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Twelve Houses #3
Dark Moon Defender
National bestselling and award-winning author Sharon Shinn continues her entrancing saga of the Twelve Houses with a story of hidden magics and forbidden love...
The King's Rider Justin has been dispatched to watch any suspicious activity at the convent that houses the fanatical Daughters of the Pale Mother. Worshippers of the moon goddess, they believe all magic-wielding mystics are evil. Yet, in their midst, a young novice named Ellynor possesses the gift of healing and the ability to move through the night unobserved. Assuming the guise of a stablehand, Justin befriends Ellynor --and love blossoms between them. And when he discovers her magical talents, Justin will risk everything--his own secret, the trust of his friends, even his very life--in order to save her...
The King's Rider Justin has been dispatched to watch any suspicious activity at the convent that houses the fanatical Daughters of the Pale Mother. Worshippers of the moon goddess, they believe all magic-wielding mystics are evil. Yet, in their midst, a young novice named Ellynor possesses the gift of healing and the ability to move through the night unobserved. Assuming the guise of a stablehand, Justin befriends Ellynor --and love blossoms between them. And when he discovers her magical talents, Justin will risk everything--his own secret, the trust of his friends, even his very life--in order to save her...
448 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2006
63 people are currently reading
1112 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Shinn
58 books2,284 followersI’ve been writing stories and poems since I was eight years old. My first poem was about Halloween: "What is tonight? What is tonight?/Try to guess and you’ll guess right." Perhaps this inauspicious beginning explains why it took me till I was in my thirties to sell a novel. It occurred to me early on that it might take some time and a lot of tries before I was able to publish any of my creative writing, so I pursued a degree in journalism at Northwestern University so I’d be able to support myself while I figured out how to write fiction.
I’ve spent most of my journalism career at three trade and association magazines—The Professional Photographer (which, as you might guess, went to studio and industrial photographers), DECOR (which went to frame shop and art gallery owners), and BizEd (which is directed at deans and professors at business schools). My longest stint, seventeen years, was at DECOR. Many people don’t know this, but I’m a CPF (Certified Picture Framer), having passed a very long, technical test to prove I understood the tenets of conservation framing. Now I write about management education and interview some really cool, really smart people from all over the world.
I mostly write my fiction in the evenings and on weekends. It requires a pretty obsessive-compulsive personality to be as prolific as I’ve been in the past ten years and hold down a full-time job. But I do manage to tear myself away from the computer now and then to do something fun. I read as often as I can, across all genres, though I’m most often holding a book that’s fantasy or romance, with the occasional western thrown in. I’m a fan of Cardinals baseball and try to be at the ballpark on opening day. If I had the time, I’d see a movie every day of my life. I love certain TV shows so much that knowing a new episode is going to air that night will make me happy all day. (I’m a huge Joss Whedon fan, but in the past I’ve given my heart to shows all over the map in terms of quality: "Knight Rider," "Remington Steele," "Blake’s 7," "Moonlighting," "The Young Riders," "Cheers," "Hill Street Blues," "X-Files," "Lost," "Battlestar Galactica"...you can probably fill in the gaps. And let’s not forget my very first loves, "The Partridge Family," "Here Come the Brides" and "Alias Smith & Jones.")
I don’t have kids, I don’t want pets, and all my plants die, so I’m really only forced to provide ongoing care for my menagerie of stuffed animals. All my friends are animal lovers, though, and someone once theorized that I keep friends as pets. I’m still trying to decide if that’s true.
I’ve spent most of my journalism career at three trade and association magazines—The Professional Photographer (which, as you might guess, went to studio and industrial photographers), DECOR (which went to frame shop and art gallery owners), and BizEd (which is directed at deans and professors at business schools). My longest stint, seventeen years, was at DECOR. Many people don’t know this, but I’m a CPF (Certified Picture Framer), having passed a very long, technical test to prove I understood the tenets of conservation framing. Now I write about management education and interview some really cool, really smart people from all over the world.
I mostly write my fiction in the evenings and on weekends. It requires a pretty obsessive-compulsive personality to be as prolific as I’ve been in the past ten years and hold down a full-time job. But I do manage to tear myself away from the computer now and then to do something fun. I read as often as I can, across all genres, though I’m most often holding a book that’s fantasy or romance, with the occasional western thrown in. I’m a fan of Cardinals baseball and try to be at the ballpark on opening day. If I had the time, I’d see a movie every day of my life. I love certain TV shows so much that knowing a new episode is going to air that night will make me happy all day. (I’m a huge Joss Whedon fan, but in the past I’ve given my heart to shows all over the map in terms of quality: "Knight Rider," "Remington Steele," "Blake’s 7," "Moonlighting," "The Young Riders," "Cheers," "Hill Street Blues," "X-Files," "Lost," "Battlestar Galactica"...you can probably fill in the gaps. And let’s not forget my very first loves, "The Partridge Family," "Here Come the Brides" and "Alias Smith & Jones.")
I don’t have kids, I don’t want pets, and all my plants die, so I’m really only forced to provide ongoing care for my menagerie of stuffed animals. All my friends are animal lovers, though, and someone once theorized that I keep friends as pets. I’m still trying to decide if that’s true.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 281 reviews
July 15, 2023
Highly recommended to fans of the sword & sorcery / romantic fantasy genres.
Well, Sharon Shinn is the effing uncrowned Queen of Political Intrigue in the romantic fantasy genre, and no mistake.
I read the kindle format & kind of missing Jennifer van Dyck’s excellent reading it aloud to me – but the audiobook series switched to a male narrator whom I did not particularly like after having been offered a sample.
I did not like the book as much as the first 2 installments of the series, but it was a very enjoyable read anyway & earns a solid four stars from me.
It is Justin’s story, and as he is on a „lonely” assignment to spy on Coralinda Gisseltess & her Lumanen Convent, we do not get as many circle-of-friends-moments as I would have liked. Whenever all the 6 friends (Senneth, Tayse, Justin, Cammon, Kirra & Donnal) are together, those are always the most powerful-joyful parts of all the books of the Twelve Houses series for me. However scarce, when we they occur in Dark Moon Defender, they are always full of excitement & moving moments.
As other reviewers pointed out, the story in general does not move forward a great deal. The Twelve Houses are still plotting for or against King Baryn or try to stay neutral. Everybody is still assessing the odds of war or peace though it is becoming more pronounced who allies with whom. Yet, you can feel a kind of eye of the storm calmness that will most probably culimnate in the fourth book, Reader & Raelynx.
Nevertheless, the individual storylines picked up from Books 1 & 2 are developing absolutely to my liking and also enough happens with the friends and Justin & Ellynor that I never found the overall pacing dragging.
We are shown life - seemingly pious and innocent- in the Lumanen Convent & but at the same time we get the overall workings of dangerous and alluring fundamentalism through the worshiping of the moon goddess, the Pale Mother. This goddess is used by a blindly fanatic, ambitious Coralinda & her followers to further their own vicious causes in killing others who are mostly harmless, only different than they are. We are shown that not all followers are that devoted or vicious, yet how much harm they cause by standing by mutely or unaware of what is committed on behalf of deity.
What I liked:
- Senneth & Tayse’s overall storyline. I was so happy for them.
- Cammon being able to „feel” Justin’s distress & need for help over hundreds of miles
- Finally we are introduced to House Brassenthwaite & Senneth’s brothers in person. I love what happened there. :)
- The pairing of Casserah Danalastrous & Will Brassenthwaite
- Sabina’s storyline, how she ends up being helped both by Ellynor, Justin and the Senneth.
- The Friendship Bond
- The way Ellynor heals Justin
- Senneth’s gift to Justin. That had me almost in tears.
- The rescue scene at the end is spectacular & one in the eye for sanctimonious, revolting Coralinda
- More intrigue around Queen Valri – I hope we get to know about her in the next book, why she left her homeland and married the King.
What I didn’t like:
- Ellynor’s character was quite ambiguous for me. I started out liking her, but as the story developed her willful obtuseness even though clearly a plot device, started grating on my nerves, because she kept endangering herself and thus Justin and his friends.
Well, Sharon Shinn is the effing uncrowned Queen of Political Intrigue in the romantic fantasy genre, and no mistake.
I read the kindle format & kind of missing Jennifer van Dyck’s excellent reading it aloud to me – but the audiobook series switched to a male narrator whom I did not particularly like after having been offered a sample.
I did not like the book as much as the first 2 installments of the series, but it was a very enjoyable read anyway & earns a solid four stars from me.
It is Justin’s story, and as he is on a „lonely” assignment to spy on Coralinda Gisseltess & her Lumanen Convent, we do not get as many circle-of-friends-moments as I would have liked. Whenever all the 6 friends (Senneth, Tayse, Justin, Cammon, Kirra & Donnal) are together, those are always the most powerful-joyful parts of all the books of the Twelve Houses series for me. However scarce, when we they occur in Dark Moon Defender, they are always full of excitement & moving moments.
As other reviewers pointed out, the story in general does not move forward a great deal. The Twelve Houses are still plotting for or against King Baryn or try to stay neutral. Everybody is still assessing the odds of war or peace though it is becoming more pronounced who allies with whom. Yet, you can feel a kind of eye of the storm calmness that will most probably culimnate in the fourth book, Reader & Raelynx.
Nevertheless, the individual storylines picked up from Books 1 & 2 are developing absolutely to my liking and also enough happens with the friends and Justin & Ellynor that I never found the overall pacing dragging.
We are shown life - seemingly pious and innocent- in the Lumanen Convent & but at the same time we get the overall workings of dangerous and alluring fundamentalism through the worshiping of the moon goddess, the Pale Mother. This goddess is used by a blindly fanatic, ambitious Coralinda & her followers to further their own vicious causes in killing others who are mostly harmless, only different than they are. We are shown that not all followers are that devoted or vicious, yet how much harm they cause by standing by mutely or unaware of what is committed on behalf of deity.
What I liked:
- Senneth & Tayse’s overall storyline. I was so happy for them.
- Cammon being able to „feel” Justin’s distress & need for help over hundreds of miles
- Finally we are introduced to House Brassenthwaite & Senneth’s brothers in person. I love what happened there. :)
- The pairing of Casserah Danalastrous & Will Brassenthwaite
- Sabina’s storyline, how she ends up being helped both by Ellynor, Justin and the Senneth.
- The Friendship Bond
- The way Ellynor heals Justin
- Senneth’s gift to Justin. That had me almost in tears.
- The rescue scene at the end is spectacular & one in the eye for sanctimonious, revolting Coralinda
- More intrigue around Queen Valri – I hope we get to know about her in the next book, why she left her homeland and married the King.
What I didn’t like:
- Ellynor’s character was quite ambiguous for me. I started out liking her, but as the story developed her willful obtuseness even though clearly a plot device, started grating on my nerves, because she kept endangering herself and thus Justin and his friends.
October 3, 2011
Originally posted here.
Dark Moon Defender is the third book in the Twelve Houses series by Sharon Shinn. Reading order: Mystic and Rider, The Thirteenth House, Dark Moon Defender, Reader and Raelynx, Fortune and Fate. Should the books be read in order? Yes. Also, don't read any of the synopses of the latter books if you haven't read the earlier ones. They contain spoilery bits. Even the summary for this book has some spoilers. Dark Moon Defender is all about Justin, Tayse's fellow Rider. He's present in the two other novels and finally gets his own story (and romance!) in this one. Justin has been assigned on a spy mission. The king wants concrete proof that Coralinda Gisseltess, head of the convent of devotees of the Pale Mother, is committing violent acts against mystics. Mystics are individuals with magical abilities and Coralinda firmly believes that the Pale Mother, the moon goddess, hates magic. Justin settles down in the town of Neft as a stable-hand. He tries to keep a low profile so as not to attract attention. Without meaning to, he befriends Ellynor, a young novice at the convent. The companions from the earlier books - Cammon, Senneth, Tayse, Kirra and Donnal - drop by to visit Justin from time to time.
I feel like Justin's novel is different from the rest of the companions' because he's a King's Rider with no magical powers unlike the other mystics in the group. Justin and Tayse are two of the best Riders in the realm. Riders are skilled fighters, devoted to the king. For some reason, I wasn't as convinced of their incredible fighting skills as I'd like. I realized that it's mostly because the author tells the reader that they're excellent fighters instead of showing their prowess through the Riders' actions. It's different with the mystics because there are several instances for them to demonstrate their power. Maybe that's one of the reasons why I didn't like this book as much as I wanted. Also, it's the first book in the series where the companions spend time apart. Justin is all by himself so the story jumps from his point of view to one of the other characters. The scenes that I liked the most were the ones where they're all together. This storytelling format reminded me of Sharon Shinn's Samaria series and Justin's book, in particular, is similar to Angel-Seeker . Why? There's forbidden romance in both books and the characters need to sneak around in order to be together.
I did enjoy reading the book as a whole because we get to learn more about other aspects of the world - Ellynor's heritage and details about the convent when the story shifts to her point of view. It's funny because even though I had problems with each book in the series so far, the author has managed to make me care enough about the characters to continue reading about them. As such, I feel like this is a series that I can recommend to anyone who's looking to sink his or her teeth into a fantasy series that's easy to follow. I'm going to stick with the series until the end. I'm already in the middle of the next book, Reader and Raelynx, and I think it's more exciting than the other books because it's marked with climactic events that the previous books have been leading up to.
Dark Moon Defender is the third book in the Twelve Houses series by Sharon Shinn. Reading order: Mystic and Rider, The Thirteenth House, Dark Moon Defender, Reader and Raelynx, Fortune and Fate. Should the books be read in order? Yes. Also, don't read any of the synopses of the latter books if you haven't read the earlier ones. They contain spoilery bits. Even the summary for this book has some spoilers. Dark Moon Defender is all about Justin, Tayse's fellow Rider. He's present in the two other novels and finally gets his own story (and romance!) in this one. Justin has been assigned on a spy mission. The king wants concrete proof that Coralinda Gisseltess, head of the convent of devotees of the Pale Mother, is committing violent acts against mystics. Mystics are individuals with magical abilities and Coralinda firmly believes that the Pale Mother, the moon goddess, hates magic. Justin settles down in the town of Neft as a stable-hand. He tries to keep a low profile so as not to attract attention. Without meaning to, he befriends Ellynor, a young novice at the convent. The companions from the earlier books - Cammon, Senneth, Tayse, Kirra and Donnal - drop by to visit Justin from time to time.
I feel like Justin's novel is different from the rest of the companions' because he's a King's Rider with no magical powers unlike the other mystics in the group. Justin and Tayse are two of the best Riders in the realm. Riders are skilled fighters, devoted to the king. For some reason, I wasn't as convinced of their incredible fighting skills as I'd like. I realized that it's mostly because the author tells the reader that they're excellent fighters instead of showing their prowess through the Riders' actions. It's different with the mystics because there are several instances for them to demonstrate their power. Maybe that's one of the reasons why I didn't like this book as much as I wanted. Also, it's the first book in the series where the companions spend time apart. Justin is all by himself so the story jumps from his point of view to one of the other characters. The scenes that I liked the most were the ones where they're all together. This storytelling format reminded me of Sharon Shinn's Samaria series and Justin's book, in particular, is similar to Angel-Seeker . Why? There's forbidden romance in both books and the characters need to sneak around in order to be together.
I did enjoy reading the book as a whole because we get to learn more about other aspects of the world - Ellynor's heritage and details about the convent when the story shifts to her point of view. It's funny because even though I had problems with each book in the series so far, the author has managed to make me care enough about the characters to continue reading about them. As such, I feel like this is a series that I can recommend to anyone who's looking to sink his or her teeth into a fantasy series that's easy to follow. I'm going to stick with the series until the end. I'm already in the middle of the next book, Reader and Raelynx, and I think it's more exciting than the other books because it's marked with climactic events that the previous books have been leading up to.
March 9, 2016
I couldn't get behind this romance, and it didn't seem like there was all that much going on outside of it. Some Sharon Shinn romances totally work for me -- I'm looking at you, Archangel and Troubled Waters -- but this one held no suspense and very little chemistry. Way too much hand-wringing. Your mileage may vary. I just prefer heroines who give as good as they get.
September 23, 2020
Evvet ilk yarı 5 vermeyi düşünüyordum her ne kadar epik fantastikten romantige kaymış olsa da zevkle okudum ama kitap bildiğin gereksiz tekrar ve uzatmalarla dolu...592 sayfanin 200 u gereksizdi hele bir ara yeşilçam a bağladı ve puanlar düştü..
Ana konuda bir arpa boyu yol almadılar anca gönül ilişkileriyle coşmuş yazar...bu kitap seri devamı değil anca yan kitap olur.
Ana konuda bir arpa boyu yol almadılar anca gönül ilişkileriyle coşmuş yazar...bu kitap seri devamı değil anca yan kitap olur.
December 12, 2022
Before the review: multiple times reading this book I snickered to myself wondering how our 6 main characters would react to that ungodly depiction of Justin on the cover. I have to imagine Justin would be beyond insulted, Tayse torn between amusement and irritation that a King's Rider would be shown carrying a sword in that manner, and the rest of them just DYING with laughter. I have no idea what the cover illustrator could have been thinking. Justin is described multiple times as being a large, buff gutter boy with too many scars to name, and the artist decides to use...what, a male Victoria Secret model as their reference? And the publishers were okay with that???? Sharon Shinn really drew the short straw with the covers to her books. I think Summers at Castle Auburn is the only one with proper cover art. I'm convinced the only reason Shinn's books are popular at all is through word of mouth, since the marketing department has obviously been failing her since the beginning.
Dark Moon Defender was always my favorite installment in this series. I think it might still be, but this time around I found Ellynor's sweet innocence and naiveté to be a little grating. Shinn enjoys writing a heroine like that every so often, someone sugar sweet, naive, and gullible. Shinn does great character development, so I can always count on this type of girl to end the book a wiser human being, but whether or not I can stand the character enough to truly enjoy the story heavily depends on my mood. On this particular rereading, I much preferred Senneth and Kirra's romances with Tayse and Romar. These were romances between full grown adults who were more knowledgable about the world, and neither Senneth nor Kirra are innocent or naive (or sweet), so I enjoyed their POV's a lot more. However, Justin and Ellynor's devotion to one another is still lovely to read, especially when either one of them is in danger, and they have to go to great lengths to save each other.
What makes this a five star book are the two chapters that Senneth spends at Brassenthwaite with her brothers, which were fabulously written and absolutely hilarious. I love how Senneth hates her brothers so much, but in the end fell in love with a man who is actually quite similar in personality to those brothers--although Tayse, as we all know, would NEVER have stood and watched silently as his nephew was murdered in his crib and his sister was thrown out of the house.
I remember when I first read these books I was frustrated that we didn't see more of a heartfelt reconciliation between Senneth and her brothers. Now that I'm older, I can understand why this never happened (some wounds are too big and go to deep). Still, it bothers me that Kiernan and Nate never show any fury on Senneth's behalf towards Halchon Gisseltess, or indeed feel any modicum of protectiveness for her at all. But of course, now I realize this is why Tayse is so important to her. He feels that fury on her behalf and gives her that protection and sense of worth that she never got from her family. :'( They have such a sweet romance and I love to read it.
Dark Moon Defender was always my favorite installment in this series. I think it might still be, but this time around I found Ellynor's sweet innocence and naiveté to be a little grating. Shinn enjoys writing a heroine like that every so often, someone sugar sweet, naive, and gullible. Shinn does great character development, so I can always count on this type of girl to end the book a wiser human being, but whether or not I can stand the character enough to truly enjoy the story heavily depends on my mood. On this particular rereading, I much preferred Senneth and Kirra's romances with Tayse and Romar. These were romances between full grown adults who were more knowledgable about the world, and neither Senneth nor Kirra are innocent or naive (or sweet), so I enjoyed their POV's a lot more. However, Justin and Ellynor's devotion to one another is still lovely to read, especially when either one of them is in danger, and they have to go to great lengths to save each other.
What makes this a five star book are the two chapters that Senneth spends at Brassenthwaite with her brothers, which were fabulously written and absolutely hilarious. I love how Senneth hates her brothers so much, but in the end fell in love with a man who is actually quite similar in personality to those brothers--although Tayse, as we all know, would NEVER have stood and watched silently as his nephew was murdered in his crib and his sister was thrown out of the house.
I remember when I first read these books I was frustrated that we didn't see more of a heartfelt reconciliation between Senneth and her brothers. Now that I'm older, I can understand why this never happened (some wounds are too big and go to deep). Still, it bothers me that Kiernan and Nate never show any fury on Senneth's behalf towards Halchon Gisseltess, or indeed feel any modicum of protectiveness for her at all. But of course, now I realize this is why Tayse is so important to her. He feels that fury on her behalf and gives her that protection and sense of worth that she never got from her family. :'( They have such a sweet romance and I love to read it.
April 9, 2009
Book three in the Twelve Houses series turns its focus to Justin, the street urchin turned Kings Rider. He's stationed near the convent of the Pale Mother with orders to watch out for signs of rebellion under the power hungry Halchon and Coralinda Gisseltess. After saving a young novice from the convent, Ellynor, he begins to learn more about her while experiencing the true evil of Coralinda and her hatred of mystics firsthand.
To be honest this book fell a little flat for me. Let's first say I love the political conflict and dynamics between the various houses. And I LOVED the progression of Senneth and Tayse's relationship. So wonderful!! But. The relationship between Justin and Ellynor just wasn't much to write home about. Perhaps I was expecting too much since I loved the first two - turmoil and very developed conflict that continually kept me on my toes. Here, the whole big, strong man who falls for the small, dainty female that needs to be protected just seemed a little too blah for me.
And the whole thing with Kirra and Donnal! AHHH! When did that get resolved?! I feel like I need an additional book to further discuss their relationship and for me to just to get to know Donnal - I feel like I know him the least of the six.
So, I'd probably give it a 3.5, but I'll just do a 3. But I'll for sure keep reading the series becuase the first two were just so good, I'm hoping this one was a fluke.
To be honest this book fell a little flat for me. Let's first say I love the political conflict and dynamics between the various houses. And I LOVED the progression of Senneth and Tayse's relationship. So wonderful!! But. The relationship between Justin and Ellynor just wasn't much to write home about. Perhaps I was expecting too much since I loved the first two - turmoil and very developed conflict that continually kept me on my toes. Here, the whole big, strong man who falls for the small, dainty female that needs to be protected just seemed a little too blah for me.
And the whole thing with Kirra and Donnal! AHHH! When did that get resolved?! I feel like I need an additional book to further discuss their relationship and for me to just to get to know Donnal - I feel like I know him the least of the six.
So, I'd probably give it a 3.5, but I'll just do a 3. But I'll for sure keep reading the series becuase the first two were just so good, I'm hoping this one was a fluke.
October 27, 2015
Probably the weakest of the series so far - a 2.5. I don't feel like enough was done with Justin, either in terms of his character or his actions in the book. There really didn't seem to be much of an internally-logical reason (as far as the plots taking place WITHIN the book) to keep him alone in Neft for so long, other than to spin out the plot OF the book (basically, to pair him up with Ellynor). It's not like he really learned anything during this extended spying expedition that wasn't already old news. His romance was also the least interesting of the ones we've seen so far...pretty much a formulaic "big man feels protective of delicate woman" story. Ellynor had some charm, but was nowhere near the fully-developed and compelling character that Senneth and Kirra are.
March 6, 2017
I love this series! This is my third time reading it and I just sigh with happiness every-time I finish. This is the third book and Justin's story. Justin becomes more his own character as he is sent out on a lone mission. This is one of my favorite love stories it has so many great elements and everything comes together so well. This one is also a great one for the other characters who are growing and going threw there own changes. This book brings the band of 6 even closer together and sets up more of the war between Coralanda and the Mystics! I can't wait till she gets it. This book has some violence but it is not too detailed and some premarital sex that is fade to black. This whole series is a PG 13 if it was a movie.
January 21, 2008
Some have said that of the Twelve Houses books thus far, this is Sharon Shinn's weakest effort ... well, I beg to differ. I loved it. I think I liked it better than the first two, probably because I had a chance to see such a tremendous change in Justin's character. Wow! I knew I always liked him for a reason. *grin*
May 22, 2007
Starting off a little slow...
Didn't get much better. A slow middle-of-the-series book. The love story was particularly unattractive and the end a little too easy.
Didn't get much better. A slow middle-of-the-series book. The love story was particularly unattractive and the end a little too easy.
October 31, 2012
Reading this book during Hurricane Sandy yesterday was the perfect distraction. I didn't have any idea what Ms. Shinn would do with Justin's story so I let her lead while I followed.
This one is more of a love story and didn't really move the series forward for me so I took a star off for that and the ending. I don't like the fill-in the details endings even if I can see it clearly.
This series has characters that hold me in a sweet thrall. Justin, like Tayse, is a man of honor and purpose. I wondered what the woman would be like to capture his heart. As it turns out, she was everything he needed and many things he didn't. They both started out hiding secrets. I believe the mysteries they held allowed them to fall in love. Neither understood what was truly at stake.
The heroine, Ellynor, is from the mysterious Lirrenlands on the other side of the mountain from Gillengaria. Ellynor is a novice in the convent run by the wholly evil zealot Corlinda Gisseltess. The story gave a comprehensive view of life inside the convent. As expected, the Daughters of the Pale Mother are doing very bad things to Mystics. Ellynor came to the convent to support her cousin who was basically weak minded moving towards crazy. While on an outing, Ellynor is attacked and needed a hero. In came Justin. The two began to bond almost immediately. I felt they were an excellent fit and I like the fact that Ms. Shinn doesn't rush through the process of falling in love.
Justin is working alone on his assignment to spy on the convent so he doesn't have his friends by his side at first. Of course, they are there when he needs them. Senneth and Tayse move their relationship to the next level in this one and made me nearly cry. I love Kirra and Donnal but their relationship is strange and doesn't work for me beyond friendship. I would like more to come of it but they would need their own book. Cammon is his usual sweet self. Although the story did not move enough of the conflict forward, there was still movement of major threads. I liked everything that came to light and the new bonds that were formed in support of the main characters.
My libray didn't have book 4 on the shelves so I am gonna have to wait on that one. Whoa is me.
This one is more of a love story and didn't really move the series forward for me so I took a star off for that and the ending. I don't like the fill-in the details endings even if I can see it clearly.
This series has characters that hold me in a sweet thrall. Justin, like Tayse, is a man of honor and purpose. I wondered what the woman would be like to capture his heart. As it turns out, she was everything he needed and many things he didn't. They both started out hiding secrets. I believe the mysteries they held allowed them to fall in love. Neither understood what was truly at stake.
The heroine, Ellynor, is from the mysterious Lirrenlands on the other side of the mountain from Gillengaria. Ellynor is a novice in the convent run by the wholly evil zealot Corlinda Gisseltess. The story gave a comprehensive view of life inside the convent. As expected, the Daughters of the Pale Mother are doing very bad things to Mystics. Ellynor came to the convent to support her cousin who was basically weak minded moving towards crazy. While on an outing, Ellynor is attacked and needed a hero. In came Justin. The two began to bond almost immediately. I felt they were an excellent fit and I like the fact that Ms. Shinn doesn't rush through the process of falling in love.
Justin is working alone on his assignment to spy on the convent so he doesn't have his friends by his side at first. Of course, they are there when he needs them. Senneth and Tayse move their relationship to the next level in this one and made me nearly cry. I love Kirra and Donnal but their relationship is strange and doesn't work for me beyond friendship. I would like more to come of it but they would need their own book. Cammon is his usual sweet self. Although the story did not move enough of the conflict forward, there was still movement of major threads. I liked everything that came to light and the new bonds that were formed in support of the main characters.
My libray didn't have book 4 on the shelves so I am gonna have to wait on that one. Whoa is me.
January 2, 2021
2.5 stars , rounded up.
On my quest for more vaguely intelligent brain-candy, I picked this book up. I can't say it was terrible but there were lots of issues. But first, I'll talk about the good stuff.
For an atheist, I really like reading about gods, magic from gods, etc. I enjoyed reading about the Black Mother and her relationship with the Lirrenfolk. I don't really care if some mystics are overpowered; I've come to accept that Mary Sues and Gary Stus are inevitable in brain-candy reads.
But the characterisation, which was so strong in Mystic and Rider was very inconsistent here. Senneth, in particular, behaved differently from how I thought she would. The arranged marriage bit between two side characters was played for laughs but still vaguely disturbed me. Will, Senneth's brother, even mentioned it - although Senneth would never allow anyone to arrange a marriage for her, she was perfectly happy and willing to arrange one for him. She was even scheming with Kiernan, to arrange the marriages of other members of the House... It just felt a little strange to me.
The romance in this book, between Justin and a new character, Ellynor, was more pivotal to the story than in Mystic and Rider. Depending on how you feel about 'earnest' sort of romances, this could be either a plus point or a flaw. It wasn't insta-love, but I wasn't too happy with how Ellynor just became completely wrapped up in Justin.
The plot was pretty fast moving, although it flowed around the central romance. I'll probably read the next book to see how it all ends.
On my quest for more vaguely intelligent brain-candy, I picked this book up. I can't say it was terrible but there were lots of issues. But first, I'll talk about the good stuff.
For an atheist, I really like reading about gods, magic from gods, etc. I enjoyed reading about the Black Mother and her relationship with the Lirrenfolk. I don't really care if some mystics are overpowered; I've come to accept that Mary Sues and Gary Stus are inevitable in brain-candy reads.
But the characterisation, which was so strong in Mystic and Rider was very inconsistent here. Senneth, in particular, behaved differently from how I thought she would. The arranged marriage bit between two side characters was played for laughs but still vaguely disturbed me. Will, Senneth's brother, even mentioned it - although Senneth would never allow anyone to arrange a marriage for her, she was perfectly happy and willing to arrange one for him. She was even scheming with Kiernan, to arrange the marriages of other members of the House... It just felt a little strange to me.
The romance in this book, between Justin and a new character, Ellynor, was more pivotal to the story than in Mystic and Rider. Depending on how you feel about 'earnest' sort of romances, this could be either a plus point or a flaw. It wasn't insta-love, but I wasn't too happy with how Ellynor just became completely wrapped up in Justin.
The plot was pretty fast moving, although it flowed around the central romance. I'll probably read the next book to see how it all ends.
November 7, 2022
Third in Sharon Shinn's Twelve Houses series, centering this time on Justin. So far, this was my favorite installment of a series which I have really enjoyed. Justin is one of the original six main characters, a surly and cynical Kings Rider with a harsh past. Asked to reconnoiter the city of Neft, nearby the convent of mystic hating, Pale Mother fanatics. He meets Ellynor, a novice sent to the convent by her family to watch her unruly, impulsive cousin.
Justin's protective instincts are activated after he rescues Ellynor on the streets of Neft, and they form a fast friendship. Their relationship has many obstacles, and both have secrets that they attempt to keep hidden. This becomes more difficult as Ellynor's safety is increasingly threatened.
I liked the exciting story, and Ellynor was distinct, consistent, and easy to love. I also liked that the other 5 main characters made appearances, and seemed essential to the story.
No complaints, and I am already on to book 4.
Justin's protective instincts are activated after he rescues Ellynor on the streets of Neft, and they form a fast friendship. Their relationship has many obstacles, and both have secrets that they attempt to keep hidden. This becomes more difficult as Ellynor's safety is increasingly threatened.
I liked the exciting story, and Ellynor was distinct, consistent, and easy to love. I also liked that the other 5 main characters made appearances, and seemed essential to the story.
No complaints, and I am already on to book 4.
November 7, 2015
The book focuses on Justin and his love interest.
The overarching plot thickens as we see Cordelia murdering mystics left and right. Justin is sent to obtain proof of such violence, and along the way he meets Ellynor.
It's very typical and not particularly exciting. I never got attached to Ellynor, to be honest. The plot suffered a bit, mostly due to the needed scenes of attraction between our two main leads.
Only read if you want to finish out the series. But to be honest, stopping at the Mystic and the Rider is perfectly fine.
2 stars. It was okay. Not a bad read.
The overarching plot thickens as we see Cordelia murdering mystics left and right. Justin is sent to obtain proof of such violence, and along the way he meets Ellynor.
It's very typical and not particularly exciting. I never got attached to Ellynor, to be honest. The plot suffered a bit, mostly due to the needed scenes of attraction between our two main leads.
Only read if you want to finish out the series. But to be honest, stopping at the Mystic and the Rider is perfectly fine.
2 stars. It was okay. Not a bad read.
November 13, 2016
This is the third book and I love this one because its about Justin. HE IS SO CUTE. AND HIS GIRLFRIEND IS SO CUTE TOO. Also, this one has a soft sex scene (just a heads up) Which I really liked actually.
The funnest part of The Twelve Houses series, is that it manages to explore a different magic in each book. This one is of the lesser known goddesses and I think she is super duper cool.
(spoilers?)
Justin is lowkey brilliant in this one, he was really well chosen for this mission. I like the part where he hides the woman in his bed WITH HIS OWN BODY. That was so cool.
The funnest part of The Twelve Houses series, is that it manages to explore a different magic in each book. This one is of the lesser known goddesses and I think she is super duper cool.
(spoilers?)
Justin is lowkey brilliant in this one, he was really well chosen for this mission. I like the part where he hides the woman in his bed WITH HIS OWN BODY. That was so cool.
December 22, 2025
4.5
Ok, I am now officially obsessed with this series. "Dark Moon Defender" was one of the best reading experiences I have had in months...in terms of me not wanting to put the book down, always choosing it over scrolling or vegetating, thinking about it when I couldn't be reading it - that best of bookish feelings!
I just love these characters, this found family group of mystics and their allies; how they have come together despite very different backgrounds and initial suspicion and dislike. I didn't think I was going to enjoy the book focused on Justin that much; what little personality he had shown in previous books was not particularly appealing (grumpy, standoff-ish, and stoic). But I had so much fun watching his journey to love and a deeper recognition of his bonds with his friends. It gave me all the squishy heart feels. And I appreciated that this was not a romantasy insta-love/lust situation. Justin struggles to open up and doesn't even initially recognize that he is falling in love.
Description (from Goodreads):
I enjoyed learning more about the Lirrens and the customs there. Ellynor's calm faith that was still open-minded to other beliefs was really refreshing. And we finally get a tantalizing clue about Queen Valri's origins.
The pacing in "Dark Moon Defender" was really good. There are adventures and tense scenes peppered liberally throughout the plot, interspersed with moments of calm that allow the reader to recover and enjoy the character development and overall worldbuilding. I enjoyed both the peaks and the valleys, and every time the whole crew was together was a balm.
So to summarize, I am loving this series. It is giving me joy in a season of book slumping, when it has felt hard to read and hard to enjoy the books I manage to make myself read. I am sad I only have 2.5 more books to read in this world, but I will definitely be exploring Shinn's entire backlist in 2026.
Ok, I am now officially obsessed with this series. "Dark Moon Defender" was one of the best reading experiences I have had in months...in terms of me not wanting to put the book down, always choosing it over scrolling or vegetating, thinking about it when I couldn't be reading it - that best of bookish feelings!
I just love these characters, this found family group of mystics and their allies; how they have come together despite very different backgrounds and initial suspicion and dislike. I didn't think I was going to enjoy the book focused on Justin that much; what little personality he had shown in previous books was not particularly appealing (grumpy, standoff-ish, and stoic). But I had so much fun watching his journey to love and a deeper recognition of his bonds with his friends. It gave me all the squishy heart feels. And I appreciated that this was not a romantasy insta-love/lust situation. Justin struggles to open up and doesn't even initially recognize that he is falling in love.
Description (from Goodreads):
The King's Rider Justin has been dispatched to watch any suspicious activity at the convent that houses the fanatical Daughters of the Pale Mother. Worshippers of the moon goddess, they believe all magic-wielding mystics are evil. Yet, in their midst, a young novice named Ellynor possesses the gift of healing and the ability to move through the night unobserved. Assuming the guise of a stablehand, Justin befriends Ellynor --and love blossoms between them. And when he discovers her magical talents, Justin will risk everything--his own secret, the trust of his friends, even his very life--in order to save her...
I enjoyed learning more about the Lirrens and the customs there. Ellynor's calm faith that was still open-minded to other beliefs was really refreshing. And we finally get a tantalizing clue about Queen Valri's origins.
The pacing in "Dark Moon Defender" was really good. There are adventures and tense scenes peppered liberally throughout the plot, interspersed with moments of calm that allow the reader to recover and enjoy the character development and overall worldbuilding. I enjoyed both the peaks and the valleys, and every time the whole crew was together was a balm.
So to summarize, I am loving this series. It is giving me joy in a season of book slumping, when it has felt hard to read and hard to enjoy the books I manage to make myself read. I am sad I only have 2.5 more books to read in this world, but I will definitely be exploring Shinn's entire backlist in 2026.
January 20, 2024
Fine. We get to learn a bit more about another culture in this universe.
December 9, 2007
Dark Moon Defender is the third of the Twelve Houses series by SHaron Shinn.
In the earlier two books we meet and get really involved with the adventures of Senneth, Tayse, Justin, Kirra, Donnal and Cammon as they traveled around the land of Gillengaria at the behest of their King. There is much unrest in the Kingdom. One powerful Lord is trying to foment rebellion and usurp the throne. The minor vassals of the Twelve ruling houses of the land are trying to use the unrest as a way to gain their own prominence. And the Leader of a Convent dedicated to the Goddess of the Moon is hunting and killing Mystics.
Needing proof that Coralinda, the Lestra of the Luminen convent is really killing mystics, the King sends Justin on an undercover mission to the small town of Neft near the convent to gather information.
While there, Justin meets and falls in love one of the novices of the convent, Ellynor. Unbeknownst to him, Ellynor is a girl from beyond the Lireth Mountains, a Lirren. Lirrens have a very close knit and complexly intertwined social structure that discourages outsiders from marrying into the clans. If an outsider wants to marry a Lirren girl they must meet in combat a close male member, a father or brother, to the death. But this is the least of their problems. Ellynor is a mystic and doesn't realize it. Things become increasingly dangerous as she realizes her "gift" of healing is really a mystic art and the Lestra has taken notice of Ellynor.
Just as the first book of the series was centered on Senneth (and Tayse), and the second book was Kirra's (and to a lesser extent Donnal's), this book centers on Justin. While most of the narrative is on his undercover activities, we still get a good dose of the other five members we've come to know and enjoy in the previous books. In fact, there are some really great scenes of Senneth and Tayes at her family's home. Cammon's skill as a reader comes in mighty handy when Justin gets into trouble and the rest of them come to his rescue. And Kirra's skill as shapeshifter becomes critical at a very crucial moment. And there is a very wonderful scene when the six of them gather together at the very humble home of the town's magistrate to celebrate a very special occasion.
I just love this series and this is certainly a wonderful addition to it. I can't wait to read the next one.
In the earlier two books we meet and get really involved with the adventures of Senneth, Tayse, Justin, Kirra, Donnal and Cammon as they traveled around the land of Gillengaria at the behest of their King. There is much unrest in the Kingdom. One powerful Lord is trying to foment rebellion and usurp the throne. The minor vassals of the Twelve ruling houses of the land are trying to use the unrest as a way to gain their own prominence. And the Leader of a Convent dedicated to the Goddess of the Moon is hunting and killing Mystics.
Needing proof that Coralinda, the Lestra of the Luminen convent is really killing mystics, the King sends Justin on an undercover mission to the small town of Neft near the convent to gather information.
While there, Justin meets and falls in love one of the novices of the convent, Ellynor. Unbeknownst to him, Ellynor is a girl from beyond the Lireth Mountains, a Lirren. Lirrens have a very close knit and complexly intertwined social structure that discourages outsiders from marrying into the clans. If an outsider wants to marry a Lirren girl they must meet in combat a close male member, a father or brother, to the death. But this is the least of their problems. Ellynor is a mystic and doesn't realize it. Things become increasingly dangerous as she realizes her "gift" of healing is really a mystic art and the Lestra has taken notice of Ellynor.
Just as the first book of the series was centered on Senneth (and Tayse), and the second book was Kirra's (and to a lesser extent Donnal's), this book centers on Justin. While most of the narrative is on his undercover activities, we still get a good dose of the other five members we've come to know and enjoy in the previous books. In fact, there are some really great scenes of Senneth and Tayes at her family's home. Cammon's skill as a reader comes in mighty handy when Justin gets into trouble and the rest of them come to his rescue. And Kirra's skill as shapeshifter becomes critical at a very crucial moment. And there is a very wonderful scene when the six of them gather together at the very humble home of the town's magistrate to celebrate a very special occasion.
I just love this series and this is certainly a wonderful addition to it. I can't wait to read the next one.
April 26, 2015
I seriously don't even know how this happened! I like and empathize with Justin; something went terribly wrong somewhere and I am just not sure where along the way that I was sucker-punched. To be honest, Justin is still nowhere near my favorite character but I understand him and his way of thinking a lot more and his about face from the beginning of the series is nice to see I am sure that it helped that Justin was not often on his own as the rest of our "regulars" tended to drop in with some frequency… yay Senneth and Kirra! Ellynor felt a smidge stereotypical but not enough to force everything to fit a stereotype. Great main plotline and along with the continuing sub-plots from previous books being touched on, there was lots happening, but there is just enough that one is not overwhelmed. I just plain love the writing especially the often dry wit and sarcasm of most of the characters. There are so many bits of dialogue that cause me to smile and I just can't put these books down. I am so excited for Cammon's book. Now off to hunt it down!
October 24, 2007
Beautifully written though it is, this entry in Shinn's Twelve Houses series is the least satisfying of all her novels. The romance between King's Rider Justin and the Lirren mystic Ellynor is touching and well-drawn, but it is not enough to sustain the whole book. In a faster-paced, more action-packed book, I might have overlooked the tedious repetitiveness and numerous minor inconsistencies, but Dark Moon's sheer lack of drama and suspense made those small crimes more visible. But the biggest problem is that the book does nothing at all to advance the larger plot: we learn nothing we didn't already know about the Gisseltess plot to overthrow the king, the nature of the mystics, or anything else to do with the coming war. The one thing we do learn is that it will probably involve more Lirren participation than might have been anticipated -- and that the next installment is likely (speculation, not spoiler) to bring together Cammon and a rescued mage named Lara. I am still enjoying the series, but I hope it will pay off in a big climax soon.
June 8, 2008
Sharon Shinn is an indulgence. Her stories aren't particularly complex and to be honest, perhaps slightly misogynistic. But I guess she writes smoothly and the stories are always easy to read.
I had to read Dark Moon Defender coz I read the earlier ones. Heh. But it's not a very tight narrative I think. The whole thing about Justin getting married at the end... it just felt a teeny bit trite.
I had to read Dark Moon Defender coz I read the earlier ones. Heh. But it's not a very tight narrative I think. The whole thing about Justin getting married at the end... it just felt a teeny bit trite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2009
The first half of the book was enjoyable and similar to its predecessors, but the second half was so bogged down by drippy Ellynor and treacly romance that I barely made it through. I certainly hope this book is a novelty and the remaining ones don't go in a similar direction.
April 8, 2024
This & the first book are my favorite in the series. I love seeing how the bonds between the six main characters grow stronger in this one, the religious & political issues heighten, and the world building significantly broadens.
Perfect installment in a favorite series.
Perfect installment in a favorite series.
February 7, 2017
Loved this one, too! Really an excellent series that's gaining depth as events progress. Loved every bit of this book.
March 30, 2024
I’m re-reading this series. I read this in about 2007. King’s Rider Justin’s story. Love this series.
December 25, 2023
I was so excited for this book that it was a shock to find myself not wanting to read it and dragging my feet - or maybe eyes?- through most of Justin's and Ellynor's passages. I'm pretty sure Sharon Shinn could have written a better book, but probably wanted to chill out during this volume.
Agh. I just didn't like how they forced the plotline to allow romance. Everything - even character's personalities - was accommodated or set up for the romance to happen, and I just couldn't help but be irritated by it. Justin and Ellynor swoon and moon for each other almost from the start of the book, and it just didn't make sense. Why would the Justin at the start of the book who barely cares for women and anything aside from serving the King fall in love with the first soft spoken girl he meets? Wouldn't it have been better for him to slowly develop feelings for her? Wouldn't it have made sense for him to make some sort of pact with Ellynor (taking advantage of her position as a novice) to gather information on Coralinda Gieseltess? You know, like actually carrying out the mission he was ordered to do and for which he had no reason to want to disobey?
Now... Ellynor... I can only say that after Kirra and Senneth her character left me a bit cold. A novice in a cult to a Moon Goddess who actually worships a pagan god and practices forbidden magic that could get her killed. Doesn't that sound exciting? Her learning what she is and the process of uncovering how corrupt the convent she lives in really is? Well. Don't look for any of that here. Elynnor never really cared about the Moon Goddess, she already knew the convent was shady af, she never really even hated mystics. Is this the character we want for the forbidden love story? We like love stories NOT because we get two fictional characters smooching off in a corner. We like them for it's transformative power. The greater the change- provided its coherent- the more engaged we become. Yeah, I like to gasp and squeal and talk about fictional relationships like it's Survival Island, doesn't mean I don't know why I like to read aboutt them.
The point is... there was never really any tension. Nothing ever really happened with them, they were never in danger, there weren't any stakes, there wasn't even an emotional character arc. God. Look at Vinland Season 2. Hardly any action for the first 4-5 shapters but Thorfinn's character development was so profound and his inner turmoil so human and raw it managed to hold the viewer's attention without the need of any action. And it blended in nicely with the antibelic theme of the story. External plot vs internal plot if you really want me to spell it out.
But how do you feel about getting none? How do you feel after having two books meant to build up the political tension and social unrest, only to get to a third one that removes almost entirely the very same elements that served as the major building blocks of the overall storyline of the series and a romantic storyline with as much flavour as the plate of cooked rice you get at school when you have a sick tummy?
Yeah. You get the point. The only thing that really saved - and I use that term loosely- was the sporadic passages we got of Senneth's storyline and the rest of the cast. Sharon Shinn's work shines when there is time to explore the politics and power dynamics of the noble houses. When we actually get characters with an intent behind their actions that lines up with their own set of believes, that interact with the world around them and are changed by it.
Agh. I just didn't like how they forced the plotline to allow romance. Everything - even character's personalities - was accommodated or set up for the romance to happen, and I just couldn't help but be irritated by it. Justin and Ellynor swoon and moon for each other almost from the start of the book, and it just didn't make sense. Why would the Justin at the start of the book who barely cares for women and anything aside from serving the King fall in love with the first soft spoken girl he meets? Wouldn't it have been better for him to slowly develop feelings for her? Wouldn't it have made sense for him to make some sort of pact with Ellynor (taking advantage of her position as a novice) to gather information on Coralinda Gieseltess? You know, like actually carrying out the mission he was ordered to do and for which he had no reason to want to disobey?
Now... Ellynor... I can only say that after Kirra and Senneth her character left me a bit cold. A novice in a cult to a Moon Goddess who actually worships a pagan god and practices forbidden magic that could get her killed. Doesn't that sound exciting? Her learning what she is and the process of uncovering how corrupt the convent she lives in really is? Well. Don't look for any of that here. Elynnor never really cared about the Moon Goddess, she already knew the convent was shady af, she never really even hated mystics. Is this the character we want for the forbidden love story? We like love stories NOT because we get two fictional characters smooching off in a corner. We like them for it's transformative power. The greater the change- provided its coherent- the more engaged we become. Yeah, I like to gasp and squeal and talk about fictional relationships like it's Survival Island, doesn't mean I don't know why I like to read aboutt them.
The point is... there was never really any tension. Nothing ever really happened with them, they were never in danger, there weren't any stakes, there wasn't even an emotional character arc. God. Look at Vinland Season 2. Hardly any action for the first 4-5 shapters but Thorfinn's character development was so profound and his inner turmoil so human and raw it managed to hold the viewer's attention without the need of any action. And it blended in nicely with the antibelic theme of the story. External plot vs internal plot if you really want me to spell it out.
But how do you feel about getting none? How do you feel after having two books meant to build up the political tension and social unrest, only to get to a third one that removes almost entirely the very same elements that served as the major building blocks of the overall storyline of the series and a romantic storyline with as much flavour as the plate of cooked rice you get at school when you have a sick tummy?
Yeah. You get the point. The only thing that really saved - and I use that term loosely- was the sporadic passages we got of Senneth's storyline and the rest of the cast. Sharon Shinn's work shines when there is time to explore the politics and power dynamics of the noble houses. When we actually get characters with an intent behind their actions that lines up with their own set of believes, that interact with the world around them and are changed by it.
April 16, 2021
*squeals in joy* I am so happy I didn’t let the second volume of this beautiful series to deter me from continuing on with the third! Even if I didn’t like Kirra’s story in “The Thriteen House”, I still enjoyed the world, as well as the group of friends working together, so I stayed close to the story and I powered through, hoping that the next one would be better. Luckily, my patience paid off: “Dark Moon Defender” is a delight.
The best parts:
1. It centers on Jason, whom I have always found endearing – he is one of my favorites from the group of friends, my third favourite, actually, after Senneth and Tayse, and not only because he is handsome (full disclosure: in my mind, I choose to imagine him with a more stylish hairstyle than the one depicted on the book’s cover…)
2. The romantic story actually unfurls its wings and stretches between pages, this time – unlike in the first volume, where Senneth and Tayse’s romantic feelings revealed themselves more carefully and barely caught a little time to fly in the final chapters (yeah, I know, I’m blabbering poetical nonsense and I should stop now)
3. It includes several chapters from Senneth’s point of view, which was an amazing surprise. I loved her in the first volume and I was actually a little sad to discover that the rest of the books were not told from her perspective as well
4. Speaking of Senneth (and Tayse), this book also includes a little scene (and then another, bigger scene) I have been hoping for to read for quite a while now :D
5. The group of friends is reunited once more between their individual adventures and having them all together feels like being part of their unusual family – I adore books focused on group of friends :)
The best parts:
1. It centers on Jason, whom I have always found endearing – he is one of my favorites from the group of friends, my third favourite, actually, after Senneth and Tayse, and not only because he is handsome (full disclosure: in my mind, I choose to imagine him with a more stylish hairstyle than the one depicted on the book’s cover…)
2. The romantic story actually unfurls its wings and stretches between pages, this time – unlike in the first volume, where Senneth and Tayse’s romantic feelings revealed themselves more carefully and barely caught a little time to fly in the final chapters (yeah, I know, I’m blabbering poetical nonsense and I should stop now)
3. It includes several chapters from Senneth’s point of view, which was an amazing surprise. I loved her in the first volume and I was actually a little sad to discover that the rest of the books were not told from her perspective as well
4. Speaking of Senneth (and Tayse), this book also includes a little scene (and then another, bigger scene) I have been hoping for to read for quite a while now :D
5. The group of friends is reunited once more between their individual adventures and having them all together feels like being part of their unusual family – I adore books focused on group of friends :)
August 14, 2023
2.5 stars, rounded down
I didn't enjoy this one - too much of it was Justin on his own, too little was the friendships and banter and cast of characters I have come to love.
Also, too much of the plot was just waiting. Not that stuff didn't happen - it did - but really, it was just stuff happening to fill in the time while we were waiting for the Big Thing to happen. And it did happen... eventually.
And then, the romance. Let's keep really, really important things secret for no good reason except it furthers the plot. And lets spend lots of time being all angsty. No thank you.
The book did have a few good moments, especially in the last third or so, but not enough to balance out the beginning. Also, I did far too much skimming throughout the entire book to rate it higher than 2 stars.
I didn't enjoy this one - too much of it was Justin on his own, too little was the friendships and banter and cast of characters I have come to love.
Also, too much of the plot was just waiting. Not that stuff didn't happen - it did - but really, it was just stuff happening to fill in the time while we were waiting for the Big Thing to happen. And it did happen... eventually.
And then, the romance. Let's keep really, really important things secret for no good reason except it furthers the plot. And lets spend lots of time being all angsty. No thank you.
The book did have a few good moments, especially in the last third or so, but not enough to balance out the beginning. Also, I did far too much skimming throughout the entire book to rate it higher than 2 stars.
January 10, 2020
4.5 stars // I don't mean to say this again, but this series is so good. It was fun to get to know Justin and Elynor was interesting as well as learning the more behind-the-scenes of the Lumanen Covenant. Every romance in this series just hurts so good. The group dynamics are wonderful. There were a few times I almost started crying at work because ugh, they all care about each other so much! It was hard to get into, because on a small level, I don't want new characters. But Elynor found her way into my heart nevertheless. And I was so happy to see everyone together. And when Senneth and Tayse married!! That was so sweet. I just can't with this series.
December 11, 2018
Justin is my least favorite character, so I went into it already not thrilled. But I love Ellynor and I love learning more about the Lirrinlands.
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