The Spirit Eater (The Legend of Eli Monpress #3)

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The Spirit Eater (The Legend of Eli Monpress #3)

by Rachel Aaron (Goodreads Author)

4.09 of 5 stars 4.09 · rating details · 971 ratings · 60 reviews

With the pressure on after his success in Gaol, Eli Monpress, professional thief and degenerate, decides it's time to lie low for a bit. Taking up residence in a tiny seaside village, Eli and his companions seize the chance for some fun and relaxation.

Nico, however, is finding it a bit hard. Plagued by a demon's voice in her head and feeling powerless, she only sees hersel...more

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Published November 30th 2010 by Brilliance Audio (first published January 1st 2010)

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Feb 07, 2013 Lexie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-owned, genre-fantasy, review-bscreview

Oh, my dear reading friends. I want to say first that the Eli Monpress series has consistently defied my fondest wishes and hopes. This isn’t a series that takes itself seriously–Eli is absurd (from his motivations to his methods), his companions are ridiculously powerful (and equally angst-ridden over this fact), and his shenanigans would make lesser men weep.

Plus he’s charming, witty, and loyal. He takes nothing from anyone and won’t bend his ways simply because someone says “I said so!” I lov...more Oh, my dear reading friends. I want to say first that the Eli Monpress series has consistently defied my fondest wishes and hopes. This isn’t a series that takes itself seriously–Eli is absurd (from his motivations to his methods), his companions are ridiculously powerful (and equally angst-ridden over this fact), and his shenanigans would make lesser men weep.

Plus he’s charming, witty, and loyal. He takes nothing from anyone and won’t bend his ways simply because someone says “I said so!” I love him and adore him and would run off with him in a flat second if he asked me to. However, let’s put aside my “Eli is #1″ fangirl’ing; this book dug deeper into the mythology of the world and the twisted motivations of those therein. If I didn’t say it before, I’ll say it now–Benehime is a menace. A complete and utter menace.

Some of what is hinted at, but not definitively said, in Book 2 (about Eli’s parents) is said quite clearly in this book. I laughed. I really did. Eli’s family is such a disaster that even if Miranda knew, I think she’d doubt it. I suppose it’s what comes of three people who are all so strong-willed and stubborn. They can’t possibly be in the same room; it would implode (from their egos if not their one-upmanship).

This book was darker than the other two, as we learn about Josef and Nico’s partnership and the destructive power of a demonseed come to fruition. Though Eli is more somber then usual and the antics are kept to a minimum, the book doesn’t suffer. The heart of the series, as corny as this sounds, is the belief that everybody can be who and what they want to be if they try hard enough. When the characters hold onto that belief, nothing and no one can stand in their way.

We learn more about Josef’s sword (The Heart of War), including some very disturbing notions involving Benehime (which make me wonder at the coincidence of it all) and the Great Demon from which the seeds came. We also learn that while Eli is currently wanted for more money than his crimes warrant, he’s underestimated to a great degree. It’s a very costly mistake for a number of people, but it brings him closer to his goal. He also is kind of a Robin Hood-like figure.

Aaron still spends more time building the characters and the situations than flushing out the details of the world, but this isn’t a real problem. The books are primarily about Eli and his shady adventuring; what details we need are provided, and what details are unnecessary are left out. This makes more a more streamlined reading, but frustrates readers like myself who like to know everything.

The one drawback I’ve come across is that while the road to victory is rocky and filled with obstacles, the victory is still an absolute certainty in this series. There is no true permanent damage done, no one dies or is injured to the point where there’s a shred of doubt cast upon their continuing presence. Evil Rises, Eli (and co.) Vanquish, and then they make off with more bounty on their heads. It steals some of the tension from otherwise oppressive moments (such as the ending with Nico and…).

The book also included an excerpt from Book 4, The Spirit War. I find the titles an interesting trend. We went from the intriguing The Spirit Thief to the mildly worrisome The Spirit Rebellion to the alarming The Spirit Eater and now the fear-inducing The Spirit War. What’s Book 5, called The Spirit Annihilation? (I have no idea, this is random curiosity.)
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May 09, 2012 Denae rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: epic-fantasy

Yay!
There wasn't as much Eli in this book, but the other characters got more stage time and made a beautiful story just fine without him in the spotlight.
Semi-spoilers.
After this 3rd book, I do shake my head at the repetition between the books. Eli must steal something big, Miranda comes after him, a famous swordsman comes after Josef, League tries to take Nico, Miranda loses Eli, Josef nearly dies, Nico nearly loses her humanity, and Eli's bounty doubles.
This makes the plot sound a little predi...more

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Dec 25, 2011 Felicia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

This is a REALLY good book. But first...

Let's talk about this cover. Who ordered all that eyeliner, what is going on, who is that supposed to be from the book? Nico? Are you frikkin' kidding me?! She would never put eyeliner on, I'm so confused why this looks like a Twilight sequel cover. UUUUUUUGH

Anyway, this is the best of the three books WRITING-WISE I've read in the series, which is exciting! What I love is that the author sets up stuff that will CLEARLY come back in the next book, but she d...more

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Jan 16, 2011 Jeremy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Re-posting my review as it appears from my column "Reading Realms" at The Outhouse Website:
http://www.theouthousers.com/index.ph...

Eli Monpress might be the star of this series, but in this volume he seemed more a secondary character. The book suffered none for it however, as every character in Rachel Aaron's work is as strong as the main. The demonseed Nico, as seen on the cover of the book, might be considered the star this time; though her friend Josef as well as returning Spiritualist Mirand...more

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Sep 09, 2012 James rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal, fantasy

This was an even better step up in the series. Looking back could say, despite thier brilliance, that the series started off slow. If you've read those books, you'll understand how great that makes this book. An enthralling Four and a Half Stars.

Plot: Four and a Half Stars

In this installment we see things take a turn for the dramatic, the impact of Eli's little group taking on an even larger, worlwide effect. Nico's past is explored and developed, and the threat that she poses - and the threat t...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Tony Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked up this series to try to fill in the long gap between Scott's Locke Lamora series (I'm stillllll waiting for the next book to come out.) I read somewhere that this series was similar to his own, but I'd say that's only because they both involve famous thieves (famous within their fantasy worlds that is). Otherwise, the series are pretty much nothing alike. I was sort of lukewarm toward the storyline. I feel like Eli is sort of a let down. I like Eli when he is showcased more and trying...more

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Jan 13, 2013 Ithlilian rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It would probably be easier if I wrote this review on the computer, but I am curled up in a blanket and don't feel like traveling to the computer.

I really enjoy this series, and as of this moment it is one of the few books that have not irritated me or put me to sleep lately. This book focuses on Nico, who was the most mysterious and potentially interesting of the group. Miranda never sat well with me, and still doesn't come off as very likable, so I am glad she wasn't too large of a focus in t...more

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May 20, 2011 Ryn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fantasy

Well, I have to say that I'm sincerely glad I picked all of these books off the library shelf at once, because I know I wouldn't have remember the plotlines unless I'd read them back-to-back...

This one was even better than the last, and I must admit that it's more of a 3.5-star rating this time 'round. I like how each book is delving deeper into each character; I was especially looking forward to reading Nico's. It was a wee, wee bit disappointing in that I still don't feel like Rachel Aaron's...more Well, I have to say that I'm sincerely glad I picked all of these books off the library shelf at once, because I know I wouldn't have remember the plotlines unless I'd read them back-to-back...

This one was even better than the last, and I must admit that it's more of a 3.5-star rating this time 'round. I like how each book is delving deeper into each character; I was especially looking forward to reading Nico's. It was a wee, wee bit disappointing in that I still don't feel like Rachel Aaron's characters are fully developed, but I'm enjoying the ride, so I guess I shouldn't complain. (But I will.) I loved Sparrow (but we didn't get to learn enough about him), I loved Tesset (but we didn't get to learn enough about him), I loved Josef (but we...

I think you get the gist. I appreciate the fact that Aaron tries to make each character have his/her own motivations, strengths, and weaknesses - and these are usually enough to flesh out a character - but... something's still missing. I'm not sure if I'm just whining because the books are too short? But it's just like... Eli, Josef, and Nico hit a problem, come up with the best possible solution, and try to work their way towards it... There's no... interest or clash of personalities, or general on-the-road difficulties that they have to face together. It's almost as though Aaron focuses on each character doing their own thing and can't focus on them being together, which is a huge shame, because they're great characters, they make a great team, and forcing them together would create more depth to each of them. Does that even make sense? They do fight in this book, which is interesting, but it's still sort of a given that they all mostly trust each other. Which makes no sense, given their backgrounds, and even given the way they act around each other. It just doesn't meld, somehow.

So although I'm excited for the next book, I can well imagine that by the time it comes out, I will have forgotten all about this series. The ideas are great, but the relationships and individual characters are just not strong enough keep me on the edge of my seat. (On the other hand, if character development isn't wildly important to you, but fight scenes make or break the book, I think you'd love this series.) (less)

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Sep 13, 2012 Bobbi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I'm giving it only 3 stars because I'm once again disappointed in the lack of character development. We get more backstory, especially for Nico, but it just doesn't add much to the picture of who these characters are, in my opinion. What I really want is some insight into what goes on inside their heads. The author has given them surface motivations and tried to explain them, but who they are on a deeper level just doesn't come through. They are rough sketch characters with grab bag reasons. Eli...more

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Jan 30, 2011 Joy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 21c, american, fantasy

This is the third book in the Eli Monpress series by Rachel Aaron, and like the ones before it, it is fast-paced, funny, and clever. It's plenty entertaining...but yet I can't make a case for it as good fantasy. Too many of the elements in it are retreads--thieves, wizards, demons, bandits--and Aaron doesn't actually do anything particularly original with them. There's no sense of wonder, or strong sense of place, or even a "wow" moment. And there are strangely awkward moments from time to time....more

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Jul 23, 2012 Kristina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-goal-60

From the beginnings of the series I thought this was a fun fantasy romp that made me want to keep reading, and thought the series was a solid four star read. This book broke into the five star boundaries though. At some point I realized that I no longer knew who the main character of the story was anymore. The series is called The Legend of Eli Monpress, and yes, he is a driving force that everyone seems to revolve around, whether they work for him, are hunting him, or are losing their fortunes...more

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Feb 13, 2011 Brenda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Why I read it: 3rd in series
The Plot: With the pressure on after his success in Gaol, Eli Monpress, professional thief and degenerate, decides it's time to lie low for a bit. Taking up residence in a tiny seaside village, Eli and his companions seize the chance for some fun and relaxation.
Nico, however, is finding it a bit hard. Plagued by a demon's voice in her head and feeling powerless, she only sees herself as a burden. Everyone's holiday comes to an untimely close, though, when Pele arrives...more Why I read it: 3rd in series
The Plot: With the pressure on after his success in Gaol, Eli Monpress, professional thief and degenerate, decides it's time to lie low for a bit. Taking up residence in a tiny seaside village, Eli and his companions seize the chance for some fun and relaxation.
Nico, however, is finding it a bit hard. Plagued by a demon's voice in her head and feeling powerless, she only sees herself as a burden. Everyone's holiday comes to an untimely close, though, when Pele arrives to beg Eli's help for finding her missing father.
But there are larger plans afoot than even Eli can see, and the real danger, and the solution, may lie with one of his own and her forgotten past.
The Characters: The third book in The Legend of Eli Monpress seemed to be less about Eli as a main character and more of an ensemble book, which is good because I think focusing solely on Eli for too long could get old. We are also introduced to some new good characters in this one. My problem is that Miranda really annoys me, and she's one of the main characters. I liked her better in book two, but it seems like here she has reverted to her previous annoying behavior.
The Setting: I like the settings in these books. The first book was very limited in the setting--it took place in a very small area, but as the series progresses we are learning more and more about the world, and I'm very interested.
A Sample of the Writing:
The great hall of the Shapers had been flung open to let in the wounded. Shaper wizards, their hands still covered in soot from their work, ran out into the blowing snow to help the men who came stumbling onto the frosted terrace through a white-lined hole in the air. Some fell and did not rise again, their long, black coats torn beyond recognition. These the Shapers rolled onto stretchers that, after a sharp order, stood on their own and scrambled off on spindly wooden legs, some toward the waiting doctors, others more slowly toward the cold rooms, their unlucky burdens already silent and stiff.
Who Should Read This? This series is best suited for fans of adventure fantasy.
Final Thoughts: I didn't love this one as well as the rest of the series. It was still good, but I feel like some parts of the plot keep getting recycled, especially the parts with Josef, who is a great character, but the story seems a little one-note when it comes to him. I will definitely continue on with the series, and it's becoming one of my favorite fantasy series.
Grade: B
Cover Thoughts: I think it's pretty clear that the publishers are going for uniformity with these covers, which doesn't really make them as good as they could be, but if you like your series covers to match, I guess it's a good thing.(less)

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Jul 16, 2012 Nicole Trainor rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: eli-monpress

Continuing on my Eli Monpress ramage/devouring, I started reading The Spirit Eater right after The Spirit Rebellion. This book really developed and showcased Nico's character, with Eli and Josef taking a back-seat for most of the story, which worked out just fine. Rachel Aaron is doing a fantastic job of developing all the major characters in this series, not just Eli. I'm also hoping to get more back story on Sparrow and Tesset, who are fascinating characters all on their own. My only complaint...more

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Mar 26, 2013 Phleghm rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Miranda drives me crazy. There is absolutely no story backbone for her Eli obsession, and pushing it to this extent, decreased my enjoyment of the book. What held it together anyway was the Eli Nico Joseph trio. What they have is something special. Exploring those bonds in detail, has been the highlight of this particular literal journey of mine.

It is really too bad though, that Eli is not growing as a character. He is well fleshed out, but remains static. Doesn't seem to move anywhere, towards...more

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Apr 04, 2013 Nancy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

More back story, at long last, that seems to reveal a little more about this world. And more seems to be at stake, with Nico and the demonseed, even while Eli is not quite able to handle things with his usual aplomb. A bit more background about Eli as well, who also has his secrets and powers he is reluctant to use. I assume Joseph's turn will be soon. Miranda did her best to capture Eli but circumstances were not with her. I enjoyed the background info and the reveals and looking forward to mor...more

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Mar 15, 2011 Dominic de Mattos rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Spirit Eater is the third in the Legend of Eli Monpress series by Rachel Aaron. Here the focus leans more towards Nico, Eli's demonseed companion but this in no way detracts from the story telling. With each of the books in the series Rachel has built the tension and the stakes, the scrapes that the trio get into have become more nail biting and seemingly impossible to escape. I read all three books of the series (so far) in around a week, which for me is exceptional - and shows that each bo...more

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Dec 22, 2012 Sarah Wagner rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

The third novel in a great fantasy series chronicling the adventures of Eli Monpress, his companions Josef and Nico, and those determined to catch the thief. This volume reveals more about Nico, the young girl and demonseed who is fiercely attached to the swordsman Josef. As more is discovered about Nico's past - and what exactly the demon inside her is - this knowledge has the power to help Eli on his latest quest and also to destroy everything he has worked towards. Rachel Aaron's Eli Monpress...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wow. This series just went from an entertaining light read to the heavier end of the world stuff. I like both, for their own different reasons.

I feel like there was WAY more character development in this one. The characters had real personal struggles and had to decide what was most important to them. Fabulous! We also get to see even more of the world and its workings and people.

I didn't like hanging around in Nico and Josef's minds so much, because frankly, I find them both to be really borin...more

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Aug 10, 2012 Mike rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook

The Spirit Eater, Rachel Aaron’s thrid novel in The Legend of Eli Monpress series, once again picks up immediately after the previous book. However, whereas the previous two volumes placed a strong emphasis on Eli himself this latest volume places a stronger emphasis on both Nico and Josef. The events of The Spirit Rebellion and the Nico’s newfound ability to hear the voice of her demon have shaken her to the core. The demon’s decision to withhold Nico’s special abilities and Nico’s reluctance t...more The Spirit Eater, Rachel Aaron’s thrid novel in The Legend of Eli Monpress series, once again picks up immediately after the previous book. However, whereas the previous two volumes placed a strong emphasis on Eli himself this latest volume places a stronger emphasis on both Nico and Josef. The events of The Spirit Rebellion and the Nico’s newfound ability to hear the voice of her demon have shaken her to the core. The demon’s decision to withhold Nico’s special abilities and Nico’s reluctance to talk to Eli about what she is going through shakes the thief’s trust in her and further pushes her into the arms of the demon. While the book focuses on Nico and the machinations of the Demon in the Mountain it also further explores the nature of the Shephardess, Eli’s mostly unwanted patron, and the enigmatic Sara the Council’s spymaster and troubleshooter. The Spirit Eater is so far the most fleshed out entry to the series and makes further strides in fleshing out the world Rachel Aaron has created and does so without sacrificing the energy and excitement of the previous volumes.

One of the most intriguing things about this series, and really at the forefront of The Spirit Eater, is precisely how much an ass Eli can be. Sort of burried in the excitement of the previous books is Eli’s self-centered nature. His treatment of Nico, his unwillingness to trust her and his seeming lack of curiosity and compassion with regards to her situation is on full display here. Indeed it is Eli’s untrusting and self-centered nature combined with Nico’s own fear and self-loathing that serve to give the demon a more controlled grip on Nico’s mind. Despite Eli’s tendancy towards distrust and self-interest his loyal natural is also on complete display here and it is that tendancy that also provides a crucial turning point for the novel.

Berric Stedd makes a return in The Spirit Eater. I admit I might not like this villain if Luke Daniel’s vocal choice for his dialaogue and point of view which sounds a bit like an ultra-psychotic Jason Staham. Still, whereas Stedd was something of a distraction in the previous book here he plays a vilanous role more entwined the with the demonic tendrils of the plot. In The Spirit Rebellion Stedd’s actions served as a catalyst to further Josef’s bond to his sword his role here serves to further galvanize that bond. Indeed the revelations about the Heart of War are fascinating and one the novel’s many “Aw, Cool!” moments.

Perhaps the best aspect of the novel though is the deeping of the world’s mythology. The Shepardess, the White Lady whose mark Eli bears is discussed in more depth here and even gets a few point of view chapters that further illuminate her character. Furthermore, we get a better glimpse of the Lord of Storms motivations and the revelation of tensions between him and his creator. There are also some new developments through these sections that should make for some interesting reading as the series continues, but I don’t want to spoil anything.

The Spirit Eater is by far my favorite novel in the series so far. It marks a number of fascinating development amongst our heroes and further deeps the lore of the world that Eli inhabits. While the characters still don’t feel as fleshed out as they could be neither do they feel near as shallow as they started. Events, characters, and ideas introduced in The Spirit Eater should make the next book, The Spirit War a truly intriguing read. The Legend of Eli Monpress is an exciting and consitantly entertaining series that has continued to get better with each book and fans of lighthearted and action-packed fantasy without a trace of grit should definitely give Rachel Aaron a try.(less)

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May 25, 2011 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, humour

In this installment of The Legend of Eli Monpress, we get to see much more of Nico and Josef, and learn more about demons and the metaphysics of this world. There's honestly not a whole lot of Eli going on, and even less Miranda - and that's a good thing, really, because Nico starts to really shine, and we get some tantalizing glimpses of things to come with Josef.

The metaphysics and world-building are really the point of this novel - we learn more about the Shepherdess/Benehime, the creation an...more

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Dec 21, 2010 Stefan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, www-fantasyliterature-com-review

The Spirit Eater is the third installment in Rachel Aaron’s THE LEGEND OF ELI MONPRESS series. Just like the first two books, The Spirit Thief and The Spirit Rebellion, it’s an entertaining, fast-moving fantasy story, although this newest novel does have a considerably darker edge to it.

The darkness starts right away with the novel’s prologue, in which we learn more about Nico, the girl who contains a demonseed, and about how she met Josef Liechten, the swordsman with the legendary Heart of War...more The Spirit Eater is the third installment in Rachel Aaron’s THE LEGEND OF ELI MONPRESS series. Just like the first two books, The Spirit Thief and The Spirit Rebellion, it’s an entertaining, fast-moving fantasy story, although this newest novel does have a considerably darker edge to it.

The darkness starts right away with the novel’s prologue, in which we learn more about Nico, the girl who contains a demonseed, and about how she met Josef Liechten, the swordsman with the legendary Heart of War sword. Berek Sted, no longer a member of the League of Storms and out for revenge against Josef, makes a deal with a demon (and of course we all know how those tend to work out...). Meanwhile Eli, Josef and Nico are on the run (the high bounty placed on Eli’s head makes staying undiscovered harder and harder) and spiritualist Miranda, in an interesting new twist, is hired by the Council of Thrones to become an unofficial “Eli Chief Investigator”, because of her past experiences dealing with Eli...

And so another action-packed fantasy adventure starts. The Spirit Eater mostly has the same strengths and weaknesses as the prior two books in the series. On the one hand, it’s once again an entertaining, fast-moving and occasionally funny story. You won’t be bored, that’s for sure. Rachel Aaron gives the impression that she simply enjoys writing, and that enjoyment is contagious. Her prose has a fun, sly tone to it that’s genuinely enjoyable to read. There’s also an exciting “boss fight” (to borrow a video game term) towards the end of the book, featuring a really neat fantasy weapon that combines a few elements from the earlier novels in a way I absolutely didn’t see coming.

The world of THE LEGEND OF ELI MONPRESS also continues to take shape. We learn more about the exact nature of the demonseeds, the League of Storms, and the relationship between Eli and Benehime, to name just a few. The Spirit Thief, the first book in the series, was set on a relatively small scale and didn’t fill in many world-building details. After finishing The Spirit Eater, you’ll have a much better idea of what’s really going on — and the last few pages add yet another intriguing layer.

On the other hand, the novel again plays fast and loose with plotting and has a few twists that are less than plausible. It’s often best not to take everything too seriously and just go along for the ride. Despite the darker edge of the story and the new world-building details, these books are still more about entertainment than depth, but if you’ve read and enjoyed the first two books, you should have no problem with this and will probably love The Spirit Eater, as it’s the best book of the bunch so far. As long as you haven’t suddenly lost your ability to suspend disbelief, you’ll probably have a good time with the newest Eli Monpress novel.

(This review was published on www.fantasyliterature.com on 12/21/2010.)(less)

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Mar 05, 2012 Mihir rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Review originally at Fantasy Book Critic

ANALYSIS: The Spirit Eater is the third book in the Legend of Eli Monpress series and one whose review is long overdue. I had read the book a few months after its release but somehow due to my own laziness never got around to posting the review. So today when Spirit’s Oath (prequel novella) is being released, I realized this would be a good chance to review both stories. In a quintet series this is book III, so to discuss its plot will mean that there w...more
Review originally at Fantasy Book Critic

ANALYSIS: The Spirit Eater is the third book in the Legend of Eli Monpress series and one whose review is long overdue. I had read the book a few months after its release but somehow due to my own laziness never got around to posting the review. So today when Spirit’s Oath (prequel novella) is being released, I realized this would be a good chance to review both stories. In a quintet series this is book III, so to discuss its plot will mean that there will be spoilers for the first two books. I’ll try my best to avoid major spoilers so read ahead with caution and only if you have read the previous two books.

The book begins with an event occurring nearly two years before the events of the first book and like its predecessors, shines a light on a pivotal event featuring some of the main characters, in this case being Josef & Nico and this being their first meeting. The story then begins as Sted the ex-league swordsman is looking for revenge against Josef. He manages to track down Slorn for a better sword than the last one. His search reveals a bit more about Slorn’s past and then he ends up with more than he bargained for. Miranda Lyonette is back with the Spiritualist court with her name cleared from the events of the first book. She is then approached for by another faction of the court and soon is given more details about the going on in the courtly realms. Lastly there’s Eli, Josef & Nico who are approached by Pele to search for her father Slorn who has suddenly gone missing. All in all while Eli wants nothing but to lie low but his friendship with Slorn stands in the way of that sensible plan and then there are larger events afoot which involve the Shepherdess, the league of Storms, Demonseeds and the Demon of the dead mountain. This time around Eli is outmanned, outwitted and out of his reach when it comes to magic.

This book follows a crucial pattern like its predecessors and the focal point of this book is Nico. This is a bit of a giveaway from the title and after the events of the previous book, its high time the author decided to reveal more about her, her not-so-unique problem and the underlying problems of the world. This book also acts a wonderful transitionary volume for the series as its no longer a light hearted comedy like the first book and while it does retain all of its charm, humor & likability, it also takes a dark sheen over the plot. While many might think that the author is suddenly changing her plans and shifting gears, rest assured this is all part of the overall series scheme. The author had long ago revealed that she had planned the series arc before she started writing the books and each book would focus of a main character. This book focuses on the most endearing one among them.

The story has a lot of things going for it namely its pace and plot twists, while the reader’s grasp of the world is suitably widened. The main revelations in this story have to do with demons and demonseeds, and this was very especially tantalizing to read about. I was very curious after all what was revealed in the second book and so with this book I had high expectations which were suitably & generously met with. Characterization is similar to the first two books and while the character cast is increased, the author does her best to make the new characters as much interesting as the old ones. Humor has always been a highpoint for this series and with this book, it takes its first dip which I think has more to do with the plot matter. Its still funny but due to the darkness inherent within, it does not produce as many laugh-out-loud moments as say the first one. The plot line also encompasses some terrific SF edges to this fantasy story and I had asked the author about it in her interview and she replied by saying:

“The Shepherdess and the “what is going on with this world” questions are the big plot of the series, and the closer we get to the end, the bigger these problems get. They play a big roll in book 4 and book 5 pretty much is nothing but dealing with these problems because things are really going to hell.”

It’s very much evident from this book as to how screwed up things are and how much down hill the future seems to be. After reading all the revelations and plot hints for the future books, I can’t wait for June to get my hands on Spirit's War.

Drawbacks being similar to the first book are present in this one as well, the characters act a bit stereotypical and this perhaps will be the biggest flaw experienced by most veteran fantasy readers. Also the ending has a huge revelation for one character but it has a bit of "Deus ex Machina" feel to it which robs its sheen. This series however has been very clearly marketed for the type of fantasy it is and one can’t really complain in the third book that the reader didn’t know what type of book it was going to be.

CONCLUSION: Rachel Aaron’s series is progressively getting better with each book and with Spirit Eater, she not only ups the ante but also darkens the world of Eli Monpress in many a twisted way. Combining action, humor and plot twists to come up with an exciting story, the Spirit Eater is the best book of this series and now it remains to be seen how it all ends in the forthcoming books.(less)

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Feb 03, 2012 Shanshad Whelan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, series

And the romp continues! Though, this book turned out a little more serious than some of the others . . . and there's a background threat level that's rising with each book. Overall just a lot of fun to read and really get to know Nico. The author is doing a nice slow reveal on the background of the characters and the intricacies of the world. The slow reveal means there are rarely large chunks of text involving exposition and explanation, so the story keeps moving along from one scene to the nex...more

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Mar 05, 2011 cecilia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: purple-covers

Oh, what happened to the good old days when I watched Eli Monpress charm doors off their hinges? Gone, but in place of it is one hell of a plot waiting to be thickened! The Spirit Eater takes us deeper into the rabbit hole of this delightful world of magic where no one is who they seem to be and everything seems to be bent on colliding! I'm half-afraid to see where Rachel Aaron will take us in the 4th installment - but I am certain that it will rock this world!

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Mar 24, 2013 Ubiquitousbastard rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, favorites, favorite-character, thieves

First off, I'm gonna agree with Felicia Day, the cover sucks!! It especially sucks for how good this book is. Chick with weird eyebrows and a lot of liner does not really match up here. Actually, I hate most of the covers. I hate face covers, they irritate.
Moving on. This book rambled around a bit, so originally I had it rated four stars, then realized I read it twice (a rarity in these days of access to books) so of course it must be a five star book. It's just a book packed with antagonists so...more

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Nov 28, 2010 Cathy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: angels-demons, zz-challenge-bcc-fantasy-2010, zz-challenge-library-borrowed-2010, dogs, fantasy, magic-users, read-in-2010, series-reminder

This one is more than just a heist or a romp. Elements that were introduced in the previous books are further developed. It's still a bit typical, a tale of demons and gods, the people who are their tools and victims, and some people who just want to do their own thing. But the telling is enjoyable, the characters are well-developed, and the pace is fast and exciting. I'm glad the series is continuing for at least one more book.

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Apr 30, 2012 Tom Jefferson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

The third part of the Eli Monpress series has alot going on. The story as you may guess from the title focuses on Nico but it doesn't stop there bringing to the forefront many plot points that will be the focus of books to come. This is a bit of a middle book because of this without a proper beginning or end rather being a bridge fro the past books and the next in the series.

This is still a good read that promises of interesting stories to come.

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Feb 07, 2013 Jenine rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Oh wait -- this is not a trilogy! Still intriguing. The world is in peril and the supernatural guardians are coming to the fore. I was really looking forward to finishing the trilogy but am fairly cheerful about reading the next two. It's a pentology?

Things I may be getting tired of:
Josef fighting while grievously wounded.
Gin the ghosthound changing size.
Nico being at such low ebb. This may have been resolved.

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Mar 28, 2013 Barac Wiley rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As of this book, the series is clearly starting to build towards something, while continuing to resolve the matter at hand within the space of the book's narrative. Some suspicions about what's going on with Eli are confirmed, we learn more about demons and Nico, and for that matter there are some interesting revelations about how the Council operates and what exactly the Heart of War is. Good stuff all around.

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Jul 21, 2011 Larry Marshall rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

This is the third in a superbly written fantasy series. Consistently Rachel Aaron impresses, with her characters and pacing. You simply can't read these books without wanting to know what comes next and what Eli Montrose will do.

Sadly, Aaron's publisher (Orbit) has not gotten their head from the sand yet and the books are not available as eBooks so you're stuck buying paperbacks.

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About Rachel Aaron

Hello, my name is Rachel Aaron, author of The Spirit Thief and all the other Eli books forthcoming from Orbit. I live in Athens, GA, (which I always stress is not really Georgia, but a small island nation all its own adrift in the vast sea of East Georgia farmland) in a seventies house of the future with my husband, the keeper of the other half of my brain, my infant son, who's working on growing...more

More about Rachel Aaron...

Books by Rachel Aaron

The Spirit Thief (The Legend of Eli Monpress, #1)

The Spirit Rebellion (The Legend of Eli Monpress, #2)

The Spirit War (The Legend of Eli Monpress, #4)

The Legend of Eli Monpress (The Legend of Eli Monpress #1-3)

Spirit's End (The Legend of Eli Monpress #5)

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The Spirit Eater (The Legend of Eli Monpress #3)

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