Reader and Raelynx

This is a satisfying conclusion to an excellent series. I loved the magic system and the characters Shinn created.

Even though I loved this book enough to give it 5 stars, I still have some spoilery quibbles with it:
First, I was disappointed that we didn't get any queer characters in this series. Cammon was the last main character remaining, and as much as I enjoyed his relationship with Amalie, I had been rooting for him to be gay or bi.

Second, it was strangely pat the way everyone gets paired off by the end of this book - not just the six main characters, but even secondary and minor characters like Valri, Darren, and Senneth's brothers. It feels very fanfiction-y.

And finally, there is a weird dynamic in this series around royalty and show more aristocracy that mirrors some characters' mixed feelings about their country's government. There is a clear interest and attachment to the nobility and monarchy, which is troubled by a criticism of the problems of such a system and also its ultimate silliness. This is a theme throughout all four books, with all of the mixed-status relationships, and it really shows up in this fourth book where they end up manufacturing a fake noble heritage for Cammon so that he can be king. This is very, very WTF. It's a strange middle ground between respecting the conventions of the Twelve Houses and undermining them, ultimately unsatisfying, if pragmatic.

Despite those three odd elements, I am so glad I came across this series through the Speculative Chic book club. I loved this story, and I would definitely read more in this universe. show less

W H A T E V E N I S H A P P E N I N G
man. This is such a chaotic magic system and so incredibly OP on all sides. I'm scared of what Cammon and Kirra (and Amalie) can do for multiple reasons. Terrifying abilities. What in the world was that final confrontation !! I am ethically dubious about Cammon's ability to simply sense everybody at every time--cool, but terrifying--and about Kirra's ability to change others and what she did in book 2 with erasing memories--that's horrifying!--and a little puzzled by how much it's possible to heal others dragging them back from certain death--beyond just what Ellynor did with Justin, Lara healing a soldier who almost got decapitated?--and kind of confused about Amalie and Coralinda being show more mockingbirds, though I think that part is super neat and I'm glad we finally figured out what the Pale Goddess does. Basically it's a very good thing Coralinda hates mystics because if mystics were fighting for her our group would probably be far more doomed lmao!!! me when the good side has the OP people
Once again was a little bummed these big lore drops were interrupted by romance but that is a me problem! however those were in fact major lore moments and I am kind of impressed because I wasn't expecting the whole deal with moonstones to actually finally have a reason. therefore the 4* and not 3* like heck yeah give me more worldbuilding I love knowing things.
I think this is whatever the opposite of grimdark is lmao for a political war fantasy there was sure a lot of quick danger moments and even quicker rescues and resolutions although of course the whole Baryn and Tir dead deal wasn't quite so quick!! though it all got washed away in the wake of the following war because that is just how war goes
also this might be Cammon & Amalie's book but this is still uncompromisingly very much Senneth's series lol I like her though so. There's that. Amalie becoming untouchable due to all her protections, Cammon and the raelynx, so Senneth becoming the bargaining chip because of Gisseltess' obsession with her heightened that for me. and ofc romance novels through and through why is everybody here SO incredibly good at falling in love with the worst person possible even beyond the main group teehee. kind of obsessed with the way Tayse allowed Senneth to become his weakness banger trope of all time actually. even just friendship with the others, but given how he sees everybody and everything as an advantage or disadvantage to his particular mission but then there's Senneth HEHEHEJ like yes kill Halchon Gisseltess get him and get your wife. yes those two are still the moment for me in this series I am unfortunately more indifferent to the other romances. also ouch, Wen and her unrequited crush on Justin. I wasn't particularly moved by the Cammon/Amalie romance though I'm not mad about it at all I think it's v funny Cammon was like class distinctions? what's that? and I'm v intrigued by the solution to it all l m a o. Shoutout to Valri though. I wish we knew more about Donnal he didn't get his own book or really his own self aside from Kirra. show less

This is the story that closes the major story arc in the Novel of the Twelve Houses series, though there is one more book to follow, Fortune and Fate.

Raelynxs are almost mythical large cats, swift, lethal and impossible to kill; but one is caged on the palace grounds at the request of Queen Valri, who is the only one who can keep it under control, although Cammon and Senneth were able to manage it as a young cat.

The Reader of the title is Cammon, the last of the six companions (Senneth, Tayse, Kirra, Donnal, Justin and Cammon) who started their adventures together about a year previously in Mystic and Rider. Being a reader, he can sense his friends and their well-being anywhere on the island of Gillengaria, and is a powerful enough show more mystic to convey strong emotions to them. He is a happy go lucky lad, studying to use his powers (for good) at the capital, Gosenhall, when he is called in to protect the heir, princess Amalie, as suitors and assassins come to the palace. Those loyal to King Baryn are trying to prevent an impending civil war, so Senneth mobilises the mystics of Gillengaria while Tayse marshals the King's Riders in defence .

As ever, I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. There are hints about the countries outside Gillengaria, and forgotten gods and goddesses who bequeath talents to more than just the mystics. Shinn gives us political alliances, battles, mystical powers, friendships, romances ... and wraps it up with glimpses of duelling deities.

The loose ends have been tied up (which always makes me happy), and I'm feeling sated, but reluctant to leave her world; it's a good thing there's that one more novel. show less

The fourth book in the Twelfth Houses series focuses on the lovable yet quirky reader Cammon. With his unique (and very helpful) ability of being able to sense the emotions of others, Cammon has become an invaluable asset to the monarchy. Charged with discerning the true intentions of Princess Amalie's suitors, Cammon continually proves his worth and loyalty to those he loves.However, all is not well in the Twelve Houses as war is imminent. When an audacious attack on the royal city is made everything changes and those in service to the king are forced to face seemingly insurmountable challenges. Senneth, the amazing lady she is, truly proves her strength as she rounds up mystics to help fight for the king and continues to be one of the show more most valuable assets with her smarts and ability to call fire. Unable to accept defeat, she willing does whatever is necessary in order to keep the throne out of the hands of Halchon Gisseltess and his supporters.Reader and Raelynx just might have edged out Mystic and Rider for my favorite spot in this series -- it completely rocked. I almost felt the last book could have been condensed into an addendum to this one as it basically sets up everything that happens here. Shinn's masterful world-building is one of the biggest draws of this story. The politics of Gillengaria are fascinating with it's varying degrees of aristocracy and prejudices. Her treatment of mystics -- where their power comes from, how they are treated and the fact that they can't work magic on anyone outside of Gillengaria -- is just fascinating. This particular volume tied together many of the previous storylines and I am so happy to see there is one more book in this wonderful series to come. show less

Still in progress:

I should not have read this series. The first one was good in both romance and plot, but I've hated the romance of the last three. This one is probably the worst - Cammon is not nearly as kind as everybody makes him out to be (there's a scene where he yells at a woman to 'forgive him' until she's finally mentally beaten into submission, and in a position where she can't have a conversation back at him. This is where I gave up on Cammon, and it was only a third of the way through).

The "innocent about the world" ploy only gets you so far until you realize he's definitely been living in a world with morals, and his ability to read peoples' minds should show their distaste for his "share everything with everyone" ways.

The show more pair the spares mentality is grating. This isn't new, but it's more proof that I shouldn't have read this far.

Overarching plot is fine - it's been plodding through all of the needless romance, but it's still cool enough. If this wasn't the last book following Senneth and friends I would not have finished this book, and I wouldn't be continuing after this book anyway. show less

I thought this was a very nice addition to the 12 Houses series. It ties up some of the ongoing plot-lines, while not finishing the series, so it is possible to take a step back and catch your breath before diving back in to the next book. I am curious to see, however, how much the next book(s) will touch on the six main characters in this series, as this book could, potentially, have tied up their stories well enough that we now move on to new characters.

A diificult book for me because I hated the war scenarios and Senneth being kidnapped by Halchon, whose touch quenches her magic. The effect of Halchon seems artificially at odds with the plausibility of this fantasy world. The ambivalent development in the series of Princess Amalie was weak, as was the awkwardness / weirdness of her mother's relationship with the king. Cammon's character development was excellent and raised my rating as well as introduction of the raelynx, an excellent 'character' in itself.