Trying to plow through the series as I read them....
The Key Trilogy by Nora Roberts - so I haven't recently read this, but of all the trilogies Roberts writes of the paranormal variety, I consider this to be the best one. In a small valley town in Pennsylvania, three women get exclusive invites to enjoy an evening at the beautiful, and mysterious Warrior's Peak - the dominating architectural wonder that stands guard above the valley. Mallory, Dana, and Zoe are all at crossroads in their lives, and are offered by the eccentric young couple who live there a chance to turn their misfortunes around. The terms? Each woman has exactly one month, with the help of a clue, to find a magically charged key. If the first succeeds, the following two have a shot at recovering their respective keys. If anyone fails, the whole thing is caput. The prize: $1 million, scotch free, and the penalty of failure: the loss of one year from their lives. While this may seem like a simple game initially, Mallory, Dana, and Zoe soon learn that the keys unlock the chest which holds imprisoned three souls of young demi-goddesses, daughters of the King of the Gods. The curse says that only the hands of mortal women can undue the spell, and while the women struggle with finding a key that could be anywhere, they are also hindered by the evil Kane, the god who trapped the souls in the chest in the first place and will do anything to make sure they don't suceed. Filled with intrigue, adventure, danger, and most important, love, this is a great series, one that I have read multiple times. I think the reason I like it so much is mostly because the characters are really awesome and the relationships aren't so trite - Roberts clearly establishes a connection between them that doesn't come off as contrived or mickey mouse 'clubby,' which she'll have problems with in some of her later writings. Plus, it doesn't hurt that the bad guy is super sexy in a dark, malicious, I like killing mortals kind of way. Quite possibly one of my favorites by her, and I've read EVERYTHING she's every written so that's a pretty good recommendation!
***** 5 stars
Trilogy Includes:
1. The Key of Light
2. The Key of Knowledge
3. The Key of Valor
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Man oh Man, is summer my favorite time of the year because now I'm reading an average of 4 books a week so I've got lots to write about!
The Immortals Quartet by Tamora Pierce - I know I mentioned in a previous blog that if you enjoyed the Alanna and Trickster books, you should just go ahead and read all of Pierce's books and I was going to leave it at that, but I feel the need to post this. The story opens up when 13-y/o Veraldaine Sarrasri, Daine for short, runs away from home and is given a position working for the horsemistress of the Queen's Riders (combat group formed by Queen Thayet of Tortall). What most everyone, including Daine herself, mistake as a keen affinity with animals is really wild magic, a rare brand of magic. Daine has it quantities that have never before been seen, allowing her to communicate and understand animals, and later, shapeshift at will into any creature she desires. Daine's abilities make her invaluable to her monarchs and kingdom, and with her mage teacher, Numair Salmalin, she embarks on many adventures that will help change the course of events for her kingdom, bring her face to face with Immortals from the Divine Realms and also help reveal the strange origins of her birth. This is a great coming of age story filled with adventure, humor, friendship, and blossoming self-awareness that will really keep you turning the page well into the night. I'd have to say, after the Song of the Lioness Quartet, the Immortals was totally my favorite and I really loved the characters of these particular stories. Be warned, if you get the first make sure the second is within reach because you'll want it immediately!
***** 5 stars
Quartet Includes:
1. Wild Magic
2. Wolf-Speaker
3. Emperor Mage
4. The Realm of the Gods
The Immortals Quartet by Tamora Pierce - I know I mentioned in a previous blog that if you enjoyed the Alanna and Trickster books, you should just go ahead and read all of Pierce's books and I was going to leave it at that, but I feel the need to post this. The story opens up when 13-y/o Veraldaine Sarrasri, Daine for short, runs away from home and is given a position working for the horsemistress of the Queen's Riders (combat group formed by Queen Thayet of Tortall). What most everyone, including Daine herself, mistake as a keen affinity with animals is really wild magic, a rare brand of magic. Daine has it quantities that have never before been seen, allowing her to communicate and understand animals, and later, shapeshift at will into any creature she desires. Daine's abilities make her invaluable to her monarchs and kingdom, and with her mage teacher, Numair Salmalin, she embarks on many adventures that will help change the course of events for her kingdom, bring her face to face with Immortals from the Divine Realms and also help reveal the strange origins of her birth. This is a great coming of age story filled with adventure, humor, friendship, and blossoming self-awareness that will really keep you turning the page well into the night. I'd have to say, after the Song of the Lioness Quartet, the Immortals was totally my favorite and I really loved the characters of these particular stories. Be warned, if you get the first make sure the second is within reach because you'll want it immediately!
***** 5 stars
Quartet Includes:
1. Wild Magic
2. Wolf-Speaker
3. Emperor Mage
4. The Realm of the Gods
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
With the end of May, comes June and summer, so I've decided to review a book in a genre slightly different from what I'm used to writing about...
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffen - this is what I would categorize as 'chick lit.' On the eve of her 30th birthday Rachel is thrown a 'surprise' birthday party by her best friend - the stunning, Darcy. Her entire life, Rachel has been one upped by Darcy, who has everything - model looks, hot body, hot men, and the greatest, and undeserved, luck. After the party, in which Darcy proceeded to steal her spotlight, Rachel sleeps with Darcy's fiance. A total mistake, as they were both drunk and things got a little out of hand. What starts out as a one time event becomes something more and so begins a story of friendship, love, and the sacrifices and chances one is willing to make in order to reach real happiness. Perfect for a summer read, and as I've read it a couple of times, pretty entertaining. Every one of my friend's to whom I've lent this book loves it and relate to the main character and her struggles (hello, ladies, have we not all had our own Darcy? I think so...). It's also a super quick read so it's great for an afternoon at the park or lounging around on the beach.
**** 4 stars
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffen - this is what I would categorize as 'chick lit.' On the eve of her 30th birthday Rachel is thrown a 'surprise' birthday party by her best friend - the stunning, Darcy. Her entire life, Rachel has been one upped by Darcy, who has everything - model looks, hot body, hot men, and the greatest, and undeserved, luck. After the party, in which Darcy proceeded to steal her spotlight, Rachel sleeps with Darcy's fiance. A total mistake, as they were both drunk and things got a little out of hand. What starts out as a one time event becomes something more and so begins a story of friendship, love, and the sacrifices and chances one is willing to make in order to reach real happiness. Perfect for a summer read, and as I've read it a couple of times, pretty entertaining. Every one of my friend's to whom I've lent this book loves it and relate to the main character and her struggles (hello, ladies, have we not all had our own Darcy? I think so...). It's also a super quick read so it's great for an afternoon at the park or lounging around on the beach.
**** 4 stars
Monday, May 4, 2009
Ok, it's been awhile, but with graduation and trying to get my life in order, seems understandable. Since I blogged about Anne Bishop last time I felt compelled to read the other trilogy she's written. Now I'm reviewing it...
The Tir Alainn Trilogy by Anne Bishop - In the land of Sylvalan an evil has invaded its borders in the form of Adolfo, Master Inquisitor and Witch's Hammer. Having instigated a major witch hunt, innocent women are being slaughtered everywhere and as a result the world of the Fae, called Tir Alainn (the fair land), suffers. The main plot chronicles the story of a young and lonely witch names Ari, who finds herself the object of attentions from Lucian, the lightbringer and male leader of the fae, her handsome and shy neighbor Neal, and the inquisitors, who threaten Ari, her way of life, and witches all over. Over the course of three books, the story chronicles the efforts of a handful of fae, witches, and magical forces who unite to try to stop a dark, twisted evil and save their races from extinction. This is just a very brief, and not even thorough, summary - so much more actually happens than I can transcribe in just this review, but for all those who want to give it a shot I think you'll find the effort well worth it - although this is no where near as freaking awesome as the Black Jewels Trilogy. Enjoy!
**** 4 stars
Trilogy Includes:
1. Pillars of the World
2. Shadows and Light
3. House of Gaian
The Tir Alainn Trilogy by Anne Bishop - In the land of Sylvalan an evil has invaded its borders in the form of Adolfo, Master Inquisitor and Witch's Hammer. Having instigated a major witch hunt, innocent women are being slaughtered everywhere and as a result the world of the Fae, called Tir Alainn (the fair land), suffers. The main plot chronicles the story of a young and lonely witch names Ari, who finds herself the object of attentions from Lucian, the lightbringer and male leader of the fae, her handsome and shy neighbor Neal, and the inquisitors, who threaten Ari, her way of life, and witches all over. Over the course of three books, the story chronicles the efforts of a handful of fae, witches, and magical forces who unite to try to stop a dark, twisted evil and save their races from extinction. This is just a very brief, and not even thorough, summary - so much more actually happens than I can transcribe in just this review, but for all those who want to give it a shot I think you'll find the effort well worth it - although this is no where near as freaking awesome as the Black Jewels Trilogy. Enjoy!
**** 4 stars
Trilogy Includes:
1. Pillars of the World
2. Shadows and Light
3. House of Gaian
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