Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding addition (no spoilers)
Review: First up, perhaps for me the most refreshing aspect was that you can actually see the threads starting to come back together for the conclusion. So often in multi-volume series these days the threads just get further away and yet in this book you can actually tell that the author knows what they're doing.I'm biased in that I think this series is the best fantasy series being written today, if you didn't like her other books than you might not like this one because her style is consistent across this series. Having said that, I love her style; weighted sentences, emotions that aren't fed to the reader and an underpinning of intelligent writing all make this series and this book especially work for me. Don't get me wrong, as a reader you have to work when reading this book. It's not a Jordan of Goodkind where you can read one page in five and still not lose a single plot, this book and series requires effort. However few books for me have ever rewarded me so handsomely for that effort. Anyway, just an opinion. :)
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding addition (no spoilers)
Review: First up, perhaps for me the most refreshing aspect was that you can actually see the threads starting to come back together for the conclusion. So often in multi-volume series these days the threads just get further away and yet in this book you can actually tell that the author knows what they're doing. I'm biased in that I think this series is the best fantasy series being written today, if you didn't like her other books than you might not like this one because her style is consistent across this series. Having said that, I love her style; weighted sentences, emotions that aren't fed to the reader and an underpinning of intelligent writing all make this series and this book especially work for me. Don't get me wrong, as a reader you have to work when reading this book. It's not a Jordan of Goodkind where you can read one page in five and still not lose a single plot, this book and series requires effort. However few books for me have ever rewarded me so handsomely for that effort. Anyway, just an opinion. :)
Rating: 
Summary: an entertaining read...
Review: i cannot tell you how disappointed i was to find out that this was not the last book of the sun sword series. i mean, it's not that i wanted it to end so quickly, but i had really wanted to read the ending.
alright, i'll be honest. i really wanted to read the part in which Serra Diora and Ser Valedan finally meet.
but i was also looking forward to the war (Kiriel and Lord Isladar, General Marente and The Flight).
but then i read Ms. West's note in the beginning of the book, explaining that the manuscript she was writing was going to be more than 2000 pages and that she was nearly finished with the sixth book. My disappointment was mollified, but not abated.
But then i started reading the book, and just as with the books previous to it, i was captivated by its story. i'm constantly awed by west's ability to create such an intricate world, such an interesting peoples with their own cultures. there are times, of course, when west becomes verbose, but then she decides to switch perspectives and i am once again drawn back into the story.
I have always liked Marakas par el Sol, and was pleased to see his part in the fifth book. We also get to learn more about Anya a'Cooper's history, and i end up feeling sympathy for the strangely naive, mad, powerful woman. The character of Serra Alina di Lamberto is also further developed, as are the wives of the Callestan and Lambertan Tyrs. The book ends with the beginning battles of the war: general marente's men fighting within Lamberto. But i'd have to say that my favorite part of this novel is the relationship that is being developed between Avandar and Jewel. (i've always had a soft spot for him. him, and Kallandras, and Devon ATerafin, and Valedan, and...)
All in all, Michelle West has turned in an expectedly captivating continuation to her story.
But i look forward to January, when the Sixth book will finally be released.
Rating:
Summary: an entertaining read...
Review: i cannot tell you how disappointed i was to find out that this was not the last book of the sun sword series. i mean, it's not that i wanted it to end so quickly, but i had really wanted to read the ending.
alright, i'll be honest. i really wanted to read the part in which Serra Diora and Ser Valedan finally meet.
but i was also looking forward to the war (Kiriel and Lord Isladar, General Marente and The Flight).
but then i read Ms. West's note in the beginning of the book, explaining that the manuscript she was writing was going to be more than 2000 pages and that she was nearly finished with the sixth book. My disappointment was mollified, but not abated.
But then i started reading the book, and just as with the books previous to it, i was captivated by its story. i'm constantly awed by west's ability to create such an intricate world, such an interesting peoples with their own cultures. there are times, of course, when west becomes verbose, but then she decides to switch perspectives and i am once again drawn back into the story.
I have always liked Marakas par el Sol, and was pleased to see his part in the fifth book. We also get to learn more about Anya a'Cooper's history, and i end up feeling sympathy for the strangely naive, mad, powerful woman. The character of Serra Alina di Lamberto is also further developed, as are the wives of the Callestan and Lambertan Tyrs. The book ends with the beginning battles of the war: general marente's men fighting within Lamberto. But i'd have to say that my favorite part of this novel is the relationship that is being developed between Avandar and Jewel. (i've always had a soft spot for him. him, and Kallandras, and Devon ATerafin, and Valedan, and...)
All in all, Michelle West has turned in an expectedly captivating continuation to her story.
But i look forward to January, when the Sixth book will finally be released.
Rating:
Summary: This is worth ten stars
Review: I hate buying or borrowing a book that turns out to be disappointing and as I'd never read a Michelle West book before, I didn't know what to expect when I saw "The Broken Crown" on the shelf and decided to get it. A few days later I went out and bought every Michelle West book I could find. Each one seems to get better and better, although I think they're all equally good. I've read and re-read every book in this series a number of times. Each time I get something new out of it, or read a line I hadn't focussed on before that illuminates a new angle in the story.
"The Riven Shield" is magnificent. I love it. Michelle West is my favourite author. I hope that she lives to two hundred years at least and never stops writing these wonderful books that are just magical.
Rating:
Summary: This is worth ten stars
Review: I hate buying or borrowing a book that turns out to be disappointing and as I'd never read a Michelle West book before, I didn't know what to expect when I saw "The Broken Crown" on the shelf and decided to get it. A few days later I went out and bought every Michelle West book I could find. Each one seems to get better and better, although I think they're all equally good. I've read and re-read every book in this series a number of times. Each time I get something new out of it, or read a line I hadn't focussed on before that illuminates a new angle in the story.
"The Riven Shield" is magnificent. I love it. Michelle West is my favourite author. I hope that she lives to two hundred years at least and never stops writing these wonderful books that are just magical.
Rating:
Summary: What a great book!!!!
Review: I have read all of the books in this series and in the Sacred Hunt series. I have loved them all. This book is the best so far because Ms. West begins to tie all of the elements together. I am very happy that she is doing a sixth book. It would have been very hard for the author to have resolved all of the subplots in one book and done them all justice. I really feel that a person would do well to read the Sacred Hunt series before starting the Sun Sword series. I really hope that Ms. West will keep writing as she is easily one of the best fiction writer around today.
Rating:
Summary: Another fine entry in a TERRIFIC series
Review: OK, it's not the end of the series, but somehow I can't be sorry if it means getting to read more of Michele West's writing. I've read many series by many fine writers, but Michele West's ability to build a story puts her at the top of my short list. I just hope we don't have to wait too long for the finale. I thought the suspense was gonna kill me waiting for this one!
Rating:
Summary: Another fine entry in a TERRIFIC series
Review: OK, it's not the end of the series, but somehow I can't be sorry if it means getting to read more of Michele West's writing. I've read many series by many fine writers, but Michele West's ability to build a story puts her at the top of my short list. I just hope we don't have to wait too long for the finale. I thought the suspense was gonna kill me waiting for this one!
Rating:
Summary: Of course it's not the end!
Review: People shouldn't be so surprised! After reading the fourth book, I had a *very* hard time envisioning every angle explained in one more book. I figured it would take at least two more - and it did. Sun Sword (the true last book of the series) will be out in just a few months! Hang in there! It's already written!
| 
