'Daughter of the Empire', 'Servant of the Empire', and 'Mistress of the Empire' gave me escapism when I needed to escape the most.
Following a long period of ill health I found, and turned to, these books with their worlds of empires, bloodthirsty political clans and slavery.
It follows the protagonist Mara and her journey from being in a monastery to becoming the highly respected Servant of the Empire. With this is her transformation from dark violence to benevolent rulership.
As the books have a strong female character it naturally reminds me of Sigrid Undset's female lead Kristin Lavransdatter, who undergoes great hardship in securing her place. Though Mara ascends to the top her position is always precarious as other clans cook up plots to get rid of her.
These books are set in the land of Kelewan, a land familiar from other Feist books like 'Magician' where old favourites like Pug make a cameo.
Dense with political shenanigans I found that through the machinations of the various clans there were moments that spoke out with deep beauty. Such as when the Spymaster falls in love or when Mara falls in love with the barbarian slave who turns her worldview upside down.
The time taken to build up these characters throughout the book's many pages becomes satisfying when there is a twist to how these characters function and become changed people. It is an optimistic book about the capacity to change.
Stephen Donaldson said that n fantasy and sci-fi man becomes an 'effective passion' and Mara's ability to effective change for the greater good makes that statement manifest.
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