The Deed of Paksenarrion

An open love letter to Tolkien, this anthology takes all the best parts of medieval fantasy and warfare and weaves an epic tale that's impossible to put down. What starts as a simple story of finding one's place in the world, grows and evolves so organically, you'd swear you were the one it all happened to.

This series was so engrossing that I found myself swearing “Tir's guts” when I accidentally hammered my finger. The main character, Paks, starts off as an ignorant yet smart and capable sheepfarmer's daughter who signs up for a mercenary company. The first book is heavy on military strategy and the details of campaigns and such, but the characters are strong, especially Paks. I really enjoyed seeing her gain skills and learn about her world.

I also loved that Paks was determined to be a soldier, and this doesn't make her any less of a woman. The muscles and scars from her training are simply a fact of life.

The second book begins to build the world a bit more, and we're introduced to the elves, dwarves, and others - probably the best version of these fantastical creatures that I've read so far.

I liked that Paks wasn't “the chosen one” or at least how that storyline usually goes. She isn't important because of her bloodline or fulfilling a prophecy of some sort but rather she has to work extremely hard to do what she does.

I highly recommend!