Dagger Star [Mass Market Paperback]

Dagger-Star tells the story of Red Gloves - a female mercenary who has come to the land of Palins in search of work. Josiah - a goatherder - knows very little about her, but he knows her dagger-star birthmark indicates she's a Chosen. Part of a prophecy that may set the land of Palins free.

Red Gloves is a name, that for me, took some getting used to and I think it distanced me a little from the story to begin with, though by page 7 I was interested and by page 40 completely hooked. It's more like a label than a name as such - she's a mercenary who wears red gloves. This is in a world where people change their names as their circumstances change.

Red is the alpha in this story, and is not exactly the most sensitive person. She's a much more prickly character than Lara(from the War Plains books) not so ready to be the martyr. She's practical to the point of insensitivity, stroppy, knows her own mind. But she's also loyal, brave and determined. This is a woman we believe capable of leading an army.

There is a slight role reversal. Red is very take charge, whilst Josiah is more beta. That doesn't mean he's a wimp - think Daniel Jackson from Stargate. There's strength in being able to bend rather than break. I also think it can be harder to write a believable beta hero, than a believable alpha.

This book has a large 'cast' and is told from multiple points of view, but each character has their own beliefs, quirks, desires and ambitions. Red - the mercenary, Bethral her sword-sister, Ezren - the storyteller, Evelyn - the priestess. I suspect for some people this style won't work, but I do like seeing the same situation through different eyes. There are a couple of wonderfully written parallel scenes where it's clear Red and Josiah are thinking the same thing, but are convinced the other person is thinking something else. They need to talk. :) I think as long as it adds more to the story then it's working. I wish the book had been longer so we could have gone into more depth, but hopefully there will be more books to come.

My main concern whilst I was reading was how this world fits in with that of the War Plains trilogy. The thing I liked about the trilogy was that it was a fantasy, which dealt with the cultural conflict between two peoples. There was no magic, no easy solution. Everything had to be strived for. There are hints that this is the same world - kavage, references to the Tribes of the Plains. I think what concerns me, is how what we find out in Dagger-Star, affects the world of the Plains.

In Dagger-Star we find out there is magic - elves, portals, magical fire. And in a way I wish Dagger-Star had been set in a new world, that the two worlds had been kept separate. If magic is real then maybe the warrior-priests of the plains weren't lying to Lara.

That aside, this was another story I immersed myself into and at the end there are still questions that haven't been answered. Still stories there to be told. I want to know what happens next not only to Red and Josiah, but also to Ezren, Bethral, Evelyn, Dominic, Fael, Helene. And I really want to know how Verice and Warna got together.

Elizabeth Vaughan writes stories about women who change their world. Heroines who may doubt themselves or their gifts but who ultimately triumph. And it's not through use of magic but through self-belief and determination. She's one of my favourite authors and I'm counting the days 'til the next book.

First, cards on the table. I am an (almost) 50 year old male so take that into account with this review.

Over this side of the pond the books was released with quite a striking cover, it appears to me that in the US the cover is more aimed at female readers (I notice that a lot - are the majority of fantasy readers in the US female?!) But anyway, our UK cover was very striking and although I had never heard of Beth Vaughn, I bought it.

Two female warriors ("Sword Sisters") take refuge in a barn only to find that a birthmark on one identifies her as a 'chosen' - someone that will lead the kingdom from despair into prosperity once more. Initially this is rejected but eventually Red comes around to liking the idea and joins the revolution.

The author builds some strong and interesting characters with some very powerful female leads and there is a gentle vein of humour that runs through the book. Perhaps a fraction too much romance and nocturnal activity for your average male reader, but the rest makes up for it.

There are some story elements not properly explained or followed through and the 'reveal' about the reason for the red gloves was a little of an anti-climax (although it did help explain Red's character traits), so this does have minor weaknesses but that may be my male perspective.

I found this an easy reading page turner and although perhaps more geared towards the lady reader, I have to confess I quite enjoyed it. I must be going soft.

Dagger-Star is the first book in a new series by Elizabeth Vaughan, the much talked about author of the Chronicles of the Warlands trilogy. With a distinctive story-telling style and a talent for creating a rich tapestry of characters Vaughan has another hit on her hands.

Meet Red Gloves, a saucy, seductive warrior woman and Bethrel, her sword-sister. The story begins with these strong women of Soccia seeking shelter from the rain in the war ravaged land of Palins. Taken in by a lonely goat-herder named Josiah, the two women get drawn into a world of prophecies and preistesses, mages and barons. A rescued slave turns out to be a legendary story-teller and Josiah himself holds some great secrets. Born with the dagger-star birthmark, Red too, is pulled against her will into fighting for the future of Palins and maybe for the love of Josiah. But when Red claims the throne will she be able to remove her mysterious scarlet gloves and rule over Palins, leaving behind the humble goat-herder she's grown to love?

Fans of Vaughan's Chronicles of the Warlands won't be dissapointed to know that this series is indeed set in the same world as her previous trilogy. It's uncertain whether it is set in another part of the same world or perhaps the future but you'll notice some similarities right away. With strong world-building and even stronger character creation I fell in love with Ezren and other members of the secondary cast. If you're new to Vaughan this book is a great place to start as this series is completely seperate from the Warlands and is a decent example of Vaughan's ability to tell a story. My only trouble with this story was how easily Red won everyone over in her adventure and how easily she defeated her enemies, warrior woman or no I felt like she needed some weakness. Overall this is a great fantasy story and an okay romance. I look forward to hopefully reading Bethral's story next.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 33 reviews  3.7 out of 5 stars