Reviews

Guardians of the Keep by Carol Berg

mary_soon_lee's review

3.0

This is the second book in the Bridge of D'Arnath fantasy quartet. The book cycles between several point-of-view characters. As a result, I spent part of my time looking forward to the sections with my favorite characters. This is a difficulty common to almost all (all?) books with similar structures, from "The Return of the King" to "A Game of Thrones." It isn't always the nicest characters that hook me best. In "A Game of Thrones," I eagerly anticipated Tyrion Lannister's sections. In this book, I found Gerick more more fascinating than Seri, though Seri is nicer. Perhaps as a result, I enjoyed this, but didn't love it.

mamap's review

2.0

a little slow. a little obvious. very harsh. people die and evil is revealed. and we're not done yet.

varmint3's review

4.0

Audiobook version. Slightly distracting that different narrators pronounced names differently.

fastasashark's review

4.0

4.5/5 stars

Most of this book I loved and would have been another 5 star read. The characters and story were well done, and I enjoyed Berg's style of storytelling. My only problem was the conclusion which was frustrating/disappointing and felt inconsistent with the rest. Son of Avonar remains my favourite of the series so far (easy 5 stars). I loved having Seri as the single pov in SoA, and living her life, experiences. I still loved her povs in this book along with the younger pov in this one who I'll avoid naming. Major spoilers:

Spoiler

Saving Gerick and the ease with which it was done at the snap of a finger felt entirely implausible in the context of the story and worldbuilding around Zhe'Vna, the Lords etc. Not only that but it was a far less interesting conclusion than had Gerick remained in the Wastes and joined the Lords. He spent a year or just over a year under the influence of their immense power and darkness. Not only that but it was said earlier throughout the book that the Lords all share minds. It made sense that he might be able to keep a corner of his thoughts to himself before his transformation, but afterwards logically his mind would join with the others. Anyway this and certain other aspects of the conclusion were things that I found frustrating and disappointing after loving the rest of the book. I think that's the other thing. After all the plots and counterplots variously foiled (taking the approach of the good guys not being able to just resolve things easily by planting people in Zhe'Vna etc) the ending just seemed too convenient and easily resolved. Gerick should have remained a Lord imo

masn's review

4.0

I liked this about as well as the first book (which is to say, a lot), but was a little disappointed by the antagonists. They didn't seem harsh enough. Anyway, I think this book was better written than the first; I especially enjoyed the changing points of view split up by chapter. #3 is on the to-read list.

bookbirb's review

adventurous dark slow-paced

4.0

dougiecreative's review

5.0

My favorite book in the series. I don't often "buy" into love stories in some books... But this one had me. And I found the rest of the book so engaging (the rescue and all that) I could not put it down. Finished it in one day.

katmarhan's review

4.0

9/10
Pretty close to perfect for me—lots of twisty surprises, a satisfying conclusion to this installment but it’s obvious the story is not finished.

absurtiddy's review

adventurous dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

fastasashark's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5