Days of Air and Darkness

9/10
While many loose threads are tied up by the end of this book, which also concludes the "Westlands" arc of Kerr's Deverry Cycle, there are more than enough to lead the read into the next arc. Perhaps because I read this book in chunks, it seemed to lack some of the continuity that the other books had. Still, the characters were diverse and nuanced and the relationships were often complex. And my new favorite character is Arzosah!

With this book Katharine Kerr wraps up the Westlands cycle. It is a fairly decent final book, bringing a number of ongoing stories together and finishing things decently. With that said, it felt a little soulless to me - with her first four books, Kerr made the characters come alive and I had a lot of interest in their doings. Gradually I am losing interest in Rhodry and co.

In this novel we head back in time for a time, and that section was by far the most gripping. We meet a previous incarnation of Raena, the raven-woman, known in those times as Lady Mallona. It is no accident that my favourite part of the book coincides with us reading about Jill and Rhodry while they rode the long road as silver daggers. I far preferred the two show more characters at that point.

Arsozah is fun to read about - the dragon seems to be the only character at this point that Kerr seems to have fun writing about.

So an almost anti-climatic end to the Westlands cycle. Kerr has continued writing about Rhodry (or Rori Dragon-friend, as he should also be known as now) but I find myself losing interest in where she can take the Deverry world. show less

Dweomermaster Jill and her allies defend Princess Carramaena and her unborn, fate-bound child, while Rhodry Maelwaedd races to their aid on dragonback.Core

The city of Cengarn is besieged by an army of Horsekin, physically imposing Northern warriors, as well as astral forces serving the goddess Alshandra, who seeks to prevent the birth of a prophecy-bound child.

Rhodry Maelwaedd joins forces with the legendary dragon Arzosah to break the siege. He must ultimately face his ancient enemy, the high priestess Raena. While the war rages, Dweomermaster Jill and Dalla secretly help Princess Carramaena escape the besieged city to a safer stronghold at Cerr Cawnen, where she eventually gives birth.

this one was really well-organized, and a lot of stuff happened, including some big character deaths and a lot of plot wrapup. and the reader gets to know some of the more enigmatic characters a whole lot better, and see more of the Grand Design. but i dunno, seemed a bit going-thru-the-motions to me: not sure if it was writer or reader fatigue that was at fault, just saying.

I really like this series, and this one was still good, but by now they are starting to drag a bit. 8 book is a lot for any one series where there still hasn't been much in the way of resolution!

Rori and friends are attempting to lift the siege started in Days of Blood and Fire. This book is mostly action without much discussion or character development, which makes it fun to read. The big battle at the end is a bit unusual, because so many die, but I wont say any more because I don't want to ruin it for you. An enjoyable book, the best bit of which would have to be the Jill and Rodry quest at the beginning.

http://www.stillhq.com/book/Katharine_Kerr/Days_of_Air_and_Darkness.html

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I enjoyed this book. It had a Dragon, so that was a foregone conclusion. I can't wait to see what happens next.