As the second in command of the Paranormal Investigators Unit, Shiloh Harrison follows orders. She's good at her job and has a good relatio
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As the second in command of the Paranormal Investigators Unit, Shiloh Harrison follows orders. She's good at her job and has a good relationship with her team. Her team includes a human boss (Julius Almeida), an incubus (Novak), a skinwalker (Jaxon) and a dhampir (Kathleen). Shiloh herself is a half djinn. She can grant three wishes. She also has to deal with her Quarrel, an ability to affect the combative nature of humans. If she doesn't exert control, she can be responsible for unleashing a fight where none should be.
She just finished a case and is about to spend some time with her current lover Vincent Ortiz, when she's called back to work. A trailer park has been taken hostage by a group of vampires. Her team needs to show up as soon as possible before things get out of hand. Her boss is nowhere to be found, making Shiloh the lead US Marshall.
At the scene, Shiloh meets Woodrow Tennyson, a master vampire who has moved all his line into the trailer park. Tennyson is worried. Some of his vampires have disappeared and before any more are taken he needs the team's help to discover who's behind it and why.
Shiloh knows this mission is important when Tennyson admits he's not the only master vampire or werewolf pack who has members gone missing. Forty-six vampires and twenty-eight werewolves have disappeared.
This will take the team into a never-before-seen danger where black magic is at the center of it all. Shiloh won't know who's an ally and who's a foe.
__
I love Urban Fantasy novels. I was excited about starting a new series. I was hoping to find a new favorite. I can't say that I did. However, I was entertained by the characters and the action.
I couldn't connect with Shiloh at the beginning but I liked her by the end. She made some rushed decisions. They felt too impulsive. She also has some issues with her relationships. She was with Vincent but was thinking about her ex-lover and then she throws Tennyson in the mix. She's supposed to hate vampires but she could barely keep two feet away from Tennyson.
There was a good twist at the end and a few unanswered questions. I'm hoping we get some answers in the next installment.
Stray Magic delivers a good plot and interesting characters. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series.
Thank you HarperCollins Publishers for providing me with a complimentary copy of Stray Magic in exchange for an honest review.
As the second in command of the Paranormal Investigators Unit, Shiloh Harrison follows orders. She's good at her job and has a good relationship with her team. Her team includes a human boss (Julius Almeida), an incubus (Novak), a skinwalker (Jaxon) and a dhampir (Kathleen). Shiloh herself is a half djinn. She can grant three wishes. She also has to deal with her Quarrel, an ability to affect the combative nature of humans. If she doesn't exert control, she can be responsible for unleashing a fight where none should be.
She just finished a case and is about to spend some time with her current lover Vincent Ortiz, when she's called back to work. A trailer park has been taken hostage by a group of vampires. Her team needs to show up as soon as possible before things get out of hand. Her boss is nowhere to be found, making Shiloh the lead US Marshall.
At the scene, Shiloh meets Woodrow Tennyson, a master vampire who has moved all his line into the trailer park. Tennyson is worried. Some of his vampires have disappeared and before any more are taken he needs the team's help to discover who's behind it and why.
Shiloh knows this mission is important when Tennyson admits he's not the only master vampire or werewolf pack who has members gone missing. Forty-six vampires and twenty-eight werewolves have disappeared.
This will take the team into a never-before-seen danger where black magic is at the center of it all. Shiloh won't know who's an ally and who's a foe.
__
I love Urban Fantasy novels. I was excited about starting a new series. I was hoping to find a new favorite. I can't say that I did. However, I was entertained by the characters and the action.
I couldn't connect with Shiloh at the beginning but I liked her by the end. She made some rushed decisions. They felt too impulsive. She also has some issues with her relationships. She was with Vincent but was thinking about her ex-lover and then she throws Tennyson in the mix. She's supposed to hate vampires but she could barely keep two feet away from Tennyson.
There was a good twist at the end and a few unanswered questions. I'm hoping we get some answers in the next installment.
Stray Magic delivers a good plot and interesting characters. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series.
Thank you HarperCollins Publishers for providing me with a complimentary copy of Stray Magic in exchange for an honest review.
For the hard-core readers of this series, this installment doesn't disappoint.
Mercy is still recuperating from the attack sAction-packed winter storm!
For the hard-core readers of this series, this installment doesn't disappoint.
Mercy is still recuperating from the attack she suffered in the last book. She is not doing well. Her mind and her magic were affected by the Soul Taker. No one really knows how to fix her.
Adam knows she is not well but no one he knows can help her.
Then, Mercy's half-brother, Gary shows up. He is unable to talk or comprehend. Something happened to him while he was taking care of a ranch in Montana. Despite her own problems, Mercy knows she has to help him.
Mercy and Adam decide to take a trip to Montana to find the answers. Their trip is not an easy one. The winter storm is a powerful one. Someone is behind it. But why? By whom?
As they arrive at the Lounge, they are met by a wedding party. It's not a typical one. Mercy and Adam come to the realization that more than Gary's life is in danger.
I love Mercy and Adam together. They have learned to trust each other and to let the other be independent when the right occasion arises. My one complaint is that I missed the rest of the pack and I also miss Bran.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Ace via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Gosh, how did I miss a new Toby book? My only excuse will be (once again) my work.
I strongly recommend reading these books in order to experience theGosh, how did I miss a new Toby book? My only excuse will be (once again) my work.
I strongly recommend reading these books in order to experience the world Seanan McGuire has created.
Toby is like a dear old friend who runs into trouble but has learned to have others with her when the battle is about to happen.
The last book was a shock for all of us. It also ended in a HUGE cliffhanger. So please don’t read below if you don’t want to get spoiled about the last book.
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In this new world that Titania has created, Toby is no one. She has been placed in Faerie with the sole purpose of caring for her sister August. Her father Simon treats her well and her mother, Amandine is still not a good mother.
Toby who is a changeling is delegated as the "help". She is not a fighter. She follows the rules she is given. She is meek and living in a tower without any real interaction with the courts. She is no hero.
Then the weirdest thing happens, Toby is told that her current reality is nothing but a lie created by Titania. The more blood Toby is in contact with, the more flashes she sees of another life that she doesn't know but maybe she should be part of.
I’m not going to lie, it was extremely hard to see Toby so weak. This Toby wouldn’t dream of talking back to any pureblood or of breaking the mold, fighting for a different life for all changelings.
The only thing that made it bearable was seeing how little by little we got glimpses of the real Toby and by the end, you knew she was going to do what she does best: Create some chaos and defeat the current threat.
If I could change something from Sleep No More it would be the amount of pages Tybalt has. He deserves so much more. A true King of Cats.
The Wishing Game stars Lucy Hart. She is a woman in her twenties, working as a teacher's aide. She loves The Wishing Game touched all my heartstrings!
The Wishing Game stars Lucy Hart. She is a woman in her twenties, working as a teacher's aide. She loves her job but she mostly loves her time with one student, Christopher Lamb. He is a seven-year-old boy who has lost his parents and is in foster care. Lucy dreams of becoming Christopher's foster mother and then adopting him. Yet, her economic and living situation makes the dream impossible.
When Lucy was a kid, she ran away from home. She went to Clock Island for the sole purpose of becoming Jack Masterson's sidekick. Jack Masterson is the famous author of the children's series called Clock Island. While on the island, Lucy also met Jack's young book illustrator, Hugo Reese.
In the present, Jack has not written a new book in the last few years but Lucy introduced the Clock Island books to Christopher after the loss of his parents. To their shock, an announcement is made and Jack has written a new book and has started a contest and one of four lucky contestants will have the chance to win the new novel. Furthermore, Lucy is one of the four contestants. She and Christopher are ecstatic. This gives hope to Lucy. If she wins, she can use the book to get money to help her become Christopher's mom.
The Wishing Game was adorable. It was easy to fall for all the main characters. Lucy, Christopher, Hugo, and Jack all had an important part to play. As a huge book lover, the idea of books helping through difficult times is relevant and truthful.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Ballantine Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
In The Lives of Puppets, we are taken to a world in the future where robots run free.
At the beginning of the story, we getAnother hit for T. J. Klune!
In The Lives of Puppets, we are taken to a world in the future where robots run free.
At the beginning of the story, we get to know the hero Victor, a young human living in a secluded home with his adopted father Gio, and two robots, Nurse Ratched and Rambo.
Victor was the one who fixed Nurse Ratched and Rambo and he is always on the lookout for another machine he can reactivate. So when he finds an android who for a minute was still "alive" before his battery stops, he knows he will do anything to fix the android who he names HAP (Hysterically Angry Puppet). At first, he hides him from GIO until HAP is fully operational. Without realizing by saving HAP, Victor has put his life in danger. Next thing he knows, androids are surrounding his home and GIO is taken prisoner to the City of Electric Dreams. Gio has left a message not to try to find him but Victor can't stop himself but embark on a trip to save the only father he has ever known.
In regards to the characters, even though I care about Victor and root for his success and love HAP's evolution, my heart was stolen by Nurse Ratched and Rambo. Who doesn't love a nurse who can engage in an empathy protocol but truly has a murderous streak with the sole goal of drilling? And Rambo with his sweet disposition, innocence, ferocious loyalty, and the need to be brave?
Worth mentioning is the narrator Danny Henning who does a marvelous job with these wonderful characters just like he did with Cerulean which is still my favorite of Klune's novels.
Adorable characters that make you feel are the recipe for Klune's success. I can't wait for any of his books to become a movie.
Cliffhanger: No
4.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Tor Books, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sam Montgomery is an archaeoentomologist who just finished a job in Arizona. After her brother calls her to tell her something I liked it well enough.
Sam Montgomery is an archaeoentomologist who just finished a job in Arizona. After her brother calls her to tell her something seems off with their mother, she decides to go visit her in North Carolina. Sam is excited to spend her time off watching crime tv shows and drinking wine.
Sam's mother is usually a carefree, easy-going, and stress-free woman but when Sam sees her, she can't believe this thin, jumpy, and distracted person is her mother. In addition, her home feels off too. Her mother had painted all the walls white like when her Gran Mae was alive instead of the vibrant colors they were the last time she visited. Is her mother getting dementia or is someone harassing her? And why are all these crows watching the house and her every move?
A House with Good Bones had an entertaining character to keep my interest throughout. The gothic elements were well-balanced. Furthermore, the narrator, Mary Robinette Kowal did a fantastic job of keeping things moving for me.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Macmillan Audio via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Jagger family is meeting again two years after their last Christmas together. The siblings Josiah, Julianna, Jesse, and Jada are I liked this one.
The Jagger family is meeting again two years after their last Christmas together. The siblings Josiah, Julianna, Jesse, and Jada are all coming back to the family home in southern California known as the "Pink Castle".
Why has it been 2 years since their last time together?
Well, at that time, their father introduced them to his new companion bot, January. One of the siblings couldn't tolerate the idea of someone else replacing their mother (who killed herself many years ago) so January was violently attacked. Per their father, January was able to be fixed and her memory was wiped out completely about the event.
In the present, all the siblings have received an anonymous letter saying their mother was murdered. At first, they don't share the information but as the time together progresses, they will learn that they all got the same note.
I enjoyed this one so much. Love January and Six (the bot next door). From the Jaggers, I was very interested in Jada and her true crime obsession with the Freezer man (hoping there is a book about that). I thought Jesse needed mental health for life. Julianna had the weight of the world on her shoulders and I felt bad for Josiah's childhood.
This was a great installment of the Jolvix Episode series!
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Mirror House Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A very short story about Christmas and Molly when she decides to "do good" by spreading Christmas cheer in the name of "the wizard of Chicago".
Molly uA very short story about Christmas and Molly when she decides to "do good" by spreading Christmas cheer in the name of "the wizard of Chicago".
Molly uses all her powers to bring gifts to the people of Chicago who have suffered enough. After all, Christmas is part of Winter and she won't mind having a friendly competition with Kris Kringle.
I love Molly and seeing her do good is always a plus.
If I’m honest I was dreading reading this one. Just the title worried me. Toby was so happy in the last book so I knew it couldn’t last and it didn’t If I’m honest I was dreading reading this one. Just the title worried me. Toby was so happy in the last book so I knew it couldn’t last and it didn’t …..
Someone is targeting the Brown children.
Stacy Brown has been Toby’s very good friend since they were little and jumping in to rescue her kids is not a question. This "case" is not easy for Toby but as a Hero of the Realm, she must do what is expected of her. Yet, she is not alone. Tybalt will be with her. But can he really help?
Be the Serpent is UF at it's best. It has the Fae, shocking twists, a funny side, and drama with very sad parts. It also finishes with a cliffhanger!!!
I can only say: Be ready, be prepared.
One thing I will say and I never thought I would: I love Simon. He keeps on getting better. Who would have thought that was possible after reading book 1, Rosemarie and Rue?
I can't spoil the novel for you so I will not tell you who is responsible for the chaos that Toby has to fight through. Although, I think some of us have a guess. I also think I know who is the other missing part of the equation and I'm guessing she will reveal herself in the next installment.
The wait until These Violent Delights is going to kill me.......
Cliffhanger: Yes
4.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by DAW via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Law is set a month after the events that happened on Battle Ground.
Dresden is still in mourning but when a womI devoured this 99-page short story!
The Law is set a month after the events that happened on Battle Ground.
Dresden is still in mourning but when a woman comes asking for help, he can’t say no to her situation and agrees to help her.
The woman in question is a tutor who has opened 35 tutoring places in the last few years helping kids from low-income homes. In a past life, she was a hooker, and now that her pimp is out of prison he wants money from her.
Dresden starts investigating. This takes him to meet a new character named Winter Winter, and old characters including Marcone, paranoid Gary, Bob, and even MAB makes an appearance marking this short story a very fun read.
I always do the Dresden audios (except for the first book). Shocking but I didn't do the audio on this one (Jim Butcher is the narrator). I ended up liking the new characters Jim butcher added to The Law. I wonder if they will make an appearance in Twelve Months. I hope they do, to help Dresden not to hurt him.
I read this series so many years ago (the first book was 2007!!) and it is still one of my favorite urban fantasFinally, we get Bones' point of view!!
I read this series so many years ago (the first book was 2007!!) and it is still one of my favorite urban fantasy books! Cat and Bones are synonyms of a great team.
Jeaniene Frost has given her readers a great gift. We are able to go back into the Night Huntress world but this time through Bones' eyes.
Bones is a British master vampire who hides some of his powers from Cat. As fans of the series know, when Cat (a half-human/half-vampire) met Bones she despises vampires and her only joy in life is to kill them. Of course, as Bones points out, Cat has only dealt with vampires that are not too strong. He offers to train her in exchange for her joining him in killing the vampires he wants to get rid of. It sounds like a win-win scenario. Yet, so many things happened in this one book including the beginning of their romance.
I absolutely loved it. The audiobook was fantastic. Bones was there with me everywhere I went. Sigh. Cat is one of my favorite heroines of all time. She grows more confident and deadly with each book. She also has a great supportive partner in Bones.
I can only hope we get another Bones book which I would read without hesitation.
Erik Larson does an only audio format of a locked-in island ghost story.
Why?
Because he believes ghost stories should be told out loud and I agree wiErik Larson does an only audio format of a locked-in island ghost story.
Why?
Because he believes ghost stories should be told out loud and I agree with that statement.
What is No One Goes Alone about?
A historical fiction novel set in the 1900s where the psychologist William James invites a group of people to the isle of Dorn to investigate the disappearance of a family. The group goes there to prove or disprove the possibility of the mystical.
To mention a few, the group included William James, a psychologist as mentioned earlier. Adam Winter is an illusionist who is ready to debunk it all. Katherine is a woman who is there because she had seen a ghost as a child. Madeline works as a forensic pathologist while Beatrice is there as a records keeper. Josie Frost is the narrator of the story. Frost is the youngest in the group. He is an electrician who has knowledge of the newest technology of the time, the telegraph.
This group must decide if what happened to the family who disappeared was an accident vs murder or was there something more nefarious at play?
I would say that the story was ok for me. I was able to follow the characters well thanks to the narrator Julian Rhind-Tutt.
The weird rodents, the cove, the cellar, the cliffs, and the surrounding water helped set the eerie and atmospheric setting. The ending felt rushed to me. I also felt like there was a missed opportunity between two characters and the epilogue was too gloomy.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Random House AudioBook via Libro.fm in exchange for an honest review.
This is the way an anthology should be done. I was surprised at how much I liked it. Maybe it's because I'm familiar with half of the series in this bThis is the way an anthology should be done. I was surprised at how much I liked it. Maybe it's because I'm familiar with half of the series in this book.
LITTLE THINGS by Jim Butcher Toot-Toot is a sprite that protects Harry in the way he can. Toot-Toot also loves that Harry can provide him with his favorite food: Pizza. So Little things have Major General Toot-Toot Minimus defend Harry, his friends, and pizza from evil gremlins. Glad I didn't have to wait to read this one. James Marsters does the perfect voices in the Dresden world. I couldn't listen to a book without his voice. I also love Toot-Toot and his attempts to gain the love of Lacuna.
THE DARK SHIP by Anne Bishop The Others is at the top of my favorite fantasy series. The Dark Ship just made me want to be in this world again. Vedetta "Dett" is the protagonist of this short story. She has "feelings" about boats. She saves a pony and knows that she will be punished by the evil man who rules Pyetra, Captain Starr. What she wasn't counting on was the Black Ship and Corvo Sanguinati. Loved it! I just wished that it was a full novel. I can get behind these new Others characters.
COMFORT ZONE by Kelley Armstrong Chloe Saunders is a necromancer who is contacted by a ghost named Justin who asked for help saving his sister from the people who killed him. She and her boyfriend Derek Souza will decide to help find the 13-year-old girl and save her. I read The Darkest Powers series so many years ago. I almost didn't remember who Chloe was. I remembered that I did like her and at that time she was not with Derek yet. I do remember loving Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld series. Elena and Clay were my favorite couple.
TRAIN TO LAST HOPE by Annie Bellet Raina comes looking for Cassidy and asks her to follow her. She believes she has found the trail to find their missing daughter, Mairi. I'm not familiar with this series but the horse "Nightmare" intrigued me.
FIRE HAZARD by Kevin Hearne I haven't read this series in a while. I do remember loving Oberon and I see now that Atticus, the druid has another dog, Starbuck. This short story is told from Oberon's POV. By the end of it, Oberon will know that courage and sausages are not the same.
GRAVE GAMBLES by R.R. Virdi Vincent Graves can move his soul into a recently departed corpse and bring it back to life. He has a time limit where he needs to find the monster who killed the body he is inhabiting and dispose of him. I can see myself reading more about this character.
SILVERSPELLby Chloe Neill I used to love Merrit and Ethan until something happened that made me stop reading the Chicagoland Vampire series. Now, I see this is a new series, a spin-off where Elisa Sullivan and her boyfriend Connor are the main characters. After, reading this short story, I'm tempted to give Merrit and Ethan another try.
TROLL LIFE by Kerrie L. Hughes I loved this one. The Troll, Harzl Hellirverja was nice, he had a dog, Snori, and communicated with the trains. I will look into this series further.
THE RETURN OF THE MAGE by Charlaine Harris After a beacon is activated and the majority of the team dies, Batanya and Clovache decided to follow the beacon signal accompanied by Vandler to look for the rest of the team. This was my least favorite series in this book. It was hard to follow all these different characters or care about them in such a short time.
THE VAMPIRES KARAMAZOV by Nancy Holder Alexie is a vampire who used to be a monk. He worries about the sins of his father and brothers who are all vampires. He knows his brothers are planning something and he must find the courage to stop them. I haven't read this series but I did like Alexei and I'm intrigued by another one of his brothers, Dmitri.
THE NECESSITY OF PRAGMATIC MAGIC by Jennifer Brozek Two witches trying to stop a daydream nightmare from happening. I like the two ladies. She seems to be fierce and determined.
DATING TERRORS by Patricia Briggs Love Asil and him finding a good date was the best!! My only wish would have been for his story to be 6 more hours. He deserves some happiness and so does his wolf.
As a huge Dresden and Alpha and Omega fan, I knew I needed to read this one. The audible version helped so much in helping keep track of all the characters, new and old.
Of note, the sad thing about this book is that Rachel Caine was supposed to be part of it but she died before she could join them. She was a good writer and she will be missed.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Ace via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Others is one of my favorite fantasy series ever!
The idea that beings that can appear human but are more like animals and that they are in controlThe Others is one of my favorite fantasy series ever!
The idea that beings that can appear human but are more like animals and that they are in control of the world and that humans need to learn how to survive in their world is just different. Meg and Simon's love story, if you can say that, was the best.
Crowbones is a continuation of this world but it could be considered book 2 of the Lake Silence storyline.
I absolutely believe that you have to read Lake Silence to enjoy Crowbones as much as I did.
Vicki DeVine (human) is the owner of the Jumble, a resort that is as good as it can be after the Great Predation. Vickie is still dealing with being afraid of men since her ex-husband did a number on her self-confidence. She is working on getting better about it.
Vicki is excited about throwing a party during Trickster Night. She has guests and friends coming over. Of course, everything goes wrong when someone comes by the door dressed as Crowbones and scares the Crowgard. A second later that person is dead and a shape-shifting crow is found murdered too.
Officer Wayne Grimshaw (human) starts an investigation with the help of Julian Farrow (Intuit) and Ilya Sanguinati (vampire).
They know someone is manipulating people to do harmful things but can they be manipulating Others too?
I gotta say, I was much more invested in this one because now I'm familiar with the main characters and their environment.
Vickie and Julian's love story is moving -not fast- but moving along. Ilya and Natasha are now a couple. The Elders make quite an appearance and the addition of Crowbones made this novel quite satisfying.
Does Megan or Simon make a cameo in any way?
I can't tell. My lips are sealed.
Cliffhanger: No
4.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Ace via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
So if you are a true fan, you know that Toby will finally marry Tybalt. We also know that she will be stabbed at least once bToby is getting married!!
So if you are a true fan, you know that Toby will finally marry Tybalt. We also know that she will be stabbed at least once before she gets married. Or by the end of the ceremony, her wedding gown will have blood all over it. Why? Because October Daye brings chaos wherever she goes! (Thinking about a crossover between my favorite UF's heroines, Mercy (Pat Briggs) and Toby could be a disaster together or maybe it would be a great team!!)
Toby's wedding is happening at High Court. Toby had never wanted to be involved in the details of her wedding. She has let her friend from childhood Stacy, her Fetch, May, Tybalt, and Kerry take control. It is not that she doesn't want to marry Tybalt. For her, the whole idea of a big wedding is not what she wants but she understands the importance of following protocol.
Of course, once they get to Toronto, immediately someone is murdered and Toby as the hero of the realm needs to put a stop to whatever plan is cooking. By her side, she will have the support of Quentin and Tybalt. This demonstrated how mature she has become. Toby has realized she doesn't need to be alone anymore. She can trust people close to her and she can't stop barging into situations blindly where she always gets hurt. (It only took a bunch of books but who is complaining?)
I love When Sorrows Come. It had me smiling and laughing. It also made me turn the pages fast enough to find out who was behind the attacks. I love these characters, and seeing Toby and Tybalt happy made my day!
I'm not sure if we only get two more books or if Seanan McGuire has decided to write more books in this series. I just hope that I can find out more about Stacy and Quentin's future, Raj becoming the King of Cats, Guillian sharing time with her mother, Simon becoming a true father to Toby, Luna and Sylvester apologizing for the wrongs against Toby, May getting married, The Luidaeg getting free from the geas bindings and so many more questions I have.
Cliffhanger: No
5/5 Fangs
Short Story at the end of the book:
And With Reveling
The short story happens just after the ceremony. It's the wedding reception. It should really be the epilogue. You can't find it in the audiobook but it is on kindle ebook.
Toby and Tybalt get seven formal blessings as newlyweds which I'm guessing in Faerie, is a big deal. Hopefully, all those will protect them from what is yet to come.
My favorite part is how Tybalt deals with Sylvester. As many of you know, he has not treated Toby right.
Sylvester transferred his gaze to Tybalt. “You’ve never liked me,” he said.
“This is true. To be fair, you were once the man who stood between me and the woman I loved, and then became the man who treated the girl I found fascinating without half the respect that she deserved.”
Hobb is able to connect all the loose ends and make its conclusion a smooth one.
In the Fool's Fate, Fitz is trying Satisfying ending to this trilogy!
Hobb is able to connect all the loose ends and make its conclusion a smooth one.
In the Fool's Fate, Fitz is trying to prevent the Fool from getting into the ship leaving for the island of Aslevjal. As per the last book, Elliana has asked Dutiful to bring him the head of IceFyre in order to seal their alliance. The Fool has confided in Fitz, the Fool knows he needs to save the dragon but traveling to the island means his death and Fitz will do anything to prevent his friend from dying.
During the voyage, things are not easy. Thick is seasick and with his Skill, he is making everyone feel miserable on the boat. Tempers are running high and Dutiful puts Fitz to the task of helping Thick who in turn asks Nettle for help. Yet, their dreams are invaded by Tintaglia who wants to learn more about IceFyre.
Before leaving for the frozen island where Icefyre is supposed to be, they learn of a legend involving the Black Man. Once on the island, someone is already waiting for them. Can you guess who?
The Skill and Witt coteries are in disagreement. One wants to slay the dragon, the other one wants to save it.
So many secrets are finally revealed including the Pale Woman, the Black Man, the dragons, the Skill, the Witt, Fitz, The Fool, the memory stones. I love the explanation we are given about why the Fool and the Black Man were able to change colors while the Pale woman was not.
The Fool and FitzChivalry's friendship and bond are unlike anything else. I love these characters together. I was also happy to see so many other characters reappearing and completing their circle. Yes, they were also some very sad moments that hurt me just as well.
I'm not sure knowing there are 3 more books involving the Fool and Fitz (after the Rainwild 4 books) is a good thing. I think I liked how this ended and I'm not sure I want to know what happens next. What am I saying? Of course, I need to know.
Golden Fool is full of intrigue and secrets. Some of them revealed, some of them waiting to come out in the next book, I hope.
The Prince is now in BucGolden Fool is full of intrigue and secrets. Some of them revealed, some of them waiting to come out in the next book, I hope.
The Prince is now in Buckkeep and Fitz and the Fool are playing their parts. The Fool is Lord Golden and Fitz is known as Lord Golden's bodyguard, Tom Badgerlock.
Many things are happening simultaneously:
The Piebalds are still trying to hurt the Prince and unmasked him as someone who is Witted.
The betrothal ceremony of Dutiful and the Narcheska Elliania of the Out Islands is underway but Dutiful is not happy with linking his life with someone who is mostly a child. Worse, Elliana is hiding something too and she, like Dutiful, is not happy with the betrothal.
Elliana asking Dutiful to bring him the head of a dragon in order to seal their alliance and bringing an end to the war between their kingdoms.
A Bingtown delegation has arrived to talk to Kettricken, the Queen about uniting forces against a common enemy, and Selden Vestrid is there to ask for help with Tintaglia and the dragons.
Amber's friend, Jek has come with the LiveShip's delegation to meet with Lord Golden.
FitzChivalry has to teach Dutiful about the Skill and they find out that others might have it too. After all, Dutiful must have a coterie.
The Queen wants to meet with Old Blood representatives to discuss a way to move forward. This is where Web's character is introduced to us.
Burrick's son, Swift has arrived in court.
Fitz meeting Thick, a simpleton who is a powerful Skill-User.
Fitz dealing with his adopted son, Hap living in Buckkeep town and the mistakes he might be making.
Fitz Skill-dreaming with Nettle.
The Fool knows that he as a White Prophet and Fitz as the catalyst, will have to fight against the Pale Woman's plans.
Golden Fool was another wonderful addition to this world. Characters are fully developed. The lore of the Witt and the Skill continues. We learn more facets of each magic and once again Fitz is the Changer of many things to come.
The strings are all set for a wonderful conclusion of this trilogy. Hobb has every piece in motion to converge masterfully in The Fools' Fate.
What an amazing journey this is turning out to be!
In order to understand how happy I am after reading Fool's Errand, you have to be a fan of Fantasy. What an amazing journey this is turning out to be!
In order to understand how happy I am after reading Fool's Errand, you have to be a fan of Fantasy. It could be Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, or insert your favorite here. Just think more books in the world you adore are available.
I’m back with FitzChivalry Farseer and the Fool. What a team!
The last time we saw FitzChivalry Farseer, he had saved the Six Duchies yet no one knows he did (well almost no one). For the last fifteen years, Fitz has been living like a hermit with Nighteyes and Hap. Hap was brought to Fitz by Staling when he was a child. Fitz has raised him as his adopted son. Fitz is hiding his identity and going by the name of Tom Badgerlock.
Now that Hap is becoming a man. He needs money to learn a trade. Fitz fears that is time for him to let him go.
Then his past comes knocking.
First, there is Chade who wants Fitz to come back to Buckkeep to teach Prince Dutiful the Skill.
Then, The Fool returns from who knows where (haha we do know) and stays for a little while.
Then a messenger from Queen Kettricken arrives asking Tom to come back to Buckkeep, his help is needed. When he arrives, he discovers that Prince Dutiful is gone. He has been taken and just before his betrothal ceremony! Fitz must find him before it's too late. Fitz, Nighteyes, the Fool, and Huntswoman Lauren will embark on this errand.
Between the Skill and the Wit, this is another magnificent piece of fantasy that Robin Hobb gives us.
Fitz is more mature and suffers less although I do feel like he has been used and coerced more times than he should.
I won’t lie, a certain part of the book made me ugly cry. #Devastated. I will say no more.
The conclusion of this trilogy was satisfying in all the ways that it counts!
I was happy to see that all the Vestrid women were strong in character. TThe conclusion of this trilogy was satisfying in all the ways that it counts!
I was happy to see that all the Vestrid women were strong in character. They did what had to be done, despite all being in different situations with different dangers. The same thing goes for Wintrow who became a man despite his young age and his little brother, Selden, who stood up when it was vital.
My favorite character development hands down has to be Malta. She evolved from someone I hated to becoming my favorite character (sorry, Althea but it's true). Malta went from an annoying little brat to a resourceful and interesting young woman who has been well-matched with Reyn.
The next best character development was Paragon. Through this book, we learned what truly happened to him and by who. Thanks to Amber in Ship of Destiny, he is comfortable in his own skin. Or should I say wood?
Tintaglia was a wonderful addition to the mix. I can see how she will change the future of the realm.
If I have to say what I disliked about this book, I would have to say it had to do with where the story went with Kennit. I felt it was a wasted use of an antihero. I'm also not sure I liked the new Vivacia but I guess it had to happen.
I can't finish this review without making a stand. If you are an impatient reader (which I am) this series is not for you. The Realm of the Elderlings series is full of books that are long, detailed, and slow prosed. They are meant to be savored and unless you have been warned like I was (thank you hubby), you won't enjoy them. You will think why are all these details important? Why does it matter? I would answer that the key is most of the time in the details.
The second book in this trilogy has the Vestrit family members all over the place.
Althea is in the Ophelia and doing a good job at it but her thoughtsThe second book in this trilogy has the Vestrit family members all over the place.
Althea is in the Ophelia and doing a good job at it but her thoughts are all about recovering her ship Vivacia. She dreams of being able to be back on her ship and sailing her.
Ronica and Kefrria are trying to deal with the loss of their family fortune and keeping their house and holdings the best way they can.
Malta is still behaving like an obnoxious and selfish kid but as the story progresses, I can see hints of a different person emerging.
Wintrow is a captive onboard the Vivacia. He's shocked when he realizes that Kennit has started charming the ship and stirring her into piracy. He also starts believing that Kennit is not all bad.
Amber wants to protect Paragon from getting destroyed. She wants to buy him to avoid the liveship from being chopped into pieces.
Brashen finds himself close to piracy too until he hears that Vivacia has been taken by Kennit. He will go back home to alert the Vestrits of her capture. They all know that they will need help getting Vivacia back and Paragon might be the answer to their prayers.
The Mad Ship sets up a good foundation for the end of the trilogy. All the Vestrits are in danger one way or the other and Hobb never makes things easy for any of them. Although, not as hard as they were for Fitz.
Great character development especially with Malta and an amazing woven and intricate world-building as always.
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