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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
Sorcha is a Deacon with the Order, charged with protecting the people from the unliving. After a disaster that leaves her husband/partner injured, she is asked to bond with a new partner and travel to see what is up with a disturbance. Along the way Sorcha and her new partner, Merrick, run across Raed, who happens to join them. All is not what it seems, and the unliving have started to break all the usual rules. It is up to the three of them to get to the bottom of things before it is too late.
I want to start with Sorcha who is my favorite part of the story. Sorcha is a strong woman with a lot of power, who feels very real. We are told again, and again, that she is in a loveless marriage, and we never truly meet her husband. I hope there is more of this in the next one. The only let down to her character is that her husband and the failed relationship between them sometimes felt like an excuse for her actions. Despite how much the reader is reminded of her past, I enjoyed Sorcha. I look forward to seeing her grow.
Read, the pretender to the throne and cursed man, works well as a hero. He is close to being an anti-hero, but isn’t quite. He cares deeply for the land, and the growing relationship he has with the other characters is the most interesting.
There are still a lot of questions it left with Merrick. He is younger than the others and although seems like an innocent, is the most clear headed on occasion. The story did a good job of letting him grow.
The magic system and world are pretty cool. It did a good job of showing me both. I did lack fear for the world itself, instead it centers more on the central characters, as well as the relationships between them.
I think the story was a wonderful adventure. It was slap full of action that was well played. It left questions that I hope are answered in the next book. I did want more information, even as I read it. I look forward for more!
I want to start with Sorcha who is my favorite part of the story. Sorcha is a strong woman with a lot of power, who feels very real. We are told again, and again, that she is in a loveless marriage, and we never truly meet her husband. I hope there is more of this in the next one. The only let down to her character is that her husband and the failed relationship between them sometimes felt like an excuse for her actions. Despite how much the reader is reminded of her past, I enjoyed Sorcha. I look forward to seeing her grow.
Read, the pretender to the throne and cursed man, works well as a hero. He is close to being an anti-hero, but isn’t quite. He cares deeply for the land, and the growing relationship he has with the other characters is the most interesting.
There are still a lot of questions it left with Merrick. He is younger than the others and although seems like an innocent, is the most clear headed on occasion. The story did a good job of letting him grow.
The magic system and world are pretty cool. It did a good job of showing me both. I did lack fear for the world itself, instead it centers more on the central characters, as well as the relationships between them.
I think the story was a wonderful adventure. It was slap full of action that was well played. It left questions that I hope are answered in the next book. I did want more information, even as I read it. I look forward for more!
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
(4.25 stars)
An interesting plot with fun characters. Not incredibly original, but I didn't mind. Looking forward to the next book. Happy reading!
An interesting plot with fun characters. Not incredibly original, but I didn't mind. Looking forward to the next book. Happy reading!
Philippa Ballantine introduces the reader to the Order of the Deacons, sworn to protect the Empire from the Dead and Hell.
The Order of the Deacons are the protectors of the Empire and guardians of the people to prevent them from being possessed or haunted by Geists. The Deacons are divided into two different types Actives and Sensitive, the Actives have the powers to fight the Geist and the Sensitives that give the Actives the ability to see the Geists. Without this partnership, the Order would fail Sorcha is the most powerful Active within the order, but her control over her power is questionable. Merrick is a young active who has been forced into a partnership with Sorcha, which is one neither is too keen on. Sorcha seems to have a problem keeping her Sensitive partners in one piece. They have been dispatched to an isolated city where, there have been strange Geist happenings, ones that defy all the rules of the Order. And over the ocean seas appears Raed, the Pretender to the throne, the true ruler of the Empire, but the inability to take control because of the Geist living inside him. Their three lives are intertwined whether they want it or not and becomes apparent that someone does not want Sorcha, Merrick or Raed to reach their destination or destiny alive.
This book is a pretty good start to a new series. I would classify this as part of the fantasy genre, not the paranormal one, as the powers that the Deacons have and the description of the Geists makes me think more fantasy that paranormal. However, I do think that it will appeal to people who like both of these genres, as the aspects from each genre have been somewhat interconnected into the storyline, it just has a more fantasy feel.
Ballanitine has created a rich world, that is part historic part fantasy. She has expertly weaved these two different aspects into one, that would have the reader believing that this world actually did exist. She is fairly descriptive ion places, especially around the Feel of places, a sense that is often missed by writers, but one that is key to the Deacon's world.
I enjoyed the interaction between Sorcha and Merrick, as they do have some funny interactions, which are enhanced by the bond that they share. Sorcha is a strong female protagonist, who has that kick-ass attitude that is common within the paranormal genre, however, because of the bond that she shares with Merrick the reader is able to get more emotions from Sorcha as well as more depth to her personality. Raed and the ancient Geist (called the Rossin) living inside of him, just waiting to take control, is an interesting aspect within the book. I enjoyed the interaction between Raed and the Rossin, it is something similar to Faith Hunter's Beast in her skinwalker series, however, the Rossin is much much darker, and is more concerned with death and destruction.
I am not 100 percent sure what it is about this book that only made it only okay to me. I think at times I got a touch lost in what a Geist was and how they were created and destroyed. I think that there was lack of explanation about this in the beginning of the book, which lead me to be confused for the first bit. Just so everyone knows, I equated the Geist as an evil spirit that was able to possess or haunt people, but if they were powerful enough they were able to take their own form to attack people (hopefully this understanding will possible help you enjoy the book more). There were also a few slow parts but there were battles and fights, but they just seemed to be Wham Bam, done. I think this is the part where the story and writing lacked was within the fighting scenes, which are very key to this story (and to me when I am reading a book). They seemed to be somewhat disjointed at times, and even slow and battles should never feel slow. However, I did like that the ending of the book was not quite as cookie cutter as you would expect.
I think this is a pretty good start to a new series, not the best I have read this year, but still interesting. I know that there is going to be a second book in the series, and I am interested to see what happens next, but it is not a priority like some of the other debuts. If you are looking for a paranormal book that is more on the fantasy side, then this book is for you. Also if you are looking for something different from what has become the norm in the paranormal genre you should take a look at this book as well. There is also a little bit of romance and I think there is just enough romance within the book that it would appeal to those who like paranormal romance (however, you have to be aware that the romance is secondary within the book).
Enjoy!!!
The Order of the Deacons are the protectors of the Empire and guardians of the people to prevent them from being possessed or haunted by Geists. The Deacons are divided into two different types Actives and Sensitive, the Actives have the powers to fight the Geist and the Sensitives that give the Actives the ability to see the Geists. Without this partnership, the Order would fail Sorcha is the most powerful Active within the order, but her control over her power is questionable. Merrick is a young active who has been forced into a partnership with Sorcha, which is one neither is too keen on. Sorcha seems to have a problem keeping her Sensitive partners in one piece. They have been dispatched to an isolated city where, there have been strange Geist happenings, ones that defy all the rules of the Order. And over the ocean seas appears Raed, the Pretender to the throne, the true ruler of the Empire, but the inability to take control because of the Geist living inside him. Their three lives are intertwined whether they want it or not and becomes apparent that someone does not want Sorcha, Merrick or Raed to reach their destination or destiny alive.
This book is a pretty good start to a new series. I would classify this as part of the fantasy genre, not the paranormal one, as the powers that the Deacons have and the description of the Geists makes me think more fantasy that paranormal. However, I do think that it will appeal to people who like both of these genres, as the aspects from each genre have been somewhat interconnected into the storyline, it just has a more fantasy feel.
Ballanitine has created a rich world, that is part historic part fantasy. She has expertly weaved these two different aspects into one, that would have the reader believing that this world actually did exist. She is fairly descriptive ion places, especially around the Feel of places, a sense that is often missed by writers, but one that is key to the Deacon's world.
I enjoyed the interaction between Sorcha and Merrick, as they do have some funny interactions, which are enhanced by the bond that they share. Sorcha is a strong female protagonist, who has that kick-ass attitude that is common within the paranormal genre, however, because of the bond that she shares with Merrick the reader is able to get more emotions from Sorcha as well as more depth to her personality. Raed and the ancient Geist (called the Rossin) living inside of him, just waiting to take control, is an interesting aspect within the book. I enjoyed the interaction between Raed and the Rossin, it is something similar to Faith Hunter's Beast in her skinwalker series, however, the Rossin is much much darker, and is more concerned with death and destruction.
I am not 100 percent sure what it is about this book that only made it only okay to me. I think at times I got a touch lost in what a Geist was and how they were created and destroyed. I think that there was lack of explanation about this in the beginning of the book, which lead me to be confused for the first bit. Just so everyone knows, I equated the Geist as an evil spirit that was able to possess or haunt people, but if they were powerful enough they were able to take their own form to attack people (hopefully this understanding will possible help you enjoy the book more). There were also a few slow parts but there were battles and fights, but they just seemed to be Wham Bam, done. I think this is the part where the story and writing lacked was within the fighting scenes, which are very key to this story (and to me when I am reading a book). They seemed to be somewhat disjointed at times, and even slow and battles should never feel slow. However, I did like that the ending of the book was not quite as cookie cutter as you would expect.
I think this is a pretty good start to a new series, not the best I have read this year, but still interesting. I know that there is going to be a second book in the series, and I am interested to see what happens next, but it is not a priority like some of the other debuts. If you are looking for a paranormal book that is more on the fantasy side, then this book is for you. Also if you are looking for something different from what has become the norm in the paranormal genre you should take a look at this book as well. There is also a little bit of romance and I think there is just enough romance within the book that it would appeal to those who like paranormal romance (however, you have to be aware that the romance is secondary within the book).
Enjoy!!!
I’m not sure why I didn’t love this book – there’s a fresh, original fantasy adventure. There’s a strong female protagonist and a wily sidekick, and even a seductive, mysterious adventurer. Somehow, though, I never got as far into it as I wanted to. I have a sneaking suspicion that it had to do with the cigars.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Somehow this struck my eye while at the library... so here we go.
At first I was not quite sure what to expect, but as I got into the story it was actually quite interesting. A little over halfway through the book there is a point where you think you might have reached the climax of the story, but... there is still book left to read and another climactic scene to come. Now I have to wait for the next book to come out.
At first I was not quite sure what to expect, but as I got into the story it was actually quite interesting. A little over halfway through the book there is a point where you think you might have reached the climax of the story, but... there is still book left to read and another climactic scene to come. Now I have to wait for the next book to come out.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It has a very original magic system, an interesting story and great characters.
A lot of fantasy authors tend to overdo world building. Sometimes it feels like they try to give the reader every little detail about the world. Others know only give information relevant to the story, but don't proportion it well. Ballantine gave only the necessary information and spread out over the whole story. No big chunks of word building information in one go.
The characters are very memorable and they all interested me a lot. At the start of the book, I was annoyed by one of the quirks of a main character, but ended up loving that quirk. It made the character very real.
I was a little disappointed with the climax. I had expected more of it; that it would be more difficult and that it'd lasted longer. The biggest dislike about this book is, however, the fact that the author keeps repeating colours. She mentions many times that Sorcha has red hair and almost as many times that Raed has hazel eyes.
I wanted to givethis book 4.5 out of 5 stars because of these little annoyances, but seeing that I cannot do that, I shall give it 5 starts because i enjoyed it so much.
A lot of fantasy authors tend to overdo world building. Sometimes it feels like they try to give the reader every little detail about the world. Others know only give information relevant to the story, but don't proportion it well. Ballantine gave only the necessary information and spread out over the whole story. No big chunks of word building information in one go.
The characters are very memorable and they all interested me a lot. At the start of the book, I was annoyed by one of the quirks of a main character, but ended up loving that quirk. It made the character very real.
I was a little disappointed with the climax. I had expected more of it; that it would be more difficult and that it'd lasted longer. The biggest dislike about this book is, however, the fact that the author keeps repeating colours. She mentions many times that Sorcha has red hair and almost as many times that Raed has hazel eyes.
I wanted to givethis book 4.5 out of 5 stars because of these little annoyances, but seeing that I cannot do that, I shall give it 5 starts because i enjoyed it so much.