I actually liked this book better than its prequel. Where Night calls felt rather disjointed to me, with Allie learning random magic and solving random problems while describing rituals in great unnecessary detail, Kindred rites had a clear story line. Yes, there are multiple problems for her to solve, but she learns some things she needs for the last conflict in the beginning of the book, making it seem like one story and not a few short stories in a row that happen to be about the same person. The only thing I think could have been left out was the poltergeist. Why was it there? I don't think it added anything to the story, and all of a sudden it's gone and we never get an explanation as to why. The attractive things about these books are Allie's character and the cosy atmosphere. And I liked that Allie was doing a few more things on her own. ( )

A few months have passed since the events of Night Calls, and Allie--Alfreda Sorensson--is continuing her study of magic with her cousin, Marta Donaltsson, in the tiny frontier village of Cat Track Hollow, having progressed to the point of learning the ritual to contact Death. After a Christmas visit to her parents in Sun-Return, Allie's friend Idelia comes to visit Allie in Cat Track Hollow.

Allie is just thirteen, and Idelia is not much older, but it's the American frontier in the early 1800s, even if a different 1800s than our own history, and Idelia is hoping to be betrothed soon. That doesn't prevent her from enjoying a chance to flirt with Charles Hudson, son of a locally prominent family, and his cousin Erik, recently arrived from some long-separated branch of the Hudson family. Allie doesn't entirely see what all the fuss is about, even when Idelia tells her that Erik is more interested in her, Allie--although she's a bit more interested when Shaw Kristensson arrives to escort Idelia home to Sun-Return, and the two appear to regard each other as rivals. The last thing Shaw says to Allie before he and Idelia leave is a warning to be wary of the Hudson men, because their eyes are "like mirrors."

Allie doesn't quite know what to make of his advice, and in any case she has to stay on good terms with the Hudsons in such a tiny community. When Marta sends her off on an errand to undo a witch's spell souring a neighbor's milk, and Erik offers her a ride, she sees neither any way to refuse, or any reason. He offers her some cider--and she wakes up in a darkened storeroom nowhere near home.

What she slowly discovers is that she's been stolen by an ancient sorcerer-a worker of dark magic--so that he can bind her power to his and use her to help continue his immortality. Much of his extended family is not happy with the little kingdom he's made, bu they're bound too, and don't have any way out.

Allie's on her own, with nothing but her own incomplete training and her cunning, and only one possible ally--Death.

It's hard to express how much I enjoyed this book. Allie is smart, strong, loyal, and thirteen. That's a little older in her time and place than ours, but not much. She's just getting to find out who she'll be as an adult, when she's thrown into a terrible situation where she may be the only person who has the particular strengths, and freedom to use them, that might get her and others out alive, and kill an ancient horror that used to be human, but isn't anymore.

She doesn't just have to figure out the right thing to do; she has to stay strong and disciplined enough to do it, at an age when she should still have adults to protect and guide her.

This is all very, very well done. The characters are believable, the setting feels real, and the magic is convincing, with real limitations, rules, and costs.

Highly recommended. ( )

This was the second book in the Night Calls series and was a great continuation of this series. There are three book in this series, the third one is called The Spiral Path and has already been released. I have really been enjoying these books; there is a lot of magic, fantasy elements, survival, and herb lore.

The whole story has a very traditional fantasy feel to it which reminded me of fantasy books I read back in the 90's. The pace is deliberate and the story takes some time to build. However, I don’t really mind because I find Alfreda’s training to be so interesting. There is a lot of traditional witchcraft and herblore in this book which is very intriguing. This book also had a lot about survival skills which I enjoy reading about.

Alfreda is really tested in this book when she is kidnapped by a relative of the Keeper of Souls. She has to put both all of her survival skills and magical skills to test. I really love how steadfast and competent Alfreda is. She is an awesome heroine.

I love this alternate world where dark magic haunts the night and really enjoy how magic is blended into a frontier type lifestyle.

Overall this was a great addition to this series. I enjoy Alfreda as a character and the harsh world she lives in. I also loved learning about the herblore and survival tactics that were featured in this book. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy traditional fantasy type stories and don’t mind a story that moves at a more deliberate pace. ( )

Not as good as the first, but still an interesting entertaining, well written read. The tone has changed a little to that of reminiscences from my youth of the key events that defined me today. Hence there's a bit of disconnect between Alfreda's various adventures and not much in the way of linking passages.

AT 13 I think she's probably still a bit young to be thinking of boys. But after she's had to deliver twins she finds the charms of some young men beginning to attract her. Still smarting from the lack of contact by the boy she rescued from a vampire in the last book, and with the enigmatic Shaw remaining a quiet presence in the background, what could she do but accept a lift when a friends' visiting cousin is travelling her way.

Sadly her age remains unbelievably against her in the trials she subsequently endures. For an older girl however it would be a enthralling story. With the usual out of powerful magic denied to her, she has to innovate, and meets an unusual teacher. I think this story would have done better as one of the later ones in the series.

But it remains a fun account well worth reading ( )

I actually liked this book better than its prequel. Where Night calls felt rather disjointed to me, with Allie learning random magic and solving random problems while describing rituals in great unnecessary detail, Kindred rites had a clear story line. Yes, there are multiple problems for her to solve, but she learns some things she needs for the last conflict in the beginning of the book, making it seem like one story and not a few short stories in a row that happen to be about the same person. The only thing I think could have been left out was the poltergeist. Why was it there? I don't think it added anything to the story, and all of a sudden it's gone and we never get an explanation as to why. The attractive things about these books are Allie's character and the cosy atmosphere. And I liked that Allie was doing a few more things on her own. ( )