This is the second book of The Deed of Paksenarrion. It departs from the first in its tone just as Paks departs from her beloved Company. The structure is very similar to the first—she leaves her home and comfortable backgroung to seek something new. The plot is much more similar to a D&D adventure: she teams up with some elf just because he’s the other PC, goes dungeon delving because it’s there, and spends much of her time griping about the railroaded plot. As novelized D&D games go, this is top-notch. Moon’s aware of the conventions of the sub-genre, writing years after Weis and Hickman, and does very well with them. Some are honored, others intentionally overthrown.

I was warned that this isn’t as good as Sheepfarmer’s Daughter. It’s not. It is worth it to get to Oath of Gold, though.

Books read this year: 41