Jennifer Roberson Reviews

Added April 12, 2002

Swordsworn

Author: Jennifer Roberson
Publisher: DAW Books, Incorporated
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: February 2003
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.99
ISBN: 0-75640-099-6
Author Emai/Website: www.cheysuli.com
Reviewer: Cyndi Witkus

What can I say about the final novel about Tiger and Del? Beyond the fact I've waited a long time for this story, it was well worth the wait. Tiger and Del are headed for Southron again. Tiger wanted to go home. Though he found out his heritage in Skandi, it wasn't his home.

Del and Tiger know they have unfinished business here in Southron. He is unnamed now, a renegade blade that has no honor. Though he did it to save Delilah's life, he knows that he does have some honor. He knows that his dreams are now leading him.

The story traverses almost as a glimpse on how Del and Tiger were made and how they are growing as a team. Neither can imagine being apart from the other but events and other people conspire against them. They face a sandtiger that almost kills Del. Umar the Ruthless has Tiger kidnapped so he can have the swordfighters face Tiger as one would face to be the one that kills the seventh level swordfighter once known as the best of the best.

I can't give away more of the story because the journey is truly something to see. From one page to the next, Jennifer Roberson gives you Tiger and Del's story with all the twists and turns you expect, plus quite a few you didn't count on. If you love any of Jennifer Roberson's books, from the Cheysuli to the Del and Tiger series, run and grab this book.

Return to top of page.

Added February 1, 2002

Shapechanger's Song

Author: Jennifer Roberson
Publisher: DAW Books, Incorporated
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: March 2001
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Paperback Omnibus
Price: $7.99
ISBN: 0-88677-976-6
Author Email/Website: www.cheysuli.com
Reviewer: Ariana Tregarth

Shape-Changers: Book 1 of the Cheysuli

This is the first of the eight book series by fantasy master Jennifer Roberson. She creates characters as well as worlds that delight the senses. In this book, we learn of Homana, a land torn by qu'mahlin, also known as the blood feud. The King of Homana had declared war upon the Cheysuli, a race of shapeshifters after his daughter runs away with his Cheysuli Liege man. Twenty-five years have passed and now Carillion, heir to the throne of Homana is forced to face his prejudices.

Alix, a simple croft girl is abducted by a Cheysuli names Finn. His lir, Storr, can talk to Alix though. It seems the girl that Carillion was going to make his own is in deed part Cheysuli as well. There are other secrets surrounding Alix's birth however. Carillion is captured and released. He has promised to come back for Alix.

Alix must however deal with her tahlmorra or destiny by the gods. She will face many things, first being that she has the Old Blood within her. She can speak to any and all lir. They speak to her as they would only speak to their Cheysuli soulmates. Alix finds that the magic she bears can fulfill portions of the prophecy. She finds that one person alone calls to her heart. One person alone can make her accept who she is and what she will always be. He is the ruhjolli of Finn. He lets her find her way to him. In return they discover what tahlmorra has in store for them all. None of them: Carillion, Finn, Alix, or Finn's brother can deny their part in the prophecy of the gods of the world.

This book caught my attention from beginning to end. The pacing and the dialogue was witty and emotion laden. Jennifer Roberson drags you into this world and by the end, you no longer want to leave it but explore it more and more. The prophecy that binds the Homanans, the Cheysuli, the Illihini, and the surrounding countries of this world will draw you deeper and deeper. You want to see how Alix handles her gifts. You want to know the hows and the whys of the qu'mahlin that Shaine, the current king of Homana began twenty-five years before. You almost have to rush to the finish the book to see what or rather who Alix chooses to be in the end. Her choices affect all of the races and effects the ancient prophecy.

The Song of Homana: Book 2 of the Cheysuli

This is book two of the Cheysuli series. Finn and Carillion have been gone from Homana for five years now. Shaine's been dead and Homana's been suffering at the hands of a mad man. Carillion has come back a man with his leige man, Finn, a Cheysuli shapeshifter by his side. Granted the help of the star stones and the ancient prophecy, Carillion and the Cheysuli fight to oust Bellam and his Illihini magicians out of Homana.

Carillion has to fight against Homanan prejudice as well as the fear of Illhini magick. He knows that he's fighting an uphill battle. Finn offers him a chance to gain the gods' favor. Alix has given birth to a son. This son, Donal is the next link in the prophecy. Duncan, Finn's brother, helps Carillion to gain an understanding of what it means to be Cheysuli. He learns how the link between man and beast isn't as great as one thinks. He also sees how the lir or familiar of the Cheysuli are part of their souls.

The battle isn't won after Carillion assumes the Lion Throne. He has more battles to face as he takes Tynstar's light woman, Electra as his wife. In the end, he must send her away in order to save his friend Finn. In a way history almost repeats itself between Finn and Carillion just as it had between Shaine and Hale, King and Liege man.

As the Cheysuli say: Tahlmorra lujhala mei wiccan cheysu- the fate of man rests always in the hands of the gods.

This is truly another glimpse into the prophecy as it comes a step closer to being fulfilled. According to the prophecy the man of all races will unite the lands into one. Carillion, Finn, Duncan, Alix, Princess Tourmaline, and Donal all play their roles in fulfillling this next piece of the prophecy.

If you like high fantasy, intrigue and adventure, you're going to love Jennifer's second book. It's a page turner til the very end. I would not hesitate to read as these books are classics in the field of shapeshifters.

REVIEWER NOTE: Long out of print, the Cheysuli novels are now available in omnibus form. Shapechanger's Song contains Book I: Shapechangers and Book II: The Song of Homana; Legacy of the Wolf contains Book III: Legacy of the Sword and Book IV: Track of the White Wolf; Children of the Lion contains Book V: A Pride of Princes and Book VI: Daughter of the Lion; The Lion Throne contains Book VII: Flight of the Raven and Book VIII: A Tapestry of Lions.

Return to top of page.

This page was last updated on January 1, 2008

This page and all its contents are Copyright© 2002-2008 In the Library Reviews and the individual reviewers. Except where noted, all graphics are Copyright© Eos Development and are used with permission. All book covers are Copyright© their respective publishers and are used with permission. The In the Library Reviews logo is Copyright© 2002 by In the Library Reviews/Sharyn McGinty. Site maintained by In the Library Reviews.