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The Thirteenth House (Twelve Houses #2)

3.79 of 5 stars 3.79 · rating details · 2,344 ratings · 158 reviews

After joining an unlikely band of soldiers and sorcerers to rescue the kidnapped regent Romar Brendan, the shiftling Kirra returns home to learn that her half-sister, Casserah, has been proclaimed heir to the land. But when Casserah refuses to go on a social tour of great Houses, Kirra shifts into her sister's form and makes the rounds-during which she unexpectedly meets u...more

ebook, 496 pages

Published February 27th 2007 by Ace Books (first published March 7th 2006)

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Dec 09, 2007 Tina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sff-fantasy

The Thirteenth House is the second book in the Twelve Houses series following the excellent Mystic and Rider.

Halchon Gisseltess, Marlord of one of the twelve houses, is fomenting rebellion in the south having pretty much admitted to Senneth that he wants to be king and, oh by the way, he wants to kill his wife and make Senenth his queen. His Sister Coralinda has named herself Lestra (a kind of Mother Superior) of the Daughters of the Pale Moon a Convent/cult that reveres the Moon Goddess and des...more The Thirteenth House is the second book in the Twelve Houses series following the excellent Mystic and Rider.

Halchon Gisseltess, Marlord of one of the twelve houses, is fomenting rebellion in the south having pretty much admitted to Senneth that he wants to be king and, oh by the way, he wants to kill his wife and make Senenth his queen. His Sister Coralinda has named herself Lestra (a kind of Mother Superior) of the Daughters of the Pale Moon a Convent/cult that reveres the Moon Goddess and despises mystics. She has her own army that she sends around to kill mystics. People whisper that King Baryn's new wife is a mystic who has ensorcelled him and that his daughter, young Princess Amalie would be unfit to reign should he die.

The band of six friends, Tayse, Senneth, Kirra, Donnal, Justin and Cammon have returned from their journeys and reported about the unrest in the realm to the King. They have separated, reluctantly, and gone on about their business. Tayse and Justin back to the elite King's guard. Cammon has settled into the royal city to learn new Mystic Skills. Senneth had been ordered by the King to reunite with her family. She does so but she drags her lover Tayse along. Kirra has been summoned by her father, the powerful Marlord Malcolm Dannalustrous to come home. So she and Donnal return to Dannan Hall.

Once there Kirra learns that her father has decided to name her younger sister Casserah as his heir. Kirra as the eldest would normally be expected to rule, but she has incurable wanderlust and wouldn't be a good ruler. But Casserah, though capable of ruling, is quite reclusive. She hates to leave Dannaloustrous lands and in these troublesome times, they need to strengthen diplomatic bonds and Casserah needs to marry. So Malcolm, Casserah and Kirra hatch a plan. Kirra will travel during the summer entertainment season shape-shifted as her sister to have people meet Casserah and possibly catch a husband. Donnal, never far from Kirra, will also accompany her.

In the meantime, The King has decided that his queen Valri and his daughter Amalie must also travel around to the twelve houses during the Summer entertainment season so that people can see them and meet them and it may allay some fears about the queen and the succession. He taps Senneth to accompany them along with the man he appoints as Regent in the case Amalie should need to rule, Romar Brendyn, and a large security detail that includes some of his elite Riders (Tayse and Justin included, natch). Cammon, having been shown to be quite valuable as a reader also accompanies them.

So the six friends find themselves once again on the road in the service of the King. Only this time instead of riding and camping in stealth, they travel in high style to go to parties and balls. And as a bonus we catch up on the friends and watch their relationship ties deepen even further. It is also nice to see the queen and the princess as characters and not just people that were talked about like in the last book. They are quite surprising characters too.

While the last book was unmistakably Senneth's story, this one is Kirra's. We learn a lot more about the sunny, feckless, fiercely loyal Serra Kirra. I enjoyed her story but I also turned each page with a bit more romantic trepidation. Not because it is a bad story, but because as a reader you sit back and watch tragedy unfold as Kirra embarks upon an ill-fated romance. As I was reading I just knew that it would not end well. I kept waiting for the shoe to drop. Shinn does yet another good job to letting the story unfold, letting the stakes pile up so that the consequences will be even greater.

I highly recommend.(less)

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May 19, 2008 Shana rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I only read this in the sense that I desperately skipped to the end and skimmed enough middle bits that I will be able to pick up the plot when and if I choose to continue on with the third book in the series. Kirra Danalustrous, the main character of this book, wasn't even close to my favorite of the six originally introduced in Mystic and Rider, the first book in the series. However, I never expected the author to so butcher her character and make her completely repulsive to me. The entire boo...more I only read this in the sense that I desperately skipped to the end and skimmed enough middle bits that I will be able to pick up the plot when and if I choose to continue on with the third book in the series. Kirra Danalustrous, the main character of this book, wasn't even close to my favorite of the six originally introduced in Mystic and Rider, the first book in the series. However, I never expected the author to so butcher her character and make her completely repulsive to me. The entire book occurs with a backdrop of increasingly likely civil war and the plots that Kirra and her friends are able to uncover. The most memorable part, however, concerns Kirra's affair with Romar Brendyn, regent of the kingdom and very married man. I understand that Shinn was trying to showcase Kirra's passionate nature and that her faults are as much a part of her as any of her virtues. But I just wanted to throw the book across the room. Her stubborn clinging to the doomed relationship and her neglect of the man who loves her most in the world make Kirra almost unbearable to read about. And Romar Brendyn's insistence on continuing with the farce makes it impossible for me to see him as the charming and compelling man that Shinn clearly expects the reader to love along with Kirra. Maybe it's just me. I know it's possible to find other people attractive while you are in a committed relationship, it may even be possible to love another person. But to act on that, when it is not within the previously defined boundaries of your current relationship, just pisses me off. All that "I just couldn't control myself" excuse-making strikes me as complete bullshit. I certainly don't want to read about it. Overall verdict: Shinn keeps the upcoming war and the future fate of the kingdom of Gillengaria compelling and that, and the characters I like--likely featured in at least one of the next novels--will probably keep me reading the series. But it will take a lot for this character to redeem herself in my eyes.(less)

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Oct 18, 2012 Lisa (Harmonybites) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, novels, romance

I liked this novel a bit more than the first book, Mystic and Rider, which struck me as too generic fantasy. Although don't get me wrong--even in that first book, I found an enjoyable read. Shinn has a gift for writing characters you care about and weaving fantasy and romance without stinting on either. The first book was centered on Senneth. This book is the story Kirra, a shapeshifter and potential heir to a major fiefdom in a land that distrusts magic users like her.

Her romance involved adult...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Kate rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The second in the Twelve Houses series, of which Mystic and Rider is the first. This is a series that is definitely best read in order. While Shinn explains enough of the backstory that it would probably make sense, it is much better when you already know the characters and have more of an interest in what happens. This is certainly as good as Mystic and Rider, although I found it less pleasurable. It is basically the story of Kirra. (view spoiler)...more

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Dec 30, 2010 A.J. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

But he would be back soon. He always returned to her. 88

Maybe the respite, though brief, was bountiful. Maybe it would ease the whole family through one week, or two, give them back a measure of peace, remind them that love could be free of pain. / Maybe not. Maybe the gift would be unbearably bitter as it broke in their hands, as the illness returned with redoubled force, choking the child’s lungs, twisted his limbs. Maybe magic was a bright sparkling lure that drew the unwary deep into haunted...more

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Feb 05, 2010 Opemi rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

so the more i read the more distressed i get because i can already tell what is going to happen. I liked kirra in book one not as much as senneth but still she seemed so much more mature in book one.

When i realized that book two was going to be about her and not continuing with senneth or staring with cammon i was disappointed. I pretty much hate Kirra for the duration of the book she doesnt seem as smart or as mature, she seems silly and acts like a child. And her so called prince charming is a...more

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Dec 09, 2008 E. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The land of Gillengaria is experiencing increasing levels of unrest among the minor nobility who don't belong to the 12 great Houses. Kirra, the eldest daughter of the House of Danalustrous is one of the very visible mystics who can shape-shift and, unlike many of her persecuted colleagues, she has the wholehearted support of her family. Appearances are deceiving and Kirra's younger sister Casserah is named heir to their House (to Kirra's great relief) which lends credence to those who think tha...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Lady Jaye rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: stars-4, read-in-2013, authors-sharon-shinn, 2013-favorites, pb-werewolves-or-shapeshifters, awesome-heroes, part-of-a-series, keeper, favorites, magic, fantasy, people-magic-users, awesome-heroines, people-warriors, tender-or-heartfelt, young-adult, people-gentry, romantic-elements

Beautiful.
The simple beauty of this book has struck me more forcefully now, 12 or so hours after reading the book, than it did immediately I had finished. Simply beautiful. But then again, I wouldn't expect much less from Ms. Shinn.

So.....The Thirteenth House is book 2 in the loosely-connected Twelve Houses series. This time around, it's mostly centered around Kirra. In the doing of errands for the king, Kirra meets and falls in love with Lord Romar, Princess Amalie's uncle and regent elect. Th...more

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Mar 03, 2011 Miss Clark rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, paranormal

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This second book in the Twelve Houses series was one I desperately wished could have been skipped, but it was necessary to read it. There is some truly wonderful character interaction and development for Justin and Cammon, and we meet Amalie at last (and what an intriguing, fascinating character) and we see more of Valri (she has to be Lirren!), which is cool, and Senneth and Tayse are with the group. Donnal and Kirra are there as well and they all make the social rounds as they escort Amalie to...more This second book in the Twelve Houses series was one I desperately wished could have been skipped, but it was necessary to read it. There is some truly wonderful character interaction and development for Justin and Cammon, and we meet Amalie at last (and what an intriguing, fascinating character) and we see more of Valri (she has to be Lirren!), which is cool, and Senneth and Tayse are with the group. Donnal and Kirra are there as well and they all make the social rounds as they escort Amalie to all the Houses for balls and parties, introducing her into society and all. The book is highly political, which makes it feel a lot longer than it is, but I really like the core group and how they act around one another and what they mean to each other, which is why Kirra's actions throughout were very disturbing. I loved Casserah! Her relationship to Kirra and her very unique personality, which could have been dull and cold came across as intense, focused, calm, loving and loyal, and so very fiercely autonomous. Irrespective of all other opinions and strictures, she just is herself, more so than Kirra I felt, whose acceptance among the Houses controls her behavior more than once in the book.

Overall, Amalie is getting out and being seen and people want to kill her and/or the regent. Lots of attacks, they are all fended off, Kirra's uncle is the ringleader, Kirra is displaced as heir so Casserah is now to take over Danalustrous when the ever amazing Malcolm should step down, Halchon gets off his property and harasses Amalie and Senneth, though Amalie manages both him and his sister Coralinda beautifully and so understatedly just dismisses them, making it clear she has no fear of them. War is still looming by the end.

Kirra is attracted to Romar, the regent-to-be for his niece Amalie, and he in turn, married just a year, is clearly attracted to her. And do they say,"Well, here is a disaster waiting to happen. We should probably stay away from private dalliances and flirting every time we see each other, shouldn't we?" No, instead, they flirt half the book, then enter into an affair that lasts until the very last chapter. There are so very many things about this that bothered me. First of all, Romar is married! And the man who would be regent, the man everyone blathers on and on about being honourable and just and such a good man, is betraying his wife over and over and over. What sort of man with any honor would act in such a way? He himself says he would never harm his loved ones for anything less than the greater good of the kingdom, but he turns around and has an affair that it is made clear is injuring his wife deeply - a woman who loves him and has never done anything other than be an exemplary wife. The man is a first-rate coward and cretin and clearly, despite his protestations that he "loves" Kirra, he just wants to have her for sex. I am sorry to be so blunt, but they never talk - they just "make love". Romar has no concern for her emotional well-being (never mind his WIFE'S), but only wants to spend every possible moment with her making out. He makes it clear he will never leave his wife(Oh, he is too HONOURABLE to do something like THAT), but that he and Kirra can "be together" as much as possible, by which he means that anytime they are in the same vicinity they'll spend the night "in each other's arms". This man has no true love or concern for either woman - his wife or his mistress. He'll use them both and ultimately cares only for sating his desire for Kirra, not his love. By the end of this book I never wanted to hear the word love used again. Listening to these two misuse the word to cover their own selfish, disgusting behavior was so sickening. I wanted to yell at them the whole time to suck it up and call it what it was. So, yeah, no respect for either of those two, especially for Kirra whom up to that point I had actually liked. Which it made it all the worse. But she used her "I am an independent, restless, passionate soul" and the "I'm in looooooove" cards to excuse her behavior in willfully engaging in an illicit liaison with a man she knew was married (as happily as a man with such a screwed up personality - one which clearly was all about him - was ever going to be). She knew it was wrong, she says as much when she realized she was attracted to him, but she does it anyway and once she is in it and it just feels so good, her desires and her "need" for Romar is just so strong and suddenly it is "Love you haters and how can you deny me Love? How? How dare you have anything to say to me? I am a free spirit so you can't tell me what to do! I love him! I don't care who it hurts!" And Justin tries to tell her. Even Tayse. I was quite proud of them. Esp. Justin for calling her on it and telling her this was wrong and that she, who she really was, was lost on this path she was choosing. And Justin's whole conversation with her (chapter 32) was surprising but very needed. I was so proud of him for saying it and truly trying to help Kirra even when he knew she would just throw it back in his face. Donnal at least had the self-respect to get away from her (sort of). But Cammon and Senneth were just all sympathetic and I was pretty thoroughly fed up with that attitude. I wanted them to at least say something to her, anything rather than just comforting her whenever she was upset or saying, "Oh, this will hurt you down the road, I wish you would not put yourself through this." Yeah, true, but just reinforces the self-centered, bratty behavior that got her to that position, as if her wants and feelings are the end all and be all. There were larger things at stake and for Cammon and Senneth to be so absent from being a part of pointing that out was wrong. And then there was the whole Donnal and Kirra situation. He loves her and she just treats him like dirt, like a plaything. She takes him for granted and refuses to love him in return b/c of the disparity in their social positions and she could not bring herself to be ostracized by her peers for such a relationship. Real independent and free-spirited. Yeah. More like cowardly and pathetic. And that whole situation is never really resolved with Donnal, which I think really needs to be addressed. I just hated how horrible Kirra and other characters were throughout, masking their petty, nasty behavior in empty terms of love and care and concern and I hated how that changed my view of them. A lot of anger and frustration. So, this had a few really good moments in overall series plot story, but personally was very painful and aggravating to read and I doubt if I will ever be able to see the characters in the same way again. And I really doubt I'll read this again if I can possibly avoid it.

Advisory: Mature content. Desire to injure fictional characters may occur.(less)

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Dec 16, 2011 Casey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, high-fantasy

4 stars.

The first time I read this book I was very very harsh in my thinking. I've changed my mind. I love Mystic and Rider. Senneth and Tayse are my favorites and then Justin. I like Kirra but I have a hard time in this book.

Kirra makes some choices that I think are stupid and down right selfish. However they are learning points for her. The consequences have to be harsh because its the only way she really learns. Her station and her father have cushioned her and in this book most of that get...more

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Jan 28, 2013 J.H. Walker rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi-and-fantasy

In "Mystic and Rider" we were introduced to a wonderful cast of characters: Senneth, Kirra, Donnal, Cammon, and the two Riders, Justin and Tayse. In book two of the Twelve Houses series, we see the gang back together again. Although all the characters play a role, in this book, Seramarra Kirra Danalustrous plays the lead. Also continued is the storyline about the nobility's concern that King Baryn is aging, and that his heir, Princess Amalie, is untried and not ready to succeed him. Rebellion is...more

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Jul 24, 2011 Kiersten added it · review of another edition

It still amazes me that both books I’ve read so far in the Twelve Houses series could have next to no plot to speak of—or at least a very thin, rather dull one—and still be so gripping. Essentially, all that is supposed to happen in the bulk of this book is that Kirra is supposed to style herself as her sister and go to a lot of parties to meet a lot of important people. That’s one of those plots that’s not worth reading unless something goes wrong with it. But even before something does go wron...more

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Oct 28, 2012 jD rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, 2012_5-stars, fantasy_adventure_worldbuilding, fantasy_romance, fantasy_myths

In this second installment of the Twelve Houses series, Ms. Sharon Shinn writes a lovely, though ill-advised love story. The heroine, Kira won my interest in book one so I was happy to jump into the pages of her story.

Kira is a shape-shifter and healer but most importantly, she is a daughter of one of the Twelve Houses. She is viewed by others as beautiful and restless. But for me, her intelligence and courage are what makes Kirra's such a natural heroine. Kirra is very loyal to her family, frie...more In this second installment of the Twelve Houses series, Ms. Sharon Shinn writes a lovely, though ill-advised love story. The heroine, Kira won my interest in book one so I was happy to jump into the pages of her story.

Kira is a shape-shifter and healer but most importantly, she is a daughter of one of the Twelve Houses. She is viewed by others as beautiful and restless. But for me, her intelligence and courage are what makes Kirra's such a natural heroine. Kirra is very loyal to her family, friends, and House. So it is no surprise to see her in the thick of things as war looms over her country and danger comes to the Mystics who are those gifted with magic. The story starts with Kirra participating in the rescue of the Regent, Romar. He surprises Kira from the start as she is wowed by his determination and willingness to take responsibility for those around him. He is a rare noble in that he has a big heart and is willing to die for his King and niece the Princess. He is perfect in every way except he is married.

Kira is not the type of woman who would screw around with someone’s husband so I was anxious how Ms. Shinn was going to make this work. As it turned out, Ms. Shinn knew Kira better than me so she had the story well in hand every turn of the page. My heart went out to these two. I wondered how it was going to work out. I also ached for Donnel, Kira’s childhood friend who is also a shifter. They are so close and it was always clear that he loved her but he was born in the wrong zip code of the kingdom. Kira was in a bind no matter which way she went. She didn’t want to fall in love but she did and it was glorious. I felt this story was very mature based on the subject matter but Ms. Shinn kept it pretty much PG-13 if not less.

Most of the book was about Kira and Donnel’s activities but eventually the band got back together. I enjoyed having Suneth, Tayse, Cammon, and Justin join the story. I love this ensemble of characters because they feel very real. The land of Gillengaria is full of adventure, political intrigue, and backstabbing nobles. There is no heavy-handed fantasy aspects that bogged down the story. I found there was plenty to stimulate this read’s imagination although some readers may want greater detail about the varied cultures that make up the realm.

At its soul, this story is about friendship for me. The relationship these characters share is a bond that many times is the difference between life and death. Of course, there are the necessary ‘tea and sympathy’ chats that further revealed the ease in which they care for one another.

As soon as I read the last few lines, I immediately went to the library to grab book three which is about Justin.
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Apr 09, 2012 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Hmmm - the first one was better. The doomed romance felt like a case of an unreliable narrator who can't tell the difference between extreme lust and true love - so I was okay with how the more "important" story of impending civil war played second fiddle. Part of the theme of the book is how small problems can seemingly overshadow big ones, so it worked.

Here's the reason for my own point deduction: I know it's fantasy, I felt like the mystics' powers were starting to defy the world logic set up...more

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Jun 27, 2010 Tiffany rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really am enjoying this series. Sharon Shinn got her character in real trouble this time. She's picked the wrong man to fall in love with; he's already taken. Of course, this doesn't stop one of my favorite characters, Kirra, from making him her man.

All the other characters, Senneth, Justin, Cammeron, and Tayse, are all there giving advice, helping guard with the new problem of intrigue. They've all gotten invited to protect the princess from getting killed by the King's enemies as she makes...more

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Apr 26, 2011 Joy rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 21c, american, fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Sequel to Mystic and Rider. Kirra, a shiftling, impersonates her sister during the Twelve Houses' social seasons--partly so her sister, Casserah, can stay home (which Casserah vastly prefers) and partly to help protect the princess Amalie during her tour of Gillengaria. In the process she falls in love with Romar Brendyn, Amalie's uncle and the regent-to-be. Romar is already married, however, so that can't end well.

This book had some serious structural difficulties. While the general arc (Amalie...more

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Aug 12, 2010 Erin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I would have given it 4 stars, but there is an affair in there - though not as prominent as the cover description would have you believe. I liked the fact that you get to see all of the characters that you fell in love with in the first book and saw the progression of the evil ones and were left wondering what some of the secrets were. Shinn often leaves you wanting more from the characters in her books only to start the next of the series with a whole different set of characters and brief menti...more

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May 02, 2009 Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-high

Book Two in the Twelve House series was pretty enjoyable…for the most part. This book has a similar format, in that the six main characters (and a few extras) are again traveling through Gillengaria. Only this time they are escorting the Princess to some of the Twelve Houses to attend the summer balls. It did get a little old as they traveled from house to house, but it was still entertaining and the political intrigue kept my attention. Kirra takes on the appearance of her sister, Casserah, for...more Book Two in the Twelve House series was pretty enjoyable…for the most part. This book has a similar format, in that the six main characters (and a few extras) are again traveling through Gillengaria. Only this time they are escorting the Princess to some of the Twelve Houses to attend the summer balls. It did get a little old as they traveled from house to house, but it was still entertaining and the political intrigue kept my attention. Kirra takes on the appearance of her sister, Casserah, for the majority of the book. This got a little old after awhile, it would have been a good idea for a shorter time period, but I felt it was drawn out a little too long. The other six weren’t really present that much and I missed the “magic” that comes when they are all together. I’m a bit upset about the direction Kirra’s character took and am debating about reading the next books….okay, I’ll still read them because Justin is next and I’m excited to see things from his perspective. I’ve always liked Justin and if it wasn’t for Donnal, I’d want Kirra to be with him. Anyway, overall a good second book, I’d have rated it higher if it weren’t for stupid, womanizer Romar.

Spoilers & Disappointments
Kirra is one of my favorite characters, in book one I just loved Kirra’s character and was so excited to find out book two would be from her perspective. So, I was completely disappointed in her falling in love with Romar…or as I like to call him “roamer” (since he tends to roam away from his loving wife to shack up with Kirra). It was frustrating to read about their growing relationship, which to me was based more on lust than love. What they had was not love and it was unpleasant to read about. It really tainted my opinion of Kirra and I really couldn’t stand Romar. I felt so sad for Donnal, and wanted to shout at Kirra for her double standard. Claiming she couldn’t be with Donnal because he was poor and yet she could be with a married man? Duh. The last thing I’ll say is that they both got off too easy, especially Romar. He felt no guilt, remorse or anything. He got off way too easy. As for Kirra, she also got off to easy, and I don’t feel she really learned her lesson or the seriousness of her behavior. She doesn’t deserve Donnal.
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Mar 15, 2010 Donna Hatch rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I absolutely loved the first book in the series, Mystic and Rider, so I was excited to find the sequel, Thirteenth House. But I have to say, I was disappointed. Maybe I was expecting a little more romance, like her other books and especially like the previous book, but it was pretty depressing and the ending left me wondering if it was really going to turn out or not. The heroine ultimately did the right thing, and the endings suggested all was not lost, but it wasn't really a true happy ending,...more

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May 06, 2013 Misti rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I wasn't sure I would like this book as much as the first since it was about Kirra, and she wasn't my favorite character in the first book. But happily, the whole gang is also back and it was good to have them all together. There's lots of political entrigue, balls, and some assassination attempts. And by the end I was completely, emotionally involved in the story. Kirra did some growing even though her basic nature didn't change, which I was glad for.

I just wanted to yell at Kirra and her choi...more

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Apr 10, 2011 Natalie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The band of adventurers that traveled the land in Mystic and Rider have been split. Senneth and Tayse are in Brassenthwaite attempting a reconciliation with Senneth's brothers, while Kirra, Donnal, Justin and Cammon are on a mission to rescue the kidnapped regent-to-be Romar. However, it is not long before they are reunited. Senneth, Tayse, Justin and Cammon have been assigned to protect the Princess Amalie as she tours the country in an effort to quiet the disturbing rumors that abound about he...more

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Jan 08, 2008 Latharia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A nice follow up on the first book in the series, Sharon Shinn does a masterful job with character development, showing new sides to people, also hurrying along the plotline, almost as an afterthought!

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May 10, 2011 Josie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I actually enjoyed this more than the first in the series, possibly because I already knew most of the characters, and didn't have to spend time thinking 'now which one is Donnal again?'
Whilst I strongly disapproved of Kirra having an affair with a married man, and her selfishness in engaging in such a relationship (not only towards Romar's wife and his social standing, but also towards Casserah, who she was disguised as, and Donnal, who clearly loved her, yet expected nothing in return, which...more

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Feb 23, 2012 Erika rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

Finally finished the series. I read them completely out of order, and, unsurprisingly for me, I liked the first book that I read the most (the third in the series). It seems to happen that way. Reading them in order is better though because you get a better grasp of the relationships between the characters and how they developed.

One of the things that I like about this series is that, although it seems to be meant for a young adult audience, the characters are not unrealistically ultra-mature f...more

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Mar 04, 2010 Veronica rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Although this book had the same writing and upbeat characters that the last book had, it focused much more on romance. Whereas the first book had a tentative, sweet relationship between characters, this one seemed to be almost purely one of lust, making me dislike the main character slightly, whereas I had loved her in the last book. Additionally, the book seemed to lag in a large chunk just past the middle- not that nothing happened, it was just nothing that moved the characters and increased t...more

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Aug 20, 2011 Annie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is my favorite book in the Twelve Houses series. In fact, there are a couple of books in this series that I did not even make it through, but this is the second time I've read "The Thirteenth House."

It's Kirra, the main character, that makes it so interesting. She is one of three women characters to make it on the cover of a book in this series, and she is the only one who is not a fighter. She likes to wear dresses and go to parties, well-versed in social politics. How many fantasy charact...more

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Mar 17, 2011 Helen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another 3.5 stars! The series is getting easier to read as I get more familiar with the world. It was SO much easier to keep track of the 12 Houses in this book, compared to book 1. Most of all, I REALLY enjoyed the camaraderie of the original characters from book 1.

I wasn't thrilled that Kirra was the main voice for the entire book, mainly because I didn't like where the story took her or the selfish decisions she made. However, she redeemed herself by the end.

I'll keep reading! I'm VERY intere...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Digne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a harder book than the Mystic and Rider, harder because the heroine, Kirra, is hurting inside and making really bad choices. It's necessary for the series on a whole but sad to read because we know that it's going to lead to great pain at the end of the book.

Yet I enjoyed Shinn's talk on this. She doesn't over moralize on it, even when some of the other characters confront Kirra about her bad choices. It's not excessively preachy. Even the final decision Kirra makes is done without much...more

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Nov 09, 2011 Regina rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010-before, fantasy, possibly-sucks, romance, dropped

*SIGH...i wanted to like this book so badly. I loved all of the other volumes and decided to read this for last because of other people's review dishing about Kirra's love life with a married man...and boy i am glad i read this last because it would have made me less favorable towards Kirra in the latter volumes. I love Kirra's character but she is so selfish here! I really don't like adulterous relationships and poor Donnal! my heart hurt for him the whole time. He is so devoted to Kirra and sh...more

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Feb 26, 2013 ❀angela rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: high-fantasy, nook, seriously-pissed-me-off, romance

I was prepared to give this two stars, considered giving it one star when my resentment for Kirra peaked. But I'm not going to condemn this book for featuring adultery, when the author doesn't even promote it.

As King Baryn said, "Most trouble in this world is caused by people wanting something not currently in their possession." Kirra's affair with a married man wasn't about their irresistible attraction to each other and how they "just couldn't help it"; it was about Kirra overcoming her selfi...more

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About Sharon Shinn

I’ve been writing stories and poems since I was eight years old. My first poem was about Halloween: "What is tonight? What is tonight?/Try to guess and you’ll guess right." Perhaps this inauspicious beginning explains why it took me till I was in my thirties to sell a novel. It occurred to me early on that it might take some time and a lot of tries before I was able to publish any of my creative w...more I’ve been writing stories and poems since I was eight years old. My first poem was about Halloween: "What is tonight? What is tonight?/Try to guess and you’ll guess right." Perhaps this inauspicious beginning explains why it took me till I was in my thirties to sell a novel. It occurred to me early on that it might take some time and a lot of tries before I was able to publish any of my creative writing, so I pursued a degree in journalism at Northwestern University so I’d be able to support myself while I figured out how to write fiction.

I’ve spent most of my journalism career at three trade and association magazines—The Professional Photographer (which, as you might guess, went to studio and industrial photographers), DECOR (which went to frame shop and art gallery owners), and BizEd (which is directed at deans and professors at business schools). My longest stint, seventeen years, was at DECOR. Many people don’t know this, but I’m a CPF (Certified Picture Framer), having passed a very long, technical test to prove I understood the tenets of conservation framing. Now I write about management education and interview some really cool, really smart people from all over the world.

I mostly write my fiction in the evenings and on weekends. It requires a pretty obsessive-compulsive personality to be as prolific as I’ve been in the past ten years and hold down a full-time job. But I do manage to tear myself away from the computer now and then to do something fun. I read as often as I can, across all genres, though I’m most often holding a book that’s fantasy or romance, with the occasional western thrown in. I’m a fan of Cardinals baseball and try to be at the ballpark on opening day. If I had the time, I’d see a movie every day of my life. I love certain TV shows so much that knowing a new episode is going to air that night will make me happy all day. (I’m a huge Joss Whedon fan, but in the past I’ve given my heart to shows all over the map in terms of quality: "Knight Rider," "Remington Steele," "Blake’s 7," "Moonlighting," "The Young Riders," "Cheers," "Hill Street Blues," "X-Files," "Lost," "Battlestar Galactica"...you can probably fill in the gaps. And let’s not forget my very first loves, "The Partridge Family," "Here Come the Brides" and "Alias Smith & Jones.")

I don’t have kids, I don’t want pets, and all my plants die, so I’m really only forced to provide ongoing care for my menagerie of stuffed animals. All my friends are animal lovers, though, and someone once theorized that I keep friends as pets. I’m still trying to decide if that’s true.

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The Thirteenth House (Twelve Houses #2)

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