August 26, 2008
Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland, 3 1/2
Book description: Darkness covers the north, since the black mage has begun his assault on the kingdom of Neroche. Legend has it that only the two magical swords held by Neroche's king can defeat the mage. Now the fate of the Nine Kingdoms rests in the hands of a woman destined to wield one of those blades...
In this land of dragons and mages, warrior maids and magical swords, nothing is as it seems. And Morgan will find that the magic in her blood brings her troubles she cannot face with a sword-and a love more powerful than she has ever imagined.
Review: Lynn Kurland was one of the first authors I read when I first started reading romance. My tastes have gone in different directions since then but I was curious to read Kurland’s fantasy effort. Star of the Morning is a traditional but light fantasy with swords, sorcerers, and kings. The beginning was a little slow but I soon became interested in the characters. I also liked the romantic sub-plot. This genre suits Kurland’s writing and I enjoyed this book enough to see what happens in the next one.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (2)
June 22, 2008
Reader and Raelynx by Sharon Shinn, 4 1/2
Book description: In this novel of secret sorceries and forbidden desires, the mystic Cammon must put aside his personal feelings for Princess Amalie while he reads the souls of her suitors for any potential threats. But Cammon is unable to read Amalie, and he begins to suspect that she herself possesses magic powers-a revelation which would put her life in danger, and throw the kingdom into chaos.
Review: Reader and Raelynx is the fourth book in the Twelve Houses series. I was slightly disappointed in the second and third books in this series but I’m happy to say I enjoyed this one as much as the first book. Cammon is such as sweet character and I enjoyed his romance with Amalie. I also greatly enjoyed all the scenes with Senneth. This isn’t the last book in this series but all of the ongoing plot lines are wrapped up nicely and the end of this installment. I look forward to the next book, which follows a minor character from this one.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (0)
June 14, 2008
The Sharing Knife: Legacy by Lois McMaster Bujold, 4
Book description: Ill-chance brought young Fawn Bluefield together with Dag Redwing Hickory, the seasoned soldier-sorcerer, but it was love and loyalty that joined their fates. While their unorthodox marriage has been grudgingly accepted by the clever farm girl's people, Dag's Lakewalker kin are less tolerant, greeting their union with derision, suspicion, and prejudice.
The specter of permanent exile looms above the couple—until a final decision on their lot is diverted by a sudden, viciously magical malice attack on a neighboring hinterland. Sworn to duty, Dag must answer the call, leaving his new bride behind. But what awaits him and his patrol could have serious and unimagined consequences for farmers and Lakewalkers alike, forever altering the lovers, their families, and their world.
Review: The Sharing Knife: Legacy is the follow up to Beguilement. I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the first book but it was a part of the story that needed to be told before the series could move on. I still love Dag and Fawn and was happy to find out more about the Lakewalkers and the malice. I’m interested in seeing where the series goes from here.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (0)
March 27, 2008
Dark Moon Defender by Sharon Shinn, 3 1/2
Book description: The third Novel of the Twelve Houses from the national bestselling author.
In this story of hidden magic and forbidden love, the King's Rider Justin befriends Ellynor, a young novice at a convent-only to discover that she is a mystic being manipulated by the fanatical Daughters of the Pale Moon into hunting down and killing other mystics.
Review: The third book in the series still doesn’t live up to the wonderful first book, Mystic and Rider. I enjoyed the romance somewhat but I don’t feel like Justin’s character is as well developed as the characters in the previous books. The plot still managed to hold my interest and I plan on continuing with the series.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (0)
December 10, 2007
The Thirteenth House by Sharon Shinn, 3 1/2
Book description: After joining an unlikely band of soldiers and sorcerers to rescue the kidnapped regent Romar Brendan, the shiftling Kirra returns home to learn that her half-sister, Casserah, has been proclaimed heir to the land. But when Casserah refuses to go on a social tour of great Houses, Kirra shifts into her sister's form and makes the rounds-during which she unexpectedly encounters her former compatriots. The motley group of mystics and warriors faces many dangers-and Kirra places herself in peril when she falls in love with the married Lord Romar. Revealing her true identity to him, Kirra begins a tempestuous affair that places them both in mortal danger, and leads them both into the stronghold of the devious lords of the Thirteenth House...
Review: The Thirteenth House is the follow up to Mystic and Rider. I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as the first. The plot was still interesting but I found the main character, Kirra, irritating through out most of the story. I also hated the romance. I was pleased that the book didn’t end like I thought it was going to and the end did managed to save it for me somewhat. I’ll still be reading the next book in the series and I hope it’s better than this one.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (0)
Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn, 4 1/2
Book description: Clouds of unrest are darkening the land of Gillengaria. In the southern region, ill feeling toward magic and those who use it has risen to a dangerous level, though King Baryn has ordered that such men and women are to be tolerated.
Whispers abound that he issued the decree because his new young wife is herself a mystic, who has used her powers to ensnare him. The king knows this - and he knows that he now sits uneasy on the throne. There are those barons of the Twelve Houses, who, out of their own ambition, might well use this growing dissent to overthrow him.
So he dispatches the mystic woman Senneth on a journey to see firsthand how dire the situation might be. Accompanying her are Justin, a young Rider who distrusts the magical arts; Kirra, a healer and shape-changer born of the Twelve Houses; her servant, the lowborn Donnal, also a shape-shifter; and Tayse, the first among the King's Riders. He, too, holds a hard view of mystics in general - and Senneth in particular.
As these unlikely allies venture further into the south, they ecounter a land under the sway of a fanatical cult that would purge Gillengaria of all magic users. They will face daeth - and worse. And the will come to realize that their only hope of survival lies in standing together, mystic and Rider, side by side...
Review: I love Sharon Shinn. This easily could have been just another political sword and sorcery fantasy novel but the characters made it interesting. Senneth is the strongest heroine I’ve read about in a long time. I also liked the romance side plot. Highly recommend for fans of romance or fantasy.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (0)
July 25, 2007
The Shape-Changer's Wife by Sharon Shinn, 4
Book description: Aubrey was a student of the fine art of wizardry. But the more knowledge he acquired, the more he wanted to learn. He traveled in search of the greatest master of all, the gifted shape-changer Glyrenden. From him, Aubrey expected to discover the secret of long-lost spells and the mysteries of arcane magic.
But there was one discovery he never expected, a mystery he risked every thing to solve. Her name was Lilith...
Review: The Shape-Changer’s Wife was Sharon Shinn’s first book and her beautiful writing style was there from the beginning. This is a short book but the pacing works well and the story unfolds slowly. The solution to the mystery was horrifying and beautiful at the same time. The ending was very emotional as well. I recommend this to all fantasy fans.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (0)
February 14, 2007
The Oracle's Queen by Lynn Flewelling, 4
Book description: Under the rule of a usurper king, the realm of Skala has suffered famine, plague, and invasion. But now the time for the rightful heir has come, a return to the tradition of warrior queens. And the Lightbearer’s prophecy is to be upheld at last: so long as a daughter of the royal line defends and rules, Skala will never be subjugated.
Now a mystical fire has burned away the male body known as Prince Tobin, revealing Princess Tamír, a girl on the verge of womanhood–and a queen ready to claim her birthright after a life in disguise under the protection of wizards and witches. But will her people, her army–and the friends she was forced to deceive–accept her? Worse, will the crown’s rival heir, friend to Tobin, turn foe to Tamír, igniting civil war in a fierce
battle for Skala?
Review: The Oracle’s Queen is the final book in the Tamir trilogy. It’s a satisfying ending to the trilogy. My only minor complaint it that I wish the book had focused ore on Tamir’s adjustment to her new role. I did enjoy her romance with Ki and there were many satisfying sub plots. I highly recommend this trilogy.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (0)
December 06, 2006
Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling, 4
Book description: When young Alec of Kerry is taken prisoner for a crime he didn’t commit, he is certain that his life is at an end. But one thing he never expected was his cellmate. Spy, rogue, thief, and noble, Seregil of Rhiminee is many things–none of them predictable. And when he offers to take on Alec as his apprentice, things may never be the same for either of them. Soon Alec is traveling roads he never knew existed, toward a war he never suspected was brewing. Before long he and Seregil are embroiled in a sinister plot that runs deeper than either can imagine, and that may cost them far more than their lives if they fail. But fortune is as unpredictable as Alec’s new mentor, and this time there just might be…Luck in the Shadows.
Review: I read Luck in the Shadows many years ago, before I started this blog, and I loved it. So I figured it would be a safe bet to keep me entertained on audio. Bad idea. The narrator is unbelievably dull but I still managed to like the book. The beginning is a little slow but once the full cast of characters is introduced things pick up a lot. The characters all work so well against one another. The main relationship in this book is between Alec and Seregil. Their relationship isn’t a romance yet but shows signs of heading that way in future books. The plot has a lot of political intrigue and magic but it’s the characters that make this one worth reading.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (1)
November 19, 2006
Divine by Mistake by P.C. Cast, 3 1/2
Book description: The most excitement teacher Shannon Parker expected on her summer vacation was a little shopping. But then her latest purchase--a vase with the Celtic goddess Epona on it--somehow switches her into the world of Partholon, where she's treated like a goddess. A very temperamental goddess…
It seems that Shannon has stepped into another's role as the Goddess Incarnate of Epona. And while it has some very appealing moments--what woman doesn't like a little pampering now and then?--it also comes with a ritual marriage to a centaur and the threat of war against the evil Fomorians. Oh, and everyone disliking her because they think she's her double.
Somehow Shannon needs to figure out how to get back to Oklahoma without being killed, married to a horse or losing her mind….
Review: Divine by Mistake is a reprint of Cast’s hard to find first book, Goddess by Mistake. It’s also a prequel to her other Luna books. I liked the overall plot of this. The romance was good and the whole centaur thing was certainly different. The plot is very similar to her goddess romance series but this book is equally focused on romance and fantasy. My main problem with the book was the overly simple relationships Shannon had with all of the side characters. Everyone is instantly friends with her and there’s no character conflict except with the pure evil villain. This problem is present in her romances too but is harder to overlook in a nearly 700 page book. Still, I’m interested in the plot so I’ll pick up the next one.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (1)
November 04, 2006
The Sharing Knife: Beguilement by Lois McMaster Bujold, 4
Book description: Young Fawn Bluefield has fled her family's farm hop-ing to find work in the city of Glassforge. Uncertain about her future and the troubles she carries, Fawn stops for a drink of water at a roadside inn, where she encounters a patrol of Lakewalkers, enigmatic soldier-sorcerers from the woodland culture to the north. Fawn knows the stories about the Lake-walkers: they are necromancers; they practice black sorcery; they have no permanent homes and own only the clothes they wear and the weapons—mysterious knives made of human bone—they carry. What she does not know is that the Lakewalkers, as a whole, are engaged in a perilous campaign against inhuman and immortal magical entities known as “malices,” creatures that suck the life out of all they encounter, and turn men and animals into their minions.
Dag is an older Lakewalker patroller who carries his past sorrows as heavily as his present respon-sibilities. When Fawn is kidnapped by the malice Dag's patrol is tracking, Dag races to rescue her. But in the ensuing struggle, it is not Dag but Fawn who kills the creature—at dire cost—and an uncanny accident befalls Dag's sharing knife, which unex-pectedly binds their two fates together.
And so now the misenchanted knife must be returned to the Lakewalkers. Together, Fawn and Dag set out on the long road back to his camp. But on the journey this unlikely pair will encounter danger and delight, prejudice and partnership, and maybe even love. . . .
Review: The Sharing Knife: Beguilement is the first part in a two part series. This book mostly focuses on the romance between Dag and Fawn. This may disappoint some fantasy fans but it makes for a great crossover book for fans of the romance genre. The romance is done very well here and ties in closely with the characters’ growth. Fawn helps Dag live again after his wife’s death and he helps her realize her worth. There is a large age difference between the two which may turn some people off but it didn’t bother me because it’s handled well. The world building and plot aren’t as deep as in previous Bujold books I’ve read but the potential is there for things to pick up in the second book. I can’t wait for the conclusion, which comes out in July 2007.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (3)
November 02, 2006
The Dream Thief by Shana Abe, 3 1/2
Book description: In the remote hills of northern England lives a powerful clan with a centuries-old secret. They are the drákon, shape-shifters who possess the ability to Turn—changing from human to smoke to dragon. And from the very stones of the earth, they hear hypnotic songs of beauty and wonder. But there is one stone they fear....
Buried deep within the bowels of the Carpathian Mountains lies the legendary dreaming diamond known as Draumr, the only gem with the power to enslave the drákon. Since childhood, Lady Amalia Langford, daughter of the clan’s Alpha, has heard its haunting ballad but kept it secret, along with another rare Gift....
Lia can hear the future, much in the way she hears the call of Draumr. And in that future, she realizes that the diamond—along with the fate of the drákon—rests in the hands of a human man, one who straddles two worlds.
Ruthlessly clever, Zane has risen through London’s criminal underworld to become its ruler. Once a street urchin saved by Lia’s mother, Zane is also privy to the secrets of the clan—and is the only human they trust to bring them Draumr. But he does nothing selflessly.
Zane’s hunt for the gem takes him to Hungary, where he is shocked to encounter a bold, beautiful young noblewoman: Lia. She has broken every rule of the drákon to join him, driven by the urgent song of Draumr—and her visions of Zane. In one future, he is her ally. In another, her overlord. In both, he is her lover. Now, to protect her tribe, Lia must tie her fate to Zane’s, to the one man capable of stealing her future—and destroying her heart....
Review: The Dream Thief is the sequel to The Smoke Thief but it can stand on its own. I liked this book more than the previous one. My problem with The Smoke Thief was that the romance was average and that the fantasy elements didn’t make up for that. The romance is still average in this installment but the fantasy element has gotten much better. The whole book felt like a fairy tale and Abe’s writing is descriptive and atmospheric. I was on the fence about reading this book but I’m glad I did.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (1)
August 09, 2006
The Smoke Thief by Shana Abe, 3 1/2
Book description: For centuries they’ve lived in secret among northern England’s green and misted hills. Creatures of extraordinary beauty, power, and sensuality, they possess the ability to shape-shift from human to dragon and back again. Now their secret–and their survival–is threatened by a temptation that will break every boundary....
Dubbed the Smoke Thief, a daring jewel thief is confounding the London police. His wealthy victims claim the master burglar can walk through walls and vanish into thin air. But Christoff, the charismatic Marquess of Langford, knows the truth: the thief is no ordinary human but a “runner” who’s fled Darkfrith without permission. As Alpha leader of the dra´kon, it’s Kit’s duty to capture the fugitive before the secrets of the tribe are revealed to mortals. But not even Kit suspects that the Smoke Thief could be a woman.
Clarissa Rue Hawthorne knew her dangerous exploits would attract the attention of the dra´kon. But she didn’t expect Christoff himself to come to London, dangling the tribe’s most valuable jewel–the Langford Diamond–as bait. For as long as she could remember, Rue had lived the life of a halfling–half dra´kon, half mortal–and an outcast in both worlds. She’d always loved the handsome and willful Kit from the only place it was safe: from afar. But now she was no longer the shy, timid girl she’d once been. She was the first woman capable of making the Turn in four generations. So why did she still feel the same dizzying sense of vulnerability whenever he was near?
From the moment he saw her, Kit knew that the alluring and powerful beauty was every bit his Alpha equal and destined to be his bride. And by the harsh laws of the dra´kon, Rue knew that she was the property of the marquess. But they will risk banishment and worse for a chance at something greater. For now Rue is his prisoner, the diamond has disappeared, and she’s made the kind of dangerous proposition a man like Kit cannot resist....In this bewitching novel, Shana Abé transports us into a world of exhilarating romance and magic.
Review: The Smoke Thief is the first book in the fantasy/romance Drákon series. I liked the world and the jewel thief aspects of the book. The romance was a big part of the book but it was just average for me. The ending was also rushed and everything was wrapped up too neatly. Despite those complaints, this was a fun, quick read. I liked the side characters enough to read the sequel, The Dream Thief. If you are looking to try a romance with some fantasy elements you may like this.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (2)
July 23, 2006
The Serpent's Shadow by Mercedes Lackey, 3 1/2
Book description: Maya Witherspoon had lived most of the first twenty-five years of her life in her native India. As the daughter of a prominent British physician and a Brahmin woman of the highest caste, she had known only luxury. Trained by her father in the medical arts since she was old enough to read, she graduated from the University of Delhi as a Doctor of Medicine by the age of twenty-two. Welcomed into her father's lucrative practice, she treated many of the wives and daughters of the British military personnel who made up a large percentage of their patients in the colonial India of 1909." "But the science of medicine was not Maya's only heritage. For her mother was a sorceress - a former priestess of the mystical magics fueled by the powerful and fearsome pantheon of Indian gods." "Though Maya felt the stirring of magic in her blood, her mother had repeatedly refused to train her. Yet Maya suspected that something far more sinister than the virulent disease had overcome her powerful mother." "But it was Maya's father's death shortly thereafter which confirmed her darkest suspicions. For her father was killed by the bite of a krait, a tiny venomous snake. In the last hours of her mother's life, in the seeming delirium of her final fever, Surya had repeatedly warned Maya to beware "the serpent's shadow." With the sudden loss of her father, Maya knew she must flee the land of her birth or face the same fate as her parents.
Review: The Serpent’s Shadow is the second book in the Elemental Masters series and is a follow up to The Fire Rose. This book does stand on its own and is a loose retelling of Snow White. I really like the idea behind this series. The mix of fairy tales, magic, and early 1900's setting makes for a fun read. The best part of this book was reading about the challenges a woman of mixed race would have faced practicing medicine then. My problem with this book is one I often have with Lackey’s books; the characters. The good guys are perfect and always completely understand each other. The bad guys are pure evil and their motivations are thin. This makes reading scenes from the evil characters’ point of view painfully boring. I did like the romance and I wish there had been more of it. In the end, I liked enough in this book to enjoy it despite the flat characters. I plan on continuing with this series.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (0)
May 10, 2006
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik, 4 1/2
Book description: Aerial combat brings a thrilling new dimension to the Napoleonic Wars as valiant warriors rise to Britain’s defense by taking to the skies . . . not aboard aircraft but atop the mighty backs of fighting dragons.
When HMS Reliant captures a French frigate and seizes its precious cargo, an unhatched dragon egg, fate sweeps Capt. Will Laurence from his seafaring life into an uncertain future–and an unexpected kinship with a most extraordinary creature. Thrust into the rarified world of the Aerial Corps as master of the dragon Temeraire, he will face a crash course in the daring tactics of airborne battle. For as France’s own dragon-borne forces rally to breach British soil in Bonaparte’s boldest gambit, Laurence and Temeraire must soar into their own baptism of fire.
Review: I’m not a fan of dragons and talking animals make me want to vomit. I shouldn’t like this book but I do. This one works for me because Temeraire does not come across as the author’s adolescent fantasy fulfillment. He’s an interesting and well developed character. In fact, all of the characters in this book are well developed. Temeraire and Laurence have the best friendship I’ve read about in a long time. The addition of dragons into the Napoleonic era is done in an interesting and believable way. If you like fantasy and historical fiction you will love this.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (7)
May 03, 2006
Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold, 4 1/2
Book description: Three years have passed since the widowed Dowager Royina Ista found release from the curse of madness that kept her imprisoned in her family's castle of Valenda. Her newfound freedom is costly, bittersweet with memories, regrets, and guilty secrets - for she knows the truth of what brought her land to the brink of destruction. And now the road - escape - beckons.... A simple pilgrimage, perhaps. Quite fitting for the Dowager Royina of all Chalion.
Yet something else is free, too - something beyond deadly. To the north lies the vital border fortress of Porifors. Memories linger there as well, of wars and invasions and the mighty Golden General of Jokona. And someone, something, watches from across that border - humans, demons, gods.
Ista thinks her little party of pilgrims wanders at will. But whose? When Ista's retinue is unexpectedly set upon not long into its travels, a mysterious ally appears - a warrior nobleman who fights like a berserker. The temporary safety of her enigmatic champion's castle cannot ease Ista's mounting dread, however, when she finds his dark secrets are entangled with hers in a net of the gods' own weaving.
In her dreams the threads are already drawing her to unforeseen chances, fateful meetings, fearsome choices. What the inscrutable gods commanded of her in the past brought her land to the brink of devastation. Now, once again, they have chosen Ista as their instrument. And again, for good or for ill, she must comply.
Review: Paladin of Souls is the sequel to The Curse of Chalion and follows a minor character from that book. I liked this book almost as much as the first in the series. Ista, the main character, is in her 40s and I found her perspective a nice change of pace from the younger women books tend to focus on. Paladin focuses more on theology and less on politics than Chalion but I found the theology just as interesting. I really love the weird curses this series revolves around. I also liked the romance in this one much more than the one in the first book. If you like fantasy I highly recommend this series.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (0)
April 19, 2006
The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold, 4 1/2
Book description: A man broken in body and spirit, Cazaril has returned to the noble household he once served as page, and is named, to his great surprise, secretary-tutor to the beautiful, strong-willed sister of the impetuous boy who is next in line to rule. It is as assignment Cazaril dreads, for it must ultimately lead him to the place he most fears: the royal court of Cardegoss, where the powerful enemies who once placed him in chains now occupy lofty positions. but it is more than the traitorous intrigues of villains that threaten Cazaril and the Royesse Iselle here, for a sinister curse hangs like a sword over the entire blighted House of Chalion and all who stand in their circle. And only by employing the darkest, most forbidden of magics can Cazaril hope to protect his royal charge -- an act that will mark the loyal, damaged servant as a tool of the miraculous ... and trap him, flesh and soul, in a maze of demonic paradox, damnation, and death.
Review: The characters in this book were fantastic! Cazaril was an atypical fantasy hero and the side characters were quite memorable. The world building was top notch. The political intrigue kept me on the edge of my seat. The romance was only so so but I didn’t mind because there was so much else to enjoy about this book. This was another audio book I listened to on my commute and the narrator was really great. If Lois McMaster Bujold’s books are all this good I’ll be very happy.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (2)
April 10, 2006
The Hob's Bargain by Patricia Briggs, 3 1/2
Book description: Hated and feared, magic was banished from the land. But now, freed from the spells of the wicked bloodmages, magic-both good and evil-returns. And Aren of Fallbrook feels her own power of sight strengthen and grow…
Overcome by visions of mayhem and murder, Aren vows to save her village from the ruthless raiders who have descended upon it-and killed her family. With the return of wildlings to the hills and forests, she strikes a bargain with the Hob, a magical, human-like creature imbued with the power of the mountains. But the Hob is the last of his kind. And he will exact a heavy price to defend the village-a price Aren herself must pay…
Review: The Hob’s Bargain is a pleasant, light fantasy but not much more than that. I liked the overall story and the atmosphere that is built with all the magical creatures. However, the characterization is too light for my taste and the romance is woefully underdeveloped. The book ends before the Hob’s bargain even takes place. Oh well, it worked as a quick fantasy read but it could have been so much more.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (3)
March 17, 2006
Arrow's Fall by Mercedes Lackey, 3
Book description: With Elspeth, the heir to the throne of Valdemar, come of marriageable age, Talia, the Queen's Own Herald returns to court to find Queen and heir beset by diplomatic intrigue as various forces vie for control of Elspeth's future. But just as Talia is about to uncover the traitor behind all these intrigues, she is sent on a mission to the neighboring kingdom, chosen by the Queen to investigate the worth of a marriage proposal from Prince Ancar. And to her horror, Talia soon discovers there is far more going on at Prince Ancar's court than just preparation for a hoped-for royal wedding. For a different magic than that of the Heralds is loose in Ancar's realm-an evil and ancient sorcery that may destroy all of Valdemar unless Talia can send warning to her Queen in time!
Review: Arrow’s Fall is the third book in the Heralds of Valdemar trilogy. Thankfully it’s an improvement over the second one. Loved the romance that finally developed in this one. The plot was just ok. Lackey has always been hit or miss with me. There are a few of her books that I love. However, if I’m not totally into one of her books, I notice how juvenile her writing is. I find it juvenile that her characters are either totally good or bad, things are over explained, and the freaking magical horses, just to name a few examples. Oh well, I’m still glad I read this trilogy. It was a good introduction to future books in the series.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (0)
March 14, 2006
Arrow's Flight by Mercedes Lackey, 2 1/2
Book description: Set in the medieval fantasy kingdom of Valdemar, this unique and exciting novel continues the story of Talia. Having mastered the powers necessary to a guardian of the kingdom, she faces the final preparation for her initiation as adviser and protector of the Queen.
Review: Arrow’s Flight is the second book in the Heralds of Valdemar trilogy. I liked this even less than the first. In it, Talia teams up with another herald, Kris, for her internship. A good deal of the book is spent settling livestock disputes and battling blizzards. Spare me. Kris was very bland as well. This was very much a middle book in a trilogy. Moving on to the last book which I hope has a good pay off.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (3)
March 03, 2006
Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey, 3
Book description: Chosen by the Companion Rolan, a mystical horse-like being with powers beyond imagining, Talia, once a runaway, has now become a trainee Herald, destined to become one of the Queens's own elite guard. For Talia has certain awakening talents of the mind that only a Companion like Rolan can truly sense. But as Talia struggles to master her unique abilities, time is running out. For conspiracy is brewing in Valdemar, a deadly treason which could destroy Queen and kingdom. Opposed by unknown enemies capable of both diabolical magic and treacherous assassination, the Queen must turn to Talia and the Heralds for aid in protecting the realm and insuring the future of the queen's heir, a child already in danger of becoming bespelled by the Queen's own foes.
Review: I read the Last Herald-Mage trilogy a few years back and loved it. Since then, I’ve had trouble getting into any of the other Valdemar books because I can’t stand all that nonsense with the horses. Super intelligent animals in fantasy is one of my major pet peeves with the genre. But Arrows of the Queen was entertaining enough for me to overlook my prejudice. The plot is average, a young girl escapes from a hard childhood when she discovers she has magical abilities and goes to school to develop those abilities. Talia, the heroine, is also your average too prefect fantasy heroine. The book’s saving grace is the strong cast of side characters. There are so many of them I want to read more about which is why I’ll be continuing with this series. An average but enjoyable fantasy overall.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (0)
March 02, 2006
Slayers: The Silver Beast by Hajime Kanzaka, 3 1/2
Book description: Lina has lost her magic! In an attempt to restore it, she travels to a village where Ruby Eye Shabragnidu, the demon lord, is said to live. There, a mysterious priest sells Lina a magic talisman...but will it be enough to restore power to our favorite flat-chested sorceress? Let's hope so---next up, the group must venture to Mane, where Zelgadiss has but one wish: to get his body back! With magical beasts, the Sword of Light, and one of the biggest and baddest demons, this flavor-filled volume of Slayers is one delicious dish!
Review: This is the fifth installment in the fifteen book Slayers series. The plot is all over the place but, other than that, it’s one of the better books in the series so far. It’s starts off a new multi book plot line when Xelloss is introduced and a new quest begins. Xelloss is one of my favorite characters in the series and I love it when him and Zelgadiss bicker. As usual with this series, there were quite a few lines that had me cracking up. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (0)
December 20, 2005
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder, 
About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace -- and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.
And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust -- and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.
As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear . . .
After so many Luna books I couldn’t get through I’m glad I’ve finally found one I love. Yelena is a great heroine, I love how stubborn she is. Valek, assassin and Yelena’s love interest, is an intriguing character and his relationship with Yelena is a layered one. I liked the side characters too, especially the Commander. The world building was great. It managed to hold my interest but there wasn’t so much of it that I had trouble remembering things. The plot was so engrossing I could not put it down. However, I would have like to see more focus on Yelena’s food tasting duties. I can’t wait for the sequel.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (0)
September 30, 2005
Slayers: The Battle of Saillune by Hajime Kanzaka, 
Book description: It seems our little band of adventurers just can't catch a break. Employed as guards, Lina and Gourry accompany Sylpheel to Saillune City. Unfortunately, the royal family feud is downright deadly. Can they help Prince Philionel survive assassination attempts and keep their own heads on straight? When you've got the deadliest hunters, dark sorcerers, bug-like monsters and other grotesque creatures on your tail, it's going to take a little sorceress with some major magical power and a swordsman with phenomenal abilities and a lot of luck to save the day.
Review: I liked the fourth book in the Slayers series a lot more than I was expecting to. A new character, Amelia, is introduced and she irritated the hell out of me in the anime series. I was pleasantly surprised to find she?s slightly less irritating in the books. The plot is pretty basic for this series, someone/thing attacks Lina and she has to find out why she was attacked and who?s pulling the strings. It?s Lina?s sarcastic inner dialogue that keeps this plot from getting dull. There was one heck of a set-up for the next book at the end of this one so I?ll be moving on to the fifth Slayers novel soon.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry?
March 09, 2005
Slayers: The Ghost of Sairaag by Hajime Kanzaka, 7 1/2
Book Description: Rezo the Red Preist is alive! Lina, Gourry and Zelgadiss thought they had defeated this powerful man, but hes backand hes out for revenge! With a bounty on their heads, the intrepid trio takes off to Sairaag. But are they falling right into Rezos master plan?
Review: Another good Slayers novel. Didnt like this quite as much as the first but it was better than the second. The third volume follows up with a lot of the characters and events that happened in the first volume while introducing some new characters. If you are even a passive fan of the Slayers anime youll enjoy these. Or if you are looking to get into the Slayers universe these books are a good and inexpensive place to start.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry?
December 18, 2004
Slayers: The Sorcerer of Atlas by Hajime Kanzaka, 7 1/2
Book Description: The chairman of the sorcerers guild has disappeared, and Tarim the Violet and Daymia the Blue are now vying to fill the coveted seat. With conflict and corruption littering the campaign trail, Lina and Gourry are recruited to maintain homeland security. Along the way, out heroes make some startling discoveries: a mysterious man at the bottom of a pool, a human-like chunk of meat and, to top it off, a headless body. Sharpen your swords and rub your magic stones Atlas city is one crazy town!
Review: Second in the series of Slayers novels that both the anime and the manga were based on. The writing was humorous as always but I didnt enjoy this one as much as the first. I wasnt as into the plot and, well, Zelgadiss wasnt in it. Despite those hangups, which Im sure are entirely my own, I had no problem staying interested in this installment.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry?
September 28, 2004
Slayers: Ruby Eye by Hajime Kanzaka, 8 1/2
Book Description: Lina Inverse doesn't like to brag but she's a genius sorceress, invincible warrior and a legend in her own lunchtime. She's a strikingly gorgeous woman who would give most supermodels a run for their money. Don't hate her because she's beautiful -- Lina's also in need of cold hard cash. When she stumbles upon some loot stashed away by a group of bandits, she figures they won't mind sharing. But when the booty's owners go ballistic (it seems she took a bit more than her share of the spoils), a secret hidden in the treasure holds the key to the ensuing hilarity in this fantasy novel that is sure to cast its spell on everyone!
Review: When I found out that the novels that inspired one of my favorite anime series, Slayers, were being published in English, I was thrilled. Thankfully, this did not disappoint me. I cant really say whether or not the translation was accurate but there werent any parts that were awkward or hard to read. The plot follows the first few episodes of the anime closely but its still worth a read even if youve already seen the anime. If you like comedic fantasy youll probably find something to like here.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (1)
July 14, 2004
Through Wolf's Eyes by Jane Lindskold, 9
Book Description: Firekeeper only vaguely remembers a time when she didn't live with her "family," a pack of "royal wolves"-bigger, stronger, and smarter than normal wolves. Now her pack leaders are sending her back to live among the humans, as they promised her mother years ago. Some of the humans think she may be the lost heir to their throne. This could be good-and it could be very, very dangerous. In the months to come, learning to behave like a human will turn out to be more complicated than she'd ever imagined. But though human ways might be stranger than anything found in the forest, the infighting in the human's pack is nothing Firekeeper hasn't seen before. That, she understands just fine. She's not your standard-issue princess-and this is not your standard-issue fairy tale.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It has one of those plots that sounds cheesy but is really amazing when done well. The first few hundred pages of this book were so interesting I stayed up all night reading. At first, the book revolves around a girl raised by wolves slowly being reintroduced to humans. Then the book switches gears and goes into court intrigue and fights for succession. I resented the change of direction at first but the interesting characters quickly brought me back into the story. The only minor quibble I have with this book is that the ending was a bit too happy. It didnt feel like it matched the tone of the rest of the book. Still, this is the best fantasy novel Ive read in a while and Ill surely be reading more of the series.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry?
May 17, 2004
Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn, 9
Book Description: As a child, Coriel Halsing spent many glorious summers at Castle Auburn with her half-sister-and fell in love with a handsome prince who could never be hers. But now that she is a young woman, she begins to see the dark side of this magical place...
Review: This is such a sweet book. I really enjoyed how the main character changed as she grew up. Her changing views on the people around her gave this coming of age story believability. I also liked the setting. It's was more of a historical setting than a fantasy one but the fantasy element was still there. I enjoyed this book so much I've decided to read anything by Sharon Shinn I can get a hold of.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry?
March 15, 2004
Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier, 5
Book Description: Second of the Sevenwaters trilogy of novels about the last days of heroic Ireland, Son of the Shadows takes up the story of the children of Sorcha, who saved her enchanted brothers, and Hugh, the Briton she married. Sorcha's daughter Liadan is a gifted seer and healer who thinks, in spite of her visions, that she knows what the future has in store for her--caring for her dying mother and then an alliance marriage to Eamonn. A chance meeting on the road carries her off to care for a dying man--one of the mercenaries of the sinister Painted Man, Eamonn's archenemy and a killer for hire. Liadan discovers that she cannot choose whom she loves and that she and the Painted Man are as bound up in destiny as her mother and father were before her.
Review: This first book in this series, Daughter of the Forrest, was really good so I was shocked at how terrible this book was. It started out ok and I was really enjoying the romance but after a few hundred pages of nothing happening I got really tired of reading this book. I'm not kidding. The last 300 pages were spent talking about vague prophecies most of which never even happened. This lead me to hate every single character in this book, even the ones I liked from the previous book. Even though I own the third book in this series (at least I got it at a discount bookstore) I don't know if I'll be reading it.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry?
November 16, 2003
Daughter of the forest by Juliet Marillier, 8
Book Description: Lovely Sorcha is the seventh child and only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Bereft of a mother, she is comforted by her six brothers who love and protect her. Sorcha is the light in their lives, they are determined that she know only contentment. But Sorcha's joy is shattered when her father is bewitched by his new wife, an evil enchantress who binds her brothers with a terrible spell, a spell which only Sorcha can lift-by staying silent. If she speaks before she completes the quest set to her by the Fair Folk and their queen, the Lady of the Forest, she will lose her brothers forever. When Sorcha is kidnapped by the enemies of Sevenwaters and taken to a foreign land, she is torn between the desire to save her beloved brothers, and a love that comes only once. Sorcha despairs at ever being able to complete her task, but the magic of the Fair Folk knows no boundaries, and love is the strongest magic of them all...
Review: Fantasy fans should really read this one. The heroine was great and she kept the book interesting when it could have easily been boring. The plot was pretty interesting as well. The only problem I had with it was that the romance was a little dull. Sorcha's love interest was the only character in the book that didn't have a vivid personality.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (2)
November 02, 2003
Hidden Warrior by Lynn Flewelling, 9
Now that Tobin knows his true identity he finds it hard to keep that secret from his closest friend, Ki. Tobin also knows that the day will come when he must betray the only family he has left and take the throne of Skala. Now with war breaking out and the plague worsening, Tobin is afraid he must take action sooner than he thought.
I'm really loving this series. This book was a bit on the slow side but the amazing ending just blew me away. I just adore the main character and the well developed cast of minor characters. I cannot wait for the last book in the series to be released.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry?
October 29, 2003
The Bone Doll's Twin by Lynn Flewelling, 8 1/2
Throughout Skala's history a line of warrior queens have protected the land but when King Erius usurped his sister's throne, plague and drought overran the land. The only way to change this is to restore the female line to the throne. However, finding a new queen of royal blood is no easy task since every female who has even a distant claim to the throne is murdered. That all changes when Ariani, the King's sister, gives birth to twins; a boy and a girl. The boy twin is murdered so that, through dark magic, the girl can take his form. Consequently, young Tobin grows up, unaware of his true identity and perpetually haunted by the ghost of his murdered brother.
Very interesting fantasy that borders on dark fantasy. I loved Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner series so I ran out and bought this one as soon as it came out. Then I stupidly let this gem of a book sit on my bookshelf for two years. Normally when a character in a fantasy novel is a child I'm bored to tears until they grow up but that wasn't the case with Tobin. I adored him and a lot of the other characters, although not quite as much as the Nightruner characters. However, I do think this book is a much more fluid read than the Nightrunner books. Anyway, this book is highly recommended even if you haven't read any of the author's previous work.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry?
August 21, 2003
Transformation by Carol Berg, *****
Seyonne was once a powerful Ezzarian warrior but for the past sixteen years he has been a slave in the Derzhi Empire. His life changes forever when Aleksander, prince of the Derzhi Empire, buys him. Aleksander is a strict master at first but Seyonne soon realizes there is a goodness in Aleksander that may be important in the Ezzarians' battle against the demons.
This is the best fantasy novel I've read in a long time. It has all of the elements of a great fantasy novel but at the same time is very original. The characters are complex and the plot is intriguing. Anyone who considers them self a fan of fantasy should not pass this one up.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (2)
June 06, 2003
Winter Rose by Patricia A. McKillip, ***
Rois has always been fond of wondering around in the woods. Her sister, Laurel, and their father
constantly worry that she'll never find a husband and settle down. Their fears seem unfounded when Rois becomes obsessed with a man, Corbet, she sees in the woods one day. Rois is determined to find out more about Corbet and she soon discovers that his family is under a curse. She wants to break the curse so they can be together but her dreams are shattered when Laurel and Corbet take a liking to each other.
I enjoyed the premise of this book but the plot took forever to go anywhere. I like the dreamlike parts of the book to a certain extent but they just took up too much of the book for me to enjoy them totally. I probably would have liked this more as a short story. As for the characters, I loved Rois, hated Laurel, and was indifferent to Corbet. Even though this book didn't impress me too much I may try something else by this writer. The writing is quite good. If you like dreamlike mysteries you'll probably enjoy this book. I just prefer something a little more solid.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (2)
May 30, 2003
Wraeththu by Storm Constantine, *****
The Wraeththu are a race of supernatural beings mutated from man who are now the dominate species on the planet. Even though only men can be made into Wraeththu every member of the race is both male and female and they can even give birth. Wraeththu is actually three books in one. The first centers around Pellaz, a human turned Wraeththu who eventually becomes leader of the species. The second follows Swift, a natural born Wraeththu and son of the leader of a violent tribe. The last book returns to Cal, an important character from the first two books.
These books have everything you could ask for; great characters, plot, and writing. It really doesn't get much better than this. It took me a while to finish all three books because I'd get so attached to one character that it would be hard to switch over to another. The books may be a bit slow moving for some. There's a lot of gradual characterization and very little action. Fans of good fantasy should give this one a try but if you are homophobic, avoid it like the plague.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry?
March 25, 2003
The Fire Rose by Mercedes Lackey, *****
I adored this book! I'm a huge sucker for Beauty and the Beast/Jane Eyre stuff. I really loved the characters. Rose and Jason are what really make this book special. I really liked the elemental magic system as well. Usually explanations of magic bore me to tears but I found this one to be just as addicting as the rest of the book. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the ending. It was very rushed but at least it didn't make me want to bang my head against the wall like all the other Lackey endings I've read. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this book. Before you buy it check to make sure the cover is firmly attached if you can. Mine fell clean off before I was even through the first 100 pages. I really wish there were more books like this one.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (2)
March 24, 2003
Sea Dragon Heir by Storm Constantine, ****
This is the first book in The Magravandias Chronicles. I thought it was pretty cool. I didn't enjoy it as much as some of the author's other work but it was a very interesting read. The first half of the book is told from a woman named Pharinet's POV. She is the twin sister to the Dragon Heir, Valraven. This part of the book is pretty dark. It's full of incest and jealousy which was fairly amusing but I didn't really get hooked till the second half of the book. In the second part, the POV shifts to a recently married Madragore princess named Varencienne. As she comes to know the characters from the first part of the book the mysteries of the sea dragon begin to unravel.
I wasn't overly fond of any of the characters but I liked them all ok. The plot was interesting enough that I didn't really mind. I do look forward to learning more about some of the side characters in the second book, Crown of Silence, which I would be ordering now if I weren't broke.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry?
March 23, 2003
The Fire's Stone by Tanya Huff, ****
This book's plot is pretty average. Three strangers meet up and set out on a quest to retrieve a stolen magical object. What made this book enjoyable was the three main characters. Aaron is a runaway prince turned thief. Darvish is a drunken prince who turns out to be a pretty decent guy after he drys up a bit. Chandra is a princess who's not happy about her betrothal to Darvish because all she wants to do is wizard about. The characters are all pretty likeable and well developed for such a small book. If you are looking for a decent but light fantasy story with a bit of slash thrown in then this is a good choice.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry?
March 20, 2003
Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley, *****
This book is another Beauty and the Beast retelling by Robin McKinley. Although I liked Beauty's character better in McKinley's first novel I prefer this book to the original. Both books are wonderful but the plot and most of the characters are far more fleshed out in this book. Beauty's sisters have a lot of personality compared to the first book, when they were just nice and pretty. I also like the Beast better. His history is interesting and he even has a cute little hobby. The plot focuses on the magic as much at if focuses on the characters and the romance which makes for much more exciting reading than the original. I really love the ending of this book for a change. The one thing that's always annoyed me about the Beauty and the Beast tale is the ending but that's all I'm going to say about that. I don't want to give the ending away. I'm sure this is a book I'm going to read many times. Buy this book people!
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (3)
March 15, 2003
Deerskin by Robin McKinley, *****
Princess Lissar leads a very lonely life until her mother dies and she is sent a puppy as a gift. Lissar grows up with her dog, Ash, as her closest friend but as she gets older she looks more and more like her mother. After she is abused by her father Lissar and Ash run away from home. She lives in the woods for months not remembering her past but knowing something awful happened to her. One day she goes to a city and falls for the prince who sent her Ash but she cannot get over her past.
This is a much more adult fairytale than McKinley's other works but it is also a more realistic one. It deals with deep psychological pain and love isn't a cure for everything. It's also not a book for everyone. If themes of incest and rape bother you then you should avoid this book. I'm not saying that this book is a completely sad one though. The sad beginning makes the happy moments and the journey to get there very satisfying. This is the best book I've read in a while and any fairytale fan is sure to enjoy it.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry? | Comments (1)
March 13, 2003
The Still by David Feintuch, *****
I love this book!! Finally a book where the man has to stay a virgin to gain the holy super magical power. Ha! I laugh in his face! Of course the virgin rule doesn't seem to include having sex with other men. ^_^ Anyway, the main character, Roddy, is a bit of a brat (I keep having to resist the urge to call him brat prince so a certain blond vampire doesn't get angry with me) but I like him anyway. I certainly don't feel the deep hatred for him that most people feel. Actually, I think the most annoying thing about him is his straightness. He really needs to get over that....... Just kidding. ^_^ One of the best things about this book is how realistic the characters are. Roddy is certainly not your typical fantasy hero. The supporting cast are all very lifelike as well.
The slash in this book is pretty tame and doesn't take up a huge chunk of the plot so non slash fans should still enjoy it. But for all you hard core slash fans the story is interesting enough you hardly even notice the lack of slash. I really love how the story focuses on the political more than the magical aspects of Roddy's quest to be king. Magic is all well and good, but a big problem in many fantasy books is that the plot is almost entirely made up of the various magical rules. I find that sort of thing dull but that is never a problem in this book. The book also moves at a good pace. I don't feel things are rushed or prolonged at all.
The only thing that I really didn't like about this book is how abrupt the ending is. I really hope there's a sequel in the works. If not I might have to tie David Feintuch to his computer and make him write one............. kidding again.
I think this is may favorite fantasy novel besides the Nightrunner series by Lynn Flewelling. Even if fantasy and slash aren't your favorite genres you should still pick up a copy of this book.
Category, Fantasy|
Link this entry?