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Rifter #7
Enemies and Shadows
Book seven. When John opens a letter addressed to his missing roommate, Kyle, he expects to find a house key, but instead he is swept into a strange realm of magic, mysticism, revolutionaries and assassins. Though he struggles to escape, John is drawn steadily closer to a fate he share with Kyle—to wake the destroyer god, the Rifter, and shatter a world.
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First published September 6, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
October 9, 2019
Reread 10/8/19
Cannot fathom what I was thinking rating this only 4 stars the first time around. Thankfully that's been rectified.
You know what does kind of suck about this series? That you can't really talk about it or say anything because you would give the game away for everyone else. And that would be a shame because it truly is an experience. One that should be savored though as I'm realizing my second time through but the struggle is real not to devour it.
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KILLING ME, SMALLS!!!!!
Cannot fathom what I was thinking rating this only 4 stars the first time around. Thankfully that's been rectified.
You know what does kind of suck about this series? That you can't really talk about it or say anything because you would give the game away for everyone else. And that would be a shame because it truly is an experience. One that should be savored though as I'm realizing my second time through but the struggle is real not to devour it.
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KILLING ME, SMALLS!!!!!
November 29, 2020
4 Stars
One step forward, two steps back….
Oh man, the stakes are just getting higher and higher!
One step forward, two steps back….
Oh man, the stakes are just getting higher and higher!
September 12, 2024
4 Stars
At book seven in this ten-book series, the moving parts and pieces of this masterfully written high-fantasy saga are finally coming together in a cohesive and engrossing way.
A lot of life was taken/lost in this instalment, with the fates of many long-term characters decided here and now. But in an intense and lengthy saga, featuring characters and a setting that are equally brutal and unforgiving, a lot of death is an inevitability as a series such as this nears its climax.
Some moments still remain a little too slow for my personal tastes, but on a whole, I’m much more engaged with the story and committed to the fate of its characters than I was even two books ago.
At book seven in this ten-book series, the moving parts and pieces of this masterfully written high-fantasy saga are finally coming together in a cohesive and engrossing way.
A lot of life was taken/lost in this instalment, with the fates of many long-term characters decided here and now. But in an intense and lengthy saga, featuring characters and a setting that are equally brutal and unforgiving, a lot of death is an inevitability as a series such as this nears its climax.
Some moments still remain a little too slow for my personal tastes, but on a whole, I’m much more engaged with the story and committed to the fate of its characters than I was even two books ago.
January 5, 2016
I found myself reading book 7 with so much anxiety, it was really impossible for me to get lost in the story. So much has happened to build up to this point and with only a few books left, I feel like every page HAS to have some answers! Thus...me...fretting...
One of the subtle things that I LOVE about this series is that no question, not even a niggle, goes unanswered. I remember asking myself why Jath'ibaye would be attracted to Ourath at all? What tied them together? And voila! Khalil asks him that very question!
I wondered what happened to Alidas and if he ever recognized Khalil? And voila! That gets dealt with too. Now, neither of these things are plot-crucial, but I like that Ginn Hale still answers those questions as she unlayers the story.
And the interaction between Jath'ibaye and Khalil is SO FREAKING PRECIOUS! ha! I love how they talk to each other, banter, flirt, tease...in a series of all kinds of ugly, this relationship is GORGEOUS!
Brilliant. I'll say it over and over again.
December 29, 2016
Maybe 4 stars, maybe less. The first part of the story was too slow for me, but then it picked up. And that cliffhanger!! Gah!
February 4, 2016
Exhaustion is setting in. This was a hurry, hurry up and wait installment.
While one conflict is resolved, another lingers. Deaths here are unsurprising, but the hook just lures me into the next one. I'm beginning to feel the stretch of the series. I hope the next installment is more satisfying, but seeing three more books outstanding I feel like it will be pulled even thinner.
I might be stingy with the star rating on this, but the leap backwards in time near the end made me go NOoooooo. I get that there are issues being rewoven but to leave the one arc to go to this one made me cranky, or maybe lack of sleep.
Either way I spent an inordinate amount of time imagining the efficacy of knives carved out of bones, which for all intense purpose are honeycombs and become brittle so my creepy mind spent the afternoon trying to figure out what you could impregnate the bone with to create a viable weapon. I had some ideas, but I honestly think that if I tried to see if they work my husband would nix it. He's a killjoy like that.
While one conflict is resolved, another lingers. Deaths here are unsurprising, but the hook just lures me into the next one. I'm beginning to feel the stretch of the series. I hope the next installment is more satisfying, but seeing three more books outstanding I feel like it will be pulled even thinner.
I might be stingy with the star rating on this, but the leap backwards in time near the end made me go NOoooooo. I get that there are issues being rewoven but to leave the one arc to go to this one made me cranky, or maybe lack of sleep.
Either way I spent an inordinate amount of time imagining the efficacy of knives carved out of bones, which for all intense purpose are honeycombs and become brittle so my creepy mind spent the afternoon trying to figure out what you could impregnate the bone with to create a viable weapon. I had some ideas, but I honestly think that if I tried to see if they work my husband would nix it. He's a killjoy like that.
Their origin as curse blades was so obvious and yet they were being sold as lucky trinkets.
July 1, 2013
**Spoilers Ahead**
Bring your enemies closer. Get an up close look at where to place the kill shot or perhaps see where their loyalties truly lie. Faith, politics, science, and romance mark and fill the pages of book seven in Ginn Hale’s Rifter series. A journey that seamlessly weaves together worlds, time, and space. Once again, I find myself bowing my head in awe at Ms. Hale…haha--because she got me! Surprised me. Enemies and Shadows is a thought provoking tale that inspired me to read, read, and read it all again. I did not want to miss a beat, word, or clue.
The first part of this story was filled with interesting looks and debates on science and faith. A holy world vs. science layer and look at the battle that lit up my fascination and book geek imagination. The differences in Kahlil and Jath’ibaye really came out in this book. But I adored how they both seemed to understand and accept each other’s views and beliefs. Kahlil and Jath’ibaye see each other so clearly and draw such peace and calm from that understanding. Their conversations were my favorite parts of this book. I could feel the love, trust, and comfort between them in the words, touches, and banter. Oh, how I loved their quick, sharp, fun flirty jabs at each other. Adorable and hilarious!
”Someday you and I are going to go somewhere where no one else will find us”, Jath’ibaye muttered.
“Who’d cook?”
“We’ll pack sandwiches.” :D
All that said though. This book did not blow me away until the second story arc clicked into place. OH! OH! It was like a big, glowing…ta-da hit me! Haha…..I could feel these two worlds fit together. Click. Overlap. The stitches between the worlds, emotions, and time tightened on the page and in my heart. Two lovers slowly strolling over the same bridge that sheltered them in another. Boom! It was like walking over your own grave. Shiver inducing connections that brought a smile to my face and love to my heart.
This series is one to take in and savor. The layers and emotions will ripple right through your body and soul.
Highly recommended read.
My *sigh* quote:
“You’ve lived through two different histories and you’ve taken different paths in different circumstances, Jath’ibaye said. But you have always been the same courageous, reckless, beautiful man.”
September 12, 2024
4.5 stars
I love how this story just keeps building and getting more complex, all while pulling back more and more layers of this world, these characters and how in the hell this all happened anyway. Solutions are never as simple as they first appear and solving one conflict only makes room for others. The more answers you get, the more things fall into place, but there're still plenty of things left to figure out.
Sorry these reviews haven't been very long or informative, but I'll try to go more in depth when I reach the last one and can review the book as a whole instead of as individual sections. :)
I love how this story just keeps building and getting more complex, all while pulling back more and more layers of this world, these characters and how in the hell this all happened anyway. Solutions are never as simple as they first appear and solving one conflict only makes room for others. The more answers you get, the more things fall into place, but there're still plenty of things left to figure out.
Sorry these reviews haven't been very long or informative, but I'll try to go more in depth when I reach the last one and can review the book as a whole instead of as individual sections. :)
February 9, 2014
THIS IS IT!
It feels amazing getting to this point…this book, THIS book is the peak of the ride for me.
I actually know what’s going on…who’s who…and the tears in time have brought them together again. Everything about this part of the Arc was intense.
They prepare for war and their efforts are not futile, for the battles have begun.
Gotta dash, I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeed to move on….
*5 givememorequick stars*
It feels amazing getting to this point…this book, THIS book is the peak of the ride for me.
I actually know what’s going on…who’s who…and the tears in time have brought them together again. Everything about this part of the Arc was intense.
They prepare for war and their efforts are not futile, for the battles have begun.
Gotta dash, I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeed to move on….
*5 givememorequick stars*
July 12, 2020
4.5 stars
I don’t really have much to add to my review of the previous book. Everything I said there still applies, right down to what I liked most.
I don’t really have much to add to my review of the previous book. Everything I said there still applies, right down to what I liked most.
June 23, 2013
Livid! …. Absolutely lily-livid!
How dare you switch timelines with 20% to go and leave us with that cliffhanger! That is just … just, so rude.
And that’s not all! I cannot bah-lieeeeeve how quickly the Holy Bones where dealt with. What? … Just scatter some blood, stick a knife in the ground, call up some oracle bones, say a few chants, boom-bang-bing – and the monstrous evil that’s been taunting the Northlands for decades is destroyed?
Wow. Not!
What an anti-climax. Too easy, too quick and zero gratification. Don’t even get me started with the way Fikiri is too quickly dispatched. That evil cowardly bastard deserved to suffer long and hard –again: too quick, too easy and zero gratification!
Okay, fine. I’m fine now. There was some great stuff here too. Really great.
If you recall Jath’ibaye & co where preparing for an imminent attack from the Gaun’im forces in the South, and Fikiri and his ladies hungry Bones from the North. So I was not enamoured (at all) with how things played out with Fikiri and the bones; I was however, bowled over with how well played the corrupt - and let’s be honest - not so bright Gaun’im leaders where dealt with. Just when you think there is no way out of no-win situation Hale plays it out like a genius, with cunning ruthless efficiency - BRAVO!
I loved the angst and effect (ha!) surrounding Ourath’s presence in Jath’ibaye household. Not only does it cement the trust between Kyle and Jath’ibaye (I hate typing that dumb-arse name) but it provides some backstory and funny entertainment.
I’ll just quickly say that Pesha is adorable. And the scene where Kahlil exposes himself to the group of secret scholarly mason type dudes – fabulous!
So now I look forward to finally getting some answers about the fall of Rashal’pesha. But I’m also loathed to loose Ravishan – that’s going to sting!
How dare you switch timelines with 20% to go and leave us with that cliffhanger! That is just … just, so rude.
And that’s not all! I cannot bah-lieeeeeve how quickly the Holy Bones where dealt with. What? … Just scatter some blood, stick a knife in the ground, call up some oracle bones, say a few chants, boom-bang-bing – and the monstrous evil that’s been taunting the Northlands for decades is destroyed?
Wow. Not!
What an anti-climax. Too easy, too quick and zero gratification. Don’t even get me started with the way Fikiri is too quickly dispatched. That evil cowardly bastard deserved to suffer long and hard –again: too quick, too easy and zero gratification!
Okay, fine. I’m fine now. There was some great stuff here too. Really great.
If you recall Jath’ibaye & co where preparing for an imminent attack from the Gaun’im forces in the South, and Fikiri and his ladies hungry Bones from the North. So I was not enamoured (at all) with how things played out with Fikiri and the bones; I was however, bowled over with how well played the corrupt - and let’s be honest - not so bright Gaun’im leaders where dealt with. Just when you think there is no way out of no-win situation Hale plays it out like a genius, with cunning ruthless efficiency - BRAVO!
I loved the angst and effect (ha!) surrounding Ourath’s presence in Jath’ibaye household. Not only does it cement the trust between Kyle and Jath’ibaye (I hate typing that dumb-arse name) but it provides some backstory and funny entertainment.
I’ll just quickly say that Pesha is adorable. And the scene where Kahlil exposes himself to the group of secret scholarly mason type dudes – fabulous!
So now I look forward to finally getting some answers about the fall of Rashal’pesha. But I’m also loathed to loose Ravishan – that’s going to sting!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2018
4.5 stars
May 2, 2018
Ohhhh what a mind fuck!!!!
May 14, 2016
Nooooooooooo! You can’t… just… this can’t happen. You can’t leave it like this.
We go back and forth between the two realities for John/Jahn/Jath’ibaye and Kyle/Kahlil/Ravishan, set in different times, and it’s necessary to go back and pick up where we left off with one, and then return to the other (you have to read it). But, leaving off means… leaving. Do we really HAVE to leave Kyle like this? I mean, he’s in trouble. And we have to just wait.
I love Kyle and John. I love their love story. It’s understated but passionate. It’s clear they’d do anything for each other. It’s just understood. I love this alternate universe they live in. All the intrigue and in-fighting and fanaticism and magic.
Favorite parts:
The scene when Ourath Lisam wears the niru’mohim aphrodisiac scent. Sooo funny. And dangerous.
And… “You are the one I love, Ravishan. No one else.”
Onward to book 8.
April 20, 2013
This was another exciting installment and I enjoyed the story being told from Kahlil's perspective. Thank God Fikiri finally got his comeuppance, even if it did all seem a bit easy in the end. I'm glad the next book is back with John and Ravishan as I'm looking forward to seeing how what they do in the past, changes the future! Moving on to The Silent City
June 4, 2016
Another book under my belt, the mind-fuck continues, onwards and end-wards..
" I don't know if you remember this, but when we were in Rathal'pesha, I told you that I knew you'd become a fearless Kahlil. I knew that because I'd met you - Kyle. And you are fearless and resilient and loyal and strong and..."
" I don't know if you remember this, but when we were in Rathal'pesha, I told you that I knew you'd become a fearless Kahlil. I knew that because I'd met you - Kyle. And you are fearless and resilient and loyal and strong and..."
June 4, 2015
***3.8 stars***
May 11, 2013
I'm liking this series more and more as it continues.
This installment is mostly from Kyle's pov and I feel like it's the first time that the plot stops being events to introduce the world, set things up and everything and instead starts being problems that the characters need to deal with. Not that one is better or worse than the other, I just noticed that it felt like a shift.
My favorite chapter of this part was probably when Kyle and John were just wandering around talking and being adorable. Both of them are fantastic but unlike say Ty Grady who I want to marry and live with forever, I want Kyle and John to stay as a couple and be adorable together forever.
Also, Kyle's solution to the problem (vague much?) was pretty ingenious. It worked out fantastically.
Alidas is wonderful, Pesha is hilarious and - while they have nothing on Kyle and John - all the side characters really are great and make this series fantastic. I especially liked when Kyle
Speaking of people wanting to know more (which is a terrible segue for anyone who didn't read that spoiler), I wish more was said about Ji's eastern magics. While I feel like I have a handle on what the Rifter can do and what can be done with grey space, there has been no really explanation of the eastern magic, how it works, what it can accomplish, etc. I've mentioned this in previous reviews (like anybody read those), most recently the Nightrunner books, but I like knowing about the magic systems in use. Especially if they're what solves problems. And are(was?) a huge problem.
Lastly, that was a terrible place to leave Kyle when jumping back to John's pov and time. Come on.
This installment is mostly from Kyle's pov and I feel like it's the first time that the plot stops being events to introduce the world, set things up and everything and instead starts being problems that the characters need to deal with. Not that one is better or worse than the other, I just noticed that it felt like a shift.
My favorite chapter of this part was probably when Kyle and John were just wandering around talking and being adorable. Both of them are fantastic but unlike say Ty Grady who I want to marry and live with forever, I want Kyle and John to stay as a couple and be adorable together forever.
Also, Kyle's solution to the problem (vague much?) was pretty ingenious. It worked out fantastically.
Alidas is wonderful, Pesha is hilarious and - while they have nothing on Kyle and John - all the side characters really are great and make this series fantastic. I especially liked when Kyle
Speaking of people wanting to know more (which is a terrible segue for anyone who didn't read that spoiler), I wish more was said about Ji's eastern magics. While I feel like I have a handle on what the Rifter can do and what can be done with grey space, there has been no really explanation of the eastern magic, how it works, what it can accomplish, etc. I've mentioned this in previous reviews (like anybody read those), most recently the Nightrunner books, but I like knowing about the magic systems in use. Especially if they're what solves problems. And are(was?) a huge problem.
Lastly, that was a terrible place to leave Kyle when jumping back to John's pov and time. Come on.
March 14, 2016
Way to leave a girl clutching her pearls...well, if I was wearing them, that is.
Forget sitting on the edge of the cliff with this one. I'm pretty damned sure I got pitched over the cliff. So of course I did the logical thing and jumped right into the next book. Problem is my cliff hanger in book 7 came a few pages before the actual end. The end of book 7 took us to another flashback and of course that's where book 8 The Silent City picks up is with the flashback and not the cliffhanger, sorry folks but f#@k the flashback! I need to go back to the cliff...now, right the f#@k NOW!!! and I'm pretty sure with my luck it's going to be book 9 before I find out where things went...so back to my reading. Talk to you all tomorrow.
Forget sitting on the edge of the cliff with this one. I'm pretty damned sure I got pitched over the cliff. So of course I did the logical thing and jumped right into the next book. Problem is my cliff hanger in book 7 came a few pages before the actual end. The end of book 7 took us to another flashback and of course that's where book 8 The Silent City picks up is with the flashback and not the cliffhanger, sorry folks but f#@k the flashback! I need to go back to the cliff...now, right the f#@k NOW!!! and I'm pretty sure with my luck it's going to be book 9 before I find out where things went...so back to my reading. Talk to you all tomorrow.
January 16, 2016
WOW
Don't underestimate the force of the Rifter...the destroyer. John/Jahn/Jath'ibay has become a force to be reckoned with. I thoroughly enjoyed their bonding in Enemies and Shadows.
MUST READ. Highly recommend this exciting series and this author. I'm in every book with the characters, streets, smells, and feelings.
Don't underestimate the force of the Rifter...the destroyer. John/Jahn/Jath'ibay has become a force to be reckoned with. I thoroughly enjoyed their bonding in Enemies and Shadows.
MUST READ. Highly recommend this exciting series and this author. I'm in every book with the characters, streets, smells, and feelings.
April 1, 2016
OMG! This ended in the mother of cliffhangers!!! Luckily and I go to the next book and hope all will be well..This 7th installment was filled with revelations, clever plot twists and heartbreaking scenes *sniff*
The love Jhat and Kahlil share is so beautiful I can't explain.. I neeeeed them to be alright ...
The love Jhat and Kahlil share is so beautiful I can't explain.. I neeeeed them to be alright ...
April 10, 2020
I see you Ginn Hale.
Trying to lull me into a false sense of security. I knew it was too good to be true. And sure enough, just pulled the rug right out from under me.
Trying to lull me into a false sense of security. I knew it was too good to be true. And sure enough, just pulled the rug right out from under me.
December 7, 2013
Ginn Hale...how dare you jump back and forth between past and present like that and leave gi-normous cliff hangers!!
At least I can find some solace in Jahn and Ravishan being together for a brief moment again.
Next book!!
At least I can find some solace in Jahn and Ravishan being together for a brief moment again.
Next book!!
September 10, 2022
At one point in this installment, I was figuratively on the edge of my seat, hands over my eyes, squirming with barely repressed anxiety and anticipation. This whole story, and this section in particular, moves seamlessly from tenderness one scene to tension the next. I get lulled by the peaceful relationship building and then rocked by intense political drama and physical danger. It's so well done, and I'm loving every word. Also I'm not sure if my heart/nerves can take it!!
January 11, 2021
Can't remember which portion of the plot was served here. Whatever. I enjoyed the heck out of it
August 13, 2016
Fikiri and Kyle's duel at chapter 74 kept me on the edge of my seat. But that's an understatement, I literally hold my breath!!! But then, CUTTTT!!! You have to wait for (possibly) book 9 to know the answer, because Hale chose to switch time backward to Ravishan's arc!!!
Gahhhhh!!!! She is sooooooooo evilllllllll!!! XO I mean, she chose to cliffhanger it at 80%!! 80%!!! Before an actual ending!!! and took us backward in time!!! I was like : WTH!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! XO
I love John's POV, but I thought Hale already closed Ravishan's arc in book 5 and I don't think we would learn anything from his arc now that we got the big and small spoilers from Kyle's POV at book 6 and 7. Unless, there's something really important in Ravishan's arc that Kyle had failed to remember it and John & co. had failed to mention it, so we have to leap backward to Ravishan's arc again, but honestly I don't want to witness what had happened at Ravishan, it undoubtedly will make me an emotional wreck! X(
Off to book 8... I hope in book 8 I'll understand the reason for this sudden switch to the past...
Gahhhhh!!!! She is sooooooooo evilllllllll!!! XO I mean, she chose to cliffhanger it at 80%!! 80%!!! Before an actual ending!!! and took us backward in time!!! I was like : WTH!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! XO
I love John's POV, but I thought Hale already closed Ravishan's arc in book 5 and I don't think we would learn anything from his arc now that we got the big and small spoilers from Kyle's POV at book 6 and 7. Unless, there's something really important in Ravishan's arc that Kyle had failed to remember it and John & co. had failed to mention it, so we have to leap backward to Ravishan's arc again, but honestly I don't want to witness what had happened at Ravishan, it undoubtedly will make me an emotional wreck! X(
Off to book 8... I hope in book 8 I'll understand the reason for this sudden switch to the past...
July 20, 2019
Yes! The last 3 books in the series are really selling it to me, for sure! I love how the author really brings things back full circles and manages to answer all the random little questions I have, it's pretty cool. Romance between Kahlil and John continues to be lovely, and also impressed with how the author even manages to make me feel a little twinge when As I suspected, we are getting another John POV/timeline, as most of this book was the Kahlil POV/Timeline, then ends on a MASSIVE cliffhanger, and then we switch to John's POV for like 2 chapters. WHY?? I still find the serial format to be so odd and clunky, and I do not understand the decisions in terms of where to cut things off. I mean, I'm still reading, but it does make for a slightly less cohesive experience.
October 6, 2015
Well, the story picked up again in this 'episode' of the book. We jumped into the future again and saw what had become of Laurie, Bill and John...and little of it was pretty. Kyle's re-emergence as the Kalhil lead to another twist in, what is a very twisty story. Then the reader is left with a cliff hanger and the timeline jumps back. I don't know how much more these characters can take, but i'm in this until the end!
January 11, 2019
It's hard to review these individually, but I'll say that a new arc starts in this one, and at first I was a bit worried, kind of... "Do we even really need to go there?" but it turns out we do indeed. So hang tight and worry not! This whole thing is really quite expertly constructed. High marks for pacing.
April 21, 2013
Ginn Hale, I hate and I love you for this. I hate you because - how could leave Kahlil in such a place AND LEAVE ME NOT KNOWING HOW THINGS PLAY OUT??
And I love you, because every damn installment of this series is just better than the last one. I didn't think it possible, but it really is.
5 very enthusiastic stars!
And I love you, because every damn installment of this series is just better than the last one. I didn't think it possible, but it really is.
5 very enthusiastic stars!
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