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Horngate Witches #3
Shadow City
The world is falling apart. The magical apocalypse has come. Now is the time to guard the covenstead against both raiders and refugees. But Max has been stolen by a powerful demi-god who is determined to force her to find a way to use a magical power she never knew she had—even if it kills her. Meanwhile, back in Horngate, a Fury is birthing. When the creature breaks free of the fragile bonds that enclose her, her rage will scour the covenstead from the earth.
Max finds herself in the Shadow City, a place of mysteries and magic, where she must battle for her freedom or become a slave to creatures of dreadful greed and power. Back in Horngate, Alexander must swallow his anger and pride if he hopes to defeat the Fury, a creature that no one has ever successfully fought before.
In the end, it will be courage, friendship, faith and loyalty that win the day. Or else so one will live to see tomorrow.
Max finds herself in the Shadow City, a place of mysteries and magic, where she must battle for her freedom or become a slave to creatures of dreadful greed and power. Back in Horngate, Alexander must swallow his anger and pride if he hopes to defeat the Fury, a creature that no one has ever successfully fought before.
In the end, it will be courage, friendship, faith and loyalty that win the day. Or else so one will live to see tomorrow.
384 pages, Paperback
First published December 27, 2011
30 people are currently reading
1286 people want to read
About the author
Diana Pharaoh Francis
44 books760 followersI was raised on a cattle ranch in Northern California (outside a town called Lincoln which is now part of an enormous sprawl). I taught myself to ride a horse at the age of six, as no one had the time to teach me—they were all busy learning how to irrigate, how to cajole an angry bull into another field, how to pull a calf… Afraid of heights, and absolutely sure I was going to die, I managed to scramble up on the back of a very patient and lazy strawberry roan destrier, and plod off into the sunset.
Thereafter, I spent much of my early life on horseback, or so far buried into a book that the rest of the world ceased to exist (much to the annoyance of my family—it took several attempts to get my attention). We all had very specific jobs on the ranch and mine was horses and cattle—out rounding up at dawn. And since I rode bareback, my standing request was to wake me up 5 minutes before everyone else headed for the barn—time enough to dress and eat my Wheaties, and no sleep time wasted on saddling.
After high school, I attended college after college, racking up a BA and MA in creative writing and a Ph.D. in literature and theory. My very patient and supportive husband traipsed across the Midwest and back to Montana for me (though my husband insists that he’s been running and hiding and I just keep finding him), where I now teach at the University of Montana-Western. We also a son Q-ball, who in our humbly unbiased opinions, is the most wonderful son ever produced, and a daughter, Princess Caesar, who is the most wonderful daughter ever produced.
I have a fascination for the Victorians, weather, geology, horses, plants and mythology, I like spicy food, chocolate and cheesecake, and I have an odd sense of humor. (Or so I’ve been told. Often.) Incidentally, the Pharaoh is in fact my real name, and oddly enough, is of British origin.
Some of my current favorite sf/f writers are Ilona Andrews, Carol Berg, C.E. Murphy, Patty Briggs, Lynn Flewelling, Rachel Caine, David Coe, and Anne Bishop.
Thereafter, I spent much of my early life on horseback, or so far buried into a book that the rest of the world ceased to exist (much to the annoyance of my family—it took several attempts to get my attention). We all had very specific jobs on the ranch and mine was horses and cattle—out rounding up at dawn. And since I rode bareback, my standing request was to wake me up 5 minutes before everyone else headed for the barn—time enough to dress and eat my Wheaties, and no sleep time wasted on saddling.
After high school, I attended college after college, racking up a BA and MA in creative writing and a Ph.D. in literature and theory. My very patient and supportive husband traipsed across the Midwest and back to Montana for me (though my husband insists that he’s been running and hiding and I just keep finding him), where I now teach at the University of Montana-Western. We also a son Q-ball, who in our humbly unbiased opinions, is the most wonderful son ever produced, and a daughter, Princess Caesar, who is the most wonderful daughter ever produced.
I have a fascination for the Victorians, weather, geology, horses, plants and mythology, I like spicy food, chocolate and cheesecake, and I have an odd sense of humor. (Or so I’ve been told. Often.) Incidentally, the Pharaoh is in fact my real name, and oddly enough, is of British origin.
Some of my current favorite sf/f writers are Ilona Andrews, Carol Berg, C.E. Murphy, Patty Briggs, Lynn Flewelling, Rachel Caine, David Coe, and Anne Bishop.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
December 21, 2011
Originally posted at http://www.smexybooks.com/2011/12/rev...
Favorite Quote:
“What is a Max?”
“She is…unique. And she is about to kill you.”
At the end of Crimson Wind, Max found and brought her family back to Horngate and is now fulfilling her obligation to the demi god that Gisele promised her to, Scooter. We open up with him ruthlessly forcing Max to open herself to a magical power she never knew she had. He needs her skills and magic to recover three vital parts of himself or he will die. Once they arrive in the Shadow City, Max finds herself fighting for their lives against an enemy of unimaginable evil. Losing is not an option. While Max is off helping Scooter, Horngate finds itself at the center of the apocalypse. They are slowly losing food sources, they are having to shelter orphaned witches and humans, a fury has risen, and they are being watched by something much larger and stronger than they. As they work to find away to defeat the fury, they suddenly receive some help from n unexpected source.
Shadow City embodies the reasons why I love urban Fantasy so much. Dark and gritty; the world building constantly evolves to offer new and exciting challenges within the arc without sacrificing the integrity of the story lines or the characters. Thrilling, fast paced action, ripe suspense, and charismatic characters keep you glued to the the pages as you watch these incredible personalities fight, love, and laugh their way to the end. This series personifies love, loss, betrayal, and sacrifice-driving the points home with a sledgehammer. Shadow City is an emotional roller coaster that turns a pivotal corner in the series. Max and Alexander are finally dealing with issues that have been eating away at them. Max begins to let go of her hatred and need for revenge. Not to say she has forgiven Gisele because that’s not going to happen any time soon-but rather she has decided to stop giving it so much control over her life and opens herself fully to the people who love her. The Blades are her family and Horngate is her home. We see growth in her character, especially towards Alexander.
“Why was it so hard for her to take what he was giving? What was she waiting for?”
Alexander also goes through some growing pains of his own. He and his Prime have been at odds since arriving at Horngate. He has never been accepted there and now the Blades need him to lead them since Max left but her leaving has emotionally crippled him. It takes a traumatic event and a new friend to break him down to nothing and then put him back together whole.
I love that the Blades and Gisele are in the forefront here. That was one issue I had with Crimson Winds-the lack of interaction we had with them. The supporting characters are still as vivid and dynamic as ever. Each one fully capable of carrying their own story. I like that each have distinct, separate personalities; ensuring they are never overwhelmed by our protagonists. We are privy to some personal emotional dialogue that allows us to see how deep the connection between one another is. Gisele is more “human” in here and while she is still the character I love to hate most, she is beginning to acknowledge and accept responsibility for the cruelty and betrayal she bestowed on Max.
“This is our new start. Phoenix from the ashes. Let’s do better this time. No, that’s wrong. I’ll do better this time. Like I should have done from the start. I always knew this place was suppose to be different, but I followed the old rules anyhow.”
We make some new friends and re visit with some old ones. I really want to see more of Valery and Holt and get their full story. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of humor in here. Max and the gang have grown into their snark and it balanced with the seriousness of the storyline beautifully.
There are two main conflicts that run simultaneously and interact towards the end. Each one a full bodied expose in tension, suspense, and action with multiple subplots running throughout: guaranteeing us that this series will only continue to get better. Our villains are appropriately evil and vicious which only further enforces the darkness of this series. The conclusion comes at us hard and fast with a climatic nerve racking finale. The ending is conclusive and satisfying yet leaves the door open wide enough to ensure we haven’t seen the last of our demi god nor his friends.
A splendid addition to this series and I look forward to spending more time with Max and Horngate in the future. I recommend this to every reader who enjoys a kick ass heroine and dark adventures set in a lush urban fantasy world.
Overall Rating: A
Favorite Quote:
“What is a Max?”
“She is…unique. And she is about to kill you.”
At the end of Crimson Wind, Max found and brought her family back to Horngate and is now fulfilling her obligation to the demi god that Gisele promised her to, Scooter. We open up with him ruthlessly forcing Max to open herself to a magical power she never knew she had. He needs her skills and magic to recover three vital parts of himself or he will die. Once they arrive in the Shadow City, Max finds herself fighting for their lives against an enemy of unimaginable evil. Losing is not an option. While Max is off helping Scooter, Horngate finds itself at the center of the apocalypse. They are slowly losing food sources, they are having to shelter orphaned witches and humans, a fury has risen, and they are being watched by something much larger and stronger than they. As they work to find away to defeat the fury, they suddenly receive some help from n unexpected source.
Shadow City embodies the reasons why I love urban Fantasy so much. Dark and gritty; the world building constantly evolves to offer new and exciting challenges within the arc without sacrificing the integrity of the story lines or the characters. Thrilling, fast paced action, ripe suspense, and charismatic characters keep you glued to the the pages as you watch these incredible personalities fight, love, and laugh their way to the end. This series personifies love, loss, betrayal, and sacrifice-driving the points home with a sledgehammer. Shadow City is an emotional roller coaster that turns a pivotal corner in the series. Max and Alexander are finally dealing with issues that have been eating away at them. Max begins to let go of her hatred and need for revenge. Not to say she has forgiven Gisele because that’s not going to happen any time soon-but rather she has decided to stop giving it so much control over her life and opens herself fully to the people who love her. The Blades are her family and Horngate is her home. We see growth in her character, especially towards Alexander.
“Why was it so hard for her to take what he was giving? What was she waiting for?”
Alexander also goes through some growing pains of his own. He and his Prime have been at odds since arriving at Horngate. He has never been accepted there and now the Blades need him to lead them since Max left but her leaving has emotionally crippled him. It takes a traumatic event and a new friend to break him down to nothing and then put him back together whole.
I love that the Blades and Gisele are in the forefront here. That was one issue I had with Crimson Winds-the lack of interaction we had with them. The supporting characters are still as vivid and dynamic as ever. Each one fully capable of carrying their own story. I like that each have distinct, separate personalities; ensuring they are never overwhelmed by our protagonists. We are privy to some personal emotional dialogue that allows us to see how deep the connection between one another is. Gisele is more “human” in here and while she is still the character I love to hate most, she is beginning to acknowledge and accept responsibility for the cruelty and betrayal she bestowed on Max.
“This is our new start. Phoenix from the ashes. Let’s do better this time. No, that’s wrong. I’ll do better this time. Like I should have done from the start. I always knew this place was suppose to be different, but I followed the old rules anyhow.”
We make some new friends and re visit with some old ones. I really want to see more of Valery and Holt and get their full story. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of humor in here. Max and the gang have grown into their snark and it balanced with the seriousness of the storyline beautifully.
There are two main conflicts that run simultaneously and interact towards the end. Each one a full bodied expose in tension, suspense, and action with multiple subplots running throughout: guaranteeing us that this series will only continue to get better. Our villains are appropriately evil and vicious which only further enforces the darkness of this series. The conclusion comes at us hard and fast with a climatic nerve racking finale. The ending is conclusive and satisfying yet leaves the door open wide enough to ensure we haven’t seen the last of our demi god nor his friends.
A splendid addition to this series and I look forward to spending more time with Max and Horngate in the future. I recommend this to every reader who enjoys a kick ass heroine and dark adventures set in a lush urban fantasy world.
Overall Rating: A
August 6, 2012
I mean, if you've read book 1 or 2 you know what you're getting here, and #3 was even more enjoyable in some ways (not withstanding the venacular speech that sometimes bothers me in the dialogue). This author does NOT concern herself with keeping main characters alive, haha, which I really enjoy. Everyone is vulnerable in this world. Max gets to go to an alt universe that was pretty intriguing, in fact I wish there had been even more exploration there. Alexander back home is challenged in a lot of ways, and I loved seeing that separate storyline meld with Max's. Anyway, really enjoyed it, def in for #4.
June 3, 2018
Well, this was unexpected
Same fast-paced book, but this time Max lets the others deal with the stuff at Horngate while she goes to help Scooter. That's where the interesting part starts.
We get to see a whole different world, unexpected creatures and fun new friends. Normally I'd hate this type of book, it's a bit of a filler, but it was amazingly written and the story was flawless.
Hats off to you, Diana Pharaoh Francis.
Same fast-paced book, but this time Max lets the others deal with the stuff at Horngate while she goes to help Scooter. That's where the interesting part starts.
We get to see a whole different world, unexpected creatures and fun new friends. Normally I'd hate this type of book, it's a bit of a filler, but it was amazingly written and the story was flawless.
Hats off to you, Diana Pharaoh Francis.
December 19, 2011
Note: I received a copy of this book before release from the publisher.
"What do you want from me?" she asked carefully. She didn't want to anger it. She didn't know if she could survive another bout with its webs.
"You."
"Me?"
"Yes. You will come to me. You will walk the web roads with me. You will speak to me truth and you will share your fire with me."
Max swallowed. She didn't know what any of that meant. What had Giselle promised this creature? Not that it mattered. At the moment she needed to fetch the others and get into Horngate.
"Sure, Scooter. Whatever blows your dress up." she said, not knowing if she'd just agreed to bear its children. (Bitter Night - Horngate Witches #1; Page 304)
In 'Bitter Night', we learned Giselle made a deal with the devil, or god as the case may be, to keep the hidden back door entrance to Horngate protected. In exchange, she agreed to give him Max--once again proving how much Max's former best friend, Giselle, has no problem giving her a raw deal. In 'Crimson Wind', Max was able to hold off on her commitment to the nameless being until she rescued her family. Upon her return to the Horngate, she was whisked away by Scooter, as Max refers to the otherworldly creature. In this book, we finally find out what the godlike being has in store for Max, and it is definitely not a walk in the park.
While Max is away, Horngate is threatened by the birthing of a Fury outside its gates. It is said Fury's, aka Erinyes, "are born from the souls of women who have been brutally betrayed on a level that prevents their spirits from moving on."..."Their pain and betrayal are so deep and so massive because they embody the suffering of all women. Literally. It's an eternal reminder of what created them, as well as the source of their power. Their whole being is devoted to delivering justice and vengeance for the women who can't get it for themselves." According to Tutresiel, "When they rise, they are--" He grimaced and shook his head. "It is going to be ugly."
There is so much going on in 'Shadow City'. The story toggles between what is going on with Max and what is going on at Horngate. Every time one of the stories gets really interesting the next chapter switches to the other story line. I was so tempted to skip chapters. The suspense was killing me.
We're introduced to new creatures and a new "world" in Max's portion of the story. Chandaré is the magical city Max travels to in order to help Scooter. He's the victim of betrayal, and he needs Max with her unique abilities to open locks and travel through the abyss, to get parts of him back. Years ago he was betrayed by friends who were envious of his power. They stole parts of him--his heart, silk, and horn. He waited for years for Max to come to his aid and time is running out. He is dying and only has a short time left in which to avoid death. Max knowing exactly what it's like to have a friend betray you, vows to make Scooter whole again or die trying.
On the home front, there is the mystery of who the woman is that is becoming a Fury and what happened to her. There is also the drama of how to stop her from destroying the covenstead. Plus, not everyone will survive this one.
Why is the book called Shadow City? Well, here is the dialogue that I believe gave the book it's name:
"What's Chandaré? Where is it?"
"It's inside the abyss. It is the city of shadows."
Lastly, Max and Alexander finally get together. Yay! It only took till the third book, but it was worth it. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a rating of STEAM - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. Overall, I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses and am loving the series.
Order of series:
"What do you want from me?" she asked carefully. She didn't want to anger it. She didn't know if she could survive another bout with its webs.
"You."
"Me?"
"Yes. You will come to me. You will walk the web roads with me. You will speak to me truth and you will share your fire with me."
Max swallowed. She didn't know what any of that meant. What had Giselle promised this creature? Not that it mattered. At the moment she needed to fetch the others and get into Horngate.
"Sure, Scooter. Whatever blows your dress up." she said, not knowing if she'd just agreed to bear its children. (Bitter Night - Horngate Witches #1; Page 304)
In 'Bitter Night', we learned Giselle made a deal with the devil, or god as the case may be, to keep the hidden back door entrance to Horngate protected. In exchange, she agreed to give him Max--once again proving how much Max's former best friend, Giselle, has no problem giving her a raw deal. In 'Crimson Wind', Max was able to hold off on her commitment to the nameless being until she rescued her family. Upon her return to the Horngate, she was whisked away by Scooter, as Max refers to the otherworldly creature. In this book, we finally find out what the godlike being has in store for Max, and it is definitely not a walk in the park.
While Max is away, Horngate is threatened by the birthing of a Fury outside its gates. It is said Fury's, aka Erinyes, "are born from the souls of women who have been brutally betrayed on a level that prevents their spirits from moving on."..."Their pain and betrayal are so deep and so massive because they embody the suffering of all women. Literally. It's an eternal reminder of what created them, as well as the source of their power. Their whole being is devoted to delivering justice and vengeance for the women who can't get it for themselves." According to Tutresiel, "When they rise, they are--" He grimaced and shook his head. "It is going to be ugly."
There is so much going on in 'Shadow City'. The story toggles between what is going on with Max and what is going on at Horngate. Every time one of the stories gets really interesting the next chapter switches to the other story line. I was so tempted to skip chapters. The suspense was killing me.
We're introduced to new creatures and a new "world" in Max's portion of the story. Chandaré is the magical city Max travels to in order to help Scooter. He's the victim of betrayal, and he needs Max with her unique abilities to open locks and travel through the abyss, to get parts of him back. Years ago he was betrayed by friends who were envious of his power. They stole parts of him--his heart, silk, and horn. He waited for years for Max to come to his aid and time is running out. He is dying and only has a short time left in which to avoid death. Max knowing exactly what it's like to have a friend betray you, vows to make Scooter whole again or die trying.
On the home front, there is the mystery of who the woman is that is becoming a Fury and what happened to her. There is also the drama of how to stop her from destroying the covenstead. Plus, not everyone will survive this one.
Why is the book called Shadow City? Well, here is the dialogue that I believe gave the book it's name:
"What's Chandaré? Where is it?"
"It's inside the abyss. It is the city of shadows."
Lastly, Max and Alexander finally get together. Yay! It only took till the third book, but it was worth it. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a rating of STEAM - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. Overall, I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses and am loving the series.
Order of series:
January 30, 2012
4.5 Stars or A-
I’m definitely hooked on this urban fantasy series after reading Shadow City. In this story, there are more mystical beasties, more Divine beings, a trip to another dimension, and two major battles. The good guys kick butt! There’s heartache, blood, gore, action, tears, and cheers. I had a hard time putting this book down!
An apocalypse has begun on Earth. Divine and Uncanny magic permeates the earth altering humans and plants into deadly creatures. Horngate has become a haven for those Max and Alexander helped escape the magical storm. They need to prepare for the impact of food shortages, secure potential breaches in their territory, and eliminate dangerous magical outcroppings.
Alexander and the Shadowblades discover a growing mass. A Fury is about to be born, and she will annihilate Horngate and half the state. Alexander needs to assume a role he refuses to accept. His sense of grief and loss cripple him. It will take some heavy verbal slaps to snap him out of it.
As Alexander struggles at Horngate, Max is trying to fulfill her obligation to Scooter. He needs her help in retrieving a few of his body parts from those who stole them from him. The beings she must fight have ruled for a thousand years in the shadow world Chardare. The Korvad are powerful and she could die. Max taps into a hidden ability, makes new friends, and prepares to win a major battle or die trying.
Two major storylines, two points of view, good beasties, bad beasties, good guys die, bad guys dies, and the Horngate Witches’ world gets richer and bigger. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry. It’ll become a party of you. (Not really).
In my opinion, this series is a blend of Sara Creasy’s Scarabaeus world along with Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniel Series, and maybe Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series. The first book, Bitter Nights, seemed narrowly focused on Max, her internal workings, motivations, and issues. The second book, Crimson Wind, enriched this world with the cataclysmic eruption of magic, deadly plants, and carnivorous creatures. The world expanded a little more, the characters endeared themselves with their complexity and charm, and the sexual tension between Alexander and Max continued. Shadow City continues those threads and adds texture to the plot and characters.
What I like is that Diana Pharaoh Francis does not seem to hold back. The characters are ruthless when necessary. If a person’s family member has no chance of being rescued then that member is left behind. Good guys that we come to know and care about die. The only characters that seem to have immunity to death are Max, Giselle, and Alexander, and I wouldn’t bet on two of those characters surviving until the end of the series. There’s a pleasant unpredictability that I appreciate as a reader. My one major criticism is that there is some repetition, i.e., I’m aware that Shadowblades and Sunspears need to consume 20,000 to 30,000 calories a day to maintain their strength, but I have to read this again and again book after book, plus several times in each book.
Overall, I’m invested in this series. I like the Max’s snark, the darkness and light within the characters, and watching the world die and rebirth as something other. I like the dark tones interspersed humor and creative world-building. I love the action and fight scenes. I love knowing that the female prime is emotionally stronger than the male prime. There’s love, betrayal, hate, bitterness, camaraderie, loyalties won, character growth, sexual tension, inner strength, despair, community, family, and the will to survive.
I’m definitely hooked on this urban fantasy series after reading Shadow City. In this story, there are more mystical beasties, more Divine beings, a trip to another dimension, and two major battles. The good guys kick butt! There’s heartache, blood, gore, action, tears, and cheers. I had a hard time putting this book down!
An apocalypse has begun on Earth. Divine and Uncanny magic permeates the earth altering humans and plants into deadly creatures. Horngate has become a haven for those Max and Alexander helped escape the magical storm. They need to prepare for the impact of food shortages, secure potential breaches in their territory, and eliminate dangerous magical outcroppings.
Alexander and the Shadowblades discover a growing mass. A Fury is about to be born, and she will annihilate Horngate and half the state. Alexander needs to assume a role he refuses to accept. His sense of grief and loss cripple him. It will take some heavy verbal slaps to snap him out of it.
As Alexander struggles at Horngate, Max is trying to fulfill her obligation to Scooter. He needs her help in retrieving a few of his body parts from those who stole them from him. The beings she must fight have ruled for a thousand years in the shadow world Chardare. The Korvad are powerful and she could die. Max taps into a hidden ability, makes new friends, and prepares to win a major battle or die trying.
Two major storylines, two points of view, good beasties, bad beasties, good guys die, bad guys dies, and the Horngate Witches’ world gets richer and bigger. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry. It’ll become a party of you. (Not really).
In my opinion, this series is a blend of Sara Creasy’s Scarabaeus world along with Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniel Series, and maybe Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series. The first book, Bitter Nights, seemed narrowly focused on Max, her internal workings, motivations, and issues. The second book, Crimson Wind, enriched this world with the cataclysmic eruption of magic, deadly plants, and carnivorous creatures. The world expanded a little more, the characters endeared themselves with their complexity and charm, and the sexual tension between Alexander and Max continued. Shadow City continues those threads and adds texture to the plot and characters.
What I like is that Diana Pharaoh Francis does not seem to hold back. The characters are ruthless when necessary. If a person’s family member has no chance of being rescued then that member is left behind. Good guys that we come to know and care about die. The only characters that seem to have immunity to death are Max, Giselle, and Alexander, and I wouldn’t bet on two of those characters surviving until the end of the series. There’s a pleasant unpredictability that I appreciate as a reader. My one major criticism is that there is some repetition, i.e., I’m aware that Shadowblades and Sunspears need to consume 20,000 to 30,000 calories a day to maintain their strength, but I have to read this again and again book after book, plus several times in each book.
Overall, I’m invested in this series. I like the Max’s snark, the darkness and light within the characters, and watching the world die and rebirth as something other. I like the dark tones interspersed humor and creative world-building. I love the action and fight scenes. I love knowing that the female prime is emotionally stronger than the male prime. There’s love, betrayal, hate, bitterness, camaraderie, loyalties won, character growth, sexual tension, inner strength, despair, community, family, and the will to survive.
August 13, 2016
Maybe closer to 2.5 than two.
Oh sigh. I wanted to like this book, but I really struggled to get through it, and had to force myself to come and review it. I liked the first one, but I can't really remember the second right now, and somewhere along the line I seem to have just stopped caring about this world.
One of the good parts is Max. Whatever Francis has gelling with her, it's good. I was more engaged when her chapters were on, and I was impatient for her to come back when they weren't.
All in all, I didn't hate it, but I didn't really like it either, and anytime I take that long to read a book I know it isn't one I want to revisit. Usually.
December 27, 2011
Absolutely loved it.
Most of the time, when there are several POV's in a book, I find myself enjoying one and be bored by the other, leafing through it to get to the good part. Not with this series, and especially not with this book.
With every POV change I found myself disappointed that I couldn't follow Max or Alexander any longer, but was giddy to find out what happened to the other. I felt like a kid in a candy store, bouncing from jar to jar, so happy and excited I couldn't pick out my favorite. I wanted everything. At once.
I loved the action, the battle scenes, the relationship developments, and that while characters did a lot of growing in this book, they didn't stop being who they were. Max is still afraid of commitment and betrayal, Alexander is still insanely headstrong, Giselle still always wants to get her way, and Scooter... is still Scooter, with a bit of background and some hidden depths thrown in.
We see a lot of other characters again we met in the last book, and some loose threads from the first are tied up.
There is loss, there is grief, and there are worlds of pain in this book for the characters and the reader, but there's also love, friendship and family. And in the end, there is hope.
Can't wait for the next one.
Also, loved the dogs.
Most of the time, when there are several POV's in a book, I find myself enjoying one and be bored by the other, leafing through it to get to the good part. Not with this series, and especially not with this book.
With every POV change I found myself disappointed that I couldn't follow Max or Alexander any longer, but was giddy to find out what happened to the other. I felt like a kid in a candy store, bouncing from jar to jar, so happy and excited I couldn't pick out my favorite. I wanted everything. At once.
I loved the action, the battle scenes, the relationship developments, and that while characters did a lot of growing in this book, they didn't stop being who they were. Max is still afraid of commitment and betrayal, Alexander is still insanely headstrong, Giselle still always wants to get her way, and Scooter... is still Scooter, with a bit of background and some hidden depths thrown in.
We see a lot of other characters again we met in the last book, and some loose threads from the first are tied up.
There is loss, there is grief, and there are worlds of pain in this book for the characters and the reader, but there's also love, friendship and family. And in the end, there is hope.
Can't wait for the next one.
Also, loved the dogs.
January 13, 2012
If you love urban fantasy and you don't know about this series, you really need to check it out. It's AMAZING. One of the most creative and interesting ones in the marketplace-I can't understand why this series isn't as big as Night Huntress. This is book 3 in Horngate Witches, and it was a perfect book. I loved every page.
In this one we find out what Scooter needed Max for, and it's a doozy. Scooter is dying, and the only way to save him is to travel to another dimension and get 3 things that were stolen from him back. It's not a warm and cuddly dimension. Meanwhile, back at Horngate, a Fury is coming to life, and since they are usually born with the power of a nuclear explosion, that's a problem. Alexander is hanging onto sanity by a hair, worried that Max won't make it back.
In this one we find out what Scooter needed Max for, and it's a doozy. Scooter is dying, and the only way to save him is to travel to another dimension and get 3 things that were stolen from him back. It's not a warm and cuddly dimension. Meanwhile, back at Horngate, a Fury is coming to life, and since they are usually born with the power of a nuclear explosion, that's a problem. Alexander is hanging onto sanity by a hair, worried that Max won't make it back.
May 11, 2012
This was the best book yet in the series! We got tasty adventures with all the characters, as Max fought in Chardare with Scooter...and interesting friends. Meanwhile back at the covenstead, the new and old witches, blades, spears and angels sort out loyalties and dominance, while utilizing outside influences like Holt and Valery to fight off a Fury, being born right at the edge of their shields.
This was a rock 'em, sock'em action book with fighting on 2 fronts..oh, and finally . I can't wait til December.
This was a rock 'em, sock'em action book with fighting on 2 fronts..oh, and finally . I can't wait til December.
September 6, 2015
review to come later
January 26, 2012
At the end of Crimson Wind, Max gave herself up to the demigod Scooter to save Horngate. In Shadow City, we find out what Scooter needs Max for, and also what happens at Horngate while she’s gone. Diana Pharaoh Francis has split the narrative into two points of view from the beginning: Max’s and that of her maybe-lover, Alexander. This split enables her to show both storylines in alternating chapters. Unfortunately, one of these storylines is much more riveting than the other.
Alexander’s chapters deal with life at Horngate after Max’s disappearance. Alexander has some self-pity to overcome but is soon thrust into a leadership role when a Fury threatens the covenstead. This is a direct result of an atrocity that happened in Bitter Night and is emotionally compelling, as is the interaction among the denizens of Horngate as they adjust to life without their beloved Max.
Max, meanwhile, has been drafted to travel through a supernatural abyss to a city called Chadaré, where she must help Scooter recover three lost pieces of himself to save him from certain death. Max’s commitment to helping Scooter is admirable. This plotline never grabbed me the way the Horngate events did, however, and I think there are several reasons.
One, Chadaré itself seems a little vague. That’s not to say Francis doesn’t have a strong conception of it in her mind; it’s more that there just isn’t time to show us much of it. A lengthy high fantasy novel could probably be written about its history and politics and the beings who populate it. But urban fantasy is a quicker-moving style and the Chadaré sequences are only a little over half of the book. There’s a lack of a sense that the city “exists” beyond the portions of it that Max sees.
Two, the pace is slower in Max’s chapters. For reasons of plot necessity, the Horngate story reaches its climax long before the Chadaré one, and so (for example) we end up with a brutal end-of-chapter cliffhanger at Horngate where we know people have died and are waiting to find out who — and then we jump to Max doing something much less nerve-wracking and want to shout “Auuugggggh!”
Three, the magical-apocalypse scenario has always felt like the heart of the Horngate Witches series, and so the chapters that deal with it feel like an integral part of the overarching plot while the Chadaré chapters feel like a way to keep Max away for a while so that some other things can happen.
The two threads weave together at the end for a big battle royale with high stakes. If our heroes win, Scooter survives; if they lose, they all die or are enslaved. There’s a strong sense of tension going in, but unfortunately, once battle is joined, it’s not nearly as tense or wrenching as the earlier climactic battle at Horngate.
What does work really well are the emotional aspects of the story. Francis continues to reveal more and more of the bonds among the Shadowblades and Sunspears, and now more people have been added to the Horngate “family” with touching results. Furthermore, there are deeply satisfying developments in both the Max-Alexander and Max-Giselle relationships. These interpersonal developments kept me reading even when aspects of the plot had me frustrated.
In the end, I didn’t find Shadow City as enjoyable as Crimson Wind. I hope the next book features more of Horngate and of the magical apocalypse.
Alexander’s chapters deal with life at Horngate after Max’s disappearance. Alexander has some self-pity to overcome but is soon thrust into a leadership role when a Fury threatens the covenstead. This is a direct result of an atrocity that happened in Bitter Night and is emotionally compelling, as is the interaction among the denizens of Horngate as they adjust to life without their beloved Max.
Max, meanwhile, has been drafted to travel through a supernatural abyss to a city called Chadaré, where she must help Scooter recover three lost pieces of himself to save him from certain death. Max’s commitment to helping Scooter is admirable. This plotline never grabbed me the way the Horngate events did, however, and I think there are several reasons.
One, Chadaré itself seems a little vague. That’s not to say Francis doesn’t have a strong conception of it in her mind; it’s more that there just isn’t time to show us much of it. A lengthy high fantasy novel could probably be written about its history and politics and the beings who populate it. But urban fantasy is a quicker-moving style and the Chadaré sequences are only a little over half of the book. There’s a lack of a sense that the city “exists” beyond the portions of it that Max sees.
Two, the pace is slower in Max’s chapters. For reasons of plot necessity, the Horngate story reaches its climax long before the Chadaré one, and so (for example) we end up with a brutal end-of-chapter cliffhanger at Horngate where we know people have died and are waiting to find out who — and then we jump to Max doing something much less nerve-wracking and want to shout “Auuugggggh!”
Three, the magical-apocalypse scenario has always felt like the heart of the Horngate Witches series, and so the chapters that deal with it feel like an integral part of the overarching plot while the Chadaré chapters feel like a way to keep Max away for a while so that some other things can happen.
The two threads weave together at the end for a big battle royale with high stakes. If our heroes win, Scooter survives; if they lose, they all die or are enslaved. There’s a strong sense of tension going in, but unfortunately, once battle is joined, it’s not nearly as tense or wrenching as the earlier climactic battle at Horngate.
What does work really well are the emotional aspects of the story. Francis continues to reveal more and more of the bonds among the Shadowblades and Sunspears, and now more people have been added to the Horngate “family” with touching results. Furthermore, there are deeply satisfying developments in both the Max-Alexander and Max-Giselle relationships. These interpersonal developments kept me reading even when aspects of the plot had me frustrated.
In the end, I didn’t find Shadow City as enjoyable as Crimson Wind. I hope the next book features more of Horngate and of the magical apocalypse.
February 29, 2012
The first half of the book is set in two different places: Max helping Scooter to get back some of his belongings in a magical city called the Chadare or the Shadow City and Alexander and the rest of the coven being forced to deal with a newly born Fury at Horngate.
I wasn't really happy with the first half of the book and really the only reason is because Max and Alexander are separated. Other than that, it's really quite interesting. I enjoyed all the different things Max went through with helping Scooter and especially with meeting Ilanion and Spike. She learns some new skills and they come in quite handy. I also enjoyed how everyone was coming together at the coven and by having two different POV's, we really got to suffer right along with Alexander and suffer we did! There is a slight misinterpretation and boy, does Alexander go off! It was like watching a car wreck that you couldn't turn away from. But with some help, he pulls through and also gains some new skills.
Finally, at the sixty percent point is where the sun comes out. Unfortunately, it is way too short. Actually, I was really taken by surprise by it and had to read it a couple of times. After that, things kick into gear and we're back to the big ol' fight. I really liked how everyone got involved especially the "dogs" and "wolf".
There are some sad things that happen but I think by the end of the book, we are given some hope which made me happy. Here's hoping they do get better (at least a little) and we get more Max/Alexander time in Blood Winter because I was really disappointed that we didn't get more Max/Alexander at the end!
Favorite lines:
♥ “Make this quick,” he told her. “And do not die. I have plans for you when we get back to Horngate. They will not be nearly as pleasant if you are a corpse.”
I wasn't really happy with the first half of the book and really the only reason is because Max and Alexander are separated. Other than that, it's really quite interesting. I enjoyed all the different things Max went through with helping Scooter and especially with meeting Ilanion and Spike. She learns some new skills and they come in quite handy. I also enjoyed how everyone was coming together at the coven and by having two different POV's, we really got to suffer right along with Alexander and suffer we did! There is a slight misinterpretation and boy, does Alexander go off! It was like watching a car wreck that you couldn't turn away from. But with some help, he pulls through and also gains some new skills.
Finally, at the sixty percent point is where the sun comes out. Unfortunately, it is way too short. Actually, I was really taken by surprise by it and had to read it a couple of times. After that, things kick into gear and we're back to the big ol' fight. I really liked how everyone got involved especially the "dogs" and "wolf".
There are some sad things that happen but I think by the end of the book, we are given some hope which made me happy. Here's hoping they do get better (at least a little) and we get more Max/Alexander time in Blood Winter because I was really disappointed that we didn't get more Max/Alexander at the end!
Favorite lines:
♥ “Make this quick,” he told her. “And do not die. I have plans for you when we get back to Horngate. They will not be nearly as pleasant if you are a corpse.”
December 20, 2011
Another intense, action-filled installment in the dark and gritty supernatural world that Francis has created.
Lethal angels, powerful witches and a group of warriors who are as loyal as they are fierce are all a part of what makes this series engaging and highly addictive.
Max is no longer in Horngate, having been forced to leave Alexander and her fellow Blades behind, but the continuous shifts between Max and Alexander's points of view allow us to experience the troubles developing in Horngate while Max carries out her task for the demi-god she has been forced to serve.
We are introduced to new dangerous supernatural beings along the way as Max's life and freedom, along with the life of every being in Horngate, is placed in danger.
The relationship between Max and Alexander strengthens despite (or maybe because of) their separation and our favorite hardened Shadowblades begin to show us a much softer side that I absolutely adored. And even though this story doesn't give us much Max and Alexander one-on-one time, when the couple does eventually reunite we are rewarded for our patience with a scene that's incredibly heated and intense. It was well worth the wait.
Before Max's final battle, there is somewhat of a twist that had me gripping the pages and shaking my head in denial. It's a disheartening predicament that I hope can be repaired and I'm anxious to read about how this unfortunate situation will affect Max's next adventure.
She remains to be one of my all-time favorite heroines and certainly one of the toughest that I've ever read about. If you enjoy high-paced, action-packed dark fantasy then I suggest you give Francis' Horngate Witches a try.
Lethal angels, powerful witches and a group of warriors who are as loyal as they are fierce are all a part of what makes this series engaging and highly addictive.
Max is no longer in Horngate, having been forced to leave Alexander and her fellow Blades behind, but the continuous shifts between Max and Alexander's points of view allow us to experience the troubles developing in Horngate while Max carries out her task for the demi-god she has been forced to serve.
We are introduced to new dangerous supernatural beings along the way as Max's life and freedom, along with the life of every being in Horngate, is placed in danger.
The relationship between Max and Alexander strengthens despite (or maybe because of) their separation and our favorite hardened Shadowblades begin to show us a much softer side that I absolutely adored. And even though this story doesn't give us much Max and Alexander one-on-one time, when the couple does eventually reunite we are rewarded for our patience with a scene that's incredibly heated and intense. It was well worth the wait.
Before Max's final battle, there is somewhat of a twist that had me gripping the pages and shaking my head in denial. It's a disheartening predicament that I hope can be repaired and I'm anxious to read about how this unfortunate situation will affect Max's next adventure.
She remains to be one of my all-time favorite heroines and certainly one of the toughest that I've ever read about. If you enjoy high-paced, action-packed dark fantasy then I suggest you give Francis' Horngate Witches a try.
February 11, 2012
Amazing, Fascinating, Spellbinding Oasis of Imagination, for Urban Fantasy Readers
In the last book, we found our strong heroine Max giving herself to the formidable Scooter, and with the notion of never being able to return home, to Horngate.
In this book we are in for an action packed treat! Max is holding true to her word and returns to Scooter. Now she must find out what his interest in her is, and if she will ever see her home, Horngate ever again..
Alexander is left with complete and utter loss for his love, Max. He must try to believe she will return to Horngate and must also come to terms that she may never return. Alexander has a prophecy to fill and must protect Horngate in Max's absence. Things are not looking good for Horngate as new unforseen problems have arisen, and all who are left in Horngate must work together at defeating this problem, before all of Horngate is lost forever. Can Alexander fill her shoes and rise to become Prime of Horngate knowing if he accepts, he will then give up on the fact of Max ever returning, or does he turn his back on Horngate and let his beast overcome him and leave Horngate to their own defense and utter destruction.
Meanwhile, Max is having her own problems to deal with. Scooter has taught Max new skills and needs her help. As Scooter is slowly losing his life, Max, being the one to never turn her back on someone's problems, must do all she can to save him before time runs out. Max is thrown into a new world, with new powerful creatures, and many battles she may never come out of this time.
With new characters, friend and foe, new creatures, and action going on at the same time in both, Horngate and in Scooter's world this book play's out as two books intertwined into one.
Francis has a gem of a series in her hands, and this book is top notch action and fantasy rolled into one. Max is a force, not to be reckoned with. A must read series for all Urban Fantasy readers.
Witches, Angels, Magic, and Powerful Creatures, drawn out from Francis mind.
I would love to see this series turned into a movie, as to unleash the creatures and characters in this book come to life onscreen. 5+ Stars
In the last book, we found our strong heroine Max giving herself to the formidable Scooter, and with the notion of never being able to return home, to Horngate.
In this book we are in for an action packed treat! Max is holding true to her word and returns to Scooter. Now she must find out what his interest in her is, and if she will ever see her home, Horngate ever again..
Alexander is left with complete and utter loss for his love, Max. He must try to believe she will return to Horngate and must also come to terms that she may never return. Alexander has a prophecy to fill and must protect Horngate in Max's absence. Things are not looking good for Horngate as new unforseen problems have arisen, and all who are left in Horngate must work together at defeating this problem, before all of Horngate is lost forever. Can Alexander fill her shoes and rise to become Prime of Horngate knowing if he accepts, he will then give up on the fact of Max ever returning, or does he turn his back on Horngate and let his beast overcome him and leave Horngate to their own defense and utter destruction.
Meanwhile, Max is having her own problems to deal with. Scooter has taught Max new skills and needs her help. As Scooter is slowly losing his life, Max, being the one to never turn her back on someone's problems, must do all she can to save him before time runs out. Max is thrown into a new world, with new powerful creatures, and many battles she may never come out of this time.
With new characters, friend and foe, new creatures, and action going on at the same time in both, Horngate and in Scooter's world this book play's out as two books intertwined into one.
Francis has a gem of a series in her hands, and this book is top notch action and fantasy rolled into one. Max is a force, not to be reckoned with. A must read series for all Urban Fantasy readers.
Witches, Angels, Magic, and Powerful Creatures, drawn out from Francis mind.
I would love to see this series turned into a movie, as to unleash the creatures and characters in this book come to life onscreen. 5+ Stars
January 11, 2012
Aargh!!!!!!!!!!!
It is so good and it just ended!!!!
With the end of book 3, this means I have to wait for end of the year for book 4!!!
Aargh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think I am missing some pages. Am I? *flips through pages* *flips through ebook*
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
This is madness!!!!
I am indeed reading the last chapter of the book and I really have to wait for Book 4!
MADNESS!!!!! Real madness!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear friends... be sure to forgo your precious sleep while reading this.
You will not be able to put the book down.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shadow City is just AMAZING, people!!
It gets really better and better!
Dark, exciting, fast-paced, non-stop actions comes with romance, friendship, humour and sadness.
Told from Alexander and Max's POV, you can't get enough of them AT ALL!
Max had left with Scooter and left instruction for Alexander to take over as Prime of the shadowblades for Horngate.
While Max is off fighting an unknown battle, trouble is brewing at home in Horngate and Alexander has to man up and take up the position or risk losing the home that Max called home.
I love how the story developed and I really love Max.
RESPECT woman! No matter how stupid the idea is, Max is one determined, loyal woman that you can rely on.
She is the most incredible heroine I ever read about and I really hope she gets to take a breather once a while instead of facing the constant battles/challenges.
And Alexander and Max? They just sizzle!!!!
I love the fierce love they had for each other.
New friends are made, some dear friends had departed. :(
I can't help it.
WHY??? WHY???? WHY THEM?
It broke my heart on the damages done to Horngate and I am really very hopeful for book 4. I'm sure Max will move heaven and earth for what Scooter had disclosed to her towards the end of the book.
Please, Diana.... more snippets for Book 4 please???
It is so good and it just ended!!!!
With the end of book 3, this means I have to wait for end of the year for book 4!!!
Aargh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think I am missing some pages. Am I? *flips through pages* *flips through ebook*
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
This is madness!!!!
I am indeed reading the last chapter of the book and I really have to wait for Book 4!
MADNESS!!!!! Real madness!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear friends... be sure to forgo your precious sleep while reading this.
You will not be able to put the book down.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shadow City is just AMAZING, people!!
It gets really better and better!
Dark, exciting, fast-paced, non-stop actions comes with romance, friendship, humour and sadness.
Told from Alexander and Max's POV, you can't get enough of them AT ALL!
Max had left with Scooter and left instruction for Alexander to take over as Prime of the shadowblades for Horngate.
While Max is off fighting an unknown battle, trouble is brewing at home in Horngate and Alexander has to man up and take up the position or risk losing the home that Max called home.
I love how the story developed and I really love Max.
RESPECT woman! No matter how stupid the idea is, Max is one determined, loyal woman that you can rely on.
She is the most incredible heroine I ever read about and I really hope she gets to take a breather once a while instead of facing the constant battles/challenges.
And Alexander and Max? They just sizzle!!!!
I love the fierce love they had for each other.
New friends are made, some dear friends had departed. :(
I can't help it.
WHY??? WHY???? WHY THEM?
It broke my heart on the damages done to Horngate and I am really very hopeful for book 4. I'm sure Max will move heaven and earth for what Scooter had disclosed to her towards the end of the book.
Please, Diana.... more snippets for Book 4 please???
June 18, 2017
I am once again bowled over by the incredible imagination of Diana Pharaoh Francis.
The vivid backdrop of the Shadow City and its inhabitants in this instalment was as wacky as it was wonderful. If you've read the previous two books, Bitter Night and Crimson Wind, you'll know that Francis' word building is highly original and unusual as are the creatures and supernatural beings that reside within. In Shadow City, this is taken to an even higher extreme.
Some of these creatures were adaptations of beings from myth and legend, others were spawned directly from Francis' mind and they were many and varied. As was the scenery. Each new place Max visited was as intriguing as the last, every building, every sight, every smell was brought to life in full technicolour.
The setting of the book was equally split between Horngate and the Shadow City. In Alexander's POV for the former, and Max's for the latter. This kept both storylines moving along at an equal clip and it was great how the ramifications of events from one side were experienced from the other.
The only slight negative to this split is that I missed the camaraderie between Max and the rest of the gang. I wanted her reunited with them, especially Alexander, with an almost frightening intensity and it just couldn't happen soon enough for me. Even though I enjoyed Max's foray out on her own, and Francis kept me interested throughout, I was still counting the pages until it happened.
On the plus side, the time spent alone did serve to give Max the chance to reflect on how she feels about certain things and certain people: Giselle, her family, Alexander. As well as her role and her forced servitude. I felt there was yet more growth for her as a main character in this story. The bitter, resentful woman from book one is slowly thawing and letting people in and it's great to witness.
Recommended for all Urban Fantasy and Fantasy adventure fans.
The vivid backdrop of the Shadow City and its inhabitants in this instalment was as wacky as it was wonderful. If you've read the previous two books, Bitter Night and Crimson Wind, you'll know that Francis' word building is highly original and unusual as are the creatures and supernatural beings that reside within. In Shadow City, this is taken to an even higher extreme.
Some of these creatures were adaptations of beings from myth and legend, others were spawned directly from Francis' mind and they were many and varied. As was the scenery. Each new place Max visited was as intriguing as the last, every building, every sight, every smell was brought to life in full technicolour.
The setting of the book was equally split between Horngate and the Shadow City. In Alexander's POV for the former, and Max's for the latter. This kept both storylines moving along at an equal clip and it was great how the ramifications of events from one side were experienced from the other.
The only slight negative to this split is that I missed the camaraderie between Max and the rest of the gang. I wanted her reunited with them, especially Alexander, with an almost frightening intensity and it just couldn't happen soon enough for me. Even though I enjoyed Max's foray out on her own, and Francis kept me interested throughout, I was still counting the pages until it happened.
On the plus side, the time spent alone did serve to give Max the chance to reflect on how she feels about certain things and certain people: Giselle, her family, Alexander. As well as her role and her forced servitude. I felt there was yet more growth for her as a main character in this story. The bitter, resentful woman from book one is slowly thawing and letting people in and it's great to witness.
Recommended for all Urban Fantasy and Fantasy adventure fans.
August 12, 2016
Hmm... not sure why this series misses the mark for me? Maybe I'm being too tough on it right now - maybe I should have reread books 1 and 2 first? I found the book was a fast read - it flipped between Max's and Alex's separate adventures - this part was done well, I found both of the storylines equally interesting.
SPOILER ALERT
The characters and some overused themes themselves are what killed it for me. Max was so great that she was even surprising and saving demi-gods. And single-handedly without thought of failure for initial parts of the book. Alex was going crazy missing Max - the love of his life after 2 months? of having met her, and no real depth to their non-relationship. The most interesting characters (the angels) again don't feature much - Xaphan especially never really reappears after his role in book 1. Everyone misses Max so much. Everyone gets a mysterious dog-like companion. Etc etc.
But I admit I will read the next installment - but I might try to find it at the library instead of buying it this time around.
SPOILER ALERT
The characters and some overused themes themselves are what killed it for me. Max was so great that she was even surprising and saving demi-gods. And single-handedly without thought of failure for initial parts of the book. Alex was going crazy missing Max - the love of his life after 2 months? of having met her, and no real depth to their non-relationship. The most interesting characters (the angels) again don't feature much - Xaphan especially never really reappears after his role in book 1. Everyone misses Max so much. Everyone gets a mysterious dog-like companion. Etc etc.
But I admit I will read the next installment - but I might try to find it at the library instead of buying it this time around.
March 4, 2012
I just love this series! I am so so glad that I was luck enough to receive Diana's 2nd book in the series in the giveaway because otherwise I don't know how long I would have gone before I stubbled upon her books. She is an amazing writer and her characters are so believable and the worlds of the sunspears and shadowblades are so detailed. The 3rd book in this series brings in an alternate world of Chadare' which is so well described that you can almost picture it! The only unfornate thing is that you get so involved with the characters that i pulls at you when they die. I hope she will continue writing in this series. I would reccommend this series as a must read for anyone who enjoys the paranormal/fantasy genre!
January 15, 2012
Even though I truly loved the previous two books, the alternating viewpoint in this one drove me mad. Every time I got into a storyline, I was yanked out and thrust into a new one. Also, I'm frustrated by losing some more beloved characters.
January 2, 2012
Predictable, boring, no new developments, and no plot twists. This book should have been longer with just a little more meat to the plot. Im not impressed.
November 22, 2012
4.5 stars. epic showdown. Master worldbuilding. Review to come
June 27, 2017
I was hoping to wrap this one up but I noticed there as a 4th book in the series. No thanks. Even after three books, I'm still meh about every character.
This installment has Max rescuing parts of Scooter in a different realm. The story moved a little faster than the second book which was a slog. We see Max strategizing and Alexander taking the lead in Horngate. All of this was forward movement -all good.
I know they have to wrap up the Guardians storyline but it's not very interesting. For three books, we are supposed to be worried but these mofos haven't shown up themselves so, so what.
I'm referencing the second book here - as we read about these Guardians, I still don't have much invested in saving anyone. Maybe the angels bc they seemed interesting. Side characters like the Sun Spears and the Shadowblades members were more interesting to me than Max and her emo/angry disposition. She hates Giselle. Got it. I don't need to read about it all day, every day. I got it.
Alexander felt one dimensional. I wish there was more closure (or a further storyline) with Valley and Holt. I still didn't care about Max's family - there was barely anything about them in this one.
This installment has Max rescuing parts of Scooter in a different realm. The story moved a little faster than the second book which was a slog. We see Max strategizing and Alexander taking the lead in Horngate. All of this was forward movement -all good.
I know they have to wrap up the Guardians storyline but it's not very interesting. For three books, we are supposed to be worried but these mofos haven't shown up themselves so, so what.
I'm referencing the second book here - as we read about these Guardians, I still don't have much invested in saving anyone. Maybe the angels bc they seemed interesting. Side characters like the Sun Spears and the Shadowblades members were more interesting to me than Max and her emo/angry disposition. She hates Giselle. Got it. I don't need to read about it all day, every day. I got it.
Alexander felt one dimensional. I wish there was more closure (or a further storyline) with Valley and Holt. I still didn't care about Max's family - there was barely anything about them in this one.
September 10, 2020
Max has been sold to Scooter; the demigod that helps protect Horngate. After she returns to Horngate in the last book, Max goes with Scooter to be used as he sees fit. She finds out that Scooter is trying to unlock the magic Max unknowingly has inside herself. In order to do this Scooter has to bring Max to the brink of death. After this, Max is told that Scooter unwilling gave up some of his body parts, and he needs Max to retrieve them before he dies. unfortunately for Max retrieving these parts means a battle. Max uses her new learned magic to take her to a different world where this battle will take place. Max meets some interesting people and gains allies in this new place. She does not know that back at Horngate there is a life and death battle as well. Max ends up recruiting her friends from Horngate to help her in the battle to reclaim Scooter’s parts. Some of the people that join her in this battle are very unexpected. I liked this book a lot and can’t wait to reed the next book.
February 17, 2018
Max is taken by Scooter, as she’s dubbed him, as part of Giselle’s promise for his protection of Horngate, and taught to use the innate and rare talent she possesses for accessing and traveling through the abyss. She quickly shifts from unwilling captive to ally when she learns what Scooter needs her for, willing to be his champion to save his life. Meanwhile, Horngate faces a legendary threat—the impending birth of a Fury within its wards—that may spell doom for them, unless Alexander can step up to the Prime position while Max is gone. I felt a bit like this could have been two novels and benefitted from it through the space to add character development. I get the animal attraction between Alexander and Max, but I have a lot of trouble buying into his obsessive love for her. But he just doesn’t feel as developed in general.
November 7, 2017
The casualties in this one were heartbreaking.
That being said, this series confuses me. After I'd read the first book I thought it was going to be a quadrilogy about our protagonists beating the Guardians.
But then book two was taken up entirely by some side-trip. And now this one is another plot that has nothing to do with the Guardians. And I'm just... what is the point to this series? There seems to be no real over-all story arc. And that bugs me.
That being said, this series confuses me. After I'd read the first book I thought it was going to be a quadrilogy about our protagonists beating the Guardians.
But then book two was taken up entirely by some side-trip. And now this one is another plot that has nothing to do with the Guardians. And I'm just... what is the point to this series? There seems to be no real over-all story arc. And that bugs me.
March 13, 2017
This book is fast paced. A lot of things happening simultaneously. I love reading this series. Max is kick ass
October 16, 2017
Enjoyable read, the contentiousness between characters has been mostly resolved and make it an easier read.
December 13, 2017
3.5 Stars
November 8, 2017
Nota Geral: 3.1/5
Escrita: 3.5
Cenário: 3.5
Originalidade: 3.5
Personagens: 3.5
Suspense: 3
Humor: 3
Romance: 3
Capa: 2
Aditivo: 3
Previsível: 3
Escrita: 3.5
Cenário: 3.5
Originalidade: 3.5
Personagens: 3.5
Suspense: 3
Humor: 3
Romance: 3
Capa: 2
Aditivo: 3
Previsível: 3
February 25, 2020
Great storyline complete with epic battles.
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