The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon

The Deed of Paksenarrion revolves around the life of Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter, known as Paks. It takes place in a fictional medieval world comprised of kingdoms of humans, dwarves, and elves. The story begins by introducing Paks as a headstrong girl of 18, who leaves her home (fleeing a marriage arranged by her father) to join a mercenary company. Through her journeys and hardships she comes to realize that she has been gifted as a paladin. The novel was originally published in three volumes in 1988 and 1989 and as a single trade edition of that name in 1992. The three books included are The Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance and Oath of Gold.

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!

Overall I liked the series. It's not your normal fantasy and I liked that. It does hit our heroine pretty hard and even dip a bit into torture porn territory at the end, but but mostly the gritty realism made the story more believable.