Rating: 
Summary: Perilously Bad
Review: I'm actually a fan of Wurts, ever since I read her Empire series collaboration with Feist (whom I don't much like). However, I disliked this book, primarily for the following 3 reasons:The pace of the book is awful. From the first page we are told that Arithon is in the worst danger possible; the kind of danger that would threaten Athera itself....and the Fellowship is threatened...and Arithon really, really, this time must break down and destroy the world... well, no this time he will break down and destroy the world... ok, this time he is really, really stretched and a catastrophe must happen... no? Get the picture? Dangers pile on dangers, and throughout the book, Wurts wants us to believe that we're balancing on the very edge of disaster. The only thing is, this is pretty hard to believe in as a reader - especially when you know you've got 600 more pages to go before the end of this book (and God knows how many volumes left in the series). Another example of the bad pace are the multiple times in the story where we are told some character must make a split-second decision; upon which we are then treated with 2-3 pages of the character intensely contemplating what s/he should do in the next second. Doh! Secondly (and perhaps I am a minority here), I am finding it increasingly difficult to emphatize with the characters in these books. The reason is that every one of them is painted as either black or white; every character in the book can be considered either divinely good (Arithon and his bunch), diabolically evil with no redeeming attributes (Lysaer, the Witches and a few of his henchmen), or good but fighting in an evil cause (most of Lysaer's henchmen). Also, every character in the books are described as being brave, unbowed, giving their all for their cause though harried to the end of their endurance, etc. No ordinary humans on Athera, that's for sure (the only one, Dakar, has now converted to join the divinely good fraternity). Finally, the flowery prose. This is the reason I love Wurt's writing, but unfortunately also the reason why I am beginning to dislike it. After 100 pages describing how beat up, worn out, on the edge of endurance, unwashed, etc. Arithon is, I'm sure we know how he looks. This book could be half its current size and it would be much better. IMO, this book should never have been written (it was, incidentally not in the original publishing plans either). All it does is blow up the size of a series which is looking increasingly unmanageable, and though a few important plot developments occur, I fail to see why they should require 700 pages!! As a long time fan of the series, I plan on buying the next (and hopefully the final in the Alliance of Light cycle) book, but if there are no significant improvements in this story, I doubt that I will continue reading it. So why 2 stars? Well, there are a few wonderfully evocative passages in the book. There is no doubt that Wurts knows her stuff, and can write like few others. Just a pity she overdoes it. If you're a new reader, my suggestion is that you try some of her other work. If you're an old reader of her work and getting tired of it; stay away from this one (unless you're really wanting to punish yourself).
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic
Review: I'm always a little bit amused when good books get bad reviews. I say to myself, they only show the quality of their bad taste. But when Astounding books get negative review, with malicious doses of spitefull comment, it's simply sad.
This ia a Superlative series. Each book is more engrossing than the one before. Even if you didn't like it, it deserves at least 4 stars. 3 stars if you absolutely hate the author style. Anything less is ungracious. So obvious is the amount of work, the intricacy of details, and the beauty of the language in the series. I most definitely recommend it. The only series that can rival it right now is The malazan book of the fallen by Erickson. Check it out.
Rating:
Summary: Her best yet.
Review: I've been following the Wars of Light and Shadow for about three years now, and I've re-read the books countless times in that period. I find the whole story simply wonderful, and I appreciate greatly Ms. Wurts unique style of storytelling; so detailed, I'm sure that I could smell some of the scenes she describes. Sometimes though, that leads to the books seeming long-winded, describing in great detail events which aren't particularly interesting. Not in this book. This book is turning point in the series in every sense. Events of great importance happen; things I never thought I'd see, and it all comes together to set a very different scene than the ones we have come to expect. Ms. Wurts pulls all these plot points off magnificently, her use of language noticeably honed in this volume. I held my breath probably through the entire time I read it; there was so much happening to so many people, and we were all able to see it in wonderful detail. The language seemed especially aimed to affect your emotions, and it did, by goodness. I felt more satisfaction at the end of this book than in any of the previous books, though they were all marvellous. It really is a fantastic read, and if you've been following the series, than you must read this book. In my opinion, the Wars of Light and Shadow have, only now, really begun.
Rating:
Summary: Not a quick, easy, throwaway read
Review: If you want a quick, easy, throwaway read, stop now. This epic of Ms. Wurts' is quite complex, and compelling. There are points in the previous books that could bring you to ribs aching with laughter, fury at injustices perpetrated in the name of justice, or even tears of sorrow. But the main aspects of this series, above all others that has me drooling with anticipation for the next book the moment I am finished with the current one, is Janny's ability to provoke thought, and challenge dearly held views. There are some who complain of her use of big words, or wordy sentences. I see this "flaw" as a tribute from an author who does not need to talk down to or patronize her readers by "dumbing down" her prose. Janny trusts her readers to be intelligent people, who, while they may or may not agree with her viewpoints on justice, compassion or non-violence, are, nonetheless, intelligent people. I find myself reaching for the dictionary, but I find that fun, since I like "collecting" new words. Arithon, her protagonist, is a man tormented by the violence and ugliness perpetrated not only against himself, but against his liegemen, his enemies, and even against the natural world itself. He serves as a kind of metaphor for people like Mahatma Gandhi [one of Ms. Wurts' own heroes] or Martin Luther King... people who stand, non-violently, for profound change and justice, while being subjected to unspeakable violence and injustice. You will laugh, or cry, or perhaps react in another way altogether. But you will THINK. That, above all, is Ms. Wurts' gift in this series.
Rating: 
Summary: More Of The Same, Just more Ponderous and Convoluted
Review: If you're reading this you have made it through book five and, like myself, are here hoping to read that this is a great book with some resolution- and some hope!
I suppose we are given hope since Elaira finally gets her feet out of the pity pot and seeks help through Ath's adepts at Whitehaven hostel and Damien has stopped sulking underground but, otherwise, this novel is so bogged down with overly slick description and Arithon's pathos that I found myself constantly having to read a paragraph over and over and over in order to grasp the action(s) of the characters.
At page 251, having just read Earl Jieret's suicidal resolve to die with his king... I quit. I have had five books of misery, reading of slaughtered clansmen and mad-dog townspeople and headhunters. And here, in this novel, we have whole clans, a mountain trapper, and generally, most people who come into contact with Arithon, Master Of Shadow, being brutally killed, while the members of the fellowship are in a frenzy to save the planet from a variety of monstrous demonic spirits from other worlds!
Lastly, Janny Wurts continues to rely heavily on Dakar for comic relief. Poor Dakar never loses his weight, nor his burlesque crudity. For Ath's sake, the poor man should have lost a little weight and gained some dignity by now!
The best thing that could happen is if both princes blew each other off the planet. I know I know. Without Arathon, the planet will self-destruct and so on. Well, since the clans are almost wiped out, I say good riddance to those towns people! Enough already! I am now going to go read something that, compared to this novel, will be inspiring; like the history of the Great War, or World War Two...
Rating: 
Summary: A solid book
Review: In Peril's Gate, Janny Wurts manages to regain some of her momentum. Arithon is literally chased through-out the book. Wurts manages to convey that sense of urgency and panic throughout the book. Usually by book six, most of the zing is gone, and I usually reading it because I almost feel obligated to finish it, not so with this book, she does a really good job of picking up the pace, and introducing a bad/boy mystery character. Overall a good book.
Rating:
Summary: Enough, already
Review: Janny Wurts can really write. And overwrite. Not to mention italicizeanditalicizeanditalicize yet again. I've read all of her books, and enjoyed this one least of all. 200 pages less, and Peril's Gate would be a fine book. Mayhap she's lost the ending?
Rating:
Summary: The Plot needs more Development
Review: Janny Wurts really should stick or confine her stories to a a trilogy or a set of 4 books max. Geez,she can really drag on a story. I used to be a fan of her books, but her latest series is realyl disappointing. The plot of each book minus all the prose can be written in a few pages. In fact, the pace of the story is soo crawlingly slow that it just makes me want to scream. This series could certainly do with more story/plot development. At present, the story seems to be stuck in a loop of Arithon running to some new place and Lysaer chasing after him, again and again.
Rating:
Summary: cleans up a lot
Review: Like many I found Grand Conspiracy to be below the bar set by her other books. This book though wordy at times is much better. I could have done without much of the reflection of past crimes that Arithon does in the last 1/3 of the book but it did give me a good refresher on the past books. The whole issue of Arithon's Mage sense is also settled which is good because I for one was tired of reading about all his self-pity and and guilt. A few new characters are brought in which should make matters more interesting and some older ones are dealt with in ingenous ways. Bravo now I have to wait another 18 months for the next book
Rating:
Summary: Peril's Gate - One of the Best
Review: Peril's Gate is a wonderful addition to the Wars of Light and Shadow series. It is the continuation of a great story line not unlike the works of Tolkien or Frank Herbert. The characters continue to develop with a depth not normally seen in fantasy literature today. The plot line is intricate, well paced, and exciting enough to keep you on the edge of your reading chair. It is a book that you will want to have in your library so you can read it again and again. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
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