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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
Nalini Singh is a really promiscuous blurber, isn't she?
I have to admit, the first part was a bit of a slog, but overall, I enjoyed it. There were some things that made me go huh? -- like the dirigible; not everything needs to be steampunk -- but most of those bits of weirdness were in the first part. Once you get to the middle, it's a rollicking good time the rest of the way. The mythology and characters are engaging enough that I look forward to reading the next in the series.
I have to admit, the first part was a bit of a slog, but overall, I enjoyed it. There were some things that made me go huh? -- like the dirigible; not everything needs to be steampunk -- but most of those bits of weirdness were in the first part. Once you get to the middle, it's a rollicking good time the rest of the way. The mythology and characters are engaging enough that I look forward to reading the next in the series.
I was pleasantly surprised by this one. The cover* left me a bit nervous that it would be more YA than I was looking for, but Sorcha is in her 30s (late 30s, I even think), as is Raed. They were believable, capable adults. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that.
The world is an interesting one. There's a mild romantic subplot (or two) and there's some witty humor. I was a little less enamored with the plot than I was with everything surrounding it, but still a solid, enjoyable read.
Lastly, I'm alway iffy about author-narrators. But, with the exception of some annoying swallowing sounds, Ballantine did an excellent job with the narration.
*If I'm discussing the cover, I don't know that a lion fits the description of the beast(as I understood it) and every time I look at it, I'm a bit thrown off.
The world is an interesting one. There's a mild romantic subplot (or two) and there's some witty humor. I was a little less enamored with the plot than I was with everything surrounding it, but still a solid, enjoyable read.
Lastly, I'm alway iffy about author-narrators. But, with the exception of some annoying swallowing sounds, Ballantine did an excellent job with the narration.
*If I'm discussing the cover, I don't know that a lion fits the description of the beast(as I understood it) and every time I look at it, I'm a bit thrown off.
My god. The writing style. The info dumps. This was interesting conceptually. The plot wasn't bad either. But the way this story was told was abhorrent.
This book was good, but kind of slow, and sadly boring. There were a few parts that were intense, but I guess I expected more.
Giving this up for now. It's interesting, but there isn't a good balance between introducing the reader to the world and starting the plot right up, which makes things feel off-kilter from the first few pages. I kept thinking I'd picked up the second book in the series by accident and was missing so much that would have been explained before.
And all the cigar smoking felt so contrived. "Oooh, my female character is so awesome and breaks the mold she loves cigars, do you see what I did there?" I did. And it's lame.
And all the cigar smoking felt so contrived. "Oooh, my female character is so awesome and breaks the mold she loves cigars, do you see what I did there?" I did. And it's lame.
This one surprised me. Besides the firehaired magically powerful woman trope, this was an excellent romp. Very solid mythos/magic system, good characters, good pacing, good world. Quite enjoyable. I'm hoping to learn more about motives in the future books, which I will definitely be reading.
Deacon Sorcha Faris is teamed up with newly-made Deacon Merrick Chambers and sent north to Ulrich to help out the Priory there. On the way, they encounter Raed Rossim, the Young Pretender to the throne that Sorcha is sworn to protect. Together, the three discover that all is not well in Ulrich, and not in the way the Deacons expected. For the main trouble isn't just geists from the Otherside...
I enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was the first in a series, so I thought I'd give it a try. (I always like to try to start a series at the beginning.) From the opening scene, I'd have to say I was hooked. I'm not sure I've ever encountered a character like Sorcha Faris, a cigar-smoking, magic-wielding badass woman. Merrick, as a Deacon just out of his novitiate, is a perfect foil to her.
In the world of Geist, there are two types of Deacons: Actives, who are equipped with rune-enhanced Gauntlets and can tap into physical powers from the Otherside; and Sensitives, who carry the Strop and use it to work a more subtle magic. An Active is always paired with a Sensitive: Sensitives can see the geists, the creatures from the Otherside (basically evil spirits), which the Actives cannot, so in order to battle them, the Sensitive needs to guide his/her Active through the Bond that they forge between them.
The one thing that I could have done without, though, is the romantic subplot between Sorcha and Raed. It's telegraphed pretty much from their first meeting, so I could see it coming, but I kept hoping that it would develop in a different, less predictable way. But hey, if romantic subplots (and sex) are your jam, then have at: YMMV, I always say.
I'll definitely look for the next in the series.
I enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was the first in a series, so I thought I'd give it a try. (I always like to try to start a series at the beginning.) From the opening scene, I'd have to say I was hooked. I'm not sure I've ever encountered a character like Sorcha Faris, a cigar-smoking, magic-wielding badass woman. Merrick, as a Deacon just out of his novitiate, is a perfect foil to her.
In the world of Geist, there are two types of Deacons: Actives, who are equipped with rune-enhanced Gauntlets and can tap into physical powers from the Otherside; and Sensitives, who carry the Strop and use it to work a more subtle magic. An Active is always paired with a Sensitive: Sensitives can see the geists, the creatures from the Otherside (basically evil spirits), which the Actives cannot, so in order to battle them, the Sensitive needs to guide his/her Active through the Bond that they forge between them.
The one thing that I could have done without, though, is the romantic subplot between Sorcha and Raed. It's telegraphed pretty much from their first meeting, so I could see it coming, but I kept hoping that it would develop in a different, less predictable way. But hey, if romantic subplots (and sex) are your jam, then have at: YMMV, I always say.
I'll definitely look for the next in the series.
This was a good read and I really did enjoy it. By about the middle mark of the book Sorcha Faris the main character was really annoying me and I was beginning to not like her. She was too bossy, too much of bitch and really not likeable. The character arc did move but I just felt that it was more by events than Faris actually having to make a choice about what she believes. What I mean by that events happening around her forced into making choices out of necessity not because she finds herself questioning all she knows and has been taught.
The world is original but does not overwhelm the book, the story starts off at cracking pace and gets you right into it but I just felt not fully pulled in and I dont know why.
I liked how Ballantine was willing to not make things tidy at the end and take some risks with the characters.
I have read one other book by Ballantine and listened to a couple of other podcasts she has been involved in. I really do believe that with her original ideas she is on her way to become a long term force in fantasy writing.
The world is original but does not overwhelm the book, the story starts off at cracking pace and gets you right into it but I just felt not fully pulled in and I dont know why.
I liked how Ballantine was willing to not make things tidy at the end and take some risks with the characters.
I have read one other book by Ballantine and listened to a couple of other podcasts she has been involved in. I really do believe that with her original ideas she is on her way to become a long term force in fantasy writing.
3.5
I was drawn to this series by the beautiful covers that adorn each book. I wasn't disappointed, but Geist could've been so much more.
The story and world are very intriguing, I didn't find much fault there. If the story had a weakness it was that the book may have been too late in where it started you off. I felt a bit lost trying to keep up with the characters and the breadcrumbs of plot that were scattered about. For me, the issue was in the writing itself. It was mostly solid, but the narration got a bit tangled and certain details were brought up again and again. (ie. Sorcha's bronze hair.) Also maybe its a matter of taste, but I found the labels the characters were given or even when characters were referred to as "the woman" well beyond their initial introduction was just plain weird.
Anyway, I really did enjoy the story and will continue with the series. I do hope that they will be tighter in construction, though.
I was drawn to this series by the beautiful covers that adorn each book. I wasn't disappointed, but Geist could've been so much more.
The story and world are very intriguing, I didn't find much fault there. If the story had a weakness it was that the book may have been too late in where it started you off. I felt a bit lost trying to keep up with the characters and the breadcrumbs of plot that were scattered about. For me, the issue was in the writing itself. It was mostly solid, but the narration got a bit tangled and certain details were brought up again and again. (ie. Sorcha's bronze hair.) Also maybe its a matter of taste, but I found the labels the characters were given or even when characters were referred to as "the woman" well beyond their initial introduction was just plain weird.
Anyway, I really did enjoy the story and will continue with the series. I do hope that they will be tighter in construction, though.