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Loading... The Burning Stone (Crown of Stars, Vol. 3) (original 1999; edition 2000)by Kate Elliott
Work InformationThe Burning Stone by Kate Elliott (1999)
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. Definitely a mid-series book, there are a lot of things being set up and slowly uncovering things that will change the future. It's interesting but really does not stand alone and to be honest I was lost occasionally because it's been a while since the last book, and it will be a while until I can get around to the next one in the series. But I am curious about what is going to happen to several of the characters and if they will survive the events that are rolling forward towards them. It's a complex and involving read with several points of view and a lot of politics in this world where women are in many ways held superior to men, it almost feels like Europe but it's different and the magic is complex. People also don't recover from trauma quickly and they have echoes for a while. I do want to know how this resolves. The 3rd book in the Crown of Stars series continues where the previous book left off. It goes much deeper into the overall plot of the series, hinted at in the previous books. I enjoyed this book the most of the 3 so far. The main problem with this book is that a decent part of the book is written in italics. I find italics difficult to read, especially when it is pages and pages of it. I often found myself skimming through those parts. I grew frustrated by the numerous characters and slow patches, and gave up on the series after this book. I liked many of the characters and the world building, but this series fell into too many of the traps of Epic Fantasy (I'm looking at you, Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind, and even GRRMartin) for me to perservere. Perhaps someday I'll go back to it. no reviews | add a review
Set in an alternate Europe where bloody conflicts rage, the third book of the Crown of Stars epic fantasy series continues the world-shaking conflict for the survival of humanity It is a crucial time in the war-torn kingdoms of Wendar and Varre, a moment when even one wrong decision can tilt the balance of events into total disaster. For Sanglant--King Henry's son--and Liath--the woman he loves--the offer of both a haven from their enemies and the chance for Liath to study the ancient lore with those who claim her as their own, seems like the answer they have been seeking. But no place can truly be safe for them. Both their lives and their love will be at risk when they are forced to choose which pathway each will follow--lured by the equally strong demands of politics, forbidden knowledge, and family. Liath, born with a dangerous power beyond her control, is torn between her longing for Sanglant and the child they are about to have and the call of sorcery, which can open the way into the land of the Aoi, the Lost Ones. And even as Liath struggles with magic's seductive spell, Sanglant's Aoi mother returns to the mortal world, seeking the son she abandoned as a babe. As the fates of kingdoms shift with the changing fortunes of those caught up in the dangers of both civil war and continuing attacks by the nonhuman Eika and the Quman invaders, time is running out for Liath, Sanglant, King Henry, and the people of Wendar and Varre. For the time of cataclysm is fast approaching--and no one can foretell who will survive--or rule--when it is over.... No library descriptions found. |
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Liath and Sanglant remain loyal to each other in Book Three but that loyalty costs them pretty much everything else. This doesn't mean as much to Liath since her tenuous safety was wrapped up only in her job but Sanglant is a prince being cast out. The surprising appearance of Liath's mom (Anne) gives them a safe haven but Anne's motives and colleagues are not always straightforward or supportive. Sanglant's mom makes an appearance in this one, too, and I admit her mercenary practicality makes her a favorite with me even if she's not exactly admirable in all her dealings.
We also get to welcome some steppe nomads into the mix which always makes me feel at home in an Elliott novel. In this case they are a formidable foe representing yet one more threat to Wendar & Varre. Will Liath understand her power in time to help? Will the royals stop bickering with each other long enough to recognize the threat? ( )