All Acharites believe the end is near.
One young woman, Faraday, betrothed of Duke Borneheld, learns that all she has been told about her people’s history is untrue. While fleeing to safety from the dangerous land, Faraday, rides with Axis, legendary leader of the Axe-Wielders-and hated half-brother of Borneheld-and a man Faraday secretly loves although it would be death to admit it. She embarks on a journey, which will change her life forever, in search of the true nature of her people.
This grand and heroic story tells the tale of one woman’s plight to learn the truth of her people and change their hearts and their minds forever. She fights against oppressive forces to share this reality and will not desist until everyone knows. . . . . The truth of the Star Gate
This is the first epic fantasy I have read in a long time. It was nice stepping back into a fantasy genre that helped build the love of reading for me. Sara Douglass was one of those authors that chilled on my shelf for the longest time. I have multiple books in her many series, and I thought it was time to break them in.
Axis is who the story revolves around. He is the leader of an elite sector. I can tell the author put most of her time in developing his character. His storyline was one of the best in this book. His personality reminds me a little of those in the Lord of the Rings series (I have not read the books, so I am going off the movies). He is loyal to his cause and those around him but cross him and he will make you work back into his graces. It would be curious to see where his character develops.
Faraday is one of the main characters in this story. At first, I was not sure how I liked her. Now, I am not a big fan. This is an epic fantasy, and I know there are certain “roles” women mostly played. That was not the issue for me. The issue was, she felt whinny. Faraday was supposed to be around 16-18 I am guessing, but it felt she was younger. In all honesty, Faraday reminded me of Sansa Stark from Game of Thrones, and she was not my favorite character in the book or tv series. I could see the character’s growth and maybe she gets better throughout the series.
There are many characters in this story, and as a reader, we should expect it from an epic fantasy. They each played their part to help push the prophecy forward and written well enough to hold their own in the story. At this moment, I cannot tell you which character is my favorite. None of them jumped out at me.
The world building in this book felt a bit lacking. I got confused in some areas, especially the prologue. There was background information scattered throughout the book, but I think the author could have given a bit more. Maybe this is addressed throughout the series.
I grabbed The Wayfarer Redemption because it was the first Sara Douglass book I picked up. Throughout the years, I have heard good things about her book. Sadly, this one did not do too much for me. It could be her writing style, or I have outgrown epic fantasy (I do not think this is it). There was so much going on, I was getting slightly confused. The tempo was good, but at some points there was some sluggish. Being the first book of a series, I try to give it a benefit of the doubt because of all the world building.
I still recommend this book even though I am not sure if I will immediately continue this series. Give it a chance if you like epic fantasy. You may like it more than I do.
I give this book a 3/5
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