The Deed of Paksenarrion / Elizabeth Moon

The Deed of Paksenarrion

by

Elizabeth Moon

published by Baen in 1988
read by Agamedes in July 2009
fantasy (military)
book 1 of Sheepfarmer's Daughter

Apparently, this is the Fourth Age of Middle Earth: the Age of Man. And Man has done the usual thing: set up cities and states which all declare war on each other. Elves and Dwarfs are still seen, grandad fought Orcs, this book is the wars of Man. It’s military fantasy with a female hero; not as obviously chick-lit as Sassinak. The heroine, known as Paks, goes from raw recruit, to veteran, to corporal, with strong indications of further great deeds to come. Most of her fellow soldiers seem to die but you hardly know them so it doesn’t hurt the reader. Life and the world are described in great detail, interspersed with brutal, hand-to-hand battle scenes. Interesting insights into life at the bottom of the army hierarchy, with Paks going and fighting where told, with no understanding of either geography or strategy. She is a good soldier but it is clear that she will need to learn plenty on her way to becoming and officer.

Agamedes' rating: 7 out of 10

13may18:

I reread this book, this time as the first book in an omnibus edition. Did I misread the original, single-novel volume? This time, the novel "Sheepfarmer's Daughter" is book one within The Deed... From 2009 I see that I have Daughter as the series and Deed as book one. Oh well, no matter either way.

My 2018 opinion of this "book one", is much the same as from 2009. With some variations in the way that I see the same things.

What strikes me overall -- this time -- is that there is such a lot of purely descriptive material. The weather, the food, the flora and fauna, all get a mention. Training, marching, sleeping, all detailed. The book is as much a world encyclopedia as military fantasy.

Nine years ago I read fast and furiously. Now I read more slowly, allowing time to absorb more of the background material. And I enjoy this book... just as much... in a slightly different way.

What also strikes me -- more clearly on this reading -- is that everyone is *nice*. Yes, they fight to kill but with no malice; it's just who & what they are. Okay, there is the villain. He kills and tortures for pleasure. But the good team just ... don't do that sort of thing... and say so :-) Very Biggles; I like it.

Part of the niceness is related to the multi-novel plot. It's clear that the heroine is going to go on to become a near-saint (at least). There will be no surprise as she develops her powers of niceness. And I'm looking forward to it !

And finally -- as I did notice in 2009 -- the heroine is a soldier who follows orders. This is true "military" fantasy, where the officers command and the troops follow. In order to allow the heroine to show initiative -- she must be separated from the officers. As part of an army she is one of the better fighters. By herself, behind enemy lines -- she shines.

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