The Wizard in the Woods

Lords of Arcadia #2

by R. Lee Smith

Librarian Note: This is a newly-revised and updated cover for this book, provided by the author.

Since coming to the world of Arcadia to raise her baby griffin, Taryn MacTavish has had to overcome a lot of difficulties, but she’s finally beginning to feel welcome. She’s settled into her small camp in the Valley of Hoof and Horn, she’s earned the trust (and perhaps more) of the Cerosan lord who rules it, she’s been adopted by the mystical Morathi of kraal-Rucombe, and best of all, she’s made friends with the lonely magus who lives by the lake nearby…but her new friend is not what he seems. The mysterious man who has such an eerie, unshakeable grip on her thoughts is no man at all, but a merciless and ancient evil that hungers for her mind and lusts for her flesh.

THE WIZARD IN THE WOODS is the second exciting chapter of R. Lee Smith’s ground-breaking erotic series, Lords of Arcadia. Enter a dark world of fantasy and desire in a compelling story of good and evil as told by a master erotic storyteller.

And look for Lords of Arcadia: Book III
THE ROADS OF TARYN MACTAVISH

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Erotica, Paranormal, Magic, Dark, Dragons

361 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 17, 2010

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

What in the heck did I just read??!! The main character in this book is human and in the course of this story she has sexual contact with 8 different characters (all non-humans btw) and up until almost the end of the previous book SHE WAS A 20 SOMETHING VIRGIN WHO WAS SAVING SEX FOR ONLY SOMEONE SHE LOVED. And most of those were pity fucks on her part, I kid you not. What is that?!? This character didn't have a personality transplant so much as a vagina/libido transplant. I really like some other books by this author, but this is a big "no" for me.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

--

The Wizard in the Woods, more aptly titled "Taryn MacTavish Fucks Everyone EXCEPT the Wizard in the Woods."

This was such a weird, horny, tedious installment. The end of book one was so abrupt (suggesting Smith broke one massive manuscript into somewhat arbitrary chunks), but the beginning of book two was no better. We hit the ground running with the death of a well-liked character from book one, but then things got wild--and not in a good way.

Listen, I've got no problem with reverse-harem romances nor any variation thereof. It isn't my thing, but I respect that it works for a great number of people. My issue with Taryn getting physical with pretty much everybody in this installment is 1) it was to an egregious degree and 2) it didn't align with her characterization from book one. Taryn began the story as a virgin waiting for somebody she truly loved to have sex. Literally as soon as the ol' cherry is popped, though, she does a one-eighty and gets exceedingly generous with her body. The lady doles out sexual favors for pretty much any reason, though primarily due to pity. It wouldn't be so annoying if this was done with established characters we know Taryn to have (some) relationship with--but it wasn't, only. She bones a freaking god apropos of nothing, having talked to this immortal being for like five minutes before initiating weird astral sex.

That's chapter two, y'all. TWO. It does not get better from there.

Which, fine. Again, reverse-harem romance is a thing, and it certainly isn't wrong to bone whomsoever one chooses to bone. The LI, Antilles, is cool with it, I guess. So good for her.

The problem is . . . everyone wants Taryn. 80% of this book is the most exhausting, vain, totally smug recounting of "Super-mega-awesome-hot Taryn makes every single character lust after her through a combination of sex appeal, her (quite literally) peerless moral character, and awe-inspiring integrity." It was so boring. So ridiculous. So not satisfying. Even characters who by all rights ought to hate Taryn--who ought to have prejudices against her too deep to realistically uproot--want to fuck her. I got so tired of the endless scenes where Taryn does some unbelievably dumb shit (demonstrating her ~bravery~), or answers a riddle off the cuff (demonstrating her ~intelligence~), or bests some expert in arrow-shooting or rock-throwing or what the fuck ever (demonstrating her ~tenacity~ and ~resourcefulness~) and then having every character go "OMG. Goddess incarnate. Please ravish me."

And the worst thing is, the last 10-20% of the book--where an ACTUAL PLOT commences with the antagonist, the unnamed wizard--was good as hell! It was high action, well-written, tense. I wanted to keep reading. The depiction of the wizard's magic was creepy and genuinely menacing.

The writing during the first 80% was never bad on a technical level. It could actually be quite impressive, particularly in the dialogue. Yet, it was so pointless. I really desperately wish that 90% of the first 80% of the book had been cut, and the remaining 30% of book two tacked onto the end of book one. It would have given book one a far less sudden ending and eliminated a bunch of content that, quite frankly, sucked.

But, I'm going to move on to book three and see how things go. Mostly because Aisling is the best boy and I love him. He was barely featured in this book (because Smith went off the goddamn rails here, presumably while suffering from extreme Thirst), and I'm looking forward to more content featuring our little griffin. I figure it's got to happen eventually, right?

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I don't quite know how to rate this one? 2.5? 2.75?



I like the story at some points, and the writing is good- it keep me reading....but at the same time a lot of time the book just went in strange and weird directions.

And was it just me or was Taryn an unbearable Mary Sue in this book? Everything she did was so super speshul, everyone fawned over her, and everyone was in love with her. Basically she's just breaths and everyone is like..



Oh, and it kind of confused me that Taryn went from saving her virginity for that one person she loves, and kept talking about how love was so important- and then just a little bit later after she looses the big ole V-card she's hooking up with basically every other rando? And like three or four of the guys seemed like pity fucks that she did for them as a favor...like what? Like the Shepard, the guy who lost his mate, the River guardian, and the Nameless. Its kind of felt like aw you seem to need sex...lets have sex then...

Eh and don't get me started on the Magus. Bleh.

[Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

THIS SERIES PULLED ME INTO A MASSIVE SLUMP...

The Arcadia series is CHOCK-FULL of tropes I dislike

*beautiful, loved-by-everyone, too-goody-two-shoes-to-be-true heroine
*horses. I mean centaurs. Anyway ... horses.
*sheep
*sheep sex
*horse sex
*heroine has pity sex with everyone who gives her hints (but it's not because she's horny, but because she's ... kind. So odd)
*cats presented in a negative light
*heroine is TSTL and everyone agrees she needs to be protected from the realities of Arcadia
*heroine wants to solve everything by confronting it head on ... but alone. Because she doesn't want others to get hurt. She's a pacifist like that! But also really itching for a fight as long as it's just her VS the world. Did I mention she can't fight?


There is also a lot I am on board with

*interesting side characters and foreshadowing
*villain incel wizard (it's fun to see him suffering)
*a cat, transformed into a human form
*griffin baby being cute
*Tonka (he's a horse man but I like him)
*the story in between all the "living with horses/sheep/minotaurs" filler is actually somewaht interesting. Only the droughts are really long and the actual content is too sparse. I guess this whole series should have been 1 single novel.


Let's face it though I would have NEVER continued this series if this wasn't an R.Lee Smith series. I'm religiously reading everything she writes but TBH high fantasy stuff with four-legged love interests (or casual pity hook-ups in this case) with perfect heroine are not my thing :(


Pre-review


When the heroine is a beautiful, fundamentally good, reliable, Irish special snowflake (not like other girls!) who goes through life winsomely disheveled and everyone loves her ...



... I guess it's just the reader's duty to point out her bullshit at every chance.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing is fantastic; this author remains a favorite of mine. However, I felt the multitude of sex scenes with various partners to be gratuitous. Also, Taryn is loved by EVERYONE, including a god. Seriously, is there anything at all unlikable about this girl? She's a little too good to be true...

[Selena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a struggle to get through in some places and the MC was wasn't as awesome. The fact that everyone loved or wanted her got annoying. BUT the good parts were awesome and the last third or so really re hooked me into the story.

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid outing from one of my favorite authors. I don’t know quite how she does it, but Smith manages to take all the genre tropes I would normally find boring and/or annoying and spin them in such a way that they no longer register as exasperating, and instead allow me to spend my time enjoying the story for what it is. Although this book is chock full of things that can easily set people off (myself included); reverse harem, and dubious consent to name a few, I found myself more invested in the story and their addition to it rather then their typical eye rolling inducing natures.

The Wizard in the Woods picks up right where left off; although finally finding herself a part of the community, Taryn still struggles to survive independently all while raising her gryphen Aisling. Longing to make it on her own merits, Taryn’s commitment to struggle can make her a rather contentious character. After a particularly ‘circle of life’ opening Taryn begins book 2 rather melancholic, which lasts a substantial amount of time only to be followed by a devastating loss that propels her from one protracted sleepover to another. In one respect it’s nice because we get an introduction to many more of the creatures who live within the bounds of Arcadia, allowing Smith to highlight her ability to craft outstanding, multifaceted creature like characters, but in another respect it may detract from Taryn as a person.

Taryn, although strong of mouth in her convictions to perform to the best of her abilities no matter the situation, chooses to trust solely in Antilles and follow his directions of what is best, without fail. Now to me, this makes complete and utter sense and lends Taryn a level of maturity we’d be hard pressed to find elsewhere. She accepts that in this new world she is not accustomed to the very real dangers existing out there, and instead of hot headedly arguing with someone who has spent his entire life living in Arcadia and has suffered because of it, she employs her time better, acting as a well mannered houseguest across the land. But, in acting as a perpetual houseguest there is nothing really for Taryn to do aside from win over the local skeptics with her winning personality. Actually, I’m not truly bothered by it, but it does create this ‘everyone loves Mary Sue’ -esque situation each and every time someone else falls in love with her. However, because Taryn is very well characterized and the arguments that she employs to win people over are well thought out and right in line with the same mental strength she employs simply by living in a tent day in and day out, it works. This is more of an observation than anything else; to me, Taryn continues on ever forward as the hardworking golden girl of Arcadia. To me her hardships outweigh her perpetual adoration so she continues to be likable. I can also see where others might disagree.

Also it is important to note that these ‘men’ who find themselves changed by their interactions with Taryn, their relationship with her is not so simple as, ‘oh i didn’t see it that way, oh you’re smart, therefore I must love you’. Instead she manages to represent a novel experience to them. Their relationships are built on mutual understanding and burgeoning friendship. Although counter culture to anything we are used to or deem acceptable, her broadening of their horizons creates enduring relationships built upon stronger stuff then wafting hair and sassy come-backs.

Smith also plays a careful game here with her plot lines. At first glance there’s not a lot going on in Arcadia. Aside from the ever abhorrent wizard and his evil deeds, the majority of the word count rest in Taryn’s ambassadorship. Normally a lack of forward momentum in plot would annoy the bejeezus out of me, but there's so much more going on then initially makes itself known. I love that Antilles goes off doing who knows what interacting with his people. Although it removes him from the primary plot, it suggests that Arcadia is a functioning land with politics. It suggests that Smith is lining up more characters that will allow the story to progress ever forward. Every time he reappears mentioning species we have not interacted with yet I’m like - ‘gonna be important later’ and I get excited for things to come instead of bogged down by daily affairs.

Smith also manages to add a hint a new to scenes that would otherwise be repetitive. Take sleepover number two at Kraal-Rucombe. The initial thought may be ‘been there, down that’ except that the first time we visited in book one, in learning about the Farasai, there was brief mention of the Gathering, and though at first read it was nothing more then a tidbit to strengthen world building, the fact that Taryn stumbles upon it when you least expect it and is in turn introduced to Farasai from across the lands, makes her second visit to the Kraal another new experience for the reader because the situation has changed. New characters, new situational angst, and new perspectives which flesh out Arcadia and its controversial relationship with humans. Again these are not large moves, but for a book that relies heavily on characterization and character interaction, these little moves work just as well in terms of creating interest as the addition of a quest does in a plot heavy adventure.

I don't have much to say about the wizard. Suffice to say he’s appropriately creepy and evil. I truthfully find the climax of his storyline to be the most interesting part of all because it sets us up from a deeper look into what it really going on in Arcadia as we are introduced to a variety of characters that seem to be a lot stronger and unearthly than the typical run of the mill horse and sheep men.

The Lords of Arcadia is definitely a niche series, but I would argue that it’s a very well written niche series, the type that could sway a more conservative reader to take a walk on the wild side. It takes things that could be icky and gives them the substance needed to allow a reader to understand the importance of it within the confines of this story. It’s never going to be a book for everyone and even for the people who like the premise I can see how it could be described as slow and/or Mary Sue-ish, but to me it comes off introspective and thought provoking. I’m committed to this series. I found it enjoyable with moderate pacing. The characters are strong and mature of thought and I can’t wait to read the next. ***4 stalwart stars***

[Annica ⚡️ annica_reads_books ⚡️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating - 3.5.

There is no doubt that this is an earlier work of R. Lee Smith’s, and that she has grown as a writer since this particular book (Goodreads is showing that this was published in 2013, but that’s because of the updated cover, and this was originally published in 2010). I’m also committed to finishing this series because she is currently working on the final book. I also hear that the rest of the books coming up are fantastic. Taryn went from the virgin heroine in the first book, to fucking all the animals on the farm in Arcadia in this one. I didn’t quite understand the point. 😂 A lot of it could have been cut out.

Things I liked:

The last 20%
The magus and the fellcat (their contributions to the book, not them as individuals)
Aisling. Always.
Tonka

My advice to readers that are new to R. Lee Smith’s work - Start with a newer standalone, such as Cottonwood, Land of the Beautiful Dead, The Last Hour of Gann, or The Scholomance.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The central thesis of The Wizard in the Woods is that wizards are monsters. Not an immediately revolutionary thought but the more you take your time to digest it, the more you see its ugly truth.

I didn’t mention it in my review of the last book but I was very much struck by R Lee’s claim that ‘children are not full of wonder but of acceptance.’ Holy shit it’s true. And in some ways it is sad and changes how we view children. In others ways, one must wonder, ‘how did I forget that?’

Anyway, this is a book that plumbs the depths of hedonism.

So put on your robe and your wizard hat and envision the monsters of the realm, all of them, clawing at your door.

[Michelle [Helen Geek] · Rating 2 out of 5]

11/06/2013 --

Overall Rating = 2 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 3 / 3 = 3 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 2 Stars
Character Development = 2 Stars
Story Appreciation = 2.5 Stars
Worth the Chili = 2 Stars -- [$6.50 on Amazon]

I don't think this series is one I'll continue. Just not for me. I explained myself here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished this one, but I feel pretty much the same way here. This was a second in the series and I found the recap to bring the reader up to speed a bit clunky in places. Not my cuppa'

Happy Reading!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think we would have had something much stronger if these first two books had been combined and then edited down a bit. There was also a problem of shifting styles: sometimes it was trivial almost to the point of being silly and other times it was bracingly serious.

As others have pointed out, our heroine's modus operandi seemed to have changed suddenly and without warning. I was left baffled by the huge shifts in her personality and it was not convincing or as satisfying as it should have been. For a large book, some things happened way too quickly.

But, as flawed as this book was, there are some extremely fine moments. The development of Aisling the Griffin is funny and touching and perfectly paced throughout the story. R. Lee has an ability to offer just the right amount of explanation to a scene so that we are given a clear picture of what's happening without having all spelled out for us. She trusts the reader. Some of her descriptions of magic and supernatural occurrences are better than stuff I've read by best-selling authors.

I hear tell that the next book improves upon the weaknesses in the first two and I'm looking forward to that!

[Cogito_ergo_sum · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 36% (chapter 25)

I quit.

I tried to be patient, but there's only so much I can take of a story not really going anywhere. We have a bunch of scenes that I have no idea how they're relevant to the story. Not only that, there is so much weirdness in this story (and creepiness--the wizard, of course).

I loved "The Last Hour of Gann" but that's not enough for me to keep trying to read this story.

This story is more orientated towards an "explorer" type of book, and less geared towards plot. Here we have the MC wandering around Arcadia, meeting its people and discovering its geography. That's lovely and all, but I didn't see much of a point. I am a fan of character-and-plot. Emphasis on the plot.
I think this was called a "mileau" type of story.

I quit this series.

[cacinta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found myself extremely bored in between chapters. At this point I just want someone to spoil the next two books for me.

[Robbinette · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay I'm not saying this wasn't a good book it just wasn't for me. I think whenever she slept with over four different types of animal people it just was not for me, too weird.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knocked this down from 5 to 4 and I might be being kind for one reason alone. The story is fantastic and continues well from book 1. It is arguably better than book 1 too. The world building and character building is second to none. But the overuse of unnecessary and largely irrelevant sex is detracting and towards the end, adolescent.

R. Lee Smith would have a phenomenal series here and would easily pick up mainstream publishing I am sure if it were not for the overly explicit and graphic scenes.

[Denisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the previous one, and there are definitely some things you need to accept when reading this book.
Interesting, and eye-opening, to say the least.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeesh, I don’t know what to say again. I rounded up to four stars.

This book continues where the first left off. We are dealing with the Wizard throughout the story and his plans for Taryn and Aisling. Unlike the first book, this one had resolution at the end (hallelujah).

What I did not like was Taryn’s personality. I feel she was a completely different character than she was in the first. It was all very bizarre . I had a lot of eye-roll moments then would rejoice when the real Taryn showed up and my hopes were quickly dashed in bouts of giggles and shouts of love to the universe from this other Taryn. It was a rollercoaster for sure, two different Taryns battling for supremacy. Oi, this other Taryn had me face-palming at her antics. Bipolar much?

I recommend this book only for the resolution. It is a good place to end. I may read the third book in the series, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. I’m ok with where the second book left off and am not jumping to continue the story.

[Elia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great continuation of the past book. Characters were still likeable and i like the how the story is unfolding. My only gripe is with Taryn herself. Did she suffer a brain injury between the last book and this one.? Her character is completely different. She argues over EVERYTHING. If you aren't native to a world, why the hell wont you listen to those who are? If you are effectively squatting on someones land as she is, why the hell wont you OBEY the owner of said land? What makes her think she is a special snowflake that gets to do whatever she wants? And why does everyone want to sleep with her? I liked the story its just aggravating sometimes.

[Aingean · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Wizard in the Woods was a complete flop for me. There were whole sections that seemed utterly pointless. Taryn did a 180 ( even when she wasn't under the control of the wizard ) and I hardly recognized her from the first book. There just was not a whole lot to keep me interested. It took twice as long for me to finish the book than it usually would because I had to force my self to read it. I liked The Care and Feeding of Griffins but this one did it for me I probably will not be reading the third book of the series.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

After the first book, I was interested to learn more about Arcadia and the many populations of creatures there. Mostly I learned that they all like to have sex with the main character. It seems that Taryn uses sex as a way to solve problems, soothe conflict, hell just to change the subject. I'm not prudish, but was hoping for more than just a sexual tour of the land. I won't be moving on to the next in the series. At least the writing itself was fair and the grammar wasn't distracting.

[Coyora Dokusho · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loathe and despise the villain. That is all.

Nah, just kidding. It was great! Epic and cool! The feels! Adorable things remain adorable! There were lols!

[Mira · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly don't like this book.

However well written it cannot hide serious character flaws in our main heroine.

We get book one, where Taryn is a virgin, but we're constantly bombarded with "dreams" of her being sexually assaulted. She almost has a strange detachment to her sexuality, she doesn't really react to many of these experiences (those she can remember) and when a friend makes moves, she just says "it's okay." She's super passive and kinda just let things happen to her. It's really off-putting.



*SPOILERS AHEAD*

When she finally gives up her precious v-card, suddenly, it's game on. It's slut-olympics, and the only one not invited, is the wizard, ofc... Not to mention it's all pity fucks. They just have to make sad eyes at her and she'll let them use her body, she'll even suddenly be very into it. Cause she's so special and generous, and just want them to feel good.



The funniest thing is everyone around her know how selfish/arrogant/naive/impulsive she is, but they act like as long as she has good intentions it's okay. She's selfish in her naivete, as they say "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." Taryn is a brick layer, ignorantly laying down brick after brick without regards of how her actions may impact others in the future.

She likes to use her sexual favors as payment. Disguised as gifts of course. Don't want anyone thinking she's a whore. So quickly she discards her "human" upbringing and values, as soon as she's assured that Antilles won't stray from her bed, she's quick to jump the first cock presented. But it's ok, he doesn't mind.



Everyone starts out hating her, but eventually they all fall in love with her, ofc. She's perfect, she can do no wrong and must be protected by all costs... They barely know her yet would risk all their lives to protect her from a psychotic magus who wants her for his own.. Cause, everyone wants Taryn.



Instead of explaining to her what her actions are doing and let her choose for herself she's kept in the dark and just bubble-wrapped. She's constantly thinking about it and wanting to know and when she finally get a chance to find out what they are all keeping from her, she just lets it go. What was the point? Why must we suffer?



She's been away from Antilles a week and already had sex with 3 different males. Kissed a lot more, no count since there was a lot, so many her lips were bruised.. Yes.

When is this story going to be about Aisling again? He's been barely a passing thought throughout this book so far..



I can't say I am gonna read anything more, specially finding out she sends little Aisling to "boarding school" of sorts in the next book and so he's not even in it.... Wtf.. Do I wanna read Taryn pretend not to be a slut for another 600 pages, no thanks. I think she'll probably sleep with that dragon tho.. Who are we kidding ofc she will.

Also, I called it, she only pretends her "affections" are gifts, she called in two gifts in the end. Same day she calls in both.. LOL stop pretending you're not a whore Taryn I'd respect you more.

[Danielle (Danniegurl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars a bit….Anita Blake

So the book is really slow going and a lot about the relationships but not enough is spent seeing HOW exactly Taryn is being protected from the wizard nor do we see Tilly going to different places and doing his duties, which I kinda wanted to see to a degree. Sometimes things were inferred but not explained in case the audience didn’t pick it up, which I didn’t and highlighting that particular word or section didn’t net any results either as far as translations or whatever.

The book could greatly benefit from an editor. There are quite a few typos and a bit of continuity issues. The use of than in place of then for example as well.

Now the story of Taryn and how she is basically so nice, so kind, so caring, so loving. This girl who was a virgin in the last book is now suddenly a sex fiend. She’ll have sex with everyone, and I’m not knocking that at all, but she’s human and keeps having relations with the people of this land who aren’t completely human looking. So it didn’t quite bother me per se but I found it quite odd that Taryn was just so open to all of this so easily. Plus some of the people she lays with are not completely human in anatomy either so it makes suspending belief kinda difficult.

Overall the story is interesting though I honestly felt the resolution with the Wizard was too easy and I don’t understand why he was such a big bad for him to be given up by his mother. It’s weird. The whole book and series is weird. Like Anita Blake Merry Gentry level of weird. And I still read it lol.

The series isnt bad I just wish the more flowery writing was a bit more fine tuned the overall concept and idea work if there were some more breadcrumbs or explanations.

I’ll probably read the next one.

[Sandy✨mood reader✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know how to rate this so I’m going to go right down the middle. There were parts that felt a little novice—like, what in the plot is going on?—and other parts that were masterfully done. It’s a very kind of funny and interesting mix of smut and plot-heavy fantasy. It almost reads like a fan fiction of something. Definitely worth a read for R Lee Smith fans but I would not recommend it as a first read for someone being introduced to her work (try Land of the Beautiful Dead for that 🖤).

It wrapped up very neatly so I’m interested to see what the next book is about.

[Tash · Rating 3 out of 5]

tbh I’m only continuing for the writing, Aisling, and some of the side characters when they’re not fawning over Taryn.

the plot did nothing for me bc it didn’t exist until the last 20% or so, and I don’t like Taryn or her main love interest, hes incredibly blah and just ups and disappears so Taryn can get her freak on with other critters.

I never thought centaurs would make me feel uncomfortable but here we are.

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's that good

This was another really good one with a caveat. I really hate that they kept her in the dark for the whole book. From the start, that decision did more harm than good and left her vulnerable. The excuse used was a poor one. Yes, she faces danger head on when it's in her face, but pretty sure she would be smart enough not to attack a wizard who could easily kill her and everyone she loved. I think the story could have been told the same and just as well without keeping her ignorant. It just screamed dishonesty to me. It real it was my only issue with this series. In every other way, it's quite a great story. And normally I hate om/ow, but this one was done in a way that makes it an act of compassion that doesn't infringe on her relationship. They were actually all touching. That takes real talent there!

[Nemi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am really in two minds about this book. On one hand it is a nice continuation of the first book in the series and shares its strength (strong main character, good world building), on the other I really do not care about some of the choices the author made and often found myself bored, jumping over pages.
This book really shines when Taryn hangs out with the horsemen. If the whole book had been about that I would have been able to add maybe one star more. Those scenes are funny, heartfelt, feature interesting characters and plots and often had me put the book down to have a good laugh.

[Blue Bates · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was Anita Blake does bestiality.

[Caiti · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm gonna write something I never thought I’d write about a R Lee Smith book: this was hard work. For the first time ever I had a tough time getting through this text. I mean, give me Last Hour of Gann and if it wasn’t for needing to eat and sleep, I’d never put it down. It's literally never taken me this long to read one of their books.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good book. The writing and world building are standard Smith fabulousness – but there isn’t really a plot to this one, the characters just kinda wander around from event to event, with no end goal. There’s also no a lot of wizard for a book with wizard in the title, but is isn’t really a bad thing and I definitely didn’t miss the characters being mind raped the whole way through.

I really like Taryn and Aisling and I did enjoy their little adventures, but one thing I can’t get my head around is why everyone wants to screw her. Her relationship with Tilly is wonderful and they have great chemistry that built up throughout the first book, but the rest?

I kinda understand her intimacy with Tonka, particularly as this would be a natural part of his culture, it just didn’t really feel necessary for them do the horizontal tango. Its also made quite clear in the first book that he could hurt her during the whole process, something that isn’t taken into consideration at all.

The final coupling (thrupling?), also makes a bit of sense as she’s getting help in the process if I don't think about it too hard, but why would the dragon guy be even remotely interested (not that they have sex, but he’s apparently attracted)? Or the boatman? This characterisation also doesn’t sit with her own ideals in wanting to save herself for true love, something that is really hammered home throughout the first book and the beginning of this one.

The ending to the tale was incredibly satisfying, the idea that the wizard ends up stuck in a tree is fabulous and well deserved. This was the most exciting part of the book and was filled with tension and peril, it's just a shame it took up the last 2% or whatever of the story. Unfortunately, the rest of the text was…boring. It was nice to get to know more about the creatures in the valley and their cultures, but I became rather dull and difficult to get through. There are also some more too-stupid-to-live moments, which I’d really hoped we’d have gotten past. Also, not enough baby Aisling. Give us more.

So, I'm glad I’ve read this book, but am also glad it’s over. Onto the next one to see if Smith gets back into their normal amazing stride.

[Lo · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I finished the first book, I knew some strange things would happen in the second one. I'm not saying they were all bad. Ok, I wasn't expecting "Tilly" and I was so not expecting the Arkes. I was expecting A LOT from the magus (whom, I hated throughout this whole story, omg).

Ok, I really liked this book. And the first one. Like, sort of understand the sex. Or at least I want to understand. They're half-people? I'm not overthinking this, I refuse to do that. It's a fantasy book, and it's fantastic!

Four stars because it was a great read! I loved Taryn, I did! She's funny, and I sort of saw myself in her. Some of the stuff she did, I saw myself doing them. I'm not Irish--far from it (I'm Mexican, lol)! I'm not stubborn, also. If Antilles told me to stay out of the woods and away from the magus, I'd've listened. I don't have a death wish. But I get it! There wouldn't have been much of story if she'd been more like me, lol. (GOD, I'm boring.)

My favorite things were:

•the little challenges with the gold Tonka, that was awesome.
•her storytelling with Tilly, and their commentary.
•TILLY--come on, no matter what race he is, he's a romantic and I loved him.
•baby Aisling, cutie pie.
•Taryn's wit, her compassion, kindness

My least favorite things, and I'm going to be honest, I did skim some parts:

•the sheep-girls (i get it they're sheep-girls, it was funny and aggravating at the same time)
•sex with a centaur--excuse me, TWO centaurs. I'm still mentally slapping myself for wondering how that works cause I skimmed it and now I will never know)
•the Standing Stones

Things I'll admit: I pretended Tilly was a human with horns most of the time, sorry.

That's it. I really liked this book.