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A review by thisistaylort
Treason's Shore by Sherwood Smith
What's worse than a book hangover? Grief? Homesickness, maybe? I had a pit in my stomach when I read the last sentence. I can't believe the Inda series is finally over.
I'm just wrapping everything in spoiler text because the rest of this review is just my stream of consciousness as I read.
Treason's Shore picks up right where King's Shield left off. Fragility is what comes to mind over the first couple of chapters. Tdor is so happy to finally be married to Inda and that happiness is almost immediately dashed by the reminder that he also cares for Signi. But not before we learn Tau is leaving to find Jeje, and his mother. And he gives Tdor advice on how to care for Inda when his joints ache from the torture he received. Then Signi tells his mother her concerns for Inda’s mental well being. Those concerns are mirrored by Evred when he recounts Inda’s fixation on reliving every battle. And of course Evred is still fixated on Inda. Which Hadand finally realizes. Her resolve not to be hurt by Evred is fragile indeed. Not to mention Inda's unresolved grief over the death of his brother, Tanrid. Speaking of the Sierlaef's old Sier Danas, Buck is not in a good place either. Thank god for Fnor. And then of course we have Fox. Who doesn’t appear fragile at all, but is only putting up a good front. He’s the most morally gray main character, but I have a soft spot. A morally questionable semi pirate, with a quick temper, an excellent fighter, inner turmoil because he should rightfully be king? Yeah, that’s all the trappings of a killer MMC. Now we're getting side tracked. Basically, so often, main characters are made out to be untouchable, but that is hardly the case here. They survived the war, but were not unharmed. To steal a quote from Hamilton "Dying is easy, living is harder."
Initially, I was not much interested in the political machinations of the Venn. But it only took a couple of pages with Fulla and Brun Durasnir to completely captivate me. I would read an entire book just about their relationship.
The (very) slow reveal of Wisthia’s agency was a delightful surprise. In book one, she's sequestered in her rooms, trying to recreate her homeland. By book two, we get the inkling that maybe there's more than meets the eye when she arranges for Joret to return home with her.
Remember when I say that Fox was a morally gray character? Him thinking about stealing the Brotherhood of Blood treasure from Inda is the perfect example. I can’t say exactly that I blame him. Though I hate to think that his jadedness and bitterness will be his undoing. Plus, he beat up Barend. And stole his gold case. Jeje and Tau lost their cases as well. It feels like the friendships are unraveling. Also, how can Fox blame Inda for not writing when he was facing a literal war? I was really glad Ramos intervened with Fox, but it seemed a little too easy. Oh, just have this seemingly all knowing being come, beat him up, tell him Inda’s nightmares, and put him on the right path with promises it will benefit his descendants someday?
I was glad to see Jeje back on Vixen but sad she hasn’t had that reunion with Tau yet. And of course, we learn that Tau is of noble birth. What’s going to be his next move?
Great, Hadnad told Tdor she stopped taking gerda, but Tdor's been waiting on Hadand to get pregnant before she and Inda try.
Tau’s back! And is going to try to save Evred from himself. This may be the cure to the fixation. But will Tau be content to be with Evred forever? No more Jeje? Or maybe Evred will finally get it out of his system?
Evred is just now realizing what Fox knew about Inda a long time ago. The men are loyal to Inda, and he is loyal to Iasca Leror/Evred. And now Handand finally realizes that Evred is obsessed with her brother. And strangely Tau is sleeping with them both. And Tdor sees it all. She is the eye and voice of reason.
Gah poor Signi. That torture scene was rough.
Then suddenly, time passes and it's been five years since the war. Buck found peace. Hadand had a son. Tdor is pregnant. Inda is back at sea. Jeje and Tau are reunited. Signi’s probably about to leave. Fox is Fox. And Evred wants to conquer the world.
Well fuck. It’s over. The Venn were “defeated”. Inda’s story began with him refusing to accept punishment for Dogpiss’ death, resulting in his exile. It ended with him refusing an order to conqueror the strait, and resulted in him being sent home to rule as prince, though it ended his friendship with Evred. He and Tdor went home to live a happy, peaceful life. He got to talk with Fox some. Fox became a Jarl, though plans to return to the sea. Barend took over the fleet, where he is happiest. I loved that moment when Fox left the fleet and there was a sentiment that the good, old days of adventure were truly behind them now. Jeje returned to Freedom Harbor, with Tau. And then Evred stepped down as king and Tau is going to show him the rest of the world. I hate that Hadand had to die in the end. Though I guess that was the catalyst for Evred to leave.
Signi and child must be doing fine. Fulla, Brun, and Halvir made it out. Rajnir survived and seemed intent on making sweeping changes with the Venn.
The wrap up was a little too neat and tidy for me, but then again, how to do you sum up a 2000+ page series?
In conclusion, what an amazing series! It has unforgettable characters and such insight into the human mind. Really a shame it's not more widely read.
I'm just wrapping everything in spoiler text because the rest of this review is just my stream of consciousness as I read.
Treason's Shore picks up right where King's Shield left off. Fragility is what comes to mind over the first couple of chapters. Tdor is so happy to finally be married to Inda and that happiness is almost immediately dashed by the reminder that he also cares for Signi. But not before we learn Tau is leaving to find Jeje, and his mother. And he gives Tdor advice on how to care for Inda when his joints ache from the torture he received. Then Signi tells his mother her concerns for Inda’s mental well being. Those concerns are mirrored by Evred when he recounts Inda’s fixation on reliving every battle. And of course Evred is still fixated on Inda. Which Hadand finally realizes. Her resolve not to be hurt by Evred is fragile indeed. Not to mention Inda's unresolved grief over the death of his brother, Tanrid. Speaking of the Sierlaef's old Sier Danas, Buck is not in a good place either. Thank god for Fnor. And then of course we have Fox. Who doesn’t appear fragile at all, but is only putting up a good front. He’s the most morally gray main character, but I have a soft spot. A morally questionable semi pirate, with a quick temper, an excellent fighter, inner turmoil because he should rightfully be king? Yeah, that’s all the trappings of a killer MMC. Now we're getting side tracked. Basically, so often, main characters are made out to be untouchable, but that is hardly the case here. They survived the war, but were not unharmed. To steal a quote from Hamilton "Dying is easy, living is harder."
Initially, I was not much interested in the political machinations of the Venn. But it only took a couple of pages with Fulla and Brun Durasnir to completely captivate me. I would read an entire book just about their relationship.
The (very) slow reveal of Wisthia’s agency was a delightful surprise. In book one, she's sequestered in her rooms, trying to recreate her homeland. By book two, we get the inkling that maybe there's more than meets the eye when she arranges for Joret to return home with her.
Remember when I say that Fox was a morally gray character? Him thinking about stealing the Brotherhood of Blood treasure from Inda is the perfect example. I can’t say exactly that I blame him. Though I hate to think that his jadedness and bitterness will be his undoing. Plus, he beat up Barend. And stole his gold case. Jeje and Tau lost their cases as well. It feels like the friendships are unraveling. Also, how can Fox blame Inda for not writing when he was facing a literal war? I was really glad Ramos intervened with Fox, but it seemed a little too easy. Oh, just have this seemingly all knowing being come, beat him up, tell him Inda’s nightmares, and put him on the right path with promises it will benefit his descendants someday?
I was glad to see Jeje back on Vixen but sad she hasn’t had that reunion with Tau yet. And of course, we learn that Tau is of noble birth. What’s going to be his next move?
Great, Hadnad told Tdor she stopped taking gerda, but Tdor's been waiting on Hadand to get pregnant before she and Inda try.
Tau’s back! And is going to try to save Evred from himself. This may be the cure to the fixation. But will Tau be content to be with Evred forever? No more Jeje? Or maybe Evred will finally get it out of his system?
Evred is just now realizing what Fox knew about Inda a long time ago. The men are loyal to Inda, and he is loyal to Iasca Leror/Evred. And now Handand finally realizes that Evred is obsessed with her brother. And strangely Tau is sleeping with them both. And Tdor sees it all. She is the eye and voice of reason.
Gah poor Signi. That torture scene was rough.
Then suddenly, time passes and it's been five years since the war. Buck found peace. Hadand had a son. Tdor is pregnant. Inda is back at sea. Jeje and Tau are reunited. Signi’s probably about to leave. Fox is Fox. And Evred wants to conquer the world.
Well fuck. It’s over. The Venn were “defeated”. Inda’s story began with him refusing to accept punishment for Dogpiss’ death, resulting in his exile. It ended with him refusing an order to conqueror the strait, and resulted in him being sent home to rule as prince, though it ended his friendship with Evred. He and Tdor went home to live a happy, peaceful life. He got to talk with Fox some. Fox became a Jarl, though plans to return to the sea. Barend took over the fleet, where he is happiest. I loved that moment when Fox left the fleet and there was a sentiment that the good, old days of adventure were truly behind them now. Jeje returned to Freedom Harbor, with Tau. And then Evred stepped down as king and Tau is going to show him the rest of the world. I hate that Hadand had to die in the end. Though I guess that was the catalyst for Evred to leave.
Signi and child must be doing fine. Fulla, Brun, and Halvir made it out. Rajnir survived and seemed intent on making sweeping changes with the Venn.
The wrap up was a little too neat and tidy for me, but then again, how to do you sum up a 2000+ page series?
In conclusion, what an amazing series! It has unforgettable characters and such insight into the human mind. Really a shame it's not more widely read.