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Her Instruments #3
Laisrathera
The Queen of the Eldritch has offered Reese Eddings a life out of a fairy tale, one beyond the imagination of a poor girl from Mars who’d expected to spend her life eking out a living with a rattletrap merchant vessel. Unfortunately, the day Reese reached out to accept Liolesa’s offer, Hirianthial’s enemies betrayed him--and his entire planet--to a race of sociopathic shapeshifters with dreams of conquest. Now the only thing between Reese and a castle of her very own is a maniacal alien despot, his native quisling and all the Eldritch dead-set on preventing the incursion of aliens at any cost, including the ousting of their current usurper, who happens to be an alien himself...
Reese, Hirianthial and the crew of the Earthrise have been battling these pirates since Hirianthial’s capture inspired their fateful meeting, but to beat them Reese will have to own the power she’s always denied herself, and Hirianthial must make peace with his bloody past and uncertain future.
The stakes have never been higher, and this last time will count for all. The final battlefield awaits.
Laisrathera, Book 3 of Her Instruments, concludes the trilogy begun with Earthrise and continued in Rose Point.
Reese, Hirianthial and the crew of the Earthrise have been battling these pirates since Hirianthial’s capture inspired their fateful meeting, but to beat them Reese will have to own the power she’s always denied herself, and Hirianthial must make peace with his bloody past and uncertain future.
The stakes have never been higher, and this last time will count for all. The final battlefield awaits.
Laisrathera, Book 3 of Her Instruments, concludes the trilogy begun with Earthrise and continued in Rose Point.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2014
51 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
M.C.A. Hogarth
145 books386 followersDaughter of two Cuban political exiles, M.C.A. Hogarth was born a foreigner in the American melting pot and has had a fascination for the gaps in cultures and the bridges that span them ever since. She has been many things—-web database architect, product manager, technical writer and massage therapist—-but is currently a full-time parent, artist, writer and anthropologist to aliens, both human and otherwise.
Her fiction has variously been recommended for a Nebula, a finalist for the Spectrum, placed on the secondary Tiptree reading list and chosen for two best-of anthologies; her art has appeared in RPGs, magazines and on book covers.
Her fiction has variously been recommended for a Nebula, a finalist for the Spectrum, placed on the secondary Tiptree reading list and chosen for two best-of anthologies; her art has appeared in RPGs, magazines and on book covers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
August 16, 2020
● Gimme Gimme Gimme We Want to Read this One Yesterday Buddy Read (GGGWWtRtOYBR™) with my Dearest of Wives and our Favorite Stalker, over at the MacHalo Mansion ●
So I've been trying to figure out why the fish I love this series so bloody shrimping much. I mean, it's neither gloriously dark nor deliciously violent, and the characters are not orgasmically screwed-up. To make things worse, there is that whole Repulsive Light Cute and Comfy Read (RLCaCR™) thing going on. It's pretty disgusting, really. And quite logically, I should have felt like killing the whole series with fire. Okay, that might have been a bit extreme, this being my preferred treatment for PNR Crap that Slightly Turns me Into a Ferocious Homicidal Maniac (PNRCtSTmIaFHM™), but stomped on the series a little I definitely would have, in saner circumstances. Only I've obviously lost it, and find myself on the verge of almost nearly fangirling over this series. So the question is, why? Well I did some hard thinking (yes, it did hurt, thank you very much) and…
Euraka and stuff! I saw the light! The reason I love this series so much? Reese Eddings, our most scrumptious heroine, is me. And I'm not saying that because I'm as scrumptious as she is (or is it the other way around? I forget). Oh no, absolutely not. I'm saying that because both of us are delightfully stubborn and unpleasant and annoying and grumpy and acerbic and standoffish (aka absolute perfection) on the outside, and distastefully fluffy and fuzzy and cozy and warm (aka utter despicability) on the inside. Yes, my Little Barnacles, it is very sad but it is very true. Reese and I hide beneath an armor of maliciously sarcastic, antisocial, irritating, aggressive grouchiness, when we really are naught but frail, harmless, compassionate, caring, gentle, overly romantic fluffy bunny wannabes in the search of BFFs and undying luuuuuurve!
No, no, no, jesting with you I am not. Cross my black, withered heart, hope to die and all that crap. Reese really is me. The only difference between our most wondrous heroine and my little self is that I don't have a crew of furry people with a thing for deliciously progressive sexual practices at my disposal. Oh wait, I have the MacHalos, it's pretty much the same thing, right? Right. And, like Reese, all I need to reveal my inner fluffy bunny is for adamsel in distress space elf-prince-doctor-spy in constant need of being rescued to show me the way. Okay, so space elves with telepathic abilities aren't very common in these parts, but I have Fleet Admiral DaShrimp, which is close enough. Then again maybe not. I mean, he's probably not as sexy as Hirianthial here, but what can a crustacean do? Sigh. My subaquatic life sucks so much. But anyway. Oh, there is something else Reese and I don't have in common: her slight obsession with Exotic Alien Romances. But hey, I survived read the Duke and I, which I'm sure is worth at least 10,000 of Reese's crappy delightful books. See, our most wondrous heroine and I are so alike, we could be twins or something. Ergo, Reese is me and this series is slightly awesome. QED and stuff.
Just like me.
Okay, so Reese being me is one of the reasons why this series/book/bottle of whisky is so full of Bloody Shrimping Awesome (BSA™). Some Other Most Glorious Reasons (OMGR™) include:
✔ Action! Adventure! Revolution! Entertaining stuff!
✔ Asshole dragons and traitors and slavers and pirates, oh my!
✔ Most marvellous and slightly magnificent character development.
✔ Creatures and species so diversely luscious I want to adopt them all. For those clueless barnacles who missed the previous episodes: all Fliztbe and Harat-Shar are MINE. Thank thee kindly.
✔ Friendship and camaraderie and family not always being blood and bloody hell this is so disgustingly heart-warming I think I am going to throw up.
✔ One of the best cast of characters in the history of best casts of characters.
✔ Matriarchal space elven society (yes, that is a thing) where men are naught but glorified studs. It's so beautiful I might cry tears of blood.
✔ Despicably vile, deranged, cowardly bastards who need to die a thousand horribly painful deaths.
That's the spirit!
✔ Multi-purpose, kinetic energy-rechargeable, shape-changing swords. Use them to sever heads! Or to finely chop onions! Buy one today! They're the best thing sincebarnacle toasters lightsabers!
✔ Misbegotten cretins with a thing for fur.
✔ Fighting xenophobia and bigotry. Overcoming racial, social and cultural differences. Forgiving thy enemy, giving bitches from hell second chances, and other revoltingly considerate ideas of the sort. EW EW EW.
✔ HAHAHA scenes and dialogues and banter and stuff.
✔ Camouflaged space elves (don't ask).
✔ Spoiled, selfish, arrogant, naïve, stupid brats who deserve to be rigorously punished for being so spoiled, selfish, arrogant, naïve and stupid.
✔ Pornographic reunions.
✔ Original, creative, fascinating, I Could Read About This Forever (ICRATF™)world universe. And I will. Read about this forever, I mean. Because Hogarth has written so many stories in this world that I now have enough reading material to last me three space elf lifetimes. At least. And believe me, my Delightful Decapods, that is a veerrryyyyyy loooooong time indeed.
And now for a dancing break.
Told you I was really a fluffy bunny wannabe on the inside.
Okay, so at this point you probably think I've slightly lost my mind here, what with all this silly RLCaCR™ business . And yet, this is not the worst of it. Oh no, far from it. I'd advise you to sit down here. I'm pretty sure you're going to faint massively in a second, and wouldn't want you to hurt your littleexoskeletons selves in the process. Ready? Here goes. The worst of it is: this series ends in a blaze of loathsome, most abhorrent, decidedly sickening Lovey Dovey HEA of Doom and Oblivion (LDHEAoDaO™). AND I BLOODY SHRIMPING LOVED IT. Run, my Little Barnacles, run! The apocalypse is coming!
» And the moral of this Exotic Alien Romances are Severely Underrated Crappy Non Review (EARaSUCNR™) is: Reese dear, if you weren't already me, I'd want to be you when I grew up.
· Book 1: Earthrise ★★★★
· Book 2: Rose Point ★★★★★
· Book 4: A Rose Point Holiday ★★★★
So I've been trying to figure out why the fish I love this series so bloody shrimping much. I mean, it's neither gloriously dark nor deliciously violent, and the characters are not orgasmically screwed-up. To make things worse, there is that whole Repulsive Light Cute and Comfy Read (RLCaCR™) thing going on. It's pretty disgusting, really. And quite logically, I should have felt like killing the whole series with fire. Okay, that might have been a bit extreme, this being my preferred treatment for PNR Crap that Slightly Turns me Into a Ferocious Homicidal Maniac (PNRCtSTmIaFHM™), but stomped on the series a little I definitely would have, in saner circumstances. Only I've obviously lost it, and find myself on the verge of almost nearly fangirling over this series. So the question is, why? Well I did some hard thinking (yes, it did hurt, thank you very much) and…
Euraka and stuff! I saw the light! The reason I love this series so much? Reese Eddings, our most scrumptious heroine, is me. And I'm not saying that because I'm as scrumptious as she is (or is it the other way around? I forget). Oh no, absolutely not. I'm saying that because both of us are delightfully stubborn and unpleasant and annoying and grumpy and acerbic and standoffish (aka absolute perfection) on the outside, and distastefully fluffy and fuzzy and cozy and warm (aka utter despicability) on the inside. Yes, my Little Barnacles, it is very sad but it is very true. Reese and I hide beneath an armor of maliciously sarcastic, antisocial, irritating, aggressive grouchiness, when we really are naught but frail, harmless, compassionate, caring, gentle, overly romantic fluffy bunny wannabes in the search of BFFs and undying luuuuuurve!
No, no, no, jesting with you I am not. Cross my black, withered heart, hope to die and all that crap. Reese really is me. The only difference between our most wondrous heroine and my little self is that I don't have a crew of furry people with a thing for deliciously progressive sexual practices at my disposal. Oh wait, I have the MacHalos, it's pretty much the same thing, right? Right. And, like Reese, all I need to reveal my inner fluffy bunny is for a
Just like me.
Okay, so Reese being me is one of the reasons why this series/book
✔ Action! Adventure! Revolution! Entertaining stuff!
✔ Asshole dragons and traitors and slavers and pirates, oh my!
✔ Most marvellous and slightly magnificent character development.
✔ Creatures and species so diversely luscious I want to adopt them all. For those clueless barnacles who missed the previous episodes: all Fliztbe and Harat-Shar are MINE. Thank thee kindly.
✔ Friendship and camaraderie and family not always being blood and bloody hell this is so disgustingly heart-warming I think I am going to throw up.
✔ One of the best cast of characters in the history of best casts of characters.
✔ Matriarchal space elven society (yes, that is a thing) where men are naught but glorified studs. It's so beautiful I might cry tears of blood.
✔ Despicably vile, deranged, cowardly bastards who need to die a thousand horribly painful deaths.
That's the spirit!
✔ Multi-purpose, kinetic energy-rechargeable, shape-changing swords. Use them to sever heads! Or to finely chop onions! Buy one today! They're the best thing since
✔ Misbegotten cretins with a thing for fur.
✔ Fighting xenophobia and bigotry. Overcoming racial, social and cultural differences. Forgiving thy enemy, giving bitches from hell second chances, and other revoltingly considerate ideas of the sort. EW EW EW.
✔ HAHAHA scenes and dialogues and banter and stuff.
✔ Camouflaged space elves (don't ask).
✔ Spoiled, selfish, arrogant, naïve, stupid brats who deserve to be rigorously punished for being so spoiled, selfish, arrogant, naïve and stupid.
✔ Pornographic reunions.
✔ Original, creative, fascinating, I Could Read About This Forever (ICRATF™)
And now for a dancing break.
Told you I was really a fluffy bunny wannabe on the inside.
Okay, so at this point you probably think I've slightly lost my mind here, what with all this silly RLCaCR™ business . And yet, this is not the worst of it. Oh no, far from it. I'd advise you to sit down here. I'm pretty sure you're going to faint massively in a second, and wouldn't want you to hurt your little
» And the moral of this Exotic Alien Romances are Severely Underrated Crappy Non Review (EARaSUCNR™) is: Reese dear, if you weren't already me, I'd want to be you when I grew up.
· Book 1: Earthrise ★★★★
· Book 2: Rose Point ★★★★★
· Book 4: A Rose Point Holiday ★★★★
April 4, 2017
*** 4.75 ***
A buddy read with my friends @ the MacHalo Freaks, since we really like Tigreen and Flitzbies!!!
What a wonderful, heartbreaking, but completely magical tale! I stayed up all night so I can engulf it and find out what happened. This Universe where people of all shapes, forms, races and genetics try to find the best way they can exist and be safe, is beautiful, colorful and still can find a way to reach inside your chest and rip your heart out! I felt very lucky to have come across this series and was able to enjoy and share it with my friends @ the MacHalos ☺.
"...“To love was to be vulnerable to pain. To laugh was to be sensitive enough for tears. To be open to joy was to be despair’s fair prey.” ..."
We started right where the story left off in book 2 and everything seemed hopeless for the Eldridge world and its dwindling population. Pirate Slavers are settling down and getting ready to make every Eldridge their property, using them as such and treating them in the most despicable ways possible. The "new Queen" realizes she has been used as their puppet and when she tries to fix it, she becomes just another one of the Slavers toys. The real Queen and cousin are recovering a board an Union ship and looking for allies who could help in a discreet manner, since the Planet has been hidden up to this point and they would like to keep it so for as long as possible.
Captain Reese stays behind with her Tigreen friend and couple of the locals to try to obstruct the Pirates plans as much as they can and do some recon. This is how we meet a funny Eldridge priest named Val and I loved him at first sight:-) They all met at the real, old, romantic castle which the Queen deeded to Reese and which has been abandoned for years and is in complete disrepair. Reese had her rude awakening as far as her notions about such things generated through her addiction to romance novels. I might have similar delusionsas well, since I suffer from the same addiction myself:-)
The clashes between the different traditions, races, understandings, and topped with the violence brought on by the Invaders and long standing political rivelries is intense, cruel, devastating, and just as emotionally unsettling as any mortal conflict in reality... I laughed, loved and cried with the characters and was left with a hope that maybe, just maybe, if we all listen to each other, discover our own strengthsand weaknesses, and make a conscious decision to work together, there might be good things awaiting us at the end of the road...
"...“Sarel. It is not humility to assume every responsibility is yours to bear. It is not wise. And it is not just, nor kind. You must let go of your need to feel that everything that befalls you is yours to mend, for at the root of that assumption is a great flaw: the belief that you can control everything. Continue to nourish that flaw and it will grow into the fault that will shatter you as surely as the sword poorly made.”..."
I don't want to give away any part of the plot, so I would like to encourage you, readers of Sci-fi and Fantasy, to give this series a try - the first book is the weakest and they get better with every book, so don't give up! For me, this series gave me a taste of this Universe and I plan to eat it all up ☺☺☺!
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful books to come!
A buddy read with my friends @ the MacHalo Freaks, since we really like Tigreen and Flitzbies!!!
What a wonderful, heartbreaking, but completely magical tale! I stayed up all night so I can engulf it and find out what happened. This Universe where people of all shapes, forms, races and genetics try to find the best way they can exist and be safe, is beautiful, colorful and still can find a way to reach inside your chest and rip your heart out! I felt very lucky to have come across this series and was able to enjoy and share it with my friends @ the MacHalos ☺.
"...“To love was to be vulnerable to pain. To laugh was to be sensitive enough for tears. To be open to joy was to be despair’s fair prey.” ..."
We started right where the story left off in book 2 and everything seemed hopeless for the Eldridge world and its dwindling population. Pirate Slavers are settling down and getting ready to make every Eldridge their property, using them as such and treating them in the most despicable ways possible. The "new Queen" realizes she has been used as their puppet and when she tries to fix it, she becomes just another one of the Slavers toys. The real Queen and cousin are recovering a board an Union ship and looking for allies who could help in a discreet manner, since the Planet has been hidden up to this point and they would like to keep it so for as long as possible.
Captain Reese stays behind with her Tigreen friend and couple of the locals to try to obstruct the Pirates plans as much as they can and do some recon. This is how we meet a funny Eldridge priest named Val and I loved him at first sight:-) They all met at the real, old, romantic castle which the Queen deeded to Reese and which has been abandoned for years and is in complete disrepair. Reese had her rude awakening as far as her notions about such things generated through her addiction to romance novels. I might have similar delusionsas well, since I suffer from the same addiction myself:-)
The clashes between the different traditions, races, understandings, and topped with the violence brought on by the Invaders and long standing political rivelries is intense, cruel, devastating, and just as emotionally unsettling as any mortal conflict in reality... I laughed, loved and cried with the characters and was left with a hope that maybe, just maybe, if we all listen to each other, discover our own strengthsand weaknesses, and make a conscious decision to work together, there might be good things awaiting us at the end of the road...
"...“Sarel. It is not humility to assume every responsibility is yours to bear. It is not wise. And it is not just, nor kind. You must let go of your need to feel that everything that befalls you is yours to mend, for at the root of that assumption is a great flaw: the belief that you can control everything. Continue to nourish that flaw and it will grow into the fault that will shatter you as surely as the sword poorly made.”..."
I don't want to give away any part of the plot, so I would like to encourage you, readers of Sci-fi and Fantasy, to give this series a try - the first book is the weakest and they get better with every book, so don't give up! For me, this series gave me a taste of this Universe and I plan to eat it all up ☺☺☺!
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful books to come!
April 15, 2017
The way the previous book ended I just couldn't restrain myself from immediately starting this one. I just had to know what will happen. I wanted to learn how it would end that in my haste I would skip a paragraph and then return to read it. I'm pretty sure that I missed some major point in my mad race to the finish line. I must schedule a reread in the near future so I can properly enjoy this one.
Baniel is one of those villains that you hate in your guts. Everytime he showed on page I felt like throwing something and screaming in rage. I hate the guy so much. He was also the reason I almost gave this book 4 stars. His reasoning and motives were never explained to my satisfaction. Why was he doing this? How had he become this monster? And most importantly why did he
Surela, who at the end of the previous book took the Eldritch throne, proved to be an utter idiot with no real sense of what she was getting herself into. She truly believed she was doing what was best for her people but instead of making me more lenient towards her it infuriated me. Reese proved to be a much softer and more forgiving person than me when it comes to that simpleton. And yet she suffered for her mistakes and
The new addition to the cast - Val - was great. I especially liked his bickering with the other priest and his relationship with Irine. Reese showed incredible growth throughout the trilogy and I was so happy that she finally found her happy ending :) She deserves it.
Baniel is one of those villains that you hate in your guts. Everytime he showed on page I felt like throwing something and screaming in rage. I hate the guy so much. He was also the reason I almost gave this book 4 stars. His reasoning and motives were never explained to my satisfaction. Why was he doing this? How had he become this monster? And most importantly why did he
Surela, who at the end of the previous book took the Eldritch throne, proved to be an utter idiot with no real sense of what she was getting herself into. She truly believed she was doing what was best for her people but instead of making me more lenient towards her it infuriated me. Reese proved to be a much softer and more forgiving person than me when it comes to that simpleton. And yet she suffered for her mistakes and
The new addition to the cast - Val - was great. I especially liked his bickering with the other priest and his relationship with Irine. Reese showed incredible growth throughout the trilogy and I was so happy that she finally found her happy ending :) She deserves it.
July 22, 2016
I can scarcely think of a better way to wrap up Theresa Edding's story. It was wonderful to see the character examine herself and continue to mature – even as she risked her life fighting for her new people. Perhaps I could have done without the romantic subplot (though I had been hoping for it since early in the second book; what can I say? Sometimes I think the story is best served by leaving me wanting), but I do love the way Hogarth sought answers, in-story, to the questions most discerning readers would undoubtedly have. And falling in love – and admitting it – was part of Reese's growth.
Alas, most of the things I want to gush about would be spoilers, so I'll just say that, as usual, M.C.A. Hogarth offered up a delightfully realised world, inhabited by characters so real (and distinct), I felt I could almost touch them. These days, finding someone who combines good writing with great storytelling, excellent world-building and masterful characterisation is terribly rare. Somehow, Hogarth manages to fit the bill.
Alas, most of the things I want to gush about would be spoilers, so I'll just say that, as usual, M.C.A. Hogarth offered up a delightfully realised world, inhabited by characters so real (and distinct), I felt I could almost touch them. These days, finding someone who combines good writing with great storytelling, excellent world-building and masterful characterisation is terribly rare. Somehow, Hogarth manages to fit the bill.
March 31, 2015
OMG! This is one of those series books where playing hooky for a few hours and losing sleep was just so worth it. I really don't know how Ms. Hogarth knew what this science-fiction multicultural loving geek chick needed, but this series has been the panacea for all the huge disappointments (especially in IR) I've come across. And technically, it's not a romance, but a huge sweeping epic of the far-off reaches of the universe, the families we come from and those we make, political and social upheaval, and yes, love in all its myriad forms.
There's an incredible cast of amazing characters who while "alien" perhaps in form, are still quite relatable and even more human than the humans (save for the bad guy dragon-shifters). As much as I adored Reese and Hirianthial (and Hirianthial has just been added to The Fountain Pen Diva's exclusive Book Boyfriend list) my favourite characters were the brother/sister tigraines Sascha and Irine (and I really liked how their social mores while different--and maybe disconcerting for some readers--are treated as a matter of course) and Allacazam the Flitzbe (I want one for my birthday).
Of course, it's of paramount importance that the female characters be assertive, strong yet with flaws and there are plenty of them here. I loved Liolesa, the Eldritch queen, unflappable, savvy and willing to do whatever it took to save her slowly-dying race from extinction, even at the cost of her crown. Moreover, the universe Ms. Hogarth created is multicultural and multispecies, the way our actual future SHOULD look. I am SO DONE with sci-fi, fantasy, urban fantasy and other subgenres whitewashing their worlds then whining when called to the mat for it. Newsflash: PoC read (and write) sci-fi. We love it. We want to be part of it. Get a grip!
And THE COVER! I just can't keep doing happy dances over all three incredible covers! I heart these covers so much that I'd be willing to buy the physical copies of the novels just so I can hold them in my hot little hands. When there is so much whitewashing and fail with covers featuring characters of color, here's the amazing Julie Dillon putting them front and center and heroic as all get-out. Moreover, my girl Reese is dark-skinned and has naturally braided and beaded hair. What a refreshing concept when it seems too many authors are all about cafe au lait, butterscotch, honey or anything lighter than a paper bag with silky flowing locks courtesy of some "Native American" relative, and green/grey eyes. Though they're always built like Nikki Minaj.
What a way to end this awesome series. Holding my breath in hope and horror as a closed and xenophobic world tettered on the brink of destruction and a man, long haunted by duty and guilt finally comes into his own. Character death, violence, rape, the innocent lives lost in war--it's here and while not gratuitous, it's a necessary part of the dangerous and shifting powerplays that held the Eldritch homeworld in precarious balance.
Of course I knew Reese and Hirianthial were going to end up together and by book two Rose Point, the tension between them was killing me. But what a way to go! I cheered and sighed and though definitely not erotic (and here I wouldn't have minded some serious steam between Hirianthial and Reese), it was sweet and sensual, and considering what travails these two people have gone through, they've most certainly earned their happy ending.
Now that I've finished Laisrathera, what the hell am I going to read NOW? The bar has once more been raised.
There's an incredible cast of amazing characters who while "alien" perhaps in form, are still quite relatable and even more human than the humans (save for the bad guy dragon-shifters). As much as I adored Reese and Hirianthial (and Hirianthial has just been added to The Fountain Pen Diva's exclusive Book Boyfriend list) my favourite characters were the brother/sister tigraines Sascha and Irine (and I really liked how their social mores while different--and maybe disconcerting for some readers--are treated as a matter of course) and Allacazam the Flitzbe (I want one for my birthday).
Of course, it's of paramount importance that the female characters be assertive, strong yet with flaws and there are plenty of them here. I loved Liolesa, the Eldritch queen, unflappable, savvy and willing to do whatever it took to save her slowly-dying race from extinction, even at the cost of her crown. Moreover, the universe Ms. Hogarth created is multicultural and multispecies, the way our actual future SHOULD look. I am SO DONE with sci-fi, fantasy, urban fantasy and other subgenres whitewashing their worlds then whining when called to the mat for it. Newsflash: PoC read (and write) sci-fi. We love it. We want to be part of it. Get a grip!
And THE COVER! I just can't keep doing happy dances over all three incredible covers! I heart these covers so much that I'd be willing to buy the physical copies of the novels just so I can hold them in my hot little hands. When there is so much whitewashing and fail with covers featuring characters of color, here's the amazing Julie Dillon putting them front and center and heroic as all get-out. Moreover, my girl Reese is dark-skinned and has naturally braided and beaded hair. What a refreshing concept when it seems too many authors are all about cafe au lait, butterscotch, honey or anything lighter than a paper bag with silky flowing locks courtesy of some "Native American" relative, and green/grey eyes. Though they're always built like Nikki Minaj.
What a way to end this awesome series. Holding my breath in hope and horror as a closed and xenophobic world tettered on the brink of destruction and a man, long haunted by duty and guilt finally comes into his own. Character death, violence, rape, the innocent lives lost in war--it's here and while not gratuitous, it's a necessary part of the dangerous and shifting powerplays that held the Eldritch homeworld in precarious balance.
Of course I knew Reese and Hirianthial were going to end up together and by book two Rose Point, the tension between them was killing me. But what a way to go! I cheered and sighed and though definitely not erotic (and here I wouldn't have minded some serious steam between Hirianthial and Reese), it was sweet and sensual, and considering what travails these two people have gone through, they've most certainly earned their happy ending.
Now that I've finished Laisrathera, what the hell am I going to read NOW? The bar has once more been raised.
December 31, 2023
I loved the first two in the series, but this one was really exceptional--the culmination of political intrigue, war, a palace coup, and a romance. I read the sequel series first, so I knew what happened to Surela, but when I was in the middle of Rose Point I thought for sure I would only find her redeemable because I knew who she ended up being. Hogarth does a fantastic job portraying her as someone who is a villain because she gets completely wrong information (as compared to the true villain, who is a real bastard).
This marks the end of the series--there is a fourth book, but it's more a full-length epilogue than the culmination of the series. I'm happy to report that Reese stops being prickly and is much more comfortable to spend time with, and everything wraps up beautifully. Truly enjoyable.
This marks the end of the series--there is a fourth book, but it's more a full-length epilogue than the culmination of the series. I'm happy to report that Reese stops being prickly and is much more comfortable to spend time with, and everything wraps up beautifully. Truly enjoyable.
February 5, 2016
Read more reviews at The Bibliosanctum.
TL;DR Review:
4 of 5 stars. I have been emotionally compromised.
Longer Review:
The second book ended on a such a bang, making it impossible for me to not start this book, the last book, immediately. Laisrathera, which means Earthrise in Hirianthial’s native tongue, brings about a satisfying conclusion this series. The second book introduced us to Hirianthial’s home planet after Hirianthial starts exhibiting psi-abilities that are abnormal even for his people. This is when the crew learns the reality of Hirianthial’s people and what caused him to leave his homeworld in the first place, realizing that it’s not quite the idyllic planet that many believe it to be. What started as a simple mission to get their Eldritch home turns into a plot of political intrigue and treachery that puts plucky Captain Reese Eddings and her merry band of misfits right in the middle of the drama.
Her Instruments turned into one of those series that I hated to see end because I enjoyed it so much while proving its a series that I’ll revisit in the future. I’ll be the first to admit that I love my smut, the smuttiest of smut, because I’m trash like that (I read Gargoyle/Witch super smut while passing out Halloween candy; you can’t even begin to comprehend the depths of my trashiness), but there’s nothing like a really well-written, sweet romance that doesn’t thrust the characters at one another the minute they see one another. For all my smut-loving ways, I am a sucker for romantic plots that burn slowly and allow the characters to grow into the people they want to be personally while they forge a stronger bond with one another. I’m a total sap like that. This was a fun adventure across the universe with a great cast of characters. Hogarth explored ideas of humans who expanded beyond Earth, becoming huge catalysts for how the universe was shaped but finding themselves outpaced by their own “creations,” if you will. She gave us these new races that drew inspiration from their real world counterparts, such as felines, while giving them culture that was unique to them. (I’m going to have to read her other books to get more details on some of these races, I believe.) We followed the crew from a simple cargo run to a momentous conclusion. I consider this series one of my gem finds of 2015.
TL;DR Review:
4 of 5 stars. I have been emotionally compromised.
Longer Review:
The second book ended on a such a bang, making it impossible for me to not start this book, the last book, immediately. Laisrathera, which means Earthrise in Hirianthial’s native tongue, brings about a satisfying conclusion this series. The second book introduced us to Hirianthial’s home planet after Hirianthial starts exhibiting psi-abilities that are abnormal even for his people. This is when the crew learns the reality of Hirianthial’s people and what caused him to leave his homeworld in the first place, realizing that it’s not quite the idyllic planet that many believe it to be. What started as a simple mission to get their Eldritch home turns into a plot of political intrigue and treachery that puts plucky Captain Reese Eddings and her merry band of misfits right in the middle of the drama.
Her Instruments turned into one of those series that I hated to see end because I enjoyed it so much while proving its a series that I’ll revisit in the future. I’ll be the first to admit that I love my smut, the smuttiest of smut, because I’m trash like that (I read Gargoyle/Witch super smut while passing out Halloween candy; you can’t even begin to comprehend the depths of my trashiness), but there’s nothing like a really well-written, sweet romance that doesn’t thrust the characters at one another the minute they see one another. For all my smut-loving ways, I am a sucker for romantic plots that burn slowly and allow the characters to grow into the people they want to be personally while they forge a stronger bond with one another. I’m a total sap like that. This was a fun adventure across the universe with a great cast of characters. Hogarth explored ideas of humans who expanded beyond Earth, becoming huge catalysts for how the universe was shaped but finding themselves outpaced by their own “creations,” if you will. She gave us these new races that drew inspiration from their real world counterparts, such as felines, while giving them culture that was unique to them. (I’m going to have to read her other books to get more details on some of these races, I believe.) We followed the crew from a simple cargo run to a momentous conclusion. I consider this series one of my gem finds of 2015.
July 15, 2018
Enjoyable and a good finish to all the story threads begun in the first two books. I'd have given it five stars except Reese spends the last quarter of the book continually reviewing her many flaws, how she overcame them, and the lessons she's learned. This takes the form of encouragement to others, apologies, thank you's and self reflection. All of that is good and well, but it would have better served the story to not bring things to a grinding halt with this continual repetition. Once in her conversations with a traitor who is refusing redemption would have been enough and it was, indeed, very applicable in that case.
Still, all in all, very enjoyable.
Still, all in all, very enjoyable.
June 9, 2015
"Laisrathera, Book 3 of Her Instruments, concludes the trilogy begun with Earthrise and continued in Rose Point."
A well-written and fitting conclusion to this trilogy. No truly surprising plot-twists or epiphanies, but sound and entertaining story telling. I am going to have withdrawel symptoms for a while, this world sucked me in so deeply.
I liked the addition of Val and Belinor, especially Val was a character with a lot of potential. The immediate connection between those two, with possible benefits, was a bit out of the blue, but worked and made me curious for more of their story.
Lesandurel was also an interesting character with story arch potential. And the whole crew of the Moonsinger, obviously. Although, I think I saw on the author's website that this will indeed be the setting of a new book/trilogy.
The book itself was a bit more sedate and introspective, compared to the previous two. But there was still plenty of action, great character development and our two heroes finally finding each other. My only, very small disappointment - I had expected a larger-scale conflict with the Chatcaavan and a overall darker and more angsty tone and found it all a bit too vanilla in the end. Nonetheless, bottomline, fun, great story, loved the characters.
A well-written and fitting conclusion to this trilogy. No truly surprising plot-twists or epiphanies, but sound and entertaining story telling. I am going to have withdrawel symptoms for a while, this world sucked me in so deeply.
I liked the addition of Val and Belinor, especially Val was a character with a lot of potential. The immediate connection between those two, with possible benefits, was a bit out of the blue, but worked and made me curious for more of their story.
Lesandurel was also an interesting character with story arch potential. And the whole crew of the Moonsinger, obviously. Although, I think I saw on the author's website that this will indeed be the setting of a new book/trilogy.
The book itself was a bit more sedate and introspective, compared to the previous two. But there was still plenty of action, great character development and our two heroes finally finding each other. My only, very small disappointment - I had expected a larger-scale conflict with the Chatcaavan and a overall darker and more angsty tone and found it all a bit too vanilla in the end. Nonetheless, bottomline, fun, great story, loved the characters.
August 26, 2018
A strong finish to the series, which ended somewhat better than its uneven beginning, with a pleasant blend of action and romance- I regret a little waiting to read them until now. I think Rose Point and Laisrathera are probably the best-written overall of Hogarth's books that I've read (the female characters being given a more central role was nice too), and I look forward to revisiting them in the future. I would happily read about the further adventures of the cast as well.
Content warning for rape again in this one, and also generally more violence and a few scenes taking place in the aftermath of the destruction of a village that were hard to read.
Content warning for rape again in this one, and also generally more violence and a few scenes taking place in the aftermath of the destruction of a village that were hard to read.
April 8, 2019
It seems almost redundant to say, because MCA Hogarth does, like, everything really well, but she does endings extra really well. Loved it. Loved every second of it. Already looking forward to a few years from now when the details are a little hazy and I get the read it all again.
September 5, 2024
this series is everything to meeeeeee😭😭😭
April 16, 2018
The third book in the Her Instruments series by MCA Hogarth. The story continues from the cliffhanger of the previous book, Rose Point. I don't want to give any spoilers so I will leave it at that.
I found it to be mostly entertaining. I got a bit frustrated at all the obstacles thrown at the "good" guys. And the fact that the main characters were separated for most of the book. But really overall it moved quickly and kept my attention and I did like it.
I found it to be mostly entertaining. I got a bit frustrated at all the obstacles thrown at the "good" guys. And the fact that the main characters were separated for most of the book. But really overall it moved quickly and kept my attention and I did like it.
April 23, 2015
OMG! This is one of those series books where playing hooky for a few hours and losing sleep was just so worth it. I really don't know how Ms. Hogarth knew what this science-fiction multicultural loving geek chick needed, but this series has been the panacea for all the huge disappointments (especially in IR) I've come across. And technically, it's not a romance, but a huge sweeping epic of the far-off reaches of the universe, the families we come from and those we make, political and social upheaval, and yes, love in all its myriad forms.
There's an incredible cast of amazing characters who while "alien" perhaps in form, are still quite relatable and even more human than the humans (save for the bad guy dragon-shifters). As much as I adored Reese and Hirianthial (and Hirianthial has just been added to The Fountain Pen Diva's exclusive Book Boyfriend list) my favourite characters were the brother/sister tigraines Sascha and Irine (and I really liked how their social mores while different--and maybe disconcerting for some readers--are treated as a matter of course) and Allacazam the Flitzbe (I want one for my birthday).
Of course, it's of paramount importance that the female characters be assertive, strong yet with flaws and there are plenty of them here. I loved Liolesa, the Eldritch queen, unflappable, savvy and willing to do whatever it took to save her slowly-dying race from extinction, even at the cost of her crown. Moreover, the universe Ms. Hogarth created is multicultural and multispecies, the way our actual future SHOULD look. I am SO DONE with sci-fi, fantasy, urban fantasy and other subgenres whitewashing their worlds then whining when called to the mat for it. Newsflash: PoC read (and write) sci-fi. We love it. We want to be part of it. Get a grip!
And THE COVER! I just can't keep doing happy dances over all three incredible covers! I heart these covers so much that I'd be willing to buy the physical copies of the novels just so I can hold them in my hot little hands. When there is so much whitewashing and fail with covers featuring characters of color, here's the amazing Julie Dillon putting them front and center and heroic as all get-out. Moreover, my girl Reese is dark-skinned and has naturally braided and beaded hair. What a refreshing concept when it seems too many authors are all about cafe au lait, butterscotch, honey or anything lighter than a paper bag with silky flowing locks courtesy of some "Native American" relative, and green/grey eyes. Though they're always built like Nikki Minaj.
What a way to end this awesome series. Holding my breath in hope and horror as a closed and xenophobic world tettered on the brink of destruction and a man, long haunted by duty and guilt finally comes into his own. Character death, violence, rape, the innocent lives lost in war--it's here and while not gratuitous, it's a necessary part of the dangerous and shifting powerplays that held the Eldritch homeworld in precarious balance.
Of course I knew Reese and Hirianthial were going to end up together and by book two Rose Point, the tension between them was killing me. But what a way to go! I cheered and sighed and though definitely not erotic (and here I wouldn't have minded some serious steam between Hirianthial and Reese), it was sweet and sensual, and considering what travails these two people have gone through, they've most certainly earned their happy ending.
Now that I've finished Laisrathera, what the hell am I going to read NOW? The bar has once more been raised.
There's an incredible cast of amazing characters who while "alien" perhaps in form, are still quite relatable and even more human than the humans (save for the bad guy dragon-shifters). As much as I adored Reese and Hirianthial (and Hirianthial has just been added to The Fountain Pen Diva's exclusive Book Boyfriend list) my favourite characters were the brother/sister tigraines Sascha and Irine (and I really liked how their social mores while different--and maybe disconcerting for some readers--are treated as a matter of course) and Allacazam the Flitzbe (I want one for my birthday).
Of course, it's of paramount importance that the female characters be assertive, strong yet with flaws and there are plenty of them here. I loved Liolesa, the Eldritch queen, unflappable, savvy and willing to do whatever it took to save her slowly-dying race from extinction, even at the cost of her crown. Moreover, the universe Ms. Hogarth created is multicultural and multispecies, the way our actual future SHOULD look. I am SO DONE with sci-fi, fantasy, urban fantasy and other subgenres whitewashing their worlds then whining when called to the mat for it. Newsflash: PoC read (and write) sci-fi. We love it. We want to be part of it. Get a grip!
And THE COVER! I just can't keep doing happy dances over all three incredible covers! I heart these covers so much that I'd be willing to buy the physical copies of the novels just so I can hold them in my hot little hands. When there is so much whitewashing and fail with covers featuring characters of color, here's the amazing Julie Dillon putting them front and center and heroic as all get-out. Moreover, my girl Reese is dark-skinned and has naturally braided and beaded hair. What a refreshing concept when it seems too many authors are all about cafe au lait, butterscotch, honey or anything lighter than a paper bag with silky flowing locks courtesy of some "Native American" relative, and green/grey eyes. Though they're always built like Nikki Minaj.
What a way to end this awesome series. Holding my breath in hope and horror as a closed and xenophobic world tettered on the brink of destruction and a man, long haunted by duty and guilt finally comes into his own. Character death, violence, rape, the innocent lives lost in war--it's here and while not gratuitous, it's a necessary part of the dangerous and shifting powerplays that held the Eldritch homeworld in precarious balance.
Of course I knew Reese and Hirianthial were going to end up together and by book two Rose Point, the tension between them was killing me. But what a way to go! I cheered and sighed and though definitely not erotic (and here I wouldn't have minded some serious steam between Hirianthial and Reese), it was sweet and sensual, and considering what travails these two people have gone through, they've most certainly earned their happy ending.
Now that I've finished Laisrathera, what the hell am I going to read NOW? The bar has once more been raised.
July 2, 2015
Apparently, my expectations for this were higher than I thought, because while it was still good, it wasn't as good as the first two. Its mood was very different (I need a break from the one-damn-thing-after-another-after-another-after-another trope) than the others, and the action was paced differently, which is part of what didn't work for me. In the previous two, there was a better balance of the emo-character development, while this title was all about that. Disappointing, but still worth having read the trilogy.
August 12, 2025
This book, my god, this book. I don't think I've stayed up all night reading a book in the last decade or so (not that there were not some very good books in there) but I literally could not put this one down. It was perfect in every single conceivable way, and some that I hadn't thought to conceive of.
Spoilers:
Spoilers:
January 8, 2021
This book was way better than the Rose Point. Possibly even better than Earthrise(I’m not sure).
In my review of the previous book, I complained that it moved too slowly for my liking, with too much political posturing and... well, basically “too much talk and not enough action”.
This third instalment solves that problem. While it’s not quite as action-packed as the first book in the series, Laisrathera balances the politics and the action nicely. Rose Point ended on a critical turning point for our heroes (no spoilers, in case you’ve yet to read any books in the series), and this one picks up pretty much where that one left off, with the characters strategising, and planning their way out of the crisis.
In my review of Earthrise, I mentioned it as a good thing that the author uses lots of big words, which we seldom see anymore. I still think that was a good thing, a pleasant novelty, for the first book, but the problem is that the trend has continued, and gotten even worse, to where one might even accuse the prose of being purple. You often have to concentrate really carefully to understand what’s being said, and it takes away from your enjoyment of the story.
Plus, ALL the characters understand what these archaic words mean, and use them freely, regardless of their backgrounds, which can make them feel like cardboard cut-outs instead of individuals with their own personalities.
Something else weird is that people don’t say things “quietly” or “pensively” or whatever in this book. Rather, they say them “quiet” or “pensive”. It’s odd. I don’t know if it was ever acceptable in English, but it adds to the “archaic” feel of the writing. It feels like something that would’ve been written in the 60s or 70s, not in the 21st century.
I think this book is a fitting end to a science-fiction series which has a rather epic feel, reminiscent of Frank Herbert’s Dune. But then, I stopped reading that series after book three because I grew tired of the convoluted plot and archaic writing style... (Yes, I know there’s a fourth book in this series; I won’t be reading it)
Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a copy: https://books2read.com/u/bMXBEk
* Note: That's an affiliate link, so if you click through to a store and end up buying anything, I might earn a commission from your purchase.
In my review of the previous book, I complained that it moved too slowly for my liking, with too much political posturing and... well, basically “too much talk and not enough action”.
This third instalment solves that problem. While it’s not quite as action-packed as the first book in the series, Laisrathera balances the politics and the action nicely. Rose Point ended on a critical turning point for our heroes (no spoilers, in case you’ve yet to read any books in the series), and this one picks up pretty much where that one left off, with the characters strategising, and planning their way out of the crisis.
In my review of Earthrise, I mentioned it as a good thing that the author uses lots of big words, which we seldom see anymore. I still think that was a good thing, a pleasant novelty, for the first book, but the problem is that the trend has continued, and gotten even worse, to where one might even accuse the prose of being purple. You often have to concentrate really carefully to understand what’s being said, and it takes away from your enjoyment of the story.
Plus, ALL the characters understand what these archaic words mean, and use them freely, regardless of their backgrounds, which can make them feel like cardboard cut-outs instead of individuals with their own personalities.
Something else weird is that people don’t say things “quietly” or “pensively” or whatever in this book. Rather, they say them “quiet” or “pensive”. It’s odd. I don’t know if it was ever acceptable in English, but it adds to the “archaic” feel of the writing. It feels like something that would’ve been written in the 60s or 70s, not in the 21st century.
I think this book is a fitting end to a science-fiction series which has a rather epic feel, reminiscent of Frank Herbert’s Dune. But then, I stopped reading that series after book three because I grew tired of the convoluted plot and archaic writing style... (Yes, I know there’s a fourth book in this series; I won’t be reading it)
Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a copy: https://books2read.com/u/bMXBEk
* Note: That's an affiliate link, so if you click through to a store and end up buying anything, I might earn a commission from your purchase.
April 3, 2022
You know, I am with XX Sarah XX, at least to a degree - I *hate* the mushy lovey dovey stuff. I hate it a lot. You can tell how much I hate it *and* exactly when I run across it because I make my Uncomfortable Face whenever I do (purse lips, squinch them as far to the left as you can).
And yet, despite all the Mush, especially the last 50 pages or so, the Face only graced mine maybe once this entire series (so far at least... I suspect more in the next book). The mush and sentiment is there, but handled in such a way that even those of us with the "emotional intelligence of a small rock", per Ms. Reese, are generally ok with it. No small feat all things considered.
On a more informative review-worthy note - Holy Character Development, Batman! To see how far everyone has come from Earthrise is pretty amazing, and the more I read, the more I am reminded of those old favorites from my youth. Hogarth has definitely earned a place among the fantasy greats like Ann McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey and Kristen Britain. And if maybe I could have wished for a teeny tiny bit more scifi... Well, perhaps that is something to look forward to in future books, because this is definitely an author I will be revisiting.
And yet, despite all the Mush, especially the last 50 pages or so, the Face only graced mine maybe once this entire series (so far at least... I suspect more in the next book). The mush and sentiment is there, but handled in such a way that even those of us with the "emotional intelligence of a small rock", per Ms. Reese, are generally ok with it. No small feat all things considered.
On a more informative review-worthy note - Holy Character Development, Batman! To see how far everyone has come from Earthrise is pretty amazing, and the more I read, the more I am reminded of those old favorites from my youth. Hogarth has definitely earned a place among the fantasy greats like Ann McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey and Kristen Britain. And if maybe I could have wished for a teeny tiny bit more scifi... Well, perhaps that is something to look forward to in future books, because this is definitely an author I will be revisiting.
October 31, 2020
This is a super good book and builds on the first two books perfectly: yeah, you guessed it, it all kicks off with the Eldritch.
It appears that when you get to book 4, A Rose Point Holiday , that it fits in just before the Epilogue at the end of Laisrathera, so you may wish to pause this book at that point and read the fourth book and then come back to the Epilogue: your choice, as always.
All said and read: great writing, great pacing, great characters, just all round good sci-fi with a nice hint of fantasy tropes courtesy of the Eldritch.
And as with the first two books, i'm going to dive straight into the next book, A Rose Point Holiday . I think it says a lot for a book series when you just pile straight through all the books without any inbetweenie reads.
It appears that when you get to book 4, A Rose Point Holiday , that it fits in just before the Epilogue at the end of Laisrathera, so you may wish to pause this book at that point and read the fourth book and then come back to the Epilogue: your choice, as always.
All said and read: great writing, great pacing, great characters, just all round good sci-fi with a nice hint of fantasy tropes courtesy of the Eldritch.
And as with the first two books, i'm going to dive straight into the next book, A Rose Point Holiday . I think it says a lot for a book series when you just pile straight through all the books without any inbetweenie reads.
March 20, 2017
The night in which I created sims of the Earthrise crew...
I honestly really fell in love with this series. Which makes it so infuriating that I have no one to talk to about it. There's no fan-fiction and little fan art...so I guess that means I'm going to have to put my ass in gear and make my own. I sped through the trilogy so fast because I absolutely needed to know what happened next. I didn't really give much time to absorb the details. I'd love to read it again and illustrate some of my favorite scenes.
I can feel the love that the author put into her books. She truly loves the world and the characters she created. It's always the best feeling when you can connect to an author in that way.
I honestly really fell in love with this series. Which makes it so infuriating that I have no one to talk to about it. There's no fan-fiction and little fan art...so I guess that means I'm going to have to put my ass in gear and make my own. I sped through the trilogy so fast because I absolutely needed to know what happened next. I didn't really give much time to absorb the details. I'd love to read it again and illustrate some of my favorite scenes.
I can feel the love that the author put into her books. She truly loves the world and the characters she created. It's always the best feeling when you can connect to an author in that way.
September 28, 2017
Well, this book kept me up way too late on a weeknight to finish it. Totally worth it though! This book is a little more gritty than the previous two, even if this series has never shied away from the unsavory. However, and this is why I can still love it in spite of that, it's still about good. In this book, people are usually good and genuinely want to do the right things. The heroes more, but even the secondary characters and especially a certain 'villain' that neither I nor Reese wanted to like but we both wound up liking. Ultimately, this series is about friendship and family-of-choice and good triumphing and it feeling genuinely good when it does. Lots of hearts, hugs and confetti for this book!
October 26, 2017
Great book 3 in series
I read book 2 and 3 in quick succession and unfortunately misremembered story details for book 2 in my review.
Great series overall. It makes me want to read more of Hogarth's. I lespecially love the knack she has infusing humor throughout. The surprise grins enrich the story experience. By the end ypu feel that you know Reese and Hiran and that it would be nice to be a part of the crew. The diversity and supporting roles of the crew was rendered beautifully. Another great story. Thx MCA!
I read book 2 and 3 in quick succession and unfortunately misremembered story details for book 2 in my review.
Great series overall. It makes me want to read more of Hogarth's. I lespecially love the knack she has infusing humor throughout. The surprise grins enrich the story experience. By the end ypu feel that you know Reese and Hiran and that it would be nice to be a part of the crew. The diversity and supporting roles of the crew was rendered beautifully. Another great story. Thx MCA!
July 14, 2018
I read so many crappy books because they're free, and so many crappy (or just unremarkable) books lately that it was a shock to stumble into a really good series again via the freebie lists.
I've already described this as a mash-up of Firefly and Darkover, and I still think that's the best description without getting bogged down by rambling about all the details. And details there are, because this is world-building as it should be. And romance building through it all. Soul-satisfying excitement, tension, and not a few tears.
I've already described this as a mash-up of Firefly and Darkover, and I still think that's the best description without getting bogged down by rambling about all the details. And details there are, because this is world-building as it should be. And romance building through it all. Soul-satisfying excitement, tension, and not a few tears.
February 14, 2019
Hogarth delivers a strong conclusion to the main "Her Instruments" storyline (there's a novella I haven't read yet, but this is clearly the planned 'end'). Fun protagonists. who are all decent if flawed people, working to overcome those flaws while opposing some very unpleasant people indeed. It's fun to see them grow and learn.
Those antagonists I mentioned are actually my only real complaint with the book: they really are repulsive, and it spends a bit too much time with them for my tastes.
Those antagonists I mentioned are actually my only real complaint with the book: they really are repulsive, and it spends a bit too much time with them for my tastes.
April 18, 2018
Top Quotes:
"Human steel had always trumped faerie magic."
"A pause long enough to meet her eyes and be sure of his welcome, and then he kissed her, like coming home, because he was at last."
"Did she squeak? She might have squeaked."
"Prithee, marry him directly, and do not wait."
"I might have the emotional intelligence of a small rock, but even I can see some things when they slam me in the face often enough."
"Human steel had always trumped faerie magic."
"A pause long enough to meet her eyes and be sure of his welcome, and then he kissed her, like coming home, because he was at last."
"Did she squeak? She might have squeaked."
"Prithee, marry him directly, and do not wait."
"I might have the emotional intelligence of a small rock, but even I can see some things when they slam me in the face often enough."
November 14, 2019
I really enjoyed this series. By the time this book was over I didn't really want to leave the universe.
I even got used to the narrator, eventually. He's a good enough actor that I'll look for other things he's done and see if I prefer him with a work that is better matched to his voice.
I think it's fair to say that I like Hogarth. I will probably listen to more in her Pelted Universe.
I even got used to the narrator, eventually. He's a good enough actor that I'll look for other things he's done and see if I prefer him with a work that is better matched to his voice.
I think it's fair to say that I like Hogarth. I will probably listen to more in her Pelted Universe.
February 2, 2023
Awesome sci fi adventure
The worldbuilding is excellent with characters that I cared about, but there is very graphic violence, off-page rape, and a high, horrific body count. All the non-human beings are believable and fascinating. The romance between Reese and Hiran warms up and is believable. The story is thrilling with a satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend this series.
The worldbuilding is excellent with characters that I cared about, but there is very graphic violence, off-page rape, and a high, horrific body count. All the non-human beings are believable and fascinating. The romance between Reese and Hiran warms up and is believable. The story is thrilling with a satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend this series.
January 10, 2019
4*
No fancy wording. No great lesson. But... Very easy to read light humor. New worlds and beings.
However... For a good portion of this book, they were all preparing for war. It was very strategic. Was not a fan of that part. Kept trying to move it along until there was either dialog or action.
No fancy wording. No great lesson. But... Very easy to read light humor. New worlds and beings.
However... For a good portion of this book, they were all preparing for war. It was very strategic. Was not a fan of that part. Kept trying to move it along until there was either dialog or action.
May 12, 2020
Not a genre I care for, but a fun read. This one had some particularly good moments, but it became clear early on that the characters I cared about were not even remotely front and center - and in at least one case were not really characters.
December 16, 2020
Fair warning: the epilogue gets a bit more lewd than the rest of the series, so adults may want to pre-read it for any younger readers. It isn't anything too bad (probably PG-13), it just caught me a bit off guard.
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