Geist

There is something about team books that draw me in. More than just the fact you can often have two entirely different personalities being forced to work together because they truly are stronger together then apart. I think that it can lead to some very telling social problems. Sorcha, for instance, is extremely powerful as an 'Active' (or the 'brute strength'). She'll kick anyone's butt and do it with a smile, or rather smirk, on her face. She cannot however react normally in a social setting. She has Nynnia convinced that if she goes near her, Sorcha will flay her alive, is in a failing marriage with her original partner Kolya and tends to crush Merrick's (her current partner) spirit more often than not. Her lack of perfect is kind of show more why I like her however. She doesn't try to change or convince others she is anything she's not.

Merrick on the other hand is like an over-eager puppy at times. He's younger, inexperienced and doesn't always censor his mouth (or thoughts) well enough. He's a 'Sight', the directing force to Sorcha's blunt force. Basically without him Sorcha can't direct all her power and without Sorcha, Merrick doesn't have any physical power of his own. Ballantine doesn't set them up as romantic interests. For one, Sorcha is married (unhappily or otherwise). For two, Ballantine is at pains to emphasis that not all Pairings have to be romantic. They can happen, but if there's a souring on one end, there'll be a souring at the other as well.

Instead Sorcha has a sort of love interest in Raed, aka the Pretender, a quasi-Pirate who helps Sorcha and Merrick out. A lot of what Raed says is subterfuge and misdirection; he isn't the most truthful of people, but he has his reasons. I didn't feel like there was a lot of substance to him though, didn't feel like there was a concrete reason why Sorcha would risk a whole ton load of trouble to start something with him.

The world of Geist is an intriguing blend of fantasy, paranormal and history. It's not really any more of one genre than another, nor is any of it emphasized above each other. Fans of history may be able to spot all the historical references that were slightly skewed to fit in with the world, while fans of fantasy will be able to spot the magic's used and fans of the paranormal will marvel over the 'undead' that Sorcha and co. fight. It has a little something of everything in other words.

I look forward to the next book in the series and finding out more about Nynnia (who is more than she appears, try understanding what though, cause I sure didn't) and seeing where Sorcha's marriage goes, her partnership with Merrick (which is highly irregular) and the burgeoning feelings for Raed. show less

Very, very original premise and world-building (enough to warrant multiple "very"s!), but less original plot, with some rather confusing gaps. Oh well. Hopefully most of those questions will be satisfied in the sequel(s), so I'll just have to pick those up when next I have the chance! (What was that I said a few days ago about not buying more books...? That I'd never stick to it? Yeah, sounds realistic.)

I honestly don't remember what triggered me to pick this book up, it may have been a review from one of the fantasy sites I visit regularly. I just remember I needed to pick up the book the next time I went to the bookstore. I'm always looking for new reads, especially outside my stable of regular authors.

Without giving away too much plotwise, Geist is not your typical heroine is heroic, falls in love with a major male character and they live Happily Ever After novel. In fact, it's more than the opposite. The worldbuilding is lavish, the characters have issues, some of which are resolved, others are touched upon, and the rest are placed on the backburner for resolution at a later time.

The story is excellent, the characters (and their show more imperfections) are believable. If you love a solid, gritty fantasy novel, definitely give this a try. I was looking for the second book in the series before I finished Geist not realizing this was just released. As mentioned previously, Spectyr can't get here fast enough. show less

Fantasy with a touch of horror/supernatural? I particularly liked one of the main characters, Sorcha. She's got some maturity and experience, a lot of edge, is married . . . a woman, not a girl. This is not cliche fantasy and that works for me! I had a LOT invested in her emotional choices and will have to read the next book just to see how that pans out. I'm not sure the love interest I had my hope up for is going to catch her eye as strongly as he did mine.

I found this work much more character driven that world building/event/premise based. I cared about what they were doing more than what was going on. Ballantine has a consistent and solid writing style that suits this series very nicely. Her voice is believable, natural and that show more made it easy to stay immersed. There were a few places where the editing could have been stronger, but that's just mean getting my Virgo on. Definitely worth reading. Quite enjoyable! show less

I picked up a copy of Geist while browsing in a local bookstore. I was thoroughly hooked by the amazing cover art by Jason Chan and the intriguing premise:

Between the living and the dead is the Order of the Deacons, protectors of the Empire, guardians against possession, sentinels enlisted to ward off the malevolent haunting of the geists…

Among the most powerful of the Order is Sorcha, now thrust into partnership with the novice Deacon, Merrick Chambers. They have been dispatched to the isolated village of Ulrich to aide the Priory with a surge of violent geist activity. With them is Raed Rossin, Pretender to the throne that Sorcha is sworn to protect, and bearer of a terrible curse.

But what greets them in the strange settlement is show more something far more predatory and more horrifying than any mere haunting. And as she uncovers a tradition of twisted rituals passed down through the dark reaches of history, Sorcha will be forced to reconsider everything she thinks she knows.

And if she makes it out of Ulrich alive, what in Hell is she returning to?

I wasn't really sure what to expect with Geist since I'd never heard of Philippa Ballantine. I was thrilled with the book, though. Absolutely thrilled! The book mythology was really interesting -- Deacons and geists and undead possession -- and I loved the idea of Actives and Sensitives, and the occasional pinch of steampunk. But my favourite thing by far was how the relationship between Actives and Sensitives is symbiotic but not co-dependent -- a really interesting magical connection that gets explored in a lovely, deep way over the course of the novel. The characters are also really great. Sorcha's a powerful Active and this prickly, pent-up woman whose depth is revealed over the course of the novel. Her new partner, Merrick, is also a rich character, with an interesting past and lots of magical power of his own (of the Sensitive variety). The other main character, Raed, is a great foil for the two Deacons. His interactions with Sorcha are a lot of fun and he and his crew add some lighter moments to the story.

I can't wait to read Spectyr!

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This was a good read and I really did enjoy it. By about the middle mark of the book Sorcha Faris the main character was really annoying me and I was beginning to not like her. She was too bossy, too much of bitch and really not likeable. The character arc did move but I just felt that it was more by events than Faris actually having to make a choice about what she believes. What I mean by that events happening around her forced into making choices out of necessity not because she finds herself questioning all she knows and has been taught.
The world is original but does not overwhelm the book, the story starts off at cracking pace and gets you right into it but I just felt not fully pulled in and I dont know why.

I liked how Ballantine show more was willing to not make things tidy at the end and take some risks with the characters.

I have read one other book by Ballantine and listened to a couple of other podcasts she has been involved in. I really do believe that with her original ideas she is on her way to become a long term force in fantasy writing. show less

I’m not sure why I didn’t love this book – there’s a fresh, original fantasy adventure. There’s a strong female protagonist and a wily sidekick, and even a seductive, mysterious adventurer. Somehow, though, I never got as far into it as I wanted to. I have a sneaking suspicion that it had to do with the cigars.