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Rhiannon's Ride #2
The Shining City
Rhiannon, a wild and fierce half-human girl, tamed a winged horse to escape the vicious satyricorn tribe who raised her. In the human world, the handsome apprentice-witch Lewen has convinced her to stay with him and learn to use her strong magical talents. But before her training can commence, Rhiannon must answer for a past crime in… THE SHINING CITY Imprisoned in Sorrowgate Tower, Rhiannon awaits trial for murder and treason. While her days are spent in anticipation of Lewen’s visits, her nights are haunted by the malevolent ghost of a dead queen, hungry to live again. But not many care to listen to the prophetic dreams of a girl who has already been convicted in most people’s minds. Then Lewen begins to cool toward her, and Rhiannon suspects one of the princesses has worked a spell to steal his heart. In a world filled with dark spirits and forbidden magic, conspiracy and intrigue, Rhiannon vows to win back her lover and escape once more, to save the land before it’s too late....
544 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
34 people are currently reading
871 people want to read
About the author
Kate Forsyth
86 books2,564 followersKate Forsyth wrote her first novel at the age of seven, and is now the internationally bestselling author of 40 books for both adults and children.
Her books for adults include 'Beauty in Thorns', the true love story behind a famous painting of 'Sleeping Beauty'; 'The Beast's Garden', a retelling of the Grimm version of 'Beauty & the Beast', set in the German underground resistance to Hitler in WWII; 'The Wild Girl', the love story of Wilhelm Grimm and Dortchen Wild, the young woman who told him many of the world's most famous fairy tales; 'Bitter Greens', a retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale; and the bestselling fantasy series 'Witches of Eileanan' Her books for children include 'The Impossible Quest', 'The Gypsy Crown', 'The Puzzle Ring', and 'The Starkin Crown'
Kate has a doctorate in fairytale studies, a Masters of Creative Writing, a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, and is an accredited master storyteller.
Her books for adults include 'Beauty in Thorns', the true love story behind a famous painting of 'Sleeping Beauty'; 'The Beast's Garden', a retelling of the Grimm version of 'Beauty & the Beast', set in the German underground resistance to Hitler in WWII; 'The Wild Girl', the love story of Wilhelm Grimm and Dortchen Wild, the young woman who told him many of the world's most famous fairy tales; 'Bitter Greens', a retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale; and the bestselling fantasy series 'Witches of Eileanan' Her books for children include 'The Impossible Quest', 'The Gypsy Crown', 'The Puzzle Ring', and 'The Starkin Crown'
Kate has a doctorate in fairytale studies, a Masters of Creative Writing, a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, and is an accredited master storyteller.
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August 15, 2016
Jeder darf mir den Hintern küssen, denn ich habe es -endlich!- geschafft!
Rezension mit Bildern, Links, etc auf meinem Blog :)
https://neylakunta.wordpress.com/2016...
Da dies der zweite Band der Reihe rund um Rhiannon ist, enthält diese Rezension, selbstverständlich, Spoiler.
Fakten über das Buch:
Verlag: blanvalet
Seitenzahl: 640
ISBN: 978-3-641-16830-8
Preis: 6,99€
Lesezeitraum: 16/7/16 – 11/8/16
Kurzbeschreibung:
Die Geschichte um Rhiannon geht weiter!
Endlich in der großen Stadt, wo der Righ seinen Sitz hat, angekommen, wartet auf Rhiannon der Prozess vor dem höchsten Gericht. Hat sie Connor kaltblütig ermordet oder wollte sie nur ihre Mutter beschützen? Diese Frage muss geklärt werden. Während dieser Zeit befindet sich Rhiannon im Kummertorverließ und muss sich mit dem Geist einer Frau herumschlagen, die unbedingt wieder unter den Lebenden weilen möchte. Auf die Hilfe ihrer Freunde ist sie angewiesen, aber nie hätte sie gedacht, dass sich ein Teil von ihnen von ihr abwendet. Erst recht nicht Lewen.
Cover:
An sich ist das Cover ja wirklich nicht besonders. Es wurden einfach nur kleinere Dinge verändert, wie man im Vergleich zum ersten Cover erkennen kann. Als störend empfinde ich dies aber nicht, da es sich ja nur auf meinem E-Book Reader befindet. Könnte ich es aber in diesem Format im Regal stehen haben, wäre das natürlich toll. Denn natürlich, es ist nicht speziell oder so. Jedoch finde ich, dass es etwas hat und irgendwie gefällt mir diese Schlichtheit. Ganz nach dem Motto: Einfach aber schön.
Handlungsverlauf:
Die Story setzt sofort da an, wo sie geendet hat. Überspringt aber die Reise der Lehrlinge mit Nina und Iven. Das finde ich jedoch kein bisschen schlimm, da diese immer wieder leicht angeschnitten wird und ich auch nicht so scharf darauf war, mehr davon zu lesen. Wir lesen zunächst viel von Rhiannons Aufenthalt im Gefängnis. Jedoch erfolgen sehr oft Sichtwechsel, so dass man auch mehr von Lewen erfährt und wie er mit der Situation umgeht. Die anderen Hexenlehrlinge und Freunde von unserer Reiterin der schwarzen Stute werden nicht außen vor gelassen. So erfahren wir Dinge, die Rhiannon sich nicht einmal vorstellen kann.
Durch die vielen Sichtwechsel liegt der Fokus auch nicht mehr so auf Rhiannon. Stattdessen erfahren wir viel über die Kinder des Righ und besonders über Olywnne. Diese scheint mitten im Buch zu einer Hauptfigur zu mutieren. Und das gefiel mir ehrlich gesagt nicht wirklich. Jedoch trägt sie ihren Teil zur Geschichte bei und demnach konnte ich gegen Ende etwas darüber hinwegsehen – aber eben nicht ganz.
Wir werden in das Leben bei Hofe eingeführt und lernen viele neue Charaktere kennen deren Notwendig zunächst unbekannt bleibt. Als Beispiele wären da Banprionnsa Browen, Mathias Glanzauge der die zukünfte Bánrigh, Browen, umwirbt und die Verhexerin. Letztere erhält jedoch keinen eigenen Part. Durch die vielen neuen Charaktere, Namen, Begebenheiten und Beziehungen wird der Leser, meiner Meinung nach, verwirrt. Mir war nicht klar, was für eine Rolle die einzelnen Personen spielen sollen.
Da jeder jedoch die Geschichte mit seinem Teil weitererzählt, erfahren wir was außerhalb von Rhiannons Zelle passiert und wie jedes Puzzelteil sich mit einem anderen verbindet. Dieses Puzzel scheint jedoch aus 5000 Teilen zu bestehen und man muss alle haben, um das große Ganze zu erkennen.
Der Hof ist definitiv nicht die schöne Welt wie man sie sich vorstellt. Schnell werden wir auf die Schattenseiten aufmerksam gemacht und die einzelnen Personen haben jeder ihr Päckchen zu tragen. Konflikte treten auf, Politik tritt in den Vordergrund und jeder außer Rhiannon scheint die neue Hauptfigur zu sein. Warum und wieso uns das alles haarklein erzählt wird, findet man gegen Ende des Buches heraus. Ob dies nun so unbedingt nötig war kann ich mit einem Jaein beantworten.
Hätte man die Handlung etwas zusammen geschrumpft und auf die wirklich wichtigen Sachen reduziert die mit unserer Protagonistin zu haben, dann wäre auch mehr Spannung und Verständnis da gewesen. Vielleicht hätte ich dann auch nicht fast einen Monat gebraucht um dieses 600 Seiten Buch zu beenden.
Schreibstil, Charaktere, etc.:
Dem Schreibstil von Kate Forsyth habe ich in diesem Band, im Gegensatz zum ersten, etwas entgegenzusetzen. Es waren a) viel zu viele Ausschmückungen und b) Abschweifungen auf unwichtige Dinge die mit der eigentlichen Handlung an sich gar nichts zu tun haben und den Lesefluss immens stören. Manchmal musste ich mich wirklich überwinden weiter zu lesen. Das hat sich aber gegen Ende aber wieder etwas gelohnt, da es mir so schien, als hätte sich Forsyth wieder gefangen und zu gewohnter Form zurück gefunden. (Die Spannung kam dann auch mal wieder.)
Auf Rhiannon lag nun in diesem Band wirklich nicht mehr der Fokus. Sie wurde regelrecht zu einem Nebencharakter was mir nicht wirklich gefiel. Ihr halber Charakter schien sich ebenso geändert zu haben. Ich mochte sie immer und fand sie toll, aber nun, es war einfach komplett anders und sie hat sich manchmal wie ein kleines, uneinsichtiges Kind aufgeführt was mir immer sehr komisch vorkam. So als wäre sie plötzlich verrückt geworden. Später fängt sie sich dann zwar wieder, aber das macht nun mal den Anfang nicht ungeschehen.
Lewen gefiel mir auch immer weniger und später habe ich dann eine echte Abneigung gegen ihn entwickelt. Seine Handlungen, sein Denken und seine Gefühle schienen einfach nicht mehr die Selben zu sein und er wurde auch etwas anstrengend. Ich hätte ihn für einige Dinge wirklich liebend gern geohrfeigt. (Spoiler: Ich dachte er hält zu Rhiannon. Aber nein als Olwynne ihn dann bei dem Brunnen anfällt, da scheint er sie einfach zu vergessen. Hauptsache jemanden zum… – Und das Rhiannon dann zurück zu ihm gekommen ist hat mich noch mehr gestört.)
Olwynne und Browen könnten nicht unterschiedlicher sein. Das spiegelt sich auch in meiner Meinung den beiden gegenüber wieder. Olwynne mochte ich am Anfang noch etwas und habe ihr eine Chance gegeben, die hatte sie dann leider jedoch verspielt und somit war sie für mich als gute Person aus dem Rennen. Nicht so aber Browen wo ich von Anfang an vermutete, dass mehr hinter ihr steckt. Und das tut es. Sie mochte ich und ich hoffe, das geht nicht verloren. Sie kann weder etwas für ihre Herkunft noch für ein Sein. Meiner Meinung nach konnte man sie verstehen, besser als so manchen anderen.
Rhiannons Freunde setzen sich für sie ein und das gefiel mir, sie alle waren besser als Lewen und sie kann sich wirklich glücklich schätzen, die Hexenlehrlinge kennengelernt zu haben. Nina mochte ich ebenso immer mehr und andere Nebencharaktere waren ebenso nicht verachtenswert.
Fazit:
Leider konnte mich der zweite Band nicht so in seinen Bann ziehen wie es der erste konnte. Ich wurde enttäuscht und mit so vielen schlechten Änderungen und Handlungen bombardiert, dass sich „Die Strahlende Stadt“ glücklich schätzen kann, von mir noch 3 Sterne zu erhalten.
2,5 erschienen mir zu wenig, da ich viele andere Dinge als gut empfand, wie zum Beispiel Browens Geschichte und wie sich dann alle zusammenfügte. Das war wirklich gut gemacht, nur die Hauptcharaktere und die Handlung um sie herum wurde grob vernachlässigt, der Schreibstil war nicht mehr der Selbe und im Allgemeinen war dieses Buch einfach nicht so gut wie ich es mir erhofft hatte.
Ich weiß nicht ob ich mir den dritten Teil noch zu Gemüte führen werde.
Rezension zu Band 1 gibt's auf meinem Blog.
Anmerkungen:
Dies ist ein Rezensionsexemplar, welches ich vom Bloggerportal der Verlagsgruppe Randomhouse erhalten habe. Als Gegenleistung lese ich das erhaltene Buch und veröffentliche eine ehrliche Rezension darüber. (Read-to-Review Basis.)
Rezension mit Bildern, Links, etc auf meinem Blog :)
https://neylakunta.wordpress.com/2016...
Da dies der zweite Band der Reihe rund um Rhiannon ist, enthält diese Rezension, selbstverständlich, Spoiler.
Fakten über das Buch:
Verlag: blanvalet
Seitenzahl: 640
ISBN: 978-3-641-16830-8
Preis: 6,99€
Lesezeitraum: 16/7/16 – 11/8/16
Kurzbeschreibung:
Die Geschichte um Rhiannon geht weiter!
Endlich in der großen Stadt, wo der Righ seinen Sitz hat, angekommen, wartet auf Rhiannon der Prozess vor dem höchsten Gericht. Hat sie Connor kaltblütig ermordet oder wollte sie nur ihre Mutter beschützen? Diese Frage muss geklärt werden. Während dieser Zeit befindet sich Rhiannon im Kummertorverließ und muss sich mit dem Geist einer Frau herumschlagen, die unbedingt wieder unter den Lebenden weilen möchte. Auf die Hilfe ihrer Freunde ist sie angewiesen, aber nie hätte sie gedacht, dass sich ein Teil von ihnen von ihr abwendet. Erst recht nicht Lewen.
Cover:
An sich ist das Cover ja wirklich nicht besonders. Es wurden einfach nur kleinere Dinge verändert, wie man im Vergleich zum ersten Cover erkennen kann. Als störend empfinde ich dies aber nicht, da es sich ja nur auf meinem E-Book Reader befindet. Könnte ich es aber in diesem Format im Regal stehen haben, wäre das natürlich toll. Denn natürlich, es ist nicht speziell oder so. Jedoch finde ich, dass es etwas hat und irgendwie gefällt mir diese Schlichtheit. Ganz nach dem Motto: Einfach aber schön.
Handlungsverlauf:
Die Story setzt sofort da an, wo sie geendet hat. Überspringt aber die Reise der Lehrlinge mit Nina und Iven. Das finde ich jedoch kein bisschen schlimm, da diese immer wieder leicht angeschnitten wird und ich auch nicht so scharf darauf war, mehr davon zu lesen. Wir lesen zunächst viel von Rhiannons Aufenthalt im Gefängnis. Jedoch erfolgen sehr oft Sichtwechsel, so dass man auch mehr von Lewen erfährt und wie er mit der Situation umgeht. Die anderen Hexenlehrlinge und Freunde von unserer Reiterin der schwarzen Stute werden nicht außen vor gelassen. So erfahren wir Dinge, die Rhiannon sich nicht einmal vorstellen kann.
Durch die vielen Sichtwechsel liegt der Fokus auch nicht mehr so auf Rhiannon. Stattdessen erfahren wir viel über die Kinder des Righ und besonders über Olywnne. Diese scheint mitten im Buch zu einer Hauptfigur zu mutieren. Und das gefiel mir ehrlich gesagt nicht wirklich. Jedoch trägt sie ihren Teil zur Geschichte bei und demnach konnte ich gegen Ende etwas darüber hinwegsehen – aber eben nicht ganz.
Wir werden in das Leben bei Hofe eingeführt und lernen viele neue Charaktere kennen deren Notwendig zunächst unbekannt bleibt. Als Beispiele wären da Banprionnsa Browen, Mathias Glanzauge der die zukünfte Bánrigh, Browen, umwirbt und die Verhexerin. Letztere erhält jedoch keinen eigenen Part. Durch die vielen neuen Charaktere, Namen, Begebenheiten und Beziehungen wird der Leser, meiner Meinung nach, verwirrt. Mir war nicht klar, was für eine Rolle die einzelnen Personen spielen sollen.
Da jeder jedoch die Geschichte mit seinem Teil weitererzählt, erfahren wir was außerhalb von Rhiannons Zelle passiert und wie jedes Puzzelteil sich mit einem anderen verbindet. Dieses Puzzel scheint jedoch aus 5000 Teilen zu bestehen und man muss alle haben, um das große Ganze zu erkennen.
Der Hof ist definitiv nicht die schöne Welt wie man sie sich vorstellt. Schnell werden wir auf die Schattenseiten aufmerksam gemacht und die einzelnen Personen haben jeder ihr Päckchen zu tragen. Konflikte treten auf, Politik tritt in den Vordergrund und jeder außer Rhiannon scheint die neue Hauptfigur zu sein. Warum und wieso uns das alles haarklein erzählt wird, findet man gegen Ende des Buches heraus. Ob dies nun so unbedingt nötig war kann ich mit einem Jaein beantworten.
Hätte man die Handlung etwas zusammen geschrumpft und auf die wirklich wichtigen Sachen reduziert die mit unserer Protagonistin zu haben, dann wäre auch mehr Spannung und Verständnis da gewesen. Vielleicht hätte ich dann auch nicht fast einen Monat gebraucht um dieses 600 Seiten Buch zu beenden.
Schreibstil, Charaktere, etc.:
Dem Schreibstil von Kate Forsyth habe ich in diesem Band, im Gegensatz zum ersten, etwas entgegenzusetzen. Es waren a) viel zu viele Ausschmückungen und b) Abschweifungen auf unwichtige Dinge die mit der eigentlichen Handlung an sich gar nichts zu tun haben und den Lesefluss immens stören. Manchmal musste ich mich wirklich überwinden weiter zu lesen. Das hat sich aber gegen Ende aber wieder etwas gelohnt, da es mir so schien, als hätte sich Forsyth wieder gefangen und zu gewohnter Form zurück gefunden. (Die Spannung kam dann auch mal wieder.)
Auf Rhiannon lag nun in diesem Band wirklich nicht mehr der Fokus. Sie wurde regelrecht zu einem Nebencharakter was mir nicht wirklich gefiel. Ihr halber Charakter schien sich ebenso geändert zu haben. Ich mochte sie immer und fand sie toll, aber nun, es war einfach komplett anders und sie hat sich manchmal wie ein kleines, uneinsichtiges Kind aufgeführt was mir immer sehr komisch vorkam. So als wäre sie plötzlich verrückt geworden. Später fängt sie sich dann zwar wieder, aber das macht nun mal den Anfang nicht ungeschehen.
Lewen gefiel mir auch immer weniger und später habe ich dann eine echte Abneigung gegen ihn entwickelt. Seine Handlungen, sein Denken und seine Gefühle schienen einfach nicht mehr die Selben zu sein und er wurde auch etwas anstrengend. Ich hätte ihn für einige Dinge wirklich liebend gern geohrfeigt. (Spoiler: Ich dachte er hält zu Rhiannon. Aber nein als Olwynne ihn dann bei dem Brunnen anfällt, da scheint er sie einfach zu vergessen. Hauptsache jemanden zum… – Und das Rhiannon dann zurück zu ihm gekommen ist hat mich noch mehr gestört.)
Olwynne und Browen könnten nicht unterschiedlicher sein. Das spiegelt sich auch in meiner Meinung den beiden gegenüber wieder. Olwynne mochte ich am Anfang noch etwas und habe ihr eine Chance gegeben, die hatte sie dann leider jedoch verspielt und somit war sie für mich als gute Person aus dem Rennen. Nicht so aber Browen wo ich von Anfang an vermutete, dass mehr hinter ihr steckt. Und das tut es. Sie mochte ich und ich hoffe, das geht nicht verloren. Sie kann weder etwas für ihre Herkunft noch für ein Sein. Meiner Meinung nach konnte man sie verstehen, besser als so manchen anderen.
Rhiannons Freunde setzen sich für sie ein und das gefiel mir, sie alle waren besser als Lewen und sie kann sich wirklich glücklich schätzen, die Hexenlehrlinge kennengelernt zu haben. Nina mochte ich ebenso immer mehr und andere Nebencharaktere waren ebenso nicht verachtenswert.
Fazit:
Leider konnte mich der zweite Band nicht so in seinen Bann ziehen wie es der erste konnte. Ich wurde enttäuscht und mit so vielen schlechten Änderungen und Handlungen bombardiert, dass sich „Die Strahlende Stadt“ glücklich schätzen kann, von mir noch 3 Sterne zu erhalten.
2,5 erschienen mir zu wenig, da ich viele andere Dinge als gut empfand, wie zum Beispiel Browens Geschichte und wie sich dann alle zusammenfügte. Das war wirklich gut gemacht, nur die Hauptcharaktere und die Handlung um sie herum wurde grob vernachlässigt, der Schreibstil war nicht mehr der Selbe und im Allgemeinen war dieses Buch einfach nicht so gut wie ich es mir erhofft hatte.
Ich weiß nicht ob ich mir den dritten Teil noch zu Gemüte führen werde.
Rezension zu Band 1 gibt's auf meinem Blog.
Anmerkungen:
Dies ist ein Rezensionsexemplar, welches ich vom Bloggerportal der Verlagsgruppe Randomhouse erhalten habe. Als Gegenleistung lese ich das erhaltene Buch und veröffentliche eine ehrliche Rezension darüber. (Read-to-Review Basis.)
January 29, 2025
Ahoy there mateys! I tend to get focused on the new shiny treasure. But part of what I love about readin’ is re-visitin’ old friends. So I have a category where I take a second look at a previously enjoyed novel and give me crew second reflections, as it were, upon visitin’ it again . . .
*** SPOILERS BELOW. PROCEED AT YER OWN PERIL! ***
I had found Kate Forsyth's Witches of Eileanan series at a used bookstore and bought the whole thing based on my recollections of loving her Rhiannon's Ride series back in the day. I figured I would reread the books about Rhiannon before embarking on the Witches series. Yikes! I ended up thinking the first book in the trilogy was barely okay and that book two was a ONE star read. This series walks the plank! What in the world was younger me thinking?
Let's go back to somewhere around 2006. I know exactly what caused me to want to read this series:
Aye, flying pony on the cover. I can be extremely shallow at times. To be fair, even though I prefer sea tales, I will still pick up pony books especially if they have talking ponies. Now the pony in these series does not talk but flying will work just as well. So that is why I chose this trilogy but liking it?
Rhiannon is a half human/half satyricorn. The satyricorns are women with something like rams horns that basically hunt, sleep, and eat. They like to catch human males to breed with though they treat them like animals and slaves. Theirs is a group with a pecking order based on ferocity. Rhiannon's mother is the head of the satyricorn herd. If Rhiannon's horns do not grow in she will be killed. She "tames" the flying horse to escape.
In reading book one, I could see some of the appeal. Young me certainly liked the idea of satyricorns and Rhiannon not fitting in. I also liked that when she joins humans, she judges them through her mother's culture and thinks a lot of customs and rules were ridiculous. I could relate. And, basically, at that age, I wanted a flying pony.
However, much of the first book deals with Lewen (the love interest) and his teaching Rhiannon to be more human. Lewen's main interest in her is "she's hot" and "I want to protect her" even though Rhiannon should want to stab him (I did) and could kill him easily. The horse taming happened in basically one day by Rhiannon tying herself on the horse and not falling off. Then the horse plays basically no role in the plot.
Rhiannon is in trouble because she killed a king's messenger even though her background meant she couldn't have known about it being a hanging offence. She travels in a caravan of magical youngsters who are insipid and caricatures. There is an evil necromancer who steals kids and does death magic. He has a poisoning sidekick. Somehow only Rhiannon knows this. The "Rhiannon is uncultured so can't possibly have morals or ever tell the truth" got old real fast and is the common theme of the series. The adults in this book don't use their brains. Seriously, and I mean SERIOUSLY, no one thinks rationally. Rhiannon saves a child and helps fend off dangers and yet she is always considered a threat. The blurb says "Rhiannon, the rider no one can catch." She spends much of this book tied up, locked up, or chained. But I couldn't help but like Rhiannon despite the ridiculous nature of the book.
But book two! Ugh. No joke, Rhiannon spends about 300 pages of this novel locked up in prison. That's right, the main character cries, gets depressed, and sits in jail. Her magical flying horse could help her escape and fly away but no. Lewen is ensorcelled under a love spell and NONE of the greatest magic users notice. Rhiannon turns into a lovelorn idiot. The supposedly intelligent adults never think. Rhiannon gets the blame for everything EVEN THOUGH SHE IS IN JAIL.
Other messes include an undead queen spirit floating around that all the magic users miss. Another evil witch breaks free from the spell that keeps her from talking, performs in local pubs, and NO ONE notices. The poisoner from book one leaves jail and poisons the head healer. Does anyone notice? The head female prison warden makes sexual advances towards female prisoners, tortures them, and some die. Everyone knows this except the magic folk who are supposed to keep the prison humane. Then we spend a stupid amount of time on the royal part-fish girl who flirts and makes people jealous and talk about her upcoming wedding. And drama with other royal family members. I am tired just thinking about it.
Rhiannon's trial is a joke. I laughed (in pain) about how stupid it was. Lewen saves her anyway by hanging on a bell. The necromancer escapes prison and there is death and kidnappings and poisonings. Rhiannon has been an absolutely horrible and boring character to read about in this book. She has been treated like garbage for two books. Yet she is the only one who can save the day? Let the city burn and she should run fly away to another country. I hated this book and only finished it out of pure stubbornness to see if I could remember what happens after the cliffhanger ending. I remembered just enough to give up on this series. Young Me was wrong and Old Me is disappointed.
Do I read the Witches of Eileanan series? Do I keep the copies of the Rhiannon's Ride trilogy that I have lugged with me all over the country from place to place? I will never read these again. But, the covers are just so pretty.
Thoughts? Arrrr!
*** SPOILERS BELOW. PROCEED AT YER OWN PERIL! ***
I had found Kate Forsyth's Witches of Eileanan series at a used bookstore and bought the whole thing based on my recollections of loving her Rhiannon's Ride series back in the day. I figured I would reread the books about Rhiannon before embarking on the Witches series. Yikes! I ended up thinking the first book in the trilogy was barely okay and that book two was a ONE star read. This series walks the plank! What in the world was younger me thinking?
Let's go back to somewhere around 2006. I know exactly what caused me to want to read this series:
Aye, flying pony on the cover. I can be extremely shallow at times. To be fair, even though I prefer sea tales, I will still pick up pony books especially if they have talking ponies. Now the pony in these series does not talk but flying will work just as well. So that is why I chose this trilogy but liking it?
Rhiannon is a half human/half satyricorn. The satyricorns are women with something like rams horns that basically hunt, sleep, and eat. They like to catch human males to breed with though they treat them like animals and slaves. Theirs is a group with a pecking order based on ferocity. Rhiannon's mother is the head of the satyricorn herd. If Rhiannon's horns do not grow in she will be killed. She "tames" the flying horse to escape.
In reading book one, I could see some of the appeal. Young me certainly liked the idea of satyricorns and Rhiannon not fitting in. I also liked that when she joins humans, she judges them through her mother's culture and thinks a lot of customs and rules were ridiculous. I could relate. And, basically, at that age, I wanted a flying pony.
However, much of the first book deals with Lewen (the love interest) and his teaching Rhiannon to be more human. Lewen's main interest in her is "she's hot" and "I want to protect her" even though Rhiannon should want to stab him (I did) and could kill him easily. The horse taming happened in basically one day by Rhiannon tying herself on the horse and not falling off. Then the horse plays basically no role in the plot.
Rhiannon is in trouble because she killed a king's messenger even though her background meant she couldn't have known about it being a hanging offence. She travels in a caravan of magical youngsters who are insipid and caricatures. There is an evil necromancer who steals kids and does death magic. He has a poisoning sidekick. Somehow only Rhiannon knows this. The "Rhiannon is uncultured so can't possibly have morals or ever tell the truth" got old real fast and is the common theme of the series. The adults in this book don't use their brains. Seriously, and I mean SERIOUSLY, no one thinks rationally. Rhiannon saves a child and helps fend off dangers and yet she is always considered a threat. The blurb says "Rhiannon, the rider no one can catch." She spends much of this book tied up, locked up, or chained. But I couldn't help but like Rhiannon despite the ridiculous nature of the book.
But book two! Ugh. No joke, Rhiannon spends about 300 pages of this novel locked up in prison. That's right, the main character cries, gets depressed, and sits in jail. Her magical flying horse could help her escape and fly away but no. Lewen is ensorcelled under a love spell and NONE of the greatest magic users notice. Rhiannon turns into a lovelorn idiot. The supposedly intelligent adults never think. Rhiannon gets the blame for everything EVEN THOUGH SHE IS IN JAIL.
Other messes include an undead queen spirit floating around that all the magic users miss. Another evil witch breaks free from the spell that keeps her from talking, performs in local pubs, and NO ONE notices. The poisoner from book one leaves jail and poisons the head healer. Does anyone notice? The head female prison warden makes sexual advances towards female prisoners, tortures them, and some die. Everyone knows this except the magic folk who are supposed to keep the prison humane. Then we spend a stupid amount of time on the royal part-fish girl who flirts and makes people jealous and talk about her upcoming wedding. And drama with other royal family members. I am tired just thinking about it.
Rhiannon's trial is a joke. I laughed (in pain) about how stupid it was. Lewen saves her anyway by hanging on a bell. The necromancer escapes prison and there is death and kidnappings and poisonings. Rhiannon has been an absolutely horrible and boring character to read about in this book. She has been treated like garbage for two books. Yet she is the only one who can save the day? Let the city burn and she should run fly away to another country. I hated this book and only finished it out of pure stubbornness to see if I could remember what happens after the cliffhanger ending. I remembered just enough to give up on this series. Young Me was wrong and Old Me is disappointed.
Do I read the Witches of Eileanan series? Do I keep the copies of the Rhiannon's Ride trilogy that I have lugged with me all over the country from place to place? I will never read these again. But, the covers are just so pretty.
Thoughts? Arrrr!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2007
One of my pet peeves in a book is when normally smart characters become incompetent idiots when it would be inconvenient for the plot for them to be smart. This book taught me another pet peeve: characters who are incompetent idiots at all times, regardless of the plot. This book is full of such characters. In fact, so few of the good guys have any intellectual redeeming qualities that I was finding myself starting to root for the bad guys.
I still really like the world Forsythe has created, but its starting to grow stale, and the characters can't keep this series running much longer. I hope the last book in the trilogy is better than this one.
I still really like the world Forsythe has created, but its starting to grow stale, and the characters can't keep this series running much longer. I hope the last book in the trilogy is better than this one.
November 29, 2022
This was the best one of the Eileanan saga so far! There was so much tying it back to the first series, so many layers and characters, plot pace was good.
December 31, 2014
Like the first book, I really enjoyed the actual writing, and was sucked along to find out what happens. However, also like the first book, I became extremely frustrated in the climax at the characters making illogical decisions and not using their resources to achieve their goals. All the problems of the book should have been solved very easily, but it wasn't, for no apparent reason.
Finally, I found the separation of this and the next book also irritating. I read expecting to have a particular situation worked out, only to find it was all going to be left until the next book. The climax of this book therefore ended up feeling weak and off point.
Finally, I found the separation of this and the next book also irritating. I read expecting to have a particular situation worked out, only to find it was all going to be left until the next book. The climax of this book therefore ended up feeling weak and off point.
February 8, 2017
I just read this a few days ago and I can't remember what happened other than the main character spent a lot of time (too much time) depressed in prison. It seemed ok when I was reading it, though not as good as the first book. It's a shame because I really liked the first one. Kate Forsyth is proving to be a really irregular writer.
June 15, 2011
If you've read the first novel in this series and are uncertain about getting the second one, trust me on this: GET IT. You will love it. And if you've never read any of Kate Forsyth's work before, get it too - it's a great introduction to her richly imagined world of witches, faeries, and lords.[return][return]Rhiannon is a half-satyricorn who unwittingly gets herself caught up in the affairs of the country of Eileanan when she flees her tribe. Found to possess strong magic, Lewen, a young man who finds her hurt in the forest on a winged horse, urges her to cultivate her powers at the Tower of Two Moons. But first she must face charges of murder and treason: Rhiannon has killed a Yeomen of the guard.[return][return]We get to really delve into all the characters in THE SHINING CITY. From Lachlan, the ruling R
November 11, 2011
Loved the book but found it a bit distressing at parts (maybe I'm just an extra sensitive soul!) I thought there was too much description of Rhiannon's imprisonment and Olwynne's maliciousness- although it was probably much more realistic than a more gentle version would have been, you are reading the book for pleasure, not to be distressed!
August 31, 2013
What a frustrating book. I really liked about 1/4 of it. The rest was deathly boring and I read it double-speed. Take the character that makes the series interesting and lock her up for 300 pages. I expect the payoff in the 3rd book, so tolerated this one. Hope I'm right about the next one. It does seem well set up now.
September 1, 2020
I really don't like Olwynne and her behaviour in this book. Not to mention that everyone just turned a blind eye on her love spell even after she was discovered. Like, what the hell guys, that's compulsion! If it weren't for her I would have enjoyed it much more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2010
Oh, my dog, I wouldn't be 24 again for all the money in the world!
November 21, 2021
I really enjoyed the second book in the Rhiannon's Ride series. Like all of the other Eileanan books, it is beautifully written, and the world is rich and engaging. In this book we meet some of the characters from the previous series and it is nice to see that in the twenty years between the series things have happened to them, i.e. we recognise the characters but they have grown and changed as you would expect people to do. It is annoying when you read stories that are sequels but the world seems to have remained static between the stories. Not so here. Here the loyalties and motivations of the previous characters are tested and friends may become enemies and enemies may not be enemies anymore. Just because some characters were friends in the previous stories doesn't mean that they will remain so, which was really interesting to read. Some readers have commented that it was frustrating reading about supposedly smart characters acting stupid, but I think that given the stressful situations that they all found themselves in it was perfectly believable and understandable that they were not thinking straight and thus making some not so smart decisions. Rhiannon's farce of a trial was particularly gripping and made me want to scream in frustration (but in a good way). There was only one instance of one of my favourite characters doing something annoying dumb. Fortunately this was only a small part of the story so it didn't detract from the overall story too much, but nevertheless, it was annoying. The book ends on a cliff hanger, which makes the reader desperate to read the next book.
August 17, 2017
This is an absolutely fantastic read (especially considering the main character spends most of her time in prison). I love how much Isabeau and some of the other characters from the first series are involved. I think the elements of court are well-crafted as are the motivations for the multitudes of characters Forsyth juggles in this book. It's a page turner to be sure and definitely worth a read This is particularly true for long-time fans of Eileannen.
The reason for the three star rating (would probably be 3.5 if that were a thing) is that I hate, hate, HATE all the youthful romantic drama and there's quite a bit of it in this book (even for Forsyth). Those of you still reading this reading this review, I'm sure, are shaking your heads going "This is the EIGHTH Eileannen book and all the others have had it. What on earth were you expecting????" To which I don't have much of a reply because I've told myself the same thing every time I find myself gagging my way through these scenes. Ultimately the answer is I think Forsyth is a fabulous author. I love the intrigue of this plot. I want to know how it ends and every time I pick up one of her books I find myself racing toward the conclusion hanging on every word. This book is no different. I read most of it in a single night. Also, fans beware, it ends in a cliff-hanger so have the third book close at hand so you aren't dying of anticipation like I currently am.
If you're a fantasy lover but you also like a kick of romance, than this book is definitely for you.
The reason for the three star rating (would probably be 3.5 if that were a thing) is that I hate, hate, HATE all the youthful romantic drama and there's quite a bit of it in this book (even for Forsyth). Those of you still reading this reading this review, I'm sure, are shaking your heads going "This is the EIGHTH Eileannen book and all the others have had it. What on earth were you expecting????" To which I don't have much of a reply because I've told myself the same thing every time I find myself gagging my way through these scenes. Ultimately the answer is I think Forsyth is a fabulous author. I love the intrigue of this plot. I want to know how it ends and every time I pick up one of her books I find myself racing toward the conclusion hanging on every word. This book is no different. I read most of it in a single night. Also, fans beware, it ends in a cliff-hanger so have the third book close at hand so you aren't dying of anticipation like I currently am.
If you're a fantasy lover but you also like a kick of romance, than this book is definitely for you.
May 21, 2019
An exciting and gripping sequel to The Tower of Ravens . Rhiannon , half human , wild and fierce tamed an almost mythical beast , a flying horse . She escaped from the vicious Satyricorn tribe who raised her . She was found by apprentice witch Lewen who arranged for her to travel with his group as they returned to the city. The group became aware of a terrible crime Rhiannon had committed in order to escape .
Now she is awaiting sentence for murder and treason, even though she has proved herself to be brave and loyal . Being sensitve to magic she is being haunted at night in her prison cell by the evil spirit of a long dead Queen . Nobody else can see or feel anything . Besides if she is due to be hanged what does it matter ?Rhiannon vows to escape if she can to save the land from the horror which is approaching .
Now she is awaiting sentence for murder and treason, even though she has proved herself to be brave and loyal . Being sensitve to magic she is being haunted at night in her prison cell by the evil spirit of a long dead Queen . Nobody else can see or feel anything . Besides if she is due to be hanged what does it matter ?Rhiannon vows to escape if she can to save the land from the horror which is approaching .
March 5, 2024
Wow! Okay this book was in my opinion pretty good. From our hero being locked up and having her lover practically betray her. I will say maybe I'm jaded about the world but the fact that even in this book the poor get mistreated and die in prison under inhumane circumstances, while the rich actual murders get to stay in somewhat luxary, really made me feel angry.
Only downside is that the book ends less with a cliffhanger and more like, hmm welp I guess this is part 1.
4.3 I'll come back if the system that let a monster go, while one troubled young lady and another completely innocent one died in prison gets addressed. Yes I was mad Molly.
Only downside is that the book ends less with a cliffhanger and more like, hmm welp I guess this is part 1.
4.3 I'll come back if the system that let a monster go, while one troubled young lady and another completely innocent one died in prison gets addressed. Yes I was mad Molly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2021
Rhiannon is in prison for much of the book but there is still lots unfolding around her. There is a lot of action especially towards the end, and there is tension of how Rhiannon will survive and how the good guys will win when there seems so much against them. We meet many new characters in this installment - the Righ & Banrigh (king & queen) Donncan (prince) & his fiancee Bronwen, the Keybearer Isabeau,Olwynne & Owein and many more. Sometimes it is hard to keep track of them. The plot is what drives this book.
September 25, 2017
An excellent read from Kate! Shining City shone with action, unexpected plot twists and enthralling character development. Little sad that I have to wait for the finale, Heart of Stars to arrive. I'm so loving Kate's books they overflow with all the qualities I'm looking for in a great read, empowered females, in-depth character evolution, magic, well-calculated suspense, intriguing plot advancement, and action.
May 25, 2024
Official rating 3.25
It was a little slower to start than I expected, compared to the first book in this trilogy. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the story and the very climatic/cliffhanger ending. I did grow some feelings of resentment towards a couple of the characters, grossly bringing my rating down. I understand the context/need of their development for the story. I am looking forward to reading the final book.
It was a little slower to start than I expected, compared to the first book in this trilogy. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the story and the very climatic/cliffhanger ending. I did grow some feelings of resentment towards a couple of the characters, grossly bringing my rating down. I understand the context/need of their development for the story. I am looking forward to reading the final book.
January 14, 2018
I found this book really hard to read. The main character who I fell in love with in the first book was so different from what I read in this book, that I found it very hard to continue. I loved how felice came into her own in this book though. I did however finish it, as I am trying to reduce my dnf list this year.
December 18, 2020
I got a bit tired of the love melodrama and the constant focus on Rhiannon, but overall this was a good read. The details of Lucrescre, the prison and the fairies are well written, and I warmed towards Bronnwen by the end.
My favourite part was probably Thunderlily and the Celestials - I was angling for Bronnwen/Thunderlily, but unfortunately that didn’t pan out.
My favourite part was probably Thunderlily and the Celestials - I was angling for Bronnwen/Thunderlily, but unfortunately that didn’t pan out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2021
I enjoyed the book but not as much as the first one. It seemed to be an "in between" book as second books in a sequel often are, leading up to the real climax in the third book. I'm looking forward to reading the last book though! I'm still not that keen on Rhiannon, but the book is captivating and the cast of characters draws you in to the story.
February 6, 2023
Not nearly as good as the first one. The author broke her own canon. Everyone in this story is ridiculously incompetent.
The government of this world is hideous and cruel and quite evil, yet the author wants us to think they are great heroes. Well great heroes don't use thumb screws on prisoners. Great heroes don't have a dungeon filled with rats, they don't starve prisoners and they don't take bribes to have some prisoners in comfort while others only have moldy straw and blankets full of body lice on a stone floor. It was quite appalling!
The government of this world is hideous and cruel and quite evil, yet the author wants us to think they are great heroes. Well great heroes don't use thumb screws on prisoners. Great heroes don't have a dungeon filled with rats, they don't starve prisoners and they don't take bribes to have some prisoners in comfort while others only have moldy straw and blankets full of body lice on a stone floor. It was quite appalling!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2024
I love everything about this series EXCEPT Lewen and Rhiannon's relationship. Unfortunately that's a key point to the story, so down one star for that. Forsyth does a great job of adding exposition in amongst the action so the reader learns more about the universe without having to stop and take notes.
November 30, 2019
Usually I don't like middle books in trilogies, but this was great. I found it a little sticky as the plot was building in the first quarter, but then couldn't put it down....like I had a compulsion to read!
January 1, 2020
I enjoyed this book more than the first. Perhaps I am more in tune with this world. The troubles for Rhiannon are never ending, but the entire world has been turned upside down by Malvern and his cronies. This was an absorbing read, and I now anxiously await the final instalment.
October 8, 2022
First Kate Forsyth book I’ve read and I will be looking for more. Picked this one up at an op shop and so glad i did, it’s a rich and amazing world Kate has created, can’t wait to read further into these characters stories. Recommend.
January 7, 2023
In the early part of the book, and even toward the muddle I struggled with Rhiannon and her maturity and competency. Stick with it and remember that she's 16. It gets better and she goes back to being competent.
December 18, 2024
Loads of new characters, limited adventure-action, loads of dialogues. It was great to get more perspectives but I‘d love to have seen mpre movement, the plot felt overall ‚too small‘. Will finish the series though.
November 19, 2017
loved it
March 10, 2020
Couldn’t put it down. Arguably better than the first!
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