This is the third in the Axis Trilogy by Sara Douglass. In this book the final battle between Axis and his half brother Gorgrael will take place; the identity of the Lover is revealed; and finally WolfStar shows his true colours. This book is absolutely packed with events, as the first two were, and positively glitters with the force of Douglass' very vivid imagination.I don't dispute that Douglass has managed to churn out a fairly effective fantasy trilogy. The world building is top notch, and the character development has been vigorous - especially when thinking back to the first book. These characters have definitely come a long way! I was unable to resist finding out what happened to Axis, Azhure and Faraday, which I guess is most of what can be asked from a novel.That is not the whole story, though. Although I felt compelled to finish the trilogy, I am not desperate the read the next trilogy (also set in the world of Tencendor). In fact, I would manage if I never picked up another of this fairly prolific author's work.The writing is clumsy, some of the characters are walking cliches, and I found some key scenes rather funny - even though I knew I shouldn't be laughing. The dialogue follows a tiresome 'he said, she said' formula - and most of it was extremely melodramatic (along the lines of 'I couldn't live without you etc).At times I wanted to slap certain characters - Azhure chief amongst them. Yep, I still can't get past the whole 'village girl makes good' element of the story. At other times I rolled my eyes at plot devices - here the gems with souls (chitter, chatter!) were a lowlight.And yet Douglass presents us with the Icarii - a proud race of winged people, angelically beautiful, who use the power of the Star Dance to perform their enchantments; a race whose children are awakened in the womb and then sung through birth to ease their panic. These ideas leap off the page - and led to the one really interesting subplot with DragonStar and RiverStar, the twins of Azhure and Axis. I love how these children are made out to be indifferent - even hateful - to their parents because of events they felt while still in the womb. It was incredibly unusual to see children written about in a negative fashion, and all the more intriguing for it.From there she reaches the low of using cloying and sickly names such as Dear Man, Friend and sweet boy. Ack! Also, how on earth can Faraday and Axis become Best Friends Forever after what has transpired in previous books? I'm just baffled by the extreme consistency of Douglass' writing.I leave you with a quote from the book which can very effectively sum up both this and the preceding two volumes: "It was a sadly anticlimactic end to what had been a sometimes grand but often tragic campaign."
It's been quite a few years since I read this trilogy, but I do remember enjoying it, as much I hate to admit that I secretly LOVE fantasy.I found the plot relatively interesting, the entire book entertaining, and all in all there were some truly wonderful ideas that seemed quite inspiring. But what I hated the most was the "love story" between the two main characters, only that he is one of those typical lady-killers that I absolutely hate (ever so gorgeous, strong, always showing off - dick measuring, excuse my French...) - and he was not even loyal, because halfway through the story he falls in love with that black-haired lady, and of course they get together, and then suddenly it's like, oh well actually THIS is the true love story of the book. The other girl will deal with it in time. (I'm sorry, but I don't remember any character names.) and then it all ends with this other, brown-haired girl, sacrificing herself FOR him, even though he completely betrayed her, and everyone lives happily ever after.I dunno, I'd say rather cheap. Okay to read when you're in your teens, or even if you're a purebred fantasy LOVER - but perhaps not if you are looking for a grand love story, I found that part of it to be rather disappointing - but I doubt I'll ever read it again. Entertaining at the time though (which is when I was a lot younger)
What do You think about Starman (2003)?
Für Axis hat sich viel verändert. Nicht länger ist er der Bastardsohn des Königshauses und als Axtherr ein Diener des Seneschalls. Er hat verstanden, dass er nicht nur ein halber Ikarier ist und damit zu den »Unaussprechlichen« gehört, die er bisher in seinem Glauben verdammt hat. Er erweist sich auch als der mächtigste Zauberer, das dieses Volk seit Generationen hervorgebracht hat, und er gehört dessen Herrschergeschlecht an. Schließlich akzeptiert er seine Rolle in der Prophezeiung der verborgenen Völker und ist bereit, sein Bestes zu geben. So wird es Axis Anliegen, den Ikariern Fähigkeiten zu vermitteln, die sie besser gegen die Attacken von Skrälingen und Menschen schützen sollen. Gemeinsam mit seinen Axtschwingern und den ihm treuen menschlichen Kriegern will er aus ihnen das Herz seiner Streitmacht gegen Gorgrael machen. - Der Axtherr ist aber auch darum bemüht, sein eigenes Wissen zu vergrößern. Sowohl von seiner Familie als auch anderen weisen Zauberern lässt er sich in die Geheimnisse und die Möglichkeiten der Magie einweisen. Wissbegierig geht er dabei weiter als die Ikarier und kommt einer unbekannten Größe im Kampf des Guten gegen das Böse auf die Spur: Wolfstern Sonnenflieger, der mächtigste der ikarischen Krallenfürsten und ein Zauberer von großer Grausamkeit, ist nicht so tot und vergessen, wie alle glauben. Wo ist er, und welche Rolle hat er in dem Spiel der Mächte eingenommen? Diese Fragen stellen sich auch Axis’ Freunde in Bezug auf die geheimnisvolle Bogenschützin Aschure, die selber nicht weiß, wer sie ist, aber in der rauschhaften Nacht von Beltide in die Arme des Axtherrn sinkt und seinen Sohn empfängt. Derweil bekommt Faraday immer mehr die Launen ihres Gemahls Bornheld zu spüren, der verärgert an den Hof des Königs zurückkehrt und dort eine Überraschung erlebt. Aber ehe die Entscheidung Priams das Menschenreich erschüttern kann, stirbt der alte König und der Herzog erbt die Krone. Das entfernt Faraday noch weiter von ihrem Geliebten. Ohne zu wissen, dass Axis mittlerweile in den Arme einer anderen sein Vergnügen findet, hofft und wartet sie noch immer auf ein Zeichen von ihm ...
—Patrick Bättig
I cannot deny that Starman was a satisfactory conclusion to Sara Douglass's Axis Trilogy: it tied up all the loose ends and answered all the questions that had arisen in the previous books, and it had maintained its ability to surprise the reader unexpectedly when doing so.I couldn't help, however, but be disappointed by the ending. The final battle against the Skraelings was too easy, to the point of seeming contrived - there appeared to be very little struggle, and the following chapters were completely unnecessary, following a subplot which bore no importance whatsoever to the main story arc, and ultimately lost the momentum before the stand-off between Axis and Gorgrael. After what I had considered to be a well-thought-out story, the ending felt rushed and awkward, and was greatly disappointing.
—Donna
I agree with some of my fellow readers: there is a lot not to like about Axis, he is a "tipycal" fightseeking male with a who treats the woman in his life very badly.Even the one he loves more than life! But why should a bookhero be perfect and flawless??? And it is realistic enough - that part it is.My problems are more with Azhure (excuse for the bad english, it is after all a foreign language for me) she is too good, too perfect and too powerful in my opinion. Things are getting to easy for her.She got her magic dogs, her magic bow and a magic ring to top it all. And a almost perfect firstborn son.All the coincidences are swept under the carpet and stored under the doings of the prophet and Azhures father.But set aside all these things and you are left with a good written story wich is well thought and original enough. And - for me - very important very strong woman characters. They only let Axis get away with to much!
—A.C
