Rating: 
Summary: Fortress of Yawns
Review: 18 pages of italicized 'history' sets the tone for this boring book. Pretentious writing and slow pacing make finishing this book a real chore. I expected much better from C.J. Cherryh. Definitely a book destined to clog used paperback stores.
Rating:
Summary: Stick to CJ's SF
Review: After an auspicious beginning ("Fortress in the Eye of Time") this series has dragged; this third in the series is the worst, really unfinishable. All of the intrigue gets to be rather precious after a while, and the main characters can't really hold their own in the midst of it. If you really want a great CJ Cherryh series check out her latest sf offering, "Precursor," which may be the finest thing she's ever written (including "Cyteen"!).
Rating: 
Summary: Setting Up the Game Board
Review: As with any good story, one must have the positioning of key elements; therefore it is a tad refreshing that an author will take the time to actually do this. Detail is the backbone of characterization. War is not a piddily little exercise. War is bloody, awful, messy in all aspects, and-if one is to win-planned. Politics is much like war. Speaking personally, I love a good political fantasy instead of the typical quest which is so out done it languishes even in its death throws. I devoured this book in aproximately one day and, if it were written, would snatch up the next and forget I had a life to return to. Detail, while essential to good writing, can be a bit much at times, leaving the reader's mind to wander; this is where Cherryh's brilliance comes in to play, she _balances_ her action with, *gasp* a plot. Nothing is meant for everyone. Some readers like war, some romance, others those pesky quests (which even I enjoy on occassion), still others would prefer intrigue and politics; oddly, this particular book provides all of the above listed much as did its predecessors. A personal request to the author, if I may? Don't rush the last book, take as much time as you need to get it just right, we'll wait with impatience, yet wait all the same. -Flytur
Rating:
Summary: Political intrigues abound...
Review: Book three of this series picks up the threads of the lives of Tristan and Cefwyn. Tristan, magical Shaping of Wizard Mauryl, has been appointed Lord of Amefel and sent away from his friend and liege, King Cefwyn, for his own good and for the good of the kingdom. He has taken up the reins of ruling Amefel, and having banished and otherwise dealt with traitors and unreliable people, he faces new problems. Not the least of which are the civil war in the lands to the West, and people insisting he is the fulfillment of the prophecy of the return of a Sidhe King. He rebuilds the fortifications of Amefel, gathers together the alliance of the southern provinces in expectation of war with the west come spring, and learns more of his magical abilities and their dangers. Cefwyn, meanwhile, has his own problems. The 'state' religion resists his bride Ninevrise, the regent of the lands in rebellion to the west, on the grounds of her religious beliefs. Provincial barons used to controlling the previous king plot and scheme against him, his goal to free his bride's lands, and wouldn't mind if they managed to remove him too. New to statesmanship, he struggles to maintain balance, and device ways to nullify some of their influence without resorting to violence. This is a book of parallels, as we switch back and forth between Tristen seeking to do right by Amefel and learn about himself, and Cefwyn and his court. As Tristen brings the 'southern' barons together to secure the kingdom's western borders, Cefwyn attempt to control the unwilling 'northern' barons. Both hope to prevent civil war in their own kingdom while preparing for war in the west. This is the third season of Tristen's life, coming full grown into the world last spring, and the third season of the kingship for Cefwyn. Events force decisions and actions, pushing toward Midwinter, a turning of the year, but also a Turning of Wizardly Years, and indeed a Great Turning of Years. Cefwyn's court prepares for a wedding, planned to be the first step in Cefwyn's campaign to control the northern barons; Tristen prepares for the arrival of the southern barons for festival and war plans. The tale ends at Midwinter morning, after disturbing challanges to both courts Midwinter Eve. A murder preventing the wedding in Cefwyn's; a magical assault on Tristen. Both are resisted and controlled, but we await the fourth book to see the outcomes. The books continue to unfold slowly. If you're looking for fast-paced space opera, these are not for you. But Cherryh excels at studying people and cultures in times of change and crisis, and is doing so again. The people are real and we are given time to see them in action and understand their motives and relationships. There are secrets still to unravel, and issues to settle. And these questions most of all: why was Tristen Summoned and Shaped? Is he still following the summoning or becoming his own man? What is his destiny? Will he live past his year? Much hinges on just these unknowns.
Rating: 
Summary: Best of series.
Review: C J Cherryh has been a prolific and popular author and ranks at the top of my favorite authors' list. In this series which began with "Fortress in the Eye of Time" she started slowly but has reached her peak with this novel. The original novel was good but moved too slowly. In this volume imagery and characterization puts the reader at the scene of the action. The characters are well sculpted and are very human, even Tristen, who is a wizard's "shaping". His journey to discover himself pulled me in all the way. It was impossible for me to put the book down and I look forward eagerly to "Fortress of Dragons".
Rating:
Summary: Best of series.
Review: C J Cherryh has been a prolific and popular author and ranks at the top of my favorite authors' list. In this series which began with "Fortress in the Eye of Time" she started slowly but has reached her peak with this novel. The original novel was good but moved too slowly. In this volume imagery and characterization puts the reader at the scene of the action. The characters are well sculpted and are very human, even Tristen, who is a wizard's "shaping". His journey to discover himself pulled me in all the way. It was impossible for me to put the book down and I look forward eagerly to "Fortress of Dragons".
Rating:
Summary: A tour d'force of character and political development
Review: Cherryh again shows her skills in world building, with astounding intricacy. Her characters are not perfect heroes, but have all the flaws and insecurities of the rest of us. Her plotting makes use of the characters' quirks for development. I wait the fourth book anxiously!
Rating: 
Summary: Satisfying 3rd part of Fortress series
Review: Fortress of Owls is a very satisfying work. It's stronger than part 2 which left me with the feeling that we needed a couple more chapters to finish it off. I especially like the conniving over needlework. Who says you need swords to draw blood? It gets a bit weak in parts - and very confusing - but there is enough to pull you along. The book is a keeper and now comes the long wait for Fortress of Dragons!
Rating:
Summary: A nasty trick
Review: Having read this book, I now impatiently wait for Dragons. The loose ends were never explained in Owls and the ending left you frustrated, not having the next book at hand. Who was the wizard causing all the trouble, and what does Orien have to do with it? The story gave a fair idea who the human enemies were but the wizard one (or ones) is completely in doubt. And the only way to get the answers is the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Too much talk, too little action
Review: I always liked the fact that many of Cherryh's fantasy books were 'chamber pieces' rather than grand epics. This book, however, is a bit too minimal. The third in the saga, it is but an overlong prologue for the book to come. It's not a bad book, it's just that so little happens - and when there is some action, it's offstage and only related in talks between characters. On the positive side, Cherryh deals in detail with the politics of governing and warfare, and their effects on everyday people. Also there's some genuine humour to be found in the way that the bickering at the royal court is described. The story picks up at the end, and nicely sets the stage for the next book, which hopefully will then deliver the goods.
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