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1. Manning says

   Spoiler-free version:

   This story features an interesting take of some fantasy formulas. Saukendar (from whose POV the story is told) is an aging hero called once again to action and Taizu is a young girl who wants to avenge the destruction of her family.

   But these are real people, not cutouts. Saukendar is not comfortable with his status as a legend. He has become cynical over the years and says that fighting evil is ultimately useless. He wants to stay on his mountain and calls Taizu a fool. He complains about the old wound in his knee. Taizu is truly a foolish kid. She has several disappointments when she meets the real Saukendar. She espouses very naive ideas about justice. She never ceases to be affected by the violence she experienced. At first her revenge is all that holds her together. She finds release in violence and spends most of the book with a buried fear of men.

   The downside is that the story falls apart near the end. The pace of the story becomes hectic and world-changing events happen overnight. Many very important plot points are glossed over. Some events that I anticipated did not occur (I think?)…while some did occur in ways that didn’t feel as genuine as the rest of the novel.

   Possible spoiler version:

   This story’s male hero is a grumpy, middle-aged cynic. Saukendar is venerated by the masses and hates it. After being falsely accused of treason, having a bounty put on his head, and being banished, Saukendar discovered that his political allies and status as a local legend were worth nothing.

   As Saukendar sees it, he’s living on a mountain alone because he has to. He ran for his life and has to stay there to keep it. Though he is disgusted by the current government, he has no desire to fight it–Saukendar considers the idea foolish and says that even if you kill one evil man, there are a dozen others to take his place.

   The stories told about Saukendar are different — the stories say that he took a vow of isolation and lives as a sort of wise monk on the mountain. That’s why Taizu, the female heroine, comes to the mountain. She wants Saukendar to teach her so that she can avenge her family. Taizu says that she will do what she is sure Saukendar would do if he were not on the mountain: fight for justice.

   Saukendar eventually gives in, thinking that with time he can convince Taizu to stay on the mountain with him and not seek a suicidal revenge. Taizu’s intrusion into Saukendar’s life starts to wake him up. Although initially Saukendar only sees her as a conveniently available woman, he eventually starts to care for Taizu.

   There are elements of Taizu’s character that are very formulaic for women in fantasy, ie: “I got raped so now I’m going to become a hero and fight the evil people who raped me and killed my family.” But the treatment of Taizu veers somewhat from that norm. Taizu doesn’t ever really admit to being raped. There are clues that her character was interested in warlike pursuits even prior to her family’s destruction. And Taizu’s initial determination to get revenge and her responses to Saukendar’s sexual interest show that she was deeply, realistically affected by the violence in her life. At first, Taizu’s single-minded goal seems to be the only thing holding her together.

   Although Saukendar never does convince Taizu that revenge is futile and eventually decides to go with her in order to protect her. And Taizu’s plans are overtaken by Saukendar’s legend.

   I only give this book 4 stars because the last quarter is very murky. It should be 3, because things got *really* glossed over at the end, but other elements are so strong I just can’t go that low.

   November 28, 2009, 1:05 pm
2. Sneider says

   A fascinating story set in an oriental culture.

   The beginning was better then the ending though. When they’re on the mountain it’s a rather touching story of two people working together. Then the character development peaks half way through and it becomes a rather standard adventure story.

   The first part, was great. It had serious life.

   The second part felt a little forced. Like the author couldn’t decide how to match the first part and just sort of rushed through it. It’s passable but it pales in relationship to the first part.

   November 29, 2009, 1:28 am
3. Overhuls says

   Now I don’t want to mislead, some of you will love this book. I bought it on the strength of an “extra good” review. A lot of reviewers loved the book. If you are looking for a long drawn out romance with a lot of C.J. Cherryh trying to come up with how an older man might think when falling in love with a younger woman (let me save you the quandry…so far as Ms. Cherryh goes men apparently never think with any part of our bodies higher than our mis-section. He even contemplates “forcing” this woman he “cares for”, for her own good naturally.)

   The reviews talked about cjatacter development, mostly I spent the book being annoyed. I finished it and it right to my “trade pile. The one thing I can’t do here is say who will like it and who won’t, wish I could. For me, I was looking forward to getting it based on the reviews I’d read only to be disappointed in it.

   My suggestion? Read the other reviews and consider before ordering.

   November 29, 2009, 12:53 pm
4. Bartsche says

   This is Ms. Cherry’s only full length novel into Asia.
   I have read this several times and lent it out and given it away several times. This is probably Ms. Cherryh’s least complicated book, so for many it will be the most readable. I always love a story about honor, and am a sucker for the reluctant hero, both of which are found abundantly in this tale. The short version … This is “Mulan” for grown ups.
   Ms. Cherry’s patented Third Person Internal writing style is found here as in her other books, but is easier to keep track of with the smaller cast of characters.
   If you like historical novels or martial arts stories, then this is a book you should enjoy.
   If you want a little more magical action in your “Historic Fantasy” you might try The “Arefel” stories set in ancient Britain, or the “Rusalka” Stories set in Ancient Russia.

   November 30, 2009, 1:16 am
5. Holte says

   The author’s prolific output includes a large number of hard science fiction tales, a few magic or fantasy novels, and a few with high-tech artifacts in low tech societies where technology comes over as magic.

   To the best of my knowledge “The Paladin” is her only novel which has no science fiction or fantasy elements: it is also very possibly C. J. Cherryh’s best book.

   “The Paladin” is set in a pre-industrial society, the location of which is not precisely identified but where the names sound oriental and the description sounds reminiscent of medieval China or Japan.

   On a remote mountain just outside the borders of a troubled empire, a former Master Swordsman hides away on a hill, calling himself Shoka and tending his garden. Once he was Master Saukendar who served the previous Emperor, but the present monarch and Regent betrayed him, and he had to flee; legend has it that he killed twenty of the Imperial Guard in self defence on his way to the border.

   For many years Shoka has retreated from the world, but then a youth with a scarred face comes to see him, begging the master swordsman for teaching in how to use a sword, with the intention of employing that knowledge to seek vengeance.

   Shoka is about to send the suppliant packing when something catches his eye …

   This book is dominated by strong, believable, and very memorable characters: the interaction between them is a major part of the story.

   In spite of the fact that it’s a different genre, if you enjoyed the “Morgaine” quartet, you will love “The Paladin.”

   November 30, 2009, 1:01 pm
6. Derrick says

   both paladin lps by this lineup are outstanding. santana/like rhythms permeate this 1st lp keeping the energy high.

   December 1, 2009, 1:24 am
7. Crow says

   I have the original vinyl version of this-Its got a lot of scratches, pops, and noise from being played so often The CD is OUTSTANDING–LOVE this recording

   December 1, 2009, 1:03 pm
8. Jacobson says

   Dark Protector is the first book in the Paladins of Darkness series. This is the story of Devlin Bane, a Paladin, and Dr. Laurel Young, his Handler. For centuries the Paladins have been fighting a war to protect the world from the Others. Paladins have a unique physiology that allows them to suffer mortal wounds and then revive time after time. They are born to the task of defending the world. Unfortunately, Paladins over time become more and more like the Others that they battle against. They can only be revived so many times before they turn. Each Paladin has his own point of no return.

   Devlin Bane is the leader of the Paladins in Seattle Washington. During the story we get to know more about what the Paladins do and meet many of the Paladins that Devlin Bane leads. We also learn that someone wants to kill Devlin Bane.

   Laurel Young is a medical doctor who is the Handler for a number of the Paladins. When they are mortally wounded, she guides them back to life and takes care of them through their recovery. If a Paladin can’t recover and becomes like an Other, Dr. Young must end his life.

   A hallmark of being a Paladin and a Handler is emotional detachment. Dr. Young, however, seems to really care about all of the Paladins in her care, especially Devlin Bane.

   While we learn the basics about the war being fought against the Others and about the Paladins, this is first a terrific romance. I really enjoyed how Devlin Bane and Dr. Young deal with the taboos concerning the involvement of Paladins and their Handlers. I rooted for them all the way! In addition, I liked meeting some of the other Paladins (who will later have their own books). The mystery surrounding Devlin Bane is well set up and interesting. This is a terrific start to the Paladins of Darkness series.

   Reviewed at Bitten by Books Paranormal Fiction Review Site by Sally
   The Bitten by Books review score for this book was 4.5 Tombstones

   December 2, 2009, 1:03 am
9. Cai says

   This book was great! I loved the interactions between the two main characters, and the secondary characters were great too. An excellent start to a new series!

   December 2, 2009, 12:56 pm
10. Lanigan says

    This book was fun and reminded me a little of the Highlander TV series. Its nice to see a Paranormal book that’s not about Vampires or Vampire-like. The story is about a group of men who by birth defend Earth from off-world threats. They can repeatedly die and come back, but not without consequences. It follows a growing romance between the commander and their doctor in the face of betrayal.

    December 3, 2009, 12:56 am