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“so far this is a really good book”
Brandie S wrote this review 2 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This was a nice bit of light fantasy, and typical of what I've read of Patricia Briggs so far. It's a fast read, with a not-so-complicated plot, and a sweet, unsuprising ending. It's a good book to read if you want something worth your time, but not too deep.”
Tabetha S wrote this review Monday, November 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“readingamidstthechaos.blogspot.com”
Dana W wrote this review Tuesday, July 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Aren is living a peaceful life, having just been wed and moved to a cottage built by her new husband. She has moved out of the family home, but not too far. Her new husband and father work the fields together.
Christel wrote this review Monday, May 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Aren has been gifted (or cursed) with the sight. She has hidden her ability from the villagers to avoid being detected by the Bloodmage. The Bloodmages seek out mage-born children to take on as their apprentices, and teach them their dark magic. Usually they only take on males as apprentices and as such, Aren’s brother had to kill himself just to escape their detection. You see, eventually all Bloodmages go mad with the dark magic.
The villagers don’t believe in the gods or the magic of the land and the have abandoned the old ways to worship the One God. Aren is forced to hide her talent from them to avoid their persecution.
Alas, poor Aren is not of the lucky sort. When the Raiders show up, Aren hides in the cellar, while they murder her whole family. Aren is left alone and angry. While she was hiding in the cellar, something happened. She could feel the magic of the land being freed from its bonds. And the creatures of old have been freed to roam the land once more.
A great tragedy has occured across the land, leaving everyone in the neighboring villages dead. Fortunately, the BloodMage’s magic did not reach Aren’s village. But that leaves them vunerable to raiders looking for a new land to make their own.
Aren and her companions travel over the mountain in search for survivors in neighboring towns. During thier trek she is attacked by an evil magical creature, and The Hob saves her life.
The Hob is a creature that is tied to the mountain of the same name. He lives in service to the mountain. The Hob also has the ability to help the villagers, but they have to make a bargain with him that many of the villagers may not be willing to make.
What I liked:
Usually fantasy novels are long and extremely detailed. This was a quick (281 pages), self contained story that I enjoyed very much. Aren is a strong woman in her own right. She doesn’t give up like many would when faced with such a tragedy. The creatures in this book were original and very interesting. There is even an appearance from The Green Man, I love the Green Man.
What I didn’t like:
After Aren’s family is murdered in the beginning, I found the first part of the book to be a bit slow moving and depressing. I understand that a build up is necessary and character’s thrive after something so tragic happens to them, I just had a hard time really getting into it until about half way through.
Last word:
I really enjoyed this book. Ms Brigg’s can pretty much write anything. I am looking forward to reading some of her other fantasy novels in the near future.”
“The story line in this wasn't very strong and I found myself struggling in a few places. Aren is a likable character but much like Mercedes Lackey, Briggs has a habit of making everything work out in the end even when it's just not logical. Either way, I enjoyed it but I can't say that I will read anything else by this author.”
MaskedPenguin A wrote this review Wednesday, May 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“All the magic in the land has been bound up by the evil, mad bloodmages, and those born with magic have to join them or die, so Aren hides that she has The Sight. Until raiders come to their village and kill her family and half the village, and she makes a bargain with a hob to help her protect the village with magic. I enjoyed this very much, but the relationships between events weren't particularly clear. That may be because I was tired while reading it, but when I tried to write a synopsis, I had a rough time putting the main events in some sort of order.”
DKayeS wrote this review Thursday, December 11 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Great little fantasy novella. The characters were interesting, the interactions were well written and the plot flowed nicely. This is a fun little read.”
Una wrote this review Thursday, October 9 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is a very fun book. The story line is rather interesting and it keeps you engaged.
Michael D wrote this review Monday, September 22 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Pros:
An interesting twist on the beauty and the beast. It is not really a copy of it by any means but it does have a slight flavor of it.
If you like this author's use of the main charater being full of doubt and feeling less than everyone around them until they come into their own you will really enjoy this book (I do). :)
It is an easy read and I tried to put it down on the plane a few timesbut kept picking it up to see where it was going next. So the book kept me very interested.
I really like the way Patricia doesn't need graphic violence or graphic sexual text to try and keep the reader. Her characters have plenty of passion but it is given to us in words that are not over the top. She should be ok for most ages. If you think I am wrong on this one for some reason please lrt me know.
Cons:
Very little. If you have read Patricia Biggs before and didn't enjoy her I am not sure this book would turn you around.
”“Aren is happy, she just got married to a good man, and her life finally seems to be on the right path only problem is that she has foretelling; visions of the future, she has had to hide it her whole life as the town is afraid of anyone with power. They can be used by and turned into bloodmages.
Karen S wrote this review Friday, June 27 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Tragedy strikes and the town has to search for help. Unfortunately it seems as if they are not the only ones in trouble. But they pull together and try to protect themselves the best they can. Of course since Aren is different and “smells of magic” some of villagers begin to think that this could be all of her fault. Luckily for the villagers Aren is the only one who can secure the help they all need, from a mysterious and magical creature the Hob. Now I am not talking about some cute little elf or fairy here. Hob is a mischievous killing machine. Who happens to be the last of his kind.
This wasn’t the best book I have ever read. But I would read it again. The characters are strong. Not everyone is as they seem and sometimes you can find friends in unlikely places.”
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