The Chronicles of the Cheysuli continues in the Song of Homana. Unlike the first book, this one focuses on Carillon and is told from his perspective. For the first three quarters of the book, I found the shift of point of view to be distracting. I finally came to accept it when I saw just how central Carillon was to that portion of the story. The Song of Homana centers of Carillon's quest to recover the throne of Homana and secure it for the future. The first part, he manages relatively quickly - the second, which seems easier, turns out to be far more difficult.

Other reviewers on this site have taken offense with Carillon's views on arranged marriages. I went into this book having read those reviews and so the issue was in the forefront of my attention. While early in the book, Carillon does play fast and loose with the noble institution of marriage - using it as a tool of politics - all of those plans come undone in most hideous ways. If anything, the book could be viewed as a warning against using marriage to further political goals. I think those other reviewers may have found themselves placated had they continued reading and allowed the author time to let her lesson become fully realized. ( )

I have rarely been more offended and disgusted by a female author before. I can't believe the number of high ratings this book has received. I can't believe anyone liked this thing.

There are certain things heroic characters do not do. Things that make them, in fact, a villain. Things like telling a woman you're going to kill her father and then force her to marry you. This is something the most despicable of villains does. This is also something Carillon does. And despite my clinging to the hope that he'd have a moment of sanity and realize that his plans made hima disgusting, deplorable human being, he carried through with these plans.

I feel nothing but utter contempt for this character, and for the author who expects readers to like a book about a man who is nothing better than a rapist. ( )