Combines Fantasy and Mythology with Beautiful Writing
597111
Lynn deserves major credit for creating a style of prose that was very beautiful. It read like an oral-tradition myth. The side characters (who were really main characters, since most of the story was from their POVs) were very interesting. I liked the world-building too. It felt real in the same way that George R.R. Martin's Ice and Fire world feels real. There are references to histories,old book titles, and lands beyond Ippa that suggest the characters live in a place that is real and not just in the setting of a story.

Lynn's treatment of the romantic plot line between Karadur and his best friend Azil was beautiful, subtle, and heart-breakingly adorable. I love how this book treats the gay romance as simply a normal part of life. It's there, but it's not the epicenter of the plot.

When I first read this, I was disappointed with the ending and especially with the epilogue. Make sure you read the sequel. It's a great redemption. The sequel basically takes place between the last section of the book and the epilogue, which helps so much to explain how out of the blue and unexplained it felt. As a standalone, I rate this book 3 stars for the weirdness of the ending. As a pair, I rate them a solid 5. I couldn't put them down.
4433190
With elements of fantasy and history woven seamlessly together.
4243009
I read all four books in this series, and I absolutely love the creativity involved in bringing the pantheon of gods and goddesses from every culture alive in the Amazons.  These books do what good fantasy writing does:  make you view previous knowledge in an entirely different light.  They also do what great paranormal romance does:  make you hungry for characters that are larger than life.  Highly recommended.
4961361
"Hildie at the Ghost Shore" is a beautifully and cleverly written bit of fantasy and Norse mythology that teases the senses and sensibility to believe one thing while leading to a very different ending than you might expect. I am increasingly delighted to read the works of Paula Cappa because one piece does not predict another. Her ideas are fresh and her voice varied. Her consistency lies in her ability to write elegant and readable prose.

I really hate to provide spoilers, so all I will say is that this is a story well worth the short time it will take to read.

I was gifted a copy of this story by the author for the purpose of writing a review.
1954621
There are piles of contemporary retellings of Arthurian myth; this is my favorite. As other reviewers have noted, this is a complex and epic work of fantasy--I appreciate reading that engages the mind as well as the emotions, and this is it. Al Attanasio sticks with the mythic script, insofar as the necessary characters are all here (Ygrane, Uther, Merlinus/Lailoken) needed to set the stage for Arthur (Arthor). Around the requisite ancient plot, the author has woven an entire complex cosmology---reaching to the depths of the earth and into space, and spanning Norse, Celtic and Christian mythologies. The research is amazing ; if a reader takes time to look up certain titles and allusions, she is guaranteed an education in mythology and history. Other works of Arthurian fantasy make dualistic choices, favoring either the Christian or Pagan perspectives on life and painting them as good or bad depending on the author's prejudices. This tale transcends any single view, giving readers a great journey whatever their personal spiritual  perspective might be. On top of all this, Mr. Attanasio is a true wordsmith, a postmodern bard whose choice of words and turns-of-phrase will enchant the reader. Can you imagine the artful language of E.R. Eddison combined with an engaging plot like Game of Thrones? The Dragon and the Unicorn is just such a fusion of poetic prose and soaring imagination.
1220678
This is the third book in the Dyscrasia series by Lindberg, following after Lord of Dyscrasia and Spawn of Dyscrasia. Here again we find the combination of beautiful language and powerful imagination that informed the first two books. The result is a unique fantasy vision that is both artistic and effective. The Dsycrasia novels are hallucinogenic, dream-like, full of wraiths and apparitions. Ideas and images pile one on top of another with an intensity that is far from common in fantasy literature. I admire the authors ability to maintain that intensity throughout his works; his world-building never stumbles.

This volume also introduces Helen, a young girl who immediately evokes both sympathy and admiration. I liked this touch because it gives readers a very human character we could strongly root for. Most of the other characters are inventive and complex but not entirely human. They are fascinating, but not as easy for the reader to inhabit. Im looking forward to more adventures with Helen, and at the end of Daimones the author hints at things to come. I know there is a fourth book in the works. Im looking forward to it.
1469815
The Black Land is one of those great mythic books that combines beautiful and evocative writing, seamless research, a well-loved story explored and revealed as never before and, most especially, a warm and encompassing heart. I highly recommend it
4651749
Like many people, I picked up Lament after reading Maggie Stiefvater's incredible book Shiver. Lament is not Shiver, but it is excellent in its own right. My favorite part about Shiver was Maggie's writing; it was so stark, fresh, and beautiful. Her sentences felt like winter - ice cold air, untouched snow, icicle-laden trees. The writing in Lament is very different but still wonderful. It's lush - bright green, springtime, clover fields. The settings of both books exactly correspond to the feeling I got from Maggie's writing. I'd like to know whether it was intentional.

Lament was my first faery book. It is heavily influenced by Celtic mythology and folktales. Deidre Monaghan is an incredibly talented harpist and singer. She seems to specialize in Celtic music. At a music competition, she meets a flautist named Luke Dillon, a boy she'd seen in a very strange dream, and feels an unexplainable attraction to him. On a whim, they enter the competition with a duet; together their music is simply otherworldly. They bond between them becomes incredibly strong, incredibly fast. Deidre soon discovers that she is a Cloverhand, a human able to see faeries. She is also telepathic and telekinetic. Luke has secrets of his own - he is a gallowglass, a 1000-year old assassin for the Faerie Queen. Deidre was to be his next target, but he falls in love.

Apart from Luke, Deidre has a decent support system. The Cloverhand trait runs in families. Granna has much to teach Deidre. She also has a steadfast best friend, James, who is never without a joke. Her life is made more difficult though, by her overbearing mother and hostile aunt Delia. Deidre relies on James, Granna, and Luke to help her through this new world of faeries.

The fey themselves are fascinating creatures. I particularly like Brendan and Una, two Irish music-loving faeries who are nicer than most but still not entirely trustworthy. We also see humans who have interacted with faeries for so long that they are more a part of the fey world than human. Many fey are evil, using humans and animals as play-things for their sadistic whims. The faerie queen is the biggest force to be reckoned with. She destroys anything that threatens her power and Deidre is the biggest threat to her ever...

Lament only gets four stars from me. I did have some problems with it. I think most of the problems are common first novel issues. For example, Deidre's best friend was flat. He was funny all the time - everything was a joke. Even when he showed a little more depth and ability, it was still all a joke. I wish we saw more of him. Also, Deidre's father just popped in and out of the story. For the first half I didn't even realize Dad was in the picture. Everything revolves around her mother. Then suddenly she starts referring to both "mom and dad." But Dad is still just kind of there. The plot would have flowed better if he'd just been gone altogether.

I didn't always like Deidre. Her lightening-fast, icy temper was just weird - normal people do not fly off the wall that often and that quickly for such minor things. She also used the word "friggin" way too much. I almost would have preferred her to just use the actual "F" word despite my general dislike of swearing. There is some swearing in this book. It was unnecessary but with the exception of "friggin" it didn't really bother me. I also don't like the way she treats James. As soon as she meets Luke, James pales in significance. Even his fairly obvious pining doesn't garner her attention or sympathy. Despite my misgivings about Deidre and some of her choices, she is a caring, kind, and courageous girl. She redeems herself as the book goes on.
575623
Gorgeous mix of western gunslingers and middle eastern culture. The imaginative myths woven in the story provide a colorful backdrop, and although the rebellion again royalty is a well known trope in YA fantasy, it's not the driving force behind the story. One of the few YA books where the female protagonist shines as a strong and original character driven by a dream. Excellent read.
2998600
pooled ink Reviews:

Rich with ancient customs and magic of the earth, THE WAKING LAND sings the song of a hero who once sided with the enemy. Adventurous, mystical, dramatic, and worthy of an old Gaelic poem, this story draws from the best of fantasy and presents a story in full.

The characters and plot twists kept me easily engaged with the story. The plot was iconic fantasy but with a uniqueness I really enjoyed. I can certainly sense a draw from Lord of the Rings as well as druid legends and the like. The magic in this book largely pulls from ancient rituals deriving magic from/with nature. Im definitely glad I had the opportunity to read this book and if you're in the mood for a standalone fantasy story then Id recommend you give this one a thought.

Read my full review on my Wordpress site: Pooled Ink
3952158
This novel based on Russian folktales pulls you into an unfamiliar treacherous and vivid world. You will find no fairies or elves here, but you will find a variety of forest spirits and gods with powerful magic battling for and against their isolated human neighbors and the church. The writing is masterful and the characterization is outstanding. The women are powerful and compelling, and the men are equally complex and conflicted. This is fantasy at its best: fresh, thrilling and strangely beautiful.
1260790
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 9/10

PROS:
- The world-building is incredible, with a mythology that has parallels to those of various existing belief systems but is unique overall, and the plot is intricate and fast-paced, even during phases when Phdre spends her time in seemingly idle study and extended periods of time are passing.
- Carey's descriptive language is varied and beautiful, bringing to life both magnificent and horrifying settings in equal splendor. This is one of the first descriptions that caught my attention: "The adepts of Cereus House followed them, a white-and-silver fantasia of creatures and wintery spirits; I lost count, with the froths of silk and gossamer and silver piping, horned and hooded and masked."
- I've read quite a few books that contain characters with masochistic tendencies, and this is the best I've encountered at describing the physical melding of pleasure and pain as well as the psychological longing for the release brought about by that pain.
- The number of three-dimensional characters here is astonishing. Even those who play only minor roles in the story have well-formed backgrounds and intricate personalities with complex motivations for their actions. Phdre is as strong and admirable a female character as any I have ever seen portrayed, and the other primary characters--both friend and foe--are worthy of their positions across from and alongside of her.

CON:
- There are so many characters and place names, many of which have a foreign sound and are thus difficult to distinguish from one another, that I had to consult the map and the list of "dramatis personae" at the start of the book a great many times to keep them all even remotely straight in my head. In some instances, this task became quite onerous given how many characters are mentioned in such quick succession. (Here's an example: "His blood-father had been among them, slain at the hands of the Tarbh Cr. Maelcon's mother, Foclaidha, was of the Brugantii, who followed the Red Bull; it was her kin who came, overrunning Bryn Gorrydum, starting the bloodbath.")

Overall comments: This is an excellent choice for fans of fantasy romance. The characters are well-formed, the plot is gripping, and the writing is good. It may not be for everyone, with its descriptions that detail Phdre's love of erotic pain, but I enjoyed it very much.
3493333
Beautiful! I loved the mythological feel of the prose, and how it weaved pagan/Goddessy beliefs into the Judeo-Christian tradition, resulting in one rich and colorful whole. Kinstler makes the legendary characters feel human--brought tears to my eyes in many places. Sure, it's probably not the way things "really happened" (neither is the Bible, most likely), but some parts *might* be, which leaves you with a sparkle of excitement. In short, any book that made me this proud to be a woman, a mother, and merely a human who loves life, deserves five stars. I'll almost certainly re-read it, which I can't say for many books.
3849385
The Skinny
There are a tremendous number of characters in this book, perhaps the most characters of all the books I have read. This is an epic fantasy that follows Morigan, a handmaiden. One day while searching for a particular shop owner, she meets her soulmate. Caenith is not quiet the man most would think. He is only half man, and his other half allows him magical powers that have allowed him to live for centuries.

While two immortal kings  brothers, no less  are at odds due to an unknown evil force that has taken hold. The two worlds they inhabit and lead, Eod and Zioch, are on the precipice of a brutal war.

In Menos, the character Mouse is drawn into the fates and prophecies when she is deemed to have very clear destiny. She is saved by the one man who could ruin her.

The Quote

As she went, she basked in the beauty of Alabion; her eyes drawn to dewy leaves glittering as if scattered with diamonds, her ears to the music that echoed through the pines, her nose to the earthy pungency of the mulch beneath her toes.

The Highs and Lows

This is most definitely an adult book. It contains very mature content. This book might contain triggers for some people.

List of Characters. There were PAGES upon PAGES of characters with short and lengthy descriptions. It was daunting. I felt I was already losing ground with the plot before I ever got to page one.

Prologue. The prologue was confusing to read. I didn't see right away how it connected to the first chapter. I had to read several chapters before it started sinking in and I could see some of the connections.

The writing. From the very beginning there is a beautiful style of prose that is so sensory and profound. It is elegant and smooth, free-flowing. I found myself highlighting so many quotations to potentially use in my review to illustrate the artistry of the craft.

Morigan. She is an ethereal being with marked looks. It is what craws Caenith to her. However, she soon finds herself suffering from the bees as she calls them, that are relentless in inundating her mind with everything happening in the city.

Caenith. He has a heartbreaking story, and he is more than a man. He has lived far longer than humans. I found him so interesting.

Plot. The plot is very intricate and complex. Combined with the beauty of Browns writing style.

The Take-Away
The writing. It is long and eloquent and poised. Although it slows down the plot at times because you just want to get on with it and see what will happen, I couldn't help but admire the writing style.

Recommendation  Buy, Borrow or Skip?
If you're a die-hard epic fantasy fan, definitely buy this one. If you are interested, Id recommend borrowing.
3823340
I was very intrigued by the concept of Japanese mythology--I LOVE mythology but have not read much about Japanese mythology in particular. Unfortunately, not much mythology (that I could tell) was intertwined in this novella, which is understandable since its only a prequel.

I loved the setting in Japan. Lately, Ive been obsessing over wanting to visit there, but that aint gonna happen any time soon (seeing as how broke I am), so this is the next best thing.

So, from what I gathered, Tomohiro has some weird stuff going on with his drawings, which wasn't elaborated on much, but I am very interested to find out what it is and what Katies role is in all this.

Shadow didn't exactly wow me, but it overall, I am very excited to read the first book and delve into this world of Japanese mythology!

Also, that is a gorgeous cover! And not only because purple is my favorite color ;)
3527342
I enjoyed Greek Mythology in high school, and so I enjoyed being returned to that world in L.E. Henderson's "Thief of Hades". However, I was not returned to ancient Greece itself. This story takes place in the land of the dead, but thousands of years after the era of Alexander, Plato, and Aristotle. Our central character is Charon, the boatman, and we learn about why he ceaselessly ferries the dead and to what end he collects their silver coins. We find ourselves in the midst of a multi-epoch family drama of sorts, involving thievery, existential horror, intangible dreams, and a resentful, love-struck god. There are several interesting ideas played with, including the idea of suffering in paradise, which I found poignant.

I look forward to more thoughtful adventure/fantasy from L.E. Henderson, as I think she is a uniquely creative and linguistically efficient writer. This was quality writing from a self-published author, and could have easily been traditionally published.
4905565
I've always loved Celtic mythology, strong heroines, and tales of love and this book is a gorgeous combination of all three.  Marillier does an extemely good job of taking an old legend and making the characters real and personal without losing any element of mystery or fantasy.  Sorcha, although she is a young girl when the book begins, takes on an enormous load to break a curse set on her brothers and suffers grief and hardship with nothing to sustain her but her love for her brothers.  Along the way, she meets a man who saves her life and ends up being the enemy that her father and oldest brothers have been fighting against to preserve their land.  He takes her to his home, where she is recieved with grudging hospitality only because the man who brought her is the lord of the land, but she withstands the whispers and suspicious looks as it seems to be the only way she will complete her task and live.  At the end, when her brothers are freed, you expect her to go home and live happily ever after, but she can't be completely content because of the strong ties with other people who helped her through her suffering.  But in the end, love finds a way, as you knew it would.