First in the Wars of Light and Shadows fantasy series revolving around a twist in how we perceive the Light and the Dark.My TakeThis is a conflict. The story is amazing. Wurts did a great job in creating an alternate world with excellent characters---especially in creating the "bad guy" whose point of view is perfectly reasonable. Considering what's been done to him! The difficulty---and the reason I downgraded it to a "4" is the sentence construction.Wurts builds the most incredible sentences using big words and being rather poetic in their use. I've had to read many of them over and over trying to figure out what he's saying...and I still don't get most of 'em. [I think Patricia McKillip creates a more understandable sentence with her jewel-like lyricism.] My best recommendation is to not worry about the information the individual sentences are trying to impart lest you beat yourself up and fry your brain. As you read, the gist of what's going on will sink in. At least it did for me! Eventually, either the sentences got easier the further into the story I read, or I got in the swing of Wurts' rhythm. I wish Wurts had provided a more in-depth background on why the enmity between Amroth and Karthan exists (there is one other kingdom, Rauven, in the splinter world of Dascen Elura). Of course, that would have taken us way past 800 pages… I also wish we could have gotten a reaction on how Lysaer's father felt when he found out his son had disappeared!Wurts gave us a very realistic look at human decision making when the sorcerers of this alternate world---Athera---are trying to choose the best way that provides the best chance of everyone's survival and the most ideal fulfillment of the prophecy...one of those lessons in how it never works to try an end run.It's odd how 500 years go by and the Seven never figure out the truth behind the mist. As for all the foreknowledge the sorcerers had about Etarra, I don't understand why backup plans were nonexistent!I do like the snippets of information at the start of each chapter. They're tweets with a quick introduction to this new world. Wurts also sets the scene so well that you feel the hunger, the cold, the miserable conditions the companions undergo. You can almost smell and taste his world. Snicker...I do love how the sorcerers and Arithon get around the current rulers of Etarra.It's rather scary how easily Lysaera gets around his experiences at the end.The StoryIn the Prologue, we're led to believe that we will be reading of events that began 500 years ago. The next bit sets up the conflict between the half-brothers and the result of Rauven's terms when Arithon is sentenced to be sent through the Gate on the isle of Worldsend. Oopsie.And a true nightmare for Lysaer when he finds himself trapped with Arithon in a desert in a world from which he can never leave. Along with the discovery that the two princes are the only way to restore the sunlight that has been missing from Athera for the past 500 years.Prophecy initially says the princes are needed to beat back the mistwraith which has stolen sunlight from their world for over 500 years. The war that led to this blight has divided the country, the world into "barbarians" (the former nobility) against the townspeople. Magicians of either sex are hated and destroyed in the towns.But it's a prophecy that continually evolves new threads, new tangents, new difficulties. And one can't help but feel for Lysaer when his innate sense of justice is twisted by an outside force.The CharactersThis is one of those cast of thousands so I'll try to keep this part brief...don't hold your breath, though!Crown Prince Lysaer s'Illessid is the king's son with the power of Light. Literally. Raised to rule, the stark conditions of this new world cause him to realize what he took for granted and what were his expectations. In this new world, Athera, he has no marketable skills until he learns he is a scion of the high kings of Tysan and their liege lord if the Fellowship blesses him. Arithon s'Ffalenn is the Master of Shadows and the bastard son of Talera, Queen of Amroth, and Avar, the pirate-king of Karthan. And half-brother to Lysaer. Both are grandsons of the High Mage of their old world. No matter which world, he wants nothing to do with being a king. He wants only to be allowed his music. But in Athera, he is the last living heir to the High Kingship of Rathain. In Athera, they are both the mistwraith's bane.The Fellowship of Seven is based in Althain Tower and consists of six sorcerers: Sethvir is the Warden of Althain; Asandir the Kingmaker who spends the most time with the princes (and why Wurts couldn't give him a name that was more distinct from Arithon's!!); Verrain is a spellbinder and the Guardian of Mirthlvain; Traithe is the sorcerer who suffered closing the original Gate through which the mistwraith invaded; Kharadmon; and, Luhaine. These last two become discorporate after performing heroic rescues. All are sworn to uphold balance and enlightened thought.Dakar is the Mad Prophet who seems to act as servant to Arithon. He's a lazy drunkard who never shuts up and I just want to off the jerk. Think of him as the comic relief.The fellowship seems to be the ruling group, at least magically, on this world with the Koriathain in a sort of friendly opposition. Kind of like the CIA and the FBI...I think.The Koriathain is an intolerant order of enchantresses/witches with Lirenda the First Enchantress to the Prime of the Koriani Senior Circle, Morriel. Lirenda is a rather nasty woman with a passion to rule and that seems to be her only emotion. Morriel has a more judicious approach. Elaira is one of their enchantresses with the usual rank-and-file tasks except she has a rebellious nature and she contrives to meet Arithon. The order's intolerance will create problems.Felirin the Scarlet is a minstrel the brothers come across early in the book; I suspect his sole purpose is to provide Athiron with his purpose at the end of this particular installment. Halliron is the Masterbard. Maenalle s'Gannley has held the throne as Steward of the Land until a king shall come again. The Earls of Camris are one of the noble families who have preserved the royal line's treasures. Stieven s'Valerient is the earl of the north, Warden of Ithamon and Regent for the Prince of Rathian. Lady Dania is his wife; Jieret is his son and heir. Caolle is the war captain for Lord Stieven as well as the man who raised him when his father died. Good thing he's had the practice.Lord Governor Morfett of Etarra is furious at being told a king will be crowned and take his place over them. Diegan is the lord commander of the Etarra guard and teams up with Lysaer. Lady Talith is Diegan's sister. While she is attracted to Lysaer, I think she has a preference for Arithon. Gnudsog is a field captain under Lord Diegan. Pesquil commands the headhunters with their peculiar brand of horror.The Paravians are a group of well, I'll call them "supernaturals": centaurs, unicorns, and sunchildren. They are in a sort of exile and will not be able to return if the mistwraith is not defeated. Soon. The King of Amroth is a major asshole and father to Lysaer. His wife, Queen Talera, refused to present him with another child if he intended to use and abuse Lysaer. Ath is the deity both sides of both worlds call on...much like we call on God in "our" world.The CoverThe background is lilac and pale, pale pinks of clouds and a Celtic-knotted archway guarded by a pair of demon-like creatures on carved pedestals with a circular inset of a haloed mountain with a sword bisecting the circle. It's appropriate for the story with all the details that don't really say anything.The title is true enough...it's The Curse of the Mistwraith that has created all the problems in this alternate world.
April 2015: After the powerful ending of Stormed Fortress, the way the story threads converge, I was so satisfied that I had to start Initiate's Trial forthwith. And again, which wasn't easy, simply brilliant! A sweeping epic, unpredictable, top-notch characterization, never lagging and wrought in gorgeous prose. I'm constantly hungry for more.March 2015: I'm currently reading Stormed Fortress, this series is simply awesome, a fantasy jewel of unique complexity and emotion of story and prose. My (totally spoiler-free) thoughts up to Peril's Gate. I'm so so so glad I've picked up Curse of the Mistwraith, and started this wondrous journey. Very intense and emotional epic fantasy of mature scope and depth, a book that can be experienced as a self-contained story yet it's the stage setter of a longer series, which I'm currently reading and enjoying immensely.I loved the richly detailed and researched descriptions and the harmonic world-building, full of lore and history. Athera is a world of ancient mysteries, guarded by sorcerers and enchantresses, sundered by internal strife and molded by the fears and hopes of his inhabitants. Both the plot and the relationships between characters are deep and layered, granting unexpected twists and unpredictable turns of events, all presented with the striking vibrancy of Janny Wurts' boundless imagination and lyric style.The story opens with a grave prologue and shows the long-lasting all-consuming hate between two kingdoms in the world of Dascen Elur, and the dictates of a five-century-old prophecy which promises restoration and disruption in another world. Two princes, apparently the embodiment of good and evil, unwittingly are entangled by the coils of fate and thrown (literally) into an epic journey of unknown consequences.Arithon, a small, lithe man who struggles between an emphatic core that craves harmony and the expectations of others who want him to be a hero. Lysaer, a stalwart, handsome and charming man born and breed to the crown, driven by an innate hunger for justice and looking for a purpose to cope with the loss of his birthright.They are the only hope to free the world of Athera from the vices of the unnatural mist which covers the sun and corrupts the life on the land, but nurtured in misunderstandings and mutual hurt, the elusive balance between them is soon to tip the scale against all auguries.My first foray into the series was with Child of Prophecy, a short story set on the world of Athera centuries earlier than Mistwraith's opening, and some names and facts sounded familiar, it was more immediate to gain reading momentum and go past the first pages where the massive context-shaping leaves the reader a little disoriented, but soon follows the first unveiling of Arithon's demeanor and Lysaer's resolve as the Sorcerers give insight of the princes duty to Athera's plight.I'm very glad I've discovered this fantasy gem of deepest complexity and stylistic brilliance, featuring unforgettable adult protagonists, a well-rounded cast of characters and a compelling, thought-provoking tale that engaged me at every level, and had me run to grab the following book, The Ships of Merior.
Do You like book The Curse Of The Mistwraith (2009)?
Ahhh, damn it. I really wanted to like this. I was so looking forward to reading it after loving Empire series. I rally don't know how to explain what it is that this story lacks. It has the potential for a great story, but I just could not care about the characters. In fact it wasn't that i didn't care, i just couldn't be bothered with them. Both of the main characters were bland and went through the story like they had nothing better to do. There was no effort in giving the reader anything to cling to, the story was there, the pacing was fine, the world building was good.......but Gods it fell flat and I kept trying to read through it but it just didn't change. At the end of 150 pages, i just thought to myself, I really really don't care what happens to either of these two and that means it is time to dust off the given-up-on tag. Sorry Janny, I really wanted to like this. maybe I should try something else of yours.
—Lee
The map is important! I printed mine based on the one here http://www.paravia.com/JannyWurts/web...The continent is compact, but full full full of stuff. Particularly after Fugitive Prince, I prefer to track movements using it.
—Jon
Maryann says: The Mistwraith has blanketed the world in dank fog for five centuries. But those who believe the Mad Prophet's words keep faith that a descendant of the long ago banished high kings will come from another world to defeat it. . . Arithon, the son of a pirate-king, has been trained to be a Master of Shadows but his hearts desire is to be a bard. Crown-prince Lysaer has been denied the teaching needed to skillfully wield his powers of light, but is schooled in way of politics and leadership. Despite having the same mother, these princes have been raised as enemies yet will soon be thrust by circumstance into the ancient world of their ancestors - to be that world's freedom and bane. Within this ancient world, they do battle against the Mistwraith, which curses them to hate each other to the point where they seek to destroy each other, regardless of their own safety or that of those around them. The bulk of the series details their constant struggles against each other, using the world and inhabitants in it as their game pieces. There's really a whole lot more than that, but it is too much to summarize. The Curse of the Mistwraith sets a great stage for The Wars of Light and Shadow.My thoughts:The most appealing aspect of this story for me is that there isn’t an all-powerful Dark Lord, no evil sorcerers and no clearly defined good and evil. Her complexity of good/bad, light/dark is not so easy to discern, keeping you never quite knowing who you are meant to support. Another great thing about her books is there are no heroes. Only people living as their nature dictates in a desperate set of circumstances, and either rise above it to find peaceful ways to resolution or fall deeper into despair, violence, conniving and hatred.These books keep you guessing. I have read all the books written so far, and I can't even begin to know how she’s going to weave her plots together!Janny Wurts is fantasy’s best kept secret!
—Katy Budget Books
