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Goodreads, Book Review, Fantasy, 2 Treasure Boxes

Warrior by Marie Brennan

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Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
Book one of a two book series
Published August 1st 2008 by Orbit, Paperback, 405 pages, ISBN 0316027057

This book has an interesting look at the world of witches. It is a fantasy book that takes place on a world that operates with magic under the care of the Goddess. In order for a witch to come into her powers she undergoes a ceremony when she is just a baby that creates a Doppelganger, a twin of herself, where the witch has the power and the Doppelganger has none.  In order for the witch to master her power the Doppelganger must be killed.

This story centres around a warrior named Mirage and a witch named Miryo, with most of the emphasis on Mirage. Mirage has been given the task of solving a murder and in the process she learns much of herself. While involved in this case she meets Miryo and discovers some very interesting things about her.

Miryo has discovered that her Doppelganger is still alive and she must go find her and kill her in order to come fully into her powers. During her sojourn she has a new insight into the world of magic and makes a daunting discovery. We get to know and like both these characters. Both of their journeys are interesting to follow.

The ending of the book is quite startling as well as very satisfying. The book is a stand alone book with a complete story, but I am interested to see where Marie Brennan goes in the sequel to this book and I am looking forward to reading it.

Book Review, Fantasy, 3 Treasure Boxes, Goodreads

Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson

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This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series Malazan Book of the Fallen

Book Review: 3 Treasure Boxes
Third Novel in the Malazan Book of the Fallen Series
Publisher: Bantam Press (Jan 14 2003), Mass Market Paperback: 1200 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 0553813129, ISBN-13: 978-0553813128

I really enjoyed this book.  The story continues to grow in depth and complexity. It takes place simultaneously with the second book. There is an introduction of a new bad guy, the Pannion Seer and his incredibly weird army. The book still follows the Bridgeburners and gives more information about their background.

Steven Erikson is the author of the Malazan Book of the Fallen Series which comprises 10 books and 4 novellas.  Memories of Ice is the third book in this long and complex story-line.  The genre is fantasy and the multifarious story takes place in a non-technological age with the use of magic involving many different peoples. There are the human people of Genabackis who are descendants of the T’lan Imass. There are T’lan Imass a group of people who are one of the founding races that underwent a ritual ( so long in the past that it predated the ascension of humans) that has made them immortal . There is the Jaghut, a race that was so dangerous the T’lan Imass undertook to completely annihilate them and it was this that brought about the ritual. The Tiste Andii, a non-human elder race that is very powerful and has use of magic. There are also Gods, who are called Ascendants. There are others as well. Some individuals have access to magic.  The magic is accessible through warrens which are pathways that exist outside of the world and are believed to have been created by the Dragons. The Deck of Dragons, which is a deck of cards that is associated with the Ascendants, can be used to foretell the future.  Soletaken are humans or creatures that can change their forms into animals.

There are all kinds of intrigue and secret plots, including the apparent separation between the Bridgeburners and the Empire and there are alliances made with old enemies. Also, things start coming to light about Tattersail, a former Cadre Sorceress from the 2nd Army, who we thought had possibly died. We also learn more about the T’lan Imass and their role in the story. We learn alot more about what is really going on and who is actually behind it all. Ganoes Paran’s role and abilities keep growing in a very interesting manner.

This book was very detailed with lots of action and fighting scenes, some of it pretty gruesome. But overall I found the machinations to be captivating and I really enjoy reading about these characters. I am definitely going to read the next book in the series since there is lots left to happen and I am curious to see where this is all heading.  The books need to be read in order, none of them are stand alone. If you enjoy reading fantasy and want to luxuriate in a long story then I recommend this book to you.  Keep in mind this is not your typical fantasy, but if you are willing to give it a go and keep on plodding through, I think you too will be hooked.

Fantasy, 2 Treasure Boxes, Goodreads

Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson

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This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Malazan Book of the Fallen

Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
Second Novel in the Malazan Book Of The Fallen Series
Publisher: Tor Fantasy; ZZZ edition (February 7, 2005), Mass Market Paperback: 864 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 0765348799, ISBN-13: 978-0765348791

The unique and interesting story continues in this second book. It still focuses on the Bridgeburners but it also has some new characters that it focuses on.  In this novel, the Bridgeburners get separated to go onto different adventures. There is the introduction of new characters and new concepts.

Steven Erikson is the author of the Malazan Book of the Fallen Series which comprises 10 books and 4 novellas.  Deadhouse Gates is the second book in this long and complex story-line.  The genre is fantasy and the multifarious story takes place in a non-technological age with the use of magic involving many different peoples. There are the human people of Genabackis who are descendants of the T’lan Imass. There are T’lan Imass a group of people who are one of the founding races that underwent a ritual ( so long in the past that it predated the ascension of humans) that has made them immortal . There is the Jaghut, a race that was so dangerous the T’lan Imass undertook to completely annihilate them and it was this that brought about the ritual. The Tiste Andii, a non-human elder race that is very powerful and has use of magic. There are also Gods, who are called Ascendants. There are others as well. Some individuals have access to magic.  The magic is accessible through warrens which are pathways that exist outside of the world and are believed to have been created by the Dragons. The Deck of Dragons, which is a deck of cards that is associated with the Ascendants, can be used to foretell the future.  Soletaken are humans or creatures that can change their forms into animals.

Felisin Paran (youngest sister of Ganoes Paran, Captain of the Bridgeburners,) is a new character. Previously she was part of the nobility, but with the problems in the Malazan Empire, the Empress decides a culling of the nobility is required and Felisin is one of those who is affected.  Since the previous Adjunct (a trusted person chosen by the Empress to completely give up who she was and become an extension of the Empress) died in the first book, a new Adjunct was chosen who is Felisin’s older sister. Since the only way the new Adjunct can save her sister from being killed is to send her into slavery in the Otataral Island mines, that is where she goes. But she also sends Baudin, a strong warrior, into slavery as a protector for her sister.  A one-handed excommunicated priest of Fener named Heboric also becomes a companion to Felisin. One of the storylines of the book centres around the adventures of these three.

On a different sub-continent known as the Seven Seas, the Malazan Forces are being over-run creating a large number of refugees and the story of their trek being lead by the legendary commander of the Malazan 7th Army, Coltaine of the Crow Clan of the Wickans is quite amazing. We also follow the adventures of the Bridgeburners, although they have separated with different parties going off to do different things. There is a rebellion brewing which causes concern and action.  We learn more of the characters and the story continues. We also learn more of how the warrens work and it is always interesting to see what Quick Ben is up to, he is a Mage in the 9th (one of the Bridgeburners)

The path of the hands has been unleashed which brings out the sole-taken (shape-shifters) and D’ivers (shape-shifters who can take on many different shapes at once) who are looking for Ascension (they want to become Gods.)  We also meet Icarium, a mixed-blood Jaghut wanderer, who does not know what he is and his companion a Trell named Mappo, who are also on the path.

The book has a rather surprising but good ending. Since it is a series, there is lots left to happen and the books definitely need to be read in order, none of them are stand alone. I am curious to see where this is all heading.  If you enjoy reading fantasy and want to luxuriate in a long story then I recommend this book to you.  Keep in mind this is not your typical fantasy, but if you are willing to give it a go, I think you too will be hooked.

3 Treasure Boxes, Contemporary Fantasy, Goodreads

Every Which Way But Dead by Kim Harrison

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Book Review: 3 Treasure Boxes
The Hollows, Book 3
Publisher: HarperCollins (Mobi-pocket June 2005,) 449 KB (432 pages,) ISBN 0-06-085532-0

This book really grabs your interest from the first page. It jumps right in with Rachel summoning the demon Algaliarept to fulfil the deal she made with him in the last book, where she agreed to become his familiar. We are introduced to a new character, Ceri, who was the demon’s familiar for 1,000 years, but has been freed by Rachel.  We learn that Ceri is also an Elf like Trent. In this book Rachel goes on another run and as usual gets in and out of trouble.

Every Witch Way but Dead is the third book in The Rachel Morgan/The Hollows Series. Currently there are nine books in the series, with another three or four expected to be released in the future. This series is a modern day story that centers around inderlanders: witches, weres, vampires and others including the occasional demon, so it falls into the Contemporary Fantasy or Urban Fantasy genre. It is told in the first person narrative from Rachel Morgan’s point of view, she is the main protagonist.

The book was fun to read and I enjoyed it much more than The Good, The Bad and The Undead. Rachel is continuing to deal with the problems of living with Ivy an undead vampire. Problems arise because Ivy is also the Scion for Piscary, the dead vampire who Rachel put into jail. The relationship between Rachel and Kisten really gets going and there is some pretty steamy stuff in the book between these two.  Another new character is introduced, David a lone were who is also an insurance adjuster.

We learn more about Trent and what motivates him. We also learn more about Rachel and her background, plus, her abilities continue to grow in strength and capability.  The only part of the book that I found a bit annoying was Jenks reaction to Rachel keeping a secret from him, but the author explained the reasons and I felt it made sense. There is lots of action and plenty of suspense.

I like how the story unfolds and the ending is great. This is a stand alone book which is always satisifying to me, but it is also part of a larger story. I looking forward to reading A Fistful of Charms. I recommend this book, but you should read the books in order as the story builds.

 

Goodreads, Fantasy, 2 Treasure Boxes

Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson

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This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Malazan Book of the Fallen

Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
Book One in the Malazan Book of the Fallen Series
Publisher: Tor Fantasy; ZZZ edition (December 28, 2004), Mass Market Paperback: 666 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 9780765348784, ISBN-13: 978-0765348784, ASIN: 0765348780

This is a unique fantasy style and although it is complex it is still interesting. The story takes place on the Genabackis continent in the world created by Steven Erikson. There is war, fighting and battles. There are also intrigue and hidden agendas by many of the players. There are many characters, but the main ones are the Bridgeburners, they are a specialized army unit in the Malazan military and have been given a very difficult job. The story follows them as well as many others throughout their challenges in the book.

Steven Erikson is the author of the Malazan Book of the Fallen Series which comprises 10 books and 4 novellas.  Gardens of the Moonis the first book in this long and complex story-line.  The genre is fantasy and the multifarious story takes place in a non-technological age with the use of magic involving many different peoples. There are the human people of Genabackis who are descendants of the T’lan Imass. There are T’lan Imass a group of people who are one of the founding races that underwent a ritual ( so long in the past that it predated the ascension of humans) that has made them immortal . There is the Jaghut, a race that was so dangerous the T’lan Imass undertook to completely annihilate them and it was this that brought about the ritual. The Tiste Andii, a non-human elder race that is very powerful and has use of magic. There are also Gods, who are called Ascendants. There are others as well. Some individuals have access to magic.  The magic is accessible through warrens which are pathways that exist outside of the world and are believed to have been created by the Dragons. The Deck of Dragons, which is a deck of cards that is associated with the Ascendants, can be used to foretell the future.  Soletaken are humans or creatures that can change their forms into animals.

It took me a long time to figure out what was going on in the beginning of the story, but once I did, I was hooked.  Basically, the Empress wants to dominate the world and is currently focusing on the free city of Pale using the Malazan 2nd Army under High Fist Dujek, but there is treachery.  Also, Anomander Rake, a Tiste Andii and Lord of Moon’s Spawn (a floating fortress and hence the name of the book), is assisting Pale making the battle difficult if not impossible to win. The book focuses primarily on Whiskey Jack and his Bridgeburners., who are Dujek’s army.   The tactics and relationship of the Bridgeburners is interesting to read.  I loved the introduction of the characters.  I felt that Ganeos Paran assignment as Captain to the Bridgeburners was interesting.  As the story unfolded, so did the development of some of the characters. 

The book had a good ending, with some resolutions, but it also introduced some new characters and new threats. Since it is a series, there is lots left to happen. I am curious to see where this is all heading.  If you enjoy reading fantasy and want to luxuriate in a long story then I recommend this book to you.  Keep in mind this is not your typical fantasy, but if you are willing to give it a go, I think you too will be hooked.

3 Treasure Boxes, Contemporary Fantasy, Goodreads

Dreamfever by Karen Maire Moning

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This entry is part 4 of 6 in the series Fever Series

Book Review: 3 Treasure Boxes
Fever Series, Book 4
Publisher: Delacorte PressSold by: Amazon Digital Services; 1 edition (August 18, 2009), File Size: 769 KB, Print Length: 400 pages, Language: English, Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0385341652, ASIN: B002LDM8WW
WOW!! This book starts with lots and lots of hot sex between Mac and Barrons.  At the end of the last book Mac was captured by three Unseelie Death-by-Sex Fae.  After they raped her (all at the same time,) with their power on high, she turned into Pri-Ya, that is a human that has become a mindless sex fiend. Barrons swoops in to save Mac from this plight. The evil yet powerful book needs to be found, captured and used to restore the walls.

Dreamfever is the fourth book in the Fever Series. To date there are a total of four books in the series with book five, Shadowfever,  to be released January 18, 2011. This book is a contemporary fantasy book, also known as Urban Fantasy.  The story is told in a first person narrative with MacKayla Lane’s voice and thoughts as we follow her around. Some of the story is also told from a young Sidhe-seer’s view point when Mac is incapacitated.

It is official now, the walls between Faery and Man have fallen and the Unseelie are pouring into Dublin and the rest of the world. This book is dark, sexy and fun to read. We learn a bit more about Barrons, the Sinsar Dubh, the coalition and Mac’s abilities. It is fun to read the interactions between Barrons and Mac. Initially, Mac is so affected that she can not even comprehend speech. The first few chapters are told from Dani’s point of view (a Sidhe-Seer) who initially rescues Mac.  Barrons comes a few days later and also rescues Mac. He takes her away and works on trying to cure her of being Pri-Ya, something that has never been done before. There is a shocking ending and we do not know who it affected or how Mac is going to escape her current predicament.

In the same style as the previous books the ending did not have any kind of conclusion, and in addition it also left off as a cliff-hanger!! And I have to wait until December 28, 2010 to find out what happens next! I  recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading contempory fantasy with a female protagonist who is cute and quirky.  This series is great because it deals with seelie and unseelie faeries rather that vampires and werewolves. There are also plenty of hot scenes between Mac and Barrons, so if you enjoy books that includes lots of sex, then you will enjoy this book. However, if you are looking for a stand alone story, then stay away or wait until all the books have been written and read them all at once.

Contemporary Fantasy, Goodreads, 3 Treasure Boxes

Faefever by Karen Marie Moning

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This entry is part 3 of 6 in the series Fever Series

Book Review: 3 Treasure Boxes
Fever Series, Book 3
Publisher: Delacorte Press (September 16, 2008), Hardcover: 352 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 0385341636, ISBN-13: 978-0385341639

Do you like to be frightened? Then read this series, it is a scary and fun ride. MacKayla Lane (Mac) was a simple, party girl who worked as a bartender in Ashford, Georgia until she learned of her sister’s brutal murder in Dublin, Ireland.  Now she is in Ireland, dealing with much larger problems that the murder of her sister. The Walls between our world and the prison world of the evil Unseelie Faery are being breached. Mac working with or without Barrons help is doing everything in her power to stop that from happening.

Faefever is the third book in the Fever Series. To date there are a total of four books in the series with book five, Shadowfever,  to be released January 18, 2011. This book is a contemporary fantasy book, also known as Urban Fantasy.  The story is told in a first person narrative with MacKayla Lane’s voice and thoughts as we follow her around.

 I was feeling down-right scared while reading this book. Moning has a great imagination and I love the characters she creates in this story. She has a gift for creating tension as the story unfolds.  I loved this book and every book in the series. It starts out immediately following the end of the second book. Mac is continuing to learn what is happening and more importantly what needs to happen to stop the evil from invading our world. The book keeps getting more interesting and more frightening. There is the ongoing sexual tension between Mac and both Barrons and V’lane.  Mac also comes to terms with the Sidhe-Seer’s coalition, although neither Mac nor Rowena like each other any better. We also learn more about the gorgeous Christian and the role he plays.The ending of the book was very astonishing and once again, it did not really have any kind of an ending. It does however really make me want to quickly read the next book to see what is going to happen.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading contempory fantasy with a female protagonist who is cute and quirky.  This series is great because it deals with seelie and unseelie faeries rather that vampires and werewolves. There is also great sexual tension between Mac and Barrons, so if you enjoy books that include some sex in them, then you will enjoy this book. However, if you are looking for a stand alone story, then stay away or wait until all the books have been written and read them all at once.  Every book in the series ends with a cliff-hanger.

3 Treasure Boxes, Contemporary Fantasy, Goodreads

Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning

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This entry is part 2 of 6 in the series Fever Series

Book Review: 3 Treasure Boxes
Fever Series, Book 2
Publisher: Delacorte Press (November 2007), Hardcover: 303 pages, Language: English, ISBN-13: 978-0-385-33916-2

Do frightful, thrilling and mysterious journeys intrigue you? If so, then stay tuned for this series.  Bloodfever is a fun and exciting story to read, I like the characters and the premise. The main protagonist Mac (MacKayla Lane) is quirky and cute. She was a simple, party girl who worked as a bartender in Ashford, Georgia, but now she is in Dublin—dealing with the realm of the Fae. The story picks up immediately following Darkfever (the first book) and jumps right in with Mac trying to find the Sinar Dubh (the most powerful and evil book ever made) with help from the sexy, mysterious Barrons. Not only has she discovered who killed her sister, but she has also uncovered an even larger problem.  The walls between humanity and Faery are coming down and it is up to Mac to fix the problem.

Bloodfever is the second book in the Fever Series. To date there are a total of four books in the series and book five, Shadowfever,  is to be released January 18, 2011. This book is in the contemporary fantasy genre, also known as Urban Fantasy. The story is told in a first person narrative with MacKayla Lane’s voice and thoughts as we follow her around.

The writing is full of vivid visual pictures of the evil Unseelie Fae and the harm they do to humans. There are numerous exciting fight scenes as Mac defeats some of the gruesome creatures. The concept of shades—shadow-like creatures that suck the humanity away from people until all that is left is an empty husk—is original. As the story unfolds we learn about Mac’s heritage and the existence of the Sidhe-seer coalition, a group that was formed for the sole purpose of fighting against the Fae.  However, Mac does not see eye-to-eye with the group, and is often at odds with a coalition that could be helpful but consequently becomes a hindrance. She runs into lots of trouble with the bad guys and has to face some hard choices. The struggle between life and death is always close at hand and builds great tension. There is a really hot and steamy sex scene  between Mac and Barrons.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading contemporary fantasy with a female protagonist who is cute and quirky.  This series is great because it deals with seelie and unseelie faeries rather that vampires and werewolves. There is also great sexual tension between Mac and Barrons. If you enjoy books that include some sex in them, then you will enjoy this book. However, if you are looking for a stand alone story, then stay away or wait until all the books have been written and read them all at once.  Every book in the series ends with a cliff-hanger and is more like the end of chapter than a book.  Bloodfever was very intriguing and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
To purchase Bloodfever from Amazon, click here or on picture above

 

Contemporary Fantasy, In Library, Goodreads, 3 Treasure Boxes

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

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This entry is part 1 of 6 in the series Fever Series

Book Review: 3 Treasure Boxes
Fever Series, Book 1
Publisher: Delacorte Press (October 31, 2006), Hardcover: 320 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 0739474235, ISBN-13: 978-0739474235

Do frightful, thrilling and mysterious journeys intrigue you? If so, then stay tuned for this series. Darkfever grabbed my interest from the first page.  The main protagonist Mac (MacKayla Lane) is quirky and cute and fun to read. She was a simple, party girl who worked as a bartender in Ashford, Georgia until she learned of her sister’s brutal murder in Dublin, Ireland.  After she decides to fly to Ireland to investigate what really happened she found a whole new world that she did not know even existed, the realm of the Fae. She also discovered that she has unique powers which help her fight against the deadly and dangerous creatures. This book continues her story and journey through this dangerous new world.

Darkfever is the first book in the Fever Series. To date there are a total of four books in the series with book five, Shadowfever,  to be released January 18, 2011. This book is a contemporary fantasy book, also known as Urban Fantasy.  The story is told in a first person narrative with MacKayla Lane’s voice and thoughts as we follow her around.

This series is great because it deals with seelie and unseelie faeries rather that vampires and werewolves. There are some interesting characters in this book, like death-by-sex fae and an extremely sexy and mystery man, who may not be human, named Jerico Barrons.  Some of the scenes between Mac and these characters are also quite intense. As the story unfolds, so do Mac’s abilities. We learn that she is a Null, she can null the effects of the fae by touching them and she can sense OOPS (Fae objects of power.) The story progressed along uncovering some of the mystery and some of what is happening, but it did not have any conclusions and was really more like the end of a chapture than of a book. 

I look forward to reading the next book in the series to see what happens next. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading contempory fantasy with a female protagonist who is cute and quirky.  There is also great sexual tension between Mac and Barrons.  If you enjoy books that include some sex in them, then you will enjoy this book. However, if you are looking for a stand alone story, then stay away or wait until all the books have been written and read them all at once.  Every book in the series ends with a cliff-hanger.

Book Review, 2 Treasure Boxes, Contemporary Fantasy, Goodreads

Undone by Rachel Caine

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This entry is part 1 of 1 in the series Outcast Season

Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
Outcast Season:Book One
Publisher: Roc; Original edition (February 3, 2009), Paperback: 320 pages, ISBN-10: 0451462610, ISBN-13: 978-0451462619


This is a different twist on the contemporary fantasy.  There are people with some magical abilities known as weather wardens who have control over the elements of earth, fire, wind and water which they access through the aetheric*. And there are Djinn, beings in the aetheric without solid form (unless they choose or are tricked into using solid form) who are very powerful.  There are old Djinn and new Djinn and they are beings who are connected to the aetheric, to mother earth, to god. There are no Vampires, etc.

Cassiel is a Djinn who is cast out and arrives on earth completely naked without her Djinn powers trapped in flesh until her form settles into a long-limbed pale female form. Cassiel can no longer access or touch the aetheric, which she needs to gain strength, without it she will die.  However, she can draw temporary power from the aetheric through wardens which allows her access to some of her old powers. But she needs to be careful not to use too much power or she will become depleted and die.  She can only access the aetheric through wardens.

She makes a deal with the wardens, in return for feeding her power she will help them in their job of protecting the earth. She starts working with Manny Rocha a low-level earth warden and she gets to know his wife and daughter.  Soon she meets Luis, Manny’s handsome, stronger brother. Soon they have a mystery to solve.

As a Djinn she was cruel, arrogant and thought humans were lesser beings. She felt nothing but contempt for them, but now that she is one, she is changing.  This is a book about discovery and change.  I thought it was well written with some unique concepts. I particularly liked Cassiel’s journey and her comments and insights on being human.  However, the story did not really have an ending, it left off in the middle without resolving anything but it did reveal the reason for Cassiel being cast out. The story and concept are intriguing and I am looking forward to reading the next book.

*Aetheric:a plane of light and energy, heat and fire, heaven. Lower planes:tied to dirt and death

To Purchase: “Undone” from Amazon, click here or on picture above