The Thirteenth House

I...didn't really enjoy this book. I still love the world and the characters and the intrigue.

I absolutely *detested* the love triangle/adultery thing. It is only because of my interest in how the war will turn out, and my interest in the other characters that got me through this book. I would have dropped it otherwise. I even like Kirra in every other sense! I was fine with her POV except when she was with Romar. Then I couldn't wait for it to be over.

I continued the series, but this book seriously soured all of the other romances in it.

Of the lot this is my least favorite of the 12 Houses novels. And I know why: though I like the characters and the plot is well worked, I can't stand the affair part. It's written *too well* - it doesn't read like an affair in the abstract, but one in the concrete. And since I've been the one cheated on, it's hard for me to swallow.

I guess that is, however, a mark of how well it's written... there have been other books that have affairs in them which I have read, and not cared as much. But this one was done so well that it's too believable.

Still. It is a great book, which is why I bought it (and re-read it) instead of relying on the library copy I read the first time around.

I am really enjoying the 'Twelve Houses' series. Based on recommendations, and the fact I remember I liked her [Summers at Castle Auburn], I went out and bought the whole series, and so far I'm absolutely delighted with my investment.

This is the second in the series. Despite the fact that all my copies merely state 'A novel of the Twelve Houses', and you probably could read this as a stand-alone novel since all pertinent information from the first book is provided, I don't think you could read the first book after reading this; the story continues on in this book shortly after events in [Mystic and Rider] finish and there are relationship developments and so on that would spoil the read. But that's a marketing issue, and not a problem show more with the book.

The short version of the story is : a damsel rescues a knight in distress, and they fall in love.

The longer version: About six months after the events in [Mystic and Rider], four of the companions - mystics Camon, Kirra, and ever-faithful Donal, and King's Rider Justin are asked to rescue Romar Brendyn, who will be regent to his niece, princess Amalie, should the king die. Once they have accomplished that, Kirra returns home to Danalustrous, but sets out again shortly after, disguised as her sister Casserah, to join the princess and her party - including the regent and the remainder of the six protagonists of the first book (including the powerful mystic Senneth, and another King's Rider, Tayse) - on a social / political tour of some of the Twelve great Houses of Gillengaria, which has been designed to introduce the hitherto reclusive princess Amalie to the nobles she will rule in the future.

The princess and her allies have to assess which of the Twelve Houses are preparing to make war against the king and investigate the discord fomenting in the so-called 'Thirteenth House', which is made up of the lesser lords of the realm. And Kirra has to contend with her mutual attraction for the married Lord Brendyn.

I like this series; it is well written, and nicely paced. The characters and their interactions work well, as does the plot. It's a page turner, for me. There were, as I said, a few poignant moments that had me wiping away tears. I can't wait to read the next book ... but I shall hold off, and savour the anticipation ... and then savour reading it. show less

Book two after 'Mystic and Rider' in the 12 Houses series was a definite surprise to me. A wonderful, good and edge of my seat surprise. Kirra has returned home from her travels in book one, to discover that her father has decided to name her younger sister heir. But her sister Casserah is a bit of a homebody and so sends Kirra (who is a shape shifter) as Casserah to go on a tour of the different Houses to do a kind of meet and greet. Rumors of war still abound as Kirra tries to determine just who is still loyal to the King. She is joined on her journey by the Princess Amalie and her other companions from book one: the mystics Senneth, Donnal, and Cammon and the Riders Justin and Tayse. This small band has some interesting relationships show more and Kirra finds herself deep in an ill-fated relationship that just had me wringing my hands for most of the book. To be honest, I kept playing various scenarios in my head on how Shinn would resolve the conflict between them but when she finally did I was totally blown away. I think Kirra finally understood what it was to love someone competely and unselfishly -- which made it that much more heart breaking. Great second book in this wonderful series. I love all the characters and the new discoveries and Shinn has a wonderful knack for introducing conflict that brings out each person's strengths and weaknesses perfectly. I truly am looking forward to reading the rest. show less

I liked this novel a bit more than the first book, Mystic and Rider, which struck me as too generic fantasy. Although don't get me wrong--even in that first book, I found an enjoyable read. Shinn has a gift for writing characters you care about and weaving fantasy and romance without stinting on either. The first book was centered on Senneth. This book is the story Kirra, a shapeshifter and potential heir to a major fiefdom in a land that distrusts magic users like her.

Her romance involved adultery. I know that's a deal breaker for some. In this case I thought it a heart-breaker--in good ways. And this was the book where Shinn's world began to intrigue me and not feel too much like dozens of others, as she develops the politics and show more intrigue among the Houses of Gillengaria and the monarchy. And the characters from the first book you might have grown fond of are here too--it's just the focus and emphasis changes. I feel a bit mixed about the ending. I'm with another reviewer that pointed out it falls into a particular trope I hate. But it left me feeling for Kirra, so Shinn definitely did her job in that--and I'm glad she didn't take an easier way out. show less

This book had a lot of plot points that I didn't like. Basically, everything about the romance with Romar was a mess. I hate infidelity storylines. They make me think worse of all characters involved. Plus, Kirra's POV on class and power did not show her in a good light. Her mention of "pure" bloodlines at one point was gross, and her refusal to even acknowledge that she loved Donnal well before she even met Romar is infuriating. And poor Donnal, unable to even truly leave when his heart is broken. Everything that's unspoken in this book about their relationship is both heartwrenching and deeply irritating. And Kirra's final "solution" of making Romar forget her is an incredibly violation of his integrity and misuse of her powers. Truly show more awful.

I am hoping later books are able to repair some of what's gone wrong in this book.

That said, I did still enjoy most of this book, despite not liking those major plot threads. The political plot was interesting, and Princess Amalie is a great, intriguing character. And when Kirra wasn't acting a thoughtless fool in her personal life, she was pretty badass. This one is definitely a mixed bag. show less

This is the second in Sharon Shinn's Twelve House series, and it is Kirra's show. I enjoyed reading more about the 6 characters I grew to love in [b:Mystic and Rider|97967|Mystic and Rider (Twelve Houses, #1)|Sharon Shinn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388338711s/97967.jpg|94425], and their daring acts of bravery!

Travelling in the guise of her sister Casserah, Kirra travels across southern Gillengaria with Tayse, Senneth, Justin, Donnal, Cammon. Their purpose is to gauge the political climate of the southern houses while protecting Queen Valri, Princess Amalie, and the possible future regent, Romar Brendan. Another purpose of the trip is to introduce Amalie and Casserah (who both previously were quite solitary) to the 'society' of show more the Houses, and meet with members of the discontented 'lesser' nobility, the 'thirteenth house'.

Kirra is certainly interesting and entertaining, but I did not like that she began and continued a relationship with a married Romar Brendan. So much of the story was about that affair, and I found it a distraction from the other adventures and character interactions. She did appear to try to redeem herself unselfishly at the end. I really did not like reading about the thrills of such an illicit, hurtful relationship, and it lessened my overall enjoyment of the book, and my regard for Kirra. Much she would care about that, though!

The other adventures of the story were great, and perhaps my dislike of certain parts will lessen upon future re-reads. [b:The Thirteenth House|97962|The Thirteenth House (Twelve Houses, #2)|Sharon Shinn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388350576s/97962.jpg|94421] is of course still worth reading, as the series is pretty dang great, and went immediately to my 'favorites' shelf. show less