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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Too many similar names to keep characters in order when reading on a kindle.
Narrator also has far too many interjections to the present (when presumably writing her memoirs) stating that she didn't know then; things are going to get worse...
Narrator also has far too many interjections to the present (when presumably writing her memoirs) stating that she didn't know then; things are going to get worse...
Four stars plus one for nostalgia. I know some people complain that the language is overwrought, but I still think it suits the book. Plus, I love that Jacqueline Carey created a sex-positive alternate universe.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read this many years ago and decided to give the series a try again. Alas, this particular series does not appeal to me at all.
I'm putting horny angels on indefinitely hold about 300 pages in. I like it, but not invested enough to continue for another 600 pages.
I read this one for the second time, much more slowly, and loved it even more. The first time I read it, I rushed through it. It is a fantastic story. And long!
I would say it is actually three books in one. The first book is about Phedre in the City, learning her trade, introducing all the main players, and making her marque. The first ends with the death of her mentor Delauney. The second is about her capture as a Skaldi slave and subsequent escape back to Terre de Ange. It ends with her arrival back at the City and audience with Ysandre. The third takes her across the Strait to Alba, regaining Drustan's throne, and then the invasion of the Skaldi into Terre de Ange.
Carey has a glorious cast of characters that all seem very human and relatable. Even the antagonists are very human and you can feel empathy for them. Phedre is very forgiving and you understand about loving and hating at the same time, with more than just words.
As with the first time I read this book, I need a break before going on to the second. It's overwhelmingly good. I know I'll want to read book 2 straight through and I don't really have 12 consecutive hours to give right now. But hopefully now I've written this, I'll remember enough of the plot to enjoy the second book.
I would say it is actually three books in one. The first book is about Phedre in the City, learning her trade, introducing all the main players, and making her marque. The first ends with the death of her mentor Delauney. The second is about her capture as a Skaldi slave and subsequent escape back to Terre de Ange. It ends with her arrival back at the City and audience with Ysandre. The third takes her across the Strait to Alba, regaining Drustan's throne, and then the invasion of the Skaldi into Terre de Ange.
Carey has a glorious cast of characters that all seem very human and relatable. Even the antagonists are very human and you can feel empathy for them. Phedre is very forgiving and you understand about loving and hating at the same time, with more than just words.
As with the first time I read this book, I need a break before going on to the second. It's overwhelmingly good. I know I'll want to read book 2 straight through and I don't really have 12 consecutive hours to give right now. But hopefully now I've written this, I'll remember enough of the plot to enjoy the second book.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, War
Oh my gosh this took me like 3 months to finish. And I really actually liked it! I just kept putting it down and having trouble picking it back up.
I had a lot of trouble with the pacing. The action sequences were exciting but the long paragraphs on political intrigue involving people whose names I just could NOT keep straight..... I just struggled and muddled through. Woof.
In this book's defense, I tried to make it my gym book. Sorry, book. That made me actively not read you for a while. And then I read other books instead. It's actually very well plotted and interesting! I just took forever to read it and probably will read a synopsis of the following books instead of actually reading them.
I had a lot of trouble with the pacing. The action sequences were exciting but the long paragraphs on political intrigue involving people whose names I just could NOT keep straight..... I just struggled and muddled through. Woof.
In this book's defense, I tried to make it my gym book. Sorry, book. That made me actively not read you for a while. And then I read other books instead. It's actually very well plotted and interesting! I just took forever to read it and probably will read a synopsis of the following books instead of actually reading them.
This has got to be one of my all-time favorite books (well... three books). I'm utterly in love with the way Carey writes. I know this can be an area of major issues for people but honestly, it's absolutely worth working your way through to learn about the places and characters and suddenly you will find yourself completely immersed in a splendid world with charming characters that you love to love and love to hate.
There's really very little that I could say about this that would do the story of Phedre any justice. Absolutely beautifully written, with stunning characters, and a magnificent world that is our own... yet not. Not to mention one of the rare books in which there's a strong female character... and while Joscelin may be her protector she proves on many occasions to be deft enough on her own.
So.... just read it... you'll love it.
There's really very little that I could say about this that would do the story of Phedre any justice. Absolutely beautifully written, with stunning characters, and a magnificent world that is our own... yet not. Not to mention one of the rare books in which there's a strong female character... and while Joscelin may be her protector she proves on many occasions to be deft enough on her own.
So.... just read it... you'll love it.