Melanie Rawn

75-percent of this book concerns people painstakingly discussing what they just did, what they're going to do, and what they might do. I'm not sure why. It's not like any of these people are brilliant Machiavellian statesmen. Their motivations/actions should be easily discernible. Also, there's dragons.

It's possible that this naval-gazing is a brilliant structural reflection of the main theme: protagonist Pol struggles with Hamlet's dilemma between satisfying barbaric violence and agonizing show more civilized reflection. The reader struggles right along with Pol. The fifteenth time that the characters earnestly discuss their inner feelings, the reader develops a headache. show less

Cayden has enough wizarding power to do anything he wants in life, but his only love is the theater. After his troupe finally finds the perfect fourth member of their group--the rambunctious Meika, who is as sweet as he is wild--they're finally ready to take on the world. Despite rivalries, intra-group conflicts, and drug problems, they rapidly gain renown as innovators and artists. But Cayden has one more gift that he keeps secret: he dreams possible futures. Some he is able to avert, show more others he makes come true, but he's never sure what choice will lead to which future. And after dreaming night after night of Meika caught in a magically abusive relationship, Cayden is torn about interfering, which may just make things worse.

I quite liked this alternate world, which is a bit like Renaissance Europe. Women aren't allowed to hold memberships in some guilds, or attend the theater, which provides some of the tension in the first half of the book. But unlike our world, everyone in this country has some mix of magical blood and magic is used in the day to day. Wizarding magic was used just a few generations ago in a cataclysmic war, and the repercussions of that can be seen throughout society, from the restrictions on Cayden's magic to the innkeeper who won't serve elf-blooded Meika.

The story lacks a real plot; minor struggles come and go, but there's no big triumph or climax. This book seems to be setting up future plots: the bloodthirsty princess, the power-hungry Archduke, greater freedom for women, and the seductress enslaving Meika. I wish Rawn had spent less time summarizing everyone's genealogical backgrounds and the various villages the troupe performs in, and had used at least one of these plots in this book. And two, I wish Cayden's decision to not warn Meika about a bronze-haired enchantress had been more understandable. He's afraid that interfering in Meika's blooming romance will ruin his friendship with Meika, but if he'd told Meika to be wary before he met the girl he wouldn't have had to worry. And even after Meika started getting caught up in the girl's web, surely the horror of Meika's future with her would be enough cause for Cayden to warn him? I just don't get why Cayden refuses to warn Meika for two hundred pages, and will surely continue to not help Meika for most of the next book, as well. I have no patience for plots created because characters refuse to talk to each other.

Nevertheless, I intend to read the next book, not least because I hope Cayden and Meika get together. show less

What I appreciate most from Rawn is how flawlessly she’s able to weave various viewpoints together to create a cohesive story. This is a monster of a book and took me a very long time to get through because of how packed it is. The story back and forth from several different fronts of the ongoing war (including from the enemy’s perspective), and I was able to follow along almost effortlessly. I also felt connected to ALL of the characters, which is a feat in itself with so many show more perspectives. Rawn does a great job in taking her time and telling a comprehensive story.

I was very stressed throughout this whole novel–the stakes are HIGH and I can’t imagine how heart-pounding the next one is going to be, but I’m excited for some resolution. It’s also fun to see growth from these characters I’ve spent four (very large) books with getting to know and love. Some advancements are heart-wrenching and some are great, but I was an emotional mess for most of this reading experience.

Can’t say much more without giving spoilers–I’m excited to read the sequel and see where this story ends!

Also posted on Purple People Readers. show less

I have really enjoyed this series! A substantially different take on a world with many of the classic western fantasy races of humans, wizards, elves, pixies, trolls, and a group of young men out on adventures with plucky female family and friends. These young men are more like drug-saturated rock stars than sword- and spell-weaving heroes, but it really changes the tone and the ultimate treasure. As a fifth book, this is a tour de force, keeping our interest with new events while resolving show more a host of issues with only a single jarring paragraph of dialog that threw me out of the story about midway. Otherwise, I couldn't put it down. show less