On discovering the writing of Michelle Sagara West

[bibliogramma]

I have recently discovered the writing of Michelle Sagara West, and this is a good thing, even though, since she is a prolific writer who has been writing for some time, I now have a lot to catch up with.

I began with the first book in the Sun Sword series, The Broken Crown, and found that it had many of the things I really enjoy in fantasy writing – strong, interesting characters, many of whom are women, lots of political intrigue, and people faced with issues that require them to figure out who they are and what they stand for, and to make nuanced ethical decisions in the midst of complex sets of loyalties, obligations and responsibilities. Oh, and also magic, and people with swords who know how to use them – I like that, too.

Having fallen in love with Sagara West’s universe for this series, and not wanting to miss anything, I then skipped back to read the Sacred Hunt duology - Hunter’s Oath and Hunter’s Death - that takes place in this universe before the events of The Broken Crown. A very interesting perspective on the responsibility of rulers to the people and the land they rule, and on the nature of divinity, and an exciting story of friendship, loyalty and sacrifice, these books confirmed my interest in Sagara West’s writing.

So I acquired and have now finished the second in the Sun Sword series, The Uncrowned Prince, and will now have to toddle off to buy and read the next four.

I like finding authors that write things I like to read. Michelle Sagara West’s books make me happy.

Comments

[sauscony.livejournal.com]

I also recently discovered Sagara West with her Luna books (much lighter than her Sun Sword and Sacred Hunt books, according to the author) and I've also collected her other four books written as Sagara. I'm a bit daunted by the length of her West books though, so I haven't begun to acquire them yet, although I plan to after I buy a house.

[morgan-dhu.livejournal.com]

The Sun Sword books are rather lengthy, this is true, but it's a very complex story she's telling in them, with a very large cast of characters all with their own motivations. I find that immersing myself in that particular universe for long enough to read one of the books helps me get a stronger picture of who everyone is and what they're done at this point to get to wherever it is they seem to be headed. Telling the story in smaller doses would, I think, dilute it somehow.