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The Shamer Chronicles #4
The Shamer's War
The spellbinding final volume of the Shamer Chronicles The Dragon Lord of Dunark is ruthlessly hunting down Shamers and burning them at the stake. He must be brought down, and so a rebellion is formed. Rebellions need leaders, and what better choice than the legitimate heir to Dunark, Dina's friend Nico? Nico is reluctant to kill even a rabbit. Still, Dina's considerable powers should help him triumph over the Dragon Lord. But Nico knows only too well that heroes have a nasty habit of ending up dead . . .
356 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
25 people are currently reading
1439 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 133 reviews
May 21, 2019
Guess what: I'm tired of Davin now.
He's an insensitive fucker who seems to have exactly two brain cells, and apart from all the voices he hears at night, all the character development from the third book seems gone. He has no respect for Dina and her father. He isn't going with Nico because he thinks he'll be useful, but because hey you can't go without me, I WANT to come too! He throws out some casual misogyny all the time (I think it was supposed to show us how their world worked, but it was never challenged). Also, when I think about it, I don't think he really added a lot to the story, except for allowing two different viewpoints at two different places so we would get more information. Dina had an immense growth as a character, while Davin... whined? Oh, and fell in love with his foster sister. Don't forget the incest.
(I don't care if they're not biologically related, sibling relationships are still incest)
Dina, however, is as cool as ever. She's my child. After certain events in the previous book, I was afraid she would get overpowered and Mary Sue-ish, but instead, it gave her an opportunity to grow even more as a person. I'm not too content with everything, , but generally, stuff is good. What I didn't like was her unreasonable hate for Carmian. I can't exactly say I liked Carmian either, but I had some sense of respect for herand also might be a tiny bit gay. Dina didn't even seem to know why she disliked her, she just did. Ugh.
When looking at the whole series, some of it seems... unnecessary? It's almost like the author wanted to write a bunch of novels about a family getting into trouble, and then remembered that everything from the first book wasn't resolved yet. Look at this:
Do you see my point here? I'm glad they didn't go the route of "it has to be us!" (except Nico but shhhh), but they didn't even try.
Also, after four whole books, I should know how the world works. But I don't even know if they're in a specific country, if kings and stuff exist, if—fuck it, I can't explain shit with words. Anyway, more worldbuilding, please.
So yeah, I feel like this was the weakest book of the series, even when this is the one where the most shit actually happens. It be like that sometimes ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
He's an insensitive fucker who seems to have exactly two brain cells, and apart from all the voices he hears at night, all the character development from the third book seems gone. He has no respect for Dina and her father. He isn't going with Nico because he thinks he'll be useful, but because hey you can't go without me, I WANT to come too! He throws out some casual misogyny all the time (I think it was supposed to show us how their world worked, but it was never challenged). Also, when I think about it, I don't think he really added a lot to the story, except for allowing two different viewpoints at two different places so we would get more information. Dina had an immense growth as a character, while Davin... whined? Oh, and fell in love with his foster sister. Don't forget the incest.
(I don't care if they're not biologically related, sibling relationships are still incest)
Dina, however, is as cool as ever. She's my child. After certain events in the previous book, I was afraid she would get overpowered and Mary Sue-ish, but instead, it gave her an opportunity to grow even more as a person. I'm not too content with everything, , but generally, stuff is good. What I didn't like was her unreasonable hate for Carmian. I can't exactly say I liked Carmian either, but I had some sense of respect for her
When looking at the whole series, some of it seems... unnecessary? It's almost like the author wanted to write a bunch of novels about a family getting into trouble, and then remembered that everything from the first book wasn't resolved yet. Look at this:
Do you see my point here? I'm glad they didn't go the route of "it has to be us!" (except Nico but shhhh), but they didn't even try.
Also, after four whole books, I should know how the world works. But I don't even know if they're in a specific country, if kings and stuff exist, if—fuck it, I can't explain shit with words. Anyway, more worldbuilding, please.
So yeah, I feel like this was the weakest book of the series, even when this is the one where the most shit actually happens. It be like that sometimes ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
March 3, 2022
Very beautiful, but also sad. Some parts of the book, i really really disliked because it made my heart broken and sad. But the book is epic in it`s own way.
December 10, 2024
O ką dabar daryti su savo gyvenimu?
Sunku, kai geros serijos pasibaigia. Bet stipri pabaiga tinkamu laiku yra svarbu, labai svarbu.
Viršuje esančius žodžius rašiau prieš kelis metus. Atrodo, kad per tiek laiko visgi niekas nepasikeitė, sentimentai tie patys.
Sunku, kai geros serijos pasibaigia. Bet stipri pabaiga tinkamu laiku yra svarbu, labai svarbu.
Viršuje esančius žodžius rašiau prieš kelis metus. Atrodo, kad per tiek laiko visgi niekas nepasikeitė, sentimentai tie patys.
December 8, 2019
Tas, ka ar tulkojumiem latviešu valodā var gadīties visādi, nav nekas jauns. Tādēļ fakts, ka trīs tetraloģijas grāmtas ir tulkotas, bet ceturtā nav un izskatās, ka arī nebūs, mani nepārsteidza. Mazliet pārsteidza fakts, ka neatradu angļu valodas tulkojuma kindle versiju. Neatlika nekas cits, kā pasūtīt papīra formātu no book depository. Tagad priecājos, ka biju tik neatlaidīga, jo ceturtā daļa man patika vislabāk.
Iesākums gan bija visai lēnīgs, bet drīz vien sižets savirpinājās ne pa jokam. Turklāt acīmredzams ir autores nolūks pabeigt visu sēriju un sasiet visus mezglus. Potenciālajiem lasītājiem vēl jāpsaka, ka šī ir vispieaugušākā daļa. Dadz interesantu tēmu par karošanu, par ģimeni, par seksualitāti. Beigas, par kurām joprojām nesaprotu, vai man patika, vai tomēr brāķis. Kopumā jāsaka, ka atšķirīgi un tāpēc - simpātiski.
Iesākums gan bija visai lēnīgs, bet drīz vien sižets savirpinājās ne pa jokam. Turklāt acīmredzams ir autores nolūks pabeigt visu sēriju un sasiet visus mezglus. Potenciālajiem lasītājiem vēl jāpsaka, ka šī ir vispieaugušākā daļa. Dadz interesantu tēmu par karošanu, par ģimeni, par seksualitāti. Beigas, par kurām joprojām nesaprotu, vai man patika, vai tomēr brāķis. Kopumā jāsaka, ka atšķirīgi un tāpēc - simpātiski.
January 6, 2016
I remember this book so differently. My sister and I both read this series when we were very young and I had almost forgotten them entirely. What my sister remembered - Nico & Dina getting together at the end - and what I remembered - Nico sailing off with Carmian to lands unknown - were things that had never happened. It was slightly scary to see how my younger self had seen this novel versus how I see it now - which is how it's been for all the books in the series. Sort of like returning to a childhood home after decades away, it's odd how memory preserved parts and left out others and how the landscape has changed since you've been away; which is weird and not sensible when it's a book. It has the same words! It should! 0.o
Still, I love this book. I know it's not the most captivating or the most unique or even the best written, but it's witty and funny in parts, and it helped me revisit my childhood with a slightly new twist to it, so it's a good reading and a new, slightly revised, set of memories to revisit with fondness - until I pick it up again at age 50 and say "Wait, this didn't happen last time!"
Still, I love this book. I know it's not the most captivating or the most unique or even the best written, but it's witty and funny in parts, and it helped me revisit my childhood with a slightly new twist to it, so it's a good reading and a new, slightly revised, set of memories to revisit with fondness - until I pick it up again at age 50 and say "Wait, this didn't happen last time!"
July 27, 2015
Hold da op, jeg havde da helt glemt hvordan den slutter. God slutning :)
January 21, 2024
mens jeg lyttede til den her bog indså jeg at jeg som barn helt sikkert aldrig har læst den her bog!
jeg syntes dina's udvikling er mega god i den her bog og en virkelig god konklusion på en virkelig solid serie som stadig holder 100p
jeg syntes dina's udvikling er mega god i den her bog og en virkelig god konklusion på en virkelig solid serie som stadig holder 100p
October 8, 2012
I found this series browsing the YA section of my library. I'm at a loss to describe what exactly it is that makes this series so enjoyable. The fact that it was written by a Danish author, who then translated them herself, is part of the magic. The fantasy world is crisp and provides a clear picture of the battle of good versus evil via shamefulness. (As the series title implies, the main character Dina has the power to shame people by forcing them to view- and share with her- the things they feel most ashamed of. She can force people to show her their crimes.)
The characters are loveable (and some easy to hate). The world is dynamic and the stories original.
The Serpent Gift was my favorite- I love the idea of the serpent gift (avoiding spoilers). Some creative genius.
Shamer's War was an excellent end to this 4 book series. It moved a little slow as the story built up, but I pushed on because I knew it would be worth it.
The characters are loveable (and some easy to hate). The world is dynamic and the stories original.
The Serpent Gift was my favorite- I love the idea of the serpent gift (avoiding spoilers). Some creative genius.
Shamer's War was an excellent end to this 4 book series. It moved a little slow as the story built up, but I pushed on because I knew it would be worth it.
June 27, 2023
Even though this book series concluded in the 2000’s, there are moments throughout it that are still very poignant today. I think it’s a great read for children and adults alike. It will definitely leave you thinking afterwards.
I didn’t expect to cry at the end, but I did. I’m just glad Nico got his happy ending.
I didn’t expect to cry at the end, but I did. I’m just glad Nico got his happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2023
Puntuación 5/5
La manera en que jugó con mis sentimientos es ilegal… Pero me encantó.
Disfrute mucho de esta última entrega, los recursos y planteamientos de anteriores libros, llegan a ejecutarse de una manera impredecible y coherente en esta última etapa.
La historia que sigue a Dina y a Davin, jóvenes que se han desarrollado y visto envueltos en un sinnúmero de dificultades, sin perder la inocencia de la infancia. Han tenido un papel cada vez más importante e icónico en el desenlace de la saga.
Dina ha tenido un desarrollo magistral, su crecimiento desde el primer libro es patente, en este se ve mucho más segura de los dos dones que tiene, el don de la avergonzadora de parte de Melusina (su madre) y el don de la serpiente/de los sueños de parte de Sezuan (su padre). también logra llegar a un punto medio y aceptar ambos dones, aunque eso la presente ante los demás como un “monstruo”.
Davin, también ha tenido un crecimiento notable, sigue tomando decisiones estúpidas (así hay que quererlo es parte de su personalidad y ayuda a internar al resto en aventuras con un propósito). Ahora su decisión de guíar a Drakan a Skayar (el lugar donde se desarrolla el enfrentamiento final) fue muy acertado y aporto su grano de arena a toda la situación.
Disfrute mucho como se resolvió el conflicto contra el gran ejército del dragón, me encanta cuando se usa el recurso de los sueños y que el papel más importante recayera en Dina, que con apoyo de sus padres y el cruce de ambos dones, desestabilizó al ejército de Drakan y le quitó poder.
La parte en dónde sucede la muerte de Nico me removió mucho, porque Nico lucho contra Drakan para acabar con ese reinado opresor y adoctrinador de infantes, y si dolió que “falleciera” por un apuñalamiento traidor (típico de Drakan) pero la autora se la jugó para mantener eso en suspenso y sorpresa… sorpresa.. tiene otra oportunidad, tiene que alejarse de todos, pero para mí vale.
Otra cosa que le aplaudo a la autora fue que encontrará a un personaje para tener una relación romántica con Dina, porque esa relación de Dina y Nico, si me incomodaba mucho que pasará a ser romántica, cuando nunca se vio así y la diferencia de edad es grande, siempre fue una amistad. Además Tano me gustó para Dina, no teme el verla a los ojos y no le tiene miedo, y está dispuesto a protegerla de los demás (a quienes si le teman).
Saga: la saga en general es más oscura de lo que pensaba, toma un rumbo en dónde interioriza mucho en la mente de los narradores y puede vivirse el impacto que es para estos personajes pasar por esas travesías. Además esto de los dones son muy llamativos, el de la avergonzadora fue el que más me llamo la atención, luego el don de la serpiente si toma un camino un poco más turbio pero la manera en que ambos colindan en cierta forma tiene sentido. Además todo esto que pasó al final de reposicionar el don de la avergonzadora como una cosa que no te llena de culpa o de odio a ti mismo, como las prácticas de los educadores de la familia Drakan que hacían que la persona se odiara por haber tomado una decisión y el vivir con ese saco pesado, ese contraste que hace Davin si hacía falta, el de aprender de los errores del pasados e intentar no volver a cometerlos.
La manera en que jugó con mis sentimientos es ilegal… Pero me encantó.
Disfrute mucho de esta última entrega, los recursos y planteamientos de anteriores libros, llegan a ejecutarse de una manera impredecible y coherente en esta última etapa.
La historia que sigue a Dina y a Davin, jóvenes que se han desarrollado y visto envueltos en un sinnúmero de dificultades, sin perder la inocencia de la infancia. Han tenido un papel cada vez más importante e icónico en el desenlace de la saga.
Dina ha tenido un desarrollo magistral, su crecimiento desde el primer libro es patente, en este se ve mucho más segura de los dos dones que tiene, el don de la avergonzadora de parte de Melusina (su madre) y el don de la serpiente/de los sueños de parte de Sezuan (su padre). también logra llegar a un punto medio y aceptar ambos dones, aunque eso la presente ante los demás como un “monstruo”.
Davin, también ha tenido un crecimiento notable, sigue tomando decisiones estúpidas (así hay que quererlo es parte de su personalidad y ayuda a internar al resto en aventuras con un propósito). Ahora su decisión de guíar a Drakan a Skayar (el lugar donde se desarrolla el enfrentamiento final) fue muy acertado y aporto su grano de arena a toda la situación.
Disfrute mucho como se resolvió el conflicto contra el gran ejército del dragón, me encanta cuando se usa el recurso de los sueños y que el papel más importante recayera en Dina, que con apoyo de sus padres y el cruce de ambos dones, desestabilizó al ejército de Drakan y le quitó poder.
La parte en dónde sucede la muerte de Nico me removió mucho, porque Nico lucho contra Drakan para acabar con ese reinado opresor y adoctrinador de infantes, y si dolió que “falleciera” por un apuñalamiento traidor (típico de Drakan) pero la autora se la jugó para mantener eso en suspenso y sorpresa… sorpresa.. tiene otra oportunidad, tiene que alejarse de todos, pero para mí vale.
Otra cosa que le aplaudo a la autora fue que encontrará a un personaje para tener una relación romántica con Dina, porque esa relación de Dina y Nico, si me incomodaba mucho que pasará a ser romántica, cuando nunca se vio así y la diferencia de edad es grande, siempre fue una amistad. Además Tano me gustó para Dina, no teme el verla a los ojos y no le tiene miedo, y está dispuesto a protegerla de los demás (a quienes si le teman).
Saga: la saga en general es más oscura de lo que pensaba, toma un rumbo en dónde interioriza mucho en la mente de los narradores y puede vivirse el impacto que es para estos personajes pasar por esas travesías. Además esto de los dones son muy llamativos, el de la avergonzadora fue el que más me llamo la atención, luego el don de la serpiente si toma un camino un poco más turbio pero la manera en que ambos colindan en cierta forma tiene sentido. Además todo esto que pasó al final de reposicionar el don de la avergonzadora como una cosa que no te llena de culpa o de odio a ti mismo, como las prácticas de los educadores de la familia Drakan que hacían que la persona se odiara por haber tomado una decisión y el vivir con ese saco pesado, ese contraste que hace Davin si hacía falta, el de aprender de los errores del pasados e intentar no volver a cometerlos.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2019
'The Shamer's War' is the epic final book in this truly stunning fantasy series. Now that Pushkin Press have republished Lene Kaaberbol's series in full, I really hope that they get the acclaim they deserve in the UK. This is definitely a series that has flown under the radar so far but it's ridiculously good and is definitely one that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. I'm quite sad that the journey is over now as I've enjoyed enormously reading the books and following the characters on all their adventures.
The final instalment picks up Nico's storyline, as the book builds towards a showdown between Nico and his cousin Drakan. This is something that I've been anticipating and waiting for from the very beginning. It's been simmering away in the background all the time, so it was great to see Nico finally step up and determine to do something to save his people from further bloodshed and loss of life. Plus, as my favourite character, I loved seeing him more involved and active in the central plot.
Dina is right by Nico's side, as she has been from the beginning. I really adore the bond that the two of them share. Although she's younger than him, I always thought I could detect a slight romantic undercurrent between them but I think their relationship has developed more into big brother, little sister. Dina has some difficult choices to make in the book. She now has two gifts: the Shamer's gift and the Serpent gift. She is torn between them and feels like she's lost her path. However, Dina learns a lot about who she is, where she fits and her role in her family. She has always been brave and courageous and those qualities really come to the fore.
The narrative is once again shared between Dina and her brother Davin, who also gets a pretty epic storyline. His character has developed a huge amount since 'The Shamer's Daughter' and it was great to see the arc and the journey that he has been on. He is still suffering after his experience in the Hall of Whisperers but he hasn't lost his overwhelming need to protect the people he loves. There's a touch of romance for him too which I really enjoyed, as I wanted him to find someone special.
Forces converge in the book to bring all the characters together, leading to a nail biting ending which had me on the edge of my seat. The conclusion was actually quite unexpected and Lene Kaaberbol managed to throw in a few last twists to surprise me. I would be so happy if this series could go on and on as I think there's potential for so much more. It's sad to think that I've got to the end of this exciting adventure and it's all over now. However, Dino and co will live on long in my memory and I look forward to rereading the entire series at some point in the future.
The final instalment picks up Nico's storyline, as the book builds towards a showdown between Nico and his cousin Drakan. This is something that I've been anticipating and waiting for from the very beginning. It's been simmering away in the background all the time, so it was great to see Nico finally step up and determine to do something to save his people from further bloodshed and loss of life. Plus, as my favourite character, I loved seeing him more involved and active in the central plot.
Dina is right by Nico's side, as she has been from the beginning. I really adore the bond that the two of them share. Although she's younger than him, I always thought I could detect a slight romantic undercurrent between them but I think their relationship has developed more into big brother, little sister. Dina has some difficult choices to make in the book. She now has two gifts: the Shamer's gift and the Serpent gift. She is torn between them and feels like she's lost her path. However, Dina learns a lot about who she is, where she fits and her role in her family. She has always been brave and courageous and those qualities really come to the fore.
The narrative is once again shared between Dina and her brother Davin, who also gets a pretty epic storyline. His character has developed a huge amount since 'The Shamer's Daughter' and it was great to see the arc and the journey that he has been on. He is still suffering after his experience in the Hall of Whisperers but he hasn't lost his overwhelming need to protect the people he loves. There's a touch of romance for him too which I really enjoyed, as I wanted him to find someone special.
Forces converge in the book to bring all the characters together, leading to a nail biting ending which had me on the edge of my seat. The conclusion was actually quite unexpected and Lene Kaaberbol managed to throw in a few last twists to surprise me. I would be so happy if this series could go on and on as I think there's potential for so much more. It's sad to think that I've got to the end of this exciting adventure and it's all over now. However, Dino and co will live on long in my memory and I look forward to rereading the entire series at some point in the future.
January 4, 2021
This is a case where I am giving the book a rating (4 stars), but giving the series overall a different one (3 stars). Why?
This is the culmination of everything. Dina's decision on what she will be. Davin's chance to make things right and live with the consequences of the previous book. For Nico to face Dracan.
All those things sound brilliant, but nowhere near enough. There are so many things mentioned about the world, the characters, the different types of magic. There are dragons! And nothing is utilized to its full potential. We hardly get any answers, and while the story ends, it feels like just as many elements simply got forgotten. Hell, we have characters who show up, do things, then we just never hear of them ever again, even though they are important. It just kills a lot of your sense of danger when nobody actually goes the whole way with something devious they want to do.
It also introduces characters who are meant to have emotional significance. Yes, it introduces them halfway in the last book when they are already so short. Not gonna lie, I was rolling my eyes when I was expected to feel just as much for a character who showed up 5 minutes ago as the ones we learnt about for multiple books.
All in all, the whole series should have been more. It should have opened up the world more instead of just mentioning things, then going nowhere with them.
This is the culmination of everything. Dina's decision on what she will be. Davin's chance to make things right and live with the consequences of the previous book. For Nico to face Dracan.
All those things sound brilliant, but nowhere near enough. There are so many things mentioned about the world, the characters, the different types of magic. There are dragons! And nothing is utilized to its full potential. We hardly get any answers, and while the story ends, it feels like just as many elements simply got forgotten. Hell, we have characters who show up, do things, then we just never hear of them ever again, even though they are important. It just kills a lot of your sense of danger when nobody actually goes the whole way with something devious they want to do.
It also introduces characters who are meant to have emotional significance. Yes, it introduces them halfway in the last book when they are already so short. Not gonna lie, I was rolling my eyes when I was expected to feel just as much for a character who showed up 5 minutes ago as the ones we learnt about for multiple books.
All in all, the whole series should have been more. It should have opened up the world more instead of just mentioning things, then going nowhere with them.
January 28, 2019
I still think it was a bit long and slow, but I honestly really liked the ending and I know I would have enjoyed this so much if I had finished it the first when I tried to read this series, so it’s for the ending and my younger self that I give it 4 stars.
September 4, 2019
Overall, I have to say the series was a fun one. I think I'm a bit old and jaded for it, but I think it'd be a much bigger hit for its intended target audience (which is not me, obviously, so that's a thing). I love the dark nature of it (since I'm a big fan of dark fantasy) and how it doesn't shy away from the awful things that people do (which was sort of the point).
Ultimately, though, this book felt like a big bundle of cliches for me. A little bit too much so for me to really love the ending. I think I loved the idea of the series more than the series itself, and I enjoyed it less as the books went on.
My Thoughts:
- The war is building, which means this book was full of lots of glorious tension and nobody was really safe. I very much enjoyed this aspect of it. That meant there were quite a bit of surprises and you never quite knew what people were going to do. The pace wasn't exactly fast or action-packed, but there was enough that it kept me interested.
- Everyone has these really epic sorts of arcs that culminate in this book and really come into their own characters. I love when characters find strength in themselves, even if it's a quiet sort of strength. This book was really full of that. These characters have been in awful situations and faced down horrible things, but they're back with a vengeance! Literally.
- There are pirates, doing pirate things. I can't actually remember if they're actually called pirates in the book, but they are, and I like it. Because pirates can't be trusted. Why has no one figured this out yet?! But it introduced several new and interesting characters, which I liked.
- This one had a real roller-coaster of emotions, and it brought back most of the characters for a final hurrah, which was nice. It was good to see old friends from the earlier books, but also ... wow, those emotions. There was despair and then hope and then tension and sneakiness and sacrifice and all the good sorts of stuff, rolled into one.
Sticking Points:
- Dina is kidnapped. Again. Multiple times. And at this point, I just had to throw my hands up because I knew it was coming. Of course it was.
- Sezuan's family becomes a bit of a plot point here, but it's not really explored and ends up just being more confusing than anything. Because obviously they're evil bad guys. But why or how they're evil is never explored, and the things they promise Dina actually sound great. Which, I mean, of course that's how they get you, but still. I wish there was some actual depth behind this plot point, because it seems like an afterthought that was tacked on and not explored.
- Sooo ... the cliches. There were a lot of them, and I didn't feel like they added a whole lot. In the end, I was just a bit frustrated with them. Dina is an Extra Special Snowflake Chosen One with super awesome powers because of course she is. There's spirits coming back from the dead to help. There's the whole "power is inside of you" trope. There's the younger girl falls for a guy she can't possibly be with thing. There's a bit of a cheesy romance that's really instalove for no discernible reason. It was just ... a lot for me, personally, because these are all pretty much tropes that I hate. Now, given this is YA, would they work for younger readers? Probably more so, especially the chosen one and the extra powers. That seems to be more of a hit with the younger crowd. But since this is my review, I'll be honest and say that for me, it just didn't work.
- There was such a huge build-up to the final conflict, and the ultimate battle was sort of ... disappointing? I think because there was such a big build-up (four books, actually, and the majority of the tension in this book), it felt like it fizzled a bit. It was too easy.
- I really didn't feel that the 13-year-old protagonist needed a love interest. Maybe it makes me sound like an old lady when I say that, but I am, so I might as well own it. I actually really liked this series because there wasn't a love interest. I mean, the character is so young and she's sort of facing the possibility of death and torture and maiming. Love isn't really high up on the priorities here. Yet, there's still a small romance here, very instalove, very sudden, very cringey to my adult brain.
- That last chapter was soooo unnecessary, and instead of wrapping things up, I feel like I still have so many frigging questions! This answered nothing! Four books in, and I still don't know anything about Drakan, his motives, or how he can look a Shamer in the eye (which was really the big question I wanted answered, more than just "some people have no shame" since it was such a big deal in the story). I feel like I know nothing about Melussina, and even though we find out who all the children's fathers are, it solves nothing and just raises more questions. I was so confused, and it was so awkward. This series doesn't feel wrapped up to me, because there are still so many unanswered questions and things I want to know.
Ultimately, though, this book felt like a big bundle of cliches for me. A little bit too much so for me to really love the ending. I think I loved the idea of the series more than the series itself, and I enjoyed it less as the books went on.
My Thoughts:
- The war is building, which means this book was full of lots of glorious tension and nobody was really safe. I very much enjoyed this aspect of it. That meant there were quite a bit of surprises and you never quite knew what people were going to do. The pace wasn't exactly fast or action-packed, but there was enough that it kept me interested.
- Everyone has these really epic sorts of arcs that culminate in this book and really come into their own characters. I love when characters find strength in themselves, even if it's a quiet sort of strength. This book was really full of that. These characters have been in awful situations and faced down horrible things, but they're back with a vengeance! Literally.
- There are pirates, doing pirate things. I can't actually remember if they're actually called pirates in the book, but they are, and I like it. Because pirates can't be trusted. Why has no one figured this out yet?! But it introduced several new and interesting characters, which I liked.
- This one had a real roller-coaster of emotions, and it brought back most of the characters for a final hurrah, which was nice. It was good to see old friends from the earlier books, but also ... wow, those emotions. There was despair and then hope and then tension and sneakiness and sacrifice and all the good sorts of stuff, rolled into one.
Sticking Points:
- Dina is kidnapped. Again. Multiple times. And at this point, I just had to throw my hands up because I knew it was coming. Of course it was.
- Sezuan's family becomes a bit of a plot point here, but it's not really explored and ends up just being more confusing than anything. Because obviously they're evil bad guys. But why or how they're evil is never explored, and the things they promise Dina actually sound great. Which, I mean, of course that's how they get you, but still. I wish there was some actual depth behind this plot point, because it seems like an afterthought that was tacked on and not explored.
- Sooo ... the cliches. There were a lot of them, and I didn't feel like they added a whole lot. In the end, I was just a bit frustrated with them. Dina is an Extra Special Snowflake Chosen One with super awesome powers because of course she is. There's spirits coming back from the dead to help. There's the whole "power is inside of you" trope. There's the younger girl falls for a guy she can't possibly be with thing. There's a bit of a cheesy romance that's really instalove for no discernible reason. It was just ... a lot for me, personally, because these are all pretty much tropes that I hate. Now, given this is YA, would they work for younger readers? Probably more so, especially the chosen one and the extra powers. That seems to be more of a hit with the younger crowd. But since this is my review, I'll be honest and say that for me, it just didn't work.
- There was such a huge build-up to the final conflict, and the ultimate battle was sort of ... disappointing? I think because there was such a big build-up (four books, actually, and the majority of the tension in this book), it felt like it fizzled a bit. It was too easy.
- I really didn't feel that the 13-year-old protagonist needed a love interest. Maybe it makes me sound like an old lady when I say that, but I am, so I might as well own it. I actually really liked this series because there wasn't a love interest. I mean, the character is so young and she's sort of facing the possibility of death and torture and maiming. Love isn't really high up on the priorities here. Yet, there's still a small romance here, very instalove, very sudden, very cringey to my adult brain.
- That last chapter was soooo unnecessary, and instead of wrapping things up, I feel like I still have so many frigging questions! This answered nothing! Four books in, and I still don't know anything about Drakan, his motives, or how he can look a Shamer in the eye (which was really the big question I wanted answered, more than just "some people have no shame" since it was such a big deal in the story). I feel like I know nothing about Melussina, and even though we find out who all the children's fathers are, it solves nothing and just raises more questions. I was so confused, and it was so awkward. This series doesn't feel wrapped up to me, because there are still so many unanswered questions and things I want to know.
February 16, 2020
I’ve read this before but I still might have to curl up in a ball for a little while.
October 21, 2020
What a journey! I loved these characters so much, definitely gonna miss them and think about them as if they were my friends (this is how much i like them).
The plot didn't do it all that much for me, because it's a middle grade, it was convinient and the powers were over the top most of the time. Also, I'm sorry but Davin... I wish we had more chapters from Dina, then it would definitely be a 5 star. It's more a 4.5. I enjoyed the writing style and the atmosphere was so cool, now that the weather is more cold, it was so perfect.
Overall, it didn't disappoint me but it didn't blow my mind.
The plot didn't do it all that much for me, because it's a middle grade, it was convinient and the powers were over the top most of the time. Also, I'm sorry but Davin... I wish we had more chapters from Dina, then it would definitely be a 5 star. It's more a 4.5. I enjoyed the writing style and the atmosphere was so cool, now that the weather is more cold, it was so perfect.
Overall, it didn't disappoint me but it didn't blow my mind.
September 7, 2022
Overraskende god
December 9, 2024
Okay plottwist der til sidst alligevel!!
July 15, 2016
It's taken me a long time to finish this series. I do this thing, where I don't read the last book in a series until looooong after I've finished the one before it. It's a bad habit of mine, but nonetheless, I finally finished this wonderful series.
I very much loved this book, but there were parts of it too that didn't like at all. That's what makes a good book though, in my opinion. A book that's too perfect, doesn't make you think about it days later, doesn't make your thoughts churn over the same parts again and again.
Do yourself a favour and read this book, seriously!
*Spoilers ahead*
Here are some things in the book that really stood out to me:
- Callan and Melussina together = YASSS!
- Carmian: At first I didn't really like her, but she was so human, so real that I really started to understand her, and by the end of the book, I felt really bad for her.
- Nico: The ending, made me kinda hate him a little, which was weird because I loved his character in the three books before it. But in the end, I thought of him as a coward.
- Davin: was really outstanding in this book. I loved his continued developement from the second book. Also he is just the most unlucky guy, seriously. Him and Rose though <3
- The last chapter, my god.... I don't really know what to think of it. In a way it felt a little like cheating, to put such a twist on the literally last page. Like damn. On the other hand, it made me feel like there was more to the story and these characters - it made me want another book, or a new series. Honestly, I feel like there is still so much to these characters and this world that could be explored.
Like what happens to Nico? What is his future like? What about Carmian? Is she a good ruler or what? Does Tano and Dina end up together? What about Azuan, and his entire family? I would love to read about them, their land, their culture and their powers. Honestly, I would read a book just about Callan and Melussina being all cute together!
I'm just so happy that I decided to read this series, and I will definitely be rereading this again some day.
I very much loved this book, but there were parts of it too that didn't like at all. That's what makes a good book though, in my opinion. A book that's too perfect, doesn't make you think about it days later, doesn't make your thoughts churn over the same parts again and again.
Do yourself a favour and read this book, seriously!
*Spoilers ahead*
Here are some things in the book that really stood out to me:
- Callan and Melussina together = YASSS!
- Carmian: At first I didn't really like her, but she was so human, so real that I really started to understand her, and by the end of the book, I felt really bad for her.
- Nico: The ending, made me kinda hate him a little, which was weird because I loved his character in the three books before it. But in the end, I thought of him as a coward.
- Davin: was really outstanding in this book. I loved his continued developement from the second book. Also he is just the most unlucky guy, seriously. Him and Rose though <3
- The last chapter, my god.... I don't really know what to think of it. In a way it felt a little like cheating, to put such a twist on the literally last page. Like damn. On the other hand, it made me feel like there was more to the story and these characters - it made me want another book, or a new series. Honestly, I feel like there is still so much to these characters and this world that could be explored.
Like what happens to Nico? What is his future like? What about Carmian? Is she a good ruler or what? Does Tano and Dina end up together? What about Azuan, and his entire family? I would love to read about them, their land, their culture and their powers. Honestly, I would read a book just about Callan and Melussina being all cute together!
I'm just so happy that I decided to read this series, and I will definitely be rereading this again some day.
August 6, 2017
The final book in the series, and the final showdown against the evil Drakan. Unfortunately, it's not as well handled as it could have been – Kaaberbøl is really best at small-scale stuff, and so she almost cheats her way out of the great war. There are also some hasty and rather unfounded relationship developments, But by all means, this is still a good book with great characters, and yet another absorbing read.
January 14, 2012
I liked this one less than the others. Most characters return, and I can really sympathise with Dina, but there is something off. A character I used to admire behaves rather unworthy of admiration, and I am forced to feel sorry for a character I do not like, which is most unfortunate, because that's definitely not one of my strong suits.
December 30, 2012
I did love this book, almost as much as the others! The only thing was the ending.. SPOILER: I really wanted Dina to leave with Nico... Still ! Good book, good story.. And she's too young for him.. Still..
July 2, 2015
This is probably the best childrensbooks i've ever read! Also suitable for grown ups! I listened to it in norwegian, that probably was wise, as the book is in nynorsk. Too bad it's not translated to bokmål as well.
October 3, 2013
An epic ending to an epic story <3
July 28, 2017
Definitely the best of the Shamer books; here Kaaberbol builds on everything that has come before and extends it! In fact, it makes me wish there was a follow-up novel, since there are still several unresolved threads...
General Synopsis: Once again, the story splits between Dina, the Shamer's daughter, and her brother Davin. Both our main characters are struggling with what they went through in the last book. Dina is struggling with her identity. She is the Shamer's daughter, but she knows that most people, her mother included, resent her father's powers in her (aka the Serpent Gift.) Davin, meanwhile, has some kind of PTSD from the Hall of Whisperers, and is struggling to overcome that.
Both of these issues are put on hold, however, since Nico is finally doing something with his life. Davin and Dina come along to keep an eye on him, and while both parties separate, they both begin journeys that help develop their characters for this final step.
The Good: Since we've been through it for 3 books now, the author doesn't harp on the "Shamer" talents (especially since Dina has been struggling with even using them since, well, book 2). As far as Dina goes, the story focuses on her 2 power sets: the Shamer eyes and the Serpent Gift. Since her Shamer powers are on the fritz, she mostly focuses on the Serpent Gift, and uses it quite a bit, which is great since I found it a nice contrast to the Shamer powers (one is about truth, the other is about illusion.)
I also like the introduction of another of her relatives. Since I really liked her father's character, I was glad to see that storyline continue, although .
Davin's storyline is less involved this time around, but still good. He is definitely the more relatable character. He is just a kid trying to be brave and protect his friends and family and do what's right, even though, when you come down to it, that is extremely hard to do.
The Bad: Nico is sort of the fulcrum of this story, and yet he kind of just wanders through the plot without plan. Granted, a lot of this is because we are seeing this from Dina's point of view, and he doesn't tell her his plans, but even with that aside, he seems to have little plan.
There is also the introduction of a new power, the Weaver, who is supposed to be some kind of fortuneteller.
But she ends up being wrong, so.... I guess she's not that great, and her character was kind of pointless.
I also am half-and-half on the ending. I like how the story ended for most of the characters- in fact, if the story could have ended BEFORE the final chapter, I would've been fine. All the main points are resolved, we're all good, hooray. But then the author pulls out 2 new things at the very end that I just didn't like at all... one ruins one of hte characters (IMO) and the other is completely unnecessary .
Recommendation: Overall, I found this book a nice conclusion to a pretty decent series. I would recommend this series to anyone who wants to read a good, light and somewhat different fantasy series. Good for any age, really.
General Synopsis: Once again, the story splits between Dina, the Shamer's daughter, and her brother Davin. Both our main characters are struggling with what they went through in the last book. Dina is struggling with her identity. She is the Shamer's daughter, but she knows that most people, her mother included, resent her father's powers in her (aka the Serpent Gift.) Davin, meanwhile, has some kind of PTSD from the Hall of Whisperers, and is struggling to overcome that.
Both of these issues are put on hold, however, since Nico is finally doing something with his life. Davin and Dina come along to keep an eye on him, and while both parties separate, they both begin journeys that help develop their characters for this final step.
The Good: Since we've been through it for 3 books now, the author doesn't harp on the "Shamer" talents (especially since Dina has been struggling with even using them since, well, book 2). As far as Dina goes, the story focuses on her 2 power sets: the Shamer eyes and the Serpent Gift. Since her Shamer powers are on the fritz, she mostly focuses on the Serpent Gift, and uses it quite a bit, which is great since I found it a nice contrast to the Shamer powers (one is about truth, the other is about illusion.)
I also like the introduction of another of her relatives. Since I really liked her father's character, I was glad to see that storyline continue, although .
Davin's storyline is less involved this time around, but still good. He is definitely the more relatable character. He is just a kid trying to be brave and protect his friends and family and do what's right, even though, when you come down to it, that is extremely hard to do.
The Bad: Nico is sort of the fulcrum of this story, and yet he kind of just wanders through the plot without plan. Granted, a lot of this is because we are seeing this from Dina's point of view, and he doesn't tell her his plans, but even with that aside, he seems to have little plan.
There is also the introduction of a new power, the Weaver, who is supposed to be some kind of fortuneteller.
But she ends up being wrong, so.... I guess she's not that great, and her character was kind of pointless.
I also am half-and-half on the ending. I like how the story ended for most of the characters- in fact, if the story could have ended BEFORE the final chapter, I would've been fine. All the main points are resolved, we're all good, hooray. But then the author pulls out 2 new things at the very end that I just didn't like at all... one ruins one of hte characters (IMO) and the other is completely unnecessary .
Recommendation: Overall, I found this book a nice conclusion to a pretty decent series. I would recommend this series to anyone who wants to read a good, light and somewhat different fantasy series. Good for any age, really.
August 6, 2019
And so we come to the fourth and final part in this tweenage fantasy series, expertly translated – with wide vocab and great use of colloquialisms and so on – by the Danish author of the piece herself. Following immediately on from part three, our lead heroine is awkwardly balancing not one but two magical abilities, and her older brother is still suffering from the torture he was put through in book three. We know, because this is the final part, that the Big Bad from book one will finally be back to the fore, and as he's blocking all the typical trade to the part of the realm our plucky family fled to, we can tell things are getting serious. But there will be no opening scroll about trade and taxation here – this is a lot better than that, where fourth-created episodes come to mind.
It is still a series hampered by teenaged heroes and heroines just dashing off to do life-saving, or at least life-changing missions without backup, experience or forethought. And seriously they should know better by now. The fact everyone so far has survived such idiocy might make you think there has been no real threat to anyone on these pages, but that never mattered before now. There certainly is a moral side – people shown the consequences of what they might be thinking of doing once they've finished their dashing off, for one. There's definitely a mental effect on many of the leads, and that makes great fiction, when someone is clearly changed by upset, torment from the enemy, or chance.
And what we do get in this fourth book is a realisation that that city was dropped in there for a reason, this happened to foreshadow that, and that section was planned in honour of this resolution here. It all proves itself to be a wonderfully planned quadrilogy, and it's no faint praise to remark that this felt like a return to Earthsea at times. This is both standard YA fantasy (heroine realises her powers when Voldemort, er, I mean, the Big Baddy, comes calling), and a richly dark one (the use of child soldiers, and so much more). I still think the second book was too much a stepping stone, I still think the errant children are plain daft at times, but boy, they know how to drive a plot, and the whole series has been really most entertaining. For those here from the start, a definite four and a half stars.
It is still a series hampered by teenaged heroes and heroines just dashing off to do life-saving, or at least life-changing missions without backup, experience or forethought. And seriously they should know better by now. The fact everyone so far has survived such idiocy might make you think there has been no real threat to anyone on these pages, but that never mattered before now. There certainly is a moral side – people shown the consequences of what they might be thinking of doing once they've finished their dashing off, for one. There's definitely a mental effect on many of the leads, and that makes great fiction, when someone is clearly changed by upset, torment from the enemy, or chance.
And what we do get in this fourth book is a realisation that that city was dropped in there for a reason, this happened to foreshadow that, and that section was planned in honour of this resolution here. It all proves itself to be a wonderfully planned quadrilogy, and it's no faint praise to remark that this felt like a return to Earthsea at times. This is both standard YA fantasy (heroine realises her powers when Voldemort, er, I mean, the Big Baddy, comes calling), and a richly dark one (the use of child soldiers, and so much more). I still think the second book was too much a stepping stone, I still think the errant children are plain daft at times, but boy, they know how to drive a plot, and the whole series has been really most entertaining. For those here from the start, a definite four and a half stars.
May 18, 2020
Unfortunately not as great as the preceding books. The magic felt...forced, or faked. The ending felt almost stolen from us as readers.
And on top of that, I've decided that I don't buy the shamer's universe, as a profoundly Catholic morality. People are good, in this universe, because they feel shame. Whereas I'm fairly certain that people can be good for a number of reasons, all of them in order to do soemthing-- love others, better the world, etc -- not in order to avoid shame. Shame avoidance is a last-resort sort of morality, certainly nothing to strive for.
I would still recommend this quartet to avid fantasy readers, because the magic is really quite different from other worlds and that can be very fun, but it won't be my go-to.
And on top of that, I've decided that I don't buy the shamer's universe, as a profoundly Catholic morality. People are good, in this universe, because they feel shame. Whereas I'm fairly certain that people can be good for a number of reasons, all of them in order to do soemthing-- love others, better the world, etc -- not in order to avoid shame. Shame avoidance is a last-resort sort of morality, certainly nothing to strive for.
I would still recommend this quartet to avid fantasy readers, because the magic is really quite different from other worlds and that can be very fun, but it won't be my go-to.
March 9, 2023
Blei ferdig med den siste boka. Att. Eg likte ikkje slutten. Mest fordi det var det den var – ein slutt. Elles var alt stort sett perfekt. Eg kunne ikkje ønskje meg meir, bortsett frå eit par hundre sider til.
Tusen takk, Lene Kaaberbøl, for å ha skrive bøker som minnar lesaren korleis det er å vere eit barn og let henne bli heilt borte i ei fortryllande verd.
Skammar-bøkene er ikke berre utroleg spennande, men dei også fortel om ting større en si eiga historia, og difor festar dei seg dypt i sjela. Eg trur at det finst bøker som ein les og får gode minne av. Og så finst det bøker som ein les, og dei blir ikke til minne, men til ein del av deg sjølv, og de følgjer deg heile vegen. For meg er Skammar-serien av det siste slaget.
Tusen takk, Lene Kaaberbøl, for å ha skrive bøker som minnar lesaren korleis det er å vere eit barn og let henne bli heilt borte i ei fortryllande verd.
Skammar-bøkene er ikke berre utroleg spennande, men dei også fortel om ting større en si eiga historia, og difor festar dei seg dypt i sjela. Eg trur at det finst bøker som ein les og får gode minne av. Og så finst det bøker som ein les, og dei blir ikke til minne, men til ein del av deg sjølv, og de følgjer deg heile vegen. For meg er Skammar-serien av det siste slaget.
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