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Thief Errant #2
Liar's Moon
Prisons, poisons, and passions combine in a gorgeously written fantasy noir by the author of the Morris Award-winning A CURSE DARK AS GOLD. As a pickpocket, Digger expects to spend a night in jail every now and then. But she doesn't expect to find Lord Durrel Decath there as well--or to hear he's soon to be executed for killing his wife. Durrel once saved Digger's life, and when she goes free, she decides to use her skills as a thief, forger, and spy to investigate his case and return the favor. But each new clue only opens up more mysteries. While Durrel's marriage was one of convenience, his behavior has been more impulsive than innocent. His late wife had an illegal business on the wrong side of the civil war raging just outside the city gates. Digger keeps finding forbidden magic in places it has no reason to be. And it doesn't help that she may be falling in love with a murderer . . .
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2011
39 people are currently reading
3337 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth C. Bunce
14 books863 followersElizabeth C. Bunce is the Edgar Award-winning author of the Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery series, beginning with Premeditated Myrtle, an Edgar Allan Poe "Edgar" Award Winner, a Society of Midland Authors Honoree, a Library of Congress 2021 Book Festival Selection, Amazon Top 20 Children's Book of the Year, Indie Next Pick, and finalist for both the Agatha Award and Anthony Award. Her series continues in How to Get Away with Myrtle (a #1 Amazon New Release) and Cold-Blooded Myrtle, also an Edgar Award finalist, an Agatha Award finalist, and Anthony Award finalist, as well as a Kirkus Top 10 Best Book of the Year, Indie Next Pick, a Silver Falchion Award finalist, and
Wall Street Journal
holiday guide pick. The series' fourth book, In Myrtle Peril, has garnered Elizabeth's third Anthony Award nomination and third Agatha Award nomination, and in 2023 look for the fifth book in the series, Myrtle, Means, & Opportunity! Her first novel, A Curse Dark as Gold, won the inaugural William C. Morris Award for a young adult debut novel and was named a Smithsonian Notable Book and an Amelia Bloomer Project selection. Her high fantasy Thief Errant series includes the novels StarCrossed, A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best book, and Liar's Moon, one of Kirkus Blog's Favorite YA Novels of 2011. StarCrossed and A Curse Dark as Gold have appeared on Oprah's Kids Reading List. Premeditated Myrtle was named both a Best Children's/YAA BookPage Best Book and to A Mighty Girl's Books of the Year. Her novels have been named to the ALA's Best Fiction for Young Adults list, and she is a four-time Kansas Notable Book winner. An accomplished needlewoman and historical costumer, Elizabeth lives in the Midwest with her husband, her cats, and a boggart who steals books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews
January 28, 2012
I found out about halfway through reading this that the third book in this series wouldn't be published because Starcrossed didn't sell well enough. I was offended because are you kidding me? These books are great! House of Night is ongoing with eleven books and Elizabeth C. Bunce can't get a third book when Thief’s Errant has both engaging characters and plot?
As I got closer to the end I thought maybe I could be okay with it? Maybe Bunce knew ahead of time she wouldn't get to publish the third book; everything seemed to be winding down into a fairly happy resolved place. And then I got to the last page.
I DON'T KNOW WHY I LET HER LULL ME INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. How did I not get wise from all the earlier plot twists? I'm normally pretty good at anticipating plot developments in my YA but I guess I forgot my thinking cap in the wash. I didn't manage to work out any of the developments before Digger did. Even when I knew one of her suspects couldn't be the murderer because there was too much of the book left I still had no idea who the actual culprit could be.
It occurs to me these comments would mean more if I actually mentioned what the book's about. Okay then! The book kicks off with Digger back home in Gerse where she's picked up by Watchmen and tossed into prison. She finds she's sharing a cell with Durrel Decath, who you may remember from the first book. The noble who helped her get gone when the Greenmen were after her. Nice guy. Accused of murdering his wife. Digger's pretty sure he can't be guilty so she sets out to find out who is to spare him execution.
Much of the same strengths as the first book. Digger's a great character: clever and creative and fundamentally a good person. Strategic references to the events of Starcrossed make it work fine as a standalone which is nice as I remembered very few of the details. The further I got in the more I recalled though so I was glad to get some updates on Merista and Weirolf and all the rest. New characters are integrated in well, by the end of the book I quite liked Koya and was varying degrees of invested in everyone else. I felt satisfied with the amount of screen time everyone got, Bunce had a good handle on what/who was interesting enough to merit further development. 4 stars for the book, -2 to the publisher for cancelling Sunwise. >( Maybe she'll publish it independently online. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
As I got closer to the end I thought maybe I could be okay with it? Maybe Bunce knew ahead of time she wouldn't get to publish the third book; everything seemed to be winding down into a fairly happy resolved place. And then I got to the last page.
I DON'T KNOW WHY I LET HER LULL ME INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. How did I not get wise from all the earlier plot twists? I'm normally pretty good at anticipating plot developments in my YA but I guess I forgot my thinking cap in the wash. I didn't manage to work out any of the developments before Digger did. Even when I knew one of her suspects couldn't be the murderer because there was too much of the book left I still had no idea who the actual culprit could be.
It occurs to me these comments would mean more if I actually mentioned what the book's about. Okay then! The book kicks off with Digger back home in Gerse where she's picked up by Watchmen and tossed into prison. She finds she's sharing a cell with Durrel Decath, who you may remember from the first book. The noble who helped her get gone when the Greenmen were after her. Nice guy. Accused of murdering his wife. Digger's pretty sure he can't be guilty so she sets out to find out who is to spare him execution.
Much of the same strengths as the first book. Digger's a great character: clever and creative and fundamentally a good person. Strategic references to the events of Starcrossed make it work fine as a standalone which is nice as I remembered very few of the details. The further I got in the more I recalled though so I was glad to get some updates on Merista and Weirolf and all the rest. New characters are integrated in well, by the end of the book I quite liked Koya and was varying degrees of invested in everyone else. I felt satisfied with the amount of screen time everyone got, Bunce had a good handle on what/who was interesting enough to merit further development. 4 stars for the book, -2 to the publisher for cancelling Sunwise. >( Maybe she'll publish it independently online. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
April 22, 2011
Yes. Yes indeed, Mr. Spock.
First things first, I cannot believe the ending of this book. The GALL. Oh, the gall. I'll give Ms. Bunce credit: she has balls to pull that off and I can't really be infuriated with her because she did it so damn well. But still. I was counting on her not to end it with a cliffhanger and she did, so that was a disappointment.
Therefore, the five star rating is actually six stars with one deducted. Got it? Good.
Now, how to review this book without spoiling the first...
Let's make an analogy out of it!
Remember this scene from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark?
The Majority Of YA Today is that horribly stereotypical pseudo-Arab bad guy with the sword and the fancy moves: not really giving you anything new, not packing a punch, just throwing lots of sparkles and flashy stuff at you and hoping you're impressed.
Elizabeth C. Bunce is Indy. She knows what she's doing. She doesn't have time for your flashy fluffy substanceless crap. She's going to take you down and then she's going to go on to kick even more ass.
And if that was too circuitous: Bunce PWNS.
Why, you ask? How about a list?
- Digger is a strong female character and she doesn't have to conform to masculine stereotypes to do it. A lot of people complain about this when it comes to Katsa of Graceling: that she's only 'strong' because she does it The Male Way. Well, if that was your problem, look no further, because here's a thief who'll solve mysteries and fight wars in a skirt. Digger is... practical. Does it make more sense to dress as a man or a woman today? And whichever it is, so she goes. She doesn't feel out of place in dresses, except maybe the really fancy ones, and even in those cases she doesn't show it. Too often heroines who have no trouble fighting in trousers get sheepish in a gown - yes, even Alanna - and it's then used as an opportunity for her love interest to compliment her and build up her self-confidence - with the added bonus that it establishes that he really loves her. Not Digger. There are no such devices here. And while there is a love interest (I won't say who it is, but I'm pretty sure you can guess from the synopsis), he doesn't make a big deal about her 'dressing like a girl' because it's not so out of the way for her.
- The worldbuilding, as always, is fantastic. So many fantasy novelists want to have a Thieves' Guild, but it doesn't really ever make sense... until now. Bunce's solution is simple, elegant, and perfectly fitted to her world: the 'Guild' is actually more of a religion, since pretty much all thieves are followers of Tiboran. They have a priestess/leader (Eske is awesomesauce, by the way) who kind of bosses them around, but mostly they're as free-willed as you would expect. The structure is still present, though, and fairly believable.
Also, can I just mention how much I flipped out when I realized that I hadn't been reading the word 'moonlight' but 'moonslight'? Worldbuilding in every part of the novel is fantastic! Props to Ms. Bunce.
- The mystery is full of red herrings and twists and turns. As anyone who read StarCrossed can rightly expect, there are many many many more elements involved than readers originally thought. They're all tied up in the social, religious, and economic conflicts of a country at war - yet more points in the worldbuilding department - and they raise the stakes enough over the course of the novel that it's never boring. Also, it felt sufficiently different from StarCrossed to be natural - not that disjointed 'murder of the week' form that some series or TV shows take. While that may be entertaining, this is far better storytelling.
- The relationships. There were at least four known gay characters and one very telling hint that suggested many more. While they weren't open about their relationships, it seemed to be a lot more for sociopolitical reasons and the need to stay in certain positions to do what they had to do than from any genuine fear, though there may have been some prejudice. Digger never batted an eye, which was what made me happy- she just acted as if this was not the least out of the ordinary. This is how it should be. Further props to Ms. Bunce.
This is the book in which we find out that Digger and Tegen were definitely lovers in the full sense of the word, and it's handled extremely maturely. No, really. Digger says something to the effect of "We knew we might not have much time", which I thought a suitably practical attitude for her, but she also displayed the type of emotional attachment that goes with such an intimate act. This comes up in conversation with Durrel- I don't think that's a spoiler- and while he's surprised, it doesn't take long for him to realize that of course people not as privileged as he would have different priorities.
(Also, Digger shows herself to be very confident in the relationship area, which was wonderful. I'd say more, but... spoilers!)
Romance does appear in this book, after its very logical absence in StarCrossed. And while Digger's love interest isn't my favorite male character of the series, they have great chemistry and I loved them together. There's also a good set up for conflict in their relationship inherent in a contrast of social and economic status. The way Bunce wrote their actual romance, when it came to that, was very appropriate and almost (but not quite) spare. There are no page-long descriptions of extended kissing and melting in your love interest's arms and how good it felt and blah blah blah blah blah. But it's not "we kissed and it was nice", either. It's a little sensual, but not too much. Very fitting for the couple, and that's all I'll say.
- I'm still loving the religions and the way they're woven into everything.
I think that's it... well, all that I can say without spoiling. There is absolutely no appearance of the 'carver' from the last book, which is saddening, but the way Liar's Moon ended tells me he'll be around in the sequel.
The ending is going to drive me batshit insane. I almost regret getting an ARC, because now I have to wait SEVEN EXTRA MONTHS to find out what happens next. OH THE AGONY.
(This copy was provided by the publisher via my local library for review. I love my library.)
June 27, 2012
Did you know the publisher hasn't picked up the third book in this series? Please help out and petition the publisher to have the last book in the trilogy published!
http://need-tea.livejournal.com/14670...
Thanks!
Boy I’m so happy this sequel didn’t disappoint me like so many others have. At first I was mighty concerned and pretty bored because the first 100 pages of this book were so dull and lifeless. That whole information dropping thing that occurred in the first book was happening in abundance in here and I was really annoyed but thankfully that all went away once I passed the 100 page mark.
The whole mystery plot of this book is really fun with lots of twists and turns and fun action scenes! I loved how Digger was so determined to figure things out and kept searching even though there were lots of close shaves and a price on her head. It helps that the worldbuilding was just as great in this one because we get to see the small, finer details such as class, politics, and other issues that provoke or set off a country/nation into war.
The romance was fun too. It was a slow tread of figuring out where the other person’s alliances lie, if their trustworthy or not, and getting to know each other a lot better. This also included their flaws and weaknesses. There was some fun kissing scenes and some yummy moments between the two but I was sort of sad that some of the major players in the first book were absent. I really missed the prince. I wish he could have been a love interest too because he could have been a very interesting major character.
The ending was an awesome, fast-paced rush but oh man. THAT CLIFFHANGER. I want to BEAT SOMETHING. Now I have to wait forever for the next book! Ah! Why do authors do this to us? WHY?!
http://need-tea.livejournal.com/14670...
Thanks!
Boy I’m so happy this sequel didn’t disappoint me like so many others have. At first I was mighty concerned and pretty bored because the first 100 pages of this book were so dull and lifeless. That whole information dropping thing that occurred in the first book was happening in abundance in here and I was really annoyed but thankfully that all went away once I passed the 100 page mark.
The whole mystery plot of this book is really fun with lots of twists and turns and fun action scenes! I loved how Digger was so determined to figure things out and kept searching even though there were lots of close shaves and a price on her head. It helps that the worldbuilding was just as great in this one because we get to see the small, finer details such as class, politics, and other issues that provoke or set off a country/nation into war.
The romance was fun too. It was a slow tread of figuring out where the other person’s alliances lie, if their trustworthy or not, and getting to know each other a lot better. This also included their flaws and weaknesses. There was some fun kissing scenes and some yummy moments between the two but I was sort of sad that some of the major players in the first book were absent. I really missed the prince. I wish he could have been a love interest too because he could have been a very interesting major character.
The ending was an awesome, fast-paced rush but oh man. THAT CLIFFHANGER. I want to BEAT SOMETHING. Now I have to wait forever for the next book! Ah! Why do authors do this to us? WHY?!
January 30, 2012
Overall, didn't enjoy this nearly as much as STARCROSSED (which in turn I didn't enjoy nearly as much as A CURSE DARK AS GOLD) -- that said, I suspect that STARCROSSED hit a lot more of my buttons, which may be why I didn't care for this as much.
My biggest peeve was probably that we get multiple queer characters in this story -- yay! But they're all male. As a queer women who really enjoyed the first book, it was definitely frustrating for me, to say the least, even a bit hurtful. I also felt like Fei continued a pattern that made me a little uncomfortable in the first book, of treating women who use sex and sexuality as to earn their livings as untrustworthy (even compared to the rest of the characters). And since Rat ended up being much the same kind of character as Phandre from STARCROSSED, the person from Digger's world who ends up as the kept courtesan of a nob, that means that we've only got the women who earn their livings thusly treated with suspicion and even some scorn by the text, while the male character who does it is never anything but trustworthy and one of the good guys. Which is...again, like the lack of female queer characters, frustrating for me, to say the least.
In general, I felt that this needed another good hard edit -- I read an ebook version, so I can't judge from the size of the book whether it's significantly longer than the first one, but it FELT long -- and not in a good way. It definitely dragged, and there were some clumsy or awkward passages at some points.
I really liked that we got some more of characters we only saw briefly in the first book (and yay, more Cwalo!), and I did like Koya a great deal of the new characters. I wish we'd seen a bit MORE of the characters from the first one, or seen more of Digger and Meri's correspondence with its magic invisible ink. Definitely satisfying as a continuation of Digger's adventures, but as I say, I felt like I needed another round or two of editing, and it struck a couple of pretty sour notes with me. Ugh, this sounds so negative! I enjoyed it plenty, and between STARCROSSED and ACDAG, Bunce may be on her way to my Favorite Authors list, but if anything the fact that I really enjoyed her first two books so much makes my frustrations with this one sting all the more.
My biggest peeve was probably that we get multiple queer characters in this story -- yay! But they're all male. As a queer women who really enjoyed the first book, it was definitely frustrating for me, to say the least, even a bit hurtful. I also felt like Fei continued a pattern that made me a little uncomfortable in the first book, of treating women who use sex and sexuality as to earn their livings as untrustworthy (even compared to the rest of the characters). And since Rat ended up being much the same kind of character as Phandre from STARCROSSED, the person from Digger's world who ends up as the kept courtesan of a nob, that means that we've only got the women who earn their livings thusly treated with suspicion and even some scorn by the text, while the male character who does it is never anything but trustworthy and one of the good guys. Which is...again, like the lack of female queer characters, frustrating for me, to say the least.
In general, I felt that this needed another good hard edit -- I read an ebook version, so I can't judge from the size of the book whether it's significantly longer than the first one, but it FELT long -- and not in a good way. It definitely dragged, and there were some clumsy or awkward passages at some points.
I really liked that we got some more of characters we only saw briefly in the first book (and yay, more Cwalo!), and I did like Koya a great deal of the new characters. I wish we'd seen a bit MORE of the characters from the first one, or seen more of Digger and Meri's correspondence with its magic invisible ink. Definitely satisfying as a continuation of Digger's adventures, but as I say, I felt like I needed another round or two of editing, and it struck a couple of pretty sour notes with me. Ugh, this sounds so negative! I enjoyed it plenty, and between STARCROSSED and ACDAG, Bunce may be on her way to my Favorite Authors list, but if anything the fact that I really enjoyed her first two books so much makes my frustrations with this one sting all the more.
October 14, 2012
*SPOILER ALERT* Okay. Seriously? NOT COOL. Ending the book with Tegen's one-sentence appearance and thus successfully making us all lust for the next book is not cool. At all. Oh, I just bet your having a great laugh right now Ms.Bunce. Haha.
So anyway I didn't nearly enjoy Liar's Moon as much as I did Starcrossed. I thought that the mystery, setting, and characters were more interesting in the first book. My only problem with Starcrossed was that it had no romance. Which didn't make it lacking in any way as the overall awesomeness totally made up for the lack of romance, but still. While this book had romance, (only near the end) I thought Durrell was boring. Sorry Durrell, but I'm probably gonna be Team Tegen, cuz you bore me. Something I love about Ms.Bunce is that her writing flows seamlessly smoothly. I saw no mistakes and not once did I think something was confusing/didn't make sense. So props to that. And another thing, the books in this series are surprisingly long! Either it's just me, or the font is really tiny and the pages really big. However, not once did I wish this book to be shorter.
WARNING: RAGE ALERT.
*ahem.*
JHBWNDKBEBAIHABEHGWJBANSKKDNDJ
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT!
THE THIRD BOOK'S NOT GOING TO BE PUBLISHED???
Dear Publisher,
Fuck you.
Love, Summer. (^-^)
April 11, 2018
This was quite an enjoyable read, AND THAT ENDING!!! WHY IS THE SEQUEL NOT A THING?!?! I need the sequel so desperately, but it's not being published for some reason! ARGHHH!!!
Anyways, this book was really good! I love these characters, and it was a joy to revisit them. Not to mention I really love Elizabeth C Bunce's writing style. And the world is so complex and well developed. And SO much character depth! No one felt two dimensional. Oh and this book was very gripping. I couldn't put it down!
It was however a bit predictable. I couldn't quite figure out who the murderer was, but it also wasn't exactly shocking. And the rest of the twists? I completely saw coming.
Still though, this was a pretty great book! I would definitely highly recommend this series.
Anyways, this book was really good! I love these characters, and it was a joy to revisit them. Not to mention I really love Elizabeth C Bunce's writing style. And the world is so complex and well developed. And SO much character depth! No one felt two dimensional. Oh and this book was very gripping. I couldn't put it down!
It was however a bit predictable. I couldn't quite figure out who the murderer was, but it also wasn't exactly shocking. And the rest of the twists? I completely saw coming.
Still though, this was a pretty great book! I would definitely highly recommend this series.
April 26, 2011
Star Crossed was amazing--gorgeous writing and beautifully developed characters. The same is true of Liar's Moon. Fantastic.
October 2, 2012
First off, I know that rating should probably be higher. It might just not have been a good time to try and finish this one, but whatever the reason, I just did not enjoy this one like I did Star Crossed. At all. The mystery fell flat. I frankly hated the romance between Digger and Durrel. I wanted to know more about the Nemair family and the rebellion. I want to know about their deities. Less about the Decath heir and the growing attraction Digger feels for him. And then digging Tegan out of oblivion to make a surprise return just in time for a love triangle? Not loving that. So, maybe I had too much time to think about what I wanted in the sequel and was bitter to have all of that denied. Maybe knowing there is no current hope of seeing a conclusion also affected my reading experience. Alas. I know only that STARCROSSED was such fun and this was a chore.
Content: Sexy times. Well, the one really. Still. You have been forewarned.
Content: Sexy times. Well, the one really. Still. You have been forewarned.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 31, 2015
Second book with 5 stars in forever!!
This must be good luck! (or bad) Who knows, I might not get another one for a very long time! Alas, this book was a 5- star, never the less, and regarding the consequences. Too bad the ain't a sequel yet. It was published in 2011! Tjere should already be a sequel!! I'll die if there ain't a next one! *hiperventilates*
This must be good luck! (or bad) Who knows, I might not get another one for a very long time! Alas, this book was a 5- star, never the less, and regarding the consequences. Too bad the ain't a sequel yet. It was published in 2011! Tjere should already be a sequel!! I'll die if there ain't a next one! *hiperventilates*
November 9, 2011
Digger, a.k.a. Celyn Contrare, is back in the city of Gerse. Following a strange series of events, she learns that her friend Durrel Decath stands accused of murdering his wife, a woman from one of Gerse’s wealthiest merchant families. Digger sets out to clear Durrel’s name, even though, as she puts it, “I had no experience investigating crimes; committing them, yes, but never reconstructing them, piece by piece, backward in time.” What follows is an exciting whodunit… with magic.
In addition to the mystery, Liar’s Moon gives us a fuller look at the world Elizabeth C. Bunce created in StarCrossed. We see the effects of the escalating civil war from inside Gerse: heightened religious tension and persecution, food shortages, and various factions taking advantage of other people’s suffering for their own gain. Digger may be farther from the front lines now that she’s returned to Gerse, but she is well placed to show us the war’s effects on all the social classes in the city, and she has a few opportunities to change the course of “history.”
There’s a love story here too — a refreshingly down-to-earth one. This is no insta-love; it develops as Digger and her love interest get to know each other better. They’re not presented as cosmic soul mates; each has loved before, and one gets the idea that they would love again if this didn’t work out. And if it does work out, they will face a realistic set of class-based problems.
Liar’s Moon is an exhilarating read. This is in part because of the suspense and intrigue that will keep you on the edge of your seat, wanting to know what happens next. It’s also in part because of Digger herself and how much fun it is to follow her through her adventures. A brave and resourceful heroine, she’s always poking into something, always on the edge of danger, and always helping to move the plot along.
When I finished the last page of Liar’s Moon, I felt bereft, both because Bunce ends the book with a killer hook and because I wanted to spend a few hundred more pages hanging out in Gerse with Digger. I can’t wait for book three...
In addition to the mystery, Liar’s Moon gives us a fuller look at the world Elizabeth C. Bunce created in StarCrossed. We see the effects of the escalating civil war from inside Gerse: heightened religious tension and persecution, food shortages, and various factions taking advantage of other people’s suffering for their own gain. Digger may be farther from the front lines now that she’s returned to Gerse, but she is well placed to show us the war’s effects on all the social classes in the city, and she has a few opportunities to change the course of “history.”
There’s a love story here too — a refreshingly down-to-earth one. This is no insta-love; it develops as Digger and her love interest get to know each other better. They’re not presented as cosmic soul mates; each has loved before, and one gets the idea that they would love again if this didn’t work out. And if it does work out, they will face a realistic set of class-based problems.
Liar’s Moon is an exhilarating read. This is in part because of the suspense and intrigue that will keep you on the edge of your seat, wanting to know what happens next. It’s also in part because of Digger herself and how much fun it is to follow her through her adventures. A brave and resourceful heroine, she’s always poking into something, always on the edge of danger, and always helping to move the plot along.
When I finished the last page of Liar’s Moon, I felt bereft, both because Bunce ends the book with a killer hook and because I wanted to spend a few hundred more pages hanging out in Gerse with Digger. I can’t wait for book three...
November 29, 2011
Liar's Moon was a bit dry to start off with thus the 4 stars.
I felt it kinda dropped from Starcrossed where there was so much adventure and mystery and people to get to know. In Liar's Moon we found ourselves back where Digger started but it took a good 100 pages for the adventure to start. Once it got running though, Digger's story became exciting and dangerous.
I absolutely loved the romance between Durrel and Digger, although I've been secretly wanting her with Prince Wierolf since the first book, but in it's own way, the ending was very satisfying ;) and what a cliffhanger!! Tegen is back and what will happen next?! Must read!
I felt it kinda dropped from Starcrossed where there was so much adventure and mystery and people to get to know. In Liar's Moon we found ourselves back where Digger started but it took a good 100 pages for the adventure to start. Once it got running though, Digger's story became exciting and dangerous.
I absolutely loved the romance between Durrel and Digger, although I've been secretly wanting her with Prince Wierolf since the first book, but in it's own way, the ending was very satisfying ;) and what a cliffhanger!! Tegen is back and what will happen next?! Must read!
April 2, 2018
Loved this book! The ending though....really??!! I hate the waiting and the next book isn't out yet!
August 14, 2012
Spoilers
When Digger otherwise known as Celyn Contrare lands herself in jail for a night, she's shocked to see that her cellmate is none other than Lord Durrell, the man that once helped her when she was on the run. Digger finds out that Durrell is accused of murdering his much older, influential wife and that he could be sentenced to death. Digger promises to investigate the murder and find the real killer before Durrell is sentenced.
-The main mystery was predictable, I was annoyed by how long it took for the big reveal and even then it was underwhelming.
There were too many other arcs that crowded the main plot, I thought they were unnecessary rather than complex - they didn't flow well with the main story.
-Celyn was a strong, smart and admirable heroine. I really liked that she didn't lose her head every time she was around her love interest.
I did think it was a bit too convenient that so many upper class, important and influential people ended up being good friends with her over a course of a few months when Digger was just a common thief.
-There were far too many descriptions and inner monologues which bogged down the story - it was difficult to get through it all.
I did miss Meri from the first book, I got irritated by Digger being surrounded mainly by male characters.
-I didn't find Durrell an endearing love interest - he was weak, gullible and naive. He also seemed to fall in love too much. His personality wasn't appealing at all. Diggers ex, Tegan is only mentioned in a few flashbacks and makes a very brief appearance at the end yet he had more chemistry with Digger than Durrell did.
The cliff hanger ending initially surprised me in a good way but then I was disappointed to find that there wouldn't be any more books. The most annoying thing is that there could have easily been a satisfying end if not for the last couple of pages. I hope the publisher decides to pick up a third book or the author writes a conclusion of some sort on her website or self publishes because to leave the end of a series like that is extremely unfair to her readers.
When Digger otherwise known as Celyn Contrare lands herself in jail for a night, she's shocked to see that her cellmate is none other than Lord Durrell, the man that once helped her when she was on the run. Digger finds out that Durrell is accused of murdering his much older, influential wife and that he could be sentenced to death. Digger promises to investigate the murder and find the real killer before Durrell is sentenced.
-The main mystery was predictable, I was annoyed by how long it took for the big reveal and even then it was underwhelming.
There were too many other arcs that crowded the main plot, I thought they were unnecessary rather than complex - they didn't flow well with the main story.
-Celyn was a strong, smart and admirable heroine. I really liked that she didn't lose her head every time she was around her love interest.
I did think it was a bit too convenient that so many upper class, important and influential people ended up being good friends with her over a course of a few months when Digger was just a common thief.
-There were far too many descriptions and inner monologues which bogged down the story - it was difficult to get through it all.
I did miss Meri from the first book, I got irritated by Digger being surrounded mainly by male characters.
-I didn't find Durrell an endearing love interest - he was weak, gullible and naive. He also seemed to fall in love too much. His personality wasn't appealing at all. Diggers ex, Tegan is only mentioned in a few flashbacks and makes a very brief appearance at the end yet he had more chemistry with Digger than Durrell did.
The cliff hanger ending initially surprised me in a good way but then I was disappointed to find that there wouldn't be any more books. The most annoying thing is that there could have easily been a satisfying end if not for the last couple of pages. I hope the publisher decides to pick up a third book or the author writes a conclusion of some sort on her website or self publishes because to leave the end of a series like that is extremely unfair to her readers.
March 13, 2015
Before I go any further THE CLIFFHANGER ENDING. It's so cruel, and I had heard that it would be but that didn't stop me from reading it, however if you can't handle cliffhangers with little hope of ever finding out what happens (there is at this time no plan for a 3rd book to be in publication), then I would not recommend reading this book.
However, if you are ok with an intense cliffhanger, and like awesome female characters, fantasy, and mysteries, then read on!
In this sequel to Star Crossed, we are re-introduced to Lord Durrel Decath who has been (Digger is told), wrongly arrested for the murder of his wife.
The evidence is against him, and once again, Digger is called upon to unravel the truths and lies that are surrounding this mysterious murder. At times even she doubts Durrel's innocence.
Over all, I did not like this book as much as I liked the first book in the series, but this one still captured my attention. Digger's character is very loveable and Bunce is an excellent writer.
The Thief Errant books remind me of a little bit of a cross between Tamora Pierce's Daugher of the Lionness and Beka Cooper books. Here we have a main character who is a thief with a special talent for snooping out magic, who is using her stealth-skills for good.
However, if you are ok with an intense cliffhanger, and like awesome female characters, fantasy, and mysteries, then read on!
In this sequel to Star Crossed, we are re-introduced to Lord Durrel Decath who has been (Digger is told), wrongly arrested for the murder of his wife.
The evidence is against him, and once again, Digger is called upon to unravel the truths and lies that are surrounding this mysterious murder. At times even she doubts Durrel's innocence.
Over all, I did not like this book as much as I liked the first book in the series, but this one still captured my attention. Digger's character is very loveable and Bunce is an excellent writer.
The Thief Errant books remind me of a little bit of a cross between Tamora Pierce's Daugher of the Lionness and Beka Cooper books. Here we have a main character who is a thief with a special talent for snooping out magic, who is using her stealth-skills for good.
January 21, 2019
The follow up to StarCrossed is just as wonderful. We continue to follow Digger’s adventures as she returns home to find things - including herself - have changed. She’s still Digger, of course, but she’s become so much more after the adventure spent in StarCrossed. She has questions even if she isn’t sure she wants the answers.
We meet back up with some characters who were briefly in the first book and leave behind our friends from the first. They aren’t forgotten however, not by far. They’re off fighting a war and working towards the city and the throne while Digger is back home trying to figure out not only where she stands, but what in the hells is happening that caused the death of a friend’s wife which ultimately landed him in prison as a murderer.
She is still an unreliable narrator - because she is so very human and I live for that. There’s so much going on in this book and while I wait with baited breath for a third that may never come (thanks, publisher T__T ) I’ll just go back and add StarCrossed and Liar’s Moon to my “let’s re-read these often” pile.
Genuinely, I love this world. I’d love to further explore the Pantheon, the class system, and the characters. There’s so much left to be learn about some characters that were introduced - and that ending. What a cliff, and me without belay.
We meet back up with some characters who were briefly in the first book and leave behind our friends from the first. They aren’t forgotten however, not by far. They’re off fighting a war and working towards the city and the throne while Digger is back home trying to figure out not only where she stands, but what in the hells is happening that caused the death of a friend’s wife which ultimately landed him in prison as a murderer.
She is still an unreliable narrator - because she is so very human and I live for that. There’s so much going on in this book and while I wait with baited breath for a third that may never come (thanks, publisher T__T ) I’ll just go back and add StarCrossed and Liar’s Moon to my “let’s re-read these often” pile.
Genuinely, I love this world. I’d love to further explore the Pantheon, the class system, and the characters. There’s so much left to be learn about some characters that were introduced - and that ending. What a cliff, and me without belay.
August 15, 2020
Well done Young Adult SciFi with great world-building of political, social, and religious elements. Digger belongs to the thief guild, or perhaps the religion of liars would be a better way to put it. She is a strong female character working to figure out who committed the murder of Lord Durrell's wife, before Lord Durrell is hanged for it. Since Lord Durrell's wife is a powerful, unscrupulous member of a powerful, unsavory trading family, there are lots of possibilities. That Digger is a spy of sorts in the capitol city during a civil war adds to the danger and the intrigue, and that she also has Sarist magic abilities also makes her a target of the Inquisition and an enemy to the Crown. The nice handling of the use of magic is as realistic and natural as the budding romance that grows through the story.
October 9, 2012
I didn't enjoy it as much as the first. I found it boring an pointless. The author shouldn't have made this. I think that maybe she should have focused more on the war that she built in the first one. Maybe I'm just silly for thinking that. But seriously. I didn't enjoy it at all. I had to force myself through it. The whole book seemed like a side story. I'm not a fan of mystery, I'm more of an action girl, so maybe that's my problem. But why did the author build a war, only to not focus on it and then end it in a comment, really? Lame. And then the ending. WHY! ~sigh~ And now I feel like I'll have to push myself through another pointless story in book three, because I already read the first two.
August 25, 2016
Liar’s Moon was a great sequel to Star Crossed. I love the direction the story has taken in this one and wow, there is a big surprise at the end! I wasn't something that I hadn't thought of as a possibility, but I was not expecting it to happen right at the end of this book. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book now!
Update: I found out this series has been discontinued and I’m so disappointed! I really wish that Elizabeth Bunce could or would self-publish a sequel.
Update: I found out this series has been discontinued and I’m so disappointed! I really wish that Elizabeth Bunce could or would self-publish a sequel.
July 2, 2021
I loved everything about this book except for how it ended on a major cliffhanger. Digger is an intriguing main character, and I really like Durrell as well (it's hard not to like someone so noble in character!). It was interesting to watch how the main mystery played out as well.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book but also I'm going to be very sad if the third never materializes.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book but also I'm going to be very sad if the third never materializes.
March 2, 2023
I read the first book 11 years ago. And I'll be perfectly honest, I remember none of it. It didn't stop me from understanding any of Liar's Moon story though, as it's pretty self-contained.
I decided to give it 3 stars, not because it's not a good book, but it's just not the kind of book I enjoy anymore. I almost DNFed it because it was so slow.
The FMC finds herself recruited by a third party to rescue her friend locked in prison after being accused of murdering his wife. The investigation spawns the entire book, which is perfectly fine if you are into that sort of thing. The book is perfectly well written, and it took me quite a while to figure out who the real killer was. All in all, Bunce did a fantastic job. I am just not the right audience.
I much prefer book with action, and lots of romance (even if it's slow-burned), and there was none it of until the very end.
The book ends on a steep cliff-hanger, but 12 years after the release of this book, I think it's fair to think the third book won't be happening. If you ignore the last paragraph, you will be very content with the ending.
I decided to give it 3 stars, not because it's not a good book, but it's just not the kind of book I enjoy anymore. I almost DNFed it because it was so slow.
The FMC finds herself recruited by a third party to rescue her friend locked in prison after being accused of murdering his wife. The investigation spawns the entire book, which is perfectly fine if you are into that sort of thing. The book is perfectly well written, and it took me quite a while to figure out who the real killer was. All in all, Bunce did a fantastic job. I am just not the right audience.
I much prefer book with action, and lots of romance (even if it's slow-burned), and there was none it of until the very end.
The book ends on a steep cliff-hanger, but 12 years after the release of this book, I think it's fair to think the third book won't be happening. If you ignore the last paragraph, you will be very content with the ending.
November 22, 2011
After StarCrossed, I'd have to say this was just disappointing. It was a pretty good read, and it started off well, but as it kept going, I just found myself losing interest. I didn't care as much about the characters, and the stakes were just so much lower. StarCrossed was a big adventure, and this was just... I don't know, less. At first, I couldn't put it down, but that was because I felt it building up to something. But the something never came. The plot didn't seem important in the way that StarCrossed did. And I must say, I thought StarCrossed was amazing (seriously, one of the best); it's on my favorites shelf. So I'd hoped for better with this.
More details on what I thought...
More details on what I thought...
October 4, 2012
I really enjoy Elizabeth Bunce's fantasies. I loved Star Crossed so much that I would count Liar's Moon as one of my most anticipated books of the year.
In Liar's Moon Digger is back in Gerse. It is now summer, and while Prince Wierolf and his men fight in the country, she is in the city getting by. That is until she is mysteriously arrested and thrown in prison. She ends up in a cell with Durrel Decath, who made a significant impression in the last book. Durrel is in prison for killing his wife, but he didn't do it and it seems someone wants Digger to prove his innocence.
Liar's Moon is part fantasy and part mystery. In that way it is similar to Tamora Pierce's fabulous Beka Cooper series. Digger's world has multiple moons, multiple gods, persecuted magic, and political unrest. The characters, Digger, Durrel, Koya, Lord Ragn, Cwalo, Rat, Hobin, are all well-drawn and interesting. Digger's narration is pitch perfect. The mystery compels the reader to keep turning the pages.
I do hope that there is a sequel with a planned publication date, because that ending, yikes.
Interesting note: I started reading this on paper and then bought is through Kindle for my Christmas vacation. I actually found the book to be easier to read on my tiny iPod. Something about the font or the leading must have not worked for my eyes or brain. The reading experience actually became more enjoyable once I went digital.
In Liar's Moon Digger is back in Gerse. It is now summer, and while Prince Wierolf and his men fight in the country, she is in the city getting by. That is until she is mysteriously arrested and thrown in prison. She ends up in a cell with Durrel Decath, who made a significant impression in the last book. Durrel is in prison for killing his wife, but he didn't do it and it seems someone wants Digger to prove his innocence.
Liar's Moon is part fantasy and part mystery. In that way it is similar to Tamora Pierce's fabulous Beka Cooper series. Digger's world has multiple moons, multiple gods, persecuted magic, and political unrest. The characters, Digger, Durrel, Koya, Lord Ragn, Cwalo, Rat, Hobin, are all well-drawn and interesting. Digger's narration is pitch perfect. The mystery compels the reader to keep turning the pages.
I do hope that there is a sequel with a planned publication date, because that ending, yikes.
Interesting note: I started reading this on paper and then bought is through Kindle for my Christmas vacation. I actually found the book to be easier to read on my tiny iPod. Something about the font or the leading must have not worked for my eyes or brain. The reading experience actually became more enjoyable once I went digital.
November 8, 2011
When Digger is arrested and thrown in jail, she isn’t that surprised. She is a pickpocket after all. But it is interesting that the men who grabbed her knew that she was a girl though she was dressed in men’s clothing and that they were looking just for her. When she is put into prison, she is surprised to find that she’s been put in Lord Durrel Decath’s cell. He has been accused of poisoning his wife. This is the man who once saved her life, and so she sets to work with her thieving skills to set him free. As she searches for answers, she is drawn into the high society of their besieged city. The clues seem to lead to only more questions and new theories rather than answers in this politically charged, masterful mystery.
This second book after Star Crossed is just as elegantly plotted as the first. Bunce excels at creating a world that is familiar to readers but also unusual and unique. Throughout the book, magic is a theme. But in this world, it is reviled rather than embraced. Magic users are persecuted, imprisoned and even slaughtered. This forms the backbone of the story, the society itself, and our protagonist.
Digger is an amazing female protagonist. She is gutsy, strong, intelligent, and loyal. She never seems to be afraid of action or danger, making the entire story a delight to read since it is always moving quickly forward. The other characters are equally complex. There are women who appear to be flighty and dim, yet are something else entirely when their pretense is dropped. There are suspects who seem obvious but then melt away to innocence and others who are just the opposite.
This is a complex and intricate mystery set in a world that is equally compelling. Get this into the hands of fans of Tamora Pierce who will discover another amazing female protagonist to enjoy. Appropriate for ages 14-16.
This second book after Star Crossed is just as elegantly plotted as the first. Bunce excels at creating a world that is familiar to readers but also unusual and unique. Throughout the book, magic is a theme. But in this world, it is reviled rather than embraced. Magic users are persecuted, imprisoned and even slaughtered. This forms the backbone of the story, the society itself, and our protagonist.
Digger is an amazing female protagonist. She is gutsy, strong, intelligent, and loyal. She never seems to be afraid of action or danger, making the entire story a delight to read since it is always moving quickly forward. The other characters are equally complex. There are women who appear to be flighty and dim, yet are something else entirely when their pretense is dropped. There are suspects who seem obvious but then melt away to innocence and others who are just the opposite.
This is a complex and intricate mystery set in a world that is equally compelling. Get this into the hands of fans of Tamora Pierce who will discover another amazing female protagonist to enjoy. Appropriate for ages 14-16.
February 29, 2012
This book was every bit as good as its predecessor, Starcrossed, except for two significant (for me) flaws.
1)There is a relatively major plot point that was obvious to me the moment it was mentioned but which takes Digger forever to figure out; and after she does figure it out, she promptly has a spat of amnesia. The mystery part of the tale was, overall, superbly handled, but this particular point stuck me like a burr. I am not a fan of amnesia when it makes the reader more informed than the main character- it makes your characters look dumb and leads the reader (or me in any case) to wondering why they should care about these people; thankfully this devise was used here only briefly, but on top of Digger's already clumsy handling of this particular plot point it irritated me immensely.
2)The ending. This book ends on a cliff hanger. Not just a cliff hanger, but the most annoying kind of cliff hanger; the plot point that, just at the precise moment you thought you were past it possibly becoming an issue, jumps out of an alley and hits you in the head before running away laughing. If you read this book, I recommend you do not read the last page until you have the next book in the series at hand. Unless you enjoy smashing your head against the book repeatedly and swearing, as I did.
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely. Digger's world is well drawn, and her narrative voice is both unique and enjoyable. The people she meets in this book, both old and new characters, are so interesting that I almost would rather read stories that centered around each of them and included them more fully. But Digger truly holds her own as the main character here; while main characters can occasionally end up being superfluous to their own stories, Digger is truly the center of this tale and the action could not be completed without her own unique self.
1)There is a relatively major plot point that was obvious to me the moment it was mentioned but which takes Digger forever to figure out; and after she does figure it out, she promptly has a spat of amnesia. The mystery part of the tale was, overall, superbly handled, but this particular point stuck me like a burr. I am not a fan of amnesia when it makes the reader more informed than the main character- it makes your characters look dumb and leads the reader (or me in any case) to wondering why they should care about these people; thankfully this devise was used here only briefly, but on top of Digger's already clumsy handling of this particular plot point it irritated me immensely.
2)The ending. This book ends on a cliff hanger. Not just a cliff hanger, but the most annoying kind of cliff hanger; the plot point that, just at the precise moment you thought you were past it possibly becoming an issue, jumps out of an alley and hits you in the head before running away laughing. If you read this book, I recommend you do not read the last page until you have the next book in the series at hand. Unless you enjoy smashing your head against the book repeatedly and swearing, as I did.
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely. Digger's world is well drawn, and her narrative voice is both unique and enjoyable. The people she meets in this book, both old and new characters, are so interesting that I almost would rather read stories that centered around each of them and included them more fully. But Digger truly holds her own as the main character here; while main characters can occasionally end up being superfluous to their own stories, Digger is truly the center of this tale and the action could not be completed without her own unique self.
May 7, 2022
Well, I jumped into book #2 for a challenge and now find I really want to read more. So back to finding book #1.
I did realize that book #3 has not yet been published and so I did some research. Nope...not yet. Sent a message to the writer as she is still writing. This is too good a series to just drop, and it has been 11 years since the publishing of book #2!
Anyway, you want to know about this story.
It involves a city (Gerse) under seige during war, several groups of men who patrol the city (Royals, Greenmen, Inquisitors men). There are family relations that are strained (a daughter and son of a slain woman, her husband and his father, the Inquisitor and his sister)...and there is intrigue. Who killed the woman? What is going on?
There are spies...and magical folk who are being persecuted. And there is a bit of romance.
This book does end on a cliff hanger...in that one presumed killed shows up on the last page. Now you see why I need to find book #3?
I did realize that book #3 has not yet been published and so I did some research. Nope...not yet. Sent a message to the writer as she is still writing. This is too good a series to just drop, and it has been 11 years since the publishing of book #2!
Anyway, you want to know about this story.
It involves a city (Gerse) under seige during war, several groups of men who patrol the city (Royals, Greenmen, Inquisitors men). There are family relations that are strained (a daughter and son of a slain woman, her husband and his father, the Inquisitor and his sister)...and there is intrigue. Who killed the woman? What is going on?
There are spies...and magical folk who are being persecuted. And there is a bit of romance.
This book does end on a cliff hanger...in that one presumed killed shows up on the last page. Now you see why I need to find book #3?
August 20, 2016
I enjoyed this sequel to Starcrossed. It was $9 for my kindle which was a bit expensive but I really wanted to read it so I splurged. It continues on a few months after StarCrossed. It is a pretty good book though I am not sure I liked it as much as the first. The beginning is actually kind of boring.
Things I like:
1 - The ending. Though it makes me mad that I read this book already. I should have waited till the third one is out. Usually I try not to start a series unless it is limited to a trilogy or each book stands alone well. While this book does stand alone, that last page makes a sequel essential and I am excited to see where the author is going.
2 - I like how she continued on with some of the less developed characters of the first book. I even like how she drew Digger's brother back in. I am looking forward to seeing where she goes with the temple in the next book and how that will mesh with the new King.
Things I didn't like:
1 - The author throws you into the middle of big mystery from the start. Unlike in StarCrossed where you see the tale unravel and get to explore with Digger picking up pieces of info as you go, this story begins without really giving you any bearing on what is happening. It takes about a quarter of the book to start figuring out what is going on and start to draw conclusions as the reading.
2 - I don't know if I like the romance building. I liked the prince in the last book because it felt like true friendship and very platonic. I don't feel like the author has given us someone worthy of Digger and her abilities yet in the story. The current romance as it is unfolding seems like it could easily be temporary. I still don't feel as though I know his character very well.
Things I like:
1 - The ending. Though it makes me mad that I read this book already. I should have waited till the third one is out. Usually I try not to start a series unless it is limited to a trilogy or each book stands alone well. While this book does stand alone, that last page makes a sequel essential and I am excited to see where the author is going.
2 - I like how she continued on with some of the less developed characters of the first book. I even like how she drew Digger's brother back in. I am looking forward to seeing where she goes with the temple in the next book and how that will mesh with the new King.
Things I didn't like:
1 - The author throws you into the middle of big mystery from the start. Unlike in StarCrossed where you see the tale unravel and get to explore with Digger picking up pieces of info as you go, this story begins without really giving you any bearing on what is happening. It takes about a quarter of the book to start figuring out what is going on and start to draw conclusions as the reading.
2 - I don't know if I like the romance building. I liked the prince in the last book because it felt like true friendship and very platonic. I don't feel like the author has given us someone worthy of Digger and her abilities yet in the story. The current romance as it is unfolding seems like it could easily be temporary. I still don't feel as though I know his character very well.
April 2, 2012
I really like this series. I was noticing that a lot of reviewers mentioned that it was too slow compared to other YA books, and as I got thinking about it, I realized they were right, but I love it anyway. It's so easy to get lost in the "flow" of this series. There's not even that much romance and I still love it.
I love Digger. She's unique, tough and lovable. She doesn't take on a hero persona. I picture her rolling her eyes and saying "here we go again" and while she likes helping her friends, she still feels frustrated with life and circumstances sometimes. I feel that her and the other characters in this book are easy to relate too. They have flaws and bad things happen.
***SPOILER ALERT***
I thought that Lord Ragn dying in the end was kind of a cop-out. Really nice and easy. Also, I didn't feel like him killing Lord Durrell's wife fit with his character. Although, even thought I thought it was a cop-out ending, I was still kind of glad it happened, because then we don't have to deal with all that drama.
I honestly groaned on the last page of the book. I really am getting dreadfully tired of the whole love triangle thing. It's overplayed. I decided that I like books where they find love and then TOGETHER solve other problems. (For Example: The Poison Study series by Maria Snyder) It's hard enough to get into relationships, one book focused on that is enough.
So, those are my pros and cons. You'll notice that I still gave it a five-star award. I had too. With all it's little faults, it was still brilliantly executed and most importantly I really enjoyed reading it.
I love Digger. She's unique, tough and lovable. She doesn't take on a hero persona. I picture her rolling her eyes and saying "here we go again" and while she likes helping her friends, she still feels frustrated with life and circumstances sometimes. I feel that her and the other characters in this book are easy to relate too. They have flaws and bad things happen.
***SPOILER ALERT***
I thought that Lord Ragn dying in the end was kind of a cop-out. Really nice and easy. Also, I didn't feel like him killing Lord Durrell's wife fit with his character. Although, even thought I thought it was a cop-out ending, I was still kind of glad it happened, because then we don't have to deal with all that drama.
I honestly groaned on the last page of the book. I really am getting dreadfully tired of the whole love triangle thing. It's overplayed. I decided that I like books where they find love and then TOGETHER solve other problems. (For Example: The Poison Study series by Maria Snyder) It's hard enough to get into relationships, one book focused on that is enough.
So, those are my pros and cons. You'll notice that I still gave it a five-star award. I had too. With all it's little faults, it was still brilliantly executed and most importantly I really enjoyed reading it.
January 23, 2012
I loved the first book in this series, "Starcrossed", and I anxiously awaited the sequel all year. Maybe my anticipation was too great, but this book disappointed me a little. That special 'it' factor was missing from this one that was in the first book. There were still aspects that I loved about it, but it just wasn't as spectacular as the first book.
Of course, one of the things that I loved about the first book is still apparent in the sequel. Digger is such a fantastic female lead. I love how the traditional gender roles are reversed in this story. The boy, Durrel, is essentially the damsel in distress here, and Digger is the hero who must save him. Durrel is wrongfully serving time in jail, and it's up to Digger to use her wit and her skills to help him escape. The only thing I didn't really buy about this story was the romance between Digger and Durrel. It just wasn't believable for me.
There is a huge cliffhanger at the end of this book, so even if I was a bit disappointed in this installment of the series, I think the third book has the potential to be amazing! I will definitely read it as soon as it is released!
The first book was so over the top amazing, that I couldn't help but be let down a bit by the sequel. The story is still great, and I will definitely be reading the next book to see what happens next.
ARC sent by publisher in exchange for honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
Of course, one of the things that I loved about the first book is still apparent in the sequel. Digger is such a fantastic female lead. I love how the traditional gender roles are reversed in this story. The boy, Durrel, is essentially the damsel in distress here, and Digger is the hero who must save him. Durrel is wrongfully serving time in jail, and it's up to Digger to use her wit and her skills to help him escape. The only thing I didn't really buy about this story was the romance between Digger and Durrel. It just wasn't believable for me.
There is a huge cliffhanger at the end of this book, so even if I was a bit disappointed in this installment of the series, I think the third book has the potential to be amazing! I will definitely read it as soon as it is released!
The first book was so over the top amazing, that I couldn't help but be let down a bit by the sequel. The story is still great, and I will definitely be reading the next book to see what happens next.
ARC sent by publisher in exchange for honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
August 29, 2015
I read A Curse as Dark as Gold, which is a retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin myth, and I loved it, so of course I picked up Bunce's other two books when I got the chance. These two are high fantasy set in an original world, following a thief named Digger as she gets increasingly caught up in the political machinations and developing revolutions of her world.
I'm not going to talk about specifics here particularly. StarCrossed is more of a political fantasy and Liar's Moon is more murder mystery/espionage, but they are both fairly similar in their pros and cons. Pros include excellent worldbuilding, a great protagonist with a distinct voice, a lack of romance in the first book (though not in the second, sadly, especially for those of us hoping Digger would be aro), good pacing, and several clever plot twists. Cons include a surprising amount of convienent coincidences and those goddamn fucking cliffhangers.
Which, uh, may demonstrate why these aren't my favorite despite being generally lovely.
Bunce ends both books (though much more so Liar's Moon) on a cliffhanger. Granted, they're supposed to be part of a trilogy and the publisher declined to pick up the third, but Liar's Moon has a serious cliffhanger, and even StarCrossed ends kind of abruptly. It's really frustrating, and not the kind of thing I would recommend, alas. Still love Curse as Dark as Gold, though.
I'm not going to talk about specifics here particularly. StarCrossed is more of a political fantasy and Liar's Moon is more murder mystery/espionage, but they are both fairly similar in their pros and cons. Pros include excellent worldbuilding, a great protagonist with a distinct voice, a lack of romance in the first book (though not in the second, sadly, especially for those of us hoping Digger would be aro), good pacing, and several clever plot twists. Cons include a surprising amount of convienent coincidences and those goddamn fucking cliffhangers.
Which, uh, may demonstrate why these aren't my favorite despite being generally lovely.
Bunce ends both books (though much more so Liar's Moon) on a cliffhanger. Granted, they're supposed to be part of a trilogy and the publisher declined to pick up the third, but Liar's Moon has a serious cliffhanger, and even StarCrossed ends kind of abruptly. It's really frustrating, and not the kind of thing I would recommend, alas. Still love Curse as Dark as Gold, though.
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April 6, 2012Amber Randol
Adventure
This book is about a girl named Digger that was a pickpocket on the run and could also see magic when she touched anything. There was a war going on, and three sides were fighting. Soldiers were always in the streets scaring the people in the town. One night she gets thrown in jail and runs into a man who once saved her life, Durrel Decath, the son of a lord. He was accused of murdering his wife, but claims he didn’t do it and asks Digger to help prove it. She goes on an adventure to figure out what really happened, using her magic, the help of a greenman soldier, her best friend Rat, Durrel’s step daughter, and his father. Along the way she uncovers things that help bring the war to an end, like that certain people were shipping around magic users to be put to use to help fight the war, and the group ends up rescuing them and figuring out the murder by doing that. The book was pretty fast paced and it kept me intrigued. I didn’t want to put it down because I wanted to know what happened next. The murder was actually not obvious, which was good. Digger, the main character, went on so many different adventures and was always in the middle of the action. There were very few dull moments, which you expect from adventure books.
Adventure
This book is about a girl named Digger that was a pickpocket on the run and could also see magic when she touched anything. There was a war going on, and three sides were fighting. Soldiers were always in the streets scaring the people in the town. One night she gets thrown in jail and runs into a man who once saved her life, Durrel Decath, the son of a lord. He was accused of murdering his wife, but claims he didn’t do it and asks Digger to help prove it. She goes on an adventure to figure out what really happened, using her magic, the help of a greenman soldier, her best friend Rat, Durrel’s step daughter, and his father. Along the way she uncovers things that help bring the war to an end, like that certain people were shipping around magic users to be put to use to help fight the war, and the group ends up rescuing them and figuring out the murder by doing that. The book was pretty fast paced and it kept me intrigued. I didn’t want to put it down because I wanted to know what happened next. The murder was actually not obvious, which was good. Digger, the main character, went on so many different adventures and was always in the middle of the action. There were very few dull moments, which you expect from adventure books.
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