Crown of Vengeance

Title: Crown of Vengeance

Author: Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory

Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

Series: Dragon Prophecy, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780765324382

Length: 605 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It looked like a first in series co-written by Mercedes Lackey.  And it is set in the same other world as The Obsidian and Enduring Flame Trilogies.

Comments:

Oh, where to start?  I guess with the Prologue, which is a creation story of sorts.  In which one discovers this is a good vs. evil story.  The characters were - well, I liked some of the characters sometimes.  But even the "good guy" characters could be ambiguous.  Decisions made, attitudes, reactions and interactions - they were all situational and made the feelings I had about/toward characters fluctuate.

The story is one of hardship, war, and a purpose.  Of prophecy, believers, and disbelief.  The primary character is the "Child of Prophecy" (or is she?).  A prophecy that many have disputed and studied for years as they've tried to comprehend just what it is predicting.  But Vieliessar is certain it tells of the time when evil will come to destroy, and how they must be prepared and fight together.

And I just made the mistake of starting to read the inside of the dust jacket... to be told things that have not happened yet!  And presumably happen in upcoming books.  That is just WRONG.  If I haven't read The Obsidian and Enduring Flame trilogies (which I haven't), then I don't already know these characters and their legends. Grrr.

But anyway... It took days of concentrated reading, staying up late, and drooping from exhaustion at work to finish this, but I did it.  I will continue to read the series, The House of Four Winds, because I do want to see what happens next.