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lyndiane's review
5.0
I was privileged enough to read this immediately after the first book in this amazing series. The sequel is even better than the initial read, and I could not put the book down.
The main themes of loyalty, trust and friendship are finely interwoven with the compulsion of Devlin's oath as the Chosen One, and his joy at realising that he is not kinbereft after all. The political intrigue is redolent of the best spy authors.
I love the Irish flavour of the storytelling, and I will most assuredly continue reeading this author's works.
The main themes of loyalty, trust and friendship are finely interwoven with the compulsion of Devlin's oath as the Chosen One, and his joy at realising that he is not kinbereft after all. The political intrigue is redolent of the best spy authors.
I love the Irish flavour of the storytelling, and I will most assuredly continue reeading this author's works.
wallsmitotic's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
xterminal's review
4.0
Patricia Bray, Devlin's Honor (Bantam, 2003)
NOTE: This review contains spoilers for Devlin's Luck, the first book in the series. If you haven't read that yet, don't read this review.
The second book in Bray's Sword of Change series picks up where the first left off, and is one of the few books that actually does something I've often wanted to see—shows that what looked like a happy ending can go horribly, horribly wrong. Devlin of Duncaer, the Chosen One, narrowly defeated the corrupt General of the Army in single combat at the end of the last book and was named his replacement. All well and good, except that Devlin doesn't really do diplomacy too well, and the job is a lot more shuffling papers than going out and saving people, which is his specialty. As well, there's a growing feeling in Jorsk, for people will always find something to complain about, that if Devlin were really the Chosen One, the gods would have delivered the Sword of Light to him. Problem is, it was lost by the last Chosen One during the conquest of Duncaer, Devlin's homeland. The Caerfolk have never taken all too kindly to people from Jorsk, but they really hate Devlin, who's an outcast for reasons that were never fully explained in the first book.
Don't worry, it gets explained here in great detail. In fact, just about everything in the book gets explained in great detail, and some readers, judging by the reviews of the book I've read, have a problem with that. I actually found that made the book a better experience for me than the first was; there's more depth to these characters, more justification for their actions, and thus the actions themselves are more meaningful. It's not just “wow, here's a quest, let's do it.” That's a good thing. This one also has a less episodic feel to it; there's a reason everything's happening, which is also a good thing.
Good stuff, this. I'll definitely be reading the conclusion to this trilogy. *** ½
NOTE: This review contains spoilers for Devlin's Luck, the first book in the series. If you haven't read that yet, don't read this review.
The second book in Bray's Sword of Change series picks up where the first left off, and is one of the few books that actually does something I've often wanted to see—shows that what looked like a happy ending can go horribly, horribly wrong. Devlin of Duncaer, the Chosen One, narrowly defeated the corrupt General of the Army in single combat at the end of the last book and was named his replacement. All well and good, except that Devlin doesn't really do diplomacy too well, and the job is a lot more shuffling papers than going out and saving people, which is his specialty. As well, there's a growing feeling in Jorsk, for people will always find something to complain about, that if Devlin were really the Chosen One, the gods would have delivered the Sword of Light to him. Problem is, it was lost by the last Chosen One during the conquest of Duncaer, Devlin's homeland. The Caerfolk have never taken all too kindly to people from Jorsk, but they really hate Devlin, who's an outcast for reasons that were never fully explained in the first book.
Don't worry, it gets explained here in great detail. In fact, just about everything in the book gets explained in great detail, and some readers, judging by the reviews of the book I've read, have a problem with that. I actually found that made the book a better experience for me than the first was; there's more depth to these characters, more justification for their actions, and thus the actions themselves are more meaningful. It's not just “wow, here's a quest, let's do it.” That's a good thing. This one also has a less episodic feel to it; there's a reason everything's happening, which is also a good thing.
Good stuff, this. I'll definitely be reading the conclusion to this trilogy. *** ½
wyvernfriend's review
4.0
Devlin of Duncaer is the Chosen One, champion of the Kingdom of Jorsk. He is coming to terms with his job and his loss of part of his hand. Rumour about a missing sword, the Sword of Light, a sword that Devlin realises that he actually knows. This means that he has to return to his home place, an occupied land. where he is now considered a collaborator and possibly a traitor. He's also starting to feel like the gods are playing with him and he's losing his mind.
I really like it, yes it's a bridging novel and it does depend on having read the previous novel but it was really interesting and kept me reading. I really felt like Devlin was dealing with serious situations and issues that really were giving him issues. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series.
I really like it, yes it's a bridging novel and it does depend on having read the previous novel but it was really interesting and kept me reading. I really felt like Devlin was dealing with serious situations and issues that really were giving him issues. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series.
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