Rating: 
Summary: What can you say????
Review: It has normally been my experience that when an author begins an epic series with a book as long as Curse of the Mistwraith, the tale normally ends in a never ending list of badly written sequels trying to profit from the interest generated by the first. Happily, my experience with Ms Wurts in terms of the Wars of LIght and Shadows allow me to revise such an opinion. The characters merely deepen their appeal in the subsequent novels, rather than follow a series of shallow plot twists and revelations. Arithon merely becomes more pitiable and noble as time goes on. What can't you say about him? He is one of the most memrable fantasy characters that I have ever read about...and I have read a LOT of fantasy novels! This series is worth every star it can get, and you can email me at c_lambert@hotmail.com if you would care to talk more about it.
Rating:
Summary: The best Fantasy I've read since the Lord of the Rings.
Review: The tale of the two half-brothers continues in volume two of The Wars of Light and Shadow. A carefully balanced alliance has been shattered by
actions not in the control of either brother. Actions that not even the Fellowship of Seven are able to counter. Move and counter move proceed
across the continent of Paravia as Lysaer moves town Mayors and armies in his never ending desire to see the destruction of Arithon. Arithon flees back to the ships that served him so well as a pirate on his home world of Dascen Elur. But Lysaer pursues him closely.
Into this mix comes a character from Curse of the Mistwraith, Dakar the Mad Prophet, he of the West Gate prophecy. Devoted to his cups and wenching. Desiring nothing so much as to be left to his own devices he is entwined into the fate of the two brothers.
Ms. Wurts weaves a deft tale that reveals incredible depths in these characters. You care so much about each of these that it is hard to take
sides. But take sides you will. Lesser characters shine in the roles of friends, lovers or opponents. Stroke and counter stroke are described with a delicate nicety that leaves you wanting more. Events of such striking compassion occur that you will be forced to lay the book aside, but not for long, and contemplate the results.
Rating:
Summary: The best Fantasy I've read since the Lord of the Rings.
Review: The tale of the two half-brothers continues in volume two of The Wars of Light and Shadow. A carefully balanced alliance has been shattered byactions not in the control of either brother. Actions that not even the Fellowship of Seven are able to counter. Move and counter move proceedacross the continent of Paravia as Lysaer moves town Mayors and armies in his never ending desire to see the destruction of Arithon. Arithon flees back to the ships that served him so well as a pirate on his home world of Dascen Elur. But Lysaer pursues him closely. Into this mix comes a character from Curse of the Mistwraith, Dakar the Mad Prophet, he of the West Gate prophecy. Devoted to his cups and wenching. Desiring nothing so much as to be left to his own devices he is entwined into the fate of the two brothers. Ms. Wurts weaves a deft tale that reveals incredible depths in these characters. You care so much about each of these that it is hard to take sides. But take sides you will. Lesser characters shine in the roles of friends, lovers or opponents. Stroke and counter stroke are described with a delicate nicety that leaves you wanting more. Events of such striking compassion occur that you will be forced to lay the book aside, but not for long, and contemplate the results.
Rating: 
Summary: Epic Continues It's Rich, Densely Compressed Prose
Review: This is the first mass-market version of a couplet, the "Ships of Merior" and the sequel "Warhost of Vastmark" originally published as a single hardbound volume, too large a work to publish singly in mass-market format, and comprising the second of "The Wars of Light and Shadow" projected pentad. The author continues her rich and multi-faceted story, building upon the struggle between two cursed brothers who represent the salvation of the world into which they have found themselves unwillingly thrown. While a previous reviewer has in truth suggested a difficulty choosing between the combative and curse-bound differences that drive a rift between the two main protagonists, there is little doubt, despite a division of the tale between the two brothers' adventures and conflicts, that in terms of his presence and sympathetic treatment, Arithon s'Ffalenn dominates the narrative, a judgment reflected by his singular portrayal on all the author's successive covers (She is, by the way, the artist) following the first book.Wurt's style of writing is richly detailed, worded and compressed, having a reach of language that is impressive and alliteratively stretched, though at times she strays towards over-writing passages, confounding clarity in an effort to enliven speech where a simple sentence would have sufficed. Further, the first couple hundred pages of this work read suspiciously of fill, as if the author encountered difficulty wrapping up some of the dangling elements left over from the first book and was unable to entirely weave them back coherently into the thread of her primary plot, despite their loose construction upon events to follow. Nonetheless, episodes and characters such as the s'Brydion brothers, regardless of a swashbuckling element that would have done Errol Flynn proud, are delightful despite their over-wrought staging, and Dakar, regardless of his tiresome complaints, infuses elements of buffoonish humor that often succeed. And, after the initial uneven start, the book soon narrows its focus into a stirring and climactic chain of events. The treatment of Arithon and Elairas' relationship is particularly poignant and deft, and the author has succeeded in creating a cast of characters both diverse and with depth. Additional strengths can be found in the multi-staged complexity of her tale, the depth of her imaginative magical creations, and the richness, when not over-worked, the author lavishes upon her descriptive detail. This is a work deserving of more praise than censure, and has continued to carry my interest. Further, except for instances when the author gets carried away, the scope of descriptive language is both vivid and endlessly varied, with abundant sentencing sure to cause the admiration and envy of many wordsmiths. Finally, on a side note, I must take the author to task for her comments in her introductory notes regarding her intention not "to produce an unending parade of sequels." The target of this barb is obvious, and the implied criticism seems petty and unworthy of the author's many talents.
Rating:
Summary: Energetic continuance of a great series - book II
Review: Those who felt Curse of the Mistwraith was good better hold on to their hats; Ships of Merior takes the series to a new level. The groundwork has already been laid in Curse of the Mistwraith, now we begin to see the results of that curse. You also begin to see a little more about the various characters Janny has introduced to us. The polarization of the world begins as different factions find themselves taking sides. But things are not always what they seem as you will see plots and counter plots draw you deeper and deeper into the story. While it is possible that this book could be read first, I highly recommend that the series be read in order because you gain a better understanding of the intent behind the scenes.
Rating:
Summary: Building up on "Mistwraith"
Review: Wow! This book hooked me in and I could not put it down. Arithon's situation had me thinking for days and the morals in this book make you want to cry. Wurts' style is absolutly superb and in the last paragraph, I had to fight tears. This is one of the best series I have read in my life.
Rating:
Summary: At her best!
Review: Yet again, wow! One seldom expects that a second volume will
carry the same fire and passion of the first. Boy, am I wrong.
The passion flows on and the fire burns ever brighter as Ms Wurts
thrills us with her magic, keeping one riveted throughout. I couldn't
but finish the book the day I bought it!
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