down without finishing it (The first being the latest in Jordan's Wheel of Time series). The characters cause their own problems by being so stupid. Here's an example. Let me see if I got this right...The King's wife is a witch living in guarded exile because, among other things, she: a) Plotted his downfall with the enemy
b) Tried to kill him (a few times)
c) Committed adultery and got pregnant with the powerful enemy evil sorcerer.
d) Is evil, untrustworthy, and will be-witch anyone but the Cheysuli. Does this King not have any advisors? - perhaps someone around with a little common sense? Hey, I have an idea... Wouldn't it make sense for the King to send his 14 year old daughter, (his own daughter, not the child mentioned in point 'c' above), away to be with this witch for a FEW YEARS!!! Sounds like a great idea. (yes/no?) Or how about the scene where there's an emergency and everyone is rushing back to the Keep and they bump into Duncan, the long dead tribe leader. Now this is within walking distance of their keep, and 15 years after he is supposed to be dead. Shouldn't some warning bell go off here (even a little one)? Shouldn't someone clue in that this doesn't make sense? Is there anyone out there that read this book that didn't have the first thought go through their mind - "This looks like a trap, Trap, TRAP!!!". But our characters don't clue in. In fact, they decide that it would be a worthwhile risk to release enough magic that it could potentially destroy the planet in order to fall into the trap, err, I mean, in order to try to help Duncan. Sorry, I couldn't read any further. The rave reviews for book one raised my curiosity, and I trudged through it. I could only make it through 176 pages of book two. Homerinvests
Rating: 
Summary: Jennifer Roberson always a good bet!
Review: While the omnibuses are actually reprints of the ealier works, they are still a must for sci-fi/fantasy readers. Jennifer Roberson has created a world full of magic, mystery and prophecy that can easily share a shelf with Tolkien and other favorites in my library. The books span several generations and take you through a realm filled with characters that come to life and take hold of your imagination and never let go. Even though a work of fiction, the trials, tribulations and loss suffered by the characters give the books a feeling of realism rarely found in books where good always wins over evil and everyone lives happily ever after. This series is definetly a must have. Note: It is best if the books are read in order, as the story can be confusing if you start reading in the middle.
Rating:
Summary: Jennifer Roberson always a good bet!
Review: While the omnibuses are actually reprints of the ealier works, they are still a must for sci-fi/fantasy readers. Jennifer Roberson has created a world full of magic, mystery and prophecy that can easily share a shelf with Tolkien and other favorites in my library. The books span several generations and take you through a realm filled with characters that come to life and take hold of your imagination and never let go. Even though a work of fiction, the trials, tribulations and loss suffered by the characters give the books a feeling of realism rarely found in books where good always wins over evil and everyone lives happily ever after. This series is definetly a must have. Note: It is best if the books are read in order, as the story can be confusing if you start reading in the middle.
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