Cherryh, CJ - Fires of Azeroth

[oyceter]

Third book in a series. First is Gate of Ivrel, then Wells of Shiuan, which I didn't read because I couldn't find it in the library.

Morgaine and her liegeman Vanye continue to travel through space and time to close the mysterious Gates that the qhal have left open. I think they're basically coming right out of the second book, because quite a few people from Shiuan are chasing after them when they land on Azeroth. Much chaos ensues.

I found that I love all the parts with Morgaine and Vanye interacting; unsurprisingly, I am a complete sucker for Morgaine's focus on the mission and Vanye's care for her, despite her prickliness. I was less interested with all Vanye's interactions with Roh, and for some reason, the world never quite grabbed me.

And then, just as I was getting bored, Cherryh threw in this totally wonderful moment between Morgain and Vanye in which nearly nothing is said that doesn't have to do with Vanye's hair (it makes sense, I swear) and has the emotional wallop of five elephants. Which means I'm reading the next book.

Comments

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

As a world, Shiuan interested me a lot more than Azeroth, and the stuff with Roh makes more sense if you read the middle book. That being said, the thing with Vanye's hair makes the entire book worthwhile.

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I think Well of Shiuan is probably the best of the series, although Exile's Gate has some of my favorite Morgaine/Vanye moments.

[oyceter]

Hrm, ok.

Good, more Morgaine/Vanye to look forward to!

I think me and Cherryh aren't quite getting along right now, but she keeps throwing in these lovely interactions that make the entire book worth it, so it's hard to say.

[oyceter]

Hrm, ok. I dunno, I think so far Cherryh's worlds in general (for the other things I've read) have also been hard for me to get into, partly because of the formality of the prose. But gah, I loved that scene between Morgaine and Vanye.