Candle in the Storm

This is the second in Howell's The Shadowed Path trilogy, and I advise you to have all three on hand when you begin. Each book ends the book's story, but the larger story arch is left open and will drive you crazy. I found this book hard to read, but for a good reason: I'd come to care about the characters and was heartbroken when events tore them apart. Yim and Honus struggle to remain faithful to a goddess who leaves them in harm's way, or even calls them to sacrifice what they most want and love. I can't say more without giving away the plot. The imagery is rich, the dialogue is well-crafted and the plot is twisted, dark, well-layed and enthralling. The characters, major and minor, offer a range of humanity and responses. My only show more complaint is some bits felt contrived, but this didn't detract from the novel overall. show less

After a promising start in the first book, I found myself disappointed with the second. This was mainly due to the parts with the Old Ones. To me, they did not fit in this story. Not that Old ones itself is a bad idea, but it felt like it didn't belong within this particular story. I found myself frustrated - just like Yim herself was! I found myself sympathizing with the poor girl as she tries to find answers to her questions and why she is suffering so much, though she does NOT come across as whiny. She has been through so much, and I kept hoping that by the end of this book she would have some promise for an happy life. I am sincerely hoping that the third book in this trilogy will be more definitive and conclusive than this one. I show more did enjoy seeing this book's connection with the previous trilogy this author wrote, however.

It was cool having mentions of Dar, though I found myself angry and annoyed with Cara. I know that the author gives his heroines hardships to make them seem stronger, but what happened to Dar's descendant just felt like overkill. I will read the third book if for no other reason than to complete Yim's story and find out what happens to her. Hopefully Mr. Howell will do better with the third book than this one. show less

I started this series and it was going along okay, but then partway through this book the heroine came down with a terrible case of dumb and now I'm not sure I can stand it enough to continue. I've put it aside for a bit. If my curiosity to know what happens next can overcome my frustration with her sudden loss of common sense, then I'll pick it back up.