Warning: spoilers for both this book and the previous instalments.
Things have been more than a little tense inBuddy read with the Wolf-lovers of BB&B.
Warning: spoilers for both this book and the previous instalments.
Things have been more than a little tense in Thaisia in the last few months thanks to a bunch of meddling and utterly suicidal humans going by the name Humans First and Last. And while that might sound like a good name if you're the apex predator it sure as hell isn't a good idea if you're basically a two-legged dinner with delusions of grandeur. The Others have been incredibly tolerant for way too long and as a result humanity's getting bolder. Very few humans still remember what dwells in the wild country and as a result very few humans are trying to work with the terra indigene to avert the coming disaster.
To be honest, I wanted humans to be exterminated for a while now and the HFL actions in this book only made that desire stronger. With a few exceptions (the female pack, the police pack and some of the members of their families) everyone in the human controlled lands deserved what happened. Those few who kept their word and continued to work with the terra indigene quickly became target for the violent thugs of the HFL movement and it was the "animals" that helped the targeted humans. We like to talk about humane behaviour but as the terra indigene found out being human means senseless slaughter of innocent beings, of anyone and anything that stands in the way of greed and disagrees with you. So when the Elders swept the world I cheered them on. I even thought that they showed too much leniency. And after they cleansed the Earth it's time to see if humans can in fact learn a lesson repeated often enough.
As time progressed in the series I found out that I prefer Hope to Meg. Sure we don't get to see much of the Hope pup but her scenes are always memorable while Meg is a bit too timid, too faceless at times. But I admire her fight against addiction, I admire that she knows she's an addict and that she's still trying to find a way out. And maybe with the help of Simon she'll be able to find a substitute for the euphoria of a cut. You know what I'm talking about *wink* I mean even a bunch of Tarot cards are trying to tell her that sex is the answer but she's too inexperienced to get it. Too bad that no one from the human pack wasn't around to enlighten her.
The blurb for the next book isn't very promising but I hope that we won't be too entangled in Monty's family drama and we'll get to see more of the consequences of humanity's stupidity....more
Buddy read with the wolf-lovers of the Wednesday UF Group.
Warning - spoilers!
Seriously? One measly kiss after all this sexual tension? What the hell iBuddy read with the wolf-lovers of the Wednesday UF Group.
Warning - spoilers!
Seriously? One measly kiss after all this sexual tension? What the hell is wrong with you Anne Bishop? How can you be such a sadist? After all that we suffered couldn't we get at least an epilogue that shows Simon and Meg after a few years together? Especially after we had to suffer through Monty's bastard of a brother the whole damned book? Sure he got what he so richly deserved, though in my opinion it should have happened a lot sooner.
You see most of this book was Cyrus Montgomery's lack of brains and the results from his criminal schemes. The idiot can't see the dangers even when they stare in his face fangs out and growling! He was begging to get killed from the moment he showed up! I felt bad for Monty and his mother because they're the only people with brains in his family. Even his sister became a moron once his brother showed up. And that's pretty much the whole book. We got some scraps of information on what happened to Cel-Romano and the rest of Thaisia but not nearly enough of it. It was what I was interested in apart from the Simon-Meg bizarre courtship. So basically the two things I cared for were glossed over. *disappointed sigh* Sure there were some amazing moments (the reason why I didn't bump this down to 3 stars) and some hilarious dialogues but as a whole this was not a good way to wrap up a series. ...more
Buddy read with the human pack of the Wednesday UF Group of BB&B
Generally speaking humans are idiots. And I'm talking about real life humans. So I havBuddy read with the human pack of the Wednesday UF Group of BB&B
Generally speaking humans are idiots. And I'm talking about real life humans. So I have to admit that the way we're represented in this book is spot on. Humans are dumb as shit here and it seems they're going to reap what they've sown sooner rather than later. They also appear to be suicidal as hell with very few exemptions. Those exemptions form the so called human pack at the Courtyard. And that pack is slowly growing to include a few trusted humans outside of it.
What really pisses me off is the general attitude of humanity in these books and the way they use each other for their own gain. Yes, I know we do that all the time in real life but one would think that with a terrible danger, a danger that could easily spell the extinction of human kind from the face of the Earth, like the Others humanity will band together and do it's best not to get obliterated. But no, let's provoke the incredibly powerful Earth native to the point they decide they no longer want to tolerate us. And in the meantime let's make sure that humanity's final days are also filled with fear and rage. Because fuck logic and survival instincts. What I really want to know is are the leaders of the HFL so deluded as to think that their money and influence will protect them from say hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards and other natural disasters that are controlled by Earth natives known as Elementals? How can you be o disconnected with reality? I mean it's not like the Elementals didn't show their powers just a few months ago. And I won't even start on the fate of the cassandra sangue and the propaganda spewing out of the mouths of the HFL leader regarding them. Because of all of this I want the terra indigene to lose it and wipe at least 90% of humanity off the face of the Earth. They can let the human pack and the Intuits live but the rest deserve their fate even if only for listening to that piece of shit Nicholas Sparks.
This is all a background for what's happening to our beloved characters. Sure it plays a major role in their lives but it's not what the book is all about. Essentially this instalment deals with addiction and it's consequences. Both for the addicted party and for the people that love that person. It's about slowly finding your place in a foreign and frightening world. And it's about change - of perspective, of personality and of learning to compromise. Because a friendship is built on compromises and changes of the participating parties. And it's not just seen in the slow evolution of Meg and Simon's relationship but in all the terra indigene of the Courtyard dealings with the human pack. The difference in the way they see each other compared to book 1 is palpable. And it's my favourite part of this series :)...more
Buddy read with the wolf-lovers of the Wednesday UF Group.
Another week, another book with my dearest friends. It's time to see what consequences therBuddy read with the wolf-lovers of the Wednesday UF Group.
Another week, another book with my dearest friends. It's time to see what consequences there'll be for the terra indigene of Lakeside for becoming attached to a human. Not any human but one that's a blood prophet and coveted by a lot of powerful humans who would do anything to learn if they can get away with their crimes.
My favourite parts were when Meg and Simon are trying to define their budding relationship. Both have no social skills and zero clue on how to communicate, though for different reasons. And the misunderstandings that rise from it are downright hilarious. I really felt bad for poor Simon who has to learn how to deal with the bizarre human female he finds so enticing. And yet he does not understand his own reactions to her, his own feelings. And I can't wait to see how he reacts when he finally realises that he has fallen in love with a fragile human. On the other side is Meg whose only experience with human males has been of rape, of her body (both for sex and her skin) and of her mind. So she's understandably skittish around SImon's human form. But I'm confident that they will make it. And I believe it's Simon's innocence regarding his own emotions that will be the key to teaching Meg that not all males are enemies.
And in the background of this budding romance is a political mess that will blow in humanity's collective face sooner rather than later. Humans have a really short memories and as usual there are humans who think that the consequences of their actions will somehow pass them by. that someone else will pay the price. And to an extend they are right. Someone else pays the price and that price is countless lost lives. But they won't be spared as well just like (view spoiler)[the Controller (hide spoiler)] learned at the end. The only real question is how much of the human cities will become a wasteland and feeding grounds for the vultures once things reach the boiling point. ...more
Buddy read with the Awesomest Wednesday UF Group who saved my sanity while reading this!
Actual rating: 1.5 stars. The half star is because of Jim. WhoBuddy read with the Awesomest Wednesday UF Group who saved my sanity while reading this!
Actual rating: 1.5 stars. The half star is because of Jim. Who wasn't around enough to raise the rating more.
Where do I start with the complaining? Let's start with the MCs, shall we?
Aisling Grey has the brain capacity of a jellyfish. With the occasional brilliant leaps of intuition. And by brilliant I mean it took her ages to arrive at the answer that was obvious for at least a quarter of the book. Everyone she interacts with should contact their lawyers so they can sue her for the incurred brain damage. I spent most of the book wondering how she made it to her 30es because she lacks any sense of self-preservation. She's a walking, talking natural disaster. And while it was funny for a while it got tedious after a couple of chapters. She's also inconsistent as hell! The previous book she was all like "I don't know what a Guardian is and I don't care. [...] Drake's just a fling, I'm not his mate, he just get's me horny." And now she's traveling halfway across the Earth so she can find a guardian-mentor and Drake is the love of her life??? WTF? Poor Jim, I don't know how he stands her. Don't get me wrong a little silliness is okay but she has no other mode. My head hurts from all the times I banged it on my desk reading this! And you know what she wasn't the most annoying character! I can't even believe it's possible!
The award for most annoying character of the book is shared by Marvabell and Tiffany. One is an obnoxious half-trained guardian who married an oracle and now thinks she's the high queen of the Otherworld because of it! Quite honestly I wanted her to end up dead from the moment she showed on page. The other is a professional virgin (yes you read that correctly! Because it's so difficult to refrain from sex!) and is just plain annoying with her "Smile! It shares the happiness" and "Look I'm so pretty and a virgin so my blood is the best and I provide such a big service to all by not having sex" (actually she does because if she remains a virgin she'll never reproduce which is a service to society!) attitude that I wanted to slap her until her eyeballs fall out!
You see this book was supposed to be light and fluffy read and I guess it is. For everyone else. For me, well it drives me to violence. Back to ranting.
To make things worse Drake, the Green Wyvern, makes an appearance and quickly proves to be a creepy stalker with no regard for anyone else. There's domeneering and then there's an asshole. Guess which one is Drake? Yep, asshole! And while I was willing to turn a blind eye to some of his transgression three made me see red. 1) The whole punishment thing for the challenge from the previous book. If I was Aisling I would have jumped of that bridge while he was still there so he would have to save me or risk dying as a result of his mate's death. Worst case scenario - HE DIES! That's good enough reason to sacrifice my own life. At the very least Aisling should have slept with that incubus she tricked into saving her. Because after that treatment I would consider things over with the SOB who LEFT ME STRANDED ON TOP OF A BRIDGE! I would have not gone back to him so he can screw my brains out. Than again Aisling has no brains to lose so maybe that's the problem. 2) Apparently Aisling (and any other woman) is only to be respected if she is Drake's mate. No respect for any woman if she's not his personal property. So once Aisling agreed that her vagina belongs to him and him alone she is suddenly RESPECTED by Mr. Chauvinist himself! Gee, why would I be mad? And 3) which is a result from the previous one is that apparently Mr. Chauvinist only cares that he gets the vagina. The woman attached is a pesky annoying thing that dares, DARES to have aspirations other than being a broodmare and the perfect host for dragon social function. So manipulating said woman into providing said vagina with false and misleading promises is totally okay. Because once she swear an oath it doesn't matter that she was lied to. Because Drake knew very well what Aisling really wanted from him. I hate him. I want him to die but before that i want him humiliated and to see Aisling happy and successful (yeah I know it's wishful thinking) WITHOUT HIM!
Talking about chauvinism I must mention the creepy episode with the hermit. Said hermit met the Professional Virgin and immediately fell in lust with her. I swear I threw up a little in my mouth while he was talking about how he is the only one who will stroke her petals *gag* So apparently being a virgin is the most important thing in the world. Having personality is optional. Why did I not DNF this?
Oh yes, because of Jim! He is amazing and saves the series with his mere presence. Unfortunately he was missing for part of the book and it was the part that annoyed me most. He usually says the things I want to say so naturally he holds a special place in my heart. In fact Jim's presence is one of the two reasons why I will continue this series. Actually three reasons. The second is learning what and who the hell is Rene and what is his real role in all of this. And the last reason for me not abandoning Aisling to suffer her own stupidity away from me are my fellow buddy readers who can make even the most insufferable book readable. We have suffered through worse *coughs* Marion *coughs* together. So I will not abandon them. ...more
The good news about this series that I see improvement. Unfortunately it's not on AisBuddy read with the Wednesday UF Group of BB&B
Actual rating: 2.25
The good news about this series that I see improvement. Unfortunately it's not on Aisling's part. She's still the reckless, brainless twit. A lot of people are brainless, reckless idiots but they usually don't have too much influence and actual power. Unfortunately when they do get power and influence things tend to go downhill fast. Aisling is one of those people with power and the vacuum of space in place of a brain. She's the ideal puppet if you can figure out what makes her tick. And the only reliable thing about her is that she turns to goo when Drake's around. I was going to say she turns brainless but since that's her default state I don't think it's appropriate.
Talking about Drake, he was the one who showed improvement in this book. If you've read my review of the previous book you know that he managed to majorly piss me off. So when he showed up yet again I thought that I was in for another rage-inducing book full of his neanderthal ways. Imagine my surprise when he actually showed that he had listened to Aisling's complaints and was willing to try and change and do things in a way that suits them both. I was even more impressed when his (view spoiler)[mother (hide spoiler)] showed up and he defended Aisling time and again. And at the end of the book he really blew me away by (view spoiler)[picking Aisling over his sept. (hide spoiler)] I really didn't expect that. I mean if I was him (view spoiler)[I would totally let Ailing go into a permanent coma cause it would be safer for the world this way, not to mention I'd be free of her constant chatter and annoying demands. (hide spoiler)] He's a totally different dragon than the one we left just a few (in-universe) weeks ago.
And that's my main problem with this book - inconsistent characterization. The two main characters of this series come off as bipolar (I apologize to everyone who actually suffers from this condition, it's just the only word that comes to mind that comes even close to describing what happens). The only real consistency is that Aisling is dumb but then BHAM! she shows incredible deducing skills just at the right moment to serve the plot. Which leads to my second major problem with the series - plot holes a mile wide and obvious (and by obvious I mean screaming at you Ï'm here, notice me") plot devices. This is a prime example of lazy writing and it's insulting to the reader. And if it wasn't for my buddy reading group I wouldn't have continued the series, despite being curious as to what (view spoiler)[Fiat is up to. And what the hell is Rene. (hide spoiler)]...more
It's over! *screams for the whole world to hear* I am free of Aisling and her total lack of integrity and gray mBuddy read with the UF Freaks of BB&B!
It's over! *screams for the whole world to hear* I am free of Aisling and her total lack of integrity and gray matter! I was so happy that I was willing to give this an extra half star but my enthusiasm died after a couple of days (it took me that long to get around to writing this).
I was hoping that at least in the last book of the series there would be some improvement in the writing. Alas it was not the case. The writing is even worse than before and because a lot of the subplots were totally unnecessary (you can skip one of them completely and it won't change the outcome at all!), the plot holes were even bigger than in the last one and things were a lot of repetitive. Aisling got even more annoying (view spoiler)[if I hear "Sweetie/Sweetheart" one more time I'll puke! (hide spoiler)] and I still can't believe it's possible. And she's even dumber than before! And what's worse she's almost dragged Drake down to her level of reasoning (or lack of it thereof).
One of the reasons why I decided to keep reading was the blue dragons subplot and what the hell was Fiat up to. We never really got an answer to it and I suppose it's a setting for a spin off series but I will never ever read it. So yeah, I'm screwed.
Jim was as funny as ever and I loved how he was always mocking Aisling's lust for Drake. It was the best part of the series! But even that got a little annoying after 3 books. So basically the only good thing I can say is that it's over.
Special thanks to all my buddy readers for making this a funny experience. ...more
**spoiler alert** Buddy read with the Awesomest Wednesday UF Group who saved my sanity while reading this!
Actual rating: 1.5 stars. The half star is b**spoiler alert** Buddy read with the Awesomest Wednesday UF Group who saved my sanity while reading this!
Actual rating: 1.5 stars. The half star is because of Jim. Who wasn't around enough to raise the rating more.
Where do I start with the complaining? Let's start with the MCs, shall we?
Aisling Grey has the brain capacity of a jellyfish. With the occasional brilliant leaps of intuition. And by brilliant I mean it took her ages to arrive at the answer that was obvious for at least a quarter of the book. Everyone she interacts with should contact their lawyers so they can sue her for the incurred brain damage. I spent most of the book wondering how she made it to her 30es because she lacks any sense of self-preservation. She's a walking, talking natural disaster. And while it was funny for a while it got tedious after a couple of chapters. She's also inconsistent as hell! The previous book she was all like "I don't know what a Guardian is and I don't care. [...] Drake's just a fling, I'm not his mate, he just get's me horny." And now she's traveling halfway across the Earth so she can find a guardian-mentor and Drake is the love of her life??? WTF? Poor Jim, I don't know how he stands her. Don't get me wrong a little silliness is okay but she has no other mode. My head hurts from all the times I banged it on my desk reading this! And you know what she wasn't the most annoying character! I can't even believe it's possible!
The award for most annoying character of the book is shared by Marvabell and Tiffany. One is an obnoxious half-trained guardian who married an oracle and now thinks she's the high queen of the Otherworld because of it! Quite honestly I wanted her to end up dead from the moment she showed on page. The other is a professional virgin (yes you read that correctly! Because it's so difficult to refrain from sex!) and is just plain annoying with her "Smile! It shares the happiness" and "Look I'm so pretty and a virgin so my blood is the best and I provide such a big service to all by not having sex" (actually she does because if she remains a virgin she'll never reproduce which is a service to society!) attitude that I wanted to slap her until her eyeballs fall out!
You see this book was supposed to be light and fluffy read and I guess it is. For everyone else. For me, well it drives me to violence. Back to ranting.
To make things worse Drake, the Green Wyvern, makes an appearance and quickly proves to be a creepy stalker with no regard for anyone else. There's domeneering and then there's an asshole. Guess which one is Drake? Yep, asshole! And while I was willing to turn a blind eye to some of his transgression three made me see red. 1) The whole punishment thing for the challenge from the previous book. If I was Aisling I would have jumped of that bridge while he was still there so he would have to save me or risk dying as a result of his mate's death. Worst case scenario - HE DIES! That's good enough reason to sacrifice my own life. At the very least Aisling should have slept with that incubus she tricked into saving her. Because after that treatment I would consider things over with the SOB who LEFT ME STRANDED ON TOP OF A BRIDGE! I would have not gone back to him so he can screw my brains out. Than again Aisling has no brains to lose so maybe that's the problem. 2) Apparently Aisling (and any other woman) is only to be respected if she is Drake's mate. No respect for any woman if she's not his personal property. So once Aisling agreed that her vagina belongs to him and him alone she is suddenly RESPECTED by Mr. Chauvinist himself! Gee, why would I be mad? And 3) which is a result from the previous one is that apparently Mr. Chauvinist only cares that he gets the vagina. The woman attached is a pesky annoying thing that dares, DARES to have aspirations other than being a broodmare and the perfect host for dragon social function. So manipulating said woman into providing said vagina with false and misleading promises is totally okay. Because once she swear an oath it doesn't matter that she was lied to. Because Drake knew very well what Aisling really wanted from him. I hate him. I want him to die but before that i want him humiliated and to see Aisling happy and successful (yeah I know it's wishful thinking) WITHOUT HIM!
Talking about chauvinism I must mention the creepy episode with the hermit. Said hermit met the Professional Virgin and immediately fell in lust with her. I swear I threw up a little in my mouth while he was talking about how he is the only one who will stroke her petals *gag* So apparently being a virgin is the most important thing in the world. Having personality is optional. Why did I not DNF this?
Oh yes, because of Jim! He is amazing and saves the series with his mere presence. Unfortunately he was missing for part of the book and it was the part that annoyed me most. He usually says the things I want to say so naturally he holds a special place in my heart. In fact Jim's presence is one of the two reasons why I will continue this series. Actually three reasons. The second is learning what and who the hell is Rene and what is his real role in all of this. And the last reason for me not abandoning Aisling to suffer her own stupidity away from me are my fellow buddy readers who can make even the most insufferable book readable. We have suffered through worse *coughs* Marion *coughs* together. So I will not abandon them....more
Light and fluffy buddy read with the Wednesday UF Group of BB&B.
If you like smart and assertive female leads this book is not for you. If you like aduLight and fluffy buddy read with the Wednesday UF Group of BB&B.
If you like smart and assertive female leads this book is not for you. If you like adult talk (and by that I mean not using toddler words) this book is not for you. If you like to skip eyerolling until your eyes hurt this book is not for you.
Aisling Grey almost made me bash my head in. The poor woman is a natural disaster and I wonder how she's managed to survive to her late 30ies. She's clueless but at least she's aware of it. However, there's a chance she will improve because she knows she's ignorant as fuck.
The rest of the cast mostly made up for how annoying Aisling was. Mostly Jim - the best demon sidekick ever! I adore him and he (I refuse to call him it because it's apparent he identifies as a he) is the reason why I will give the second book a try. ...more
I'd forgotten how exasperating the males of the Seven can be! The first few chapters I wanted to bash VBuddy read with the Wednesday UF Group of BB&B.
I'd forgotten how exasperating the males of the Seven can be! The first few chapters I wanted to bash Venom's head in and I remember feeling the same with Raphael in the beginning. But just like with Raphael, Venom managed to grow on me and to his credit it took him far less time. And something tells me that if I had read this immediately after Archangel's Heart I wouldn't have minded all that much since by that time I had grown immune to the Seven being assholes.
Holly aka Sorrow proved to be a great lead and I loved seeing her as a strong and mostly whole person though I would have liked to see how she got to this point. She was still so broken the last time we saw her that it was a bit difficult to adjust to seeing her the way she was at the beginning of the book.
The story itself was intriguing and the direction it ultimately took was a surprise since it seemed that it was heading elsewhere. Doesn't mean I didn't like it, it just left me wanting to learn more about the other direction it had the potential to take. Maybe it can be explored in a short story someday?
One of the things you can always count on in the GH series is great banter between the main characters. Archangel's Viper was no exception. There were so many good dialogues! And this humour was just what I needed after these past few miserable weeks. Because I was listening to the audio I forgot to check if our favourite phrase and running joke of our little buddy reading group for this series was included so if anyone notice whether "sheath" was used as an euphemism for vagina please let me know in the comments.
Now I wish you all happy reading and if you ever look for something with great humour and don't mind asshole male leads you should give this series a try. ...more
Buddy read with both the MacHalo and the UF Freaks. Well sort of because buddy read implies stopping to comment and discuss.
I was supposed to savour Buddy read with both the MacHalo and the UF Freaks. Well sort of because buddy read implies stopping to comment and discuss.
I was supposed to savour this. After all it's the last book of the series. So I both wanted to read this book in seconds and to make it last forever. As usual my total lack of self control made me devour this in just a few hours.
To describe Edge of Forever I will borrow a line from it: "It was glorious!" It grabbed me by the throat and I just couldn't let go. From the moment I read the teaser at the end of the previous book I was terrified of what's to come, of whether Ace can overwhelm Apophis and be more than the Monster all gods fear. And for a while I wasn't sure which one of them will win.
There were so many delicious moments to sate even the most bloodthirsty soul! But as much as love Ace and admire what he managed to do, Shukra once again stole the limelight. Because without her, his only friend (took you long enough to figure it out, Ace! You're not really bright, are you?) our favourite soul eater would have been in deep shit. Shu brings a much needed sass to the otherwise rather glum Ace. With gems like:
“To remind you that you weren’t always an epic asshole. Well, actually, you were, but you tried to be a decent asshole.
“Can I at least hit you again? The first time was almost orgasmic.”
“Her nipples too. I’ll wear those as earrings.”
"Ace: The only reason you’re alive is because they think I’m torturing you. Shu: Your ridiculously sad puppy eyes already are.”
and many many more, is it any wonder why I worship her? If I could I would marry her but alas she's already a prisoner guest at a high security harem that I have no prayer of ever infiltrating ;)
I can't say more for it would spoil at least some part of this awesomeness and you need to experience it spoiler-free to really appreciate it properly. All I can say is that it delivered The End of All Things with a bang....more
When I started this book I thought "Hmm this has so much potential, it's almost like Harry Potter but withBuddy read with the Wednesday UF group @BBB.
When I started this book I thought "Hmm this has so much potential, it's almost like Harry Potter but with grown ups." What a joke! At his most immature Harry was never this childish as the characters that populate The Magician.
If you ever wondered what it would be like to read a book with a immature, entitled, whiny outsider as a main character then you should try this. The apathy just poured out of it! Quentin is everything that is wrong with most of the young adults these days and before you start with the "it's because you're from a different generation, you can't possibly understand" I want to tell you that I'm 26 years old and as a TA at an university I have the opportunity to observe the YA just after high school. So the generation gap between me and the people I'm talking about is almost non-existent. Quentin is one of those deeply unsatisfied with life people because real life didn't miraculously serve him everything he ever wanted on a silver platter when he was still in high school. It starts with his unrequited love for his bets friend's girlfriend and we, the readers, have to endure his endless monologues about how much better for her he is and how she should have picked him. Once upon a time he read a book about a fictional world called Fillory and the adventures a bunch of children had there (something like Narnia) and he got stuck there. We've all been there and wanted so much for a certain fictional world to be real and got obsessed with it but we mostly grew out of it. And if not that, then at least we're functional human beings (somewhat) that can deal with the real world when we need to. Quentin is incapable of moving on and as a result is incapable of functioning as part of society. He's always a third wheel, always wanting what he can't have. So far I can sympathize with him. As I said most of us have been there.
But then he is given what anyone of us would die for. He was told that magic is real and that he is special enough that he can be part of that secret magical world. One would think that he would finally be happy, right? And for a while he seemed to be. And then he decided to sabotage himself. And that was the theme for the rest of the book. Every time he managed to achieve something, he then proceeded to destroy out of selfishness because it was no longer enough. Most of the book was him being apathetic and drinking. Oh and swearing just to feel grown up. You see I have no problem with swearing. In fact I swear like a sailor when the situation requires it. With Quentin and his "friends" (I'll explain the quotation marks in a second) it's forced. It's there because they think cool kids and adults talk like that and you can feel it when you read their dialogues. The people Quentin hangs out with can hardly be called his friends. He doesn't have a genuine human connection with any of them. But they bring out the worst in him and feed each other's drive towards self destruction.
The only character I cared about was Alice because frankly she was the least childish one of the cast. But she had the bad taste to fall in love with Quentin who never sees what he has and proceeds to destroy the only human connection he has ever had. I felt bad for Alice from the start because Quentin never really appreciated her and eventually he screwed it up. But instead of growing a pair and accepting the consequences he managed to find a way to feel as if he is the one wronged.
So to wrap up Quentin and his buddies are a waste of space, food and breathable air. They're lazy and incapable of handling life so they drown themselves in alcohol and pointless sex and when they get something good from they proceed to trash it because they feel they deserve more. And since (view spoiler)[ the only character I cared about died (hide spoiler)] I don't intend to continue with the series. I just don't care what happens with the spoiled brats. ...more
Why did you do this to me Ms. DaCosta? Why? How am I supposed to wait for Edge of Forever after the way this book ended? Not to mention after that litWhy did you do this to me Ms. DaCosta? Why? How am I supposed to wait for Edge of Forever after the way this book ended? Not to mention after that little teaser at the end? I mean I'm just a human! My poor little heart can't take the uncertainty and the tantalizing promise of mayhem. October is too far away. On the other hand it will make a perfect birthday gift :)
WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD!
After the revelation of the previous book about Ace's true identity it was clear that there'll be some serious power shifts in the pantheon. And that the biggest battle will be for Ace's soul. Because Ace is not a good guy most of the time. He's more like the necessary guy, the one who'll do whatever needs doing, whether that thing is good or bad. He was always on the edge and learning that he's Apophis (the Big Bad) threatened to push him over. For most of the book I was silently praying that he will keep his hold on that fragile humanity the last 500 years have given him. Because if anyone has a reason to go batshit crazy and slaughter everyone in his way it's Ace for all the shit he had to endure under Osiris whip.
But the time for secrets and lies is at an end and Ace had to face the truth of those missing days - something that I both wanted to happen and feared. Feared because it was yet another thing that could push Ace into the abyss. And it almost did.
It was almost as if it Osiris did everything in his power to give Ace every reason to hate him and stand against everything the God of Rebirth stood for. I mean Apophis doesn't need a reason but if Ace had reasons to like the psychotic bastard maybe it would have been easier for Ace to fight off Apophis' memories' influence. That's just another proof that the old gods need to die because they're too far gone into insanity and petty revenge plots and their very personalities threaten the world. Talking about the gods needing to die (view spoiler)[Ace finally killed the Queen Bitch! [image] (hide spoiler)] In that moment I expereanced such a sense of joy and bone deep satisfaction that had I harbored any illusions of me not being deeply disturbed they would have been quashed. Now I only hope it sticks.
Two other things vied for the best moment of the book award before the above mentioned death took place - Shu's redeemed soul and Ace and Cat finally acting on that attraction between them. The first was a bit of a surprise but a very pleasant one. One, because it means there's hope for Ace and two because despite Shu no longer being a bad guy she's still the badass sorceress we all love. In fact the best dialogues were between her and Ace. Gems such as:
“All this time I’ve been bound to the biggest badass in the entire Egyptian pantheon,” she murmured, “and I thought you were just an alcoholic PI.”
and
Shukra, who was appraising Blue as though weighing up which pieces would make fantastic boots.
are all about her. Looking through my highlights and notes almost all of them have something to do with Shu. Ms. DaCosta, where can I find one of those milkshakes Shu drinks? I would love one! The only thing I disliked about Shu in this instalment was that there was not enough of her.
Instead of Shu we got more of Cat. She shows up early in the book in a most spectacular fashion! And she keeps rocking out for the rest of the book. So when (view spoiler)[ Ace killed her, I almost cried. What stopped me is the fact that Ace did not devour her soul and that she mentioned (in one of the previous books) that she has more lives at her disposal. At least I hope so. Because I (and probably every other fan of the series) will be deeply saddened if that's not the case. (hide spoiler)] Cat is good for Ace. She helps him hold on to his humanity and at the same time doesn't let him get away with any bullshit. And he will need this in the events to come because he is playing a dangerous game. On the outcome hangs the fate of the world and his very existence!
And now I'm off to pre-order Edge of Forever and all of you should too. ...more
Buddy read with both the MacHalos and BB&B. Because we all worship Pippa DaCosta!
How am I supposed to wait two months for Serpent's Game after the wayBuddy read with both the MacHalos and BB&B. Because we all worship Pippa DaCosta!
How am I supposed to wait two months for Serpent's Game after the way ST ended??? That teaser at the end is insufficient! I need more and I need it NOW!
Fow a while now Ace has been trying to learn more about who and what he really is. And it seems that the Bitch Goddess aka Isis has the answers. So when she comes knocking, Ace has no choice but to follow her to the last place on Earth he wants to be - Egypt. Being back in the homeland is slowly unraveling the Nameless One's tenuous control. Add to it Ace suspicions of Shu's motivations and our favourite Soul Eater is in deep shit.
With each new instalment I hate Isis and Osiris more but here Isis really outdid herself! That goddess not only needs to die but she deserves to suffer for eternity. Though being married to Osiris is pretty much the same. Still I don't feel even a drop of pity for her. She made her bed and deserves what she's got. The best punishment for her and her brother/husband is to be turned into ordinary humans with all of their memories intact. Her complete disregard for anyone other than her is monstrous. And she has the gall to call Ace "monster"! Her constant attempts to lead Ace by his dick are getting on my nerves. If Ace ever fucks her I'll go nuclear! Poor guy! I feel sorry for him because he hates her so much and he desires her. It must be a horrible feeling.
Shu's my favourite character and she keeps shining in ST. Even when Ace is acting like a dumbass she's still there for him. Unfortunately the man has the thickest skull in the universe and his suspicious nature gets in the way. Adding the events from the end of Hidden Blade, which Isis expertly uses to manipulate Ace, and we get a confrontation that ends up almost destroying them. I always knew that Shu's manipulation of Ace's memories will come and bite them on the ass but now it's imperative that Ace gets his memories back before he does something unforgivable! Sure, the truth will rip him apart but with the revelation at the end of this book Ace needs all the help he can get to remain "human" for a lack of a better fitting word. Because without that humanity he will turn into something as bad as Osiris and Isis. ...more
It's over! Finally! I think I rated it so high just because I'm finally done with the series. So what can I **spoiler alert** Actual rating: 2.5 stars
It's over! Finally! I think I rated it so high just because I'm finally done with the series. So what can I say about this book... Marion is the very definition of a spoiled, entitled little bitch with delusions of grandeur. You see for years she's manipulated everyone around her for the following reason - she's jealous. Jealous of her step sister Dana because their mother payed more attention to her, jealous of Elise because Elise is a god, jealous of pretty much everyone. Because the word "enough" apparently has no meaning to Marion. All the power she had was never enough, all the beauty, all the influence. No, she wants to be the top dog and she figured out that she'll supplant Elise as a god. But there's one small problem with dear Marion's plan - it could never work! There are two possible ways things could happen if Benjamin, who is supposed to go back in time to help Genesis happen, doesn't go back in time. One, the universe collapses and everyone dies or two, the evil demon from Ascension gets to be the new demon god of the triad and then everyone dies at best or every dimension becomes a hell dimension. The thing is Marion is uniquely situated to know all that. She's in fact the only one who has access to James and Elise, who are the only ones who know what precisely went on in those final days before Genesis. But noooo, Marion wouldn't even bother to ask or think or check with the Librarian, you know the creature that chronicles time itself Genesis after Genesis! Someone should have done the universe a favour and smothered Marion in her crib!
Let's move to Seth, the God of Death. How can you be omnipotent (because most of the time he is) and still be so utterly naivë? I just can't wrap my head around it. And don't tell me it's because he had his omnipotence curbed by the ash of the Tree of Knowledge. From the moment his avatar died to the moment he made that deal with James he was omnipotent so he should have known what Marion is planning or at least known what a twisty, power-hungry little liar she is. Why the hell was he so trusting? Sure it worked out fine in the end. Except for all the beings that died because of her machinations. I hate Konig but even I felt pity for him because one of the reasons he turned into an abusive, power crazed patricide was Marion. She made him fall in love with her (even though she says she found him despicable) and then fed his ego and whispered sweet words of world domination in his ear. Konig is an awful person but maybe, just maybe if he hadn't met Marion he wouldn't have fallen so far.
Talking about Konig, I hate that man with a passion! He's so despicable in this book that I just can't find the words to describe it. The one good thing that happened was that he died! Too bad that he didn't manage to kill Marion. If those two had died I would have thrown a party! I do have a problem with his death, though. It was not slow and painful enough. He should have suffered for all his sins. He is a mass murderer who thinks that the sun shines out of his own ass and everyone who can't see it must die. Even his own father thought that he should be removed from the throne! So, of course, dear Konig killed him. Why not, everyone who's not Team Konig must die, right? What is wrong with you people??? Konig wonders why his father tried to stop him after he basically tore apart the Middle Worlds and committed genocide, Marion's wondering why no one likes her and why Rylie, a mother figure to her, has a contingency plan to kill her after Rylie watched her manipulate everyone around her and even go so far as to victimize herself in high school just so she can gather sympathy! Seth is pining over a sociopath and the angels (mainly Leliel) whine that they're going extinct because Elise hates them after (spoiler for Ascension) (view spoiler)[they kidnapped and put into a coma thousands of humans in New Eden so they could feed off of them! And if my memory serves me correctly Marion was one of the kidnapped ones!) (hide spoiler)] A shitload of people whine about what Genesis did to them but (again spoiler for Ascension) (view spoiler)[ Genesis just fixed what the angels and demons had ruined before. Elise had no grand plans for remaking the universe. She didn't even want to be a god. She just had no other choice. It was that or let a murderous sociopathic demon be the guiding hand behind Genesis. So she choose to do something about it. Unlike another whiny god we know! You see when the previous Genesis happened all the gaean species existed and they were meant to be a counterpoint to the angels. The ethereal, the infernal and the gaean races were meant to balance each other and keep each other in check but the angels and demons (who both feed off of the humans) decided to kill the gaeans because they were protecting the humans. (hide spoiler)] Things weren't better before Genesis, just most people lived in blessed ignorance.
The only bright point in this whole mess were Charity and Arawn. God, they're cute. In a very disgusting way. I gagged a few times when they were kissing. The description of Arawn's breath almost did me in. Also they're the only people that actually have brains in that universe. Too bad that they weren't the MCs. The series would have been much better.
In the epilogue we got to see a glimpse of Elise in the form of the Godslayer avatar. And by that I mean we got to see the Elise I adored in prequel series - gruff, uncommunicative but loyal to a fault. All this time in the Magecraft series Elise was villainized, by Seth, by Marion, by Leliel. So when the Godslayer showed up everyone thought that she's there to kill Marion. In the epilogue we saw how much Elise cares for her little sister. And she showed it i the only way she's capable of by teaching her how to survive. I think that the only reason Marion got so far with her plan was that Elise loves her too much. Just as with James, Elise is blind to her faults and refuses to see it when the evidence of Marion's evil is before her. Anyone else Elise would have struck down long before that moment. But she gave her a chance to step away and live. Just like she did with James. I don't approve but maybe that makes Elise the better person, the one capable of forgiving things I think are unforgivable.
I'm pissed at the ending. Because after all she did, ultimately Marion got rewarded. She not only got to live but she got o live the rest of her life with Seth, on Earth. And while Seth deserves a HEA after all the bullshit the universe gave him before Genesis, I don't think that Marion should have gotten one. ...more
I hate, hate, hate this book! And yet I gave it 2 stars and even debated whether to give it 3 stars. You see the reason why I hated this book is that I hate, hate, hate this book! And yet I gave it 2 stars and even debated whether to give it 3 stars. You see the reason why I hated this book is that I hate almost every single one of the characters in it. Of the main cast I don't really like even Seth and he is the most likeable of them all! Marion and Konig, the other two main characters, make me want to spend hours on end researching novel ways to torture someone without killing them so they can suffer for as long as possible! I want to skin them alive and make gloves out of their hides! And then slap them silly wearing them! *screams in frustration*
However, the story itself is incredibly interesting. Especially to someone who has read the two prequel series Descent and Ascension. But that makes Marion's actions even more aggravating! She's a stupid, selfish little brat that should have been killed in the womb! I won't even attempt to describe my feelings towards Konig. My head might explode! As it is I can feel my eyes trying to pop out. I pray that one or preferably both of them will die by the end of the series. And hopefully it will be a horrific and incredibly painful death. Because they deserve every second of suffering. ...more
Boy, do I love this world? And I love it even more thanks to my fellow buddy readers who always find a way to iBuddy read with the Wednesday UF Group.
Boy, do I love this world? And I love it even more thanks to my fellow buddy readers who always find a way to improve a book *waves at Steven still laughing over one of his remarks*
I want to take the time and say a few words about the audio version before I move on to the book itself. Khristine Hvam is an incredible narrator and it's always a pleasure to listen to a book she's narrating. She has distinct "voices" for all the characters and it's so easy to distinguish between them all. Her cadence is engaging and it usually helps me concentrate on a book. So it was a bit of a surprise to me when I spaced out for almost half the book and had to return and start all over again. Must be something wrong with me. The reason why I'm saying all this is a few weeks ago I listened to a really good book that had terrible narrator and I just wanted to point out how important a narrator is to the way an audiobook is perceived.
We're back in one of my very favourite worlds and in the part of it I actually like more. Soulwood is a spin off series. Usually I like the main series more but in this particular case things are the other way around. I love Jane Yellowrock but Nell Ingram has won me over and I utterly adore her. It's so much easier to identify with her and to sympathize to what she's been through. To admire her for having the spine to stand up for herself and take a stand against the cult that raised her. Time and again she does what is right instead of what her superiors (be they members of the God's Cloud of Glory church or PsyLed) tell her to. I admire that quality and wish more people were like her in RL.
However, she's not perfect and this is what makes her such a likeable character. She stumbles, she backtracks and makes mistakes due to insecurity and lack of experience. Just like the rest of us. But in the end she finds the right way for her. And after all the angst and fear (at one point I threatened to abandon the series if (view spoiler)[she chose to marry Ben and return to the clutches of the Church (hide spoiler)]) to see her take the first step on a road that used to terrify her, I just can't find the words to describe the elation I felt.
So if you find yourself in a need of a series that will make you want to be a better person without you even realizing it, give soulwood a chance. I promise you won't regret it....more
Okay I had a few days to mull this over and the final decision is in: I liked it well enough to continue the seBuddy read with the Wednesday UF Group.
Okay I had a few days to mull this over and the final decision is in: I liked it well enough to continue the series. I'm rounding the rating to 3 stars despite not being really into it. As some of my friends know I dislike Alice in Wonderland type of stories so I had trouble with getting into this book. And to be honest I never really connected with any of the characters. For most of the book I felt bad for Nancy and wanted her to get back to the world she was happy in but (view spoiler)[when she did found her doorway I wanted her to stay on Earth. For Cade and for her parents. (hide spoiler)] And now as I sit and try to write this review I still doubt my decision to continue. I'm still not sure if I liked it or not. I guess the next book will answer the question on whether I can keep on. ...more
It's not fair that there are only two published books in this series. I need more! And I need it now!
NeBuddy read with the Wednesday UF Group of BB&B.
It's not fair that there are only two published books in this series. I need more! And I need it now!
Nell Ingram has become one of my favourite characters in record time and I enjoyed the hell out of this instalment. The Nell that returns from Spook School at the beginning is a very different Nell from the one we left in the previous book and changes throughout the story. And the more she grows, both as a person and as a member of Unit 18, the more I like her. She's smart and strong in her own way, has a moral compass that points true north no matter the situation. There was a situation that showed she won't compromise her beliefs for her job and even when she passively allowed a co-worker to (view spoiler)[ abuse his powers (hide spoiler)] the decision sat heavily on her and was made only because the consequences of not allowing it would have been devastating. Nell's powers and abilities have also grown and I believe she's a lot more to grow before she reaches her true potential. She's loyal to a fault and would put herself at risk instead of doing harm to her friends. And the members of Unit 18 have become true friends of Nell's :)
It seems that (view spoiler)[Occam (hide spoiler)] will be the love interest in this series and I definitely approve. He shows a lot of affection and protectiveness and I hope she can grow to trust him enough over time to let him in. And that he will earn that trust. Before I started the series I feared that Rick will somehow become the LI but thankfully it seems unlikely.
Talking about Rick one of the things that annoyed me most in this book has to do with him even if it's a bit indirect. (view spoiler)[After Rick finally shifted to his leopard form, Paka showed her true colours. It was revealed that Kemnebi had hired her to bespell Rick, force him into his animal form and then leave him in it as a punishment for the seduction and ultimate death of Kemnebi's wife Safia. Two things bother me about this scenario. 1) That both Kemnebi and Paka blame Rick alone for Safia's infidelity when in fact that takes two. Safia could have refused Rick's advances, could have not bitten him, thus earning a death sentence, could have at least taken more than a couple of days before she jumped into Rick's bed, for crying out loud! Sure she's dead and can't be punished but that doesn't mean that Rick should shoulder the blame alone. I can't believe I'm actually defending Dicky-Bo! 2) Paka used her magic to make Rick be with her. To me this is rape pure and simple. And Rick has already suffered this before and it makes me so mad that he had to go through it again. I can't decide if the fact that Paka did it all for money makes it worse or not. She also showed way too much pleasure in doing this to him for someone unaffected by Rick's crime. While I'm all up for Rick paying for his cheating ways, I don't think that raping and trapping him in his animal form is the way to do it. (hide spoiler)] Now that this is out of the way maybe just maybe Rick can grow into someone likable or at least less of an a-hole. But that will have to wait until December. I have to make it just a few more months. Damn I hate to wait!...more
Blood of the Earth is the first book in a spin-off series set in the Jane Yellowrock universe. At first I was a bBuddy read with the UF freaks of BB&B
Blood of the Earth is the first book in a spin-off series set in the Jane Yellowrock universe. At first I was a bit apprehensive because I was warned that one of my least favourite characters from the JY series will have a major role here. If you've read some of my reviews of the other series you know that I mostly hate Rick - I've bitched about him a lot! So it came as a surprise that I not only didn't mind his presence here but I actually felt a bit sorry for him. Weird. There must be something wrong with me, I should schedule an appointment with a good shrink.
The MC, Nell, is a fascinating character! I loved her from the very beginning. She's had a really tough time growing up and it's truly amazing that she's managed to get so far and remain so independent. I hated the cult she grew up in, I hated her family for most of the book and even when it was revealed that they weren't as bad as Nell thought they were I still can't accept a lot of what they do. I know I should be open minded and accepting of other people's lifestyles but child marriage and abuse are not among the things I can ever accept as normal.
The new characters that form the core group of this book are diverse - an empath, a witch, a human and two and a half werecats. At first Paka rubbed me the wrong way but as the book progressed I started liking her more and more. She provides a much needed fierceness and her penchant for violence satisfies my bloodthirst. There are two potential love interest for Nell and I hope that this won't turn into another love triangle that spans 3-4 books. The humour was great and it was nice to experience the world away from Jane, who tends to have a rather narrow worldview. This was a strong start and while I would recommend reading the JY books first, it can be treated as a separate series....more
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