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Rifter #2
Servants of the Crossed Arrows
Volume Two. Environmental Studies graduate student John Toffler intercepts a letter intended for his mysterious roommate, Kyle. Inside John finds a key and a note don’t. Before he can return the key to Kyle, John and his friends, Laurie and Bill, accidently use it to open a gate to another world. In an instant they are torn from the easy life they’ve known and hurtled into the harsh wastelands of Basawar. Kyle—who in his own world is known as Kahlil—realizes that he must kill John before he destroys Basawar. Despite the Great Gate being shattered, he follows John, Laurie and Bill back to his homeworld. But the passage through leaves him physically beaten and his memories broken. Confused and alone in a world he no longer recognizes, Kahlil takes refuge among men who have a use for his deadly skills.
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First published April 12, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
February 29, 2020
4 Stars
Ahhh, the momentum picks up with some action, violence, and a change in scenery!
John and Kyle’s paths are converging and some surprising reveals are made but so many questions remain!
Does anyone have the cliff notes??
Ahhh, the momentum picks up with some action, violence, and a change in scenery!
John and Kyle’s paths are converging and some surprising reveals are made but so many questions remain!
Does anyone have the cliff notes??
September 18, 2019
Reread 9/17/19
Whyyyyyyyyyy can't this be made into a movie?????
Help a girl out, Hollywood. Damn.
ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ
I’m not even joking. What in the HELL is hap.pen.ning?!?!?
I feel like time got put into a blender and then blender is on the fritz.
Damndest thing I’ve ever encountered.
👋🏽👋🏻👋 <— me waving farewell to all my review books. I’m in it now.
Whyyyyyyyyyy can't this be made into a movie?????
Help a girl out, Hollywood. Damn.
ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ
I’m not even joking. What in the HELL is hap.pen.ning?!?!?
I feel like time got put into a blender and then blender is on the fritz.
Damndest thing I’ve ever encountered.
👋🏽👋🏻👋 <— me waving farewell to all my review books. I’m in it now.
July 21, 2020
3.5 Stars
This is only book two of ten and I’m already stumped as how to review such a complex, slowly unfolding plot. Not only is it hard to talk about without giving things away (that deserve to be earned by each reader), but it’s also a total mindf*ck of high fantasy storytelling, and I mean that in the nicest way possible.
The story itself is impressively executed, with engaging and complex characters and stellar world-building that just won’t quit, and although at this point in time I’m largely just sitting around scratching my head as to what the f*ck is happening, I feel like just enough is being revealed, at the most teasing and tantalising pace, that I’m nothing but intrigued to keep reading to find out more.
Now, hardcore romance readers best beware that this is a slooooowwww-burn of epic proportions, with the MCs hardly even spending any page time together as of yet, but I have a good warm and fuzzy feeling that John and Kyle's love story will be one for the literary ages.
This is only book two of ten and I’m already stumped as how to review such a complex, slowly unfolding plot. Not only is it hard to talk about without giving things away (that deserve to be earned by each reader), but it’s also a total mindf*ck of high fantasy storytelling, and I mean that in the nicest way possible.
The story itself is impressively executed, with engaging and complex characters and stellar world-building that just won’t quit, and although at this point in time I’m largely just sitting around scratching my head as to what the f*ck is happening, I feel like just enough is being revealed, at the most teasing and tantalising pace, that I’m nothing but intrigued to keep reading to find out more.
Now, hardcore romance readers best beware that this is a slooooowwww-burn of epic proportions, with the MCs hardly even spending any page time together as of yet, but I have a good warm and fuzzy feeling that John and Kyle's love story will be one for the literary ages.
December 27, 2016
Like, seriously, WHAT IS HAPPENING??!
July 6, 2020
Things are starting to make sense!
Okay, no, not really, but I’m starting to guess some things correctly and I’m completely in the dark only about 90% of the time. That’s improvement. More importantly, I’m still enjoying the ride despite the confusion.
Okay, no, not really, but I’m starting to guess some things correctly and I’m completely in the dark only about 90% of the time. That’s improvement. More importantly, I’m still enjoying the ride despite the confusion.
February 2, 2016
Son of a Biscuit!
Gimmee! I am so glad I was not involved in waiting for subsequent installments. Sweet mercy. NEXT!
Plot thickens as assassination is in the works, lost things are found, and things unknown appear knowing more.
Gimmee! I am so glad I was not involved in waiting for subsequent installments. Sweet mercy. NEXT!
Plot thickens as assassination is in the works, lost things are found, and things unknown appear knowing more.
August 16, 2020
Damn these timelines...
June 3, 2013
Questions, questions, questions ... that's all I have right now. I'm trusting my GR buddies who assure me all will be revealed and more than that; I am trusting Ginn Hale to guide me and spell it out with pretty pictures.
Picking up exactly where The Shattered Gates left off. The story has split into two definitive arcs (perhaps it already had?): one follows John seven months after entering Basawara and the other, Kahlil two years later - don't ask ... I can't begin to tell you how or why.
I could say I don't want to spoiler you , but I would be lying my arse off - ha! I haven't a clue {insert nervous giggle}!
The story is moving along quickly and I'm tripping over my feet to keep up - but I'm getting there ... I think.
I need to take back what I said about John. He is NOT a geeky self-centered coward. He is anything BUT that, damn I really had him figured out all wrong. He is ALL man, strong and brave and quite cunning! Consider me impressed! It would seem the desolate wasteland and seclusion suits him. I need to mention that he scrubs up really well too - really well!
John wins me over when he turns a potentially deadly situation into an opportunity that may or may not be to his, Bill and Lexi's advantage. I mean we are dealing with people who burn strangers and heretics alive here. I'll continue to chew my fingers while I wait and see.
Kahlil has been taken in and cared for in exchange for his, er...use of talent. His mind is still broken but his body is whole; haunted by visions in his dreams he struggles to put together images of a past he must have lived. His new mission leads him on the most dangerous of quests to face an opponent that may even rival the Kahlil himself {insert drum roll} Has he met his match? {drum roll fade}
It's all fascinating stuff, and the more I read the more invested I'm becoming. I just wish I knew what the bleeding heck was going on. I best keep reading to find out huh? Well onward ...
Picking up exactly where The Shattered Gates left off. The story has split into two definitive arcs (perhaps it already had?): one follows John seven months after entering Basawara and the other, Kahlil two years later - don't ask ... I can't begin to tell you how or why.
I could say I don't want to spoiler you , but I would be lying my arse off - ha! I haven't a clue {insert nervous giggle}!
The story is moving along quickly and I'm tripping over my feet to keep up - but I'm getting there ... I think.
I need to take back what I said about John. He is NOT a geeky self-centered coward. He is anything BUT that, damn I really had him figured out all wrong. He is ALL man, strong and brave and quite cunning! Consider me impressed! It would seem the desolate wasteland and seclusion suits him. I need to mention that he scrubs up really well too - really well!
John wins me over when he turns a potentially deadly situation into an opportunity that may or may not be to his, Bill and Lexi's advantage. I mean we are dealing with people who burn strangers and heretics alive here. I'll continue to chew my fingers while I wait and see.
Kahlil has been taken in and cared for in exchange for his, er...use of talent. His mind is still broken but his body is whole; haunted by visions in his dreams he struggles to put together images of a past he must have lived. His new mission leads him on the most dangerous of quests to face an opponent that may even rival the Kahlil himself {insert drum roll} Has he met his match? {drum roll fade}
It's all fascinating stuff, and the more I read the more invested I'm becoming. I just wish I knew what the bleeding heck was going on. I best keep reading to find out huh? Well onward ...
September 20, 2018
The story continues the same way it started. By keeping me in the dark about what's going on. By making me wonder WTF is happening!
Still, it's like an addiction. I NEED to know how things will resolve, who is who and what is wrong with the time line?!
Only one way to find out!
5 stars!
Still, it's like an addiction. I NEED to know how things will resolve, who is who and what is wrong with the time line?!
Only one way to find out!
5 stars!
September 18, 2013
Cloudy curiosity. Risky realm. Amnesiac assassin.
I’m somewhat embarrassed to say that I am really enjoying this, but I’m still clueless as to what’s going on.
Doesn’t make a lot of sense, does it? How am I intrigued while so out-of-sorts? I haven’t the foggiest!
John is a pillar of strength and forges ahead in the meekest of circumstances. I admire his courage, loyalty and love for his friends. Scrimping to survive his focus is to see another day and he’s dedicated to Laurie and Bill's existence, his unfortunate friends sucked into the barren wasteland with him.
He is forced to make some tough calls, and tossed into the thick of the wolves. How he continues to prevail is a mystery in itself.
Just when things were looking up, he is backed into a corner. A trek a thousand steps high shine new light into the shadows and I finally felt like I was ‘getting it’. YAY for me!
Kyle (Kahlil) is struggling with an entirely different set of demons. Further into the future, he only recollects memories from the past 2 years. He feels things, recognizes things, but doesn’t have valid remembrances of life before he came to live and work for Alidas. He's an assassin one job away from his freedom, but will this final job grant him the peace his is hunting for?
I felt slightly more comfortable with this second serving. I’m addicted to the writing, it is flat out gorgeous. The puzzle pieces are slowly coming together and I am hunkering down, I think I may stay awhile. Ohh, and the ending? I'm still shaking my head.
Round three? Yes, please.
*3.5 rising-riveting-remarkable stars*
September 19, 2013
Confession, just between you & me: sometimes I feel a little cliché using the words "world building" when I write a review. I mean. Am I being lazy? Could I better describe my point without those two little words? The answer is "probably" for anything else.
But not for this book.
Servants of the Crossed Arrows, the second installment in the Rifter series, is all about the world building. In fact, I'm not sure Ginn Hale can make the Rifter world more clear at this point.
This book, this series is other-worldly.
It's set in other times.
People eat roast dog, y'all (oh, and careful with that, because...talking dogs).
I'm still utterly confused about what's going on, but I'm so very, very hooked.I do know I do think we're dealing with multiple time periods, and that our fabulous MCs have multiple monikers. Beyond that, pass me the Kool-Aid, because it's all good.
I can't wait to read book three, and I'm really (really, really, really, really) looking forward to the MCs finally, more clearly and regularly, crossing paths and building a relationship (BRB, lighting romantic relationship candles...).
Book three, you say?
YES PLEASE.
But not for this book.
Servants of the Crossed Arrows, the second installment in the Rifter series, is all about the world building. In fact, I'm not sure Ginn Hale can make the Rifter world more clear at this point.
This book, this series is other-worldly.
It's set in other times.
People eat roast dog, y'all (oh, and careful with that, because...talking dogs).
I'm still utterly confused about what's going on, but I'm so very, very hooked.
I can't wait to read book three, and I'm really (really, really, really, really) looking forward to the MCs finally, more clearly and regularly, crossing paths and building a relationship (BRB, lighting romantic relationship candles...).
Book three, you say?
YES PLEASE.
March 14, 2016
I'm still waiting to fall in love with this series don't get me wrong there's definite interest and I'm pretty sure that Ms Hale has a hella' good story lining up but at this point while I'm really enjoying the world building and the plot is progressing I need a bit more character interaction.
I guess I need what's happening to the MCs to merge a little more and become one storyline rather than bouncing back and forth between two storylines (I think it's just two). Admittedly this is probably more my impatience than anything else because I am seeing it drift that way so I'm off to book 3 and we'll see what happens.
I guess I need what's happening to the MCs to merge a little more and become one storyline rather than bouncing back and forth between two storylines (I think it's just two). Admittedly this is probably more my impatience than anything else because I am seeing it drift that way so I'm off to book 3 and we'll see what happens.
September 12, 2013
What the fucking is happpppeeennnniiinnngggggg?
This might as well be written in french for the amount I'm following it.
This might as well be written in french for the amount I'm following it.
March 2, 2025
Anything he believed about himself turned on itself and became a lie.
4 stars - so many events and plotlines to follow!
By the end of this 123-page novella I barely remembered how it started and what took place.
The most poignant part of the book for me was the 1,000 step climb (aptly called Thousand Steps) John/Jahn had to do with Fikiri, essentially a gruelling climb so Fikiri could reach Heaven's Door and enter as the ushiri candidate to begin training to become a priest, and eventually possibly more.
The codeword to open the gates at Heaven's Door is I-am-here-my-lord in English, which was a humorous surprise/twist.
John and Fikiri's miserable climb to the top reminded me of my much more pleasant climb to the summit of Mount Sinai taking the 3,750 Steps of Repentance, purportedly the steps carved into the mountain that Moses climbed before receiving the Ten Commandments from God. My experience was obviously not made under duress or with strange voices hurling insults at me, I had a lovely Bedouin guide and a spectacular view instead. Definitely the highlight of this one for me, I felt John's pain on his endless journey to the top.
The Thousand Steps to Heaven’s Door began at the highest point at the north end of the city. The steps themselves were unremarkable.
Each step taken alone was simple and unimpressive. But one look up the mountainside and their monumental scale became clear.
Carved into the face of the mountain, the steps rose like an immense scar. John craned his neck back, following the straight line of the stairs up to where they were lost from sight in the white wisps of clouds.
“One thousand,” John muttered. His breath came out in white puffs.
Gray step after gray step.
They seemed to go on endlessly beneath him. 😩
And we have another key. And we get to watch Kahlil/Kyle (the fake milkman) struggle with memory loss and confusion, which is similar to the reading experience at this point.
At times, an unreasonable fear of losing it overcame him. Keys were small things, easily misplaced and easily lost. Just the thought chilled him.
This tension was nothing compared to the cold horror that gripped him when he lay in bed, almost asleep, and the thought of losing the key washed over him.
Even now he caught himself stroking the key. The gesture had already become a habit. It soothed him just to touch it.
CWs: references to eating dog meat, carving and stuffing a dog for roasting, cliffie.
July 5, 2020
Other than milking more money out of readers, I see no reason so far for the publisher to have split this story into ten short novellas. The splits are not helping the flow, and since the story is already separated into seven arcs/parts, I'm baffled why the "book" splits wouldn't at least follow the arc splits (except that would be only seven "books" instead of ten). Also, the chapters are numbered incorrectly here. This book ends with Ch 19 and the next one starts with Ch 22. I would have expected that to be fixed when these were put into a one-volume bundle, but it wasn't. I had a friend check and she assured me there are no missing chapters. (And it looks like this happens again between books 6 and 7.)
But onto the book part of this review.
So, like I said, I have theories. So far, the main one seems to be holding (or not, IDK) but there's so much going on that it's nearly impossible to guess where the story is going to go next. I'm loving all the WTF-ness of this, and my only real complaint so far is that I expected Bill and Laurie to be more important to the story. But there are still eight installments, so there's still time for that. John just keeps getting more and more mysterious.
I'm loving the discussions I'm having with my BR companions, Ele, Xia and Rosa.
But onto the book part of this review.
So, like I said, I have theories. So far, the main one seems to be holding (or not, IDK) but there's so much going on that it's nearly impossible to guess where the story is going to go next. I'm loving all the WTF-ness of this, and my only real complaint so far is that I expected Bill and Laurie to be more important to the story. But there are still eight installments, so there's still time for that. John just keeps getting more and more mysterious.
I'm loving the discussions I'm having with my BR companions, Ele, Xia and Rosa.
June 13, 2013
Ginn Hale’s Rifter Series blends sorcery, conspiracy, assassins, gateways to other worlds, and so much MORE to form a spellbinding mix of “can’t-look-away-pay-attention-to-every-detail” mystery and adventure. I am completely captivated!
”Anything he believed about himself turned on itself and became a lie.”
Hot damn! Ginn Hale can build a world! New languages, customs, foods, and odors—all pull me in and spark all of my senses. I can feel the texture of a room. From the roasting meat on the table to the fire hissing and popping in the corner. Every scene jumps to life on the page. Words and descriptions that make me wonder and smile. Some details I tuck away for later to maybe fit in to the mystery. But many more of the smaller details or lines just hit my reading heart with joy. Lines like—“A gate could swallow men alive and spit out bloody paste.” Perfect! Bloody paste! Haha… Gruesome, but oh so crystal clear. Ms. Hale’s way with words has me dazzled. The woman can go from gory goodness to warm and tender. My heart is skipping a happy beat right now thinking back on it all!
Servants of the Crossed Arrows, book two in the series, brings us deeper into this new shattered world. We meet new characters and places. Places and people engulfed in watch your-back-treachery and uncertainty. After reading this chapter of the journey, I felt like I had learned so much, but at the same time learned nothing at all. I love it! So many different sides and pieces. This story feels like a giant puzzle. I find myself devouring every scrap and tidbit Hale throws my way. Time gaps, memory loss, lies, and magic made one hell of a ride this time out. And I’m having a blast! This is so much fun to read and fall into. I’m hooked!
Can’t wait to see where this story takes me….
April 27, 2018
RE-Read 2018
Now that I think I remember I think Im not as confused but then I am and OMG this series.
Mare~Slitsread
Dear book.
You are making my brain hurt. I'm confused and confounded. I think I know something and then I don't. Listen book. You better start explaining yourself.
Onto book 3.
I want answers k
Thanks
Mare~Slitsread
Now that I think I remember I think Im not as confused but then I am and OMG this series.
Mare~Slitsread
Dear book.
You are making my brain hurt. I'm confused and confounded. I think I know something and then I don't. Listen book. You better start explaining yourself.
Onto book 3.
I want answers k
Thanks
Mare~Slitsread
January 1, 2016
It seems book 2 wasn't everyone's favorite of the series. BUT...I continue to LOVE every page of every book.
Book 2 is definitely a bit confusing. There's some time jumping. And without warning, we find ourselves in the middle of situations where the reader has to try and figure out what's going on. It's not a simple read. But...that's kinda the BRILLIANCE of it all.
Here's my strategy: Don't try and understand every little thing. Just keep reading. Just move forward with the plot and let things start to make sense when they're ready to make sense. And it's totally working for me.
Yes, I have my guesses as to what's happening. But no, I won't dwell. I'm just gonna keep reading.
Have I mentioned I'm obsessed?
Ok, again, if you haven't started this series yet, I'm going to scream and shout until you do. There's *something* about it that reminds me a tiny bit of Captive Prince: Volume One. But then again, there really isn't anything completely like it.
KYLE...KYLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Book 2 is definitely a bit confusing. There's some time jumping. And without warning, we find ourselves in the middle of situations where the reader has to try and figure out what's going on. It's not a simple read. But...that's kinda the BRILLIANCE of it all.
Here's my strategy: Don't try and understand every little thing. Just keep reading. Just move forward with the plot and let things start to make sense when they're ready to make sense. And it's totally working for me.
Yes, I have my guesses as to what's happening. But no, I won't dwell. I'm just gonna keep reading.
Have I mentioned I'm obsessed?
Ok, again, if you haven't started this series yet, I'm going to scream and shout until you do. There's *something* about it that reminds me a tiny bit of Captive Prince: Volume One. But then again, there really isn't anything completely like it.
KYLE...KYLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 2, 2018
4.5 Stars
Still with the amazing story-telling and excellent world-building. Of course, I still have no idea what's going on, what's happening. Well, no, I think I'm slowly figuring out how the two arcs might melt. Maybe. (Watch me be wrong.)
I do have to mention that every now and again something in this book with make me legit LOL. Like, bark out so loud and quickly that I can't contain it or stifle the laugh in anyway. And it's just random stuff, usually an off-handed comment or a comparison to the world these characters have left behind. Speaking of, I am really, really liking how certain passages are written to feel like you're with John there, trying to figure out this alien world, this completely foreign culture & language...and how the smallest of things can be taken for granted. It's how I'd imagine an anthropologist would feel immersed in a new setting.
Still with the amazing story-telling and excellent world-building. Of course, I still have no idea what's going on, what's happening. Well, no, I think I'm slowly figuring out how the two arcs might melt. Maybe. (Watch me be wrong.)
I do have to mention that every now and again something in this book with make me legit LOL. Like, bark out so loud and quickly that I can't contain it or stifle the laugh in anyway. And it's just random stuff, usually an off-handed comment or a comparison to the world these characters have left behind. Speaking of, I am really, really liking how certain passages are written to feel like you're with John there, trying to figure out this alien world, this completely foreign culture & language...and how the smallest of things can be taken for granted. It's how I'd imagine an anthropologist would feel immersed in a new setting.
May 17, 2013
Ok, I think I know some of what's going on but I need to know the how's and why's, right now!
July 27, 2015
I usually like to know where my characters are and who/what they are and how many of the same character (yep, I meant to say that) is ...are ...is are in the book. Here we have different times periods(?), AUs(?), different worlds (alien but not, since they have magic(?)), different but yet same characters (time travel paradox(?), au paradox(?), hell knows). Secondary characters are abandoned for the majority of the book if not forever (I am starting to wonder at this point).
I am sorry, but even tho I can hold it together, at least so far, I am losing my patience with this story and rapidly so :/
I am sorry, but even tho I can hold it together, at least so far, I am losing my patience with this story and rapidly so :/
November 12, 2014
Loving this well-written adventure series, the plot twists and turns delightfully. I feel invested in these characters now. John, Laurie and Bill struggle to survive on the mountainside where they ended up on coming through the gateway. Kahlil has been thrown into the future with his memory in tatters.
'Fikiri wiped his eyes.
"What would you do?"
"If I were you?"
"If you were me," Fikiri said.
Shove the big exhausted guy out of my way and run like hell down the stairs, John thought in all honesty. But then, he wasn't Fikiri and he would never have allowed himself to be carried up the steps in the first place.'
'Fikiri wiped his eyes.
"What would you do?"
"If I were you?"
"If you were me," Fikiri said.
Shove the big exhausted guy out of my way and run like hell down the stairs, John thought in all honesty. But then, he wasn't Fikiri and he would never have allowed himself to be carried up the steps in the first place.'
May 8, 2015
I'm having so much fun discussing this series with friends and the writing is just SO good. It's confusing at times, but it's forcing me to really think about what's going on, and every time I get a moment where I think I have figured something out, I just get completely giddy. I haven't wanted to really read series lately because they are done to death, but this really reads as one giant book that was separated into smaller parts. Excited for the next one.
April 7, 2013
This is a great second installment and the story is now moving along at a fast pace. I did spend part of this book bewildered, trying to keep on top of what was happening, and then all of a sudden things clicked into place. Moving swiftly on to Black Blades.
December 2, 2016
I have no idea what's going on but I can't stop reading.
NEXT!!!!
NEXT!!!!
August 12, 2022
I’m still confused.The character guide was nice though, but it would’ve been better if I found it before finishing the book :)
July 22, 2013
I don't know how to rate a book that ended where the previous installment ended, i.e. there's no beginning and ended with ...to be continued. I'm sure the story will turn out to be great once I finish the tenth, or whatever number the last one is, installment, if I ever do. The story is interesting but the characters pop out of nowhere without sufficient characterisation. All the Arabic-sounding names are exotic but too difficult to remember and the description of this world strikes me a rip off of a Middle Eastern state.
What really bothers me is that I don't know where the story is heading - it sounds like a random recounting of events and I'm not sure this is motivating enough for me to go on because of the confusing way all this is told.
What really bothers me is that I don't know where the story is heading - it sounds like a random recounting of events and I'm not sure this is motivating enough for me to go on because of the confusing way all this is told.
March 24, 2015
I'm lost, I don't know what's going on, but after reading some reviews I'm glad to know that at this point I'm not the only one. I hope everything starts to make sense in the next book, and that some sort of interaction begin between the MCs.
February 9, 2023
I'm hooked, even though the romance hasn't even really begun yet.
May 7, 2015
Holy shit. I'm still confused as fuck, tho I think I kinda get some of it. All I know is I can't stop now.
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