What do you think?
Rate this book
Shadowed Path #1
A Woman Worth Ten Coppers
Seer, healer, goddess, slave—she is all these things and more.
Yim is a young woman suddenly cast into slavery, a gifted seer with a shocking secret—and a great destiny.
Honus is a Sarf, a warrior dedicated to the service of the compassionate goddess, Karm. A Sarf's sole purpose is to serve a holy person called a Bearer. But Honus' Bearer has been killed by the minions of an evil god known only as the Devourer.
Masterless and needing someone to bear his pack, Honus purchases Yim for the price of ten coppers—and their fates are forever entwined.
Yim is a young woman suddenly cast into slavery, a gifted seer with a shocking secret—and a great destiny.
Honus is a Sarf, a warrior dedicated to the service of the compassionate goddess, Karm. A Sarf's sole purpose is to serve a holy person called a Bearer. But Honus' Bearer has been killed by the minions of an evil god known only as the Devourer.
Masterless and needing someone to bear his pack, Honus purchases Yim for the price of ten coppers—and their fates are forever entwined.
324 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
19 people are currently reading
796 people want to read
About the author
Morgan Howell
11 books73 followersMorgan Howell is the pseudonym of author Will Hubbell. Hubbell uses his own name when writing childrens' picture books and for his science fiction novels published by Ace. He uses the name Morgan Howell for his recent fantasy writing, citing the darkness of the writing.
A graduate of Oberlin College and the Rochester Institute of Technology, MORGAN HOWELL is a full-time writer who lives in upstate New York.
A graduate of Oberlin College and the Rochester Institute of Technology, MORGAN HOWELL is a full-time writer who lives in upstate New York.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
January 18, 2012
Ohhhh boy. Where to start? Ok, I loved this book in many ways. I love a book that is so engrossing that I don't want to put it down and this is one of those. I tore through it and read in every spare moment I had over the last few days. Its a pretty quick and easy read, i think I would have read it in a day if I had the spare time. The story line is very intriguing (though very cliche and "typical" of fantasy novels). The reason why I'm only giving it three stars is because the writing is a bit sub-par and the pacing is weird. Also, the characters are hard to like. Honus is very flat to me, I can't really describe him at all, not physically or by personality and that's a HUGE flaw when a book really has only two main characters. Also, the choices he makes throughout the book make him seem downright stupid and also cruel- yet he's clearly one of the two "heroes" of the trilogy. I have a hard time seeing the good stuff about him. And as the romantic interest, he falls completely short. Yim is kind of the opposite, she's a border-line MarySue character- it seems she can no wrong and her power knows no limits. So the character development is pretty weak, I am hoping it improves in the next two books. The religion- which is behind all the conflict in the book- is not flushed out very well and sometimes contradicts itself. The religion of Karm, which Honus folows, is all light and peace and happiness and Karm abhors violence- yet it seems that Sarfs exist to carry out violence in the name of Karm?? This book is also pretty graphic and violent and has a lot of rape, so if you don't like reading about that this isn't the book for you. I appreciate the "edgier" fantasy stuff (ex: Abercrombie) but the constant references to dead babies and children in this did get a little old to me. I get it already, the Devourer is bad, baddy bad bad. Enough with the endless corpse descriptions already. I want to give this book five stars because it really entertained me but I just can't do it because of these glaring flaws. I am going to move on to the next book and I hope its better.
****slight spoiler alert****
It really disturbed me that Honus the "good" guy was going to rape Yim when he first took possession of her because it was his "right", and then he expects Yim to fall in love with him later. Really???? I am ok with an ambiguous hero but I Honus seems more bad than good to me.
****slight spoiler alert****
It really disturbed me that Honus the "good" guy was going to rape Yim when he first took possession of her because it was his "right", and then he expects Yim to fall in love with him later. Really???? I am ok with an ambiguous hero but I Honus seems more bad than good to me.
September 15, 2015
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
SPOILERS
A bit slow as far as plot progression but extremely well written. Definitely full of the types of character interactions and dialogue that I love.
Was a bit leery at first because of the title and the fact that Yim is a slave purchased by Honus for the low low price of ten coppers. I expected the clichéd abused servant who falls in love with her master but it wasn't like that at all and by the end of the book their roles are almost entirely reversed. I didn't like Honus at first because he purchased a slave (even though he had a legitimate reason) and because he expected his slave to have sex with him. She set him straight (good for her) no rape, no force, no abuse, nothing happened along those lines, if it had that would have been my stopping point. Honus actually turns out to be an honorable, kind man but it took a while before I could like him.
The majority of the book was mostly a journey from point a to point b, but the variety of characters (some of whom were absolutely wretched) and situations encountered kept it interesting.
I thought some of the religious aspects should have been explained better. The lack of adequate explanation for me made some the actions of Honus seem contradictory in terms of his beliefs.
I was also a bit leery regarding the predestined path upon which Yim must travel and her status as "chosen" to fulfill a specific destiny for the good of all and to defeat evil. This sort of plot device has never been a favorite of mine (excepting Harry Potter of course but that's only because it was done so well) but I found myself engrossed despite that. And the level of malevolence and evil is extreme, some acts are merely mentioned and some are described in graphic detail. This is certainly not a light fluffy read.
SPOILERS
A bit slow as far as plot progression but extremely well written. Definitely full of the types of character interactions and dialogue that I love.
Was a bit leery at first because of the title and the fact that Yim is a slave purchased by Honus for the low low price of ten coppers. I expected the clichéd abused servant who falls in love with her master but it wasn't like that at all and by the end of the book their roles are almost entirely reversed. I didn't like Honus at first because he purchased a slave (even though he had a legitimate reason) and because he expected his slave to have sex with him. She set him straight (good for her) no rape, no force, no abuse, nothing happened along those lines, if it had that would have been my stopping point. Honus actually turns out to be an honorable, kind man but it took a while before I could like him.
The majority of the book was mostly a journey from point a to point b, but the variety of characters (some of whom were absolutely wretched) and situations encountered kept it interesting.
I thought some of the religious aspects should have been explained better. The lack of adequate explanation for me made some the actions of Honus seem contradictory in terms of his beliefs.
I was also a bit leery regarding the predestined path upon which Yim must travel and her status as "chosen" to fulfill a specific destiny for the good of all and to defeat evil. This sort of plot device has never been a favorite of mine (excepting Harry Potter of course but that's only because it was done so well) but I found myself engrossed despite that. And the level of malevolence and evil is extreme, some acts are merely mentioned and some are described in graphic detail. This is certainly not a light fluffy read.
May 27, 2016
This book keeps being on the shelf I walk past. It's a great title. Some great books have smut-tastic covers, so I finally picked it up.
-
Yim the Seer knows she has to go somewhere. Her guide is killed and she is sold as a beautiful slave.
-
Honus was told by his master the Seer (who just got killed) that he must never carry his own pack, so he buys... wait for it... Yim, to carry his pack. But Honus is holy and doesn't rape her, yay. But we must all assume that a woman traveling in torn clothing is a whore, not just, ya know, poor.
-
They travel on and on (and on and on and on) the most boring trip ever, while discussing the new god that is ruining the land. Yim who can read (unusual for a girl) sees Honus's tattoos on his back, where he can't ever see them. Her name is there. They cannot discuss this, because he is not supposed to know what the Seers saw about him. DESTINY IS AFOOT
-
I skipped to the back to see if DESTINY ever gets a horse to move a little bit faster, but nope - this book is a set up, conclusions are in the next book. I'm not reading all that. Good by, book.
-
Yim the Seer knows she has to go somewhere. Her guide is killed and she is sold as a beautiful slave.
-
Honus was told by his master the Seer (who just got killed) that he must never carry his own pack, so he buys... wait for it... Yim, to carry his pack. But Honus is holy and doesn't rape her, yay. But we must all assume that a woman traveling in torn clothing is a whore, not just, ya know, poor.
-
They travel on and on (and on and on and on) the most boring trip ever, while discussing the new god that is ruining the land. Yim who can read (unusual for a girl) sees Honus's tattoos on his back, where he can't ever see them. Her name is there. They cannot discuss this, because he is not supposed to know what the Seers saw about him. DESTINY IS AFOOT
-
I skipped to the back to see if DESTINY ever gets a horse to move a little bit faster, but nope - this book is a set up, conclusions are in the next book. I'm not reading all that. Good by, book.
August 15, 2011
A Woman Worth Ten Coppers by Morgan Howell is the first book of the Shadowed Path trilogy. I’ve owned this book for quite a while, and finally picked it up. I’m glad I did; it definitely helped fill the fantasy craving I don’t indulge often enough lately!
Yim is a really special young seer – she has been told now for many years that she is ‘Chosen’ (with a Capital C) and will fulfill a vital destiny to help save the world. Man, no pressure though, right? She doesn’t know a lot of details, but she has the faith that the goddess Karm will guide her. Through an unlucky chain of events, she ends up being forcibly taken and sold into slavery where she is soon purchased by a Sarf named Honus (A clear definition for the Sarfs is hard to pin down – but basically he is a holy man with crazy awesome ninja warrior skills).
Yim is obviously very resentful of her new role as a slave, but she keeps herself mostly in check, waiting to see if Karm will guide her or if she has been abandoned by her goddess. Luckily (or, as she sees it: unluckily) for her, Honus is neither a jerk or an idiot – he can soon tell that there is more to Yim than meets the eye. By the end of the book, their relationship has melded more into a partnership of sorts than a servant/master dynamic. It also seems like Karm had a plan all along – maybe Honus is an integral part of Yim’s destiny after all?
So, I really enjoyed both Yim and Honus. I loved the way Yim constantly tries to hide who she really is and Honus constantly tries to figure out what she is doing. The majority of the book is spent with them traveling, and some of their interactions are fairly hysterical as they get to know each other and get used to constantly being together. Romance really isn’t much of a factor in this book, although it is introduced toward the end – I think it’ll be a bigger plot element in the next books of the trilogy. I also think things are set up for the next book well – I’m pretty sure it’ll be as good as – or better than – this introduction to the story!
If you are a fantasy fan, I do recommend picking these books up. I read A Woman Worth Ten Coppers through in one afternoon, not wanting to put it down (it is fairly short for fantasy, clocking in at around 330 pages). It won’t make my favorites list and I won’t be telling people to read it as their introduction into fantasy – but for people who are already fans, it is a strong addition to the genre!
Yim is a really special young seer – she has been told now for many years that she is ‘Chosen’ (with a Capital C) and will fulfill a vital destiny to help save the world. Man, no pressure though, right? She doesn’t know a lot of details, but she has the faith that the goddess Karm will guide her. Through an unlucky chain of events, she ends up being forcibly taken and sold into slavery where she is soon purchased by a Sarf named Honus (A clear definition for the Sarfs is hard to pin down – but basically he is a holy man with crazy awesome ninja warrior skills).
Yim is obviously very resentful of her new role as a slave, but she keeps herself mostly in check, waiting to see if Karm will guide her or if she has been abandoned by her goddess. Luckily (or, as she sees it: unluckily) for her, Honus is neither a jerk or an idiot – he can soon tell that there is more to Yim than meets the eye. By the end of the book, their relationship has melded more into a partnership of sorts than a servant/master dynamic. It also seems like Karm had a plan all along – maybe Honus is an integral part of Yim’s destiny after all?
So, I really enjoyed both Yim and Honus. I loved the way Yim constantly tries to hide who she really is and Honus constantly tries to figure out what she is doing. The majority of the book is spent with them traveling, and some of their interactions are fairly hysterical as they get to know each other and get used to constantly being together. Romance really isn’t much of a factor in this book, although it is introduced toward the end – I think it’ll be a bigger plot element in the next books of the trilogy. I also think things are set up for the next book well – I’m pretty sure it’ll be as good as – or better than – this introduction to the story!
If you are a fantasy fan, I do recommend picking these books up. I read A Woman Worth Ten Coppers through in one afternoon, not wanting to put it down (it is fairly short for fantasy, clocking in at around 330 pages). It won’t make my favorites list and I won’t be telling people to read it as their introduction into fantasy – but for people who are already fans, it is a strong addition to the genre!
January 27, 2011
I loved the Queen of the Orcs series so thought I'd try his next series. This one is good, not as good as the Queen books, but almost. Yim is sent on a quest, and then is kidnapped and sold into slavery. One of Karm's warriors, Honus, buys her to carry his pack. She's one smart-mouthed slave and I'm surprised she gets away with most of what she says. Honus doesn't know what to do with her and doesn't know whether to like her or not. She's hiding her purpose from Honus and he's trying to make it back to his temple. I think this is the same land that Dar traveled but it must be a long time later because it's all gone to hell. Very dark but good book.
March 3, 2009
Another book I had to force myself to finish.
Passable writing, been-done-before plot, shallow & stereotypical characters.
My biggest problems with this book were twofold.
1) That by the middle of the book, I just really truly didn't care one whit for any of the characters. Not the stilted 'hero/warrior' figure and definitely not the 'abandoned/confused/young-girl-with-a-world-changing-destiny' figure. The bad guys are suitably (and predictably) the 'ultimate' evil, and the gods in conflict are also annoyingly two-dimensional. Actually, all the characters are pretty simplistic stereotypical figures - not a surprise or interesting fact among them.
2) Perhaps the biggest issue I had is that the author likes to tell you all the plot details up front and in your face, oh, and then repeat it ad nauseum. I like a plot to unfold throughout the book, not be told (or be able to guess) pretty much every plot point right up front.
If you're ok with that style of narrative, then you might like this totally predictable fantasy installment. If not, then skip it and search out something better. For recommendations check out the Fantasy or the SciFi & Fantasy groups here on GR (or check out my Fantasy bookshelf.)
P.S. Something interesting I found when looking through the author's profile - "Morgan Howell" is the pen name for a male writer: Will Hubbell. There's a whole thread on the Fantasy group about differences between writing styles of male and female writers of fantasy. Have to say that this book bears out the consensus of that thread...
Also, I had this author's Queen of the Orcs series on my TBR list, but after reading this dreck have since removed them all.
Passable writing, been-done-before plot, shallow & stereotypical characters.
My biggest problems with this book were twofold.
1) That by the middle of the book, I just really truly didn't care one whit for any of the characters. Not the stilted 'hero/warrior' figure and definitely not the 'abandoned/confused/young-girl-with-a-world-changing-destiny' figure. The bad guys are suitably (and predictably) the 'ultimate' evil, and the gods in conflict are also annoyingly two-dimensional. Actually, all the characters are pretty simplistic stereotypical figures - not a surprise or interesting fact among them.
2) Perhaps the biggest issue I had is that the author likes to tell you all the plot details up front and in your face, oh, and then repeat it ad nauseum. I like a plot to unfold throughout the book, not be told (or be able to guess) pretty much every plot point right up front.
If you're ok with that style of narrative, then you might like this totally predictable fantasy installment. If not, then skip it and search out something better. For recommendations check out the Fantasy or the SciFi & Fantasy groups here on GR (or check out my Fantasy bookshelf.)
P.S. Something interesting I found when looking through the author's profile - "Morgan Howell" is the pen name for a male writer: Will Hubbell. There's a whole thread on the Fantasy group about differences between writing styles of male and female writers of fantasy. Have to say that this book bears out the consensus of that thread...
Also, I had this author's Queen of the Orcs series on my TBR list, but after reading this dreck have since removed them all.
September 21, 2013
I had read Morgan Howell's Orc series and liked it so I picked up this book. It seemed very similar to the Orc series, a young woman is in a difficult situation and (realistically, often painfully) struggles to overcome her problems- in this case a real horde: slavery, attacks from robbers and others, loss of friends, war, hunger..... She is a noble and brave character, in a brutal time. The ending closes a few threads, but leaves her facing another long journey with a new mission.
March 4, 2010
What a waste of time. Nothing happened and the book was so slow.
June 30, 2019
An interesting opening gambit here.
We get to meet some of the main characters. As well as find out about their quests.
At the same time finding out. They are doing them by faith.
Not really knowing themselves. What the true purpose or destinations are.
Yim, going from a secluded life of training.
She is the Chosen, yet not really knowing. What all she has been chosen for.
She and her guide ambushed.
Her guide killed, Yim finds herself sold into slavery.
Meeting Honus. She does not know, if she should despise him or care for him.
As their paths and quests mingle.
The dark forces, of an evil God.
Fester, and grow throughout the land.
Will they live to complete their quests or will darkness over take them both?
At the same time. Can either of them trust the other?
As that may be the only way they survive.
While a dark army grows and begins to march. Against the lands still free of it's influence and stain.
We get to meet some of the main characters. As well as find out about their quests.
At the same time finding out. They are doing them by faith.
Not really knowing themselves. What the true purpose or destinations are.
Yim, going from a secluded life of training.
She is the Chosen, yet not really knowing. What all she has been chosen for.
She and her guide ambushed.
Her guide killed, Yim finds herself sold into slavery.
Meeting Honus. She does not know, if she should despise him or care for him.
As their paths and quests mingle.
The dark forces, of an evil God.
Fester, and grow throughout the land.
Will they live to complete their quests or will darkness over take them both?
At the same time. Can either of them trust the other?
As that may be the only way they survive.
While a dark army grows and begins to march. Against the lands still free of it's influence and stain.
November 4, 2019
A random book that I picked up at a BOGO book sale. It was meant to be. What an amazing journey. It started off a little raw. But I quickly fell in love with the two main characters.
More than anything it was a beautiful slow burning connection between Yim and Honus, so complex and wonderful. The world is complicated, but the details were brilliantly layed out with very little boring dialogue or descriptions. The world was revealed moment by moment in actions and small details.
I have just finished this book basically cover to cover this day. And I was so happy with how this book revealed each twist and its final resolution. I want more, so much more... good thing I also bought the second book at the sale.
Yeah!
More than anything it was a beautiful slow burning connection between Yim and Honus, so complex and wonderful. The world is complicated, but the details were brilliantly layed out with very little boring dialogue or descriptions. The world was revealed moment by moment in actions and small details.
I have just finished this book basically cover to cover this day. And I was so happy with how this book revealed each twist and its final resolution. I want more, so much more... good thing I also bought the second book at the sale.
Yeah!
December 5, 2017
I was a bit wary at first as this has a very typical smut book cover. It would probably do the author some good to change it, since this actually had good fantasy plot instead. I very much liked it and was really into it until about 3/4 in (I'm guessing this is about the time in the plot, when the author couldn't figure out how to wrap it up, and decided to extend it to another book). It just fell flat at that point and I lost interest.
December 9, 2021
Overall, I enjoyed the book, though it took some time for me to warm up to the male protagonist that accompanies female main character. I thought the author did a nice job with his world building, and the characters all had depth and never felt cookie-cutter. The book is part of a series, so the end of the book is not the end of the story, but it does have a very worthwhile pay-off.
September 9, 2020
It was a neat little read that was NOTHING like what I was expecting. I had this book sitting around for a long time and thought it was one of those romance novels. I finally picked it up and to my surprise and delight it didn't have any of that in it! The world was neat with the turmoil it was going through, not to mention that of the characters. The travels, trials and tribulations were enough to keep you wondering what was going to happen next, with heartwarming twists sprinkled in. Loved it.
dnf
April 30, 2021DNF at page 88.
I was just not feeling this book. It just didn't hook me and quite frankly even if I had liked it, I would never have finished the trilogy after hating the last book in this author's Queen of the Orcs trilogy.
It wasn't bad, but I didn't see the point in giving it my time.
I was just not feeling this book. It just didn't hook me and quite frankly even if I had liked it, I would never have finished the trilogy after hating the last book in this author's Queen of the Orcs trilogy.
It wasn't bad, but I didn't see the point in giving it my time.
July 21, 2018
Hella good
January 19, 2012
My thoughts:
The book had a strange feeling to it, it was not epic fantasy, it felt like fantasy romance, without the romance. Just these hints of romance and feelings.
Yim is chosen by the Goddess and she does her best to follow her path. Though she does have these TSTL moments. They travel to a dark and desolate landscape and even though she already was in a jam earlier she still gets in trouble and needs to be rescued. I still like her because she is not truly TSTL, she just seem way too innocent and naive. I would thought she had learnt her lesson. Anyway, she ends up being a slave to Honus. Now he is good man who served a holy guy, still one would think he would be nicer to his slave, or at least tell her he would free her later or something. Instead he eyes her with lust, not very nice then now is he. But in the end Honus is a good man, his ego just seem to be a bit too big.
Yes you guessed it, these two will obviously get feelings for each other. You know it all the time. Under the mean time they travel through a dark world, a world which I liked because it was truly creepy and dark. A dark god is gaining powers and the world is going to hell.
And then there is the big secret. She has a secret. He is going to where she should go as he also serve the Goddess. Does she tell him? No. One would think it would get her out of slavery and make her more comfortable so that she does not need to fear rape and getting sold. But yes yes Goddess, secrets and all that jazz.
Conclusion:
Enjoyable. I just wish i had not read the blurb for the 2nd book cos there I figured something out and then I checked book 3. Yeesh, depressing.
The book had a strange feeling to it, it was not epic fantasy, it felt like fantasy romance, without the romance. Just these hints of romance and feelings.
Yim is chosen by the Goddess and she does her best to follow her path. Though she does have these TSTL moments. They travel to a dark and desolate landscape and even though she already was in a jam earlier she still gets in trouble and needs to be rescued. I still like her because she is not truly TSTL, she just seem way too innocent and naive. I would thought she had learnt her lesson. Anyway, she ends up being a slave to Honus. Now he is good man who served a holy guy, still one would think he would be nicer to his slave, or at least tell her he would free her later or something. Instead he eyes her with lust, not very nice then now is he. But in the end Honus is a good man, his ego just seem to be a bit too big.
Yes you guessed it, these two will obviously get feelings for each other. You know it all the time. Under the mean time they travel through a dark world, a world which I liked because it was truly creepy and dark. A dark god is gaining powers and the world is going to hell.
And then there is the big secret. She has a secret. He is going to where she should go as he also serve the Goddess. Does she tell him? No. One would think it would get her out of slavery and make her more comfortable so that she does not need to fear rape and getting sold. But yes yes Goddess, secrets and all that jazz.
Conclusion:
Enjoyable. I just wish i had not read the blurb for the 2nd book cos there I figured something out and then I checked book 3. Yeesh, depressing.
July 25, 2013
The plot was interesting, but not revolutionary for high fantasy. There’s an evil entity spurring on war and discord, and Honus and Yim are the only ones who are able to stop him. They travel and camp a lot, taking refuge with families devoted to the goddess Karm.
Yim is a good character, but not a great one. She was named “The Chosen One” as a child and raised by a wise woman to fulfill a great purpose as instructed by the goddess Karm. So what, you ask, was she chosen to do? Have a baby. That’s it. Motherhood is beautiful and wonderful and I would never, EVER disparage it, but um … hey Morgan Howell? Literally any of your female characters could do that. If it doesn’t require any degree of skill or strength, maybe it’s not a great basis for characterization.
Howell’s handling of Yim and Honus is irritating. As a slave to Honus, Yim has to call Honus “Master” and walk behind him carrying his pack. Honus even commands her to sleep with him and she promises kill herself if he forces her, knowing she must be a virgin when she conceives the chosen child. Yet later in the story, Honus’ attitude changes toward Yim and he is set up as a love interest. So he was going to force himself on her because she’s a slave, and it’s his right, but then she’s going to forgive him as if it never happened? I have trouble with that.
One thing I will say is that this is a quick read. Some 300-400 page books drag on and on, but this was quick if a bit dull at times. It’s not spectacular, but if you see it at the library and you like high fantasy, you might like it.
Yim is a good character, but not a great one. She was named “The Chosen One” as a child and raised by a wise woman to fulfill a great purpose as instructed by the goddess Karm. So what, you ask, was she chosen to do? Have a baby. That’s it. Motherhood is beautiful and wonderful and I would never, EVER disparage it, but um … hey Morgan Howell? Literally any of your female characters could do that. If it doesn’t require any degree of skill or strength, maybe it’s not a great basis for characterization.
Howell’s handling of Yim and Honus is irritating. As a slave to Honus, Yim has to call Honus “Master” and walk behind him carrying his pack. Honus even commands her to sleep with him and she promises kill herself if he forces her, knowing she must be a virgin when she conceives the chosen child. Yet later in the story, Honus’ attitude changes toward Yim and he is set up as a love interest. So he was going to force himself on her because she’s a slave, and it’s his right, but then she’s going to forgive him as if it never happened? I have trouble with that.
One thing I will say is that this is a quick read. Some 300-400 page books drag on and on, but this was quick if a bit dull at times. It’s not spectacular, but if you see it at the library and you like high fantasy, you might like it.
December 27, 2010
I could not put this book down. From the first chapter, I was hooked. So many secrets surround Honus and Yim, and, as the reader, I wanted so much to figure out each and every one right along with the protagonists. However, I felt like nothing ever happened.
First off, the world seemed like such a cold, dark place. Everywhere Honus and Yim traveled, there was nothing but suffering and strife. I felt as if the entire world was just this bleak place with no hope of any kind. Even when the two protagonists reached a town filled with priests and merchant, I felt the utter lack of happiness. It was actually pretty depressing to read, especially when every person the two ran across was down on their luck in some way.
I was also frustrated with the secret keeping. I wanted so much to scream their secrets at each other that it was one of the things that drove me to keep reading. However, whenever any secrets were revealed, it was so anticlimactic that I was just happy it was finally out.
The more I read the novel, the more I couldn't wait for Honus and Yim to reach their destination. When they did, the suffering still continued. Then the novel ended so suddenly that I immediately bought the second one to see what happened.
If you are looking for any romance, look somewhere else. If you want some action, you won't find it hear. However, if you want a dark novel riddled with secrets and unknown futures, Morgan Howell delivers.
First off, the world seemed like such a cold, dark place. Everywhere Honus and Yim traveled, there was nothing but suffering and strife. I felt as if the entire world was just this bleak place with no hope of any kind. Even when the two protagonists reached a town filled with priests and merchant, I felt the utter lack of happiness. It was actually pretty depressing to read, especially when every person the two ran across was down on their luck in some way.
I was also frustrated with the secret keeping. I wanted so much to scream their secrets at each other that it was one of the things that drove me to keep reading. However, whenever any secrets were revealed, it was so anticlimactic that I was just happy it was finally out.
The more I read the novel, the more I couldn't wait for Honus and Yim to reach their destination. When they did, the suffering still continued. Then the novel ended so suddenly that I immediately bought the second one to see what happened.
If you are looking for any romance, look somewhere else. If you want some action, you won't find it hear. However, if you want a dark novel riddled with secrets and unknown futures, Morgan Howell delivers.
August 3, 2011
Its been a while since I read a book that I adored. A Woman Worth Ten Coppers has broken my streak. I adored this book. I loved the characters. From the smart-mouthed Yim, to the I'm-holy-but-not Honus, and even the ultimate evil bad guys. All the characters were extremely interesting and made me care about what happened to them.
The world was interesting. Its not very new in terms of what it contains, but it is interesting how Morgan Howell makes typical fantasy elements her own.
Don't let the soft cover fool you. The book was dark, a lot of gore and creepy scenes. There were cannibals, rapists, and perverts a plenty.
The story played out as a long journey where the two main characters grow closer due to events along their paths. The relationship between Yim and Honus was well played out. I was afraid she was going to play the weak helpless slave girl from the back cover, but I was very mistaken. Yim has attitude.
I recommend this book for those who likes the romance in books like Kushiel's Dart. The main characters relationship was very similar except for a gender swap.
The world was interesting. Its not very new in terms of what it contains, but it is interesting how Morgan Howell makes typical fantasy elements her own.
Don't let the soft cover fool you. The book was dark, a lot of gore and creepy scenes. There were cannibals, rapists, and perverts a plenty.
The story played out as a long journey where the two main characters grow closer due to events along their paths. The relationship between Yim and Honus was well played out. I was afraid she was going to play the weak helpless slave girl from the back cover, but I was very mistaken. Yim has attitude.
I recommend this book for those who likes the romance in books like Kushiel's Dart. The main characters relationship was very similar except for a gender swap.
February 25, 2012
I could not put this book down, I just had to see what will happen with Yim and Honus. But at the end I felt depressed.
I get it, it's dark fantasy, but so was "Daughter of the Blood" (Anne Bishop), and it didn't make me cringe at the thought of finishing the series. The problem is I couldn't see the hope in the story. It's clear to me that Yim is going to have to sacrifice herself (and probably Honus' heart) to defeat the evil Devourer. So, what's the moral? Noble sacrifice to save the world, blah, blah, blah? I didn't even feel that particular world deserved to be saved. The only interesting thing was not even the hero and heroine as characters, but their budding relationship. The rest was a series of violent and disgusting "adventures" dug up from the darkest nightmares: chopped corpses, cannibals, creepy sorcerers who are after your soul etc. Not to mention rape was so common that it didn't disturb anyone, not even our "hero", who even if he's basically a good guy, is definitely a jerk, at least for half a book.
Well, I could probably find more flaws if I thought about it, but when I was reading the book... I was just impatient to see what's next. And that's something, at least.
I get it, it's dark fantasy, but so was "Daughter of the Blood" (Anne Bishop), and it didn't make me cringe at the thought of finishing the series. The problem is I couldn't see the hope in the story. It's clear to me that Yim is going to have to sacrifice herself (and probably Honus' heart) to defeat the evil Devourer. So, what's the moral? Noble sacrifice to save the world, blah, blah, blah? I didn't even feel that particular world deserved to be saved. The only interesting thing was not even the hero and heroine as characters, but their budding relationship. The rest was a series of violent and disgusting "adventures" dug up from the darkest nightmares: chopped corpses, cannibals, creepy sorcerers who are after your soul etc. Not to mention rape was so common that it didn't disturb anyone, not even our "hero", who even if he's basically a good guy, is definitely a jerk, at least for half a book.
Well, I could probably find more flaws if I thought about it, but when I was reading the book... I was just impatient to see what's next. And that's something, at least.
October 1, 2012
I was surprised that I enjoyed this book. The nemesis of Yim and Honus-and everyone else, really-is dark and does take a lot of the hope for success from the story, but in a good way. You need to have a good challenge for the protagonist(s) and that is certainly the case for the pair. I liked the idea of two gods fighting for the people.
What I really enjoyed about Yim is that she’s neither too kick-ass nor too soft. She has flaws and is not prepared for what is to come but is working her way toward becoming ready. The idea behind the religion of Karm-in terms of Bearers, Seers, and Sarifs-is interesting. Very well developed. There is just enough detail to be a fully developed religion but not overdone to make it too ‘fantasy-‘-in balance as the religion would say. I liked that there was a lot of subtlety and information put out that we do not immediately learn the conclusion to. We can guess but the characters are not exposed to it. The nature of the order to follow Theodus’ footsteps, Yim’s name being on Honus’ back, etc. I'm sure that all will be explained fully to the characters and the audience in time, but I liked that it was not all immediate and not all even concluded in the first book.
What I really enjoyed about Yim is that she’s neither too kick-ass nor too soft. She has flaws and is not prepared for what is to come but is working her way toward becoming ready. The idea behind the religion of Karm-in terms of Bearers, Seers, and Sarifs-is interesting. Very well developed. There is just enough detail to be a fully developed religion but not overdone to make it too ‘fantasy-‘-in balance as the religion would say. I liked that there was a lot of subtlety and information put out that we do not immediately learn the conclusion to. We can guess but the characters are not exposed to it. The nature of the order to follow Theodus’ footsteps, Yim’s name being on Honus’ back, etc. I'm sure that all will be explained fully to the characters and the audience in time, but I liked that it was not all immediate and not all even concluded in the first book.
July 6, 2014
I was pleasantly surprised that a book that hands over its premise that women can be bought and sold it its title was pretty even handed when it came to gender equality even if its characters aren't. Honus is the emotionally mercurial one (at least for most of the book), prone to reacting first and then questioning the results later. The other main character, Yim, though she pouts a lot, is the even tempered one with even her poor decisions telegraphed by her mood from a long way off. I hadn't noticed until now how much I didn't see that in much of the fiction I was reading these days and I think it's a showing of the author's ability.
The book itself is pretty slowly paced as compared to a lot of the fare that gets put out these days. The two characters travel from Point A to Point B which comprised about 95% of the book, and unwinds the setting and overarching conflict as Honus and Yim travel. Though there's a lot of dark events that happen in the book, most are just hinted at rather than described in lurid detail.
I'm kinda excited to start reading a new series, and the first book got me invested.
The book itself is pretty slowly paced as compared to a lot of the fare that gets put out these days. The two characters travel from Point A to Point B which comprised about 95% of the book, and unwinds the setting and overarching conflict as Honus and Yim travel. Though there's a lot of dark events that happen in the book, most are just hinted at rather than described in lurid detail.
I'm kinda excited to start reading a new series, and the first book got me invested.
April 19, 2012
I've read this trilogy through at least twice so far. I find it endearing and powerful. A great beginning to an amazing series. It takes off very well for me, slowly bringing in the reader to a rip-roaring adventure. The religion of the goddess Karm is one of beauty, life, love, and peace. Personally I like it very much. The following of the Devourer is it's inimical opposite: violent, blood-thirsty, filled with hatred and death. Yim is The Chosen of Karm. What the true meaning of this is unknown except that she will bring change. As you follow her footsteps into her destiny you're drawn into a world that is slowly turning towards the Devourer you wonder at the complexity of mortal emotions, the strength and the fragility. It's message is powerful. I highly recommend that, whoever is deciding whether or not to read this book, you read it - and definitely continue reading the series up to its amazing ending. It's more than worth it.
August 4, 2011
The title was the reason I picked up this book. I wasnt sure what to expect after reading the first couple of chapters. Yim is a woman stuck with being the Chosen and Honus is a warrior in the service of a Compassion Goddess.
Fate brings these two odd people together and threw out the story Yim shows some feeling towards Honus who does have feeling for her.
My problem is that this book was a good read but I had a hard finding it believable in some parts like Yim cold and sometime conflicting emotions along with her belief of help-ness. I struggled in other spots of the book that just didnt make me care for the book. Yim just turned me off too much sometimes while reading this book and I came to like Honus a like and wished he was stuck with someone else instead of with Yim.
Overall the book was good, a different plot, unique characters and world. I would recommend this book for those Fantasy readers who love conflict.
Fate brings these two odd people together and threw out the story Yim shows some feeling towards Honus who does have feeling for her.
My problem is that this book was a good read but I had a hard finding it believable in some parts like Yim cold and sometime conflicting emotions along with her belief of help-ness. I struggled in other spots of the book that just didnt make me care for the book. Yim just turned me off too much sometimes while reading this book and I came to like Honus a like and wished he was stuck with someone else instead of with Yim.
Overall the book was good, a different plot, unique characters and world. I would recommend this book for those Fantasy readers who love conflict.
October 16, 2012
Morgan Howell has a knack for creating characters and worlds to which you can relate. The first in "The Shadowed Path" triology is a perfect example. Yim is The Chosen One and is being sent south from the Wise Woman to the temple of Karm at Bermven. Her escrot is a Seer who is disguised as a peddler. When they are set upon by thieves, the Seer is killed and Yim is sold into slavery. Honus is a Sarf, charged with the holy duty of protecting his Bearer. Unfortunately, his bearer has been killed during their search for Lord Bahl. Yes, Honus ends up buying Yim from the slave trader. Prophecy and visions; sword fights and blood baths. Check. A possible romance? Could be. I'm on to Book 2!
August 26, 2009
Frankly it was disappointing. The thing that had drawn me to the first three books in the series, the strong heroine, is missing. Yim is, at best, a clichéd Princess Peach type character - constantly needing to be rescued before she'll lift a finger to help herself. Our hero also doesn't do much to endear himself, though at least he has some intelligence and sense. I still love the world, and I enjoy Howell's writing style. I also loved the various secondary characters that showed up, almost all of which had wonderful depth and motivation.
In short it was disappointing, but not enough that I won't pick up the next volume.
In short it was disappointing, but not enough that I won't pick up the next volume.
February 1, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I can't wait for the sequel! It was a fine tale of two individuals who, unbeknownst to them, are fated to meet and whose meeting and existence is probably the last hope for a world that is facing probable destruction through the malign influence of a god or 'essence' known only as the Devourer.
In general, I was thoroughly entertained and engaged by what, for me, was an original and engaging story.
What I will say is that if you don't like to be frightened, you might want to avoid this one as there are some truly 'spooky' moments. Otherwise however, I recommend this one!
In general, I was thoroughly entertained and engaged by what, for me, was an original and engaging story.
What I will say is that if you don't like to be frightened, you might want to avoid this one as there are some truly 'spooky' moments. Otherwise however, I recommend this one!
April 29, 2009
Yim is a young seer cast into slavery and bought by Honus, a Sarf--a warrior dedicated to serving the goddess Karm. A Sarf's only purpose in life is to serve a Bearer, but Honus's was killed. Needing someone to bear his back, Honus pays ten coppers for Yim, entwining their fates forever.
With likable characters, I was disappointed to reach the end and realize that the story wasn't really over. I wanted to like this book more, but overall it's an average telling that ended in a different result than I expected. It's still worth a read though.
With likable characters, I was disappointed to reach the end and realize that the story wasn't really over. I wanted to like this book more, but overall it's an average telling that ended in a different result than I expected. It's still worth a read though.
April 7, 2011
I got this one by recommendation on Amazon for my Kindle at a reasonable price, but didn't know a lot a bout the book or the author. It turned out to be an entertaining read about a girl raised with a sense of destiny who winds up being bought as a slave and traveling through a countryside blighted by the invasion of a dark army. She goes through some horrific near escapes while hiding special powers learned in her youth with a wise woman. She ends up with a turn-around in her fortunes as she continues forward to meet her destiny in opposition to the evil that is invading the land.
August 14, 2013
This a very odd book. The cover looks like it's just going to be bodice-ripper, but all bodices made it out of the book intact. In some ways nothing really happens in this book. The whole thing just takes place when they're on the road. I don't know if this is remedied later books in the series, but it didn't grip me enough to get me through two more books.
The majority of the book is simply the two characters talking along the road, but it somehow works. The more exciting moments are when the two encounter dangers and characters almost out of a grimm's fairy tale.
The majority of the book is simply the two characters talking along the road, but it somehow works. The more exciting moments are when the two encounter dangers and characters almost out of a grimm's fairy tale.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews