Axis und Bornheld haben sich dazu durchgerungen, ihre Rivalitäten bis nach dem Winter zu vertagen, um Gorgraels Angriffen standhalten zu können. Axis kann die Angreifer sogar zurückschlagen und kommt wohl oder übel Bornheld zu Hilfe, der die Hauptlast des Ansturms zu tragen hat. Bornheld ist ihm dafür keinesfalls dankbar, und kaum ist der Winter vorrüber, bricht der Waffenstillstand auseinander. Noch bevor Bornheld Axis angreifen kann, hat der sich bereits auf den Weg in die Provinz Skarabost gemacht, wo ein Vasalle Bornhelds die Bevölkerung tyrannisiert, um sie am Überlaufen zu Axis zu hindern. Während Axis durch das östliche Achar zieht, macht Bornheld sich auf den Weg in die Hauptstadt, weiß er doch, dass Axis letztlich ebenfalls dorthin kommen wird. Vor den Toren der Stadt kommt es zur Schlacht, doch die endgültige Entscheidung fällt nicht auf dem Schlachtfeld … Der vierte Band wird zu einem großen Teil von Kämpfen und Schlachten bestimmt. Dabei nimmt der Kampf gegen Gorgraels Kreaturen den weitaus größeren Raum ein, wenngleich seine neueste Waffe seltener vorkam, als ich es am Ende von “Tanz der Sterne” erwartet hätte. Die Schlacht vor Karlon ist dagegen erstaunlich kurz. All diese Schlachten sind ziemlich unblutig beschrieben, gehen eher auf strategische Dinge und auf die Verschiebung von Machtverhältnissen ein als auf bloßes Gemetzel. Den Höhepunkt der Kämpfe stellt natürlich der letzte Kampf zwischen Axis und Bornheld dar, der in dieser Hinsicht wesentlich drastischer ist. Im Hinblick auf zwei Folgebände kann zu diesem Zeitpunkt der Kampf wiederum nur zu Gunsten Axis’ ausfallen, allerdings geht es dabei um wesentlich mehr als nur um die Entscheidung zwischen den Rivalen. Die andere Hälfte des Buches dreht sich großteils um das Dilemma zwischen Axis, Aschure und Faraday. Weder Axis noch Aschure sehen sich in der Lage, den gordischen Knoten zu lösen, den Axis da geknüpft hat, und letztlich ist es Faraday, die die Entscheidung trifft, nicht ohne ein Samenkorn der Rache mit hineinzupacken.
It's been forty years since the Prophecy of the Destroyer. Peace rules the land of Tencendor. Where Axis, Azhure and Faraday's children have grown. Many people do not like the rule of the Throne of Stars and seek to destroy the peace for their own gains. They want the kingdom of Achar back with Prince Zared as their king. Caelum does not want to see the kingdom of Achar reinstituted because it will cause strife among the races. Zared wishes to marry Leagh, Princess of the North but Caelum and her brother Prince Askam don't agree. Drago, son of Axis and Azhure, leads a lonely and bitter life at Sigholt with only his sister Zenith showing him any kindness. Zenith disagrees with her parents punishment of Drago and wishes there was another way found to punish Drago instead. Drago's twin sister, RiverStar is ever cruel and demeaning to Drago every chance she gets. RiverStar is known for her sharp tongue and sexual escapades are just as legendary. WolfStar makes an appearance much to everyone's dismay. When RiverStar is found murder seemly at Drago's hand and all the while Drago proclaiming his innocence. A new enemy approaches Tencendor from beyond the Star Gate and appears with Drago's help. Faraday has been set free from red doe with a new task and purpose. Zenith fights a battle for her soul against Niah's soul within her own body. Who murdered RiverStar? What will this enemy do? Can Zenith win? What will Faraday do now? Your answers await you in Sinner.
What do You think about Sinner (1997)?
So, this is the fourth book in a series I thought there were only 3 of. I kind of wonder if there were only supposed to be three but people liked them so much Douglass invented a subsequent trilogy for the same world. If that is the case, she's done a great job. To many times, authors trying to build off the success of books by writing sequels they never intended do a poor job, but not so in this case. Douglass' world is detailed enough to support another storyline, and I can't wait to read the last two books.
—Mindy
Just finished and was pleasantly surprised. I liked this and did not expect to. The first three books I read years ago and was very emotionally affected by the ending. When I found out that some characters returned in these books, I just didn't want to have to deal with them again. Douglass creates people that can be truly annoying and make you dislike them, which is unusual since they are usually the protaginists of the tale. I finally gave into reading the second trio of this series and glad that I did, so far...
—Caprica
The characters in the first three books of Wayfarer Redemption all share flaws and weaknesses, often times causing the reader to outright dislike them. Yet each character also had their redeeming qualities, and external influences that attributed to their actions.In Sinner, almost every character is abrasive, arrogant, rude or stupid. Axis and Azhure seem hollow shells of the complex characters evolved over the previous books. Caelum acts like a four year old, not a man of 40 years!The imminent threat through the StarGate is the only thing which keeps this book interesting. If not for the history built up earlier in the series readers would have trouble making it through the first half of the book.The characters seem to wake up to themselves towards the end of the book, at which point the story is quite intriguing. Characters evolve and regain some redeeming features that allow the reader to empathise. The final chapters accelerate to the conclusion which sets up for the sequel, Pilgrim.Sara Douglass is known for creating complex, flawed characters, but in this novel they stray to far towards unbelievably moronic for too long.
—Joel Davies
