Scan barcode
stephs_bookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so happy I read this book finally, these stories were so entertaining!
Flight made me very excited to finally read the Samaria books, but by itself it was a very good story and seemed really well-rounded for a new reader. I was confused at first while reading Blood, never having read the other book where the story takes place, but it pulled me in after awhile. I'll definitely be checking out some of her other books. In Gold I was very happy to be back in the world where Summers at Castle Auburn took place, I didn't like Zara at first but she grew on me. Flame was just as I expected it to be: awesome. The Twelve Houses series were the first books I read by Sharon Shinn and I've loved them ever since; Senneth being my favorite of the group. So of course I had to get this book to read about her adventures before Mystic and Rider begins, and I wasn't disappointed; I loved the extra info we got about her in this book, and I love that Kirra and Donnal make an appearance too! If I didn't have so many other books to read I would be re reading the Twelve Houses books right now.
Flight made me very excited to finally read the Samaria books, but by itself it was a very good story and seemed really well-rounded for a new reader. I was confused at first while reading Blood, never having read the other book where the story takes place, but it pulled me in after awhile. I'll definitely be checking out some of her other books. In Gold I was very happy to be back in the world where Summers at Castle Auburn took place, I didn't like Zara at first but she grew on me. Flame was just as I expected it to be: awesome. The Twelve Houses series were the first books I read by Sharon Shinn and I've loved them ever since; Senneth being my favorite of the group. So of course I had to get this book to read about her adventures before Mystic and Rider begins, and I wasn't disappointed; I loved the extra info we got about her in this book, and I love that Kirra and Donnal make an appearance too! If I didn't have so many other books to read I would be re reading the Twelve Houses books right now.
elizabethcaneday's review against another edition
I only read Gold from this collection, but I pledged to add every book I read in 2022 to GR, so here we are! It wasn't great and I would only recommend it to die-hard fans of Summers at Castle Auburn - 2 stars. But I'm not going to rate this entire collection (which I'm not going to read) so low just because of one mediocre story.
hollylynna's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of four novellas was an excellent way to spend some dreary winter evenings. While I am a fan of Shinn's Thirteen Kingdoms adn Castle Auburn, I was not familiar with the Archangel series. And out of the four stories, I don't even know which one I liked best becasue I loved all foru equally.
puzumaki's review
4.0
I read three of the four novellas in this collection (I hadn't read the primary source for one story), and I found these to be enjoyable extensions of the stories.
readingbutterfly's review
3.0
Uhmm...let's see. I picked this book up because I'm really into YA fantasy right now and was looking for something a little bit more grown up in this genre. I didn't really realize in was a book of novellas until I re-read the jacket after coming home from the library. With that being said; It was ok. I liked the 1st and 4th stories. I really tried to get into the 2nd story and could not, I got half way through and actually came to check the reviews on on goodreads.
I will say I liked the 4th story enough to consider reading Shinn's trilogy for the "firestarter" stories, but only time will tell.
Happy Reading,
Erika
I will say I liked the 4th story enough to consider reading Shinn's trilogy for the "firestarter" stories, but only time will tell.
Happy Reading,
Erika
rachelking's review
4.0
This book is four short stories that each take place in a different world of Shinn's creation. I am only familiar with two of those worlds, so I read the corresponding stories first, starting with Flight. This story was interesting as it gave me a peek into the corruption that was occurring at Windy Point with the Archangel Raphael, and how the lesser people viewed the angels at this time. The ending was slightly disappointing, but I understand that Shinn could not cause any major drama regarding Raphael since this story is meant to be a prequel to Archangel (Samaria, Book 1).
The second story I read was Flame, which centered around Senneth, the mystic who wields fire, with appearances by several of the other characters that appear in the Twelve Houses series, starting with Mystic and Rider (The Twelve Houses, Book 1). I enjoyed this story because it gave me an idea of what Senneth did when she was a lone nomad, as well as how the people of Gillengaria reacted when a new mystic was discovering her abilities. I can't imagine being in such a situation and not reacting similarly. This story also shows how Senneth and Tayse first meet and her first thoughts at this meeting, which is intriguing enough that I hope she writes more in the Twelve Houses series.
The third story I read was Gold, based in the world from her book, Summers at Castle Auburn, which I have not read. This story centers around a princess living in the land of Alora for a time, which is strikingly similar to the concepts of the world of Fae, and how she fights to resist the allure. I enjoyed this story so much that I intend to read the book it is based on to get more of the tantalizing story between Orlain and Zara. This was my favorite short story of the book.
I read maybe two pages of the story Blood before I lost interest and shut the book. This story is based on her previous work Heart of Gold, which is a science fiction title. I have very little interest in this genre, and I did not feel compelled to read this particular story, which is not to say that the story was bad. It's just not my cup of tea.
The second story I read was Flame, which centered around Senneth, the mystic who wields fire, with appearances by several of the other characters that appear in the Twelve Houses series, starting with Mystic and Rider (The Twelve Houses, Book 1). I enjoyed this story because it gave me an idea of what Senneth did when she was a lone nomad, as well as how the people of Gillengaria reacted when a new mystic was discovering her abilities. I can't imagine being in such a situation and not reacting similarly. This story also shows how Senneth and Tayse first meet and her first thoughts at this meeting, which is intriguing enough that I hope she writes more in the Twelve Houses series.
The third story I read was Gold, based in the world from her book, Summers at Castle Auburn, which I have not read. This story centers around a princess living in the land of Alora for a time, which is strikingly similar to the concepts of the world of Fae, and how she fights to resist the allure. I enjoyed this story so much that I intend to read the book it is based on to get more of the tantalizing story between Orlain and Zara. This was my favorite short story of the book.
I read maybe two pages of the story Blood before I lost interest and shut the book. This story is based on her previous work Heart of Gold, which is a science fiction title. I have very little interest in this genre, and I did not feel compelled to read this particular story, which is not to say that the story was bad. It's just not my cup of tea.
merrinish's review
4.0
I really do love Sharon Shinn. I've been disappointed in her Thirteen Houses series, and I've been waiting for something from her that I can get excited about for a while now and this definitely fit the bill. Quatrain is four short stories set in four of her universes. Some of them were stronger than others, and I think the Thirteen Houses story works better if you've read it more recently than I have. But it was interesting finding out what you did in that story.
Anyway, aces all around. The Gulden/Indigo story was my fave, I think.
Anyway, aces all around. The Gulden/Indigo story was my fave, I think.
arrkon's review
Ahhhhh....Sharon Shinn. This was a fun book and I loved all the stories in it! I even loved the story about the Gulden, even though the original book was not my favorite. Each story introduced us to new characters in familiar worlds, except for the Twelve Kingdom's story. The story was the final story and it didn't seem to fit because a)it wasn't about new characters, and b)it wasn't a romance like the other three stories. Now don't get me wrong, it was a great story, it was just very different from the other three stories. All very typical Sharon Shinn stories, I love the optimism and triumph of love that I always find in her stories.
stelepami's review
4.0
Four stories in four different worlds [a:Sharon Shinn|28544|Sharon Shinn|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1218995575p2/28544.jpg] has created. I saved the Samaria story for last because it is my favorite.
sapphirestars's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! I loved that I got to see into other Shinn worlds that I hadn't read before (seriously considering reading the angel series now, always thought I wouldn't like it) and was very happy to have another Twelve Kingdoms story with Senneth to enjoy :D