An epic, engaging swashchuckler fantasy romance
585470
This review is for all 8 books in the series. I hesitated to start it, as I am not generally a fan of fantasy. But I was glad I did, though it started out rather slowly for me, and picked up speed as I went along. The principal characters are very well developed, and the various story lines intriguing and reasonably complex. The series has echoes of Star Wars (without Yoda, Darth Vader or The Force), Star Trek (in its adventuring and a couple of the characters), and Little Shop of Horrors at one point. And too many others to mention, especially in the names of places and people. But it is unique in itself, and if you like strong female lead characters, as I do (I am male, by the way, and old), I think you will find many hours of reading pleasure in the world of Amaranthe and Secarius. I also felt Ms. Buroker ended the series at just the right point. Some authors who write a series cannot seem to end it, or to end it in a satisfying fashion. Ms. Buroker did not fall into that trap. Kudos to her for that and this series.
1466324
A wonderful, swashbuckling fantasy adventure, full of intrigue and action. If you like colorful, all-ages sword and sorcery, then you are in for a treat!
3081016
I really love a well written fantasy romance, and when you throw in a compelling menage relationship and some spanking too, well, it's all icing on a very substantial cake.  I loved Dravern and Taric as heroes.  They were so well written, distinct in their personalities and had flaws and virtues that made sense to the reader.  Kyra, the heroine, is an elf maid, and her encounter with the soon to be giant killing brothers is a lot of fun.

The spanking scenes were varied and weren't the same, which is refreshing.  I will definitely be checking out more books by this author!
4537990
This is a book. A really good book. The Reader has a slow-paced start and can be a tad confusing as it switches narratives but the book is exceptional as you read further and pieces of the puzzle come together to form a whole picture. When I finished The Reader, I was completely blown away by the way Chee wove the story together and the way the book fits together multiple stories into a cohesive tale. A fellow blogger described this book as bookception which is a pretty accurate description. The Reader is more than just one adventure, but several that make a whole. Reading along and seeing how things fit together was delightful and it made the story more interesting than a more straight-forward approach. Chee uses her story and makes it interactive, in a way, and I really loved it.

Sefia is our main protagonist and shes an interesting girl, especially due to her unusual circumstances, but I loved Archers character, more. Archer becomes Sefias partner during the novel, and their interactions, growth, and support for one another completely won my heart. The two have one of the most organic feeling relationships Ive ever encountered in a book. Part of why I want the second book so badly is to see how Sefia and Archer will continue to grow and develop after the intense and game-changing climax. The other characters we see focus on are a crew of pirates (well, outlaws) and I definitely love pirates. I had a bit of trouble organizing the crew in my head, but the stories focusing on the crew are very interesting and mythical, and the cast helps bring that to life.

Ive already said the writing is phenomenal. The way Chee has constructed her book was clever and engaging and Im being repetitive, but I really loved the book. The beginning definitely can be slow or a bit confusing. I struggle with cognitive issues and sometimes the book was hard for me to focus on but I continued because It was interesting and in the end, this book definitely paid off. Its a new favorite and I hope more people will be willing to give this book a chance. I can see where its not for everyone, but if you love high fantasy, swashbuckling adventure, or books about books, this would be a perfect story to pick up!!
2213795
This book rocked this reader's socks! The narrator was fantastic. I'm a big fan of how this author's fantasy writing style and her characters. The story flowed very well and didn't drag on detail or plot line. The action was never ending and the world building lovely. The young heroine is one tough, but vulnerable chick and her side kick, a rag-a-muffin treasure hunter/thief is insanely entertaining.

Sara is a fighter and mage with blisteringly strong battle magic. She takes on the job of watching a rather shady "collector's"s magical baubles and weapons. She befriends the curator. They then have a whirlwind of fights and discoveries about Sara's deceased father that eventually leads them to the battleground. Mysteries are uncovered and more arise. Our heroine has many choices to make and may just learn what she is capable of.

Pick up this book and be entertained and engrossed with this great YA Fantasy novel!
2003891
Beautiful romantic fantasy, Queen's Curse introduces us to the Queen Artride and her trusted Commander Tirsa Lathabris in their quest to save their realm from the curse. Full of wonderful twists and turns, the story kept me on the edge of my seat, worried, eager to read on. The sorceress they must face is powerful, ruthless, dangerous, facing dark demons from her own past. And yet, their mission is urgent, as the life of Tirsa's young brother depends on it.
Skilfully woven, written in a beautiful way, I loved all aspects of this story, the romance and the action, and the magical world it's all happening in. Highly recommended.
2903003
(I won a free copy of this book in the Library of Erana Valentine's Day giveaway, and I would like to thank Library of Erana and the author for the book.)

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this book when I won a copy of it. The cover on the edition I received looked like it might be a children's book (in spite of the title), but I was delighted to discover that it's a very charming romantic fantasy (and it's definitely for adults and older teens, with some mildly to moderately explicit love scenes).

Elly, the Princess of Quail, has the gift of the women in her family to see the colors of men's auras and emotions. So when she sees Magesty, the bastard son of an enemy king, for the first time, she knows they were destined to be together. Fortunately, Magesty is open to the idea, if a little wary. As the two of them are feeling their way around their budding relationship, a treacherous attack on the royal palace of Quail forces them, along with Elly's brother Jode and her best friend Daina, to flee for their lives, to take refuge in Magesty's realm and then to defend against more treachery.

I enjoyed Elly's character as she's in that awkward stage of being both a sheltered teenage girl and discovering love and danger for the first time in her life. She's brave and smart, and although she makes a few mistakes along the way, she avoids the trap so many spunky teenage fantasy heroines fall into of doing stupid things just to show that they're strong and independent. Magesty is also admirable; he's older and more experienced, but when he finds himself faced with a young girl - the daughter of his country's enemy, no less - claiming that they were destined to be together, he handles it well and becomes an ideal friend, protector, and lover.

After an intriguing and exciting beginning, where Elly and Magesty begin their relationship and the palace is attacked, parts of the middle of the book were slow. We get a tour of the lands that Elly, Magesty, Jode, and Daina pass through to get to Magesty's personal realm of Arete. They're being pursued by enemies, but there isn't as much sense of danger and tension as I would have liked, and some political intrigue also slows things down a bit. But the land is beautiful and Elly and Magesty's developing relationship is sweet enough to make that part enjoyable. Then the last part picks up again as their enemies corner them in their refuge.

Written in a clear, pleasant style, with lots of colorful detail (color is very important in this book), this is an enjoyable book and I would like to read more about these characters and this world.
3403153
Packed full of fantasy, this book dives off into adventure with cute characters and a quick plot.

First, I didn't read book one in the series, which was a mistake on my part. Book two seems to start off where the first one left off. Although it wasn't too hard to get the general jest of things and dive into the adventure, there were big holes in the characters and background which I really should have filled in first. In other words, this is not recommended as a stand alone and should be read as a series.

Excitement finds Isabelle even before she hits the Mastermind Academy with a thrilling air-surf, which not only shows off some of her talents but introduces the lovely Boldrick (a cat who's not just that). Once at school, Isabelle is thrilled to learn more about her magic, but soon finds herself in a sticky situation. Boldrick isn't any better off as both land in a messes that might be over their heads.

There's a lot of good stuff packed in these pages, and the main characters, Isabelle and Boldrick, count to that group. Their reactions and personalities are simply wonderful, and although they lack a bit of depth, it's still fun to follow and cheer for them as they fight their way through. Fantasy thrives in this story and the pacing doesn't fall back into boredom even once. The writing could be a bit smoother, but in general, it's an easy world to fall into.

Kids who love magic, fun and adventure are sure to enjoy this.

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
4041390
This is a fantasy that has great balance of world-building, romance and character development.  With intrigue, mystery and bright flashes of humor, it's a story that keeps the pages turning. The story starts with a bang and the pace move along well throughout.  The characters all feel different and unique, with some amazingly descriptive scenes that have me thinking about the book long after I finished reading.

Overall the plot is well developed, with a few good surprises along the way and I can't wait for the sequel.
I'd recommend for readers 12+ and not just girls.  I'm handing it off to my 13 year old boy, too!
4324601
The Skin Map is the first novel in the Bright Empires fantasy series. Stephen R Lawhead is widely known for many of his other series; including the Pendragon series, the Celtic Crusades, and the Song of Albion. While the novel's underlying messages are serious in terms of discovering the secret of life, saving numerous lives, and finding true paradise, the novel reads very light, fun, and is incredibly engaging!

Kit is down on his luck in present-day London, when out of the blue he is visited by his supposed deceased great-grandfather Cosimo. Cosimo presents to Kit the way of traveling through ley lines, which are supernatural railroads that allow one to time-travel and visit alternate dimensions. Kit then shows this magical way of jumping through time to his girlfriend Wilhemina. The two become separated from each other and the rest of the novel describes their adventures apart.

Lawhead also incorporates a whirlwind of various other characters to the novel which all have their own important roles to play in the quest for the Skin Map; a map displaying all the known ley lines that may lead to the ultimate Paradise humanity has sought out since the near beginning of time.

The Skin Map flows quite nicely, making it difficult to tear yourself away. The novel is divided up very smartly, giving us equal doses of action-adventure with Kit's side of the story, and Wilhelmina's ambitious business-savvy practices, which undoubtedly transform London during its more ancient times. I love how Lawhead introduces us to a plethora of other characters but keeps us hanging as to their exact roles in the novel until the end.

Lawhead also touches base on a novel concept that time-travel books do not disrupt; which is the concept of causing a massive rift or butterfly-effect in times past. Kit and Cosimo debate the morals of changing history in terms of good deeds for the greater good. Why can't one change history if it ensures and promises saving hundreds and thousands of lives?

As a reader, the only frustration comes from some rather abrupt finales without explanations which I'm sure will be sated in his next Bright Empires novel, The Bone House, which at this time does not have a release date. I felt a surge of pride at the end of The Skin Map when certain characters come to the rescue. For the sake of protecting spoilers, I'll not divulge much more, but I can promise that all lovers of fantasy and amazing storytelling will appreciate and enjoy The Skin Map.
301541
Wow, a swashbuckling adventure with a tender core. Somehow Heidi Heilig manages this amazing feat. THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE time/space travels from modern day New York City, to ancient Xian, China, to independent 19th century Hawaii, serving up street chases, bank heists, and political treason. And at the center of it all? A resourceful girl torn between love for her father and the growing, aching certainty that his obsession results in her death.

Inventive and magical. Im blown away by Heilig's premise that the world we arrive at is formed by who drew the map and who navigated. Ill be lining up for sequels.
1575426
Penniless Hearts by Eve Gaal is a fantastic romance full of glorious characters, wonderful humour and adventure. The author really knows how to hook her readers with excellent narrative and dialogue.
Penny is in a love rut. John is boring, her life is boring. Boring! Her fantasy is to drop everything and have an adventure in Hawaii. So that's exactly what she does and has a fling with dashing airline pilot. But Dan is married which complicates Penny's precarious life. Also, John's romantic side kicks in and searches for Penny.
There is so much going for this romantic fantasy full of adventure, yearning, stunning locations so lovingly described, and the man left behind. Will he find his true love and win her back from her fantasy world? Read it and sigh.
FIVE STARS for this fantasy romance and highly recommended.
2824720
In THE ASSASSIN AND THE PIRATE LORD, we got to see the young, headstrong Celaena take on a entire port of pirates to defend what she believed in. It was swashbuckling adventure followed by edge-of-the-seat thrills, all wrapped up in clever dialogue and typical Celaena finesse.

And now, in THE ASSASSIN AND THE DESERT, we get to enter into a new type of story. This novella has more mystery, more friendships (and enmities), and more character growth. But don't worry--there's still a whole lot of epic fighting. And super epic world-building. We get to see the dunes of the desert, the ranks of the Silent Assassins, the bustling city of Xandria, and so much more. There are scenes from this novella that gave me chills--and also gave me serious cases of writer's envy.

Even if you don't care about lovely prose or topnotch plotting, you'll probably be interested to know this: the stories contained within these novellas add so much depth to the THRONE OF GLASS series. Everyone who's ever read THRONE OF GLASS adores it. Truly, there's a reason Sarah still has a bajillion loyal fans ten years after first staring the Fictionpress version of that novel, and that reason is that the story is sweeping and amazing...And I honestly believe that these novellas manage to make the novel even more sweeping and more amazing.

So, if you like epic fantasy, sweeping desert worlds, or thrilling action, then you'll definitely want to pick up THE ASSASSIN AND THE DESERT.
3738791
Rollicking two-fisted fantasy with solid world-building and plenty of adventure.
1807908
This book and series is very popular in Russia and has now been translated into English. For that I am grateful. This is great epic fantasy and just what I like to read.

It is the story about Shadow Harold, a thief in Avedoom, the capital of a Northern kingdom. He lives his lief like he always have when things suddenly change. he has two choices, get the horn or rut in jail. The choice is not as easy as it seems. The horn is hidden far away in caves filled with dangers and magics from different races that have buried their dead there. With him he has an elite band of warriors, a Princess, and a jester.
This world has all sorts of races, the elves (dark and light)  who are not as fair looking as you would imagine. Orcs that wants the world for their own as they are the first race of Siala. Ogres, gnomes, goblins, dwarves and of course men. In the far north there is the danger of the Nameless one, but there are more dangers than just him stirring. This world is heading for a war, and this time the orcs might just win.

I liked Harold, but then I do have a soft spot for thieves and assassins. He is an unwilling hero, and they are the best. But my fav is by far the jester Kli-Kli, a goblin who is more than he seems. And I can't wit to see what he really is about, until then I will laugh in amusement. Miralissa, the princess most be some sort of love interest, cos Harold is interested, fangs and all. But I just have to wait and see. The wild hearts are a great bunch too, the constant bickering between the dwarf and the gnome being what i enjoy the most.

Negative part, I love maps, and there was no map. I like to see where everything is located, and where they are going. It gives me a sense of direction that is useful in fantasy. But I am well aware that many forget about those maps.

This had everything I need, a quest, danger of war, and war that is surely coming, a bunch of characters that are both amusing and likable. There was danger, there was darkness, and there was history. Which I of course always want.

Now, oh sighs, why didn't I take that course in Russian in high school instead of German. If I would have I could have read the next book in Russian. Now I just have to wait to get hold of book 2 whenever that one comes out. Because this was a good start to a fantasy trilogy, and it made me want more.
1246183
The Second Mango is the story of a young dark-skinned lesbian Jewish queen with severe food allergies going on an adventure with a lighter-skinned Jewish warrior woman who's disguised as a man and said warrior's dragon, to find the queen love and also to defeat an evil sorcerer.

This book is fluffy romantic fantasy, and I say that with all the best meanings of those words in mind.  Shulamit is a young queen who suffers from severe allergies to wheat and poultry, whose health issues are brushed aside as a ploy for attention or royal fussiness by all but her lost love Aviva and her new friend Rivka.  Rivka is a warrior despite her family's best attempts to make her an "appropriate" wife for someone, mourning the loss of her own love, Isaac. While they initially set out to find Shulamit a woman she can love, and who can love her, what happens instead is an adventure to defeat an evil sorcerer who's been turning women to stone.

It has a lot of emotion, nothing too intense or dark, for the most part, and everyone gets a happy ending.  It's a quick read, and well worth a read, and a re-read.  If you need some fun, lighter-hearted adventure fantasy, if you want some wonderful Jewish ladies, and if you want happy endings for the characters you've spent the time getting to know, then this is absolutely the book for you.
777141
Drake Ashbell is a swashbuckling space-pirate and the only person who can rescue the Human Empire's princess and stop the one responsible for kidnapping her! The author does a fantastic job of making Drake cunning and ruthless yet still honorable and likable. In general, the story's characters were one of its strongest points. From Drake's half-brother, Vahn, to Angela, the rescued slave, each character has a distinct voice and personality that really shows through in the writing. I found myself caring deeply for the characters, and I loved reading their interactions with one another. The Vhy'Rai is a very interesting magic system that integrated well with the story's tech.

There are some minor editing issues, but they're not so glaring or frequent that they take you out of the story. If you like science fantasy, action, and stories rife with danger and daring-do, then I recommend giving A Soul Divided a read! It's quite enjoyable!