Ghost (Wolf's-own, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Jan 29, 2012 Mandapanda rated it really liked it

Shelves: various-romance

This is serious fantasy, a complex, multi-layered story whose mythology is strongly influenced by Oriental themes. It's a story that rewards readers with beautiful prose, atmospheric settings, and unique characters.

Fen was born one of two male twins into the Jin people. He was destined to become an Untouchable (or Ghost), living with the voices of the Ancestors in his head, slowly turning him insane. But he was taken from his family when the voices first came, to live under the mysterious and h This is serious fantasy, a complex, multi-layered story whose mythology is strongly influenced by Oriental themes. It's a story that rewards readers with beautiful prose, atmospheric settings, and unique characters.

Fen was born one of two male twins into the Jin people. He was destined to become an Untouchable (or Ghost), living with the voices of the Ancestors in his head, slowly turning him insane. But he was taken from his family when the voices first came, to live under the mysterious and harsh tutelage of Asai, a member of the oppressive Adan people. Asai hides Fen from his family and the outside world, and uses punitive methods to turn him into a skilled assassin, a tool for Asai's treacherous schemes.

But Fen discovers Asai's duplicity and runs to save his family before it is too late. Although his mother is taken, he is able to hide his siblings. Just after this he is ambushed by the beautiful and deadly Malick and his band of assassins, and forced to join them in their crusade against the Adan.

The book is written in multiple third person POV's, a technique that I initially had a lot of problems with. But it allowed me to see and understand all the characters and elements in the story. And it never detracted from the plot, which, irrespective of who is narrating, follows a perfect course from beginning to end. Nor do the voices of the secondary characters overwhelm our two MC's. My only reservation was that each person's voice was fairly similar in tone.

As far as the romance goes there is great chemistry between Fen and Malick, both of them being flawed, mysterious and gorgeous. The climactic love scenes are extremely passionate and sensual.

There is a slighlty cliffhander ending, i.e. some things resolved, some left open. I was thinking all the way through that I wished there was a glossary, because some of the deity concepts (e.g. Wolf and Raven are Gods? moons? cycles??) are confusing. But then I finally found it after I already finished. Damn kindle starts at the first page and I didn't think to look before that! I strongly recommend readers to keep one eye on the glossary as you read because it will enhance your enjoyment of the story.

I really enjoyed this novel. Now that we know who Malick and Asai really are, and now that Fen and Malick have taken some hesitant steps towards each other I'm greatly looking forward to the sequel because it feels like the stakes are really high. Highly recommended for fans of real fantasy. ...more

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