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A review by jessermac
The Sending by Isobelle Carmody
3.0
This exceeded my expectations and I enjoyed it so much more than The Stone Key. I would have given it four stars if Isobelle had just trimmed the fat a little - the first four hundred pages or so really could have been edited down to two hundred max with all the important bits intact (sparing us from tiresome descriptions of all the meals and spiced buns that Elspeth always seemed to be eating.)
The last third of the book picked up significantly once the quest really got underway - this is what I have been waiting for since all the way back at the end of 'Ashling'.
I have been waiting impatiently for the reappearance of Darga, and for some further clues to the mystery of Straaka and Miryum, so this book filled that need very well. I was surprised at the reveal of Elspeth's entourage at Skylake (and pleased to note the presence of Sparrow and newly-buffed Dameon especially). I was happy with the rest of the entourage, including the reappearance of the Brildane, and that Dragon was back and for the most part conscious. Isobelle dealt a few blows that I didn't see coming but appreciated - the suddenness of Elspeth leaving for the mountains, and the death of Atthis.
The book read like a stop-gap to the final installment, and the cliffhanger only reinforced this view. However, that's ok. It means that the next book should start where we left off, and continue the action pretty rapidly - there will be no dallying around at Obernewtyn in the final installment.
Although Elspeth's quest is properly underway, reading this book revealed that there is still a lot of work ahead for Isobelle to finish and tie up this series. I am really excited to get there, and have renewed faith that it will actually be a satisfying conclusion. (my faith took a tumble in the huge gap between Keeping Place and Stone Key, and a further tumble after reading the Stone Key).
Side bar - THAT sex scene. For reals. I mean, Rushton is pretty dreamy and Isobelle set up a nice little cosy scenario for their 'lovemaking'. But haven't Rushton and Elspeth been together for years? I just sort of assumed all their hot spring swims and late night tower room rendezvous led to the deed. I'm cynical - I feel like Isobelle just belatedly decided that they had never had sex just to give us a scene to make their parting (or lack thereof) all the more dramatic.
The last third of the book picked up significantly once the quest really got underway - this is what I have been waiting for since all the way back at the end of 'Ashling'.
I have been waiting impatiently for the reappearance of Darga, and for some further clues to the mystery of Straaka and Miryum, so this book filled that need very well. I was surprised at the reveal of Elspeth's entourage at Skylake (and pleased to note the presence of Sparrow and newly-buffed Dameon especially). I was happy with the rest of the entourage, including the reappearance of the Brildane, and that Dragon was back and for the most part conscious. Isobelle dealt a few blows that I didn't see coming but appreciated - the suddenness of Elspeth leaving for the mountains, and the death of Atthis.
The book read like a stop-gap to the final installment, and the cliffhanger only reinforced this view. However, that's ok. It means that the next book should start where we left off, and continue the action pretty rapidly - there will be no dallying around at Obernewtyn in the final installment.
Although Elspeth's quest is properly underway, reading this book revealed that there is still a lot of work ahead for Isobelle to finish and tie up this series. I am really excited to get there, and have renewed faith that it will actually be a satisfying conclusion. (my faith took a tumble in the huge gap between Keeping Place and Stone Key, and a further tumble after reading the Stone Key).
Side bar - THAT sex scene. For reals. I mean, Rushton is pretty dreamy and Isobelle set up a nice little cosy scenario for their 'lovemaking'. But haven't Rushton and Elspeth been together for years? I just sort of assumed all their hot spring swims and late night tower room rendezvous led to the deed. I'm cynical - I feel like Isobelle just belatedly decided that they had never had sex just to give us a scene to make their parting (or lack thereof) all the more dramatic.