Okay, so I've stated before that I do not like to give bad book reviews. In fact, I tried everything under the sun to like these books. I read through book 1, 2 and 3 and could not make myself read book 4. So brace yourselves, I'm about to get real.
Imagine watching a movie but instead of watching it flow seamlessly, watch it still frame by still frame. One picture at a time. That is what reading these books are like. Each chapter is choppy with no transition from one scene to the next. She throws characters into the mix only to have them be dropped in the next chapter and never heard from again. There is no backstory, no explanations, no thorough description of anything. Shade, the main character, takes everything at face value and just follows random people/elves to various conflicts simply b/c she is told to do it. She has maybe a page or two with one character and then several chapters later (after these characters have been dropped as previously mentioned), Shade laments that her dearest friends are in danger and such. Seriously, one paragraph and I'm supposed to understand the connection between two characters?!?
And here's the really disappointing thing, Purdy has the potential to make this a great book series. The premise of the story is great! The love story is kinda cool and I only read through 3 books b/c I wanted to see where she took Shade and Dylan. But I can't stand the disjointed nature of the book. It reminded of a 15 year old's first attempt at a book report. It has some great points and potential to really be enjoyable but it's so choppy that it feels juvenile and unprofessional. I was really distraught over how much I disliked reading this. I wanted to like it so much. I wanted to see how she completes the story in book 4 but I don't know if I can sit through anymore.
Let me just add one more thought: I love that there are authors out there who are self-publishing. Not only are the books fairly inexpensive but they also get published much quicker. However, sometimes the publishing process is so worth it. There tend to be WAY more mistakes and inconsistencies in self-published books. Another series, Paranormal Public, was one I started. I went through EIGHT books in the series and got to the point where the inconsistencies became too much and I refuse to read anymore. Please authors, consider going through the publishing process. The mistakes, the discrepancies, the disjointed nature can take a good book and send it spiraling into disaster. As is the case in Ever Shade, Ever Fire, and Ever Winter.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
the Velesi Trilogy by L. Filloon
So this review will encompass all 3 books: The Binding, The Drifting, and The Whispering.
First off: there is no sex in this book. Some suggestive statements but nothing descriptive like that. There is some foul language, particularly in Book 3 but I would recommend this to an older teen. It is definitely YA.
This series is great if you love books about the fae, faeries, elves, that sort of thing. The story jumps up and starts running right out of the gate. Lily is thrown into this world and within the first chapter she is finding out she is betrothed to an elf prince and is wanted dead or alive. She is literally thrown into this storyline....there is no build-up. However, this author does it in such a way that you don't feel like you're missing a lot of details. Things are explained as you go along and you find the action of the book forward moving.
What sells me on this book is her cast of characters. Often in books, the main couple/love interests make the book interesting but not this book. Every. single. character is funny and lovable and I want her to write a series about each and every one of them. As much as I get invested in the relationship of Lily and Tharin, I find myself rooting for Julia and Tolan as well. I love Tolan. He is kinda the sidekick but he is so LOVABLE! And the fellas that round up the ensemble: Alorn, Phoris, Ziri, and Mellis. I think I find myself more in love with Mellis than Tharin, which is saying a lot.
Now my one critique: I get a little tired of the back and forth with Lily and Tharin. "Does he love me? Does he love her? I have to give him up for the greater good....." "She hasn't said she loves me. She seems uncertain. I'm jealous of any man that looks at her b/c she may want him instead of me." Blah blah blah! Move on you two! Someone lay the cards out on the table and be done with it. That aspect was a little juvenile for me. But what I recommend these books? Absolutely! I really do love when the story is finished and she manages, not only to complete the journey she started but she leaves a teaser dangling and maybe, just maybe, one day my adorable little "sidekicks" will have their own novel and their own story to tell. I'm really looking forward to that: Truly!
I'll include the amazon descriptions:
The Binding:
Two nights after her eighteenth birthday, Lily is attacked while out jogging but is saved by Tharin Lunar, a Sidhe prince. When she discovers her attacker is her own brother, Lucas, who disappeared four years ago, Lily refuses to believe he would truly hurt her and becomes determined to find Lucas and bring him home. She finds Lucas's disappearance is somehow tied to Tharin; so when he informs her that she is his betrothed and must return with him to Velesi, fulfill a treaty between their families and unite the two strongest clans through their marriage, Lily agrees. However, she is not going to Velesi for a wedding, but to bring home her only family, Lucas. On their journey to the borders of Velesi, the realm of the Thirteen Clans, they are pursued by a Sidhe assassin group call the Ange, meet with an ogre crime lord that ends badly, deal with a sleazy troll motel manager, and when they discover there is a bounty on their heads, they must keep one step ahead of every assassin, bounty hunter and low-life criminal from Velesi. Protecting Lily has become the biggest challenge of Tharin's life. Lucky for him he has help in the form of his twin brother, Tolan, Lily's best friend Julia and his three bodyguard cousins – Alorn, Phoris and Mellis.
The Drifting:
It is Lily’s first day in the Velesi realm but not as the princess she was made to believe, but as a captive to a strange Lithi elf name Ziri – Tharin and Tolan’s mysterious brother. Who is he and why has he taken her? Or is he only a pawn in someone’s deadly game of chess? Tharin and Lily discover a prophecy involving the Unnamed Sidhe and a way back to Eirrell, the birthplace of the Thirteen Clans. However, before they can get to the doorway to Eirrell, Lily must first make it to the Day of the Seating to take her rightful place on the throne of the Willow Clan. Tharin must keep Lily safe until the Day of the Seating even if it means keeping the beautiful Sidhe warrior Kalis close to him. Will he be able to protect his naïve, but stubborn bride-to-be not just from Harlu but from his warrior mistress? He once again turns to his brother and cousin, to only find that Tolan has his own problems with his feisty Julia. Thank goodness for the future king of Velesi that he has Phoris, Alorn and Mellis to cover his royal back. Welcome to Velesi, a realm existing alongside our own with their own rules, their own players and their own way of life.
The Whispering:
Tharin and Lily find themselves back in Pathen in search of Julia and the key to Eirrell, but old foes and new ones are in close pursuit. Adding to their plight, all doorways to Velesi have been closed. Forced to discover a way back to their realm, the group finds help from new friends and those who once stood against them are now allies. To make matters worse, a betrayal causes the door to the UnderRealm to open, allowing demons and monsters once imprisoned to roam the realm freely. Time is of the essence as there are only two Ancients left while Ka grows weaker, struggling to hold the realm together. It is up to Tharin and Lily to find the doorway to Eirrell, call the Unnamed Sidhe and save Velesi. Journey back to Velesi and join Tharin, Lily, Tolan, Julia, Alorn, Mellis, Ziri and Cessa to save the realm and maybe have a wedding...or two, but then again, it is Velesi...so maybe not.
First off: there is no sex in this book. Some suggestive statements but nothing descriptive like that. There is some foul language, particularly in Book 3 but I would recommend this to an older teen. It is definitely YA.
This series is great if you love books about the fae, faeries, elves, that sort of thing. The story jumps up and starts running right out of the gate. Lily is thrown into this world and within the first chapter she is finding out she is betrothed to an elf prince and is wanted dead or alive. She is literally thrown into this storyline....there is no build-up. However, this author does it in such a way that you don't feel like you're missing a lot of details. Things are explained as you go along and you find the action of the book forward moving.
What sells me on this book is her cast of characters. Often in books, the main couple/love interests make the book interesting but not this book. Every. single. character is funny and lovable and I want her to write a series about each and every one of them. As much as I get invested in the relationship of Lily and Tharin, I find myself rooting for Julia and Tolan as well. I love Tolan. He is kinda the sidekick but he is so LOVABLE! And the fellas that round up the ensemble: Alorn, Phoris, Ziri, and Mellis. I think I find myself more in love with Mellis than Tharin, which is saying a lot.
Now my one critique: I get a little tired of the back and forth with Lily and Tharin. "Does he love me? Does he love her? I have to give him up for the greater good....." "She hasn't said she loves me. She seems uncertain. I'm jealous of any man that looks at her b/c she may want him instead of me." Blah blah blah! Move on you two! Someone lay the cards out on the table and be done with it. That aspect was a little juvenile for me. But what I recommend these books? Absolutely! I really do love when the story is finished and she manages, not only to complete the journey she started but she leaves a teaser dangling and maybe, just maybe, one day my adorable little "sidekicks" will have their own novel and their own story to tell. I'm really looking forward to that: Truly!
I'll include the amazon descriptions:
The Binding:
Two nights after her eighteenth birthday, Lily is attacked while out jogging but is saved by Tharin Lunar, a Sidhe prince. When she discovers her attacker is her own brother, Lucas, who disappeared four years ago, Lily refuses to believe he would truly hurt her and becomes determined to find Lucas and bring him home. She finds Lucas's disappearance is somehow tied to Tharin; so when he informs her that she is his betrothed and must return with him to Velesi, fulfill a treaty between their families and unite the two strongest clans through their marriage, Lily agrees. However, she is not going to Velesi for a wedding, but to bring home her only family, Lucas. On their journey to the borders of Velesi, the realm of the Thirteen Clans, they are pursued by a Sidhe assassin group call the Ange, meet with an ogre crime lord that ends badly, deal with a sleazy troll motel manager, and when they discover there is a bounty on their heads, they must keep one step ahead of every assassin, bounty hunter and low-life criminal from Velesi. Protecting Lily has become the biggest challenge of Tharin's life. Lucky for him he has help in the form of his twin brother, Tolan, Lily's best friend Julia and his three bodyguard cousins – Alorn, Phoris and Mellis.
The Drifting:
It is Lily’s first day in the Velesi realm but not as the princess she was made to believe, but as a captive to a strange Lithi elf name Ziri – Tharin and Tolan’s mysterious brother. Who is he and why has he taken her? Or is he only a pawn in someone’s deadly game of chess? Tharin and Lily discover a prophecy involving the Unnamed Sidhe and a way back to Eirrell, the birthplace of the Thirteen Clans. However, before they can get to the doorway to Eirrell, Lily must first make it to the Day of the Seating to take her rightful place on the throne of the Willow Clan. Tharin must keep Lily safe until the Day of the Seating even if it means keeping the beautiful Sidhe warrior Kalis close to him. Will he be able to protect his naïve, but stubborn bride-to-be not just from Harlu but from his warrior mistress? He once again turns to his brother and cousin, to only find that Tolan has his own problems with his feisty Julia. Thank goodness for the future king of Velesi that he has Phoris, Alorn and Mellis to cover his royal back. Welcome to Velesi, a realm existing alongside our own with their own rules, their own players and their own way of life.
The Whispering:
Tharin and Lily find themselves back in Pathen in search of Julia and the key to Eirrell, but old foes and new ones are in close pursuit. Adding to their plight, all doorways to Velesi have been closed. Forced to discover a way back to their realm, the group finds help from new friends and those who once stood against them are now allies. To make matters worse, a betrayal causes the door to the UnderRealm to open, allowing demons and monsters once imprisoned to roam the realm freely. Time is of the essence as there are only two Ancients left while Ka grows weaker, struggling to hold the realm together. It is up to Tharin and Lily to find the doorway to Eirrell, call the Unnamed Sidhe and save Velesi. Journey back to Velesi and join Tharin, Lily, Tolan, Julia, Alorn, Mellis, Ziri and Cessa to save the realm and maybe have a wedding...or two, but then again, it is Velesi...so maybe not.
Poisonwell (Whispers of Mirrowen Book 3) by Jeff Wheeler
SPOILER ALERT! I will discuss book 3 and if you haven't read book 1 or 2 yet, Stop reading this!
Now this is the second series of Jeff Wheeler that I've read and I've talked much about how I don't normally like male writers but this guy does well. He keeps the storyline moving and he manages to write a pretty decent love story in his books. In this series' case, there are a few love stories and he handles them all well. I particularly love where he goes with Phae's and Scion's story. He even manages to honk me off a few times but comes back and makes it up to the reader so I forgive him. I love those kind of plot twists. Here's why: after you've read so many books, sometimes other books become predictable. You can tell where the author is going to go before you even get to that point. B/c it's what makes sense and what makes the story likable. This author however throws "conventional writing" out the window. He writes a few twists in the story that makes you think that he doesn't really care whether you like it or not. And that's what makes it unpredictable. There were a few times in this book that I almost thought I didn't want to get to the end b/c he killed a character or took a turn that I didn't want or expect. However, he finished it nicely and neatly and I forgave him in the end! (heeheehee)
Now, with all that being said, he did what I complain about male authors.....he got WORDY! That's right! He did what I hate! He got so long winded and tried to write a little prequel novella shoved right there about about 3/4 of the way through the book. I couldn't believe it! Here we are, at the BIG MOMENT, the whole SHE-BANG, the reason you have to see what will happen, will good triumph over evil?!? And he stops and makes the heroine, in this case Phae, go back to where the original story began, like 2000 years prior and then you have to relive the beginning life of the villian. ARE YOU SERIOUS!?! And what's worse, he totally copies a story from Greek mythology and disguises within his own backstory. Not cool, Mr. Wheeler, not cool!
So with all that being said, I skipped a few chapters in this book to get to the end. To get back to the characters that I've been following for 3 books. When I want to read the prequel, I'll go back and read those chapters but personal opinion, they had no business in the middle of this book. I will recommend this book if you've read the first two books of the Mirrowen series. But if you are crunched for time and want a real series to sink your teeth into, read his other series (Legends of Muirwood). I already reviewed those three and liked them much better overall.
Amazon description:
Now this is the second series of Jeff Wheeler that I've read and I've talked much about how I don't normally like male writers but this guy does well. He keeps the storyline moving and he manages to write a pretty decent love story in his books. In this series' case, there are a few love stories and he handles them all well. I particularly love where he goes with Phae's and Scion's story. He even manages to honk me off a few times but comes back and makes it up to the reader so I forgive him. I love those kind of plot twists. Here's why: after you've read so many books, sometimes other books become predictable. You can tell where the author is going to go before you even get to that point. B/c it's what makes sense and what makes the story likable. This author however throws "conventional writing" out the window. He writes a few twists in the story that makes you think that he doesn't really care whether you like it or not. And that's what makes it unpredictable. There were a few times in this book that I almost thought I didn't want to get to the end b/c he killed a character or took a turn that I didn't want or expect. However, he finished it nicely and neatly and I forgave him in the end! (heeheehee)
Now, with all that being said, he did what I complain about male authors.....he got WORDY! That's right! He did what I hate! He got so long winded and tried to write a little prequel novella shoved right there about about 3/4 of the way through the book. I couldn't believe it! Here we are, at the BIG MOMENT, the whole SHE-BANG, the reason you have to see what will happen, will good triumph over evil?!? And he stops and makes the heroine, in this case Phae, go back to where the original story began, like 2000 years prior and then you have to relive the beginning life of the villian. ARE YOU SERIOUS!?! And what's worse, he totally copies a story from Greek mythology and disguises within his own backstory. Not cool, Mr. Wheeler, not cool!
So with all that being said, I skipped a few chapters in this book to get to the end. To get back to the characters that I've been following for 3 books. When I want to read the prequel, I'll go back and read those chapters but personal opinion, they had no business in the middle of this book. I will recommend this book if you've read the first two books of the Mirrowen series. But if you are crunched for time and want a real series to sink your teeth into, read his other series (Legends of Muirwood). I already reviewed those three and liked them much better overall.
Amazon description:
The battle to save the kingdoms devastated
by the Plague culminates in this exhilarating finale to the Whispers
from Mirrowen trilogy.
If there is anything more dangerous than the Plague itself, it is the journey that awaits those sworn to stop it. Tyrus, the renegade magic-wielder exiled from Kenatos, knows this firsthand. His original mission through the Scourgelands met a tragic end, leaving him as the sole survivor.
Now all hope lies with his daughter, Phae, the uniquely gifted Dryad-born who can not only steal memories but also summon the power of the fireblood—and who alone has the power to breach the lost gate of Mirrowen. But first Phae and the comrades who have come to her aid must survive the most dangerous place on earth: the Scourgelands.
The menacing woods prove every bit as treacherous as reputed. Murder, sacrifice, deception, and an epic battle with a beast ensue. Will Phae reach the land beyond the grasp of the deadly Plague…or will the quest through the Scourgelands end in tragedy once again?
If there is anything more dangerous than the Plague itself, it is the journey that awaits those sworn to stop it. Tyrus, the renegade magic-wielder exiled from Kenatos, knows this firsthand. His original mission through the Scourgelands met a tragic end, leaving him as the sole survivor.
Now all hope lies with his daughter, Phae, the uniquely gifted Dryad-born who can not only steal memories but also summon the power of the fireblood—and who alone has the power to breach the lost gate of Mirrowen. But first Phae and the comrades who have come to her aid must survive the most dangerous place on earth: the Scourgelands.
The menacing woods prove every bit as treacherous as reputed. Murder, sacrifice, deception, and an epic battle with a beast ensue. Will Phae reach the land beyond the grasp of the deadly Plague…or will the quest through the Scourgelands end in tragedy once again?
Monday, February 23, 2015
the Divergent series by Veronica Roth
Okay kiddos, so here goes with the review of Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant. And don't you worry: I have A LOT to say!
So let me say a few things right off the bat. 1. Spoiler alert! I'm gonna talk about big stuff! 2. I did a big no-no by watching the movie BEFORE reading a book. That is almost never a good thing. I almost always like the book better than the movie (with the exception of The Princess Bride). With all that being said.....I loved BOTH the book Divergent and the movie Divergent. The other two books brought out quite a bit of feeling from me.
Normally, I would include the amazon description of the books before I review them. B/c this is a popular series, I'm going to put the descriptions at the bottom and my reviews at top. Sorry to change things up.
Okay, Divergent:
I. love. Four. I do; I love him. He is just a pea in my pod! I love his hostility, his vulnerability and the way he loves. I love the way he loves Tris. I get it. I enjoy Tris in the first book. I love to see her growth. I like the way she comes into herself as time goes on. I think Roth does a great job of creating a world that you can envision. The supporting characters are wonderful and have the great effect of being friends, comic relief, antagonists and just all around the spectrum of supporting characters. She begins STRONG with this storyline and I love where she goes with it. I almost wish she'd stopped with book 1. But it's okay; I'm not a hater.
Insurgent:
Let me break down Insurgent for you. 1. Run to another faction. 2. Stay there until you get kicked out/betrayed. 3. Cause an uproar that turns that faction upside down. 4. Get captured. 5. Escape. 6. Repeat in another faction/factionless. That is the whole of Insurgent. Meanwhile, the love story makes me move forward. I'll talk more about that in a minute.
Allegiant:
Words. More Words. And a lull......... Just keep reading.
Okay, so here's my honest opinion. Divergent is pure action and emotion and this nice little love story simmering along the bottom of the storyline and I loved that. Insurgent also had much action but I found the action a bit redundant. Insurgent's redeeming quality was the love story still simmers along the bottom. I think there were some profound love story moments in this book. Four, under the truth serum, confessing his feelings for Tris made my heart giggle. Her "death" in Insurgent brought about this great surge of emotion from so many characters, I loved that aspect. Why, oh why, oh why, oh why did I have to get 75% through the SECOND book for this girl to tell the boy she loved him?!? That had me way more frustrated than I should probably admit.
Now, had I made this review before finishing Allegiant, I would have ripped it to shreds. Allegiant has hardly any action in my opinion. I once read where JK Rowling said that she killed many parents in the Harry Potter series to demonstrate that war leaves orphans. And I won't even discuss Hunger Games and what she was trying to prove through it's violence. I have no issues with violence; I have no issues with war. I read to escape; to get away from the reality and the mundane of being a stay at home mom. I don't particularly like to read and feel a political statement being made through what I'm reading. I feel like Allegiant is a HUGE political statement. Roth is really trying to tell you something about war. At one point, I felt a parallel between this book and its "genetic purity" and Hitler and his pursuit for genetic purity. I really felt like she was so wordy in her attempt to teach us something. With all that being said, once I finished Allegiant, I liked it! I like how she ended it the book. There are some things I would do differently, if I were the author :) But I thought she ended it on a sweet note. Had it been reversed with the other character sacrificing, I don't think she could've ended with such a bittersweet note....it would just have been bitter. She made a great political statement when all was said and done...life carries on and you learn to move on or get left behind. I would've loved to seen more depth to Peter and maybe even Caleb. I would've loved for there to have been a huge romantic gesture by Four but let's be honest, by the end of Allegiant, Roth was over romantic gestures. She ended it having made her point and having said what she came here to say.
My final opinion: Will I reread this series? One day, many moons later, after I've grieved and accepted the fate of all the characters. Will I watch the other movies? Yeah. Will I continue to love Four and his sad little state of being? Oh, my yes. Will I recommend this series to you? Yes, as long as you know that there is a portion of the series where you have to remind yourself "just see where it goes". I feel like part of the time I was reading just to see what she would do with it. And in the end, I was pleased.
Now, for Amazon's description:
Divergent:
One choice can transform you. Beatrice Prior's society is divided into five factions—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Beatrice must choose between staying with her Abnegation family and transferring factions. Her choice will shock her community and herself. But the newly christened Tris also has a secret, one she's determined to keep hidden, because in this world, what makes you different makes you dangerous.
Insurgent:
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful.
Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
Allegiant:
What if your whole world was a lie? What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything? What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?
So let me say a few things right off the bat. 1. Spoiler alert! I'm gonna talk about big stuff! 2. I did a big no-no by watching the movie BEFORE reading a book. That is almost never a good thing. I almost always like the book better than the movie (with the exception of The Princess Bride). With all that being said.....I loved BOTH the book Divergent and the movie Divergent. The other two books brought out quite a bit of feeling from me.
Normally, I would include the amazon description of the books before I review them. B/c this is a popular series, I'm going to put the descriptions at the bottom and my reviews at top. Sorry to change things up.
Okay, Divergent:
I. love. Four. I do; I love him. He is just a pea in my pod! I love his hostility, his vulnerability and the way he loves. I love the way he loves Tris. I get it. I enjoy Tris in the first book. I love to see her growth. I like the way she comes into herself as time goes on. I think Roth does a great job of creating a world that you can envision. The supporting characters are wonderful and have the great effect of being friends, comic relief, antagonists and just all around the spectrum of supporting characters. She begins STRONG with this storyline and I love where she goes with it. I almost wish she'd stopped with book 1. But it's okay; I'm not a hater.
Insurgent:
Let me break down Insurgent for you. 1. Run to another faction. 2. Stay there until you get kicked out/betrayed. 3. Cause an uproar that turns that faction upside down. 4. Get captured. 5. Escape. 6. Repeat in another faction/factionless. That is the whole of Insurgent. Meanwhile, the love story makes me move forward. I'll talk more about that in a minute.
Allegiant:
Words. More Words. And a lull......... Just keep reading.
Okay, so here's my honest opinion. Divergent is pure action and emotion and this nice little love story simmering along the bottom of the storyline and I loved that. Insurgent also had much action but I found the action a bit redundant. Insurgent's redeeming quality was the love story still simmers along the bottom. I think there were some profound love story moments in this book. Four, under the truth serum, confessing his feelings for Tris made my heart giggle. Her "death" in Insurgent brought about this great surge of emotion from so many characters, I loved that aspect. Why, oh why, oh why, oh why did I have to get 75% through the SECOND book for this girl to tell the boy she loved him?!? That had me way more frustrated than I should probably admit.
Now, had I made this review before finishing Allegiant, I would have ripped it to shreds. Allegiant has hardly any action in my opinion. I once read where JK Rowling said that she killed many parents in the Harry Potter series to demonstrate that war leaves orphans. And I won't even discuss Hunger Games and what she was trying to prove through it's violence. I have no issues with violence; I have no issues with war. I read to escape; to get away from the reality and the mundane of being a stay at home mom. I don't particularly like to read and feel a political statement being made through what I'm reading. I feel like Allegiant is a HUGE political statement. Roth is really trying to tell you something about war. At one point, I felt a parallel between this book and its "genetic purity" and Hitler and his pursuit for genetic purity. I really felt like she was so wordy in her attempt to teach us something. With all that being said, once I finished Allegiant, I liked it! I like how she ended it the book. There are some things I would do differently, if I were the author :) But I thought she ended it on a sweet note. Had it been reversed with the other character sacrificing, I don't think she could've ended with such a bittersweet note....it would just have been bitter. She made a great political statement when all was said and done...life carries on and you learn to move on or get left behind. I would've loved to seen more depth to Peter and maybe even Caleb. I would've loved for there to have been a huge romantic gesture by Four but let's be honest, by the end of Allegiant, Roth was over romantic gestures. She ended it having made her point and having said what she came here to say.
My final opinion: Will I reread this series? One day, many moons later, after I've grieved and accepted the fate of all the characters. Will I watch the other movies? Yeah. Will I continue to love Four and his sad little state of being? Oh, my yes. Will I recommend this series to you? Yes, as long as you know that there is a portion of the series where you have to remind yourself "just see where it goes". I feel like part of the time I was reading just to see what she would do with it. And in the end, I was pleased.
Now, for Amazon's description:
Divergent:
One choice can transform you. Beatrice Prior's society is divided into five factions—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Beatrice must choose between staying with her Abnegation family and transferring factions. Her choice will shock her community and herself. But the newly christened Tris also has a secret, one she's determined to keep hidden, because in this world, what makes you different makes you dangerous.
Insurgent:
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful.
Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
Allegiant:
What if your whole world was a lie? What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything? What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Lark Rising by Sandra Waugh
This book is a fairly new release and I can't wait for the sequel. I'm not sure what genre it would qualify for except maybe fantasy.
Let's start with amazon's description:
Sixteen-year-old Lark Carew is happiest close to home, tending her garden and gathering herbs for medicines. But when her Sight warns her that monsters called Troths will soon invade her village, Lark is summoned on a journey to seek help from the legendary Riders of Tarnec. Little does she suspect that one of the Riders, Gharain, is the very man who has haunted her visions. Or that the people of Tarnec have called her there for another reason: Lark is the Guardian of Life, the first of four Guardians who must awaken their powers to recover four stolen amulets. Together, the amulets—Life, Death, Dark, and Light—keep the world in Balance. To take back the Life amulet, Lark will have to discover her true inner strength and give in to a love that she swears will be her downfall.
My review:
Let's start with Lark. She seems like a pretty simple girl. She gets visions when she touches something (in another book series this gift is called "pyschometry"--don't I sound smart?). These visions can be gifts or curses. She shies away from human touch b/c of this gift. She doesn't like to be far from home b/c she can be overwhelmed by the emotions. She starts off very shy, content with her little place in life and her small role in her world. But she gets summoned/destined to head off on an adventure and off she goes. Quickly she is confronted with terrifying creatures and circumstances but this where Lark starts to grow and shine. Bravery is said to be the act of courage in the midst of fear. Lark is definitely brave. She learns to head off on a quest that she didn't ask for and really isn't close to prepared for but she does it anyway and by the end of book 1, you're not only rooting for her but you almost want to wink at how she has become so smart.
Bring in a group of "riders" (think knights) and you have the beginning of a great love story. Gharain carries some major angst when he meets Lark and to be honest, if I'd been her, I would've slapped the boy silly upon first meeting. He carries some baggage and at first it annoys me. But just as Lark grows up, Gharain learns to get over past mistakes and seeks to be better than the past. (I'm soundly majorly like Yoda right now; this books makes me philosophical I guess.)
Anyhooooo, the author manages to throw in some quirky side characters that make me wish for more backstories or even future stories which is why I'm so excited for book 2. She adds these side characters and makes them so darn likable that I think she could run this series on and on if she wanted. I look forward to seeing where she goes with it.
Oh, and for those who like to censor, there is no foul language and one kissing scene that is so ambiguous that I'm still wondering "did they or didn't they?". So certainly nothing graphic and just fun enough to make me smile when she blushes at Gharain getting out of the pool. I totally recommend it!
Let's start with amazon's description:
Sixteen-year-old Lark Carew is happiest close to home, tending her garden and gathering herbs for medicines. But when her Sight warns her that monsters called Troths will soon invade her village, Lark is summoned on a journey to seek help from the legendary Riders of Tarnec. Little does she suspect that one of the Riders, Gharain, is the very man who has haunted her visions. Or that the people of Tarnec have called her there for another reason: Lark is the Guardian of Life, the first of four Guardians who must awaken their powers to recover four stolen amulets. Together, the amulets—Life, Death, Dark, and Light—keep the world in Balance. To take back the Life amulet, Lark will have to discover her true inner strength and give in to a love that she swears will be her downfall.
My review:
Let's start with Lark. She seems like a pretty simple girl. She gets visions when she touches something (in another book series this gift is called "pyschometry"--don't I sound smart?). These visions can be gifts or curses. She shies away from human touch b/c of this gift. She doesn't like to be far from home b/c she can be overwhelmed by the emotions. She starts off very shy, content with her little place in life and her small role in her world. But she gets summoned/destined to head off on an adventure and off she goes. Quickly she is confronted with terrifying creatures and circumstances but this where Lark starts to grow and shine. Bravery is said to be the act of courage in the midst of fear. Lark is definitely brave. She learns to head off on a quest that she didn't ask for and really isn't close to prepared for but she does it anyway and by the end of book 1, you're not only rooting for her but you almost want to wink at how she has become so smart.
Bring in a group of "riders" (think knights) and you have the beginning of a great love story. Gharain carries some major angst when he meets Lark and to be honest, if I'd been her, I would've slapped the boy silly upon first meeting. He carries some baggage and at first it annoys me. But just as Lark grows up, Gharain learns to get over past mistakes and seeks to be better than the past. (I'm soundly majorly like Yoda right now; this books makes me philosophical I guess.)
Anyhooooo, the author manages to throw in some quirky side characters that make me wish for more backstories or even future stories which is why I'm so excited for book 2. She adds these side characters and makes them so darn likable that I think she could run this series on and on if she wanted. I look forward to seeing where she goes with it.
Oh, and for those who like to censor, there is no foul language and one kissing scene that is so ambiguous that I'm still wondering "did they or didn't they?". So certainly nothing graphic and just fun enough to make me smile when she blushes at Gharain getting out of the pool. I totally recommend it!
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Creepy Hollow series by Rachel Morgan
So, again I'm reviewing an entire series at a time and you'll thank me b/c Morgan leaves book 2 in a major cliff hanger so be thankful you didn't have to wait for book 3 like I did. Actually, I read these books last year and decided to review them after rereading them b/c I like them that much.
So here's the amazon descriptions:
Faerie Guardian (Creepy Hollow Book 1):
Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day's work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone--she's about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until a cute human boy who can somehow see through her faerie glamour follows her into the fae realm. Now she's broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion.
The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he's discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? Not when you factor in evil faeries, long-lost family members, and inconvenient feelings of the romantic kind. Vi is about to find herself tangled up in a dangerous plot--and it'll take all her training to get out of it alive.
Faerie Prince (book 2):
Guardian trainee Violet Fairdale is just weeks away from one of the most important occasions of her life: graduation. After messing up big time by bringing a human into the fae realm, Vi needs to step up her game and forget about Nate if she hopes to graduate as the top guardian of her year. Everything would be fine if she wasn't forced to partner with Ryn, her ex-friend, ex-enemy, current 'sort of friend'. They might be trying to patch up their relationship, but does she really want to spend a week undercover with him for their final assignment? On top of that, the possibly insane Unseelie Prince is still on the loose, free to 'collect' as many specially talented faeries as he can find--and Vi is still at the top of his list. Add in faerie queens, enchanted storms, complicated not-just-friends feelings, and a murder within the Guild itself, and graduation is about to become the least of Vi's problems.
Faerie War (Book 3):
Violet Fairdale is in big trouble. Her home is gone, her beloved forest lies in ruins, the guy she gave her heart to has deserted her—and she doesn’t remember any of it. The powerful Lord Draven is taking over, brainwashing guardians into fighting for him. No one is safe from the evil spreading throughout the fae world.
As alliances are forged between the remaining free fae, Vi struggles to reclaim her identity and figure out where she belongs in this new world. When someone from her past shows up, life gets even more complicated. He brings with him a long-forgotten weapon and an ancient prophecy that places Vi at the center of the fight against Draven. With the future of the fae world at stake, can Vi carry out the prophecy’s instructions before it’s too late?
Okay, my review: First off, this is a good YA book. There is no explicit sex. There are make-out sessions but they are teenagers, make-out sessions are fun! There is only one curse word used throughout the series and it isn't referring to a donkey.
Book 1 is not my favorite but it starts a good story. It is definitely the beginning of greater things to come and book 2 is by far greater. I love Violet in book 1. She is kinda naive in the first book. She is strong, independent, and has a plan.....but sometimes plans just don't go the way we, well, plan. She has some puppy love and of course, that's what starts her whole mess. But what I love the most is how she grows as the series goes on. And I love, love, love Ryn! He's up there on my top 5 favorite fictional crushes! That's pretty big stuff! I have a few assassins and tough fellas on that list and this goofy, reckless, playboy steals my heart and yay b/c he steals Violet's heart too!
Book 3 is a few things for me. Okay, I mentioned that book 2 is a cliff hanger....like a HUGE cliff hanger and so I was a little impatient with book 3. You can't leave me hanging and then slowly drag me around from a couple different points of view. Now, with that being said, some people may like that. I was sitting on the edge of my seat seeing how she would bring it all back around together and she did....but it took awhile. I also felt that she spent so much time bringing it all back around and then rushed the big confrontation at the end. She could've given me about 5 more chapters for the big final conflict. She also left something unresolved. So while it seemingly ends, I can see her surprising us with another story down the line. I also will mention, though it's not a criticism, that I saw some parallels with Harry Potter and the Mortal Instruments series. I even noticed some similar character names as the City of Bones gang. I don't know if it was intentional or maybe just something I picked up on. I don't think she stole ideas at all but there were some similarities that I think someone might notice, if they look hard enough.
With all that being said, like I mentioned earlier, I reread this series. I really like this series. I love Violet and Ryn. Nate is a little "ehn" for me but you can't win them all and that's okay. I recommend these books. If you like kick butt faeries, magical realms parallel to the human world, and you like a little romance in between all out battles, you'll like this series :)
So here's the amazon descriptions:
Faerie Guardian (Creepy Hollow Book 1):
Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day's work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone--she's about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until a cute human boy who can somehow see through her faerie glamour follows her into the fae realm. Now she's broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion.
The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he's discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? Not when you factor in evil faeries, long-lost family members, and inconvenient feelings of the romantic kind. Vi is about to find herself tangled up in a dangerous plot--and it'll take all her training to get out of it alive.
Faerie Prince (book 2):
Guardian trainee Violet Fairdale is just weeks away from one of the most important occasions of her life: graduation. After messing up big time by bringing a human into the fae realm, Vi needs to step up her game and forget about Nate if she hopes to graduate as the top guardian of her year. Everything would be fine if she wasn't forced to partner with Ryn, her ex-friend, ex-enemy, current 'sort of friend'. They might be trying to patch up their relationship, but does she really want to spend a week undercover with him for their final assignment? On top of that, the possibly insane Unseelie Prince is still on the loose, free to 'collect' as many specially talented faeries as he can find--and Vi is still at the top of his list. Add in faerie queens, enchanted storms, complicated not-just-friends feelings, and a murder within the Guild itself, and graduation is about to become the least of Vi's problems.
Faerie War (Book 3):
Violet Fairdale is in big trouble. Her home is gone, her beloved forest lies in ruins, the guy she gave her heart to has deserted her—and she doesn’t remember any of it. The powerful Lord Draven is taking over, brainwashing guardians into fighting for him. No one is safe from the evil spreading throughout the fae world.
As alliances are forged between the remaining free fae, Vi struggles to reclaim her identity and figure out where she belongs in this new world. When someone from her past shows up, life gets even more complicated. He brings with him a long-forgotten weapon and an ancient prophecy that places Vi at the center of the fight against Draven. With the future of the fae world at stake, can Vi carry out the prophecy’s instructions before it’s too late?
Okay, my review: First off, this is a good YA book. There is no explicit sex. There are make-out sessions but they are teenagers, make-out sessions are fun! There is only one curse word used throughout the series and it isn't referring to a donkey.
Book 1 is not my favorite but it starts a good story. It is definitely the beginning of greater things to come and book 2 is by far greater. I love Violet in book 1. She is kinda naive in the first book. She is strong, independent, and has a plan.....but sometimes plans just don't go the way we, well, plan. She has some puppy love and of course, that's what starts her whole mess. But what I love the most is how she grows as the series goes on. And I love, love, love Ryn! He's up there on my top 5 favorite fictional crushes! That's pretty big stuff! I have a few assassins and tough fellas on that list and this goofy, reckless, playboy steals my heart and yay b/c he steals Violet's heart too!
Book 3 is a few things for me. Okay, I mentioned that book 2 is a cliff hanger....like a HUGE cliff hanger and so I was a little impatient with book 3. You can't leave me hanging and then slowly drag me around from a couple different points of view. Now, with that being said, some people may like that. I was sitting on the edge of my seat seeing how she would bring it all back around together and she did....but it took awhile. I also felt that she spent so much time bringing it all back around and then rushed the big confrontation at the end. She could've given me about 5 more chapters for the big final conflict. She also left something unresolved. So while it seemingly ends, I can see her surprising us with another story down the line. I also will mention, though it's not a criticism, that I saw some parallels with Harry Potter and the Mortal Instruments series. I even noticed some similar character names as the City of Bones gang. I don't know if it was intentional or maybe just something I picked up on. I don't think she stole ideas at all but there were some similarities that I think someone might notice, if they look hard enough.
With all that being said, like I mentioned earlier, I reread this series. I really like this series. I love Violet and Ryn. Nate is a little "ehn" for me but you can't win them all and that's okay. I recommend these books. If you like kick butt faeries, magical realms parallel to the human world, and you like a little romance in between all out battles, you'll like this series :)
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Dragon Blood series by Lindsay Buroker
So far there are 4 books in this series and I will cover all of them.
So, I reviewed another series by Lindsay Buroker, The Emperor's Edge series, and gave it glowing reviews. There were 7 in that series with several side novellas that I also enjoyed. I find myself thinking of Buroker as one of my "go to" authors, alongside Sherwood Smith and Maria V. Snyder. I love her books. I love her series and I love that she makes her a little bit edgy with just enough romance to make this stay-at-home mom feeling flirty! Buroker is definitely steampunk genre (Steampunk is a term used for books that tend to bring magic/modern technology and combine it with historical fiction type books.) She creates just enough history/technology with magic to make it interesting and creative. It's definitely not your typical fantasy book. There is also a sense of nostalgia, makes me think of 1910s/1920s when the world was just a little dirtier, from soot and unwashed bodies and general lack of sterilization. Hope that makes sense; I'm not quite an author when it comes to expression.
For the fast forward review, there is a little bit of sex in the first book. The rest of the books elude to sexual jokes/innuendos but in a way that is smart and funny and not vulgar. I'm trying to recall foul language and I can't so there really must not be much in that way either.
Here's amazon's descriptions of each book, then I'll review more at the bottom.
Balanced on the Blade's Edge (Dragon Blood Book 1):
Colonel Ridge Zirkander isn’t the model of military professionalism—he has a tendency to say exactly what’s on his mind, and his record has enough demerits to wallpaper the hull of an airship—but as the best fighter pilot in the Iskandian army, he’s used to a little leniency from his superiors. Until he punches the wrong diplomat in the nose and finds himself issued new orders: take command of a remote prison mine in the inhospitable Ice Blades Mountains. Ridge has never been in charge of anything larger than a flier squadron—what’s he supposed to do with a frozen fortress full of murderers and rapists? Not to mention the strange woman who shows up right before he arrives…
Sardelle Terushan wakes from three hundred years in a mage stasis shelter, only to realize that she is the last of the Referatu, the sorcerers who once helped protect Iskandia from conquerors. Their subterranean mountain community was blown up in a treacherous sneak attack by soldiers who feared their power. Everyone Sardelle ever knew is dead, and the sentient soulblade she has been bonded to since her youth is buried in the core of the mountain. Further, what remains of her home has been infested by bloodthirsty miners commanded by the descendants of the very soldiers who destroyed her people.
Sardelle needs help to reach her soulblade—her only link to her past and her last friend in the world. Her only hope is to pretend she’s one of the prisoners while trying to gain the commander’s trust. But lying isn’t her specialty, especially when the world has changed so much in the intervening centuries, and if Colonel Zirkander figures out who she truly is, he’ll be duty-bound to sentence her to the only acceptable punishment for sorcerers: death.
Deathmaker (Book 2):
When Lieutenant Caslin Ahn joined Wolf Squadron, she was prepared for the reality that she might one day be killed in the line of duty. She was less prepared for being shot down, assumed dead by her own people, and dragged off to the Cofah Empire as a prisoner of war. As if being thrust into a dungeon and interrogated wasn't bad enough, the sadistic commandant decides to give her a cellmate: the notorious pirate Deathmaker. Given the crimes he's committed against Iskandia, Cas owes it to her people to try and kill him.
Part warrior and part scientist, Tolemek "Deathmaker" Targoson has not only slain thousands with his deadly concoctions, but he has a special loathing for Iskandian pilots. It was Ahn's commander, Colonel Zirkander, who ruined his military career, forcing him to leave his country in shame and join a pirate organization. Years later, he uses his dreadful reputation like a shield to keep people away; all he wants is to be left alone to work in his laboratory. But when fate lands him in a cell with Zirkander's protégé, he sees a chance for revenge. Why kill the lieutenant when he can use her to get to his old nemesis?
There's just one problem: it's hard to plot against your enemies when you're in prison with them. Cas and Tolemek will have to work together if they hope to escape the Cofah dungeon. In the process, they may find that neither is what the other expects, and that they have far greater problems to worry about than ensnaring each other...
Deathmaker is a full-length 85,000-word novel. It is set after the events in Balanced on the Blade’s Edge, but it can be enjoyed even if you haven’t read the first book.
Blood Charged (Book 3):
Sardelle Terushan, sorceress and healer, should be lying low. Magic is forbidden in Iskandia, and magic users are drowned, shot, or otherwise slain. The problem? She's fallen in love with ace fighter pilot and national hero, Colonel Ridge Zirkander, a man whom everybody notices, including the king. It's not long before Sardelle has spies dogging her steps and people trying to blow her up. Worse, her presence is jeopardizing Ridge's career. If she can't find a solution to the nation's centuries-old hatred of magic, the only way to protect Ridge—and herself—may be to leave.
Ridge Zirkander isn't used to worrying about more than shooting down Cofah airships and keeping the officers in his squadron alive, but his world has gotten more complicated since giving his heart to Sardelle. It's difficult to keep people from noticing a mysterious and enigmatic woman, not to mention her chatty sentient sword. He's been passing her off as an archaeologist to his fellow pilots, but when the king calls him in to a private meeting, Ridge fears his secret has been discovered.
But the king—and the rest of the country—has a greater problem. Cofah military scientists have acquired something that shouldn't exist in the world any longer: dragon blood. In addition to having countless mysterious properties, it's a powerful energy source that can be used to create devastating weapons. Ridge, Sardelle, and their allies must travel to the empire as part of a secret strike force to steal the dragon blood. If they fail, the Cofah will finally have the power to destroy all of Iskandia.
Patterns in the Dark (Book 4):
Everyone knows dragons have been extinct for over a thousand years. Everyone is wrong. At least one dragon remains, and military scientists from the Cofah Empire are experimenting with its blood, using the magical substance to power deadly new weapons that could be used to bring the world to its knees.
That's a concern for Zirkander, Cas, and the rest of the Iskandians, but all Tolemek wants is to find his missing sister. The last time he saw her, their father had locked her in an asylum because of a mental illness with no cure. Now the military has taken her. What use the Cofah have for her, Tolemek can only guess, but he is certain she is in danger. He must save her before it's too late. But her fate is inexplicably tied to the dragon's, and he must find it to find her.
My Review:
Book 1 is interesting. Zirkander and Sardelle are fascinating characters and it is a great start to the series, albeit a little bit of a slow start. Their relationship is very quickly sexually charged and kinda leaves you wondering if they really have a thing for each other or is it just lust.
Jaxi, the darling vicious soulblade, is the perfect character. She's funny, tells it like it is, and is very engaging and important to the storyline considering she is a talking sword.
Put them all together and like I said, it's a great start. Just kinda gives you a taste of this series.
Book 2 is where I became a big fan. Again, I find myself drawn to "Deathmaker", a bad boy pirate who really just has a bad reputation (he's a softy at heart). I love this storyline. This a stand alone, spin off tale from the first book, telling the story of a character briefly mentioned in book 1. Don't worry; they come together at one point. I found this book very enjoyable! I love the relationship with Cas and Tolomek. They both just want to survive and find out as time goes on that surviving together might just be a good thing.
Book 3 brings them all together and it is not one big happy family. Zirkander and Tolomek tolerate each other. Both couples are a tad jealous of the other couple and throw in a couple of side characters, Apex and Duck and you just want to have everyone over for Christmas dinner....because you want them to be real people and you want to hang out with them.
Book 4 continues on with the adventure started in Book 3 and I will say there were moments I was a little unhappy with the author. I found myself thinking "she better resolve this in a way that I'll like." No offense to the author but the sign of a good book is one that you are invested in and I was invested in Buroker making this story go the way I wanted.
I'm finding myself thinking this author, this girl, is on my wave length. I enjoy what she puts out there. Sometimes she has moments of brilliant quotes that I think are perfect for life in general. I even have to look up a few words sometimes which is nice for personal growth. I highly recommend this series, even though it isn't done yet. I highly recommend this author, Lindsay Buroker. She writes good stuff. It's witty and not too gritty!
So, I reviewed another series by Lindsay Buroker, The Emperor's Edge series, and gave it glowing reviews. There were 7 in that series with several side novellas that I also enjoyed. I find myself thinking of Buroker as one of my "go to" authors, alongside Sherwood Smith and Maria V. Snyder. I love her books. I love her series and I love that she makes her a little bit edgy with just enough romance to make this stay-at-home mom feeling flirty! Buroker is definitely steampunk genre (Steampunk is a term used for books that tend to bring magic/modern technology and combine it with historical fiction type books.) She creates just enough history/technology with magic to make it interesting and creative. It's definitely not your typical fantasy book. There is also a sense of nostalgia, makes me think of 1910s/1920s when the world was just a little dirtier, from soot and unwashed bodies and general lack of sterilization. Hope that makes sense; I'm not quite an author when it comes to expression.
For the fast forward review, there is a little bit of sex in the first book. The rest of the books elude to sexual jokes/innuendos but in a way that is smart and funny and not vulgar. I'm trying to recall foul language and I can't so there really must not be much in that way either.
Here's amazon's descriptions of each book, then I'll review more at the bottom.
Balanced on the Blade's Edge (Dragon Blood Book 1):
Colonel Ridge Zirkander isn’t the model of military professionalism—he has a tendency to say exactly what’s on his mind, and his record has enough demerits to wallpaper the hull of an airship—but as the best fighter pilot in the Iskandian army, he’s used to a little leniency from his superiors. Until he punches the wrong diplomat in the nose and finds himself issued new orders: take command of a remote prison mine in the inhospitable Ice Blades Mountains. Ridge has never been in charge of anything larger than a flier squadron—what’s he supposed to do with a frozen fortress full of murderers and rapists? Not to mention the strange woman who shows up right before he arrives…
Sardelle Terushan wakes from three hundred years in a mage stasis shelter, only to realize that she is the last of the Referatu, the sorcerers who once helped protect Iskandia from conquerors. Their subterranean mountain community was blown up in a treacherous sneak attack by soldiers who feared their power. Everyone Sardelle ever knew is dead, and the sentient soulblade she has been bonded to since her youth is buried in the core of the mountain. Further, what remains of her home has been infested by bloodthirsty miners commanded by the descendants of the very soldiers who destroyed her people.
Sardelle needs help to reach her soulblade—her only link to her past and her last friend in the world. Her only hope is to pretend she’s one of the prisoners while trying to gain the commander’s trust. But lying isn’t her specialty, especially when the world has changed so much in the intervening centuries, and if Colonel Zirkander figures out who she truly is, he’ll be duty-bound to sentence her to the only acceptable punishment for sorcerers: death.
Deathmaker (Book 2):
When Lieutenant Caslin Ahn joined Wolf Squadron, she was prepared for the reality that she might one day be killed in the line of duty. She was less prepared for being shot down, assumed dead by her own people, and dragged off to the Cofah Empire as a prisoner of war. As if being thrust into a dungeon and interrogated wasn't bad enough, the sadistic commandant decides to give her a cellmate: the notorious pirate Deathmaker. Given the crimes he's committed against Iskandia, Cas owes it to her people to try and kill him.
Part warrior and part scientist, Tolemek "Deathmaker" Targoson has not only slain thousands with his deadly concoctions, but he has a special loathing for Iskandian pilots. It was Ahn's commander, Colonel Zirkander, who ruined his military career, forcing him to leave his country in shame and join a pirate organization. Years later, he uses his dreadful reputation like a shield to keep people away; all he wants is to be left alone to work in his laboratory. But when fate lands him in a cell with Zirkander's protégé, he sees a chance for revenge. Why kill the lieutenant when he can use her to get to his old nemesis?
There's just one problem: it's hard to plot against your enemies when you're in prison with them. Cas and Tolemek will have to work together if they hope to escape the Cofah dungeon. In the process, they may find that neither is what the other expects, and that they have far greater problems to worry about than ensnaring each other...
Deathmaker is a full-length 85,000-word novel. It is set after the events in Balanced on the Blade’s Edge, but it can be enjoyed even if you haven’t read the first book.
Blood Charged (Book 3):
Sardelle Terushan, sorceress and healer, should be lying low. Magic is forbidden in Iskandia, and magic users are drowned, shot, or otherwise slain. The problem? She's fallen in love with ace fighter pilot and national hero, Colonel Ridge Zirkander, a man whom everybody notices, including the king. It's not long before Sardelle has spies dogging her steps and people trying to blow her up. Worse, her presence is jeopardizing Ridge's career. If she can't find a solution to the nation's centuries-old hatred of magic, the only way to protect Ridge—and herself—may be to leave.
Ridge Zirkander isn't used to worrying about more than shooting down Cofah airships and keeping the officers in his squadron alive, but his world has gotten more complicated since giving his heart to Sardelle. It's difficult to keep people from noticing a mysterious and enigmatic woman, not to mention her chatty sentient sword. He's been passing her off as an archaeologist to his fellow pilots, but when the king calls him in to a private meeting, Ridge fears his secret has been discovered.
But the king—and the rest of the country—has a greater problem. Cofah military scientists have acquired something that shouldn't exist in the world any longer: dragon blood. In addition to having countless mysterious properties, it's a powerful energy source that can be used to create devastating weapons. Ridge, Sardelle, and their allies must travel to the empire as part of a secret strike force to steal the dragon blood. If they fail, the Cofah will finally have the power to destroy all of Iskandia.
Patterns in the Dark (Book 4):
Everyone knows dragons have been extinct for over a thousand years. Everyone is wrong. At least one dragon remains, and military scientists from the Cofah Empire are experimenting with its blood, using the magical substance to power deadly new weapons that could be used to bring the world to its knees.
That's a concern for Zirkander, Cas, and the rest of the Iskandians, but all Tolemek wants is to find his missing sister. The last time he saw her, their father had locked her in an asylum because of a mental illness with no cure. Now the military has taken her. What use the Cofah have for her, Tolemek can only guess, but he is certain she is in danger. He must save her before it's too late. But her fate is inexplicably tied to the dragon's, and he must find it to find her.
My Review:
Book 1 is interesting. Zirkander and Sardelle are fascinating characters and it is a great start to the series, albeit a little bit of a slow start. Their relationship is very quickly sexually charged and kinda leaves you wondering if they really have a thing for each other or is it just lust.
Jaxi, the darling vicious soulblade, is the perfect character. She's funny, tells it like it is, and is very engaging and important to the storyline considering she is a talking sword.
Put them all together and like I said, it's a great start. Just kinda gives you a taste of this series.
Book 2 is where I became a big fan. Again, I find myself drawn to "Deathmaker", a bad boy pirate who really just has a bad reputation (he's a softy at heart). I love this storyline. This a stand alone, spin off tale from the first book, telling the story of a character briefly mentioned in book 1. Don't worry; they come together at one point. I found this book very enjoyable! I love the relationship with Cas and Tolomek. They both just want to survive and find out as time goes on that surviving together might just be a good thing.
Book 3 brings them all together and it is not one big happy family. Zirkander and Tolomek tolerate each other. Both couples are a tad jealous of the other couple and throw in a couple of side characters, Apex and Duck and you just want to have everyone over for Christmas dinner....because you want them to be real people and you want to hang out with them.
Book 4 continues on with the adventure started in Book 3 and I will say there were moments I was a little unhappy with the author. I found myself thinking "she better resolve this in a way that I'll like." No offense to the author but the sign of a good book is one that you are invested in and I was invested in Buroker making this story go the way I wanted.
I'm finding myself thinking this author, this girl, is on my wave length. I enjoy what she puts out there. Sometimes she has moments of brilliant quotes that I think are perfect for life in general. I even have to look up a few words sometimes which is nice for personal growth. I highly recommend this series, even though it isn't done yet. I highly recommend this author, Lindsay Buroker. She writes good stuff. It's witty and not too gritty!
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