Elizabeth Moon, The Deed of Paksenarrion

The Deed of Paksenarrion is actually the one volume edition of Elizabeth Moon's trilogy. It is made up of Sheep Farmers Daughter, Divided Allegiance, and Oath of Gold.

I can not recommend this book highly enough to those who love fantasy. The phrase "successor to Tolkien" has been used "ad nauseam" but in this case we come very close. I love this book.

The book(s) follow our heroine (yes the hero is a heroine, but that's ok guys, I'm a guy too, like to shoot, grew up hunting, have kids and everything, don't decide that because the "hero" is a women the book isn't for men, it is for everyone who loves good fantasy) from the time she leaves home (to avoid marrying a local pig farmer) wishing to be a soldier, through her life finally to a fulment in becoming a Paladin.

I will not give more of a synopsis because I don't want to ruin any of this book for you, and anyway, no synopsis or outline could do it justice. I read it the first time years ago and have reread it many times since. The only problem for me is that I'd love to read more of the life and adventures of Paksenarrion.

By the way if you are familiar with some of Elizabeth Moon's other works don't be confused. While I own some of her books I think of as "space operas" (and their not bad) for some reason Paksenarrion is her best work, it reaches heights few fantasy books do.