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In Library, Fantasy, 2 Treasure Boxes

The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan

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This entry is part 8 of 12 in the series The Wheel of Time

Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
Book Eight in the Wheel of Time Series
Publisher: Tor Books; 1ST edition (December 15, 1999), Mass Market Paperback: 704 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 0812550293, ISBN-13: 978-0812550290


Although still enjoyable, this book was not as compelling as the preceding books. My favourite storyline in this book was surrounding Egwene and her adventures as the Amyrlin Seat with the Rebel Aes Sedai.

It is not really clear what the Path of Daggers is, but there is an old Seanchan saying: “On the heights, all paths are paved with daggers.” which I believe means that as Rand’s strength and power increases, his path becomes harder and more dangerous.

There was a slight progression of the characters development in this book with the most growth being shown in Egwene.  The book starts looking at the problem that Rand is becoming too hard. we are introduced to the idea that this will cause a dilema that will be counter productive to his final battle with the Dark One.  It brings forward the deeper concerns that in order to fight evil Rand must still be caring, trusting and loving.

This book did not have any kind of conclusion to any of the story-lines, in fact it has a cliff-hanger ending.  We also do not find out anything about Mat, so we are still wondering what is happening with the cliff-hanger from the end of book seven.

This book starts out immediately following the ending of Book Seven with Elayne, Nynaeve and Aviendha along with Lan,  the Sea Folk, the Kin and several Aes Sedai at the Kin’s farm where they successfully use the Bowl of Wind to fix the weather.  However, the Seanchan have arrived in Ebou Dar and due to the large surge of one power that is used to fire the bowl it is like a spot light for the Seanchan.  What transpires next is very exciting and well written.

The book briefly covers Perrin and reveals his secret mission.  There is a fairly lengthly story surrounding Rand and his adventures.

However, I have been hooked by Mr Jordan into the on-going story so I will definitely be reading book nine to hopefully find out what happened to Mat and Faile and to see how the overall story is going to progress.

****Spoiler alert, do not read any further, if you have not yet read the book****

Once Elayne and gang use the Bowl of Winds, they see the Seanchan so Elayne makes a gateway to a farm on the outskirts of Caemlyn.  She sends everyone away ahead of her and is starting to un-weave the gateway. This is a very dangerous thing to do since if it is not undone exactly in the reverse order of how it was made it can have very unpredictable consequences ranging from a huge explosion to a small fizzle.

When she is partially done the Seanchan arrive and start to follow them through the gateway.  Birgitte and Aviendha are able to delay the Seanchan until all three of them are able to escape a fair distance from the gateway.  Then Elayne lets go of the partially un-weaved gateway and a huge explosion goes off destroying all the Seanchan who have followed through gateway plus most of them on the other side.

The three of them escape with a few scrapes but are otherwise okay.  Then the whole lot of them proceed through Andor to the palace.  During their trip the Kin start to lose their fear of the Aes Sedai, the Sea Folk start to force the fulfillment of the Bargain and it is revealed that one of their group is a dark friend who has murdered one of the Aes Sedai as well as the Black Ajai that they were holding prisoner.

At the end of the book, Elayne arrives in Caemlyn and declares her claim to the Lion Throne.  She also tears down all the Dragon banners and tells Rand to get out of Andor, but she still loves him.

Perrin’s secret mission is to meet with The Prophet and get him to come to Rand for a meeting, which he is successful in doing. In the process Alliandre, the queen of Ghealdan swears fealty to Perrin.  They also meet up with Morgase the ex-queen of Andor and Elayne’s mother.  She hides who she really is and becomes a maid to Faile.  However, at the end of the book, while Perrin is away, Faile gets captured by the Shaido Aiel along with Alliandre and Morgase.

Egwene is able to get the rebel Aes Sedai to declare war against Elaida, then immediately after that she proves to the sitters that when the White Tower is at war the Amyrlin has full veto power in matters concerning the war.  In this way she is able to wrestle control back away from the sitters who thought they could manipulate and control her.  She also has several sisters swear fealty to her, this is something that has been virtually unheard of until now. Egwene then allows the rebel Aes Sedai and army a chance to rest for one month before Travelling to Tar Valon to start the siege against Elaida.

Rand finds out about the Seanchan in Altara and uses the Asha’man, Illianers and Bashere’s men to fight them off. They have some success but many losses.  The one power is also acting funny after the use of the Bowl of Winds. Rand tries to use Callandor but loses control and kills many of his own people.  He is successful in driving the Seanchan back, but at too great a cost. He then later learns that in order to use Callandor he needs to wield it with two women and with one of those women in control.  Rand and Lews Therin Telamon have a great problem trusting women who can channel so this is not great news to Rand.

When Rand returns to Illian, he is attacked and almost killed by traitorous Asha’man led by Dashiva.  However, he is able to defeat them although Dashiva escapes.

Book Review, Fantasy, 3 Treasure Boxes, In Library

A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan

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This entry is part 7 of 12 in the series The Wheel of Time

Book Review: 3 Treasure Boxes
Seventh Book of The Wheel of Time Series
Publisher: Tor Books (November 15, 1997), Mass Market Paperback: 896 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 0812550285, ISBN-13: 978-0812550283


This is another entertaining book in the unfolding story of the Dragon Reborn (Rand al’Thor) and the Two Rivers gang in their fight against evil. The writing was once again superb.  There was development in all the characters but Nynaeve shown the most growth.  The book has two main themes going on, one which centres primarily around Rand and the other centres around Mat, Elayne and Nynaeve.  There is very little in the book concerning Perrin or Egwene.

There is a bit more about the Sea Folk, first with Nynaeve with Elayne and then with Rand. We learn a bit more about the Sea Folk, particularly that they are renowned negotiators.

The story once again progresses slowly, but a lot happens. This book is called A Crown of Swords and the end of the book explains why. The story of the Crown of Swords does come to a conclusion, but the overall story is far from finished.  However, this book, more than any other so far leaves you feeling that you are in the middle of a story.  In particular, it leaves the situation with Mat as a total cliff-hanger.

I really enjoyed the book and I am anxious to pick up the next book in the series so I can see what will happen next.

****Spoiler alert, do not read any further, if you have not yet read the book****

Following is my summary of this book.  This book starts out immediately following book five, Lord of Chaos.  Rand has been freed from capture and is back in Cairhien.  However, when he arrives things are in disarray.  The Aiel are concerned that he deserted them and Colaveaere has crowned herself Queen of Cairhien in Rand’s absence.  Rand sets Colaveaere straight, and takes not only the crown away from her, but also all her titles and holdings.  He really should have her executed as a traitor, but because she is a woman he is unable to do so.  However, the shame of her situation causes her to hang herself.

Rand gets into a big fight with Perrin, that was pre-arranged, however, in the process Rand becomes really angry with Perrin and almost kills him.  Perrin and Faile then leave for some unstated purpose.

Rand and Min find out that Hedrid Fel, the eccentric scholar, has been brutally murdered because he has uncovered important information for Rand that the Dark One wants to keep hidden. While Rand and Min are consoling each other, they finally consummate their relationship, after which Rand feels very guilty and is ashamed that he did this against Min’s will. He then locks himself in his room for days.  However, once Min sets Rand straight that it was mutual she convinces Rand to go see the Sea Folk.  Which Rand does and his ta’veren nature helps him secure from them what he wants, which is for them to provide ships as he requires.  He then leaves the Aes Sedai to complete the negotiations since they require an agreement to fulfil their prophecies.

Rand is feeling very cocky after his success with the Sea Folk and so he decides to go to the Cairhien rebels to see if his ta’veren nature will help resolve things there.  He and Min sneek off and travel to their camp, where they are able to keep their true identities hidden.  However, Paden Fain is there and after the area is attacked by a bubble of evil in the form of a murdering fog, Rand is attacked by Paden.  Paden slices him with the evil and deadly knife from Shadar Logoth.  However, Rand turns just in time and the slice is across his old festering wound given to him by Ishamael (alias Ba’alzamon.)  Rand still almost dies but between the treatment he is given by the Aes Sedai and the Asha’man and the fact that these two wounds seem to fight each other he is able to recover.

Once he recovers he takes the Asha’man to Illian to fight Sammael.  When Sammaelrealizes Rand is in Illian he goes to Shadar Logoth.  Rand follows him and then a battle ensues. After Rand receives help from an unknown man who can access the true source, he is able to get the upper hand.  It appears as though Sammael has been destroyed after he is buried under rubble that is covered with the evil of Shadar Logoth.

When Rand returns to Illian the city is his and he is crowned the king with the Illian Crown of Swords.

The only interesting things that happened with Egwene is Moghedien was freed and she is able to get the rebels to slowly move towards Tar Valon. She also convinces Lan to go to Nynaeve in Ebou Dar.

Meanwhile Nynaeve and Elayne are in Ebou Dar with Mat, Thom and Julian.  They are searching for the Bowl of the Winds ter’angreal which will help them restore the weather.  While they are searching, they are able to enlist the help of the Sea Folk, but the Sea Folk demand an agreement which it seems the girls get the short end of but the details are not yet revealed. However, they do have the help of the Sea Folk, who are very strong weather manipulators to help them once the Bowl is found.

They also discover the Kin, a group of women who can channel, but have either been put out of the White Tower or else are wilders.  They invite them all to go to Egwene’s group of Aes Sedai to become novices and are shocked to learn there are several thousands of them.

Moghedien, Black Ajah, Dark Friends and forsaken are all in Ebou Dar looking for the Bowl.  Moghedien sees Nynaeve on a boat and tries to kill her. While Nynaeve is drowning she is able to finally break through her block to the one power in order to save herself. She is then pulled out of the water by Lan.  She is surprised and happy to see him.  She then convinces him to marry her and the service is completed by the Sea Folk.

Elayne and Nynaeve are having a difficult time finding the Bowl until they ask Mat to help.  As soon as Mat becomes involved the Bowl is found due to Mat’s ta’veren nature.  However, when they go to get the Bowl they are attacked by dark friends, the Black Ajah and a Gholam (only six of these were created during the war of the shadow, they are creatures which were created to destroy anyone who can channel because the one power can not touch them.  They are also very strong, very hard to kill and can move through very small spaces.) They are able to fight off everyone and Mat is able to hurt, but not kill the Gholam buy touching him with his medallion, which seems to be the only thing that can harm the creature.

They find the Bowl and decide to go out to the Kin’s farm to work the Bowl in a circle with the Sea Folk.  However, just as they are leaving Mat discouvers that Olver is missing so he can not go with them. He stays behind to look for Olver.  While he is looking, the dice are rattling around in his brain and he sees the Seanchan are attacking Ebou Dar.  Then he is knocked out by falling debry, but just before he passes out the dice stop rattling.

Fantasy, 2 Treasure Boxes, In Library, Goodreads

Wizard at Large by Terry Brooks

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This entry is part 3 of 5 in the series The Magic Kingdom of Landover

Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
Book Three of The Magic Kingdon of Landover Series
Publisher: Del Rey; First Thus edition (July 17, 1989), Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 0345362276, ISBN-13: 978-0345362278


Ben Holiday was a lawyer from our world in modern times, he was unhappy and kind of lost because he lost his wife and their unborn child in a tragic accident. On
e day he finds a most unusual ad in the paper. It is for the sale of a real live magic kingdom for $1,000,000.  This magic kingdom has fairy magic, witches, trolls, and other strange creatures including a living castle. Now Ben is living as King of Landover with Willow, who is a wood sylph, Questor Thews, the sometimes inept wizard and Abernathy, the once human now talking dog scribe. This book primarily takes place on our earth after Questor Thews sends Abernathy to our earth in error while trying to change him back into a human.

This is the third book in The Magic Kingdom of Landover Series.  To date there are a total of six books in this series.  Terry Brooks is also very well known for the numerous books he has written in the Shannara Series, but these two series are totally unrelated.  The Magic Kingdon of Landover Series are fantasy books that go back and forth from contempory to traditional fantasy depending on the location of the book.  This book is written in the third person narrative from the various character’s point of view as the story is told.

The story centers around Ben and Willow as they journey back to earth to save Abernathy.  It is also the story of what happens to Abernathy on earth with the introduction of a new character, Elizabeth, a nice girl who helps him out. Meanwhile in Landover, a demon in a bottle has switched spots with Abernathy, (that is what caused Abernathy to appear on earth.) And that demon is causing a lot of havoc in Landover with help from the witch Nightshade. There is also some assistance from Strabo the dragon, who is always fun to read about. I like the concept of the Paladin and how Ben and the Paladin, Ben’s mystical champion, work together.

There is a lot going on and I found the story to be interesting, exciting and well written.  All the characters are interesting, but I did not think there was much development in their characters, they all are pretty much what they are. I liked the ending of the story. The book had a good build up to the final conclusion.   I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

This is a stand alone story which I always find satisfying, yet it is also clearly part of a larger story. I recommend you read the books from the beginning to get a better understanding of the world in which they live.  The story also builds from one book to the other, yet each book can be read independently from any other. If you enjoy reading Terry Brooks, then you will enjoy this book, it is a good fantasy novel that is fun to read.

To Purchase: “Wizard at Large” from Amazon, click here or on picture above

In Library, Fantasy, 3 Treasure Boxes

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan

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This entry is part 6 of 12 in the series The Wheel of Time

Book Review: 3 Treasure Boxes
Book six of the Wheel of Time Series
Publisher: Tor Fantasy; 1St. edition (November 15, 1995), Mass Market Paperback: 1011 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 0812513754, ISBN-13: 978-0812513752


Another great book centering around our protagonist Rand al’Thor, The Dragon Reborn.  I enjoyed reading this book, I like how the story is being weaved together.  This book starts shortly after the end of the last book and although it mostly centers around Rand it also deals in varying degrees with all the main characters.

There is growth within all the characters although I thought the most growth was shown in Egwene and Rand. Although there was quite a bit going on, the storyline did not progress very far.

The weather in the book is all wrong, it should be winter but everywhere it is still summer which is a sign that the dark one is getting a stronger hold on the world.

Rand has somehow rediscovered the talent of traveling, which seemed a bit odd to me since Asmodean (the forsaken who Rand had teaching him lost talents) was killed at the end of the last book. The book starts with Rand popping back and forth between Cairhien and Caemlyn. Rand’s main focus is going after Sammael with a plan that is not shared with the reader.  Also, Rand does not really seem to put much effort into this scheme.

Egwene is still with the Aiel recovering from the injury she sustained after being attacked by Lanfear and continuing to learn about Tel’aran’rhiod. Elayne and Nynaeve are in Salidar with the rebel Aes Sadei using Moghedien to rediscover lost talents. Rand in using Matt and his band to distract Sammael from the true plan. Perrin, Falle and Loial do  not appear until towardsthe end of the book, when they appear in Caemlyn. Perrin was drawn there since he felt the pull of ta`veren and felt that he needed to be near Rand.

Although I really enjoyed the book, I thought that this book had a few flaws, or perhaps the writer intended them, I am not sure.  For one thing Rand seemed to flit around from place to place and plan to plan without any real focus.  Another part I did not enjoy was Falle’s treatment of Perrin.  But other than that I was very entertained.

I am looking forward to continuing the story in the next book, A Crown of Swords.

******SPOILER ALERT******do no read any further if you have not read the book as I am summarizing what occurred in the book.

The Aes Sedai from both Elaida and the rebels come to Rand to offer their support, but on their terms.  Alanna makes Rand her warder against his will, but she is unable to control him with this because he is too strong.  Rand gets scared when he realizes there are 13 Aes Sedais in the rebel group, 13 are enough to take control of him against his will and turn him to the dark side. So he flees to Cairhien where Elaida’s Aes Sedai are and they trick him and capture him.  They put him in a small chest, torture him twice daily and Hall him off to the White Tower. The Shadio Aiel are helping the Aes Sedai.

However, Perrin, who has arrived in Caemyln with Falle and Lolial. First went with Rand to Cairhein and then once they determined that Rand has been captured he lead the assault to free Rand. After Rand has been held prisoner for several weeks, Perrin`s group finally meets up with them at Dunai Wells where there is a great battle.  And at first it seems that Perrin`s group is greatly out numbered due to the number of Shadio Aiel, but with the help of the wolves and the Asha`man, (men who can channel) that arrived at the last minute using travelling, they are successful and Rand is set free.

Rand stills a couple of Aes Sedai during his release and he shields many more.  These are the first Aes Sedai to swear fealty to him and part of the prophesies are fullfilled.

First Matt is sent to march towards Illian and Sammael and then Rand pulls him off that and sends him to Salidar to take Elayne to Caemlyn to be crowned queen.  However, Elayne wants to go to Ebou Dar to find a Ter`angreal that will repair the weather so Matt goes with her and Nynaeve to Ebou Dar.  Elayne and Nynaeve are now full sisters even though they have not used the oath bar and Nynaeve can only channel when she is angry.  They leave Egwene in charge of Moghedien in Salidar.

Egwene was called back to Salidar which she was able to travel in 1 day and there she was made the AmrylinSeat and also becomes a full sister without using the oath rod. The Rebels make her the Amrylin because she is very strong in the power, they think they can control her and there are 3 separate groups there that would rather see Egwene as Amrylin than one of the other groups. She convinces the rebels to start moving towards Tar Valon, which they do under Gareth Bryne`s army.

Fantasy, 2 Treasure Boxes, Goodreads

Magic kingdom for Sale-Sold by Terry Brooks

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This entry is part 1 of 5 in the series The Magic Kingdom of Landover

Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
Book One: The Magic Kingdom of Landover Series
Publisher: Orbit (April 1, 1992), Paperback: 352 pages, ISBN-10: 1857232569, ISBN-13: 978-1857232561

A very unique and interesting concept in fantasy.  The story starts out in our world in modern times, centering around our protagonist a lawyer named Ben Holiday.  He is unhappy and kind of lost because he lost his wife in a tragic accident several years ago and he has never gotten over it. One day he finds a most unusual ad in the paper. It is for the sale of a real live magic kingdom for $1,000,000.  This magic kingdom has fairy magic, witches, trolls, and other strange creatures including a living castle.

This is the first book in The Magic Kingdom of Landover Series.  To date there are a total of six books in this series.  Terry Brooks is also very well known for the numerous books he has written in the Shannara Series, but these two series are totally unrelated.  The Magic Kingdom of Landover Series are fantasy books that go back and forth from contempory to traditional fantasy depending on the location of the book.  This book is written in the third person narrative from the various character’s point of view as the story is told.

For Ben this is the change he needs.  However, once he arrives in Landover (the magic kingdom,) it is not what he expected.  Although it is a magic kingdom it is not in very good condition and it is filled with problems.  Ben becomes the king and the story centres around his journey as he gets to know this magic land. He discovers the problems he needs to overcome and the book introduces all the various players in the story.

There are some very interesting characters like the Court Scribe named Abernathy, a once human, now man-sized talking dog;  an inept Court Magician named Questor Thews whose magic only works half the time and usually not in the way expected; a lovely sylph named Willow who usually takes the form of a beautiful green-skinned woman but must transform into a willow tree every 21 days. These are the three main players who help Ben but there are many more characters introduced in the book.

Although the story starts out in our modern era, the majority of the story takes place in a more traditional, non-technological fantasy era. I enjoyed reading the story and thought it was really well thought out.  The book flows well from inception through all of Ben’s challenges right up to the conclusion.  I liked all the characters and I am looking forward to reading the next adventure in the series.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading more traditional fantasy.  This is a stand alone story which I always find satisfying.  If you enjoy reading Terry Brooks, then you will enjoy this book, it is a good fantasy novel that is fun to read.

Fantasy, 4 Treasure Boxes

The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan

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This entry is part 5 of 12 in the series The Wheel of Time

Book Review: 4 Treasure Boxes
Book Five of the Wheel of Time Series
Publisher: Tor Fantasy; 1ST edition (October 15, 1994), Mass Market Paperback: 992 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 0812550307, ISBN-13: 978-0812550306


Once I picked this book up, I had a very difficult time putting it back down.  It was captivating and the writing is stellar. This book takes place immediately following the end of book four. I really enjoyed the character development and the developing relationship between the characters.

It was particularly fun to read about Aviendha and Rand’s relationship. I also enjoy reading about Nynaeve, she is amusing and this book focused quite about on what and how she thinks and it really shows that underneath she is a very caring and brave person. It is interesting to read about both her and Egwene’s growth in this book.

I like how the author has built into the story the challenges that Rand has to go through especially with the Aiel.  It follows the prophecies that Rand is to bring them together, yet tear them apart (redo) but they must follow him if a shred of a shred of the Aiel is to survive the last battle.  This builds into the story that the Aiel must follow him, yet they are reluctant and even scared (although Aiel do not show any fear) and at the same time a large group of the Aiel are opposed to him and cause him much discord and destruction.

There are basically two main storylines in this book. One follows Rand, Mat, Egwene and Moiraine who are all together in the Aiel Waste and it follows their journey.  The other one follows Nynaeve, Elayne, Thom and Juilin who have all just escaped from Tanchico after foiling the plans of the Black Ajah at the end of The Shadow Rising. There is a minor story-line with Siuan, Leanne, Min and Logain who have escaped from Tar Valon.  This book does not deal with Perrin in any way.

The book had a great ending and I am anxious to pick up the next book in the series.

***Spoiler alert, following is a recap of the book, do not read it if you have not already read the book***

Rand and gang are in the Aiel Waste, but there is a lot of dissension within the Aiel. With the most problems coming from the Shaido, who are lead by Couladin.  Couladin has also been marked as the Car’a’carn, but he received his marks from Asmodean.  Couladin leads his people across the dragonwall to Cairhien and in the process murders many people and captures many more as slaves.  This forces Rand’s hand to follow him which culminates in a great battle between the two groups of Aiel. Mat’s abilities as a great general really stand out and he earns himself a large following of soldiers who like to fight with him (especially due to Mat’s uncanny luck and ability.)

Once Rand defeats the Shaido and Mat kills Couladin, Rand finds out there is trouble in Caemlyn.  He knows that Ravhin is there and so he decides to go and face Ravhin so he can save Caemlyn for Elayne.  Once there he battles and kills Ravhin with balefile.  However, before he goes Moiraine faces Lanfear and they both fall through the twisted red doorframe ter’angreal that Mat went through in Rhuidean.  After they fall through it the ter’angreal catches fire and is burnt to the ground.  However, before Moiraine disappears she gives Rand two letters. One addressed to Rand which states that she new this was going to happen as it revealed to her in Rhuidean and that she thinks Rand will do well with all he has learned so far.  The other letter is addressed to Thom, but we do not know what it says.

Nynaeve, Elayne and gang are traveling to Tar Valon to dispose of the male collar (a collar that can capture and control Rand) and the seal on the Dark Lord’s prison when they discover that Elaida and not Siuan is the Amyrlin Seat and that the tower has split into two group. After they are almost captured and shipped back to Tar Valon, they decide to go to the rebel group of Aes Sedai, which they find at the end of the book.  In their journey the famous archery hero of legend is ripped out of Tel’aran’rhiod by Moghedien. Brigitte almost dies from this and the only way to save her is for Elayne to make her a Warder.  Nynaeve is able to capture Moghedien with a collar and makes her a prisoner.

Goodreads, Book Review, 1 Treasure Box, Romance, Public Library

Toxic Bachelors by Danielle Steel

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Book Review: 1 Treasure Box
Publisher: Random House Audio,Listening Length: 10 hours and 26 minutes (336 pages), ASIN: B000BVGTU8


The book was mildly entertaining and the characters were ok, but not as well rounded or defined as I would have liked.  The story centers on 3 male friends who are all very different from each other but they have a bond and they spend each summer together cruising on a luxury yacht meeting girls and partying.

It was fun to read about life on the yacht.  The story shows the progression of relationships with each of the guys as they meet various different girls in their travels both on and off the yacht.  I could not really understand the name of the book and how it relates to the story as I did not feel all the characters were “Toxic”.

The book was pretty mediocre and transparent but the ending was satisfying

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

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Book Review, Fantasy, 2 Treasure Boxes, Goodreads

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.

Contemporary Fantasy, Goodreads, Book Review, 2 Treasure Boxes

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

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Book Review, Fantasy, 4 Treasure Boxes, In Library

The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan

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This entry is part 4 of 12 in the series The Wheel of Time

Book Review:4 Treasure Boxes
Fourth Book in the Wheel of Time Series
Publisher: Tor Fantasy; 1st. edition (October 15, 1993), Mass Market Paperback: 1008 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 0812513738, ISBN-13: 978-0812513738


This book starts out with a big bang, it really grabs your interest from the first page. It was really unexpected the way the inanimate objects started attacking Perrin, Mat and Rand. The story takes place immediately following the events from The Dragon Reborn. I really enjoyed this book and found that it was non-stop action from the first page to the last page. The plot line is advancing with all the characters showing development of both abilities and understanding. The story had an ending to each of the storylines in the book, but it also left lots of room for development.   I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

If you haven’t read the book yet, do not go any further.

It starts out in Tear after Rand has taken hold of Callandar and all the characters are together. Rand is reading a lot about the prophecies and he is trying to determine what he should do next. Soon after The Stone of Tear is attached by Trollocs and Fades and he realizes he must do something not expected.

Rand, Matt and Moiraine, separately, yet at the same time go into the twisted red door ter’angreal to the land of the Aelfinn, to get answers to their questions and it is there that Matt realizes he must go to Rhuidien.

Once again the group splits up and there is lots of actions within each group. Egwene, while in the land of dreams comes across an Aiel Wise Women, Amys who tells Egwene she must come to her in the Aiel Waste to learn how to become a dreamwalker. Rand also decides his next step must be with the Aeil and after reading the prophecies, he decides he too must go to Rhuidien.  So Rand, Matt, Egwene and Moiraine along with Lan and the Aiel all go to Rhuidien through the portal stones, but this time there are difficulties getting there.  Perrin discovers there are White Cloaks in the Two Rivers and that they are looking for him, so he decides he must go to save his family from the White Cloaks.  Faile, Loial, Gaul and 2 maidens of the spear go with him. Nynaeve and Elayne continue to chase the Black Ajah along with help from Thom and Julian the thief catcher.  They go to Tanchico to find both the object that can harm Rand and to find the Black sisters.

While Matt is in Rhuidien he goes through another twisted red door ter’angreal, but this time it is to the land of the Eelfinn and instead of answering questions they grant wishes, but at a cost.  Matt’s requests were to have the holes in his memory filled, which they are with the memories of great generals through all of time and to be protected from Aes Sedai, which he is from the medallion he now has. The cost he pays is to be hung and to die, but Rand is able to revive him.

While Rand is in Rhuidien he discovers the dirty little secret of the Aeil, that they are related to the hated Tinkers and have broken their vow of non-violence. When he leaves Rhuidien both his arms are marked with the dragons proving he is the Car’a’carn, chief of all chiefs.  But since the prophecies say he is to break the children of the dragon (Aiel) he does so when he proves that the evil Shaido Couladin is not the Car’a’carn by reveiling the truth about the Aeil.  This causes great grief and strife within the Aiel.  In the middle of this Lanfear comes to Rand and tells him that she means Asmodean to teach Rand how to use the one power and that he in Rhuidien.  Rand, using the power, goes to Rhuidien to confront Asmodean and to stop him from obtaining the strongest male angreal ever made.  In the process there is huge fight between them using the power and Rhuidien is all but destroyed, Rand however is able to shield Asmodean from access to the dark one’s power and he is able to control Asmodean.  Rand also finds both the male and female angreal and takes them with him.

Perrin goes to the Two Rivers and finds that his whole family was supposedly killed by Trollocs, (but they were really killed by Padan Fain.)  Perrin rallies everyone in the Two Rivers and is able to both defeat the Trollocs and the white cloaks, he is now considered a Lord by everyone in the Two Rivers.  Him and Faile are now married.  Perrin also is able to injure one of the forsaken known as Slayer.

Nynaeve and Elayne meet up with Egeanin, a Seanchan, but before they discover what Egeanin is they both really come to like her and Egeanin comes to like them and has to re-think what she has been taught about Aes Sedai. With Thom, Juilin and Bayle Domon’s help they find the black sisters who have the Panarch as a prisoner.  They are able to free the Panarch and find the object that is meant to harm Rand.  They also find another of the Dark One’s seals.  In the process Nynaeve defeats Moghedien in a one-on-one battle with the power and is able to shield Moghedien, but somehow she escapes.

Meanwhile in the White Tower, Elaida gets the Amrylin Seat and her sitter deposed and stilled.  Min manages to free them both and the three of them along with Logain escape from Tar Valon.