Age Rating: 16+ Not only is it very long, and very intricate (no offense to young readers, but anyone under sixteen would have a lot of trouble following it), but there are some very upsetting scenes that might not be appropriate for younger readers. (One of the most extreme examples is in King's Dragon, when one of the main characters, who was repeatedly raped by an antagonist, after being forced to live outside until she almost froze to death, is beat into a miscarriage.) It can be heavy, but can be oh-so worth it to a more mature audience. No explicit sexuality, although it toe the line sometimes.
Story: Crown of Stars is a fantasy epic series set in the world of Novaria, a world that heavily parallels western Europe of the middle ages. The story follows the adventures of many, many characters, primarily the humbly born Alain, the half-Aoi (elven) Prince Sanglant, and the mysterious Liath. While the story starts off following a rebellion by King Henry's sister, Sabella, against his rule over the joint kingdoms of Wendar and Varre, the plot becomes much more intricate. 2,700 years before the story's beginning, a race of elven like creatures, called the Aoi (or Aoishi, in their language) were banished from Earth in a mysterious event called the Cataclysm that rocked the very foundations of the Earth. As the series goes on, it is revealed that not only was the Cataclysm caused by human hands, but that another is going to strike the Earth- when the land of the Aoishi that was banished returns to the Earth. All the while, the savage Quman and the deadly Eika are raiding along Wendar's coasts, and even as these troubles are threatening the world, King Henry has his sights set on a farther goal- the crown of Emporer in the holy city of Darre. Kate's world is incredibly intricate, and the story just as much so. Nothing happens that does not effect something else, even the smallest of events are linked in some way to one another, from the origins of the strange half-human species, to the lineage of Liath. It's an amazing story, and although the multiple plot threads can be difficult to follow (some points in the story have the main plot divided into as many as ten indiviudal threads), the story ultimately ties together when it counts. A very worthy read for an interesting storyline, where nothing is quite as it seems.
Story: 9.5/10
Characters: Elliott has a gift for creating, in my opinion, at least, very believable characters with very believable flaws. This is shown not just by creating protagonists that you come to cheer and root for, that you hope will succeed, but also, notably, an antagonistic character, whom I hate more than any other character I've read in any other story. Her characters, as said, have real fallings, such as lust, hunger for power, stubborness, naiveity, among others. The protagonists have no idea what they are doing most of the time... only able to forge forward with what they hope is for the best. As well as villains who, in some cases, may be justfied in their actions, or in one penultimate example, know very well that they do evil, but don't care for the ends of their ultimate goal, even putting his percieved 'loyalty' to one woman he can never have and who hates him before his service to God. In the character of Hugh, mentionally, is evil at it's worst... caniving, charismatic, friendly, kind, but behind the warm mask lies cold darkness, and a single mind, in a high enough position that, for the most part, people do nothing but turn the other cheek. The characters in this story come to life, and if you're anything like me, you'll find yourself wanting to help them, knowing they can't. Perhaps the only flaw out of all of it, is that there are so many... it can be difficult to keep their own histories and events straight, especially when they are only given bits and pieces as the story goes on (the lineage of Liath is an ongoing plot thread, but at some points it becomes so confusing and twisted it is hard to follow).
Characters: 9/10
Length: This series is a juggernaut of literature. Spanning seven novels and a grand total of 5,124 pages, this series and I have quite a history. I first attempted to read it back in the sixth grade (amazing how heavy some of the stuff I was reading was back then), but I didn't get to the end. A year later, I found myself trying again, but again, didn't get too far past the second book. Repeat this cycle for EIGHT YEARS. My copy of King's Dragon was so beat up I had to buy a new one to keep reading it. For the average reader, this series, from start to finish, will take probably a solid year to read. My highest recommendation is that once you start, keep going. If you wait too long, as I did, then you'll find yourself scratching your head at certain events... and then starting over to make sure you didn't forget anything important. Elliott tells a wonderful tale, but it is long, and although every sentence is worth it... it's really, really long.
Length: 7.5/10
Availability: This book is pretty easy to find on your bookshelves at stores, although sometimes you'll find some books available, and others not. Amazon is your best bet, where they have all seven books easilly available. In book stores, it will be located under Science Fiction/Fantasy Fiction.
Availability: 9.5/10
Cover: The cover work is absolutely beautiful, although I don't have the artist's name with me right now... I'll put it up when I find it. It's great though... was one of the things that caused me to want to start reading.
Covers: 10/10
Conclusion: No spoilers, but I wil tell you that everything wraps up perfectly. Every single plot thread is satisfactorilly resolved, to a happy ending (or an ending that will make YOU happy, at least, in terms of some endings for bad guys). There are a few close calls with some things that might be deus ex machinas... but honestly, they work, in my opinion. I didn't even realize that it might be considered a cheap shot until after I'd read it and thought about it for a little while. I loved the ending... the epilogue, set fifty years in the future, is perfect as well, if a bit confusing when you don't realize when it is happening at first.
Conclusion: 9.5/10
High Points: The high points in this story are largely character-related, mostly involving characters finally coming into their own and growing up. Liath coming into the full power of her heratige, Alain finally finding his purpose in life, Sanglant finally able to put his obedience to his father to rest, and, by far, Hugh's punishment is the most satisfying. He doesn't just get beaten, he gets OWN3D.High Points: N/A
Low Points: The book sags just a bit in the middle in terms of advancing the story- most of the fourth and fifth book is set up, rather than actual action. Also, one of the drawbacks of having so many simultaenous plot threads is that you favor ones over others... sometimes it gets the feel of being almost tedious to read until you get to the next character's plot. All are worth reading, but you naturally find yourself wanting to read some over others.
Low Points: N/A
Overall Review: Kate Elliott's Crown of Stars series is an unsung gem of the fantasy world. Quite honestly, it's as good as Tolkien in my opinion. This series is highly underrated... with a bit more publicity (or hell, a major motion picture) this series would most likely take off like gangbusters. Read this Goddamned series right now. Read it, damnit. It's THAT good. It's THAT FREAKING GOOD. I cried when it was over, because there wasn't any more for me to read!!! Okay... rant over. Now go read it. Now. Or I'll sneak into your house and smash your kneecaps in. Then give you a copy to read while you recover in the hospital. :D Anyways, this was my review... hope it motivated you to go read the books!
Overall Score: 9.2
