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isaac_petherbridge's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
wyrmbergmalcolm's review against another edition
5.0
This was a massive book that beautifully concludes an excellent trilogy of war, politics, survival and conspiracy. The character of Mara is brilliantly imagined and her life in this harsh world is not an easy one. So much is packing into these books that it's hard to considered them only a trilogy. A highly recommended fantasy that deals with a lot of big questions about freedom, family, social structure and tradition.
kenlaan's review against another edition
5.0
Five stars for an extremely satisfying conclusion to a trilogy that's become one of my surprise favorites in recent memory. I'll probably reread this one in the future, and I don't do that often.
I've been giving out a lot of five-star ratings lately and I don't tend to do that. It's just that all the books I've been reading have really been hitting for me. Mistress of the Empire, the conclusion of The Empire Trilogy, thankfully continues that trend.
Whereas the stories of Daughter and Servant focused on Mara maneuvering within the intrigue of the "Game" of the Tsuranni houses, the stakes of Mistress involve the very fabric of the Tsuranni society: their rigid codes of honor, castes, slavery, and gender roles, to name a few. I mentioned in my first book that slaves were a part of Tsuranni society. Within that book, they weren't really focused on, as Mara didn't really notice them anyway. In the second book, Kevin, a slave from Midkemia whom Mara comes to love, causes Mara to begin questioning things she has accepted about Tsuranni society. And events early on at the start of Mistress bring them to the forefront - Mara finds herself disgusted by how little value Tsurannis place on human life, and believes she must rebuild her culture. It's a believable progression from the start of the series, and is an exciting premise to conclude on.
This book begins quite a bit darker than the previous two. It's because of this that I'd hesitate to recommend it to some people in my life, no matter how good I think the series is. These events are crucial to the plot, and I don't think the story could be told without them happening, but they might be too much for some people.
I liked how much "screentime" the supporting characters (Lujan, Arakasi, Hokanu) got in this book, too. Lujan was probably my favorite of the three, and he and Hokanu had really satisfying character arcs. Arakasi stayed one of my favorites, though his sudden "love at first sight" turn felt a bit forced to me, and somewhat conveniently matched to Mara's learning to place more value on human life. But that's minor quibble for me. As another quibble, I felt that.
So, yeah. Mara was as badass as always, and while this might be my least favorite of the series, it was nonetheless a really solid conclusion that represented a believable progression for both the story and the characters of Mara, Hokanu, and Lujan, among others. I'm sorry to see it end! I'll read more by Feist (and Wurts, who I'm not familiar with) but I'm afraid it won't be the same. Ah well.
I've been giving out a lot of five-star ratings lately and I don't tend to do that. It's just that all the books I've been reading have really been hitting for me. Mistress of the Empire, the conclusion of The Empire Trilogy, thankfully continues that trend.
Whereas the stories of Daughter and Servant focused on Mara maneuvering within the intrigue of the "Game" of the Tsuranni houses, the stakes of Mistress involve the very fabric of the Tsuranni society: their rigid codes of honor, castes, slavery, and gender roles, to name a few. I mentioned in my first book that slaves were a part of Tsuranni society. Within that book, they weren't really focused on, as Mara didn't really notice them anyway. In the second book, Kevin, a slave from Midkemia whom Mara comes to love, causes Mara to begin questioning things she has accepted about Tsuranni society. And events early on at the start of Mistress bring them to the forefront - Mara finds herself disgusted by how little value Tsurannis place on human life, and believes she must rebuild her culture. It's a believable progression from the start of the series, and is an exciting premise to conclude on.
This book begins quite a bit darker than the previous two.
Spoiler
A child dies very early on, and a few chapters later, Mara suffers a miscarriage due to an assassination attempt.I liked how much "screentime" the supporting characters (Lujan, Arakasi, Hokanu) got in this book, too. Lujan was probably my favorite of the three, and he and Hokanu had really satisfying character arcs. Arakasi stayed one of my favorites, though his sudden "love at first sight" turn felt a bit forced to me, and somewhat conveniently matched to Mara's learning to place more value on human life. But that's minor quibble for me. As another quibble, I felt that
Spoiler
how easily Jiro ended up going down was a bit of a surprise to meSo, yeah. Mara was as badass as always, and while this might be my least favorite of the series, it was nonetheless a really solid conclusion that represented a believable progression for both the story and the characters of Mara, Hokanu, and Lujan, among others. I'm sorry to see it end! I'll read more by Feist (and Wurts, who I'm not familiar with) but I'm afraid it won't be the same. Ah well.
fantastiskfiktion's review against another edition
4.0
http://fantastiskfiktion.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/imperiets-dotter-och-kriget-om-ramnan/
kevinscorner's review against another edition
4.5
Mistress of the Empire delivers a fantastic conclusion to the Empire Trilogy. Much has changed within Mara, but after an unspeakable tragedy, she realizes changing herself is not enough—she must change the very fabric of Kelewan society in order to protect her children and her legacy. In order to do so, she must foil the plots of other noble families who want the return to status quo, find allies beyond the Empire, and dismantle the stronghold of the magician Great Ones.
This book offers something different from the previous two in the series. It has the feel of a spy thriller, with Arakasi becoming a point-of-view character in the first half. We get insight into his methods that have served Mara well in the past. The most surprising though is Lujan, who although he doesn’t get his on POV, just provides so much emotional depth and unseen growth. Of all the characters in the series, his personal arc exemplifies what Mara sought to accomplish and draws full circle the journey this series has made.
Although I did not quite like how it started off, it does set the tone for the rest of the events in the book. This finale is quite tragic, with characters we’ve grown to love not guaranteed survival at the end. People are tested, sacrifices are made, and tears will definitely flow. I was satisfied with how it ended the series and even happier with the hopeful closure the authors provide.
Mistress of the Empire is a satisfying, emotional, and hopeful end to the Empire Trilogy about how one woman’s conviction and love for others changed an Empire.
This book offers something different from the previous two in the series. It has the feel of a spy thriller, with Arakasi becoming a point-of-view character in the first half. We get insight into his methods that have served Mara well in the past. The most surprising though is Lujan, who although he doesn’t get his on POV, just provides so much emotional depth and unseen growth. Of all the characters in the series, his personal arc exemplifies what Mara sought to accomplish and draws full circle the journey this series has made.
Although I did not quite like how it started off, it does set the tone for the rest of the events in the book. This finale is quite tragic, with characters we’ve grown to love not guaranteed survival at the end. People are tested, sacrifices are made, and tears will definitely flow. I was satisfied with how it ended the series and even happier with the hopeful closure the authors provide.
Mistress of the Empire is a satisfying, emotional, and hopeful end to the Empire Trilogy about how one woman’s conviction and love for others changed an Empire.
sarahdelucchi's review against another edition
5.0
Uhhhg. Kevin. My king. Who was barely in this but that’s fine.
Some wild fucking battles in the end here. Spy Master is such a badass. Hinaku avenging the death of his father was incredible.
Slow parts for sure in this one but overall one of the coolest trilogies I’ve read spanning decades. Especially with a female MC.
Some wild fucking battles in the end here. Spy Master is such a badass. Hinaku avenging the death of his father was incredible.
Slow parts for sure in this one but overall one of the coolest trilogies I’ve read spanning decades. Especially with a female MC.