Genre: Epic Fantasy
Subgenre: Magic, kings/knights, quests
Age Appropriate: Teen
Recommended for my sister: Enh. Maybe?
"I count you as my brother." - Reece
Thorgrin is a young 14 year old runt of the litter boy in a small village. He has great aspirations of becoming a knight and joining The Silver, the elite group of soldiers who fight for the King. On Selection Day, his father tries to force him to stay inside, but Thorgrin runs out and yells for his turn to be considered. He's rejected immediately for being to small and scrawny. After running away from town, he stumbles on an older man named Argon. He convinces Thorgrin not to give up, and he begins the walk to the Kingdom to force his way into knight's training. His spunk and skill earn him a grudging place within the recruits, despite the scorn of his brothers and others who'd gotten in the "right way." Still, he impresses others and his young journey to knighthood begins. It all becomes much more complicated when Thor comes up with strange magical powers.
The Sorceror's Ring series is up to 12 books, and the story grows from Thor's younger days to his coming-of-age obstacles, including a budding love affair with the King's daughter, Gwendolyn. The story itself is very reminiscent of King Arthur, including a magical sword stuck in a stone. Each subsequent quest he leaves on includes his closest knightly friends, and a few non-friends who end up being in debt to Thor's heroism. The group journeys throughout the world, both in the safety of their kingdom and the terror of the insecure Empire beyond their borders. The underlying story follows Thor's relationships and what he needs to learn to save his family, his love, his friends and his kingdom.
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I got to book 9 before I stopped. There are another 3 books in the series, but I just don't have the patience to get through them yet. I was pretty excited to begin, even seeing the blatant parallels with King Arthur. I figured it might be fun after taking an entire semester of Arthuriana. I kept waiting for something epic to happen. There were a few journeys here or there with potential, and each one seemed to more closer to a big finish. Unfortunately, I'm on book 9 and I've not been satisfied with anything yet. The further I get, the more tiring the series becomes.
I know that Thor needs to visit his mother. He's been having dreams and visions of her in the Land of the Druids. It's book 9 though and he still hasn't headed that way. It's kinda boring now. I'm hoping that when I do decide to finish the next few books, whenever that might be, the pace picks up or the author decides to wrap it up. Right now, I know that there are 3 more books that have been released in a bundle. So, for now, I'd say not to bother until I can make myself finish them, eventually.
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Oops!: Happy Mother's Day!!!
Showing posts with label action. Show all posts
Showing posts with label action. Show all posts
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Kushiel series - Jacqueline Carey
Genre: Fantasy
Subgenre: sex, gods, intrigue, adventure, pain
Age Appropriate: ADULT
Recommended for my sister: Top 10
"That which yields is not always weak." - fortune teller
Phedre is a young girl sold into comfortable servitude when her parents find themselves desperate. Her mother, formerly of the institution she gives Phedre too, begs them to take her daughter. Her mother was of the Jasmine House of the Court of Night Blooming Flowers - a series of houses with adepts and trainees dedicated to Naamah, the goddess of desire. While Phedre is remanded to the house, she has a flaw that singles out of being able to commit herself. She has a crimson mote in her eye, and the Houses are very particular about physical flaws. Despite her lack of qualifications, she's raised in the house the same as other children in their keeping. Most of those children will go on to become adepts in their chosen houses until they make their marque - a tattoo on their backs signifying their House and that they've completed their indentured service.
After hearing the Story of Elua from a priest, the children are given flowers to pin onto their shirts, and it leads Phedre to learn her first lesson about herself. She pricks her finger with the pin, out of curiosity, and the result is a wash of pain/pleasure that would normally put her in a particular house, if she didn't have that one single flaw. When one of the adepts finds her out, she's told she'll be meeting someone very interested in her. That day she runs away to Night's Doorstep, a poor neighborhood, and meets her one true friend, Hyacinthe. Upon her return, she meets Anafiel Delaunay, and her fate is sealed. She is an anguisette, someone born to accept pain as pleasure, and under the tutelage of Delaunay becomes somewhat more. He makes her into a spy, alongside his other pupil, Alcuin, teaching her how to observe and think, along with her lessons toward becoming an Adept of the Night Court.
This part of her story takes up the first part of the first book. Her education and dedication to Naamah lead her dangerous paths against traitors, slavers and terrible tortures. She bases her survival on one thing, to save her Queen and county from terrible invasion by barbarians. Her companion, a warrior-priest of Cassiel, Joscelin, ends up her only ally on her terrible journey. Their's is a story of pain, pleasure and fortitude in the face of hopelessness.
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There are actually 9 books in the Kushiel series world. The first three are completely focused on Phedre's individual life story. Despite the different names and religions created in the world, the location are all based in real countries, which names changed. Her story is terribly, and heartbreaking, and hard to read. Whatever sensuality and sexuality is included, it is far more included for advancing the story than it is for blatant porn. How could there be no sex when the main character is a goddess-dedicated courtesan of sorts? It's not all easy-peasy romance either. Every step of the way there is little typical happiness to be found. It was a struggle emotionally to read the books, but enrapturing to read, nonetheless.
What can I say? It's an amazing series, if you have the stomach for it. Even after reading it for the bajillionth time, it still makes me heartsick. There is a bit of pride and hope in there, on behalf of Phedre and Joscelin. When I first read them, a long time ago, I'll even admit that I was a bit tempted to get her marque as a tattoo. I mean, how cool would that be? I'm glad I didn't but her story made the whole thing something to be proud of, rather than disdained. If you believe you can handle the intricacies, I would most highly recommend this series.
-----
Somewhat less intense: Kate Daniels series
Subgenre: sex, gods, intrigue, adventure, pain
Age Appropriate: ADULT
Recommended for my sister: Top 10
"That which yields is not always weak." - fortune teller
Phedre is a young girl sold into comfortable servitude when her parents find themselves desperate. Her mother, formerly of the institution she gives Phedre too, begs them to take her daughter. Her mother was of the Jasmine House of the Court of Night Blooming Flowers - a series of houses with adepts and trainees dedicated to Naamah, the goddess of desire. While Phedre is remanded to the house, she has a flaw that singles out of being able to commit herself. She has a crimson mote in her eye, and the Houses are very particular about physical flaws. Despite her lack of qualifications, she's raised in the house the same as other children in their keeping. Most of those children will go on to become adepts in their chosen houses until they make their marque - a tattoo on their backs signifying their House and that they've completed their indentured service.
After hearing the Story of Elua from a priest, the children are given flowers to pin onto their shirts, and it leads Phedre to learn her first lesson about herself. She pricks her finger with the pin, out of curiosity, and the result is a wash of pain/pleasure that would normally put her in a particular house, if she didn't have that one single flaw. When one of the adepts finds her out, she's told she'll be meeting someone very interested in her. That day she runs away to Night's Doorstep, a poor neighborhood, and meets her one true friend, Hyacinthe. Upon her return, she meets Anafiel Delaunay, and her fate is sealed. She is an anguisette, someone born to accept pain as pleasure, and under the tutelage of Delaunay becomes somewhat more. He makes her into a spy, alongside his other pupil, Alcuin, teaching her how to observe and think, along with her lessons toward becoming an Adept of the Night Court.
This part of her story takes up the first part of the first book. Her education and dedication to Naamah lead her dangerous paths against traitors, slavers and terrible tortures. She bases her survival on one thing, to save her Queen and county from terrible invasion by barbarians. Her companion, a warrior-priest of Cassiel, Joscelin, ends up her only ally on her terrible journey. Their's is a story of pain, pleasure and fortitude in the face of hopelessness.
-----
There are actually 9 books in the Kushiel series world. The first three are completely focused on Phedre's individual life story. Despite the different names and religions created in the world, the location are all based in real countries, which names changed. Her story is terribly, and heartbreaking, and hard to read. Whatever sensuality and sexuality is included, it is far more included for advancing the story than it is for blatant porn. How could there be no sex when the main character is a goddess-dedicated courtesan of sorts? It's not all easy-peasy romance either. Every step of the way there is little typical happiness to be found. It was a struggle emotionally to read the books, but enrapturing to read, nonetheless.
What can I say? It's an amazing series, if you have the stomach for it. Even after reading it for the bajillionth time, it still makes me heartsick. There is a bit of pride and hope in there, on behalf of Phedre and Joscelin. When I first read them, a long time ago, I'll even admit that I was a bit tempted to get her marque as a tattoo. I mean, how cool would that be? I'm glad I didn't but her story made the whole thing something to be proud of, rather than disdained. If you believe you can handle the intricacies, I would most highly recommend this series.
-----
Somewhat less intense: Kate Daniels series
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