The Typhoon Lover: Rei Shimura Mysteries 8

The Typhoon Lover

(Sujata Massey)

Teaser: Rei receives an assignment that lands her back in her ol' stompin' grounds investigating an upper tier Japanese collector. A typhoon hits Tokyo while she is there and traps her with the very person who hired her. Meanwhile, Hugh is left waiting back at home waiting for her return.

Short Thought: Totally turned me off from the series for a long while.

Expanded Thoughts: [SPOILER WARNING] I won't lie; I couldn't even finish this book. It was by far the worst of the series. I have the next two books, but they will stay on my shelf for a long while. This book made me disgusted with a main character that I once loved. Perhaps, I should have done what so many other readers have done and read these out of order or treated it as a stand alone novel.

It portrayed her as an entitled, uppity, ungrateful, morally ambiguous woman. (Is it 2 or 3 lovers she cheated on now?) She had lived off of Hugh for years, was engaged to him, got him into countless troublesome situations, and then threw him by the wayside. She stayed with Takeo for months just to feel more Japanese and set about from the Western World and then ripped his heart out. I know this is more realistic than books usually are when it comes to relationships, but, dang, if I wanted to see that I just need to look out my window. Don't build couples up only to throw it away a second time. I get frustrated with a main character whose personality changes like the wind. So inconsistent!

This book was completely inconsistent with the previous ones in the series. If you are reading these books as a series, I recommend stopping at The Pearl Diver and treating the next ones as stand alone novels. I can only hope that my memory will forget this is a part of the series which I feel in love with at the beginning.

Additional Notes: This novel contains scenes of a sexual nature.

Additional Notes: This is the 8th book in the Rei Shimura Mysteries series by Sujata Massey. There are two more books currently out. (Girl in a Box, Shimura Trouble)

The Pearl Diver: Rei Shimura Mysteries 7

Pearl Diver

(Sujata Massey)

Teaser: In The Pearl Diver, Rei is settling into her new life in Washington D.C. with her fiance, the dashing international lawyer Hugh. She continues to grow restless and misses her life in Japan. Fortunately, while at lunch with her cousin, she is offered a job to decorate a Japanese restaurant that will be opening in the neighborhood.

Once again, life is looking up for Rei until her cousin vanishes from the restaurant's opening night party leaving her children behind. Also, terrible things start happening to Rei and her acquaintances when she and her aunt start helping her coworker Andrea locate her long lost Japanese mother. Someone clearly doesn't want anything about Andrea's mother to come to light, and they will stop at nothing to make sure it all stays hidden.

Short Thought: An action-filled addition to the popular series that has some of the brilliance of the series' earlier novels.

Expanded Thoughts: This novel has Rei settling (or rather, re-settling) into a comfortable life with the dashing Hugh. It is once again set in Washington, D.C and centers around Rei and the constant trouble that follows her every move.

So far I have read all of the novels in order except for The Flower Master which isn't currently available.

Okay, this novel was all over the place. It seemed very unfocused and scattered at times and then afflicted with tunnel vision in other parts. I love a complex story line for mystery plot, but this one just wasn't woven together well at all. It has Rei running in all directions (I can think of at least 7 off the top of my head) and being increasingly more annoying and inconsistent.

To go off on a tangent, what happened to Rei? Which is the real Rel? At the beginning of the series, Rei was a humble antiques dealer in the search of a steady flow of clients. She was modern, witty, independent, quick, and interesting. She also desperately wanted to fit in and be Japanese. Now, in this novel, she is a backwards (not familiar with anything current), whiny, and self-centered woman who is a living contradiction. (She portrays herself in a high and mighty fashion, but doesn't live it.) I understand that she struggles with her roots, but she is just presented as an immature woman whose attitude and personality changes like the wind. It just frustrates me because I just loved her in the beginning of the series, and now I can't stand her.

I actually feel like the Aunt actually overshadowed Rei because she was a much more interesting element in the story.

I have another gripe about this novel. The author tries to cram too much of a history lesson (in which the accuracy is up for debate) into the story, and fails to follow through and make it a significant part of the story. It was as if she was trying to shove in as much shocking moments of Eastern history as she could. It would have been a great mystery plot without all the excess bunk thrown in. I know it's possible. It was masterfully done and enriched the story in The Floating Girl (the 4th novel).

This novel was okay, and did have specks of the brilliance of the earlier novels in the series. If you did like this novel, I do recommend reading The Salaryman's Wife, Zen Attitude, and The Floating Girl. In my opinion, they were brilliant and the best of the series.

Additional Notes: The Pearl Diver is the 7th book in the "Rei Shimura Mysteries" series by Sujata Massey.

Additional Notes: This novel contains sexual themes and situations.

The Samurai's Daughter: Rei Shimura Mysteries 6

The Samurai's Daughter

(Sujata Massey)

Teaser: In The Samurai's Daughter, Rei has flown to San Francisco to spend time with her parents and trace the heritage of the Japanese side of her family. However, she isn't the only one staying there. Her parents have been hosting a Japanese exchange student with very traditional values who becomes appalled at the fact that Rei's current and past lover Hugh will be staying there as well.

If it wasn't complicated enough, Hugh is working on a very sensitive case against some Japanese power players and one of his clients turns up dead. Also, the Shimura residence is burglarized, and Hugh's car has all its windows shattered. Rei, once again, finds herself in the thick of a dangerous situation that hits closer to home than she realizes.

Short Thought: A decent addition to the series, not the best, but worth the read.

Expanded Thoughts: So, we finally get to see where Rei grew up. Since the beginning of the series, Rei has portrayed herself as a person who struggles with her finances (she works two jobs in Japan) and was raised humbly. When her childhood home is revealed, we are fed a different story. Rei is freaking loaded, upper class freakin' loaded! (No, seriously.)

It threw me for a loop, because of Rei kind of turning her nose at up Hugh's semi-lavish lifestyle in some of the previous novels. (Hugh was born working class and worked his way up the ladder. I say spend it, brother!) Her mother wears designer clothes and vintage designer clothes, and their house is huge and stately. Her parents definitely have the air of members of the upper tier. It shouldn't have surprised as much as it did, because I then realized that the Shimura's would have had to have been wealthy to allow their daughter to get a college degree in Antiquities.

As for the historical element that Massey usually weaves into her novels, it just wasn't there in this one. Granted there was a lot of historical themes introduced, (the abuse of the Filipino women during the war) but it wasn't easy to understand or woven in well at all. I felt like the author could have just put a 5 page historical note at the end, and it would have been better than the blocky forced back story dialogue in some scenes.

As for the romance, it was pretty good. It was nothing spectacular. It was just the usual, "Hugh is trying to make a living, and Rei butts her head in and complicates it all" scenario. Rei bulldozes over him. He charms back into her good graces, all the while there are dangerous happenings around them.

As for the main character, Rei, I find myself liking her less and less with every novel. I find her to be very self-centered, fake, irresponsible, morally flexible, and just down right annoying. (I know, harsh.) She fancies herself the solution to every problem even if she has no place solving it.

In closing, I have read too many books in this series to stop now, but it definitely isn't near as good as it was in the beginning. However, it's still a great and entertaining mystery, so it's worth a read.

Additional Notes: This novel contains mild violence and sexual situations.

The Bride's Kimono: Rei Shimura Mysteries 5

The Bride's Kimono

(Sujata Massey)

Teaser: In The Bride's Kimono, Rei is given her best job yet; she will be presenting a series of lectures on Japanese kimono at a museum in Washington, D.C. She is also responsible for the transporting of the delicate clothing from Tokyo to the US, so she leaves Takeo to his house renovation and dashes to Washington.

When she arrives in Washington, she is bombarded with a multitude of events. One of the museum's kimono is stolen from her hotel room, her passport is swiped by a fellow Japanese tourist who is found murdered, and, as fate would have it, she finds herself face to face with Hugh once again. Only Rei could go from museum courier to prime murder suspect in a matter of hours and still have time to stress about the love triangle in which she has found herself.

Short Thought: A good addition to the series that is finally getting back to what everyone loved.

Expanded Thoughts: I have mixed thoughts about this novel. I gave it four owls because It seemed that the author was finally getting back on point. There were elements in there that reminded me why I got sucked in the series in the first place.

The author chose Washington, D.C. as the setting for this mystery. I think that it was great to see Rei in her native country. (Although she seems to turn up nose up at it.) We also are given a look at Japanese tourists on American soil. It was a nice complement to the books set in Japan.

Massey also didn't disappoint with her endless tidbits of Japanese and culture. In this novel, we primary are shown some aspects of museum culture and are given an in-depth lesson about kimono are their cultural significance. This author is very good about enriching the reader's knowledge in a straightforward and interesting manner.

My only complaint about the setting is that America is portrayed in an awful manner. When the book was set in Japan, we are treated to these wonderful, helpful, and interesting people. In America, we just get loud, ignorant, and self-absorbed jerk wads that can't listen to reason and mow people down. It was shocking in some instances how biased it was. I guess one could just trumped it up to Rei's snobbish attitude toward the U.S, but it did reddened my face a few shades.

Enough about the intellectual babble, what about the romance and the characters? First off, Rei's parents finally make it into the picture when they meet her in D.C. They are very interesting and as different as oil and water. (Traditional Japanese man and Upper East Side-type debutante). As for Rei's romantic life, it takes a whip lashing turn that gives the reader much more insight into Rei's true nature and attitude. She leaves her very wealthy Japanese boyfriend in Japan as she travels to D.C. In D.C., she runs into Hugh, her former lover. I don't want to give too much away, so I'll just say that I lost a ton of respect for Rei after this book. The way she carries herself is definitely not her true nature.

In conclusion, it was a wonderful addition to the series. Although a bit forced at times, it made for a wonderful romantic mystery.

Additional Notes: This novel contains scenes of a mild sexual nature.

Additional Notes (2): This is the 5th novel in the Rei Shimura Mysteries by Sujata Massey.

The Floating Girl: Rei Shimura Mysteries 4

The Floating Girl

(Sujata Massey)

Teaser: This novel focuses on Shimura Rei's part-time job at a Gaijin (foreigner in Japan) magazine at which she writes a antiques column. The magazine decides to start publishing its pages in a manga-like (comic book style) format. Rei then, with the help of her new beau Takeo, starts doing research on a rare doujinshi (fan made comics about mainstream series) for her article. As Rei begins to track down the artists for interviews, they mysteriously disappear or refuse to answer her questions. What could be so dangerous and sensitive about a comic book?

Short Thought: Complex mystery intertwined with an interesting underground culture.

Expanded Thoughts: If this were a stand-alone novel, I would have rated it much higher. Perhaps, the inconsistencies were due to the fact that I could not get a hold of the 3rd novel (Flower Master, out of print currently), but it has a completely different feel than "Salaryman's Wife" and "Zen Attitude." Also, maybe I'm a little biased because I like her last beau, Hugh, much better.

I enjoyed certain aspects about this novel very much. The inside look at the politics that go on in a Japanese work environment was probably the most interesting layer in the novel. (I have heard horror stories from some of my friends who have worked in one.) Also, I learned a lot about the "manga" culture and artists. I never knew it was so mainstream or taken so seriously. (Oops, my ethnocentrism is showing.) Lastly, the change in the main character's personality and actions as she dates a traditional Japanese man (Her last boyfriend was Scottish) that just adds to the internal heritage (she's half-Japanese and half-American) struggle that is ever present within her.

Additional Notes: This is the 4th book in the Rei Shimura Mysteries by Sujata Massey.

Shakespeare's Champion: The Lily Bard Series 2

Shakespeare's Champion

(Charlaine Harris)

Teaser: Lily happens upon another corpse in the place she uses as her sanctuary--the local gym. The man met his end with a barbell in the neck. The murder has the entire town of Shakespeare in an uproar. To complicate matters, the deceased was a known racist and thought to have been responsible for a couple of murders involving African American victims. It brings all the underlying racial tension to the surface in this small Arkansas town.

Short Thought: Deliciously dark and smart chick mystery with a pinch of the sweet South.

Expanded Thoughts: This is another entertaining mystery that can be read in a couple of hours. It's perfect summer reading or winter cabin reading.

I plan to continue reading the next couple books in this series, but there are a few things in this book that slightly set me off. First, Harris introduces plot lines that never happened in the first novel. There are fights and relationships mentioned that don't actually get introduced until 50 pages or so later. For such a short read, it was just annoying. I felt like I couldn't fully grasp the meanings or flow of things. It made me feel like I had accidentally skipped a book in the series. (I actually checked twice to make sure I was reading the correct book). It was almost like someone saw these inconsistencies and then randomly shoved in explanations.

Also, coming from a small homogeneous town myself, I wish that Harris would include some of the gems of Southern culture in her novels. It seems she focuses on the bigotry, racism, ignorance, intolerance, and religiosity and takes it too far. Where's the hospitality, kindness, thriftiness, values, traditions, manners, and sweet vibe of the Southern towns that I know. (I lived in a town of less than 1,500 people for over 20 years, and that counts the surrounding territories. I know small towns.) I felt that some of the characters were just stock cut-outs of a outsider's idea of southern stereotypes. Now, don't get me wrong, all of the bad stuff does exist; it exists everywhere unfortunately. It just isn't to that extent; life isn't that one sided. Stereotypes can be brilliant and funny, but it just beat the dead horse this time. (was too much.)

Despite my annoyances, it was a great mystery that hits a lot of good notes. Harris is the queen of Chick Mystery (is that the term.) It packs a big punch in a short amount of pages.

Additional Notes: This novel contains dark themes and sexual themes.

Additional Notes: This is the 2nd novel in the Lily Bard Mysteries by Charlaine Harris.

Zen Attitude: Rei Shimura Mysteries 2

Zen Attitude

(Sujata Massey)

Teaser: In Zen Attitude, Rei is back in Tokyo with a new client for her antiques business. An aristocrat, Mrs. Mihori, has given Rei the task of finding a wondrous Tansu (Japanese-style chest) for her home. She finds the tansu, but to her dismay, it is flawed and the seller has disappeared. Even worse, people involved with the tansu are turning up brutally murdered.

Meanwhile, Rei has been enjoying life while staying with her new devoted lover, Hugh, in his fabulous apartment until his unscrupulous, dingy, and band front man little brother Angus comes to stay there as well. With all the new found stress, Rei finds a strange friendship in Mrs. Mihori's world champion martial artist daughter, but even it isn't what it seems and Rei finds herself in her most dangerous situation yet. With her relationship with Hugh on the rocks, who can help her this time?

Short Thought: The plot thickens. Rei is back and better than before. (And in more trouble...)

Expanded Thoughts: This novel was great. The mystery was deep and complex with twists and turns that gave me whiplash. (And I loved it!)

We get to see deeper into characters, and see Rei and Hugh try to maintain a long term relationship.

I love the relationship between Hugh and Rei, because it highlights Rei's main issue--her struggle with her Eastern and Western heritages. Rei has been desperately trying to throw away her American side and become an accepted member of Japanese society for these two novels. Hugh is as Western as Western gets. (A Scottish man who doesn't know Japanese, lives large, and consumes copious amounts of meat.) We see how Hugh's comfort in himself begins to frustrate confused Rei. It's something that I'm very curious to see where it goes.

Additional Notes: This novel contains scenes of a mild sexual nature.

Additional Notes: This is the 2nd novel of the Rei Shimura Mysteries by Sujata Massey.

Fire Study: The Study Trilogy 3

Fire Study

(Maria V. Snyder)

Teaser: Yelena is back as the liaison between Sitia and Ixia, that is until someone or something drives the council officially against her and sends her running back to Ixia with her brother Leif in tow. Will she keep her neutral ground as she seeks to clear the new obstacles in her way? Or will she find her self on the wrong side of her comrades? All the while Yelena is discovering that her magic is more powerful than anyone could have imagined and that her capabilities are endless and terrifying.

Short Thought: Not as great as the first two novels, but an entertaining end to an interesting fantasy adventure trilogy.

Expanded Thoughts: I was very excited to read this conclusion to the trilogy. I was hoping for a blast. I did think it was entertaining, but it most certainly did not live up to the first two novels. Some parts were wonderful and others I found myself getting annoyed. We did get to see what happens to certain characters, and even get a peak into their future, but other characters who were important in the previous novels become lost and many never develop.

All that being said, it was entertaining. It was a nice, easy read. A good TV substitute, but nothing spectacular.

Additional Notes: This is the third book of the Study Trilogy by Maria V. Snyder.

The Salaryman's Wife: Rei Shimura Mysteries 1

The Salaryman's Wife

(Sujata Massey)

Teaser: In The Salaryman's Wife, we are introduced to Shimura Rei, who has moved to Tokyo from San Fransisco to pursue a career in the trade of Japanese antiques. She relishes life in Japan with its understated beauty and politeness, and she seemingly turns her nose up at the lifestyle of brashness she left behind in America. Her determination to fit in as a native Japanese gets sideswiped as she encounters a dashing Scotsman by the name of Hugh on a vacation at a ryokan (Japanese style inn). Not only does Rei begin to fight internally about her heritage, but she finds herself "smack-in-the-middle" of a murder investigation of one of inn's guests.

Short Thought: Wonderful mystery with a perfect mix of Eastern and Western cultures.

Expanded Thoughts: I have had this on my reading queue for awhile, but I have held off becuase I usually pick the historical pieces set in Japan over contemporary ones. It was one of the best murder mysteries that I have read in awhile.

There are a lot of things that I absolutely love. One thing in particular, Massey uses a ryokan (Japanese Style Inn) as the setting for this murder. It can sound a bit intimidating for readers who are unfamiliar with Japanese culture, architecture, and customs, but she portrays the story in such a way that everyone can easily understand and picture it. Also, those readers with some working knowledge of Japanese culture also find new and interesting details around every corner.

Another thing that I love is the 'east v. west' theme. Rei, the main character, is half American and half Japanese. She looks like she could be a full Japanese, and strives to meld into the Japanese culture. Unfortunately, her 'bull in a china shop' American attitude doesn't mix well with the delicate and beautiful Japanese traditions. She also finds herself in a relationship with a Scotman who is as Western as they come. It's this inner struggle of hers that brings another dimension to the novel.

Additional Notes: This novel contains scenes of a mild sexual nature.

Additional Notes(2): This is the first novel in the Rei Shimura Mysteries by Sujata Massey.

Magic Study: The Study Trilogy 2

Magic Study

(Maria V. Snyder)

Teaser: Yelena has escaped death by running from Ixia. She now finds herself in the jungle kingdom in which she was kidnapped from all those years ago. Trouble still comes from all directions, but what has her scared the most is coming face-to-face with the people who claim that they are her parents and brother.

Short Thought: An exciting sequel that builds upon the first novel very well.

Expanded Thoughts: Wow, plot lines are popping out everywhere. I thought Yelena was just a convicted criminal poison taster, but that was just the surface.

This novel is a good contrast to the first novel. The first was set in Ixia (the cold, militaristic, structured capital) and this one is set in the humid, free-flowing, jungle lands. These are the same jungle lands in which Yelena was born and that are responsible for her magical abilities.

Yelena gets to meet her 'family,' and we get to learn a little bit more about what brought her into Ixia in the first place. She even gets to attend a school that focuses on honing her abilities and expanding her power.

My only complaint is that Yelena has 'mary sue' syndrome. Everything that happens, happens to Yelena. Any problem that arises, Yelena is the only one in the universe who can solve it. If there's evil in the world, it's after only Yelena. Don't get me wrong, it did make it a more casual read, but it sure did get annoying at times.

Additional Notes: This novel contains scenes of mild violence.

Additional Notes: This is the 2nd novel in the Study Trilogy by Maria V. Snyder.

Shakespeare's Landlord: The Lily Bard Mysteries 1

Shakespeare's Landlord

(Charlaine Harris)

Teaser: Lily Bard makes her living by cleaning houses in the small town of Shakespeare, Arkansas. She isn't your ordinary maid. She works out religiously and takes karate several times a week. Underneath it all are scars etched in her skin from her past in Memphis that made worldwide true crime news. With all this, Lily has become one tough 30-something and knows how to take care of herself. As she finally starts getting a routine together in Shakespeare, she finds herself swooped up into town drama--even murder.

Short Thought: Short, uncomplicated mystery targeted to female readers.

Expanded Thoughts: So, I decided to read some more of Charlaine Harris' work after I finished the available Sookie novels. This is one of her older series, and it doesn't have any supernatural overtones in it. It's just pure chic lit mystery.

Lily is a very strange character. She is a victim of a severe trauma (as seen by her many scars) and worked through it by putting herself in the best shape possible. She works out like crazy, and is very good at martial arts. She is very rigid and independent.

This is an average short, summer read. If you want a chic lit mystery that doesn't try to be anything else, then this is your book.

Additional Notes: This book contains some mildly dark themes.

Additional Notes (2): This is the first novel in the Lily Bard Mysteries by Charlaine Harris.

Poison Study: The Study Trilogy 1

Poison Study

(Maria V. Snyder)

Teaser: Yelena, who has been imprisoned for murder, awaits her execution. The day finally arrives, but instead of a noose or a pistol, a job opportunity is offered to her. She can choose a quick execution, or she can accept the job of being the General's poison taster which ultimately lead to a slow, agonizing death.

Short Thought: Wonderful, original characters, and unique situations. A wonderful adventure from the beginning onward. I can't wait to read it again.

Expanded Thoughts: I admit it...I actually bought this for the pretty cover. (Grrr...at those marketers again). I was pleased to find a very entertaining fantasy/action/romance.

The idea of the world is interesting (two main lands: North (Ixia, a communist-like, militaristic land), and the South (a lax jungle land where magic is used as opposed to machines)).

The main character is also very fun to read about (she is a bit of a 'mary sue', but I like her, so that's okay in my eyes). She's not your typical main character. We are introduced to her at her lowest point, as a guilty murderess awaiting her sentence. Her actions and glimpses to her past keep forever guessing her true identity and her next move.

The plot is nicely paced, easy to understand, and still has enough surprises and twists to keep your interested peeked. Overall, this was a nice all around adventure.

Additional Notes: This is the first novel in The Study Trilogy by Maria V. Snyder. (The others include Magic Study and Fire Study.)

Breath and Bone: The Lighthouse Duet 2

Breath and Bone

(Carol Berg)

Teaser: Valen desperately needs his mind fully intact as he meets his new captor,the bastard prince who is rumored to steal the souls of those who oppose him, but his limbs are slowly turning to stone, his stomach is fiercely clawing, and his mind begins to lose its hold on reality. Unable to give clear thought to his dire situation, Valen concentrates on fighting to save a young child, someone who finally gave him hope, as his withdrawal madness deepens.


Short Thought: Absolutely brilliant! We get to follow this character to the ends of the world and feel our emotions become entangled as he encounters unfathomable odds on a quest to find himself.

Expanded Thoughts: It is very hard for me to truly put my thoughts on this novel into words. It changed the way that I look at the fantasy genre as a whole. I'm used to a lot of fantasy novels being dry, linear, and predictable. (Complete with fan service and cliched romances) This novel was polar opposite. I don't know any better way of putting it other than, "It was freakin' awesome."

One metaphor that keeps coming to mind as to how vivid and unique the story was is 'a huge cathedral stained class window.' It had a that mysterious gothic vibe, ornate fixtures, and a dark beauty that carries a rich story at which I can't help but gawk.

Additional Notes: This novel contains some scenes of a darker nature.

Additional Notes (2): This is the 2nd book in The Lighthouse Duet by Carol Berg. (The 1st is Flesh and Spirit.)

The Way of Shadows: The Night Angel Trilogy 1

The Way of Shadows
(Brent Weeks)

Teaser: Azoth is a guild rat who fights to survive in the slums which he was born. When he finds himself in the worst situation of his life, he takes a risk and begs one of the most feared killers around, Durzo Blint, for an apprenticeship. Blint will only take Azoth on if he can prove he's capable of murder. As Azoth's hands begin to shake and the sweat rolls across his lips, can he really become the heartless killing machine that Blint requires him to be to survive?

Short Thought: A fun adventure in a deliciously, dark way.

Expanded Thoughts: This is one of the "poor, dumpy kid turns into a powerful young man" story lines. I got about halfway through it and almost put it down.

Then, it started to get really freakin' good. It had war, politics, romance, with a lil' witty humor thrown in the mix. It went places I didn't see coming, and left at place that left me scrambling to get the next novel.

Recommended Especially For: Fans of Japanese anime stories, those of us with a darker side, and adventure fans

Additional Notes: This is the 1st book in the Night Angel trilogy. (Next two are: Shadow's Edge and Beyond the Shadows.)

Flesh and Spirit:: The Lighthouse Duet 1

Flesh and Spirit
(Carol Berg)

Teaser: The rain spatters over Valen's face as he welcomes the darkness of death. For the past twelve years, he has done nothing but try to escape his appointed life. Now that his comrade has betrayed him, left him to die, and taken the supplies that feed his dark, hungry addiction, he can only think of the happiness that others will feel at his passing, and of the bitterness and self-hatred that permeates his soul.

Short Thought: Powerful and vivid like a grand pane of stained glass. Not your typical fantasy, and I love it for that. Puts the reader right into the eyes and emotions of the character, with a narrative tone that is so uniquely satisfying.

Expanded Thoughts: Well, what can I say about this book? It was different. It wasn't the swash-buckling, dragon infested fantasy novels of which I am growing increasingly tired.

It was more psychological in that it is all about the main character's inner struggle. He see him deal with his addictions, his choices, his heritage, and his obligations.

It had a candid realness that was extremely attractive, and the author didn't hold back in the situations in which the character was placed.

Additional Notes: This is the first book in the Lighthouse Duet. (The second book is Breath and Bone.)


Additional Notes (2): This novel is in the category of "epic, dark fantasy." It contains situations of a 'dark' nature--abuse, violence, mutilation, addictions, death, etc.