Book Review - Fortune's Fool (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 3) by Mercedes Lackey

Product Description
The seventh daughter of the Sea King, Ekaterina is more than a pampered princess—she's also the family spy. Which makes her the perfect emissary to check out interesting happenings in the neighboring kingdom…and nothing interests her more than Sasha, the seventh son of the king of Belrus. Ekaterina suspects he's far from the fool people think him. But before she can find out what lies beneath his facade, she is kidnapped!

Trapped in a castle at the mercy of a possessive Jinn, Ekaterina knows her chances of being found are slim. Now fortune, a fool and a paper bird are the only things she can count on—along with her own clever mind and intrepid heart.…

***

April 13

As much as I enjoyed the previous two books, I think that this is my favorite of the three. But maybe if I read the others again, I'd change my mind - each time I read one of them! :P Again the book is much better than the synopsis on the book has you believe - they're always a bit misleading or incorrect.

The characters and settings just came to life and the love story was lovely between Katya and Sasha. Yes, the love scene didn't seem like it fit into the book, but the rest was so great I'll forgive that part. The secondary characters just added to the whole story, and I wish that I could visit with them again, even though I know it'll be a different kingdom in the next book. Oh well, I'm sure I'll love any book that Ms. Lackey writes in the Five Hundred Kingdoms Series. :)

5/5 stars

Book Review - The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux

Book Description
Darkly handsome and rich beyond imagining, Ranulf de Warbrooke was the bold conqueror they called the Black Lyon. Feared by men and women alike, he had no match -- until he met Lady Lyonene, the green-eyed beauty whose fiery spirit matched his own. And she dared to love the man no woman could tame...

THE GREEN-EYED LYONENE

Through a whirlwind romance and stormy marriage, she endured every peril to be by his side. And when jealousy and vicious lies drove her across the Irish Sea and into grave danger, only one man could save her -- the Black Lyon. He alone could destroy the ruthless plot that had driven them apart, and renew the bond of love they had vowed would never be broken.
Darkly handsome and rich beyond imagining, Ranulf de Warbrooke was the bold conqueror they called the Black Lyon. Feared by men and women alike, he had no match -- until he met Lady Lyonene, the green-eyed beauty whose fiery spirit matched his own. And she dared to love the man no woman could tame...

***

April 11

The Black Lyon was a nice, fast-paced read with likable main characters. The story moved briskly and had a lot of events happening, but it ended up working. Lyonene was a strong character who had her faults, as was Ranulf, and they were wonderful together. I loved the scenes when they first met and the last half of the book the best. So some of the writing was flowery and maybe a bit dated to when it was written, but I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more in the Montgomery series.

Note: This does contain what today would be considered rape, twice. They're early on, they happen really fast, aren't described in much detail, and the hero doesn't even realize he does it the second time and he does show remorse. Maybe not what 'modern women' would like to see, but I didn't have much of a problem with it, and rape isn't something I take lightly. The heroine doesn't see herself as a victim, but as a wife just doing her duty. Sounds horrible to my 21st Century sensibilities, but somehow it made me not dwell on the rape and move on to the rest of the book. Other authors have done worse in books written in this time period (70s/80s), and having Lyonene react that way added a touch of realism to the Medieval time period.

4/5 stars

Book Review - Winter Moon Anthology

Book Description
Mercedes Lackey
"She'll keep you up long past your bedtime." --New York Times bestselling author Stephen King

In an isolated land where the lure of the "Moontide" leads to shipwrecks, a woman is torn between obeying her father or her king. When she chooses to follow a Fool, she discovers magic she'd never expected . . . at a price that might be too high . . .

Tanith Lee
"Few writers today can match the sheer beauty and inventiveness of Tanith Lee's writing." --Millennium Science Fiction and Fantasy

Struggling under the curse of a dead comrade, Clirando, a warrior priestess unready to face the powers trapped within her, must face "The Heart of the Moon" to reveal what has been hidden . . .

C.E. Murphy
"A swift pace, a good mystery, a likeable protagonist, magic, danger -- Urban Shaman has them in spades." --Jim Butcher, author of the bestselling series The Dresden Files

In "Banshee Cries," ritual murders under a full moon lead Jo Walker to confront a Harbinger of Death. Maybe this "gift" she has is one she shouldn't ignore -- because the next life she has to save might be her own!

***

March 3

I've only read the second story by Tanith Lee so far because I wanted to read at least one of the books in Lackey's Five Hundred Kingdom series before I got to that one. For the first fifty pages, The Heart of the Moon was slow going, but after that it got progressively better and interesting. I think it would be nice to read about Cliro's burgeoning powers. I'd give it a four out of five.

Moontide by Mercedes Lackey was an absolutely wonderful story! After reading The Fairy Godmother, I went on to read this short story before I read the next two in the series. Moira was a great character, as was Kedric in as much as he could be with his small role. I was very sorry after I finished it and would have loved to read more with these characters. A great short story!
5/5

I was a little disappointed in C.E. Murphy's story, Banshee Cries, but it did have it's moments. Joanne is a great character who I can't help but to relate to - she's so realistic - and I love Gary, he's priceless. The plot was fairly interesting but it faltered and could be a bit slow at times. It was still good though and I can't wait to read the others in the series.
4/5

Book Review - One Good Knight (A Tale of the Five Hundred, Book Two) by Mercedes Lackey

Book Description
When a dragon storms the castle, what should a (virgin) princess do?

Why, turn to her studies, of course! But nothing practical-minded Princess Andromeda of Acadia finds gives a definitive solution. The only Traditional answer, though, is soothing the marauding dragon by a virgin sacrifice. Things are going fairly smoothly with the lottery -- except for the women chosen, of course -- until Princess Andromeda herself is picked!

But facing down the dragon doesn't go quite as planned, and now, with the help of her Champion, Sir George, Andromeda searches for the dragon's lair. But even -- especially -- in the Five Hundred Kingdoms, bucking Tradition isn't easy. It takes the strongest of wills, knowledge, quick wits and a refusal to give up, no matter what happens along the way . . .

***

February 23

Another wonderful book in this series! Andie was truly a great character and I loved the outcome. My only quibble is that I feel the epilogue could have been longer and had more info on Andie and her paramour. Also, the title is misleading, but that's all I'm going to say. ;P A fast, fun, and thoroughly entertaining way to pass the time. Ms. Lackey created a world where I feel like I'm in it as an invisible watcher - quite a feat. :)

5/5 stars

Book Review - Fairy Godmother (A Tale of the Five Hundred, Book One) by Mercedes Lackey

Book Description
From the bestselling author of the Heralds of Valdemar series comes an enchanting novel.

In the land of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, if you can't carry out your legendary role, life is no fairy tale. . .

Elena Klovis was supposedto be her kingdom's Cinderella--until fate left her with a completely inappropriate prince! So she set out to make a new life for herself. But breaking with "The Tradition" was no easy matter--until she got a little help from her own fairy godmother. Who promptly offered Elena a most unexpected job. . .

Now, instead of sleeping in the chimney. She has to deal with arrogant, stuffed-shirt princes who keep trying to rise above their place in the tale. And there's one in particular who needs to be dealt with. . .

Sometimes a fairy godmother's work is never done. . . .

***

February 23

I love, love, loved this book! This is my first Mercedes Lackey book and it most definitely won't be my last! If all - or even most - of her other books are as good as this one, I'll be a fan for life! I do think the synopsis is a bit misleading, it's not exactly how everything happened, especially since the prince doesn't enter the picture until halfway through the book. Maybe hardcore fantasy readers won't enjoy it as much as those who love both fantasy and romance, but I thought it was a very smart and interesting twist on the usual fairy tales. I loved the epilogue and thought that added to the whole 'moral' of the story. I can't wait to get to the others in the series. :)

5/5 stars

Book Review - Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder

Book Description
YOU KNOW YOUR LIFE IS BAD WHEN YOU MISS YOUR DAYS AS A POISON TASTER. (STUDY BOOK 2)
Yelena is on her way to be reunited with the family she'd been stolen from long ago. Although she has gained her freedom, she can't help feeling isolated in Sitia. Her Ixian background has changed her in many ways, and her newfound friends and relatives don't think it's for the better. Despite the turmoil, she's eager to start her magical training. But her plans take a radical turn when she becomes involved with a plot to reclaim Ixia's throne for a lost prince, and gets entangled in powerful rivalries with her fellow magicians. If that wasn't bad enough, it appears her brother would love to see her dead. Luckily, Yelena has some old friends to help her with her new enemies.

***

February 8

As much as I loved the first book, Poison Study, I loved this one even more! Somehow it just clicked more with me than with the last. Ms. Snyder seems to be developing her world and characters more solidly. For some reason I found Valek a little more unnerving and frightening in this, maybe because he's not in it as much and I took off my rose-colored glasses and actually saw his role as assassin. Who knows? I did miss the 'Power Twins', Janco and Ari and wished they could have been in it more, but overall it was a great book that I could not put down. I'm so glad the next book is only a month away, as I cannot wait to get to it!

5/5 stars

Book Review - Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Book Description
CHOOSE: A QUICK DEATH OR SLOW POISON. (STUDY BOOK 1)
About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered a reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace, and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia. And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust, and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison. As Yelena tries to escape her dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and she develops magical powers she can't control. Her life’s at stake again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren’t so clear!

***

Read January 24

I haven't read many books, if any, that deal with a poison tester, so I found the premise in Poison Study very interesting. The plot, the characters, everything was so well-done and fascinating that I became immersed into the story so much that I didn't notice anything that went on around me. Ms. Snyder has a lovely, uninterrupted, and smooth style of writing that is very easy to read. I can't wait to get to Magic Study next! :)

4.5 stars