I'm bereft! As series go, this has turned out to be one of my favorites of all time. And this is the last book! Not to have more time with these characters feels awful. I hope that Cherryh gets back to them at some point, but given the nine years that have passed since this was published I'm not overly hopeful. I also wonder whether the fact that these books were published when Cherryh was with Harper plays any role. But anyway, if my wishes had any power, Cherryh would pick up her pen again and continue the story of these wonderful characters.This novel picks up 15 years after the conclusion of the last and follows primarily the two sons of Cefwyn, the legitimate Aewyn and the illegitimate Elfwyn as the forces that pushed for the conception of Elfwyn rise up in the world with his approaching adulthood and again threaten the land, Cefwyn and Tristen.You can really see the influence of Tolkien with Emuin feeling more and more like a Gandalf figure and even the words, "It wants to be found," appearing in the text. But the characters have such dept and the emotional reality present in this fantasy setting is amazing.The bromance feeling of the relationship between Cefwyn and Tristen is still a big feature of the story as is the newer bond of actual brothers Elfwyn and Aewyn. The themes of loyalty and power continue and pervade, but this is also a coming of age-type story for Elfwyn and Aewyn with the added perspective of deeply knowing the older generation of characters who are looking on and trying to guide the younger. I did truly love these books. I was amazed they could stay so strong throughout. I would place them up there with my favorite early Tanith Lee and more recent Jacqueline Carey favorites.
Well. This was a well written tale. Unfortunately, I had a difficulty immersing myself into it.The problem is that I'm beginning to suspect my appreciation for Cherryh's fantasies are far below my total love for her science fiction series'. I tend to prefer starting a series from the first volume, but in this case, I was unable to locate a copy and I had heard that this one might as well be a completely different series. (It involving a time skip and the progeny of the series's main characters, rather the parents.)The characters were likable, and there was a certain level of nuance-- though most thoughts of flatness could be attribute to me starting at the bum end of the series. I don't know. Something about it didn't grip me despite all of its good qualities. Perhaps, it's because I read it with far too many expectations? I found Cherryh's Foreigner series to be somewhat revolutionary, deadly interesting and very gripping. As far as fantasy tales go, Fortress of Ice doesn't do much of anything to stand above the Young-Boys-of-Prophecy thing. Cherryh's style of very solid and unadorned writing doesn't help matters much either. If she had some sort of stylistic 'thing', or, had written in some sort of experimental style that was visually and intellectually interesting, I may have been able to sit through the story far better. In the end, no matter how well written it is, the plain story/prose is enough to cause the entire book to become rather disappointingly yawn worthy.
What do You think about Fortress Of Ice (2006)?
Fortress of Ice is a difficult book to pin down--I find myself liking the book, but not liking it enough. (Which no, doesn’t make sense. There are books I love and reread endlessly, there are books I like but only read once. This book falls somewhere between those two categories.) The feeling and tone is entirely different because all theprimary characters have become secondary and tertiary, and the next generation is new and very wet behind the ears.Read this review on Rena's Hub of Random on WordPress.
—Rena McGee
The story begins to move to the second generation. Cefwyn's two sons, Elfwyn and Aewyn, approach adulthood and evil things begin stirring. I like this series very much. Lots of quiet moments. Perhaps too much agonizing by the characters but that's what happens when you dwell on characterization more than action shots. But now I realize that I'm trapped in a series that's not complete. I don't know when CJ Cherryh will write another but there's certainly plenty to work with.It would have been nicer to have more Tristen. And what's the deal with Tristen becoming a dragon? Did he become a real dragon or more of a figurative dragon? In either case, I'd really like to know what he's been up to the past 15 years. He's changed dramatically. Please write more, CJ Cherryh! And soon!
—Kerry
I really don't like reviewing books. What I have to say almost always falls short of what I'd like to say.I love this series. There's something about it that makes my heart swell and I get all choked up. Read it! You won't regret it.In this last installment, there has been 16 years of peace in the kingdom of Ylesuin. Tristan has withdrawn to his tower at Ynefel, King Cefwyn sits on his throne with his queen Ninevrise at his side, his bastard son Elfwyn has come to visit him in the capital and his legitimate son Aewyn is an exuberant repeat of himself. Just like the visit of Tristen to the capital years earlier, however, Elfwyn's visit creates havoc with the rigid and anti-wizardry Quinalt priests and Elfwyn is forced to flee. My heart was in my throat through much of it, but Elfwyn finds his way with Emuin and Tristen's help, and Cefwyn finds that he loves both sons equally.The magic in this series has a price and is used sparingly. The evil comes from those who want to use it to gain power. It all boils down to very simple things, really. Remember vision, Tristan tells Elfwyn when Elfwyn visits him in his tower. Vision and patience. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all remembered these things? And finally, love. The love between Tristan and Cefwyn, between Elfwyn and Aewyn, the love Cefwyn holds for Emuin, his old wizard/teacher and for Ninevrise and for his sons.... and most of all that Tristen has for the world and for life.What a beautiful, sensitive, and finally simple tale: simple, that is, in its complexity.
—Sandra
