Faraday, a brave young woman, flees from the ice-lord Gorgrael in the company of Axis, the leader of the Axe-Wielders and the hated half-brother of her betrothed, Borneheld.
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.
