Seeds of Betrayal: Book 2 of the Winds of the Forelands Tetralogy 
asked by ctj on November 24, 2006 7:43 AM
he realms of the Forelands are in turmoil as a result of the machinations of a powerful conspiracy of sorcerers, members of a race called the Qirsi, pale-skinned folk feared by those in power. Though many refuse to acknowledge the possibility of a conspiracy, a handful of Qirsi and nobles realize that the time has come to take action, even at the cost of their loves, their honor, or their lives. But the rebels don't know of each other's actions, and the tenuous threads holding the realms together are starting to unravel. With the death of a king, nobles gather to choose a new leader, and deadly power springs from a most unexpected source. As new alliances form, former enemies become unlikely partners. But who can be trusted in these new alliances, and who will be swayed by love, jealousy, or pride to betray their new allies? More than the future of the realm is at stake. The future of the entire Forelands is in danger, and a 900-year-old grudge may lead to civil war. Those who wish to prevent it must place their hopes in the one man who may be able to defeat the leader of the conspiracy . . . if he can survive long enough to do it.
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As much as I enjoyed Rules of Ascension I was even more impressed with Seeds of Betrayal, the second volume in David Coe's Winds of the Forelands series.
This volume dramatically increases the political intrigue, which I tend to appreciate more after reading George R.R. Martin's brilliant Song of Ice and Fire series. The traditional sword and sorcery elements are still present, but they play a lesser role. Rules of Ascension showed readers a glimpse of the events and politics facing the Forelands, but Seeds of Betrayal kicked the door wide open. Coe introduces a host of new characters and courts, and shows us the threads that connect them all. Nothing happens in a vacuum. This volume illustrates how events in one kingdom play out in another, and how a carefully manipulated string of events can throw them all into turmoil.
I admire Coe's ambition, but hope he hasn't overreached. The characters from Rules of Ascension could have used more development prior to introducing a whole new group. Seeds of Betrayal also gives readers a much closer look at the Weaver behind the vast Qirsi conspiracy. Unfortunately he comes off as a bit one-dimensional. This is a character that would have been more effective had he remained more enigmatic.
Despite a few bumps in the road, Seeds of Betrayal is another fine chapter in a very engaging series that should appeal to most fantasy fiction fans. Expect to be entertained, and you will not be disappointed.
This volume dramatically increases the political intrigue, which I tend to appreciate more after reading George R.R. Martin's brilliant Song of Ice and Fire series. The traditional sword and sorcery elements are still present, but they play a lesser role. Rules of Ascension showed readers a glimpse of the events and politics facing the Forelands, but Seeds of Betrayal kicked the door wide open. Coe introduces a host of new characters and courts, and shows us the threads that connect them all. Nothing happens in a vacuum. This volume illustrates how events in one kingdom play out in another, and how a carefully manipulated string of events can throw them all into turmoil.
I admire Coe's ambition, but hope he hasn't overreached. The characters from Rules of Ascension could have used more development prior to introducing a whole new group. Seeds of Betrayal also gives readers a much closer look at the Weaver behind the vast Qirsi conspiracy. Unfortunately he comes off as a bit one-dimensional. This is a character that would have been more effective had he remained more enigmatic.
Despite a few bumps in the road, Seeds of Betrayal is another fine chapter in a very engaging series that should appeal to most fantasy fiction fans. Expect to be entertained, and you will not be disappointed.
reviewed by iconfess on November 28, 2006 12:03 AM
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In his second novel, SEEDS continues with the massive conspiracy of a race of albino wizard like beings against the human nobility. At this point, some of the humans are on to the conspiracy but they are mostly in the dark. The tale, which focused on one set of duchies, has now mostly shifted to another set of duchies (there are several and many names to keep focused upon).
The best way to view the story is to imagine a lot of petty kingdoms with dukes as vassals to these kings. The first book focuses on several of the dukes of one kingdom as well as other characters who come into and out of the tale. There's also a race of albino type beings who have short life spans, practice magic and lost big time against the humans in a war from long ago.
I would say the character complexities are close to that of George R.R. Martin's fantasy series. Coe spends a lot of time developing such characters, and, like Martin, he's big on believable History of the realm.
PROS
(1) At heart this is a murder mystery and conspiracy tale, so, if you like such things, this is good.
(2) Complex characters;
(3) No long typical fantasy tale journeys where it gives the characters and excuse to bore us with the rules of magic or a long, boring tale of Historical stuff that could have been spread out in the novel.;
(4) He doesn't follow the typical fantasy archetype adventure which is refreshing.;
(5) Lots of interesting Historical detail which feels different and not a rehash of previous fantasy books; and
(6) Magic is low and not like some bad RPGing game.
CONS
(1) There are a ton of names and places to keep track of, but, if you hold out, it's worth it b/c it makes the story more complex than the simple tales. If you prefer the simple ones, and, that doesn't mean you're stupid by the way, then HARRY POTTER or ERAGON should do nicely. It's too bad the book doesn't have an appendix of names and places but this is probably more a decision of the publisher than the author.;
(2) If you want to spend all your time with only one main character, then, this is surely not the book for you.; and
(3) Not a ton of battles, although there are a few, so, if you need a lot, this isn't it. Think intrigue more than hack and slash/break the door down/charge style.
The best way to view the story is to imagine a lot of petty kingdoms with dukes as vassals to these kings. The first book focuses on several of the dukes of one kingdom as well as other characters who come into and out of the tale. There's also a race of albino type beings who have short life spans, practice magic and lost big time against the humans in a war from long ago.
I would say the character complexities are close to that of George R.R. Martin's fantasy series. Coe spends a lot of time developing such characters, and, like Martin, he's big on believable History of the realm.
PROS
(1) At heart this is a murder mystery and conspiracy tale, so, if you like such things, this is good.
(2) Complex characters;
(3) No long typical fantasy tale journeys where it gives the characters and excuse to bore us with the rules of magic or a long, boring tale of Historical stuff that could have been spread out in the novel.;
(4) He doesn't follow the typical fantasy archetype adventure which is refreshing.;
(5) Lots of interesting Historical detail which feels different and not a rehash of previous fantasy books; and
(6) Magic is low and not like some bad RPGing game.
CONS
(1) There are a ton of names and places to keep track of, but, if you hold out, it's worth it b/c it makes the story more complex than the simple tales. If you prefer the simple ones, and, that doesn't mean you're stupid by the way, then HARRY POTTER or ERAGON should do nicely. It's too bad the book doesn't have an appendix of names and places but this is probably more a decision of the publisher than the author.;
(2) If you want to spend all your time with only one main character, then, this is surely not the book for you.; and
(3) Not a ton of battles, although there are a few, so, if you need a lot, this isn't it. Think intrigue more than hack and slash/break the door down/charge style.
reviewed by jan1975 on November 29, 2006 3:05 PM