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Shadow Grail #2
Conspiracies
Conspiracies , the second book in the Shadow Grail series by the New York Times , USA Today , and Publishers Weekly bestselling authors Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill
Spirit and her friends Burke, Loch, Muirin, and Addie have managed to defeat the evil force that has been killing students at Oakhurst Academy for the past forty years--or so they think. When a series of magical attacks disrupts the school, Doctor Ambrosius calls upon alumnus Mark Rider to secure the campus--and start training the students for war. The only student without magic, Spirit doesn't trust Mark or his methods. She knows that Oakhurst isn't safe. And if Spirit and her friends want to live long enough to graduate, they have to find out what is really going on--before it's too late.
Spirit and her friends Burke, Loch, Muirin, and Addie have managed to defeat the evil force that has been killing students at Oakhurst Academy for the past forty years--or so they think. When a series of magical attacks disrupts the school, Doctor Ambrosius calls upon alumnus Mark Rider to secure the campus--and start training the students for war. The only student without magic, Spirit doesn't trust Mark or his methods. She knows that Oakhurst isn't safe. And if Spirit and her friends want to live long enough to graduate, they have to find out what is really going on--before it's too late.
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2011
42 people are currently reading
1302 people want to read
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
441 books9,541 followersMercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music.
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
March 4, 2014
I sighed my way through the first book, so I approached the second one with very low expectations. It seems to me the main problem with these books (aside from the fact that they're boring) is that the authors are torn between two fundamental instincts. The first is to make bank off of Harry Potter. The second is an absolute terror of being compared to Harry Potter. The result is a muddled mess that fails to conjure up the world it's supposed to be exploring, but wastes no time planting the image of two authors taking regular breaks from typing to give each other peptalks on how "This is totally nothing like Harry Potter, because we've added Arthurian elements and that makes it LITTERATURE, so step away from the open window and let's add another scene where the characters point out how this is absolutely nothing like Hogwarts." By the time a character is described as "looking exactly like Jensen Ackles from Supernatural", you can practically hear the dull thuds of Edghill whacking her head against her desk in an orgy of self-loathing.
I would have much preferred it if Lackey and Edghill gave into their obvious love of the magical boarding school trope and just enjoyed themselves. Instead we get a mess of a book that consists mainly of the main character telling us how boring and awful her life and school is (yes, I can see how being sent to a lush private school that throws parties every few weeks and lets your performance in a magical snowball fight count toward your grade point average is SUCH A CHORE compared to being dumped in fostercare). But my frustration with the main character pales in comparison to the authors' attempt to amp up the Arthurian stuff.
Look, I'm not adverse to the idea of reincarnated Arthurian characters. I am, however, one of those people who gets the creeps when a book starts with a twelve-year-old girl enjoying flashbacks to when she, as Isolde, used to sneak away from her husband to enjoy marathon sex-sessions with Tristan. I could also have lived without the girl comparing those memories to a porno she watches with her friends. SQUICK. And she's apparently been having these dreams and memories for "as long as she can remember". DOUBLE SQUICK.
Despite this bizarre blip on the plotline, nothing much happens. Oh sure, there are dementors and conspiracies and lot's of "We have to get to the bottom of this!" moments, but they're more like placeholders in between repetitions of the same infodump and ensuing conversation, which goes a little like this:
Main Character: We must find out XX!
Other Character: Lol, I've been presented with ample proof for XX, but I'm going to call you a conspiracy nut anyway!
Main Character: Don't call me a conspiracy nut. This is super important!
Other Character: Okay, I guess you're right. So what are we going to do about XX?
Main Character: *Convoluted Theory!*
Other Character: That's convoluted! BTW isn't it weird how all of our families died in fires or firey crashes?
Main Character: It's not convoluted! And we're not talking about the fire stuff until book 4!
Other Character: You make a good point! So, what are we going to do?
Main Character: Something!
Other Character: Good plan!
*nothing happens*
Basically any time these characters go somewhere or do something, it's just so they can have a new setting in which to have long, limp conversations about maybe possibly doing something at some point.
Oh, and also, having your characters point out that this is the whitest book since "The Great Book on White Bread Set Against Snowy Backgrounds" doesn't actually make it any less white.
I would have much preferred it if Lackey and Edghill gave into their obvious love of the magical boarding school trope and just enjoyed themselves. Instead we get a mess of a book that consists mainly of the main character telling us how boring and awful her life and school is (yes, I can see how being sent to a lush private school that throws parties every few weeks and lets your performance in a magical snowball fight count toward your grade point average is SUCH A CHORE compared to being dumped in fostercare). But my frustration with the main character pales in comparison to the authors' attempt to amp up the Arthurian stuff.
Look, I'm not adverse to the idea of reincarnated Arthurian characters. I am, however, one of those people who gets the creeps when a book starts with a twelve-year-old girl enjoying flashbacks to when she, as Isolde, used to sneak away from her husband to enjoy marathon sex-sessions with Tristan. I could also have lived without the girl comparing those memories to a porno she watches with her friends. SQUICK. And she's apparently been having these dreams and memories for "as long as she can remember". DOUBLE SQUICK.
Despite this bizarre blip on the plotline, nothing much happens. Oh sure, there are dementors and conspiracies and lot's of "We have to get to the bottom of this!" moments, but they're more like placeholders in between repetitions of the same infodump and ensuing conversation, which goes a little like this:
Main Character: We must find out XX!
Other Character: Lol, I've been presented with ample proof for XX, but I'm going to call you a conspiracy nut anyway!
Main Character: Don't call me a conspiracy nut. This is super important!
Other Character: Okay, I guess you're right. So what are we going to do about XX?
Main Character: *Convoluted Theory!*
Other Character: That's convoluted! BTW isn't it weird how all of our families died in fires or firey crashes?
Main Character: It's not convoluted! And we're not talking about the fire stuff until book 4!
Other Character: You make a good point! So, what are we going to do?
Main Character: Something!
Other Character: Good plan!
*nothing happens*
Basically any time these characters go somewhere or do something, it's just so they can have a new setting in which to have long, limp conversations about maybe possibly doing something at some point.
Oh, and also, having your characters point out that this is the whitest book since "The Great Book on White Bread Set Against Snowy Backgrounds" doesn't actually make it any less white.
March 29, 2016
Two things really stood out to me in this second book in the "Shadow Grail" series--Spirit is an overwhelmingly negative person and the combined pop culture knowledge of Lackey and Edghill is staggering. The opening few chapters alone have half a dozen different Star Wars references never mind the movie, comic book and even some anime references spread throughout the rest of the book.
To center on Spirit's negativity for a moment; I fully understand and agree with a character who later on validates Spirit's grief and inability to move past that grief. Its been more or less implied by almost every character of importance to Spirit that she can't find closure for her grief so she is instead projecting her need to fill that hole in her life by being useful. The fact that she is right every single time is a bit more irritating.
We're not given a real understanding as to why her friends keep rocking back and forth on whether Spirit is crazy delusional or scarily accurate in her fears, its implied that the Oakhurst rings they have to wear have something to do with it, but that's about it. So its frustrating as a reader to hear Spirit try to discuss reasonable fears, with justified reasoning and proof to back it up in some cases, and to have her friends say 'Oh Spirit get over yourself and try not to make everything about you.'. Every. Single. Time. It becomes a predictable pattern as Spirit voices a concern, in increasing measures of urgency, her friends pooh-pooh it at first telling her to calm down, Spirit wonders if she's going insane, something occurs and ta-da! Her friends all come streaming back to apologize. This happens at least three times.
So maybe Spirit overall negative attitude is understandable, just doesn't make it easier to read. She expends more energy worried that her friends aren't more worried then she does proactively fighting what has her so afraid. When she finally realizes this its almost too late to actually do very much but contain the situation enough so no one else gets hurts.
Meanwhile the book itself jumps around a bit in terms of pacing. Without knowing the particulars of the plotting process I'm left to wonder if they meant for this book to be two separate editions or just didn't realize how much they were trying to pack into the page length. We find out more about the ones who may have been behind the Wild Hunt in the first book, Legacies, as well as the mirror side to that fight. A character, Elizabeth, is introduced mostly as a plot device to explain to Spirit (and her friends) that entire backstory.
Between Spirit worrying about her friend's non-worry, her grief, her schoolwork, several mandatory school functions and a budding romance we're introduced to a couple of plot details that I wish had more play time. The fact about the group's rings, the alumni and possibility that things conspired to bring the kids to Oakhurst and the arrival of Mark Rider and his troop of diabolical merry minions.
Character development wise a guess I had about two character's feelings in the first book are confirmed, though to the credit of Lackey and Edghill the reveal about the one is handle in a 'And so this is who this person is, doesn't change anything does it?' at least until the Sadie Hawkin's Dance. Spirit also bluntly points out to Muirin, Addie and Burke that they were sheep until her and Loch showed up, in regards to what was going on at the school.
While this one didn't bowl me over, it did keep my interest going as to the true nature of Oakhurst and answers to the mysteries therein. With the ending to this book being as explosive as the ending to the first, I certainly hope this means Book 3 will give us a showdown to remember.
To center on Spirit's negativity for a moment; I fully understand and agree with a character who later on validates Spirit's grief and inability to move past that grief. Its been more or less implied by almost every character of importance to Spirit that she can't find closure for her grief so she is instead projecting her need to fill that hole in her life by being useful. The fact that she is right every single time is a bit more irritating.
We're not given a real understanding as to why her friends keep rocking back and forth on whether Spirit is crazy delusional or scarily accurate in her fears, its implied that the Oakhurst rings they have to wear have something to do with it, but that's about it. So its frustrating as a reader to hear Spirit try to discuss reasonable fears, with justified reasoning and proof to back it up in some cases, and to have her friends say 'Oh Spirit get over yourself and try not to make everything about you.'. Every. Single. Time. It becomes a predictable pattern as Spirit voices a concern, in increasing measures of urgency, her friends pooh-pooh it at first telling her to calm down, Spirit wonders if she's going insane, something occurs and ta-da! Her friends all come streaming back to apologize. This happens at least three times.
So maybe Spirit overall negative attitude is understandable, just doesn't make it easier to read. She expends more energy worried that her friends aren't more worried then she does proactively fighting what has her so afraid. When she finally realizes this its almost too late to actually do very much but contain the situation enough so no one else gets hurts.
Meanwhile the book itself jumps around a bit in terms of pacing. Without knowing the particulars of the plotting process I'm left to wonder if they meant for this book to be two separate editions or just didn't realize how much they were trying to pack into the page length. We find out more about the ones who may have been behind the Wild Hunt in the first book, Legacies, as well as the mirror side to that fight. A character, Elizabeth, is introduced mostly as a plot device to explain to Spirit (and her friends) that entire backstory.
Between Spirit worrying about her friend's non-worry, her grief, her schoolwork, several mandatory school functions and a budding romance we're introduced to a couple of plot details that I wish had more play time. The fact about the group's rings, the alumni and possibility that things conspired to bring the kids to Oakhurst and the arrival of Mark Rider and his troop of diabolical merry minions.
Character development wise a guess I had about two character's feelings in the first book are confirmed, though to the credit of Lackey and Edghill the reveal about the one is handle in a 'And so this is who this person is, doesn't change anything does it?' at least until the Sadie Hawkin's Dance. Spirit also bluntly points out to Muirin, Addie and Burke that they were sheep until her and Loch showed up, in regards to what was going on at the school.
While this one didn't bowl me over, it did keep my interest going as to the true nature of Oakhurst and answers to the mysteries therein. With the ending to this book being as explosive as the ending to the first, I certainly hope this means Book 3 will give us a showdown to remember.
July 10, 2011
I didn't feel like anything really happened. I really liked the first book and I felt let down by the second. Spirit doesn't develop in any interesting way, her relationships feel really superficial, it was as though they were trying to cram in a back story and not really bother with things like making this book a book that could stand on its own in any way. The first book didn't have that kind of problem, so I'm wondering why it felt like one long something interesting almost happened but not quite. The creepy teacher, but she fades out without anything, the reincarnated girl who shows up, then vanishes right when we think she might be interesting, all these little clues and hints about stuff that don't add up to anything. I really want this series to live up to the first book. We'll have to see how it goes. As far as I can tell, the overarcing plot goes something like: Spirit thinks bad things are happening. No one wants to listen to her. Bad things keep happening. No one likes Spirit because she keeps telling them something bad is going to happen. Bad things keep happening. Her friends all decide that what they need to do, is convince whoever is behind these bad things, that they aren't clever or smart enough to figure out anything. They succeed. In spades. Hurray! I'll probably read the next book, but I'm not going to have high expectations for it.
June 30, 2011
This book pick up from right where it left on bringing on more trouble in the school. I like how this time around we see Spirit grow up more. She is more kin to her surroundings and is much more careful but also sneaky. Her friends on the other hand, I felt like they betrayed her, especially Loche. He is so different in this book that it scared me. It was like he was a whole new person.
The storyline was somewhat boring. Some things happen but it pretty much was just filled in with drama from the friends, teachers, etc. It didn't get exciting till the part of the new student Elizabeth who brings a whole new element to the book. And I must say, it was a nice surprise. I really like how they incorporated an old tale in the future of these students. It really brought the story of Spirit and her friends to a whole new level.
The love interest in this book was good. I like it when characters take their time getting to know one another, It makes it much more intimate to read. I love seeing Spirit happy and worry free of what was going on in the school. I also like to see Spirit just happy for once. She deserves it.
Conspiracies laid down the foundation for a whole new side of the book but brings so much more to the table. The book is filled with more secrets, betrayals, and great twist I even enjoyed! I am looking forward to see what happen to Spirit and her friend in the next book!
The storyline was somewhat boring. Some things happen but it pretty much was just filled in with drama from the friends, teachers, etc. It didn't get exciting till the part of the new student Elizabeth who brings a whole new element to the book. And I must say, it was a nice surprise. I really like how they incorporated an old tale in the future of these students. It really brought the story of Spirit and her friends to a whole new level.
The love interest in this book was good. I like it when characters take their time getting to know one another, It makes it much more intimate to read. I love seeing Spirit happy and worry free of what was going on in the school. I also like to see Spirit just happy for once. She deserves it.
Conspiracies laid down the foundation for a whole new side of the book but brings so much more to the table. The book is filled with more secrets, betrayals, and great twist I even enjoyed! I am looking forward to see what happen to Spirit and her friend in the next book!
December 17, 2011
Once again I am loving this series! From page one I could not put this book down. I love Spirit and Loch but Murr-cat she is pretty awesome too! There is so much mystery and things I still can't figure out but not in a frustrating way. I'm left smiling at the end and not feeling like I'm left hanging. I can't wait for book three, hopefully a lot of the gangs questions will be answered. I still don't know who is really the bad guy. I think I know but again brilliant writing that leaves me super excited for the next chapters!
February 6, 2021
Absolutely Perfect for Older Grade School Children Ages 9-12 (who are advanced readers & want to feel like they are reading about older students):
I read this largely because my daughter was interested in the series, having found it in the school library, and I wanted to check it out as I like many of Mercedes Lackey's other books intended for an older readership.
It's definitely a cute second book in a cute fantasy series for younger children--I can't imagine teenagers being terribly interested in it. But it's perfect for 9-12 year olds who want to read about older students because the plot manifestations are so tame. It's definitely G rated across the board. I think comparing it to YA literature isn't fair. This is a great book for older grade school kids who read above grade level and are just bored with 5th, 6th grade books. It will certainly sustain their interest & give them many discussion topics on which to ruminate.
This second book in the series revolves around Spirit's justified suspicions about Oakhurst. Her friends really play down & dismiss her suspicions, obviously, because they too are impacted by whatever perception filter blocks them fro
thinking too much about the parts of this school which just don't add up. I have seen reviews saying that this is annoying to some readers, but really it's just a plot device to convey an overall malevolence. Spirit still hasn't found her powers throughout this book, just as in book one, but readers also can presume that there is definitely something special about Spirit as she is the only one able to really see through the school's facade. My guess is that whatever her power does turn out to be, it will be something altogether original & different from her friends--something that allows her to really see into the life of things.
This book also introduces another character, Elizabeth. Readers mainly get to know her through her own thought processes, and we see that she feels that there is another part of herself connected to others who are also at this school. Like Spirit, she too feels her family has been murdered and that her own magic may be the reason why. Elizabeth essentially serves to thicken the plot & help readers to understand that Spirit's suspicions are indeed valid & not merely a result of ptsd from the trauma of losing loved ones & then facing down the Wild Hunt in book 1.
Overall, I think this is a really interesting take on the magical school plot device. No, it's nothing like Harry Potter--if you read reviews that say that, know those people didn't actually read the books. Magical schools are hardly settings that JK Rowling corned the market on--they were used well before her time, and they will continue to be used well after it. In this Shadow Grail series, the trope of the magical school really is turned on its head because the school isn't at all positive. I actually wonder if perhaps Naomi Novik didn't rip off this Shadow Grail series as the basis for Deadly Education. Oakhurst is certainly not a school anyone dreams of attending.
As an older reader checking the series out for my 10 year old daughter (who reads well beyond her grade level & is always struggling to find books which are more challenging yet also appropriate), I have been extremely pleased by this series & I have enjoyed it.
Based on the parameters I explained, I am giving it 4/5 stars, downgraded only because there are some places which are a bit slow & needed more editing--I don't think teenagers of any age are as obsessed with soda & sugar as the characters in these books are either. But, this said, I am certainly happy that all of the female characters eat what they want and are not body conscious. I appreciate that, despite the school dances the characters attend & the discussions of clothing styles, there is never any negative any body typing. I just found several bits of dialogue between the young characters in both this book & book 1 where my suspension of disbelief broke down a bit. I am a high school teacher, so I guess I know for the most part how kids talk, and when their voices written falsely, it really rings loudly to me. I don't think this is something that would bother most people, and it's certainly not a reason not to read the series. Quite the opposite, there are so very, very few series like this one--a series about older teenagers yet one that is one hundred percent appropriate for older grade school children to read. And as a mother, I dearly appreciate that.
I read this largely because my daughter was interested in the series, having found it in the school library, and I wanted to check it out as I like many of Mercedes Lackey's other books intended for an older readership.
It's definitely a cute second book in a cute fantasy series for younger children--I can't imagine teenagers being terribly interested in it. But it's perfect for 9-12 year olds who want to read about older students because the plot manifestations are so tame. It's definitely G rated across the board. I think comparing it to YA literature isn't fair. This is a great book for older grade school kids who read above grade level and are just bored with 5th, 6th grade books. It will certainly sustain their interest & give them many discussion topics on which to ruminate.
This second book in the series revolves around Spirit's justified suspicions about Oakhurst. Her friends really play down & dismiss her suspicions, obviously, because they too are impacted by whatever perception filter blocks them fro
thinking too much about the parts of this school which just don't add up. I have seen reviews saying that this is annoying to some readers, but really it's just a plot device to convey an overall malevolence. Spirit still hasn't found her powers throughout this book, just as in book one, but readers also can presume that there is definitely something special about Spirit as she is the only one able to really see through the school's facade. My guess is that whatever her power does turn out to be, it will be something altogether original & different from her friends--something that allows her to really see into the life of things.
This book also introduces another character, Elizabeth. Readers mainly get to know her through her own thought processes, and we see that she feels that there is another part of herself connected to others who are also at this school. Like Spirit, she too feels her family has been murdered and that her own magic may be the reason why. Elizabeth essentially serves to thicken the plot & help readers to understand that Spirit's suspicions are indeed valid & not merely a result of ptsd from the trauma of losing loved ones & then facing down the Wild Hunt in book 1.
Overall, I think this is a really interesting take on the magical school plot device. No, it's nothing like Harry Potter--if you read reviews that say that, know those people didn't actually read the books. Magical schools are hardly settings that JK Rowling corned the market on--they were used well before her time, and they will continue to be used well after it. In this Shadow Grail series, the trope of the magical school really is turned on its head because the school isn't at all positive. I actually wonder if perhaps Naomi Novik didn't rip off this Shadow Grail series as the basis for Deadly Education. Oakhurst is certainly not a school anyone dreams of attending.
As an older reader checking the series out for my 10 year old daughter (who reads well beyond her grade level & is always struggling to find books which are more challenging yet also appropriate), I have been extremely pleased by this series & I have enjoyed it.
Based on the parameters I explained, I am giving it 4/5 stars, downgraded only because there are some places which are a bit slow & needed more editing--I don't think teenagers of any age are as obsessed with soda & sugar as the characters in these books are either. But, this said, I am certainly happy that all of the female characters eat what they want and are not body conscious. I appreciate that, despite the school dances the characters attend & the discussions of clothing styles, there is never any negative any body typing. I just found several bits of dialogue between the young characters in both this book & book 1 where my suspension of disbelief broke down a bit. I am a high school teacher, so I guess I know for the most part how kids talk, and when their voices written falsely, it really rings loudly to me. I don't think this is something that would bother most people, and it's certainly not a reason not to read the series. Quite the opposite, there are so very, very few series like this one--a series about older teenagers yet one that is one hundred percent appropriate for older grade school children to read. And as a mother, I dearly appreciate that.
September 1, 2024
I messed up with this one.
I got this and book one confused, thought this was book 1, got myself confused, realized my mistake and then adjusted my expectations.
Considering I started on book two I got a pretty solid recap. I wasn't missing anything plot wise. I was pretty confused as to why it was told to me the way it was, but again, that's cause I thought this was book 1. Also lucky, because of how book #1 ends, I don't get much spoilers cause we don't know who the bad guys are.
I'm going to be honest, I really had a hard time with this one. Our main Character is a petulant brat, though I do get it, her whole family's died, she's at this school and she doesn't want to be there. So I kinda get it but my god does this girl suck the fun out of everything.
On top of that her school is basically Hogwarts crazy meth addicted cousin.. No one is on these kids sides, everyone is lying to them and pitting them against one another, no one's listening and everything is trying to kill them. I wasn't all that interested but then they introduced so I guess I'm going to end up seeing this series through.
I'm gonna go back and read #1 and then continue on. So pray for me, I guess.
I got this and book one confused, thought this was book 1, got myself confused, realized my mistake and then adjusted my expectations.
Considering I started on book two I got a pretty solid recap. I wasn't missing anything plot wise. I was pretty confused as to why it was told to me the way it was, but again, that's cause I thought this was book 1. Also lucky, because of how book #1 ends, I don't get much spoilers cause we don't know who the bad guys are.
I'm going to be honest, I really had a hard time with this one. Our main Character is a petulant brat, though I do get it, her whole family's died, she's at this school and she doesn't want to be there. So I kinda get it but my god does this girl suck the fun out of everything.
On top of that her school is basically Hogwarts crazy meth addicted cousin.. No one is on these kids sides, everyone is lying to them and pitting them against one another, no one's listening and everything is trying to kill them. I wasn't all that interested but then they introduced so I guess I'm going to end up seeing this series through.
I'm gonna go back and read #1 and then continue on. So pray for me, I guess.
August 23, 2012
Second in the Shadow Grail urban fantasy series for young adults and revolving around a core group of magick-wielding students at a special boarding school. Mmmmm, sounds familiar, doesn't it?
My Take
I suspect that Conspiracies is a bridge novel setting us up for the next story in the series and I certainly hope it's better than this bit of ho-hum. I can't believe Lackey and Edghill put out such drivel. I think Richelle Mead does this much better in her Bloodlines series.
Well, the school is certainly a nasty place. It seems to be run more like a stalag than a posh academy. With all its guards with their heads in the sand.
Then there's the whiny Spirit. I can't really blame her friends for thinking she's harping on this for the attention, although, at the same time, I can't believe they're just fluffing recent events off. It's difficult to get enthused about this story with all the bitching going on by both sides of this group of friends. Combine this with the convenience of some of the attacks and...yawn…
I had hoped for some tension over whether Dr. MacKenzie is evil or good, but even that fizzled. And just why are the teachers so clueless?? The Riders were certainly a no-brainer. I can't believe how lame that was. Hullo, black snakes on everyone at BAS's jewelry...it just screams bad guy. How stupid do Lackey and Edghill think we are?
Oh, brother, one of the big "mysteries" from Legacies was a notation about being Tithed. Well, duhhh, they may not have Internet access at the start, but they do have their history books!
I did enjoy the Ghostbusters, Star Wars, and other movie references as well as the finale. Otherwise, hamhanded and obvious...gag...
The Story
In Legacies, Spirit and her friends fought the Wild Hunt, a supernatural troop of riders who were taking students while the administration covered it up. It's only a few days later and Christmas is quickly approaching, but nothing has been said to anyone.
Spirit is angry that the entire incident is being covered up, but her friends think she's simply stirring the pot. Then Elizabeth Walker comes along with her story and Spirit begins to think the others might be right.
Until a new Hunt appears.
The Characters
Spirit White has lost her parents and baby sister to a supposed car accident which has resulted in her being sent to Oakhurst Academy in the middle of Montana, a posh boarding school only for future magicians who have been orphaned. Even though she's been told that she has magic, there has been no evidence.
Muirin is an Air Witch and something of a snob who falls right in with the BAS gang. Step is her stepmother who is eager to get her hands on Muirin's trust fund. Addie is the heir to Prester-Lake BioCo and a Water Witch. Loch Spears doesn't particularly miss his father, Benjamin Spears. He was never really there. He has some minor Gifts: Shadewalking and Kenning from the School of Air and Pathfinding from the School of Earth. Burke Hallows has been an orphan his entire life but does have foster parents he cares for. His Gift is Combat Magery in the School of Earth. He's also fallen for Spirit.
Kelly Langley is "one of the nicer proctors". Elizabeth Walker is a new student upon the story's opening. Her family fell through thin ice and now she's trapped here not knowing who to trust. The dreams have been coming for years and now she thinks they're coming to life.
Dr. Ambrosius is the headmaster. Mrs. Corby and Mr. Devon are his bodyguards. Mrs. Corby is also his personal assistant although she lacks magic; Devon is a supervisor of the Boys' Dorm Wing. Ms. Smith is the math teacher who seems fixated on how awful everyone's experiences were. Dr. MacKenzie is the school shrink whom everyone is supposed to visit.
Nothing is ever fun at this school. Everything, and I mean everything is graded. Even the gifts they receive at Christmas are geared toward preparing them for their classes.
Tom and Adam Phillips are the local townies from Radial who helped Muirin and Seth smuggle contraband into the school.
Breakthrough Adventure Systems is the new big employer in Radial. Run by a couple of Oakhurst Academy alumni, Mark Rider and Theodore Rider, they claim the game-designer factory has relocated here to help protect the school and the students. It certainly provides a useful opportunity to take over the school. Madison Lane-Rider is supermodel-perfect, Mark's wife, and is replacing the suddenly missing Ms. Holland. Anastus Leontivich Ovcharenko, Russian Bratva, will take over teaching the school's defenses with Mia Singleton and Zachary York even as they boost the school's external defenses.
Shadow Knights are the bad guys Elizabeth knows from her dreams; the Riders (Yes, the authors are posing this batch of bad guys as separate from the Riders mentioned above. Is this too obvious or what??) are a modern Wild Hunt on horses and snowmobiles.
The Cover
The cover is a study in browns. No, seriously, it could be a study with its wood paneled walls and the imposingly elaborate fireplace surround topped by the school's banner. Spirit is front and center in her golden plaid school skirt and cream mock turtleneck sweater while Loch and Burke are in their school colors: brown trousers and a gray jacket on Loch, a gray cardigan on Burke and both wearing the school tie. Both boys are ready for action.
The title refers to the Conspiracies Spirit believes are swirling around them.
My Take
I suspect that Conspiracies is a bridge novel setting us up for the next story in the series and I certainly hope it's better than this bit of ho-hum. I can't believe Lackey and Edghill put out such drivel. I think Richelle Mead does this much better in her Bloodlines series.
Well, the school is certainly a nasty place. It seems to be run more like a stalag than a posh academy. With all its guards with their heads in the sand.
Then there's the whiny Spirit. I can't really blame her friends for thinking she's harping on this for the attention, although, at the same time, I can't believe they're just fluffing recent events off. It's difficult to get enthused about this story with all the bitching going on by both sides of this group of friends. Combine this with the convenience of some of the attacks and...yawn…
I had hoped for some tension over whether Dr. MacKenzie is evil or good, but even that fizzled. And just why are the teachers so clueless?? The Riders were certainly a no-brainer. I can't believe how lame that was. Hullo, black snakes on everyone at BAS's jewelry...it just screams bad guy. How stupid do Lackey and Edghill think we are?
Oh, brother, one of the big "mysteries" from Legacies was a notation about being Tithed. Well, duhhh, they may not have Internet access at the start, but they do have their history books!
I did enjoy the Ghostbusters, Star Wars, and other movie references as well as the finale. Otherwise, hamhanded and obvious...gag...
The Story
In Legacies, Spirit and her friends fought the Wild Hunt, a supernatural troop of riders who were taking students while the administration covered it up. It's only a few days later and Christmas is quickly approaching, but nothing has been said to anyone.
Spirit is angry that the entire incident is being covered up, but her friends think she's simply stirring the pot. Then Elizabeth Walker comes along with her story and Spirit begins to think the others might be right.
Until a new Hunt appears.
The Characters
Spirit White has lost her parents and baby sister to a supposed car accident which has resulted in her being sent to Oakhurst Academy in the middle of Montana, a posh boarding school only for future magicians who have been orphaned. Even though she's been told that she has magic, there has been no evidence.
Muirin is an Air Witch and something of a snob who falls right in with the BAS gang. Step is her stepmother who is eager to get her hands on Muirin's trust fund. Addie is the heir to Prester-Lake BioCo and a Water Witch. Loch Spears doesn't particularly miss his father, Benjamin Spears. He was never really there. He has some minor Gifts: Shadewalking and Kenning from the School of Air and Pathfinding from the School of Earth. Burke Hallows has been an orphan his entire life but does have foster parents he cares for. His Gift is Combat Magery in the School of Earth. He's also fallen for Spirit.
Kelly Langley is "one of the nicer proctors". Elizabeth Walker is a new student upon the story's opening. Her family fell through thin ice and now she's trapped here not knowing who to trust. The dreams have been coming for years and now she thinks they're coming to life.
Dr. Ambrosius is the headmaster. Mrs. Corby and Mr. Devon are his bodyguards. Mrs. Corby is also his personal assistant although she lacks magic; Devon is a supervisor of the Boys' Dorm Wing. Ms. Smith is the math teacher who seems fixated on how awful everyone's experiences were. Dr. MacKenzie is the school shrink whom everyone is supposed to visit.
Nothing is ever fun at this school. Everything, and I mean everything is graded. Even the gifts they receive at Christmas are geared toward preparing them for their classes.
Tom and Adam Phillips are the local townies from Radial who helped Muirin and Seth smuggle contraband into the school.
Breakthrough Adventure Systems is the new big employer in Radial. Run by a couple of Oakhurst Academy alumni, Mark Rider and Theodore Rider, they claim the game-designer factory has relocated here to help protect the school and the students. It certainly provides a useful opportunity to take over the school. Madison Lane-Rider is supermodel-perfect, Mark's wife, and is replacing the suddenly missing Ms. Holland. Anastus Leontivich Ovcharenko, Russian Bratva, will take over teaching the school's defenses with Mia Singleton and Zachary York even as they boost the school's external defenses.
Shadow Knights are the bad guys Elizabeth knows from her dreams; the Riders (Yes, the authors are posing this batch of bad guys as separate from the Riders mentioned above. Is this too obvious or what??) are a modern Wild Hunt on horses and snowmobiles.
The Cover
The cover is a study in browns. No, seriously, it could be a study with its wood paneled walls and the imposingly elaborate fireplace surround topped by the school's banner. Spirit is front and center in her golden plaid school skirt and cream mock turtleneck sweater while Loch and Burke are in their school colors: brown trousers and a gray jacket on Loch, a gray cardigan on Burke and both wearing the school tie. Both boys are ready for action.
The title refers to the Conspiracies Spirit believes are swirling around them.
July 3, 2023
Once I waded through the first book, the next three didn't take much time at all. Book 2 was still incredibly muddled because it was magic and for teens, but nothing like anything most of us have read before. I kept trying to figure out what was going on, yet that was almost the most important thing-I didn't need to 'figure it out'. It made a lot more sense in the third book, and I realised the other two had a reason for their confusion. At first, I thought the first two just were not Lackey/Edghill awesome. And I've read everything the two have written together! But, when I read the books over, I was startled. Each character's name is who they will become in the last book or the name is a part of the previous character. Introducing Elizabeth was very important, even if I didn't realise it at the time. I honestly think these would have made more sense as ONE novel instead of four shorter ones.
March 8, 2020
Spirit and her crew have stopped the disappearances that had been going on at their school for 40 years. Spirit keeps waiting for some sign that the Administration was providing more protections for their students but it is not happening. Her friends do not seem worried but Spirit. In the meantime, new student Elizabeth is keeping to herself, but she may have the clue that explains things.
Then the first attack happens. Everyone is shaken. Doctor Ambrosius is finally ready to admit something is wrong. He reaches out to Oakwood alumna to invite them to come and protect the school. Mark Rider and his team answer the call. Only Spirit seems to think their availability was strangely convenient.
Continuing to enjoy this series. Spirit, in particular, is a heroine worth spending time with.
Then the first attack happens. Everyone is shaken. Doctor Ambrosius is finally ready to admit something is wrong. He reaches out to Oakwood alumna to invite them to come and protect the school. Mark Rider and his team answer the call. Only Spirit seems to think their availability was strangely convenient.
Continuing to enjoy this series. Spirit, in particular, is a heroine worth spending time with.
August 20, 2017
This book was a lot like the first. It also had too much going on and was confusing. The plot was actually pretty good, if a bit confusing. But there were so many plot holes! So many things didn't make sense, and things that Spirit should have easily concluded or wondered about were never even mentioned. It was a good story, but I wanted to slap the main character for most of the book.
March 26, 2022
This series continues to grab me. Normally I'm not a fan of teenage angst and romance, but this story doesn't depend on either of them. There was a bit of repetition - haven't we had this disaster once already? - but the relationship of the 5 friends is what stands out. I've liked it well enough so far to order the next two books in the series - here's hoping the quality stands up.
Currently reading
September 6, 2024Spirit is an annoying character. She doesn't really care about her friends, so I don't either.
Since the school frowns upon friendships, and Spirit isn't really great friends with her classmates, then I'm not invested in them.
It makes it really hard to be interested in the story when you don't care about the characters. It is taking me a long time to get through this book.
Since the school frowns upon friendships, and Spirit isn't really great friends with her classmates, then I'm not invested in them.
It makes it really hard to be interested in the story when you don't care about the characters. It is taking me a long time to get through this book.
November 16, 2018
Not a great book, and yet I want to read the next one in the series. Why??
August 21, 2019
This series is aimed at teenagers. I was sucked in from the first book to the last. I had to see how it all ended. It is a wonderful mystery with magic and intrigue.
November 24, 2019
continuity errors, not necessarily egregious ones, but they were there
July 16, 2020
Spirit has made friends and survived the Wild Hunt. All should be good now that the Headmaster knows what is going on. But why are there still kids going missing?
October 3, 2020
terrible. great quarantine reading because it requires no thought or even real engagement.
September 19, 2021
Good momentum. I'm really enjoying this series.
November 13, 2021
This book had some major pacing issues. Random attacks interspersed with dithering and waffling.
March 13, 2022
Another winner
What can I say? I have loved Mercedes Lackeys stories since elementary school. And I am a bit older now😊☺ More please.
What can I say? I have loved Mercedes Lackeys stories since elementary school. And I am a bit older now😊☺ More please.
October 4, 2024
Since this is "act 2," as usual act 2 is a bit of a downer, and stuck between the opening and the (hopefully) satisfying conclusion in act 3. Nevertheless it's an enjoyable read.
November 23, 2024
Second in the series, the group bands together at the school. Deadly configurations happen. They find a way to fight back sort of. Libby library book. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset.
July 9, 2016
Having two authors gets confusing if you don’t have an editor that cares/is paying attention enough to spot plot holes or discrepancies. Like, there were parts of the book that were like “not EVERYONE at Oakhurst is an orphan” and then there was others that were like “everyone at Oakhurst is an orphan” and it just…. was confusing at points. And sometimes things are repeated with weird…ness. Just weirdness.
Also so much for being able to pretend the cast isn’t super white, because the kids make a point that almost everyone at Oakhurst is white (when they are trying to determine who was behind the Wild Hunt issue in the last book) and it was ALSO super annoying b/c they were like “it would have to be someone descended from England” and uhm, hello? There are PoC in England and have been??? It was super annoying and bothered me.
Otherwise yay awkward character development (awkward in a good way b/c the situation was awkward) and y’know how I was like “Oh there’s gotta be a Fire magic person to join the group” There almost WAS but then she got… disappeared off??? (Spirit assumes killed b/c she has major mourning cynicism going on still which is ok, but I’m more hopeful. Then again, so many nameless kids died in this book.) And she’s the one who introduces the whole Arthurian legend thing. (BTW I totally missed the Arthurian legend link, the whole “reincarnates of mythological characters” thing. I love that plot idea though so pleasant surprise for me.) They also go see the school therapist to talk about the new attacks and it gives Spirit a chance to process some of her grief, or at least get what seems to be accurate and pretty damn good psychological advice from the guy.
Oakhurst gets shadier in this book, with alumni outright being the Bad Guys and I feel for Spirit not knowing who she can and can’t trust. I don’t like that plot, where like, you just know someone is going to betray her and I loathe betrayal. It seems obvious to me that Oakhurst is set up as the “evil force” of this magical world. Like, if Lord Voldemort set up his own wizarding school in opposition of Hogwarts. (More like if he set up a secondary school like university or college and recruited people from Hogwarts once they graduated.)
At the same time, I feel like Dr. Ambrosius isn’t really evil? Like by some magical means he’s being tricked or mind addled or impersonated or something. Like he didn’t mean to set up this school that way, but its become that over the years and he’s being trapped or manipulated somehow.
The ending was idk. Burke and Spirit kiss and “go steady” and first of all wtf “go steady”and at the same time awwwwe melty, fluttery, teen romance!!! Also about midway through Loch comes out as gay to Spirit and admits he has a “crush” on a boy, but doesn’t say who and I’m like “Please don’t be Burke b/c everyone having a crush on Burke is just too easy and ridiculous.” (Burke’s like Tuxedo Mask that way though. I bet everyone in Spirit’s friend group has a crush on him. omg I hope in the next book, in a fight scene, he throws a flower or something. I would be so happy.)
Also so much for being able to pretend the cast isn’t super white, because the kids make a point that almost everyone at Oakhurst is white (when they are trying to determine who was behind the Wild Hunt issue in the last book) and it was ALSO super annoying b/c they were like “it would have to be someone descended from England” and uhm, hello? There are PoC in England and have been??? It was super annoying and bothered me.
Otherwise yay awkward character development (awkward in a good way b/c the situation was awkward) and y’know how I was like “Oh there’s gotta be a Fire magic person to join the group” There almost WAS but then she got… disappeared off??? (Spirit assumes killed b/c she has major mourning cynicism going on still which is ok, but I’m more hopeful. Then again, so many nameless kids died in this book.) And she’s the one who introduces the whole Arthurian legend thing. (BTW I totally missed the Arthurian legend link, the whole “reincarnates of mythological characters” thing. I love that plot idea though so pleasant surprise for me.) They also go see the school therapist to talk about the new attacks and it gives Spirit a chance to process some of her grief, or at least get what seems to be accurate and pretty damn good psychological advice from the guy.
Oakhurst gets shadier in this book, with alumni outright being the Bad Guys and I feel for Spirit not knowing who she can and can’t trust. I don’t like that plot, where like, you just know someone is going to betray her and I loathe betrayal. It seems obvious to me that Oakhurst is set up as the “evil force” of this magical world. Like, if Lord Voldemort set up his own wizarding school in opposition of Hogwarts. (More like if he set up a secondary school like university or college and recruited people from Hogwarts once they graduated.)
At the same time, I feel like Dr. Ambrosius isn’t really evil? Like by some magical means he’s being tricked or mind addled or impersonated or something. Like he didn’t mean to set up this school that way, but its become that over the years and he’s being trapped or manipulated somehow.
The ending was idk. Burke and Spirit kiss and “go steady” and first of all wtf “go steady”and at the same time awwwwe melty, fluttery, teen romance!!! Also about midway through Loch comes out as gay to Spirit and admits he has a “crush” on a boy, but doesn’t say who and I’m like “Please don’t be Burke b/c everyone having a crush on Burke is just too easy and ridiculous.” (Burke’s like Tuxedo Mask that way though. I bet everyone in Spirit’s friend group has a crush on him. omg I hope in the next book, in a fight scene, he throws a flower or something. I would be so happy.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2012
Recently, I've been on a kick of rereading early Mercedes Lackey Valdemar novels. That made this book interesting to look at. On the one hand, her writing skills have definitely improved over the years. On the other hand, this book had a certain amount of plot-by numbers to it.
In the first book, Spirit White was orphaned, and sent to an Orphanage/Private School that her parents were apparently students at. The school turned out to be for magicians, but she doesn't have any magic, or if she does, it's well buried. There, she is told that there is a magical war coming, and the students are being prepared. Spirit makes friends, who are all mysteriously orphaned, and find themselves fighting the Wild Hunt, which appears to have been stealing students for decades. Students who are marked in the basement archives as 'tithed'.
Now it's Christmas, and even though her friends are ready to leave everything to the school again, Spirit isn't convinced. Someone inside the school must have let the Wild Hunt through the magical defences. But her friends tell her that she's just looking for a way to feel special. Then there's another attack at New Year's, and they're back on side. Except that when school alumni show up to train them, they turn away from Spirit again, even though earlier attackers were wearing alumni rings, only to swing back to her when there's further problems.
With friends like this, who needs enemies?
In the end, the immediate problem is faced, more hints of the overall story are revealed, and yet, it was somewhat unsatisfying. Mainly, I got annoyed with the seesawing of the friends (even if there are hints that they are being manipulated by magic, and Spirit's non-magic makes her immune). There's a character who gets introduced to reveal one bit of information, the promptly disappears again. I'll be annoyed if she doesn't appear in one of the remaining two books in the series (the ad at the back of the book says the series will be 4 volumes, but the next book is not on the publishing schedule yet).
While the book is a young adult, I get the feeling that the authors underestimated their readers. Other than Spirit, you only get to see in one other character's head (the one that disappeared). None of the friends really come across with a personality, including the one who goes through his own tragedy in this book. The bad guys were far too obvious (they almost are wearing signs saying 'I am a bad guy', and Spirit is the only one who sees it until one actually spills the beans while getting drunk with a teenaged girl). I would have liked a bit more character development and a lot more story depth.
But maybe we'll get that in the remaining books. Besides, even a bad Mercedes Lackey book tends to be a fun read, even if it's mainly fluff.
In the first book, Spirit White was orphaned, and sent to an Orphanage/Private School that her parents were apparently students at. The school turned out to be for magicians, but she doesn't have any magic, or if she does, it's well buried. There, she is told that there is a magical war coming, and the students are being prepared. Spirit makes friends, who are all mysteriously orphaned, and find themselves fighting the Wild Hunt, which appears to have been stealing students for decades. Students who are marked in the basement archives as 'tithed'.
Now it's Christmas, and even though her friends are ready to leave everything to the school again, Spirit isn't convinced. Someone inside the school must have let the Wild Hunt through the magical defences. But her friends tell her that she's just looking for a way to feel special. Then there's another attack at New Year's, and they're back on side. Except that when school alumni show up to train them, they turn away from Spirit again, even though earlier attackers were wearing alumni rings, only to swing back to her when there's further problems.
With friends like this, who needs enemies?
In the end, the immediate problem is faced, more hints of the overall story are revealed, and yet, it was somewhat unsatisfying. Mainly, I got annoyed with the seesawing of the friends (even if there are hints that they are being manipulated by magic, and Spirit's non-magic makes her immune). There's a character who gets introduced to reveal one bit of information, the promptly disappears again. I'll be annoyed if she doesn't appear in one of the remaining two books in the series (the ad at the back of the book says the series will be 4 volumes, but the next book is not on the publishing schedule yet).
While the book is a young adult, I get the feeling that the authors underestimated their readers. Other than Spirit, you only get to see in one other character's head (the one that disappeared). None of the friends really come across with a personality, including the one who goes through his own tragedy in this book. The bad guys were far too obvious (they almost are wearing signs saying 'I am a bad guy', and Spirit is the only one who sees it until one actually spills the beans while getting drunk with a teenaged girl). I would have liked a bit more character development and a lot more story depth.
But maybe we'll get that in the remaining books. Besides, even a bad Mercedes Lackey book tends to be a fun read, even if it's mainly fluff.
October 9, 2011
BOOK #1 SPOILERS AHEAD
Now I think I know why Tom Dolby's The Secret series is so underwhelming ... Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill are doing a much, much better job with a similar storyline. I'm very happy that the world-building and character development wordiness of Legacies (book #1 in the Shadow Grail series) was just a set-up so that the action can come fast and furious in subsequent novels.
Because you are already entrenched in the world of Oakhurst Academy and its well developed characters, only cursory recaps are necessary to refresh the memory and move forward with discovering the secrets behind the history and staff. Is Oakhurst a benevolent group helping magic endowed orphans or is there something more sinister in their desire to recruit, train, and develop these young magicians' talents.
Spirit White and her for friends, Loch, Addie, Muirin and Burke start investigating Oakhurst's and the property's history, including the enormous and mysterious oak tree around which the main hall seems to be built and whether Doctor Ambrosius is friend or foe.
Despite triumphing over The Wild Hunt, Spirit and the gang know that whoever allowed them onto the property is still on campus and may/may not also be behind the Fear Inducing Power Outage at the Sadie Hawkins dance.
Spirit also meets the new girl Elizabeth, who believes herself and other Oakhurst students to be reincarnations of people from Arthurian legend -- although she's not sure who is who yet. Is Elizabeth insane or has she stumbled upon another clue to the secret of what's happening at Oakhurst?
I'm a little disappointed that Spirit still hasn't discovered her magical abilities and that her relationship with Burke has really progressed. However, I'm heartened to learn that this series is intended as a quartet so that assuming her powers manifest quickly in Book #3, Spirit will have time to learn how to use them. I'm also interested to see how the Arthurian aspect plays out.
It's not a perfect YA series, but I am enjoying it and look forward to discovering what the future holds for these characters.
Now I think I know why Tom Dolby's The Secret series is so underwhelming ... Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill are doing a much, much better job with a similar storyline. I'm very happy that the world-building and character development wordiness of Legacies (book #1 in the Shadow Grail series) was just a set-up so that the action can come fast and furious in subsequent novels.
Because you are already entrenched in the world of Oakhurst Academy and its well developed characters, only cursory recaps are necessary to refresh the memory and move forward with discovering the secrets behind the history and staff. Is Oakhurst a benevolent group helping magic endowed orphans or is there something more sinister in their desire to recruit, train, and develop these young magicians' talents.
Spirit White and her for friends, Loch, Addie, Muirin and Burke start investigating Oakhurst's and the property's history, including the enormous and mysterious oak tree around which the main hall seems to be built and whether Doctor Ambrosius is friend or foe.
Despite triumphing over The Wild Hunt, Spirit and the gang know that whoever allowed them onto the property is still on campus and may/may not also be behind the Fear Inducing Power Outage at the Sadie Hawkins dance.
Spirit also meets the new girl Elizabeth, who believes herself and other Oakhurst students to be reincarnations of people from Arthurian legend -- although she's not sure who is who yet. Is Elizabeth insane or has she stumbled upon another clue to the secret of what's happening at Oakhurst?
I'm a little disappointed that Spirit still hasn't discovered her magical abilities and that her relationship with Burke has really progressed. However, I'm heartened to learn that this series is intended as a quartet so that assuming her powers manifest quickly in Book #3, Spirit will have time to learn how to use them. I'm also interested to see how the Arthurian aspect plays out.
It's not a perfect YA series, but I am enjoying it and look forward to discovering what the future holds for these characters.
February 15, 2012
Better than the first, but still falls short of its potential.
This series disappoints me, yet at the same time part of me can't give up hope that it will get better. The good stuff that is there is really good, it just gets overshadowed by the not-so-good.
More questions get answered, but the way it gets done it almost seems as if the authors didn't know what to do and just decided throw something in and see if it sticks.
While the Wild Hunt and King Arthur is cool and the mythology fits, in some way it doesn't fit right in the story. I'm not sure why, it just doesn't feel right.
I think in some ways this series is trying to be over ambitious. It's a young adult series and it's about a bunch of teenagers, yet a lot of the story would be so much better if it was written as an adult series.
There is a lot more action in this story than the first- it doesn't wait until the last few pages for something to finally happen.
I think the thing I disliked the most about this book was Elizabeth's character. She's probably one of the most important characters in this book (and series thus far), in some ways even more so than Spirit, the main character, yet her part is downplayed and she is gotten rid of halfway through the book. I'm sure she'll probably be brought back in some way in a later book, but I think the handling of this character was very poorly done.
All in all, the series is mildly enjoyable and I'll probably continue reading it as the next books come out (although right now there is zero information on when the third book will be out), but it's not really worth owning, and I'm not even entirely sure I would recommend it to someone.
Disappointing, because it has a lot of potential.
This series disappoints me, yet at the same time part of me can't give up hope that it will get better. The good stuff that is there is really good, it just gets overshadowed by the not-so-good.
More questions get answered, but the way it gets done it almost seems as if the authors didn't know what to do and just decided throw something in and see if it sticks.
While the Wild Hunt and King Arthur is cool and the mythology fits, in some way it doesn't fit right in the story. I'm not sure why, it just doesn't feel right.
I think in some ways this series is trying to be over ambitious. It's a young adult series and it's about a bunch of teenagers, yet a lot of the story would be so much better if it was written as an adult series.
There is a lot more action in this story than the first- it doesn't wait until the last few pages for something to finally happen.
I think the thing I disliked the most about this book was Elizabeth's character. She's probably one of the most important characters in this book (and series thus far), in some ways even more so than Spirit, the main character, yet her part is downplayed and she is gotten rid of halfway through the book. I'm sure she'll probably be brought back in some way in a later book, but I think the handling of this character was very poorly done.
All in all, the series is mildly enjoyable and I'll probably continue reading it as the next books come out (although right now there is zero information on when the third book will be out), but it's not really worth owning, and I'm not even entirely sure I would recommend it to someone.
Disappointing, because it has a lot of potential.
March 16, 2013
I love co-authored books. It is always fun to figure out which author wrote which part. But sometimes, like this book, the writing is so in harmony that you can never figure it out. Which points to the authors' unique writing style.
Minor spoilers if you have not read Legacies (my review here)...
Spirit White has survived the Wild Hunt with her friends. But the enemies of Oakhurst academy have much more in mind. Suddenly,students are being taken away again. There is a cold, raw fear circling through the academy whenever all the students are in the same room. New teachers arrive and insure them that they will bring safety. Her friends are slipping further away and her heart is torn between Loch and Burke. What will happen in Spirit's not-so-perfect life? Find out when you read this imaginative, captivating novel, Conspiracies...
I loved this. Legacies was a very adventurous and mysterious read, this was even more so. Many new things happen in the creepy academy and we see a whole new side to the characters. Spirit's struggles are believable. she is cautious, curious, and she doesn't fit in. Easy to relate to. The pack of secondary characters are well though-out and very easy to relate to, too. The love interests are both great, sweet guys. I couldn't pick a side, until....
There are some huge twists in this book that you will definitely not expect. Every time I tried to go with the flow, another twist was thrown in, and I was swept off my feet again. Conspiracies will not bore you! Not even one page will pass without something important and valuable that adds to the story. I cannot wait to read the third book! Recommended to everyone who likes some fantasy!
Minor spoilers if you have not read Legacies (my review here)...
Spirit White has survived the Wild Hunt with her friends. But the enemies of Oakhurst academy have much more in mind. Suddenly,students are being taken away again. There is a cold, raw fear circling through the academy whenever all the students are in the same room. New teachers arrive and insure them that they will bring safety. Her friends are slipping further away and her heart is torn between Loch and Burke. What will happen in Spirit's not-so-perfect life? Find out when you read this imaginative, captivating novel, Conspiracies...
I loved this. Legacies was a very adventurous and mysterious read, this was even more so. Many new things happen in the creepy academy and we see a whole new side to the characters. Spirit's struggles are believable. she is cautious, curious, and she doesn't fit in. Easy to relate to. The pack of secondary characters are well though-out and very easy to relate to, too. The love interests are both great, sweet guys. I couldn't pick a side, until....
There are some huge twists in this book that you will definitely not expect. Every time I tried to go with the flow, another twist was thrown in, and I was swept off my feet again. Conspiracies will not bore you! Not even one page will pass without something important and valuable that adds to the story. I cannot wait to read the third book! Recommended to everyone who likes some fantasy!
August 3, 2013
I didn't see these books on the new books shelf in the library when they came out, and found them recently in the YA section after seeing on GR that Mercedes Lackey had written a series that I didn't know about. (I guess YA has its own new book section, which I haven't been looking at.) I wasn't missing much.
Although the books (this is for #1 and #2, haven't read the third one yet) are written well enough that I kept going, they don't work well enough to suspend disbelief. There are major plot holes
The characters are generally whiny. Spirit is upset because no one believes her even though she is obviously right. The other characters whine about Spirit not relaxing. The teachers seem interchangeable - I couldn't remember who was who.
I will go on to read the next book in the series, but only because I read quickly and want to know how the ultimate mystery is resolved, not because of real excitement.
Although the books (this is for #1 and #2, haven't read the third one yet) are written well enough that I kept going, they don't work well enough to suspend disbelief. There are major plot holes
The characters are generally whiny. Spirit is upset because no one believes her even though she is obviously right. The other characters whine about Spirit not relaxing. The teachers seem interchangeable - I couldn't remember who was who.
I will go on to read the next book in the series, but only because I read quickly and want to know how the ultimate mystery is resolved, not because of real excitement.
September 7, 2015
Granted I haven't yet finished this book. I will, but as a second installment this is grinding along at a tedious pace. It feels like the same things are happening 17 different ways and the five central characters fade in and out of awareness that they are in danger, that there is an unidentified threat, and students are still disappearing and seemingly no-one is alarmed, curious, or in any way concerned beyond "oh, well, they're dead now I suppose".
I am unsure whether this will be "revealed" later to have been part of a distraction spell or some such, but it makes for unrealistic reading, and I haven't built up any empathy for any of these characters. Any of them. 1 and 3/4 books in, I can't say that I know who any of these kids are.
There's a lacklustre romantic subplot that is picked up and put down at random and with no substance to engender any interest. No wonder nothing happens in this story. Everyone is so scattered, and incapable of remembering or connecting anything that happens, that it seems that every few pages we get a paragraphs-long recap that reads something like "oh dear, no one believes me that there is something happening. Oh - a dance, I have to dress up. How distracting. Why is everyone so distracted and no one believes me that there is something happening. Oh, it's dinner time and I have an email with my class schedule on it. Oh, email. We can't email the outside world. I wish I could so I could tell someone that something is happening."Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews