Genre: Urban Fantasy/Fantasy
Subgenre: Others vs. humans, magic, blood
Age Appropriate: Teen
Recommended for my sister: Yep (She's already reading them!)
"I'll ask her for one cut." - Simon
In an Other Courtyard, "Human Laws Do Not Apply." After fighting, trading and tragedy, the humans and Others have come to an uneasy truce with Others in tentative power. What the humans don't understand is that there are other Others with more power than imaginable and the ones seen are the most benign. It is mostly a case of whatever happens in the Courtyard stays in the Courtyard, and that includes the mysterious deaths of humans trespassing where they're not allowed. The Lakeside Courtyard is unique in its toleration of humans in their Market areas, even allowing a select few humans to work in those areas.
As a cassandra sangue, Meg Corbyn is invaluable to the institution she's escaped from. She is a blood prophet, and every cut made on her skin pulls a prophecy out of her. In the compound where she, and other like her, were kept, they were strapped to chairs and used for prophecy and money. Each cut could range from 1,000-10,000 dollars depending on who was being cut. She stumbles into Lakeside Courtyard and walks her freezing feet into a story with a Help Wanted sign. The sign is for a Liaison, a person who runs a post office that interacts between the Others and the humans. Now that she's in Lakeside Courtyard, she has to come clean about who she is and where she's from in order to keep her place. The wide community of Others may decide that she's one of their own, and then there will be no going back for her. The Others protect their own.
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I've been a huge fan of Anne Bishop for a long time. It started with her Black Jewels trilogy in high school but each time I've started a new series, I've fallen into it completely. I appreciate that her series don't intersect, and always have a completely different world, without losing anything of her style and story. Written in Blood and Murder of Crows are no different. I had to reread Written in Blood to catch up, and it was still a great story. There are societal issues, supernatural elements and a teeny tiny bit of possible romance.
Obviously, I recommend it. I can't really recommend it to my sister, specifically, because she's waiting for Book 2 already. I'll recommend it to everyone else, though! I actually think that Bishop could probably stop with book 2, if she really wanted, but I hope she doesn't. There are still some great possibilities for the greater battle ahead, and how knows what will happen to Meg's potential love life? Will she actually have one? She's probably not ready, yet. I've heard nothing yet about another book, but I'm crossing my fingers!
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Moar Books: Sorcerer's Ring series
Showing posts with label good vs evil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label good vs evil. Show all posts
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
Heralds of Valdemar - Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Subgenre: epic fantasy, magic
Age Appropriate: Teens
Recommended for my sister: YES
"Hindsight is ever perfect" - Starwind k'Treva
The Heralds of Valdemar books span over multiple trilogies. While Lackey wrote them in a different order, there is a specific timeline that moves the history along. The first series chronologically is the Last Herald-Mage series featuring Vanyel, a young man who feels separate from his family and is sent to the capital, Haven, to be with his Aunt Savil. His arrival starts the story off with his emotional issues and secrets that lead to great tragedy and discovery of his own mage powers. Through the story the audience learns the special marks of those who are "Chosen" in the kingdom of Valedmar, and is given a good basis for the following story lines.
Throughout all of the trilogies, the main characters are either Heralds or those who become somehow involved with Heralds. IT's the Heralds who are chosen, and to that effect are considered unshakable in their honor and loyalty to their land. The clear designation of a Herald is the presence of their Companion - a magical spirit being in the guise of a horse, who "chooses" their Herald. The tie between Herald and Companion is soul deep and together they will go out and do the hard things done in need of their country. Those "gifts" can range from telepathy - or Mindspeaking - to Firestarting, and in some case the ever mysterious Mage-gift. With the exception of the Mage-gift, all fo the abilities are considered "mind-magic," and the distinction becomes very important as the books go forward.
There are wide varieties of characters, with various idiosyncrasies in either tale. Each kingdom has different rules and histories that cause great conflicts, as often is the case between kingdom and monarchs. On top of that, there are magical beasts running feral, magically tainted lands being watched over by some strange people and even a demon or two thrown in for good measure. All in all, if you put them together, the Heralds of Valdemar books are one long epic. There are even a few short-story companion novels available when you can't get enough.
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I love them. I read my first one when I was probably around 10ish. It was the first Herald-Mage Vanyel book and I was completely hooked. I'll admit that I didn't particularly like the Mage Winds trilogy as some of the others, but each trilogy is fairly important for character development. There are a few that might be considered stand-alone, but I wouldn't recommend it. Find the chronology online and read them all. Even the books that may not be set in Valdemar are important. The things you might miss are small, but they gave me a little boost when I noticed them.
I suppose it's hard to do a full review when you're talking about a series as long as this. While I've read them all recently, I remember the first time being pretty strong emotionally. I still feel strongly when I read the Herald-Mages books and the Arrows books. The sads are as important as the happies. The series is highly recommended, especially if you like epic-type series. I think the splits of trilogies probably helps with consumption levels, but I wouldn't be too shocked if you found yourself buying them all right away.
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Moar!: Chicagoland Vampires - Chloe Neill
Subgenre: epic fantasy, magic
Age Appropriate: Teens
Recommended for my sister: YES
"Hindsight is ever perfect" - Starwind k'Treva
The Heralds of Valdemar books span over multiple trilogies. While Lackey wrote them in a different order, there is a specific timeline that moves the history along. The first series chronologically is the Last Herald-Mage series featuring Vanyel, a young man who feels separate from his family and is sent to the capital, Haven, to be with his Aunt Savil. His arrival starts the story off with his emotional issues and secrets that lead to great tragedy and discovery of his own mage powers. Through the story the audience learns the special marks of those who are "Chosen" in the kingdom of Valedmar, and is given a good basis for the following story lines.
Throughout all of the trilogies, the main characters are either Heralds or those who become somehow involved with Heralds. IT's the Heralds who are chosen, and to that effect are considered unshakable in their honor and loyalty to their land. The clear designation of a Herald is the presence of their Companion - a magical spirit being in the guise of a horse, who "chooses" their Herald. The tie between Herald and Companion is soul deep and together they will go out and do the hard things done in need of their country. Those "gifts" can range from telepathy - or Mindspeaking - to Firestarting, and in some case the ever mysterious Mage-gift. With the exception of the Mage-gift, all fo the abilities are considered "mind-magic," and the distinction becomes very important as the books go forward.
There are wide varieties of characters, with various idiosyncrasies in either tale. Each kingdom has different rules and histories that cause great conflicts, as often is the case between kingdom and monarchs. On top of that, there are magical beasts running feral, magically tainted lands being watched over by some strange people and even a demon or two thrown in for good measure. All in all, if you put them together, the Heralds of Valdemar books are one long epic. There are even a few short-story companion novels available when you can't get enough.
-----
I love them. I read my first one when I was probably around 10ish. It was the first Herald-Mage Vanyel book and I was completely hooked. I'll admit that I didn't particularly like the Mage Winds trilogy as some of the others, but each trilogy is fairly important for character development. There are a few that might be considered stand-alone, but I wouldn't recommend it. Find the chronology online and read them all. Even the books that may not be set in Valdemar are important. The things you might miss are small, but they gave me a little boost when I noticed them.
I suppose it's hard to do a full review when you're talking about a series as long as this. While I've read them all recently, I remember the first time being pretty strong emotionally. I still feel strongly when I read the Herald-Mages books and the Arrows books. The sads are as important as the happies. The series is highly recommended, especially if you like epic-type series. I think the splits of trilogies probably helps with consumption levels, but I wouldn't be too shocked if you found yourself buying them all right away.
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Moar!: Chicagoland Vampires - Chloe Neill
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.
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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
Saturday, December 14, 2013
The Deed of Paksenarrion
Genre: Fantasy
Subgenre: soldiers, kings, battles, elves
Age Appropriate: Young Adult
Recommended for my sister: Yes
"Do I have to say?...Yes, for good." - Paksenarrion
The Deed of Paksennarrion is a Tolkien-esque adventure, complete with quests, elder races and evil plots. Paksenarrion leaves home to avoid marrying a farmer who had been promised her hand by her father. After a fight with her father, she leaves home and heads to the nearest town, hoping to catch up with a mercenary recruiting company. After hearing about her cousin's journeys, she decides that she wants to follow her dreams of being a famous warrior and starts her journey with Duke Phelan's company. The story starts the real plot development with the trials that come with being a new recruit within the company, including her disappointments with having to do camp chores.
The story that follows shows Paks growing into herself, and learning about the things that are most important to her. Along the way, she learns of the different races within the realm, becomes friends with some elves, and stumbles upon a small village that will become a strange home-like focal point for her life. While Paks is distinguishing herself among others in the land, she slows becomes aware of long-laid plots that are aimed to dooming another country, and battling internally about her own responsibilities in the matter. The Deed of Paksenarrion is a combination of three novels in one, each a high adventure with both triumph and pain alike.
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For all that the Anita Blake books are my favorite series, The Deed of Paksenarrion is probably my favorite book. It was actually my sister who provided it. I read the copy she gave me enough that I had to buy a second one, as the pages were falling out. I now, thankfully, have the e-version and I can read it without care.
I never finished Lord of the Rings. When I tried to read it when I was younger, I couldn't get past how long it was. Honestly, I don't know that I could read it now. I don't need Lord of the Rings, though, when I have The Deed of Paksenarrion with me. There aren't really any direct parallels between the two stories, with the exception of the presence of dwarves, elves, orcs and other creatures. The important lessons probably have some similarities - but that's true of most epic novels. My mother frequently complains about my reading fantasy novels, but maybe I should sit her down with this one. The morals of the story are hugely affecting. Watching the hardships that Paks has to face, and her responses to them (good and bad), really develop a sense of compassion. Of course, there is a part of me cheering her on every time she prevails. If this were The Neverending Story, I would be Bastien and Paks would be my Atreyu.
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Coming Soon: Mercy Thompson
Special Note: With the holiday season coming up, I can't guarantee how often the posts will come up. It's entirely possible that there won't be any until I'm done with the holidays! Happy Holidays!
Subgenre: soldiers, kings, battles, elves
Age Appropriate: Young Adult
Recommended for my sister: Yes
"Do I have to say?...Yes, for good." - Paksenarrion
The Deed of Paksennarrion is a Tolkien-esque adventure, complete with quests, elder races and evil plots. Paksenarrion leaves home to avoid marrying a farmer who had been promised her hand by her father. After a fight with her father, she leaves home and heads to the nearest town, hoping to catch up with a mercenary recruiting company. After hearing about her cousin's journeys, she decides that she wants to follow her dreams of being a famous warrior and starts her journey with Duke Phelan's company. The story starts the real plot development with the trials that come with being a new recruit within the company, including her disappointments with having to do camp chores.
The story that follows shows Paks growing into herself, and learning about the things that are most important to her. Along the way, she learns of the different races within the realm, becomes friends with some elves, and stumbles upon a small village that will become a strange home-like focal point for her life. While Paks is distinguishing herself among others in the land, she slows becomes aware of long-laid plots that are aimed to dooming another country, and battling internally about her own responsibilities in the matter. The Deed of Paksenarrion is a combination of three novels in one, each a high adventure with both triumph and pain alike.
-----
For all that the Anita Blake books are my favorite series, The Deed of Paksenarrion is probably my favorite book. It was actually my sister who provided it. I read the copy she gave me enough that I had to buy a second one, as the pages were falling out. I now, thankfully, have the e-version and I can read it without care.
I never finished Lord of the Rings. When I tried to read it when I was younger, I couldn't get past how long it was. Honestly, I don't know that I could read it now. I don't need Lord of the Rings, though, when I have The Deed of Paksenarrion with me. There aren't really any direct parallels between the two stories, with the exception of the presence of dwarves, elves, orcs and other creatures. The important lessons probably have some similarities - but that's true of most epic novels. My mother frequently complains about my reading fantasy novels, but maybe I should sit her down with this one. The morals of the story are hugely affecting. Watching the hardships that Paks has to face, and her responses to them (good and bad), really develop a sense of compassion. Of course, there is a part of me cheering her on every time she prevails. If this were The Neverending Story, I would be Bastien and Paks would be my Atreyu.
-----
Coming Soon: Mercy Thompson
Special Note: With the holiday season coming up, I can't guarantee how often the posts will come up. It's entirely possible that there won't be any until I'm done with the holidays! Happy Holidays!
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