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Shadow Heir (Dark Swan, #4)
by Richelle Mead (Goodreads Author)
by Richelle Mead (Goodreads Author)
AH's review
bookshelves: fae, fantasy, own, zzread-jan-2012, shifters, babr-reviews
Jan 27, 12
bookshelves: fae, fantasy, own, zzread-jan-2012, shifters, babr-reviews
Read from January 21 to 22, 2012 — I own a copy
Why do I do this to myself? Kiyo better die in this one!
Finally a cover! Did you read the blurb? The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't--or won't--reveal. What uneasy truce????
3 - 3.5 stars - Not what I expected after seeing a lot of reviews -
Updated - 1/27/12
Shadow Heir had been staring at me for a few weeks now. It’s pretty pink cover mocked me, dared me to read it. Reviews had started to come in and a lot of the reviews were not very positive. I enjoyed the first two books in the series Storm Born and Thorn Queen, but that third book Iron Crowned made me want to scream. You see, Eugenie doesn’t make very good choices in her life and there was a certain foxy man that needed to be eliminated, taken out of the equation, made into a fur coat, etc.
So it was with great trepidation that I picked up this book. I had to see what all the fuss was about. Why were people so angry? Much to my surprise, I found myself enjoying the book.
Looking back at my notes, I did have a few “Eugenie, what an idiot!!!” notes jotted down but they seemed to be offset by quite a few “Dorian is amazing” notes. And Dorian is the reason why I love this series. Dorian is there for Eugenie throughout the series. No matter what stupid decision she makes, Dorian is there and he offers his support. Dorian’s character is exactly what this series needs. Partly conceited, mostly high up on himself, well versed in diplomacy, brave, good looking, and talented in the bedroom, Dorian is one of the best characters Mead has written. I had to giggle when Dorian renamed Eugenie’s son Thundro because it sounded like a conqueror’s name.
Eugenie’s sister was another surprise. Back in the earlier books Jasmine was the bane of Eugenie’s existence. Then something happened in Iron Crowned and I had a new respect for her. In this book, Jasmine matured gracefully and there is a touch of badass in her.
We also learn more about Volusian’s background. Volusian is Eugenie’s minion and is forced to do her bidding. I’ve always loved this character and the tenuous hold Eugenie had over him. One wrong move and he would have been ecstatic to kill her, yet he was a valuable member of her team.
In a way, I’m kind of sad that the series has ended. There were so many loose ends I would have liked to see wrapped up, but I was still happy with the ending. I’m hoping that Mead will write a spin off series eventually.
Review posted on Badass Book Reviews,
Finally a cover! Did you read the blurb? The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't--or won't--reveal. What uneasy truce????
3 - 3.5 stars - Not what I expected after seeing a lot of reviews -
Updated - 1/27/12
Shadow Heir had been staring at me for a few weeks now. It’s pretty pink cover mocked me, dared me to read it. Reviews had started to come in and a lot of the reviews were not very positive. I enjoyed the first two books in the series Storm Born and Thorn Queen, but that third book Iron Crowned made me want to scream. You see, Eugenie doesn’t make very good choices in her life and there was a certain foxy man that needed to be eliminated, taken out of the equation, made into a fur coat, etc.
So it was with great trepidation that I picked up this book. I had to see what all the fuss was about. Why were people so angry? Much to my surprise, I found myself enjoying the book.
Looking back at my notes, I did have a few “Eugenie, what an idiot!!!” notes jotted down but they seemed to be offset by quite a few “Dorian is amazing” notes. And Dorian is the reason why I love this series. Dorian is there for Eugenie throughout the series. No matter what stupid decision she makes, Dorian is there and he offers his support. Dorian’s character is exactly what this series needs. Partly conceited, mostly high up on himself, well versed in diplomacy, brave, good looking, and talented in the bedroom, Dorian is one of the best characters Mead has written. I had to giggle when Dorian renamed Eugenie’s son Thundro because it sounded like a conqueror’s name.
Eugenie’s sister was another surprise. Back in the earlier books Jasmine was the bane of Eugenie’s existence. Then something happened in Iron Crowned and I had a new respect for her. In this book, Jasmine matured gracefully and there is a touch of badass in her.
We also learn more about Volusian’s background. Volusian is Eugenie’s minion and is forced to do her bidding. I’ve always loved this character and the tenuous hold Eugenie had over him. One wrong move and he would have been ecstatic to kill her, yet he was a valuable member of her team.
In a way, I’m kind of sad that the series has ended. There were so many loose ends I would have liked to see wrapped up, but I was still happy with the ending. I’m hoping that Mead will write a spin off series eventually.
Review posted on Badass Book Reviews,
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Reading Progress
| 01/21/2012 | page 1 |
|
0.0% | "Starting this one - Please Eugenie, don't let me down...." 3 comments |
| 01/21/2012 | page 74 |
|
23.0% | "I guess this is where I start missing Dorian." 2 comments |
| 01/22/2012 | page 216 |
|
68.0% | "Jasmine never ceases to surprise me." |
Comments (showing 1-50 of 75) (75 new)
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30. März, 06:04 Uhr
LOL! I still need to read IC.
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It will be interesting to see what you think of IC. Reaction has been mixed. I wasn't happy with it, but for some stupid reason, I keep reading her books. I hope that the library gets this one so I won't have to buy it.
It's weird. I finished Iron Crowned and was ready to toss it across the room. Then I saw the title for the new book and I can't understand why I want to read it, but I do. I just hope that (view spoiler). (If you haven't read Iron crowned, don't open that spoiler - You've been warned!)
AH wrote: "I was surprised that she had a title already. Heck, I'm surprised 3 people liked my comment."LOL! Anything that has to do with Kiyo dying automatically gets my vote.
As for the spoiler, (view spoiler) That (on top of my raging hate for Eugenie) is keeping me from even adding this book to my TBR. There's no hope that it's not exactly what it appears to be.
No!!!!! They can't be!!!! I'm just the curious sort, what can I say? I may change my mind if Georgina doesn't end well. I am not buying that book - it's got to be a library book.
LOL! I understand. I was thisclose to buying "Iron Crowned" but found out my library had ordered it right before I clicked the orange button. Thank GOD, or else i'd still be bitching about it.
LOL! No, NOTHING could make me throw BJ across the room. Would you throw your baby across the room? BJ is my baby.I added Wowbrary to my RSS feed a few months ago & I want to kick myself for not adding it sooner. Every Tuesday, it shows me the books my library recently ordered which helps loads.
I've never heard of that. Wowbrary, what a cool name. I just do the treasure hunt thing when I am at the library. I've been using Bookdepository a lot because they are actually cheaper than my used book store.
=) I used to do the treasure hunt thing before I joined GR. Now, if it isn't on my TBR shelf, I probably won't buy it/check it out. GR has made spontaneity obsolete for me. *sigh*
It was too hard to try to read stuff only from the TBR shelf at my library. Urban Fantasy does not exist in this library. They've started getting stuff in - I'm wondering if it is because I gave them a huge wishlist about 6 months ago. The interesting thing is that all the books on the wishlist have been consistently out and impossible to get. That'll show them. I should be in charge of what to purchase, LOL. What floors me is that they won't have the book available in English, but surprise, surprise - it's available in French. ARGHHH.
LOL! Anything that has to do with Kiyo dying automatically gets my vote.
Totaly there with you.
As for the sp..."
[I think there's a way. Far fetched, but I was raised by a paranoid woman, just remember what he does with his fingers after...]
AH wrote: "It amazes me as to how emotional we've all become about these books."I do get involved with the characters a lot in everything I read, and I disapear into the books, but in this case I believe is that I just cannot believe how utterly stupid Eugenie is, and it makes me mad.
Warning - don't click on spoiler if you haven't read Iron Crowned - you've been warned!I was very surprised at Jasmine in the last book. She seemed to be the most mature one there. As for Eugenie - she really was stupid. (view spoiler) Just stupid.
I agree totally! I mean they're his kids.If Richelle somehow redeems him in Eugenie's eyes, than she really has no idea what she is doing with the series.
Dorian is a control-power-whatever freak, but he's still a better person than Kiyo.
AH wrote: "[spoilers removed]There is no redemption for Kiyo! I've seen enough of him. Want more Dorian!"Me too. But, Richelle is kinda predictable when it comes to guys. We all knew Rose would end up with Dimitri(though she loved Adrian too), and Georgina will end up with Seth(though she had feelings for Roman), so if you think about, the girls in her books stay with the first guy they fall for, in our case Kiyo. Unfortunately.
I really hope it doesn't turn that way. Bet she might pull it off saying Maiwen put a controlling spell on him. Dear god.
I hope you're wrong about who she ends up with. Interesting theory about Maiwen. I was wondering how she'd fit into the picture.
Me too. Well, we will have to read this book to find out(it is the last one, right?). At least she can pull some serious unpredictable stuff with the other characters in her books.
This emotional roller coaster -liking Kiyo and Dorian, hating kiyo liking dorian and hating dorian liking kiyo, sigh...now, in my eyes, Dorian is a better character than Kiyo. For a person who knows how it feels to be a father, who shows no emotion except "must kill/prevent" after hearing the news...if Kiyo ends up with Eugenie, I will be very very pissed off.Kiyo better die! lol
Mandy wrote: "This emotional roller coaster -liking Kiyo and Dorian, hating kiyo liking dorian and hating dorian liking kiyo, sigh...now, in my eyes, Dorian is a better character than Kiyo. For a person who knows how it feels to be a father, who shows no emotion except "must kill/prevent" after hearing the news...if Kiyo ends up with Eugenie, I will be very very pissed off.Kiyo better die! lol ..."
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.
If Richelle Mead doesn't kill him off, I am going to jump into the pages and shoot him.AH wrote: "I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels this way"
I don't know anyone that likes Kiyo yet.
I am so afraid she might redeem him. I mean, yeah she made Dimitri bad and all, but he had a good reason for it. I really hope Eugenie ends up with Dorian. He'll do everything right, even though Eugenie has a black and white character and she doesn't see it.
Scarlet, I think we all feel the same way as you. I really hope that (view spoiler)I really don't think Kiyo's character can be redeemed. I think he is acting as Maiwen's spy.
Oh, I just about her babies the other day. You see, both Eugenie and Kiyo are half-human, half-gentry, right? So, what if her babies are split? One of them a human(probably shaman) and the other one totally gentry?
is mee... kissa wrote: "i don't want Kiyo to be redeemed either. Dorian! Dorian!"Well, the paranormal world is full of plenty of unexplained and unbelievable things now, isn't it. I think I am becoming more curious at how she'll handle this.
(view spoiler)
AH wrote: "is mee... kissa wrote: "i don't want Kiyo to be redeemed either. Dorian! Dorian!"Well, the paranormal world is full of plenty of unexplained..."
Hey, when you think about it, it is quite possible, as in really fucking possible. So, here's how I would like the story to be: good baby(father Dorian), evil baby(father Kyio). Evil baby get's killed and his father dies, and that's that. :D
AH re the spoiler. I just don't see how that would be possible! The thought had occurred to me, but there was too much time between the --- and the you know.
I just can't see how she can save this without most of us freaking out. Pretty pink cover - (view spoiler)
For fun...(spoiler) Let's just say our prayers get answered and the babies aren't his. How could that be? She is immune to fox sperm, Dorian has impregnated Eug in her sleep? I have been brainstorming about it and haven't come up with one plausible thing yet.
Katie, it is so simple. Dorian sperms have their own mind, so one night they just decided to go for a walk and meet Eugenies' egg=)))Or maybe Volusian is a hidden physician who practice artificial insemination
Sperm can remain viable for several days, as long as it's past the cervix otherwise only a few hours. So if someone was taking birth control went and had sex and then stopped taking birth control in the following 3 to 4 day pregnancy would be possible. Just wanted to clear that up. (And as long as the sperm from 2 different donors is received within a 24hour time frame it's possible to conceive by both.)
I couldn't agree more. Kiyo has got to die in the last book. I can't imagine any way for his character to be redeemed.
I don't think they could be Dorian's. Their last sexual encounter was the oral episode, remember? The one that made Dorian so uncomfortable because he hates to waste seed. lol.
Well then I am with AH, there is nothing left to do aside from praying to Volutian, the Fertility God!
AH wrote: "Did you see - they changed the cover?"oh hey they did! oooooo... Destiny is not an option...
