Sheepfarmer's Daughter

The Deed of Paksenarrion, Book 1

By: Elizabeth Moon

Narrated by: Jennifer Van Dyck

Length: 15 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Refusing to marry a pig farmer and joining the army, even if it means never seeing her family again, Paksenarrion begins an adventure that enables her to restore an overthrown ruler.

©1988 Elizabeth Moon (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Relatively Unknown, but still Awesome

This is the first book in the Paksenarrion Series, of which there are several. Although this book (of the original series) is a little older, it is no less enjoyable than the newer books. I have returned to this book both in paper and in audiobook several times over the years. This is a book about an adventure....not unlike the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings. The really awesome, and not as common part is that it's about a young woman. At the time, there were relatively few books in this genre, that included a female lead. Certainly not one that had the strength and will of Paksenarrion.

Moon does a superb job with character development. She really pulls you into the story, following as she is transformed from a naive and unpolished recruit into a formidable soldier. This is a sometimes rough, fantastic story for anyone, but especially who it seems geared toward (young adult....before it was even a genre!). I'm a huge fan of this author, who I believe deserves a lot more attention...for both her older, as well as newer works of fiction.

I love Paks

I have own all of the books these series. My only wish is that Ms. Moon would reconsider her decision to end her writings about this world. Even if she no longer writes about Paks; she has a new PALLADIAN of Falk; a new KING OF DRAGONS; a new situation with the Lady Forest; a new leader in the north; expecting a child; who also happens to be a GNOME Prince & lastly; but not least; a Deputy Marshall who is a reformed assassin who could be featured in their own seriex.

Liked it

Narrator was great. It was more gory than i expected. Didn't want to listen with my kids around. Good war story.

nice

This book was a little dull early on. Somewhat predictable. I cant say it was a fun or really entertaining book but it was nice. Moderately interesting. The Narrator was great.

Read this in 1988-and it only has gotten better

The Deed of Paksenarion, A Sheepfarmers Daughter is one of the finest stories written. Paks, the central character takes us on a life journey to go where deeds and battles and wondrous far away lands are. She joins a mercenary company as a private and learns how to use a short sword and shield and marching, all to get ready to go south to fight.
You should NOT miss this book. Elizabeth Moon is one of the premier sword and sorcery writers in modern writing history. This is the first story that proved she is the best.

Engaging but not great.

Would you try another book from Elizabeth Moon and/or Jennifer Van Dyck?

Probably.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have lost the obvious Dungeons and Dragons worldbuilding and stereotypes. Clear the author plays Dungeons and Dragons and allows that to color her terminology a lot. The rest of the story is slow, which would be ok if the world were more interesting, but it feels too much like a boring D&D adventure.

What does Jennifer Van Dyck bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her ability to have recognizable characters by voice inflection is enjoyable.

Did Sheepfarmer's Daughter inspire you to do anything?

No. Probably not even to read the next book....

Fair fun

Easy pacing with some fair action. Characters don't grow much, though a subtle plot is graaadually revealed with regard to the main character, who seems tough and grounded and not much else. But it's clean except for some war gore, there's some movement and lightness, and it's a female heroine, which is redundant, I know.

The voice performance was quite good. I'd definitely listen to her again. My only quibble is the way she literally said "ugh" or "hmph" instead of the noises they represent. Oh well.

Highly Enjoyable

This is still one of my favorite books, I have read and re-read this book many times. The voice acting in this audio version is highly enjoyable and entertaining.
Buy it, it's worth the listen.

Great story did not click with reader

What made the experience of listening to Sheepfarmer’s Daughter the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the story some places seems to go juvenal yet it was active and looked forward to listening to it.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

As with most listeners, its a mental fit of the reader, I did not feel the reader was right for the story feel. It was like she was too feminine for the character, but it was not enough to dislike the story.

Great Series and a great audio book

Would you consider the audio edition of Sheepfarmer’s Daughter to be better than the print version?

Both versions are superb.

What did you like best about this story?

This is a unique feeling story in a Tolkien like world. It follows an honorable mercenary girl who ends up in a heroes story despite setbacks. It has a great system for military campaigns and war that is matched by a unique system of magic. If you like good authors and series like WOT or Magician (Feist), then this will be a purchase that you won't regret.