AFTER DUING A bit of research, actually I was looking for a graphic, on The Wayfarer Redemption trilogy, I found out that the American Version of The Wayfarer Redemption includes all 6 books combined. (Sara Douglas is an Australian and the series first appeared there).
The set includes:
· The Axis Trilogy: Battleaxe, Enchanter, Starman
· The Wayfarer Redemption Series: Sinner, Pilgrim, Crusader
The books I have are apparently first editions because book one of what is now know as the “Axis Trilogy” is titled The Wayfarer Redemption.
Now I understand why it was so confusing when I searched for the first book on eBay because I wanted the hardcover and Pauline had bought the soft cover version of the first book because it was all she could find at the bookstore.
Yes! I actually read and finished not one, but three whole books—Pauline gave them to me for Christmas. She was really, really trying to find a gift I would truly enjoy, and she succeeded despite herself because I usually read sf not fantasy—even if it did take since Christmas.
The cover blurb on the back of The Wayfarer Redemption (book 1 in the trilogy) say, “Few descendents of Tolkien approach the narrative energy and integrity of the master. [Douglass] is tirelessly inventive rather than repetitive.” I agree.
In this trilogy, three races inhabit the land of Achar: Acharites, Avar, and Icarri. In the distant past, the Achar (followers of the god Ator) purged the realm of the Forbidden Ones (Avar and Icarri), banishing them to inhabit what was left of the once great forest (the Avarinheim) and a small area of the Iscarp Alps.
But, Prophecy now walks the land of Achar and if the Destroyer (Gorgrael) is not defeated, all of the land will be plunged into horrible darkness. The only way to defeat the Destroyer is for the Acharites, Avar, and Icarri to unite behind the Starman, the one man Prophecy says is powerful enough to destroy the Destroyer.
Prophesy is all well, and ultimately good (we trust), but those chosen to carry out the “will of the Prophet” are mortal with all the wants and desires of the same. One of those desires involves a romantic triangle. Another is the way family interrelationships help/hinder the Prophecy.
Tightly woven plot, character-driven storyline, just the right amount of sword and plenty of sorcery and paganism (perhaps too much of the latter for some of my Christian fellows, so I caution them).
Enchanter and Starman are the second and third books. Also there is a second trilogy that deals with the children of the characters of the first. The first trilogy sets itself up for the second trilogy. I think there is also now a seventh book in the series.
