meganbmoore: (fantasy heroine)

Set six years after Wildwood Dancing, Cybele’s Secret focuses on Jena’s scholarly younger sister, Paula, as she journeys to Istanbul with their merchant father as he hopes to find and purchase Cybele’s Secret, an artifact connected to an ancient cult. There, they hire Paula a bodyguard, Stoyan, who worked for a friend who was searching for the artifact before he died. Paula also befriends a woman named Irene of Volos who runs a library for women of all backgrounds, and Duarte de Aguiar, a merchant and supposed pirate. As she searches for Cybele’s Secret, Paula also starts to have encounters with a woman who seems to be her sister, Tati, who followed her true love, Sorrow, into the Other Kingdom six years before.

I liked the treasure hunting aspects, and the setting (though I wish it’d been utilized more) and while I liked Paula, I have to wonder why Marillier’s heroines always have to be so good. I also wanted more of Tati’s story, though I guess that’s being saved for the next book.

Regarding the romance between Paula and Stoyan, I liked it, but it was too…easy. I’m not one for angst wallowing, but when the pairing demands “We can’t be together! Our love is forbidden! Woes!” I kind of expect it to be there. Instead, for their different societies and social statuses, I thought it was too easy for them. There was angst at the end, but I found it disconcerting how Stoyan was pretty much treated as an equal and able to set down rules and what Paula was allowed to do. He read more like a protective old family friend secretly in love with Paula than a newly acquired bodyguard from a different culture. I mean, no, no one likes a racist character or one who looks down on other cultures or “lower classes,” but you can portray the social mores without portraying the character negatively. Also, that’s what character development and growth are for. A heroine who learns to grow past attitudes and biases is more impressive to me than one who doesn’t have them in the first place.

spoilers )

Still, enjoyable book. Fewer supernatural elements early on than other books by Marillier, and an interesting setting.
meganbmoore: (bleach-orihime reads)

Blade of Fortriu is the second book in Juliet Marillier’s The Bridei Chronicles, a fantasy trilogy about the 6th century Pictish king, Bridei. The first book, The Dark Mirror, told the story of Bridei and his wife, Tuala. Blade of Fortriu focuses on the people surrounding Bridei. Specifically, his Gael assassin, Faolan, and Ana, a Pictish noble who has been a hostage of the court. Exiled from his own people, Faolan is utterly devoted to Bridei and nothing else, and serves as his advisory, assassin, bodyguard, messenger and negotiator. Though a hostage, Ana grew up alongside Bridei’s wife, Tuala, and is a cherished lady of the court, despite her official position. When Bridei needs to form an alliance with a Caitt chieftain, Alpin, Bridei reluctantly decides to send Ana to him as a bride to seal the alliance, with Faolan accompanying her to serve as her bodyguard and to finalize the alliance.

more )
 
meganbmoore: (Default)

Blade of Fortriu is the second book in Juliet Marillier’s The Bridei Chronicles, a fantasy trilogy about the 6th century Pictish king, Bridei. The first book, The Dark Mirror, told the story of Bridei and his wife, Tuala. Blade of Fortriu focuses on the people surrounding Bridei. Specifically, his Gael assassin, Faolan, and Ana, a Pictish noble who has been a hostage of the court. Exiled from his own people, Faolan is utterly devoted to Bridei and nothing else, and serves as his advisory, assassin, bodyguard, messenger and negotiator. Though a hostage, Ana grew up alongside Bridei’s wife, Tuala, and is a cherished lady of the court, despite her official position. When Bridei needs to form an alliance with a Caitt chieftain, Alpin, Bridei reluctantly decides to send Ana to him as a bride to seal the alliance, with Faolan accompanying her to serve as her bodyguard and to finalize the alliance.

more )
 
meganbmoore: (boti-magatsu)
First:  BAH! Waldenbooks still didn't have any of my manga in.  *growls and sulks*  Wish Amazon had them in the 4-for-3 sale so I could just get them that way.  They did still have a few boxes in back, though, so maybe tomorrow.

Saiyuki Reload Vol 7 by Kazuya Minekura-I'm starting to get bored with this "Worm" story(not the full title, but I can't recall it off the top of my head.  The story itself is interesting, but Hazel is a hypocritcal holier-than-thou little prat who doesn't have the decency to to at least be interesting to compensate.  The storyline itself and the impact it has on Sanzo's group, especially Sanzo himself and Gojyo's reaction to that, is interesting but too much of it relies on Hazel, and I wanted him to just go away already a couple books ago.  Also?  No Kougaiji.  Not even a cameo.  *feels deprived*

Night of the Beasts Vol 3 by Chika Shiomi-Did I mention this is the OTP from hell?  Just in case I didn't: OTP. FROM. HELL.  Seriously.  That said, I like this book more and more each volume.  Aria's a VERY strong heroine without falling into the "I'm so badass" cliche-she wants her boyfriend back, the demons gone, and all these whiners to stand up for themselves and quit whining for her to save them from the big bad guy whose death they've been screaming for for years(yeah, I have about as much sympathy for the whiners as she does) who would have left them all alone if they hadn't constantly hounded him and given Kagara a way to take over by forcing him to defend himself.  And for all that he's playing the "damsel in distress" role and is essentially dormant in his own body, Sakura still manages to be protective...and pull off a very "EEEE!!!" worthy rescue.  And Akiya?  Sure, there are plenty of creepy manga villains out there, but he's one of the few who actually gives me a bit of the creeps.  *loves it and wishes the series was longer*

The Dark Mirror by Juliet Marillier-The first in Marillier's new series, this one is about the pict, specifically, about the pictish king, Bridei.  This is, I think, the first time she's made her main character be a real person, even if little is known about it.  It's not based as much on known history and oral tradition as her other books, but that's ok.  We don't know as much about the Picts as we do about the Celts, or the vikings and people of the Orkneys.  She essentially took what we do know and filled in the holes with similar traditions and beliefs of the time, primarily the Celts.  I liked the book quite a bit(but then, I have yet to NOT like one of her books) though I'm curious to see how it'll go...this is the first time she'll be sticking with one lead from book to book, her other series have been generational.  Incidentally, one of the things that I like about her books is that her characters-the girls tend to be 14-16 and the guys 17-20~- manage to be very much like they would have been in the time period, and the romantic relationships are very well developed and manage to avoid feeling wrong when the ages are taken into consideration, because it fits.
meganbmoore: (Default)
First:  BAH! Waldenbooks still didn't have any of my manga in.  *growls and sulks*  Wish Amazon had them in the 4-for-3 sale so I could just get them that way.  They did still have a few boxes in back, though, so maybe tomorrow.

Saiyuki Reload Vol 7 by Kazuya Minekura-I'm starting to get bored with this "Worm" story(not the full title, but I can't recall it off the top of my head.  The story itself is interesting, but Hazel is a hypocritcal holier-than-thou little prat who doesn't have the decency to to at least be interesting to compensate.  The storyline itself and the impact it has on Sanzo's group, especially Sanzo himself and Gojyo's reaction to that, is interesting but too much of it relies on Hazel, and I wanted him to just go away already a couple books ago.  Also?  No Kougaiji.  Not even a cameo.  *feels deprived*

Night of the Beasts Vol 3 by Chika Shiomi-Did I mention this is the OTP from hell?  Just in case I didn't: OTP. FROM. HELL.  Seriously.  That said, I like this book more and more each volume.  Aria's a VERY strong heroine without falling into the "I'm so badass" cliche-she wants her boyfriend back, the demons gone, and all these whiners to stand up for themselves and quit whining for her to save them from the big bad guy whose death they've been screaming for for years(yeah, I have about as much sympathy for the whiners as she does) who would have left them all alone if they hadn't constantly hounded him and given Kagara a way to take over by forcing him to defend himself.  And for all that he's playing the "damsel in distress" role and is essentially dormant in his own body, Sakura still manages to be protective...and pull off a very "EEEE!!!" worthy rescue.  And Akiya?  Sure, there are plenty of creepy manga villains out there, but he's one of the few who actually gives me a bit of the creeps.  *loves it and wishes the series was longer*

The Dark Mirror by Juliet Marillier-The first in Marillier's new series, this one is about the pict, specifically, about the pictish king, Bridei.  This is, I think, the first time she's made her main character be a real person, even if little is known about it.  It's not based as much on known history and oral tradition as her other books, but that's ok.  We don't know as much about the Picts as we do about the Celts, or the vikings and people of the Orkneys.  She essentially took what we do know and filled in the holes with similar traditions and beliefs of the time, primarily the Celts.  I liked the book quite a bit(but then, I have yet to NOT like one of her books) though I'm curious to see how it'll go...this is the first time she'll be sticking with one lead from book to book, her other series have been generational.  Incidentally, one of the things that I like about her books is that her characters-the girls tend to be 14-16 and the guys 17-20~- manage to be very much like they would have been in the time period, and the romantic relationships are very well developed and manage to avoid feeling wrong when the ages are taken into consideration, because it fits.
meganbmoore: (Default)

Cursor's Fury is the 3rd book in Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series(more commonly known as "Butcher's other fantasy series")  The CA series is a rarity for me in that, while I like coming of age fantasy series I generally only tolerate(Eragon) or like well enough but prefer other cast members(Harry) to the main character.  However, off the top of my head, the only other character besides CA's Tavi I flat out love is Twelve Kingdoms' Yoko(now, in both cases, neither is QUITE my favorite, but I'm extremely attached to both) The CA series is set in a world where everyone bonds with furies(essentially, elementals) and as a result, works magic to the point where the entire society(loosely based on ancient roman society) depends on it.  Except for Tavi, who has no furies at all.  The thing about Tavi is that he's not "special" he's "abnormal"...Tavi having to live without furies is the equivalent of our being deaf, mute or blind.  He is lacking in something that others consider to be crucial to daily life(pleae note that I'm not saying being deaf muteor blind makes one abnormal, just that that's what Tavi is in his world).  Tavi isn't the kid with special abilities and a destiny to save the world, he's a civilian in a world of superheroes.  To compensate, Tavi has to learn to think one step ahead of everyone...the only thing he has to compensate for his lack of furies is his brains.  He's not supersmart or inherently clever, but he learns to be clever, and to survive.  One other thing about Tavi is that, unlike other "coming of age heroes" who get coddled or praised when being naive or immature(*waves to Eragon*) when he acts immature or naive, he gets called on it.  Why?  Because if he's not and he goes around acting like that, he's going to get himself or someone else killed.  (The fact that he has an awesome OTP to keep him in line helps)  He doesn't get his hand held and magic companions or weapons or powers given to him, he has to rise to the occassion and get things done with nothing but himself and whatever loyalty he manages to inspire.

The first two books have Tavi pretty much accidentally saving the  realm and becoming page to the first lord and a soldier in training.  Cursor's Fury, I understand, came about because Butcher took up a bet someone made with him that a fantasy novel about the Roman Legions couldn't be good(he won by a long shot) so his locks got shorn and the First Lord shipped him off to what was SUPPOSED to be well aware from the battlefronts in disguise as a low ranking officer for safety(not that it works out that way)

more )

Also read Juliet Marillier's Wildwood Dancing, her first young adult book and(as far as I know) her first standalone book.  I'm actually not quite sure why it's marketyed as YA.  The characters  are in the same age group as the characters in her regular fantasy books, and like her other books, the story is drenched in the society and cultural of the period, as well as the local folklore and mythology.  Granted, the plot isn't as complex as the plots are in her other books, but those are A) longer and B) parts of series.  The plot is, though, much more complex than what I generally associate with YA fiction(though I guess Harry Potter is changing that) and there are elements to it that I'm not sure most teens would uderstand.  I rather think she wrote it then it got marketted as YA.  The book itself is loosely based on two fairy tales:  The Dancing Princesses and The Frog Prince.(with nods to others)

more )
meganbmoore: (Default)

Cursor's Fury is the 3rd book in Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series(more commonly known as "Butcher's other fantasy series")  The CA series is a rarity for me in that, while I like coming of age fantasy series I generally only tolerate(Eragon) or like well enough but prefer other cast members(Harry) to the main character.  However, off the top of my head, the only other character besides CA's Tavi I flat out love is Twelve Kingdoms' Yoko(now, in both cases, neither is QUITE my favorite, but I'm extremely attached to both) The CA series is set in a world where everyone bonds with furies(essentially, elementals) and as a result, works magic to the point where the entire society(loosely based on ancient roman society) depends on it.  Except for Tavi, who has no furies at all.  The thing about Tavi is that he's not "special" he's "abnormal"...Tavi having to live without furies is the equivalent of our being deaf, mute or blind.  He is lacking in something that others consider to be crucial to daily life(pleae note that I'm not saying being deaf muteor blind makes one abnormal, just that that's what Tavi is in his world).  Tavi isn't the kid with special abilities and a destiny to save the world, he's a civilian in a world of superheroes.  To compensate, Tavi has to learn to think one step ahead of everyone...the only thing he has to compensate for his lack of furies is his brains.  He's not supersmart or inherently clever, but he learns to be clever, and to survive.  One other thing about Tavi is that, unlike other "coming of age heroes" who get coddled or praised when being naive or immature(*waves to Eragon*) when he acts immature or naive, he gets called on it.  Why?  Because if he's not and he goes around acting like that, he's going to get himself or someone else killed.  (The fact that he has an awesome OTP to keep him in line helps)  He doesn't get his hand held and magic companions or weapons or powers given to him, he has to rise to the occassion and get things done with nothing but himself and whatever loyalty he manages to inspire.

The first two books have Tavi pretty much accidentally saving the  realm and becoming page to the first lord and a soldier in training.  Cursor's Fury, I understand, came about because Butcher took up a bet someone made with him that a fantasy novel about the Roman Legions couldn't be good(he won by a long shot) so his locks got shorn and the First Lord shipped him off to what was SUPPOSED to be well aware from the battlefronts in disguise as a low ranking officer for safety(not that it works out that way)

more )

Also read Juliet Marillier's Wildwood Dancing, her first young adult book and(as far as I know) her first standalone book.  I'm actually not quite sure why it's marketyed as YA.  The characters  are in the same age group as the characters in her regular fantasy books, and like her other books, the story is drenched in the society and cultural of the period, as well as the local folklore and mythology.  Granted, the plot isn't as complex as the plots are in her other books, but those are A) longer and B) parts of series.  The plot is, though, much more complex than what I generally associate with YA fiction(though I guess Harry Potter is changing that) and there are elements to it that I'm not sure most teens would uderstand.  I rather think she wrote it then it got marketted as YA.  The book itself is loosely based on two fairy tales:  The Dancing Princesses and The Frog Prince.(with nods to others)

more )
meganbmoore: (Default)
::crosses fingers::

Not as in detail as the first try, because, you know, it's midnight(or at least, 5 till as of the commencement of typing)

meganbmoore: (Default)
::crosses fingers::

Not as in detail as the first try, because, you know, it's midnight(or at least, 5 till as of the commencement of typing)

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