Sheepfarmer's Daughter

Elizabeth Moon published Sheepfarmer’s Daughter in 1988. Surprisingly it doesn’t feel too different from works published lately. Granted the various descriptions of violence and torture have nothing on something like Abercrombie’s First Law Trilogy. However, virtually nothing is that graphic even today.

Paksenarrion, the titular character, flee’s home and a marriage she does not want. To get well away and have a way of supporting herself she enlists in a mercenary company. The reader follows along as Paks learns more about life and war.

Due to this learning process the major storyline is somewhat slow to develop. Virtually the first half of the novel is Paks learning and experiencing her first campaign. It is only during Paks second year that we encounter the big bad, and the main plotline.
From there the plot still advances slowly, with the action taking place over the course of almost a year. Throughout this Moon manages to mix in bits and pieces of the larger puzzle, a sign of things to come in later volumes.

Like the main plotline the fantasy elements are slow to develop. Early in the story the only magic involved is used to heal, and potions are mentioned. After that almost no magic or hints of magic are mentioned until much later. This is an interesting choice, especially given the time frame this novel came from, when things like Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms were king.

Moon’s writing style is very enjoyable. Though the books covers almost three years, the majority of it focuses on the points of action. The in between times are covered, just not delved into. Moon also uses a good mix of description of the world and people versus the actions and conversations.

While this is an older work it still feels relevant. The only thing that I found less than great is Moon’s choice of using Paks lack of desire for men as a major issue throughout. There were times it made sense to use, but overall the persistence did not full make sense. Perhaps this will come into better focus in later novels. I enjoyed this book, I give it a 3.5/5.