SERVANT OF THE EMPIRE

Rating:
Summary: Overdone and Unbelievable
Review: Coming from one of my favorite authors, this book was a disappointment. Though the concept of the Tsuranni culture is interesting, the writing seems overdone, with constant references to "protocol". The first book in the series was pretty good, but this one starts the downhill slide and I almost didn't finish the third one. Jany Wurts may give some insights to the female aspect of this book - which is admittedly much more developed than in most Fantasy novels, but in other respects the series can not begin to compare with Feist's classic Riftwar series. I'll still read anything written by him because that series was so amazing.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent saga continues
Review: I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the first in the series, but I think it may have just been because Daughter of the Empire raised my expectations to a very high level.

I thought this book went a little overboard with Mara of the Acoma breaking traditions as she falls in love with Kevin, the slave from across the rift in Midkemia. Nevertheless, this is still a very good book and I see it as sort of a bridge between the other two fantastic volumes of this series.

If you liked the first book in the series, I'm sure you will enjoy this one as well, but if you don't like this as much, don't worry because the conclusion, Mistress of the Empire lives up to the standard set by Daughter of the Empire.

Rating:
Summary: Best book in Empire trilogy
Review: I found this book to be highly entertaining. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who read the Riftwar series by Feist.

However, this book, and the rest of the series, may bore readers who are not interested in the political and logistical side of warfare. If you like pure action, then this book is not for you. If you like political intrigue, as well as interesting descriptions of places, events, and people, then you will love this book.

Wurts is one of the best fantasy authors around today.

Rating:
Summary: One of a strong three book series
Review: If you are thinking about buying these books, I have two words of advice for you, "DO IT!" I went from liking fantasy, to loving it only after these three short books. They are worth their weight in Gold. Janny Wurts and Raymond E. Feist are a great combination!

Thank you for these books!
-Mike
Utah

Rating:
Summary: A true reading treat
Review: In "Daughter of the Empire" the first book of the series, Mara of the Acoma defeated her most immediate and dangerous enemy and saved her family name from obliteration. However, the defeat of Jingu of the Minwanabi doesn't end Mara's problems. Jingu's son Desio and his nephew Tasaio have merely taken up the family cause. And Tasaio was the cunning architect of the plans that killed Mara's father and brother. A long range thinker and a proponent of the idea of a well laid plan, Tasaio is a formidable enemy.

In the meantime, Mara buys Kevin of Zun and takes him into her home as a slave. As prisoners of war from the land of Midkemia across the rift, Kevin and his "barbarian" countrymen make terrible slaves. They don't believe in the Kelewanese concept of caste or of their treatment of slaves. They are rebellious, prone to escape and refuse to bow down to their masters. Mara is fascinated by the handsome slave and his strange ideas of freedom. Soon Mara and Kevin become lovers and Mara begins to learn more about the way of life in Midkemia. Kevin quickly becomes a valuable part of Mara's household and in her fight against her enemies. Mara has always been an unpredictable thinker and incorporating Kevin's off-worlder ideas into the fabric of her moves in the Great Game of Council further confounds her enemies.

Once again Mara manages to outwit her enemies using unconventional thinking, a lot of luck, and an Emperor who doesn't plan to be just a figurehead any longer.

The second book of Wurts' and Feist's Empire series is equal parts political fantasy and romance novel. Mara is once again deeply involved in the maneuverings and manipulations that at once gain her stature among her peers and strengthen her House against those who would see her destroyed. The inclusion of Kevin gives Mara a true love interest (her abusive husband from the previous book doesn't qualify) and gives her an outsider's view of her culture's enigmatic and often destructive way of life. It also ushers in the change of Mara from uncanny survivor to social reformer.

I liked the first book in the series but I liked this one better. The characters deepen, we see more of the countryside and meet more of the Tsurani people including the Emperor and the mysterious Black Robes. The introduction of the outlander Kevin to the story helps to drive the plot and also serves as a logical place for exposition. Kevin can stand in for the reader and ask the questions "Why" and make the wry observations that about the Tsurani way of life. He serves brilliantly as the Outsider-who shakes-up-the-establishment and is the focal point of the members of Mara's household beginning to question their culture's stance on many issues including honor, death and slavery.

Great book. I Highly recommend.

Rating:
Summary: A true reading treat
Review: In "Daughter of the Empire" the first book of the series, Mara of the Acoma defeated her most immediate and dangerous enemy and saved her family name from obliteration. However, the defeat of Jingu of the Minwanabi doesn't end Mara's problems. Jingu's son Desio and his nephew Tasaio have merely taken up the family cause. And Tasaio was the cunning architect of the plans that killed Mara's father and brother. A long range thinker and a proponent of the idea of a well laid plan, Tasaio is a formidable enemy.

In the meantime, Mara buys Kevin of Zun and takes him into her home as a slave. As prisoners of war from the land of Midkemia across the rift, Kevin and his "barbarian" countrymen make terrible slaves. They don't believe in the Kelewanese concept of caste or of their treatment of slaves. They are rebellious, prone to escape and refuse to bow down to their masters. Mara is fascinated by the handsome slave and his strange ideas of freedom. Soon Mara and Kevin become lovers and Mara begins to learn more about the way of life in Midkemia. Kevin quickly becomes a valuable part of Mara's household and in her fight against her enemies. Mara has always been an unpredictable thinker and incorporating Kevin's off-worlder ideas into the fabric of her moves in the Great Game of Council further confounds her enemies.

Once again Mara manages to outwit her enemies using unconventional thinking, a lot of luck, and an Emperor who doesn't plan to be just a figurehead any longer.

The second book of Wurts' and Feist's Empire series is equal parts political fantasy and romance novel. Mara is once again deeply involved in the maneuverings and manipulations that at once gain her stature among her peers and strengthen her House against those who would see her destroyed. The inclusion of Kevin gives Mara a true love interest (her abusive husband from the previous book doesn't qualify) and gives her an outsider's view of her culture's enigmatic and often destructive way of life. It also ushers in the change of Mara from uncanny survivor to social reformer.

I liked the first book in the series but I liked this one better. The characters deepen, we see more of the countryside and meet more of the Tsurani people including the Emperor and the mysterious Black Robes. The introduction of the outlander Kevin to the story helps to drive the plot and also serves as a logical place for exposition. Kevin can stand in for the reader and ask the questions "Why" and make the wry observations that about the Tsurani way of life. He serves brilliantly as the Outsider-who shakes-up-the-establishment and is the focal point of the members of Mara's household beginning to question their culture's stance on many issues including honor, death and slavery.

Great book. I Highly recommend.

Rating:
Summary: The trilogy continues
Review: Mara of the Acoma, in trying to extend her family's wealth and prestige in the Empire, buys Midkemian slaves at the market. Falling in love with the slave Kevin, opens her eyes to how unstable Tsurani Society really is.
Raymond Feist and Janny Wurts continue to work dynamically together to create a series that is exciting and challenging. Though there is more heart stopping action in conparison to Daughter of the Empire, Servant of the Empire concentrates on the romance between Ruler and slave, leaving it not as gripping as the first. However saying this, Servant of the Empire is still a very recommendable book and had me pursuing Mistress of the Empire.


Rating:
Summary: A tearjerker
Review: Once again, the Feist-Wurts team has created a beautiful masterpiece. Feist supplies the intricate fantasy setting, and Wurts tells the tale from a woman's perspective. Fearfully, I actually began to view Mara of the Acoma as my own personal hero! Time to take a break and ground myself in reality. But truth to tell, Janny Wurtz has struck an admirable balance between strength, beauty, and self-improvement. The Feist-Wurtz heroine is a more realistic one than is often seen on the fantasy shelves, as the progression of the story lies as much in her own development as in the plot. Forgoing the traditional "sword and sorcery" formula, this book may well be a fiction novel from another world.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome book
Review: The death of the Lord of the Minwanabi didn't end the blood feud. In fact, successors intensified it. The rivalry between House Minwanabi and House Acoma would be played out from the estates to the distant lands of Tsubar far across the Southern Sea to the Holy City of Kentosani.

However, the Game of the Council becomes more intense, and even more dangerous when one of the Great Ones loses his temper and the Emperor himself involves himself in the Game.

The Game will return to Kentosani and the result will mean that the Empire will never be the same.

The story is well written and even when one thinks the climax of the story is on the way, there is more coming. This is a book you can't put down and will want to read to the end. Don't miss a word, or you may miss something.

These authors really present a compelling story, something that rivals the best series' of the genre.

Rating:
Summary: The Lady in love with a barbarian slave?
Review: This book is a great follow-up to the "Daughter of the Empire". How can it get any better? Add in an envious ally wishing revenge upon his dead brother, a blood pact with the Red God, sneaky enemies, and an intelligent plot to bring down the Lady's house around her feet. If that's not enough, tie in the fact that the Lady finally finds that there is gentle men in the world... even if they might be a simple barbarian slave. Or perhaps the barbarian isn't so simple minded after all?

This book continues where The Daughter of the Empire left off, and builds upon the empire of the Acoma and their still growing rise to power. But we all know what happens if a house rises too fast in the eyes of the five most powerful houses...

My ownly complaint with this book is that the chapters are WAY TOO LONG. I like to finish a chapter before bed, but with this book I could be up till dawn working on the 50 to 60 page chapters :)