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Hero #5
Heroes Return
Being a hero is a recession-proof job-from the author of Heroes at Risk.
The Emperor has personally selected Shield Lee Mallorough and Source Shintaro Karish to protect the duchy of Westsea-Taro's ancestral lands. But Westsea is suffering from deadly earthquakes that resist Lee and Taro's magic and political unrest that is stoked by their arrival.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2010
About the author
Moira J. Moore
11 books234 followersI started writing my first book when I was fourteen. I was sitting in class, bored out of my mind, and I started writing a story about a girl sitting in class, bored out of her mind. Except her class was in a school of wizardry. That story turned into a book. An awful book that I tried and failed to get published. I'm grateful the internet wasn't a thing back then, because I surely would have put it online and it would be out there forever.
Since then I've continued to write books and continued to put life experiences in them. My frustration with alpha male characters, the extreme weather I experienced while living in Japan, and contract law have all shown up in my fantasy novels.
The first six books in my Heroes series were published by ACE. ACE didn't want to finish the series, so I did, by self-publishing Heroes Reward. I fell so in love with the self-publishing experience that I have no inclination to seek a traditional publisher again.
My most recent book, The CEO Can Drop Dead, is a contemporary novel that portrays common romance tropes as the abusive behaviour that they are. I mean no disrespect to the romance genre as a whole, I don't believe it's any less worthy than any other genre, but the prevalence of abusive behaviour disturbs me, so I wrote a book about it. 25% of my royalties is donated to the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres.
Since then I've continued to write books and continued to put life experiences in them. My frustration with alpha male characters, the extreme weather I experienced while living in Japan, and contract law have all shown up in my fantasy novels.
The first six books in my Heroes series were published by ACE. ACE didn't want to finish the series, so I did, by self-publishing Heroes Reward. I fell so in love with the self-publishing experience that I have no inclination to seek a traditional publisher again.
My most recent book, The CEO Can Drop Dead, is a contemporary novel that portrays common romance tropes as the abusive behaviour that they are. I mean no disrespect to the romance genre as a whole, I don't believe it's any less worthy than any other genre, but the prevalence of abusive behaviour disturbs me, so I wrote a book about it. 25% of my royalties is donated to the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
May 5, 2010
Ok, so the fact that Lee and Taro didn't even have sex in this book drives me crazy and it should because with all of the attempted murders, the planned intrigue and the attempt to separate them - they are both incredibly immature at times.
Lee still believes Taro is going to leave her and Taro is in love with her, that much I can tell, yet he doesn't do anything but become incredibly morose and melodramatic.
Ugh.
On another level, I liked meeting Fiona, Dane, Tarce and Radia. I knew who the bad guy was - or rather the physically active bad guy - about a hundred pages in but Lee, being Lee, didn't and that was mildly frustrating.
The idea of magic being real and forcing Lee to accept something that she is too stubborn to fully admit works. As well as making her hair green by a spell that she cast. If someone doesn't believe in magic after that... well!
When she does accept, she fails for her first big outing which results in Dane's death and a new level of guilt from which she hasn't really felt before. Perhaps going forward she will allow herself to open up a little more and forget what was instilled in her. I mean, when the Triple S comes to visit and interrogates her and Taro she has no problem being defiant. She's developing a bit of a backbone.
Fiona is a strong secondary character and I hope to see her again in the next one. Bringing back the Dread Dowager (which I think is an apt name and Moore should just take that from me and go ahead and use it) is a very good idea. She's so hateful that you can't help but love it when Fiona or Taro give her a dressing down. I just wish Lee would grow a little bit more of a backbone. I suppose that might be a little out of her character but a girl can dream.
Excellent use of music, location and characters. While it is a fantasy book it sort of borrowed from gothic literature.
While I feel that Lee and Taro have a lot more growing up to do in terms of their relationship, they are both clever and good people. I liked Taro's cathartic use of the axe as well as Lee's ability to see through the Dowager's Simone deception.
What bugged me was the ending, Taro sunk Lila into the dirt to get her to talk but then there was a mudslide and it seemed that he tried to save her but he couldn't. I don't know why Lee would have to feel that she needed to re-evaluate her feelings. I mean, didn't she kill a man? I hate to say it but it seems Taro is more into this relationship than she is.
Something has to give.
All in all ... it's a 4.5 and I can't wait for the next one.
Lee still believes Taro is going to leave her and Taro is in love with her, that much I can tell, yet he doesn't do anything but become incredibly morose and melodramatic.
Ugh.
On another level, I liked meeting Fiona, Dane, Tarce and Radia. I knew who the bad guy was - or rather the physically active bad guy - about a hundred pages in but Lee, being Lee, didn't and that was mildly frustrating.
The idea of magic being real and forcing Lee to accept something that she is too stubborn to fully admit works. As well as making her hair green by a spell that she cast. If someone doesn't believe in magic after that... well!
When she does accept, she fails for her first big outing which results in Dane's death and a new level of guilt from which she hasn't really felt before. Perhaps going forward she will allow herself to open up a little more and forget what was instilled in her. I mean, when the Triple S comes to visit and interrogates her and Taro she has no problem being defiant. She's developing a bit of a backbone.
Fiona is a strong secondary character and I hope to see her again in the next one. Bringing back the Dread Dowager (which I think is an apt name and Moore should just take that from me and go ahead and use it) is a very good idea. She's so hateful that you can't help but love it when Fiona or Taro give her a dressing down. I just wish Lee would grow a little bit more of a backbone. I suppose that might be a little out of her character but a girl can dream.
Excellent use of music, location and characters. While it is a fantasy book it sort of borrowed from gothic literature.
While I feel that Lee and Taro have a lot more growing up to do in terms of their relationship, they are both clever and good people. I liked Taro's cathartic use of the axe as well as Lee's ability to see through the Dowager's Simone deception.
What bugged me was the ending, Taro sunk Lila into the dirt to get her to talk but then there was a mudslide and it seemed that he tried to save her but he couldn't. I don't know why Lee would have to feel that she needed to re-evaluate her feelings. I mean, didn't she kill a man? I hate to say it but it seems Taro is more into this relationship than she is.
Something has to give.
All in all ... it's a 4.5 and I can't wait for the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2011
I think the reason fans of this series get so upset about the cover art is because the characters Lee and Taro are so well realized in the stories -- not just in terms of Lee's red hair and Taro's black, but also in the tone and nuances of their body language -- that the cover art creates a sort of unsettling disconnect between our internal view of those characters and what we see on the outside of the book. (It's weird, too -- Ace usually does some pretty fabulous cover art, so it's hard to understand how it's so consistently off for this series, despite the many different artists who've worked on it.)
Anyway, the characters, that's the main draw for this series. The world building has improved and the stories are generally pretty interesting, but it's the characters that keep me coming back. When they're happy, I want to smile with them; when they're sad, I want to offer them a hug; when they keep repeating the same mistakes, I want to smack them in the head.
I enjoyed several scenes (particularly after Lee accidentally turned her hair green and when Taro confronts the place he was confined as a child) but I think the one below is my favorite. It might not seem like much if you're unfamiliar with the series, but in the context of Lee and Taro's individual trust and self-confidence issues, and compared to their first interactions, it's kind of squeeful:
Anyway, the characters, that's the main draw for this series. The world building has improved and the stories are generally pretty interesting, but it's the characters that keep me coming back. When they're happy, I want to smile with them; when they're sad, I want to offer them a hug; when they keep repeating the same mistakes, I want to smack them in the head.
I enjoyed several scenes (particularly after Lee accidentally turned her hair green and when Taro confronts the place he was confined as a child) but I think the one below is my favorite. It might not seem like much if you're unfamiliar with the series, but in the context of Lee and Taro's individual trust and self-confidence issues, and compared to their first interactions, it's kind of squeeful:
"He's so smart," he complained. "You have so much more to talk about with him than you do with me."
"I do enjoy talking with him. There's nothing wrong with that. Just because you and I love each other doesn't mean we have to be all things to each other."
His eyebrows rose. "You've never said you loved me."
I frowned. "I must have."
Looking amused, he shook his head.
"Oh. Well. I do. Love you."
"Be still my heart, you romantic, you."
August 4, 2010
I literally bounced in my seat when I saw HEROES RETURN pop up as being in stock and ready to ship a couple weeks ago. I quickly ordered my copy lest that lovely little "In Stock" button disappear, and I sat back to wait--impatiently--for it to show up on my doorstep. I adore Moira J. Moore's Heroes series because of the two main characters. Lee and Taro are incorrigible, endearing, at times pull-your-hair-out maddening, but they are two of my favorites and I look forward to each adventure with gleeful anticipation. I think about these two a lot when I'm not with them. I think about my favorite scenes--the ones where the let their defenses down for perhaps two seconds at a time and actually communicate. Sometimes I have to go re-read one or two of those scenes to remind me how subtle and real they are. We've hashed out these covers before in detail and I won't go into this latest disaster. Much. Except to say that never does blue lightning crackle between Taro's meaty paws. If that image worries you at all, let me set your mind at ease. Also, he is rather devastatingly handsome. Despite the way he is portrayed on the cover. This is the fifth installment in the series.
Not in their wildest dreams did Source and Shield Pair Shintaro Karish and Dunleavy Mallorough imagine they would ever be taken away from High Scape and reassigned to Taro's homeland of Westsea. But that is exactly what's just happened. Without so much as a by your leave, the newly minted Emperor orders them to swear fealty to him and pack their bags for the remote coastal city where Taro was born, and where he lived the first bleak eleven years of his life. Lee dreads the whole notion, what with the politics that are involved and the fact that Taro's mother the Dowager Duchess--otherwise known as the Wicked Witch of the West's less nice sister--lives right next door to where they'll be staying. But, as it turns out, the Duchess should be the least of Lee's worries. For there is something wrong afoot in Westsea. The new Duchess is scrambling to command the respect of her people, the Emperor's guards have been assigned a permanent post there amid rumors the people are engaging in spell casting, and the level and frequency of natural disasters in the area are increasing with every day that passes. Add to this the fact that Taro's abilities to channel are becoming erratic, Lee's passing interest in casting begins to ratchet up a few levels, and the Triple S seems awfully suspicious of them and their recent activities, and these two are in for quite the couple of years at this their new post.
Nothing is ever easy in the world of Taro and Lee. I don't know why I keep thinking things will settle down for a spell and they will be able to sort a few rather important things out. Like their monumentally tragic communication problem. Because HEROES RETURN is all but a formal treatise on the failure to communicate and the disasters that result from said failure. I'm starting to feel like my favorite Source and Shield have fallen into a dangerous and dysfunctional habit of making assumptions rather than talking to one another. And I'm honestly afraid of where they'll end up if they don't address the situation in a patently overt manner. Because everything was subtle in this installment. Nothing was straightforward, upfront, or frank. Much of that wasn't Lee's or Taro's fault and, as such, I felt very defensive on their behalf. They were kept apart so much and they weren't fighting to be together. They need to do that a bit, I think, with how important they really are to each other. More so than in the previous books, even larger forces than they are used to seemed to be buffeting them about and I have the feeling there will be more dire reveals to come. This felt very much like a transitional piece and, as such, it was harder to say goodbye at the end, feeling so worried and discombobulated as I did. I feel as though the world itself may turn on them and I sat fretting for quite awhile after finishing. I know there is a sixth book on the way and that is very reassuring. What I don't know is what lies beyond that. Will things wrap up? Will there be more adventures beyond? Because nothing about HEROES RETURN is neat and tidy and I am going to need some kind of meeting of the minds and souls to calm my poor heart. As always, I fell into Moira J. Moore's world, and into company with these loved characters, the moment I started reading and I did not surface again until the final page. I very much enjoyed the change of setting and the peeks into the Taro's origins and how different it is from other places in their world. Taro made me particularly proud in a couple of key scenes--one of them just especially well done. And I like that Lee is branching out in her interests, even if those interests give Taro fits. After all, Lee is right. He really is adorable when he's mid-fit. Another great installment in one of my very favorite series.
Reading Order: Resenting the Hero, The Hero Strikes Back, Heroes Adrift, Heroes at Risk, and HEROES RETURN
Not in their wildest dreams did Source and Shield Pair Shintaro Karish and Dunleavy Mallorough imagine they would ever be taken away from High Scape and reassigned to Taro's homeland of Westsea. But that is exactly what's just happened. Without so much as a by your leave, the newly minted Emperor orders them to swear fealty to him and pack their bags for the remote coastal city where Taro was born, and where he lived the first bleak eleven years of his life. Lee dreads the whole notion, what with the politics that are involved and the fact that Taro's mother the Dowager Duchess--otherwise known as the Wicked Witch of the West's less nice sister--lives right next door to where they'll be staying. But, as it turns out, the Duchess should be the least of Lee's worries. For there is something wrong afoot in Westsea. The new Duchess is scrambling to command the respect of her people, the Emperor's guards have been assigned a permanent post there amid rumors the people are engaging in spell casting, and the level and frequency of natural disasters in the area are increasing with every day that passes. Add to this the fact that Taro's abilities to channel are becoming erratic, Lee's passing interest in casting begins to ratchet up a few levels, and the Triple S seems awfully suspicious of them and their recent activities, and these two are in for quite the couple of years at this their new post.
Nothing is ever easy in the world of Taro and Lee. I don't know why I keep thinking things will settle down for a spell and they will be able to sort a few rather important things out. Like their monumentally tragic communication problem. Because HEROES RETURN is all but a formal treatise on the failure to communicate and the disasters that result from said failure. I'm starting to feel like my favorite Source and Shield have fallen into a dangerous and dysfunctional habit of making assumptions rather than talking to one another. And I'm honestly afraid of where they'll end up if they don't address the situation in a patently overt manner. Because everything was subtle in this installment. Nothing was straightforward, upfront, or frank. Much of that wasn't Lee's or Taro's fault and, as such, I felt very defensive on their behalf. They were kept apart so much and they weren't fighting to be together. They need to do that a bit, I think, with how important they really are to each other. More so than in the previous books, even larger forces than they are used to seemed to be buffeting them about and I have the feeling there will be more dire reveals to come. This felt very much like a transitional piece and, as such, it was harder to say goodbye at the end, feeling so worried and discombobulated as I did. I feel as though the world itself may turn on them and I sat fretting for quite awhile after finishing. I know there is a sixth book on the way and that is very reassuring. What I don't know is what lies beyond that. Will things wrap up? Will there be more adventures beyond? Because nothing about HEROES RETURN is neat and tidy and I am going to need some kind of meeting of the minds and souls to calm my poor heart. As always, I fell into Moira J. Moore's world, and into company with these loved characters, the moment I started reading and I did not surface again until the final page. I very much enjoyed the change of setting and the peeks into the Taro's origins and how different it is from other places in their world. Taro made me particularly proud in a couple of key scenes--one of them just especially well done. And I like that Lee is branching out in her interests, even if those interests give Taro fits. After all, Lee is right. He really is adorable when he's mid-fit. Another great installment in one of my very favorite series.
Reading Order: Resenting the Hero, The Hero Strikes Back, Heroes Adrift, Heroes at Risk, and HEROES RETURN
August 16, 2010
I want to give this book 3 1/2 stars, but that's not allowed here. I hate to give less than four stars to this series as a whole, because it is so enjoyable, but there was a plot line that I got impatient that no one caught on with in this book, so it annoyed me into being honest and dropping a star. NONETHELESS, terrible addictive page turner, Taro and Lee continue to develop as a couple and still are terribly immature at times. I just really love love this series, I hope there's more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2023
Lee and Taro are assigned to the duchy of Westsea, Taro's ancestral lands he holds few good memories of, where they contend with hickups in their channeling, assorted awful (and some less awful) family members and their machinations, as well as overbearing Imperial guards running roughshod over the population - as well as their ongoing inability to behave and communicate like semi-reasonable adults.
I wasn't all that thrilled with the previous book, which is why it's taken me so long to get back to this series. This one, too, proved an exercise in frustration regarding the MCs acting like morons around and towards each other - particularly Taro, whom I wanted to strangle repeatedly. I do like this world and the overarching plot apparently working towards pitting Triple S against the Emperor is interesting enough, but the idiocy and emotional immaturity continues to try my patience.
I wasn't all that thrilled with the previous book, which is why it's taken me so long to get back to this series. This one, too, proved an exercise in frustration regarding the MCs acting like morons around and towards each other - particularly Taro, whom I wanted to strangle repeatedly. I do like this world and the overarching plot apparently working towards pitting Triple S against the Emperor is interesting enough, but the idiocy and emotional immaturity continues to try my patience.
August 3, 2010
I'm pleased to see that Lee isn't as annoying as she was in the previous books, but that is mainly because Taro has stepped in to take her place. I do get why they're both so strained (in fact, the reasons why they're both so upset with each other is sprinkled just a little too liberally through the book), but one would've thought the lines of communication have been well and truly drawn out by now. It's been five books already, come on. How old are they?
Also frustrating is how this book seems to just be there to build up to the next one. All this talk and speculation about the Emperor's plan, the Triple S's role, the Dowager's dastardly plot, and hardly any resolution whatsoever. I get that this is part of a series, but you usually have to give your readers some sense of fulfillment with each installment.
All that said, I did enjoy reading Heroes Return. I have all these complaints but I was really into the book while I was reading. Felt full sympathy for Fiona's many plights in dealing with her new people, and booed whenever Lee and Taro couldn't get their Lee-and-Taro time. The series may have slowed down a bit with this book, I'm still picking up the next one.
Also frustrating is how this book seems to just be there to build up to the next one. All this talk and speculation about the Emperor's plan, the Triple S's role, the Dowager's dastardly plot, and hardly any resolution whatsoever. I get that this is part of a series, but you usually have to give your readers some sense of fulfillment with each installment.
All that said, I did enjoy reading Heroes Return. I have all these complaints but I was really into the book while I was reading. Felt full sympathy for Fiona's many plights in dealing with her new people, and booed whenever Lee and Taro couldn't get their Lee-and-Taro time. The series may have slowed down a bit with this book, I'm still picking up the next one.
July 13, 2023
DNFing this series here. I've enjoyed the ride mostly, but there are so many plot threads that aren't being resolved, weird behaviour never explained, and a complete lack of decent communication between our two main characters, despite living and working together so closely for a couple of years at this point. It's too frustrating, unfortunately.
February 26, 2025
These books are starting to feel a little repetitive. Which really sucks. There was at least 2 “big” plot twists in book 5 which was entertaining. I kinda found Taro and Lee’s relationship to be annoying and childish in the book. There was so much “he’s upset so I’ll just stay here and wait for him to come talk to me so I don’t make things worse.” Lack of communication drives me nuts in my personal and reader life. So this will they/wont they talk out their problems was driving me insane. I’m starting to worry that reading through them so quickly is actually causing me to find more problems with this series. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely still enjoy reading them. Hopefully the next book makes up for the annoyance I had with this one!
P.S. I don’t even know what these covers are anymore. It’s also starting to feel repetitive which is sad. :(
P.S. I don’t even know what these covers are anymore. It’s also starting to feel repetitive which is sad. :(
July 23, 2017
Are the covers just progressively getting uglier??
September 28, 2014
A poor addition to the series. The plot moved painfully slowly and much is left unresolved at the end of the book. If this had been the first book I had picked up from this series, it would have killed any interest in reading the rest. The characters are mostly cardboard cut-outs, a large role is played by Fiona, the new Duchess of Westsea, but you don't really get to know her. The character of the Wind Watcher is a little less opaque, but there's not much depth to work with.
Additionally Lee behaves in a manner so stupid you wish you could slap her. There are Imperial Guards stationed and ready to arrest anyone owning spellbooks or attempting to cast spells, and the stupid wench decides that this is the ideal moment to dabble with spells and find out if they work. For her first experiment she decides to change the colour of her hair - of course no one could possibly notice that! Predictably, she doesn’t take it seriously and skips steps and substitutes ingredients and the spell goes wrong - cue comedy of outlandish coloured hair. The comedy fails to work because the whole situation is more annoying than comic.
Sadly Lee's character development also seems to be stunted - she barely notices that there's a problem with her Source until he goes berserk with an axe!. Any growth we've seen in the previous books seems to have been forgotten and she's back to the stolid, oblivious Shield but just retaining her feelings for Taro and the deception of the Triple S council.
Taro is barely there in the plot – and apart from some bizarre foppish behaviour and jealous outbursts is mostly forgotten. Lee is content to ignore his mood swings and let him disappear for hours to work off his temper. It’s a shame as the developing relationship between Lee and Taro was one of the best parts of the previous books. In this book they seem to have reverted to the post-Flatwell stage where they sleep together but don’t talk – forgetting that Lee needs things explained and that Taro needs reassurance.
And finally, can anyone tell me why they couldn’t just lock the door against the intrusive servant and thus ensure some privacy?
Additionally Lee behaves in a manner so stupid you wish you could slap her. There are Imperial Guards stationed and ready to arrest anyone owning spellbooks or attempting to cast spells, and the stupid wench decides that this is the ideal moment to dabble with spells and find out if they work. For her first experiment she decides to change the colour of her hair - of course no one could possibly notice that! Predictably, she doesn’t take it seriously and skips steps and substitutes ingredients and the spell goes wrong - cue comedy of outlandish coloured hair. The comedy fails to work because the whole situation is more annoying than comic.
Sadly Lee's character development also seems to be stunted - she barely notices that there's a problem with her Source until he goes berserk with an axe!. Any growth we've seen in the previous books seems to have been forgotten and she's back to the stolid, oblivious Shield but just retaining her feelings for Taro and the deception of the Triple S council.
Taro is barely there in the plot – and apart from some bizarre foppish behaviour and jealous outbursts is mostly forgotten. Lee is content to ignore his mood swings and let him disappear for hours to work off his temper. It’s a shame as the developing relationship between Lee and Taro was one of the best parts of the previous books. In this book they seem to have reverted to the post-Flatwell stage where they sleep together but don’t talk – forgetting that Lee needs things explained and that Taro needs reassurance.
And finally, can anyone tell me why they couldn’t just lock the door against the intrusive servant and thus ensure some privacy?
March 9, 2010
I've reached the point of wondering why I even bother to continue to read this series. The original book was clever and light fun, but the series has gotten bogged down in the absolute and other stupidity of the characters who are simply too blind to the over-the-top obvious events going on around them. At first one could write this off as due to certain personality flaws inherent in the Source and Shield gene pool, but even so-called "normal" humans are equally unobservant and clueless.
To make matters worse, the author has suddenly introduced a science fiction element into the story (at least, I don't recall one prior to this) where the world is no longer a fantasy world but is instead the descendants-of-technologically-advanced-space-travelers-who-have-lost-the-knowledge-of-their-ancestors world. *Yawn* This has been done so many times in so many different ways that to throw it in here is almost insulting tot he reader and seems to indicate a lack of imagination. It also adds nothing to this story, although I suspect it was put in to setup some long term plot element since the series has had a meandering, if fairly boring, overarching plot which runs through multiple books (starting around the 2nd or 3rd book).
I'm at a huge internal impasse as to whether this deserves two stars or is wretched enough to have earned only one. One and a half would have probably been about right; I'm going with one since it is that much worse than the previous book which I gave two.
Sadly, I will be reading at least one more since I had already purchased it before reading this one.
To make matters worse, the author has suddenly introduced a science fiction element into the story (at least, I don't recall one prior to this) where the world is no longer a fantasy world but is instead the descendants-of-technologically-advanced-space-travelers-who-have-lost-the-knowledge-of-their-ancestors world. *Yawn* This has been done so many times in so many different ways that to throw it in here is almost insulting tot he reader and seems to indicate a lack of imagination. It also adds nothing to this story, although I suspect it was put in to setup some long term plot element since the series has had a meandering, if fairly boring, overarching plot which runs through multiple books (starting around the 2nd or 3rd book).
I'm at a huge internal impasse as to whether this deserves two stars or is wretched enough to have earned only one. One and a half would have probably been about right; I'm going with one since it is that much worse than the previous book which I gave two.
Sadly, I will be reading at least one more since I had already purchased it before reading this one.
November 29, 2011
At the end of the last book, the Emperor has stepped in and assigned Lee and Taro to serve in Westsea, Taro’s ancestral home. Pairs are never assigned to their home area, supposedly because they have a harder time channeling events. Lee and Taro do find channeling much harder in Westsea. On top of that, the tenants resent the new duchess and would like to see Taro as Duke, even though he renounced his title. The dowager duchess is still scheming as well and Lee dreads having to deal with her. Then more and more accidents start to happen and Lee begins to wonder if someone is trying to kill them. [return][return]In this series, I have always enjoyed the characters more than the mysteries. Yet as the stories progress there is more and more focus on the politics and intrigue than on Lee and Taro and their skills as a Pair. Unfortunately, they are getting dumber and more two dimensional. They continue to snap at each other and assume things instead of communicating with each other. They have been paired together long enough that this is getting old. I would much rather that by now they are united against all odds than this bickering. [return][return]There are so many pieces in play…spell casting, the emperor, their additional abilities, controversy over the Westsea title, bickering about their relationship, and so on that I’m starting to loose interest. I’m sure all the pieces will fit together eventually but it just feels like a mess to me. I pretty on the fence about continuing this series.
January 24, 2012
For me, this was definitely the weakest book in the series.
Taro was acting strangely for most of the story, running hot one minute and cold the next. The adorable repertoire that usually exists between him and Lee was absent and sorely missed.
The plot itself was quite dull. There isn't much going on in the remote area they've been reassigned to, and the mysterious "accidents" that happened in the book were obvious to me from the beginning (although no one else figures it out until the very end).
Taro's mother grated on my last nerve for most of the story, and while I realize this was the point, it still annoyed me to almost no end each time she appeared in a scene.
My major problem with the story, however, comes at the end. Lee came off as a total bitch at the end of the book, and it made me mad enough that I might not pick up the next in the installment for fear that she'll act even worse in that one.
Taro was acting strangely for most of the story, running hot one minute and cold the next. The adorable repertoire that usually exists between him and Lee was absent and sorely missed.
The plot itself was quite dull. There isn't much going on in the remote area they've been reassigned to, and the mysterious "accidents" that happened in the book were obvious to me from the beginning (although no one else figures it out until the very end).
Taro's mother grated on my last nerve for most of the story, and while I realize this was the point, it still annoyed me to almost no end each time she appeared in a scene.
My major problem with the story, however, comes at the end. Lee came off as a total bitch at the end of the book, and it made me mad enough that I might not pick up the next in the installment for fear that she'll act even worse in that one.
March 9, 2011
I loved the first two books in this series. Lee is an hilarious narrator, oblivious to so many social cues. Taro made for an interesting hero - handsome, suave and well-loved, with hidden depths and a difficult past. Together, they were delightful, with some fantastic dialogue and interplay between the two. The concept of the series was also fascinating thanks to an unusual approach to fantasy and magical elements.
Book 3 saw the two to come together romantically... and I was a touch disappointed, as it felt a little anti-climactic. Still, the world remained interesting and book 4 kept me amused.
So what changed with book 5? Honestly, not much, and that was my problem. It feels like the series has lost its steam and things that were once charming began to grate - Lee's obliviousness annoyed me, Taro's wounded histrionics prompted no sympathy and ultimately, the mystery that propelled the story forward failed to keep my attention.
I wouldn't discount reading further entries in the series, but I won't be rushing out to get hold of a copy any time soon.
Book 3 saw the two to come together romantically... and I was a touch disappointed, as it felt a little anti-climactic. Still, the world remained interesting and book 4 kept me amused.
So what changed with book 5? Honestly, not much, and that was my problem. It feels like the series has lost its steam and things that were once charming began to grate - Lee's obliviousness annoyed me, Taro's wounded histrionics prompted no sympathy and ultimately, the mystery that propelled the story forward failed to keep my attention.
I wouldn't discount reading further entries in the series, but I won't be rushing out to get hold of a copy any time soon.
January 1, 2014
Couldn't get through.
Read the first bits and skimmed till the end. Mostly it's because Lee is the only POV that you get and everything is filled with her disbelief and surprise at every little thing. It's like the girl's brains, abilities, observation skills and any sort of common sense just drained right out somewhere along the last two books. She's like a completely different character from the first book. The plot is dull and nothing really seems to happen and the same things just get rehashed over and over. A chore to read. This is officially the straw that broke the camels back, washing myself of this series.
Read the first bits and skimmed till the end. Mostly it's because Lee is the only POV that you get and everything is filled with her disbelief and surprise at every little thing. It's like the girl's brains, abilities, observation skills and any sort of common sense just drained right out somewhere along the last two books. She's like a completely different character from the first book. The plot is dull and nothing really seems to happen and the same things just get rehashed over and over. A chore to read. This is officially the straw that broke the camels back, washing myself of this series.
July 30, 2010
Another "things get worse before they get better" book. Things seemed to move too quickly for me to really emotionally engage with this book and the characters. But maybe I just read the book too quickly. Also, it's been a while since I read most of the other books, but I think there were more deliberately unresolved loose ends in this book than there were in previous books.
Also also, we get more worldbuilding background-ish stuff in this one.
Also also, we get more worldbuilding background-ish stuff in this one.
August 14, 2012
This series started out with promise. Lee was a different sort of heroine and very interesting but she not only hasn't grown as a character, she seems to be regressing which is most obvious in this book. There are times I literally want to reach into the pages and shake her for being so wilfully stupid and oblivious to her surroundings and the consequences of not only her own actions but those of Taro and everyone around her.
April 20, 2011
More wheel spinning. Not offensive, so I keep plugging along (and frankly, I can finish one of her novels on a single graveyard shift), but I wish the author would hurry up and get to the point. I'm starting to think that any story that can't be told in three books at most isn't worth reading (Robert Jordan copy-cats take note!).
August 11, 2015
Probably deserves more like 3.5 stars, but the Anne of Green Gables bit (not really a spoiler, since it gets hinted at in the acknowledgments) and Taro's gift for shade-throwing made me want to bump it up to 4.()
August 30, 2015
Too booooring to be finished.
April 2, 2020
Not the best in the series but honestly Lee seeing a naked woman in their bed and knowing that Taro didn't sleep with her as she trusts him made it.
April 15, 2023
A return to form for the series
Thankfully!
After not enjoying Book 3 and Book 4 of the series, I was pleased when this book landed for me. There was growth in our heroine, Lee, and she seems to have left her xenophobic prejudices aside - mostly because the author dropped that storyline and moved our heroes to an environment which seems more familiar and more in line with the rest of the world so the characters don't seem odd. Or at least when they are, there is a clearer indication that Lee is a bit moronic.
As a result, Lee did not grate on my nerves which was a super plus for the book given that this continues to be completely in her POV. There were portions of the book which made me laugh out loud - I was so glad that the balance of humour had returned in this book.
And her relationship with Taro continues to be a favourite. There was a particular scene which cemented the relationship for me. In a romance novel this scene would have been drawn out or become a bigger issue than it needed to be. But given what we know about Lee and Taro - the author handled it excellently. It showed progress and growth in Lee which is what I had been waiting for in the series. Very well done - and put the book over for me.
We got more macro world building as well which was interesting - not exactly sure it was as clearly foreshowed as it needed to be - but overall it was quite fun. The mystery plot also generally worked for me - while it was slight I enjoyed it overall. Very manor house mystery - which is something I enjoy.
A strong return to form - 4 stars.
Thankfully!
After not enjoying Book 3 and Book 4 of the series, I was pleased when this book landed for me. There was growth in our heroine, Lee, and she seems to have left her xenophobic prejudices aside - mostly because the author dropped that storyline and moved our heroes to an environment which seems more familiar and more in line with the rest of the world so the characters don't seem odd. Or at least when they are, there is a clearer indication that Lee is a bit moronic.
As a result, Lee did not grate on my nerves which was a super plus for the book given that this continues to be completely in her POV. There were portions of the book which made me laugh out loud - I was so glad that the balance of humour had returned in this book.
And her relationship with Taro continues to be a favourite. There was a particular scene which cemented the relationship for me. In a romance novel this scene would have been drawn out or become a bigger issue than it needed to be. But given what we know about Lee and Taro - the author handled it excellently. It showed progress and growth in Lee which is what I had been waiting for in the series. Very well done - and put the book over for me.
We got more macro world building as well which was interesting - not exactly sure it was as clearly foreshowed as it needed to be - but overall it was quite fun. The mystery plot also generally worked for me - while it was slight I enjoyed it overall. Very manor house mystery - which is something I enjoy.
A strong return to form - 4 stars.
July 9, 2017
Ok this was more like a 3.5 but I love this series, so I'm giving it 4. Here's my problem, the last book felt like a prequel as if it was building up towards something. I thought that whatever that something was, would be addressed in this book. Instead we got another long set up. I also, again felt that Lee was being somewhat oblivious, and at times Taro also upset me. Even though this isn't one of my favorites, I love this series so much that I have to keep reading. I mean, I have to give Moira J. Moore praise. She created this world with these characters, where you get so involved and invested in their future, that even if it annoyed me at times, I'm still going to continue reading this series.
January 20, 2010
3.5 stars
SPOILER HEAVY
Taro and Lee arrive in Flown Raven, Taro's family's ancestral home and holding, after being robbed on their in of their valuables, including the harmony bobs. (Significant? Hmmm?) Things only go downhill from there, with mysterious accidents plaguing Fiona and her husband, dealing with Taro's awful mother, Taro's odd behavior and emotional distance, the strain of channeling in Taro's home, and the threat of the emperor's soldiers in the town to arrest anyone caught "pretending" to cast magic, an ability that Lee seems to possess.
Decent pacing and some development for Taro with coming to terms with his past and his mother, Lee in regards to magic, and introducing Fiona and the setting of Flown Raven, where I assume some of the following book(s) will take place, at least in part. But I felt like so much of it was filler, the in between stuff that has to happen for what follows to be sensible and logical, but not terribly exciting or intense, particularly for Taro/Lee. I am still left with a slew of questions, as per the usual, but this time, I have some working theories.
The Emperor wants Flown Raven (with or without Taro, though currently preferably with taro as titleholder possibly because of a deal with the Dowager) and he wants it b/c of its strong connection to magic, the same magic that Gifford is well aware of, but fanatically trying to prevent other people from using. Why? Apart from the obvious,"I'll have all the power?" He cannot possibly hope to contain it from everyone.
Why does Gifford want Lee gone? How? Is it b/c she can cast? Is he threatened by that? Is there something specifically unique about Lee and Taro together that makes them a threat to Gifford - a rival or obstacle to whatever magical takeover he seems to be plotting? WHY is it so important to get rid of Lee? Why not Taro? Simply b/c of the Dowager? And what is their connection anyway?
The Triple S seems aware of the connection, at least partially, between magic, First Landed, pairs and the fact that pairs may have the ability to cast. Why hide that fact from the pairs? Depending on where they were raised and where they become stationed, some are going to find out sooner or later.
The Dowager is also aware, it would appear, of Flown Raven's importance, either from living there so long and realizing it and telling Gifford or she may have realized it from Gifford. Either way, I say she knows and that is part of why she is so obsessive about getting Taro in control of it b/c she knows it will be important. However, is there something important about Taro and Flown Raven? Some blood connection, etc.? Again, why is she really trying to get rid of Lee? (And will she go to further lengths?)
Magic and channeling both connected to....?
Apart from bad, bad memories and being near the Dowager, all understandable causes of Taro being very upset and moody, he seemed unusually and distressingly different. We see a new aspect of Taro's personality here. (Or a very magnified one.) He is very unhappy, moody, depressed, restless, suspicious and jealous of Lee, unkind towards her and far from as affectionate as he had been in any of the prior books. No mention of any calm or comfort given through a touch, at all, which is in sharp contrast to the other novels. Is his distant and strange behavior merely b/c of the Dowager and the house where he was basically imprisoned as a child? Or was/is there more to it? (As in, at risk for insanity?)
And Lila? She probably had zero chance of actually making it out from under that rock before it crushed her, but did Taro intentionally keep her buried? If so, was it b/c he was afraid Lila might reveal Lee as a caster to the guards?
Lee and Taro are basically out of sorts with one another for the whole book. Lee is not sure, in the end, how she feels about Taro any longer due to his behavior over the past weeks, as well as what happened with Lila. He was not at all trusting of her (though, she probably deserved that for all the grief she gives him), jumping all over her for talking to Reid, acting like Lee does not value him. He sees himself as unintelligent. Is that why taro was so mad on the island and now here, when his necessity to Lee is less, where her attention is elsewhere? Is he truly worried by that? He surely does not act like it, but something someone said, maybe Lee's mother, about why Taro acts the way he does around other people is nagging at me - I'll have to look it up. His behavior here is far more calculated to drive her way, which is in wild contrast to his behavior from book 4.
But right now it is all so contradictory and confusing. We do not know if the Dowager will really leave them alone, if Taro will go back to normal, if Lee and Taro will remain together, if the spells allowing their channeling to work will continue to be efficacious, how the whole magic returning/world healing is going to play out, what Gifford's real goals are, esp. with that spell at his coronation, the illegality of casting, what Lee and Taro may be capable of, what about Aryne, Taro's hatred of Flatwell, the significance of Lee and Taro's unusual talents, particularly Lee's ability to cast and influence weather, Lee's connection to Taro (not mentioned here), etc.
In book six I would love more action and more emotional character development between Lee and Taro, both as a couple and as individuals.
Check out this recent interview with Moira: http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pag...
SPOILER HEAVY
Taro and Lee arrive in Flown Raven, Taro's family's ancestral home and holding, after being robbed on their in of their valuables, including the harmony bobs. (Significant? Hmmm?) Things only go downhill from there, with mysterious accidents plaguing Fiona and her husband, dealing with Taro's awful mother, Taro's odd behavior and emotional distance, the strain of channeling in Taro's home, and the threat of the emperor's soldiers in the town to arrest anyone caught "pretending" to cast magic, an ability that Lee seems to possess.
Decent pacing and some development for Taro with coming to terms with his past and his mother, Lee in regards to magic, and introducing Fiona and the setting of Flown Raven, where I assume some of the following book(s) will take place, at least in part. But I felt like so much of it was filler, the in between stuff that has to happen for what follows to be sensible and logical, but not terribly exciting or intense, particularly for Taro/Lee. I am still left with a slew of questions, as per the usual, but this time, I have some working theories.
The Emperor wants Flown Raven (with or without Taro, though currently preferably with taro as titleholder possibly because of a deal with the Dowager) and he wants it b/c of its strong connection to magic, the same magic that Gifford is well aware of, but fanatically trying to prevent other people from using. Why? Apart from the obvious,"I'll have all the power?" He cannot possibly hope to contain it from everyone.
Why does Gifford want Lee gone? How? Is it b/c she can cast? Is he threatened by that? Is there something specifically unique about Lee and Taro together that makes them a threat to Gifford - a rival or obstacle to whatever magical takeover he seems to be plotting? WHY is it so important to get rid of Lee? Why not Taro? Simply b/c of the Dowager? And what is their connection anyway?
The Triple S seems aware of the connection, at least partially, between magic, First Landed, pairs and the fact that pairs may have the ability to cast. Why hide that fact from the pairs? Depending on where they were raised and where they become stationed, some are going to find out sooner or later.
The Dowager is also aware, it would appear, of Flown Raven's importance, either from living there so long and realizing it and telling Gifford or she may have realized it from Gifford. Either way, I say she knows and that is part of why she is so obsessive about getting Taro in control of it b/c she knows it will be important. However, is there something important about Taro and Flown Raven? Some blood connection, etc.? Again, why is she really trying to get rid of Lee? (And will she go to further lengths?)
Magic and channeling both connected to....?
Apart from bad, bad memories and being near the Dowager, all understandable causes of Taro being very upset and moody, he seemed unusually and distressingly different. We see a new aspect of Taro's personality here. (Or a very magnified one.) He is very unhappy, moody, depressed, restless, suspicious and jealous of Lee, unkind towards her and far from as affectionate as he had been in any of the prior books. No mention of any calm or comfort given through a touch, at all, which is in sharp contrast to the other novels. Is his distant and strange behavior merely b/c of the Dowager and the house where he was basically imprisoned as a child? Or was/is there more to it? (As in, at risk for insanity?)
And Lila? She probably had zero chance of actually making it out from under that rock before it crushed her, but did Taro intentionally keep her buried? If so, was it b/c he was afraid Lila might reveal Lee as a caster to the guards?
Lee and Taro are basically out of sorts with one another for the whole book. Lee is not sure, in the end, how she feels about Taro any longer due to his behavior over the past weeks, as well as what happened with Lila. He was not at all trusting of her (though, she probably deserved that for all the grief she gives him), jumping all over her for talking to Reid, acting like Lee does not value him. He sees himself as unintelligent. Is that why taro was so mad on the island and now here, when his necessity to Lee is less, where her attention is elsewhere? Is he truly worried by that? He surely does not act like it, but something someone said, maybe Lee's mother, about why Taro acts the way he does around other people is nagging at me - I'll have to look it up. His behavior here is far more calculated to drive her way, which is in wild contrast to his behavior from book 4.
But right now it is all so contradictory and confusing. We do not know if the Dowager will really leave them alone, if Taro will go back to normal, if Lee and Taro will remain together, if the spells allowing their channeling to work will continue to be efficacious, how the whole magic returning/world healing is going to play out, what Gifford's real goals are, esp. with that spell at his coronation, the illegality of casting, what Lee and Taro may be capable of, what about Aryne, Taro's hatred of Flatwell, the significance of Lee and Taro's unusual talents, particularly Lee's ability to cast and influence weather, Lee's connection to Taro (not mentioned here), etc.
In book six I would love more action and more emotional character development between Lee and Taro, both as a couple and as individuals.
Check out this recent interview with Moira: http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pag...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2020
This book seemed like there wasn't really a coherent plot and more like a lot of random stuff, that wasn't really explained too well, going on.
Summary: Lee and Karish are posted in Flown Raven, the place Karish was supposed to be Duke over. There's mischief from Karish's mother, someone trying to kill the current Duke, Fiona, and the Emperor sending his guards to investigate people trying spells.
Summary: Lee and Karish are posted in Flown Raven, the place Karish was supposed to be Duke over. There's mischief from Karish's mother, someone trying to kill the current Duke, Fiona, and the Emperor sending his guards to investigate people trying spells.
August 18, 2019
Least favorite of the series.
December 25, 2019
This wavered between a three and a four star. Not as good as "Heroes at Risk" but pretty good.
August 18, 2025
Omg not Taro and Lee becoming distant 😭
February 25, 2026
I should have gone back and re-read the series, I had trouble trying to remember anything outside of the first book. Even so, it was still a quick easy read.
February 6, 2015
Before reading this review, you should maybe have read till volume 3 of the Hero series.
--------------------------------------------
After the surprise at the end of book four, the story unfolds quickly with more challenges than ever for this special Pair in "Heroes Return".
Someone would think everything is fine after Lee and Taro declared their love for each other. But now, Taro is facing his biggest challenge. The Emperor is sending him back to Flown Raven to attend to it as the posted Pair. Flown Raven is for Taro a place full of misery. His first eleven years, he was imprisoned in a room by his own family. Nothing in Flown Raven brings good memories to him. Now, he is supposed to protect it from natural disaster, even so a Source has always problems to channel events from their birthplace. On the other hand, the new emperor is quite thorough in asserting his degree to outlaw spell casting. For the people in Flown Raven it is quite common to cast. So, this can only mean trouble when the Imperial Guards appear to enforce the law. And then tragedy strucks!
Really, after three years working together, will this pair never have a quiet moment in their life?
First of all, I did not expect this answer to the magic and Pair issue, I mentioned in book four's review. It seems like the Triple S has more secrets than Lee and Taro ever thought. There is a promise for quite a showdown coming in the last two books.
The relationship between Taro and Lee is developing nicely and they are finding their footing. However there are always minor troubles in a relationship. So, it is cute to see Taro so jealous about Lee's enthusiasm about meeting Academic Alex Reid, a historican who is translating a book by the First Landed. On the other side, it is sad to read about the meddling by the Dowager Duchess, Taro's mother. She really has nothing better to do, such a terrible person.
Besides the personal problems of our main protagonists, Lee and Taro have to attend to the community of Flown Raven as well. There is a lot of spite and anger from the people of Flown Raven since Taro declined the title. At first, our Pair is quite helpless how to act. There really is no right way to manage the residents.
Luckily, the wit in the writing is a match for the seriousness of the situation Lee and Taro find themself in. At the end of chapter one is a paragraph which shows very well the dry sense of humour which is so special for the whole Hero series. Taro and Lee just arrived at Flown Raven and Lee is quite impressed with the manor:
"We climbed the steps toward the front door. The door seemed even larger when I stood right in front of it. Really, who needed a door so large? What purpose did it serve, other than the attempt to intimidate people?
I was intimidated by a door. That was sad.
Taro knocked on the door."
Another aspect of the Hero books comes through stronger than ever. Sometimes, everyone things too much what others could say or think about them. There is this man, Callum, who is banned by Fiona, Taro's cousin and Duchess of Westsea, because of dangerous deeds. There is this scene where Fiona explains to Lee her actions and that she offered Callum's partner a place without him but she declined. Here Lee thinks: "Of course she would. She had children with him. Everyone would think less of her if she chose security over him." There is no 'of course' about something like that. The kids will suffer for something their father has done and their mother seems to be too proud to tolerate the whispers of their neighbours. This is maybe just a minor thing, but Mrs. Moore often inserts these little situations where people just think too much. It really seems ridiculous at times how worried humans can be about what the opinion of others is. It should not have such a strong influence on our actions. It does not always matter what others think. It is equally important that we are content with our own decisions. This is a strong message to everyone which Mrs. Moore is expressing in her books.
You would think this series cannot get better, but it does and I am confident for the next book in Mrs. Moore's delightfully Hero series.
Note on Short Stories:
There two new short stories to have after book five.
- Heroes Short Story (Taro Early Book Five)
- Short Story: Triple S council meeting(near the end of book five)
--------------------------------------------
After the surprise at the end of book four, the story unfolds quickly with more challenges than ever for this special Pair in "Heroes Return".
Someone would think everything is fine after Lee and Taro declared their love for each other. But now, Taro is facing his biggest challenge. The Emperor is sending him back to Flown Raven to attend to it as the posted Pair. Flown Raven is for Taro a place full of misery. His first eleven years, he was imprisoned in a room by his own family. Nothing in Flown Raven brings good memories to him. Now, he is supposed to protect it from natural disaster, even so a Source has always problems to channel events from their birthplace. On the other hand, the new emperor is quite thorough in asserting his degree to outlaw spell casting. For the people in Flown Raven it is quite common to cast. So, this can only mean trouble when the Imperial Guards appear to enforce the law. And then tragedy strucks!
Really, after three years working together, will this pair never have a quiet moment in their life?
First of all, I did not expect this answer to the magic and Pair issue, I mentioned in book four's review. It seems like the Triple S has more secrets than Lee and Taro ever thought. There is a promise for quite a showdown coming in the last two books.
The relationship between Taro and Lee is developing nicely and they are finding their footing. However there are always minor troubles in a relationship. So, it is cute to see Taro so jealous about Lee's enthusiasm about meeting Academic Alex Reid, a historican who is translating a book by the First Landed. On the other side, it is sad to read about the meddling by the Dowager Duchess, Taro's mother. She really has nothing better to do, such a terrible person.
Besides the personal problems of our main protagonists, Lee and Taro have to attend to the community of Flown Raven as well. There is a lot of spite and anger from the people of Flown Raven since Taro declined the title. At first, our Pair is quite helpless how to act. There really is no right way to manage the residents.
Luckily, the wit in the writing is a match for the seriousness of the situation Lee and Taro find themself in. At the end of chapter one is a paragraph which shows very well the dry sense of humour which is so special for the whole Hero series. Taro and Lee just arrived at Flown Raven and Lee is quite impressed with the manor:
"We climbed the steps toward the front door. The door seemed even larger when I stood right in front of it. Really, who needed a door so large? What purpose did it serve, other than the attempt to intimidate people?
I was intimidated by a door. That was sad.
Taro knocked on the door."
Another aspect of the Hero books comes through stronger than ever. Sometimes, everyone things too much what others could say or think about them. There is this man, Callum, who is banned by Fiona, Taro's cousin and Duchess of Westsea, because of dangerous deeds. There is this scene where Fiona explains to Lee her actions and that she offered Callum's partner a place without him but she declined. Here Lee thinks: "Of course she would. She had children with him. Everyone would think less of her if she chose security over him." There is no 'of course' about something like that. The kids will suffer for something their father has done and their mother seems to be too proud to tolerate the whispers of their neighbours. This is maybe just a minor thing, but Mrs. Moore often inserts these little situations where people just think too much. It really seems ridiculous at times how worried humans can be about what the opinion of others is. It should not have such a strong influence on our actions. It does not always matter what others think. It is equally important that we are content with our own decisions. This is a strong message to everyone which Mrs. Moore is expressing in her books.
You would think this series cannot get better, but it does and I am confident for the next book in Mrs. Moore's delightfully Hero series.
Note on Short Stories:
There two new short stories to have after book five.
- Heroes Short Story (Taro Early Book Five)
- Short Story: Triple S council meeting(near the end of book five)
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