Rating: 
Summary: I'm surprised at the rave reviews...
Review: I thought the characters were very shallow and uninteresting in the early part of the book when the story was told from a third person perspective. After a few hundred pages there was an unusual shift in the narrative to the first person perspective and the story improved somewhat (from 1 to 2 stars). Also, I found Shapechanger's Song to be an uninspiring and unbelievable read. I understand that it is intended to be fantasy, and I enjoy fantasy, but there are so many repetitive unbelievable scenes that they become anticlimactic after a while. For example, there are at least a dozen instances of the bad guy 'about' to slay the good guy, about to land the finishing blow, when another person/animal charges across the room/battle field to make a last second rescue. Also, the Cheysuli and Ihlini are far too powerful to be in the subservient positions they are in within the society - They would be ruling that world. I'll give book two a try to see if the series can draw me in, but if it's of the same caliber as this one, I'll just accept that my view of this series is quite different from the majority of others. Homerinvests
Rating: 
Summary: Precursor to a fabulous series!
Review: Ignore the nay-sayers. This series is what got me hooked on fantasy! I honestly don't think Jennifer Roberson gets nearly as much credit as she deserves for Chronicles of the Cheysuli. I first started this series when I was thirteen and from that moment on I lived and breathed the world of these characters for years. I was actually most enthralled with the last book "A Tapestry of Lions" where we get to hear the story almost entirely from the Ihlini side. A twist that just blew my mind at the time! But I was crushed after I realized the series was over. So I went on to devour Jennifer's other series starting with "Sword-Dancer." Jennifer's female characters are amazing! I love how strong and courageous they are! Before her I'd stayed away from fantasy precisely because I thought it was all about boys going off and saving the world while the women either stayed home or stood on the sidelines gazing fondly at them. Jennifer's Alix immediately caught my attention and opened up a whole new world of possibilities to me. In fact, I think Robert Jordan can learn a thing or two about creating strong female characters from her. I'm especially excited now because I visited Jennifer's official site (http://www.cheysuli.com) and found out she will be writing three more books in the Cheysuli Chronicles. One of which involves the forbidden romance between Hale and Lindir, which is what the entire series extended from so I can't wait to find out exactly how it happened. I love all the characters so much and some of the concepts are far more advanced than most detractors of the tale are willing to concede including Tahlmorra (fate, kismet), meijahs (Cheysuli mistresses), the qu'mahlin (the racial war that started it all), the a'saii (Cheysuli zealots dedicated to a pure line of descent), i'toshaa-ni (Cheysuli purification ceremony; atonement ritual), the Prophecy of the Firstborn, and of course the lir (animal familiars that enable Cheysuli to take animal form). The politics between Homana and the other kingdoms (especially Solinde) are also well done. Basically, if you haven't read this series yet then pick it up and read it right away! You'll walk away with a family of characters that you're sure to treasure forever.
Rating: 
Summary: waiting a long time...
Review: It's true, I have been waiting a long time to start this series, but the thought of hunting down 8 single books, most of them out of print, was a little daunting. Seeing it re-released in "omnibus" form was a pleasant surprise. I have always heard of the Cheysuli series and how you can see Ms Roberson's talents mature throughout the series. Having done all this buildup I will say that I did love the author's intro and the first novel. How Alix learns to accept herself and her blood and find a place in the world is quite good. The second novel, from Carilllon's POV was a little harder to wade through. The abrupt switch from third- to first-person kept me puzzled for a while, then just made it hard for me to follow conversations. The ending was neat, but not complete, obviously leaving room for "omnibus 2- the Second coming".. just a joke. The added bonus of a short story was nice to find at the end. Anyway, this is a very different style than the sword-sworn books, but a nice creation of multiple cultures and new worlds. Did remind me slightly of Andre Norton's witch world and the way they change to animals and the horses aren't frightened, but not in a bad way.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable fantasy
Review: Jennifer Roberson's Cheysuli series is a fun read. Obviously a lot of thought and care has been put into the characters, and the developement of the vaious races. Roberson has taken pains to create a complete universe, and I thouroughly enjoyed exploring it. It's not *great* literature, and the later books I think show how Roberson has grown as a writer. The series has some flaws, as does much of the genre in general. However, this was the first and only fantasy series that I read all the way through without growing bored, which is a testament to the author's abilities.
Rating:
Summary: Alright
Review: Okay, this was a good book. The only thing I had trouble with was Alix. Very annoyin! Her constants whining about how she feels and her actions without considering the consequences of them! Otherwise, it was a good book.
Rating:
Summary: Alright
Review: Okay, this was a good book. The only thing I had trouble with was Alix. Very annoyin! Her constants whining about how she feels and her actions without considering the consequences of them! Otherwise, it was a good book.
Rating:
Summary: Oh Man oh man
Review: This book was absolutely amazing! The dialogue and the Cheysuli words were fantastic, I loved how Roberson made me feel as if I watched it all happen. I absolutely loved the romance in the first section (or book) of the omnibus. The whole story was fantastic. The second section (or book) of the omnibus left a few things to be desired, in my opinion. This has much to do with the amount of characters left alive. It looked more like a Shakespearian tragedy than the first in a set of books because so many died. I'll not say who, and spoil it, you'll have to find out yourself but I shall tell you I cried.
Rating:
Summary: Shapechangers-Chronicles of the Cheysuli:book one
Review: This first book in a set of eight draws you into a world of magic and intrigue. It starts with Alix, a croft girl infatuated with the prince of her homeland, when both are kidnapped by a Cheysuli Shapechanger they are forced to acknowledge their own personal beliefs about the treatment of the exiled Cheysuli. Alix must come to accept her true (Cheysuli) heritage and ultimately her place in the prophecy that governs this magically race. The entire set is so well written a person gets lost in the story and will find herself reading for hours, so intranced, she feels she is part of its happenings and eager to find out what will happen next. The Chronicles span nearly 100 years and the intertwining of Cheysuli and four other races to complete the prophecy. There is danger and mystery, love and loss and enough emotion to move even the hardest of hearts. Ms. Roberson makes a person feel as if each emotion is her own. I have had the complete set for years and find myself re-reading it over and over again just to relive it all. I just hope that Jennifer Roberson will see fit to add to the collection and epic so we can all go back to Homana and the power of the Cheysuli.
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