Oath of Fealty by Elizabeth Moon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I had forgotten just how much I love the world Paksenarrion lives in.

A few months ago Elizabeth Moon (reminder--she's a veteran) said something that got her in hot water with some of the fantasy/science fiction community. It was an honest comment, that read in full I didn't find that objectionable, but in sound bite was...not very PC. She got disinvited to WisCon (where she was originally slated as Guest of Honor), and the blogosphere went rather rabid for a bit. So I started reading her blog. Often it's about singing in her church choir. And cooking. And her, and her husband's health. And writing. This past year her new book, Kings of the North came out, and she was understandably enthusiastic. The more she wrote I realized that it was the second in a new set of books set in Paks's world. I had completely missed that she'd returned there, and frankly, after Surrender None, I'd sort of lost my taste for the series. This book, Oath of Fealty, is the first. So I got it as soon as I could devote the time to reading it.

Oath of Fealty is that rarest of books--the one where you want more detail, more dialogue, more description, even though it is richly textured, full of clear images, and conversations. It's just that when she changes scenes, you aren't ready to leave yet--you're having too good a time, you're so immersed in what's happening there, in that moment, that you don't want it to end. Who cares about moving the plot along! I want to sit around while Doran goes from village to village cleaning out the blood magic, no matter how "tedious" that might seem. I want to spend time with Kieri while he figures out the finances for Lyonya. I want to go with Jandolir when he goes to the bankers in each town, and listen to what they say, not just when it's moving the plot forward. Moon has made these people ones I want to spend time with, work with, support with word and deed. But for those who love plot, there's plenty. Ambush, and skullduggery, blood magics, and sword play. And loyalty, and growth, and people you can believe in.

When I finished the book it was with a real sense of emptiness--like leaving a beloved place. Fortunately, I have the next on order!



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