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Tales of Skylge #2
Light Of Lorelei
There is no light without shadow,
no truth without sacrifice,
and no way to keep us all from harm.
Aska wants more out of life than being a temple girl in the St. Brandan Convent of Brandaris. Her life-long service to the Baeles-Weards is the only reason she wasn’t killed immediately after birth – she is atoning for the sins of her parents. Her Anglian mother and Skylger father were never supposed to love each other and have children, and Aska is reminded of her low status and illegitimacy by her fellow temple girls every day.
But then she meets Tjalling, a young, mysterious, and charming Skylger fisherman who doesn’t seem to care that he is not supposed to befriend her. Soon after they meet, the island falls prey to the largest Siren attack in the history of Skylge and Aska is beginning to doubt the wisdom of the priests. If the Light in the Tower really keeps the people from harm, why are the Shriekers taking more and more lives each day?
Adding to her inner turmoil is a secret meeting with Royce and Enna, who want to recruit her into their resistance movement, an unexpected confession from her best friend Melinda, and Aska’s realization that she likes Tjalling a bit too much for her own good.
Soon, she is going down a road there is no turning back from, forcing her to make choices that shake the foundations of her world.
For Aska, there is only one true choice – to bring the truth to light.
no truth without sacrifice,
and no way to keep us all from harm.
Aska wants more out of life than being a temple girl in the St. Brandan Convent of Brandaris. Her life-long service to the Baeles-Weards is the only reason she wasn’t killed immediately after birth – she is atoning for the sins of her parents. Her Anglian mother and Skylger father were never supposed to love each other and have children, and Aska is reminded of her low status and illegitimacy by her fellow temple girls every day.
But then she meets Tjalling, a young, mysterious, and charming Skylger fisherman who doesn’t seem to care that he is not supposed to befriend her. Soon after they meet, the island falls prey to the largest Siren attack in the history of Skylge and Aska is beginning to doubt the wisdom of the priests. If the Light in the Tower really keeps the people from harm, why are the Shriekers taking more and more lives each day?
Adding to her inner turmoil is a secret meeting with Royce and Enna, who want to recruit her into their resistance movement, an unexpected confession from her best friend Melinda, and Aska’s realization that she likes Tjalling a bit too much for her own good.
Soon, she is going down a road there is no turning back from, forcing her to make choices that shake the foundations of her world.
For Aska, there is only one true choice – to bring the truth to light.
170 pages, ebook
First published December 1, 2014
9 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Jen Minkman
82 books505 followersJen Minkman (1978) writes YA paranormal romance, dystopian fiction and poetry. She is from the Netherlands and self-publishes her work in English. Her works are available in paperback & digital format (ebook and audio).
You can subscribe to her newsletter here > http://eepurl.com/bTXSWv
Jen was born in the Netherlands and lived in Austria, Belgium and the UK during her studies. She learned how to read at the age of three and has never stopped reading since. Her favourite books to read are (YA) paranormal/fantasy, sci-fi, dystopian and romance, and this is reflected in the stories she writes. In her home country, she is a trade-published author of paranormal romance and chicklit. Across the border, she is a self-published author of poetry, paranormal romance and dystopian fiction. Her books are already available in English, Dutch, Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and Afrikaans.
She currently resides in The Hague where she works and lives with her husband and two noisy zebra finches.
You can subscribe to her newsletter here > http://eepurl.com/bTXSWv
Jen was born in the Netherlands and lived in Austria, Belgium and the UK during her studies. She learned how to read at the age of three and has never stopped reading since. Her favourite books to read are (YA) paranormal/fantasy, sci-fi, dystopian and romance, and this is reflected in the stories she writes. In her home country, she is a trade-published author of paranormal romance and chicklit. Across the border, she is a self-published author of poetry, paranormal romance and dystopian fiction. Her books are already available in English, Dutch, Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and Afrikaans.
She currently resides in The Hague where she works and lives with her husband and two noisy zebra finches.
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January 24, 2015It took me one month longer than I anticipated to finish writing Light of Lorelei, but it's done :) Yihaa!
April 12, 2015
☆ I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ☆
Beautifully written!!
Light of Lorelei was a breathtaking tale that infuses themes such as forbidden love, folklore, ancient customs and statures, and finding your own self place and identity within society.
It definitely has this whimsical, captivating, and magical feel that you can't help but be in awe of Jen Minkman's writing style and intrigued with what is to come next.
So glad to see that Royce and Enna do very much still have a role in the series and that more is explained upon the Sirens!
An extraordinary gem of a read that I highly recommend for all of you fantasy lovers!
Beautifully written!!
Light of Lorelei was a breathtaking tale that infuses themes such as forbidden love, folklore, ancient customs and statures, and finding your own self place and identity within society.
It definitely has this whimsical, captivating, and magical feel that you can't help but be in awe of Jen Minkman's writing style and intrigued with what is to come next.
So glad to see that Royce and Enna do very much still have a role in the series and that more is explained upon the Sirens!
An extraordinary gem of a read that I highly recommend for all of you fantasy lovers!
May 22, 2019
Sirenes zijn altijd al mijn favoriete magische wezens geweest. Vooral omdat de mogelijkheden rondom deze mythische creaties eindeloos zijn. Er zijn duizenden verschillende mythologieën en daarbinnen nog zeker zoveel verschillende variaties. Ik was dan ook erg nieuwsgierig naar wat Jen Minkman, één van de betere Nederlandse romantische fantasy auteurs, met deze mythologie zou doen.
En ik werd tijdens het lezen van dit boek geen enkel moment teleurgesteld. Minkman heeft haar eigen draai gegeven aan deze onderwaterwezens met de prachtige stemmen die in staat zijn mannen te betoveren zonder dan ze het zelf doorhebben. Gedurende het boek krijgt de mythologie steeds meer vorm en hoe meer we te weten kwamen over de sirenes, hoe interessanter en leuker ik het allemaal ging vinden.
Dit combineert ze met een intrigerende wereld. Het boek speelt zich af in een alternatieve tijdlijn aan de onze op de Nederlandse waddeneilanden. Kleine elementen van onze wereld bestaan ook hier, maar er zijn ook veel dingen wezenlijk anders. Hierdoor ontstaat een hele mooie balans tussen een wereld die enerzijds heel bekend aanvoelt, maar anderzijds ook intrigerend vreemd is waardoor het heerlijk is de nieuwe wereld te leren kennen.
En dit doen we door de ogen van drie sterke jonge vrouwen die elk schitteren in hun eigen deel van het verhaal. Alledrie de meisjes zijn anders en hebben het verhaal, maar vooral de lezer, iets anders te bieden. Door drie verschillende standpunten te kiezen voor dit verhaal krijgen we een heel duidelijk beeld van de maatschappij, de verschillende lagen en de moeilijkheden die elk meisje op haar pad tegen is gekomen en nog tegen gaat komen.
Het uiteindelijke resultaat is een boeiend verhaal dat heerlijk lekker wegleest, omdat Minkman een geweldige schrijfstijl heeft, en geen enkel moment verslapt. Voor wie wel houdt van mythische dystopische en romantische boeken is dit dan ook echt een oprechte aanrader!
En ik werd tijdens het lezen van dit boek geen enkel moment teleurgesteld. Minkman heeft haar eigen draai gegeven aan deze onderwaterwezens met de prachtige stemmen die in staat zijn mannen te betoveren zonder dan ze het zelf doorhebben. Gedurende het boek krijgt de mythologie steeds meer vorm en hoe meer we te weten kwamen over de sirenes, hoe interessanter en leuker ik het allemaal ging vinden.
Dit combineert ze met een intrigerende wereld. Het boek speelt zich af in een alternatieve tijdlijn aan de onze op de Nederlandse waddeneilanden. Kleine elementen van onze wereld bestaan ook hier, maar er zijn ook veel dingen wezenlijk anders. Hierdoor ontstaat een hele mooie balans tussen een wereld die enerzijds heel bekend aanvoelt, maar anderzijds ook intrigerend vreemd is waardoor het heerlijk is de nieuwe wereld te leren kennen.
En dit doen we door de ogen van drie sterke jonge vrouwen die elk schitteren in hun eigen deel van het verhaal. Alledrie de meisjes zijn anders en hebben het verhaal, maar vooral de lezer, iets anders te bieden. Door drie verschillende standpunten te kiezen voor dit verhaal krijgen we een heel duidelijk beeld van de maatschappij, de verschillende lagen en de moeilijkheden die elk meisje op haar pad tegen is gekomen en nog tegen gaat komen.
Het uiteindelijke resultaat is een boeiend verhaal dat heerlijk lekker wegleest, omdat Minkman een geweldige schrijfstijl heeft, en geen enkel moment verslapt. Voor wie wel houdt van mythische dystopische en romantische boeken is dit dan ook echt een oprechte aanrader!
April 26, 2015
***I received the eBook free as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review***
Admittedly, it took me a while to get my head around the fact that this book was from a different person’s perspective to the last book, and it definitely took me longer to warm up to the main character who spent more time that I’d have liked reflecting on what she couldn’t do, rather than doing something about it…
That said, she was not a weak heroine and makes many tough choices where she’s thinking about more than just herself. Breaking out of a mould and letting go of the people who try to keep you there is something that takes a great deal of courage; and sacrifice. Aska knows this but she still tries to live her life and grows to not be afraid of standing up for what is right, rather than going with what is easy.
Following your heart is a clear theme in Jen Minkman’s stories, which continue to astound me with beautiful imagery, of not just the different worlds but the deep emotions of its people. As soon as you open one of her books, the writing draws you in and multiple plot twists keep you on your toes. I thought I knew where the plot was going, but the next second a revelation came to light and turned everything upside down; much like it did for Aska.
This wonderfully written book weaves a delicate balance of fantasy and reality, where lines are blurred and untold secrets threaten everything the characters have come to know.
Posted on: http://enchantedbyya.blogspot.co.uk/
Admittedly, it took me a while to get my head around the fact that this book was from a different person’s perspective to the last book, and it definitely took me longer to warm up to the main character who spent more time that I’d have liked reflecting on what she couldn’t do, rather than doing something about it…
That said, she was not a weak heroine and makes many tough choices where she’s thinking about more than just herself. Breaking out of a mould and letting go of the people who try to keep you there is something that takes a great deal of courage; and sacrifice. Aska knows this but she still tries to live her life and grows to not be afraid of standing up for what is right, rather than going with what is easy.
Following your heart is a clear theme in Jen Minkman’s stories, which continue to astound me with beautiful imagery, of not just the different worlds but the deep emotions of its people. As soon as you open one of her books, the writing draws you in and multiple plot twists keep you on your toes. I thought I knew where the plot was going, but the next second a revelation came to light and turned everything upside down; much like it did for Aska.
This wonderfully written book weaves a delicate balance of fantasy and reality, where lines are blurred and untold secrets threaten everything the characters have come to know.
Posted on: http://enchantedbyya.blogspot.co.uk/
August 12, 2019
I find this book awesome ! it get a big 5 star review. You can read my full review here https://bookstamel.com/2019/08/01/rec...
January 27, 2022
Dit was echt zo'n gevalletje 'Het ligt niet aan het boek, maar aan mij'. Uitgebreide review komt nog, maar mijn probleem is dat dit eigenlijk meer een romance boek is dan een fantasy en ik was geen fan van de romance.
October 4, 2016
This wasn't as good as the first book. Aska was too busy throwing herself a pity party for the first half of the book. I get she didn't know her family but there was no need to bring it up constantly. The good thing about this book was then Enna and Royce showed up in this one. Too bad Royce's dad is a jerk. Hopefully in the next and final book he will get what he deserves.
August 28, 2019
het speelt zich af op Terschelling maar in een andere tijdlijn. je hebt de Angelen die de baas zijn en de enige die elektriciteit hebben en de Skylgers die arm zijn en de oorspronkelijke inwoners van het eiland zijn. ze wonen al 300 jaar in vrede naast elkaar en de Skylgers geloven dat de Angelen hun redding zijn en dat ze ervoor zorgen dat ze veilig zijn van de sirenen door het vuur van Brandarius. maar klopt dat wel? je volgt drie meiden die alle drie willen dat hun leven verandert. een spannend boek waar je steeds meer leert oa over de sirenen en over het vuur van Brandarius. hij was soms ook wel ontroerend en ook een beetje romantisch. er zaten wendingen in die ik niet verwacht had. erg genoten van dit boek.
May 11, 2015
LOVED IT EVEN MORE THEN #1! Oh man It took a while for me to find this book in google play IDKY though but m glad I kept at it. HOW AMAZING IS IT THOUGH! Where to start I love that there is added magic now, its not all electricity and scary mer people. I knew they werent bad but still a little ew (but what good book doesnt have ew) I love the rebeling. Royce was a bit OTT but hey love does that hahahaha. I CAN NOT WAIT for #3, Im counting down the days Jen. Counting them. with the second hand on a clock.
April 26, 2019
Het licht van Lorelei is een indrukwekkend verhaal dat zich afspeelt op het eiland Terschelling met zeebewoners (Sirenes) en diverse eilandbewoners (Skylanders en Angelen). De ene eilandgemeenschap onderdrukt de andere, waardoor er een wederopstanding ontstaat. Tijdens de opstand vinden er diverse spannende gebeurtenissen plaats.
Mijn hele recensie vanaf 27 april te lezen op mijn blog: elinebooks.com
Mijn hele recensie vanaf 27 april te lezen op mijn blog: elinebooks.com
January 22, 2022
Drie jonge meisjes van verschillende afkomsten willen een andere toekomst dan nu voor ze is weggelegd. Hiervoor moeten ze moeilijke keuzes maken. Op de achtergrond is er steeds de angst van een nieuwe aanval van de sirenes.
Het leukste aan het verhaal vond ik de alternatieve tijdslijn. Veel plekken, namen en tradities zijn herkenbaar maar wel in een fantasiewereld. Dit maakte het verhaal herkenbaar ondanks dat Ik had eigenlijk nog nooit iets over sirenes gelezen maar ik vond ze erg leuk en interessant neergezet.
Ik vond vooral Enna en Aska leuke personages. Het voelde echt alsof ze moeilijke keuzes moesten maken maar hierin wel hun hart volgden. Melinda haar overtuigingen voelde minder oprecht aan voor mij. Het had mij ook leuk geleken om wat meer van het kloosterleven mee te krijgen. Wel vond ik het interessant om de gebeurtenissen vanuit verschillende afkomsten te ervaren. Hierin vulden Enna, Aska en Melinda elkaar erg goed aan.
Dat het boek in drie delen was opgesplitst vond ik ook jammer. Ik hecht mij vaak aan het hoofdpersonage. Doordat het nieuwe deel vanuit een ander perspectief kwam voelde het een beetje aan alsof ik de vorige personage verloor. Ik begrijp wel waarom het zo is opgezet maar als lezer had ik liever een andere opzet gehad. Daarnaast vond ik het verhaal ook wel wat voorspelbaar.
Het boek heb ik gekregen door een boekenbox. Normaal zou het niet een boek zijn die ik zelf zou oppakken. Ondanks een paar minpuntjes vond ik het wel een hele leuke verrassing en ben ik blij dat ik het gelezen heb.
Het leukste aan het verhaal vond ik de alternatieve tijdslijn. Veel plekken, namen en tradities zijn herkenbaar maar wel in een fantasiewereld. Dit maakte het verhaal herkenbaar ondanks dat Ik had eigenlijk nog nooit iets over sirenes gelezen maar ik vond ze erg leuk en interessant neergezet.
Ik vond vooral Enna en Aska leuke personages. Het voelde echt alsof ze moeilijke keuzes moesten maken maar hierin wel hun hart volgden. Melinda haar overtuigingen voelde minder oprecht aan voor mij. Het had mij ook leuk geleken om wat meer van het kloosterleven mee te krijgen. Wel vond ik het interessant om de gebeurtenissen vanuit verschillende afkomsten te ervaren. Hierin vulden Enna, Aska en Melinda elkaar erg goed aan.
Dat het boek in drie delen was opgesplitst vond ik ook jammer. Ik hecht mij vaak aan het hoofdpersonage. Doordat het nieuwe deel vanuit een ander perspectief kwam voelde het een beetje aan alsof ik de vorige personage verloor. Ik begrijp wel waarom het zo is opgezet maar als lezer had ik liever een andere opzet gehad. Daarnaast vond ik het verhaal ook wel wat voorspelbaar.
Het boek heb ik gekregen door een boekenbox. Normaal zou het niet een boek zijn die ik zelf zou oppakken. Ondanks een paar minpuntjes vond ik het wel een hele leuke verrassing en ben ik blij dat ik het gelezen heb.
April 14, 2019
El primer libro de la colección me gustó bastante más. Me habría gustado que los protagonistas fueran los mismos, ya que creo que Aska es un poco floja como protagonista. Asimismo, al final le falta intensidad. De todas formas, leeré el tercer libro, confiando en que el argumento y los personajes mejoren.
June 23, 2024
Ik had echt niet verwacht dat ik dit boek zó leuk zou vinden, maar WAUW!!! 5 sterren.
February 13, 2016
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, just wow, just so much wow. I am amazed, Jen Minkman has talent, but with each new book I see her talent grow and grow. This book was absolutely amazing.
Since I didn't read the description of this book I was a bit confused when we had a new main character. A girl named Aska. I thought it was just the prologue but after a few more pages it became clear that she was our new heroine. It took another few pages for me to get used to the change and to the change of setting.
Instead of being with Skylgers we are now in another part of the island. This time no fishermen huts, this time we have a convent. A convent for girls who sing to deter the Sirens/Nixens.
Aska, ah I loved her. She was an awesome character and I loved her will to continue with things. Even though things look bleak for her, after all she is a bastards child and she is stuck in the convent for life. Unlike the other girls who can escape after a few years, she will be stuck there forever. It isn't an easy life, knowing that any friends you make will leave within a few years, will leave you alone.
Of course she isn't always strong, at times she breaks down and cries, at times she is angry. But all are emotions I understand. I would feel the same, never having known your parents, knowing you are a bastard child, not supposed to live. Stuck forever in a convent (or as Aska calls it: Prison).
Yet, she finds a goal in her life. She meets up with Royce and Enna (yay!) and also with a guy named Tjalling (no spoilers on him, though I will talk about him in a bit). She decides to help these people, decides to risk everything for them, even lying to her best friend to get what she needs.
I loved how strong she was during the later pages, she really changed. She was already strong, but you could just feel her hopelessness seeping through. By the end though, she has a purpose, she found someone, she found something and she knew she wasn't alone any more.
Now for the other characters. I loved Melinda, or Lin as she was also called. She was a magnificent side-character and I loved her relationship with Aska. I won't spoil much, but I do hope we will see this girl back in the next book. She is just wonderful and she deserves to find happiness. I felt afraid for her during the later parts of the book, I was worried something would happen to her, something would pull her away from the safety that she is living in.
Tjalling, ah Tjalling. I am still not entirely sure what to think of him. During the first part I found him mostly creepy and a stalker. I mean seriously, how often can you meet up with someone coincidentally? It was just too suspicious. I had my suspicions about him being (insert word that she can't say due to spoilers), but it was still fun to see it really happen. I was also still shocked that it happened. I really loved that it was added and it made the story even better than it already was. It makes the situation as it is on the island even scarier.
I loved loved him during the later parts, especially near the end. Ah, that was fantastic.
I am not sure if it was intentional or not, but I loved the little hint to the Edison vs Tesla thing. I didn't notice it in such a big amount in the previous book, but it is pretty clear here and I am delighted to see it here.
One thing I didn't entirely like was the cursing. It felt out of place, like it didn't belong. It didn't happen often, but when it happened it was just awkward. I would be like: "Wait what? Why do you suddenly need to curse?'
Oh, one thing I really have to mention. I loved the LGBT parts in this book. It felt natural and like it fitted. I was sad though to see it was only one-sided, but it still warmed my heart every time it happened. I just kept hoping for these 2.
There are various fun plottwists happening in regards to the Sirens/Nixens and also to Aska's past. I can say I did NOT see that coming what happened on page 94. I loved it though, but it took me by surprise!
The Sirens/Nixens part was scary and gruesome. I felt sad for all those people who were lost. But after we find out things, I can imagine why the Sirens/Nixens do it. The reason it was so sad, it made me angry. This all could have been prevented! But greed does strange things with men.
Also big plus points to the gorgeous cover!
All in all, I can't wait for the next (and last) book. I do hope we get to keep Aska as main character though, and not get a new character. Sure, I still want Enna too, mmm, so maybe a Dual POV? :)
I would really recommend this series to everyone!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Wow, just wow, just so much wow. I am amazed, Jen Minkman has talent, but with each new book I see her talent grow and grow. This book was absolutely amazing.
Since I didn't read the description of this book I was a bit confused when we had a new main character. A girl named Aska. I thought it was just the prologue but after a few more pages it became clear that she was our new heroine. It took another few pages for me to get used to the change and to the change of setting.
Instead of being with Skylgers we are now in another part of the island. This time no fishermen huts, this time we have a convent. A convent for girls who sing to deter the Sirens/Nixens.
Aska, ah I loved her. She was an awesome character and I loved her will to continue with things. Even though things look bleak for her, after all she is a bastards child and she is stuck in the convent for life. Unlike the other girls who can escape after a few years, she will be stuck there forever. It isn't an easy life, knowing that any friends you make will leave within a few years, will leave you alone.
Of course she isn't always strong, at times she breaks down and cries, at times she is angry. But all are emotions I understand. I would feel the same, never having known your parents, knowing you are a bastard child, not supposed to live. Stuck forever in a convent (or as Aska calls it: Prison).
Yet, she finds a goal in her life. She meets up with Royce and Enna (yay!) and also with a guy named Tjalling (no spoilers on him, though I will talk about him in a bit). She decides to help these people, decides to risk everything for them, even lying to her best friend to get what she needs.
I loved how strong she was during the later pages, she really changed. She was already strong, but you could just feel her hopelessness seeping through. By the end though, she has a purpose, she found someone, she found something and she knew she wasn't alone any more.
Now for the other characters. I loved Melinda, or Lin as she was also called. She was a magnificent side-character and I loved her relationship with Aska. I won't spoil much, but I do hope we will see this girl back in the next book. She is just wonderful and she deserves to find happiness. I felt afraid for her during the later parts of the book, I was worried something would happen to her, something would pull her away from the safety that she is living in.
Tjalling, ah Tjalling. I am still not entirely sure what to think of him. During the first part I found him mostly creepy and a stalker. I mean seriously, how often can you meet up with someone coincidentally? It was just too suspicious. I had my suspicions about him being (insert word that she can't say due to spoilers), but it was still fun to see it really happen. I was also still shocked that it happened. I really loved that it was added and it made the story even better than it already was. It makes the situation as it is on the island even scarier.
I loved loved him during the later parts, especially near the end. Ah, that was fantastic.
I am not sure if it was intentional or not, but I loved the little hint to the Edison vs Tesla thing. I didn't notice it in such a big amount in the previous book, but it is pretty clear here and I am delighted to see it here.
One thing I didn't entirely like was the cursing. It felt out of place, like it didn't belong. It didn't happen often, but when it happened it was just awkward. I would be like: "Wait what? Why do you suddenly need to curse?'
Oh, one thing I really have to mention. I loved the LGBT parts in this book. It felt natural and like it fitted. I was sad though to see it was only one-sided, but it still warmed my heart every time it happened. I just kept hoping for these 2.
There are various fun plottwists happening in regards to the Sirens/Nixens and also to Aska's past. I can say I did NOT see that coming what happened on page 94. I loved it though, but it took me by surprise!
The Sirens/Nixens part was scary and gruesome. I felt sad for all those people who were lost. But after we find out things, I can imagine why the Sirens/Nixens do it. The reason it was so sad, it made me angry. This all could have been prevented! But greed does strange things with men.
Also big plus points to the gorgeous cover!
All in all, I can't wait for the next (and last) book. I do hope we get to keep Aska as main character though, and not get a new character. Sure, I still want Enna too, mmm, so maybe a Dual POV? :)
I would really recommend this series to everyone!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
May 1, 2024
Het Licht van Lorelei stond al een jaar op m'n TBR, maar eindelijk heb ik hem kunnen lezen!
Ik moet zeggen dat ik wat moeite had met het inkomen in het verhaal en ik had pas halverwege door dat de verschillende verhaallijnen bij elkaar aansloten (absoluut mijn issue, want volgens mij had dat duidelijk moeten zijn),
Wel vond ik alle hoofdpersonages (allemaal sterke, jonge vrouwen) heel leuk en je leefde met alle personages mee.
Toen er halverwege het verhaal wat meer actie kwam vond ik het verhaal steeds leuker worden en ging ik er steeds sneller doorheen!
Zeker een aanrader als je houdt van geschiedenis en fantasy!
Ik moet zeggen dat ik wat moeite had met het inkomen in het verhaal en ik had pas halverwege door dat de verschillende verhaallijnen bij elkaar aansloten (absoluut mijn issue, want volgens mij had dat duidelijk moeten zijn),
Wel vond ik alle hoofdpersonages (allemaal sterke, jonge vrouwen) heel leuk en je leefde met alle personages mee.
Toen er halverwege het verhaal wat meer actie kwam vond ik het verhaal steeds leuker worden en ging ik er steeds sneller doorheen!
Zeker een aanrader als je houdt van geschiedenis en fantasy!
February 1, 2015
Light of Lorelei is an astoundingly inspirational and enchantingly poignant sequel to the Tales of Skylge series. I have been waiting impatiently to see what would happen next, and I was anything but disappointed. While this story took a more unique turn then what I was even thinking of, it literally took my breath away as I began to see its many layers fall away to reveal a truth so twisted and haunting that I had no words left to give it justice. Let me just say if you are a reader who more than anything enjoys a story that is as brilliantly unexpected as it is exquisitely constructed, than this is a series that you will NOT want to miss! Trust me when I say this is one journey that you will be sorry you never gave a try.
Aska lives the life of a simple temple girl. However, even in the temple she is the lowest of the low. Other girls look down upon her due to her heritage or lack thereof since she doesn’t even know who her parents were. She was born from a transcendently beautiful love that was looked down upon by those who thought they were better and wiser than her parents. As a result, her punishment is to spend the rest of her small, meaningless life in the temple that has become her prison. What she doesn’t realize is that there is more to her then even she knows or would even dare to dream about. On a day when her longing for hope and peace gets the better of her, she finds herself on the beach where she meets a strange and mysterious boy named Tjalling. He has a certain charm and an easy-going nature that calls to her, and she does not feel the normal warning to stay away that would come from her heart. Tjalling becomes the last life line to her fading hope that she could find a life away from the temple, and as people and events began to slowly crumble her world, she finds herself at a perilous precipice. Can Tjalling pull Aska to safety, or will he be the one to dash her dreams on the rocks of life’s shore? If change is really possible, then Aska has to decide if who she is right now is who she really wants to be.
More than anything, I truly loved and felt for Aska throughout her journey. She had to make some very hard choices, and I know what it feels like to follow your heart when everyone around you thinks you are making the worst choices possible. They are so desperate to get you back on their idea of the perfect path for you when in reality it is in the opposite direction of where you really need to be. Letting go is such a hard thing for people to do. In the end, we must let people make their own decisions even after we have given them all of the best advice that we have. We cannot live their life, and we also cannot hold them captive to live a life that we have planned for them. It would be like living a life-long prison sentence that no one deserves. Tjalling’s character was simply amazing in how he reflected the part of Aska that had been hidden to her. She was so much more then she gave herself credit for, and he showed her all of what she was capable of. He stayed by her side and became her hope and solid foundation in the new world she was slowly building.
I have to say that Jen Minkman’s books just keep getting better and better. I refuse to even think of putting her in a box because if I even had one she has blown it to bits and completely out of existence with each of her stories that I have been privileged to read! They are each thrillingly mind bending, and I love how fresh and original each of her stories are. Reading her stories is like experiencing a breathtaking sunset while breathing in crisp, frosty air that clears the fog of life as I let my mind wander from one plant to another in our enormous universe. No limits, no boundaries, and no end to the possibilities is what I keep thinking whenever I read one of Minkman’s books. They are a rare and precious treasure that I cherish and enjoy wholeheartedly.
Aska lives the life of a simple temple girl. However, even in the temple she is the lowest of the low. Other girls look down upon her due to her heritage or lack thereof since she doesn’t even know who her parents were. She was born from a transcendently beautiful love that was looked down upon by those who thought they were better and wiser than her parents. As a result, her punishment is to spend the rest of her small, meaningless life in the temple that has become her prison. What she doesn’t realize is that there is more to her then even she knows or would even dare to dream about. On a day when her longing for hope and peace gets the better of her, she finds herself on the beach where she meets a strange and mysterious boy named Tjalling. He has a certain charm and an easy-going nature that calls to her, and she does not feel the normal warning to stay away that would come from her heart. Tjalling becomes the last life line to her fading hope that she could find a life away from the temple, and as people and events began to slowly crumble her world, she finds herself at a perilous precipice. Can Tjalling pull Aska to safety, or will he be the one to dash her dreams on the rocks of life’s shore? If change is really possible, then Aska has to decide if who she is right now is who she really wants to be.
More than anything, I truly loved and felt for Aska throughout her journey. She had to make some very hard choices, and I know what it feels like to follow your heart when everyone around you thinks you are making the worst choices possible. They are so desperate to get you back on their idea of the perfect path for you when in reality it is in the opposite direction of where you really need to be. Letting go is such a hard thing for people to do. In the end, we must let people make their own decisions even after we have given them all of the best advice that we have. We cannot live their life, and we also cannot hold them captive to live a life that we have planned for them. It would be like living a life-long prison sentence that no one deserves. Tjalling’s character was simply amazing in how he reflected the part of Aska that had been hidden to her. She was so much more then she gave herself credit for, and he showed her all of what she was capable of. He stayed by her side and became her hope and solid foundation in the new world she was slowly building.
I have to say that Jen Minkman’s books just keep getting better and better. I refuse to even think of putting her in a box because if I even had one she has blown it to bits and completely out of existence with each of her stories that I have been privileged to read! They are each thrillingly mind bending, and I love how fresh and original each of her stories are. Reading her stories is like experiencing a breathtaking sunset while breathing in crisp, frosty air that clears the fog of life as I let my mind wander from one plant to another in our enormous universe. No limits, no boundaries, and no end to the possibilities is what I keep thinking whenever I read one of Minkman’s books. They are a rare and precious treasure that I cherish and enjoy wholeheartedly.
February 13, 2015
I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.
Aska lives on the island of Skylge where the people that live on the island are divided into two different groups of people. One group is the Anglians and the other group is the Skylgers. The Anglians are what I guess you might call the rich folk and Skylgers are the poor people. The Anglians have electricity but the Skyler’s do not. An Anglian and a Skyler cannot be together. They can’t have relationships. If they are caught together they are usually murdered it is against the law of the Anglians for them to be together. The Anglians are the rulers of the island because they are the beholders of St. Brandon’s fire that keeps the Sirens or merfolk from taking the people on the island.
Aska is part Anglian and Skylger who has to pay for her parent’s sin or what the Anglian’s call a sin or say is against the law. Aska lives at the convent and is a temple girl who has no choice of being a temple girl like the other girls or maybe like most of them. Aska is having to pay for her parents sin of loving each other by being forced to live at the temple while the other girls are there by choice and do not have to dedicate their whole life to the temple.
Sometimes Aska just has to get away from the temple and be alone in order to deal with the fact that she has to spend her whole life living at the temple while the other girls have a choice. She has to get away because the girls are always picking on her because she doesn’t know who her parents are and for the reason that they were not of the same ethnicity. Aska likes to go for walks on the beach to be alone and to think about things. One day while walking on the beach she meets a fisherman. When she first sees him she is not sure if should or could trust him but she puts on a brave face and keeps on walking on the beach instead of turning around and running away from him right straight back to the temple. She finds out that the fisherman Tjalling is nothing like she thought he might be. He is a very nice dude and of course she doesn’t even notice how good looking he is much less that he is sort of built like a brick sh*t house as the saying goes.
Aska and the girls that live at the temple sing to the merfolk or the siren to keep them calm and to hopefully keep them taking the lives of the people who live on the island. Their songs help to keep the sirens satisfied so they will not attack them. Aska likes and wants to help keep the people on the island safe but she also wants to have a life of her own just like everyone else on the island. She wants to have someone who will love her and take care of her just like every other girl.
Aska finds out a whole lot of things that some folk will kill to keep secret but at the same time most of the folk on the island doesn’t have a clue to what is really going on. I can’t wait for the next book in the series to find out more about the sirens and Brandon’s fire. Whose story will we get to know next? Whose life will we find out about in the next book the Fire of Fryslan? I can’t wait to learn more about the Skylgers and the Anglians as well as Aska’s parents and their story. I would also like to know more about St. Brandon’s story as well. There are so many stories to know and learn about the people who live on the island of Skylge.
I love reading Jen’s books I always get some kind of message out of them. I have been a fan of Stephen King for a very long time at least thirty years and in my opinion Jen is like Stephen she has a message for you in every book that she writes. If you like Stephen King then you will definitely like Jen Minkman. I would recommend any book that she has written to everyone even if you like Stephen King or not. Of all the books that I have read by Jen there has not been a one of them that I did not like.
Aska lives on the island of Skylge where the people that live on the island are divided into two different groups of people. One group is the Anglians and the other group is the Skylgers. The Anglians are what I guess you might call the rich folk and Skylgers are the poor people. The Anglians have electricity but the Skyler’s do not. An Anglian and a Skyler cannot be together. They can’t have relationships. If they are caught together they are usually murdered it is against the law of the Anglians for them to be together. The Anglians are the rulers of the island because they are the beholders of St. Brandon’s fire that keeps the Sirens or merfolk from taking the people on the island.
Aska is part Anglian and Skylger who has to pay for her parent’s sin or what the Anglian’s call a sin or say is against the law. Aska lives at the convent and is a temple girl who has no choice of being a temple girl like the other girls or maybe like most of them. Aska is having to pay for her parents sin of loving each other by being forced to live at the temple while the other girls are there by choice and do not have to dedicate their whole life to the temple.
Sometimes Aska just has to get away from the temple and be alone in order to deal with the fact that she has to spend her whole life living at the temple while the other girls have a choice. She has to get away because the girls are always picking on her because she doesn’t know who her parents are and for the reason that they were not of the same ethnicity. Aska likes to go for walks on the beach to be alone and to think about things. One day while walking on the beach she meets a fisherman. When she first sees him she is not sure if should or could trust him but she puts on a brave face and keeps on walking on the beach instead of turning around and running away from him right straight back to the temple. She finds out that the fisherman Tjalling is nothing like she thought he might be. He is a very nice dude and of course she doesn’t even notice how good looking he is much less that he is sort of built like a brick sh*t house as the saying goes.
Aska and the girls that live at the temple sing to the merfolk or the siren to keep them calm and to hopefully keep them taking the lives of the people who live on the island. Their songs help to keep the sirens satisfied so they will not attack them. Aska likes and wants to help keep the people on the island safe but she also wants to have a life of her own just like everyone else on the island. She wants to have someone who will love her and take care of her just like every other girl.
Aska finds out a whole lot of things that some folk will kill to keep secret but at the same time most of the folk on the island doesn’t have a clue to what is really going on. I can’t wait for the next book in the series to find out more about the sirens and Brandon’s fire. Whose story will we get to know next? Whose life will we find out about in the next book the Fire of Fryslan? I can’t wait to learn more about the Skylgers and the Anglians as well as Aska’s parents and their story. I would also like to know more about St. Brandon’s story as well. There are so many stories to know and learn about the people who live on the island of Skylge.
I love reading Jen’s books I always get some kind of message out of them. I have been a fan of Stephen King for a very long time at least thirty years and in my opinion Jen is like Stephen she has a message for you in every book that she writes. If you like Stephen King then you will definitely like Jen Minkman. I would recommend any book that she has written to everyone even if you like Stephen King or not. Of all the books that I have read by Jen there has not been a one of them that I did not like.
July 3, 2019
Het licht van Lorelei is het nieuwste boek van Jen Minkman, ook bekend van haar uitgeverij Dutch Venture Publishing. Het boek verscheen eerder in het Engels onder de naam Tales of Skylge, maar speelt zich wel af op Nederlandse bodem: op Terschelling. Al driehonderd jaar wonen de Angelen en Skylgers samen op het eiland, waarbij de rijke Angelen heersen over de oorspronkelijke bevolking, de Skylgers. Maar drie dappere vrouwen willen hier verandering in brengen…
Het licht van Lorelei bestaat uit drie delen, over drie vrouwen: Enna, een arm vissersmeisje dat méér wil, Aska, die weg wil uit het klooster waar ze haar hele leven moet dienen, en Melinda, wiens wereld niet blijkt te zijn wat ze denkt. De drie personages worden duidelijk geïntroduceerd en zijn heel anders, maar hebben hetzelfde doel: de wereld waarin ze leven veranderen.
De Angelen wonen momenteel op hoger gelegen gebied van het eiland en hebben het alleenrecht op elektriciteit. Dit maakt van Het licht van Lorelei een soort dystopische wereld, mét Sirenen rondom het eiland. De Skylgers wonen veel dichter bij de zee en zijn dus een makkelijke prooi zijn voor de Sirenes.
Toch mist Het licht van Lorelei wat originaliteit. De plot bevat weinig verrassingen, zoals verwacht hebben de Enna, Aska en Melinda twijfels over de huidige stand van zaken en beginnen ze kritische vragen te stellen, wat natuurlijk niet gewenst is door de Angelen. Ook het verhaal van de Sirenen is niet veel nieuws, hier leent Minkman duidelijk van de oude mythologie. Zelfs de combinatie voelt niet origineel aan, Het licht van Lorelei weet het ene na het andere cliché in te brengen. Ook de liefdeskoppels zijn afgezaagd, hier vind je geen verrassingen en een koppel voelt zelfs vrij afgedwongen aan, zonder echte spark tussen de personages.
Het is wel te merken dat Minkman zelf een lezer is: het boek opent met Enna, die op de eerste pagina al onthuld dat haar moeder de zee in is gelopen, ‘op zoek naar verlossing’. Dit is een bekend fenomeen in de literatuur, het verwijst naar onder andere Edna in Chopin’s The Awakening of de zelfmoord van auteur Virginia Woolf. Het licht van Lorelei bevat meer culturele referenties: er zijn verwijzingen naar Marlene Dietrich, en een Friese band heet In Nije Dei (wat ook de naam van een Friestalige single is van De Kast), men heeft last van Melancholie, en natuurlijk de Sirenes. Al deze referenties tillen Het licht van Lorelei toch naar een wat hoger level.
De namen van de personages zijn wel goed gekozen: de man die de Skylgers van elektriciteit wil voorzien heet ‘Lazer Tesla’ – naar Nikola Tesla die de stroomwisselgenerator ontwikkelde. Zo betekent Enna ‘zwaard’, wat ook kloppend is voor haar rol in het verhaal. De naam Sytse, de broer van Enna, betekent ‘zege, overwinning’, terwijl de populairste Angelse jongen ‘Royce’ heet, wat weer koninklijk betekent. De meisjesnaam ‘Melinda’ betekent weer ‘honing, zoet’, wat ook klopt met haar karakter. Het is duidelijk dat Minkman haar research heeft gedaan.
Al met al mist Het licht van Lorelei originaliteit in plot, maar de plot zelf zit wel heel sterk in elkaar. Het verhaal begint vrij langzaam, maar Minkman weet je er toch in te trekken. Het boek eindigt met alle losse eindjes aan elkaar geknoopt, waarbij sommige wat overtuigender zijn uitgewerkt zijn dan andere. Desondanks maken de sterke plot en boodschap Het licht van Lorelei een aanrader.
Het licht van Lorelei bestaat uit drie delen, over drie vrouwen: Enna, een arm vissersmeisje dat méér wil, Aska, die weg wil uit het klooster waar ze haar hele leven moet dienen, en Melinda, wiens wereld niet blijkt te zijn wat ze denkt. De drie personages worden duidelijk geïntroduceerd en zijn heel anders, maar hebben hetzelfde doel: de wereld waarin ze leven veranderen.
De Angelen wonen momenteel op hoger gelegen gebied van het eiland en hebben het alleenrecht op elektriciteit. Dit maakt van Het licht van Lorelei een soort dystopische wereld, mét Sirenen rondom het eiland. De Skylgers wonen veel dichter bij de zee en zijn dus een makkelijke prooi zijn voor de Sirenes.
Toch mist Het licht van Lorelei wat originaliteit. De plot bevat weinig verrassingen, zoals verwacht hebben de Enna, Aska en Melinda twijfels over de huidige stand van zaken en beginnen ze kritische vragen te stellen, wat natuurlijk niet gewenst is door de Angelen. Ook het verhaal van de Sirenen is niet veel nieuws, hier leent Minkman duidelijk van de oude mythologie. Zelfs de combinatie voelt niet origineel aan, Het licht van Lorelei weet het ene na het andere cliché in te brengen. Ook de liefdeskoppels zijn afgezaagd, hier vind je geen verrassingen en een koppel voelt zelfs vrij afgedwongen aan, zonder echte spark tussen de personages.
Het is wel te merken dat Minkman zelf een lezer is: het boek opent met Enna, die op de eerste pagina al onthuld dat haar moeder de zee in is gelopen, ‘op zoek naar verlossing’. Dit is een bekend fenomeen in de literatuur, het verwijst naar onder andere Edna in Chopin’s The Awakening of de zelfmoord van auteur Virginia Woolf. Het licht van Lorelei bevat meer culturele referenties: er zijn verwijzingen naar Marlene Dietrich, en een Friese band heet In Nije Dei (wat ook de naam van een Friestalige single is van De Kast), men heeft last van Melancholie, en natuurlijk de Sirenes. Al deze referenties tillen Het licht van Lorelei toch naar een wat hoger level.
De namen van de personages zijn wel goed gekozen: de man die de Skylgers van elektriciteit wil voorzien heet ‘Lazer Tesla’ – naar Nikola Tesla die de stroomwisselgenerator ontwikkelde. Zo betekent Enna ‘zwaard’, wat ook kloppend is voor haar rol in het verhaal. De naam Sytse, de broer van Enna, betekent ‘zege, overwinning’, terwijl de populairste Angelse jongen ‘Royce’ heet, wat weer koninklijk betekent. De meisjesnaam ‘Melinda’ betekent weer ‘honing, zoet’, wat ook klopt met haar karakter. Het is duidelijk dat Minkman haar research heeft gedaan.
Al met al mist Het licht van Lorelei originaliteit in plot, maar de plot zelf zit wel heel sterk in elkaar. Het verhaal begint vrij langzaam, maar Minkman weet je er toch in te trekken. Het boek eindigt met alle losse eindjes aan elkaar geknoopt, waarbij sommige wat overtuigender zijn uitgewerkt zijn dan andere. Desondanks maken de sterke plot en boodschap Het licht van Lorelei een aanrader.
January 31, 2015
For those of you who aren't familiar with the Tales of Skylge series, it's a dystopian fantasy series set on an island in which Sirens (merfolk) regularly pull haplessly enchanted island people towards the sea with their eerie music, where they tear them apart and consume their life force.
Aska is an orphan who is doomed to serve in a convent for the rest of her life because she is the offspring of a taboo relationship between Skylger and Current/Anglian individuals. The aftermath of a vicious siren attack on the convent leads Aska to find the truth behind the Sirens and the ruling class (Currents) of the island.
St. Brendan's Fire has always been used to repel the Sirens, or so Aska was taught. However, the Sirens' reaction from the use of St. Brendan's Fire leads her to doubt its true purpose...
Aska has to decide whether to help the Skylger rebels conduct their research of the mysterious tower of St. Brendan's Fire. She meets a mysterious and handsome fisherman who starts turning up in places she goes. She also meets two young people who ask her to help them find the truth about St. Brendan's Fire.
I came into the novel a bit confused, leaping from Enna and Royce's dramatic ending in Sound of Sirens into Aska's life in the convent. I also thought Aska might have been the daughter of Enna and Royce, except Aska's father was a Skylger. However, this was settled later in the novel.
The convent shows a different side of the island of Skylge, which I really enjoyed seeing. Because Aska's job at the convent is to serve the community and protect it from the siren's songs (by using the church's own hymns), Aska is able to see the island's events in a larger perspective. Because of her life as an outcast, Aska is a bit resentful, even if she is somewhat resigned to her station in life.
She escapes from convent life by sneaking out to take evening walks, during which she meets Tjalling, a mysterious fisherman...who starts popping up wherever she goes. I was afraid Aska's relationship with Tjalling would be too similar to Enna-Royce, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Actually, this novel surprised me many times.
There are so many twists and mind-boggling revelations in Light of Lorelei. I'd start thinking the story would go a certain way, and then--nope!--it'd head right into another direction, each time deepening my understanding of who the Sirens are and what their relationship to Skylge is. I really loved finding out about the Sirens and the truths behind the way things were on the island, particularly how the Currents have maintained their power over the Skylgers for so long. And Aska's true identity.
I wish I could reveal more but that'd be spoiling too much. ;) Let's just say that this novel strikes a delicious balance between revealing the magical secrets of Skylge, the further development of the characters, and the fate of the Skylger-Anglian co-existence.
See this review at Glamorous Book Lounge
Aska is an orphan who is doomed to serve in a convent for the rest of her life because she is the offspring of a taboo relationship between Skylger and Current/Anglian individuals. The aftermath of a vicious siren attack on the convent leads Aska to find the truth behind the Sirens and the ruling class (Currents) of the island.
St. Brendan's Fire has always been used to repel the Sirens, or so Aska was taught. However, the Sirens' reaction from the use of St. Brendan's Fire leads her to doubt its true purpose...
Aska has to decide whether to help the Skylger rebels conduct their research of the mysterious tower of St. Brendan's Fire. She meets a mysterious and handsome fisherman who starts turning up in places she goes. She also meets two young people who ask her to help them find the truth about St. Brendan's Fire.
I came into the novel a bit confused, leaping from Enna and Royce's dramatic ending in Sound of Sirens into Aska's life in the convent. I also thought Aska might have been the daughter of Enna and Royce, except Aska's father was a Skylger. However, this was settled later in the novel.
The convent shows a different side of the island of Skylge, which I really enjoyed seeing. Because Aska's job at the convent is to serve the community and protect it from the siren's songs (by using the church's own hymns), Aska is able to see the island's events in a larger perspective. Because of her life as an outcast, Aska is a bit resentful, even if she is somewhat resigned to her station in life.
She escapes from convent life by sneaking out to take evening walks, during which she meets Tjalling, a mysterious fisherman...who starts popping up wherever she goes. I was afraid Aska's relationship with Tjalling would be too similar to Enna-Royce, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Actually, this novel surprised me many times.
There are so many twists and mind-boggling revelations in Light of Lorelei. I'd start thinking the story would go a certain way, and then--nope!--it'd head right into another direction, each time deepening my understanding of who the Sirens are and what their relationship to Skylge is. I really loved finding out about the Sirens and the truths behind the way things were on the island, particularly how the Currents have maintained their power over the Skylgers for so long. And Aska's true identity.
I wish I could reveal more but that'd be spoiling too much. ;) Let's just say that this novel strikes a delicious balance between revealing the magical secrets of Skylge, the further development of the characters, and the fate of the Skylger-Anglian co-existence.
See this review at Glamorous Book Lounge
February 11, 2015
They say the truth shall set you free, and for young Aska, a temple girl shackled to a life that was forced upon her simply for being born of a forbidden love, has spent a lifetime being emotionally and physically taunted by her fellow temple girls. Yep, the very ones who should be displaying grace and kindness and piety. Her only solace has been sneaking out to walk the shores at night, alone until she meets a mysterious fisherman who keeps showing up in her life.
Aska dreams of love, of being kissed, but her life as a temple girl forbids it, but Tjalling has captured her imagination and quite possibly her young heart. When the sirens attack the island, carrying off more and more victims of their songs, even the Light in the Tower, song and prayres cannot save the islanders from grief and fear. Why are the Sirens attacking more often? Why do their faces seem just “wrong?” is there something more sinister going on that only those in power know?
Aska begins a quest to discover untold truths, and possibly the answers to the pain of the Sirens. With friends from the shadows who believe as she does, Aska’s life will take a turn into a world of danger and deceit from those who should be trusted. As she uncovers each layer of manipulation, she discovers the truth of her birth, the true identity of Tjalling and a chance for a life filled with the joy she has never known. But first, they all must survive. In a world where people are taught to fear change, or seek answers, and only follow the ways of the past, the segregation of the people and the cruelty of small minds and hearts, Aska and her allies will risk everything for the truth.
Light of Lorelei by Jen Minkman goes beyond mere writing and into the realm of beautiful storytelling. Her fantasies are filled with scenes that come alive with lapping waves, deep emotion and characters that almost seem to speak their thoughts out loud. Great dialogue, a touch of young romance, and a dark and sinister mystery come to life through her words. There is an atmosphere that feels almost magical as we are transported into the world of Skylge.
Series: Tales of Skylge - Book 2
Publication Date: January 29, 2015
Publisher: Dutch Venture Publishing
Genre: YA Fantasy
Print Length: 134 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Aska dreams of love, of being kissed, but her life as a temple girl forbids it, but Tjalling has captured her imagination and quite possibly her young heart. When the sirens attack the island, carrying off more and more victims of their songs, even the Light in the Tower, song and prayres cannot save the islanders from grief and fear. Why are the Sirens attacking more often? Why do their faces seem just “wrong?” is there something more sinister going on that only those in power know?
Aska begins a quest to discover untold truths, and possibly the answers to the pain of the Sirens. With friends from the shadows who believe as she does, Aska’s life will take a turn into a world of danger and deceit from those who should be trusted. As she uncovers each layer of manipulation, she discovers the truth of her birth, the true identity of Tjalling and a chance for a life filled with the joy she has never known. But first, they all must survive. In a world where people are taught to fear change, or seek answers, and only follow the ways of the past, the segregation of the people and the cruelty of small minds and hearts, Aska and her allies will risk everything for the truth.
Light of Lorelei by Jen Minkman goes beyond mere writing and into the realm of beautiful storytelling. Her fantasies are filled with scenes that come alive with lapping waves, deep emotion and characters that almost seem to speak their thoughts out loud. Great dialogue, a touch of young romance, and a dark and sinister mystery come to life through her words. There is an atmosphere that feels almost magical as we are transported into the world of Skylge.
Series: Tales of Skylge - Book 2
Publication Date: January 29, 2015
Publisher: Dutch Venture Publishing
Genre: YA Fantasy
Print Length: 134 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
February 4, 2015
(From my blog) 4.5 cause I reserve 5 stars for the last book of this series :)
After Sound of Sirens, Jen Minkman succeeds once again to amaze me with this great sequel. This second book of the Tales of Skylge series completes the first book by offering us a different point of view. It also brings us some answers we wanted so bad. Regarding the light in the Tower for instance or what will happen after Enna and Royce teamed up to uncover the secrets of the Current society. And we get to meet new awesome characters and one mysterious and attracting new book boyfriend (more later about Tjalling ) ! Aska is, like every Jen's characters, very unique and her story is interesting, well developped and touching. Before I continue, let me remind you that Jen gave me this e-copy in exchange for an honnest review. I feel lucky to get her books and share with you her wonderful stories. Please, check my category : Jen Minkman.
What I enjoy about this second book is the difference between the life that the main characters lives, compare to Enna's. We still have the whole mystery and story of Skylge, of course, but Aska leads a complete life. She is both a Skylger and an Anglian but it seems like she doesn't really know where she belongs. St Brandan Covent is the only place she can stay but it feels like a prison. She's stuck... Fortunatly, she has a best friend, Melinda and a loving person as Mother Henrietta, by her sides. When Sirens attack again the Island, Aska doesn't care anymore about where she belongs, she just feels the need to do something to protect her home. But how?
Though Tjalling doesn't have any answer to give to her, Aska is attracted by this stranger who seems to find her anywhere and anytime. Is he following her? Who is he really? Can she trust this brand new feeling of attraction? But most of all, what's the point? She will never be able to lead a normal life like every girl at the Covent. She doesn't have a choice regarding what she can do, who she can love... As she discovers the secrets of her city, Aska realizes everyone around her has one as well.
I really loved the new characters and seeing some from the previous book again but I fell for Tjalling so much ! He is complex and has his own story, you will want to know about him for sure ! The romance between him and Aska is sweet and funny. I wasn't disappointed about how it was developped. I can't wait to meet them again in the third and last book of the series.
I won't say too much and let you discover this amazing series which combines Dystopia and Fantasy. I hope you have read the first book, Sound Of Sirens, and will buy Light Of Lorelei.
I had a great time reading Light Of Lorelei and I invite you to do the same ! You can buy it on Amazon, Kobo, Google Play, B&N and Itunes.
I wish you a wonderful read, have fun !
After Sound of Sirens, Jen Minkman succeeds once again to amaze me with this great sequel. This second book of the Tales of Skylge series completes the first book by offering us a different point of view. It also brings us some answers we wanted so bad. Regarding the light in the Tower for instance or what will happen after Enna and Royce teamed up to uncover the secrets of the Current society. And we get to meet new awesome characters and one mysterious and attracting new book boyfriend (more later about Tjalling ) ! Aska is, like every Jen's characters, very unique and her story is interesting, well developped and touching. Before I continue, let me remind you that Jen gave me this e-copy in exchange for an honnest review. I feel lucky to get her books and share with you her wonderful stories. Please, check my category : Jen Minkman.
What I enjoy about this second book is the difference between the life that the main characters lives, compare to Enna's. We still have the whole mystery and story of Skylge, of course, but Aska leads a complete life. She is both a Skylger and an Anglian but it seems like she doesn't really know where she belongs. St Brandan Covent is the only place she can stay but it feels like a prison. She's stuck... Fortunatly, she has a best friend, Melinda and a loving person as Mother Henrietta, by her sides. When Sirens attack again the Island, Aska doesn't care anymore about where she belongs, she just feels the need to do something to protect her home. But how?
Though Tjalling doesn't have any answer to give to her, Aska is attracted by this stranger who seems to find her anywhere and anytime. Is he following her? Who is he really? Can she trust this brand new feeling of attraction? But most of all, what's the point? She will never be able to lead a normal life like every girl at the Covent. She doesn't have a choice regarding what she can do, who she can love... As she discovers the secrets of her city, Aska realizes everyone around her has one as well.
I really loved the new characters and seeing some from the previous book again but I fell for Tjalling so much ! He is complex and has his own story, you will want to know about him for sure ! The romance between him and Aska is sweet and funny. I wasn't disappointed about how it was developped. I can't wait to meet them again in the third and last book of the series.
I won't say too much and let you discover this amazing series which combines Dystopia and Fantasy. I hope you have read the first book, Sound Of Sirens, and will buy Light Of Lorelei.
I had a great time reading Light Of Lorelei and I invite you to do the same ! You can buy it on Amazon, Kobo, Google Play, B&N and Itunes.
I wish you a wonderful read, have fun !
March 10, 2015
This review and more can be found at The A P Book Club!
*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
When I finished Sound of Sirens, I knew I had to have Light of Lorelei as soon as I could get my hands on it. Sound of Sirens had a HUGE cliffhanger at the end, and I've been chomping at the bit to find out what was going to happen next. Light of Lorelei certainly did not disappoint me!
This story picks up several months (I think) after the end of Sound of Sirens. Aska lives and works in the temple, and unlike the other girls, will always live and work there. She's essentially a prisoner, and she wants nothing more than to be free. I loved watching her growth over the course of this novella, and I loved that she's willing to take risks to change the world even if it means that she could lose her life. At least it would be on her own terms.
What I especially liked about this book is that it shows another side of life on the island. Instead of following Royce and Enna again, we're shown what it's like for the temple girls and the priests who guard the Light of Brandaris. There's so much mystery surrounding the Light and the Baeles-Weards and I was really hoping we'd get to see inside the Tower in this book. So many of my previous questions were answered, but now I have SO MANY more!
I also really appreciated the diversity in the cast of this book. We have Aska, the child of a forbidden romance. There's Royce, the Anglian rebel, and Enna, the Skylger girl who has been betrayed and is trying to put back the pieces. We also get to meet Tjalling, who has incredible secrets of his own that made me love him all the more. And then we have Melinda, who is Aska's best friend in the convent. But Melinda has secrets and confesses something to Aska that turns Aska's whole life upside down. I loved how Melinda's story was included in Light of Lorelei, and she's a character I would love to learn more about. I really hope that Aska trusts her with more information in the next book, or really even that she just shows up. Because I loved her.
I read this book in basically one sitting, so I would definitely recommend it to anyone that has read and enjoyed Sound of Sirens. I think I liked it even more than the first book, so even if you didn't love Sound of Sirens, you should still read Light of Lorelei! I would recommend this series to anyone looking for a sci-fi/fantasy story with hints of mermaids, diverse characters, and a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure. A 5/5, and I cannot wait to read the conclusion to this series, Fire of Fryslan!
*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
When I finished Sound of Sirens, I knew I had to have Light of Lorelei as soon as I could get my hands on it. Sound of Sirens had a HUGE cliffhanger at the end, and I've been chomping at the bit to find out what was going to happen next. Light of Lorelei certainly did not disappoint me!
This story picks up several months (I think) after the end of Sound of Sirens. Aska lives and works in the temple, and unlike the other girls, will always live and work there. She's essentially a prisoner, and she wants nothing more than to be free. I loved watching her growth over the course of this novella, and I loved that she's willing to take risks to change the world even if it means that she could lose her life. At least it would be on her own terms.
What I especially liked about this book is that it shows another side of life on the island. Instead of following Royce and Enna again, we're shown what it's like for the temple girls and the priests who guard the Light of Brandaris. There's so much mystery surrounding the Light and the Baeles-Weards and I was really hoping we'd get to see inside the Tower in this book. So many of my previous questions were answered, but now I have SO MANY more!
I also really appreciated the diversity in the cast of this book. We have Aska, the child of a forbidden romance. There's Royce, the Anglian rebel, and Enna, the Skylger girl who has been betrayed and is trying to put back the pieces. We also get to meet Tjalling, who has incredible secrets of his own that made me love him all the more. And then we have Melinda, who is Aska's best friend in the convent. But Melinda has secrets and confesses something to Aska that turns Aska's whole life upside down. I loved how Melinda's story was included in Light of Lorelei, and she's a character I would love to learn more about. I really hope that Aska trusts her with more information in the next book, or really even that she just shows up. Because I loved her.
I read this book in basically one sitting, so I would definitely recommend it to anyone that has read and enjoyed Sound of Sirens. I think I liked it even more than the first book, so even if you didn't love Sound of Sirens, you should still read Light of Lorelei! I would recommend this series to anyone looking for a sci-fi/fantasy story with hints of mermaids, diverse characters, and a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure. A 5/5, and I cannot wait to read the conclusion to this series, Fire of Fryslan!
November 25, 2016
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Why I read it: I've read the first novella in the series, Sound of Sirens (review) and I loved it. So of course I was going to read the sequel as soon as I could! I read this in a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. Perfect really :)
Plot: Confession: I did not read the synopsis before I started reading. So I spent the first five minutes going 'waaaaait wait wait. Who is Aska and why the hell am I meant to care about her?' lol I was expecting it to be a continuation of Royce and Enna's story. I suppose it sort of was in a way, as it picks up a little while after we left them; but it wasn't what I was expecting!
Instead Light of Lorelei focused on Aska and her role at the convent on Skylge, the island where this series takes place. The attacks by the Sirens are increasing and becoming more daring; alongside the resistance movement who don't believe things are as they seem, and want to put an end to the segregation between the Anglians/Currents (the 'rich' I suppose, they have electricity) and the Skylgers (the poorer people, who do not have access to electricity).
Characters: After my initial shock, I grew to love Aska :) she was stubborn and did her own thing. Her friends in the Convent were also great, though took a backseat to the main group. It was great seeing Royce and Enna again. And then there was Tjalling, Aska's love interest. I must admit the romance didn't really grab me. It was sweet and I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't have missed it, you know? I saw the couple of twists we got coming, but they were good twists!
Style/Writing: Jen Minkman just gets better each time I read a story by her! These novellas are fun and I think her best work to date. I was totally immersed in the story, and I'm looking forward to more!
Pros: Good writing, great plot, enjoyable characters. What else can I say?
Cons: Aside from me not loving the romance, it was too short! I wish these books were longer, though it is rather satisfying to finish a book in one sitting!
In Brief: An enjoyable quick read with fantasy elements. I would definitely recommend this series if you're looking for something fun to pick up one afternoon!
Why I read it: I've read the first novella in the series, Sound of Sirens (review) and I loved it. So of course I was going to read the sequel as soon as I could! I read this in a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. Perfect really :)
Plot: Confession: I did not read the synopsis before I started reading. So I spent the first five minutes going 'waaaaait wait wait. Who is Aska and why the hell am I meant to care about her?' lol I was expecting it to be a continuation of Royce and Enna's story. I suppose it sort of was in a way, as it picks up a little while after we left them; but it wasn't what I was expecting!
Instead Light of Lorelei focused on Aska and her role at the convent on Skylge, the island where this series takes place. The attacks by the Sirens are increasing and becoming more daring; alongside the resistance movement who don't believe things are as they seem, and want to put an end to the segregation between the Anglians/Currents (the 'rich' I suppose, they have electricity) and the Skylgers (the poorer people, who do not have access to electricity).
Characters: After my initial shock, I grew to love Aska :) she was stubborn and did her own thing. Her friends in the Convent were also great, though took a backseat to the main group. It was great seeing Royce and Enna again. And then there was Tjalling, Aska's love interest. I must admit the romance didn't really grab me. It was sweet and I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't have missed it, you know? I saw the couple of twists we got coming, but they were good twists!
Style/Writing: Jen Minkman just gets better each time I read a story by her! These novellas are fun and I think her best work to date. I was totally immersed in the story, and I'm looking forward to more!
Pros: Good writing, great plot, enjoyable characters. What else can I say?
Cons: Aside from me not loving the romance, it was too short! I wish these books were longer, though it is rather satisfying to finish a book in one sitting!
In Brief: An enjoyable quick read with fantasy elements. I would definitely recommend this series if you're looking for something fun to pick up one afternoon!
February 3, 2015
Book Description:
"There is no light without shadow,
no truth without sacrifice,
and no way to keep us all from harm.
Aska wants more out of life than being a temple girl in the St. Brandan Convent of Brandaris. Her life-long service to the Baeles-Weards is the only reason she wasn’t killed immediately after birth – she is atoning for the sins of her parents. Her Anglian mother and Skylger father were never supposed to love each other and have children, and Aska is reminded of her low status and illegitimacy by her fellow temple girls every day.
But then she meets Tjalling, a young, mysterious, and charming Skylger fisherman who doesn’t seem to care that he is not supposed to befriend her. Soon after they meet, the island falls prey to the largest Siren attack in the history of Skylge and Aska is beginning to doubt the wisdom of the priests. If the Light in the Tower really keeps the people from harm, why are the Shriekers taking more and more lives each day?
Adding to her inner turmoil is a secret meeting with Royce and Enna, who want to recruit her into their resistance movement, an unexpected confession from her best friend Melinda, and Aska’s realization that she likes Tjalling a bit too much for her own good.
Soon, she is going down a road there is no turning back from, forcing her to make choices that shake the foundations of her world.
For Aska, there is only one true choice – to bring the truth to light."
It's Jen Minkman at her best! I am not going to lie: I'm a fan by now. I've enjoyed her previous books a lot and the first book in Tales of Skylge series was already very good, but this... this I just couldn't put down! After the frist part that had to introduce the world of Skylge to us, this one is more dynamic, answers more questions and leaves you wanting more and more! I am already sure I will be truly heartbroken when the series finishes!
The story is not just a typical young adult, paranormal romance, it sucks you into the world of Skylge and makes you feel all the pain of its characters, all the hopes and putting it down its simply impossible!
"There is no light without shadow,
no truth without sacrifice,
and no way to keep us all from harm.
Aska wants more out of life than being a temple girl in the St. Brandan Convent of Brandaris. Her life-long service to the Baeles-Weards is the only reason she wasn’t killed immediately after birth – she is atoning for the sins of her parents. Her Anglian mother and Skylger father were never supposed to love each other and have children, and Aska is reminded of her low status and illegitimacy by her fellow temple girls every day.
But then she meets Tjalling, a young, mysterious, and charming Skylger fisherman who doesn’t seem to care that he is not supposed to befriend her. Soon after they meet, the island falls prey to the largest Siren attack in the history of Skylge and Aska is beginning to doubt the wisdom of the priests. If the Light in the Tower really keeps the people from harm, why are the Shriekers taking more and more lives each day?
Adding to her inner turmoil is a secret meeting with Royce and Enna, who want to recruit her into their resistance movement, an unexpected confession from her best friend Melinda, and Aska’s realization that she likes Tjalling a bit too much for her own good.
Soon, she is going down a road there is no turning back from, forcing her to make choices that shake the foundations of her world.
For Aska, there is only one true choice – to bring the truth to light."
It's Jen Minkman at her best! I am not going to lie: I'm a fan by now. I've enjoyed her previous books a lot and the first book in Tales of Skylge series was already very good, but this... this I just couldn't put down! After the frist part that had to introduce the world of Skylge to us, this one is more dynamic, answers more questions and leaves you wanting more and more! I am already sure I will be truly heartbroken when the series finishes!
The story is not just a typical young adult, paranormal romance, it sucks you into the world of Skylge and makes you feel all the pain of its characters, all the hopes and putting it down its simply impossible!
January 29, 2020
Ten eerste: absoluut een aanrader als je van fantasy YA houdt! Ik zou het 4/5 sterren geven :)
-Ondanks dat ik het in het begin wat onwennig vond dat het taalgebruik van een meisje dat op de middelbare school zit wat ouderwets en ingewikkeld is,
+ geeft dat het boek juist ook onwijs veel sfeer. Halverwege het boek was ik aan de schrijfstijl gewend en in de laatste paar bladzijdes kon ik niet meer zonder.
+ De cultuur en geschiedenis die wordt beschreven is zo ontzettend prachtig, verwonderend, magisch en origineel.
+ Enna is zo sterk en volwassen. Ik leef echt met haar mee en kijk enorm tegen haar op...
- totdat ze verandert in een verliefde bakvis... Met haar romance heb ik wat moeite, omdat hij vrij clichématig aanvoelt. Het is zonde en doet af aan haar persoonlijkheid voor mijn gevoel. Hetzelfde geldt voor Aska.
+ Aska's verhaal is fantastisch. Ik vind haar persoonlijk ontwikkeling en het verhaal van haar familie prachtig.
- Ik vond de laatste paar bladzijde van haar deel een beetje overdreven, maar...
+het begin van Melinda's verhaal vind ik dan wel weer heel gaaf. Mooi contrast tussen immens geluk en opperste radeloosheid. Wederom een geweldige ontwikkeling van haar persoonlijkheid en met haar romance heb ik helemaal geen moeite. Die voelt minder geforceerd en benadrukt.
+ Minstens 3x tijdens dit verhaal moest ik bijna huilen omdat ik zo ontroerd was (neem pagina 311 en pagina 408 bijvoorbeeld).
- De bladzijdes in andere lettertypes tussendoor hadden voor mij niet gehoeven. Ze maken het verhaal ingewikkelder en verrijken niet per se.
Kortom: een onwijs gaaf en origineel verhaal met een hele eigen stijl. Het voelde net als de eerste paar stappen die je in de zee zet voordat je gaat zwemmen; in het begin onwennig en daarna als een warm bad. Ik denk dat het sterker was geweest zonder geforceerde romances en de 'tussendoor bladzijdes', maar ga hem zeker lezen en oordeel zelf!
-Ondanks dat ik het in het begin wat onwennig vond dat het taalgebruik van een meisje dat op de middelbare school zit wat ouderwets en ingewikkeld is,
+ geeft dat het boek juist ook onwijs veel sfeer. Halverwege het boek was ik aan de schrijfstijl gewend en in de laatste paar bladzijdes kon ik niet meer zonder.
+ De cultuur en geschiedenis die wordt beschreven is zo ontzettend prachtig, verwonderend, magisch en origineel.
+ Enna is zo sterk en volwassen. Ik leef echt met haar mee en kijk enorm tegen haar op...
- totdat ze verandert in een verliefde bakvis... Met haar romance heb ik wat moeite, omdat hij vrij clichématig aanvoelt. Het is zonde en doet af aan haar persoonlijkheid voor mijn gevoel. Hetzelfde geldt voor Aska.
+ Aska's verhaal is fantastisch. Ik vind haar persoonlijk ontwikkeling en het verhaal van haar familie prachtig.
- Ik vond de laatste paar bladzijde van haar deel een beetje overdreven, maar...
+het begin van Melinda's verhaal vind ik dan wel weer heel gaaf. Mooi contrast tussen immens geluk en opperste radeloosheid. Wederom een geweldige ontwikkeling van haar persoonlijkheid en met haar romance heb ik helemaal geen moeite. Die voelt minder geforceerd en benadrukt.
+ Minstens 3x tijdens dit verhaal moest ik bijna huilen omdat ik zo ontroerd was (neem pagina 311 en pagina 408 bijvoorbeeld).
- De bladzijdes in andere lettertypes tussendoor hadden voor mij niet gehoeven. Ze maken het verhaal ingewikkelder en verrijken niet per se.
Kortom: een onwijs gaaf en origineel verhaal met een hele eigen stijl. Het voelde net als de eerste paar stappen die je in de zee zet voordat je gaat zwemmen; in het begin onwennig en daarna als een warm bad. Ik denk dat het sterker was geweest zonder geforceerde romances en de 'tussendoor bladzijdes', maar ga hem zeker lezen en oordeel zelf!
January 31, 2015
I really enjoyed the first book so of course I was going to read this one, and am very glad the author gave me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
First, let's get the biggest surprise out of the way...for some reason, I just expected us to pick up where book one ended and that was with Royce and Enna beginning their involvement with the resistance. I gotta admit, I was lost at first because it wasn't Enna, but rather it was someone named Aska's story. All I could think was "who the heck is Aska?" Well, I quickly found out and I wasn't disappointed. I found myself just as involved with her and Tjalling as I was with Royce and Enna. And the best news? We still get quite a bit of Enna and Royce too. The focus wasn't on them, but the story does pick up where it left off, just in a different direction, with some new players.
In this one, we'll learn more about the Sirens, but have to admit that even that was a great twist. The Sirens were attacking more frequently and Aska's job was to help in defending the islanders from the Siren's song. Living in the convent, but as an outcast, and wanting more out of life, when she meets Tjalling, she finds herself taking risks that would soon lead to revelations about the Sirens and her involvement in the resistance.
My only con is that I although it was obvious that Aska and Tjalling were attracted to each other, the growth of their feelings felt a little rushed. In the grand scheme of things, I liked where the author was going, and I came to like both of these characters a lot.
I'm definitely a fan of this author and would recommend this series if you like dystopianish books with some paranormal elements.
First, let's get the biggest surprise out of the way...for some reason, I just expected us to pick up where book one ended and that was with Royce and Enna beginning their involvement with the resistance. I gotta admit, I was lost at first because it wasn't Enna, but rather it was someone named Aska's story. All I could think was "who the heck is Aska?" Well, I quickly found out and I wasn't disappointed. I found myself just as involved with her and Tjalling as I was with Royce and Enna. And the best news? We still get quite a bit of Enna and Royce too. The focus wasn't on them, but the story does pick up where it left off, just in a different direction, with some new players.
In this one, we'll learn more about the Sirens, but have to admit that even that was a great twist. The Sirens were attacking more frequently and Aska's job was to help in defending the islanders from the Siren's song. Living in the convent, but as an outcast, and wanting more out of life, when she meets Tjalling, she finds herself taking risks that would soon lead to revelations about the Sirens and her involvement in the resistance.
My only con is that I although it was obvious that Aska and Tjalling were attracted to each other, the growth of their feelings felt a little rushed. In the grand scheme of things, I liked where the author was going, and I came to like both of these characters a lot.
I'm definitely a fan of this author and would recommend this series if you like dystopianish books with some paranormal elements.
February 16, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book really begins to take the Tales of Skylge to the next level. In the first book we saw the beginnings of a rebellion on the island and some Romeo and Juliet type love story. This tale takes the next step and introduces us to some even more surprising relationships.
Aska is a temple girl who has been "sentenced" to life serving the Baeles-Weards because she was born from the forbidden union between an Anglian and Skylger. She has started to doubt her teachings and each new piece of evidence makes her even more skeptical. While on one of her solitary beach walks, she meets a young fisherman named Tjalling. These two have chemistry from the start and Aska has finally found herself an ally that begins her tumble into real rebellion.
After some shocking attacks from the sirens, Aska knows she must act. She teams up with Enna and Royce to help free the imprisoned Light of Lorelei. There is a lot of shocking revelation and some pretty sneaky twists and turns. The story just keeps getting better and better! I can't wait to see where all these characters end up and what happens to this divided island.
This book really begins to take the Tales of Skylge to the next level. In the first book we saw the beginnings of a rebellion on the island and some Romeo and Juliet type love story. This tale takes the next step and introduces us to some even more surprising relationships.
Aska is a temple girl who has been "sentenced" to life serving the Baeles-Weards because she was born from the forbidden union between an Anglian and Skylger. She has started to doubt her teachings and each new piece of evidence makes her even more skeptical. While on one of her solitary beach walks, she meets a young fisherman named Tjalling. These two have chemistry from the start and Aska has finally found herself an ally that begins her tumble into real rebellion.
After some shocking attacks from the sirens, Aska knows she must act. She teams up with Enna and Royce to help free the imprisoned Light of Lorelei. There is a lot of shocking revelation and some pretty sneaky twists and turns. The story just keeps getting better and better! I can't wait to see where all these characters end up and what happens to this divided island.
March 3, 2015
It's been 12 hours since I finished this book and I really am struggling to put down in words what I want to say... What I do know is actually feel quite for having given the first book in this series 3 stars, because without that first book this second book wouldn't be the book that it is. There was so much built in the first book to lead us into this book, and I knew Minkman had done that deliberately, but at the time I still felt cheated, we finally got some of those questions answered. And the wait was totally worth it.
Aska was everything I wanted Enna to be, she railed against the life she was given and she questioned not just the world she grew up in but everyone around her. To everyone else she seems this little naive Temple Girl who will never be able to do anything with her life beyond being a Temple Girl but inside she is stronger than they realise and she has the power to turn things around for not just her but for her people.
I read most of this book in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down... and now I'm chomping at the bit for the next instalment. I need to see what happens next.
Aska was everything I wanted Enna to be, she railed against the life she was given and she questioned not just the world she grew up in but everyone around her. To everyone else she seems this little naive Temple Girl who will never be able to do anything with her life beyond being a Temple Girl but inside she is stronger than they realise and she has the power to turn things around for not just her but for her people.
I read most of this book in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down... and now I'm chomping at the bit for the next instalment. I need to see what happens next.
February 6, 2015
Although this was a shorter read than I usually enjoy, Light of Lorelei was a captivating and charming paranormal fantasy read. It was the second in Jen Minkman's Tales of Skylge series.
I soon became enthralled with the character of Aska as she was reminiscent of a cross between Cinderella and Joan of Arc. She had an innate sense of right and wrong and the disparaging differences between the classes that dwellt on their island. Not only did she want the truth about her birthright, she wanted the truth about the humans and the sirens and why there was such hostility between the two.
Previously in Sound of Sirens we saw a relationship between Skylge and Anglian develop between Royce and Enna and in Light of Lorelei, the bonds of friendship stretch even further between Aska and Tjalling who has secrets of his own to protect. But the four bond together to find and release the truth at great risk to themselves.
I am anxious for the next book in the series to see what erupts on this island so separated from the mainland. And I applaud Jen Minkman for her thoughtful creativity and skillful journey through the class systems of society.
I soon became enthralled with the character of Aska as she was reminiscent of a cross between Cinderella and Joan of Arc. She had an innate sense of right and wrong and the disparaging differences between the classes that dwellt on their island. Not only did she want the truth about her birthright, she wanted the truth about the humans and the sirens and why there was such hostility between the two.
Previously in Sound of Sirens we saw a relationship between Skylge and Anglian develop between Royce and Enna and in Light of Lorelei, the bonds of friendship stretch even further between Aska and Tjalling who has secrets of his own to protect. But the four bond together to find and release the truth at great risk to themselves.
I am anxious for the next book in the series to see what erupts on this island so separated from the mainland. And I applaud Jen Minkman for her thoughtful creativity and skillful journey through the class systems of society.
February 6, 2015
Minkman has taken an interesting route with this series - rather than just following one main character throughout, she's spreading out and using different people to tell their part of the tale. So rather than continuing Enna and Royce's story, here we get to find out about Aska, a very different girl from Enna. Don't worry, Enna and Royce are still involved so we get to see how they're doing, but it's Aska's part in it all which takes precedence.
Aska was a wonderful character - her convent life added a very different and interesting flavour to the book. Then there's Tjalling - another complex and wonderful character. I'd love to say more about him but I don't want to give any spoilers away.
Minkman has created a complex and intriguing world, and the series goes from strength to strength. She manages to weave a tale that feels incredibly realistic despite its separation from our reality. I can't wait to read the next part of the story.
Aska was a wonderful character - her convent life added a very different and interesting flavour to the book. Then there's Tjalling - another complex and wonderful character. I'd love to say more about him but I don't want to give any spoilers away.
Minkman has created a complex and intriguing world, and the series goes from strength to strength. She manages to weave a tale that feels incredibly realistic despite its separation from our reality. I can't wait to read the next part of the story.
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