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War of the Seasons #2
War of the Seasons: The Half-blood
Six months after arriving in the world of Ailionora, Story finds herself once again on a quest; only this time it is not to save a dying race but the life of the elf she loves. Along the way, she must face the consequences of her previous choices and battle with enemies both old and new while she races against time.
ebook
First published June 1, 2012
4 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Janine K. Spendlove
30 books84 followersJanine K. Spendlove is a retired United States Marine Corps KC-130 pilot. In the Science Fiction and Fantasy World she is primarily known for her best-selling trilogy, War of the Seasons and Star Wars: Inbrief. She has several short stories published in various speculative fiction anthologies, to include Time Traveled Tales, Athena’s Daughters, and War Stories. Janine is also a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), Women in Aerospace (WIA), and BroadUniverse (BU). A graduate of Johns Hopkins University: School of International Studies (SAIS) and Brigham Young University (BYU), Janine loves pugs, sewing, and playing Beatles tunes on her guitar. She resides with her family in Northern Virginia and is currently at work on her next novel. Find out more at JanineSpendlove.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 1, 2012
Please note: This is NOT a Middle-Grade book - it's a better fit for Teens 16+ to adult.
Story, the main character is now 18 (she was 17 in the [[ASIN:0983656703 War of the Seasons: The Human]]) she is now no longer a "teen" in the way we are used to. The book involves Magic (both dark and white (is there such a thing? - both books did) and Story is very involved with a lover - although they aren't doing much more than heavy petting. She is now engaged, dealing with his possible death and basically she is having to make decisions about tricking the Sun Prince (Morrigann) and delivering him up to his sister for "punishment, death or worse".
I had more difficulty getting involved with this book. As you'll recall I managed to read the first book in a day (it's 380 some pages) and I got involved fast in the story and the events of the book. Book Two is a little different - I found it harder to get involved with the book until about 1/3 way through. It opens dealing with her relationship with Eirnin and their engagement, big changes in the Elf Kingdom, her learning how to sleepwalk and getting used to powers that she received in Book One. About 1/3 of the way in the book the action starts happening and Story has to make some tough decisions involving leaving Eirnin who is unconscious and unable to stop her, disobeying the Elf Queen and not really knowing who she can trust and choosing to free the Sun Prince - Morrigann. The decisions she makes at the beginning of her journey may mean her and her new friends (and some not so close friends) death. The action is fast moving, the writing very well written and you aren't left wondering what happened and reading it over and over to stay connected.
Just a note: I read this on my Kindle whereas I read the first book as a paperback. That could of been partly why I struggled with this book. I had a hard time connecting until quite a ways into the book. Please check out the first book War of the Seasons, Book One - The Human. I loved it & if you like a good fantasy story with lots of action you will like this one. From there decide if you want to go on to Book Two. Hmmm?
I was given a copy of War of the Seasons, Book Two - The Half-Blood
by Janine Spendlove to read & review on Classic Children's Books. I was not required to write a positive review and no money exchanged hands. This is my honest opinion. Thanks Janine!
Story, the main character is now 18 (she was 17 in the [[ASIN:0983656703 War of the Seasons: The Human]]) she is now no longer a "teen" in the way we are used to. The book involves Magic (both dark and white (is there such a thing? - both books did) and Story is very involved with a lover - although they aren't doing much more than heavy petting. She is now engaged, dealing with his possible death and basically she is having to make decisions about tricking the Sun Prince (Morrigann) and delivering him up to his sister for "punishment, death or worse".
I had more difficulty getting involved with this book. As you'll recall I managed to read the first book in a day (it's 380 some pages) and I got involved fast in the story and the events of the book. Book Two is a little different - I found it harder to get involved with the book until about 1/3 way through. It opens dealing with her relationship with Eirnin and their engagement, big changes in the Elf Kingdom, her learning how to sleepwalk and getting used to powers that she received in Book One. About 1/3 of the way in the book the action starts happening and Story has to make some tough decisions involving leaving Eirnin who is unconscious and unable to stop her, disobeying the Elf Queen and not really knowing who she can trust and choosing to free the Sun Prince - Morrigann. The decisions she makes at the beginning of her journey may mean her and her new friends (and some not so close friends) death. The action is fast moving, the writing very well written and you aren't left wondering what happened and reading it over and over to stay connected.
Just a note: I read this on my Kindle whereas I read the first book as a paperback. That could of been partly why I struggled with this book. I had a hard time connecting until quite a ways into the book. Please check out the first book War of the Seasons, Book One - The Human. I loved it & if you like a good fantasy story with lots of action you will like this one. From there decide if you want to go on to Book Two. Hmmm?
I was given a copy of War of the Seasons, Book Two - The Half-Blood
by Janine Spendlove to read & review on Classic Children's Books. I was not required to write a positive review and no money exchanged hands. This is my honest opinion. Thanks Janine!
October 7, 2012
Goodread's first-read giveaway.
Rating: 2.5/5
Haven't read the first book, so these are my first impressions of this second book in particular and the series in general:
- Interesting concept of the Season fairies, even though it's somewhat reminiscent of the Endless in the Dream series by Neil Gaiman, as well as the family feuds among them. Interesting plot in that regard, anyway, especially by providing some depth factor for the erstwhile antagonist Spring.
- The author made occasional humorous twists which compensated for the cheesy tone of the confused-teenage-girl-in-love narrative. Spendlove also made an effort to defy traditional fantasy conventions by changing the concepts of various fantasy races.
- Having said so, the storytelling leaves a lot to be desired. The main protagonist, true to her confused-teenage-girl-in-love stereotype, couldn't help whining, raging and asking stupid questions all the times. Keeping up with this trend and she'll end up like her counterpart in a once-promising series of Inkheart: an insignificant decoration for a plot which totally rejects her participation, unless she manages to drag it down with her as well.
Moreover, Spendlove kinda overcompensated for the stereotypical character by making her perform heroic fighting actions. IMHO, it's way too obvious and thus cheesy. Instead of giving her supernatural capabilities and chances to fight monsters alone, how about treating her as a grown up who's less whiny, able to think calmly? I'll give a lot more respect to a thinking character of some depth, than a good-for-nothing-out-to-save-the-world(s) Harry-Potter-like character. And please, spare me the love triangle [or square, pentagon, whatsoever]. It will help you go down the stereotypical path faster than ever.
Rating: 2.5/5
Haven't read the first book, so these are my first impressions of this second book in particular and the series in general:
- Interesting concept of the Season fairies, even though it's somewhat reminiscent of the Endless in the Dream series by Neil Gaiman, as well as the family feuds among them. Interesting plot in that regard, anyway, especially by providing some depth factor for the erstwhile antagonist Spring.
- The author made occasional humorous twists which compensated for the cheesy tone of the confused-teenage-girl-in-love narrative. Spendlove also made an effort to defy traditional fantasy conventions by changing the concepts of various fantasy races.
- Having said so, the storytelling leaves a lot to be desired. The main protagonist, true to her confused-teenage-girl-in-love stereotype, couldn't help whining, raging and asking stupid questions all the times. Keeping up with this trend and she'll end up like her counterpart in a once-promising series of Inkheart: an insignificant decoration for a plot which totally rejects her participation, unless she manages to drag it down with her as well.
Moreover, Spendlove kinda overcompensated for the stereotypical character by making her perform heroic fighting actions. IMHO, it's way too obvious and thus cheesy. Instead of giving her supernatural capabilities and chances to fight monsters alone, how about treating her as a grown up who's less whiny, able to think calmly? I'll give a lot more respect to a thinking character of some depth, than a good-for-nothing-out-to-save-the-world(s) Harry-Potter-like character. And please, spare me the love triangle [or square, pentagon, whatsoever]. It will help you go down the stereotypical path faster than ever.
May 25, 2016
This is a great continuation to ‘The Human’. I’ve found that often in a series, the second book is weaker than the first, but not in ‘War of the Seasons’.
Perhaps this is because what is at stake for the protagonist this time is much closer to the heart. Right at the beginning of the book, Eirnin, the elf she’s fallen in love with, gets poisoned and Story sets out on a quest to find the antidote. I liked how in the course of the story, she slowly changes from a hot-headed, impulsive teenager to a more adult personality and also begins to realise the consequences of her actions.
The world continues to be intriguing – I particularly liked the Dwarves – and the title of the series ‘War of the Seasons’, which puzzled me in the first book, has now become clear. Of the supporting cast, I particularly liked Morigann and how you never quite know what to make of him. Being a suspicious reader, I actually expected more duplicity from him, but on the other hand the final twist of the book (I won’t give away what it was) did not take me by surprise.
And now onward to ‘The Hunter’!
Perhaps this is because what is at stake for the protagonist this time is much closer to the heart. Right at the beginning of the book, Eirnin, the elf she’s fallen in love with, gets poisoned and Story sets out on a quest to find the antidote. I liked how in the course of the story, she slowly changes from a hot-headed, impulsive teenager to a more adult personality and also begins to realise the consequences of her actions.
The world continues to be intriguing – I particularly liked the Dwarves – and the title of the series ‘War of the Seasons’, which puzzled me in the first book, has now become clear. Of the supporting cast, I particularly liked Morigann and how you never quite know what to make of him. Being a suspicious reader, I actually expected more duplicity from him, but on the other hand the final twist of the book (I won’t give away what it was) did not take me by surprise.
And now onward to ‘The Hunter’!
June 30, 2012
Janine Spendlove hits another one out of the park. This book is a gripping and difficult to put down as the first one.
In preparation of this book's release, I re-read The Human and the two songs, Girl and White Flag. I wanted to be familiar with the world. While Janine Spendlove referenced past events, she did not go into detail in this book things you would already know from book 1.
As I hoped this book not only lets you join Story on an adventure but once again shows you have complete a world Janine Spendlove wrote.
I look forward to the final book in this trilogy(reading them all together this time) and hope that there are several songs that help complete the picture of the world.
Oh yeah and I love, LOVE the dwarves. Seriously read this for them.
In preparation of this book's release, I re-read The Human and the two songs, Girl and White Flag. I wanted to be familiar with the world. While Janine Spendlove referenced past events, she did not go into detail in this book things you would already know from book 1.
As I hoped this book not only lets you join Story on an adventure but once again shows you have complete a world Janine Spendlove wrote.
I look forward to the final book in this trilogy(reading them all together this time) and hope that there are several songs that help complete the picture of the world.
Oh yeah and I love, LOVE the dwarves. Seriously read this for them.
November 22, 2012
Story's adventures in the magic land of Ailionora continue as Eirnan, her elvish betrothed and a member of the hunters clan, is stricken ill and comatose. Story must go on a quest to get a magical leaf from the fairy in charge of Autumn. Fairies are a treacherous lot on any case, and she needs the help of the fairy in charge of Spring to escort her on the journey. Well, the Spring fairy is every bit as problematic as the Autumnal one. Battles with centaurs, visionary dreams, and under groundtravels with dwarves add color and thrills to the quest. Story the half-human half-dryad is a character I love and want to cheer for. The ending sets up another sequel that I hope my good friend Janine finishes soon.
June 6, 2013
The tale of Story gets more interesting with each book as Janine develops a world that steps beyond the boundaries of our traditional definitions of Fairie. Story grows as a character in a very real way in that despite stepping up to all of the challenges that come at her, she still has all of the reservations, concerns and fears of a normal person. She makes bad choices, she makes mistakes and has regrets. Story's real power despite her half-breed heritage, connection with the Ailes and powerful allies is that she keeps trying. Looking forward to book three later this year.
February 27, 2015
An enjoyable and exciting sequel to The Human, this book steps up the action and the stakes, and broadens the world the series takes place in. We meet other Sidhe, dwarves, centaurs, etc. As befits the middle book in a series, things get more complicated, and things don't exactly resolve, leaving me no choice by to dive into the final volume. I really like the world, the story, and the characters - this is one series I am going to miss when it is over.
Want to read
May 19, 2013I just won a copy of this book on the giveaway, so I haven't read it (yet).
But I was not expecting to win this one because I haven't even read the first book in this series, so I hope I still will enjoy it.
It may be a while before I fully post a review because I am a college student. But when I finish the book I will put a review up.
But I was not expecting to win this one because I haven't even read the first book in this series, so I hope I still will enjoy it.
It may be a while before I fully post a review because I am a college student. But when I finish the book I will put a review up.
December 6, 2014
This is a much better book than the first one in the series. Although the stakes are much lower, the life of Story's fiance, an elf, rather than all elves, the personal dynamics are stronger as the faerie-lord who was the villain of the first book becomes more sympathetic here, to the point that Story finds herself actually attracted to him, causing some personal angst.
March 19, 2014
Ack! I finished this so long ago...guess it's been awhile since I've been on here! For a second book, this certainly ramped up the stakes and I was sincerely shocked at the turn of events in the final chapters! Can't wait to finish book #3 (just over halfway) and see how this all comes together!!!
May 31, 2015
WOW!!!!!!
OH MY GOD!!! This story just keeps getting better and better!!! I have a serious love hate relationship with Morrigann! I so love Story's character! Totally relatable. The ending was like WHAT!!!! Ready to dive into book 3!!
OH MY GOD!!! This story just keeps getting better and better!!! I have a serious love hate relationship with Morrigann! I so love Story's character! Totally relatable. The ending was like WHAT!!!! Ready to dive into book 3!!
June 30, 2012
My review can be seen at Wired's GeekMom blog:
http://www.wired.com/geekmom/2012/06/...
http://www.wired.com/geekmom/2012/06/...
July 21, 2012
Sweet easy read. Perfect for any season.
September 21, 2013
Easy Read. Excellent Story. Perfect for adults and teens alike.
January 18, 2014
I beta read this book and I absolutely loved the rough draft. I'm re-reading the final version now and still loving it!
February 21, 2013
I beta read this book and I absolutely loved the rough draft. I'm re-reading the final version now and still loving it!
October 14, 2013
A quick read. Follows a similar pattern to the first book.
January 17, 2014
I was enthralled by this story and eagerly followed Story through her journey to save her love.
January 13, 2014
I was making this face -- D: -- a lot. That's quality.
war-of-the-season
May 30, 2014how can I read it? pls help..
January 24, 2014
Good read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews