Rating: 
Summary: Author seconds Scott's recommendation.
Review: I would like to reitterate what Scott said: if you find yourself inclined to purchase and read Ring of Destiny, or even if someone gives it to you as a present, which happened to one poor fellow I heard from, please read the other two first; they are available now and DAW is very good about keeping backlist in print. In fact, DAW is one of the few publishers for whom I'd have dared write such an interdependent series, and I will be forever grateful to DAW for believing in the approach and making it possible.When I began the Ring books, there were certain elements I included because they seemed to be interesting topics to explore. The more I learned, both in researching the questions that arose with the events of the story and in following through on that research through the eyes and minds of the specific characters, the more interesting they became. But the examination of those topics---which include but are not limited to sibling relationships, gender- and self- identity and psychological patterning---is a developmental process, both for the characters and for the reader. The pacing, even where each book ends, is intrinsic to that growing understanding. It was to me as I wrote it. I believe it is to the readers as well. Certainly the response I've gotten would support this evaluation. We all know this dependence on order of reading is *not* the optimal way to organize a series in today's market, (even though true trilogy construction theoretically demands it) and I never plan to do it again (at least to this degree,) but in this one case, I felt it was the most effective way to approach the story. As with any interrelated series and particularly a trilogy with its associated story arc that develops throughout all three books, each Ring book has setup for "what's gone before" that serves as a reminder to those who've read the previous books, while striving to bring the new reader up-to-speed as painlessly as possible. In the Ring books, however, the problem goes beyond that of plot and character. Each book poses questions that are best absorbed and considered before heading into the next. To come in at the end of the series is not a disaster, as Scott (thank you, Scott) has shown, but it does cheat you, the reader, of a significant portion of the overall experience. I would encourage you to start at the beginning...
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderfully original
Review: Jane Fancher's "Ring of Destiny" (as well as its two predecessors, "Ring of Lightning" and "Ring of Intrigue") is great reading - she (Jane Fancher) has created a fascinating world peopled with complex characters and a marvelous blend of magic and technology. The world of Rhomatum will delight SF lovers.
Rating:
Summary: The longer, the better
Review: Ms. Fancher's book, "Ring of Destiny", is superb. Some who have reviewed the book have been concerned about the length. This I do not understand. What is the hurry? Is it a race? In the case of a book as good as this, the only draw back is that it has to end at all. In fact, you are fortunate because (if you haven't already) you can buy the entire triology and read from one book right into the next, without stopping. I recommend it. The complexity and growth of her characters, like the development of her plot, unfolds with majestic beauty. I've read a lot books, cotton candy books that can be devoured in a single sitting; Ms. Fancher's books are much more. They are a full-course, gourmet meal that leaves a lasting satisfaction.
Rating: 
Summary: Talk, talk, talk....is this Asimov come back to life?
Review: No, I take that back - Asimov's discussions at least deal with interesting subject matter. This book doesn't even do that; all it has to offer is page after page of small talk - and if you go to lots of parties or other social gatherings you know how boring that gets. Which is really a pity, because the first two books in Fancher's series were quite intriguing. But in this, the third book, the bottom just drops out of the story. In fact, there is no story. There's supposed to be a fourth book, and I might buy that to see if Fancher can come back from this debacle.
Rating:
Summary: Talk, talk, talk....is this Asimov come back to life?
Review: No, I take that back - Asimov's discussions at least deal with interesting subject matter. This book doesn't even do that; all it has to offer is page after page of small talk - and if you go to lots of parties or other social gatherings you know how boring that gets. Which is really a pity, because the first two books in Fancher's series were quite intriguing. But in this, the third book, the bottom just drops out of the story. In fact, there is no story. There's supposed to be a fourth book, and I might buy that to see if Fancher can come back from this debacle.
Rating:
Summary: A satisfying conclusion to an original fantasy!
Review: The originality of the world Jane S. Fancher has created for this series alone would make it stand out, but most remarkable are the deep characterizations and the masterful pacing she provides to tell the story of the Brothers Rhomandi. I loved this series! The brothers are so real, and their relationships with each other so complex, and little is what it seems -- there's a surprise around every turn - right to the last. Ring of Destiny wraps up this complex and engaging story in a satisfying way, tying up the many threads introduced in the first two books (including a few I didn't realize were threads when I first read them.) I won't give details, because much of the enjoyment of this story comes from the surprise of discovery. Start with Ring of Lightning, and then read Ring of Intrigue if you haven't. This book could possibly stand alone, but you'd be missing a heck of a lot of wonderful storytelling!
Rating:
Summary: No escaping the past for the Rhomandi brothers.
Review: With the battle of the Ringmasters over, the series' main characters take stock, of some of the elements that featured in Lightning and Intrigue. In Rhomatum, Kiyrstin and Lidye, both pregnant, slug it out regarding their personal difficulties, what to do about the incomplete ring complement following the battle, and who is really in charge of them. And in a soldiers' camp situated close to a newly developing node between Rhomatum and Khoratum are the three Rhomandi brothers, and Ganfrion. Here, on a minor level, we have the explanation of what happened to Deymorin's horse Ringer. And on a somewhat more dramatic level we learn the true nature of Dancer, only hinted at during the close of Lightning. Dancer is a development, which, in less sensitive hands could have become as dubious as her descriptions of the physicality of sex could have degenerated into fluffy. For Dancer is a Child of Rakshi, a 'Tweener, with three personalities: androgynous, male, and female. And to complicate matters further, Dancer and Mikhyel are now lovers. Mikhyel's problem is how to reconcile himself and his associates, perhaps the long suffering Nethaalye in particular, to the idea of such a union, whilst Dancer's is one of coming to terms with the notion that in Mikhyel's frame of reference Dancer is a freak of nature, not the creature of purity that Mother encouraged Dancer to believe in. Jane Fancher's skill, with this potential hell-brew, is well demonstrated by the following line from the scene in which Mikhyel and Dancer are intimates. 'Temorii's hands sought the sensitive instrument of loving that had gone suddenly silent, a gently teasing touch that brought Mikhyel easily back to the music....' (Temorii is Dancer's female side). I thought that was so nicely done, unlike so many others' attempts at such. These matters take up approximately the first half of the book. From there we move quickly onto Rhomatum, where Mikhyel busies himself in, post-battle, legalities in order to stabilise the Rhomatum web inclusive of potential others from the recent fall out. Deymorin takes charge of casting the replacement Giephaetum/Shatum and Khoratum/Persitum rings, and discovers his talent for ringspinning, which might usurp Lidye's hold. And Nikeanor's eighteenth birthday comes around, a time of celebration Lidye intends to use to reinforce her own grasp on power. The final section with its defeat of their old adversary, rom Maurii, and the birth of the three brothers' babies is a conclusion of the story so far. But there's plenty to keep the series spinning on. I read fairly widely in this genre, and feel, after reading all three, so far, of this series, that these books are one of the truly worthwhile additions to the field, in terms of quality of writing, development of character, world building, and originality of themes. They're definitely worth any serious fantasy fan's dollars.
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