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Beneath the Thirteen Moons #1
Beneath the Thirteen Moons
"A beautifully drawn story filled with lush scenery and an engaging plot. It's a story you'll enjoy reading again and again."—Romance Reviews Today
He's a ruler in a divided world...
In the magical, watery world of the Sea Forest, the divide between the rulers and the people is an uncrossable chasm. Handsome, arrogant prince Korl Com'nder has lived a life of luxury that is nothing more than a fantasy to the people he rules. Until the day he is accidentally kidnapped by a beautiful outlaw smuggler and is forced to open his eyes to the world outside his palace walls.
She's an outcast, but at least she has her independence...
Mahri Zin would stop at nothing to save her village, and when they needed a healer she didn't think twice about kidnapping one. But when she realizes that the healer she so impulsively stole is none other than the crown prince of the Sea Forest, Mahri knows that this is her only chance to change the fate of her people...
"A highly original fantasy tale...Kathryne Kennedy has done an excellent job with world building. I really loved this world."—Romance Junkies
He's a ruler in a divided world...
In the magical, watery world of the Sea Forest, the divide between the rulers and the people is an uncrossable chasm. Handsome, arrogant prince Korl Com'nder has lived a life of luxury that is nothing more than a fantasy to the people he rules. Until the day he is accidentally kidnapped by a beautiful outlaw smuggler and is forced to open his eyes to the world outside his palace walls.
She's an outcast, but at least she has her independence...
Mahri Zin would stop at nothing to save her village, and when they needed a healer she didn't think twice about kidnapping one. But when she realizes that the healer she so impulsively stole is none other than the crown prince of the Sea Forest, Mahri knows that this is her only chance to change the fate of her people...
"A highly original fantasy tale...Kathryne Kennedy has done an excellent job with world building. I really loved this world."—Romance Junkies
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2003
17 people are currently reading
363 people want to read
About the author
Kathryne Kennedy
20 books215 followersAs a college grad, business owner, and writer, Kathryne has published nearly a dozen short stories in the SFF/Romance genre, receiving Honorable Mention twice in the 'Writers of the Future' contest. Being a self-proclaimed "Air Force brat," Kathryne has traveled a great deal, and over the years has lived in Guam, Okinawa, and several states in the U.S
She currently resides in Arizona with her husband, two sons, and the rest of her family (including two chihuahuas named Precious and Baggins (think Lord of the Rings) who she's rather fond of).
She currently resides in Arizona with her husband, two sons, and the rest of her family (including two chihuahuas named Precious and Baggins (think Lord of the Rings) who she's rather fond of).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
February 11, 2014
Content warning: sexual assault, angry ranting about the aforementioned
It's not the weird formatting that bothered me, even though the Sourcebooks paperback uses possessive apostrophes in pluralizations several times, and a reluctance to italicize inner monologue required me to reread a few paragraphs when the tone got confusing.
It certainly wasn't the setting, which was actually quite interesting. "Dune" meets "Earthsea" as the protagonists navigate the reaches of a world ocean as descendants of human colonists. Meanwhile a drug, zabbaroot, enables them to unleash psychic powers. Some of the "futuristic" technology is clearly dated (this book is from 2003, so a spaceship is carrying data on hard disks, for example), but not enough to make the basic concept untenable. Several scenes of the ocean environments are even quite beautiful. The action rarely lags: kidnappings, medical emergencies, assassination attempts, and sea monster attacks appear just as things threaten to quiet down.
And readers without the patience for a slow romantic build would certainly enjoy how very touchy feely Mahri and Korl are by page 50. Of course, this is partly because the story uses a Prophecy as a substitute for the characters having any in-world chemistry. Yet, given the genuine effort Kennedy spent in worldbuilding and action, I can forgive some cut corners in this department, especially as Mahri's reaction to the aliens trying to set her up with Korl is very realistic (although, if the native aliens are encouraging what happens later on...well, her anger was actually less than the bastards deserve).
Mahri in general for the first half of the novel was great fun. Plucky, intelligent--if sometimes reckless--compassionate, and with a touch of self-doubt, she balanced heroic and more mortal characteristics. All the same, she was not quite as dominant as I could wish from a woman who sparks off the plot by grabbing a handsome man and tying him up (for reasons that are not at all sexual in-plot, granted, but still, how can you not acknowledge the possible subtext there, especially in a genre that's at least partly about fulfilling fantasies?). She's taking no orders, not even doctor's orders from her captive healer, but in her own mind she takes this as a sign that she's "broken". Korl's characterization was more uneven--sometimes a soft healer, sometimes a pensive prince, and sometimes a chest-pounding 80s Romance Hero (TM). I should have taken that as a warning sign.
While taking notes for this review, I jotted down "80s Romance Hero--quote line for illustration." How about "I want you and nothing can stop me?"
How about--
"He's coming to claim his prize."
5 pages later : Yet, in a tiny corner of her mind lay the knowledge that he had manipulated her, using the gifts of the Sea Forest [aka an herb, or what we here in the 21st century might call a roofie or a date rape drug] to get what he wanted...so did Korl pound himself into her, trying to lay a claim, and Mahri fighting it all the way. (p146)
It's a bad sign when we're not even at page 150 of a romance novel and I want the hero to die. Sure, Korl is sort of called out on this behavior--in an "Oh, you" slap on the wrist way. Oh, sure, the narrative seems to say, Mahri's just having a temperamental tantrum over being seduced via drug, she'll come to her senses and return to him soon. She spends a few chapters making him suffer, not so much for raping her as for his privileged princely perspective in general. Still, I decided to give this story a chance--partially because I knew I was going to write something scathing and felt it was only fair to hear the full story first.
The full scathing review, which talks about rape scenes in romance and erotic in general, continues at my blog. But the most pertinent bit--the fact that I will give 1-star reviews to books which try to portray rape scenes as evidence of the hero's love in anotherwise vanilla-friendly romance--has been established, I think.
It's not the weird formatting that bothered me, even though the Sourcebooks paperback uses possessive apostrophes in pluralizations several times, and a reluctance to italicize inner monologue required me to reread a few paragraphs when the tone got confusing.
It certainly wasn't the setting, which was actually quite interesting. "Dune" meets "Earthsea" as the protagonists navigate the reaches of a world ocean as descendants of human colonists. Meanwhile a drug, zabbaroot, enables them to unleash psychic powers. Some of the "futuristic" technology is clearly dated (this book is from 2003, so a spaceship is carrying data on hard disks, for example), but not enough to make the basic concept untenable. Several scenes of the ocean environments are even quite beautiful. The action rarely lags: kidnappings, medical emergencies, assassination attempts, and sea monster attacks appear just as things threaten to quiet down.
And readers without the patience for a slow romantic build would certainly enjoy how very touchy feely Mahri and Korl are by page 50. Of course, this is partly because the story uses a Prophecy as a substitute for the characters having any in-world chemistry. Yet, given the genuine effort Kennedy spent in worldbuilding and action, I can forgive some cut corners in this department, especially as Mahri's reaction to the aliens trying to set her up with Korl is very realistic (although, if the native aliens are encouraging what happens later on...well, her anger was actually less than the bastards deserve).
Mahri in general for the first half of the novel was great fun. Plucky, intelligent--if sometimes reckless--compassionate, and with a touch of self-doubt, she balanced heroic and more mortal characteristics. All the same, she was not quite as dominant as I could wish from a woman who sparks off the plot by grabbing a handsome man and tying him up (for reasons that are not at all sexual in-plot, granted, but still, how can you not acknowledge the possible subtext there, especially in a genre that's at least partly about fulfilling fantasies?). She's taking no orders, not even doctor's orders from her captive healer, but in her own mind she takes this as a sign that she's "broken". Korl's characterization was more uneven--sometimes a soft healer, sometimes a pensive prince, and sometimes a chest-pounding 80s Romance Hero (TM). I should have taken that as a warning sign.
While taking notes for this review, I jotted down "80s Romance Hero--quote line for illustration." How about "I want you and nothing can stop me?"
How about--
"He's coming to claim his prize."
5 pages later : Yet, in a tiny corner of her mind lay the knowledge that he had manipulated her, using the gifts of the Sea Forest [aka an herb, or what we here in the 21st century might call a roofie or a date rape drug] to get what he wanted...so did Korl pound himself into her, trying to lay a claim, and Mahri fighting it all the way. (p146)
It's a bad sign when we're not even at page 150 of a romance novel and I want the hero to die. Sure, Korl is sort of called out on this behavior--in an "Oh, you" slap on the wrist way. Oh, sure, the narrative seems to say, Mahri's just having a temperamental tantrum over being seduced via drug, she'll come to her senses and return to him soon. She spends a few chapters making him suffer, not so much for raping her as for his privileged princely perspective in general. Still, I decided to give this story a chance--partially because I knew I was going to write something scathing and felt it was only fair to hear the full story first.
The full scathing review, which talks about rape scenes in romance and erotic in general, continues at my blog. But the most pertinent bit--the fact that I will give 1-star reviews to books which try to portray rape scenes as evidence of the hero's love in anotherwise vanilla-friendly romance--has been established, I think.
December 6, 2008
I find this a hard book to classify. The description says it's "paranormal romance" but, to me, paranormal romance is (1) set on earth, and (2) involves paranormal creatures of the vampire, werewolf, or faerie ilks. This book is set on an alien planet, but it's definitely a romance. So maybe SF/Futuristic Romance?
The story itself is pretty simple. Girl from a remote village kidnaps a doctor from the city to save her dying people. Last time there was a disease like this the doctors refused to come, and the girl's husband and child died. She refuses to let any more of her people die. The twist - the doctor she kidnaps is the crown prince. *g*
The unique part of this book isn't the plot, it's the setting, the world building. Their world is an ocean where enormous trees have grown tightly together. People live in the trees, and navigate between the trees by poling through the currents between them. It's a fascinating ecosystem.
There is also a magic. Chewing a local root lets some individuals shape their world - manipulating the currents, carving text into bone with power alone, or just enhancing combat abilities.
Basically, it's a fascinating world to visit for awhile. So those who like a big helping of sf/fantasy with their romance, or a big dip of romance with their sf/fantasy (Hmmm, I'd love a Reece's cup ...) will certainly enjoy this one.
X-posted to LJ.
The story itself is pretty simple. Girl from a remote village kidnaps a doctor from the city to save her dying people. Last time there was a disease like this the doctors refused to come, and the girl's husband and child died. She refuses to let any more of her people die. The twist - the doctor she kidnaps is the crown prince. *g*
The unique part of this book isn't the plot, it's the setting, the world building. Their world is an ocean where enormous trees have grown tightly together. People live in the trees, and navigate between the trees by poling through the currents between them. It's a fascinating ecosystem.
There is also a magic. Chewing a local root lets some individuals shape their world - manipulating the currents, carving text into bone with power alone, or just enhancing combat abilities.
Basically, it's a fascinating world to visit for awhile. So those who like a big helping of sf/fantasy with their romance, or a big dip of romance with their sf/fantasy (Hmmm, I'd love a Reece's cup ...) will certainly enjoy this one.
X-posted to LJ.
May 12, 2012
I gIanced at the other reviews for this book, and it surprised me how many people disliked Mahri for being stubborn, but no one (that I saw) said anything about all the times Korl forced her to do what he wanted. Including drugging her to sleep with him. SERIOUSLY?? This is supposed to be a heroic prince/healer? He forces her to dance with him, he forces her to kiss him, he forces her to , he even forces her to eat. I would say there was only one actually romantic moment in the entire book. Maaybe two. The rest was (as Mahri even admits) purely lust. Through this book, there's so much being done to this girl without her consent (even if she's drooling over him with lust, when she's saying no, it's not consenting), and people dislike her because she resists?
This book gets two stars because I liked the setting.
This book gets two stars because I liked the setting.
April 29, 2020
**2.5 stars, because Jaja
This was ... I'm not sure how to describe it. I've enjoyed Kennedy's other books, and this one sounded like it'd be more of the same in a new world. But ... it's not? It was a fast read (Libby says I read it in 5hrs 49mins), and I kept reading and reading - but more because it was akin to getting sucked into a trainwreck of a movie. It felt rushed, with a lot of repetitive descriptions, and some occasionally disturbing "chemistry" between our leads.
Jaja, the strange little "pet" of Mahri, was much needed comic relief while also being the only sensible character in the story. (Well, the sister-in-law was pretty great too. But she was barely on the page.)
So ... yeah ... I'm just not sure about this one. Sigh.
This was ... I'm not sure how to describe it. I've enjoyed Kennedy's other books, and this one sounded like it'd be more of the same in a new world. But ... it's not? It was a fast read (Libby says I read it in 5hrs 49mins), and I kept reading and reading - but more because it was akin to getting sucked into a trainwreck of a movie. It felt rushed, with a lot of repetitive descriptions, and some occasionally disturbing "chemistry" between our leads.
Jaja, the strange little "pet" of Mahri, was much needed comic relief while also being the only sensible character in the story. (Well, the sister-in-law was pretty great too. But she was barely on the page.)
So ... yeah ... I'm just not sure about this one. Sigh.
March 31, 2011
I fell in love with Ms. Kennedy after reading The Fire Lord's Lover. I can't tell yall enough, read it. If you like the fae and adult fairy tale type love stories -- read this one.
With that said, I wanted to experience more of Ms. Kennedy while waiting for the next book in the Fire Lord series. There are quite a few to pick from, none of them cheap at $5 plus on Kindle but I trusted her other fans and went for this one.
This story features a magical, watery world. Our hero, Mahri is a smuggler of zabba root. This root has the ability to open the mind of the user to magic and provide them the ability to control certain elements such as healing at the cellular level. She is from a poor village in the swamps where people are dying of a treatable fever. She has lost her husband and child already and is desperate to bring a Master Healer to her people. She decides to kidnap one since asking got her no where. You see, in the capital city where the royal family rules in splendor, Mahri's people are considered 'tailor trash' and called water rats. It is illegal for her kind to eat the root or have posession of it. Mahri steals into the city and abducts the first healer she finds in the Healer Tree. It turns out he is not a Master Healer but a novice and he is the prince and future king. His name is Kohl and he is our hero. The story captures their journey back to her village and the bond that is forced upon them. A bond that Mahri fights to the last page of the this book.
Now, here is were I had a problem. Ms. Kennedy literally meant 'watery world' with people living in trees. It is a beautiful and creative world filled with expertly crafted wonders. It was like having the beautiful things on the ocean floor existing above water but still part of it. I loved the strange combinations of animals and plants but got sick of the water. I am aquaphobic so I don't enjoy water in general so it became a distration as it was so evident in every scene.
I won't punish Ms. Kennedy for creating this wet world that I could not get into so I did not weigh it in my rating. I gave this book 3 stars because the bad guys came and went too quick. They were not developed and their scenes were too few and short. The sex scenes were mostly about the desire leading to the act not the act itself. I felt a little cheated. I loved the chemistry between Mahri and Kohl. The love story was well paced and hard fought. Overall, it was a good book and proved that Ms. Kennedy is legit in her skills. I would not hesitate to invest another $5 in her work inspite of the fact that this one was not for me and her books can't be loaned on Kindle.
With that said, I wanted to experience more of Ms. Kennedy while waiting for the next book in the Fire Lord series. There are quite a few to pick from, none of them cheap at $5 plus on Kindle but I trusted her other fans and went for this one.
This story features a magical, watery world. Our hero, Mahri is a smuggler of zabba root. This root has the ability to open the mind of the user to magic and provide them the ability to control certain elements such as healing at the cellular level. She is from a poor village in the swamps where people are dying of a treatable fever. She has lost her husband and child already and is desperate to bring a Master Healer to her people. She decides to kidnap one since asking got her no where. You see, in the capital city where the royal family rules in splendor, Mahri's people are considered 'tailor trash' and called water rats. It is illegal for her kind to eat the root or have posession of it. Mahri steals into the city and abducts the first healer she finds in the Healer Tree. It turns out he is not a Master Healer but a novice and he is the prince and future king. His name is Kohl and he is our hero. The story captures their journey back to her village and the bond that is forced upon them. A bond that Mahri fights to the last page of the this book.
Now, here is were I had a problem. Ms. Kennedy literally meant 'watery world' with people living in trees. It is a beautiful and creative world filled with expertly crafted wonders. It was like having the beautiful things on the ocean floor existing above water but still part of it. I loved the strange combinations of animals and plants but got sick of the water. I am aquaphobic so I don't enjoy water in general so it became a distration as it was so evident in every scene.
I won't punish Ms. Kennedy for creating this wet world that I could not get into so I did not weigh it in my rating. I gave this book 3 stars because the bad guys came and went too quick. They were not developed and their scenes were too few and short. The sex scenes were mostly about the desire leading to the act not the act itself. I felt a little cheated. I loved the chemistry between Mahri and Kohl. The love story was well paced and hard fought. Overall, it was a good book and proved that Ms. Kennedy is legit in her skills. I would not hesitate to invest another $5 in her work inspite of the fact that this one was not for me and her books can't be loaned on Kindle.
December 4, 2010
Mahri Zin and her people are desperate for a healer. Mahri knows that if she does not find one soon, it could be too late. Mahri knows that any healer she finds will no go willingly with her, so she kidnaps one. Unfortunately, Mahri ends up kidnapping not only a healer but Prince Korl Com’nder of the Sea Forest. Can Mahri convince Korl to help her people?
Beneath the Thirteen Moons is the latest novel from author, Kathryne Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy just keeps getting better and better with each book. When Mahri was jealous of Korl and all the attention he was receiving from the woman of her village, I was laughing. Mahri would not admit that she liked Korl, so she would pout, which was funny. Korl knew just how to push Mahri’s buttons without going too far. For being a Prince, Korl was cool. He and Mahri were a good match together. I wished that I had a pet like Jaja. He was so cool. Beneath the Thirteen Moons is one part paranormal, one part magical, one part romance and one hundred percent delightful good reading!
Beneath the Thirteen Moons is the latest novel from author, Kathryne Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy just keeps getting better and better with each book. When Mahri was jealous of Korl and all the attention he was receiving from the woman of her village, I was laughing. Mahri would not admit that she liked Korl, so she would pout, which was funny. Korl knew just how to push Mahri’s buttons without going too far. For being a Prince, Korl was cool. He and Mahri were a good match together. I wished that I had a pet like Jaja. He was so cool. Beneath the Thirteen Moons is one part paranormal, one part magical, one part romance and one hundred percent delightful good reading!
January 9, 2011
Romance novels are a bit silly and Kathryne Kennedy isn't afraid to take risks. If you're willing to dive into this world where magical powers exist and can be harvested, harnessed through the consumption of special rare foods -- which somehow reminded me a bit of Dune -- and join Mahri as she navigates dangerous waters under time pressure to bring the healer to her village, you'll find Beneath the Thirteen Moons a light, fun escape. The attraction, the gentle banter, the obstacles and unusual characters combine to give an engaging and satisfying romance.
ISBN-10: 1402236514 - Mass Market Paperback $7.99
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (December 1, 2010), 384 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.
ISBN-10: 1402236514 - Mass Market Paperback $7.99
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (December 1, 2010), 384 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.
February 23, 2012
This had SO much promise as a work of traditional fantasy, but the author ruined it by turning it into a romance. (And I LIKE romances!) I was so annoyed that the point of this story was getting the heroine to surrender her heart to the hero. It should have been an action-oriented fantasy about securing the hero's throne and changing their society together. Bleh!
The cool part about this book is the world Ms. Kennedy imagined. It's a water world with giant trees anchoring life to it. Everyhing lives in the trees or water - there is no land. Humans colonized a long time ago and the native people have been serving them ever since - but with a twist. The water creatures are impressive, and the magic aspects really interesting. Too bad the romance bored me. Very cliched.
The cool part about this book is the world Ms. Kennedy imagined. It's a water world with giant trees anchoring life to it. Everyhing lives in the trees or water - there is no land. Humans colonized a long time ago and the native people have been serving them ever since - but with a twist. The water creatures are impressive, and the magic aspects really interesting. Too bad the romance bored me. Very cliched.
December 22, 2010
I like the word Kathryne Kennedy created in this book above everything else. She wrote wonderful characters and gripping plot but the love and execution she put into Sea Forest. I think the intricacies of the different caste systems and the magical way the world is brought to life is the crowning jewel of this book.
The take Ms. Kennedy weaves keeps the readers entranced. I enjoyed both Korl and Mahri's characters and I enjoyed watching them get to know each other and fall in love, despite their immense differences. I think that this fantastic romance is simple, clean, and a nice light read for anyone who wants something different than the everyday paranormal romance.
The take Ms. Kennedy weaves keeps the readers entranced. I enjoyed both Korl and Mahri's characters and I enjoyed watching them get to know each other and fall in love, despite their immense differences. I think that this fantastic romance is simple, clean, and a nice light read for anyone who wants something different than the everyday paranormal romance.
November 4, 2011
I got this book immediately after reading The Fire Lords Lover, which I loved, so I had high expectations for Beneath Thirteen Moons. It was a disappointment. Although the world created in this book is unique it is not developed in enough detail. However, the main reason for the low rating is the characters, especially Mahri who I hated as a lead character.
April 18, 2020
This was a new genre for me. Is it Fantasy Romance SciFi Dystopian? I don’t know but I liked it. At first I couldn’t understand people living in trees? People doing shrooms? Sounds like California. Where they small people like The Littles? Were The Natives trolls?
Despite all the questions I had in my head, I still found myself not wanting to put it down. The nature/ocean/strong woman not wanting to feel loss, or controlled by a man, wants to remain independent, and live on a boat - only wants a man for pleasure - well it resonated with me. I actually cried towards the end because, you really can’t forget a man with a defined chin.
Despite all the questions I had in my head, I still found myself not wanting to put it down. The nature/ocean/strong woman not wanting to feel loss, or controlled by a man, wants to remain independent, and live on a boat - only wants a man for pleasure - well it resonated with me. I actually cried towards the end because, you really can’t forget a man with a defined chin.
June 17, 2022
Such a Magical Story
I love this book! I've read it twice now and I know that I'll read it many more times. Kathryn builds such beautiful, magical worlds that envelop you wonder, delight, and beauty. And ahh the love!!! So very satisfying! 💜
I love this book! I've read it twice now and I know that I'll read it many more times. Kathryn builds such beautiful, magical worlds that envelop you wonder, delight, and beauty. And ahh the love!!! So very satisfying! 💜
dnf
June 3, 2017I couldn't care about this earlier on and negative reviews convinced me to stop reading
books-i-started-but-never-finished
December 27, 2020DNF-ed at 15% on the 27th of December
May 13, 2021
Wonderfully imagined world, intriguing engaging characters and vividly written plot. This author's storytelling is to be savored!
June 7, 2021
Pleasantly surprised. She created a whole new world that was beautiful and believable. I loved that the characters stayed true to themselves and that I couldn’t put it down!
July 21, 2011
I always look forward to reading a Kathryne Kennedy book. She’s one of those authors who has a stunning imagination and is able to bring all her ideas and concepts to the printed page perfectly. This book is no exception. Ms. Kennedy has once again given readers characters and a story they’ve not read before. She definitely has the magic touch.
In this book her world is a planet of water with trees growing in forests up through the water. This is where her characters make their homes, carving out what they need in the gigantic trees that also have other characteristics to help out Marhi and her people. Marhi is a water-rat. She’s lived in the swamps and waterways all of her life, can navigate her way through the channels like nobody’s business, is a smuggler of the zabbaroot - a root, when eaten, that gives certain humans powers to do incredible things. What Mahri is unable to do is heal, so she must find a healer to save her village.
With kidnapping on her mind, since that’s the only way to appropriate a healer, she heads to the city under cover of night. As luck would have it - actually, her bad luck - she stalks off with none other than the heir apparent of Sea Forest. What’s done is done, and their return journey is one of the most fantastic to read about. At nearly every turn they run into either trouble or sights unbelievable and beautiful. Ms. Kennedy does a wonderful job of describing such scenes, you can see it all clear as day as you read.
At first Korl is, of course, not happy to have been woken from his sleep only to be thrown into chaos by the prettiest water-rat he’s ever seen. He’s a Royal and has always had the best of everything, but he’s about to have an attitude change not only in getting to know Mahri but also when he sees her village, to know her people and how they live. It’s his attraction to Mahri that’s the biggest change of all. He knows instantly this woman is for him, despite her denials and refusals of assurance that he’s wrong. Successfully healing those in need, Korl and Mahri then spend time together in her world before she realizes the only way to keep the man out of her system is to take him home and fervently hope he will not betray them to his world.
Mahri does believe Korl has betrayed her, she’ll be tortured and executed by the Royals, as many of her kind have been in the past. But what she ends up walking into the middle of is a Bonding ceremony, something she doesn’t want either, even despite Korl’s asking for her trust. She doesn’t want to lose her independence, herself, body and soul, as happened with her now deceased lifemate. The ceremony is carried out and Mahri feels trapped in so many ways. It’s when Korl can no longer keep her in his care because of her unhappiness that he lets her go, hoping she will one day return to him.
As much as I like this entire book, it’s this last quarter of it that really shined for me. From the moment Korl tells Mahri he realizes she’s miserable and tells her about a caged bird from their history, the emotion of the story really comes out. Korl is certain Mahri will return to him, but Mahri, after watching the light in his window that he said he’d burn every night until her return, finally knows the only way to get the man out of her life is to get as far away as possible. She heads to the Beyond, an ocean of unknown never truly explored before. Even against dire warnings she’s determined to face that unknown head on and she may never return.
I love the connection Korl and Mahri have since their Bonding, which is tested in this last part of the book. Korl’s arrogance and certainty of his love for Mahri warmed my heart. Mahri’s vulnerability where men and commitment are concerned, mixed with her independence and stubbornness, make her a real woman who deserves such love. At first I thought the fact that the hero is not the tortured hero like Ms. Kennedy created in Dominic in The Fire Lord’s Lover would keep me from liking this book as much as that one, but she gave me so many other facets from her imagination I should have known better than to doubt.
If you’re a fan of Ms. Kennedy’s previous books, you will put this one on your keeper shelf along with all of her others. If you’ve yet to read her work, you should. You get it all when you read Kathryne Kennedy. It’s magic at its best.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
In this book her world is a planet of water with trees growing in forests up through the water. This is where her characters make their homes, carving out what they need in the gigantic trees that also have other characteristics to help out Marhi and her people. Marhi is a water-rat. She’s lived in the swamps and waterways all of her life, can navigate her way through the channels like nobody’s business, is a smuggler of the zabbaroot - a root, when eaten, that gives certain humans powers to do incredible things. What Mahri is unable to do is heal, so she must find a healer to save her village.
With kidnapping on her mind, since that’s the only way to appropriate a healer, she heads to the city under cover of night. As luck would have it - actually, her bad luck - she stalks off with none other than the heir apparent of Sea Forest. What’s done is done, and their return journey is one of the most fantastic to read about. At nearly every turn they run into either trouble or sights unbelievable and beautiful. Ms. Kennedy does a wonderful job of describing such scenes, you can see it all clear as day as you read.
At first Korl is, of course, not happy to have been woken from his sleep only to be thrown into chaos by the prettiest water-rat he’s ever seen. He’s a Royal and has always had the best of everything, but he’s about to have an attitude change not only in getting to know Mahri but also when he sees her village, to know her people and how they live. It’s his attraction to Mahri that’s the biggest change of all. He knows instantly this woman is for him, despite her denials and refusals of assurance that he’s wrong. Successfully healing those in need, Korl and Mahri then spend time together in her world before she realizes the only way to keep the man out of her system is to take him home and fervently hope he will not betray them to his world.
Mahri does believe Korl has betrayed her, she’ll be tortured and executed by the Royals, as many of her kind have been in the past. But what she ends up walking into the middle of is a Bonding ceremony, something she doesn’t want either, even despite Korl’s asking for her trust. She doesn’t want to lose her independence, herself, body and soul, as happened with her now deceased lifemate. The ceremony is carried out and Mahri feels trapped in so many ways. It’s when Korl can no longer keep her in his care because of her unhappiness that he lets her go, hoping she will one day return to him.
As much as I like this entire book, it’s this last quarter of it that really shined for me. From the moment Korl tells Mahri he realizes she’s miserable and tells her about a caged bird from their history, the emotion of the story really comes out. Korl is certain Mahri will return to him, but Mahri, after watching the light in his window that he said he’d burn every night until her return, finally knows the only way to get the man out of her life is to get as far away as possible. She heads to the Beyond, an ocean of unknown never truly explored before. Even against dire warnings she’s determined to face that unknown head on and she may never return.
I love the connection Korl and Mahri have since their Bonding, which is tested in this last part of the book. Korl’s arrogance and certainty of his love for Mahri warmed my heart. Mahri’s vulnerability where men and commitment are concerned, mixed with her independence and stubbornness, make her a real woman who deserves such love. At first I thought the fact that the hero is not the tortured hero like Ms. Kennedy created in Dominic in The Fire Lord’s Lover would keep me from liking this book as much as that one, but she gave me so many other facets from her imagination I should have known better than to doubt.
If you’re a fan of Ms. Kennedy’s previous books, you will put this one on your keeper shelf along with all of her others. If you’ve yet to read her work, you should. You get it all when you read Kathryne Kennedy. It’s magic at its best.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
December 1, 2010
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
If you are like me and kicking yourself for missing Beneath the Thirteen Moons in its first incarnation, then now you can rest easy because Kathryne Kennedy’s first book is available once more. And I for one am thrilled to finally be able to get this book in my hot little hands.
Mahri Zin is a swamp rat, making ends meet as a smuggler of zabba root, prized for the power it gives the user to See into the minds of others and influence the environment. She’s proud and she’s a wilding, able to use zabba’s power far more than most people, as yet unaffected by overdosing as happens to so many others. Now her village has been struck ill and is in desperate need of a healer. Mahri has no qualms about kidnapping a healer to save her people, though she gets a little bit more than she bargained for in the process.
Prince Korl Com’nder has the gift of healing, but he also has a duty to his family as rulers of the Sea Forest. He’s always been granted anything he desired, so he gets a rude awakening, quite literally one night, when he is kidnapped by an outlaw who demands he save her family and their village from a terrible illness striking them down. The last thing he wants is to be whisked away into the expansive waters of their world, though he soon finds out that is exactly what he needs.
Now Korl and Mahri must join forces to save Mahri’s village, and defeat an enemy determined to steal the crown rightfully belonging to Prince Korl. However, there is only one way to do both of those things, and it comes with a price that means permanent changes to both their hearts and their lives.
Beneath the Thirteen Moons is a beautifully told and incredibly realized fantasy world from The imagination of a master, Kathryne Kennedy. The Sea Forest planet is a world inhabited by humans crash-landed there so long ago they no longer remember their original home. The landscape is so brilliantly done that I was right there with Mahri on her adventures. The world is so amazingly vivid that I had no difficulty imagining the beauty of the world and its inhabitants. I especially loved the natives of this striking land. We don’t start seeing them until later in the story but they were so exotic, compared to Mahri’s people.
Korl and Mahri have an immediate attraction, though Mahri is resistant for so long, convinced she had no need for a partner again, after losing her mate. They are consistently at odds in the beginning and I loved watching the fireworks as Korl’s royal pride clashes with Mahri’s determination to save her village. Korl knows right away he desires Mahri, no matter how resistant she is to his charms. Seeing the relationship develop between this couple, as Mahri comes to terms with her growing love for Korl, makes for many sigh-worthy moments. The character growth happens gradually throughout the novel until both Korl and Mahri reach the point where we know their love will carry them through everything thrown their way.
Beneath the Thirteen Moons is a delightfully entertaining blend of fast paced action and tender emotion, interspersed with plenty of humor (most often in the form of Mahri’s scene-stealing companion, the monkfish Jaja), and breathtaking intrigue. All of the elements I’ve come to expect from Kathryne Kennedy are here, and it is evident that her skill for painting magical worlds was present from the beginning, only growing and becoming more sophisticated with time and practice. I so thoroughly enjoyed my travels to the world of the Sea Forest that I hope we get a chance to come back for a visit in some later book.
© Kelley A. Hartsell, November 2010. All rights reserved.
If you are like me and kicking yourself for missing Beneath the Thirteen Moons in its first incarnation, then now you can rest easy because Kathryne Kennedy’s first book is available once more. And I for one am thrilled to finally be able to get this book in my hot little hands.
Mahri Zin is a swamp rat, making ends meet as a smuggler of zabba root, prized for the power it gives the user to See into the minds of others and influence the environment. She’s proud and she’s a wilding, able to use zabba’s power far more than most people, as yet unaffected by overdosing as happens to so many others. Now her village has been struck ill and is in desperate need of a healer. Mahri has no qualms about kidnapping a healer to save her people, though she gets a little bit more than she bargained for in the process.
Prince Korl Com’nder has the gift of healing, but he also has a duty to his family as rulers of the Sea Forest. He’s always been granted anything he desired, so he gets a rude awakening, quite literally one night, when he is kidnapped by an outlaw who demands he save her family and their village from a terrible illness striking them down. The last thing he wants is to be whisked away into the expansive waters of their world, though he soon finds out that is exactly what he needs.
Now Korl and Mahri must join forces to save Mahri’s village, and defeat an enemy determined to steal the crown rightfully belonging to Prince Korl. However, there is only one way to do both of those things, and it comes with a price that means permanent changes to both their hearts and their lives.
Beneath the Thirteen Moons is a beautifully told and incredibly realized fantasy world from The imagination of a master, Kathryne Kennedy. The Sea Forest planet is a world inhabited by humans crash-landed there so long ago they no longer remember their original home. The landscape is so brilliantly done that I was right there with Mahri on her adventures. The world is so amazingly vivid that I had no difficulty imagining the beauty of the world and its inhabitants. I especially loved the natives of this striking land. We don’t start seeing them until later in the story but they were so exotic, compared to Mahri’s people.
Korl and Mahri have an immediate attraction, though Mahri is resistant for so long, convinced she had no need for a partner again, after losing her mate. They are consistently at odds in the beginning and I loved watching the fireworks as Korl’s royal pride clashes with Mahri’s determination to save her village. Korl knows right away he desires Mahri, no matter how resistant she is to his charms. Seeing the relationship develop between this couple, as Mahri comes to terms with her growing love for Korl, makes for many sigh-worthy moments. The character growth happens gradually throughout the novel until both Korl and Mahri reach the point where we know their love will carry them through everything thrown their way.
Beneath the Thirteen Moons is a delightfully entertaining blend of fast paced action and tender emotion, interspersed with plenty of humor (most often in the form of Mahri’s scene-stealing companion, the monkfish Jaja), and breathtaking intrigue. All of the elements I’ve come to expect from Kathryne Kennedy are here, and it is evident that her skill for painting magical worlds was present from the beginning, only growing and becoming more sophisticated with time and practice. I so thoroughly enjoyed my travels to the world of the Sea Forest that I hope we get a chance to come back for a visit in some later book.
© Kelley A. Hartsell, November 2010. All rights reserved.
August 14, 2025
Mahri is desperate to not let the past repeat itself and she'll do anything she can to stop it from
being so. She's already lost her lifemate and child to the same sickness that is now threatening
the lives of the rest of her family and without the help of a healer, they too will die. Before,
she was denied their aid, now, she refuses to leave without taking a Healer with her. So she decides
to take matters into her own hands and kidnap the first Healer she sees, never imagining the man
is not just a Healer but a Prince!
Korl is an arrogant man but what can one expect from a Royal. Yet, he does help her on their escape
into the swamps despite the fact that she's his captive. Mahri has taken a lethal dose of Root in
order to make it as far as they did, and she needs to have some level of trust in this man that
his vow to Heal those who need it means her eventual death won't be for nothing.
Though something remarkable happens that will alter both Mahri's and Korls lives forever. See, Korl had fallen in love with whom we refers to as his water rat and he refuses to let her die. So he Bonds with her which saves her life. Now Mahri must find her way in the world of the Royals in the same way Kori found his way in the life of the peasants. The battle is hard for her to learn to trust
and understand her own feelings for a man who is so far beyond what a water rat can expect. But
without that trust, what the pair have built over months together will fall apart and with it, the
hopes for a better world.
I found this book to be challenging because of it's lackluster plot line. It only consisted of
both characters basically over dosing on Root and at the same time both being absolutely obsessed
with each other and stubbornly determined to distance themselves from their feelings. It just didn't
end up leading to anything in my opinion. The villian - the half sister and her bid for the crown-
was a complete waste of time. The prejudice between the swap people and the Royals were also rather easy to overcome so the only real problem facing Korl and Mahri was Mahri's pride and stubborn blindness towards trusting Korl. She did everything she could to push him away and even when she did finally succumb to her own feelings at the end, I didn't even really feel like it was 100% what she wanted to do.
The world was nice though with descriptions of the rivers, the trees and the creatures which make
the swamps their home. The Lore was a bit challenging to get into at first but eventually I did
get the hang of it. My struggle was with the repetitive story and the feeling that the progression
was slow and not enough to keep my interest.
being so. She's already lost her lifemate and child to the same sickness that is now threatening
the lives of the rest of her family and without the help of a healer, they too will die. Before,
she was denied their aid, now, she refuses to leave without taking a Healer with her. So she decides
to take matters into her own hands and kidnap the first Healer she sees, never imagining the man
is not just a Healer but a Prince!
Korl is an arrogant man but what can one expect from a Royal. Yet, he does help her on their escape
into the swamps despite the fact that she's his captive. Mahri has taken a lethal dose of Root in
order to make it as far as they did, and she needs to have some level of trust in this man that
his vow to Heal those who need it means her eventual death won't be for nothing.
Though something remarkable happens that will alter both Mahri's and Korls lives forever. See, Korl had fallen in love with whom we refers to as his water rat and he refuses to let her die. So he Bonds with her which saves her life. Now Mahri must find her way in the world of the Royals in the same way Kori found his way in the life of the peasants. The battle is hard for her to learn to trust
and understand her own feelings for a man who is so far beyond what a water rat can expect. But
without that trust, what the pair have built over months together will fall apart and with it, the
hopes for a better world.
I found this book to be challenging because of it's lackluster plot line. It only consisted of
both characters basically over dosing on Root and at the same time both being absolutely obsessed
with each other and stubbornly determined to distance themselves from their feelings. It just didn't
end up leading to anything in my opinion. The villian - the half sister and her bid for the crown-
was a complete waste of time. The prejudice between the swap people and the Royals were also rather easy to overcome so the only real problem facing Korl and Mahri was Mahri's pride and stubborn blindness towards trusting Korl. She did everything she could to push him away and even when she did finally succumb to her own feelings at the end, I didn't even really feel like it was 100% what she wanted to do.
The world was nice though with descriptions of the rivers, the trees and the creatures which make
the swamps their home. The Lore was a bit challenging to get into at first but eventually I did
get the hang of it. My struggle was with the repetitive story and the feeling that the progression
was slow and not enough to keep my interest.
November 28, 2010
Let me say first off that I am very particular about what I read and watch in the category of SciFi/Fantasy and I really was hesitant about reading this because of my peculiar tastes. I have to give credit where credit is due as I absolutely loved this book in almost every way possible. This is a rare gem hidden behind a beautiful cover and it's shine is so brilliant that it will ignite your interest right from the beginning. It's a romance that will take you on a colorful 3D journey through some very vivid scenes of rare beauty and ugly, dangerous reality. Have I got your interest yet?
Mahri Zin is a striking red headed water rat from the out reaches of citified existence. She is a rarity in the world of magic and avoided by just about everyone due to her wild nature. She loves her people and would do anything for them including laying down her life to save each and every person in her village. She has courage that would overflow the largest of oceans and a rare perception of what beauty really is.
Korl Com'nder has lived a life of luxury as that befitting a royal. Gifted with the ability to Heal puts Korl in the right place at the wrong time when a striking red head decides to kidnap a Healer. Yanked from his bed and dropped out of a tree starts off a relationship that is reminiscent of someone waking up on the wrong side of the bed. A lot of mistrust between the hostage and his thief take them on a journey of unknown places that will leave not only them in awe but you the reader as well.
Kathryn Kennedy has done more than a superb job in this book. When I first started reading it I was absolutely stunned by the vivid 3D descriptions of sights, sounds, smells and touch that I really felt could see this being a great movie. It reminded me of the great experience I had of watching Avatar and all it's colors, smells, and dangers that abounded in plenty. With rapt attention not only to what was going on around the characters but also of their budding romantic relationship made me reluctant to put the book down to even sleep. This is one author I will keep a sharp eye on for more good reads to entice my appetite in the future.
Mahri Zin is a striking red headed water rat from the out reaches of citified existence. She is a rarity in the world of magic and avoided by just about everyone due to her wild nature. She loves her people and would do anything for them including laying down her life to save each and every person in her village. She has courage that would overflow the largest of oceans and a rare perception of what beauty really is.
Korl Com'nder has lived a life of luxury as that befitting a royal. Gifted with the ability to Heal puts Korl in the right place at the wrong time when a striking red head decides to kidnap a Healer. Yanked from his bed and dropped out of a tree starts off a relationship that is reminiscent of someone waking up on the wrong side of the bed. A lot of mistrust between the hostage and his thief take them on a journey of unknown places that will leave not only them in awe but you the reader as well.
Kathryn Kennedy has done more than a superb job in this book. When I first started reading it I was absolutely stunned by the vivid 3D descriptions of sights, sounds, smells and touch that I really felt could see this being a great movie. It reminded me of the great experience I had of watching Avatar and all it's colors, smells, and dangers that abounded in plenty. With rapt attention not only to what was going on around the characters but also of their budding romantic relationship made me reluctant to put the book down to even sleep. This is one author I will keep a sharp eye on for more good reads to entice my appetite in the future.
December 8, 2010
Plot:
Mahri needs a healer for her village and by mistake she kidnaps the crownprince, there is instant lust between these. But he is a royal that has everything and she is just a low water-rat.
My thoughts:
I do confess that it was not as good as her last book, but then this is an old book that has been re-issued so she has become a better writer, but the book is still good, and the world she creates is pure magic. Truly something I have not experienced in a while. I want to see it on a big screen, I fear my imagination could only take me so far. The world is hard to describe, 13 moons, trees growing out from the ocean and people living in them, beneath them the ocean beasts. The world is filled with wonders.
Mahri is a strong independent widow who does not want to love and loose again. But she and Korl are meant for each other but she fights it with every muscle. He realizes his love and yields to it. But I understand her, she is not him, she lives in a swamp, he in a palace. And even a golden cage would be a cage for her. She is a runner, I will give out that. But I understand her. And I do love a man who will give up everything. Of course these two have one rocky romance, they are so different.
I have already told you the world is pure magic, what a creation. For some reason I thought of Avatar, well had to think of something even though they are nothing alike. It came more when Mahri got the information that her people came from the sky in fire. Therefore the hint of sci-fi, but the technology is long go. Now they use magic they get from a root found in the swamp.
Final thoughts and recommendation:
Ok yes there is the romance, but honestly, the world intrigued me more. So that was my fav part in this book. I am a sucker for good world-building. Cos of that I will give it a 3,5. It was interesting, and something for lovers of fantasy romance, and sci-fi since even if there was not any sci-fi in it I had that alien feeling all way through.
Reason for reading:
Liked her other book
Cover:
I like the colors but the man, I mean he stands there and saying come here looking at my nipple...no.
Mahri needs a healer for her village and by mistake she kidnaps the crownprince, there is instant lust between these. But he is a royal that has everything and she is just a low water-rat.
My thoughts:
I do confess that it was not as good as her last book, but then this is an old book that has been re-issued so she has become a better writer, but the book is still good, and the world she creates is pure magic. Truly something I have not experienced in a while. I want to see it on a big screen, I fear my imagination could only take me so far. The world is hard to describe, 13 moons, trees growing out from the ocean and people living in them, beneath them the ocean beasts. The world is filled with wonders.
Mahri is a strong independent widow who does not want to love and loose again. But she and Korl are meant for each other but she fights it with every muscle. He realizes his love and yields to it. But I understand her, she is not him, she lives in a swamp, he in a palace. And even a golden cage would be a cage for her. She is a runner, I will give out that. But I understand her. And I do love a man who will give up everything. Of course these two have one rocky romance, they are so different.
I have already told you the world is pure magic, what a creation. For some reason I thought of Avatar, well had to think of something even though they are nothing alike. It came more when Mahri got the information that her people came from the sky in fire. Therefore the hint of sci-fi, but the technology is long go. Now they use magic they get from a root found in the swamp.
Final thoughts and recommendation:
Ok yes there is the romance, but honestly, the world intrigued me more. So that was my fav part in this book. I am a sucker for good world-building. Cos of that I will give it a 3,5. It was interesting, and something for lovers of fantasy romance, and sci-fi since even if there was not any sci-fi in it I had that alien feeling all way through.
Reason for reading:
Liked her other book
Cover:
I like the colors but the man, I mean he stands there and saying come here looking at my nipple...no.
December 14, 2010
THINGS I LIKED:
- I LOVE LOVE LOVE the world building it was awesome and inspiring. To create a world with 13 moons where the people either live in the swamp (poor class) or in the trees (rich class). She even went so far to create different looks and different amounts of power based on gentics. It was just awesome to read just the ecosystem alone she created would keep anyone interested. To create a world with 13 moons where the people either live in the swamp (poor class) or in the trees (rich class). She even went so far to create different looks and different amounts of power based on gentics.Then add to magical/power the people have through root they chew and you have a fantastic world that you either want to live in or visit.
- Jaja the pet who chose to live with Mahri is wonderful makes me want to have an animal that is more intelligent then me but still loves to be with me.
-I did enjoy the fact that even though Mahri had to be independent that she was willing to give all of that up in order to save her niece I think that spoke very highly of Mahri.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I hated the whole "I hate you so I am going to constantly tell you that you won't like me b/c I'm just a river rat and I will resent you for thinking that but everytime you look at me I want to rip my clothes off and make mad passionate love to you" The sad part is I actually understood the rip your clothes off but I hated how long Mahri kept going on and on about hating the Prince b/c he was a Prince she didn't even try to get to know him.
- I also didn't get the whole immature act I felt that Mahri gave us. For being a powerful magical person who has lost a loved one and son she just seemed to carry herself in the oh I am happy to be free but guilty for feeling that way but hate Korl but I love him and why is everyone making me do something I don't want to do...
- I LOVE LOVE LOVE the world building it was awesome and inspiring. To create a world with 13 moons where the people either live in the swamp (poor class) or in the trees (rich class). She even went so far to create different looks and different amounts of power based on gentics. It was just awesome to read just the ecosystem alone she created would keep anyone interested. To create a world with 13 moons where the people either live in the swamp (poor class) or in the trees (rich class). She even went so far to create different looks and different amounts of power based on gentics.Then add to magical/power the people have through root they chew and you have a fantastic world that you either want to live in or visit.
- Jaja the pet who chose to live with Mahri is wonderful makes me want to have an animal that is more intelligent then me but still loves to be with me.
-I did enjoy the fact that even though Mahri had to be independent that she was willing to give all of that up in order to save her niece I think that spoke very highly of Mahri.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I hated the whole "I hate you so I am going to constantly tell you that you won't like me b/c I'm just a river rat and I will resent you for thinking that but everytime you look at me I want to rip my clothes off and make mad passionate love to you" The sad part is I actually understood the rip your clothes off but I hated how long Mahri kept going on and on about hating the Prince b/c he was a Prince she didn't even try to get to know him.
- I also didn't get the whole immature act I felt that Mahri gave us. For being a powerful magical person who has lost a loved one and son she just seemed to carry herself in the oh I am happy to be free but guilty for feeling that way but hate Korl but I love him and why is everyone making me do something I don't want to do...
December 21, 2010
With dazzling descriptions, nonstop action and searing romance, Kathryne Kennedy's Beneath The Thirteen Moons thrusts you headlong on a dangerous journey in an extraordinary world brimming with wonders and treachery.
In the water world of Sea Forest, everyone lives in trees rooted on the ocean floor. Lowly Mahri needs a Healer to save her fellow villagers from the plague. But Healers are of the privileged upper classes, who do not deign to treat the downtrodden commoners. So, she kidnaps one. But, unknown to her, the Healer she captures is Korl, Royal heir to the king of Sea Forest.
Dodging pursuit from Korl's enemies and the myriad dangers of their world, she succeeds in bringing her prize home to her village. But attraction as overwhelming as it is forbidden grips them both. While Sea Forest teeters on the brink of radical change, Korl's and Mahri's warring desires become the focal point, and either the solution or doom, of their world.
The only word to describe this book is WOW! Ms. Kennedy has taken the traditional fantasy of chest-thumping hero and clinging heroine and turned it on its ear. The prime mover and shaker is the outlaw Mahri, smuggler of the proscribed zabba root, basis of the Royals' power. Korl is a Healer (c'mon, how often do you see a male healer?), and while not averse to using his fists when necessary, is also kind. Ms. Kennedy also weaves in more than enough romance to satisfy even the most rabid romance junkie.
The third character is Sea Forest itself. Richly imagined and bursting with exotic inhabitants, Ms. Kennedy's vibrant tapestry of a world is the only possible setting for this joy of a romance.
For a different take on fantasy and tons of fabulous romance, Beneath The Thirteen Moons is a welcome change from all the same-old, same-old out there.
ARC supplied by Sourcebooks
In the water world of Sea Forest, everyone lives in trees rooted on the ocean floor. Lowly Mahri needs a Healer to save her fellow villagers from the plague. But Healers are of the privileged upper classes, who do not deign to treat the downtrodden commoners. So, she kidnaps one. But, unknown to her, the Healer she captures is Korl, Royal heir to the king of Sea Forest.
Dodging pursuit from Korl's enemies and the myriad dangers of their world, she succeeds in bringing her prize home to her village. But attraction as overwhelming as it is forbidden grips them both. While Sea Forest teeters on the brink of radical change, Korl's and Mahri's warring desires become the focal point, and either the solution or doom, of their world.
The only word to describe this book is WOW! Ms. Kennedy has taken the traditional fantasy of chest-thumping hero and clinging heroine and turned it on its ear. The prime mover and shaker is the outlaw Mahri, smuggler of the proscribed zabba root, basis of the Royals' power. Korl is a Healer (c'mon, how often do you see a male healer?), and while not averse to using his fists when necessary, is also kind. Ms. Kennedy also weaves in more than enough romance to satisfy even the most rabid romance junkie.
The third character is Sea Forest itself. Richly imagined and bursting with exotic inhabitants, Ms. Kennedy's vibrant tapestry of a world is the only possible setting for this joy of a romance.
For a different take on fantasy and tons of fabulous romance, Beneath The Thirteen Moons is a welcome change from all the same-old, same-old out there.
ARC supplied by Sourcebooks
November 27, 2010
Beneath the Thirteen Moons by Kathryne Kennedy
Historical Romance – Dec. 1st, 2010
3 1/2 Stars
Mahri Zin is one of the outlaws and outcasts in the watery world of Sea Forest. After burying her own husband and child, Mahri Zin is feels driven to save the rest of her family and kidnaps a Healer from the royal city. Unfortunately, she ends up kidnapping the Crown Prince of Sea Forest! To make matter worse, Mahri Zin has to Bond with Prince Korl in order to save her village, forever combining their thoughts and minds. Now, Mahri Zin has the power to change her world if she is willing to set aside her reluctance and doubts. Can Mahri give up her old life up, marry the Prince, and change the caste system?
This is a trippy book. In the novel, to acquire magical like powers that can be used to either heal or manipulate the surroundings, the characters have to consume zabba root, which kind of makes them all high and lower their magical inhibitions. As I read it, I can’t help but think of marijuana and wonder if I consume enough of it, can I control the waters and the waves like Mahri? All jokes aside, it is definitely an interesting concept that makes the novel seem surreal and wild at the same time.
The novel centers mostly on Mahri and her journey to better her world. While Prince Korl is an important and believable character, he doesn’t engage me as much as Mahri does. I liked her guts and her spunky attitude. Perhaps it is because of her underdog status that you can't help but feel for her. This book has an intriguing world and is more fantasy with a dash of romance.
If you are looking for a well-written fantasy with an out-of-the-world atmosphere, you should definitely give this book a try.
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Historical Romance – Dec. 1st, 2010
3 1/2 Stars
Mahri Zin is one of the outlaws and outcasts in the watery world of Sea Forest. After burying her own husband and child, Mahri Zin is feels driven to save the rest of her family and kidnaps a Healer from the royal city. Unfortunately, she ends up kidnapping the Crown Prince of Sea Forest! To make matter worse, Mahri Zin has to Bond with Prince Korl in order to save her village, forever combining their thoughts and minds. Now, Mahri Zin has the power to change her world if she is willing to set aside her reluctance and doubts. Can Mahri give up her old life up, marry the Prince, and change the caste system?
This is a trippy book. In the novel, to acquire magical like powers that can be used to either heal or manipulate the surroundings, the characters have to consume zabba root, which kind of makes them all high and lower their magical inhibitions. As I read it, I can’t help but think of marijuana and wonder if I consume enough of it, can I control the waters and the waves like Mahri? All jokes aside, it is definitely an interesting concept that makes the novel seem surreal and wild at the same time.
The novel centers mostly on Mahri and her journey to better her world. While Prince Korl is an important and believable character, he doesn’t engage me as much as Mahri does. I liked her guts and her spunky attitude. Perhaps it is because of her underdog status that you can't help but feel for her. This book has an intriguing world and is more fantasy with a dash of romance.
If you are looking for a well-written fantasy with an out-of-the-world atmosphere, you should definitely give this book a try.
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
December 1, 2010
The Sea Forest world is magical land that is completely covered in water, where massive trees grow up from the ocean floor to support an entire eco-system within their branches. There is no ground: only roots, branches, and channels. Dwellings are carved into these magnificent trees. In this world there are two classes of humans: the Royals and the Water-rats. The Royals control everything, including the sacred zabbaroot, which gives those with tolerance to its poison, special mental abilities.
Ms. Kennedy has created an amazing and original mythology. The planet is lush, full of beautiful flora and fauna, unique creatures, and fascinating abilities. Mahri and Korl share a sexy and passionate bond. Both have faults - he is ignorant at times and completely arrogant, she is equally as willful and refuses to trust Korl - yet they both are genuine and likable. He is persistent in his demands for her body, mind, heart and soul. But Mahri doesn’t trust the Royal with her heart--thinking he only wants to control her. However, her physical attraction for Korl is undeniable, and when she eventually gives into her desires the sparks fly! The emotional connection between Mahri and Korl - their personal struggles for freedom and equality and for love and trust - make this a book worth reading. I truly enjoyed this entertaining tale.
My Rating: 4 stars: Really enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
For my full review, please visit my blog at http://twimom227.blogspot.com starting Dec. 2, 2010.
Ms. Kennedy has created an amazing and original mythology. The planet is lush, full of beautiful flora and fauna, unique creatures, and fascinating abilities. Mahri and Korl share a sexy and passionate bond. Both have faults - he is ignorant at times and completely arrogant, she is equally as willful and refuses to trust Korl - yet they both are genuine and likable. He is persistent in his demands for her body, mind, heart and soul. But Mahri doesn’t trust the Royal with her heart--thinking he only wants to control her. However, her physical attraction for Korl is undeniable, and when she eventually gives into her desires the sparks fly! The emotional connection between Mahri and Korl - their personal struggles for freedom and equality and for love and trust - make this a book worth reading. I truly enjoyed this entertaining tale.
My Rating: 4 stars: Really enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
For my full review, please visit my blog at http://twimom227.blogspot.com starting Dec. 2, 2010.
December 6, 2010
2.5 stars
I have read Kennedy's book, The Fire Lord's Lover, and was absolutely in love with it so I was very excited to read this one. Unfortunately it did not live up to my expectations. There was no real explanation about what this world was and you are left fumbling through the book trying to figure out what was so important about zabba root,who the river rats were and where this world came from. I almost felt like I had missed maybe another 100 pages that should have been at the beginning of the book. I also found Mahri irritating in that she played the "I hate you" card for so long with Korl yet every time she looks in his eyes she melts like butter. I felt like instead of showing how in love or attracted to him she was it just made her seem weak.
My favorite part of the book was Mahri's pet. He was adorable and cracked me up with his entire personality and his love of the food in the royal palace. Once we finally started getting to the interesting part of the story of what zabba root could do and how it could be used to attack one another the story was over. I really would have liked to see more of the conspiracy against Korl by his sister and her co-conspirator. That seemed like it would have been the most interesting part of the book.
All in all this was a disappointment after reading The Fire Lord's Lover but I will say Kennedy does come up with some great ideas and worlds. I just wish this one had been more developed.
I have read Kennedy's book, The Fire Lord's Lover, and was absolutely in love with it so I was very excited to read this one. Unfortunately it did not live up to my expectations. There was no real explanation about what this world was and you are left fumbling through the book trying to figure out what was so important about zabba root,who the river rats were and where this world came from. I almost felt like I had missed maybe another 100 pages that should have been at the beginning of the book. I also found Mahri irritating in that she played the "I hate you" card for so long with Korl yet every time she looks in his eyes she melts like butter. I felt like instead of showing how in love or attracted to him she was it just made her seem weak.
My favorite part of the book was Mahri's pet. He was adorable and cracked me up with his entire personality and his love of the food in the royal palace. Once we finally started getting to the interesting part of the story of what zabba root could do and how it could be used to attack one another the story was over. I really would have liked to see more of the conspiracy against Korl by his sister and her co-conspirator. That seemed like it would have been the most interesting part of the book.
All in all this was a disappointment after reading The Fire Lord's Lover but I will say Kennedy does come up with some great ideas and worlds. I just wish this one had been more developed.
September 4, 2018
Mahri Zin knows her place in the world, and although she hates the injustice of her outcast position, she loves the freedom that being a smuggler allows her. With little family left to her, Mahri is willing to risk everything to keep them safe. So when a deadly fever overwhelms her village, she doesn't think twice about venturing to the city to kidnap a healer. Little does she know the man she throws into her boat is a royal, and will make life royally difficult for her.
Kathryne Kennedy did a wonderful job at world creation in this novel. The reader is plunged right in on the first page and has to decipher foreign terms and outlandish phrases from the get-go, which immerses the reader immediately in the rich, alien world of Mahri and the dangerous, beautiful landscape she explores.
I was not as thrilled with the romance in this novel. There was plenty of it, and the scenes were well written and evocative. But I found the male counterpart, Korl, to be a flat and unattractive character, which was a shame because Mahri was such an independent, powerful character. There were also some questionable (read: triggering) scenes in the book that were unnecessary, and could have been avoided with a little tact and no loss to the flow of the story. Overall a good read for the world creation, but not a fan of Korl or his use of drugs to get a woman he loves.
Kathryne Kennedy did a wonderful job at world creation in this novel. The reader is plunged right in on the first page and has to decipher foreign terms and outlandish phrases from the get-go, which immerses the reader immediately in the rich, alien world of Mahri and the dangerous, beautiful landscape she explores.
I was not as thrilled with the romance in this novel. There was plenty of it, and the scenes were well written and evocative. But I found the male counterpart, Korl, to be a flat and unattractive character, which was a shame because Mahri was such an independent, powerful character. There were also some questionable (read: triggering) scenes in the book that were unnecessary, and could have been avoided with a little tact and no loss to the flow of the story. Overall a good read for the world creation, but not a fan of Korl or his use of drugs to get a woman he loves.
August 22, 2011
This really is a classic love story just in fantasy land. So here is the plot: Mahri goes to a healer tree seeking a healer for her village she asks one person is turned away desperate she blindly chooses a doorway and kidnaps the healer well she soon finds out she has kidnapped the crown prince. Right away they are drawn to each other but he is a prince and she is a water-rat. Together they have some adventures but Mahri has to learn to trust herself.
Now I love SciFi and I love when I keep re-imagining a world which is exactly what comes here, paints such a fantastic detailed picture of each setting and it really worked for me. In the beginning it feels a little awkward but eventually it really worked for me. Mahri is a very interesting widow she has never had anything really and she fears the little she desires will eventually be taken away. Enter a love story **sigh**
This one lost a star because I think the story was to confining from Mahri's POV it would have been better from 3rd person I think. I say this because while I get Mahri's fear at some point it is overwhelming and distracts from the story.
Now I love SciFi and I love when I keep re-imagining a world which is exactly what comes here, paints such a fantastic detailed picture of each setting and it really worked for me. In the beginning it feels a little awkward but eventually it really worked for me. Mahri is a very interesting widow she has never had anything really and she fears the little she desires will eventually be taken away. Enter a love story **sigh**
This one lost a star because I think the story was to confining from Mahri's POV it would have been better from 3rd person I think. I say this because while I get Mahri's fear at some point it is overwhelming and distracts from the story.
April 7, 2012
Kathryne Kennedy is an author I hadn't heard of before. The storyline is a girl meets boy except in this case she kidnaps him and he is ahealer/ prince. I put this book down twice because the first page was weird and I couldn't envision the prop the author was describing. I 'm glad I persevered because I love a book with a strong female character.
Mahri lives in a world where it is rumored her ancestor's came from another moon. She is "bayou" type water rat with extreme powers that are amplified when chewing an illegal drug. Grief has closed her to all but a few people. She is terrified of becoming involved with the beautiful healer she has forced to help her heal fever stricken relatives.
This book has a few different issues like prejudice, feminism, fear, and Kennedy weaves a good tale where people of different worlds struggle with knowledge, ignorance and misunderstanding. The love story is unique and the descriptions of the beauty of the swamp are visuals that will stick in your mind for a while.
Mahri lives in a world where it is rumored her ancestor's came from another moon. She is "bayou" type water rat with extreme powers that are amplified when chewing an illegal drug. Grief has closed her to all but a few people. She is terrified of becoming involved with the beautiful healer she has forced to help her heal fever stricken relatives.
This book has a few different issues like prejudice, feminism, fear, and Kennedy weaves a good tale where people of different worlds struggle with knowledge, ignorance and misunderstanding. The love story is unique and the descriptions of the beauty of the swamp are visuals that will stick in your mind for a while.
July 14, 2011
I completely fell in love with the concept and characters. This action pact, fantasy romance, was nothing short of wow. A totally different intake on fantasy and hints science fiction, the story set seems to take place in some kind of futuristic planet. Kennedy’s detail in descriptiveness made it seem nothing like earth.
Mahri is a very strong leading heroine; she will go through great lengths to protect anything and everything that is important to her. I find it a great twist that she is the one who kidnaps our other hero, Korl. Mahri and Korl both feel a growing attraction to one another from the start, though Korl a royal prince and Mahri, a water-rat. Watching their romance grow is very entertaining; especially I believe b/c of Mahri’s trust issues. Kennedy creates a world full of magic and fun, enjoyed reading every minute of it.
Mahri is a very strong leading heroine; she will go through great lengths to protect anything and everything that is important to her. I find it a great twist that she is the one who kidnaps our other hero, Korl. Mahri and Korl both feel a growing attraction to one another from the start, though Korl a royal prince and Mahri, a water-rat. Watching their romance grow is very entertaining; especially I believe b/c of Mahri’s trust issues. Kennedy creates a world full of magic and fun, enjoyed reading every minute of it.
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