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The world building here is fantastic. I was swept away into a world familiar yet intriguing. Vivid and fully realized characters continue to haunt me long after the last page. The plot -- "Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles..." the grandfather from Princess Bride -- seriously though, the plot was rich and full!
The Sha'Kae al'Dan have a beautiful, rich culture reminiscent of Native Americans. Rhaekhar is the Khul or the leader of the Sha'Kae al'Dan. He is strong and sure and the perfect hero.
The Green Lands, a culture reminiscent of medieval kingdoms, are in turmoil. Shannari is the last direct descendant and destined to be High Queen. And, of course, someone doesn't want THAT to happen. But she's been hurt and damaged and requires the greatest growth to achieve her happily ever after. I could completely relate to her survivor instinct and call to fulfill her destiny.
Add in Gregar, one of Rhaekhar's personal guard, and you have a love triangle -- menage a trois? -- of epic proportions. Gregar is just as damaged as Shannari, a not so perfect hero, and to say something calls between them would be an understatement. (Side note: I love it when the person I picture portraying a character matches that of the author!!)
Run, don't walk, to pick this one up! This trilogy is destined for my keeper shelf!
Note: If you don't like blistering hot sex, and lots of it, then you should give this a pass. But I think you'd be sorry if you did.
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(1 of 5 readers found this comment helpful)
This was the first time I'd read anything by Alison Kent and it won't be the last! While there are characters in this book from Kent's Smithson Group series, and is likely considered part of that series, it stands alone well.
The story pulled me right in and held me all the way to the satisfying end. It was a richly layered fast pace read, a blending of suspense and sexual tension.
The characters are beautifully detailed and multi-faceted. Kent made me care about King and Cady and for them to find happiness with one another. And in the whirlwind pace of this story that says something because I completely believed in the romance...could see it happening. In my writing research, I've learned to have a believable Whirlwind Romance you need ten things -- Confession, Danger, Failure, Honesty, Laughter, Risk, Sacrifice, Support, Teamwork, and Vulnerability -- and Kent nails every last one!
Viehl hits it out of the park again with this continuation in the Darkyn world. This novel builds on the Darkyn world -- even includes a plot line with characters we know and love from the Darkyn series -- but everything is layered so smoothly that new readers won't have any problem starting with this new series. But be warned, you'll want to read the Darkyn series by the time you're done with Shadowlight and waiting for the next Kyndred book!
Shadowlight is an edge-of-the-seat tale with trouble at every turn and characters who find out that everything they thought was true isn't. Viehl's characters are three-dimensional making you understand and even sympathize with them, something not limited to the hero/heroine. It's hard to write a review and not give too much away, but I loved these characters.
Overall it was a fast-paced read. The set-up was a bit slow with a little back and forth along the time line but well done. I read this in a single day and didn't want it to end. Viehl included the necessary back story without bogging down the pace of this story. And in typical fashion, Viehl threw in an incredible twist at the end hooking me completely (as if I wouldn't continue the series!) into the next book Dreamveil -- which can't come out soon enough.
This second book delivered everything the first book did. I thoroughly enjoyed it...stayed up all night to read it because I couldn't put it down.
Fabulous world-building! Both the Vardon (good guys) and Xer (bad guys) societies are well-created, with Knight paying equal attention to both cultures. She didn't depend on any one device too much.
Great characterization including the secondary ones, most of which were described in detail without breaking stride. Riane and Nick fall hard and fast for each other. While the speed at which they fell in love was a bit unrealistic I was able to suspend disbelief for the sake of the story. Riane finds herself stranded in time with only Nick there to help and support her. Once again, Knight has filled the story line with sizzling sex.
This book had more point of views to follow than the first book but Knight wove them together beautifully. Next on my list is to get Warlord which I understand is a prequel of sorts to this series. I can't wait to read more from this world!
I’ve been waiting to get the first three books because I don't like reading a series out of order. I didn’t need to worry. Even though this is the fourth book in the Paladin series it is a strong stand alone novel.
I loved that the Paladin, at least in this book, was from Seattle...go Pacific Northwest! Morgan has woven a dark world parallel to our modern day one separated by a barrier reminiscent to the one drawn in Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series. From the reviews I read, this is the first book in the series to explore the world of the Others. Readers see a humanized Others -- learn their true name -- instead of demonic killers and they aren’t strangers anymore. The world and culture are loosely drawn, with just enough to get the reader through the scenes, but that in no way detracts from the story.
Cullen was terrifically drawn. He was heroic, virile, and charming. Once his heart was involved, also fiercely loyal. Lusahn was tough as nails, a leader of her own Blade (a team of warriors), yet she was feminine too. When she fell in love there was no half-way, she loved with every ounce of her being. The love story between the two felt a bit rushed even with the premise they wouldn’t see each other ever again once Cullen returned to his world.
Morgan has penned a wonderfully, fresh story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will continue my hunt for the first three in the series (Dark Protector, Dark Defender, and In Darkness Reborn). I will be keeping an eye out for other books by this author!
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Customer Comments
PeachesNCream has commented on (11) products.
The Rose of Shanhasson
PeachesNCream, January 11, 2010
Loved this!The world building here is fantastic. I was swept away into a world familiar yet intriguing. Vivid and fully realized characters continue to haunt me long after the last page. The plot -- "Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles..." the grandfather from Princess Bride -- seriously though, the plot was rich and full!
The Sha'Kae al'Dan have a beautiful, rich culture reminiscent of Native Americans. Rhaekhar is the Khul or the leader of the Sha'Kae al'Dan. He is strong and sure and the perfect hero.
The Green Lands, a culture reminiscent of medieval kingdoms, are in turmoil. Shannari is the last direct descendant and destined to be High Queen. And, of course, someone doesn't want THAT to happen. But she's been hurt and damaged and requires the greatest growth to achieve her happily ever after. I could completely relate to her survivor instinct and call to fulfill her destiny.
Add in Gregar, one of Rhaekhar's personal guard, and you have a love triangle -- menage a trois? -- of epic proportions. Gregar is just as damaged as Shannari, a not so perfect hero, and to say something calls between them would be an understatement. (Side note: I love it when the person I picture portraying a character matches that of the author!!)
Run, don't walk, to pick this one up! This trilogy is destined for my keeper shelf!
Note: If you don't like blistering hot sex, and lots of it, then you should give this a pass. But I think you'd be sorry if you did.
(1 of 5 readers found this comment helpful)
With Extreme Pleasure by Alison Kent
PeachesNCream, October 20, 2009
This was the first time I'd read anything by Alison Kent and it won't be the last! While there are characters in this book from Kent's Smithson Group series, and is likely considered part of that series, it stands alone well.The story pulled me right in and held me all the way to the satisfying end. It was a richly layered fast pace read, a blending of suspense and sexual tension.
The characters are beautifully detailed and multi-faceted. Kent made me care about King and Cady and for them to find happiness with one another. And in the whirlwind pace of this story that says something because I completely believed in the romance...could see it happening. In my writing research, I've learned to have a believable Whirlwind Romance you need ten things -- Confession, Danger, Failure, Honesty, Laughter, Risk, Sacrifice, Support, Teamwork, and Vulnerability -- and Kent nails every last one!
Shadowlight (Kyndred Novels) by Lynn Viehl
PeachesNCream, September 26, 2009
Viehl hits it out of the park again with this continuation in the Darkyn world. This novel builds on the Darkyn world -- even includes a plot line with characters we know and love from the Darkyn series -- but everything is layered so smoothly that new readers won't have any problem starting with this new series. But be warned, you'll want to read the Darkyn series by the time you're done with Shadowlight and waiting for the next Kyndred book!Shadowlight is an edge-of-the-seat tale with trouble at every turn and characters who find out that everything they thought was true isn't. Viehl's characters are three-dimensional making you understand and even sympathize with them, something not limited to the hero/heroine. It's hard to write a review and not give too much away, but I loved these characters.
Overall it was a fast-paced read. The set-up was a bit slow with a little back and forth along the time line but well done. I read this in a single day and didn't want it to end. Viehl included the necessary back story without bogging down the pace of this story. And in typical fashion, Viehl threw in an incredible twist at the end hooking me completely (as if I wouldn't continue the series!) into the next book Dreamveil -- which can't come out soon enough.
Guardian (Time Hunters) by Angela Knight
PeachesNCream, June 24, 2009
This second book delivered everything the first book did. I thoroughly enjoyed it...stayed up all night to read it because I couldn't put it down.Fabulous world-building! Both the Vardon (good guys) and Xer (bad guys) societies are well-created, with Knight paying equal attention to both cultures. She didn't depend on any one device too much.
Great characterization including the secondary ones, most of which were described in detail without breaking stride. Riane and Nick fall hard and fast for each other. While the speed at which they fell in love was a bit unrealistic I was able to suspend disbelief for the sake of the story. Riane finds herself stranded in time with only Nick there to help and support her. Once again, Knight has filled the story line with sizzling sex.
This book had more point of views to follow than the first book but Knight wove them together beautifully. Next on my list is to get Warlord which I understand is a prequel of sorts to this series. I can't wait to read more from this world!
Redeemed in Darkness by Alexis Morgan
PeachesNCream, June 22, 2009
I’ve been waiting to get the first three books because I don't like reading a series out of order. I didn’t need to worry. Even though this is the fourth book in the Paladin series it is a strong stand alone novel.I loved that the Paladin, at least in this book, was from Seattle...go Pacific Northwest! Morgan has woven a dark world parallel to our modern day one separated by a barrier reminiscent to the one drawn in Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series. From the reviews I read, this is the first book in the series to explore the world of the Others. Readers see a humanized Others -- learn their true name -- instead of demonic killers and they aren’t strangers anymore. The world and culture are loosely drawn, with just enough to get the reader through the scenes, but that in no way detracts from the story.
Cullen was terrifically drawn. He was heroic, virile, and charming. Once his heart was involved, also fiercely loyal. Lusahn was tough as nails, a leader of her own Blade (a team of warriors), yet she was feminine too. When she fell in love there was no half-way, she loved with every ounce of her being. The love story between the two felt a bit rushed even with the premise they wouldn’t see each other ever again once Cullen returned to his world.
Morgan has penned a wonderfully, fresh story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will continue my hunt for the first three in the series (Dark Protector, Dark Defender, and In Darkness Reborn). I will be keeping an eye out for other books by this author!
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