Warhost of Vastmark (The Wars of Light and Shadow) (Book 3) Paperback – November 1, 2004

[There are no explicit plot spoilers, although I describe aspects of character development and the flow of the book in broad generalities.]Warhost of Vastmark begins immediately following the “mid-season” climax at the end of Ships of Merior. Interference from the Order of the Koriathain has negated the impact of Arithon s’Ffalenn’s clever tactics at Minderl Bay, and he finds himself in flight from Lysaer s’Ilessid’s warhost, burgeoning with recruits from four separate High Kingdoms. Meanwhile, the actions of the all-powerful Fellowship of Seven inadvertently put the planet of Athera at greater risk to the malevolent Mistwraith, whose greater essence still lurks in a dead civilization beyond the stars.This part of the story is almost 75% denouement, with all of the chess pieces from previous Volumes carefully positioned for a satisfying rush to the conclusion. The action takes us across the High Kingdoms of Shand and Havish and it’s great fun to read about Arithon’s quick-witted counterplays to maintain his advantage. Lurking beneath the surface of this ingenuity is the royal gift of farsight inherited from Arithon’s mother, Talera s’Ahelas, which allows Arithon to understand the long-term consequences of each action taken. With Arithon playing the obvious role of the wily pirate, it’s easy to overlook the fact that Lysaer shares this gift as well.Once again, the evolution of supporting characters like Dakar, Diegan, and Talith ground the story with interpersonal connections. Chapter II, which focuses on Tharrick, could easily be a self-contained novella for the way it captures the transformation and healing of the disgraced guardsman from Alestron. Not every character avoids tragedy, and I found the final meeting between Lord Diegan and his adversary to be particularly touching.Even if you go no further than Warhost of Vastmark, Volumes I - III of the Wars of Light and Shadow are an enthralling, complete bookend for the rest of the series. This Volume in particular has a very intimate, immediate storyline that you can enjoy for its character relationships without worrying too much about the larger world view. While I love the series as a whole, Story Arcs I and II hold a special place in my heart for their narrow focus and visceral connections. Story Arcs III and IV widen the aperture to encompass many more factions and types of magecraft that were silently present all along, pushing the series emphatically into the “epic fantasy” category, while the soon-to-be-released Story Arc V, Song of the Mysteries, weaves everything back together into a fantastic culmination.

With a hundred pages left in this book and in the midst of an admittedly well-written battle scene I must admit to having to put this book down and being unable to pick it back up for weeks. One particular thread of the storyline is frustrating me to no end and I'm finding that it decidedly detracts from my enjoyment of the book (and series) as a whole. It could very well be that it bothers only me and someone else wouldn't bat an eye at my particular qualm.I loved the first book. It intrigued me, it hooked and absorbed me and then it left me upset and heartbroken that the brothers that had become friends were once again enemies. I think that is why i'm having such a hard time now. Wurts treatment of Lysear I find extremely hard to read. He is supposed to be the villain and I guess he is -but the dynamics are just hard to swallow (for me). His own goodness and sense of justice is used against him - making him appear as a misguided tyrant - which essentially, I guess he is. It just bothers me okay :) I liked him. Spoiler alert****** Wurts, through Arithon, takes away two very important people from Lysear in this book - one by death and the other in a very different manner. Arithon is always given the upper hand and to top it all off he has the Fellowship sorcerers on his side.And I do like Arithon too. He is very compelling and has some great moments in this book (often at Lysears expense - hence my conflicting frustration). Wurts gives deeper insight into Arithon from not just his POV but from many around him. Wurts expects us I believe to root for Arithon and I do up to a certain point. It's hard to root for Lysear as that means destruction and death, which ends up happening anyways - if to a lesser degree. But what's hard to read is how desh-their's curse is twisting Lysear who has no means to fight it and is made out the villian, while Arithon is set up as the conflicted martyr and hero and is given so much more compassion from the author (unintended pun there).That said - I will of course continue to read as I just can't help myself. The plight of these two brothers and all drawn into their cursed emnity is too compelling to just give up the remainder of the series. One of the best parts of this book for me was the eventual and grudging respect that Dakar formed for Arithon. He truly is Arithon's man now - but it was a long and reluctant journey for him. Dakar's character runs hot and cold for me - you like him for a minute and then you don't - but he appears to have greatly matured from when we first met him in 'Mistwraith.' Over all - the book is well written and continues the story seamlessly. Worth reading for sure.

Janny Wurts is absolutely brilliant. Her writing is so beautiful. This is one of the best books I've ever read.

After reading the latest book in this series for the 2nd time, it seemed like I should reread them all from the beginning. Janny Wurts writing style alone is captivating enough to draw the reader back again and again. Sometimes I go back over a passage a couple of times, just to appreciate how she makes words work for her. She is an exceptional story teller. The stories within the " story", the magic, the need to save the Land, the love stories , the mysticism of the Korani and the Wardens of the Earth, all flow together in a steady but ever changing stream of mounting tension, headed towards I am guessing a magnificent end when the Paravians return.I have read science fiction fantasy since the Thomas Covenant epic of the late 1970s, Janny Wurts is one of the best writers to tell a story in these past 30 plus years. This series is well worth the time spent immersed in another world, which so parallels our Earth in many ways.