Shalador’s Lady

Apr 262010
 

In Dena Nehele, Theran Grayhaven continues to struggle as First Escort to Cassidy, the Rose Jewelled Queen.  Only able to see her shortcomings he clashes with the rest of the court, unable to see what they see or experience the bond that called them to serve in the first place.  When an unexpected and unwelcome visitor turns up at Grayhaven, Theran is startled to find he has that bond with her and believes he has found the Queen meant to rule, instead of Cassidy.  Cassidy is not happy and the rest of her first circle are outraged when they realise the history Cassidy and the feckless Kermilla have and instinctively move to protect their Queen.  Theran wanted a Queen from Kaeleer who could teach them protocol and the old ways of the Blood, before Dorotea’s taint crushed so much of Terreille.  He can’t accept that what he wants and what the territory needs are two different things.  If he can’t accept Cassidy and her ruling, everything he wanted for Dena Nehele would be lost, including the land itself.

I have nothing but love for any book or story set in the Black Jewels Universe.  Right from Daughter of the Blood, the first book in the series I was hooked on the characters and the the rich dark world that the three realms made up.  Yet another series I need to re-read and review as I go.  I can’t recommend them highly enough, seriously!  This review might be a little confusing if you’ve not read any of the books as the titles and terms are unique to Anne Bishop’s work.  Another reason to read them!

Shalador’s Lady follows straight on from The Shadow Queen and while sad, it wasn’t surprising that Theran couldn’t get his act together enough to realise that while Cassidy might not be the Queen he wanted, she was the Queen that Dena Nehele needed.  It was a pleasure to witness Cassidy’s continued growth into a strong Queen and prove her ability to rule, despite the light jewels she wears.  She is a great character and one who fits right in to the group of exceptional people I have come to love so much in these books.

Theran was just plain irritating but his disappointment with Cassidy and his lack of the bond that the other males had meant I could understand where he was coming from.  I still wanted to smack him a lot.

Gray on the other hand was a joy, seeing his continued emergence from the damaged and scared boy trapped in an adult’s body into the Warlord Prince he should have been.  Wow.  The other Males of Cassidy’s First Circle were also great, stepping up to the line when needed and understanding that without Cassidy and bringing back the old ways of the Blood, there would be no more Dena Nehele.

Finally comes those characters that I could read about forever.  Daemon, Jaenelle, Saetan and Lucivar  to name the top four.  Other beloved character make appearances and it was truly great to see them.  I have heard complaints that when it comes to stories in the Black Jewels Universe that aren’t directly about them, they still make appearances.  I honestly don’t see how they can’t considering who they are and their place in the world.  In my opinion there can’t be enough about them!

The story I can’t actually touch on much as it would spoil it, but it was good and the plot unexpected at times.   The pace flowed with Bishop’s usual grace and as always, I find her characterisations nothing short of amazing.

In all, a fantastic book and a credit to the series and Anne Bishop.

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Book Information

Silver Borne

Apr 172010
 

Mercedes Thompson is one of the most exceptional mechanics in the Tri-Cities area.  She’s also a Coyote skinwalker but that was a birth thing rather than a career choice.  Raised by the local Werewolf pack whose Alpha is Bran, The Marrok gave her a pretty good idea of the differences between her own abilities and werewolves.   Now in love with the Tri-Cities Alpha Adam and part of his pack, she is still trying to come to terms with her earlier attack and also deal with resentment from other pack members that Adam brought her into it.  Add in a depressed, suicidal werewolf, a book about the Fae that it seems they will go to any lengths to retrieve and it all equals Mercy having another bad day.

This is the 5th book in the Mercy Thompson series and when I get some time (ha!) I really need to go back, re-read the others and review them as they truly deserve it.

Mercy is a character that I utterly love.  She’s sassy and bold yet has her insecurities and is well aware of her limitiations.  That doesn’t stop her pushing beyond them when those she loves are in danger however.  I love her Coyote character as well, very much Mercy but ‘other’ too.

The other major characters are just as fascinating.  Adam her pack Alpha and mate is a great strong and not so silent type and his interactions with Mercy can be downright hilarious.  Samuel, her roommate who is the Marrok’s son but a lone wolf so not part of the Tri-Cities pack.   He’s usually right up there with Adam but his role in this book is one of sadness.  I really felt for him when he made his decision but when his alter-ego Sam the Wolf took over there are quite a few moments that made me giggle.

The humour aside, this book also has its darker side – betrayal and scheming from those you don’t expect as well as the Fae being involved and after Mercy as they believe she has something of theirs that is powerful and utterly dangerous.  By the end I felt a bit of a nervous wreck but loved the way it turned out, even if not all of it was pleasant.  And I’m not ashamed to admit I cried for much loved Medea… twice.

A great addition to the series and leaves me hungry for more.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Book Information

First Lord’s Fury

Apr 132010
 

In Calderon it began and in Calderon it will end, one way or another.  The last defence and hope of the realm against the Vord Queen and her endless horde.  If Gaius Octavian and his scattered army can’t win through, it will be the end of all things.

It’s bittersweet picking up the last book in a series.  I know, no matter how it turns out, it’s going to be the last one.  I try and read slowly, take it all in but as usual I get caught up in the story, progress at my usual pace and all too soon I am on the last page.  After I closed First Lord’s Fury, I sat there for a good fifteen minutes just staring in to space to absorb it and think it through.  It’s simply that good.

Some books I finish and while I might have really enjoyed it, I am straight on to another.  Others, like this one, I have to wait, reflect and in some respects grieve a little that it’s finished.  I didn’t expect it to have that much impact.

Jim Butcher is a master at creating characters you really care about, a story that is compelling and extremely engaging and this book takes both of those into overdrive.  It’s a bit of a dizzying cast, but with the Vord taking Alera apart piece by beloved piece, her defenders also have to be numerous.  Having said that, you get to see all the characters you’ve come to love fight for the realm that they loved, or those you hate continue their work to betray it.  It’s harrowing and grim yet moments of hope, love and laughter lighten your heart and keep you glued to the pages.  So many heart in mouth moments, heroic feats, sacrifice and sorrow for those that are lost are matched with the fast pace of battle.   At times I felt as if I was in the character’s shoes, not knowing what emotion is going to hit you next.

If there is anything negative I have to say about this book is that not quite as much use was made of the alliances as there could have been.  Then again, I had to remind myself that while there were a considerable number of Canim present,  that was all that was left of their race and at the end of the day, it was the battle for Alera.

A breathtaking end to an amazing series.

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Book Information

Jayne Ann Krentz Double Book Giveaway

Apr 072010
 

It’s giveaway time again lovely readers and thanks again to Piatkus I have a duo of Running Hot and Fired Up by Jayne Ann Krentz.  There are 2 sets to be won and all you have to do is comment below and tell me what name you would give to your own secret society, when you put it together to either save the world or impose your evil genius upon it.

This giveaway will close on April 30th and names will be drawn from a hat, bowl or whatever container comes to hand!

Apologies but open to UK residents only.

I enjoyed these books and you can read my reviews for Running Hot here and Fired Up here.

Good luck!

**This Giveaway is now closed, no further entries will be accepted.  Bear with me while I do the draw and will announce the winners later today!**

Black and White Giveaway – Results

Apr 012010
 

The Giveaway is now closed and 59 names were placed into a bowl (didn’t have a hat big enough!) My lovely cat Fizz also wanted to ‘help’ but since she has a tendency to run off with scraps of paper, she had to be content with a spare piece.  The Following 7 names were the first to be randomly drawn.

*drum roll*

The winners of Black and White by Jackie Kessler and Caitlin Kittredge are :

Georgina Ball who wants to stop time so she can take a break at work.
Ruth Tesdale who would like to be able to communicate with animals.
Paul Hewison who would like to stop time so he can stop being late.
Jason Bateman who would like to bound continents in a single hop so he can surf.
Allan who wants to fly.
Vanessa who would also like to fly.
Heather Shaw who would love to be a witch.. and zap people!

Congratulations to you all, you have been notified by email and if you could reply to them with your postal addresses, I can get your books sent out.

Thanks to everyone who entered and sorry you didn’t win this time, check back soon as there will be more giveaways coming up!

Thanks to Piatkus who made this one possible!

© 2011 Grete Evans A blog of myths, romance, fantasy and thrills. Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha