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18th out of 41 books
—
80 voters
The Soul Mirror (Collegia Magica #2)
by
Carol Berg (Goodreads Author)
By order of His Royal Majesty Philippe de Savin-Journia y Sabria, Anne de Vernase is hereby summoned to attend His Majesty's Court at Merona...
Anne de Vernase rejoices that she has no talent for magic. Her father's pursuit of depraved sorcery has left her family in ruins, and he remains at large, convicted of treason and murder by Anne's own testimony. Now, the tutors at C...more
Anne de Vernase rejoices that she has no talent for magic. Her father's pursuit of depraved sorcery has left her family in ruins, and he remains at large, convicted of treason and murder by Anne's own testimony. Now, the tutors at C...more
Paperback, 528 pages
Published
January 4th 2011
by Roc Trade
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Don't be fooled by the "author information" included in Berg's books. All that stuff about mild-mannered software engineer. It's a smokescreen. Somewhere in Berg's past, she was a sorceress. I'm sure of it.
Nobody does magic as well as Berg, and I do mean nobody. Her magic is always terrific, believable, scary, and ... beautiful. (Not to say, different from series to series, through 12 books, which in itself is magic. See? Sorceress.) Add to that utterly convincing characters, a world so palpably...more
Nobody does magic as well as Berg, and I do mean nobody. Her magic is always terrific, believable, scary, and ... beautiful. (Not to say, different from series to series, through 12 books, which in itself is magic. See? Sorceress.) Add to that utterly convincing characters, a world so palpably...more
The Soul Mirror is an astonishing read. I was whisked away and laughing out loud reading about Portia de Duplais from Anne's perspective in those first chapters. The first book in this series, Spirit Lens, written from Portia's voice had me admiring his ability to release ego in the search for truth. I was enamoured with his character, and then Anne starts to blow that all away...so it made for fascinating times. This book is complete with a cast of believable characterss who evolve and develop...more
I love the Collegia Magica series by Carol Berg. I've now read the first book (The Spirit Lens) 4 times since January 2010 and The Soul Mirror 3 times since it came out in January 2011.
That said, I have to confess I didn't like The Soul Mirror quite as much as The Spirit Lens. I think it has to do with the differences between the protagonists, most of which are based on gender.
The hero of The Spirit Lens, Portier de Savin-Duplais, was self-deprecating and rather vulnerable. Because he was a man...more
That said, I have to confess I didn't like The Soul Mirror quite as much as The Spirit Lens. I think it has to do with the differences between the protagonists, most of which are based on gender.
The hero of The Spirit Lens, Portier de Savin-Duplais, was self-deprecating and rather vulnerable. Because he was a man...more
Just awesome, this takes the Collegia Magica series to the next level with a gripping tale that essentially ends all the threads from Spirit Lens though enough loose ends are left so new series books can follow.
Spoilers for Spirit Lens follow:
spoiler space
spoiler space
Four years after the end of The Spirit Lens, 22 year old Anne du Vernase, goddaughter of King Philippe is trying hard to keep her family estate going with a disappeared father condemned in large part by her testimony as murderer an...more
Spoilers for Spirit Lens follow:
spoiler space
spoiler space
Four years after the end of The Spirit Lens, 22 year old Anne du Vernase, goddaughter of King Philippe is trying hard to keep her family estate going with a disappeared father condemned in large part by her testimony as murderer an...more
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At first, I wasn't expecting to like this book much...I tend to like Berg's books more often when she's got a male protaganist. At first, I didn't particularly like Anne...but it may be because of the "first person" aspect--she thinks that Portier is a real jerk, but the first novel in the series was from his point of view, so we all know what he went through. After a little while, I came to really enjoy the novel a lot...so I look forward to see what the Collegia Magia will bring us next--Ilari...more
The cover of this book is what attracted me to the trilogy in the first place (the ribbon weaving on the sleeve is to die for!), but I must confess that, after I finished reading The Spirit Lens, I was a little taken aback by the idea of Anne de Vernase--a prickly and unwilling witness to her father's crimes in the first book--as the new narrator. Surprisingly, Anne turned out to be intelligent and resourceful beyond my wildest dreams. Which was a good thing, because the puzzles she had to solve...more
I had my doubts about this book at first. (There was mention of a raven's call startling our heroine on the first page. I had to roll my eyes a little! It's always a raven... why can't anyone in a book be startled by a Guinea hen-- now there's a startling bird call!)
I had my doubts, partially because I did not enjoy the first book as much as I could have. I was delighted to have a new narrator, but skeptical that Anne would actually be different in tone from Portier. I was delightfully wrong!
An...more
I had my doubts, partially because I did not enjoy the first book as much as I could have. I was delighted to have a new narrator, but skeptical that Anne would actually be different in tone from Portier. I was delightfully wrong!
An...more
The Soul Mirror by Carol Berg continues the saga of the Collegia Magica that started with The Spirit Lens. The horrendous events that exposed the actions of her father have devastated Anne de Vernase’s family and her summons to Court soon after the inexplicable death of her younger sister Lianelle drags her into the morass of intrigue and sorcery that swirls around the royal family. Reluctantly forced to interact with Portier de Savin-Duplais, Anne discovers that her younger sister had advanced...more
drey’s thoughts:
Soul Mirror takes place after the events in The Spirit Lens, and tells the story from the viewpoint of Anne de Vernase–the daughter who named her father traitor, saw her brother imprisoned, lived with her mother’s madness, and grieves her sister’s death. So much tragedy in this young woman’s life…
When she is summoned to Merona to answer for her family’s treachery, Anne is thrust into a court filled with deadly intrigue and magical dealings. Not having magic of her own, Anne is s...more
Soul Mirror takes place after the events in The Spirit Lens, and tells the story from the viewpoint of Anne de Vernase–the daughter who named her father traitor, saw her brother imprisoned, lived with her mother’s madness, and grieves her sister’s death. So much tragedy in this young woman’s life…
When she is summoned to Merona to answer for her family’s treachery, Anne is thrust into a court filled with deadly intrigue and magical dealings. Not having magic of her own, Anne is s...more
5 Big Stars
This is the best book that I have read so far in 2012. My reading enjoyment of this novel surely benefitted me by rereading book one just before I started this one. The Spirit Lens is an enjoyable mystery that has moments of greatness but it seemed to be entirely too focused on the plot and could have benefitted from more backstory. The Soul Mirror, book number two in the series, does not suffer from the same opportunity. It builds off the first, giving us more from our favorite chara...more
I prefer to read a series one right after the other; this is difficult when I catch the series at book one and have to wait a year for the next. I probably would have enjoyed this more if I hadn't already forgotten so much of the Spirit Lens. Nonetheless, it was thoroughly engrossing. I like the world Berg has created for this series. The characters are strong, and not all of them are what they appear to be. Definitely worth reading. Now, another year before the next one . . .
A Barnes and Noble gift card sent me and my husband out to shop a brick and mortar store. I have my favorite authors, but I wanted a taste of a secular fantasy novel. So I chose Carol Berg’s “The Soul Mirror” for it’s cover and the rear of the book. I had no idea what to expect. I had never read any of her books in the past. The first page helped make my decision to buy it.
Anne De Vernase is the main character born in a magical family, but she was tested early in life and found not to have the g...more
Anne De Vernase is the main character born in a magical family, but she was tested early in life and found not to have the g...more
Carol Berg doesn't write bad books, but the Collegia Magica is in the running for my favorite of her series. (I'd have to re-read BREATH & BONE to decide for sure.) There was a bit in this one that made me laugh out loud, when our unassuming heroine's activities are related as viewed by an outside opinion. Not so unassuming after all, perhaps.
A thing I expected came to pass within these pages, which was good (I really wanted it to happen), but considerably more I didn't also happened, which...more
A thing I expected came to pass within these pages, which was good (I really wanted it to happen), but considerably more I didn't also happened, which...more
Magic, deceit, necromancy--what's not to love?
I had a little debate with myself about how to rate this book, but in the end, I went with my gut. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series
and was a bit dismayed at first to find that this volume, set five years later, features a different protagonist, Anne de Varnese.
However, that change of perspective allows Berg to perform some delightful Evil Author Tricks--creating tension between Anne's view of the events and characters of the pre...more
I had a little debate with myself about how to rate this book, but in the end, I went with my gut. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series
and was a bit dismayed at first to find that this volume, set five years later, features a different protagonist, Anne de Varnese. However, that change of perspective allows Berg to perform some delightful Evil Author Tricks--creating tension between Anne's view of the events and characters of the pre...more
First rate, intelligent fantasy. Here, as in prequel SPIRIT LENS, a young but very quick on the uptake narrator (Anne of Vernase here, daughter of an accused traitor) is plunged into vicious intrigue at the royal court. I really could seldom tell what would be happening next, and as in the previous book became firmly attached to the central characters.
This kept me turning pages, neglecting housework, book work, my own writing. Such a great story, with unexpected twists, mystery, romance. As usual, Berg's characters are unforgettable, noble, flawed, and people we want to stay with for well over 500 pages. The words are a delight to read. You can't go wrong with this book.
I didn't read the first book so I had no idea what it was about or the world or which characters to trust so it was a riveting read. I liked the author's prose, I found the world/magic interesting. The whole italian renaissance type thing, the french/latin inspired names -- maybe it is unoriginal (I don't actually think so, tho) but I always prefer this sort of setting because it is a little more richer due to the various associations and memories it draws up for me.
As for character growth etc,...more
As for character growth etc,...more
I LOVED this magical book. This is the second in Carol Berg's Collegia Magica series and I just reread it. This installment is told from the point of view of Anne De Vernase, a young woman brought to court as a lady-in-waiting against her will. Anne is a very sympathetic protagonist and Berg eloquently describes her navigation of court manners and intrigues as she attempts to save her ruined family. I am SO looking forward to the continuation of the story with The Daemon Prism, but a little sad...more
OMG! OMG!!! I'm going to have to reread these books again. Setup like a mystery, these books somehow get to a pulse pounding state, and her reveals leave you with jaw hanging open and the world dropping out from under you. And yet everything fits so very, very well!
In The Soul Mirror, four years have passed since the events that transpired in The Spirit Lens. We find the story focused on Anne de Vernase, who has just learned that her sister, Lianelle, died in what she’s being told is a magical accident. But being a student of reality and not quite believing in magic, she sets out to find out what really happened to her sister. Along the way, she may just find the means to save herself and her father (an accused traitor to the crown). This is a compelling a...more
This is the second book in Berg's wonderfully complex and intriguing Collegia Magica trilogy. Everything you thought you knew at the end of book 1 unravels in books 2 and 3 and becomes rewoven in new and surprising ways.
This book follows Anne de Vernase, the shy, bitter, stubborn daughter of the missing man condemned as a traitor at the end of book 1. She is summoned to court to serve the queen. There, she must rethink everything she thinks she knows to stay alive and protect her family, with o...more
This book follows Anne de Vernase, the shy, bitter, stubborn daughter of the missing man condemned as a traitor at the end of book 1. She is summoned to court to serve the queen. There, she must rethink everything she thinks she knows to stay alive and protect her family, with o...more
Strong female protagonists are fairly rare in fantasy and female writers of fantasy are even rarer (I'm not including paranormal romance here). Carol Berg is one of that rare breed. In the Soul Mirror, she continues the story of the Collegia Magica, this time through the eyes of Anne de Vernase, a young noble woman from a magical family who prides herself on her lack of magic. Her father has been named a traitor and her entire family has suffered. When her younger sister dies in a magical accide...more
The sequel to 'The Spirit Lens' - and really, you've got to read that one first!
The first book ended with a satisfying resolution to the main mystery - but circles of conspirators still plague the kingdom of Sabria.
Anne de Vernase, a convicted traitor's daughter, is called to court to serve as the queen's handmaiden, her family estates confiscated by the crown. The man who fetches her to court, Savin Duplais (the main character of 'Spirit Lens') is deeply suspicious of her, and to her, seems l...more
The first book ended with a satisfying resolution to the main mystery - but circles of conspirators still plague the kingdom of Sabria.
Anne de Vernase, a convicted traitor's daughter, is called to court to serve as the queen's handmaiden, her family estates confiscated by the crown. The man who fetches her to court, Savin Duplais (the main character of 'Spirit Lens') is deeply suspicious of her, and to her, seems l...more
Historical setting, fantasy, mystery, a strong heroine, a dark hero and a touch of romance. What more could any reader want. This book was fantastic! I can't wait for "Daemon Prism" with Dante as the narrator.
I loved "The Soul Mirror" - Anne de Vernase is a fantastic heroine. Four years before the "The Soul Mirror" begins, Anne's world fell apart; her beloved father is charged with treason (Anne's own testimony damning him), her brother is taken to be a hostage while her father is at large, and her mother's mind has broken and twisted into madness.
Since these events (which unfolded in "The Spirit Lens"), Anne has been struggling with the financial burden of keeping her home afloat for her captive br...more
Since these events (which unfolded in "The Spirit Lens"), Anne has been struggling with the financial burden of keeping her home afloat for her captive br...more
Do you ever feel bad that you don't like a book as much as most reviewers loved it? Like maybe there was some secret that you just didn't get? That's how I feel about this book. I give it 3.5 stars, because I liked it. There were some good twists and great character development, but at times it was hard to understand the setting and some of the magic, especially the end. I think the end is what threw me off -- it got a little weird. Now I'm all for weird, but I didn't think the weirdness was exp...more
I love everything Carol Berg writes. THE SOUL MIRROR, follow up to THE SPIRIT LENS, does not disappoint. Berg's writing is rich and dense, like dark chocolate cake, and just as satisfying.
THE SOUL MIRROR is told from the point of view of Anne de Vernase, whose family has been destroyed by treachery and magic. As always, Berg creates characters with such depth and soul you feel you know them. Filled with twists and turns, Anne's life--like this book--keeps you riveted, spellbound, and absorbed un...more
THE SOUL MIRROR is told from the point of view of Anne de Vernase, whose family has been destroyed by treachery and magic. As always, Berg creates characters with such depth and soul you feel you know them. Filled with twists and turns, Anne's life--like this book--keeps you riveted, spellbound, and absorbed un...more
Review:
Angèle Masters' voice is not as soothing to my ears as Therese Plummer's is. Nor as appealing as Alyssa Bresnahan. Plus I like it when the same narrator reads the books in the same series. I'm anal that way. Angèle Masters also have the tendency to read "happy" lines and "excited" lines in a flat and monotonous voice at times. I am guessing this happens when she is already tired as this does not happen all the time. But still quite apparent to my reader's ears. And quite irritating. The c...more
Angèle Masters' voice is not as soothing to my ears as Therese Plummer's is. Nor as appealing as Alyssa Bresnahan. Plus I like it when the same narrator reads the books in the same series. I'm anal that way. Angèle Masters also have the tendency to read "happy" lines and "excited" lines in a flat and monotonous voice at times. I am guessing this happens when she is already tired as this does not happen all the time. But still quite apparent to my reader's ears. And quite irritating. The c...more
really enjoyed it. our focus is on a young woman whose father has been accused of treason and whose sister has just died in an accident caused by magic. soon she is commanded to come to the royal palace and become a lady of the court for the queen. excellent world building, interesting characters--wanted to read more as soon as i was done. only problem? it's the second book in a series. it stands alone just fine but don't read this one first because if you do, you'll already know how the first b...more
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Carol Berg is the author of the epic fantasy
The Books of the Rai-kirah, The Bridge of D'Arnath Quartet, the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winning Lighthouse Duet - Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone - the standalone novel Song of the Beast , and the three novels of the Collegia Magica.
Berg holds a degree in mathematics from Rice University, and a degree in computer science from the University of Col...more
More about Carol Berg...
The Books of the Rai-kirah, The Bridge of D'Arnath Quartet, the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winning Lighthouse Duet - Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone - the standalone novel Song of the Beast , and the three novels of the Collegia Magica.
Berg holds a degree in mathematics from Rice University, and a degree in computer science from the University of Col...more
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Mar 09, 2011 12:54pm
Mar 09, 2011 01:16pm