I, like many others, think this installment in the series is the best. My reason for this preference is fairly specific though. It was Ivy.
Too many au...moreI, like many others, think this installment in the series is the best. My reason for this preference is fairly specific though. It was Ivy.
Too many authors have this 'Ivy' aspect in a series and it almost, without fail, drags on too long. The "I'm not sure, but I'll keep teasing at the relationship, but won't commit, but I'll beat myself up over it, then I'll embrace it fully, then I'll mess it up, etc." thing makes me crazy! Male, female, vampire, witch, demon, or rainbow-striped zebra, the indecision over Ivy had gone on for about two books too many and I expelled one gigantic sigh of relief to see it go. Finally!
I love many of the aspects that others do. The development of Trent's character and allowing him to interact in a way that portrays him as a man with individuality was a long time in coming. He has been the 'elf drug-lord' for so many books that I was begining to despair. He was allowed to become more in this book. (At last!)
Seeing the characters outside of Cincy was also a treat. Kim herself had mentioned that she enjoyed writing about this and I can see why. A nice change, both in physical and emotional scenery.
A few people have mentioned in reviews that they felt this book moved too slow and lacked 'action'. It should be acknowledged that since the majority of 'action' in this series has centered around Rachel fighting demons, this book would inevitably have considerably less action than others. This is the book in which she comes to terms, whether forced, implied, or chosen, with her biology, and she obviously won't be fighting as many demons if she IS one. Bad form to beat up your uncle at the family reunion you know. :)
The shift in relationship with Trent is also a welcome aspect in my book as it seems a requirement for the resolution of the series. When all the 'unknowns' come to a head in the series, the chance for history to repeat itself with elves and demons waring again is high. Having a leader figure from each camp, Rachel and Trent, become one on the list of partners, lovers, friends, etc. seems a vital aspect to take the story in a different direction. (My take on future action...probably wrong but it makes me happy!)
Overall I was ridiculously pleased with this book. It was a definite 'turning of a corner' and I look forward to the new landscape we will see in book ten.
Well, this definately had a different feel to it. Still BDB, but it felt 'off track' for me in some way that I can't really name. I think it was lack...moreWell, this definately had a different feel to it. Still BDB, but it felt 'off track' for me in some way that I can't really name. I think it was lack of romance. The overall series plotline development was great in this one and took some big jumps. Discovering the goings on of Rev, the big-time changes with Quinn and Blay, Quinn and John Matthew, and HELLO! the deal with Lash. Yowza! A few more teasers with JM and Xehx was nice to see. Lots going on for a BDB fan to enjoy.
The story between Cormia and Phury was really weak and kind of left me hanging. I had read many reviews and was prepared for this though. I would have given this one only 2 stars for the main character weaknesses, but the advancement of the series made up for it. It also made me immediately read Father Mine: Zsadist and Bella's Story and I will be moving on to Lover Avenged ASAP! :)(less)
Best in the series yet! (Probably closer to 4 1/2 stars.) Of course Gena gave us another drool worthy Lord in Amun...gotta' love the strong silent typ...moreBest in the series yet! (Probably closer to 4 1/2 stars.) Of course Gena gave us another drool worthy Lord in Amun...gotta' love the strong silent type,eh? :) In this installment, she also gave us a smart heroine. I have really enjoyed this whole series, but some of the female leads are all about self sacrifice for 'their love'. It was a nice change to have a few moments where she was just plain smart enough to save him without having to die. I really loved the card game with the Four Horse(men?). It was a favorite part of the story. And the fact that she could speak to him was great. I figured this would happen for his story, but was great to finally 'hear' what Amun had to say after all these stories.
The conflict between Strider and Amun was interesting as well. This was a new piece and a refreshing change from the monotony that can sometimes seep into series like these. Overall I really enjoyed it and felt this book did a really good job of setting up the next stories for Strider and what looks like William. I think he might be our next story and I am looking forward to it!(less)
I really like this series and I can't be sure why. It isn't terribly well written, but it is interesting. I think the author does a wonderful job in d...moreI really like this series and I can't be sure why. It isn't terribly well written, but it is interesting. I think the author does a wonderful job in developing the magic and her version of the sterotypical witch and watcher in this series. My only complaint is that so much time is spent building sexual tension between the characters and then it is all resolved in 2 paragraphs. I don't need erotica, but when you are dealing with a man who has just found the only woman he can touch without pain, you would expect things to get a little wild.
This installment in the series was one of the best. It was the first time that I felt I was really reading a series with an overall plot line as opposed to individual novels(novellas-these are short) that are connected. I liked the characters in the previous books very much, so I was sad to deviate away from them, but it was nice to see more of the authors world and make some new frinds. Looking forward to seeing what the author comes up with next for this world of hers.(less)
FrEEEEEk-in' fantastic!!! This is really all that must be said, but of course I will say more. Many people that review this book will take the time to...moreFrEEEEEk-in' fantastic!!! This is really all that must be said, but of course I will say more. Many people that review this book will take the time to recap the plot and give you some character intros, so I am taking the lazy man's road and skipping anything remotely informative about the book itself in my review.
Instead, I will tell of how I felt throughout the book. One of the main objectives in reading is to think and feel something, right? A good book will make you think in circles of confusion or starbursts of inspiration. The Black Prism had me thinking and feeling to such extremes that medication was called for; valium, lithium, and aspirin in turn.
I had a love/hate, bipolar friendship with so many characters in this book that I would have finished it out of self defense even if it had been 1800+ pages. You don't purely love (or hate) real people, and the best book characters are the same. Gavin, Dazen, Karris, Liv, and especially Kip himself, had me either disgusted with one of their choices, or cheering for them like a fool.
* My only real complaint was that the 'simple-minded Kip' thing recieved one or two references too many. It bordered on annoying right before it stopped.*
The best thing to be said of this book is about the ending. This was one the the most inspired, creative, and HOLY $h!t!!! endings to a story that I have read in quite some time. Some authors con, wheedle, or seduce you at the end with just enough of the cliffhanger aspect to get you to pick up the next book. Good ol' Brent black-jacked me in the side of the head with the substantial weight of the hardcover of this book, kicked me in the ribs while I was down, and then jumped atop me and bellowed in my face, "You will buy the next installment of The Lightbringer Series, or suffer my wrath!"
**Warning: If you find that the sci-fi-ish basis for the luxin concept is confusing to you, you have only yourself to blame because you didn't listen to your chemistry teacher in high school. The premise of the magic in this world is really easy once you have read about 4 key pages out of a 100 level Chem book. Take the time to read it and you will feel like a genius! ;)**
On a side note:
I took some time and read a few of the reviews by others and I am really, Really, REALLY sick of everyone comparing this book to Weeks' Night Angel Trilogy! My friends, it is a new series; new characters, different flavor of writing, and in reality it is even a different sub-genre of fiction. Jeesh! If you liked Night Angel so much, read that again. Don't deduct stars just because it wasn't Night Angel. I'm almost sure you were aware of that when you read 'The Black Prism' on the cover. :)(less)
So I will give this one the full one star instead of just the half since this book had a shiny cover like Flirt AND it actually had characters other t...moreSo I will give this one the full one star instead of just the half since this book had a shiny cover like Flirt AND it actually had characters other than AB in it. Wow, real promise there.
I would call the comments that I'm about to make 'spoilers'. The problem with that is that it implies there is something to be spoiled. Sorry. Too late. The author did that all on her own.
So, Anita Blake novels are about a woman who is a necromancer and vampire hunter. The series can be really violent as it is dark urban fantasy, so how many vamps did our hunter snuff out? Zer-ooooo! However, she did have sex with some so we can at least say there were vamps in the book.
Vamps killed: 0 Vamps that 'got a piece': 2-9 (depending on how many she took care of during the big orgy scene)
No vamps were 'hunted'? Oh, right. No worries since she's a necromancer too so that must be what this book focuses on. So if the book wasn't about vampire hunting, it must have had lots of necromancy in it, right?
Zombies raised: 0 *Fortunately AB did not have sex with any zombies. She did however have sex with a 17 yo boy. (Which of those is more repulsive? You decide.)
There seemed to be only three major points of conflict in the book. One was the ever-present threat of 'Marmie Noir'. The second was Anita needing to have sex with Haven or kill him. (These are the only options, really?)
I think the thing that sums up the absolute absurdity of this novel best is the last conflict issue. The last was that Asher was PO'd that he wasn't getting gay sex from JC.
Serously. Really. I mean it. That was a huge issue for many chapters of this book.
No joke.
I'm not sure if I can express how truly pissed off I am at LKH. She is the world's biggest literary sell-out. She will put any piece of quality-free crap on a piece of paper and hand it over to her editors just to make a buck now. Pitiful.
I really liked this edition of the DH series. It was a nice change of pace to have a hero who still actually had a family...even if said family is a b...moreI really liked this edition of the DH series. It was a nice change of pace to have a hero who still actually had a family...even if said family is a bunch of jerks. It was also nice to have a tough-kick-a-little-butt-cause-I-trained-like-a-dark-hunter-too kind of girl for the heroine. I don't think any other heroine is actually able to fight alongside her DH so that was a lovely switcheroo. (I get a little tired of the 'swooning woman' issue.) She also was a tough cookie emotionally and I thought she had a fun sense of humor. Many other reviewers feel she was too sarcastic and that made her annoying and I disagree. I felt she had a quick wit, and with the exception of maybe one scene, thought that she was written well. She also didn't ask any stupid questions and go bananas over the paranormal forces in the DH world which I appreciate. As a PNR fan, there is nothing more annoying than a book character that is constantly ranting about how 'vampires/demons/angels/shifters/witches/magic/etc. don't exist' when they have had numerous examples happen right in front of them. You have the suspension of disbelief for 21st century television, but not for the paranormal in your own world? Give me a break!
The Cael and Nick part was nuts! Even though I have read many of the later DH books, I don't remember how the Cael and Nick thing plays out...will have to double check to see what I read because that looks to be prime time stuff. Overall, a satisfying example of Kenyon's work.(less)
This could have been 4 stars but I couldn't get past the revelation that occured with Jace and Clary at the end. I don't have some sort of squ...more★ ★ ★ ½
This could have been 4 stars but I couldn't get past the revelation that occured with Jace and Clary at the end. I don't have some sort of squeamish issue with (view spoiler)[the incestual overtone in general. It would be prudish and immature and that isn't my motivation. I however, am adopted. My brother is adopted. Both my MIL and my FIL are adopted. The concept written of in this book makes individuals like me nervous. I can work consciously on not letting it bother me, as many would, but it still can wiggle its way into my mind on occasion and I just can't shake the queasy feeling it gives me. Urgh! (hide spoiler)]
Overall, I really enjoyed the story and thought it was a great begining to a series. Although I thought the entire first half of the book suffered from YA-Fantasy-itis*, it managed to recover at the mid-point and really ended quite well. I felt that the internal issues for Jace in the final chapters in regard to the antagonist were written well and as realistically as any of us can imagine feeling in that situation.
BIG complaint here though. There is no way that two teenagers were going to be able to deal so easily with the emotional confusion that Jace and Clary obviously would have been dealing with in the final chapters. Two, strongly centered and emotionally confident, grown adults would have struggled longer with the final issue. Good grief!! That really got swept under the rug in a, "Oh, I guess I need to end the book now..." kind of way. Let's hope we see it finalized a bit better in the next book. If that was the last we will see of it, then this author is a major sell-out. You can't write a YA book with a central premise that is so emotionally complicated, and then resolve it it about 4 paragraphs. Jeesh! Without this issue (and minus my personal hang-up), this could have earned 4 1/2 stars as a YA book.
I will be reading the next, if only to find out how Clary and Jace deal with this new personal twist later.
*YA-Fantasy-itis: Tendency to hyper-focus on the minutia of the moment-to-moment action. Usually failing to give any real character development. To much casual banter and all internal monologue is action-based, or revolves around confusion over motivations of other characters. No real emotional speculation.(less)
This gets no stars-NONE-ZERO-ZIP-ZILTCH-NADA!!!!!!
WTH?????????????????????????????????
20 books......TWENTY!!!! (view spoiler)[And that is the ending t...moreThis gets no stars-NONE-ZERO-ZIP-ZILTCH-NADA!!!!!!
WTH?????????????????????????????????
20 books......TWENTY!!!! (view spoiler)[And that is the ending to the major series conflict? Three paragraphs to kill off the biggest badass of all the paranormal world? Thousands of years of all the other scary beasties fearing you, and you are taken out in like 2 mintues by a power that Anita has had since book...which one was it? Eight? And Jean-Claude wasn't even there! Or Richard. Or Micah. Or even Edward...OR...OR.....OROROROROROROR! Nope, she had Nicky. Oh, Nicky the bride. Nicky the biggest wimp in her man-arsenal! That is who she had at her side to throw down with Mommie Dearest. (hide spoiler)]
I am so pissed I could scream! How many years of my life did I spent looking forward to these books? Then how many more years did I agonize over reading them, knowing they were crap, but desperately wanting them to improve?
This was such undigestable crap that I can't even express my contempt for it. It actually made me physically nauseous. I want to cry or rage or just sink into the inevitable despair over what this once fine series has become.
I once asked if this woman had any pride left in her craft at all. I know the answer now.
The Mercy Thompson books are great! I am glad I finally caved in to peer pressure and read these books. This was a fast paced read with plenty to keep...moreThe Mercy Thompson books are great! I am glad I finally caved in to peer pressure and read these books. This was a fast paced read with plenty to keep you engaged in the story so the plotline was definately a winner. Briggs has a real skill for character development and I never feel as if there are weaknesses in the interpersonal relationships aspect of her books. This one was no exception.
My only complaint of the entire book was with 'the object' that the Queen wanted. (view spoiler)[If Silver Borne was such a powerful thing and everyone wanted it, why didn't we ever get to see it work? Building up items of power and then doing nothing with them makes me nuts. We already have our token Fae item that is uber powerful yet does nothing in the part of the walking stick. Another just felt a bit weak and was anticlimactic for me. (hide spoiler)]
Overall I am very, VERY happy with Mercy, her world, and her friends and am off to acquire River Marked. I could cry that the next book wont be out until 2013. Tragedy! *sniff*(less)
Quick-cap: Story of three sisters that are half-human and half-fae. One is a witch, one is a cat-shifter, and the last is a vamp. They work Earthside...moreQuick-cap: Story of three sisters that are half-human and half-fae. One is a witch, one is a cat-shifter, and the last is a vamp. They work Earthside for a government agency to police the supernats from Otherworld that now 'freely' interact with humans. This installment in the series is focused on Camille the witch and her romantic confusions. The series plot conflict is revealed in this book to be an uprising of a potentially unstoppable demon Lord. This book lays the groundwork for that large conflict, introduces us to the D'Artigo sisters, and follows the action of the first step in their efforts to stop the demon Shadow Wing.
The background, storyline, and world concept of this book were really great. They were not however, explained in much depth. This book was only 293 pages and it would have been much better with about 60-70 more. The characters are the strength of this story and although there was sufficient information on them for a first-in-series, I was hoping for more. If the author had given the same amount of detail to backstory and plot development that she gave to fashion descriptions, this story would have been 4 stars. I did think that there was a very healthy spread of paranormal characters used in this book and I enjoyed it. If this groundwork is used effectively in furture books, this series will be an great read.(less)
I absolutely loved this book. I thought it was awesome. I thought it burned with the smokin' heat of one thousand suns, BUT....you have to love ginorm...moreI absolutely loved this book. I thought it was awesome. I thought it burned with the smokin' heat of one thousand suns, BUT....you have to love ginormous heavy on the world buildingepic fantasy to love this book.
It is loooong, and more importantly, the entire trilogy is one single huge story (if I am getting the right impression). It is not as 'action' centered as some of these large fantasy novels are. It had lots of action to keep you jumping, but that was not apparently the main focus of the story to my mind. It was much more introspective and focused on the one main character, Kvothe.
I found Kvothe to be an excellent character and well thought out. I never had the sense that he was lacking in depth. I have noticed that this is sometimes the impression some people are left with after reading the book. My guess is that due to the fact that Kvothe is so calm and centered for the most part, he feels two-dimensional to some. This character is presented as nothing less than a genius (child prodigy) and while we may be tempted to expect the erratic behavior of a child in many instances, that is not what would be typical for this character. Calm, rational, and controlled does not mean dry, shallow, and under-developed.
This story requires you to enjoy large scale world building as a process and have patience for plot development. Rothfuss is a man who can write a fantastic story for the sake of a story. (You know how some people just tell good stories, even if they are just telling you about going to the grocery store?) He's like that, super talented and you just like his story telling style...regardless of topic.
I can usually push through a big book like this in a day or two but this one took a while and made me slow down and listen. I would totally recommend this book to anyone, but I would warn them that this is not an action/adventure film, it is the story of a man's life. A brilliant, brave, and heroic man, but a man just the same. (less)
Finally! The one element that I truly wanted to have at and be done with was the idiotic @$$clown behavior of Samuel Faa. It was a monsterous...more★ ★ ★ ½
Finally! The one element that I truly wanted to have at and be done with was the idiotic @$$clown behavior of Samuel Faa. It was a monsterous relief to see resolution to he and Isabelle's antagoistic (and mysterious) relationship/past.
OK, (breathe a sigh of relief), on we go...
In many ways, this was one of the stronger books of the series. It was given plenty of buildup in previous books, the aspects/disasters that put them in close quarters were interesting unto themselves, and you were allowed to learn more (quite a bit) about the main characters in this book. Getting to know the main characters well is not always guaranteed sadly, so it bears mentioning. Like all books in this series, the ending has a forced 'quick, quick...wrap this up with bunnies and roses!' feel to it but it is tolerably brief.
Isabelle is a great character. Even though she is a Chosen One that is not in possesion of an offensive (attack) gift, she can still kick a little arse with the best of them. It was a pleasure to finally get to see Samuel concerned about something besides himself and to learn what had made him such a tedius jerk. (The placement of his gift mark was really creepy but I liked it. The imagery of someone rifling through my head like a junk drawer stuck with me.)
This book really earned 3 1/2 stars more for the seamless-ish weave of storytelling from the previous story to this one and (I feel it coming) to the next. I was left wondering many things about Charisma and Aleksandr for the upcoming stories and they weren't so obvious that they were screaming at me...more like a soft elbow nudge to the ribs. :)
This book falls solidly into PNR and not UF as do the others in the series. They are of course, totally character driven stories and will appeal to anyone who likes X-Men team building as opposed to Lone Ranger heroism. If you enjoy PNR/UF by Shannon K Butcher or Adrian Phoenix, you would enjoy this series.(less)
I'm definately enjoying this series but I found myself torn with this installment. I was caught thinking often that we were getting a 'better view' of...moreI'm definately enjoying this series but I found myself torn with this installment. I was caught thinking often that we were getting a 'better view' of something (i.e., plot, character development, romantic progress, Jane's history), then conversely feeling that we could have used just one more tidbit. I'm glad that the majority of smaller issues in the previous book found resolution here. I was not pleased with the choice in romantic partners though, but realized that said choice was most likely not long for this earth (or Jane's bed, imo) so I won't stress about it. This book definately established the secondary and tertiary characters better/well so I felt that overall, this book had more to offer than the first. You also definately came away knowing more than you anticipated knowing about vampire culture. I am very interested in seeing the development of Angelina and little Evan (and their entire family/witch aspect) and what role they play in the future of the series.
Although the final installment of the Fever series was not my favorite, it was definately runner up!
The tempo for Shadowfever was different from the o...moreAlthough the final installment of the Fever series was not my favorite, it was definately runner up!
The tempo for Shadowfever was different from the others, more choppy, jumping around a bit. I enjoyed this change though as it kept me from getting tunnel vision on the resolution of the 'romance' and 'bad guy' plot lines. I was able to keep one step back and enjoy the enitre story. Very pleasant.
I had no objections to the inserts where Dani is publishing her flyers and how this 'interrupts' the story, but Dani's character in this book dropped IQ points and it seemed unfounded. It left me shaking my head a bit.
This was an excellent wrap up to a series. I came away completely satisfied with the end for V'Lane, Rowena, Mac, Barrons, and even Dani. The resolution to the Sinsar Dub issue was brilliant! I was thoroughly satisfied as well with the answers I received to my questions about the Seelie Queen, the Fey in general, and especially the Unseelie King. (Not giving away spoilers here!)
I usually have a 'oh I wish the author would have....' list a mile long after reading the end of a series. Even really well done ones. The Fever series was, in the words of Goldilocks, "Just right."(less)
This was a nice change and I am looking forward to reading the entire series. I tend to avoid the more 'religiously' based post-apocolyptic/dystopian...moreThis was a nice change and I am looking forward to reading the entire series. I tend to avoid the more 'religiously' based post-apocolyptic/dystopian reads as they tend to have a pendantic flavor. Not so here and I appreciate it. As opposed to feeling that I was being coddled by fiction in order to have Christianity served up to me, I found this very informative and began to enjoy the biblical references as much as the interpersonal stories. I felt, as other do, that the mage-heat piece was a bit forced. Mostly due to the fact that the reasoning behind it was not really explained. Those unanswered questions may solve themselves though in future books, so I left the stars in place.
A good begining to a series, and the descriptions were wonderful. I was able to draw elaborate and vivid pictures in my mind of the characters and the surroundings. The fact that I was left with many questions and wanting more, speaks well to the portioning out of information in the series. On to the next!(less)
Oh, I am very pleased with this book. This is my first exposure to the author and I was not disappointed.
The heroine, Miranda, was a real and...more★ ★ ★ ★ ½
Oh, I am very pleased with this book. This is my first exposure to the author and I was not disappointed.
The heroine, Miranda, was a real and believable character. Her suffering, both psychic and physical, was not melodramatic or overplayed. Instead it was dealt with in a sensitive fashion and you never had a moment of, "Oh jeesh! That would never happen!"
I enjoyed the world the author created, and although there was nothing new going on here, the story was well told. For me, that is the more important factor. You can have all the great and original ideas you like but if your writing skill is bland, the story will be as well. This author is not afflicted with the 'bland' problem. :)
The primary and secondary characters in this were evenly addressed and no one overwhelmed the other. I felt I received enough story on them all to either incite my interest of let me get to know them in turn.
This is one that I would recommend to all lovers of UF or PNR. There is something here for everyone and this installment was a strong start to what promises to be a deep, solid, and action-filled series. (less)
The Mercy Thompson series is greatly appealing to me and can tell that these are just going to keep getting better. Many good things to say for this s...moreThe Mercy Thompson series is greatly appealing to me and can tell that these are just going to keep getting better. Many good things to say for this series. For some reason however, I didn't quite like this installment as much as the first, but I have finally realized that it is because I'm not a huge fan of Sam. His current 'living arrangement' is not to my liking and I am guessing that my mood will improve proportionately to him resolving this issue. (Can you tell I am not team Samuel?) ;)
Stephan is a fun character and I can tell that learning about his history as things progress will be tons of fun. I love it when the 'bad guys' are more than they seem. It keeps you from drowning in the stereotypes.
Mercy's abilities are still a mystery if you ask me so that development will be enjoyable as well. Adam? *sigh* Adam is my favorite type of H and he is just ooozey levels of sexy!
Two thumbs up for the budding friendship with the 'female wolf' as well. Mercy needs girlfriends. :)(less)
I could have eeked out a 4 star on this but the begining stank of a newer model Anita Blake novel, and that I just cannot stomach, urgh!
Quickly though, it became a Faith Hunter novel and I enjoyed the book very much. This seemed to be the 'getting ready to turn the corner' book as far as plot development. It had some very predictable outcomes and a couple that were not so much a suprise, as they were shocking in their source. The romance aspect was formulaic until the very last page. The last page was obviously welcome! As much as this series is wont to the standards of a series in its genre, I still enjoy the writing. Hunter does an excellent job of twisting the mystery aspect of the plotline and keeping the 'whodunnit' to the end. She is effective at satisfying what her readers expect from her, while still giving their brains something to chew on. :)
I am fond of the witch aspect in this series and I got a whiff of heavy witch involvment for the next book so I will look forward to it.(less)
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