Review: The Hob's bargain by Patricia Briggs

The Particulars: Fantasy,  Ace, available in print and as e-book 

The Source:  The Bookshelf

The Grade: C+

The Blurb:

 To save her village from ruthless raiders, Aren of Fallbrook strikes a bargain with the Hob, a magical, humanlike creature imbued with the power of the mountains. But the Hob will exact a heavy price to defend the village--a price Aren herself must pay.

The Review:

I was in the mood for Patricia Briggs, so I decided to re-read this one.

It was nice to revisit Fallbrook. The world felt very believable. From how they focused on what was best for the village, to the contact they had with the rest of the world, to their fears and their prejudices. I liked how the villagers gradually became aware that not just magic, but other supernatural beings were stirring again. I loved how everything had a price, both when it comes to magic, and dealing with the supernatural.

It was intresting to follow Aren, and the rest of the villagers as they fought to save their village from the raiders and the wildlings. But, they also struggled with their prejudices and their reaction to magic and wildlings. I admired Aren for her courage. Both when it comes to daring to speak about her visions, despite knowing what the cost would be. But also when it comes to putting all the clues together, and strike a bargain with the Hob. In fact, it felt as if it wasn't until then the story really, started. But it was fascinating to follow Caefawn and Aren as he taught her how to harness her gifts. At the same time, he courted her. I liked the fact that the romance between Caefawn and Aren was sweet. It fit the story.

In the end, it all come down a confrontation with the villain, and Aren stepped up. My heart almost broke at the sacrifice she made.

This is one of Patricia Briggs earlier books.  And it shows, the plot has its weak spots, the characters could do with a bit more fleshing out.  Still, it wasn't bad, none of Patricia Briggs books are. But... I had troubles connecting with the characters.   Part of it was because I had read this story, many, many times :).

( On a side note: I prefer the old cover. Sure, the new cover is nice, but where is the hob?)

Book Recommendation: Rogue's Pawn by Jeffe Kennedy

Haunted by nightmares of a black dog, sick to death of my mind-numbing career and heart-numbing fiancé, I impulsively walked out of my life—and fell into Faerie. Terrified, fascinated, I discover I possess a power I can't control: my wishes come true. After an all-too-real attack by the animal from my dreams, I wake to find myself the captive of the seductive and ruthless fae lord Rogue. In return for my rescue, he demands an extravagant price—my firstborn child, which he intends to sire himself…

With no hope of escaping this world, I must learn to harness my magic and build a new life despite the perils—including my own inexplicable and debilitating desire for Rogue. I swear I will never submit to his demands, no matter what erotic torment he subjects me to…

This cover piqued my interest on Carina Press webpage, and the blurb is intriguing enough to make me want to read it. 

Review: Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling

The Particulars: Fantasy, Bantam Spectra, available in print and in ebook

The Source: The bookshelf

The Grade: C

The Blurb:

When young Alec of Kerry is taken prisoner for a crime he didn’t commit, he is certain that his life is at an end. But one thing he never expected was his cellmate. Spy, rogue, thief, and noble, Seregil of Rhiminee is many things–none of them predictable. And when he offers to take on Alec as his apprentice, things may never be the same for either of them. Soon Alec is traveling roads he never knew existed, toward a war he never suspected was brewing. Before long he and Seregil are embroiled in a sinister plot that runs deeper than either can imagine, and that may cost them far more than their lives if they fail. But fortune is as unpredictable as Alec’s new mentor, and this time there just might be…Luck in the Shadows.

The Review:

I read this the first time years ago. Not 1996 when it was released, but probably around 2000. Which is a loong time ago.

So, I was sorting through the bookcase, and found book 2 and 3 in the series. I had a vague memory of seeing book 1 at my mum's so, I decided to read it again. The world felt realistic. From the dungeon were Alec and Seregil met, to the city of Skala, and everything in between. What I especially liked was that life in Kerry wasn't the same as life in Skala. One thing that intrigued me was the way the history of the world was woven into the story, and how it affected it.

The characters was interesting. I loved following Alec's change from a blushing innocent, to a not so innocent man. I liked how his and Seregil's relationship matured from teacher pupil, to friendship. ( With hints of it becoming more in the next books)

The plot was intriguing, and I liked how the complications gradually rose, from the escape until the end. The author kept me guessing what would happen next. Sometimes I guessed right, but most of the time I was surprised.

So for what I didn't like. I had a lot of trouble getting into the book. One reason might be the fact that I am not used to reading paperbooks any more, but I think the main reason was that the first part of the book felt... disconnected to from their adventures in Skala. This is despite the fact that I know it sets up the story arc.

Book recommendation: All Spell Breaks Loose by Lisa Shearin

My name is Raine Benares—and it sucks to be me right now. I’m a seeker who managed to “find” the Saghred, a soul-stealing stone that gave me unlimited power I never asked for or wanted. Now I’ve managed to lose the rock—and the magic it gave me—to a power-hungry goblin dark mage whose main goals are my death and world domination.

I’m still bonded to the Saghred, and the dark mage can’t use the stone as long as I’m alive. If he kills me and gains control of the Saghred, he’ll become an evil demigod with the seven kingdoms at his mercy. This is more than enough incentive to plan a little trip to the goblin capital of Regor with a small band of good friends, not-so-good friends, and one outright enemy. Don’t ask.

All we need to do is destroy the Saghred, kill the mage, and put a renegade goblin prince on the throne. Did I mention I’ll be doing that with no magic?

Release date is May 29th. 

Pre-order the book from: Amazon, BN, Book Depository

Review: The Gods of Dream by Daniel Arenson

The Gods of Dream by Daniel Arenson

The Particular: Fantasy, Amazon, available as e-book

The Source: Free read from Amazon ( sometime during 2011)

The Grade: B

The Blurb:

What are dreams? Some think they are figments of our mind. But what if they were wisps of a distant, magical world... a world you could visit?

Twins Cade and Tasha discover Dream, the land dreams come from. It is a realm of misty forests, of verdant mountains, of mysterious gods who send dreams into our sleep. Cade and Tasha seek solace there; they are refugees, scarred and haunted with memories of war. In Dream, they can forget their past, escape the world, and find joy.

Phobetor, the god of Nightmare, was outcast from Dream. Now he seeks to destroy it. He sends his monsters into Dream, and Cade and Tasha find their sanctuary threatened, dying. To save it, the twins must overcome their past, journey into the heart of Nightmare, and face Phobetor himself.

The Review:

The blurb caught my attention, and when the author offered it as a free read on Amazon, I decided to take the chance. I am leery when it comes to indie books, since you never know what you get. I am glad I took the chance.

To me, this book felt like one of the old sagas, set in the unique world of Dream. Dream are filled with gods, speaking animals, and magical beings like the Pegacats. Dream is lush and sunny.

If Dream is sunny, Nightmare is dark and bleak. Nightmare is home to demons, and other monsters.

The contrast is stark, but it felt right. I liked how the bleakness of Nightmare affected Cade and Tasha.

I loved how all the characters, both gods, Elorians, and animals were prepared to fight for Dream. I liked how Moonmist, which was a protected princess, took charge of a large group of soldiers.

The book was good, but after awhile I started to wonder if Cade and Tasha would ever reach their goal. On the other hand, I don't think the book could have been that much shorter.

Will I buy another book by Daniel Arenson? Yes. The price is decent, I liked it.  But, not the coming three months.