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The Shamer Chronicles #2
The Shamer's Signet
One look into the Shamer's eyes and a person's darkest secrets are revealed
Dina has recently come into her uncomfortable powers as a Shamer, and now even her brother, Davin, no longer dares to meet her gaze.
Yet in these dangerous times there are far worse things in store for the young Shamer, who is kidnapped and forced to use her gift as a weapon against innocent people. Dina must get free. Can her brother help her escape?
Dina has recently come into her uncomfortable powers as a Shamer, and now even her brother, Davin, no longer dares to meet her gaze.
Yet in these dangerous times there are far worse things in store for the young Shamer, who is kidnapped and forced to use her gift as a weapon against innocent people. Dina must get free. Can her brother help her escape?
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
59 people are currently reading
1298 people want to read
About the author
Lene Kaaberbøl
78 books772 followersJeg kom til verden på Rigshospitalet i København d. 24.3.1960. Overlægen var i kjole og hvidt - han var blevet afbrudt midt i en gallamiddag - men min søster siger, at det er da ikke noget, hendes fødselslæge var i islandsk nationaldragt. Nogen vil mene at det således allerede fra starten var klart at jeg var et ganske særligt barn. Andre vil sikkert påstå at min mor bare var god til at skabe pludselige gynækologiske kriser.
Jeg blev altså født i København, men det må nok betragtes som en fejl, for min forældre er jyske, min opvækst foregik i Jylland (mestendels i Malling ved Århus), og jeg betragter mig i dag som eksil-jyde på Frederiksberg, på det mine jyske venner omtaler som Djævleøen (Sjælland).
Jeg har skrevet altid, eller i hvert fald lige siden jeg nåede ud over »Ole så en so«-stadiet. Som hestetosset teenager skrev jeg bøgerne om Tina og hestene (de to første udkom da jeg var femten, den fjerde og sidste da jeg var sytten). Som 18-årig opdagede jeg Tolkien og Ringenes herre, og derefter Ursula K. LeGuins trilogi om Jordhavet, og lige siden har mit bog-hjerte banket for eventyr og drageblod og verdener, der ligger mindst tre skridt til højre for regnbuen eller Mælkevejen, og under alle omstændigheder et pænt stykke fra den asfalterede danske virkelighed.
I dag, cirka 30 bøger senere, er jeg stadig lige så håbløst vild med at skrive som jeg altid har været. Og selv om jeg har været en lille smuttur i krimi-land og skrevet en kriminalroman for voksne - læs mere på ninaborg.dk hvis du har lyst - så er jeg bestemt stadig børnebogsforfatter og har stadig hang til magiske momenter!
Personal
Name Lene Kaaberbøl
Born 1960, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Education: Århus University, degree (English, drama). Hobbies and other interests: Playing pentanque.
Addresses
Office—Phabel & Plott ApS, Laksegade 12, St.th, DK-1063 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
Career
Novelist. Formerly worked as a high school teacher, copy writer, publishing company editor, cleaning assistant, and riding teacher. Phabel & Plott ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark, owner and writer.
Honors Awards
Best Disney Novel Writer of the Year award, Disney Worldwide Artist Convention, 2001, for five "W.I.T.C.H." series novels.
Associated Names:
* Lene Kaaberbol (English)
Jeg blev altså født i København, men det må nok betragtes som en fejl, for min forældre er jyske, min opvækst foregik i Jylland (mestendels i Malling ved Århus), og jeg betragter mig i dag som eksil-jyde på Frederiksberg, på det mine jyske venner omtaler som Djævleøen (Sjælland).
Jeg har skrevet altid, eller i hvert fald lige siden jeg nåede ud over »Ole så en so«-stadiet. Som hestetosset teenager skrev jeg bøgerne om Tina og hestene (de to første udkom da jeg var femten, den fjerde og sidste da jeg var sytten). Som 18-årig opdagede jeg Tolkien og Ringenes herre, og derefter Ursula K. LeGuins trilogi om Jordhavet, og lige siden har mit bog-hjerte banket for eventyr og drageblod og verdener, der ligger mindst tre skridt til højre for regnbuen eller Mælkevejen, og under alle omstændigheder et pænt stykke fra den asfalterede danske virkelighed.
I dag, cirka 30 bøger senere, er jeg stadig lige så håbløst vild med at skrive som jeg altid har været. Og selv om jeg har været en lille smuttur i krimi-land og skrevet en kriminalroman for voksne - læs mere på ninaborg.dk hvis du har lyst - så er jeg bestemt stadig børnebogsforfatter og har stadig hang til magiske momenter!
Personal
Name Lene Kaaberbøl
Born 1960, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Education: Århus University, degree (English, drama). Hobbies and other interests: Playing pentanque.
Addresses
Office—Phabel & Plott ApS, Laksegade 12, St.th, DK-1063 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
Career
Novelist. Formerly worked as a high school teacher, copy writer, publishing company editor, cleaning assistant, and riding teacher. Phabel & Plott ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark, owner and writer.
Honors Awards
Best Disney Novel Writer of the Year award, Disney Worldwide Artist Convention, 2001, for five "W.I.T.C.H." series novels.
Associated Names:
* Lene Kaaberbol (English)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
June 9, 2013
Perhaps it's just me, but I find it rather disingenuous when the first book of a series is pretty much about a girl and a girl finding her strength and doing shit, and then the author is like, "You know what I forgot? A dude. A dude having manpain. That's what this book needs. More dudes. More manpain," as if Nico wasn't enough. This doesn't happen often in literature for a lot of reasons (shitty storytelling, conflict in marketing, who on earth wants the series to veer off like that in the second book) but Lene Kaaberbøl decides that this is a great idea and rather than just having Dina (who to be fair is not a particularly stand-out character) we also need to have the perspective of her utterly unremarkable brother, Davin.
Davin is incredibly loathe-able, from his name down to his frankly idiotic actions. He's irresponsible, he's an idiot, and always seems to expect the worst/be really absurdly judgmental towards the people he ostensibly loves i.e. his family. or . Davin somehow thinks that learning to fight is more important than helping his family recover from having their economic well-being and emotional health completely destroyed after their old farm was razed to the ground. It'd be more understandable if he actually seemed somewhat competent but he isn't. He's whiny and selfish, thoughtless and stupid, and completely worthless as even a minor character let alone a POV character. Also, the bullshit bromance Kaaberbøl is trying to establish between Davin and Nico makes me want to vomit and every time I had to listen to someone excuse his actions because he's just trying to "be a man" or whatever I wanted to throw the book across the room.
But hey, it's good she introduced Davin because despite the fact he isn't mentioned on the dust jacket except in passing, his pathetic teen angst is what drives the entire narrative. Regardless of how gross it is to have the female protagonist of the first book instead become a helpless maiden for her intrepid brother to rescue, it's just shitty storytelling. The first book felt very middle-grade, with a ten-year-old protagonist learning some hard truths about the world &c. This book veers completely off course because, as I mentioned earlier, it's almost entirely focused on Davin whinging meaninglessly about wanting to fight and how he feels shitty because everyone's gotten to stab Drakan but him. Sure, Dina's POV is about equal to Davin's, but the problem is the story isn't about Dina - she's captured, she's tortured, she's broken, and in the end it's . Dina gets no closure on what happens to her, there's no moment of catharsis to her story because The Shamer's Signet isn't really her story at all. Which is really a problem since the first book implies that the series will be about her.
Also annoying is the fact that Davin and Dina's POVs sound almost identical. Also annoying is the sexist "oh, but you're a girl" which I've talk about in other reviews as being lazy feminism even if you challenge that viewpoint in your text but that Kaaberbøl really doesn't makes is just sexist. Also annoying is pretty Mean Girl no. 2 because being pretty and rich and a girl is apparently a crime in Dina's world and I am consistently struck by how nasty the portrayals of petty villains like Cilla and Sascha are compared to the actually really morally reprehensible dudes. These girls don't really serve a point other than to highlight how Dina is not like them which not only makes these characters problematic, but also complicates the narrative unnecessarily.
Of course, the narrative is pretty much unsalvageable anyway. It's one of those where the bad guys are ostensibly so evil I'm waiting for a twirling mustachio any moment, but at the same time aside from telling me how evil they are I can't help but wonder if maybe Drakan deserves to take over the country since he seems to be the only one with even the most rudimentary grasp of tactics and science. Yes, everyone else is so improbably stupid that it feels like the bad guy deserves to win simply because he is the only one with an iota of common sense, even if he is hopeless at naming the evil minions of his evil empire. The point being, there's a really flaw in your story when almost the entire source of conflict revolves around the fact that your characters are idiots.
Add in some lazy writing, an utterly pointless plot lacking any real consequences and an extra large dose of Davin, The Shamer's Signet is a flaccid, pendulous narrative that meanders through a poorly contrived, barely-there plot. At least it's shored up my resolve to ragequit the series.
Davin is incredibly loathe-able, from his name down to his frankly idiotic actions. He's irresponsible, he's an idiot, and always seems to expect the worst/be really absurdly judgmental towards the people he ostensibly loves i.e. his family. or . Davin somehow thinks that learning to fight is more important than helping his family recover from having their economic well-being and emotional health completely destroyed after their old farm was razed to the ground. It'd be more understandable if he actually seemed somewhat competent but he isn't. He's whiny and selfish, thoughtless and stupid, and completely worthless as even a minor character let alone a POV character. Also, the bullshit bromance Kaaberbøl is trying to establish between Davin and Nico makes me want to vomit and every time I had to listen to someone excuse his actions because he's just trying to "be a man" or whatever I wanted to throw the book across the room.
But hey, it's good she introduced Davin because despite the fact he isn't mentioned on the dust jacket except in passing, his pathetic teen angst is what drives the entire narrative. Regardless of how gross it is to have the female protagonist of the first book instead become a helpless maiden for her intrepid brother to rescue, it's just shitty storytelling. The first book felt very middle-grade, with a ten-year-old protagonist learning some hard truths about the world &c. This book veers completely off course because, as I mentioned earlier, it's almost entirely focused on Davin whinging meaninglessly about wanting to fight and how he feels shitty because everyone's gotten to stab Drakan but him. Sure, Dina's POV is about equal to Davin's, but the problem is the story isn't about Dina - she's captured, she's tortured, she's broken, and in the end it's . Dina gets no closure on what happens to her, there's no moment of catharsis to her story because The Shamer's Signet isn't really her story at all. Which is really a problem since the first book implies that the series will be about her.
Also annoying is the fact that Davin and Dina's POVs sound almost identical. Also annoying is the sexist "oh, but you're a girl" which I've talk about in other reviews as being lazy feminism even if you challenge that viewpoint in your text but that Kaaberbøl really doesn't makes is just sexist. Also annoying is pretty Mean Girl no. 2 because being pretty and rich and a girl is apparently a crime in Dina's world and I am consistently struck by how nasty the portrayals of petty villains like Cilla and Sascha are compared to the actually really morally reprehensible dudes. These girls don't really serve a point other than to highlight how Dina is not like them which not only makes these characters problematic, but also complicates the narrative unnecessarily.
Of course, the narrative is pretty much unsalvageable anyway. It's one of those where the bad guys are ostensibly so evil I'm waiting for a twirling mustachio any moment, but at the same time aside from telling me how evil they are I can't help but wonder if maybe Drakan deserves to take over the country since he seems to be the only one with even the most rudimentary grasp of tactics and science. Yes, everyone else is so improbably stupid that it feels like the bad guy deserves to win simply because he is the only one with an iota of common sense, even if he is hopeless at naming the evil minions of his evil empire. The point being, there's a really flaw in your story when almost the entire source of conflict revolves around the fact that your characters are idiots.
Add in some lazy writing, an utterly pointless plot lacking any real consequences and an extra large dose of Davin, The Shamer's Signet is a flaccid, pendulous narrative that meanders through a poorly contrived, barely-there plot. At least it's shored up my resolve to ragequit the series.
November 25, 2015
Now that Dina and her family no longer have a place to call home anymore, they've settled down in a highlander clan, with people who are still loyal to the Raven's House. Meanwhile Drakan and his dragonsoldiers are on the hunt for Shamer's - and those he catches meet a fiery end.
But although it's a dangerous time to make people feel ashamed, there is still a need for Shamer's in the world, and people come from afar to ask for Dina's mother, Melussina Tonerre's, services.
Since Dina will one day have to do the same, she follows her mother everywhere, to learn how to act and behave as a Shamer. But the roads are dangerous, and filled with people who want harm done to Dina, her friends and family, and not everyone is who they say they are.
In this second book in the Shamer Chronicles, we do not only hear the story from Dina's point of view, but also from her older brother, Davin, who is sixteen years old, and just learning how to handle a sword. About half of the book is in his point of view, while the other is told from Dina's perspective. It's a nice change, not necessarily because Davin is older than Dina, but because it's great to find out what it's like to be a child of Melussina Tonerre, but without having her powers.
There are some great new characters in this book, but the best thing about the book are all the new places it takes you. In the Shamer's Daughter, nearly all of the story took place in Dunark, which was fine, but it felt a little closed in, especially with the nice map in the book, naming many towns, rivers and mountains. So it was nice to see other parts of this amazing world, and traveling from town to town, and feeling the depth and thought that was put into creating it.
While reading this, I keep wondering why this book was never a bigger succes in the rest of the world. It is such a well known bookseries here in Denmark and Scandinavia(and now a movie), and it just saddens me that more people haven't read it. So if you're thinking about adding this to your tbr pile, please do!
But although it's a dangerous time to make people feel ashamed, there is still a need for Shamer's in the world, and people come from afar to ask for Dina's mother, Melussina Tonerre's, services.
Since Dina will one day have to do the same, she follows her mother everywhere, to learn how to act and behave as a Shamer. But the roads are dangerous, and filled with people who want harm done to Dina, her friends and family, and not everyone is who they say they are.
In this second book in the Shamer Chronicles, we do not only hear the story from Dina's point of view, but also from her older brother, Davin, who is sixteen years old, and just learning how to handle a sword. About half of the book is in his point of view, while the other is told from Dina's perspective. It's a nice change, not necessarily because Davin is older than Dina, but because it's great to find out what it's like to be a child of Melussina Tonerre, but without having her powers.
There are some great new characters in this book, but the best thing about the book are all the new places it takes you. In the Shamer's Daughter, nearly all of the story took place in Dunark, which was fine, but it felt a little closed in, especially with the nice map in the book, naming many towns, rivers and mountains. So it was nice to see other parts of this amazing world, and traveling from town to town, and feeling the depth and thought that was put into creating it.
While reading this, I keep wondering why this book was never a bigger succes in the rest of the world. It is such a well known bookseries here in Denmark and Scandinavia(and now a movie), and it just saddens me that more people haven't read it. So if you're thinking about adding this to your tbr pile, please do!
February 22, 2019
Read: january 2009
2nd read: 13-22nd of september 2016
2nd read: 13-22nd of september 2016
Read
May 24, 2024Jeg hadde visst gitt den 4 stjerner, men de forsvant nå da jeg leste den på nytt? Som jeg sa i den forrige så vil jo denne boka også alltid være i mitt hjerte. Denne gangen hører jeg på lydbok (de samme som jeg hørte da jeg var barn) og jeg måå bare si at Mari Maurstad og Jan Erik Madsen gjør en fabelaktig jobb! Også etter jeg fant ut at Lene Kaaberbøl er hestejente så legger jeg merke til alle hestebeskrivelsene haha
October 16, 2025
Another Jasper read, this one was our night time read so it took a LOT longer to finish (been at it since March) but BRO.... It was so good? It was hard, emotionally. handling not just toxic Masculinity, empathy and life or death !! it was so good !!
July 7, 2023
This book was a wonderful book and it was crazy how tavis is almost died at the end. So many plot twists and definitely a must read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2011
When I started on the first book of the quartet I had some trouble getting into the style - as a friend of mine said, Northern Europe writing is difficult to swallow, not a spoon for every mouth.
That's why, though I had bought the second book, it took me an year to have a go at it.
But once I started, I couldn't stop. I read through quickly and was even eager for more. The return appearance of known characters was great, as was the new and enthralling plot.
I'm still missing the romance factor, as I like to have it in my books, but the adventure and the friendships are so good I went through the second book much faster than the first. And yeah, the evil ones were really evil - I mean, the things they put an eleven-year-old girl through were gruesome at the very least. Good thing Dina's a girl with a spine of steel.
And while the first book was about Nico, this one was in great part about Davin, Dina's older and boyishly naive brother; about how he seeks to prove himself a man, but goes through so much pain and trouble that he actually appreciates the maxims think before you act and be careful what you wish for...
Lene Kaaberbol's writing is consuming and beautiful, the way she describes with picturesque details the surroundings and the way of life of common, Mediaeval peasants is charming and joltingly realistic.
Now I can't wait to buy the next to books and see where they'll take the story. (Keeping my fingers crossed for a Nico/Dina twist)
That's why, though I had bought the second book, it took me an year to have a go at it.
But once I started, I couldn't stop. I read through quickly and was even eager for more. The return appearance of known characters was great, as was the new and enthralling plot.
I'm still missing the romance factor, as I like to have it in my books, but the adventure and the friendships are so good I went through the second book much faster than the first. And yeah, the evil ones were really evil - I mean, the things they put an eleven-year-old girl through were gruesome at the very least. Good thing Dina's a girl with a spine of steel.
And while the first book was about Nico, this one was in great part about Davin, Dina's older and boyishly naive brother; about how he seeks to prove himself a man, but goes through so much pain and trouble that he actually appreciates the maxims think before you act and be careful what you wish for...
Lene Kaaberbol's writing is consuming and beautiful, the way she describes with picturesque details the surroundings and the way of life of common, Mediaeval peasants is charming and joltingly realistic.
Now I can't wait to buy the next to books and see where they'll take the story. (Keeping my fingers crossed for a Nico/Dina twist)
November 23, 2014
This is the second book in the Shamer Chronicles series. I read it as a child, but was amazed over how little I remembered.
I love how much Lene Kaaberbøl not only told the story from Dinas point of viwe, but also from her brother Davids point of viwe. This gave me the information on how it was for David to be the son of Melussina, and brother of Dina. We also get to see how he handles it when his and his familiy's life gets turned up side down. I also like that we get to follow him in his transformation from a boy to a man.
I love how much Lene Kaaberbøl not only told the story from Dinas point of viwe, but also from her brother Davids point of viwe. This gave me the information on how it was for David to be the son of Melussina, and brother of Dina. We also get to see how he handles it when his and his familiy's life gets turned up side down. I also like that we get to follow him in his transformation from a boy to a man.
June 12, 2024
Μεσολάβησαν αρκετές υποχρεώσεις το τελευταίο διάστημα και η αλήθεια είναι πως μου στέρησαν τον όποιο πολύτιμο ελεύθερο χρόνο είχα στη διάθεσή μου κατά συνέπεια, στερήθηκα σημαντικό χρόνο από το διάβασμα. Όμως τώρα, είπα να επανέλθω δυναμικά και να καλύψω όσο μπορώ το κενό που άφησε ο περασμένος μήνας. Έτσι, συνέχισα με την σειρά βιβλίων της "Αισχύντρα" η οποία, με την ανάγνωση του πρώτου κατά σειρά βιβλίου, μου άφησε ιδιαίτερα καλές κι ελπιδοφόρες εντυπώσεις. Και πράγματι δεν απογοητεύτηκα, έστω και αν η συνέχεια της ιστορίας βαδίζει σε αρκετά παρεμφερή μονοπάτια με το πρώτο μέρος, με δύο όμως διαφοροποιήσεις. Αυτ�� τη φορά, δεν είναι η μητέρα της Ντίνας που πέφτει στα χέρια των εχθρών αλλά, η ίδια. Πέραν αυτού, δεν βλέπουμε την ιστορία μόνο μέσα από τα δικά της μάτια αλλά και από εκείνα του αδερφού της Ντάβιν, γεγονός που προσδίδει μια ενδιαφέρουσα διαφορετικότητα.
Η Ντίνα, η οικογένεια και οι φίλοι της, που σύσσωμοι μας συστήθηκαν στο πρώτο βιβλίο, έχουν καταφέρει να ξεφύγουν από τον Δράκο και τον στρατό του, δημιουργώντας ένα νέο σπιτικό όπου μπορούν, προς το παρόν τουλάχιστον, να αισθάνονται ασφαλείς. Η Ντίνα είναι μαθητευόμενη της μητέρας της και προσπαθεί να μάθει περισσότερα γύρω από το χάρισμά της, η μητέρα της δίνει την βοήθειά της σε όποιον την χρειάζεται, έχοντας ωστόσο έναν φόβο ριζωμένο βαθιά μέσα της, κατάλοιπο της προηγούμενης, τρομακτικής περιπέτειάς της ενώ ο αδερφός της Ντάβιν, που πλησιάσει στην ενηλικίωση, μοιάζει να είναι το μεγαλύτερο πρόβλημα της οικογένειας καθώς, κανείς δεν είναι σίγουρος πως ακριβώς πρέπει να τον αντιμετωπίσει ενώ ο ίδιος το μόνο που θέλει, είναι να εκπαιδευτεί ώστε να ξεχυθεί σε πρώτη ευκαιρία στη μάχη, εξωτερικεύοντας με αυτό τον τρόπο τα συναισθήματά του και ίσως, τιθασεύοντας το θυμό και τις ορμόνες του. Όμως η ζωή τους θα διαταραχθεί για μια ακόμη φορά από κάτι πιο ισχυρό. Κάποιος προσπαθεί να στρέψει τις φατριές που βρίσκονται σε ειρήνη, τη μία εναντίον της άλλης ενώ παράλληλα, ο στρατός του Δράκου παίρνει κεφάλι, με τη μία πολιτεία να χάνει έδαφος μετά την άλλη και τις Αισχύντρα να βρίσκονται σε ένα δολοφονικό στόχαστρο.
Η Kaaberbol παίζει με την ίδια ουσιαστικά ιδέα που έκανε επιτυχία το πρώτο της βιβλίο. Βάζει στο επίκεντρο την Αισχύντρα και το χάρισμά της, παρουσιάζοντάς μας παράλληλα μέχρι ποιου σημείου θα ήταν ικανός να φτάσει κάποιος προκειμένου να μπορέσει να το αξιοποιήσει και να το εκμεταλλευτεί προς δικό του όφελος. Αυτός είναι προφανώς και ο λόγος που αυτή τη φορά το θύμα δεν είναι η μητέρα τη οικογένειας, που έχει την ωριμότητα να χειριστεί την χειραγώγηση αλλά, η μικρή Ντίνα η οποία ως χαρακτήρας, αν και δυναμική, είναι εξαιρετικά ευάλωτη εξαιτίας του νεαρού της ηλικίας της και η όποια πίεση αποδίδει καλύτερα πάνω της, πόσο μάλλον όταν οι πράξεις της είναι δεμένες μαζί με άλλες ανθρώπινες ζωές και μια λάθος κίνησή της μπορεί να τις στερήσει. Η όποια ομοιότητα λοιπόν της εξέλιξης της πλοκής δεν θα λέγαμε ότι μας ενοχλεί καθώς, μπορεί να έχει κοινά σημεία ανάπτυξης ωστόσο, έχει διαφορετικό τελικό στόχο που δεν είναι άλλος από το να μιλήσει περί ηθικής και κατά πόσο αυτή μπορεί να μείνει ακέραιη και σταθερή μπροστά στην πίεση και κατά πόσο μπορεί η ντροπή να μας επηρεάσει στην μετέπειτα ζωή μας.
Ένα ακόμα ενδιαφέρον στοιχείο είναι το ότι η συγγραφέας αυτή τη φορά επιλέγει η αφήγηση να μην γίνεται αποκλειστικά από την Ντίνα αλλά, και από τον αδερφό της, Ντάβιν. Αυτό είναι θετικό για δύο λόγους! Πρώτον, βλέπουμε τις διαφοροποιήσεις στην ψυχολογία, τις αλλαγές στην ψυχοσύνθεση και την αντίδραση των συναισθημάτων και της λογικής στις διάφορες καταστάσεις, τόσο μέσα από τα μάτια ενός 11χρονου κοριτσιού όσο, και μέσα από τα μάτια ενός 16χρονου αγοριού. Από την στιγμή δε που εκπέμπουν σε εντελώς διαφορετικά μήκη κύματος, το αφηγηματικό αυτό τρικ είναι ακόμα πιο έξυπνο, προκαλώντας μας να συνεχίσουμε την ανάγνωση. Παράλληλα, και εφόσον η δράση των χαρακτήρων εξελίσσεται σε διαφορετικούς τόπους, μας επιτρέπει να έχουμε πλήρη οπτική της δράσης και του πως αυτή πορεύεται και αναπτύσσεται μέσα στο κείμενο, στολισμένη με αρκετή αγωνία και ανατροπές που μας καθηλώνουν σε ικανοποιητικό βαθμό, τόσο ώστε στο τέλος να επιθυμούμε να μάθουμε σύντομα τι μέλλει γενέσθαι.
Η συνέχεια της ιστορία της Kaaberbol λοιπόν, αν και αρκετά πανομοιότυπη στα σημεία, αναπτύσσεται με καλύτερο τρόπο απ' ότι το πρώτο κεφάλαιο της ιστορίας της, χρησιμοποιώντας κάποια στοιχεία ισορροπημένης πολυπλοκότητας που κάνουν το περιεχόμενο να φαντάζει στα μάτια μας, και συγκριτικά πάντα με το πρώτο, πιο ενήλικο. Το σημαντικότερο χαρακτηριστικό όλων δε είναι πως σε αυτό το κεφάλαιο, καταφέρνουμε να ρίξουμε μια καλύτερη ματιά στο εσωτερικό των χαρακτήρων. Βιώνουμε τα άγχη και τις αγωνίες τους, τους φόβους και τις λαχτάρες τους, καταλαβαίνουμε ποιοι είναι πραγματικά καλοί και κακοί, συνειδητοποιούμε μέχρι που είναι ικανός να φτάσει ο άνθρωπος για να προστατέψει αυτό που αγαπάει και στο αντίποδα της ανθρώπινης φύσης, μέχρι που μπορεί να φτάσει προκειμένου να πετύχει τον σκοπό του, όσο σκοτεινός, βίαιος και αποτρόπαιος και αν είναι. Η δράση του βιβλίου είναι ικανοποιητική και με σωστό τρόπο δομημένη, βιαιότητα δίνει την εντύπωση ότι βρίσκεται σε υψηλότερα επίπεδα, προσεγγίζοντας περισσότερο το μη εφηβικό κοινό και περιμένω πως και πως να μάθω την εξέλιξη στον κόσμο της συνωμοσίας και της διαφθοράς που χτίζει σιγά-σιγά ο Δράκος και οι ακόλουθοί του, που σίγουρα η Ντίνα και οι φίλοι της δεν θα το αφήσουν έτσι.
Η Ντίνα, η οικογένεια και οι φίλοι της, που σύσσωμοι μας συστήθηκαν στο πρώτο βιβλίο, έχουν καταφέρει να ξεφύγουν από τον Δράκο και τον στρατό του, δημιουργώντας ένα νέο σπιτικό όπου μπορούν, προς το παρόν τουλάχιστον, να αισθάνονται ασφαλείς. Η Ντίνα είναι μαθητευόμενη της μητέρας της και προσπαθεί να μάθει περισσότερα γύρω από το χάρισμά της, η μητέρα της δίνει την βοήθειά της σε όποιον την χρειάζεται, έχοντας ωστόσο έναν φόβο ριζωμένο βαθιά μέσα της, κατάλοιπο της προηγούμενης, τρομακτικής περιπέτειάς της ενώ ο αδερφός της Ντάβιν, που πλησιάσει στην ενηλικίωση, μοιάζει να είναι το μεγαλύτερο πρόβλημα της οικογένειας καθώς, κανείς δεν είναι σίγουρος πως ακριβώς πρέπει να τον αντιμετωπίσει ενώ ο ίδιος το μόνο που θέλει, είναι να εκπαιδευτεί ώστε να ξεχυθεί σε πρώτη ευκαιρία στη μάχη, εξωτερικεύοντας με αυτό τον τρόπο τα συναισθήματά του και ίσως, τιθασεύοντας το θυμό και τις ορμόνες του. Όμως η ζωή τους θα διαταραχθεί για μια ακόμη φορά από κάτι πιο ισχυρό. Κάποιος προσπαθεί να στρέψει τις φατριές που βρίσκονται σε ειρήνη, τη μία εναντίον της άλλης ενώ παράλληλα, ο στρατός του Δράκου παίρνει κεφάλι, με τη μία πολιτεία να χάνει έδαφος μετά την άλλη και τις Αισχύντρα να βρίσκονται σε ένα δολοφονικό στόχαστρο.
Η Kaaberbol παίζει με την ίδια ουσιαστικά ιδέα που έκανε επιτυχία το πρώτο της βιβλίο. Βάζει στο επίκεντρο την Αισχύντρα και το χάρισμά της, παρουσιάζοντάς μας παράλληλα μέχρι ποιου σημείου θα ήταν ικανός να φτάσει κάποιος προκειμένου να μπορέσει να το αξιοποιήσει και να το εκμεταλλευτεί προς δικό του όφελος. Αυτός είναι προφανώς και ο λόγος που αυτή τη φορά το θύμα δεν είναι η μητέρα τη οικογένειας, που έχει την ωριμότητα να χειριστεί την χειραγώγηση αλλά, η μικρή Ντίνα η οποία ως χαρακτήρας, αν και δυναμική, είναι εξαιρετικά ευάλωτη εξαιτίας του νεαρού της ηλικίας της και η όποια πίεση αποδίδει καλύτερα πάνω της, πόσο μάλλον όταν οι πράξεις της είναι δεμένες μαζί με άλλες ανθρώπινες ζωές και μια λάθος κίνησή της μπορεί να τις στερήσει. Η όποια ομοιότητα λοιπόν της εξέλιξης της πλοκής δεν θα λέγαμε ότι μας ενοχλεί καθώς, μπορεί να έχει κοινά σημεία ανάπτυξης ωστόσο, έχει διαφορετικό τελικό στόχο που δεν είναι άλλος από το να μιλήσει περί ηθικής και κατά πόσο αυτή μπορεί να μείνει ακέραιη και σταθερή μπροστά στην πίεση και κατά πόσο μπορεί η ντροπή να μας επηρεάσει στην μετέπειτα ζωή μας.
Ένα ακόμα ενδιαφέρον στοιχείο είναι το ότι η συγγραφέας αυτή τη φορά επιλέγει η αφήγηση να μην γίνεται αποκλειστικά από την Ντίνα αλλά, και από τον αδερφό της, Ντάβιν. Αυτό είναι θετικό για δύο λόγους! Πρώτον, βλέπουμε τις διαφοροποιήσεις στην ψυχολογία, τις αλλαγές στην ψυχοσύνθεση και την αντίδραση των συναισθημάτων και της λογικής στις διάφορες καταστάσεις, τόσο μέσα από τα μάτια ενός 11χρονου κοριτσιού όσο, και μέσα από τα μάτια ενός 16χρονου αγοριού. Από την στιγμή δε που εκπέμπουν σε εντελώς διαφορετικά μήκη κύματος, το αφηγηματικό αυτό τρικ είναι ακόμα πιο έξυπνο, προκαλώντας μας να συνεχίσουμε την ανάγνωση. Παράλληλα, και εφόσον η δράση των χαρακτήρων εξελίσσεται σε διαφορετικούς τόπους, μας επιτρέπει να έχουμε πλήρη οπτική της δράσης και του πως αυτή πορεύεται και αναπτύσσεται μέσα στο κείμενο, στολισμένη με αρκετή αγωνία και ανατροπές που μας καθηλώνουν σε ικανοποιητικό βαθμό, τόσο ώστε στο τέλος να επιθυμούμε να μάθουμε σύντομα τι μέλλει γενέσθαι.
Η συνέχεια της ιστορία της Kaaberbol λοιπόν, αν και αρκετά πανομοιότυπη στα σημεία, αναπτύσσεται με καλύτερο τρόπο απ' ότι το πρώτο κεφάλαιο της ιστορίας της, χρησιμοποιώντας κάποια στοιχεία ισορροπημένης πολυπλοκότητας που κάνουν το περιεχόμενο να φαντάζει στα μάτια μας, και συγκριτικά πάντα με το πρώτο, πιο ενήλικο. Το σημαντικότερο χαρακτηριστικό όλων δε είναι πως σε αυτό το κεφάλαιο, καταφέρνουμε να ρίξουμε μια καλύτερη ματιά στο εσωτερικό των χαρακτήρων. Βιώνουμε τα άγχη και τις αγωνίες τους, τους φόβους και τις λαχτάρες τους, καταλαβαίνουμε ποιοι είναι πραγματικά καλοί και κακοί, συνειδητοποιούμε μέχρι που είναι ικανός να φτάσει ο άνθρωπος για να προστατέψει αυτό που αγαπάει και στο αντίποδα της ανθρώπινης φύσης, μέχρι που μπορεί να φτάσει προκειμένου να πετύχει τον σκοπό του, όσο σκοτεινός, βίαιος και αποτρόπαιος και αν είναι. Η δράση του βιβλίου είναι ικανοποιητική και με σωστό τρόπο δομημένη, βιαιότητα δίνει την εντύπωση ότι βρίσκεται σε υψηλότερα επίπεδα, προσεγγίζοντας περισσότερο το μη εφηβικό κοινό και περιμένω πως και πως να μάθω την εξέλιξη στον κόσμο της συνωμοσίας και της διαφθοράς που χτίζει σιγά-σιγά ο Δράκος και οι ακόλουθοί του, που σίγουρα η Ντίνα και οι φίλοι της δεν θα το αφήσουν έτσι.
September 4, 2019
The fantastic series continues. I love the magic system in this - it's really unique and not one I've seen anywhere else. I also enjoyed Dravin's POV in this one; although he himself is a little whiny, it's nice to have a POV from a non-Shamer character. It adds depth to the world and lets us see more of it than we would otherwise.
A wonderful read and I can't wait for the rest of the series!
A wonderful read and I can't wait for the rest of the series!
June 25, 2020
At last, I had time and ended this wonderful book. I really enjoy reading about Dina and now her brother (I read a translated book, so David?). Anyway, as a middle grade book this one was a bit more dark sometimes. The bad guy of this book was awful and it made the book going very strongly in my opinion. And the character growth for Chef's kiss good. I've been told that the third one is even better so definitely gonna continue the series. I want Dina to be happyyy so much. So good..
March 2, 2019
Mere dyster og tung end den første bog i serien, men holder bestemt niveauet. Kan kun anbefales
December 31, 2021
I’m enjoying this tale.
December 6, 2023
Stadig vildt underholdende men hold kæft hvor er Davin irriterende og dum teenage dreng agtig!!
December 3, 2024
"Sover du?"
"Nej, gør du?"
Der er noget galt i Davins hoved, sådan hvad! Elsker ham stadig<3
"Nej, gør du?"
Der er noget galt i Davins hoved, sådan hvad! Elsker ham stadig<3
December 27, 2019
Ikke seriens stærkeste bog, men vigtig for historiens udvikling.
September 4, 2018
Har du noen gang lest en hel bok uten å bli følelsesmessig investert i noen av karakterene? For det har jeg nå. Boka er bra, men definitivt ikke for meg.
Want to read
July 6, 2019well it's about time this series is getting better attention!! Also this means I can get a set because the series is ridiculously hard to buy matching covers for
February 11, 2013
This is the second book in the series out of four. It was translated from Danish by the author so the writing style is quite different than most of us are used to.
Summary:
Dina, a young girl of 11, has a gift. The shamer's gift allows her to look any human in the eyes and force them to remember all the things they are ashamed of. Also she can use the shamer's voice which compels people to obey her for a short while.
About mid-morning a call comes from a man who says his name is Ivain Lanclan. He says that the Lanclans need a shamer to settle a matter of lost sheep. Dina and her mother, both shamers, answer the call and leave immediately, not waiting for their personal guard to come home from hunting.
While on a narrow road Dina and her mother are ambushed but manage to escape with only an arrow burried into Dina's mother's back. They hide and carefully head home.
A few days after his mother comes back wounded Davin, Dina's only and older brother, goes off to Lanclan territory to teach Ivain a lesson. He soundly gets beaten and keeps his life because of Dina. Dina and Davin stay with the Lanclans while Davin heals.
While Dina is out trying to get herbs to heal her brother with a Lanclan boy they get captured by the false Ivain. Taken from their home in the highlands to a new city Dina is forced to use her gift against innocent people. The only chance at getting saved comes from her brother. Can he pull it off with a bit of help here and there?
This book dragged a bit but was still enjoyable. Davin made some really stupid and predictable choices at first but grew up near the end. I enjoyed seeming him come to terms with his life and realizing that someone he despises could actually be wise. Also Rose with her many tools and using frying pans as a weapon. Brought back good memories of Tangled.
Over all 4/5 stars.
Summary:
Dina, a young girl of 11, has a gift. The shamer's gift allows her to look any human in the eyes and force them to remember all the things they are ashamed of. Also she can use the shamer's voice which compels people to obey her for a short while.
About mid-morning a call comes from a man who says his name is Ivain Lanclan. He says that the Lanclans need a shamer to settle a matter of lost sheep. Dina and her mother, both shamers, answer the call and leave immediately, not waiting for their personal guard to come home from hunting.
While on a narrow road Dina and her mother are ambushed but manage to escape with only an arrow burried into Dina's mother's back. They hide and carefully head home.
A few days after his mother comes back wounded Davin, Dina's only and older brother, goes off to Lanclan territory to teach Ivain a lesson. He soundly gets beaten and keeps his life because of Dina. Dina and Davin stay with the Lanclans while Davin heals.
While Dina is out trying to get herbs to heal her brother with a Lanclan boy they get captured by the false Ivain. Taken from their home in the highlands to a new city Dina is forced to use her gift against innocent people. The only chance at getting saved comes from her brother. Can he pull it off with a bit of help here and there?
This book dragged a bit but was still enjoyable. Davin made some really stupid and predictable choices at first but grew up near the end. I enjoyed seeming him come to terms with his life and realizing that someone he despises could actually be wise. Also Rose with her many tools and using frying pans as a weapon. Brought back good memories of Tangled.
Over all 4/5 stars.
May 10, 2016
I was about 12 or 13, when I started to read this series. Until then I didn't like reading. My opinian was that reading is boring and supid. I was so damn naive about that. But then I started first Shamer's book, mom bought to me first and second parts. My life completely changed in one night because of those first two books. I just couldn't get enought. I almost "ate" this book and grab second one. I rememeber, how angry was my mom that about 3 or 4am I was still reading and it was school night. I mean, 12-13 year old child should be sleeping at that time. So she make me go to bed and I was almost crying, because I wanted to keep reading. Next day on school I was thinking just about Dina and her world. It fascinated me so much and I start to love reading from frist chapter of first book. It just changed me, my opinion about reading and made fall inlove with fantasy genre :)
I have read the last book too, sadly, I never read the third one, because at the time I couldn't find where to buy it.
I have read the last book too, sadly, I never read the third one, because at the time I couldn't find where to buy it.
April 17, 2013
The Shamer's Signet; the exciting sequel to The Shamer's Daughter.
I love the Shamer Chronicles - and yes, I'm 21 and yes, the books are targeted tweens age 10 - 13. But I love the series.
The book takes off where The Shamer's Daughter left us, but Kaaberbøl introduces us to something new; the story is told both from Dina's point of view (like The Shamer's Daughter), but also from her big brother, Davin's, point of view. This gives the story a very interesting twist since Davin has his own problems and obstacles to overcome.
Kaaberbøl writes in a very interesting and captivating way; no long rants, no boring filling, just an exciting fantasy story about a girl with a very special gift she has to learn to control.
I love the Shamer Chronicles - and yes, I'm 21 and yes, the books are targeted tweens age 10 - 13. But I love the series.
The book takes off where The Shamer's Daughter left us, but Kaaberbøl introduces us to something new; the story is told both from Dina's point of view (like The Shamer's Daughter), but also from her big brother, Davin's, point of view. This gives the story a very interesting twist since Davin has his own problems and obstacles to overcome.
Kaaberbøl writes in a very interesting and captivating way; no long rants, no boring filling, just an exciting fantasy story about a girl with a very special gift she has to learn to control.
August 25, 2018
Jag hade gillat denna mer som barn, men den är tyvärr lite för förutsägbar. Man vet precis hur vissa saker ska lösa sig, och man vet vad konflikten är innan den presenterats. Den är spännande och det är kul att återigen få följa Dina i hennes skämmargärningar, men jag förstår inte varför författaren valt att även ha ett jag-perspektiv på Dinas bror, Davin. Varför inte typ Rosa, som är en mycket mer intressant karaktär, om man nu känner att berättelsen kräver ett annat perspektiv (vilket jag kan se motiveras av att händelser i berättelsen ska komma fram till läsaren).
Det blir en stark tvåa, men inte mer än så, för den är okej, men inte mer.
Det blir en stark tvåa, men inte mer än så, för den är okej, men inte mer.
July 21, 2019
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I have so many questions now. What was Sascha's purpose? Is Rose interested in Allin or Davin? What was the purpose of trying to start wars between the clans? How does all of this play into the storyline of the first book?!?
I didn't like this one as much as The Shamer's Daughter, mostly because there was so much less focus on Dina and more on Davin and I just don't care that much about him. I am looking forward to reading the other two books in this series to find out what happens!
I have so many questions now. What was Sascha's purpose? Is Rose interested in Allin or Davin? What was the purpose of trying to start wars between the clans? How does all of this play into the storyline of the first book?!?
I didn't like this one as much as The Shamer's Daughter, mostly because there was so much less focus on Dina and more on Davin and I just don't care that much about him. I am looking forward to reading the other two books in this series to find out what happens!
June 29, 2008
Don't Give Up On Dina Yet!!!
I absolutely loved book 1 in the series, ("The Shamer's Daughter"), so I eagerly awaited the release of the second. Unfortunately the book leaves much to be desired. The addition of a new character, Rose, adds a bit of needed comic relief, but all in all, I felt that this book dragged on quite a bit. When all is said and done, I feel that this is the weakest, and least memorable of the series, but it's still not a bad read. Give it a try!
I absolutely loved book 1 in the series, ("The Shamer's Daughter"), so I eagerly awaited the release of the second. Unfortunately the book leaves much to be desired. The addition of a new character, Rose, adds a bit of needed comic relief, but all in all, I felt that this book dragged on quite a bit. When all is said and done, I feel that this is the weakest, and least memorable of the series, but it's still not a bad read. Give it a try!
December 31, 2014
Note to self: don't read the reviews/comments before reading the book. I went into this book with a negative attitude, but it was really quite a book! Dina is such a brave little girl, you often forget that she is only 11. Her brother is a different story, but I still grew to like his parts too. Although what happened to Dina was really sad, I really hope she hasn't lost her gift for good!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2022
Strålende bog, jeg nød at læse den. Fuld af spænding og ikke mindst fantastisk flotte illustrationer. Jeg vil anbefale alle førstegangslæsere at skaffe den her og 1’eren med illustrationer. Man bliver virkelig, øh-høh, “draget” ind i fortællingen, præcis som en god film. Jeg glæder mig til at læse videre.
August 21, 2023
1 star less than the first book simply because Davin really annoying (Dina I still love you)
September 3, 2023
Puntuación 4/5
Disfrute mucho está segunda parte. El cambio de tono le sentó bastante bien un poco más oscuro con ciertos temas, pero prevalece esa idea de la familia incondicional.
La historia es más dinámica ya que se suma a Davin como narrador conjunto con Dina.
Está vez Dina no sigue dando vueltas sobre sus anteriores preocupaciones de cargar el peso de su don, ya que ahora se enfrenta a un problema más pesado, la existencia de Drakan y la persecución que este ha impulsado contra ella y su familia. Por lo que Dina y su familia tuvieron que refugiarse en la tierras altas, un lugar dividido por clanes en dónde la influencia de Drakan no ha llegado o eso se pensaba.
Por otro lado está Davin, el hermano mayor de Dina, que ya con 16 años busca cierta independencia y ser capaz de defender a su familia de la amenaza de Drakan. Davin tiene una mente muy simple y comete muchos errores, ya que tiene una naturaleza impulsiva.
Esa impulsividad de Davin marca el ritmo de la historia, ya que sus meteduras de pata dejan consecuencias que afectan a todos los personajes. La más grande es cuando se va a enfrentar contra el clan de los Laclan, por “defender” a su madre, y resulta que las personas que atacaron a su madre era un fraude que no pertenecían a dicho clan. Este punto de inflexión afecta a Dina porque la deja en una situación vulnerable en dónde la secuestran junto Tavis, un niño del clan Laclan.
Y bueno una serie de situaciones y mucha suerte lleva a Davin y a Rosa, a liberar de las garras del dragón a Dina, Tavin y a un vagabundo que forma parte de la resistencia en contra de Drakan.
Una situación que puedo resaltar es como Dina está niña fuerte, se ve en manos de gente mala y en todos esos momentos sentía mucha angustia y miedo, ya que las acciones de esa gente se les dio una gravedad realista y en ningún momento se les bajó de tono. Esto lo hicieron de una manera consistente con Dina, que abuso de su poder por estar a manos de un hombre cruel y sin escrúpulos, que la premiaba y la trataba bien cuando cumplía su voluntad, y al contrario la amenazaba con hacerle daño a Tavin.
La presencia de Davin le agrego un tono más maduro a la historia, ahora hay escenas gráficas de violencia, se presenta un tema con trata de menores de edad, esclavitud.
Otro punto es que hubo más desarrollo en el ambiente y al darle un chance al tema político o división de territorio poco a poco se está preparando la historia para la guerra contra el ejército de Drakan.
Disfrute mucho está segunda parte. El cambio de tono le sentó bastante bien un poco más oscuro con ciertos temas, pero prevalece esa idea de la familia incondicional.
La historia es más dinámica ya que se suma a Davin como narrador conjunto con Dina.
Está vez Dina no sigue dando vueltas sobre sus anteriores preocupaciones de cargar el peso de su don, ya que ahora se enfrenta a un problema más pesado, la existencia de Drakan y la persecución que este ha impulsado contra ella y su familia. Por lo que Dina y su familia tuvieron que refugiarse en la tierras altas, un lugar dividido por clanes en dónde la influencia de Drakan no ha llegado o eso se pensaba.
Por otro lado está Davin, el hermano mayor de Dina, que ya con 16 años busca cierta independencia y ser capaz de defender a su familia de la amenaza de Drakan. Davin tiene una mente muy simple y comete muchos errores, ya que tiene una naturaleza impulsiva.
Esa impulsividad de Davin marca el ritmo de la historia, ya que sus meteduras de pata dejan consecuencias que afectan a todos los personajes. La más grande es cuando se va a enfrentar contra el clan de los Laclan, por “defender” a su madre, y resulta que las personas que atacaron a su madre era un fraude que no pertenecían a dicho clan. Este punto de inflexión afecta a Dina porque la deja en una situación vulnerable en dónde la secuestran junto Tavis, un niño del clan Laclan.
Y bueno una serie de situaciones y mucha suerte lleva a Davin y a Rosa, a liberar de las garras del dragón a Dina, Tavin y a un vagabundo que forma parte de la resistencia en contra de Drakan.
Una situación que puedo resaltar es como Dina está niña fuerte, se ve en manos de gente mala y en todos esos momentos sentía mucha angustia y miedo, ya que las acciones de esa gente se les dio una gravedad realista y en ningún momento se les bajó de tono. Esto lo hicieron de una manera consistente con Dina, que abuso de su poder por estar a manos de un hombre cruel y sin escrúpulos, que la premiaba y la trataba bien cuando cumplía su voluntad, y al contrario la amenazaba con hacerle daño a Tavin.
La presencia de Davin le agrego un tono más maduro a la historia, ahora hay escenas gráficas de violencia, se presenta un tema con trata de menores de edad, esclavitud.
Otro punto es que hubo más desarrollo en el ambiente y al darle un chance al tema político o división de territorio poco a poco se está preparando la historia para la guerra contra el ejército de Drakan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2019
Book two in this quadrilogy starts soon after the first ends, with the surprise move to a region I think of as the Scottish Highlands (I know the author's Danish, but they don't do highlands). When our main girl character's mother is sent for once again to do her Shaming trick (in which eye contact and a Paddingtonesque stern glare reveals one's inner secrets, and in cases of law, guilt) it begins to unravel a convoluted web of children misbehaving. Yes, it's a little annoying how much of the plot is derived from gung-ho pre-teens heading off on their own to kill people in revenge, or rescue people, or so on. What it all boils down to is the fact that this volume's new Baddie captures our heroine, and forces to use her still-growing talents for ill. Oh, and there's a whole side issue as far as he and everyone is concerned, with some trafficked clan colours…
The previous book was a very decent fantasy for those newly in double figures, with the craft of Shaming being used very well, a good few dragons here and there, but also a lot that was grounded in more real, mundane settings. This loses the dragons, and goes even more mundane perhaps, for what it gains instead is a fine look at clans interacting – fighting, obeying each other or not, and living by strict custom. I was, bizarrely, reminded of the Albanian kanun system, with the "what happens in the fighting ring stays in the fighting ring" action, and different other elements of clans respecting timeless lore together.
All told, this is still highly readable, and even if it doesn't really build on the world of the first book, it isn't that much less impressive. Having so much of it narrated by someone other than the Shamer's daughter didn't seem to aid things, however necessary it was here. I think that – as we were at this stage familiar with the talent – the Shaming could have been enhanced, to give a bit more oomph to proceedings. We don't quite get the sense anything has progressed too much, and perhaps the cynic is allowed too much to think of this as just a stepping stone before the Big Rematch to Come. It's no major surprise then to see the Danish people skip this one and film the third book instead. Three and a half stars, mind.
The previous book was a very decent fantasy for those newly in double figures, with the craft of Shaming being used very well, a good few dragons here and there, but also a lot that was grounded in more real, mundane settings. This loses the dragons, and goes even more mundane perhaps, for what it gains instead is a fine look at clans interacting – fighting, obeying each other or not, and living by strict custom. I was, bizarrely, reminded of the Albanian kanun system, with the "what happens in the fighting ring stays in the fighting ring" action, and different other elements of clans respecting timeless lore together.
All told, this is still highly readable, and even if it doesn't really build on the world of the first book, it isn't that much less impressive. Having so much of it narrated by someone other than the Shamer's daughter didn't seem to aid things, however necessary it was here. I think that – as we were at this stage familiar with the talent – the Shaming could have been enhanced, to give a bit more oomph to proceedings. We don't quite get the sense anything has progressed too much, and perhaps the cynic is allowed too much to think of this as just a stepping stone before the Big Rematch to Come. It's no major surprise then to see the Danish people skip this one and film the third book instead. Three and a half stars, mind.
August 14, 2020
In my review of the first book, I discussed in length the character of Dina, who I do not think changes much during the second book. I believe Dina is an evolved character from the very beginning, with not much room to develop. We see her protecting the innocent and fighting an inner dilemma because of the misuse of her powers. Valdrakou is pretty much a standard villain, nothing exceptional. He is easy to hate, since there is no motive or backstory provided for his horrible actions.
That being said, and having mentioned what I think about Dina and the bad guy of the book, I want to talk a bit more about Davin, whose perspective is added. About Davin… I do not know if I like or hate him. Sometimes I would get bored reading his parts or even annoyed at his enormous stupidity and carelessness. In comparison to his younger sister, he seems very immature. He doesn’t pause to think, puts himself to risk for no reason and notoriously messes up. But then I think about his bravery and his immense will to prove himself that drives his actions. I see a typical 16year old, who wants to be independent, strong and thinks that everything is easy or solvable by force. He believes in noble actions. His naivete is annoying in the context of a dangerous world, that of the Shamer, but at the same time all too real and ordinary. Let’s not forget that he was raised by a Shamer – this was not easy, not by a long shot. Even though it seems like I have made up my mind, in essence I haven’t. I guess I have to read the next book, to determine whether I love or hate him.
The other thing that I loved about this book was the end. It is a happy ending, so yes, what’s not to love. But actually, I loved it because of Dina. The power she showed, stopping all these people from killing on another is amazing. The scene was so powerful I could hear the clash of weapons during the fight. I could see a short girl with messy hair yelling and making grown men blush in shame and throw their weapon. Truly amazing ending. I cannot wait for the next book (which is already on my bookshelf, ready to be read.
That being said, and having mentioned what I think about Dina and the bad guy of the book, I want to talk a bit more about Davin, whose perspective is added. About Davin… I do not know if I like or hate him. Sometimes I would get bored reading his parts or even annoyed at his enormous stupidity and carelessness. In comparison to his younger sister, he seems very immature. He doesn’t pause to think, puts himself to risk for no reason and notoriously messes up. But then I think about his bravery and his immense will to prove himself that drives his actions. I see a typical 16year old, who wants to be independent, strong and thinks that everything is easy or solvable by force. He believes in noble actions. His naivete is annoying in the context of a dangerous world, that of the Shamer, but at the same time all too real and ordinary. Let’s not forget that he was raised by a Shamer – this was not easy, not by a long shot. Even though it seems like I have made up my mind, in essence I haven’t. I guess I have to read the next book, to determine whether I love or hate him.
The other thing that I loved about this book was the end. It is a happy ending, so yes, what’s not to love. But actually, I loved it because of Dina. The power she showed, stopping all these people from killing on another is amazing. The scene was so powerful I could hear the clash of weapons during the fight. I could see a short girl with messy hair yelling and making grown men blush in shame and throw their weapon. Truly amazing ending. I cannot wait for the next book (which is already on my bookshelf, ready to be read.
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