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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
I've read this series completely out of order and, now that I've swapped most of it away, I finally read the first book... and want to read them all again. (that sound you hear is me banging my head against the wall)
It's fun, mostly light-hearted and even though there isn't a whole lot of action, I found myself tensing or laughing because of what's going on in the story. Having read the others in the series, I found myself getting really upset by how resentful and mean Lee was to Taro at first. The story is told from Lee's point of view, so it's hard to get a full picture of Taro, but he's revealed more fully in later books and he's just a sweetheart. The world building is subtle but thorough; I actually recalled nuances of behavior from the later books that only really make sense now that I've read this one.
The romantic subtext is very subtext-y in this book. As another reviewer mentioned, Lee and Taro are not exchanging longing glances and forbidden smooches. Mostly they're trying to figure out how to deal with each other now that their lives and futures have been tied together by the unnamed Powers That Be while also trying to figure out what's responsible for the changing weather patterns that are threatening the land.
I don't think this would appeal to everyone, but if you like your fantasy light and YA appropriate, this might be your thing. (It also reminds me a bit of a less violent version of Simon R. Green's Hawk & Fisher series.)
It's fun, mostly light-hearted and even though there isn't a whole lot of action, I found myself tensing or laughing because of what's going on in the story. Having read the others in the series, I found myself getting really upset by how resentful and mean Lee was to Taro at first. The story is told from Lee's point of view, so it's hard to get a full picture of Taro, but he's revealed more fully in later books and he's just a sweetheart. The world building is subtle but thorough; I actually recalled nuances of behavior from the later books that only really make sense now that I've read this one.
The romantic subtext is very subtext-y in this book. As another reviewer mentioned, Lee and Taro are not exchanging longing glances and forbidden smooches. Mostly they're trying to figure out how to deal with each other now that their lives and futures have been tied together by the unnamed Powers That Be while also trying to figure out what's responsible for the changing weather patterns that are threatening the land.
I don't think this would appeal to everyone, but if you like your fantasy light and YA appropriate, this might be your thing. (It also reminds me a bit of a less violent version of Simon R. Green's Hawk & Fisher series.)
3.5. I loved Lee! She was so refreshingly practical! Looking forward to the next book!
Summary: Lee is a Shield which means that she guards the mind of a Source while the Source diverts natural disasters with his mind. A Shield and a Source are bonded by fate for life and at Lee's bonding ceremony, she gets bonded to Karish, a Shield with a reputation for brilliant talent and for sleeping around when all Lee wanted was someone stable and practical.
Summary: Lee is a Shield which means that she guards the mind of a Source while the Source diverts natural disasters with his mind. A Shield and a Source are bonded by fate for life and at Lee's bonding ceremony, she gets bonded to Karish, a Shield with a reputation for brilliant talent and for sleeping around when all Lee wanted was someone stable and practical.
it would've gotten 2 stars, but my reader broke halfway through it.
Still it just didn't work for me, i thought something entirely different from the cover and the synopsis.
You know how they always say, Show don't Tell, well this book was all Tell!
also very annoying main character...
Still it just didn't work for me, i thought something entirely different from the cover and the synopsis.
You know how they always say, Show don't Tell, well this book was all Tell!
also very annoying main character...
I accidentally started this book before going to bed and now it's 3:00 am, so there you have it. The plot is really interesting: in a world beset by natural disasters, two people; a Source and a Shield can prevent the catastrophes before they happen, which makes them invaluable. Shield Dunleavy wants to work with any other Source besides the flashy Karish but of course, they are bonded for life. In only the first few months of their job, they are beset with unnatural disasters and have to figure out the source before it destroys the biggest city in the country.
Dunleavy is deliciously snarky. The whole book is told from her perspective, which bums me out slightly because I would love to get inside Karish's head. Regardless, the background and world-building is solid and the characters are flawed and fantastic. Any time the villains remind you of terrifying leaders from our history complete with propaganda and mind-washing rhetoric is a very good villain. I wonder if the govt./company is being set up as a dystopia, but on the whole a very entertaining fantasy with interesting characters and premise. I would definitely be interested in seeing this on the big screen.
Dunleavy is deliciously snarky. The whole book is told from her perspective, which bums me out slightly because I would love to get inside Karish's head. Regardless, the background and world-building is solid and the characters are flawed and fantastic. Any time the villains remind you of terrifying leaders from our history complete with propaganda and mind-washing rhetoric is a very good villain. I wonder if the govt./company is being set up as a dystopia, but on the whole a very entertaining fantasy with interesting characters and premise. I would definitely be interested in seeing this on the big screen.
Not quite what I was expecting, but enjoyable nonetheless.
I will skip over the details, but in the world the story is set in there are natural disasters occurring frequently and people who can neutralize them, the Sources, and people who protect the Sources from dying while doing so, the Shields. The Sources and Shields make unbreakable, lifelong term bonds with one another, forming the bonded Pairs. Neither the Source nor the Shield have a say in who they bond with and that is the case with our two main leads.
Dunleavy Mallorough, aka Lee, is a Shield who wants a quiet life with a responsible and practical Source, but instead she bonds with the infamous Lord Shintaro Karish, aka Taro, who is the opposite of what she wanted. He has a reputation and everyone adores him, making him the focus of attention. Lee is disappointed with their bond and doesn't even give him a chance, judging him by his reputation alone, and resigning herself to doing her job and tolerating him as best as she can.
For a big part of the book I found Lee and her stubborn, judgmental way very annoying. She is conditioned to think and act in a certain way, and it shows that she was an excellent student, but she really isn't being fair to Taro, who has given her no reason to behave the way she is.
The story dragged a bit, but picked up towards the end. Lee and Taro go through various ordeals and have reached a tentative truce by the end of the book.
I'm looking forward to the next one, curious to see both of them evolve and the chances in the relationship as they get to know one another better.
I will skip over the details, but in the world the story is set in there are natural disasters occurring frequently and people who can neutralize them, the Sources, and people who protect the Sources from dying while doing so, the Shields. The Sources and Shields make unbreakable, lifelong term bonds with one another, forming the bonded Pairs. Neither the Source nor the Shield have a say in who they bond with and that is the case with our two main leads.
Dunleavy Mallorough, aka Lee, is a Shield who wants a quiet life with a responsible and practical Source, but instead she bonds with the infamous Lord Shintaro Karish, aka Taro, who is the opposite of what she wanted. He has a reputation and everyone adores him, making him the focus of attention. Lee is disappointed with their bond and doesn't even give him a chance, judging him by his reputation alone, and resigning herself to doing her job and tolerating him as best as she can.
For a big part of the book I found Lee and her stubborn, judgmental way very annoying. She is conditioned to think and act in a certain way, and it shows that she was an excellent student, but she really isn't being fair to Taro, who has given her no reason to behave the way she is.
The story dragged a bit, but picked up towards the end. Lee and Taro go through various ordeals and have reached a tentative truce by the end of the book.
I'm looking forward to the next one, curious to see both of them evolve and the chances in the relationship as they get to know one another better.
pretty great. I look forward to watching the growth of their relationship through the next 4 books
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was surprised by how much I liked this book. I think the Source and Shield is a unique concept and I liked the world and the characters very much. I can't believe the ridiculous cover for this book, however. I'm sure it's prevented readers from giving the book a try, which is a shame. The story is not at all silly or sophomoric, as the cover would have you believe.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Although fairly well written and with hits of an interesting world-building this book never really took off. The MC is very restrained and a bit vague which makes the book a bit tepid.