[9/10] I've been hunting for a solid fantasy epic that is finished so I don't have to wait years to find out how it ends. I'm glad this Silerian trilogy was pointed out to me, because I didn't know much about Laura Resnick and suspected she was writing mostly modern urban fantasy/romance - a genre I'm lukewarm about.In Legend Born is a good bridge between what I would call classic fantasy in the style of Tolkien, Jordan, Brooks, Feist and modern "grit" from Abercrombie, Ruckley, Lynch or Morgan. It liked the way it avoids the fellowship on a quest cliche, and builds a strong plot with numerous factions fighting for control of an island kingdom with a strong Sicilian flavor. We have here an imposing volcano gnerating a whole religion around its temper, vendetta like bloodfeuds spanning generations and an omerta type of tradition for punishing blabbermouths. Another plus of the series is the magic intensive setting and the rich history of the land, covering successive invasions by powerful neighboring kingdoms.A good fantasy epic needs not only a good worldbuilding and an interesting magic system, but most of all powerful characters that feel real and not some cardboard heroes with magic swords or fireballs. There are swords and fireballs in Sileria, but this is where I think Laura Resnick hit the right notes, by making her major characters humanly fallible, prone to jealousy, rage, naivete, insecurity. They are not static placeholders, they react to the shifting political situation, make mistakes and evolve over time.The pacing is fast, with plenty of confrontations although I would note that most of the fighting is one on one duels and the larger battles in the war happen out of the frame. This is typical of the guerilla type of warfare described in this first volume, where a small group of rebels attacks a powerful imperial occupying force and has to rely on ambushes, assassinations or hit and run attacks.So why not give this a full 5 star review? The story had a few moments where it felt padded, making the same point about a character motivation five times instead of once. I'm also a bit unsure about the use of prophecy and the Firebringer sequence - if it was needed or not for one of the main characters (I'm trying to avoid spoilers here). I will probably find out in the next book.So: I think I'm on to a good thing, and I would rate this series close to favorites like Rai-Kirah by Carol Berg, Second Sons by Jennifer Fallon or Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon.
C1998: If I had paid for this book, I would have been well pleased with the word count per penny. I am also glad that this was an e-book as I think that it would have been a weighty tome indeed. It seemed to gone on for ever....and ever....and ever. Having read this book well after the first publishing date, it is hard to say for certain whether this was innovative or whether it is still a tired old rehash of the standard prophecy, betrayal, battles etc. It did require from me an epic amount of patience to get through all the deliberations – I mean really? Do you really think 3 pages worth of deliberations whilst in the middle of a life threatening situation. I know that your life can flash in front of you when dying but even then I don’t think that it would take me 3 pages. But, hey, perhaps that’s just my life. But, yet, there was something about the story that kept me going – perhaps one of the major characters was just the dark brooding kind of character that appeals. Betrayal after betrayal made this a very sombre book with no lightness at all. FWFTB: Sileria, conquerors, Kints (I think this is a most unfortunate name), slavery, prophesy. FCN: Elalar mar Odilan yesh Ronall shah, Tansen mar Dustan shah Gamalani, Jasorian mar Gershon shah Emedlari, Miribar, Zimran shah Emeldari. Phew!!
What do You think about In Legend Born (2000)?
This is the type of stereotypical fantasy that rarely interests me, but I tried it because the library had it, and who knows, it might have been good. It wasn't good, and started out with one of my least favorite things: visions. Visions and prophecies rarely improve a novel, but they seem to be awfully prevalent in the fantasy genre. One of my second least favorite things is war, fighting, and rebellion. I don't care much about troop movements, army raising, and heavy traveling, so this wasn't that great for me. I also didn't really enjoy the world building, which many say is the strong point of this novel. I mean basically it's going to be a medieval setting of some sort be it a small town, port town, run down town, or big castle. Nothing is unique about that. The characters aren't amazing, and aren't in depth enough to carry anything. Not for me.
—Ithlilian
In Legend Born was...surprising. I was surprised that i actually liked it. Given there are charaters I've much wanted the whole thing to focus on like Maribar and Tansen and there are characters, no matter how useful, I'd rather be dead like that traitorous whore Elera.I just don't like her. I was prepared to like her but I cannot like how she uses people like pawn and I positively HATE the power she has over Tansen. I want to kill that guy! What the hell is his problem. Hopefully he'll finally open his eyes on the next book.This is a thrilling book except on most part where it kinda dragged a bit and by page 200 I was still waiting for the plot to start. Five people that will soon shape Sirkara. Five people, who after like half of the book still doesn't get to meet. I was screaming JUST FREAKING MEET ALREADY!. It is kinda dragging with some unnecessary droning that would reduce this book to- i'm hoping just half of it's original page but if you stick into the end; it can be rewarding. I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book! The characters are all so different and very realistic. It's selfishness, betrayal, and hope that gets this book moving. Each character, some are just so damn stupid! I'm allergic to stupid people so please somebody kill them for me!, some driven by their own selfishness, others driven by love.I love how Josanian (?) became the firebringer, though I was hoping for Maribar. Still this book showed how courage could help change the course of history. How bravery could set a part an ordinary man from everyone else to become a leader and make a huge difference.
—Jemma Gutierrez
This would have been a better read if the back had been a little more accurate. It sounded like a standard quest novel but in reality was a complicated political type fantasy novel. The main characters don't really come together to fight the foreign invaders, except for on an intellectual level where they all realise that this is a good time to deal with this issue.This book is more about a pride in society and trying to overcome some of the traditions that are in the way of being effective in order to defeat a common enemy and putting aside tribal issues to fight for a common good. It could have been very interesting but instead I found it dragged somewhat. I didn't find it thoroughly bad but there were times that if I had something else to read it might have been abandoned.It would appeal to people who like the more political fantasy rather than the more magic oriented or quest fantasy. While there is magic in the story and it is pretty pervasive in the society, it does change things suddenly. There's a lot of complicated politics and people who change allegiances and are willing to sacrifice others quite quickly. Overall not bad, would probably appeal to people who enjoy complicated political novels.
—Deirdre
