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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
What I liked: the new twist on fantasy that is divulging away from the usual Tolkien-ish setting. The magic system was easy to understand and with obvious repruccusions if you use too much or lose control. I especially liked the idea of the runes and needing the objects- namely the gauntlets, strop, or weirstone- to use it properly. And I am looking forward to finding out more about Merrick's new, strange gift. The tension between Raed and Sorcha was easy to understand and agree with from their very first encounter, and even deepen the more time they spent together. While I had an instant distrust of Nynnia I am quite glad to find out she wasn't what she feared her to be. And it showed a- more compassionate side to the Otherside than what the Order would make you believe it would be. All fire, evil, and brimstone. And the way it ended- without Sorcha or Merrick being the big heros of the day.
What I didn't like: it was a slow beginning. It wasn't until Raed and Sorcha met during the sea monster attack, and I do mean a sea monster, that I really started to get into it- and that was almost a hundred pages of small text in. Merrick's dislike and distrust of Sorcha, while understandable from a child's point of view, did not make sense for a man fully grown. The whole Koyla, and being married, seemed to be a small plotline that did nothing to develop the tension or further the plotline. Of course I cannot help but be suspicious of him and what actions he might be involved in but he had basically disappeared from chapter two onward. It seemed pointless to me. Unless, of course, he had his own plotline in the next books.
4.25/5 stars
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What I didn't like: it was a slow beginning. It wasn't until Raed and Sorcha met during the sea monster attack, and I do mean a sea monster, that I really started to get into it- and that was almost a hundred pages of small text in. Merrick's dislike and distrust of Sorcha, while understandable from a child's point of view, did not make sense for a man fully grown. The whole Koyla, and being married, seemed to be a small plotline that did nothing to develop the tension or further the plotline. Of course I cannot help but be suspicious of him and what actions he might be involved in but he had basically disappeared from chapter two onward. It seemed pointless to me. Unless, of course, he had his own plotline in the next books.
4.25/5 stars
Check out jesireads.tumblr.com for more reviews and what I am reading next.
I _really_ wanted to like this series. The magic system is interesting and the main character was a strong female (still a rarity in this day and age) but unfortunately, she turned to goo and bodice-ripping when the dashing pirate captain appears on the scene. Although married, she immediately falls into bed with him and loses all semblance of strength and independence when he is around or in danger.
It was quite a shame as the series held such promise before bare chested pirates entered the story line.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of non-romantic fantasy to keep me occupied without having to plod through this rest of this torrid romance.
It was quite a shame as the series held such promise before bare chested pirates entered the story line.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of non-romantic fantasy to keep me occupied without having to plod through this rest of this torrid romance.
The premise was interesting and the characters were engaging, and I'll probably read more of the series based solely on that.
This book, however, suffered from editing and a serious case of Mary Sue-itis. It would have been fairer to name the Deacons "Marys" and have done with it. What's that? Something terrible and previously unheard of has happened? Engage never before discussed Deacon power to easily defeat it!
There were also numerous places where plot details contradicted themselves. Bad job, editor.
This book, however, suffered from editing and a serious case of Mary Sue-itis. It would have been fairer to name the Deacons "Marys" and have done with it. What's that? Something terrible and previously unheard of has happened? Engage never before discussed Deacon power to easily defeat it!
There were also numerous places where plot details contradicted themselves. Bad job, editor.
Honesty Hour – I recommended this book to three friends and bought the next two in the series before I’d gotten to the one-hundred-page mark. I fell head over heels in love with this book and I am not ashamed to admit it. Because of that, I’m keeping this review pretty vague. For once, I actually do have problems with spoilers.
The lack of entanglements between Sorcha and Merrick is lovely. It’s nice to have a friendship between two characters who are such strong foundations for the book.
There was an odd moment where I had no clue why the book was continuing on. It felt very much like we’d hit the climax, and then, just like a good roller coaster, you turn the corner and there’s one last crazy drop.
The only issue I had with the novel was that the ending did get a little muddled, almost as if there was too much going on for the space on the page. But I don’t think the story overall suffered for that.
And I’m so pleased that the book didn’t end with a happily ever after. Because there is no way that I would have believed the four characters could get exactly what they wanted.
The lack of entanglements between Sorcha and Merrick is lovely. It’s nice to have a friendship between two characters who are such strong foundations for the book.
There was an odd moment where I had no clue why the book was continuing on. It felt very much like we’d hit the climax, and then, just like a good roller coaster, you turn the corner and there’s one last crazy drop.
The only issue I had with the novel was that the ending did get a little muddled, almost as if there was too much going on for the space on the page. But I don’t think the story overall suffered for that.
And I’m so pleased that the book didn’t end with a happily ever after. Because there is no way that I would have believed the four characters could get exactly what they wanted.
DNF at 23% into the book
I can't do it. I gave this book a fair shot, but I just cant read it. There's too much I don't understand about this world that is not explained, or only half explained. So much so that I feel as if I'm reading the second book in a series. I had to stop three times to check if this was a spin off series or if I had the wrong book. That coupled with the constant perspective changes makes it so hard for the reader to gain their footing.
I feel so lost in this world, and the author just throws you into it, leaving me feeling as though I've entered the scene at the wrong time, like walking into a movie that's half way over already. So many questions that I kept telling myself would be answered, or explained in SOME way and being 23% into the book I feel as though I should know much much more than I do about this world, and the powers, and the geists themselves.
Over all I wanted SO BADLY to like this book, but it was SUCH a frustrating read.
I can't do it. I gave this book a fair shot, but I just cant read it. There's too much I don't understand about this world that is not explained, or only half explained. So much so that I feel as if I'm reading the second book in a series. I had to stop three times to check if this was a spin off series or if I had the wrong book. That coupled with the constant perspective changes makes it so hard for the reader to gain their footing.
I feel so lost in this world, and the author just throws you into it, leaving me feeling as though I've entered the scene at the wrong time, like walking into a movie that's half way over already. So many questions that I kept telling myself would be answered, or explained in SOME way and being 23% into the book I feel as though I should know much much more than I do about this world, and the powers, and the geists themselves.
Over all I wanted SO BADLY to like this book, but it was SUCH a frustrating read.
I loved Sorcha and Merrick and even the Pretender but I loathed Nynnia. Plot wise I wasn't entirely sure what was going on and the world building is a little thin. Plus the author uses titles such as "the Pretender" and "the Deacon" a lot. Though the writing was pretty good all in all. Not sure if I'd read the next one.
There is SO MUCH going on here. Too much, I'm afraid. While the pace helped keep the narration clear of the very much dreaded "traveling time", the complexity of the world created politically, geographically, and othersidelly(?!), would have benefited from a few more detail in the narrative.
The characters are likeable and very competent, a novelty that I appreciated, and I guess it didn't really bother me until the Vermillion plot develops. Everything happened so fast that it was confusing. Nynnia is a being from the Otherside now she is going to protect its foci now she loses her immortallity. Total space of writting: a page and a half. It was way too hectic and it looked messy, so much that it took a star off the rating. It bothers me too that we are left wondering who she is, and I feel that with such speedy development she will be forgotten on the following books.
For now I'm going to leave the series in a "pick this up again if you ever own an e-reader" shelf. But it struck me as a lovely summer read, very enjoyable overall.
The characters are likeable and very competent, a novelty that I appreciated, and I guess it didn't really bother me until the Vermillion plot develops. Everything happened so fast that it was confusing.
For now I'm going to leave the series in a "pick this up again if you ever own an e-reader" shelf. But it struck me as a lovely summer read, very enjoyable overall.
Many years ago the Empire had a breakout from the Otherside of geists. These Geists would take possession of people and cause chaos. The Order cleaned up the mess and now they are charged with keeping the supernatural at bay. Each Deacon team is made up of a Sensitive, a person who can sense / see geists, and an Active, a person who discharges the geists.
Sorcha Faris is a very powerful Active. After her current Sensitive partner is injured in a geist attack, she is paired with novice Sensitive Merrick Chambers and sent to help the small town of Ulrich with an influx of geist activity. Encountering trouble on the way, Sorcha and Merrik are rescued by rebel and Pretender to the Throne Raed Rossin. Raed is also on his way to Ulrich. It’s a small enough town that he and his crew should find no problems. However, Raed is living with a family curse where any contact with geists causes him to change into a deadly beast. Needless to say, Raed is now weary of his destination.
Sorcha and Merrick offer protection to Raed from the geists therefore keeping his other half calm, but upon landing at Ulrich the Deacons and Pretender discover nothing is as it seems, and no telling how far the corruption is within the Order itself.
This book is set up from the beginning with the reader knowing that these three character’s lives are going to intersect. Until that point comes, the book is a little slow going. After that point, the pace picks up and goes by quickly. Philippa Ballantine doesn’t fill the book overly much with long descriptions. She very right to the point about all the scenes, and it doesn’t take long for our characters, once arriving in Ulrich, to determine that something is terribly wrong.
Sorcha is a very strong female character. I like her for that. There is no question that she can take care of herself and others if the need arises. Where she lacks a little is that she is too overly-confident of herself and her powers, and doesn’t think a novice has enough experience to offer input. She’s older than Merrick by about ten years. She’s been an Active in the Order going on eighteen years so she’s seen her battles and she’s won a lot of fights. Plus, she is literally the strongest Active in the Order, no doubt about it. I guess that’s a pretty good explanation as to why she’s got that confidence. But this situation turns everything upside down as far as her beliefs go. She’s not used to conceding the fact that maybe she needs to play a secondary role for a while and listen to someone else’s plan.
On Merrick’s side of things, he knows Sorcha from an event in his past, but doesn’t know if she remembers. He’s intimidated by her because her reputation is well known. Automatically he seems to go on alert with her and tries to prove himself a little too much without considering her experience first. It’s not a stretch to say that he’s a compassionate character seeing as how he’s a Sensitive. He is also very strong in his power, and it’s great when these two finally realize their strength when they work as a team. It’s something I look forward to seeing grow and change with the rest of the books in the series.
Of course I can’t leave out Raed, who completes are little trio. He’s a man that has lived with his curse his entire life as it’s passed down to each heir. He’s waiting for his chance to take his rightful place at the throne. Until then, he lives on his boat and off the goodwill of those who support his claim. From first meeting, there’s definite chemistry between Sorcha and Raed. I really liked scenes with them together. However, I almost wish Philippa Ballantine had maybe made them dance around their attraction to one another a little bit longer. Both being strong-willed, it was funny to see them trying to get the upper hand with the other.
The book has a definite ending, but things with the Order are far from solved. Plenty of groundwork is laid to figure out what schemes are going on within the order. I can already tell this series is going to put our characters through a lot. Good thing, at four books, the series is complete. No waiting.
Sorcha Faris is a very powerful Active. After her current Sensitive partner is injured in a geist attack, she is paired with novice Sensitive Merrick Chambers and sent to help the small town of Ulrich with an influx of geist activity. Encountering trouble on the way, Sorcha and Merrik are rescued by rebel and Pretender to the Throne Raed Rossin. Raed is also on his way to Ulrich. It’s a small enough town that he and his crew should find no problems. However, Raed is living with a family curse where any contact with geists causes him to change into a deadly beast. Needless to say, Raed is now weary of his destination.
Sorcha and Merrick offer protection to Raed from the geists therefore keeping his other half calm, but upon landing at Ulrich the Deacons and Pretender discover nothing is as it seems, and no telling how far the corruption is within the Order itself.
This book is set up from the beginning with the reader knowing that these three character’s lives are going to intersect. Until that point comes, the book is a little slow going. After that point, the pace picks up and goes by quickly. Philippa Ballantine doesn’t fill the book overly much with long descriptions. She very right to the point about all the scenes, and it doesn’t take long for our characters, once arriving in Ulrich, to determine that something is terribly wrong.
Sorcha is a very strong female character. I like her for that. There is no question that she can take care of herself and others if the need arises. Where she lacks a little is that she is too overly-confident of herself and her powers, and doesn’t think a novice has enough experience to offer input. She’s older than Merrick by about ten years. She’s been an Active in the Order going on eighteen years so she’s seen her battles and she’s won a lot of fights. Plus, she is literally the strongest Active in the Order, no doubt about it. I guess that’s a pretty good explanation as to why she’s got that confidence. But this situation turns everything upside down as far as her beliefs go. She’s not used to conceding the fact that maybe she needs to play a secondary role for a while and listen to someone else’s plan.
On Merrick’s side of things, he knows Sorcha from an event in his past, but doesn’t know if she remembers. He’s intimidated by her because her reputation is well known. Automatically he seems to go on alert with her and tries to prove himself a little too much without considering her experience first. It’s not a stretch to say that he’s a compassionate character seeing as how he’s a Sensitive. He is also very strong in his power, and it’s great when these two finally realize their strength when they work as a team. It’s something I look forward to seeing grow and change with the rest of the books in the series.
Of course I can’t leave out Raed, who completes are little trio. He’s a man that has lived with his curse his entire life as it’s passed down to each heir. He’s waiting for his chance to take his rightful place at the throne. Until then, he lives on his boat and off the goodwill of those who support his claim. From first meeting, there’s definite chemistry between Sorcha and Raed. I really liked scenes with them together. However, I almost wish Philippa Ballantine had maybe made them dance around their attraction to one another a little bit longer. Both being strong-willed, it was funny to see them trying to get the upper hand with the other.
The book has a definite ending, but things with the Order are far from solved. Plenty of groundwork is laid to figure out what schemes are going on within the order. I can already tell this series is going to put our characters through a lot. Good thing, at four books, the series is complete. No waiting.
Probably more like two and a half stars if I'm being honest. The premise was good, the world building was solid, and the magic system promising. My main issue was with the characters, who needed to be padded out a little more in my opinion. As written however they never really came alive for me. A natural consequence of one dimensional characters is none of the relationships felt true either, whether romantic or platonic in nature. They all felt rushed and unearned which is a pity. I was most interested in seeing the growth in the work relationship between two of the three main characters but that relationship seemed to get the least amount of attention. I may or may not give the second book a chance to see if things improve.