Dark Lady's Chosen by Gail Z. Martin

Though there are no spoilers for this book, this book contains spoilers from books one, two and three. You have been warned!!! (It's also early on in the review.)


4
The next book in this (seeming interminable) series is the continuation and arguable conclusion of what occurred in book 3, Dark Haven. We see the end of the plot to kill Kiara, the result of the War with Curane, the fate of Cam of Cairnrach as well as the fate of Dark Haven itself- an ending wound up with the lives of Jonmarc and Carina.

This a well structured book, in my opinion. It seemed that Martin had accepted that, by the end of Dark Haven, everything was coming to its end; for better or for worse. So the majority of the book actually only takes place over 5 days, and the chapters in those days are split between the multiple story lines. I get that some people would rather dislike this (arguable) mess, but it worked for the book. On her site, she says this book was about the aftermath of events that are the settling down of chaos and order into some sort of balance: something I'm going to venture in saying is represented through the written style. It is a bit hectic and indiscernible at times, but there is a clear order and structure that is adhered to.

All the plots seem to figure themselves out in the expected manner: people survive, at a cost or they survive only to find a greater challenge. I don't think anyone would be blown away by the outcome of events since you you've probably been expecting it and though you're obviously happy with the result, you won't be overflowing with excitement after having read it. On the other hand though, you'll never be inconsolable. So if you want a book which isn't going to stress you out to much as a reader, but you can still enjoy reading, this is an excellent choice.

Getting more into specifics...

I felt that Kiara's plot and storyline got slowly more repetitive as time went on. She'd make the mistake of feeling safe or powerful, and then a threat would rear its ugly head. She would survive it, but it underlines the precariousness of her position as well as risking something concerning her unborn child. I am being somewhat cynical, but it has to be said that for an interesting character who could have a had a much more interesting story (in my opinion) it was annoying that it descended into repeating itself. The most interesting bit was the end of her plot. I'm not saying that it was great because it was over (though that lingers at the back of my mind) but because the possible repercussions are interesting. I believe her child will be a mage and that the excess of wormroot (a magic inhibiting drug) in her system from the dart will give the baby an unusual tolerance for it.

I'm of the same sort of opinion of Cam's story too. I feel like his was only used to remind us of the divisionists and the widespread chaos in the kingdoms; otherwise it wasn't too important.

Tris' story was when he was still at war with Curane. His story was also a tad dull, but the ever-looming battle and the mystery surrounding what to do and what new horrors would be encountered kept be reading quickly through these pages. Give whatever meaning to it what you will, I really enjoy reading about battles that involve magic and average soldiers. Part of it is my inbuilt love of magic, but I think I just like the idea of combat magic since it is the most instinctive side of magic and can have interesting consequences. What I disliked about this portion was that Tris seemed to be constantly at the edge of his power, but still managing to hold on. His comments on his growing fatigue and loss of power got a bit dull.

For me though, the Dark Haven story of Jonmarc and Carina was much more interesting. I think that might have been because it was the one story that wasn't so clear cut. The others ones needed their players to survive in order to continue. This story only needed one and, in Carina's case, that one didn't need to come about completely unscathed. If I look back on their story now, the same cynicism takes over that they were hardly the most interesting and that the story was hardly unique. There were conflicts with the revolting (as in revolution) Vampires and Jonmarc's fear of loosing Carina. Carina had her own problems in trying to avoid the taint of Vampirism that warred with her healing magic for dominance. I guess their story was also interesting because it was a chance to learn more about the flow: the river of magical energy in these lands.

So I was impressed with this book. Maybe Dark Haven was a book to set up this one which, in so many ways, was much better. It's actually the end of the Chronicle's of the Necromancer Series, since the following books are a separate series which (I suspect) have a more active focus on Jonmarc. Though maybe it instead focuses on the children of the people on these books: the series being the symbol for the next generation.

Also, bonus points if anyone know who is on the front of this book. Is it Carina???

The Iron Maiden by Resa Nelson

E-book provided by author.


There will be no explicit spoilers in this review. I may hint at things, and do so in a arguably confusing manner, but I'm avoiding giving away too much information! And anything that does sound like a spoiler, it wouldn't give away anything.

4
This is book two in the series, and is another fantasy adventure following Astrid, a blacksmith, in her new way of life as learns the necessity of what comes with it and finds herself once again traversing in foreign lands.

I definitely enjoyed this book more than number one. I think the first book in a series is never going to be the best because one always has to learn about this new world and meet the characters you'll be spending time with. Though there are some memory-jogging comments in it, there is not a great deal of faffing about trying to tell you the story of book one as quickly as possible. Better yet, book one is important on a few levels- for understanding characters or other (relatively minor) details. There is no necessity for reading book one and it was great in the way that it wasn't just the story from book one reworked- because I did worry that it would be an endless repetition of people hunting for blood-stones.

I liked having new characters as well. I liked the characters, don't get me wrong, but in short books like these, getting character development into the book can feel rushed so often there are few important changes than many gradual ones. I only say that because I wonder that in a series of short books, the speedy changes would be noticeable. Often the changes that are undergone are prominent and completely change a person's outlook, and having one of these every book would get tiresome and dull. Instead we get new characters with there own problems to overcome. I'm not saying it is rushed, just that it's a quick, gradual change (ignore the contradiction). That isn't to say there isn't gradual development though, Astrid, as the protagonist of both books, is slowly growing all the time. Her new walk of life means she must change and she tend to resist this. She loved her life already, and she fears it changing.

Margaret was really amazing for me- and was probably my favourite character in this book. I found her situation engaging, her attitude to it and other things mesmerising and I adored her relationship with Astrid. I get the feeling Astrid is worried about being accepted constantly: she does what she thinks she is supposed to do for her friends and fellow citizens, and her desire to be accepted- not shunned- is underlined by the shape-shifting element. Margaret slowly proves to be much more self-confident and self-assured. She tries to help Astrid be the same, and the language barrier added that interesting dimension to their friendship. I'm interested to see how Astrid acts considering what happened with Margaret.

I liked that there was still no great amount of romance in the book. Astrid has a significant other and though their engagements are... certainly unique, let's say, I can believe their love for one another (though thank goodness they do disagree on some things!) and don't see every encounter a potentially romantic lead.

Though there is one central plot, there are two paths following it; one is Astrid, the other is Norah. I don't want to say much about Norah since I'll enter the dreaded area of spoilers, but I will say I like Norah almost as kind of light relief element. I never believe there is any danger to her and I found myself laughing a few times at her one word responses and the audacity of some of her actions with others. It was pleasant that it wasn't forced.

Besides the most obvious thing when reading though, I think Norah's story was predominantly as a supporting story so Astrid's could remain engaging.

A final element I want to comment on is this New Religion. I really hated those guys- and I mean guys. This religion does not believe women have any value and as a bit of a feminist, this highly annoyed me. What's more, I hated what seemed to be the acceptance of many of the women to every vile whim of these men. Misogyny makes my blood boil and this element gave me something I could hate wholeheartedly, as well as making the book for more mature readers,

Once again, Resa wrote a book I seriously enjoyed and could read easily in a sitting or two at a length of  225 pages (PDF). I wasn't constantly surprised by the book- I do think it's easy to see where things are going- but the details themselves are interesting, and there are other elements to the event that only come to light later on. The Dragons also make an appearance, and who doesn't love dragons? Another really great read that you should rush out and read as soon as you can!


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Be sure to read my review of book one, and come back on January 24th for the blog tour stop of this book!

The Dragonslayer's Sword by Resa Nelson

E-book provided by author.


4
This a fantasy novel following Astrid, a blacksmith, who lives in a world of dragons and of shape-shifters. Initially involved only in that she made swords for Dragonslayers, she find herself involved in a much greater turn of events in something that began beyond her own memory, and continues way beyond her home.

The first thing that I really like about this book is the plot. When do we have a blacksmith as a protagonist? Never. But why not- they're strong, determined and hard working. They sound made for the role. This kind of quirky uniqueness was a big plus for me because it was so different to your everyday sword and sorcery fantasy. Don't get me wrong, I adore sorcery, but I appreciated this difference in style and outlook. It made the experience that bit sweeter.

The plot itself was very linear. We don't get long travelling monologues or description, which I know makes some people scream for joy, but the first time I got this feeling it jolted me a little. I felt like she'd travelled miles in a matter of words and drew me out just a bit. I imagine if it had been a long drawn out description, I would have complained a little as well, the only difference is that the jolting was painless. It didn't stop me enjoying the book, and the conversations and events in the areas she goes make it easily a fantastic involving story- it rendered the travel commentary unnecessary.

The two main fantasy elements (dragons and shapeshifting) are very quickly introduced in a perhaps merciless manner. But the tone of writing doesn't make you think that this ignorance will last. We're not told everything at once, but neither we left in the dark. We're given what we need to know to get by, and we can learn the rest ourselves. Usually the lore and specifics of both are revealed as time progresses and we get a more rounded view of it, which matches how Astrid learns.

The shapeshifting is a self-perception idea. Astrid can make herself appear as she sees herself or wishes herself to be; equally she could change someone else's appearance. I loved this embodiment of the idea that we are who we want to be, and others shouldn't change us (in the book it's considered bad manners to change another's appearance). Everything we encounter and see is how we choose to see it, which is the foundation of prejudice. Calling something beautiful or ugly is a mix of feelings and pre-conceptions. The shapeshifting takes this is step further to say that this power, this belief, can have an actual affect on people. A strong man may become weak merely because someone sees them as weak and (intentionally or not) compels this view onto the man's shape. I just really like the idea as well that if you are self-confident, or happy with who you are, then no one can change you at all.

I'm not going to lie that I was a bit dubious about the last part of the story, not the actual last chapter/conclusion. It felt like a rather separate story to the original plot, and I didn't expect it to continue as it did. It wasn't bad in itself, but I wonder whether it should have went there or what not. Also, as with the travelling, bits occasionally felt rushed over; as though it was necessary as part of the plot, but nothing else. It just had to happen.

Otherwise, this is really great fantasy. It's a short book at 286 pages long, but it keeps one riveted such that it could be comfortably finished in an afternoon. It's something I'd recommend to a fantasy reader because it's a pleasant and different read. I don't feel like I had to try hard: I could just enjoy reading it.

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Be sure to read my review of the sequel in the next few days, and come back on January 24th for the blog tour stop of book two, The Iron Maiden.