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48th out of 398 books
—
232 voters
Amaryllis (St. Helens #1)
by
Jayne Castle (Goodreads Author),
Jayne Ann Krentz (Goodreads Author)
A gifted psychic detective on the abandoned Earth colony of St. Helen's, Amaryllis Lark follows a high-profile murder investigation and finds herself in the middle of a steamy love affair with business head Lucas Trent.
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
October 1st 1996
by Pocket Books
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Jan 03, 2011
Mojca
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
sci-fi-futuristic-fantasy,
part-of-a-series,
own,
bought-in-helsinki-2010,
quick-krentz-castle,
cover-hunkiness,
monthly-challenge-read-january,
rrrc-1st-reading-tournament,
read-the-month-challenge-january,
paranormal-romance-fantasy,
suspense-mystery-adventure-thriller,
series-trilogy-st-helens
This was a great story with a wonderful mix of paranormal, sci-fi, and suspense elements with a little wink at historical romance with the whole “society-approved marriage” theme.
Loved the hero, loved the premise, adored the psychic angle (very early Arcane Society with the added need of a focus link between two individuals), especially alongside the fact the entire population “suffers” from it. Though it’s set on a far-away (not-yet-discovered or forgotten) planet it had a very contemporary rom...more
Loved the hero, loved the premise, adored the psychic angle (very early Arcane Society with the added need of a focus link between two individuals), especially alongside the fact the entire population “suffers” from it. Though it’s set on a far-away (not-yet-discovered or forgotten) planet it had a very contemporary rom...more
Dec 7 ,2008 - The first in the St. Helens series, this one is about Amaryllis, a full-spectrum prism with high ethics working for Psynergy, Inc. and Lucas Trent, an rough executive who has two talents that are both off the charts. Another case where opposites attract and find out that they're not so opposite after all. I love the characters in the St. Helens books and feel like I am visiting old friends every time I re-read them, which is often. The mystery isn't bad either.
Jan 3, 2011 - It's b...more
Jan 3, 2011 - It's b...more
4 stars
I didn't really expect much from this book, truthfully. I'm more of a contemporary-sizzle-type when it comes to romance books. Suprisingly, though, I liked it. It had a whole new concept that I've never encountered (especially for a book published in the late 90s) and that's what made it so unique.
Amaryllis Lark is a full-spectrum prism working for a company that loans prisms to talents who need focusing (yes, quite confusing but when you read it, you eventually get it). On a fake-date/...more
I didn't really expect much from this book, truthfully. I'm more of a contemporary-sizzle-type when it comes to romance books. Suprisingly, though, I liked it. It had a whole new concept that I've never encountered (especially for a book published in the late 90s) and that's what made it so unique.
Amaryllis Lark is a full-spectrum prism working for a company that loans prisms to talents who need focusing (yes, quite confusing but when you read it, you eventually get it). On a fake-date/...more
First of a series of books set in an unspecified future time on a planet settled by humans who are then cut off from Earth. Like other immigrants, they give place names reminiscent of places from the home world - in this case, the Pacific Northwest. Since arriving on the planet, humans have developed various psychic abilities. Those with a "talent" (of which there are many varieties) are only able to use the talent for a short burst with little control unless they use the services of a "prism" w...more
2.5 Stars
I would have like to give this more stars but this book fell a little flat to me. When I read the blurb I thought it was going to be a really interesting book, it definitely had its good moments but the lack of imagination in this story was its downfall.
Amaryllis and Lucas were a good couple and I was satisfied with how their relationship developed, what I wasn’t satisfied with was the descriptions of the world they lived on. This is suppose to be a sci-fi book, so naturally you would...more
I would have like to give this more stars but this book fell a little flat to me. When I read the blurb I thought it was going to be a really interesting book, it definitely had its good moments but the lack of imagination in this story was its downfall.
Amaryllis and Lucas were a good couple and I was satisfied with how their relationship developed, what I wasn’t satisfied with was the descriptions of the world they lived on. This is suppose to be a sci-fi book, so naturally you would...more
This one disappointed me big-time. I've come to the realization that Jayne Castle/Krentz/Quick's voice/style just doesn't work for me because this is the 6th book of hers that I've read that I found very dull. I should note that I do not like mysteries as a rule so maybe that's my problem because that's what the bulk of this book was.
Set on another planet, 200 years in the future, Amaryllis Lark is what they call a professional "prism." Her world is filled with people born with differing psychic...more
Set on another planet, 200 years in the future, Amaryllis Lark is what they call a professional "prism." Her world is filled with people born with differing psychic...more
I often have some difficulty reading books by Jayne Castle because I don't warm to the main characters. Fortunately, that wasn't an issue with this book. Prim, proper and picky Amaryllis had a depth of character and courage that worked nicely with Lucas's dark, brooding but surprisingly sensitive personality. The differences that existed between these two resulted in some pretty humourous exchanges. I find I'm especially partial to alpha males who sigh in frustration all the while being supporti...more
SFR Reading Challenge 2012
TBR Reading Challenge 2012: Personal- on my tbr list since June 2010.
Grade B
This is a fairly typical Jayne Castle/Krentz book: not too deep, but entertaining. Her heroes are rarely well-developed, and seems to spend a lot of time gnashing teeth over the heroine's actions. Lucien is a fine hero, but a little bland. Amaryllis is more developed, but isn't an inspiring heroine. One character describes her as "a prissy, straight-laced, self-righteous [person] who seemed to...more
TBR Reading Challenge 2012: Personal- on my tbr list since June 2010.
Grade B
This is a fairly typical Jayne Castle/Krentz book: not too deep, but entertaining. Her heroes are rarely well-developed, and seems to spend a lot of time gnashing teeth over the heroine's actions. Lucien is a fine hero, but a little bland. Amaryllis is more developed, but isn't an inspiring heroine. One character describes her as "a prissy, straight-laced, self-righteous [person] who seemed to...more
I was annoyed with this book in so many ways. It was a book I had to force myself to finish, and, in fact, I probably wouldn't have finished it if I hadn't left it at school to read while my students read their books.
First of all - Amaryllis?? Amaryllis?? Really?? What a lame name. Though I suppose a character with a dumb name should be equally dumb and she was. Amaryllis was naive and grating. "Oh, no! Someone did something bad! I can't believe people aren't perfect like me!" "Oh no! People do...more
First of all - Amaryllis?? Amaryllis?? Really?? What a lame name. Though I suppose a character with a dumb name should be equally dumb and she was. Amaryllis was naive and grating. "Oh, no! Someone did something bad! I can't believe people aren't perfect like me!" "Oh no! People do...more
Once again, Krentz entertains with romance and suspense, and even elements of Science Fiction. On the futuristic world of St. Helens, the colonists have developed psychic powers. These powers are tempered by the fact that in order to use ones talents, one must have the services of another person, a Prisms. Prisms don't have talent themselves, but can focus for any talent. Both talents and prisms have levels of power and there exist (mostly in novels and movies) abnormally high talents, dubbed Ps...more
Amaryllis lives on another planet, where humans colonized but where they got cut off from earth. The colonists developed psychic abilities that help them survive. These abilities have to be used in pairs -- with one person being the "prism" who focuses the talent of the other. Amaryllis is just such a prism, one dedicated to the high moral principles of her field. But her resolve is testee when Lucas Trent, an off the chart talent, hires her and they uncover a politician misusing his talent to m...more
About 200 years ago, pioneers from Earth began colonizing the planet of St. Helen’s. They traveled between the two planets through an energy gate they called the Curtain. But suddenly and mysteriously, the Curtain closed, and the remaining pioneers were left to survive on their own. Things were made much more difficult when they realized that none of the tools and materials they brought from earth would last – books disintegrated, electronic equipment would not function, anything they made from...more
Fun story. But really, jelly-ice? I had a hard time not rolling my eyes at some of the invented terminology of this world. It got to the point where I'd really be into the book, engrossed in the story, and then suddenly, jelly-anything was mentioned, and it pulled me out of the book. Aside from that, I love the concept of the prism/talent relationship, meeting on a plane beyond the physical. I liked the book, but it would have earned another star if not for the awkward, seemingly forced jargon....more
Rating: ★★★1/2✩ Review: Clever little romantic mystery on the planet St. Helen's. Settlers from earth have inhabited this world for over 200 years. They were cut off from home and had to adapt to using all the foreign materials and technology to survive as all earth materials disintegrated. Included in this process was making sure the settlers made the best marriage matches to ensure surviving on this world, so it is tabu when couples decide to marry on their own. The settlers also developed ps...more
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I was interested enough to finish the book, but I really wasn't drawn to the main character at all. Actually, I found myself rooting against her. If she would have talked about the founder's values one... more... time...
Also, the living on another planet aspect didn't work so well for me. Making up words like coff-tea and occasionally talking about a curtain just don't make an off-world book for me. Also, I felt like some of the things they said just didn't make sense without having the Earth as...more
Also, the living on another planet aspect didn't work so well for me. Making up words like coff-tea and occasionally talking about a curtain just don't make an off-world book for me. Also, I felt like some of the things they said just didn't make sense without having the Earth as...more
An intriguing and original book, well written and that entertains and captures the attention until the end. In a fantasy world where those who have a talent needs a prism, which amplifies power, Amaryllis and Lark work together to discover who killed Amaryllis's mentor . Of course, the deeper their bond becomes. It 'a pleasure to a book like this where love, mystery, thriller are well blended.
In a way this book reminded me of the J D Robb books because of the futuristic feel to this book. I am not sure I understood all the Psychic and Talent things that happened in the book, but that didn't matter because the story was well done. This is #1 in the Harmony series.
Lucas and Amaryllis were two very interesting characters and seemed to work well together. I would like to read the rest in the series at some poing.
Lucas and Amaryllis were two very interesting characters and seemed to work well together. I would like to read the rest in the series at some poing.
Really enjoyed this book. Whether she is writing as Jayne Castle, JAK, or Amanda Quick she is a go-to author for me for a comfort read. I hadn't ready any of the St. Helen's books when they were first released. I can definitly see the similarities between the St. Helen's series and the books set in Harmony. The world building seems to be similar - such as the people having visited a new planet and the "curtain" closing and trapping them there. I enjoyed the relationship between Amaryllis and Luc...more
Amaryllis is a hoot. She's very much a by-the-numbers kind of gal who gets into all kind of trouble in her chosen profession. She lands at a not-so-highly thought of tourist attraction and finds a dead guy.
Don't want to reveal the plot, but if you like futuristic paranormals, this one is for you. It was the start of the dust bunnies and ghost hunters.
This one's on my keeper shelf
Don't want to reveal the plot, but if you like futuristic paranormals, this one is for you. It was the start of the dust bunnies and ghost hunters.
This one's on my keeper shelf
I always re-read Jayne Ann Krentz's books when my mood is down. This one is a classical Krentz (Jayne Castle is one of her pseudonyms). Fast pace, squeaky clean structure, and nice, utterly unrealistic protagonists. A typical romantic caper. Delicious. My mood is up again, so I can tackle more complex books.
Yup I read fantasy/romance too, not afraid to admit it. This is one of my favourite books because it is a fantasy+romance all in one. I read this on a vacation, found this book in a rental bookstore many years ago, couldn't even remember the title. Now that I've managed to find it through super googling skills, I want to remember it by adding it to goodreads.
Nice cover – unfortunately the book didn’t live up to it.
The prissy, good-two shoes, self righteous, irrationally stubborn heroine was…do I even need to say anymore? Good grief, I wanted to reach through the pages and smack her. Hard.
Midway through the book I started seriously skimming – right to the end.
The prissy, good-two shoes, self righteous, irrationally stubborn heroine was…do I even need to say anymore? Good grief, I wanted to reach through the pages and smack her. Hard.
Midway through the book I started seriously skimming – right to the end.
I really liked this book. I like all things psychic, and just a touch of believable sci-fi makes it a good read for me. Also, the love story clenches the 5 star rating.
Just found out it's part of a series, so I may re-read with the two next novels to follow immediately thereafter.
Just found out it's part of a series, so I may re-read with the two next novels to follow immediately thereafter.
One of my favorite trilogies ever. Don't know how many times I've read these books. This audiobook version is pretty good. The narrator Frances Cassidy did a pretty good job. It always put a smile on my face whenever I revisit St Helen's.
Not entirely sure why I kept on with this book. It wasn't good enough on the romance side, or interesting enough on the detective side to really justify the compulsion I felt to read it. I suppose it's partly that I hate leaving books in the middle, and partly that it was very easy to get through, something I've needed of late. I thought it was a well thought-through alternative world. The setting held together very well. The story wasn't really detailed enough to pull me in though.
Another interesting mix of science fiction, romance, and psychic powers. The planet is St. Helen's and the cities are places like New Seattle! Predictable but enjoyable.
*happy sigh* Another nostalgic read of vintage JAK. Love it!. (I don't know how I'd feel about it if I read it for the first time today, but it's totally a source of warm fuzzies for me.)
Jul 30, 2011
Cassandra
added it
Really good...some stuff does confuse me..like what exactly is Coff-tea? it's a book worth picking up and spending time reading. Can't wait to read the next
I love Jayne Castle's stories. I like the created world, the mysteries and the romance. When all three are done right, the read is a winner.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayne Ann Krentz ...: Amaryllis (1996) | 1 | 1 | Sep 23, 2012 03:39pm |
The author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Sant...more
More about Jayne Castle...
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Sant...more
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“They were having sex on Gifford's desk, if you must know."
Lucas's eyes glinted. "His desk, huh?"
"Yes." Amaryllis raised her chin, the better to look down her nose at him. "I would have thought it would have been extremely uncomfo rtable, but they appeared to enjoy it.”
—
6 people liked it
More quotes…
Lucas's eyes glinted. "His desk, huh?"
"Yes." Amaryllis raised her chin, the better to look down her nose at him. "I would have thought it would have been extremely uncomfo rtable, but they appeared to enjoy it.”
Oct 21, 2010 11:34am