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Twelve Houses #2
The Thirteenth House
The first book of The Twelve Houses, Mystic & Rider , was hailed as “spellbinding” ( Publishers Weekly ), and introduced readers to the troubled land of Gillengaria. Now, national bestselling and award-winning author Sharon Shinn continues her epic tale, as a beautiful shapeshifter finds that intrigue and danger can be found even in the safest of havens…
After joining an unlikely band of soldiers and sorcerers to rescue the regent Romar Brendan from a cabal of rebellious minor lords, the shiftling Kirra returns to her home of Danalustrous—and learns that her half-sister, Casserah, has been proclaimed heir to the land.
Though Casserah is obligated to attend a circuit of social events held by the great Houses of Gillengaria, she obstinately refuses to go. So Kirra shapeshifts into her sister’s form and makes the rounds for her. In the royal city of Ghosenhall, she unexpectedly joins up with her steadfast compatriots from her previous adventures, and together they embark on a tour of the Twelve Houses acting as guardians for the enigmatic queen of Gillengaria and her alluring daughter.
The motley group of mystics and warriors faces many dangers in their travels. But Kirra places herself willingly in peril when she falls in love with the irresistible—but already married—Lord Romar. Revealing her true identity to him, Kirra begins a tempestuous affair that places them both in mortal danger, and leads them both into the stronghold of the devious lords of the Thirteenth House…
After joining an unlikely band of soldiers and sorcerers to rescue the regent Romar Brendan from a cabal of rebellious minor lords, the shiftling Kirra returns to her home of Danalustrous—and learns that her half-sister, Casserah, has been proclaimed heir to the land.
Though Casserah is obligated to attend a circuit of social events held by the great Houses of Gillengaria, she obstinately refuses to go. So Kirra shapeshifts into her sister’s form and makes the rounds for her. In the royal city of Ghosenhall, she unexpectedly joins up with her steadfast compatriots from her previous adventures, and together they embark on a tour of the Twelve Houses acting as guardians for the enigmatic queen of Gillengaria and her alluring daughter.
The motley group of mystics and warriors faces many dangers in their travels. But Kirra places herself willingly in peril when she falls in love with the irresistible—but already married—Lord Romar. Revealing her true identity to him, Kirra begins a tempestuous affair that places them both in mortal danger, and leads them both into the stronghold of the devious lords of the Thirteenth House…
496 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 7, 2006
103 people are currently reading
1101 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Shinn
58 books2,282 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 408 reviews
February 13, 2014
29/2014
Preferred book 1.
I have a problem with married men who cheat. Even if the main character is absolutely wondrously beautiful and awesome in every way, and so much more amazing that the man's wife.
Because: commitment. Integrity. Honor.
Preferred book 1.
I have a problem with married men who cheat. Even if the main character is absolutely wondrously beautiful and awesome in every way, and so much more amazing that the man's wife.
Because: commitment. Integrity. Honor.
January 7, 2023
OHighly recommended to fans of the sword & sorcery / romantic fantasy genres.
4.5 stars
After reading the summary of the book & the reviews on goodreads, I thought I was not going to like this book much, but I am so glad to find I was wrong.
It was a great reading experience.
I liked Kirra in the first book, ”Mystic and Rider”, though she was far from being my favourite character. I still liked her in this installment, despite - and against her better judgement – her becoming involved with the married regent of Gillengaria, Romar Brendyn. I couldn’t find it in my heart to condemn her, but as their relationship is kind of futile from the very beginning, I did not find their particular storyline compelling either. Having to listen to their long and in a way pointless conversations was rather tedious. I agree with other reviewers that their relationship seemed to be based much more on lust/infatuation than actual love (from Romar’s side definitely) & their hurting others as well as themselves was painfully obvious to everyone else around them.
It is a pity that Donal remained a cypher in this book with no POV. We could catch glimpses of him, but always through Kirra’s eyes and even though what I saw, I liked, he mostly stayed an absent figure, sadly character-less, while Romar’s presence, though much less positive (mostly selfish, irrational and demanding), was always strong and definite. Still, there are some rare, but wonderful & commanding scenes between Kirra and Donnal that show just how unbreakable their bond is.
However, the majority of the story (and even this part, combined with the rest) was superbly written. It was great to have the circle of friends (Senneth, Tayse, Justin, Cammon, Kirra & Donnal) back together again and experience their bond of friendship and trust growing even stronger. Their party is joined by the intriguing characters of Princess Amalie – daughter & heir of King Barryn – and her stepmother, Queen Valry, who is fiercely protective of her and who has secrets of her own. (Surely she must be from the Lyrrens).
Together they are setting off to visit the – mostly hostile or wavering - Southern Houses to introduce the princess who hasn’t set foot outside the court yet, to defend her from any danger that they might encounter on the journey. It is all superbly orchestrated by Shinn. The political tension & stakes are even higher than in the first book with Halchon Gisseltess plotting unceasingly against the King & Coralinda Gisseltess gaining even wider influence with her creepy and dangerously attractive religious fundamentalism. There are two wonderful scenes where they both try to intimidate Amalie in their own ways and she stands up to them both & shows surprising skill & delicacy in dealing with them.
Also the scene between Senneth & Halchon’s long-suffering & intimidated wife, Sabina is a great surprise and joy to read and her actual story almost had me in tears. The confrontation between Halchon and Romar is spectacular & tense.
But the nicest surprise of all was the character development of Justin. Wow – that was also subtley shown, sometimes just hinted at & then suddenly you see him doing things for his friends=family that just takes your breath away. Some of his scenes with Kirra were definitely my favourites.
The end is also moving and exciting but the mystic power – even though it is used for healing - & its potential threat to those without these gifts once again raises the stakes of war.
4.5 stars
After reading the summary of the book & the reviews on goodreads, I thought I was not going to like this book much, but I am so glad to find I was wrong.
It was a great reading experience.
I liked Kirra in the first book, ”Mystic and Rider”, though she was far from being my favourite character. I still liked her in this installment, despite - and against her better judgement – her becoming involved with the married regent of Gillengaria, Romar Brendyn. I couldn’t find it in my heart to condemn her, but as their relationship is kind of futile from the very beginning, I did not find their particular storyline compelling either. Having to listen to their long and in a way pointless conversations was rather tedious. I agree with other reviewers that their relationship seemed to be based much more on lust/infatuation than actual love (from Romar’s side definitely) & their hurting others as well as themselves was painfully obvious to everyone else around them.
It is a pity that Donal remained a cypher in this book with no POV. We could catch glimpses of him, but always through Kirra’s eyes and even though what I saw, I liked, he mostly stayed an absent figure, sadly character-less, while Romar’s presence, though much less positive (mostly selfish, irrational and demanding), was always strong and definite. Still, there are some rare, but wonderful & commanding scenes between Kirra and Donnal that show just how unbreakable their bond is.
However, the majority of the story (and even this part, combined with the rest) was superbly written. It was great to have the circle of friends (Senneth, Tayse, Justin, Cammon, Kirra & Donnal) back together again and experience their bond of friendship and trust growing even stronger. Their party is joined by the intriguing characters of Princess Amalie – daughter & heir of King Barryn – and her stepmother, Queen Valry, who is fiercely protective of her and who has secrets of her own. (Surely she must be from the Lyrrens).
Together they are setting off to visit the – mostly hostile or wavering - Southern Houses to introduce the princess who hasn’t set foot outside the court yet, to defend her from any danger that they might encounter on the journey. It is all superbly orchestrated by Shinn. The political tension & stakes are even higher than in the first book with Halchon Gisseltess plotting unceasingly against the King & Coralinda Gisseltess gaining even wider influence with her creepy and dangerously attractive religious fundamentalism. There are two wonderful scenes where they both try to intimidate Amalie in their own ways and she stands up to them both & shows surprising skill & delicacy in dealing with them.
Also the scene between Senneth & Halchon’s long-suffering & intimidated wife, Sabina is a great surprise and joy to read and her actual story almost had me in tears. The confrontation between Halchon and Romar is spectacular & tense.
But the nicest surprise of all was the character development of Justin. Wow – that was also subtley shown, sometimes just hinted at & then suddenly you see him doing things for his friends=family that just takes your breath away. Some of his scenes with Kirra were definitely my favourites.
The end is also moving and exciting but the mystic power – even though it is used for healing - & its potential threat to those without these gifts once again raises the stakes of war.
September 11, 2018
Highly recommended to fans of the sword & sorcery / romantic fantasy genres.
4.5 stars
After reading the summary of the book & the reviews on goodreads, I thought I was not going to like this book much, but I am so glad to find I was wrong.
It was a great reading or rather an audiobook listening experince & Jennifer van Dyck does a fantastic job, again. Her voice is particularly suited to Sharonn Shinn’s world.
I liked Kirra in the first book, ”Mystic and Rider”, though she was far from being my favourite character. I still liked her in this installment, despite - and against her better judgement – her becoming involved with the married regent of Gillengaria, Romar Brendyn. I couldn’t find it in my heart to condemn her, but as their relationship is kind of futile from the very beginning, I did not find their particular storyline compelling either. Having to listen to their long and in a way pointless conversations was rather tedious. But for listening to the audiobook, I would have skipped these parts fully. I agree with other reviewers that their relationship seemed to be based much more on lust/infatuation than actual love (from Romar’s side definitely) & their hurting others as well as themselves was painfully obvious to everyone else around them.
It is a pity that Donal remained a cypher in this book with no POV. We could catch glimpses of him, but always through Kirra’s eyes and even though what I saw, I liked, he mostly stayed an absent figure, sadly character-less, while Romar’s presence, though much less positive (mostly selfish, irrational and demanding), was always strong and definite. Still, there are some rare, but wonderful & commanding scenes between Kirra and Donnal that show just how unbreakable their bond is.
However, the majority of the story (and even this part, combined with the rest) was superbly written. It was great to have the circle of friends (Senneth, Tayse, Justin, Cammon, Kirra & Donnal) back together again and experience their bond of friendship and trust growing even stronger. Their party is joined by the intriguing characters of Princess Amalie – daughter & heir of King Barryn – and her stepmother, Queen Valry, who is fiercely protective of her and who has secrets of her own. (Surely she must be from the Lyrrens).
Together they are setting off to visit the – mostly hostile or wavering - Southern Houses to introduce the princess who hasn’t set foot outside the court yet, to defend her from any danger that they might encounter on the journey. It is all superbly orchestrated by Shinn. The political tension & stakes are even higher than in the first book with Halchon Gisseltess plotting unceasingly against the King & Coralinda Gisseltess gaining even wider influence with her creepy and dangerously attractive religious fundamentalism. There are two wonderful scenes where they both try to intimidate Amalie in their own ways and she stands up to them both & shows surprising skill & delicacy in dealing with them.
Also the scene between Senneth & Halchon’s long-suffering & intimidated wife, Sabina is a great surprise and joy to read and her actual story almost had me in tears. The confrontation between Halchon and Romar is spectacular & tense.
But the nicest surprise of all was the character development of Justin. Wow – that was also subtley shown, sometimes just hinted at & then suddenly you see him doing things for his friends=family that just takes your breath away. Some of his scenes with Kirra were definitely my favourites.
The end is also moving and exciting but the mystic power – even though it is used for healing - & its potential threat to those without these gifts once again raises the stakes of war.
What a great book! I cannot wait to read the next in the series.
4.5 stars
After reading the summary of the book & the reviews on goodreads, I thought I was not going to like this book much, but I am so glad to find I was wrong.
It was a great reading or rather an audiobook listening experince & Jennifer van Dyck does a fantastic job, again. Her voice is particularly suited to Sharonn Shinn’s world.
I liked Kirra in the first book, ”Mystic and Rider”, though she was far from being my favourite character. I still liked her in this installment, despite - and against her better judgement – her becoming involved with the married regent of Gillengaria, Romar Brendyn. I couldn’t find it in my heart to condemn her, but as their relationship is kind of futile from the very beginning, I did not find their particular storyline compelling either. Having to listen to their long and in a way pointless conversations was rather tedious. But for listening to the audiobook, I would have skipped these parts fully. I agree with other reviewers that their relationship seemed to be based much more on lust/infatuation than actual love (from Romar’s side definitely) & their hurting others as well as themselves was painfully obvious to everyone else around them.
It is a pity that Donal remained a cypher in this book with no POV. We could catch glimpses of him, but always through Kirra’s eyes and even though what I saw, I liked, he mostly stayed an absent figure, sadly character-less, while Romar’s presence, though much less positive (mostly selfish, irrational and demanding), was always strong and definite. Still, there are some rare, but wonderful & commanding scenes between Kirra and Donnal that show just how unbreakable their bond is.
However, the majority of the story (and even this part, combined with the rest) was superbly written. It was great to have the circle of friends (Senneth, Tayse, Justin, Cammon, Kirra & Donnal) back together again and experience their bond of friendship and trust growing even stronger. Their party is joined by the intriguing characters of Princess Amalie – daughter & heir of King Barryn – and her stepmother, Queen Valry, who is fiercely protective of her and who has secrets of her own. (Surely she must be from the Lyrrens).
Together they are setting off to visit the – mostly hostile or wavering - Southern Houses to introduce the princess who hasn’t set foot outside the court yet, to defend her from any danger that they might encounter on the journey. It is all superbly orchestrated by Shinn. The political tension & stakes are even higher than in the first book with Halchon Gisseltess plotting unceasingly against the King & Coralinda Gisseltess gaining even wider influence with her creepy and dangerously attractive religious fundamentalism. There are two wonderful scenes where they both try to intimidate Amalie in their own ways and she stands up to them both & shows surprising skill & delicacy in dealing with them.
Also the scene between Senneth & Halchon’s long-suffering & intimidated wife, Sabina is a great surprise and joy to read and her actual story almost had me in tears. The confrontation between Halchon and Romar is spectacular & tense.
But the nicest surprise of all was the character development of Justin. Wow – that was also subtley shown, sometimes just hinted at & then suddenly you see him doing things for his friends=family that just takes your breath away. Some of his scenes with Kirra were definitely my favourites.
The end is also moving and exciting but the mystic power – even though it is used for healing - & its potential threat to those without these gifts once again raises the stakes of war.
What a great book! I cannot wait to read the next in the series.
May 19, 2008
I only read this in the sense that I desperately skipped to the end and skimmed enough middle bits that I will be able to pick up the plot when and if I choose to continue on with the third book in the series. Kirra Danalustrous, the main character of this book, wasn't even close to my favorite of the six originally introduced in Mystic and Rider, the first book in the series. However, I never expected the author to so butcher her character and make her completely repulsive to me. The entire book occurs with a backdrop of increasingly likely civil war and the plots that Kirra and her friends are able to uncover. The most memorable part, however, concerns Kirra's affair with Romar Brendyn, regent of the kingdom and very married man. I understand that Shinn was trying to showcase Kirra's passionate nature and that her faults are as much a part of her as any of her virtues. But I just wanted to throw the book across the room. Her stubborn clinging to the doomed relationship and her neglect of the man who loves her most in the world make Kirra almost unbearable to read about. And Romar Brendyn's insistence on continuing with the farce makes it impossible for me to see him as the charming and compelling man that Shinn clearly expects the reader to love along with Kirra. Maybe it's just me. I know it's possible to find other people attractive while you are in a committed relationship, it may even be possible to love another person. But to act on that, when it is not within the previously defined boundaries of your current relationship, just pisses me off. All that "I just couldn't control myself" excuse-making strikes me as complete bullshit. I certainly don't want to read about it. Overall verdict: Shinn keeps the upcoming war and the future fate of the kingdom of Gillengaria compelling and that, and the characters I like--likely featured in at least one of the next novels--will probably keep me reading the series. But it will take a lot for this character to redeem herself in my eyes.
March 19, 2019
This second book in the Twelve Houses series was one I desperately wished could have been skipped, but it was necessary to read it. There is some truly wonderful character interaction and development for Justin and Cammon, and we meet Amalie at last (and what an intriguing, fascinating character) and we see more of Valri (she has to be Lirren!), which is cool, and Senneth and Tayse are with the group. Donnal and Kirra are there as well and they all make the social rounds as they escort Amalie to all the Houses for balls and parties, introducing her into society and all. The book is highly political, which makes it feel a lot longer than it is, but I really like the core group and how they act around one another and what they mean to each other, which is why Kirra's actions throughout were very disturbing. I loved Casserah! Her relationship to Kirra and her very unique personality, which could have been dull and cold came across as intense, focused, calm, loving and loyal, and so very fiercely autonomous. Irrespective of all other opinions and strictures, she just is herself, more so than Kirra I felt, whose acceptance among the Houses controls her behavior more than once in the book.
Overall, Amalie is getting out and being seen and people want to kill her and/or the regent. Lots of attacks, they are all fended off, Kirra's uncle is the ringleader, Kirra is displaced as heir so Casserah is now to take over Danalustrous when the ever amazing Malcolm should step down, Halchon gets off his property and harasses Amalie and Senneth, though Amalie manages both him and his sister Coralinda beautifully and so understatedly just dismisses them, making it clear she has no fear of them. War is still looming by the end.
Kirra is attracted to Romar, the regent-to-be for his niece Amalie, and he in turn, married just a year, is clearly attracted to her. And do they say,"Well, here is a disaster waiting to happen. We should probably stay away from private dalliances and flirting every time we see each other, shouldn't we?" No, instead, they flirt half the book, then enter into an affair that lasts until the very last chapter. There are so very many things about this that bothered me. First of all, Romar is married! And the man who would be regent, the man everyone blathers on and on about being honourable and just and such a good man, is betraying his wife over and over and over. What sort of man with any honor would act in such a way? He himself says he would never harm his loved ones for anything less than the greater good of the kingdom, but he turns around and has an affair that it is made clear is injuring his wife deeply - a woman who loves him and has never done anything other than be an exemplary wife. The man is a first-rate coward and cretin and clearly, despite his protestations that he "loves" Kirra, he just wants to have her for sex. I am sorry to be so blunt, but they never talk - they just "make love". Romar has no concern for her emotional well-being (never mind his WIFE'S), but only wants to spend every possible moment with her making out. He makes it clear he will never leave his wife(Oh, he is too HONOURABLE to do something like THAT), but that he and Kirra can "be together" as much as possible, by which he means that anytime they are in the same vicinity they'll spend the night "in each other's arms". This man has no true love or concern for either woman - his wife or his mistress. He'll use them both and ultimately cares only for sating his desire for Kirra, not his love. By the end of this book I never wanted to hear the word love used again. Listening to these two misuse the word to cover their own selfish, disgusting behavior was so sickening. I wanted to yell at them the whole time to suck it up and call it what it was. So, yeah, no respect for either of those two, especially for Kirra whom up to that point I had actually liked. Which it made it all the worse. But she used her "I am an independent, restless, passionate soul" and the "I'm in looooooove" cards to excuse her behavior in willfully engaging in an illicit liaison with a man she knew was married (as happily as a man with such a screwed up personality - one which clearly was all about him - was ever going to be). She knew it was wrong, she says as much when she realized she was attracted to him, but she does it anyway and once she is in it and it just feels so good, her desires and her "need" for Romar is just so strong and suddenly it is "Love you haters and how can you deny me Love? How? How dare you have anything to say to me? I am a free spirit so you can't tell me what to do! I love him! I don't care who it hurts!" And Justin tries to tell her. Even Tayse. I was quite proud of them. Esp. Justin for calling her on it and telling her this was wrong and that she, who she really was, was lost on this path she was choosing. And Justin's whole conversation with her (chapter 32) was surprising but very needed. I was so proud of him for saying it and truly trying to help Kirra even when he knew she would just throw it back in his face. Donnal at least had the self-respect to get away from her (sort of). But Cammon and Senneth were just all sympathetic and I was pretty thoroughly fed up with that attitude. I wanted them to at least say something to her, anything rather than just comforting her whenever she was upset or saying, "Oh, this will hurt you down the road, I wish you would not put yourself through this." Yeah, true, but just reinforces the self-centered, bratty behavior that got her to that position, as if her wants and feelings are the end all and be all. There were larger things at stake and for Cammon and Senneth to be so absent from being a part of pointing that out was wrong. And then there was the whole Donnal and Kirra situation. He loves her and she just treats him like dirt, like a plaything. She takes him for granted and refuses to love him in return b/c of the disparity in their social positions and she could not bring herself to be ostracized by her peers for such a relationship. Real independent and free-spirited. Yeah. More like cowardly and pathetic. And that whole situation is never really resolved with Donnal, which I think really needs to be addressed. I just hated how horrible Kirra and other characters were throughout, masking their petty, nasty behavior in empty terms of love and care and concern and I hated how that changed my view of them. A lot of anger and frustration. So, this had a few really good moments in overall series plot story, but personally was very painful and aggravating to read and I doubt if I will ever be able to see the characters in the same way again. And I really doubt I'll read this again if I can possibly avoid it.
Advisory: Mature content. Desire to injure fictional characters may occur.
2019: I didn't really believe myself about how bad this one is. I should have.
Note to self: Do not bother reading this again just in case you missed something. You didn't. It is really vexing and makes you despise most of the characters except for Justin who has his ethics and common sense intact and is not going to shut up just because Kirra wants him to. Unlike Senneth who is all "Oh, poor girl. You really oughtn't." But won't actually tell her it is wrong. Not merely ill advised.
Team Justin all the way!
Overall, Amalie is getting out and being seen and people want to kill her and/or the regent. Lots of attacks, they are all fended off, Kirra's uncle is the ringleader, Kirra is displaced as heir so Casserah is now to take over Danalustrous when the ever amazing Malcolm should step down, Halchon gets off his property and harasses Amalie and Senneth, though Amalie manages both him and his sister Coralinda beautifully and so understatedly just dismisses them, making it clear she has no fear of them. War is still looming by the end.
Kirra is attracted to Romar, the regent-to-be for his niece Amalie, and he in turn, married just a year, is clearly attracted to her. And do they say,"Well, here is a disaster waiting to happen. We should probably stay away from private dalliances and flirting every time we see each other, shouldn't we?" No, instead, they flirt half the book, then enter into an affair that lasts until the very last chapter. There are so very many things about this that bothered me. First of all, Romar is married! And the man who would be regent, the man everyone blathers on and on about being honourable and just and such a good man, is betraying his wife over and over and over. What sort of man with any honor would act in such a way? He himself says he would never harm his loved ones for anything less than the greater good of the kingdom, but he turns around and has an affair that it is made clear is injuring his wife deeply - a woman who loves him and has never done anything other than be an exemplary wife. The man is a first-rate coward and cretin and clearly, despite his protestations that he "loves" Kirra, he just wants to have her for sex. I am sorry to be so blunt, but they never talk - they just "make love". Romar has no concern for her emotional well-being (never mind his WIFE'S), but only wants to spend every possible moment with her making out. He makes it clear he will never leave his wife(Oh, he is too HONOURABLE to do something like THAT), but that he and Kirra can "be together" as much as possible, by which he means that anytime they are in the same vicinity they'll spend the night "in each other's arms". This man has no true love or concern for either woman - his wife or his mistress. He'll use them both and ultimately cares only for sating his desire for Kirra, not his love. By the end of this book I never wanted to hear the word love used again. Listening to these two misuse the word to cover their own selfish, disgusting behavior was so sickening. I wanted to yell at them the whole time to suck it up and call it what it was. So, yeah, no respect for either of those two, especially for Kirra whom up to that point I had actually liked. Which it made it all the worse. But she used her "I am an independent, restless, passionate soul" and the "I'm in looooooove" cards to excuse her behavior in willfully engaging in an illicit liaison with a man she knew was married (as happily as a man with such a screwed up personality - one which clearly was all about him - was ever going to be). She knew it was wrong, she says as much when she realized she was attracted to him, but she does it anyway and once she is in it and it just feels so good, her desires and her "need" for Romar is just so strong and suddenly it is "Love you haters and how can you deny me Love? How? How dare you have anything to say to me? I am a free spirit so you can't tell me what to do! I love him! I don't care who it hurts!" And Justin tries to tell her. Even Tayse. I was quite proud of them. Esp. Justin for calling her on it and telling her this was wrong and that she, who she really was, was lost on this path she was choosing. And Justin's whole conversation with her (chapter 32) was surprising but very needed. I was so proud of him for saying it and truly trying to help Kirra even when he knew she would just throw it back in his face. Donnal at least had the self-respect to get away from her (sort of). But Cammon and Senneth were just all sympathetic and I was pretty thoroughly fed up with that attitude. I wanted them to at least say something to her, anything rather than just comforting her whenever she was upset or saying, "Oh, this will hurt you down the road, I wish you would not put yourself through this." Yeah, true, but just reinforces the self-centered, bratty behavior that got her to that position, as if her wants and feelings are the end all and be all. There were larger things at stake and for Cammon and Senneth to be so absent from being a part of pointing that out was wrong. And then there was the whole Donnal and Kirra situation. He loves her and she just treats him like dirt, like a plaything. She takes him for granted and refuses to love him in return b/c of the disparity in their social positions and she could not bring herself to be ostracized by her peers for such a relationship. Real independent and free-spirited. Yeah. More like cowardly and pathetic. And that whole situation is never really resolved with Donnal, which I think really needs to be addressed. I just hated how horrible Kirra and other characters were throughout, masking their petty, nasty behavior in empty terms of love and care and concern and I hated how that changed my view of them. A lot of anger and frustration. So, this had a few really good moments in overall series plot story, but personally was very painful and aggravating to read and I doubt if I will ever be able to see the characters in the same way again. And I really doubt I'll read this again if I can possibly avoid it.
Advisory: Mature content. Desire to injure fictional characters may occur.
2019: I didn't really believe myself about how bad this one is. I should have.
Note to self: Do not bother reading this again just in case you missed something. You didn't. It is really vexing and makes you despise most of the characters except for Justin who has his ethics and common sense intact and is not going to shut up just because Kirra wants him to. Unlike Senneth who is all "Oh, poor girl. You really oughtn't." But won't actually tell her it is wrong. Not merely ill advised.
Team Justin all the way!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2013
I was prepared to give this two stars, considered giving it one star when my resentment for Kirra peaked. But I'm not going to condemn this book for featuring adultery, when the author doesn't even promote it.
As King Baryn said, "Most trouble in this world is caused by people wanting something not currently in their possession." Kirra's affair with a married man wasn't about their irresistible attraction to each other and how they "just couldn't help it"; it was about Kirra overcoming her selfishness. Does that redeem her in my eyes? No. Will I ever find her worthy of Donnal? No. But do I forgive her? Yes.
As King Baryn said, "Most trouble in this world is caused by people wanting something not currently in their possession." Kirra's affair with a married man wasn't about their irresistible attraction to each other and how they "just couldn't help it"; it was about Kirra overcoming her selfishness. Does that redeem her in my eyes? No. Will I ever find her worthy of Donnal? No. But do I forgive her? Yes.
September 20, 2020
İlk kitaba göre daha akıcı ve kolay okunan bir kitaptı... Zevkle okuyordum ki yazar sağ olsun ilişki saçmalıklarıyla kitabı ve hikayeyi düşürdü... İlk kitaba göre aşk daha fazlaydı ki keşke böyle metres-evli adam tarzı olacağına hiç olmasaydı daha iyiydi ve o zaman puanım 5 olurdu...
December 9, 2007
The Thirteenth House is the second book in the Twelve Houses series following the excellent Mystic and Rider.
Halchon Gisseltess, Marlord of one of the twelve houses, is fomenting rebellion in the south having pretty much admitted to Senneth that he wants to be king and, oh by the way, he wants to kill his wife and make Senenth his queen. His Sister Coralinda has named herself Lestra (a kind of Mother Superior) of the Daughters of the Pale Moon a Convent/cult that reveres the Moon Goddess and despises mystics. She has her own army that she sends around to kill mystics. People whisper that King Baryn's new wife is a mystic who has ensorcelled him and that his daughter, young Princess Amalie would be unfit to reign should he die.
The band of six friends, Tayse, Senneth, Kirra, Donnal, Justin and Cammon have returned from their journeys and reported about the unrest in the realm to the King. They have separated, reluctantly, and gone on about their business. Tayse and Justin back to the elite King's guard. Cammon has settled into the royal city to learn new Mystic Skills. Senneth had been ordered by the King to reunite with her family. She does so but she drags her lover Tayse along. Kirra has been summoned by her father, the powerful Marlord Malcolm Dannalustrous to come home. So she and Donnal return to Dannan Hall.
Once there Kirra learns that her father has decided to name her younger sister Casserah as his heir. Kirra as the eldest would normally be expected to rule, but she has incurable wanderlust and wouldn't be a good ruler. But Casserah, though capable of ruling, is quite reclusive. She hates to leave Dannaloustrous lands and in these troublesome times, they need to strengthen diplomatic bonds and Casserah needs to marry. So Malcolm, Casserah and Kirra hatch a plan. Kirra will travel during the summer entertainment season shape-shifted as her sister to have people meet Casserah and possibly catch a husband. Donnal, never far from Kirra, will also accompany her.
In the meantime, The King has decided that his queen Valri and his daughter Amalie must also travel around to the twelve houses during the Summer entertainment season so that people can see them and meet them and it may allay some fears about the queen and the succession. He taps Senneth to accompany them along with the man he appoints as Regent in the case Amalie should need to rule, Romar Brendyn, and a large security detail that includes some of his elite Riders (Tayse and Justin included, natch). Cammon, having been shown to be quite valuable as a reader also accompanies them.
So the six friends find themselves once again on the road in the service of the King. Only this time instead of riding and camping in stealth, they travel in high style to go to parties and balls. And as a bonus we catch up on the friends and watch their relationship ties deepen even further. It is also nice to see the queen and the princess as characters and not just people that were talked about like in the last book. They are quite surprising characters too.
While the last book was unmistakably Senneth's story, this one is Kirra's. We learn a lot more about the sunny, feckless, fiercely loyal Serra Kirra. I enjoyed her story but I also turned each page with a bit more romantic trepidation. Not because it is a bad story, but because as a reader you sit back and watch tragedy unfold as Kirra embarks upon an ill-fated romance. As I was reading I just knew that it would not end well. I kept waiting for the shoe to drop. Shinn does yet another good job to letting the story unfold, letting the stakes pile up so that the consequences will be even greater.
I highly recommend.
Halchon Gisseltess, Marlord of one of the twelve houses, is fomenting rebellion in the south having pretty much admitted to Senneth that he wants to be king and, oh by the way, he wants to kill his wife and make Senenth his queen. His Sister Coralinda has named herself Lestra (a kind of Mother Superior) of the Daughters of the Pale Moon a Convent/cult that reveres the Moon Goddess and despises mystics. She has her own army that she sends around to kill mystics. People whisper that King Baryn's new wife is a mystic who has ensorcelled him and that his daughter, young Princess Amalie would be unfit to reign should he die.
The band of six friends, Tayse, Senneth, Kirra, Donnal, Justin and Cammon have returned from their journeys and reported about the unrest in the realm to the King. They have separated, reluctantly, and gone on about their business. Tayse and Justin back to the elite King's guard. Cammon has settled into the royal city to learn new Mystic Skills. Senneth had been ordered by the King to reunite with her family. She does so but she drags her lover Tayse along. Kirra has been summoned by her father, the powerful Marlord Malcolm Dannalustrous to come home. So she and Donnal return to Dannan Hall.
Once there Kirra learns that her father has decided to name her younger sister Casserah as his heir. Kirra as the eldest would normally be expected to rule, but she has incurable wanderlust and wouldn't be a good ruler. But Casserah, though capable of ruling, is quite reclusive. She hates to leave Dannaloustrous lands and in these troublesome times, they need to strengthen diplomatic bonds and Casserah needs to marry. So Malcolm, Casserah and Kirra hatch a plan. Kirra will travel during the summer entertainment season shape-shifted as her sister to have people meet Casserah and possibly catch a husband. Donnal, never far from Kirra, will also accompany her.
In the meantime, The King has decided that his queen Valri and his daughter Amalie must also travel around to the twelve houses during the Summer entertainment season so that people can see them and meet them and it may allay some fears about the queen and the succession. He taps Senneth to accompany them along with the man he appoints as Regent in the case Amalie should need to rule, Romar Brendyn, and a large security detail that includes some of his elite Riders (Tayse and Justin included, natch). Cammon, having been shown to be quite valuable as a reader also accompanies them.
So the six friends find themselves once again on the road in the service of the King. Only this time instead of riding and camping in stealth, they travel in high style to go to parties and balls. And as a bonus we catch up on the friends and watch their relationship ties deepen even further. It is also nice to see the queen and the princess as characters and not just people that were talked about like in the last book. They are quite surprising characters too.
While the last book was unmistakably Senneth's story, this one is Kirra's. We learn a lot more about the sunny, feckless, fiercely loyal Serra Kirra. I enjoyed her story but I also turned each page with a bit more romantic trepidation. Not because it is a bad story, but because as a reader you sit back and watch tragedy unfold as Kirra embarks upon an ill-fated romance. As I was reading I just knew that it would not end well. I kept waiting for the shoe to drop. Shinn does yet another good job to letting the story unfold, letting the stakes pile up so that the consequences will be even greater.
I highly recommend.
Want to read
September 8, 2020Kirra is my GIRL. Can't wait to read about her being an icon and charmingly making terrible decisions.
February 5, 2010
so the more i read the more distressed i get because i can already tell what is going to happen. I liked kirra in book one not as much as senneth but still she seemed so much more mature in book one.
When i realized that book two was going to be about her and not continuing with senneth or staring with cammon i was disappointed. I pretty much hate Kirra for the duration of the book she doesnt seem as smart or as mature, she seems silly and acts like a child. And her so called prince charming is a snake cause he is married and he seemed to be the one pushing and kirra was too dumb to to see that he was a liar who was cheating on his wife. So much so that she pushes away the purest of love, which to me, being the romantic that i am, is the worst thing one could ever do. I find myself wishing that Kirra would wake up and smell the coffee so she can redeem herself in my eyes but i can tell she is going to learn the hard way and it serves her right.
The one thing i am getting out of the book is how much i love the princess. I dont know if one of the books is going to be about her but i do hope so. She is fearless it seems and oh so smart in a subtle. Oh and the Queen i cant wait to find out what she is all about.
All in all i could do with out this book cause i hate seeing stupid people make even stupider mistakes
When i realized that book two was going to be about her and not continuing with senneth or staring with cammon i was disappointed. I pretty much hate Kirra for the duration of the book she doesnt seem as smart or as mature, she seems silly and acts like a child. And her so called prince charming is a snake cause he is married and he seemed to be the one pushing and kirra was too dumb to to see that he was a liar who was cheating on his wife. So much so that she pushes away the purest of love, which to me, being the romantic that i am, is the worst thing one could ever do. I find myself wishing that Kirra would wake up and smell the coffee so she can redeem herself in my eyes but i can tell she is going to learn the hard way and it serves her right.
The one thing i am getting out of the book is how much i love the princess. I dont know if one of the books is going to be about her but i do hope so. She is fearless it seems and oh so smart in a subtle. Oh and the Queen i cant wait to find out what she is all about.
All in all i could do with out this book cause i hate seeing stupid people make even stupider mistakes
April 26, 2011
Sequel to Mystic and Rider. Kirra, a shiftling, impersonates her sister during the Twelve Houses' social seasons--partly so her sister, Casserah, can stay home (which Casserah vastly prefers) and partly to help protect the princess Amalie during her tour of Gillengaria. In the process she falls in love with Romar Brendyn, Amalie's uncle and the regent-to-be. Romar is already married, however, so that can't end well.
This book had some serious structural difficulties. While the general arc (Amalie's tour of the houses) is neat and self-contained enough, Kirra's emotional journey is not. I respect Shinn's decision to have Kirra make a deeply unsympathetic decision in starting an affair with Romar--and to portray it as such, through the eyes of Kirra's friends--but Kirra's ultimate realization that she needs to give up Romar *and* that she loves Donnal doesn't quite work. I think this is partly because Donnal is such a cipher for most of the book; though his devotion can't be questioned, it's hard to see how Kirra stops taking him for granted. The other problem I had was with Kirra's ultimate solution to her affair with Romar--she uses magic to take away his feelings for her. First, that's not really consistent with what we know of Kirra's magic (shape shifting and healing). Second, it's seems extremely unethical. Kirra is reluctant to use her magic to save a sick child because of a taboo--why does she turn so quickly to magic to change Romar's mind? It seems like that choice, while plausible, should be more difficult than it is. It also feels liks a narrative copout.
Meanwhile, I still like Senneth and Tayse, loved Justin's reaction to becoming a dog, and am looking forward to Cammon's book.
This book had some serious structural difficulties. While the general arc (Amalie's tour of the houses) is neat and self-contained enough, Kirra's emotional journey is not. I respect Shinn's decision to have Kirra make a deeply unsympathetic decision in starting an affair with Romar--and to portray it as such, through the eyes of Kirra's friends--but Kirra's ultimate realization that she needs to give up Romar *and* that she loves Donnal doesn't quite work. I think this is partly because Donnal is such a cipher for most of the book; though his devotion can't be questioned, it's hard to see how Kirra stops taking him for granted. The other problem I had was with Kirra's ultimate solution to her affair with Romar--she uses magic to take away his feelings for her. First, that's not really consistent with what we know of Kirra's magic (shape shifting and healing). Second, it's seems extremely unethical. Kirra is reluctant to use her magic to save a sick child because of a taboo--why does she turn so quickly to magic to change Romar's mind? It seems like that choice, while plausible, should be more difficult than it is. It also feels liks a narrative copout.
Meanwhile, I still like Senneth and Tayse, loved Justin's reaction to becoming a dog, and am looking forward to Cammon's book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2015
Contrary to many of the other reviews... I actually loved this book. Did Kirra make poor decisions? Yes. Did Kirra act selfishly? Yes. Do I love Kirra anyway? Yes. Did she pay the consequences of her poor decisions? Yes. We all make the unwise, selfish decisions sometime in our life. We all overlook and underestimate something priceless that is right in front of us. (Ok, maybe not ALL of us, but some of us are definitely not saints and never claim to be. Mwah) And hell, she's 25. I think that was definitely a time when we finally felt able to make "adult" decisions, but still leaned towards the selfish thinking of our youth. I felt these things made her story incredibly relatable - at least to me and experiences I have had in my life. She's not a selfish brat. Yes, she was raised with privilege and takes certain things for granted. But she's obviously a wonderful person. Oh, crap. She doesn't exist. Dammit, none of them do. Bahumbug. I did read this in virtually one sitting though... I even got a bit teary because... well... a few things just hit home is all. I am quickly realizing that I love Sharon Shinn's works and this series in general. Thank goodness I already purchased the next two books when I picked up this little gem. Phew! Fantasy, adventure, romance. I'll take it.
February 28, 2017
A great series! These are Adult fantasy, adventure, romance books that are fun, fast passed and an all around great read! You can not help but love the characters in this series.
Reread- 2/28/2017- This is my least favorite book in this series. Not because of the writing or the characters but the story line is one I personally have trouble with. The story is set around Kira one of the highest born ladys of the land, who is a little spoiled and selfish and trys hard not to be, but somethings can't be helped because they are part of our upbringing. I love the way Shinn takes a character and makes them so real. Kira is one of those people I would love and hate at the same time. She learns a great deal in this story and changes into a better person by the end not because its a choice but almost because she gets understanding she has never had before and if she wants to remain a good person she must use that information for the better or destroy herself. This is a very complicated story and has more to do with Kira then the troubles brewing in the Twelve Houses. This has very adult themes like adultery, sex before marriage which is common in all these books. This book also talks about sex more then the others but it is always a fade to black setting and there is never too many details. This has the least amount of violence of the books, but there is traitors and death attempts throughout.
Reread- 2/28/2017- This is my least favorite book in this series. Not because of the writing or the characters but the story line is one I personally have trouble with. The story is set around Kira one of the highest born ladys of the land, who is a little spoiled and selfish and trys hard not to be, but somethings can't be helped because they are part of our upbringing. I love the way Shinn takes a character and makes them so real. Kira is one of those people I would love and hate at the same time. She learns a great deal in this story and changes into a better person by the end not because its a choice but almost because she gets understanding she has never had before and if she wants to remain a good person she must use that information for the better or destroy herself. This is a very complicated story and has more to do with Kira then the troubles brewing in the Twelve Houses. This has very adult themes like adultery, sex before marriage which is common in all these books. This book also talks about sex more then the others but it is always a fade to black setting and there is never too many details. This has the least amount of violence of the books, but there is traitors and death attempts throughout.
February 15, 2020
Wow. I love this series so much! I think this has become one of my top fantasy series, and I'm only two books in. I just want to throw all the other ones to the side and be like "READ THESE!" Not that I would do that, but that's how I feel, because darn it this gang is the best.
October 29, 2012
In this second installment of the Twelve Houses series, Ms. Sharon Shinn writes a lovely, though ill-advised love story. The heroine, Kira won my interest in book one so I was happy to jump into the pages of her story.
Kira is a shape-shifter and healer but most importantly, she is a daughter of one of the Twelve Houses. She is viewed by others as beautiful and restless. But for me, her intelligence and courage are what makes Kirra's such a natural heroine. Kirra is very loyal to her family, friends, and House. So it is no surprise to see her in the thick of things as war looms over her country and danger comes to the Mystics who are those gifted with magic. The story starts with Kirra participating in the rescue of the Regent, Romar. He surprises Kira from the start as she is wowed by his determination and willingness to take responsibility for those around him. He is a rare noble in that he has a big heart and is willing to die for his King and niece the Princess. He is perfect in every way except he is married.
Kira is not the type of woman who would screw around with someone’s husband so I was anxious how Ms. Shinn was going to make this work. As it turned out, Ms. Shinn knew Kira better than me so she had the story well in hand every turn of the page. My heart went out to these two. I wondered how it was going to work out. I also ached for Donnel, Kira’s childhood friend who is also a shifter. They are so close and it was always clear that he loved her but he was born in the wrong zip code of the kingdom. Kira was in a bind no matter which way she went. She didn’t want to fall in love but she did and it was glorious. I felt this story was very mature based on the subject matter but Ms. Shinn kept it pretty much PG-13 if not less.
Most of the book was about Kira and Donnel’s activities but eventually the band got back together. I enjoyed having Suneth, Tayse, Cammon, and Justin join the story. I love this ensemble of characters because they feel very real. The land of Gillengaria is full of adventure, political intrigue, and backstabbing nobles. There is no heavy-handed fantasy aspects that bogged down the story. I found there was plenty to stimulate this read’s imagination although some readers may want greater detail about the varied cultures that make up the realm.
At its soul, this story is about friendship for me. The relationship these characters share is a bond that many times is the difference between life and death. Of course, there are the necessary ‘tea and sympathy’ chats that further revealed the ease in which they care for one another.
As soon as I read the last few lines, I immediately went to the library to grab book three which is about Justin.
Kira is a shape-shifter and healer but most importantly, she is a daughter of one of the Twelve Houses. She is viewed by others as beautiful and restless. But for me, her intelligence and courage are what makes Kirra's such a natural heroine. Kirra is very loyal to her family, friends, and House. So it is no surprise to see her in the thick of things as war looms over her country and danger comes to the Mystics who are those gifted with magic. The story starts with Kirra participating in the rescue of the Regent, Romar. He surprises Kira from the start as she is wowed by his determination and willingness to take responsibility for those around him. He is a rare noble in that he has a big heart and is willing to die for his King and niece the Princess. He is perfect in every way except he is married.
Kira is not the type of woman who would screw around with someone’s husband so I was anxious how Ms. Shinn was going to make this work. As it turned out, Ms. Shinn knew Kira better than me so she had the story well in hand every turn of the page. My heart went out to these two. I wondered how it was going to work out. I also ached for Donnel, Kira’s childhood friend who is also a shifter. They are so close and it was always clear that he loved her but he was born in the wrong zip code of the kingdom. Kira was in a bind no matter which way she went. She didn’t want to fall in love but she did and it was glorious. I felt this story was very mature based on the subject matter but Ms. Shinn kept it pretty much PG-13 if not less.
Most of the book was about Kira and Donnel’s activities but eventually the band got back together. I enjoyed having Suneth, Tayse, Cammon, and Justin join the story. I love this ensemble of characters because they feel very real. The land of Gillengaria is full of adventure, political intrigue, and backstabbing nobles. There is no heavy-handed fantasy aspects that bogged down the story. I found there was plenty to stimulate this read’s imagination although some readers may want greater detail about the varied cultures that make up the realm.
At its soul, this story is about friendship for me. The relationship these characters share is a bond that many times is the difference between life and death. Of course, there are the necessary ‘tea and sympathy’ chats that further revealed the ease in which they care for one another.
As soon as I read the last few lines, I immediately went to the library to grab book three which is about Justin.
July 23, 2018
I was both pleasantly surprised and blown to bits by the second installment of the Twelve Houses series. I had heard mixed reviews about this particular book, but I have to say I loved it and loved Kirra more and more as the story evolved. These six characters are just too perfect, and I have already snatched up book three.
August 14, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up
A rarity indeed - book #2 in the series that I enjoyed as much as the first, DESPITE the fact that I strongly disliked one of the plot lines and couldn't relate well to the main character.
Kirra as the main character is portrayed as rather wild and impulsive, and I really couldn't relate to her. But it would be in her character to have a crazy affair with a married man, which, while a plot line I didn't really enjoy, was handled in an unexpected and rather nice way toward the end of the story. I didn't care a whole lot about the major plotline either, a social tour through several noble houses.
However, as always, the writing was good and the characters and the varied relationships between them were excellent. Lots of friendship and banter, and it was neat to see the queen and princess quite a bit in this story. The plot had a few twists and turns along the way, which was also fun. These things did a lot to keep the book fun and entertaining along the way.
A rarity indeed - book #2 in the series that I enjoyed as much as the first, DESPITE the fact that I strongly disliked one of the plot lines and couldn't relate well to the main character.
Kirra as the main character is portrayed as rather wild and impulsive, and I really couldn't relate to her. But it would be in her character to have a crazy affair with a married man, which, while a plot line I didn't really enjoy, was handled in an unexpected and rather nice way toward the end of the story. I didn't care a whole lot about the major plotline either, a social tour through several noble houses.
However, as always, the writing was good and the characters and the varied relationships between them were excellent. Lots of friendship and banter, and it was neat to see the queen and princess quite a bit in this story. The plot had a few twists and turns along the way, which was also fun. These things did a lot to keep the book fun and entertaining along the way.
April 10, 2021
Two reasons why I liked the second volume less than the first:
1. Kirra's love affair was with a married man
2. the fact that Kirra herself is my least favourite of our group of six awesome characters
Three reasons why I like this novel and I will continue reading the rest of the series:
1. I really love all six of our 'main' characters and their interactions (I can't wait to read the stories of Jason and Cammon)
2. Despite being my least favourite, Kirra is still an interesting character overall :)
1. Kirra's love affair was with a married man
2. the fact that Kirra herself is my least favourite of our group of six awesome characters
Three reasons why I like this novel and I will continue reading the rest of the series:
1. I really love all six of our 'main' characters and their interactions (I can't wait to read the stories of Jason and Cammon)
2. Despite being my least favourite, Kirra is still an interesting character overall :)
July 12, 2023
Reread in 2022 - I love how much Justin grows in this. And what can I say about Kirra. My darling angel. She goes through so much, thank god she’s got such friends to take care of her. Great plot, amazing characters, the best friendships. It doesn’t get better.
Reread in June 2020 - I love you, Kirra.
---
Reread in January 2020 - Kirra is easily the most fun-loving character in the Twelve Houses series so naturally you'd expect a light and cheerful novel for her. This book is a hard sell - Kirra makes a lot of wrong choices in this book, she doesn't travel as herself for most of it, she loses someone close to her, and it's got truly heartbreaking moments by the end. However, it was an important book for character growth and as much as I loved other books more, the plot in this is just excellent, I love plots about conspiracy and betrayals, and this had plenty. Also loved all the new secondary characters and it's always a treat to see Senneth, Tayse, Cammon and Justin. Always, always. They're friends to me.
---
I had to take a deep breath and mentally prepare myself for the last part of this book. It's so powerful. I loved this so much. Kirra grows A LOT in this novel and we get a lot of wonderfully complex secondary characters (Casserah, Amalie, Valri, Eloise, Sabina, Kirra's family on her mother's side) and complex plots (the red fever, Cammon's newfound abilities and more). It's a rich, rich world and I couldn't love our core characters more. Justin in particular changes a lot in this book and becomes really likeable.
----- Original review
Happy 2018 everyone! I finished this yesterday right before an evening of board games and champagne. I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed. One of the best things I like about Sharon Shinn is that she focuses on characters developed as main protagonists in one book and then they'll become secondary characters in other books.You know them so well by the end. This book focused on Kirra Danalustrous (don't you just love this name) Kirra was my favourite character along with Senneth from the first book and it was a treat to have her back. The relationships in this are so well detailed and the political intrigue gets even better. I'm so thankful for these books. They're bringing me such happiness. I can't read anything else as long as I haven't finished the series, it feels like hanging out with friends.
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Exceptional. I have no words. This made me sob so much, so now I've got to redo my mascara, put on a red lip, a splash of scent and head off to my group of friends' New Year's Eve party. Review to come.
Reread in June 2020 - I love you, Kirra.
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Reread in January 2020 - Kirra is easily the most fun-loving character in the Twelve Houses series so naturally you'd expect a light and cheerful novel for her. This book is a hard sell - Kirra makes a lot of wrong choices in this book, she doesn't travel as herself for most of it, she loses someone close to her, and it's got truly heartbreaking moments by the end. However, it was an important book for character growth and as much as I loved other books more, the plot in this is just excellent, I love plots about conspiracy and betrayals, and this had plenty. Also loved all the new secondary characters and it's always a treat to see Senneth, Tayse, Cammon and Justin. Always, always. They're friends to me.
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I had to take a deep breath and mentally prepare myself for the last part of this book. It's so powerful. I loved this so much. Kirra grows A LOT in this novel and we get a lot of wonderfully complex secondary characters (Casserah, Amalie, Valri, Eloise, Sabina, Kirra's family on her mother's side) and complex plots (the red fever, Cammon's newfound abilities and more). It's a rich, rich world and I couldn't love our core characters more. Justin in particular changes a lot in this book and becomes really likeable.
----- Original review
Happy 2018 everyone! I finished this yesterday right before an evening of board games and champagne. I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed. One of the best things I like about Sharon Shinn is that she focuses on characters developed as main protagonists in one book and then they'll become secondary characters in other books.You know them so well by the end. This book focused on Kirra Danalustrous (don't you just love this name) Kirra was my favourite character along with Senneth from the first book and it was a treat to have her back. The relationships in this are so well detailed and the political intrigue gets even better. I'm so thankful for these books. They're bringing me such happiness. I can't read anything else as long as I haven't finished the series, it feels like hanging out with friends.
---
Exceptional. I have no words. This made me sob so much, so now I've got to redo my mascara, put on a red lip, a splash of scent and head off to my group of friends' New Year's Eve party. Review to come.
June 21, 2022
So yeah, I finally finished this after being on 95% for approximately two weeks?? Two reasons: it was that good, and the second because of . ANYWAY. I'm a Sharon Shinn fan because of how she manages to create fleshed out characters and relationships (and romance!!!!) while still maintaining a good balance with the whole overarching political plot. And none of them was boring, nor I ignored the political plot in favor of the relationship and characters as I most often do in this kind of fantasy romance books.
Good stuff, truly great stuff.
Good stuff, truly great stuff.
April 25, 2007
The Thirteenth House is the second book from Sharon Shinn in her Twelve Houses series. It focuses on the shapeshifter noblewoman Kira Danalustrous as she takes the form of her recluse sister and travels the court circuit as part of the entourage of recluse Princess Amalie. Also in tow are her friends from the last novel Mystic and Rider. Along the way, she discoverers forbidden love and heaps of betrayal.
From the reviews at Amazon, people either loved or hated this book. After reading those reviews, I figured I would hate it...
**little Spoiler Warning**
I think the thing that you have to remember when reading any Shinn book is that she's a cross-genre writer. She blends romance with fantasy and science fiction. So if you don't like romance at all, you may find her books sappy in places. My dirty little secret is that I like romance novels. Not all the time, but I have a stash of Harlequins in my book shelf. But unlike in romance novels (and more true to life), Kira's forbidden love doesn't end up well.
And for this, I ended up loving it. Perhaps the painfulness of loving someone bad for you, having all your friends tell you that loving that person is bad for you, and telling them "It's my life!" over and over rang out as true. Oh, I knew those feelings. Though Kira's man was married, and mine wasn't, I knew the joy, the uncertainty, the pain, and most of all, the stubbornness. There was some over-the-top dialog when the two lovers finally get together. Pure romance novel there... but mostly, it was a seamless blend of the genres.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the adventure part of the novel, the unfolding information about Princess Amalie, the drips of information about Cammon's powers. Just seeing all the characters from Mystic and Rider again... and the continuing intrigue of political unrest in Gillingara.
Shinn has a way of bringing a world to life, and this novel was no exception. I fell into it, and it kept me interested the whole way through.
From the reviews at Amazon, people either loved or hated this book. After reading those reviews, I figured I would hate it...
**little Spoiler Warning**
I think the thing that you have to remember when reading any Shinn book is that she's a cross-genre writer. She blends romance with fantasy and science fiction. So if you don't like romance at all, you may find her books sappy in places. My dirty little secret is that I like romance novels. Not all the time, but I have a stash of Harlequins in my book shelf. But unlike in romance novels (and more true to life), Kira's forbidden love doesn't end up well.
And for this, I ended up loving it. Perhaps the painfulness of loving someone bad for you, having all your friends tell you that loving that person is bad for you, and telling them "It's my life!" over and over rang out as true. Oh, I knew those feelings. Though Kira's man was married, and mine wasn't, I knew the joy, the uncertainty, the pain, and most of all, the stubbornness. There was some over-the-top dialog when the two lovers finally get together. Pure romance novel there... but mostly, it was a seamless blend of the genres.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the adventure part of the novel, the unfolding information about Princess Amalie, the drips of information about Cammon's powers. Just seeing all the characters from Mystic and Rider again... and the continuing intrigue of political unrest in Gillingara.
Shinn has a way of bringing a world to life, and this novel was no exception. I fell into it, and it kept me interested the whole way through.
May 3, 2009
Book Two in the Twelve House series was pretty enjoyable…for the most part. This book has a similar format, in that the six main characters (and a few extras) are again traveling through Gillengaria. Only this time they are escorting the Princess to some of the Twelve Houses to attend the summer balls. It did get a little old as they traveled from house to house, but it was still entertaining and the political intrigue kept my attention. Kirra takes on the appearance of her sister, Casserah, for the majority of the book. This got a little old after awhile, it would have been a good idea for a shorter time period, but I felt it was drawn out a little too long. The other six weren’t really present that much and I missed the “magic” that comes when they are all together. I’m a bit upset about the direction Kirra’s character took and am debating about reading the next books….okay, I’ll still read them because Justin is next and I’m excited to see things from his perspective. I’ve always liked Justin and if it wasn’t for Donnal, I’d want Kirra to be with him. Anyway, overall a good second book, I’d have rated it higher if it weren’t for stupid, womanizer Romar.
Spoilers & Disappointments
Kirra is one of my favorite characters, in book one I just loved Kirra’s character and was so excited to find out book two would be from her perspective. So, I was completely disappointed in her falling in love with Romar…or as I like to call him “roamer” (since he tends to roam away from his loving wife to shack up with Kirra). It was frustrating to read about their growing relationship, which to me was based more on lust than love. What they had was not love and it was unpleasant to read about. It really tainted my opinion of Kirra and I really couldn’t stand Romar. I felt so sad for Donnal, and wanted to shout at Kirra for her double standard. Claiming she couldn’t be with Donnal because he was poor and yet she could be with a married man? Duh. The last thing I’ll say is that they both got off too easy, especially Romar. He felt no guilt, remorse or anything. He got off way too easy. As for Kirra, she also got off to easy, and I don’t feel she really learned her lesson or the seriousness of her behavior. She doesn’t deserve Donnal.
Spoilers & Disappointments
Kirra is one of my favorite characters, in book one I just loved Kirra’s character and was so excited to find out book two would be from her perspective. So, I was completely disappointed in her falling in love with Romar…or as I like to call him “roamer” (since he tends to roam away from his loving wife to shack up with Kirra). It was frustrating to read about their growing relationship, which to me was based more on lust than love. What they had was not love and it was unpleasant to read about. It really tainted my opinion of Kirra and I really couldn’t stand Romar. I felt so sad for Donnal, and wanted to shout at Kirra for her double standard. Claiming she couldn’t be with Donnal because he was poor and yet she could be with a married man? Duh. The last thing I’ll say is that they both got off too easy, especially Romar. He felt no guilt, remorse or anything. He got off way too easy. As for Kirra, she also got off to easy, and I don’t feel she really learned her lesson or the seriousness of her behavior. She doesn’t deserve Donnal.
May 11, 2011
I actually enjoyed this more than the first in the series, possibly because I already knew most of the characters, and didn't have to spend time thinking 'now which one is Donnal again?'
Whilst I strongly disapproved of Kirra having an affair with a married man, and her selfishness in engaging in such a relationship (not only towards Romar's wife and his social standing, but also towards Casserah, who she was disguised as, and Donnal, who clearly loved her, yet expected nothing in return, which is exactly what Kirra gave him), I appreciated the way Shinn treated the subject, and how it turned out. So often in novels where a married person falls in love with someone else, the happy ending will be contrived by the wife (or husband) conveniently dying from consumption, or falling from a horse, or being hanged for treason, leaving the way free for the lovers to marry and enjoy perfect happiness. Erm, yes. How often in life does that happen? Much more likely for the spouse to hang around till they're 110. So I enjoyed that Kirra was forced to realise how selfish she was being, and give Romar up. I loved the scene where Romar's wife visits her, Kirra discovers her life-threatening illness and is faced with the choice of not saying anything, and being able to marry the man she loves, or healing her. And the choice to wipe herself from Romar's memories - loved that too.
The one thing I was a little disappointed with was that I was hoping, going by what I thought were clues, that Kirra would eventually end up with Justin (not in this book, but by the end of the series), but I've since started the third book, and Justin's off having a (terrible) romance of his own. Hmph.
Whilst I strongly disapproved of Kirra having an affair with a married man, and her selfishness in engaging in such a relationship (not only towards Romar's wife and his social standing, but also towards Casserah, who she was disguised as, and Donnal, who clearly loved her, yet expected nothing in return, which is exactly what Kirra gave him), I appreciated the way Shinn treated the subject, and how it turned out. So often in novels where a married person falls in love with someone else, the happy ending will be contrived by the wife (or husband) conveniently dying from consumption, or falling from a horse, or being hanged for treason, leaving the way free for the lovers to marry and enjoy perfect happiness. Erm, yes. How often in life does that happen? Much more likely for the spouse to hang around till they're 110. So I enjoyed that Kirra was forced to realise how selfish she was being, and give Romar up. I loved the scene where Romar's wife visits her, Kirra discovers her life-threatening illness and is faced with the choice of not saying anything, and being able to marry the man she loves, or healing her. And the choice to wipe herself from Romar's memories - loved that too.
The one thing I was a little disappointed with was that I was hoping, going by what I thought were clues, that Kirra would eventually end up with Justin (not in this book, but by the end of the series), but I've since started the third book, and Justin's off having a (terrible) romance of his own. Hmph.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2009
Book two after 'Mystic and Rider' in the 12 Houses series was a definite surprise to me. A wonderful, good and edge of my seat surprise.
Kirra has returned home from her travels in book one, to discover that her father has decided to name her younger sister heir. But her sister Casserah is a bit of a homebody and so sends Kirra (who is a shape shifter) as Casserah to go on a tour of the different Houses to do a kind of meet and greet. Rumors of war still abound as Kirra tries to determine just who is still loyal to the King.
She is joined on her journey by the Princess Amalie and her other companions from book one: the mystics Senneth, Donnal, and Cammon and the Riders Justin and Tayse. This small band has some interesting relationships and Kirra finds herself deep in an ill-fated relationship that just had me wringing my hands for most of the book. To be honest, I kept playing various scenarios in my head on how Shinn would resolve the conflict between them but when she finally did I was totally blown away. I think Kirra finally understood what it was to love someone competely and unselfishly -- which made it that much more heart breaking.
Great second book in this wonderful series. I love all the characters and the new discoveries and Shinn has a wonderful knack for introducing conflict that brings out each person's strengths and weaknesses perfectly. I truly am looking forward to reading the rest.
Kirra has returned home from her travels in book one, to discover that her father has decided to name her younger sister heir. But her sister Casserah is a bit of a homebody and so sends Kirra (who is a shape shifter) as Casserah to go on a tour of the different Houses to do a kind of meet and greet. Rumors of war still abound as Kirra tries to determine just who is still loyal to the King.
She is joined on her journey by the Princess Amalie and her other companions from book one: the mystics Senneth, Donnal, and Cammon and the Riders Justin and Tayse. This small band has some interesting relationships and Kirra finds herself deep in an ill-fated relationship that just had me wringing my hands for most of the book. To be honest, I kept playing various scenarios in my head on how Shinn would resolve the conflict between them but when she finally did I was totally blown away. I think Kirra finally understood what it was to love someone competely and unselfishly -- which made it that much more heart breaking.
Great second book in this wonderful series. I love all the characters and the new discoveries and Shinn has a wonderful knack for introducing conflict that brings out each person's strengths and weaknesses perfectly. I truly am looking forward to reading the rest.
November 23, 2019
I can't put this down!
I've read 2 books so far, but they both felt unfinished. The end of the books are about the "resolution" of the romantic intrigue whether positively or not, but even then it feels uncertain and leaves me kind of unsatisfied.
All that said, I really enjoy reading this serie. We found ourselves at the beginning of a war, different people with different motivations are making alliances to get rid of the king.
In the first book, the group investigated where the unrest was coming from and its reason.
In the second book, they were protecting the princess and the regent from any assassination attempts.
I can't say there is no action, the characters find themselves in position where they are in danger and they have to defend themselves but these books are more character driven. So far, we always found the same group of characters but with different POVs. In the 1st book, the POVs are Senneth and Tayse, the 2nd book Kirra, the 3rd Justin and the 4th Cammon (I checked).
I really like all of them, even if I didn't agree with some of Kirra's choices in this book. I can't wait to find out what Cammon can do and see Justin fall in love (it's bound to happen and it'll be quite fun to watch).
Anyway, I'm not sure this serie is for everyone because it feels slow sometimes but I like it enough so far :)
I've read 2 books so far, but they both felt unfinished. The end of the books are about the "resolution" of the romantic intrigue whether positively or not, but even then it feels uncertain and leaves me kind of unsatisfied.
All that said, I really enjoy reading this serie. We found ourselves at the beginning of a war, different people with different motivations are making alliances to get rid of the king.
In the first book, the group investigated where the unrest was coming from and its reason.
In the second book, they were protecting the princess and the regent from any assassination attempts.
I can't say there is no action, the characters find themselves in position where they are in danger and they have to defend themselves but these books are more character driven. So far, we always found the same group of characters but with different POVs. In the 1st book, the POVs are Senneth and Tayse, the 2nd book Kirra, the 3rd Justin and the 4th Cammon (I checked).
I really like all of them, even if I didn't agree with some of Kirra's choices in this book. I can't wait to find out what Cammon can do and see Justin fall in love (it's bound to happen and it'll be quite fun to watch).
Anyway, I'm not sure this serie is for everyone because it feels slow sometimes but I like it enough so far :)
November 13, 2016
Not... my favorite. It's still in the fantastic world of the Twelve Houses, but this one kinda rustled my jimmies. Because it largely deals with the affair a character has with a married man. Call me old fashioned, but that kinda put a kink in my enjoyment of this one. Not even for stupid moral reason I SHOULD have had a problem with it. I don't like reading romances that are doomed to fail. Romeo and Juliet are not my cup of tea. While no one dies in this, something sorta worse happens that leaves the Kirra kinda broken. And maybe I wanted her to end up with Justin, but that's fixed in the next book which is about Justin. (maybe I'm salty about her using her poor childhood friend and then being bummed about him "leaving her" because she is banging a MARRIED MAN) <---less than PG by the way. Just a heads up.
Also, I never thought I'd say this but the book spent waaaay too much time on the romance then the actual plot, which was Kirra healing people in a slightly abominable way. (Abominable to the world at least. I thought it was clever.)
anyway. three stars because its still a good book.
Also, I never thought I'd say this but the book spent waaaay too much time on the romance then the actual plot, which was Kirra healing people in a slightly abominable way. (Abominable to the world at least. I thought it was clever.)
anyway. three stars because its still a good book.
February 7, 2022
Weakest of the series I feel. But unique in the sense that a lot of time is spent on a relationship you won’t ship and aren’t meant to. There are a lot of other things going on, but it feels a little like filler and I’d have preferred more of Donnal instead, who never gets much coverage throughout the series.
April 8, 2023
But he would be back soon. He always returned to her. 88
Maybe the respite, though brief, was bountiful. Maybe it would ease the whole family through one week, or two, give them back a measure of peace, remind them that love could be free of pain. / Maybe not. Maybe the gift would be unbearably bitter as it broke in their hands, as the illness returned with redoubled force, choking the child’s lungs, twisted his limbs. Maybe magic was a bright sparkling lure that drew the unwary deep into haunted and inescapable woods, where monsters and demons lay in wait. 100
Why spoil a lazy outing with the necessity for making any kind of effort? 110
I think I am glad for the fierceness the Wild Mother puts into the hearts of her creatures. 122
“I would release you,” she said. “If you wished to go.” 123
The heat of her body was so high it was like being embraced by summer. 138
He was telling them they had done a lousy job of protecting you when they had the chance, and now that it was his job, he wouldn’t fail. 140
I can’t tell if she’s a wise child or a silly girl. 143
Don’t make the mistake of forgetting who I’m supposed to be… Don’t make the mistake of forgetting who you really are. 144
We should be together. 148
“Small problems in the middle of big ones,” he said. “But sometimes they seem to matter more.” 168
She huddled under her blankets and thought the early summer air was a little too cool and wondered how everyone else fell asleep so easily when they were solitary in their beds. 177
She merely was, and was happy. 179
And it would be very boring to be constantly having to think of someone else’s feelings. 198
She cannot stay still. She will make no man a tame and loving wife. 200
She was silent a moment, torn between the happiness of hearing the words and the despair of knowing he shouldn’t speak them. 208
You scarcely know me. Be careful what you say and what you feel. You are crafting your emotions around the picture of a woman that you have built in your head. The chances are very slim that I am that picture come to life. 208
I would never give anyone else so much of my attention that there was none left for you. 215
I don’t understand this girl, but I’m starting to really like her. 222
“Where were you… After one dance with you I would have known what I had found. What I wanted. So where were you all that time?” … “I was exploring the world. I didn’t know anyone was looking for me.” 261
I think I will know you no matter how you present yourself. Go ahead. Come to me in some other guise and see how quickly I recognize you. 262
She was happy as she was; she was responsible for no one but herself. Her life was crammed with travel and excitement and a long parade of people. 263
I lost my love to the southern sea / One night when the moon sank low / I lost my love and I’ll never be / The man you once used to know. 271
I think I will always know you. No matter what form you assume or what company you keep. The essential nature of your soul is imprinted on my heart. You will never be a stranger to me. 311
“Come to me in any guise,” he said, “as long as you come to me.” 312
Be foolish for me. 312
He kissed her so hard there was no air to breathe; his arms crushed her body, rearranged her ribs. She wanted to shove him away, she wanted to hold him tighter, she wanted that kiss to end the world. Suddenly he released her from his suffocating hold, but he did not let her go. Now his hands were on either side of her head, buried in her hair. Now he was kissing her all over her face, her cheeks, her eyes, her lips again. Between kisses he whispered her name. 312
You don’t have me. So you can’t lose me. 313
I look at you and I see heartache, and I don’t care. I think of you, and I know loving you will hurt everyone else I love, and I don’t care. You may end up hating me, and I may end up mourning you the rest of my life, and I don’t care. I want you too much. 313
Don’t you think that’s ironic? That I would finally fall in love with a man I would always have to be leaving, and he is the one who makes me want to stay? 314
They made love by starlight and swore promises by moonlight. 315
Everyone else who knew her would be horrified by her behavior. This, for her, was almost the definition of a perfect day. 326
Her blood was sparkling in her veins. “It would be so dull to always be good.” 327
No one there loves me enough to make me want to stay. 341
Not even for a princess, not even for a queen, would I abandon you. 350
“Love is about more than hurting someone or not hurting someone. Love is about joy. And sometimes about sorrow. Love is about great emotion, and it is stronger than any simple rules about right and wrong.” “That’s the most selfish thing I’ve ever heard you say.” 352
Love is about caring for another human being so much that anything you do, anything you say, is calculated to keep that person safe. 353
How do I keep you? For I want to. 356
Hearts can withstand more punishment than you’d like to think… You can hurt a lot more and for a lot longer than you’d ever believe. I hate to see a happy girl like you fall into pain and despair. 370
“I’m leaving,” he said. It was as if he barked like a dog again or spoke in some other language that she could not comprehend. For a moment, she didn’t know what he meant. On some level she had understood him, for her body strung with tension and her heart stopped beating, but her mind could not sort out his words. Could not process them. Could not believe he had said them. 374
She could not tell him he was wrong; she could not beg him not to go. Stay, I will give him up for your sake. Stay, it will be different tomorrow. She had nothing to offer him. She could not live if he left her. There was nothing to say. 375
She leaned in, putting more pressure into the kiss, thinking if she could just absorb enough of him, it would not be so bad once he had left. 375
There was a lurking sadness in her heart, hiding in a dark vaulted chamber and unwilling to be examined too closely, but she could breathe. That was another nice change. 381
Because I love you so much and I cannot have you. Because sometimes it is easier to pretend I mean very little to you, so that I can pretend you mean very little to me. 411
This is what it means to be one step away from the throne, lord. That you cannot always fight your own battles. That your life matters more than another’s. 416
I do not want to be protected. I do not want to be sheltered. I am not helpless, and I will not be held. 418
Everything she had believed defined her, everything that had ever secured her, had frayed apart and left her drifting in a hostile wind. 429
I want to strike you. I want to hurt you, I want to see you run whimpering from the room. 455
The whole time, a voice in her head was screaming, was sobbing, was whispering that the world had ended. 457
Gods, gods, gods, gods. Kirra felt her heart shrink to a hard ball and then shatter inside her chest. The shards nicked the bowed ribs as they went careening out. She could feel the tiny welts, leaking blood and growing larger. 464
This was her punishment for loving where she had no right to love. Now she had to feel compassion where she only wanted to feel hatred. 464
Her throat hurt when she spoke. The slivers of her heart had sliced her chest to ribbons; she was having trouble breathing. 467
Something had tripped her and she fell to the muddy ground, collapsing in a red puff of soggy skirts. She was sobbing. She could not push herself back to her feet. Her body shook with the force of her weeping; her ribs had tightened so brutally over her heart that she could not draw breath. On her knees already, she bent double so her head was almost to the ground, and let the rain batter her with unrelenting misery. She wanted to change herself to some small armored creature that would not feel the rain and would not hate the mud and would not remember what it meant to love or cry. She wanted to change herself to stone, or to dirt, or to rain itself. She wanted to obliterate herself, disintegrate here, leave behind nothing, not even pain. She did not have the strength. She could not move, she could not alter. She merely lay in the remorseless storm and wept. 476
All Kirra remembered was rain and mud and darkness. And tears so bitter they had probably permanently salted the ground where they had fallen. 478
I found his love for me and cured it like a disease. 478
I am always alone, and no one worries. 481
What did she have to offer him when she was not sure she would ever be whole enough to love again? 483
Maybe the respite, though brief, was bountiful. Maybe it would ease the whole family through one week, or two, give them back a measure of peace, remind them that love could be free of pain. / Maybe not. Maybe the gift would be unbearably bitter as it broke in their hands, as the illness returned with redoubled force, choking the child’s lungs, twisted his limbs. Maybe magic was a bright sparkling lure that drew the unwary deep into haunted and inescapable woods, where monsters and demons lay in wait. 100
Why spoil a lazy outing with the necessity for making any kind of effort? 110
I think I am glad for the fierceness the Wild Mother puts into the hearts of her creatures. 122
“I would release you,” she said. “If you wished to go.” 123
The heat of her body was so high it was like being embraced by summer. 138
He was telling them they had done a lousy job of protecting you when they had the chance, and now that it was his job, he wouldn’t fail. 140
I can’t tell if she’s a wise child or a silly girl. 143
Don’t make the mistake of forgetting who I’m supposed to be… Don’t make the mistake of forgetting who you really are. 144
We should be together. 148
“Small problems in the middle of big ones,” he said. “But sometimes they seem to matter more.” 168
She huddled under her blankets and thought the early summer air was a little too cool and wondered how everyone else fell asleep so easily when they were solitary in their beds. 177
She merely was, and was happy. 179
And it would be very boring to be constantly having to think of someone else’s feelings. 198
She cannot stay still. She will make no man a tame and loving wife. 200
She was silent a moment, torn between the happiness of hearing the words and the despair of knowing he shouldn’t speak them. 208
You scarcely know me. Be careful what you say and what you feel. You are crafting your emotions around the picture of a woman that you have built in your head. The chances are very slim that I am that picture come to life. 208
I would never give anyone else so much of my attention that there was none left for you. 215
I don’t understand this girl, but I’m starting to really like her. 222
“Where were you… After one dance with you I would have known what I had found. What I wanted. So where were you all that time?” … “I was exploring the world. I didn’t know anyone was looking for me.” 261
I think I will know you no matter how you present yourself. Go ahead. Come to me in some other guise and see how quickly I recognize you. 262
She was happy as she was; she was responsible for no one but herself. Her life was crammed with travel and excitement and a long parade of people. 263
I lost my love to the southern sea / One night when the moon sank low / I lost my love and I’ll never be / The man you once used to know. 271
I think I will always know you. No matter what form you assume or what company you keep. The essential nature of your soul is imprinted on my heart. You will never be a stranger to me. 311
“Come to me in any guise,” he said, “as long as you come to me.” 312
Be foolish for me. 312
He kissed her so hard there was no air to breathe; his arms crushed her body, rearranged her ribs. She wanted to shove him away, she wanted to hold him tighter, she wanted that kiss to end the world. Suddenly he released her from his suffocating hold, but he did not let her go. Now his hands were on either side of her head, buried in her hair. Now he was kissing her all over her face, her cheeks, her eyes, her lips again. Between kisses he whispered her name. 312
You don’t have me. So you can’t lose me. 313
I look at you and I see heartache, and I don’t care. I think of you, and I know loving you will hurt everyone else I love, and I don’t care. You may end up hating me, and I may end up mourning you the rest of my life, and I don’t care. I want you too much. 313
Don’t you think that’s ironic? That I would finally fall in love with a man I would always have to be leaving, and he is the one who makes me want to stay? 314
They made love by starlight and swore promises by moonlight. 315
Everyone else who knew her would be horrified by her behavior. This, for her, was almost the definition of a perfect day. 326
Her blood was sparkling in her veins. “It would be so dull to always be good.” 327
No one there loves me enough to make me want to stay. 341
Not even for a princess, not even for a queen, would I abandon you. 350
“Love is about more than hurting someone or not hurting someone. Love is about joy. And sometimes about sorrow. Love is about great emotion, and it is stronger than any simple rules about right and wrong.” “That’s the most selfish thing I’ve ever heard you say.” 352
Love is about caring for another human being so much that anything you do, anything you say, is calculated to keep that person safe. 353
How do I keep you? For I want to. 356
Hearts can withstand more punishment than you’d like to think… You can hurt a lot more and for a lot longer than you’d ever believe. I hate to see a happy girl like you fall into pain and despair. 370
“I’m leaving,” he said. It was as if he barked like a dog again or spoke in some other language that she could not comprehend. For a moment, she didn’t know what he meant. On some level she had understood him, for her body strung with tension and her heart stopped beating, but her mind could not sort out his words. Could not process them. Could not believe he had said them. 374
She could not tell him he was wrong; she could not beg him not to go. Stay, I will give him up for your sake. Stay, it will be different tomorrow. She had nothing to offer him. She could not live if he left her. There was nothing to say. 375
She leaned in, putting more pressure into the kiss, thinking if she could just absorb enough of him, it would not be so bad once he had left. 375
There was a lurking sadness in her heart, hiding in a dark vaulted chamber and unwilling to be examined too closely, but she could breathe. That was another nice change. 381
Because I love you so much and I cannot have you. Because sometimes it is easier to pretend I mean very little to you, so that I can pretend you mean very little to me. 411
This is what it means to be one step away from the throne, lord. That you cannot always fight your own battles. That your life matters more than another’s. 416
I do not want to be protected. I do not want to be sheltered. I am not helpless, and I will not be held. 418
Everything she had believed defined her, everything that had ever secured her, had frayed apart and left her drifting in a hostile wind. 429
I want to strike you. I want to hurt you, I want to see you run whimpering from the room. 455
The whole time, a voice in her head was screaming, was sobbing, was whispering that the world had ended. 457
Gods, gods, gods, gods. Kirra felt her heart shrink to a hard ball and then shatter inside her chest. The shards nicked the bowed ribs as they went careening out. She could feel the tiny welts, leaking blood and growing larger. 464
This was her punishment for loving where she had no right to love. Now she had to feel compassion where she only wanted to feel hatred. 464
Her throat hurt when she spoke. The slivers of her heart had sliced her chest to ribbons; she was having trouble breathing. 467
Something had tripped her and she fell to the muddy ground, collapsing in a red puff of soggy skirts. She was sobbing. She could not push herself back to her feet. Her body shook with the force of her weeping; her ribs had tightened so brutally over her heart that she could not draw breath. On her knees already, she bent double so her head was almost to the ground, and let the rain batter her with unrelenting misery. She wanted to change herself to some small armored creature that would not feel the rain and would not hate the mud and would not remember what it meant to love or cry. She wanted to change herself to stone, or to dirt, or to rain itself. She wanted to obliterate herself, disintegrate here, leave behind nothing, not even pain. She did not have the strength. She could not move, she could not alter. She merely lay in the remorseless storm and wept. 476
All Kirra remembered was rain and mud and darkness. And tears so bitter they had probably permanently salted the ground where they had fallen. 478
I found his love for me and cured it like a disease. 478
I am always alone, and no one worries. 481
What did she have to offer him when she was not sure she would ever be whole enough to love again? 483
January 12, 2024
Fantastic. Roared straight onto the next one. Emotionally captured by the story.
April 17, 2023
I listened to the audiobook while working, because The Novels of the Twelve Houses are one of my comfort re-reads. This has always been a favorite of mine, but I wanted to listen to it with a more critical frame of mind, because much of my love of the book has to do with relating to the feelings Kirra is forced to work through, with the realization that she has someone so utterly devoted to her that she believes the bond is unbreakable, no matter how much she strains it. She learns - the very hard way - that all relationships have their breaking points, and that she shouldn't take things for granted. This was the book that 25-year-old me needed, in order to understand things that went through my 20-year-old life.
Now, though... it's not quite as magical to me. I still adore Kirra and Donnal and the rest of the cast, and the intrigue of going around to various aristocratic homes to figure out who the king should trust in the political climate is very captivating. Kirra is impulsive to the point of carelessness, which is a great flaw in the a protagonist who has this particular lesson to learn.
I'm still mostly disappointed in Senneth in this book. Kirra is lectured by both Tayse and Justin for her behavior (and the scene with Justin is, for me, the defining moment of the book), but Senneth just sadly watches her closest friend nearly ruin herself over a questionable love affair that will break at least four hearts and says nothing but supportive "I'm rather worried about you" kinds of comments. And then, at the end, Kirra does something that to the average person should be unthinkable and intolerable, and is the reason people fear mystics, and there isn't a single person telling her "I understand why you did this, Kirra, but it is morally wrong". I feel like Senneth was the perfect vessel for that kind of speech. Without it, it almost seems as if the author is telling us that it's totally fine that Kirra went into Romar's mind and erased memories of herself without his permission. That's... really not okay, right? Like, in our world that's horrible, non-consensual mind-tampering, but in their world they're constantly talking about how it's wrong for mystics to do things to other people - it's one of the moral conundrums of the book, when Kirra realizes she can cure a disease if she first turns the patient into an animal. (also, it would be nice for it to be clear as to why - going forward - Kirra seems to be the only mystic who can do this. Is it because she is also a healer who understands the body, or is it because she's very powerful? I need clarification, please and thank you.)
Anyway, I still love the book and it's probably a 4 1/2 star read for me. Romar Brendyn gives me pause at times - I hate that he's jealous and possessive of Kirra when he's MARRIED and isn't exactly planning on being faithful to her, but... whatevs. He's out of the picture later anyway. I tried to listen this time and like him a bit more, and it was generally better. :P
Now, though... it's not quite as magical to me. I still adore Kirra and Donnal and the rest of the cast, and the intrigue of going around to various aristocratic homes to figure out who the king should trust in the political climate is very captivating. Kirra is impulsive to the point of carelessness, which is a great flaw in the a protagonist who has this particular lesson to learn.
I'm still mostly disappointed in Senneth in this book. Kirra is lectured by both Tayse and Justin for her behavior (and the scene with Justin is, for me, the defining moment of the book), but Senneth just sadly watches her closest friend nearly ruin herself over a questionable love affair that will break at least four hearts and says nothing but supportive "I'm rather worried about you" kinds of comments. And then, at the end, Kirra does something that to the average person should be unthinkable and intolerable, and is the reason people fear mystics, and there isn't a single person telling her "I understand why you did this, Kirra, but it is morally wrong". I feel like Senneth was the perfect vessel for that kind of speech. Without it, it almost seems as if the author is telling us that it's totally fine that Kirra went into Romar's mind and erased memories of herself without his permission. That's... really not okay, right? Like, in our world that's horrible, non-consensual mind-tampering, but in their world they're constantly talking about how it's wrong for mystics to do things to other people - it's one of the moral conundrums of the book, when Kirra realizes she can cure a disease if she first turns the patient into an animal. (also, it would be nice for it to be clear as to why - going forward - Kirra seems to be the only mystic who can do this. Is it because she is also a healer who understands the body, or is it because she's very powerful? I need clarification, please and thank you.)
Anyway, I still love the book and it's probably a 4 1/2 star read for me. Romar Brendyn gives me pause at times - I hate that he's jealous and possessive of Kirra when he's MARRIED and isn't exactly planning on being faithful to her, but... whatevs. He's out of the picture later anyway. I tried to listen this time and like him a bit more, and it was generally better. :P
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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