Sorceress of Faith : Author’s Preferred Edition

The Summoning #2

by Robin D. Owens

Marian the Librarian meets Indiana Jones.
Another American woman is Summoned to Lladrana...

With soul-draining evil invading Lladrana, the Sorcerers must Summon an outsider to stop the insidious Darkness slowly taking control of their land and targeting the Sorcerers — draining their Power and destroying the Sorcerers themselves.
Arriving in Lladrana, grad student Marian Harasta is stunned to find herself the center of a dispute among Sorcerers who want to augment their Power with her own. She must quickly learn her new magical Powers—and decide who she can trust in this strange land.

She has prayed for a miracle to save her brother—could Lladrana offer that knowledge, and can she somehow return to Earth with it? She knows she must offer the Sorcerers something in the exchange, and ridding them of the Evil Sorcerer is what they want, but how will she fare in her first magical duel? With unexpected help—and unexpected betrayal—Marian must determine where her true fate lies.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Fiction

541 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[StarMan]

SUMMARY:   Would-be Wiccan woes, wuv, & wonder, within wizard world.

VERDICT:   hard to rate, but ~ 2.75 stars for me (perhaps I am not the best judge of extra-fantastical fantasy plots). But do I think many fantasy readers will find much to like in SORCERESS OF FAITH, as indicated by aggregate GR rating of 4+ stars.

A good concept/story for the most part. But the reactions of the main character (and some others) were VERY unrealistic. And I found the sex scenes most laughable -- though fans of bodice-ripper romance novels may disagree. If this book hadn't induced so many eye-rolls (especially in the last 15%), I'd give it 3 stars. Alas, 2.75 it is.

BEST CHARACTERS:   a short young woman, a small mammal, and a grumpy old dude

TRUTH IN COVER ART: 15%, and I'm being generous. It is very nice art, don't get me wrong. But the scene is not in the story, and the character portrayed is not as described inside. Where is the super-pale skin, fiery red hair, and (supposedly) some noticeable extra pounds?

BONUS POINTS FOR:   imagination, some mild humor, some good secondary characters

DEMERITS FOR:   Low realism (actions, reactions, dialogue, sex scenes)

SIMILAR TO:


The Mirror of Her Dreams by Stephen Donaldson, published ~20 years prior to SORCERESS OF FAITH

[May B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read most of this series out of order but I think this is my favorite of them all. Marian and her hamster Tuck always make me smile. There something a bit more compelling though in the story of the Sorcerers I thought then the Circlets and Marshalls.

I admit that I wasn't sure if she really would choose to stay considering of all the ones I've read she had the most compelling reason to return to earth. And there was that moment with her brother that I totally teared up.

But I was rather frustrated with the 'Darkness' in the end I just felt like it was ... flat. But not enough to stop reading or even rereading.

[Deanna Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2nd in what I guess to be a series of 6 or 7. Where the guardian of honor was a great introduction to the world of Lladrana, this book was an even more poignant illustration of the conflict that each of the 'summoned' must feel when asked to stay in Lladrana or retreat back to Exotique Terre (Earth).

Another thoroughly enjoyable book from Robin D. Owens.

[Kris Hasenfratz Ten-Eyck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the hamster........

The series is great.

[Meghan Emery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can understand the general opinion that this book is not as good as the first one. It drags in some parts, but in others it has boundless energy. I think the biggest dislike for this book stems from the fact that most people find that they want to escape, and if given the opportunity, they believe they would take it. No looking back, just jump. For some that's true, it is possibly even why they read so much. I think many do not realize just how difficult it would be to up and leave everything behind, knowing you could never see any of it again.
That is exactly what this heroine, Marian, was dealing with. Her brother was her whole world. Her parents were either long gone, or emotionally so. With only her brother by her side, she made it to adulthood and was codependent upon him. I think most people reading just wanted her to stop wallowing in fear of losing her brother and just act. I can agree to some extent, but I would feel very similarly to her should I be in her situation. I actually found I empathized with her more than Alexa, though I wished I were more like Alexa myself.
Overall this book was actually really good. I enjoyed the depictions of magical training and the descriptions of battles, the glimpses of characters we knew and loved from the first book.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and magic and strong women.
Trigger Warnings: Verbally Abusive Parent, Death of a parent (past), Sick sibling, character death, lost (but found) pet, eye damage

[Tünde Kasza tóth · Rating 1 out of 5]

After the first book this was a real letdown. I was waiting for another self confident female main character who can give as well as take. Instead I got a whiny little good girl, who likes to martyr herself, because what else would a bookworm would do?

I actually only got to about 1/3 of the book, I just couldn't go on. The dialogues were mechanic and forced, it all felt like that the character has to get somewhere, and in order to get her there, the author will just force the experiences on her. Even though she is portrayed as a strong female with her own opinions, when she actually has to decide about anything, she has this wishy-washy attitude. I just wanted to hit her in the beginning, but after a hundred pages I was really hoping she would die. And soon. So I wouldn't have to suffer with her anymore.

I can't say anything about the love interest, he wasn't really part of the first third of the book.

As strong as the first book in this series was, this one is just as weak (if not weaker), and even though each book is about a different person, the story connects them all, so I don't see the point in reading the others when I haven't read this one, but there is no way I can force myself to read any more of this self sacrificing, bs martyrdom.

[Le carnet de Calli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dans ce nouveau tome de Lladrana, on y retrouve cette fois Mariam qui elle aussi vient du Colorado.
On y croise encore Alexa et Bastien et l’on découvre le charme de Jacquar.

Dans ce tome, on se retrouve dans la communauté de la tour et dans les iles des sorciers, autres paysages autres mœurs, pas si différentes que cela tout de même.

On y retrouve, jalousie, fausseté, amitié, comme chez les maréchaux du tome 1.

Après sinafin, c’est au tour du Hamster Tuck d’entrer en scène comme compagnon de Mariam. Il est bien sympathique et drôle ce hamster.

Mariam et Jacquar forment un beau couple comme le sont Alexa et Bastien.

En plus des épreuves pour devenir une vraie sorcière la pauvre Mariam passera par des sentiments tels que : l’amour, trahison, le pardon.

Ce n’est pas facile la vie à Lladrana.

Si vous avez aimé le tome 1 comme moi, vous apprécierez le 2 eme tome et j’ai hâte de commencer le 3 eme tome pour retourner au pays d’amée.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some really creative, strong sci-fi ideas in this book, and Owens writes sexual chemistry well. But the rest of the book was a disappointment. It seems that the book could have done with another revision, to tighten up plot lines and “reveal” story to the reader in a more succinct way, rather than the obvious toss-offs that characters happen to know.

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know this was a sequel when I bought it, but I was able to follow the story well enough. The book had some ups and downs, and the pacing was weird in some parts. Overall, a pretty good story, and a very interesting world.
-0.1 Star for overuse of the word "virile"
+0.2 Stars for hamster adventures

[Rebecca Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin D. Owens continues the wonderful story of The Summoning in Sorceress of Faith. Alexa has found her place in Llandrana, and now it's Marian's turn to be pulled into this world of magic and monsters. Marian faces many challenges as she masters her magic and works to discover her task to complete in this world. This book pulls you in and makes you believe the magic is real. Some adult content.

[Dark Star · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up at a book sale. Looked like it would be an adventurous story. Disappointed. I did like the land of L that she traveled to and her little friend Tuck, but the story lacked real adventure.

[Sarah Hammel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did not realize this was the second in the series, oops! Overall I really enjoyed this story despite a lot of oddly worded and strange grammar sentences. I will definitely be on the lookout for the other books in the series, as it takes on some refreshing views of magic.

[Angela P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Amazing, though a little long but perfect.
Even the Dark Master was icky. Thing on his face. Reminds me of Tentacles. But I think it said worms? Anyway, yes, she even ripped out the heart. Loved it.

[Annette Summerfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the world she went to, but I had a hard time staying with this book. I don't know why I found it slow.
Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for a fantasy right now.

[Crymsyn Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book very much. Can't wait to get the other ones.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable from the beginning to the satisfying conclusion.

[Tamzen Van Horn · Rating 2 out of 5]

My friend found it in the children's section its an alright book. The main character has major pick me/girlboss energy. It's also a porno so you know buyer beware.

[Annette Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second book in the Summoning series is probably my least favorite of the set. Which isn’t to say it is not an enjoyable book on its own merits. Marion is an interesting protagonist, and you’d think with her New Age leanings, I would feel the most drawn to her out of all the leads of this series. She’s bookish and infinitely curious and very, very powerful.

Sadly for me, she’s also quite practical, and I can’t find myself relating much to her or her relationship with the love interest in this novel.

The story progresses well in this second book, and we get new information that we need about the final battle coming at the end of the series. The existing characters are fleshed out even more, so that you find yourself wondering how many of them will be love interests in the coming books. There’s enough time in this series to flesh out the world and the relationships between even characters who stay secondary to the main plot the entire time. I really appreciate that the time spent on all of that draws me into this world more, and makes me emotionally invested in the outcomes.

If you were a fan of the first book of this series, definitely read this one, and hang in there if it isn’t quite your cup of tea. The writing is still on point, and I can promise that the pacing picks up in the next books (and gets even faster in book four and five!), and there’s still plenty that this series has left to show you.

This and other reviews by me can be found at www.annaimber.com

[Amber Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

While searching the earth over for a cure for her ailing brother, Marrian is sucked into a strange new world where she is trained to be a Circlet, one of the top magic users of this new land. Magic and mayhem go hand in hand as she strives to finds a resolution to the problems she faces, to find a balance between her duty to family, her destiny, and her personal desires for her future.

I'm in love with this series! Ms. Owens is a master at weaving a fantasy world I would love to be a part of (as long as I didn't have to fight those nasty horrors ;) ). The only thing I would wish to be different is that the ending are a bit abrupt. The climax hits, the battle are fought, the conflicts are finally resolved, and then... nothing. I understand that this is a series, and you will see these characters in passing in the coming novels to see what ended up happening to them, but I would love to have a bit more of a resolution.

Overall, this is definitely a series I will continue and will easily recommend to others.

[Hana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as suprising as the first book, it was nevertheless quite good. It brings us again into Llandrana and fighting monsters. However, in this book we finally meet a master who makes these monsters and who is ultimately defeated by the main character - another woman from Earth with strong magic abilities. Since her abilites are stronger than those of Alexa (first summoned Earthling), she was summoned for sorcerers and trains to be one. The usual plot - her falling for a man and the reciprocity of the feelings is present, yet the difference from the first book was in the fact that she wanted to return to Earth for her sick brother. His destiny is a bit surprising because instead of being cured in Llandrana his soul is transfered to another being whose soul doesn't wish to live anymore after being taken away from his love. All in all, the writing is good but you cannot read the books in one go because you might find them repetetive and therefore boring.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I'll probably keep reading this series as I own it all already. But if it wasn't for that I doubt I would track down the rest of the series.

So, this was less engaging because I suspect some of the appeal of the first book was that everything was all new to me. And while you are seeing things through another factions perspective in this one....it isn't enough to really keep me engaged.

The romance is dull. From the get go we know who she will end up with. There are misunderstandings and whatnot in an attempt to "keep it interesting", but it just didn't.

I don't feel this progressed the story from the first book as the climax of this story doesn't deal with much of what was touched on in the previous book. I just wish we had more direct progression toward saving this world. I feel I could have skipped this book and gone onto the third one without it being an issue and that is just annoying.

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a DNF (did not finish) for me. Though I love Owens Celta series, this one doesn't work for me. Although the world is interesting, I find I'm unable to look past the strangeness of two women being transported to an alternate universe and not reacting to it at all.

A simple "oh, this is strange" does not suffice when one is sucked through a vortex and into a world with magic and monsters and forced mating and...well, you get the idea. I'm willing to suspend disbelief to a certain extent, but this series pushes me well over the line and into WTF.

I admit, however, that the concept is intriguing and the world-building interesting. Had the premise been a bit different I probably would have enjoyed it quite a bit.

[Gardavson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well. My main prob with this book was that I couldn't connect to Marian. I found her annoying and rather wimpy. I hate it when heroines get credit for doing nothing. That seemed to happen a lot with Marian. I never really got her Power or what benefit it was for anything. Lightening. Whoopie. Now using it for striking monsters, I'd think she would be unstoppable. But she's all squeamish about killing even the monsters. Bleg. Never did get how being sorceress of Faith applied to her. Still, the story moved along and I enjoyed it overall. Hoping for better from the next book.

[Sattie Basnandan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Marian is a strong, intelligent and funny person. Even though she is in a different world, doesn't speak the language and is suddenly a sorceress in training, she doesn't come off weak or helpless. I love her intelligence and loyalty to her brother. I especially loved her little hamster, Tuck. While each story focused on the heroine assimilated to Aimee, there is the overarching story of a great evil taking over the planet. It adds adventure and action to the story and segues into there needing 6 guardians to defeat the evil, each with own special gift.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant addition to Owens' "The Summoning" series. I liked that, unlike Alexa, Marian had a family and a place on Earth and she had to decide between the two. Of course, I'd have been disappointed if she'd made a different choice than she did. Tuck's transformation was neat - and I suspect more meaningful than it seems at first. Liked the tiny bit of time travel too.

[Copied across from Library Thing; 25 September 2012]

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I've dropped it in the tolet and not read the first book but this far it's actually rather good.

I really enjoyed this. Not amazing writing and nothing all that new but a fast, fun read - popcorn book all the way. I'll read the others if I can get my hands on them...for some reason it's really difficult to find these books. None of the book stores in town carry them.

[Deborah Gillespie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the HeartMates series by Robin D. Owens but wasn't too sure about reading this series as I thought it was more science fiction.

I am happy to say I was quite wrong and glad I decided to go ahead and read this series. As usual Robin Owens does not disappoint. She provides a rich background and a wonderful story.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Like reading about Fantay and The Paranoramal stores, this one did not hit me like other books I have reded in the pass. This book reads like it is for teens. I would not recommond this book to my friends. I would like to read Book 1 to get a better understanding of the book and where it's going.

[pauliree · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a better installment, but not enough to garner an extra star. I thought Marian was a bit more interesting than Alexa, but I still don't have the connection to this series that I did with the Heartmate series. I think it is that the Heartmate series just has better male leads. The ones from Llandrana are more reactive than proactive.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book in this series, Guardian of Honor, was good. Interesting premise, nice fantasy elements, some new ideas.

This one...it was okay. But it felt like...a romance novel with a thin veneer of a fantasy novel pasted over it. What happened between the first one and this one? I don't know. But it was just okay.