In a follow-up that’s just as good as her series opener, Jennifer Fallon continues the Second Sons Trilogy. Eye of the Labyrinth picks up two years after the close of Lion of Senet, and further complicates a story full of political machinations and intrigue. If that’s the sort of fantasy you like, look no forther.For me, I enjoy this series for how engrossing it is, how the author lets her readers see a situation from all characters’ perspectives (including the antagonists). More than that, there are countless perspectives and loyalties, and often, more than one of those loyalties seems to be correct. Eye of the Labyrinth deals mostly in shades of gray, though the various priestesses are pretty much irredeemably evil.Though there are several main characters in the book, the main main character is Dirk Provin, who’s really just awesome because you don’t even know if he’s a good guy or a bad guy. You’re rooting for him, but you don’t know if what he’s doing will end up getting another of your favorites killed, because at the bottom of it all, Dirk is playing for Dirk’s team, not anyone else’s. Beyond that, Dirk is pretty much an unbeatable strategist and manipulator, and it’s so much fun to watch his plans come to fruition. “He was not just a boy with a good head for numbers; he was a political animal with an intelligence and level of cunning that few could match.”Beyond Dirk, Fallon’s assorted characters are all interesting and nuanced. As I said, there really are no “good guys” in the series, and only two definitive “bad guys” (and those two are actually battling against each other, so…). All that being said, though, I’ve started to become a little iffy on female characterization. After finishing Eye of the Labyrinth, I think Fallon’s female characters are either “whores” or “virgins”. The whores are evil; the virgins act childishly and are oblivious whenever it suits the plot. It’s not a pleasant thing to read, though honestly, I haven’t read many fantasy novels that were satisfyingly pro-woman. Sad.Moving on from Eye of the Labyrinth, I’m intrigued to see where Fallon takes this. It seems to me that she’s going to have a lot of ground to cover in the final installment, and I’m curious to see how everything wraps up. The Second Sons Trilogy is one of the better series in the genre I’ve read for a long, long time, and this second installment was as enjoyable as the first book was.Reviews & more at Respiring Thoughts
Note that this review covers both Eye of the Labyrinth and Son of Shadows.In some ways the shine wore off after the first book. The plot throughout the trilogy is very linear -- there is one objective, and the MC sticks to that sole objective throughout (although of course there are many steps along the way) -- so it's very much like one long book rather than three semi-independent books. And since this is a world without magic and with no interesting creatures, the author has nothing more to fall back on than any writer of historical fiction.Fortunately, the plot was interesting, and I always wanted to see how the MC worked his way out of various political knots he had worked his way into. Unfortunately, some of the characters got tiresome along the way or started doing exceedingly stupid things. And one character who was supposed to be one of the Good Guys was such an unremittingly hate-filled idiot that I was actively rooting for her to get strangled by someone -- but no, she just continued to get OTHER people killed with her stupidity, even though everyone around her kept remarking on how intelligent and sensible she was. Bah. And then the only sensible female character from the first book turned into a whining ninny as soon as she fell in love. Bah again. We did at least get a new sensible female character, and we could all see from twenty miles away where she was going to end up (not a bad fate, just a "seriously? this was supposed to be a plot twist?" fate).So -- if you like politics and intrigue, this may be a good series for you. Not a good series if you want sympathetic female characters who actively influence the plot's resolution, though, and neither magic nor wonder for those who seek such things in their fantasy. And, of course, strictly speaking, it was actually science fiction (shhhhhhhhh! don't tell!) simply clothed in the language and tropes of fantasy. I'm giving this about 3.5 stars. I'm rounding up for now to give credit to all the machinations of the plot, but I could just as easily round down if I were writing this in a bad mood.
What do You think about Eye Of The Labyrinth (2004)?
This story is just plain delicious. The complex politics, the multiple layers of intrigue, and the personal agendas all add up to a riveting read. This is one of those books you will find extremely hard to put down. Every page seems to add another twist or layer or flat out shock. You honestly have no idea what is going to happen next and if you think you have it figured out, think again because Dirk has more tricks up his sleeve then a magician. Heck, poor Dirk has to think fast on his feet too because his grand plan keeps hitting unexpected roadblocks so he ends up pretty much winging it as he goes along. I know, I'm gushing but I really love this book. The characters continue to grow and develop in leaps and bounds. You know that Dirk has a grand scheme in mind but you have absolutely no idea what it is or how he expects to pull it off without getting killed. There are a couple of romantic scenarios too that you likely expected would happen but when they do take twists that you could not have seen coming. I absolutely adore a story that keeps me constantly on my toes, quickly turning pages and shaking my head in disbelief.Read More @ Dragons, Heroes and Wizards
—Shari Mulluane
All I can say about this book is oh my God!! This book was definitely a lot better than the first one!! I can definitely anticipate that the third, and final book in this trilogy will be even better!! It's astounding to me as to what extreme measures some people will do a order to get to what they want!! Even if it's for the cost of good! I firmly believe that Dirk is one of the most intelligent characters in this entire series!! I can't believe he was able to figure everything out! Even at the cost of everybody else's feelings, even if he knew he have to betray the one that he love to get to what he needs to do to achieve his goal for the price of good!! I will say however that Tia is one of the most aggravating characters I have ever met!! She is even more annoying in this book than she was in the first one!! I truly wish that someone would just punch her in the mouth to get it over with!! She is so stupid comment such a moron, that I'm surprised she lived this long through the entire series!! Is a bit of romance in this book. Not much though. However, fantastic novel! I cannot wait to read the third and final book! I love the fact that he decided to call himself a lord of shadows! Absolutely genius! Jennifer Fallon is a phenomenal writer! This book definitely gets five stars in my book
—Ann
There are few books that can claim the sequel to be better than the first book, and this is one of them. "The Lion of Senet" was a fantastic read and a great introduction to all the characters. In the "Eye of the Labyrinth", the story continues two years after the first book leaves off. We find Alenor thrust into the role of queen and Kirsh training with the Queen's Guard. Marquel is even more deadly and dangerous proving that there's nothing she won't do to get what she wants. Tia will reluctantly learn to trust Dirk only to live to regret that decision, and Dirk is the most complicated individual of all the characters. These are only a few of the many characters involved, and how the ending will play out, remains to be seen in the last book "Lord of the Shadows" Fallon's characters are so well written that it's hard not to view them as real people instead of individuals in a fantasy novel.
—Leia
