The Wayfarer Redemption (The Axis Trilogy, #1) (Wayfarer Redemption, #1)

by Sara Douglass

One young woman, Faraday, betrothed of Duke Borneheld, learns that all she has been told about her people's history is untrue. Her land lies in the grip of a millennia-old prophecy pronounced by the Forbidden Ones. Gorgrael, the ice-lord drives down with his demonic frozen army and the ancient forbidden threaten to once more bring her people under their tyrannical rule. While fleeing to safety from the dangerous land, Faraday rides with Axis, legendary leader of the Axe-Wielders-and hated half-brother of Borneheld. Faraday secretly loves Axis, though it woud be death to admit it. She embarks on a journey in search of the true nature of her people which will change her life forever.

• ISBN13: 9780765341303
• Publish Date: 17 September 2001 (first published 7 September 1998)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 13 December 2008
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 659
• Language: English

Reviews

[niamh]

Personally found this book difficult to get into, some parts are great, but I found myself forcing myself to read the book. I think if I had been maybe 12 /13years old and picking up this series, I would have loved it.
Can understand why people adore this series, but it wasn't 100% my thing and I won't be continuing with the sequels.

[pamela]

I still loved Battleaxe as much as the first day I read it. Is it cliched fantasy literature? Of course! There are ridiculously attractive people making stupid mistakes, with evil brothers who have to fight each other, a prophecy, and some star-crossed lovers. It's not groundbreaking. But it's so much fun to read!

Sara Douglass' descriptions are gloriously sumptuous. She's built a world the feels real, with its own religion, folklore, and populations with their own history and culture. Magic in her universe makes sense. It's not just there as a plot device but interweaves with every aspect of the fantasy setting.

“There is a winter ahead such as I think we cannot imagine, but remember that spring always follows.”

I was worried that I wouldn't like Battleaxe as much as the first time, but I shouldn't have been concerned. I still loved every trashy, fantastic second of it. I wish Douglass had gotten more recognition outside of Australia than she did.