The C.J. Cherryh Lair

Walking into another room, you notice the wall itself is painted with fairies and bright, glittering stars in gorgeous dark colors. You step closer for a better view...

Author: C.J. Cherryh
Title: Fortress in the Eye of Time
Rating: 10

"An old wizard, Mauryl "shapes" a young man to travel east to right the wrongs of an ancient wizard-war and call new wars into being in a time in which all Destiny lies in the hands of one old man's ambition.

A young man to travel east to right the wrongs of an ancient wizard-war and call new wars into being in a time in which all Destiny lies in the hands of one old man's ambition.
A tale as deep as legend and as intimate as love, it tells of a battle beyond Time, in which all Destiny turns on the wheel of an old man's ambition, a young man's innocence, and the unkept promise of a king to come. This is the long-awaited major new novel from one of the brightest stars in the fantasy and science fiction firmament."
Amazon.com

After reading Fortress in the Eye of Time it's quite obvious why C.J. Cherryh has won so many Hugo awards. I found this story wonderfull, heartwarming and a great read. The characters are engrossing and amusing, and her description is wonderful and unique. I am heartily waiting to read the next installment in this series. Highly recommended.

Author: C.J. Cherryh
Title: Fortress of Eagles
Rating: 8

"Tristen is both more and less than a man. A summoning, a shaping, he was brought to life by a wizard, to serve a king yet to be crowned. Now the wizard is dead: a united Ylesuin, and a peace this land has never known. Cefwyn needs his only friend, this young man of mysterious origins who is more brother than vassal. He relies on Tristen, and trusts him though he knows not why, as he plans the war that will bring his dream to pass...or bring ruin upon them all."

Amazon.com

Although I enjoyed Fortress in the Eye of Time more, this was another great story to add to the Fortress series. For me it was more of an interlude to the next book in the series Fortress of Owls. The characters are just as real and believeable as before, which would have to be Cherryh's strongest strength.

Author: C.J. Cherryh
Title: Fortress of Owls
Rating: 9

"I dream of Owl. That means wizardry is near."

There is a vast difference between wizardry and sorcery, a difference embodied in the conflict between the shadowy immortals Mauryl and Hasufin.
Tristen is a weapon in the at ancient war. A summoning and a shaping, brought to life by the wizard Mauryl, Tristen has yet to see his first winter, though he has the shape and the memory of a young man.
And the sword is a weapon as well. Its keen blade, marked Illusion on one side and Truth on the other, helped the young king Cefwyn secure the throne of Ylesuin and gained Tristen the stewardship of Amefel, a country that has paid dearly for its resistance to the barbarism of wizard war.
Tristen's rule in Amefel is blessed with two extraordinary friends: one a stalwart and simple warrior, the other with more than a drop of aetheling royal blood. But the scarlet banners of war are unfolding again, and far more than a kingdom is at stake. Cefwyn's dream of a united Ylesuin and a love match with Nivévrise is threatened by ambitious lords and narrow religionist to whom all magic is evil. The "sparrows" of Elwynor are gathering on the border, pitiful refugees from the gathering storm.
And Tristen must take up the sword and the Sihhé magic he has forsworn. For he is destiny's own, created a combatant in a far older and more fearsome conflict than any ever imagined by mere mortal man."
Amazon.com

Heartfelt, beautifully depicted, and a very interesting read makes up Fortress of Owls. I found myself wanting to know more about the five Sihhe lords and most of all about Tristen. Her descriptions are rendered in wonderful shade and the story line gets more intriguing as the story moves on to it's main plot. I found myself impatient to find out what happens to Tristen, and I'm heartily awaiting the fourth and last book in the series to come out, Fortress of Dragons.

Obsidian's Realm: Reviews: Fantasy Review
Obsidian's Realm: Introduction