The final novel in the Braided Path trilogy manages to successfully build upon the previous two novels to produce a largely satisfying conclusion to the series. At the end of the previous book the Weavers seemed to have delivered a devastating blow to their opponents. As we pick up the story a few years later we find that the Weavers haven't had everything their own way, but now seem poised to achieve a final victory over their enemies. The series was never particularly light-hearted reading but the final volume is particularly grim, starting off with a battle featuring a horrific and seemingly unstoppable new foe and then progressing through a series of battles and set-backs for Kaiku and her allies in the fight to save Saramyr. Throughout the series Wooding has shown he isn't afraid to kill off characters and this continues here, with several important characters getting killed, including a few memorable and fitting ends for some of them. If the first book in the series was maybe a bit too predictable at times, the ending of the story is a bit more original although I suspect I'd have been more impressed with one crucial plot twist if I hadn't anticipated it due to Guy Gavriel Kay using a very similar plot device in his Fionavar Tapestry series. It does eventually come to a fairly satisfying conclusion with a good combination of action/battle scenes and character-focused scenes, although some aspects of the ending do seem a bit open-ended. The ending does have a bittersweet and somewhat cynical feel to it, which is appropriate given the rest of the series, a purely happy ending would have seemed a bit jarring.Overall, this was a series that improved as it went on and although I've read better epic fantasy series in recent years and it was never quite as compelling as the exuberant adventure of Woodings' later Ketty Jay series, the Braided Path trilogy was an entertaining read.
I have just finished the Weavers of Saramyr trilogy and I would like to give some fresh impressions: first, although I liked the 3 books, I believe the quality decreased as we neared the end. The first book, the Braided Path, had it all: an interesting magic system, strong characters, good plot, mystery and twists. The second gave the main characters room to grow, to assert themselves within the world Chris Wooding creates: they begin to doubt, to love, to hate, to make decisions that would alter the very core of who they are. The Ascendancy Veil ends the battle against the Weavers and gives hints that the future holds new challenges for our protagonists. All and all, it was a rewarding read and it was a pleasure to watch Kaiku's come of age: from a frightened child, running into the night hunted by demons, she grows into a fearsome fighter, accepting who she is, pushing the limits of her special power and nourishing the women within, who, despite trials and betrayals, says yes to love. One more character I followed with great interest was Mishani: she was built like a Japanese miniature: perfectly poised, no unnecessary gestures or words. Although very much alive and full of passion, with decisions of consequence for the development of the action, she remains somewhat mysterious and aloof, probably also because she has no special magic: she is very human and counting on only her wit and mastery of politics to succeed. The world Wooding creates also reminds of a Japanese painting, from the depiction of demons and fabulous Aberrant animals, to the Saramyric language (divided between literary cultured high honorifics and a low peasant different language) and the wonderful auditive and visual descriptions, all coming together as brush strokes across a vast canvas to form a detailed, almost sensual experience.
What do You think about The Ascendancy Veil (2006)?
A breathtaking conclusion to a fantastic triology. While book #1 left me slightly underwhelmed, book #2 and #3 were simply stunning. The story is set in a vastly impressive oriental world, the character-development beyond book #1 is downright beautiful, and this story is so littered with action that I am at a loss of words. This is an epically crafted, beautifully written and staggering effort from Chris Wooding with all the elements a fantasy triology should have. Interesting and complex magic system, fantastical lore, spirits, and great characters (of which none are safe). Highly highly recommended.
—Thomas Olsen
An amazing finale! If Chris Wooding were to write another 20 books set in the world of Saramyr, I'd hungrily read them all.Four years later since book two, the war continues bleak. There have been small victories, but it is getting near the turning point where victory either happens now, or it will be impossible, so it's time for bigger, crazier and more desperate plans. Which of course means insane battles full of blood and gore, very personal sacrifices and the strenght and willingness to go through with it.There are quite a few surprises in character development (Mishani's mother impressed me the most, but wasn't the only one). In face of necessity, they continually push themselves further, very often at great personal risk. And again, some die, despite all efforts. Don't get too attached, is what I'm saying.I loved how each side of the war had a different way of fighting, and how it fit with the nature of each army. I loved how the attacking or the defending were logical and well tought out according to the situation or the surrounding environment, instead of the typical lazy meeting-in-a-field-and-charging-against-eachother you get in most fantasy novel wars. I also loved that despite having people with special abilities on each side, they weren't all-powerfull and won battles single-handedly. There was such a thing as troop moral, even.All in all, it was bleak and violent and miserable, but the characters pushed through with the plot and it was their very human efforts that made it all possible and believable.
—Sofia
The conclusion to a very unique fantasy series. I will post my thoughts on the series as a whole.The Braided Path is a very unique epic fantasy series. It is set in a world with a feudal Japan feel where true magic is only a few hundred years old, so society is being transformed in ways that it still doesn't understand(an industrial revolution type of change).It is also the most cleverly disguised superhero story I can think of. At the start we have the Weavers, who have discovered a way to craft mask's giving them access to a magic link. With it comes instant communication, as well as the ability to hurt through the link. The trade off seems to be a growing insanity. At the start we learn that there are also "abherents" being born at alarming rates. The Weavers are killing them at birth for the good of society, but of course some get through, and many of them have a unique sort of magic of their own(each seem to have their own change, making me think of x-men mutants).The story through the whole series is fast past and very enjoyable. Loose ends were wrapped up, twists were believable, and the magic system works in the world. The world building is unique, as even the ecology differs from our own. I fell in love with some of the secondary characters(Asari especially), but the female lead left me cold at times.If you are looking for a fantasy series away from the medieval landscape, without a trope of the month flavor, give this series a try. It is a fairly quick read, but I found it very satisfying.
—Nathan
