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Noble Dead Saga: Series 1 #6
Child of a Dead God
"Any list of the best writers of vampire novels working today must include the dynamic duo of Barb & J.C. Hendee."
—Rambles
“A mix of The Lord of the Rings and Buffy the Vampire Slayer,”* the Noble Dead Saga has won legions of readers with its epic adventure, bloodthirsty evil, and imaginative characters. At last, long sought secrets will be revealed... and old scores settled.
For many months, Magiere and Leesil have searched for a forgotten artifact, even though its purpose has been shrouded in mystery. All Magiere knows is that she must keep the orb from falling into the hands of a murdering Noble Dead: her half brother, Welstiel. And now dreams of a castle locked in ice lead her south, on a journey that has become nothing less than an obsession...
Accompanying Magiere and Leesil are the sage Wynn; their canine protector, Chap; and two elven assassins-turned-guardians who must fight their distrust of this sister of the dead. For forces more powerful than they — some may even say fate — are rallying around Magiere, arming her for the conflict to come, because finding the orb may be just the beginning of the challenges that await her.
* New York Times bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson
—Rambles
“A mix of The Lord of the Rings and Buffy the Vampire Slayer,”* the Noble Dead Saga has won legions of readers with its epic adventure, bloodthirsty evil, and imaginative characters. At last, long sought secrets will be revealed... and old scores settled.
For many months, Magiere and Leesil have searched for a forgotten artifact, even though its purpose has been shrouded in mystery. All Magiere knows is that she must keep the orb from falling into the hands of a murdering Noble Dead: her half brother, Welstiel. And now dreams of a castle locked in ice lead her south, on a journey that has become nothing less than an obsession...
Accompanying Magiere and Leesil are the sage Wynn; their canine protector, Chap; and two elven assassins-turned-guardians who must fight their distrust of this sister of the dead. For forces more powerful than they — some may even say fate — are rallying around Magiere, arming her for the conflict to come, because finding the orb may be just the beginning of the challenges that await her.
* New York Times bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson
"Interspecies distrust, grand ambitions, and the lure of dangerous secrets protected by the undead drive the action in this neat mix of horror with more traditional fantasy elements."
—Publisher's Weekly
407 pages, Hardcover
First published January 2, 2008
About the author
Barb Hendee
66 books1,160 followers[See barbhendee.org]
Like most writers, I've worked at many jobs in my life, including teaching pre-school until I completed my master's degree in Composition Theory. Between 1993 and 2006, I taught college English while writing fiction on the side, some independently and some with my husband and life-long partner J.C.
Over the years, we've lived in Washington State, Idaho, Colorado, and now moved just south of Portland, Oregon. I love the Northwest, and it's a great place to write.
We have a lovely and talented daughter, Jaclyn, who lives in Houston, Texas along with our wonderful and talented son-in-law, Paul.
J.C. and I sold Dhampir in 2001, which changed our lives considerably. It was published in January 2003, and we've published a book in the Noble Dead Saga every year since. In May of 2006, we were both able to quit our teaching jobs and move into full time writing.
Recently, I've begun writing romance/suspense novels, beginning with: Alone with a Soldier. I am so glad my books have found an audience because I love to write fiction more than anything else in the world... and I'm not really good at anything else.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
February 11, 2022
This final book in the first Noble Dead series was a decent conclusion to the series. The series is fantasy but it reads just like an UF in terms feel and style. It works though as we get a good mix of action, intrigue, and even a bit of romance and none of it comes at the expense of developing the characters as people we should care about!
I actually stalled a bit on this series after reading the 5th instalment as I thought that one was disappointingly dull. It has taken me two years to pick up this 6th book but I’m glad I finally did as this one was a return to form and reminded me of all the reasons why I enjoyed the first 4 books in the series so much.
The story was good. We got a nice mix of action, intrigue, and mystery. With the mysterious “night voice” still whispering to Maguire to find the artefact the team journey from the Elven territory into the unknown wastes. Maguire, Leslie, Chap, and Wynn were joined by two Elven bodyguards on their travels. To complicate matters even further a second Elven group with their own interest in the artefact is trailing them. As are the vampires Welstiel and Chane!
It was a fun story and a definite return to form. We still got a lot of travelling in this one but the story was more engaging as we had the intrigue and danger of the various factions all pursuing their own agendas. The real big plus was that the destination of the journey ended up being a good one with some cool things and mysteries to catch the readers interest.
The ending to the series was a satisfying one even if it did not quite warp up the large scale mysteries of the “night voice” the same as it wrapped up the personal story arcs of the characters. It was no big deal though as the building blocks were just left in place for the sequel series that I’ll definitely be reading!
All in all a good end to what has been a good fantasy series.
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: Tanya Eby did an OK job with the audio. If she has a flaw it is that all her character voices sound exactly the same so it can be tough to tell who is “speaking” at times.
I actually stalled a bit on this series after reading the 5th instalment as I thought that one was disappointingly dull. It has taken me two years to pick up this 6th book but I’m glad I finally did as this one was a return to form and reminded me of all the reasons why I enjoyed the first 4 books in the series so much.
The story was good. We got a nice mix of action, intrigue, and mystery. With the mysterious “night voice” still whispering to Maguire to find the artefact the team journey from the Elven territory into the unknown wastes. Maguire, Leslie, Chap, and Wynn were joined by two Elven bodyguards on their travels. To complicate matters even further a second Elven group with their own interest in the artefact is trailing them. As are the vampires Welstiel and Chane!
It was a fun story and a definite return to form. We still got a lot of travelling in this one but the story was more engaging as we had the intrigue and danger of the various factions all pursuing their own agendas. The real big plus was that the destination of the journey ended up being a good one with some cool things and mysteries to catch the readers interest.
The ending to the series was a satisfying one even if it did not quite warp up the large scale mysteries of the “night voice” the same as it wrapped up the personal story arcs of the characters. It was no big deal though as the building blocks were just left in place for the sequel series that I’ll definitely be reading!
All in all a good end to what has been a good fantasy series.
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: Tanya Eby did an OK job with the audio. If she has a flaw it is that all her character voices sound exactly the same so it can be tough to tell who is “speaking” at times.
September 8, 2016
Once more with feeling, please?
I was disappointed in this last book of Series 1 of the Noble Dead Saga. I ended up giving it 3,5 stars, which is a shame cause these series deserved a better ending.
Like always it took a little while for the action to pick up and the story to get interesting, but this time it took particularly long and only in the last 100 pages did I feel a connection with the characters and what was happening.
The Hendees have a tendency of being overly descriptive and telling rather than showing us what happens. This book was no exception. But with the end of the road nearing and the possibility of the clashing destinies of Leesil and Magière becoming reality, I had expected some fears, doubts... anything! The only ones who we did see being emotionally troubled were Hkuan’duv and Sgaïle, who aren't the most emotionally expressive to begin with.
Magière who -as the title implies- is pretty much the focus of this book, felt absent. So did Leesil, but afterall: these two are the main characters of this series. Not Chap, not Sgaïle and certainly not Wynn (and we get it: she is a sage and she is small, no need to repeat those facts every other sentence).
I really missed Magière and Leesil this book, I wanted to be in their heads, learn their thoughts and feel their feelings but none of that happened. I also would have loved to see more ‘together time’ for Magiere and Leesil. We know that they love each other but we hardly see it, up until the end (and we get ONE kiss) .
*spoiler*
At the end, nothing actually is resolved. The big destinies and the possible new War coming up have not happened. Yet. Magière and Leesil’s quest isn’t over and they have to be on the move –again. Which means that they’ll most likely have another series or be part of Wynn’s series (Series 2) in the future. I am just not sure though if I can invest in another book.
I was disappointed in this last book of Series 1 of the Noble Dead Saga. I ended up giving it 3,5 stars, which is a shame cause these series deserved a better ending.
Like always it took a little while for the action to pick up and the story to get interesting, but this time it took particularly long and only in the last 100 pages did I feel a connection with the characters and what was happening.
The Hendees have a tendency of being overly descriptive and telling rather than showing us what happens. This book was no exception. But with the end of the road nearing and the possibility of the clashing destinies of Leesil and Magière becoming reality, I had expected some fears, doubts... anything! The only ones who we did see being emotionally troubled were Hkuan’duv and Sgaïle, who aren't the most emotionally expressive to begin with.
Magière who -as the title implies- is pretty much the focus of this book, felt absent. So did Leesil, but afterall: these two are the main characters of this series. Not Chap, not Sgaïle and certainly not Wynn (and we get it: she is a sage and she is small, no need to repeat those facts every other sentence).
I really missed Magière and Leesil this book, I wanted to be in their heads, learn their thoughts and feel their feelings but none of that happened. I also would have loved to see more ‘together time’ for Magiere and Leesil. We know that they love each other but we hardly see it, up until the end (and we get ONE kiss) .
*spoiler*
At the end, nothing actually is resolved. The big destinies and the possible new War coming up have not happened. Yet. Magière and Leesil’s quest isn’t over and they have to be on the move –again. Which means that they’ll most likely have another series or be part of Wynn’s series (Series 2) in the future. I am just not sure though if I can invest in another book.
January 27, 2009
In my review of the fourth book of this series, I already outlined my basic summation of the entire series' strengths and weaknesses. The strengths being its ability to avoid the majority of pitfalls of the TWO overdone genres from which it hails and the subtle depiction of the major relationships. The weaknesses being the general mediocrity of both prose and subject matter.
In this book, these things don't really change, but a new weakness rears up. Namely, pacing. I can be wildly forgiving about pacing as a general problem in narratives. Indeed, on the list of sins it's not exactly absent for me, but it's the least severe. It's also the one that I can most easily overlook. However, that can't really happen when it a story builds and builds but never reaches a climax.
The issue with this book is not that it didn't follow the storylines set out and not that I even disliked the ending. I didn't. It had a certain amount of emotional payoff, at least. But it wasn't really an ending. Essentially, it made it feel as though these six books had just been a prelude, and the promised great war in which Magiere and Leesil are destined to play major roles never comes. In fact, the book nearly ends on a cliffhanger as Magiere and Leesil more or less head off on yet another journey with no end in sight. Except given that this is the last book in this series, you're left hanging regarding what will become of them.
As far as I can tell the follow-up series, beginning with In Shade and Shadow, is about the third main character from this series, the sage, Wynn. Unfortunately, the problem inherent in that is that over the course of Rebel Fay and Child of a Dead God, Wynn became increasingly irritating with her penchant for endlessly disappearing into trouble as soon as anyone took their eyes off of her. This was after already having been the least interesting character.
In addition, though it wasn't something I necessarily felt in earlier books, the authors' depiction of Wynn eventually began to lean towards a little too precious. There was a little too much of "Oh, she is so tiny and fragile and everyone wants to protect her." and not enough of the brief attempts to toughen her up or hold her accountable for her actions that had been present before. Too often she would do things against which she had been counseled and then everyone would have to rush off to save her. It was clear that this became an easy plot-mover for the Hendees given that she would often stumble right into whatever they were looking for, but it doesn't endear Wynn to the reader.
I didn't necessarily see the "dumbifying" of Magiere and Leesil to further push Wynn's sage intellect and knowledge that some other readers saw, but I did see that she usually got heaped with the majority of exposition, which made them recede and take the role of questioners in some moments where it seemed like they should be more actively involved in the reasoning. Another thing making them recede was that in the last two books they were often confronted with people whose language only Wynn spoke and understood. In addition, some of the efforts to give Wynn sass made her come off as snappish with Leesil and Magiere, which again, did not endear her given that whatever she was irritated about always seemed to pale in comparison to her CONSTANTLY RUNNING OFF AND NEEDING TO BE RESCUED, with the final effect being somewhat like the other characters were babysitting a precocious and petulant child.
Ultimately, I found myself hunkering down every time it switched to her POV as I waited to get back to Magiere or Leesil (slightly less so Chap given that he was usually bound at the hip to Wynn). So, all that said, I'm just not sure how interested I am in her starring in the next series. Particularly since Magiere, Leesil, and Chap's adventure is clearly only just beginning, and given the choice whether to follow them or Wynn, I would choose the former every time.
BUT, getting back to this book, it has no ending, really. Just a lead-off into something interesting that we won't get to see any time soon.
In this book, these things don't really change, but a new weakness rears up. Namely, pacing. I can be wildly forgiving about pacing as a general problem in narratives. Indeed, on the list of sins it's not exactly absent for me, but it's the least severe. It's also the one that I can most easily overlook. However, that can't really happen when it a story builds and builds but never reaches a climax.
The issue with this book is not that it didn't follow the storylines set out and not that I even disliked the ending. I didn't. It had a certain amount of emotional payoff, at least. But it wasn't really an ending. Essentially, it made it feel as though these six books had just been a prelude, and the promised great war in which Magiere and Leesil are destined to play major roles never comes. In fact, the book nearly ends on a cliffhanger as Magiere and Leesil more or less head off on yet another journey with no end in sight. Except given that this is the last book in this series, you're left hanging regarding what will become of them.
As far as I can tell the follow-up series, beginning with In Shade and Shadow, is about the third main character from this series, the sage, Wynn. Unfortunately, the problem inherent in that is that over the course of Rebel Fay and Child of a Dead God, Wynn became increasingly irritating with her penchant for endlessly disappearing into trouble as soon as anyone took their eyes off of her. This was after already having been the least interesting character.
In addition, though it wasn't something I necessarily felt in earlier books, the authors' depiction of Wynn eventually began to lean towards a little too precious. There was a little too much of "Oh, she is so tiny and fragile and everyone wants to protect her." and not enough of the brief attempts to toughen her up or hold her accountable for her actions that had been present before. Too often she would do things against which she had been counseled and then everyone would have to rush off to save her. It was clear that this became an easy plot-mover for the Hendees given that she would often stumble right into whatever they were looking for, but it doesn't endear Wynn to the reader.
I didn't necessarily see the "dumbifying" of Magiere and Leesil to further push Wynn's sage intellect and knowledge that some other readers saw, but I did see that she usually got heaped with the majority of exposition, which made them recede and take the role of questioners in some moments where it seemed like they should be more actively involved in the reasoning. Another thing making them recede was that in the last two books they were often confronted with people whose language only Wynn spoke and understood. In addition, some of the efforts to give Wynn sass made her come off as snappish with Leesil and Magiere, which again, did not endear her given that whatever she was irritated about always seemed to pale in comparison to her CONSTANTLY RUNNING OFF AND NEEDING TO BE RESCUED, with the final effect being somewhat like the other characters were babysitting a precocious and petulant child.
Ultimately, I found myself hunkering down every time it switched to her POV as I waited to get back to Magiere or Leesil (slightly less so Chap given that he was usually bound at the hip to Wynn). So, all that said, I'm just not sure how interested I am in her starring in the next series. Particularly since Magiere, Leesil, and Chap's adventure is clearly only just beginning, and given the choice whether to follow them or Wynn, I would choose the former every time.
BUT, getting back to this book, it has no ending, really. Just a lead-off into something interesting that we won't get to see any time soon.
April 22, 2009
The good news is that Child of a Dead God is a book that is quite easy to skim. The sad news is that it is a rather boring book, especially since it is suppose to close a series. The book could have easily been half the length. It takes roughly 100 pages for anything to happen. Magiere though physically present, seems absent for a book that is suppose to be about her. She's just there, there is no real life to her. In fact, the only two characters who have any life are Wynn and Chap. Sadly, the authors have made Wynn too annoying (and I liked her when she first appeared)over the last two books. They also make her sound like she is 10 year old person who only reaches up to my knee. We are constantly told that Magiere and Leesil love in each other, which is good, because we aren't really shown it. All the elves seem too much alike.
All these flaws make me sad because I really loved this series when it started. I didn't like Rebel Fey too much, but I still enjoyed the series. And a bad book every now and then happens to all authors. But this, :shrugs:, it just makes me sad. Not because the series ended, but because it went out with such a sad whimper.
All these flaws make me sad because I really loved this series when it started. I didn't like Rebel Fey too much, but I still enjoyed the series. And a bad book every now and then happens to all authors. But this, :shrugs:, it just makes me sad. Not because the series ended, but because it went out with such a sad whimper.
April 21, 2022
Finally, I've reached the end of the first series! It makes me both sad and excited at the same time, because I tend to procrastinate finishing books, scared of getting to the end. But there were so many questions we just had to have answered!
+What was boring before in all the other books (with Chane and Westiel constantly following the group for no real reason other than flash-reviewing what we already read) was finally opening the book into a way more interesting scene. I didn't care about what Magiere and the group were doing, Westiel was finally doing something, and it was creepy and fun to watch.
+We got vampires actually attacking a lonely group way out in the middle of nowhere. And it was amazing. Awful for them, but a great story to tell. I love that they're not afraid to show them being bad. Vampires are bad. But most authors are afraid of letting their characters really cross the line, to show them doing something wrong. I'm so glad that they're still doing something that we know is wrong, but are still likeable.
+I was happy that Westiel was thinking what we were all thinking about their 'patron.' When has a dark deal ever came out with a good result? Surely he had to think about the possibility that he was being used like Ubad was. All this constant traveling, and working for the patron his father was working for anyway.
+Chane's been doing what I expected also, starting to doubt Westiel. I thought that he was going to turn on him altogether, but he realized real quick how foolish it is to take on a full noble undead like he is.
-We don't really get to see that, except for a short part at the end. I thought the ferals would come more into play, but they were hardly extras for numbers. What I would've thought been a better ending: How ironic would that have been?
+Some people were complaining about the snow, blizzard mountain scenery, but I loved it. The icy atmosphere added another level of peril to their situation. But I get SO annoyed that like a whole 1/4th of the book consists of the party splitting up for some random reason and then having to backtrack to look for other members, over and over and over again. What a waste of time! They should've known better. Especially Wynn.
+I love the fact that she thought of trying to use her sight power to see through the blizzard, I even got excited for her. Until it ended up not working and yet-
--she SOMEHOW ended up leading everyone to where they needed to be by being KIDNAPPED. Seriously?
+Speaking of the whole Chane and Wynn ship, I understand that she's the thing constantly driving him, but I've never seen someone more thirstier in my life. I can't help but think, that he's such a bad person, the things he's done, it would never be possible for someone like Wynn. (Though she is also pretty thirsty, by the way she's bouncing between Osha and Chane. I can't believe Magiere had to remind her about the way of elves and she still wanted to try it.) But I understand the feeling of being lonely, especially when you're traveling with a couple who still can't keep their hands off each other in the middle of a journey.
+I like that we get to see the morbid process of raising the dead, and being explained to about what myths are true and not. Like having to feed on blood and not the life force. The constant struggle of needing to feed and not over feed, having one foot in the feral path.
+If it wasn't for Magiere and Chap experiencing the same things, I'd say the drugs are causing Westiel to hallucinate all the patron business, lol.
-I've been enjoying watching Wynn grow more confident and blurting out what needs to be said. But just straight up shouting to Brot'an and Sgaile about their whole journey? It was lucky that we could trust them, but I found myself why they even needed to be here in the first place. I know Sgaile swore to protect, and Brot'an is rebelling a little against his caste, but following too many characters in the group starts to create that feeling of having too many cooks in the kitchen.
-We get the main group of three, then Osha, Sgaile, Brot'an, westiel, chane, the ferals, AND the third group. It really is too much repeating, because every time something happens, we have to go BACK and see the same scene again, but through the other group's POV, and they never do anything because they're constantly following and hiding. What is the point of that?
+All the elf names are so pretty and meaningful. 'Willow's Shade,' 'Dog in the Dark,' 'Meadow's Song,' I wish we got to go through a naming rite like they did. When I asked my mother why she picked my name, she only said 'because I liked it.'
+The funny mental image of Leesil carrying Chap on his back to get up and down the ladder.
+A long portion of this book takes place on a ship. Be prepared for that.
+I feel bad for Hkan'rovs (?) hesitation to renew his feelings about seeing whatsername again. Even as just a student, it's obvious they were more, or wanted to be, but they've been practically brainwashed to stay loyal only to their duty. It takes a while before you start to feel at peace after someone leaves, so when they come around again, it makes you nervous to get close because it's like 'I don't want to restart feelings after I finally felt good without them again.' I understand. But his whole appearance was pointless.
-They did get trolled by getting a ship that will make stops along every town for trading. Imagine the council just laughing about it.
+YO, I physically laughed out loud when Wynn mistook the tail of a ship for being a sea monster and everyone came running over to see.
+People hate on Wynn, but I still love her. If it wasn't for her snooping about, we wouldn't have learned half the things we did about the world. Like the elven ships being alive.
-We learn that Westiel actually scries for Magiere by finding the bone of his missing finger around her neck rather than scrying for her directly. I wonder why she never mentioned it again, or bothered to take it off.
-Aardvard is annoying, as she's meant to be. We're supposed to feel sorry for her because of the way she's being used by the Great Father. The way he uses her dream as a dangle in front of her, but she ends up with no consequence, and we never see her again. Annoying.
+Wynn is the perfect example one to talk to Osha about serving his people in ways other than fighting. Chane mentioned the same thing at one point, but I thought this might have been foreshadowing for poor Osha, but he ended up really in no danger.
--Magiere and Leesil go through a giant SIDEQUEST of getting special weapons from a special species, and though the whole new area is interesting, by this point of being on the last book, I expected answers from the get-go. Not a random sidequest.
-The annoying part about it, was that Leesil spent all this time and money in the other book getting special custom made weapons, proud of them. And now he's just given more special weapons, and even Magiere gets some when it's not even about her.
+After realizing WHY the Chein'as did what they did and how they appeared, I was extremely happy to learn a little more about Magiere's history and lore.
-They make this goal seem so important, yet they take so much TIME getting to it. THe constant stopping or going other places, the 6 days before travelling, stopping at every town, the sidequests, etc.
-OH, we finally make it close to the castle, in range, and the NAKED guardian turns out to be so threatening - AND ...does nothing but stare around. They're scared of her potential, but I'm more interested in the notes she's left behind. Westiel and the Patron made it sound like they had to get to the castle for Magiere to KILL and fighting something, but there was no boss fight!
-I waited for answers, and only got more questions! Seeing the serpent actually appear was very cool, but what was all this about an army? The fight? Westiel had no interaction after finding it, and it didn't actually end up DOING anything. I'm so mad!!
+Magiere's epic kill
-I do like how realistically they realize that it wouldn't be safe with the sages. But they literally had JUST got home before they ended up leaving again!!
I hope I didn't forget anything, I stopped taking notes halfway. I'm curious about the next series, but I would've liked more time focused on the castle stuff.
18 POSITIVE
15 NEGATIVE
I thought there were way more negative, but it seems tied. It's just that the annoying stuff was REALLY annoying, and the rest of the positive was tolerable until some cool action or the mystery was being more uncovered.
And why tf does the cover show her holding a spear?
+What was boring before in all the other books (with Chane and Westiel constantly following the group for no real reason other than flash-reviewing what we already read) was finally opening the book into a way more interesting scene. I didn't care about what Magiere and the group were doing, Westiel was finally doing something, and it was creepy and fun to watch.
+We got vampires actually attacking a lonely group way out in the middle of nowhere. And it was amazing. Awful for them, but a great story to tell. I love that they're not afraid to show them being bad. Vampires are bad. But most authors are afraid of letting their characters really cross the line, to show them doing something wrong. I'm so glad that they're still doing something that we know is wrong, but are still likeable.
+I was happy that Westiel was thinking what we were all thinking about their 'patron.' When has a dark deal ever came out with a good result? Surely he had to think about the possibility that he was being used like Ubad was. All this constant traveling, and working for the patron his father was working for anyway.
+Chane's been doing what I expected also, starting to doubt Westiel. I thought that he was going to turn on him altogether, but he realized real quick how foolish it is to take on a full noble undead like he is.
-We don't really get to see that, except for a short part at the end. I thought the ferals would come more into play, but they were hardly extras for numbers. What I would've thought been a better ending: How ironic would that have been?
+Some people were complaining about the snow, blizzard mountain scenery, but I loved it. The icy atmosphere added another level of peril to their situation. But I get SO annoyed that like a whole 1/4th of the book consists of the party splitting up for some random reason and then having to backtrack to look for other members, over and over and over again. What a waste of time! They should've known better. Especially Wynn.
+I love the fact that she thought of trying to use her sight power to see through the blizzard, I even got excited for her. Until it ended up not working and yet-
--she SOMEHOW ended up leading everyone to where they needed to be by being KIDNAPPED. Seriously?
+Speaking of the whole Chane and Wynn ship, I understand that she's the thing constantly driving him, but I've never seen someone more thirstier in my life. I can't help but think, that he's such a bad person, the things he's done, it would never be possible for someone like Wynn. (Though she is also pretty thirsty, by the way she's bouncing between Osha and Chane. I can't believe Magiere had to remind her about the way of elves and she still wanted to try it.) But I understand the feeling of being lonely, especially when you're traveling with a couple who still can't keep their hands off each other in the middle of a journey.
+I like that we get to see the morbid process of raising the dead, and being explained to about what myths are true and not. Like having to feed on blood and not the life force. The constant struggle of needing to feed and not over feed, having one foot in the feral path.
+If it wasn't for Magiere and Chap experiencing the same things, I'd say the drugs are causing Westiel to hallucinate all the patron business, lol.
-I've been enjoying watching Wynn grow more confident and blurting out what needs to be said. But just straight up shouting to Brot'an and Sgaile about their whole journey? It was lucky that we could trust them, but I found myself why they even needed to be here in the first place. I know Sgaile swore to protect, and Brot'an is rebelling a little against his caste, but following too many characters in the group starts to create that feeling of having too many cooks in the kitchen.
-We get the main group of three, then Osha, Sgaile, Brot'an, westiel, chane, the ferals, AND the third group. It really is too much repeating, because every time something happens, we have to go BACK and see the same scene again, but through the other group's POV, and they never do anything because they're constantly following and hiding. What is the point of that?
+All the elf names are so pretty and meaningful. 'Willow's Shade,' 'Dog in the Dark,' 'Meadow's Song,' I wish we got to go through a naming rite like they did. When I asked my mother why she picked my name, she only said 'because I liked it.'
+The funny mental image of Leesil carrying Chap on his back to get up and down the ladder.
+A long portion of this book takes place on a ship. Be prepared for that.
+I feel bad for Hkan'rovs (?) hesitation to renew his feelings about seeing whatsername again. Even as just a student, it's obvious they were more, or wanted to be, but they've been practically brainwashed to stay loyal only to their duty. It takes a while before you start to feel at peace after someone leaves, so when they come around again, it makes you nervous to get close because it's like 'I don't want to restart feelings after I finally felt good without them again.' I understand. But his whole appearance was pointless.
-They did get trolled by getting a ship that will make stops along every town for trading. Imagine the council just laughing about it.
+YO, I physically laughed out loud when Wynn mistook the tail of a ship for being a sea monster and everyone came running over to see.
+People hate on Wynn, but I still love her. If it wasn't for her snooping about, we wouldn't have learned half the things we did about the world. Like the elven ships being alive.
-We learn that Westiel actually scries for Magiere by finding the bone of his missing finger around her neck rather than scrying for her directly. I wonder why she never mentioned it again, or bothered to take it off.
-Aardvard is annoying, as she's meant to be. We're supposed to feel sorry for her because of the way she's being used by the Great Father. The way he uses her dream as a dangle in front of her, but she ends up with no consequence, and we never see her again. Annoying.
+Wynn is the perfect example one to talk to Osha about serving his people in ways other than fighting. Chane mentioned the same thing at one point, but I thought this might have been foreshadowing for poor Osha, but he ended up really in no danger.
--Magiere and Leesil go through a giant SIDEQUEST of getting special weapons from a special species, and though the whole new area is interesting, by this point of being on the last book, I expected answers from the get-go. Not a random sidequest.
-The annoying part about it, was that Leesil spent all this time and money in the other book getting special custom made weapons, proud of them. And now he's just given more special weapons, and even Magiere gets some when it's not even about her.
+After realizing WHY the Chein'as did what they did and how they appeared, I was extremely happy to learn a little more about Magiere's history and lore.
-They make this goal seem so important, yet they take so much TIME getting to it. THe constant stopping or going other places, the 6 days before travelling, stopping at every town, the sidequests, etc.
-OH, we finally make it close to the castle, in range, and the NAKED guardian turns out to be so threatening - AND ...does nothing but stare around. They're scared of her potential, but I'm more interested in the notes she's left behind. Westiel and the Patron made it sound like they had to get to the castle for Magiere to KILL and fighting something, but there was no boss fight!
-I waited for answers, and only got more questions! Seeing the serpent actually appear was very cool, but what was all this about an army? The fight? Westiel had no interaction after finding it, and it didn't actually end up DOING anything. I'm so mad!!
+Magiere's epic kill
-I do like how realistically they realize that it wouldn't be safe with the sages. But they literally had JUST got home before they ended up leaving again!!
I hope I didn't forget anything, I stopped taking notes halfway. I'm curious about the next series, but I would've liked more time focused on the castle stuff.
18 POSITIVE
15 NEGATIVE
I thought there were way more negative, but it seems tied. It's just that the annoying stuff was REALLY annoying, and the rest of the positive was tolerable until some cool action or the mystery was being more uncovered.
And why tf does the cover show her holding a spear?
October 4, 2013
Child of a Dead God (Noble Dead series 1, Book 6) Overall: I really did enjoy this series, despite the whining. And despite Wynn. Who I hear a lot of people really love. It's got a lovely mishmash of urban fantasy and high fantasy, albeit more high than urban as it goes on. The main characters are well imperfect but overall likeable, except Wynn, the world is really well developed, and internally consistent, and the books are easy enough reads, despite the fairly complex worlds. Notably they do a fairly good job of the reminding you what happened before without taking the Dresden route of giving a precis of each preceding appearance every time a character shows up from an earlier book.
Best bits: Chap. Hyperintelligent fay dogwolf, with a sense of humour and a ton of snark. And stuck up elves, always the best kind. And the one funny thing about Wynn, how she keeps walking in on Magiere and Leesil having a bit of alone time.
But: Irrelevant title much? And worse, way to wrap up the series guys, by starting a new one.
So, they have this down to a template now: Leesil and Magiere wander off on an impossible mission, and when they are near to achieving it, Wynn goes and gets herself lost, and/or taken prisoner, and they have to save her, and that accidentally solves the whole problem.
Makes me wonder, what on earth would Leesil and Magiere do if Wynn wasn't such a twit? I mean they'd never get anywhere. Oh hang on, they managed just fine in the first couple of books didn't they. And where is my sarcasm font when I need it.
I did enjoy most of this book, because I love the elves. Still glorious a-holes, even the nice ones (heck, even the half-ones; Leesil needs a good shaking a couple of times in this book, although not as many as usual.) And I love the fay dog, Chap. If the Hendees wrote an entire series set amongst the Majay-hi and the elves, I would be a happy reader, as long as Wynn wasn't in it. Maybe some more of the living wooden ships too, I'd like that.
So why am I whining? Because I expect a major six book story arc/series to have an ending, and this one just doesn't.
Does everyone get to go home? Nope, they either got there and are leaving again, or aren't there yet.
Does everyone find twue wove? Well, sorta, Leesil and Magiere finally get their HFN, for like, a week, because they're off on another adventure instead of having a honeymoon.
Did any of the bad guys get their comeuppance? Well, one of them did. If you count the puppetmasters of the Aged Father and the thing that whispers in the dreams, that's one for three.
Half the characters I do like are now ex-characters, but a whole bunch of new mysteries were introduced - who really is Li-kän? Who put her to work? What happened to her two companions? Why did Leesil, Magiere and Chap all see basically manifestations of their own ancestry in the castle? Although considering Magiere's origin, there's a semi-obvious answer to that one. So why leave it hanging in the last book of the series?
I guess many readers are just glad the series continues, but I'm not a happy camper. I like some actual wrap-up in my wrap-up. It could have easily been done without leaving quite so many hanging threads, not least because most of these were only introduced in this last book.
I can handle a ten book series. Or a 20 book series. So why set me up like this? Why use the conceit of multiple series, if the same characters will be continuing the same missions, or dealing with the consequences of the same missions, in the next one?
Best bits: Chap. Hyperintelligent fay dogwolf, with a sense of humour and a ton of snark. And stuck up elves, always the best kind. And the one funny thing about Wynn, how she keeps walking in on Magiere and Leesil having a bit of alone time.
But: Irrelevant title much? And worse, way to wrap up the series guys, by starting a new one.
So, they have this down to a template now: Leesil and Magiere wander off on an impossible mission, and when they are near to achieving it, Wynn goes and gets herself lost, and/or taken prisoner, and they have to save her, and that accidentally solves the whole problem.
Makes me wonder, what on earth would Leesil and Magiere do if Wynn wasn't such a twit? I mean they'd never get anywhere. Oh hang on, they managed just fine in the first couple of books didn't they. And where is my sarcasm font when I need it.
I did enjoy most of this book, because I love the elves. Still glorious a-holes, even the nice ones (heck, even the half-ones; Leesil needs a good shaking a couple of times in this book, although not as many as usual.) And I love the fay dog, Chap. If the Hendees wrote an entire series set amongst the Majay-hi and the elves, I would be a happy reader, as long as Wynn wasn't in it. Maybe some more of the living wooden ships too, I'd like that.
So why am I whining? Because I expect a major six book story arc/series to have an ending, and this one just doesn't.
Does everyone get to go home? Nope, they either got there and are leaving again, or aren't there yet.
Does everyone find twue wove? Well, sorta, Leesil and Magiere finally get their HFN, for like, a week, because they're off on another adventure instead of having a honeymoon.
Did any of the bad guys get their comeuppance? Well, one of them did. If you count the puppetmasters of the Aged Father and the thing that whispers in the dreams, that's one for three.
Half the characters I do like are now ex-characters, but a whole bunch of new mysteries were introduced - who really is Li-kän? Who put her to work? What happened to her two companions? Why did Leesil, Magiere and Chap all see basically manifestations of their own ancestry in the castle? Although considering Magiere's origin, there's a semi-obvious answer to that one. So why leave it hanging in the last book of the series?
I guess many readers are just glad the series continues, but I'm not a happy camper. I like some actual wrap-up in my wrap-up. It could have easily been done without leaving quite so many hanging threads, not least because most of these were only introduced in this last book.
I can handle a ten book series. Or a 20 book series. So why set me up like this? Why use the conceit of multiple series, if the same characters will be continuing the same missions, or dealing with the consequences of the same missions, in the next one?
February 19, 2009
Child of a Dead God is the sixth book in The Noble Dead series by Barb and J.C. Hendee. This fantasy series that follows Magiere (a Dhampir, who is a cross breed of several different races) and Leesil (her lover who is a half breed elf, Chap (one of the majay-hi in a wolf-like body, although I see him as more of a big fuzzy siberean husky sort) and Wynn, a mage, finds the group with elf protectors trying to get south in order to recover an artifact that EVERYONE wants.
Of course the oily vampire bad guy Welstiel is still around and Chane too. There is much Tolkienesque traveling, walking, hiking, traveling by foot, on horse, in boat, traveling, traveling, traveling, hardship, hardship. Please! I put the book down several times just to get to something more exciting. I kept picking it back up because I genuinely like these characters.
The problem with the book seems to be that there isn't a focus on developing the relationship any more. They seem stuck and static. The descriptions and dialogues don't move us to a greater understanding of their motivation. So it was sad to read this book in a way because while it marked a major end for some characters, it didn't mark an end of the series and I think it should have. They should have built more time coming up with steamy scenes between Leesil and Magiere or tender scenes or loving scenes....anything! We needed more depth and feeling for these characters if we are going to follow them on to more exploits. For me, this was a good end to the series, even if that is wasn't the authors intended.
Of course the oily vampire bad guy Welstiel is still around and Chane too. There is much Tolkienesque traveling, walking, hiking, traveling by foot, on horse, in boat, traveling, traveling, traveling, hardship, hardship. Please! I put the book down several times just to get to something more exciting. I kept picking it back up because I genuinely like these characters.
The problem with the book seems to be that there isn't a focus on developing the relationship any more. They seem stuck and static. The descriptions and dialogues don't move us to a greater understanding of their motivation. So it was sad to read this book in a way because while it marked a major end for some characters, it didn't mark an end of the series and I think it should have. They should have built more time coming up with steamy scenes between Leesil and Magiere or tender scenes or loving scenes....anything! We needed more depth and feeling for these characters if we are going to follow them on to more exploits. For me, this was a good end to the series, even if that is wasn't the authors intended.
March 8, 2009
Unfortunately this book was a disappointment. The author insists on making up Elven names that no one can pronounce and creating a convoluted story that actually doesn’t go anywhere. It’s a shame, because I really enjoyed the first two books in the series.
This book tracks Leesil and Magiere as they continue to pursue the “item” of power that haunts Magiere and Westiel’s dreams. Some of the story is interesting, but most of it leaves you wondering if the author will ever get to the point. Of course the book ends with no clear cut answers leaving the story open for continuation elsewhere (for someone besides me that is).
This book tracks Leesil and Magiere as they continue to pursue the “item” of power that haunts Magiere and Westiel’s dreams. Some of the story is interesting, but most of it leaves you wondering if the author will ever get to the point. Of course the book ends with no clear cut answers leaving the story open for continuation elsewhere (for someone besides me that is).
June 14, 2016
I've enjoyed this series quite a bit. And I suspect there will be more in the future. So far Child of a Dead God is my favorite book in the series. I really began to enjoy all of the characters again in this book. Wynn still did her getting lost bit, but I enjoyed reading about her. Quite a few changes come at the end of this one, but it just makes me want to find out what comes next.
April 21, 2010
after i've been so long in the series it's hard to say if i really like it! lots and lots of traveling into the cold and even when it's supposedly done, it's not done...come on - tell me the point already!
January 4, 2021
After reading it again, this one is still my favorite of the first saga.
January 5, 2024
Dostala jsem se k pátému a poslednímu dílu první části série. Původně jsou to dvě na sebe navazující, takže předpokládám, že ten zbytek už bude o Wynn, která doprovázela hlavní dvojici. Ale podle konce těžko soudit.
Z počátku mě celá série nadchla, bylo to něco nového, jiného a vykreslený svět vypadal dost zajímavě. Představa krvežíznivých upírů, kteří se vymykají dnešní romantické představě mě potěšila. Ještě u druhého dílu jsem byla docela nadšená. Ale s pokračováními to nějak upadlo. Ano, stále tu bylo tolik tajemství a překvapení, bylo na co se těšit, ale tak nějak to ztrácelo na energii. Výprava neustále pokračovala, zdržovala se zbytečnými problémy a úkoly, komplikacemi. A ty ne vždycky byly tak důležité a zásadní.
Najednou jsem viděla, jak se všechny postavy vlastně jen hádají, téměř žádná vlídná slova. Negativní a nepříjemní. Všichni hrozně povznesení a arogantní, štěkali po sobě. Vlastně ani nechápu, co je tak často drželo pohromadě a proč třeba Leesil a Magiera byli spolu. Autoři se úplně vykašlali na nějaký vývoj vztahů. Například u těchto dvou to ze začátku jiskřilo a pořád to vypadalo, jak je to k sobě navzájem táhne, pak šup, zadařilo se a tím to haslo. Detaily šly do pozadí a už se řešila jen výprava.
Často mi přišlo, že mi uniká nějaká logická návaznost mezi scénami, v ději i v chování postav. Někdy jsem zůstávala dost zmatená, nechápala jsem, jakými myšlenkovými pochody jsem se dostala do určité situace. Nemůžu ale říct, že by tento svět nebyl promyšlen dobře, od dhampira, přes zlé upíry, přes Chapa po elfy, další zvláštní bytosti, magické dovednosti, a podobně. Elfové mě poměrně bavili, ale autorská dvojice občas uklouzávala a začala je vykreslovat ne zrovna moc mile. Spíše arogantně a příliš chováním lidsky. Obvyklé elfské kouzlo zmizelo. Asi to trošku mělo důvod, když chtěli poukázat, že nejsou dokonalí a neomylní, ale stejně mi to moc nesedělo.
Část s Welstielem a Chanem byla z počátku důležitá, když se seznámili a podobně, ale postupně mi přišla naprosto zbytečná a vycpávková. Sice docházelo k odhalením toho velkého soukolí na pozadí, ale myslím, že se to dalo zjistit i jinak a tak mi v podstatě půlka knihy přišla jako hrozná vata. Kdyby se jejich pohled vynechal, byl by děj rychlejší a plynulejší. A taky bych ocenila, kdyby Wynn ve svém věku nebyla taková naivní blbka, která dělá samé problémy. Učenka, plná vědomostí, ale i pitomostí s otravným chováním.
Za mě tedy celkově průměrná série. Ne kvůli ději, který se mi kromě zbytečných průtahů líbil, ale kvůli těm nelogičnostem, podivným postupům, nepochopitelným častým hádkám a totální absenci ve vývoji charakterů postav a jejich vztahů.
Z počátku mě celá série nadchla, bylo to něco nového, jiného a vykreslený svět vypadal dost zajímavě. Představa krvežíznivých upírů, kteří se vymykají dnešní romantické představě mě potěšila. Ještě u druhého dílu jsem byla docela nadšená. Ale s pokračováními to nějak upadlo. Ano, stále tu bylo tolik tajemství a překvapení, bylo na co se těšit, ale tak nějak to ztrácelo na energii. Výprava neustále pokračovala, zdržovala se zbytečnými problémy a úkoly, komplikacemi. A ty ne vždycky byly tak důležité a zásadní.
Najednou jsem viděla, jak se všechny postavy vlastně jen hádají, téměř žádná vlídná slova. Negativní a nepříjemní. Všichni hrozně povznesení a arogantní, štěkali po sobě. Vlastně ani nechápu, co je tak často drželo pohromadě a proč třeba Leesil a Magiera byli spolu. Autoři se úplně vykašlali na nějaký vývoj vztahů. Například u těchto dvou to ze začátku jiskřilo a pořád to vypadalo, jak je to k sobě navzájem táhne, pak šup, zadařilo se a tím to haslo. Detaily šly do pozadí a už se řešila jen výprava.
Často mi přišlo, že mi uniká nějaká logická návaznost mezi scénami, v ději i v chování postav. Někdy jsem zůstávala dost zmatená, nechápala jsem, jakými myšlenkovými pochody jsem se dostala do určité situace. Nemůžu ale říct, že by tento svět nebyl promyšlen dobře, od dhampira, přes zlé upíry, přes Chapa po elfy, další zvláštní bytosti, magické dovednosti, a podobně. Elfové mě poměrně bavili, ale autorská dvojice občas uklouzávala a začala je vykreslovat ne zrovna moc mile. Spíše arogantně a příliš chováním lidsky. Obvyklé elfské kouzlo zmizelo. Asi to trošku mělo důvod, když chtěli poukázat, že nejsou dokonalí a neomylní, ale stejně mi to moc nesedělo.
Část s Welstielem a Chanem byla z počátku důležitá, když se seznámili a podobně, ale postupně mi přišla naprosto zbytečná a vycpávková. Sice docházelo k odhalením toho velkého soukolí na pozadí, ale myslím, že se to dalo zjistit i jinak a tak mi v podstatě půlka knihy přišla jako hrozná vata. Kdyby se jejich pohled vynechal, byl by děj rychlejší a plynulejší. A taky bych ocenila, kdyby Wynn ve svém věku nebyla taková naivní blbka, která dělá samé problémy. Učenka, plná vědomostí, ale i pitomostí s otravným chováním.
Za mě tedy celkově průměrná série. Ne kvůli ději, který se mi kromě zbytečných průtahů líbil, ale kvůli těm nelogičnostem, podivným postupům, nepochopitelným častým hádkám a totální absenci ve vývoji charakterů postav a jejich vztahů.
September 28, 2017
WELL what a brilliant instalment of what is now one of my favourite series....
(Note to anyone who has stumbled across this - if you haven't read the first 5, it would probably be possible to get through it enjoyably without all the background, but you will be missing A LOT and the others are great so why not just commit to the whole shebang?)
This one was a little slow to start off but the second half more than made up for it, with a deliciously bittersweet ending as usual. The action was great, I'm always a sucker for fantasy action and there's bucketloads of it here. All the more amazing because the fights tend to be mid-sized ones with up to 7 a side, which are much harder to write than 2 or 3 a side fights or huge battles. Hendee chooses to describe them from the viewpoint of several characters in turn, and the switches of viewpoint and time can be a little confusing but on the whole it is handled very well.
We've come to an interesting point in the series - the first main arc seems to be over and we're on a ship with no clear destination, no longer running towards but away...
(Note to anyone who has stumbled across this - if you haven't read the first 5, it would probably be possible to get through it enjoyably without all the background, but you will be missing A LOT and the others are great so why not just commit to the whole shebang?)
This one was a little slow to start off but the second half more than made up for it, with a deliciously bittersweet ending as usual. The action was great, I'm always a sucker for fantasy action and there's bucketloads of it here. All the more amazing because the fights tend to be mid-sized ones with up to 7 a side, which are much harder to write than 2 or 3 a side fights or huge battles. Hendee chooses to describe them from the viewpoint of several characters in turn, and the switches of viewpoint and time can be a little confusing but on the whole it is handled very well.
We've come to an interesting point in the series - the first main arc seems to be over and we're on a ship with no clear destination, no longer running towards but away...
March 1, 2021
It was... fine, I guess. It felt kind of incomplete and rushed, but after the deluge of bad books I have read this year, it's honestly fine. But I don't think I will continue with this saga, at least for a few years. It just feels frustrating that it ended with this cliffhanger, and then I know that the next three books are about the adventures of Wynn, that we will not see the sea lion or the city, or that I would need to read over 8 books more to get the end of the story. And it came constructed as an incomplete story, as a half-cut saga and I will need to continue to waddle to get a sense of ending or completion and it just not worthy. At least not for now.
There are ways to create long sagas, but man this is not the way.
There are ways to create long sagas, but man this is not the way.
November 29, 2021
Barely made it through. The characters continue running into problems that they cause for themselves that I feel as characters they should have learned from by 6 books in. The story and supporting characters are wonderful I just cannot stand how stubborn and flat the two main characters are. It makes me so mad how they just dont seem to have grown at all emotionally since they announced their love for each other in like the second book. I found out there are like 6 or 7 more books to this series
...
And I cannot do it. I'm done with these stubborn, selfish main characters. Make a book about Wynn chap instead, they've been carrying this series! If I still drank alcohol I'd drink about this book.
...
And I cannot do it. I'm done with these stubborn, selfish main characters. Make a book about Wynn chap instead, they've been carrying this series! If I still drank alcohol I'd drink about this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2020
I have enjoyed the series till now but this book didn't deliver at the same level as previous books. The reveals here aren't revealing enough. The Antagonist here has gotten stale after so many books, and it's obvious that they don't have the strength to overpower the protagonist. The additional characters don't add to the story.
The resolution
From here the series moves on to Wynn's perspective which I find less interesting. I think this book should have had a serious resolution and offered a greater conflict in the future.
The resolution
From here the series moves on to Wynn's perspective which I find less interesting. I think this book should have had a serious resolution and offered a greater conflict in the future.
June 14, 2022
Gripping Through The End
The most pleasantly surprising thing about this series was that even through a second reading, what happens next still comes up as a bit of a surprise. The gradual character development over the course of the series was well-paced, for my taste, and the struggle of loyalties to blood, friends, family, and loves was rather believable. This may have been the last book in the series, but I'll certainly keep an eager eye out for the next book, just in case. 😉
The most pleasantly surprising thing about this series was that even through a second reading, what happens next still comes up as a bit of a surprise. The gradual character development over the course of the series was well-paced, for my taste, and the struggle of loyalties to blood, friends, family, and loves was rather believable. This may have been the last book in the series, but I'll certainly keep an eager eye out for the next book, just in case. 😉
December 27, 2018
All great things must come to an end, and alas, so has this series for me. Book 6 is the last one in this series. I recommend this series. The best parts are the human interactions. The part I wish would have been better is the fantasy. I feel like the magic could have been more inventive and used more often.
October 6, 2021
This story wrapped up the first Noble Dead Saga. It was fabulous how it wrapped up so many different questions while still leaving it open enough for Series 2. I can't wait to continue in this fantasy universe!
October 31, 2021
Not a bad story but I’m sure I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the four books that preceded it. Lots of complex interactions between characters and references I didn’t understand unfortunately!
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
May 31, 2021
Pretty good book, my only gripe is that the main characters story arc weren’t concluded at the end of series 1. I will be picking up the next series of books to resolve this matter. 😂
October 14, 2021
Good solid read. enjoyed the series as a whole. good simple fantasy fare.
June 10, 2022
The ending may have been a little rushed, and the beginning a bit slow, but over all I have to say this is my favourite book in the series so far
August 23, 2022
Great end to the series! If you like D&D, you'll love this book.
December 22, 2023
Really good, I'm glad most of our main characters survived. Sadly not all answers revealed. I just want explanations at the end of a series. It's like phase one of a series, really.
April 3, 2024
Letzter Band der ersten Unterreihe. Dieses Buch las sich spannend. Es wurde ein uraltes Artefakt gesucht und es kommt zu einem langerwarteten Showdown.
Hier endet der erste Geschichtenabschnitt.
Hier endet der erste Geschichtenabschnitt.
August 21, 2024
Mno… nevím… dávám 4*, ale teda konec mě trochu zklamal po předchozích dílech. Budu doufat, ze to nebere zase dech a v dalších dílech si nebudu říkat wtf? Thats all??
March 17, 2017
Excellent Book, I like books with more standard takes on Vampires, and not many include Dhampirs. Will be looking forward to reading the next series which will take Magiere and Leesil in a new direction.
July 2, 2023
I read book 5, Rebel Fey back in 2007. Needless to say I forgot a bit since then. (I remembered books 1-3 really well but 4 and 5, not so much.) However, I wasn't in the mood for a full reread so I read the end of book 5 instead. 🤷♀️
It picks up immediately after the last one ended. (I was really glad for that mini reread.)
I remember really loving this series. This book, not so much. Did I change or is it just not as good? I don't know.
I normally like multiple POVs but there were just too many and they switched too often. It wasn't necessary when all of the characters were together.
I don't particularly like any of the characters and don't really care what happens to them. I never liked Wynn and that hasn't changed. She always thinks she knows better than everyone else. And she never asks anyone else's opinions before making decisions for everyone! How many problems were caused by her idiotic stubbornness?!
I previously liked Chane but his storyline with Westiel was just bad, creating more undead and hanging out in the monastery until they turned feral. Westiel was highly intelligent before, but this time he was just a bumbling bad guy.
The All Father (leader of the elves who hates the undead) sent some assassin elves after Magire to kill her and take the artifact. They felt like an unnecessary added complication (Adding another point of view to lengthen the book.)
I was mostly bored while reading this one. They spent way too much time on a boat doing nothing. Then there's some brief excitement, before they trudge through the snow for chapter after chapter…
The last 150 pages or so were better, and something finally happened. But it felt like most of the book was just filling the pages to get to the end. Traveling to the ancient undead castle could've been so much faster!
Was it a good ending? Meh. I can't say as I cared one way or the other. I mostly just felt relief that it was finally over. I couldn't believe it was only 400 pages. It felt like at least 600.
Who died?
Summary for if I decide to continue the series in a few years and can't remember anything:
It picks up immediately after the last one ended. (I was really glad for that mini reread.)
I remember really loving this series. This book, not so much. Did I change or is it just not as good? I don't know.
I normally like multiple POVs but there were just too many and they switched too often. It wasn't necessary when all of the characters were together.
I don't particularly like any of the characters and don't really care what happens to them. I never liked Wynn and that hasn't changed. She always thinks she knows better than everyone else. And she never asks anyone else's opinions before making decisions for everyone! How many problems were caused by her idiotic stubbornness?!
I previously liked Chane but his storyline with Westiel was just bad, creating more undead and hanging out in the monastery until they turned feral. Westiel was highly intelligent before, but this time he was just a bumbling bad guy.
The All Father (leader of the elves who hates the undead) sent some assassin elves after Magire to kill her and take the artifact. They felt like an unnecessary added complication (Adding another point of view to lengthen the book.)
I was mostly bored while reading this one. They spent way too much time on a boat doing nothing. Then there's some brief excitement, before they trudge through the snow for chapter after chapter…
The last 150 pages or so were better, and something finally happened. But it felt like most of the book was just filling the pages to get to the end. Traveling to the ancient undead castle could've been so much faster!
Was it a good ending? Meh. I can't say as I cared one way or the other. I mostly just felt relief that it was finally over. I couldn't believe it was only 400 pages. It felt like at least 600.
Who died?
Summary for if I decide to continue the series in a few years and can't remember anything:
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