Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable first novel, Certainly worth your time...
Review: Being an obsessive Sci-fi/fantasy nut, with a voracious inner bookworm, I was excited to come across "Path of Fate" at my favorite bookstore. In a sea of tired, jaded authors, it is a pleasure to find Diana Pharaoh Francis's fresh look at the genre. The first few chapters were slightly heavy with the weight of a great deal of heroine and setting information in a short amount of space. However, once the bond is forged between our main character and her companion, the book hooks you. The interaction between Reisil and Saljane, and their tenuous but strengthing relationship adds a soft counterpoint to the tension of the mission they are on. Fans of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar Series will likely enjoy this book, with its Human/Animal connection concept. There is just enough suspense and action to keep you reading, with mostly satisfying conclusions to the difficulties that arise. From reading this novel, I greatly hope Francis will continue to evolve and grow in her own writing style through the course of the next few novels, and I eagerly look forward to picking up the next installment in the "Path" series when it comes out.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable first novel, Certainly worth your time...
Review: Being an obsessive Sci-fi/fantasy nut, with a voracious inner bookworm, I was excited to come across "Path of Fate" at my favorite bookstore. In a sea of tired, jaded authors, it is a pleasure to find Diana Pharaoh Francis's fresh look at the genre. The first few chapters were slightly heavy with the weight of a great deal of heroine and setting information in a short amount of space. However, once the bond is forged between our main character and her companion, the book hooks you. The interaction between Reisil and Saljane, and their tenuous but strengthing relationship adds a soft counterpoint to the tension of the mission they are on. Fans of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar Series will likely enjoy this book, with its Human/Animal connection concept. There is just enough suspense and action to keep you reading, with mostly satisfying conclusions to the difficulties that arise. From reading this novel, I greatly hope Francis will continue to evolve and grow in her own writing style through the course of the next few novels, and I eagerly look forward to picking up the next installment in the "Path" series when it comes out.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable first novel, Certainly worth your time...
Review: Being an obsessive Sci-fi/fantasy nut, with a voracious inner bookworm, I was excited to come across "Path of Fate" at my favorite bookstore. In a sea of tired, jaded authors, it is a pleasure to find Diana Pharaoh Francis's fresh look at the genre. The first few chapters were slightly heavy with the weight of a great deal of heroine and setting information in a short amount of space. However, once the bond is forged between our main character and her companion, the book hooks you. The interaction between Reisil and Saljane, and their tenuous but strengthing relationship adds a soft counterpoint to the tension of the mission they are on. Fans of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar Series will likely enjoy this book, with its Human/Animal connection concept. There is just enough suspense and action to keep you reading, with mostly satisfying conclusions to the difficulties that arise. From reading this novel, I greatly hope Francis will continue to evolve and grow in her own writing style through the course of the next few novels, and I eagerly look forward to picking up the next installment in the "Path" series when it comes out.
Rating: 
Summary: A golden start...
Review: Definitely a keeper. One I could not put down. The life of Reisil has so many turns that you're tempted to chase after all of them. Although the ending of the book does raise a couple of questions. Well written and entrancing. The world offers plenty of depth to be gone into. The characters stand out when needed and neatly blend into the story when not. If you enjoy bonds between animals and people on a fantasy level, then this will fill your plate.
Rating:
Summary: realistic and emotionally moving fantasy
Review: Ever since she was a baby, abandoned by her mother all Reisil ever wanted was a place to call home. Growing up in Kallas, she was fostered to different families so that nobody would have to bear the burden of another mouth to feed for any extended periods. When Reisil is old enough, the village pays for her training as a healer and she hopes that they will want her to stay with them permanently. Just when it looks like her dream will come true; the goshawk comes to bond with Reisil, choosing her to be one of the Lady's soldiers in the fight against evil. Reisil tries to avoid this dubious honor but when a noble woman from another country is kidnapped in Kallas and spirited away, Reisil accepts her destiny to find her. If she fails, the realm of Kudas will be plunged into war against an army that can use magic to cause terrible harm. Very rarely does a writer's first novel come along that is so realistic and emotionally moving that it achieves total acclaim from reviewers and readers alike. PATH OF FATE will because of the strong protagonist who grows and changes to meet each situation that comes her way. She charms her way into the readers' hearts and the audience will adore the special relationship she has with Saljane the goshawk who has a winning and loveable personality of her own. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Great First Novel
Review: Finally, a satisfying first novel that not only has a well-paced, absorbing story, with three-dimensional, realistic, and failable characters, but also is written by someone who knows the mechanics of writing! What a pleasure to read. I'm impressed and hope the next book from this author is as well-done.
Rating:
Summary: A Stunning Flight
Review: Having been a long time reader of fantasy fiction, I had my doubts the first few chapters in the book, which seemed to bristle with restrained emotion and hidden feelings -- the same which Reisil has as she denies Saljane day after day. But by the end of the novel, my heart soared with the shared heart of Reisil and Saljane. Diana Francis shows a wonderful command of the English language that seems to be lacking in many mass-marketed fantasy fiction in recent years. She allows a rich sensuality in her words in just the right amount -- enough to light the scenes for you in your own imagination, to stir your own senses in harmony with Reisil's, and to help you join Reisil on her journey. The book is highly spiritual, and will most certainly please nature lovers as well as fantasy fiction lovers. When you reach the end of the journey, and find it is not over yet, you will also be waiting with anxious breath for the next flight of Reisal and Saljane.
Rating:
Summary: A Mentor to Emulate
Review: How do you do justice to the first novel written by someone you admire? I feel that the description available here doesn't do this book service at all, and many people won't read what they don't understand. I urge anyone who sees this: please read this book! Reisiltark desires only to belong. She has fought her whole life to find a place for herself, building up to being Kallas' resident healer after the death of her mentor. And when it seems that she has finally accomplished her goal, Saljane, her bonded ahalad-kaaslane, comes to tear down her perceptions of herself and her world. The names may become a bit confusing for some who are insistant on being able to pronounce everyone's name. That aside, there is a reason this book is universally touching: it reveals the simple human desire to be ourselves and yet belong, a conflict that we all struggle with. She laughs and cries, makes mistakes and helpful realisations. She's strong, stubborn...yet afraid of recrimination. It doesn't matter if we live in the US or in Kodu Riik, Reisil is the epitome of "us." The best part of the book was reaching the end and realising how far Reisil had come as a person -- and hoping that she will continue to move forward. I look forward to following her struggles, saving Kodu Riik, bonding further with Saljane...and ultimately fulfilling herself. The second book cannot come fast enough.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and Innovative
Review: I enjoyed Path of Fate immensely, and have lent my copy to several friends, who are all eagerly awaiting the next installment. I appreciated how Francis took a somewhat common theme of a reluctant heroine and magical gifts and turned it into an entertaining and suspenseful story. I read the whole book in one sitting, and found myself very sympathetic to Reisel and in love with Kebonsat. When is the next book due out?
Rating:
Summary: Great new author
Review: I normally am very hesitant to read books outside my favorite authors. I had this book for months and when I finally started reading it I ended up staying awake all night to finish. All I can say, is when is the next book coming out!
| 
