by Kage Baker
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Product Description
Before the Riders came to their remote valley the Yendri led a tranquil pastoral life. When the Riders conquered and enslaved them, only a few escaped to the forests. Rebellion wasn't the Yendri way; they hid, or passively resisted, taking consolation in the prophecies of their spiritual leader.
Only one possessed the necessary rage to fight back: Gard the foundling, half-demon, who began a one-man guerrilla war against the Riders. His struggle ended in the loss of the family he loved, and condemnation from his own people.
Exiled, he was taken as a slave by powerful mages ruling an underground kingdom. Bitterer and wiser, he found more subtle ways to earn his freedom. This is the story of his rise to power, his vengeance, his unlikely redemption and his maturation into a loving father--as well as a lord and commander of demon armies.
Kage Baker, author of the popular and witty fantasy, The Anvil of the World, returns to that magical world for another story of love, adventure, and a fair bit of ironic humor.
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Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 The Rise of a Dark Lord (sort of...), 2008-10-09
Gard is a half-demon foundling raised among forest people who believe in living the simplest life possible--with no houses, agriculture or weapons... just relying on the forest to support them. When barbaric invaders start settling in the woods the forest people are easily killed or captured and enslaved. Gard's half-demon nature chafes at the pacifism of his people: he learns how to kill with the enemy's spear and is eventually exiled by his own people. Almost immediately after he leaves the forest he is captured and enslaved himself... by immortal magicians who are cursed and imprisoned in a grand mountain.
The mountain society and its slaves (mostly demons but also humans), is fascinating. Also interesting are the lands beyond the mountain and the human civilization there. We eventually get to see the fate of the simple forest people, too. There are intrigues and adventure and battles.
I found Gard's life a fascinating read, although I'm not sure if the story as a whole made much sense or held together well. It was very picaresque in nature, with one thing or another happening to the main character as he traveled through life and through lands. The ending seemed a bit rushed and not quite as climatic as it should have been. Switching the POV away from Gard and to various unidentified persons or to various forest people didn't seem to add much to the tale. Instead of totally being involved with the story I kept bouncing out of the tale to wonder why certain things were happening or why things were written the way they were, which was disconcerting. But overall, I was still interested enough in the characters, the world and their fate to enjoy reading this book.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Exciting, unique and different, 2008-10-02
This was a very enjoyable read. It was something very different from the typical high-fantasy formula, and had a lot of very unique situations, settings and characters. Though the world building was not immense it was ably done and was extremely interesting.
In particular the first half of the book really gripped me. I loved the look inside the mage's mountain which was just something incredibly unique and different to me at least. Very original I thought. I also liked the portrayal of demons and magic throughout.
There were issues for me. The book built to a great climax at the end, but then it felt like it ran to a conclusion. It was as though long periods of time had been put into the rest of the book and from the climax on was written in a day. Very abrupt wrap up that left me wanting something more, something better.
Also, the anachronisms went a little too far, with the society of the Children of the Sun being far TOO modern for a primitive world, and their society with no magics either. There was little explanation of that, and that bothered me at times.
Those criticisms aside, I still give the book 4 stars because it was original, intriguing and well paced. It was a very enjoyable read, and I am glad that I picked it up.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 This is a subversively fascinating book!, 2008-10-01
I loved it! Why? Because it was witty, with a wry but kind humor to it. Because I couldn't guess where it was going in anyway shape or form and the ending was a complete surprise to me. (For me, this is unusual.) Because it incorporated all sorts of strong interesting characters and points-of-view and a unique "world". Because it was such an interesting take--almost a gentle send-up--poking fun at the typical male-oriented fantasy novel! Because I loved the give and take between the strong male character and the equally strong female character! This is the way I like my books!
Yay Kage! I'm looking forward to the next one.
Readers, if you like Lois McMaster Bujold or Sharon Shinn, try Kage's books. Don't miss The Company series as well.
19 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
dark fantasist parable, 2008-09-18
The Yendri are a gentle innocent people living in contentment in their valley protected from outsiders by mountains until the Riders showed up. They viciously enslave the tranquil Yendri, working them in the fields until they die. Their spiritual guide promises them their freedom from bondage to a new land led by the Promised Child. Meanwhile Gard, a half demon foundling who was banished from the tribe for his violence, keeps attacking the invaders. A baby is found and brought to the Yendri to raise; they assume she is the Promised Child.
Gard gets frozen while trying to climb the mountain and believes he is going to die. Instead he is found and made into a slave by the mages who are bound by magic to live in the mountain.. The mages are evil and decadent and love seeing slaves kill each other in the arena. Gard quickly learns how to maneuver his hosts so they will trust him while he plots his escape. He and the Promised Child known as the Saint are fated to meet and their relationship will change both their worlds.
Kage Baker, author of the Company series, returns to her THE ANVIL OF THE WORLD realm with a dark fantasist parable. THE HOUSE OF STAG is character driven with the spiritual guide and the Promised Child having differing parallels to the Bible. There is plenty of action, the usual trademark wry but desert dry humor, and tons of intrigue. Gard is the prime star as the half demon shows with his risk taking actions he has a heart of goodness in spite of his nasty reputation. The Saint incongruously has the goodness PR spin, but ironically fans will observe some noted discrepancies in her lifestyle. Biblical references aside, readers will enjoy this magnificent tale.
Harriet Klausner
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