What do you think?
Rate this book
Aspect of Crow #1
La Messagère Des Deux Mondes
For Rhia was bound to the Spirit of Crow, gifted with the foresight of Death's approach and doomed to the isolation of one feared and set apart. There must always be one whose magic can ease the passage of the people of Asermos to the Other Side. But to be the guide her people require, to truly know the depth of her gift--her curse--Rhia must surrender herself to the wisdom of the Great Forest…and drink deeply of Death itself. And though two powerful men stand ready to aid her, even to love her, the Aspect of Crow demands unthinkable sacrifices from one who walks its path.
521 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 17, 2006
21 people are currently reading
1530 people want to read
About the author
Jeri Smith-Ready
29 books1,590 followersJeri Smith-Ready has been writing fiction since the night she had her first double espresso. A steady stream of caffeine has produced twelve published novels for teens and adults since 2001.
Jeri lives in Maryland with her husband and two cats, who often play tag-team "sit in the author's lap and keep her from writing." (The cats, that is, not the husband. Though, actually...)
Jeri lives in Maryland with her husband and two cats, who often play tag-team "sit in the author's lap and keep her from writing." (The cats, that is, not the husband. Though, actually...)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
July 4, 2023
The world-building and mythology in this novel is fantastic with intriguing history and beautiful magic. However, the rest of the story consists of shallow, one-dimensional characters and unrealistic, eye-rolling “romance.” The dialogue is painfully juvenile and the rushed ending sigh-inducing. I was equally interested and exasperated at various points. Overall, just meh.
August 16, 2007
You would think I should know better But the book sounded interesting..a fantasy about Crow among others. What I did not notice was the publisher..Luna..the fantasy imprint of Harlequin Books, And it does show. Excuse me while we stop the plot for this romantic interlude without sex brought to you by......
July 30, 2014
Hi! I'm rating this excellent book 4/5 stars!
I won this in a giveaway, and when I started reading it I got all freaked out about tribes and stuff, thinking: "Oh no! This is something I normally read! Hide it! Ahh!" But, later, after a bit of more sensible thinking. I gave it it a go.
And loved it.
Now, be warned, there are a few *adult* scenes in this book. *ahem* sex *ahem* But it's not too graphic. If you're an older teen reader looking to move on from Young Adult this will be the perfect book for you.
However fussed you are about adult scenes, this is a beautiful book and very unlike any other book I've read. The relationships between the two tribes are fascinating and Smith-Ready really makes the tension and uneasiness leap of the page.
Another thing I LOVE about this book is the idea of Spirits. The fact that Spirits can give some of their power to people who believe in them, which can increase when someone is pregnant. This idea was incredible and I keep thinking "What would I be?"
Here's a (non-spoilerly) excerpt which I thought was excellent:
"For now. Winter still has a hold on Kalindos. Spring has been teasing us, flirting with us, but never staying more than half a day. Once spring hangs up its coat and takes its shoes off, this village will transform into something quite different."
I ADORE this personification! Just beautiful!
To conclude, this is an extraordinary tale of one girls fight for her people and I highly
recommend!
I won this in a giveaway, and when I started reading it I got all freaked out about tribes and stuff, thinking: "Oh no! This is something I normally read! Hide it! Ahh!" But, later, after a bit of more sensible thinking. I gave it it a go.
And loved it.
Now, be warned, there are a few *adult* scenes in this book. *ahem* sex *ahem* But it's not too graphic. If you're an older teen reader looking to move on from Young Adult this will be the perfect book for you.
However fussed you are about adult scenes, this is a beautiful book and very unlike any other book I've read. The relationships between the two tribes are fascinating and Smith-Ready really makes the tension and uneasiness leap of the page.
Another thing I LOVE about this book is the idea of Spirits. The fact that Spirits can give some of their power to people who believe in them, which can increase when someone is pregnant. This idea was incredible and I keep thinking "What would I be?"
Here's a (non-spoilerly) excerpt which I thought was excellent:
"For now. Winter still has a hold on Kalindos. Spring has been teasing us, flirting with us, but never staying more than half a day. Once spring hangs up its coat and takes its shoes off, this village will transform into something quite different."
I ADORE this personification! Just beautiful!
To conclude, this is an extraordinary tale of one girls fight for her people and I highly
recommend!
August 21, 2011
Oh, how I loved this world, where people were in contact with the spirit world, and each person had an animal spirit to guide them, and to help others.
Rhia is truly an extraordinary young woman! She was afraid of her gift, and had to deal with the guilt that came because of it. However, when she finally chose to embrace it, she showed both strength and weakness, confidence and insecurity. And she continued to be true to herself as she grew.
I loved how she was with Arcas, but was even happier with how she develped and became more mature, and loving with Marek.
Her relationships with others were like they are for actual people as well, sometimes, we are scared when we meet new people, and JSR really coined that awkwardness that can arise when we move to a new place.
The war scenes were truly amazing, I felt like I was running around with Rhia when the fighting was at its' peak, and I was searching for Marek with her.
I am now on my way to amazon to get the next installment for my kindle - presto!
Rhia is truly an extraordinary young woman! She was afraid of her gift, and had to deal with the guilt that came because of it. However, when she finally chose to embrace it, she showed both strength and weakness, confidence and insecurity. And she continued to be true to herself as she grew.
I loved how she was with Arcas, but was even happier with how she develped and became more mature, and loving with Marek.
Her relationships with others were like they are for actual people as well, sometimes, we are scared when we meet new people, and JSR really coined that awkwardness that can arise when we move to a new place.
The war scenes were truly amazing, I felt like I was running around with Rhia when the fighting was at its' peak, and I was searching for Marek with her.
I am now on my way to amazon to get the next installment for my kindle - presto!
October 1, 2009
This was OK but weak. Plot to much rehashed history with white people added to religious/cultural conflict.
July 10, 2022
This book had me from beginning to end. Now, I will agree that the MCs constant and I mean CONSTANT not wanting to follow her path, is utterly exhausting. There were quite a few times I wanted to just read past her parts and get to other characters. The other characters and the world the author created carried the whole book and were simply magical. If you know anything about Native American totems and always wondered what it would be like to be gifted with their power, this will fill all of your fantasy dreams.
Rhia has the totem/power of crow, who helps beings cross over to the world of light (death). She's terrified of it and does literally everything she can to not use it or embrace it. No matter what happens and how horrible the situation she spends the entire book going two steps forward and 4 steps back. Every time you feel like she has finally accepted it, she runs away or does something brash. She may be the MC but she's not the reason I kept reading.
I couldn't let go of the world, the spirits, and the other characters the author created. The world feels and sounds like a Native American village back before the F*cking white people wiped them out. When they talk about those blonde hair characters they call them descendants. But they also mention their religion sort of and it sounded like Ancient Greece? So yeah, not sure what happened there. But anyway. In this story, everyone has a single totem (not called totems in the book) a spirit animal that guides them in life. Each animal has its own purpose and they all try and work together to create a harmonious tribe. Spiders are creators who make weapons and trinkets, turtles help with childbirth, swans help with dream interpretation, etc.
Rhia's spirit animal is crow, which of course no one else has in her village so she has to go on a journey. Her destination leads to friendships, new experiences, and helps deepen the story and create a bigger conflict. There's sorta a bad guy and you see it coming, just not necessarily in the way it happened, which is nice. The main problem is her trying to resolve her pain over having death as a job, but the side problem is the world's over arching issue.
There are some juicy love scenes in here, ok more than a few. They go at it like rabbits. And considering their age, can't say I blame them. I wouldn't recommend this for anyone not ready for sex, oral sex, and descriptive petting.
TRIGGER WARNING: (some spoilers included)
There is a lot of descriptive death in here, PTSD, watching people die, hypothermia, poisoning, cremation, and so on. There were also women that died during childbirth and the scene is described in detail (with the death of the baby) so trigger warning for that. There were no rape scenes or violence against children.
Rhia has the totem/power of crow, who helps beings cross over to the world of light (death). She's terrified of it and does literally everything she can to not use it or embrace it. No matter what happens and how horrible the situation she spends the entire book going two steps forward and 4 steps back. Every time you feel like she has finally accepted it, she runs away or does something brash. She may be the MC but she's not the reason I kept reading.
I couldn't let go of the world, the spirits, and the other characters the author created. The world feels and sounds like a Native American village back before the F*cking white people wiped them out. When they talk about those blonde hair characters they call them descendants. But they also mention their religion sort of and it sounded like Ancient Greece? So yeah, not sure what happened there. But anyway. In this story, everyone has a single totem (not called totems in the book) a spirit animal that guides them in life. Each animal has its own purpose and they all try and work together to create a harmonious tribe. Spiders are creators who make weapons and trinkets, turtles help with childbirth, swans help with dream interpretation, etc.
Rhia's spirit animal is crow, which of course no one else has in her village so she has to go on a journey. Her destination leads to friendships, new experiences, and helps deepen the story and create a bigger conflict. There's sorta a bad guy and you see it coming, just not necessarily in the way it happened, which is nice. The main problem is her trying to resolve her pain over having death as a job, but the side problem is the world's over arching issue.
There are some juicy love scenes in here, ok more than a few. They go at it like rabbits. And considering their age, can't say I blame them. I wouldn't recommend this for anyone not ready for sex, oral sex, and descriptive petting.
TRIGGER WARNING: (some spoilers included)
There is a lot of descriptive death in here, PTSD, watching people die, hypothermia, poisoning, cremation, and so on. There were also women that died during childbirth and the scene is described in detail (with the death of the baby) so trigger warning for that. There were no rape scenes or violence against children.
August 23, 2008
This is a story set in a world that could be ours in the future or maybe its set in a different world, I couldn't tell. The society depicted here is a tribal society where every person has a Spirit animal. The focus in this story is Rhia. As the book starts she is a young girl and it is becoming evident that she has the aspect of the Crow - bringer of death. What's interesting is that Rhia does not embrace this right away at all. She doesn't want to be able to tell who lives and who dies, and she doesn't want to be feared by the rest of the populace; but because she refuses to embrace her Crow Spirit and doesn't go on the trek she must take to become adult and a Crow woman, there are consequences.
This is a journey from childhood into adulthood story. This was done very well, Rhia doesn't want to grow up, and has to face becoming responsible for the consequences of her actions, and to think about the world outside of her own comfortable place. Its not always as simple she she would hope (there is a feeling of resentment between tribes because of the differences between them, and an even larger difference between her people and the "Descendents" - could mean war). Because of this, and because of the straightforward writing style, there are some elements that feel young adult, but there are adult situations.
This review in my book blog - http://janicu.livejournal.com/4100.html
This is a journey from childhood into adulthood story. This was done very well, Rhia doesn't want to grow up, and has to face becoming responsible for the consequences of her actions, and to think about the world outside of her own comfortable place. Its not always as simple she she would hope (there is a feeling of resentment between tribes because of the differences between them, and an even larger difference between her people and the "Descendents" - could mean war). Because of this, and because of the straightforward writing style, there are some elements that feel young adult, but there are adult situations.
This review in my book blog - http://janicu.livejournal.com/4100.html
February 20, 2010
Jeri Smith-Ready has a fine narrative voice that draws you into her dark post apocolyptic tale. I loved the start of this series. I could say it's full of spirituality and it would be a true statement but this book is so much more than just the beliefs of a people. It's about not understanding the belief of multiple peoples and the start of a war for the thought that there is only one true belief.
We first meet Rhia, main character of the book, as she struggles to accept that she might be a chosen of the Spirit of Crow. Even as a young child she has flirted along the line between death and life, but it is when it counts most that she gives into her fear and fails her dying mother. As such, she is shamed into her Bestowing by her brothers anger and her own need to learn to overcome her fear. Once she is Bestowed the aspect of Crow, she who is touched by death finds a deep belief in life. It's from this point that we learn of the threat from those not of the Spirit, the people of Ilion. Those of the White City believe in their man made Gods to the exclusion of the Spirits. The brewing of war over belief comes to a stunning confrontation.
Read into the darkness of night, for only then will todays world be obscured enough for you to understand.
We first meet Rhia, main character of the book, as she struggles to accept that she might be a chosen of the Spirit of Crow. Even as a young child she has flirted along the line between death and life, but it is when it counts most that she gives into her fear and fails her dying mother. As such, she is shamed into her Bestowing by her brothers anger and her own need to learn to overcome her fear. Once she is Bestowed the aspect of Crow, she who is touched by death finds a deep belief in life. It's from this point that we learn of the threat from those not of the Spirit, the people of Ilion. Those of the White City believe in their man made Gods to the exclusion of the Spirits. The brewing of war over belief comes to a stunning confrontation.
Read into the darkness of night, for only then will todays world be obscured enough for you to understand.
November 28, 2008
Where Rhia is from, and the towns that surround it, the people are bound to a spirit who they must serve during their lifetime. From a young age, the leaders in the town believe Rhia's spirit to be Crow, who handles the aspect of death. For a long time, however, Rhia trys to push it away and refuses to go for her Bestowing. After a family death, Rhia realizes she should never have waited and goes off to recieve her gift. While training in the next town, she finds the meaning of love and death, and how to live life without letting the anguish overcome you.
Eyes of Crow is the first novel in the Aspect of Crow trilogy. For a rather long novel, it moves pretty swiftly. This is a novel that catches your attention and rarely refuses to let go. A unique novel with very universal themes. I would definitely recommend this to all who are interested and I can't wait to read the next two in the series as soon as I can.
Eyes of Crow is the first novel in the Aspect of Crow trilogy. For a rather long novel, it moves pretty swiftly. This is a novel that catches your attention and rarely refuses to let go. A unique novel with very universal themes. I would definitely recommend this to all who are interested and I can't wait to read the next two in the series as soon as I can.
February 1, 2009
I originally hadn't planned on reading this book. Mostly because it didn'tseem like my thing. But in the end i'm really glad I read it. I enjoyed it very much,more than I thought I would. Thanks Amy! :) Jeri Smith-Ready has created a wonderfully unique world. Rhia's journey in accepting the crow is an amazing emotional ride. I teared up few times while reading it. Rhia's relationships between both Arcas & Marek were both intense. But I have to say I like Marek alot better than Arcas. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend this book especially if you love Fantasy.
July 17, 2015
I found this to have a really slow start with little action but the story itself is interesting mixing American Indian lore with mythology and of course what all young adult books must have, a love triangle. I thought the sex was gratuitous and happened quicker than expected for a young adult novel. Though IMHO it's young adult as in the main character is under 18 to start but the world and situations are definitely not young adult. Regardless of the slow start (well over half the book actually), the story was captivating and kept me glued to the pages. I will definitely be continuing this series.
January 5, 2017
I am a huge fan of Jeri Smith-Ready and was glad to find this available for my Nook. I seem to have more time lately for my Nook books than my regular print. It was perfect for the snowy day reading I had. Engrossing story, excellent characters to get invested in, intriguing premise. This can be read as fantasy or maybe dystopian future. It's a flavor of both or either. There's magic, shape-shifting, hints of huge cities found empty, non-magical people who want to take over the magical.
Action, adventure, romance, magic....
This one sped along at a fast clip and I really look forward to the next in the series.
Definitely recommend.
Action, adventure, romance, magic....
This one sped along at a fast clip and I really look forward to the next in the series.
Definitely recommend.
September 24, 2011
Lovely. Interesting world/spiritual setting and main character is real in both her weaknesses and strengths. I look forward to seeing how this series develops. That said, I was disappointed by the fact that a character's spiritual strength only increased with children & grandchildren - leaves no option for homosexuality within the society, which is certainly counter to actual society norms. Hopefully this is addressed in future books? I'd prefer to think this was just oversight than planning to blatantly ignore everything but heterosexuality.
September 27, 2011
I was beginning to think it was over, that there were not going to be any new well-crafted novel to be created. Jeri Smith-Ready has given me hope with Eyes Of Crow. One of the best books I have read in years (outside of Potter world, of course). I stumbled onto this book by pure chance and am so very thankful I took the risk. Wonderful imagination; the characters are endearing, complicated, and evolving; the story telling is magnificent. You will not be disappointed in this book. From the first to the last page, delicious!
December 8, 2008
I was hooked right from the start of the book and really had a hard time putting it down. When I did put it down I couldn't wait to have some time to pick it up again. It is a real page turner and I loved the story, the characters, and just everything. I am now reading the second book in the series and it has me hooked as well. So much, that I will have to see if I can find more books by this author.
March 6, 2009
The start of a fantasy series based on the premise that among the protagonist's people, a totem animal chooses you around maturity after a ritual ordeal. Book focuses on the protagonist's personal life and trials for most of the book, but has a large conflict with another society towards the latter half of the book...a conflict that I expect will play a major role in the subsequent novels.
May 12, 2009
I am in love with this series. Had I read Wicked Game after Eyes of Crow, I would have been really disappointed in the WVMP series. Eyes of Crow has amazing detail. The world Jeri Smith-Ready creates is tangible and the emotions expressed are heart felt as well as realistic. An amazing book and a wonderful read- not extremely deep, not massively mysterious, but a beautiful journey.
February 22, 2009
All I can say is WOW!!! I read Wicked Game first, and liked it so much I read this book by the same author, and even though they are completely different in every way, they are both so good. I literally could not put this book down.
September 25, 2018
Comme à chaque relecture je redécouvre des choses et je ne suis pas déçue. Les personnages sont tous intéressants, l'univers captivant et l'écriture efficace. Marek est parfait et avec Rhia ils sont fait l'un pour l'autre. Au suivant !
September 11, 2011
This was so great. It was a perfect combination of fantasy, romance and adventure!! Hat goes off to Jeri Smith-Ready, is there anything she CAN'T write?
I may write a full review later but for now I want to continue reading about Rhia in the next book, Voice of the Crow ;)
I may write a full review later but for now I want to continue reading about Rhia in the next book, Voice of the Crow ;)
December 18, 2007
If you have an interest in earth-based spiritualities and like magical fantasy with a bit of romance, you'll like this book.
January 21, 2013
I think those who enjoy reading epic fantasy with a good dash of romance, good-will-triumph-evil sort of theme (similar to Finnikin of the Rock) will enjoy this.
January 23, 2020
This book is not for everyone and honestly no book should be. I really liked it. For anyone concerned about the implication of a live triangle, don’t be. Can’t speak for the series but there isn’t any love triangle in this. She picks and doesn’t go back and forth with the guys.
There were some potential issues and it got a bit confusing at one point.
To be fair, I was reading it straight through the night so confusion was bound to happen at some point.
The character Rhia, had some major life decisions to make. And she made them eventually. The character was flawed, indecisive, doubtful. It was wonderful to see a main character who wasn’t always self assured. She annoyed me at times but I like her just the same.
That being said I think the spider should die at the end and that the fox thing was almost racist. But it’s foxes and bears and she seems not to really hold it against them? Anyway. Very good book. Will finish the series and will reread.
There were some potential issues and it got a bit confusing at one point.
To be fair, I was reading it straight through the night so confusion was bound to happen at some point.
The character Rhia, had some major life decisions to make. And she made them eventually. The character was flawed, indecisive, doubtful. It was wonderful to see a main character who wasn’t always self assured. She annoyed me at times but I like her just the same.
That being said I think the spider should die at the end and that the fox thing was almost racist. But it’s foxes and bears and she seems not to really hold it against them? Anyway. Very good book. Will finish the series and will reread.
July 28, 2019
Intriguing world and magic system. The magic of animal spirits and the death theme make up for the romance bits which sometimes seemed a bit clumsy to me.
August 13, 2024
I quite enjoyed the book, but it was fluff. It just so happened my brain was in fluff mode. While enjoyable, I will pass on book two and three in the series.
February 23, 2017
I read this book when it first came out, but never got around to finishing the trilogy because at the time I had no idea it would be a trilogy. So I decided to read the entire series back to back to back so that I didn't forget key characters and plot points. I am not disappointed that I reread this book.
This was a good fictional account of "manifest destiny"; the descendants (white men) wanting to conquer and control the land of the natives. I particularly enjoyed the Native American folklore in this book and enjoyed reading about their spirit animals and how they are used to help their people. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this trilogy, Voice of Crow.
This was a good fictional account of "manifest destiny"; the descendants (white men) wanting to conquer and control the land of the natives. I particularly enjoyed the Native American folklore in this book and enjoyed reading about their spirit animals and how they are used to help their people. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this trilogy, Voice of Crow.
June 24, 2012
Es ist die dunkelste aller seherischen Gaben, die Rhia besitzt: Ihr Totemtier, die Krähe, schenkt ihr das Wissen über den nahenden Tod. Rhia weiß: Es macht sie mächtig und verletzbar zugleich. Sie muss fort von ihrem Heimatdorf, nach Kalindos, wo die Krähenfrau Coranna sie in die Geheimnisse des Totenvogels einweihen wird.
Schon auf dem Weg dorthin begegnet ihr der geheimnisvolle Wolfmann Marek, der sie in einer sternenklaren Nacht zur Liebe verführt. Wenig später im neuen Dorf angekommen, muss Rhia ein großes Opfer bringen. Coranna verlangt, dass Rhia stirbt und sich wiederbeleben lässt. Nur dann kann sie Weisheit erlangen - und ihrem Volk im Krieg mit den Abtrünnigen beistehen!
"Die Seelenwächterin" ist der Auftakt zu einer phantastischen Trilogie.
Zu Beginn der Handlung war es etwas schwer für mich in die Handlung hineinzufinden, aber nach knapp 120 Seiten begann ich mich in der Geschichte wohl zu fühlen und habe diese mit Begeisterung gelesen.
"Die Seelenwächterin" ist nicht nur phantastisch, sondern auch spirituell, geheimnisvoll und mystisch. Die Spiritualität wurde sehr angenehm geschildert und erinnerte an den Glauben der amerikanischen Ureinwohner, was sehr interessant zu lesen ist.
Der Handlungsstrang nimmt nach 120 Seiten richtig an Fahrt auf und besitzt eine spannende und etwas andere Handlung, in der auch ein Hauch Romantik zu finden ist.
Dieser erste Band der "Im Zeichen der Krähe"- Trilogie ist schlüssig erzählt und bietet nach anfänglichen Schwierigkeiten eine durchaus spannende Geschichte, die unterhaltsame Lesestunden beschert.
Rhia mutiert nach und nach zu einem sehr sympathischen Charakter, da sie die Dinge hinterfragt und nicht blind ihrem Glauben folgt.
Marek ist durch seine Schicksalsschläge sehr tiefgründig skizziert worden, was ihn umso liebenswürdiger macht. Die Beziehung, die sich zwischen den beiden schnell anbahnt ist sehr emotional und voller Leidenschaft.
Jeri Smith-Ready besitzt einen sehr poetischen Schreib-, und Erzählstil. Sie erzählt sehr flüssig und ihre Worte erscheinen stets gewählt. Nach und nach taucht man in die Geschichte dieser magischen Welt ein und folgt dem Geheimnisvollen.
Das Cover finde ich persönlich nicht allzu passend, da zwar der Hintergrund zur Handlung, aber die Frau im Vordergrund schon aufgrund ihrer modernen Kleidung nicht zum Inhalt passt.
Schon auf dem Weg dorthin begegnet ihr der geheimnisvolle Wolfmann Marek, der sie in einer sternenklaren Nacht zur Liebe verführt. Wenig später im neuen Dorf angekommen, muss Rhia ein großes Opfer bringen. Coranna verlangt, dass Rhia stirbt und sich wiederbeleben lässt. Nur dann kann sie Weisheit erlangen - und ihrem Volk im Krieg mit den Abtrünnigen beistehen!
"Die Seelenwächterin" ist der Auftakt zu einer phantastischen Trilogie.
Zu Beginn der Handlung war es etwas schwer für mich in die Handlung hineinzufinden, aber nach knapp 120 Seiten begann ich mich in der Geschichte wohl zu fühlen und habe diese mit Begeisterung gelesen.
"Die Seelenwächterin" ist nicht nur phantastisch, sondern auch spirituell, geheimnisvoll und mystisch. Die Spiritualität wurde sehr angenehm geschildert und erinnerte an den Glauben der amerikanischen Ureinwohner, was sehr interessant zu lesen ist.
Der Handlungsstrang nimmt nach 120 Seiten richtig an Fahrt auf und besitzt eine spannende und etwas andere Handlung, in der auch ein Hauch Romantik zu finden ist.
Dieser erste Band der "Im Zeichen der Krähe"- Trilogie ist schlüssig erzählt und bietet nach anfänglichen Schwierigkeiten eine durchaus spannende Geschichte, die unterhaltsame Lesestunden beschert.
Rhia mutiert nach und nach zu einem sehr sympathischen Charakter, da sie die Dinge hinterfragt und nicht blind ihrem Glauben folgt.
Marek ist durch seine Schicksalsschläge sehr tiefgründig skizziert worden, was ihn umso liebenswürdiger macht. Die Beziehung, die sich zwischen den beiden schnell anbahnt ist sehr emotional und voller Leidenschaft.
Jeri Smith-Ready besitzt einen sehr poetischen Schreib-, und Erzählstil. Sie erzählt sehr flüssig und ihre Worte erscheinen stets gewählt. Nach und nach taucht man in die Geschichte dieser magischen Welt ein und folgt dem Geheimnisvollen.
Das Cover finde ich persönlich nicht allzu passend, da zwar der Hintergrund zur Handlung, aber die Frau im Vordergrund schon aufgrund ihrer modernen Kleidung nicht zum Inhalt passt.
June 5, 2013
I actually won a signed copy of this book during a class at grad school, and it's been sitting in my TBR ever since it arrived in the mail in 2008. I was never sure what I was getting into with this title either, short of the fact that due to the publisher, some kind of romance angle was a sure bet. And it was: Eyes of Crow is a fast read that's primarily a romantic fantasy, though the fantasy elements are pretty unique: instead of a medieval or Victorian-based fantasy society, you've got one that feels more inspired by Native American culture (note INSPIRED; rarely did I get the impression that these characters were anything other than white people, though the conflict between the culture and the opposing Descendents sometimes did feel like Europeans coming over to the Americas) than anything else, which was another reason this book worked for me: I was invested in the world-building even when I wasn't sure where the plot was going, and once I knew where the plot was going, I was impressed by how Smith-Ready progressed the story.
I'm pretty sure this was the author's debut, and it shows a lot of promise. I can't say I'm super-motivated to go finish the rest of this trilogy or read more of her work, but that's due to the size of the TBR pile rather than her skill: I have no qualms picking up another book of hers in the future.
I'm pretty sure this was the author's debut, and it shows a lot of promise. I can't say I'm super-motivated to go finish the rest of this trilogy or read more of her work, but that's due to the size of the TBR pile rather than her skill: I have no qualms picking up another book of hers in the future.
January 18, 2016
There were a lot of interesting concepts in this book, but I couldn't get over some of the heavy-handedness of it. I liked the powers given to these people through the spirits, and that, among other things, made them feel kind of similar to Native Americans. And the antagonists in their city of stone felt like the white-man invaders who only see barbarians in those with such radically different beliefs. The problems I had were in the characterization of... most of the main characters. There was a lot of, you aren't supposed to like this character, and I am going to make sure of it. And then, surprise, that guy that no few than 5 different characters don't trust, and keep talking about how they don't trust him, is a bad guy! It started out promising, if a little slow, and then got painfully predictable. By the end, I didn't care about the characters or what they were going through anymore. And there wasn't even a cliff-hanger type situation to try to make me care. It was wrapped up, you know there will be more drama, but the author didn't dedicate any words to preparing you for the next book. It felt like a good idea that might have been a first book for the author or something. I don't know if that is true, that is just how it read and how it felt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2013
I bought the Aspect of Crow series after reading, and falling in love with, the Shade series. I've had the books for about two years now, but had a hard time motivating myself to start. I didn't like the covers at all and the titles of the books didn't really call to me. Sadly, the books sat in my to-read pile for a while, always getting put at the back of the line because of other new finds. But I love Jeri Smith-Ready's writing and so I finally cracked the cover on book one. As with most fantasies, it was a little slow to start. I usually give a book at least 100 pages of reading before I abandon it (especially fantasies) and I'm so glad I gave this one a chance. It started to get interesting about 100 pages in and once Rhia, the main character, met Marek, I was sold. Jeri's writing is so good and her characters are easy to fall in love with. I wasn't quite as drawn to this story as I was to Zach, Aura, and Logan's...but I like it and have already started book 2 :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews