Daughter of the Empire (Riftwar Cycle: The Empire Trilogy #1)

One of the most intelligently egalitarian novels I’ve ever read. A realistic examination of a fascinating young reformer, called away from the quiet life of a nun as the last remaining survivor of an assassination attempt on her entire family. As she fights to avenge her father and brother alongside strong warriors and advisers who had served her family well, she uses her wit and ingenuity to tackle the challenges of rulership–one of which will always be staying alive in this brutal society. (One inspired by feudal Asian and Native American culture to a degree, if I’m not mistaken, but with its own special flair as well.)

Mara is a heroine and role model engineered to inspire the reader to think outside the box. She’s human, but she’s marvelously sharp-minded and compassionate at the same time. While Feist’s female characters in his solo work often failed to impress, Mara does not. Janny Wurts seems to make up for his deficits (perhaps he makes up for hers as well; I’ve not read her solo work yet) and together they carved a pure masterpiece.

I wish I could gift this trilogy to everyone I know. It’s brilliant, it has appeal whatever your gender, and whatever your personal tastes there’ll be something to intrigue you. Even though it’s political in ways, the backstabbing and venomous nature of this vicious society with its cruel laws is unspeakably fascinating. This is a person daring to challenge the status quo of a stagnating culture, which any American tired of their political system can identify with as wish fulfillment. There are tales of romance sprinkled in, but they are far from trite or rosy or maudlin; there is real peril to happiness and there are issues larger than love. The battles are heart-pounding because they are so personal. It’s not as evil as Game of Thrones, but you will end up wondering which of your most-beloved characters will survive, and how.

I reread these books every year or so and they never get boring. Worth every penny and much more. Vastly under-rated and under-recognized. I hope that this changes.

Though I am not familiar with the Riftwar Cyle, the setting of Daughter of the Empire is distinctly Second World Low Fantasy. I categorize it as Low Fantasy, as there is no evident magic in Book 1; though the same could be said about Game of Thrones until later on.

Whether or not the characters were Asian, I couldnt tell; but with an Emperor-like figure ruling in name, but a Shogun-like figure known as the Warlord ruling in fact, it felt like Warring States Japan. The comparisons continue, with a Game of the Council representing the plotting, alliance-building, backstabbing, and warfare that has to follow exacting conventions.

Untrained in this Game of the Council, sole POV character Mara must quickly learn how to lead when she unexpectedly and suddenly inherits leadership of her clan. At the start of the story, she is about to become a nun when she learns her father and brother were slain in a treacherous ploy by a rival clan. What I found especially enjoyable about her as a main character is that she is not a Chosen One. Shes not a warrior, or a mage, or have any other special abilities beyond her own intelligence and wit.

Driven to protect her clan and live up to the legacy of her father, she takes many risks and faces many dangersfrom marrying a brute who is tied to a powerful family to confronting a rival warlord on his own estate. She is helped by her childhood nanny and two bodyguards, as well as a spymaster and bandit leader whom she must win over. All the characters are distinctive enough to form a strong mental image.

Beyond the Game of the Council, the story feels real with lush world building, organically described without infodumps or stilted dialog. One element that stood out to me was an Ant-like race, complete with Queens, which excel at both combat and craftsmanship.

I read a lot
Probably twenty + books a month
Rarely do I read a series twice

This is now my third time buying and reading this series.
As the books are long gone, hopefully shared greatly in my local library.

If you have interest in great epic stories, the rift war will satisfy you.
This series sticks to one main character and I love it.

I look at the long list of books ahead of me to read and am excited to see the adventures awaiting me, for quite a few of the most recent ones were not yet written when I last picked up these stories.

Come and see what the Acoma have to share. I promise it will be worth your time.

Feist and Wurts have a composed an epic fantasy that left me in awe of their writing abilities. I read the Empire trilogy when they were first published. I was so happy to run across them again in e-book format. I loved Daughter of the Empire, Servant of the Empire, and the final one, Mistress of the Empire. The story begins with the young female protagonist, Mara of the Great House Acoma, about to dedicate her life to a temple. Her father and brother have been killed and she suddenly inherits leadership of her clan. She knows nothing of the Tsurani Game of the Council which rules with murderous violence furthered by so called traditions that encompass a culture of honor. Mara is a strong woman, not given to moaning and groaning, who is open minded enough to learn from others outside of the roles and traditions of the game. Each volume left me feeling amazed at her astuteness for saving her house and recognizing that the traditions of honor have been perverted and there must be a better way of life. I think it is one of the best fantasies written and is a with relief that Feist finally has a strong female character so strongly represented – which might be Wurts’ influence.

An incredible book and a fresh introduction into the beautiful yet completely different world of Kelewan. It was an ever so slightly jarring change in pace to the Rift War saga books but well worth the transition. Expect a different, more grounded energy with this saga. Where the familiar battles, magic and archetypal heros of the rift war are replaced by intrigue, plots, honour and chess like one-upmanships thrown into a very different court of ethics. With longer chapters and a focus on new and unfamiliar characters to its predecessor, it may take a little while to adjust, as it bares almost no relation to the previous novels, but the main protagonists is just as (if not more) enigmatic and absorbing as her counterparts in midkemia. The second book in this series does bring Midkemia back into the fold, but by the time I began it I was already engrossed in this new world. A hugely fulfilling read. I was won over very quickly. Would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to keep going past the Rift War.

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