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Courtlight #1-3
Courtlight Series Boxed Set
This THREE NOVEL DIGITAL BOX SET - The Courtlight Series Book 1-3 (Sworn To Raise, Sworn To Transfer, Sworn To Conflict) - is over 800 pages (230,000 words).
Sworn To Raise
Seventeen-year-old Ciardis has grown up in poverty, a cleaner in a small vale on the outskirts of the empire. But beneath her empire's seemingly idyllic surface lies a hidden secret. Whispers of an inept crown Prince are growing ever louder--intensified by the five year anniversary of the soulbond initiations.
Amidst scandalous whispers, Ciardis finds herself chosen to train for the Companions Guild. She leaves her home and sets off on a personal journey to become a Court Companion. A position she'd never thought possible for a lowly servant to obtain, she must prove that she has the skills to attract a Patron.
But she must master those skills quickly. If the legends are true, only Ciardis can harness the power to raise a Prince in an Imperial Court sworn to bring him down.
Sworn To Transfer
Eighteen-year-old companion trainee Ciardis Weathervane has won the friendship of the royal heir and saved his claim to the throne. Yet her interference in the inheritance rights leaves more harm done than good. The Ameles Forest lies unprotected and it's inhabitants are dying.
As humans begin to die in gruesome deaths, the Emperor dispatches the royal heir to the forests with the solution to the kith concerns.
With enemies closing ranks in Sandrin, Ciardis can little afford to leave the city's nest of vipers to take on a new task. But she's given no choice when her loyalty to the crown and courts are called into question.
To keep the Companions' Guild happy and the favor of the Imperial Court, Ciardis will be tested in frightening new ways, especially when she's faced with an obstacle that could risk the lives of her friends and the family she never thought she had.
Sworn To Conflict
Ciardis Weathervane fought for the living dead and won. But worse than taking on a mass murderer, was her discovery that she had been deceived by her friends. Now she needs to not only fight a war in the North and survive, but also decide where she stands in the midst of competing sides.
A threat to all she holds dear lies in the North and her heart is not the only thing she might lose. A massive army awaits in the mountain pass, surging closer to the gates of the southern lands. Nothing the Algardis army has done so far has dissuaded their march forward and Ciardis finds out that her powers to enhance are needed now more than ever.
As she faces her greatest fears on the battlefields and her heart is torn between her love of Sebastian and loyalty to her family, Ciardis must choose her fate carefully. For in her path, lies the destiny of the empire.
GET ALL THREE BESTSELLING NOVELS in one Digital Box Set.
Sworn To Raise
Seventeen-year-old Ciardis has grown up in poverty, a cleaner in a small vale on the outskirts of the empire. But beneath her empire's seemingly idyllic surface lies a hidden secret. Whispers of an inept crown Prince are growing ever louder--intensified by the five year anniversary of the soulbond initiations.
Amidst scandalous whispers, Ciardis finds herself chosen to train for the Companions Guild. She leaves her home and sets off on a personal journey to become a Court Companion. A position she'd never thought possible for a lowly servant to obtain, she must prove that she has the skills to attract a Patron.
But she must master those skills quickly. If the legends are true, only Ciardis can harness the power to raise a Prince in an Imperial Court sworn to bring him down.
Sworn To Transfer
Eighteen-year-old companion trainee Ciardis Weathervane has won the friendship of the royal heir and saved his claim to the throne. Yet her interference in the inheritance rights leaves more harm done than good. The Ameles Forest lies unprotected and it's inhabitants are dying.
As humans begin to die in gruesome deaths, the Emperor dispatches the royal heir to the forests with the solution to the kith concerns.
With enemies closing ranks in Sandrin, Ciardis can little afford to leave the city's nest of vipers to take on a new task. But she's given no choice when her loyalty to the crown and courts are called into question.
To keep the Companions' Guild happy and the favor of the Imperial Court, Ciardis will be tested in frightening new ways, especially when she's faced with an obstacle that could risk the lives of her friends and the family she never thought she had.
Sworn To Conflict
Ciardis Weathervane fought for the living dead and won. But worse than taking on a mass murderer, was her discovery that she had been deceived by her friends. Now she needs to not only fight a war in the North and survive, but also decide where she stands in the midst of competing sides.
A threat to all she holds dear lies in the North and her heart is not the only thing she might lose. A massive army awaits in the mountain pass, surging closer to the gates of the southern lands. Nothing the Algardis army has done so far has dissuaded their march forward and Ciardis finds out that her powers to enhance are needed now more than ever.
As she faces her greatest fears on the battlefields and her heart is torn between her love of Sebastian and loyalty to her family, Ciardis must choose her fate carefully. For in her path, lies the destiny of the empire.
GET ALL THREE BESTSELLING NOVELS in one Digital Box Set.
731 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2013
1415 people are currently reading
3640 people want to read
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Terah Edun
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
December 31, 2015
I think I have learned my lesson when it comes to downloading free ebooks. I certainly got what I paid for.
Where do I begin. The sentences that didn't make any sense no matter how many times you read them? The spelling mistakes? The blatant typos?
And the intrigue? (Um, what intrigue?) Seriously. The story wasn't compelling or well written even if you look beyond the flaws in the writing mechanics.
So bad that I couldn't look away. At least I finished it. Mostly because I believed it had to get better. Trust me. It didn't.
Where do I begin. The sentences that didn't make any sense no matter how many times you read them? The spelling mistakes? The blatant typos?
And the intrigue? (Um, what intrigue?) Seriously. The story wasn't compelling or well written even if you look beyond the flaws in the writing mechanics.
So bad that I couldn't look away. At least I finished it. Mostly because I believed it had to get better. Trust me. It didn't.
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February 15, 2015Free on Amazon today!
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January 2, 2017
Is this book a first draft? I'm so confused. There are so many mistakes that I'm finding it very hard to believe that Edun is a New York Times best seller.
There are words missing, grammatical mistakes, needless repetition and inconsistencies that make this series very difficult to read.
To give one example- Ciardias, the protagonists, is walking around looking at Griffin and other magical creatures. Then a couple of pages later Ciardias is confused and doesn't know what a griffin is and is acting as if she is seeing one for the first time.
Also, a lot of parts in this series seem very glossed over and there's no depth to anything, which again is why at first I thought maybe this was a new author's attempt at a story outline.
Sticking to the Griffin example- Ciardias helps the Griffin give birth, complains the whole time, is disgusted that she's dirty and then in the next book she refers to the Griffin as her good friend.
It's also very confusing how Edun can't seem to decide and stick to how she refers to her characters.
Two stars because I can't get over the fact that this is supposedly written by a best selling author.
There are words missing, grammatical mistakes, needless repetition and inconsistencies that make this series very difficult to read.
To give one example- Ciardias, the protagonists, is walking around looking at Griffin and other magical creatures. Then a couple of pages later Ciardias is confused and doesn't know what a griffin is and is acting as if she is seeing one for the first time.
Also, a lot of parts in this series seem very glossed over and there's no depth to anything, which again is why at first I thought maybe this was a new author's attempt at a story outline.
Sticking to the Griffin example- Ciardias helps the Griffin give birth, complains the whole time, is disgusted that she's dirty and then in the next book she refers to the Griffin as her good friend.
It's also very confusing how Edun can't seem to decide and stick to how she refers to her characters.
Two stars because I can't get over the fact that this is supposedly written by a best selling author.
September 14, 2015
I'm probably overgenerous most of the time with stars - I started to give these books 3 stars and then thought "I liked it" was too much, and downgraded to "it was okay".
I'd call this Nancy Drew meets Fantasy, only not as well written. I did finish them, so they aren't impossible to read, and there are a few bright spots in an otherwise simple landscape/story line.
If you want something light that doesn't tax your brain too much, especially if you get them for free, they may fill the bill.
I'd call this Nancy Drew meets Fantasy, only not as well written. I did finish them, so they aren't impossible to read, and there are a few bright spots in an otherwise simple landscape/story line.
If you want something light that doesn't tax your brain too much, especially if you get them for free, they may fill the bill.
August 27, 2021
Save your time
This book was a tough one to get through. So many spelling mistakes, Grammer errors, and plot holes. It was like the writer forgot what she wrote and would change what she wrote or didn’t realize she wrote something in the previous chapter that contradicted it. Honestly the only reason I finished it is because I hate leaving books unfinished. I don’t understand how this was a best seller.
This book was a tough one to get through. So many spelling mistakes, Grammer errors, and plot holes. It was like the writer forgot what she wrote and would change what she wrote or didn’t realize she wrote something in the previous chapter that contradicted it. Honestly the only reason I finished it is because I hate leaving books unfinished. I don’t understand how this was a best seller.
February 10, 2016
The concept and world-building were interesting enough that I was willing to overlook the blatant and sometimes jarring grammatical mistakes - which says a lot because I am a grammar snob and often abandon books for lesser grammatical issues than what I found in this series. I got the books for free from the Amazon eBook marketplace, so I figured they were in dire need of an editor or two (I'm not new to the freeBooks on Amazon). And the story did progress and get more interesting by the end of the third book. There were a lot of interesting details about a very complex society/world packed into the narrative so needing so many volumes to complete the narrative/plot is conceivable to me (unlike some multi-volume and installment narratives that draw it out precisely to make more money). And there wasn't a "surprise" cliffhanger for me because I was aware that there were more volumes to follow (and by the time I got to the end of the third, I just didn't care any more). All in all, I was willing to overlook a lot of issues and even initially willing to pay for the volumes to complete the narrative; however...
By the end of the third book, while other characters had grown and developed in the face of the challenges in the book, I do not feel like Ciardis grew, developed, or changed as a person. That was the main factor that discouraged me from reading any further. She had developed skills and gained powers, she even made a few "friends" and allies, but throughout all three stories, I found her personal character and sense of appropriate behavior to be lacking. She just seemed to careen from event to event without learning anything really meaningful, without contemplating the repercussions of her own behaviors. There was no desire to change, just ego. How boring! By the end of the third volume, I honestly had zero investment in her outcome in the narrative - so why would I care to continue? The plot revolved around her so completely that once interest in her was severed, there was little else compelling me to continue.
The whole situation surrounding Ciardis' sponsor/mentor's personality and behavior and her alternate personality that is discovered toward the end of the three-volume collection is just too much of a stretch for me to accept. It feels more plausible that the supposed "mentor" has multiple personality disorder than that she is someone else (don't want to spoil it) in disguise. So it was hard for me to empathize with any of Ciardis' decisions and reactions relating to that big reveal. It may have driven the plot and added intrigue, but it felt forced, fake, and quite unbelievable.
And, honestly, just as an aside, I find Ciardis to be one of the worst names I have ever read. It reminded me too much of Cialis (the erectile dysfunction medication), which might suit her vocation just fine, but I don't think it's very pretty and makes for a very distracting name. I ended up just reading her name as "C" - because Ciardis just made me think of ED commercials/infomercials!
By the end of the third book, while other characters had grown and developed in the face of the challenges in the book, I do not feel like Ciardis grew, developed, or changed as a person. That was the main factor that discouraged me from reading any further. She had developed skills and gained powers, she even made a few "friends" and allies, but throughout all three stories, I found her personal character and sense of appropriate behavior to be lacking. She just seemed to careen from event to event without learning anything really meaningful, without contemplating the repercussions of her own behaviors. There was no desire to change, just ego. How boring! By the end of the third volume, I honestly had zero investment in her outcome in the narrative - so why would I care to continue? The plot revolved around her so completely that once interest in her was severed, there was little else compelling me to continue.
The whole situation surrounding Ciardis' sponsor/mentor's personality and behavior and her alternate personality that is discovered toward the end of the three-volume collection is just too much of a stretch for me to accept. It feels more plausible that the supposed "mentor" has multiple personality disorder than that she is someone else (don't want to spoil it) in disguise. So it was hard for me to empathize with any of Ciardis' decisions and reactions relating to that big reveal. It may have driven the plot and added intrigue, but it felt forced, fake, and quite unbelievable.
And, honestly, just as an aside, I find Ciardis to be one of the worst names I have ever read. It reminded me too much of Cialis (the erectile dysfunction medication), which might suit her vocation just fine, but I don't think it's very pretty and makes for a very distracting name. I ended up just reading her name as "C" - because Ciardis just made me think of ED commercials/infomercials!
January 22, 2016
1. The book set was free for my kindle. I love reading and the more free books I get the better. USUALLY.
2. I am not a harsh reader, if the book keeps me entertained long enough to want to finish it then I will generally say it was good. However, when I found myself constantly checking to see where I was and how long I had left in each chapter I should have permanately closed the set.
3. I am unsure if it was some kind of publication error or if was becuase of the author but all three books are FILLED with typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues that drove me absolutely crazy. There are so many that after the first book I was forced to assume something went wrong rather then poor editing in publication and author.
4. It only gets 2 stars becuase the story itself was not terrible. While predictable, it carried a sense of originality that. This magic was different, each character given a specific trait. There were humans and magical creatures and bad people and good people. However, there was nothing NEW or EXCITING about them. just different.
5. The books all started decenly and slowly got worse and worse, it was almost as if the writter had nothing left to say and threw in a wild event to conclude the book. Each one aburtply ended with a wild activity that took barely more then a couple of pages.
Basically: Teen fiction at its worst.
2. I am not a harsh reader, if the book keeps me entertained long enough to want to finish it then I will generally say it was good. However, when I found myself constantly checking to see where I was and how long I had left in each chapter I should have permanately closed the set.
3. I am unsure if it was some kind of publication error or if was becuase of the author but all three books are FILLED with typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues that drove me absolutely crazy. There are so many that after the first book I was forced to assume something went wrong rather then poor editing in publication and author.
4. It only gets 2 stars becuase the story itself was not terrible. While predictable, it carried a sense of originality that. This magic was different, each character given a specific trait. There were humans and magical creatures and bad people and good people. However, there was nothing NEW or EXCITING about them. just different.
5. The books all started decenly and slowly got worse and worse, it was almost as if the writter had nothing left to say and threw in a wild event to conclude the book. Each one aburtply ended with a wild activity that took barely more then a couple of pages.
Basically: Teen fiction at its worst.
February 16, 2015
So many things wrong with this book.
The writing was very poor.
Too many new concepts about the world introduced at once, with little explanation.
The characters were undefined and bland.
The plot was extremely vague and directionless.
There was no conflict.
I barely finished the first book and have no intention of ever reading the other books.
The writing was very poor.
Too many new concepts about the world introduced at once, with little explanation.
The characters were undefined and bland.
The plot was extremely vague and directionless.
There was no conflict.
I barely finished the first book and have no intention of ever reading the other books.
November 24, 2016
2.5
I was pleasantly surprised by book 1, bored by a lot of book 2, and confused and fed up by book 3. I won't be reading any more of this series.
There are formatting issues that were jarring but still readable. Multiple typos.
I was pleasantly surprised by book 1, bored by a lot of book 2, and confused and fed up by book 3. I won't be reading any more of this series.
There are formatting issues that were jarring but still readable. Multiple typos.
Want to read
August 24, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/24/2020)! 🎁
February 2, 2015
I 'bought' the boxed set for free. I got what I paid for. Terah Edun has a great imagination, and with a good editor, she'd have some terrific stories. She gets 3 stars from me because that's the average of an almost 5 star storyline and a 1 star grammar line.
The books almost read like a first draft, though I'll give her the benefit of the doubt on that one.
Ciardis, our heroine, is an orphan and grows up scrappy in order to survive. A Companion comes to town and takes her to the Guild to be trained as another Companion. The training fell flat in many areas, Ciardis was always being told to watch herself, but no one ever explained HOW or WHY she needed to act, only that she needed to change. No one really explained to her (or the reader) what a Companion was, either. A Broodmare? A 'Trophy' wife? Someone to accompany the highest bidder to the ball? A Helpmeet? Lots of hints but nothing concrete. She reads the dossiers of her 'suitors' but what is she looking for? And why?
On her 18th birthday, her magic powers come to fruition. She is a powerful mage, and again, is not given the training she needs, just told she needs to behave herself.
Outside of the grammar mistakes on nearly every page, the biggest problem for me was there was no cost to any of the mages for the use of their magic. Only the Prince Heir, at the last, paid a price for his magic. Magic was so freely used in these stories it became, well, mundane.
There were characters introduced who disappeared, characters I would have enjoyed seeing more of, especially the dragons.
A lot of action, but not all of it explained well. A lot of Ciardis acting like a snot-nosed brat, a lot of her going off on her own. She doesn't grow much, and she doesn't pay much of a price for it. Oh, she's on the death list of someone, but we know she'll survive.
Some romance, but not a novel of romance. Ciardis, the orphan discovers she has a brother, and then discovers her mother still lives, but has lived while hiding in plain sight.
If you like high fantasy, don't mind some of the plot holes, and can deal with the grammar errors, I'll recommend this set, especially at the price. I think this author has a lot to offer, especially if she teams with a good editor.
The books almost read like a first draft, though I'll give her the benefit of the doubt on that one.
Ciardis, our heroine, is an orphan and grows up scrappy in order to survive. A Companion comes to town and takes her to the Guild to be trained as another Companion. The training fell flat in many areas, Ciardis was always being told to watch herself, but no one ever explained HOW or WHY she needed to act, only that she needed to change. No one really explained to her (or the reader) what a Companion was, either. A Broodmare? A 'Trophy' wife? Someone to accompany the highest bidder to the ball? A Helpmeet? Lots of hints but nothing concrete. She reads the dossiers of her 'suitors' but what is she looking for? And why?
On her 18th birthday, her magic powers come to fruition. She is a powerful mage, and again, is not given the training she needs, just told she needs to behave herself.
Outside of the grammar mistakes on nearly every page, the biggest problem for me was there was no cost to any of the mages for the use of their magic. Only the Prince Heir, at the last, paid a price for his magic. Magic was so freely used in these stories it became, well, mundane.
There were characters introduced who disappeared, characters I would have enjoyed seeing more of, especially the dragons.
A lot of action, but not all of it explained well. A lot of Ciardis acting like a snot-nosed brat, a lot of her going off on her own. She doesn't grow much, and she doesn't pay much of a price for it. Oh, she's on the death list of someone, but we know she'll survive.
Some romance, but not a novel of romance. Ciardis, the orphan discovers she has a brother, and then discovers her mother still lives, but has lived while hiding in plain sight.
If you like high fantasy, don't mind some of the plot holes, and can deal with the grammar errors, I'll recommend this set, especially at the price. I think this author has a lot to offer, especially if she teams with a good editor.
June 19, 2014
First sentences
Book 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 1 Ciardis Vane watched the townspeople jeering as the local Gardis strapped the highwayman into the stocks. Frowning Ciardis wormed her way closer to the front of the crowd, straining to get a peek at the criminal. She felt no pity for the condemned man; he would die tonight, regardless of her feelings. The nightwolves were already pacing, their shadowed forms just visible in the dense tree line, waiting for darkness to fall. Without the protection of the house wards, the highwayman would be defenseless locked in the stocks. I wish I could say it will be a quick death, she thought with clinical detachment, but they'll probably go for his guts first . The man deserved no less than death in any case; he had done nothing but steal from— and sometimes kill— those who traveled the Imperial coach roads . "Stand and deliver," indeed! Ciardis pushed back her heavy brown curls with a sun-bronzed hand. Turning slightly to the side she whispered about his crime with the other washer maids who'd come to see the spectacle. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pinch on her wrist. Turning to see who had interrupted her entertainment, she looked over and frowned down at the younger woman who now stood by her side. Wringing her hands anxiously, Margaret looked up at Ciardis and gave a quick jerk of her head to the side to indicate they should speak outside the crowd. "You'll want to hear this firsthand, Ciardis," Margaret said with urgency. "All right , all right," Ciardis muttered as they made their way out of the crowd and down to the washer station with a few other girls trailing behind. The slight blonde woman who scurried next to her was a great source of village gossip, and Ciardis knew that whatever she had to say would be worth leaving the spectacle in the midst of the judge’s punishment. To Ciardis, a good piece of gossip was as welcome as spun gold... usually.
Edun, Terah (2013-12-14). Courtlight Series Boxed Set (Books 1, 2, 3) (Kindle Locations 53-67). . Kindle Edition.
Book 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 1 Ciardis Vane watched the townspeople jeering as the local Gardis strapped the highwayman into the stocks. Frowning Ciardis wormed her way closer to the front of the crowd, straining to get a peek at the criminal. She felt no pity for the condemned man; he would die tonight, regardless of her feelings. The nightwolves were already pacing, their shadowed forms just visible in the dense tree line, waiting for darkness to fall. Without the protection of the house wards, the highwayman would be defenseless locked in the stocks. I wish I could say it will be a quick death, she thought with clinical detachment, but they'll probably go for his guts first . The man deserved no less than death in any case; he had done nothing but steal from— and sometimes kill— those who traveled the Imperial coach roads . "Stand and deliver," indeed! Ciardis pushed back her heavy brown curls with a sun-bronzed hand. Turning slightly to the side she whispered about his crime with the other washer maids who'd come to see the spectacle. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pinch on her wrist. Turning to see who had interrupted her entertainment, she looked over and frowned down at the younger woman who now stood by her side. Wringing her hands anxiously, Margaret looked up at Ciardis and gave a quick jerk of her head to the side to indicate they should speak outside the crowd. "You'll want to hear this firsthand, Ciardis," Margaret said with urgency. "All right , all right," Ciardis muttered as they made their way out of the crowd and down to the washer station with a few other girls trailing behind. The slight blonde woman who scurried next to her was a great source of village gossip, and Ciardis knew that whatever she had to say would be worth leaving the spectacle in the midst of the judge’s punishment. To Ciardis, a good piece of gossip was as welcome as spun gold... usually.
Edun, Terah (2013-12-14). Courtlight Series Boxed Set (Books 1, 2, 3) (Kindle Locations 53-67). . Kindle Edition.
October 5, 2016
3.5 stars!
The Courtlight series by Terah Edun transports you to a world of magic and adventure.
Ciardis is an orphaned girl living in a remote village. She has to fight for everything she has in life, until one day Selena comes and whisks her away to train to become a companion. Ciardis begins to discover powers in her world that she could have never dreamed of. The most surprising power she discovers is the one within herself.
Ciardis seems to always get in trouble by either running her mouth or jumping into situations that she shouldn’t. The adventurous side of her surely would have gotten her kicked out of the Companions Guild if not for her rare powers that everyone seemed to need. I really enjoyed discovering her world in the first book but by the third I did not like her a much, luckily I liked her companions much more to keep me reading.
Ciardis was a cocky girl but she was also naive. She did not understand things that people would try to explain to her and often needed to be told multiple times. It was a frustrating quality when paired with her cocky attitude. I guess all teenagers seem to know everything even when they are clueless.
I enjoyed Sebastian the most. He seemed to have the most level head on his shoulders and always tried to make the best most ethical decisions. His strength and understanding complimented Ciardis and provided her with what she lacked.
Overall, I enjoyed the world created. I enjoyed the story lines, but wished that they had a little more depth and surprise. The ending of the third book was very interesting, and leaves room for a very exciting fourth book. I love stories with a happy ending and this seemed to have everything you would look for in a happy ending.
The Courtlight series by Terah Edun transports you to a world of magic and adventure.
Ciardis is an orphaned girl living in a remote village. She has to fight for everything she has in life, until one day Selena comes and whisks her away to train to become a companion. Ciardis begins to discover powers in her world that she could have never dreamed of. The most surprising power she discovers is the one within herself.
Ciardis seems to always get in trouble by either running her mouth or jumping into situations that she shouldn’t. The adventurous side of her surely would have gotten her kicked out of the Companions Guild if not for her rare powers that everyone seemed to need. I really enjoyed discovering her world in the first book but by the third I did not like her a much, luckily I liked her companions much more to keep me reading.
Ciardis was a cocky girl but she was also naive. She did not understand things that people would try to explain to her and often needed to be told multiple times. It was a frustrating quality when paired with her cocky attitude. I guess all teenagers seem to know everything even when they are clueless.
I enjoyed Sebastian the most. He seemed to have the most level head on his shoulders and always tried to make the best most ethical decisions. His strength and understanding complimented Ciardis and provided her with what she lacked.
Overall, I enjoyed the world created. I enjoyed the story lines, but wished that they had a little more depth and surprise. The ending of the third book was very interesting, and leaves room for a very exciting fourth book. I love stories with a happy ending and this seemed to have everything you would look for in a happy ending.
September 8, 2017
Interesting storyline, but...
These books have an intriguing storyline, but there are so many errors. Grammar issues, funky comma usage, incomplete sentences, strange word usage (words that don't mean what the author is trying to say. Example: a character is killing someone slowly and it says he had a "sick, almost sexual, grin." Personally, I would have put that he had a sadistic grin), and other errors. It's also inconsistent. One minute, Ciardis is angry at the prince for having allowed people to torture her, and the next she is falling into his arms. Ciardis's character is inconsistent, and I really don't like her. The "bad guys" in this story keep being changed. One minute it's the kith (nonhuman creatures), the next it's the emperor. Two sentences later it's suddenly the kith again. The story kept flip flopping constantly. The Daemoni are evil, oh wait, they are suddenly good again, but hold on, they are still super evil and you need to watch your back. I understand that the author is trying to keep the reader on their toes, and that a little mystery is important, but some consistency would be appreciated. One thing that I thought was funny was the "old language" in these books is German. Bluttgott, however, is Luxembourgish. So maybe it's Luxembourgish, which is close enough to German anyway.
These books have an intriguing storyline, but there are so many errors. Grammar issues, funky comma usage, incomplete sentences, strange word usage (words that don't mean what the author is trying to say. Example: a character is killing someone slowly and it says he had a "sick, almost sexual, grin." Personally, I would have put that he had a sadistic grin), and other errors. It's also inconsistent. One minute, Ciardis is angry at the prince for having allowed people to torture her, and the next she is falling into his arms. Ciardis's character is inconsistent, and I really don't like her. The "bad guys" in this story keep being changed. One minute it's the kith (nonhuman creatures), the next it's the emperor. Two sentences later it's suddenly the kith again. The story kept flip flopping constantly. The Daemoni are evil, oh wait, they are suddenly good again, but hold on, they are still super evil and you need to watch your back. I understand that the author is trying to keep the reader on their toes, and that a little mystery is important, but some consistency would be appreciated. One thing that I thought was funny was the "old language" in these books is German. Bluttgott, however, is Luxembourgish. So maybe it's Luxembourgish, which is close enough to German anyway.
July 24, 2015
I am not sure how I feel about this series. While I like the overall idea and many of the characters are interesting, I am not quite compelled with it as I had hoped. In a lot of ways, it feels like the author is not quite sure what type of story this is. It jumps around to a lot of different story lines, but not in a way that feels cohesive. Another issue I have is that a lot of the dialogue feels the same; that the characters don't exactly have their own voice.
As far as the characters go, I do find them interesting from what we are given, but I feel that a bit more character development could have went into the books. I liked the idea of the Companions Guild and the first book was very intriguing, but I felt it moved into the politics and war a bit too quickly. That would be my greatest complaint, truthfully. I feel if the pacing of the story were slowed down a little more I would have had time to appreciate the characters and story development a bit more.
All of that aside, this was a nice series to read, especially given that it was a free download from Amazon, but I don't think I would be buying it.
As far as the characters go, I do find them interesting from what we are given, but I feel that a bit more character development could have went into the books. I liked the idea of the Companions Guild and the first book was very intriguing, but I felt it moved into the politics and war a bit too quickly. That would be my greatest complaint, truthfully. I feel if the pacing of the story were slowed down a little more I would have had time to appreciate the characters and story development a bit more.
All of that aside, this was a nice series to read, especially given that it was a free download from Amazon, but I don't think I would be buying it.
August 26, 2015
The first half of this series is a little slow but incredibly enticing! It sets the backdrop and develops the important characters before getting into the bulk of the story line. I found it because it was recommended and compared to Harry Potter on Facebook. After just starting book six in this series, I can tell you that in my opinion, the story varies drastically from Harry Potter, mages as opposed to wizards and witches. All in all, it has me hooked!!
August 6, 2016
The plot is really starting to get interesting by book 3. The style is a little stilted and jumpy, as in I sometimes get confused and have to reread to make sure I didn't miss anything. In spite of this, the characters and the developing plots are intriguing enough to draw me in. I will be buying the next one.
January 10, 2015
Brook 1, 2, and 3
To bad the author did not have either a good editor or at least read her manuscript out loud so that she could catch the poor grammar, extra,unnecessary words and phrases. When the reader is able to make sense of the language, the story finally manages to come through. I
was disappointed in the numerous mistakes in what should have a good read!!
To bad the author did not have either a good editor or at least read her manuscript out loud so that she could catch the poor grammar, extra,unnecessary words and phrases. When the reader is able to make sense of the language, the story finally manages to come through. I
was disappointed in the numerous mistakes in what should have a good read!!
December 28, 2017
This is from my personal notes:
This was the first three books in a series. Hmmm… There were things I liked about this series and things about the writing that bothered me. I guess I found it uneven. There were small editing and proofreading errors. There were times when the author told me instead of showing me. There were times when things whipped around too quickly and there were times when the author belaboured a point almost to redundancy. There were also character inconsistencies, however, as we uncover more about the plots and the lies, some of these inconsistencies are being explained. The MC is pretty impetuous, as a lot of 17/18 yr old girls can be, but she also has a big degree of immaturity about her at times as well. Yes, girls that age can be immature, but... Being the shunned orphan in town, her chances for developing her social skills were probably limited, but that sort of a situation can also often make a person grow up quickly. ?? IDK. There are so many twists it's dizzying at times and hard to keep track of who is a friend, who's an enemy, who are the frenemies etc etc etc. There's also the fact that, although the MC is not quite an unreliable narrator, her poor character judgement in some situations gives you a false sense of where she and, by extension, you fit in with certain characters and situations. It makes it an interesting ride.
This was the first three books in a series. Hmmm… There were things I liked about this series and things about the writing that bothered me. I guess I found it uneven. There were small editing and proofreading errors. There were times when the author told me instead of showing me. There were times when things whipped around too quickly and there were times when the author belaboured a point almost to redundancy. There were also character inconsistencies, however, as we uncover more about the plots and the lies, some of these inconsistencies are being explained. The MC is pretty impetuous, as a lot of 17/18 yr old girls can be, but she also has a big degree of immaturity about her at times as well. Yes, girls that age can be immature, but... Being the shunned orphan in town, her chances for developing her social skills were probably limited, but that sort of a situation can also often make a person grow up quickly. ?? IDK. There are so many twists it's dizzying at times and hard to keep track of who is a friend, who's an enemy, who are the frenemies etc etc etc. There's also the fact that, although the MC is not quite an unreliable narrator, her poor character judgement in some situations gives you a false sense of where she and, by extension, you fit in with certain characters and situations. It makes it an interesting ride.
January 17, 2020
I feel bad for only giving this book 2 stars but I just couldn't go higher.
I got this box set for free and thought it was only a trilogy so tried insanely hard to get them finished. I didn't find out until afterwards that there is still many more in the series and I won't be reading them. I normally try to finish a series once I've started it in the hope the books get better but this one just doesn't.
The world premise was intriguing but it wasn't written well enough to build it up enough. The characters were very one dimensional and at times predictable. The plot twists felt far fetched and purposely thrown in to keep the reader interested because there was nothing else going on.
At times the storyline was way too jumpy because too much happened behind the scenes and you were told about it instead of shown it.
The story was also super slow until something happened and then it happened too fast and there was no real build up.
The editing, or should I say lack of, also hurt my soul too much.
I got this box set for free and thought it was only a trilogy so tried insanely hard to get them finished. I didn't find out until afterwards that there is still many more in the series and I won't be reading them. I normally try to finish a series once I've started it in the hope the books get better but this one just doesn't.
The world premise was intriguing but it wasn't written well enough to build it up enough. The characters were very one dimensional and at times predictable. The plot twists felt far fetched and purposely thrown in to keep the reader interested because there was nothing else going on.
At times the storyline was way too jumpy because too much happened behind the scenes and you were told about it instead of shown it.
The story was also super slow until something happened and then it happened too fast and there was no real build up.
The editing, or should I say lack of, also hurt my soul too much.
February 9, 2024
Book 1: Sworn to Raise (3/5⭐️)
Book 1 has a painfully slow start for such a short book. It kind of feels like a companion novel or a spin-off of an existing series, because the world building is written as if the reader should have known some of the basics already. It's nothing I haven't read before, but the characters are pretty interesting, so I would keep going - although I'm not sure if I will end up reading all 13 books.
Book 2: Sworn to Transfer (3.5/5⭐️)
The story is starting to pace up and although it takes everything in me to keep up with the number of characters that keep appearing one after another, I generally enjoy this one better than the first. I am so torn between loving Ciardis and Sebastian's platonic friendship and wanting them to just get together. But seeing as there are THIRTEEN books in this series, I assume that will take a while.
Book 3: Sworn to Conflict (3/5⭐️)
I appreciate the book pacing up, but so much was happening that I'm not sure I could follow everything. For one, I appreciate the fact that Ciardis and Sebastian's relationship progressed, only for it to be taken away again. Also, I'm getting tired of how passive Ciardis is becoming, so easily swayed. Meanwhile everyone around her lies and betrays left and right - so much so that I doubted every information this book revealed, because later on, it would become the opposite of what was told about it at the beginning. With 10 books left, who knows how much more of that I would have to endure, so I won't continue.
Book 1 has a painfully slow start for such a short book. It kind of feels like a companion novel or a spin-off of an existing series, because the world building is written as if the reader should have known some of the basics already. It's nothing I haven't read before, but the characters are pretty interesting, so I would keep going - although I'm not sure if I will end up reading all 13 books.
Book 2: Sworn to Transfer (3.5/5⭐️)
The story is starting to pace up and although it takes everything in me to keep up with the number of characters that keep appearing one after another, I generally enjoy this one better than the first. I am so torn between loving Ciardis and Sebastian's platonic friendship and wanting them to just get together. But seeing as there are THIRTEEN books in this series, I assume that will take a while.
Book 3: Sworn to Conflict (3/5⭐️)
I appreciate the book pacing up, but so much was happening that I'm not sure I could follow everything. For one, I appreciate the fact that Ciardis and Sebastian's relationship progressed, only for it to be taken away again. Also, I'm getting tired of how passive Ciardis is becoming, so easily swayed. Meanwhile everyone around her lies and betrays left and right - so much so that I doubted every information this book revealed, because later on, it would become the opposite of what was told about it at the beginning. With 10 books left, who knows how much more of that I would have to endure, so I won't continue.
June 6, 2018
Many of the reviews mentioned poor editing on these three books. I read them on my Nook and, while the first book had quite a few editing mistakes, each successive book improved. (I have noticed that e-books will often have editing mistakes that the physical books won't have, so I generally chalk that up to the digitization process.) That being said, this was an entertaining and somewhat inventive story about a young girl with unrealized magic powers who is thrust into the royal court from abject poverty. However, there is often a frenetic feeling about the story because the protagonist goes from the frying pan into the fire at lightning speed and with disturbing regularity. It's hard for the ready to settle into the story because of the rapidity of the plot changes.
May 13, 2020
I think that it took a while for the writer to find her narrative voice for this series. I nearly stopped reading in the middle of the second book because it was so jarring. But I was intrigued enough by the world that was being crafted and the potential of the characters so I continued. It improves and I don’t necessarily feel like I’ve just spent my time watching a train wreck.
It kept me entertained enough to keep my mind off of world events for a time. And that’s all I really wanted.
I didn’t read this series when it first came out but I did see each book grow in popularity. My sibling picked them up as soon as they were published. So I have the entire series waiting for me should I decide to venture beyond the first box set.
It kept me entertained enough to keep my mind off of world events for a time. And that’s all I really wanted.
I didn’t read this series when it first came out but I did see each book grow in popularity. My sibling picked them up as soon as they were published. So I have the entire series waiting for me should I decide to venture beyond the first box set.
November 14, 2016
Fun read
The second and third books morph into a more traditional sword and sorcery type book with all sorts of things feeling a little retconned on. While I was drawn to the original premise of the first book, I'm not sure where it was heading and it seemed to limit the characterization of some of the characters. But then it became much more open and expansive while adding a host of new races and magic. It all allowed Ciardis to very much come into her own as a strong female presence though she is still hesitant at times. I'd suggest reading at least the first two books before making up your mind. They are very quick and enjoyable reads.
The second and third books morph into a more traditional sword and sorcery type book with all sorts of things feeling a little retconned on. While I was drawn to the original premise of the first book, I'm not sure where it was heading and it seemed to limit the characterization of some of the characters. But then it became much more open and expansive while adding a host of new races and magic. It all allowed Ciardis to very much come into her own as a strong female presence though she is still hesitant at times. I'd suggest reading at least the first two books before making up your mind. They are very quick and enjoyable reads.
December 28, 2020
Such an interesting idea for a story and it should have been a good read. Unfortunately, for me at least, it was a bit of a slog.
Aside from the formatting errors which others have mentioned, there are also continuity issues which take you out of the story. I’m no quitter so I carried on but I have to admit there were times I was hoping that the main character would be killed off as I found her annoying and contradictory.
Much as the world and story idea interests me I won’t be reading more. Maybe if I was younger I would have more in common with the character and carry on but with a huge TBR pile I will prioritise other books.
Aside from the formatting errors which others have mentioned, there are also continuity issues which take you out of the story. I’m no quitter so I carried on but I have to admit there were times I was hoping that the main character would be killed off as I found her annoying and contradictory.
Much as the world and story idea interests me I won’t be reading more. Maybe if I was younger I would have more in common with the character and carry on but with a huge TBR pile I will prioritise other books.
May 8, 2017
Awesome!!
This set is truly impressive storytelling. Ciardis Weathervane? Inspirational female protagonist who stumbles through the tale with spectacular results. Prince Heir Sebastion? Waiting to find out his TRUE knowledge & intentions. King Bastien? Ruthless, cold & a masterful minimalist presence. Twist & turns & secrets & schemes abound throughout.
I can only hope the rest of the series is nearly as well written. Highly recommended for all levels of readers in every genre. Not to be missed!
This set is truly impressive storytelling. Ciardis Weathervane? Inspirational female protagonist who stumbles through the tale with spectacular results. Prince Heir Sebastion? Waiting to find out his TRUE knowledge & intentions. King Bastien? Ruthless, cold & a masterful minimalist presence. Twist & turns & secrets & schemes abound throughout.
I can only hope the rest of the series is nearly as well written. Highly recommended for all levels of readers in every genre. Not to be missed!
July 27, 2018
Enjoyable fantesy
I find this series reminiscent of Lord Of The Ring. Fun, fanciful, and difficult to put down. However, as one who has provided many reports in my work life, I get very frustrated with erroneous grammar and typos in my reading material. I think a better job of proofing and editing is needed. These errors distract from the enjoyment of the stories. I will not buy the subsequent books at this time but I do hope she eventually gets her prince. Story wise, a good and easy read.
I find this series reminiscent of Lord Of The Ring. Fun, fanciful, and difficult to put down. However, as one who has provided many reports in my work life, I get very frustrated with erroneous grammar and typos in my reading material. I think a better job of proofing and editing is needed. These errors distract from the enjoyment of the stories. I will not buy the subsequent books at this time but I do hope she eventually gets her prince. Story wise, a good and easy read.
January 28, 2019
My first brush with Terah Edun took place last year and since then she's been 1 of my favorites.
I started re-reading the Courtlight series again recently and it's as mind blowing as it was earlier. The 2nd read still has the power to keep you spell bound, tongue tied and in the imaginary world of Algardis.
Each word keeps you connected with Ciardis, Sebastian & Thanar.
Even after reading almost 100 fantasy books in the course of 12 months by different authors the Courtlight series has the power to keep me hooked.
I started re-reading the Courtlight series again recently and it's as mind blowing as it was earlier. The 2nd read still has the power to keep you spell bound, tongue tied and in the imaginary world of Algardis.
Each word keeps you connected with Ciardis, Sebastian & Thanar.
Even after reading almost 100 fantasy books in the course of 12 months by different authors the Courtlight series has the power to keep me hooked.
June 3, 2018
Loved the plot concept but it really shows how a good editor can make or break writing. In parts, it is really poorly written and then in others, the writing improves dramatically. If this kind of thing drives you mad, avoid. If you can ignore or just roll your eyes at the really clunky parts, then it’s a pleasant read. Just try not to think of what the book could have been if an editor had been involved..
October 21, 2023
These first three books were free on Amazon Kindle, and I'm a sucker for a free book. The books themselves are ok. If you are a stickler for good publication, this isn't the series for you. But if you can overlook that toward an interesting (albeit twisted and sometimes hard to link) plotline, you'll enjoy most of it. The first three books follow along at a quick pace, and you'll be done reading them before you are ready to be done with the story.
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