I’ve wanted to read something different in fantasy for a long time, and from what I’ve seen, “The Deed of Paksenarrion” series really fits the bill. For starters, the hero and protagonist is a woman! It’s certainly not a coincidence that the author is a woman too. And it deals with Paladins – a class of characters that I really like based on my fondness for the game Diablo II :D
Unfortunately, one of the author’s greatest strengths turns into a weakness. There’s no doubt she’s remarkably well acquainted with every aspect of military life. She knows and talks about marching, fighting, training and everything else military in such an intimate and familiar way that for the first time, I really understood what it’s like to be a grunt in the army. The problem arises because she goes overboard and gets too bogged down in the details. Most of the book is about moving from one meaningless battle to another with variations like a siege and some looting etc.
- The Deed of Paksenarrion – Sheepherder’s daughter
She forgets that this is supposed to be fantasy and the magical aspect is barely mentioned. Paksenarrion is gifted – that much is clear. And not just in skill and loyalty, but she seems to get lucky very often. But this aspect is hardly played out as much as I would like it to. Only towards then end, do we begin to see something other than just skirmishes from here to there, though the book ends in such a way one gets the feeling that the next two are going to be more fantasy themed.
So while I reserve judgment on the entire series, I found this book to be mostly a bore – though like I said it’s different enough for me to give the sequels a chance.
One aspect that stands out is that Paksenarrion is part of a mercenary group. They just fight for whoever hires them. Though their leader the Duke seems like quite a decent chap, there’s no meaning to all the violence. And I’m disappointed in Paksenarrion because she’s so loyal to a meaningless cause. I’m sure there’s great pride in belonging to a group and having friends who will die for you. But that’s not what we want from heroes. We want them to go their own path. To defy convention, be lonely and miserable and tragic. I want to see more of Paksenarrion doing something meaningful – not just serving one small group at the whims of her sergeant.
At the end of the book she gets a chance to leave and join up with the Paladins – a group that dedicates itself to doing good. But she chooses to stay where she is instead. And that’s a huge letdown. Moving on to the next book now. I just hope it’s not more meaningless fighting.
“I’m sure there’s great pride in belonging to a group and having friends who will die for you.” I just don’t get this. Why does anybody idolise another person so much that they would die for them, I can understand parents’ dying for kids or people dying to save a partner or dying to save someone in need, where one reacts without thinking, but I find dying out of loyalty difficult to understand.
In reply to Indian Homemaker
In this case, I meant dying to protect your friends in battle – and they would do the same for you. I'm guessing it's only in the military that that sort of trust is required in today's world…
I have a few issues with this review: mainly due to loving this book for the reasons with which you take issue:
TEDIUM
A soldiers life is full of marching to battle and looting: the battles are moments that punctuate the whole. I think that the slowness of the first half of the book really shows how her life is when it isn’t exciting. Though Moon never says as much – most of the cleaning of the jacks goes on even in Verona and in the field.
MAGIC
A sheep farmer’s daughter is going to shy away from magic, especially as it is seen as little more than evil in the ‘provinces’ where she grew up… Even Paladins seem to be magicians – though she does feel an affinity, she feels unworthy.
MERCENARY
I think that it is important to note that she works for a duke and is meant to be a guard in a Princedom, but that the duke chooses to hire himself out as a merc. So maybe there is fealty there?
THE GROUP ELEMENT
Never having served in a military capacity, I cannot make comment. But I support a football team that doesn’t always win. I still support them. Why should I support ManU just because they win? My friends and history and many other reasons force me to stay with Liverpool, even though they’re doing badly.
The second book does have more character development in the beginning and I think that you will enjoy it more as she clearly looks for “cause” rather than “camaraderie”.
The third book is when the series really kicks it up a notch.
I know that this is an older review – but I just read this an was disappointed that you didn’t love it. I have read the trilogy about 10 times in 15 years… I think I might just start again.
Sean
In reply to Sean Gorman
Thanks Sean :) As you probably know by now, I loved the other two books. This one just didn’t get me excited about anything. Perhaps as you say it’s a set up for the other two, but I’m glad I had all three at hand at the same time!
In reply to bhagwad
Though they are not quite the same genre… Have you tried any of the KJ Parker trilogies? The Shadow trilogy was very good. Then I think the Engineer trilogy and then the Fencer.
Complicated but still very enjoyable.
In reply to Sean Gorman
Haven’t heard of them, but a quick check on Amazon makes them look quite interesting. Perhaps I’ll give them a go!
this is been long time but i was looking to seee if moon finished th4e paks adventura and came across your 1st coments about deeds
i dis agree what she did in the 1st book was letting all know that paks was not specail in her mind and when things happen it fritened her
the loss of family and friends was hard on her and when she left her friend in the cave showe she wouyld do what she could do to help her freinds
so to say 1st book was boring shows u where not getting the underline meanin g that was set in it ]