Oath of Fealty (#1)
Thanks to Paks’s courage, the long-vanished heir to the half-elven kingdom of Lyonya has been revealed as Kieri Phelan, a formidable mercenary who earned a title—and enemies—in the neighboring kingdom of Tsaia, where Prince Mikeli suddenly faces the threat of a coup. Acting swiftly, Mikeli strikes at the powerful family behind the attack: the Verrakaien, magelords steeped in death and evil. Mikeli’s survival—and that of Tsaia—depend on the only Verrakai whose magery is not tainted with innocent blood. Two kings stand at a pivotal point in the history of their worlds. For dark forces are gathering against them, knit in a secret conspiracy more sinister and far more ancient than they can imagine.
Reviews
“A must-read […] thoroughly entertaining.”RT Book Reviews, 4.5 stars, a top pick
“A triumphant return to the fantasy world she created […] no one writes fantasy quite like Moon.”Miami Herald
“The long-awaited new entry in Moon’s masterful Paksenarrion series is all killer, no filler […] heroic fantasy on a fascinatingly quotidian, human scale.”The AV Club/The Onion, Best of 2010 Runner-up
“Moon’s world-building and strong characterization are on display throughout. Those already familiar with Moon won’t need any further hints from me. Those who haven’t tried her yet are in for a treat.”Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine
“The work of an artist and a storyteller. Moon sets up the action and intrigue to sustain an epic trilogy while still having a complete story arc within this volume.”Fantasy Literature
“A stirring start to a new story arc […] I can’t wait for more episodes.”BookLoons
“I found the book hard to put down because of Elizabeth Moon’s ability to make the story flow along.”SF Site
“Like a shieldmate in the ranks of one of Phelan’s cohorts, OATH OF FEALTY is more than worthy to stand alongside the earlier tales of the Paladin Paksenarrion and her companions, set in a land which ranks alongside Andre Norton’s Witch World and Tolkein’s Middle Earth for invention, deeds of valor and battles of good against evil.”Jack Campbell, The New York Times bestselling author of the Lost Fleet series
“What sheer delight! Oath of Fealty is an engrossing new adventure returning old friends to us in the first of three more books in the Paksenarrion universe. It’s quite simply a smashing story, and I am panting to read the next installment from this consummate storyteller. Hurry up, Elizabeth!”Anne McCaffrey
“Has just what I look for in an Elizabeth Moon fantasy: magic, action, damned fine sword play, and characters who hold honor and loyalty higher than life itself. An epic win!”Jody Lynn Nye, author of A Forthcoming Wizard
“Enough of a fresh start in the world Moon created over twenty years ago to keep new readers (like myself) engaged throughout […] I was very pleased to meet characters who were well-rounded, strong, admirable, believing and engaging.”SFFWorld (Rob H. Bedford)
Awards & Accolades
Fantasy Faction: “Best of 2010”
AV Club: “Best of 2010”
SFF World: “Best of 2010”
Goodreads: “Best of 2010”