A gifted psychic detective on the abandoned Earth colony of St. Helen's, Amaryllis Lark follows a high-profile murder investigation and finds h...
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May 10, 2011
Mojca
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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 contempora 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 contempora More...
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Jan 03, 2011
Maria
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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, 201 More...
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Oct 17, 2011
Roxanne
rated it: 
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, 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, More...
Oct 21, 2010
BarkLessWagMore
rated it:
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 wi 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 wi More...
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Jan 31, 2012
Carrie
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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, sel 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, sel More...
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Mar 08, 2011
Emily
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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
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Mar 04, 2011
Deb
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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 h
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Mar 26, 2011
BJ Rose
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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
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Dec 21, 2011
Lady Domino
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 13, 2010
Sharon
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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 hav 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 hav More...
Jun 10, 2011
Kristi
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The first book in Jayne Castle's St. Helen's series is Amaryllis, and the passion that explodes between Amaryllis Lark and Lucas Trent kept me turning the page well into the night just to finish the book. A fantastic read, Amaryllis is a great introduction to Castle's futuristic writing, especially for those who might not be comfortable diving into the deep end of her Arcane Society novels and Harmony books. Well written and fun!
Jun 06, 2010
Sonya
rated it: 
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.
Dec 24, 2008
Robin
rated it:
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.
May 28, 2010
Debby
rated it:
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.
Jul 30, 2011
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
Feb 05, 2011
Nilchance
rated it:
Great characters and chemistry, charming world-building, and it kept me sane while my wife was at the urgent care getting x-rays.
Dec 10, 2011
Ellen
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So, only my need to try to reach my reading goal compels me to include this completely ridiculous book in my list....
Sep 22, 2011
Sarah
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The murder mystery was unnecessary. The science was terrible. How many pen names does this lady have anyway? So-so.
Aug 29, 2009
Amanda
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This is a cute book! I've read Krentz/Castle's Harmony series but hadn't tried the St. Helen's books, even though they were published first. I'm happy to have finally tracked this book down. Amaryllis and Trent are a great couple.
Jun 08, 2011
Larissa
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I really enjoyed the story and am looking forward to reading the other two books in the series.
Sep 28, 2008
Sherry
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How to review a book that you have trouble putting into a specified genre, hhmmm? I’m not quite sure either but I do know that “Amaryllis” is an interesting and enjoyable read. It has a little something for readers of science fiction, something for romance fans, a bit for suspense and even light-hearted humorous banter for those who enjoy chic lit. If you are looking to try for something a little different, be sure and give this title a try.
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Feb 28, 2011
Lori
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The series always features strong male and female protagonists. The world itself is an interesting blend of what-if humanity colonized a new planet then found itself cut off from Earth, along with the changes the new world itself makes in the colonized humans. The marriage ideals of the society are also interesting, given the colonists' predicament of facing the idea of never seeing Earth again. Also DUST BUNNIES FTW!
May 22, 2011
Wan ~DragonsWan~
rated it:
I did enjoy the book. This plot was a lot like After Dark (Harmony Sereis) However I do like Lucus and Amaryllis better than Emmett and Lydia. Having said that, I like Harmony planet better than St. Helen's. The amber powers were more believable than than the psychic things. & the half/half fruits and the coff-tea were mediocre, to me but they're minor details. Since I already have the series. I will keep on reading.
Jul 22, 2010
Diane ~Firefly~
rated it:
Ah, nothing like re-reading an old favorite. This is the first book in a very enjoyable trilogy. It takes place on another planet colonized by Earth where the people have developed talents (but require someone with a prism talent to focus for them). Like all JAK's books, the heroine is independent and the hero is a loner and there is a nice, suspenseful plot.
Feb 16, 2011
Inga
rated it:
Liked the plot, chatacters and style of writing. However, something was missing, so it's only 3,5 stars. Definitelly going to read other two books.
