Book
The war within / Stephen R. Donaldson.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780399586163
- Physical Description: 564 pages ; 24 cm
- Edition: First edition.
- Publisher: New York : Berkley, 2019.
- Copyright: ©2019.
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| Subject: | Princes > Fiction. Imaginary wars and battles > Fiction. |
| Genre: | Fantasy fiction. |
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Available copies
- 7 of 7 copies available at BC Interlibrary Connect. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at Castlegar Public Library.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 7 total copies.
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Holdable? | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castlegar Public Library | SF DON (Text) | 35146002134096 | Science Fiction | Volume hold | Available | - |
- Booklist Reviews : Booklist Reviews 2019 May #2
It has been twenty years since the events of Seventh Decimate (2017), the first book in Donaldson's epic fantasy Great God's War series. That volume concerned a prince's quest to find the fabled Last Repository and restore magic to the world. Now, the focus is on the woman he married, Estie, heir to the throne of his nation's oldest enemy. When the prince came to propose an alliance, her father, a selfish king and powerful magician, begrudgingly consented only because the marriage would bring back the magic he craved. Estie agreed because she believed peace was best for her people, especially when informed of the forthcoming war that threatened both of their kingdoms. And while their marriage has not been easy, she has come to respect, even love her reticent husband. Now the long-dreaded foe is testing the borders and political dissent is stirring in her kingdom. Queen Estie will be forced to contend with her deceitful father and what she discovers during that conflict will change her and the relationship with her husband forever. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews. - Kirkus Reviews : Kirkus Reviews 2019 February #2
Donaldson returns to the epic fantasy world he began in Seventh Decimate (2018) and to a king and queen who married to bring peace between their realms...but who find the reality difficult. The story so far: Two decades ago, then-Prince Bifalt of Belleger shocked everyone by proposing peace to Belleger's ancient enemy, Amika. The Magistersâkeepers of magical knowledgeâhad foreseen a threat so dire that only by standing together might either country survive. Amika's king agreed under duress and gave his daughter, Estie, to Bifalt in marriage. Since then, an uneasy peace has existed between Belleger and Amikaâand between Bifalt, now king, and Queen Estie. Their joint rule has seen a slow return of prosperity to both kingdoms, yet the rulers struggle to push their nations toward cooperation and preparation for the foretold enemy. After 19 years, the fragile state of peace is threatened by many factors: raiders attacking Bellegerin farms, a missing friend, treac hery, and the rise of a mysterious sect proclaiming that only faith in a "god"âwhatever that isâcan bring true peace. But the greatest rift may be between the king and queen themselves: Their marriage has never been consummated, and Bifalt's relentless and self-martyring dedication to his duty has erected a wall between him and Estie. As Estie contends with assassination attempts and world-changing revelations about her own family and history, she also struggles to break through Bifalt's isolation. But despite having nearly 600 pages to work it out, the two may be out of time: The enemy, and the war, is finally here. Readers patient enough to slog through the slowly developing plot will find well-portrayed characters and rich worldbuilding, though our hero's bitterness and self-imposed misery begin to wear not even halfway through the tome. Copyright Kirkus 2019 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved. - Library Journal Reviews : LJ Reviews 2018 November #2
Copyright 2018 Library Journal. - Library Journal Reviews : LJ Reviews 2019 April
Twenty years ago, Prince Bifalt of Belleger saved his kingdom by discovering the Last Repository, the sorcerous library that turned the tide of war and allied the kingdoms of Belleger and Amika. Connected by marriage to now-Queen Estie, King Bifalt has spent these two decades in a tenuous peace and slow return to prosperity. But vows seem to be the only tie between Bifalt and Estie, as there has been no real emotionalâor physicalâconsummation of their marriage. Estie faces death threats and dawning realizations about her family history, as Bifalt continues his relentless quest for peace, his duty outweighing his emotions. As a growing force devoted to one god begins to wear at the borders, the Last Repository is found by the enemy, who will destroy everything to gain the knowledge within. Bifalt and Estie must repair the schism between them and their lands to stand as one, or lose everything.
Copyright 2019 Library Journal.VERDICT This second installment in the "Great God's War" from Donaldson ("Chronicles of Thomas Covenant") features strong character- and worldbuilding that will please epic fantasy readers. [See Prepub Alert, 10/29/18.]âKristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton - PW Annex Reviews : Publishers Weekly Annex Reviews
This momentous second installment of Donaldson's Great Gods War epic fantasy series (which is nearly three times the size of 2017's
Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly Annex.Seventh Decimate ) picks up 20 years after two kingdoms were forcibly allied through a royal wedding. Bifalt of Belleger and Estie of Amika have married and ascended to their thrones, but old prejudices still simmer. Estie, who loves her husband and grieves that he doesn't love her back, focuses on ruling Amika in a kinder way than her father did and building a road to the Last Repository, where the peace was brokered; she finds out almost too late how much opposition she still has from a surprising source. Many in Belleger are skeptical of Bifalt's declaration that a fearsome enemy threatens, but they continue to build defenses while closely watching the rise of a strange new church in a land that's never heard of gods or faith. Magic, subterfuge, and deeper personal stories give this installment real depth and breadth, developing the world as well as the characters. Readers who felt the first book fell short of Donaldson's past work will be happy to find this a return to form.Agent: Howard Morhaim, Morhaim Literary. (Apr.)
