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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
Whew! So in my opinion this book should come with a big old warning at the front. It's a really different tone than the previous books in the series. There have been some story elements that were really distressing in past books, but this was a whole new level for me.
I think part of the issue is that one of the things I craved about this series is the feeling that it takes place in a fictional world, very different from my own. And so to have a lot of story lines about Trump and Brexit and a main story line around possible violence caused by horrible homophobic and xenophobic bigots felt like a punch in the gut. And on one hand I do think it's a powerful message? Like, yes it's fun to read about these people but in real life these are the problems they might face? But it also is just such a departure from what I expect in this series.
It was so agonizing to listen to at one point that I turned it off and listened to the final two chapters. Because I just couldn't handle not knowing that things would turn out alright, and it seemed impossible that would happen. It did have an HEA/HFN, though the plot device used to get there is a somewhat frustrating one for me. And I guess I'm just not sure why putting readers through all that agony was necessary for the story? I'm still just not sure what to think.
I was also very frustrated by the way mental illness was framed in this one. Calling a character struggling with mental illness a "certified nutcase" and a "lunatic" really rubs me the wrong way. I hated this character's story line. I was also really unhappy with Ellowen's story line. I really feel like she's ill treated by this series in a way I find off putting.
It isn't uncommon for the magical elements in Harper Fox's books to sometimes get a little far out for me, and that was the case here. It wasn't story ruining for me, but it did wear sort of thin. The saving grace is how much I care about all these characters, and my love for Harper Fox's writing style. I just love listening to her writing, it's so lyrical and lovely.
I guess I'm kind of glad that the last audiobook in the series wasn't a win for me, because I feel less sad that there aren't more. I'm ready for a break from this series I think, though at some point I will probably read the remaining books. There was a lot I really loved about the series. This book was a miss for me though.
I think part of the issue is that one of the things I craved about this series is the feeling that it takes place in a fictional world, very different from my own. And so to have a lot of story lines about Trump and Brexit and a main story line around possible violence caused by horrible homophobic and xenophobic bigots felt like a punch in the gut. And on one hand I do think it's a powerful message? Like, yes it's fun to read about these people but in real life these are the problems they might face? But it also is just such a departure from what I expect in this series.
It was so agonizing to listen to at one point that I turned it off and listened to the final two chapters. Because I just couldn't handle not knowing that things would turn out alright, and it seemed impossible that would happen. It did have an HEA/HFN, though the plot device used to get there is a somewhat frustrating one for me. And I guess I'm just not sure why putting readers through all that agony was necessary for the story? I'm still just not sure what to think.
I was also very frustrated by the way mental illness was framed in this one. Calling a character struggling with mental illness a "certified nutcase" and a "lunatic" really rubs me the wrong way. I hated this character's story line. I was also really unhappy with Ellowen's story line. I really feel like she's ill treated by this series in a way I find off putting.
It isn't uncommon for the magical elements in Harper Fox's books to sometimes get a little far out for me, and that was the case here. It wasn't story ruining for me, but it did wear sort of thin. The saving grace is how much I care about all these characters, and my love for Harper Fox's writing style. I just love listening to her writing, it's so lyrical and lovely.
I guess I'm kind of glad that the last audiobook in the series wasn't a win for me, because I feel less sad that there aren't more. I'm ready for a break from this series I think, though at some point I will probably read the remaining books. There was a lot I really loved about the series. This book was a miss for me though.
How to say this? As much as I love this series and these characters, this book did not really touch me.
Part of this is a particular pet peeve of mine the reset button! why? spoiler>, but also because the plot (or should I say plots?) was all over the place. There was too much (too many threats from old books, too many different points, too many people having a personal bit of story told) and not enough (not enough from Lee and Gideon, not enough explanation about Zeke, not enough closure for all the characters that stay for two paragraphs and then went away)
I still love the series but I didn't find this book satisfactory, and that's a shame. I'm done with the audiobooks, so the next one I'll have to read it the old-fashioned way :P Let's hope I'll find in it the old magic...
Part of this is a particular pet peeve of mine
I still love the series but I didn't find this book satisfactory, and that's a shame. I'm done with the audiobooks, so the next one I'll have to read it the old-fashioned way :P Let's hope I'll find in it the old magic...
4.5 Stars
And this finishes my audio for this series as I await the release of the final books
This whole series is one I would highly recommend on audio as the narrator brings this to life. Each character has his or her own voice which makes the listening an absolute pleasure.
I love the relationship between Gideon and Lee. It has evolved over the course of the series to an unbreakable bond. There are no stupid miscommunications just steadfast belief in each other
And this finishes my audio for this series as I await the release of the final books
This whole series is one I would highly recommend on audio as the narrator brings this to life. Each character has his or her own voice which makes the listening an absolute pleasure.
I love the relationship between Gideon and Lee. It has evolved over the course of the series to an unbreakable bond. There are no stupid miscommunications just steadfast belief in each other
Fantastic
4.5 stars
I love this series, Gideon and Lee are one of my all time favourite couples, I like how strong their relationship is and how they work together. I really enjoyed the family aspect of this one, the family you are born into and also the family you make throughout your life, and how far you would go to protect them. Zeke is one of the best secondary characters. He could have been 2 dimensional but his character arc with his struggles over the 7 books has been fantastic and really fleshed out his character. I enjoy the banter between the brothers.
Looking forward to more
Highly recommended series
4.5 stars
I love this series, Gideon and Lee are one of my all time favourite couples, I like how strong their relationship is and how they work together. I really enjoyed the family aspect of this one, the family you are born into and also the family you make throughout your life, and how far you would go to protect them. Zeke is one of the best secondary characters. He could have been 2 dimensional but his character arc with his struggles over the 7 books has been fantastic and really fleshed out his character. I enjoy the banter between the brothers.
Looking forward to more
Highly recommended series
Wow, this was great. My heart was in my mouth for the entire second half, and I had to keep walking on the treadmill after my time was up so I had an excuse to read through to the end. The physical and emotional stakes were really high this time, and there were challenges to Gideon and Lee's relationship from numerous angles. I thought this series had run out of steam after [b:Third Solstice|28239707|Third Solstice (Tyack & Frayne, #6)|Harper Fox|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1450459282s/28239707.jpg|48272274] but Brexit and Trump seem to have inspired Ms Fox to come up with new terrors and threats (I guess 45 is good for something after all). A nifty plot twist left my jaw on the floor (although I understand how it could seem manipulative to some readers), and the still developing talents of little Tamsyn Tyack-Frayne means that there could be even more tales in this exceptional series to tell.
What a great Tyack-Frayne chapter! It's jam-packed with plot and I loved the twists!
I've enjoyed every book in this series. Book #6 seemed like an ending, so I was surprised to learn the series was continuing. This book is just as good as the others and I hope there will be even more.
The plot includes almost every important character from the previous books, as well as the continuing theme of ancient traditions and beliefs. I really like Pendower, especially, and he is pretty central to this story. We even got to see a little bit of his point-of-view. But, as always, it's all about Lee and Gideon.
The enemy in this book is (sort of) bigotry itself.Lee says, The actual structure of the book is not completely clear-cut, even in the end. I think it serves the story, though. The relationships between the characters are messy and complicated, too, which feels realistic.
Sidenote: I've been wondering since very early in this series if someday Harper Fox might write a novel about Darren Prowse. I would love that, and the ending leaves the possibility open. But I like his role in this book a lot.
The plot includes almost every important character from the previous books, as well as the continuing theme of ancient traditions and beliefs. I really like Pendower, especially, and he is pretty central to this story. We even got to see a little bit of his point-of-view. But, as always, it's all about Lee and Gideon.
The enemy in this book is (sort of) bigotry itself.
“I feel like there’s blank faces everywhere. The States, Chechnya, even here on our own bloody streets since Brexit—just a rising tide of fear and hate, and it can put on any face it wants, and strike anywhere."I'm so afraid all the time these days, and it was good to read about favorite characters facing these enemies.
Sidenote: I've been wondering since very early in this series if someday Harper Fox might write a novel about Darren Prowse. I would love that, and the ending leaves the possibility open. But I like his role in this book a lot.
3 1/2 stars
The suspense was strong in this one, and it does bring a long-running arc to a close. I liked how the story harked back to earlier events while introducing new aspects and issues. Gideon and Lee continue to have all my heart. In terms of development, it feels as if Lee has leveled out while Gideon... good lord, this was a rough one for Gideon.
Regarding the paranormal elements, "Preacher, Prophet, Beast" ups the level further. Tamsyn's gift grows, the Bodmin Beast makes a (pretty gory) reappearance, and there's a reveal of something which, in hindsight, should be obvious for the attentive reader, and it... well, it'll make for an interesting new ingredient in the books to come.
The structure of the book felt a bit uneven, with a dream sequence that's very confusing and feels like a bit of a cop-out at first but then becomes something entirely different. Harper Fox has a way of patching domestic scenes, paranormal happenings, gothic Cornish folklore, explicit sex and a whole lot of other aspects that don't seem to fit together into a quilt that holds but stretches at the seams here and there. It shouldn't work, but with a lot of good will, some suspension of disbelief and an established love for our sweet main-characters, it somehow does.
Tim Gilbert was almost flawless as a narrator. He had a few slips with Lee sounding almost like Gideon, but all in all he gives a lot of warmth to an installment of this series that takes a few unexpectedly chilling turns.
Too bad the rest of the series isn't available as audiobooks. I'll have to switch to Kindle for the next one.
The suspense was strong in this one, and it does bring a long-running arc to a close. I liked how the story harked back to earlier events while introducing new aspects and issues. Gideon and Lee continue to have all my heart. In terms of development, it feels as if Lee has leveled out while Gideon... good lord, this was a rough one for Gideon.
Regarding the paranormal elements, "Preacher, Prophet, Beast" ups the level further. Tamsyn's gift grows, the Bodmin Beast makes a (pretty gory) reappearance, and there's a reveal of something which, in hindsight, should be obvious for the attentive reader, and it... well, it'll make for an interesting new ingredient in the books to come.
The structure of the book felt a bit uneven, with a dream sequence that's very confusing and feels like a bit of a cop-out at first but then becomes something entirely different. Harper Fox has a way of patching domestic scenes, paranormal happenings, gothic Cornish folklore, explicit sex and a whole lot of other aspects that don't seem to fit together into a quilt that holds but stretches at the seams here and there. It shouldn't work, but with a lot of good will, some suspension of disbelief and an established love for our sweet main-characters, it somehow does.
Tim Gilbert was almost flawless as a narrator. He had a few slips with Lee sounding almost like Gideon, but all in all he gives a lot of warmth to an installment of this series that takes a few unexpectedly chilling turns.
Too bad the rest of the series isn't available as audiobooks. I'll have to switch to Kindle for the next one.