Freedom's Gate

Rating:
Summary: The best of fantasy writing
Review: Freedom's Gate is a wonderful read. Other reviewers have nicely presented the plot, so I'll write about the writing. Ms Kritzer presents ancient Kazakhstan with a believable fantasy twist. Lots of writers are using the djinn as their entrée to fantasy writing. Ms Kritzer presents the djinn as an intrinsic part of the story rather than the entire story. I'm continually impressed by this author's ability to serve up a dollop of history so skillfully that the reader doesn't realize that she has had a history lesson.

The writing in each of Ms Kritzer's books is beyond criticism. She never takes her readers for granted, her grammar and word usage is impeccable, the editing is sterling. She exemplifies great writing that also entertains splendidly. I heartily recommend this book and each of the previous volumes as well. You might as well buy this one. You'll want to reread it.


Rating:
Summary: fascinating character-driven fantasy
Review: Freedom's Gate is the kind of book that immerses you in the life of the main character, as though Lauria were a living, breathing person taking you along on her journey. I felt as though I had been given a glimpse into her soul, as well as her life and experiences. Her journey, as well as the people she meets and befriends transform Lauria. I really liked the way this first book in the Dead Rivers trilogy had a satisfying conclusion of its own, while it left me wondering what adventures, trials and mishaps would befall Lauria on the next leg of her quest for self-discovery. Highly recommended for anyone who loves character driven fantasy.

I definitely plan to check out the next books in her series.

Rating:
Summary: fascinating character-driven fantasy
Review: Freedom's Gate is the kind of book that immerses you in the life of the main character, as though Lauria were a living, breathing person taking you along on her journey. I felt as though I had been given a glimpse into her soul, as well as her life and experiences. Her journey, as well as the people she meets and befriends transform Lauria. I really liked the way this first book in the Dead Rivers trilogy had a satisfying conclusion of its own, while it left me wondering what adventures, trials and mishaps would befall Lauria on the next leg of her quest for self-discovery. Highly recommended for anyone who loves character driven fantasy.

I definitely plan to check out the next books in her series.

Rating:
Summary: Better than chocolate cake
Review: Publishers Weekly said of Kritzer's first book FIRES OF THE FAITHFUL: "[it's] like chocolate cake: Instant addiction . . . With habit-forming books like this, you can't read just one." The reviewer was on the money. Kritzer's first series was addictive, fun, lively, and still tackled strong social issues; I wanted to live with those characters longer. When I picked up FREEDOM'S GATE, I expected another piece of chocolate cake, this is even better.

A young freewoman named Lauria is given a dangerous mission by her Greek boss, Kyros. She is to infiltrate the Alashi, bandits, as a runaway slave. She is to spy on the tribe in order to help the Greeks defeat the tribe and keep their way of life safe. She is "sold" to a neighboring Greek from whom she is to runaway. In her short time as a slave and then a runaway, Lauria's whole life is changed. Can she pass as a slave runaway? Will the tribe believe her story? And what will happen as her world-view changes?

The Greeks use captured beings called djinn to hold their reign over the water and therefore the people of the region. When Lauria encounters free djinn she can't help but begin to question her role in the world.

FREEDOM'S GATE is a great fantasy novel in that it is a sublime read (addictive even) and yet address the issues of power, betrayal, love that we address in our everyday lives in the present time and place. FREEDOM'S GATE is better than chocolate cake, it's fortified with extra vitamins and minerals, and is calorie free. An enjoyable, well-paced, character-driven book that pleases on many levels. Get hooked!

Rating:
Summary: charming fantasy
Review: The Macedonian Empire wanes after Alexander dies until Penelope, the founder of the Sisterhood of the Weavers, learned how to bend to her will the aeriika (djinn). The empire took back what it had lost. Most countries accepted that the Greeks were their overlords but the Danibeki fought for their freedom. As a result, the rivers Janarles and Oxus were dried up by the aeriika leaving the population to value water more than gold or jewels because it is much rarer in the occupied land.

Lauria, a free woman in service to military commander Kyros, is asked to infiltrate the Alashi, a warrior group made up of runaway slaves and free men and women unable to live under Greek rule. As part of the plan, she is to remain in Sophos' harem and after two weeks escape to find the Alashi. Before she is set free, Sophos rapes her and another harem slave takes care of her and accompanies her when she leaves because she hates her mater. They find the camp but the more time Lauria stays there, the less she wants to go back because she sees the truth about the Greeks like Kyros who has not punished Sophos for his attack on her.

The magical culture of the Greek Empire revolves around the djinn, how to bind and use them to further their own political and military goals. It is only when the heroine is among the Alashi does she realize that the bound djinn are as much slaves of their masters as those humans in bondage to their owner. FREEDOM'S GATE is a magical fantasy set in a powerful Greek Empire where magic and sorcery are everyday events accepted by the populace. Naomi Kritzer has written a charming fantasy that will leave readers eager to read for the next installment in what looks like a great series.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Excellent writing, and the author doesn't cheat
Review: Too many fantasy novels are predictable. I'm not speaking only of those wherein the hero or heroine has to collect "plot coupons" (get the sword, pick up the magic stone, take them to the castle or you do not pass Go or collect $200). All too often, the author puts the main character in a situation that is obvious: she has to realize or accomplish Something Important and gosh, you think she will?

In this novel (and in her previous series), Kritzer avoids these traps. Others have summarized the story pretty well: our heroine is the servant of a big cheese among the longtime Greek conquerers (in an alternate history wherein Alexander lived to a ripe old age before ascending to godhood, and wherein djinn have been enslaved). She's sent on a mission to inflitrate the "bad guys"... and ends up rethinking everything she knows about her society.

The characters are well-drawn, even the minor ones. The writing held my attention. But what really impressed me was how often Kritzer surprised me: Lauria doesn't take the simple way out, she agonizes over her changing opinions, and at the end she is a very real, believeable character.

This isn't a huge tome, either: it's suitable for a fun weekend read, not a lifelong commitment. Recommended.