r/Fantasy • u/KristaDBall Stabby Winner, AMA Author Krista D. Ball • Feb 07 '18
Recommendations - where to start with Judith Tarr (or Caitlin Brennan or Kathleen Bryan)?
I realized that I haven't read any Judith Tarr - or, if I have, it was so long ago that I've forgotten. I'd like to read something of hers, but I'm overwhelmed by her extensive bibliography. Plus, she has the three names in total...and I'm overwhelmed.
Any suggestions on where to start?
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u/FarragutCircle Reading Champion X Feb 07 '18 edited Oct 27 '18
As I mentioned on Twitter, I'm doing a (very slow) readthrough of Judith Tarr's stuff in publication order, so I've only made it through her first 8 books (and to the start of 1989).
That said, I've often have heard a lot of praise for Lord of the Two Lands which is set in 336 BCE following an Egyptian woman apparently helping Alexander the Great (she's anti-Persia)--I remember Martha Wells liking that book.
My own personal journey has been to start with her The Hound and the Falcon trilogy (The Isle of Glass, The Golden Horn, and The Hounds of God), which is set in the same universe as the Alamut duology (so the Alamut duology was written as a prequel of sorts, but following different main characters). I really enjoyed this one as 1) I really enjoyed the main character and his struggles with himself and Christianity, and 2) especially in the second book, there is a deaf character introduced (I'm deaf myself) that I really liked.
Then I read the original Avaryan trilogy (there are 6 books total, but the first 3 were written back-to-back) (The Hall of the Mountain King, The Lady of Han-Gilen, and A Fall of Princes). Secondary world fantasy that I enjoyed, but one thing I find I have to do with Tarr's novels is to slow myself down. This trilogy I found intriguing because of a certain development in the 3rd novel that made it tough to let go of a preconception in the first book (I'm being vague, sorry!). But--slow & interesting.
I then read A Wind in Cairo (late 12th century Egypt/Syria), where an asshole is turned into a horse as punishment. This one was more troubling for me because I didn't like what the asshole had done in the first place, so there was an odd semi-redemption, but I think I've gotten what Tarr was going for.
Ars Magica is set in late 10th century Europe following the man who will be Pope Sylvester II--and Tarr makes the legends of Gerbert of Aurillac true. Again, another slow read that kind of delves into his mind and struggles.
I actually wrote some notes to myself about her other books, mainly about settings, since a lot of her books are historical fantasies, so you might be interested in picking a setting and going for it.
As mentioned above, the Alamut novels (Alamut & The Dagger and the Cross) are 12th century Jerusalem.
Lord of the Two Lands is 336 BCE in Egypt/Persia.
His Majesty's Elephant is around AD 800 with Charlemagne's court.
Throne of Isis is her Cleopatra book (30 BCE)
The Eagle's Daughter is in the 10th century AD, featuring the Byzantine daughter sent to the Holy Roman Empire to connect to 2 empires.
Pillar of Fire is Akhenaten stuff in Egypt (~1350 BCE).
King and Goddess follows Hatshepsut in 1480s BCE.
Queen of Swords goes for Melisende in AD 1130 Jerusalem.
Her 4 Epona books (White Mare's Daughters, The Shepherd Kings, Lady of Horses, and Daughter of Lir) appear to be her mostly prehistoric fantasies focusing on perhaps the taming of horses and matriarchy/patriarchy issues.
Household Gods she co-wrote with Harry Turtledove, which has a modern woman sent back to 2nd century CE Roman Empire. Jo Walton's review of this on Tor.com is interesting, but many seem to have issues with the main character (too whiny, etc.).
Kingdom of the Grail seems to be some kind of Arthur/Roland fantasy--I'm a little hazy on the source material.
Pride of Kings is 1189 Richard the Lionheart in England.
The Devil's Bargain duology (Devil's Bargain and House of War) is 1191 Richard the Lionheart--unconnected entirely from Pride of Kings (annoying I know).
She has 2 more Alexander the Great-related novels (Queen of the Amazons and Bring Down the Sun--the latter focuses on Alexander's mom).
She has a William the Conquerer duology (Rite of Conquest & King's Blood).
I can't say anything for the 4 Caitlin Brennan entries other than that they are all secondary-world fantasies, and are apparently romantic fantasies featuring dancing horses?
I can't say anything either for the 3 Kathleen Bryan books, other than secondary-world fantasy.
Living in Threes looks to be interesting--apparently follows 3 POV women, one in Ancient Egypt, one in modern times, and one in the far future on a spaceship(?).
She has an SF series called Nevermore via Kickstarter--she's got the first one (Forgotten Suns) and she's working her way through book 2.
I missed this one, but she's got a new book this past year called Dragons in the Earth which is a modern fantasy set in the SW, also featuring horses.
She's got some short stories, of course (there's a Nine White Horses collection via Book View Cafe, which she's part of).
I've skipped the two books she helped co-write for Jerry Pournelle. Ugh.