No comments about At Grave's End (Night Huntress, Book 3).

5 comments about Foundation (Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles, Book 1).

1. I was so happy to find a new valdemar series I read all the others and really missed the companions they are so sweet in the books.I'm hooked on this new series and can't wait for book 2 to see what happens next.I really felt sad for mags but things are getting much better for him with his new friends.



2. I love all of her books. They always take that little moment of free time and turn it into an adventure.
   
   Lia Christians



3. I really enjoyed this book with a different time setting and characters I did not know. Mags takes ignorance of the world and gains a completely new outlook. I especially enjoyed the problems that were being faced in Haven with the numbers of new Chosen coming to the city. Everything in Valdemar is not always joy and happiness.
   I hope that the sudden ending leads to another book following Mags and Dallen quickly as I had a difficult time putting the book down even when finished.



4. I realize that this book is just setting up the next ones, a getting to know the characters book, but it still seemed rather dull for over half the book.
   I also wish she would get it straight as to the Monarch's Own Companion in which time frame, or do Taver and Rolan just keep switching, when the one dies or gets killed the other one takes his place?
   I do love the series, but some of the inconsistancies can be annoying.



5. It's wonderful to see the Companions back again. Not sure what book the naysayers read--but the Heralds of Valdemar have always been for the young adult audience and succeed wonderfully as such. Lackey does a great job of protraying Mags, a sympathetic character that most readers will root for...and enables us to feel what he feels as he negotiates change in his life brought about by the love of a Companion (those incredible horse-like beings who are so memorable.) Good human-companion interaction in this story. Read it for the uplifting enjoyment of the setting and characters, and refuse to believe the nay-sayers. Read it for yourself. The audio narrator is also top-notch. A must-read for Valdemar/Lackey fans.

5 comments about Circle Trilogy.

1. I wasn't sure about them when i started the first book, but then, about 15 pages in I couldn't put them down!!!



2. Nora Roberts' Circle Trilogy is entertaining. I am not usually a fan of vampire stories, but the interesting mix of characters, as she develops them in the first book, caused me to want to read on. Because the first book seems to be filled with so much character information, it feels slow. Frankly, I might not have finished the first book as quickly as I did, except my daughter was insistent that I read the entire trilogy. She assured me that "it gets better". And, it did. The story began to flow in the second book and I couldn't put it or the third book down. An entire summer weekend was spent with an unending promise to myself of "just one more chapter." Book two and three are worthy of the time spent on book one. Again, once past the first book, which sets up books two and three, I can promise you an enjoyable read.



3. I ordered this (Sep.18) with other products which was also "eligible for free shipping", and so far I haven't received any of what I ordered...does it really take this long to ship for free??



4. This is one of my favorite Nora Roberts sets ever. Vampires, witches, wizard, a Queen, and shapeshifter too, it is just wonderful.



5. Is what I was saying out loud and feeling like Gage when i said it. Let's just get this over with! Nora gives a new meaning to the word REDUNDANT!
   BLOOD BROTHERS drew me in....hmm interesting can't wait for the second book.
   THE HOLLOW was slow, the beginings of repetition. I pre-ordered PAGAN STONE. Oh well, gotta finish it. Maybe the final one will have more life to it. Pe-ordered it in August/Sept even though it wasn't out until DEC 1st.
   PAGAN STONE arrived early. Learned some interesting things about Gage and then I discovered that Nora Roberts has an uncanny gift of saying the same thing in hundreds of ways. BORING!! At page 161 I couldn't stand it anymore and read the final Chapter and the Epilogue.
   
   There were no surpises! Anyone could guess what was coming, so technically the climax was in the first book! Wonderful characterizations for the guys, but the three women were just - bitchy! The Demon was just annoying...like a nosey neighbor. Hester was more menacing than he was. Lump was the best part of the book. After reading the Trilogy I just felt - cheated. It had all the ingredients to be a mesmerizing story and it wasn't.
   
   Oh I'll keep reading Nora's books. Most of them are truly wonderful and the imagery she writes of is inspiring. In reading her books I discovered one thing; You give it away too soon Nora.

5 comments about The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower (King, Stephen).

1. I don't have the time to write a full review with synopsis and such, even if I did I don't think the book deserves it. It wasn't a terrible work of fiction, but it was not the grand epic finale I so patiently waited for. Steven introduced plot twists that lasted for 2-3 subchapters at best, that just makes me think he was desperately searching his tired (and lazy) imagination for more interesting things to happen. Roland had a cough and it went away after eating a deer kidney... Seriously Steven you can do better than that.



2. Damn. I've been pondering what to write about this for days. Ok, lets git to it! (Jazz reference will be explained :P )
   
   Here's your first clue that the Dark Tower is not going to please everyone (actually the clue is at the very end). He cautions the reader to not read the Coda chapter beause they might dislike it. As if, after reading 1000+ pages of the book, the reader wouldn't read right through!
   
   Second clue is in the Author's note at the end, when King says in advance not to email him to whine, and that he was a little bummed out himself with the end. To be cynical here, does King sound a tad defensive? Sure, ANY final book in a series can't please everyone. But could King's (just slightly) apologist afterword not be a bad sign that something here's gone a little `todash'?
   
   DT is King's `sandbox', where the story can - and does - go anywhere it likes. It's his KILL BILL. It's everything AND the kitchen sink. He's grabbed everything in his mind (Doken) that's been kicking around for his entire life and put it onto paper. In this sense, the book is critic proof for the most part. If one is to point out something in the book that wasn't pulled off satisfactory, where is the context? To what other story can we compare it and say `this is the kind of book it should have been'?
   
   What I'm saying, longwindedly, is that I could see any 2 given people feeling different about the series. To those who gave it 5 stars, cool. 1 star? I can dig. For me, I mostly accepted the conclusion, but what I would have wanted much more was to close it and say 'wow! I want to read it again. Now!' I did not get that feeling. And as fair as it is for people to completely enjoy it, it's not without it's flaws.
   
   One of the things that annoyed me the most was how countless phrases spoken by people (or thought) are something someone else has said. Eddie is constantly thinking about what his brother would have thought of something. Susannah is always thinking about what her Dad would have said. Roland is frequently reminded of a phrase Cort would say, Etc. This was an overused technique. It was in meltdown mode here. He just would not stop.
   
   Chapters constantly overlap, enabling the reader to see the lead up to the same event from a different participant. This is a useful tool, but it is so frequent that the result is that the reader is constantly being halted from finding out what happens next to backtrack, and in this, the final book, it the plot and pacing should be in overdrive. One imagines Roland gesturing his `get on with it' finger twirl. New characters who are introduced do not always need to have a large backstory. Sometimes it's just fine for a person to show up and help out, or get a bullet thrugh the eye. I thought this was one of the major contributors to the excessive length of the book. I don't flinch at doorstopper books, but please maximize your space and keep the gears shifting up in the plot, not down (see PILLARS OF THE EARTH for a massive but always focused story).
   
   And now my last issue has to do with Stephen King being perhaps out of his depth in a 'fantasy' type of epic story. I have read over half of King's fiction, plus Danse Macabre and On Writing. He's a `Jazz' writer. He just goes with the flow, and thats been an asset of his for many of his other books. He's an intuitive freestyler. An improv rapper. The problem with this approach is the longer you try and 'freestyle it', the more chance you have of tripping over something as your mind races to keep track of what you're doing. He's been playing the worlds longest Jazz solo, and while he succeeded in many ways, he's hit plenty of off-notes on the way and it got a little sloppy there at the end.
   
   King has become so entrenched in `antiplotting' that he willfully will NOT plot out anything (he says he did so with Insomnia and wasn't too hot on the result so hasn't tried it again much since). There's always an exception, but from my reading experience, you just cannot tackly a multi-volume epic in this fashion. You have to sit down and outline a little bit or else the whole thing comes off uneven.
   
   Dark Tower readers have pretty much got the biggest imaginations out there. We've seen people walking though doors into alternate earths. We've seen Blood and Mind vampires feasting with Low Men in colorful suits wearing fake human masks. We've seen a politically-incorrect black woman with no legs who throws deadly plates. Robots who wear Dr. Doom capes, wield light sabers, and throw flying balls that are one part Harry Potter Sneetches and one part metal spheres from the movie Phantasm. We've even taken it in stride when a half Human spider gets diarrhea from eating a leprous horse. So having the story zig and zag to this ending, and have many people unsatisfied, is pause for thought. DT readers can handle anything King can throw their way in the Bizarre department, but just can't get behind this fizzled out resolution.
   
   I think that's saying something.



3. I have to sympathize with Stephen King regarding the writing of this book...how do you end a series that has been going on for so long? King has often been criticized (me included) for writing thrilling stories accompanied by unspectacular endings, and this book is no exception, as many readers do not appreciate an ending that they never could have seen coming. However, I think that King did a marvelous job in ending this book by playing on one factor: anticipation.
   
   While one would expect that the entire book would just be one big lead-up to the Dark Tower payoff in the end, that is absolutely not so. Instead, Roland and his ka-tet are presented with a challenge much like in "Wolves of the Calla" before heading off on the final trail to the Tower. Thus, while the intensity builds in the readers' mind (just from turning so many pages and approaching the end), he/she also gets to read another thrilling adventure that only King knows how to craft.
   
   For a quick summary, this installment of the series quickly concludes the Susannah/Mio relationship (which I was pleased with, as that was what made "Song of Susannah" so drawn-out), and introduces us to their offspring, a much more interesting "fellow" than his two mothers. After that, Roland's ka-tet takes on the task of rescuing the Tower Beam that the Crimson King (through slave labor) is trying to crack. The descriptions of the "Breakers" are fascinating, as they are both evil and tragic at the same time. Once that task is "completed", Roland and Co. set out for the Dark Tower itself.
   
   Any more detail would spoil the plot, but suffice it to say that the final trek to the Dark Tower will have you break out in goosebumps...from fear, excitement, and emotion. With Roland's final "shootout" task behind him, the new characters introduced on the way to the Tower take on a new significance, as one gets the feeling that their relation to the Tower is crucial to the rest of the story.
   
   So, to conclude, if you enjoyed the previous installments of the Dark Tower series, this final chapter will not disappoint you. Roland's journey may not take you to a place you enjoy, or the place you figured he would end up, but I think you will appreciate this "ending" (even if it is 800-some pages!) better than most Stephen King conclusions.
   
   I have always found that finishing a Stephen King adventure is a strange emotion, as you know the story has to end somewhere but you just don't want it to! That feeling is amped up x7 in this case, as Roland's quest has taken so many pages to express. After just finishing this book myself, I find myself wondering how I will ever truly appreciate another "short" ("only" 400-500 pages) King book again, as my insight into the characters won't nearly be as fleshed out as in this series.



4. This is definitely my favorite book in the series, though it does have problems. I won't go into them since they're all spoiler-rich, but I loved the ending, even if it feels like a big slap in the face. It was a good slap.



5. I purchased this, as well as another book at the same time. They both arrived securely and safely packaged, in a very timely fashion. There were no signs of wear on either book.
   
   Exactly as described.

5 comments about Nineteen Eighty-Four.

1. The views expressed in the book 1984 are very unique and yet still relate to today. The story shown in the book accurately portrays the needs of the people and how they will never be met in the face of an oppressive government. It paints a clear yet disturbing picture that must be experienced. Very good read.



2. 1984 is a great novel, even for the casual reader. What I think is terrifying is that it is possible in our time. Big brother could be watching (wiretaps with no court order) and if you don't share his view you might end up in room 101 (Guantanamo) as an "enemy combatant" with no rights.
   
   It's a telling story about control and fabrication of information, fear mongering and make believe triumphs (top secret documents, proof of wmd, color label terror alerts, mission accomplished) sounds ridiculous - or maybe not.



3. Not only is this an unforgettably great story, it's also a presented here beautifully.
   I had somehow reached the age of 28 without having ever read 1984, and I was struck by not only how poignant the world of Orwell's 1984 is today, but just how gripping the story of Winston Smith is. Orwell's style here is compassionate in its matter-of-factness and poetic in its rigidity, which could not be more fitting for the classic tale of Big Brother, Newspeak, and the Thought Police.
   A surprise for me was not only how brutal Orwell can be, but also the level of humor present in this text - dark humor, to be sure, but comedy nonetheless. This, again, is very befitting of the famous context in which the narrative is set. In oppressive times, laughter is one of the best defenses we have, and it can sometimes be surprising what seems humorous when we take a step back from the situation.
   As mentioned, the presentation here is beautiful. This "centennial edition" by Plume (a division of Penguin Books) is a facsimile of 1984 as it was published in it first edition. The "aged" look fools the reader into thinking they are handling an old and dear text. The paper quality of both the cover and the pages is excellent as well. Also included is an excellent new introduction by Thomas Pynchon.
   All in all, a very rewarding literary experience. I can't recommend it highly enough!



4. The more I have been following events relating to the election of Barack H Obama, the more I see 1984 as becoming a very real possibility, but from a leftwing standpoint this time.



5. I am a big fan of science fiction. This book might be classified as such, as it was written to be set in the future when George Orwell published it in 1949. But as time passes, this book is showing itself to not be so much of a story as it is a warning. There are already so many phrases from the book that we use, like Big Brother or Newspeak. And the way some governments are now does not bode well. This is a classic novel that more people should read as a warning, so that we can avoid this kind of dystopia.

5 comments about Valiant (The Lost Fleet, Book 4).

1. I agree with everyone else who said this book was a step back from the previous three. The battles felt flat, I'm starting to get tired of the stock "isn't it funny how the Navy still does ____ but no one remembers why?" type scenes, and there was absolutely ZERO character or plot development in this chapter of the overall saga
   
   Basically, other than having two people admit they're attracted to each other, nothing special happens for 300 pages.
   
   Valiant felt, to me, like it was rushed out to satisfy a schedule. I had alot of trouble visualizing the things that the book was describing, a first in this series, and when I got to the end of the book I felt like I'd just read the first chapter of a story
   
   Loved the first three, hope the next two are WAY better than this. If book 5 isn't a big step up I won't bother with book 6



2. This guy hoards plot points like he's gonna run out! What gives? Why the hesitation to dish out real character changes and real events? It makes the novel so monochromatic.
   
   Waaaaaay too much repetition in this installment in what's overall a pretty good series. It just felt like the characters spent all their time in the same three rooms talking about the same three things. I don't need to read any more about the real Jack vs the mythic Jack-- unless there's something new to talk about. I don't need to read any more about the Madame President or whatever and her jealousy or non-jealousy or whatever. I just got old!
   
   Why the reluctance to give more detail about the aliens? Why the reluctance to have more space battles? Why the reluctance to have more action take place on the ships or have them put into port somewhere so they can get off the ship and have Jack go meet some freakin' new people for once? It's a novel, you can do anything you want!
   
   I'll still get the next novel in this series, but man I hope it's better than this one.



3. The Lost Fleet continues to be lost in alien space. Captain Jack Geary continues to fight for his fleet's survival, against elements in his own fleet, and to maintain a balance between the perception of him as a hero and himself as a human being with human failings.
   
   If you enjoyed the first three books, then there should be no reason not to enjoy this one. Those who want the plot to proceed more quickly may be frustrated. The fleet has returned to Lakota, where they faced a punishing battle. This time, however, things have changed. Geary knows about the mysterious aliens who helped bring the enemy Syndic fleet against him and his people are now catching on to how the aliens are tracking them and also what may be their motives, at least in part. He also knows more about how the Syndics operate and can begin to exploit their weaknesses. He's also more able to make use of turning the hearts and minds of the civilians who are tired of war and not happy about how they are treated by those in power. So things are progressing, too slowly for some, perhaps, but I'm still willing to enjoy the ride and see where it goes.



4. I loved the first three books and couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. Unfortunately I thought it fell flat. The space battles seemed earily familiar...maybe too much like previous battles in books 1, 2, and 3?
   
   But worse, in my opinion, is the divergence into the love triangle between Geary and the two female leads. Rione's character was always somewhat one-dimensional, and in this book she's just extra baggage. And the forbidden love between Desjani and Geary is nauseating. There is no surprise, no subtlety, and not even much in the way of actual romance in the way this story line unfolds. The reader sees it all coming and is powerless to divert it. Perhaps it is necessary to throw the "romance angle" so as to stretch it out to the originally planned five books, but I personally would vote to jettison the allegedly romantic bits out the nearest airlock and finish up the story. After all, the readers are science fiction fans and if we wanted romance we'd go order a Harlequin.
   
   I loved the first books and am still going to read the last one but I am only giving this one three stars. If this had been the first of the series I would never have continued onto later installments but having read the first books I know what Campbell is capable of and I am hoping he will deliver in the final book.



5. One book that is difficult to put down. Almost like watching 24 on the tube; I always want to see the next episode. Look forward to book 5 in April.

5 comments about Debt of Bones (Sword of Truth Prequel Novel).

1. I really love Terry Goodkind's work, but this was totally unnecessary in that it didn't add any real value to the "Sword of Truth" series. It's advertised to explain how the boundaries were created, but the books in the series gives you enough information that it really doesn't matter. The plot was boring and it feels like he rushed to just pump it out to the market. Zedd's personality was totally different than in the books of the series, further adding to the pointlessness of the book. I don't recommend this book.



2. a good quick read, not the usual detailed work of terry goodkind, however, it wasn't intended to be, all in all a good read that gives perspective on a time prior to the sword of truth series.



3. As a true fan of the Sword of Truth series, I enjoyed reading this prequel. However, you don't get a lot of reading material.....would I buy it over again, though....yes!



4. I've read many a book, but none reach me like this series has. The entire Sword of Truth series, sets a pretty high standard for epic fantasy, let along a good book series. Early books had some places that were a bit clunky, (it was the authors first books if I'm not mistaken), but don't we ALL start out something a bit green, and then hone our skills?
   
   The more books by Goodkind you read, you clearly see the excellent progress he's made in his craft. Goodkind does what so few fantasy authors do, that being have true heroes, heroes who use reason, heroes who do not become the enemy or become cowards and most important, heroes that stand up for what is honorable and true. And heroes that do not sacrifice their values to accomplish their goals.
   
   
   You will not see nasty words, vulgarity, incest (unlike some series), porno, or any kind of depravity in the name of literature. This series touches on some violence and deals with real world issues like war and the true horrors of war. It exposes evil for what it is and it shows that mankind can rise up and be truly noble!
   
   While I see there are a few people who want to vote poorly and post negative comments, it is your right. But when you post such acerbic comments, it is easy to see that you simply think it funny. Like anyone would take your petty comments as anything but jealousy and immaturity.
   
   While this series has its merits, it has its problems as well. No book will have everything to speak to every person.
   
   This series starts in easy, and right away you grasp the wonderful story telling ability of Goodkind, and as you go on, it delves deeper into the nature of man. This series explores deep human themes and exposes the fallacy of collectivism.
   
   This book has a striking romantic aspect as well as plenty of heart wrenching twists. While I personally love the philosophy, I can see why some may not. That (IOHP), is why we have arena such as this, so that we can offer up likes and dislikes. Most who do that have offered up an HONEST review. The rest simply are offering up vitriol, because they fear this series for the good that it does and they fear it because they feel it a threat to their favorite author.
   
   BE HONEST, give the book its due.
   
   Support your book stores! Support the Publishing world, and for goodness sake buy a book so we can drive these whacked out "save the rain forest" freaks crazy by cutting down a few more trees!



5. I am writing to provide a little perspective after reading other reviews of Debt of Bones. I own the book Legends (several wonderful stories by several great authors including Goodkind). If you are familiar with Legends you will know that this is where Debt of Bones was originally published. It was published several years after Wizards' First Rule. While I cannot say definitely I think that Debt of Bones may have been the beginnings of Terry's ideas for SOT. It feels like he was a new writer learning his craft and testing out concepts. Also if you read Wizard's First Rule, or any of SOT, Debt of Bones doesn't make a lot of sense. Nowhere do in SOT do Zedd and Abby seem to have any prior knowledge of each other. Even after Zedd removes the wizard's web in Wizard's First Rule, which may have prevented Abby from recognizing him at first, none of their subsequent encounters seem to have the feeling of a shared past. Honestly I think that when Legends was published they asked Terry to contribute and he polished up his original notes a little and it became the story we read in Legends. Of course with SOT becoming so popular and now with the TV series, Legend of the Seeker, the publisher is looking for a way to make even more money out of us readers. My advise - read DOB in Legends as it was originally released. Even if you don't like it you'll get some other good stories with it. But take DOB for what it is, the bones (pun intended) of an idea for an epic fantasy which when fleshed out became SOT. Only if you are a collector and want it for your library should you spend $8 to buy it new. Of course if you are really interested in having it as part of your collection try to find the original illustrated edition.

5 comments about Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 1).

1. In the midst of all the paranormal romances I'm reading, I thought I'd give this one a try given the feedback. And how thankful I did! The heroine Cat is funny, feisty & perfectly naive when it comes to love. Her male counterpart, Bones is a perfect partner-in-crime & THEN some. I love that he's business first & foremost, as she is, but the passion can't be denied. Their common ground is well written & their feelings for each other jump off the page. HOT! A page turner that I could not put down! Can't wait to keep reading Ms Frost's series! :)



2. This being the first book in a series, Halfway to Grave has a few growing pains and a bit of a cliff-hanger ending, but it's still more than worth the read. The characters are engaging, it has a great plot including a social ill that is near and dear to my heart, and a lot of room for more. So on with the show.
   Catherine "Cat" Crawford has been different all her life, although it wasn't until about six years ago that she learned just how different. The product of her human mother's rape by a vampire, Cat is of course half-vampire which has made for a difficult life. Now a young adult, instead of studying, partying, and dating, Cat spends every night in bars trolling for vamps to execute. Not only to satisfy her mother's desire for vengeance but as a way to atone for the evil that she feels makes up half of who she is, Cat is living a very lonely existence. And then she meets Bones and things get interesting. Cat bites off a bit more than she and her stake can chew when she picks up vampire bounty hunter Bones thinking he'll be a quick kill. He proves her wrong. In the end they make a deal: He'll train her to be better and she'll help him take out some big marks. Between school, training, hiding her new partnership from her mother, and her growing attraction to Bones she's got a lot on her plate. And it all blows up when she learns about Hennessey, a vampiric crime lord that Bones has been trying to take out for over a decade. Can she and Bones bring him down without falling with him? And will their new found love for one another survive her prejudice against vampires? Well, it makes for a good read!
   My only small issue with this book is the occasional burst of graphic violence and sex that seem a little out of place. But then again, isn't that what vampire romantic suspense is about? I myself can't wait to get the next book, and if you like a good story and an Anita Blake style heroine that reminds you of the early days before it was pornography, then so will you.



3. I absolutely loved this book. The characters were well developed and I loved the interaction between Cat and Bones and how he trained her to be better than she already thought she was.



4. I came across a mention of HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE on Rachel Vincent's blog and decided to give it a try because the notion of a main character who is a half-vampire intrigued me. How does one become half a vampire, and what wicked cool/unbelievably lame attributes come with the package?
   
   Cat Crawfield's mother had an unfortunate encounter with a vampire and five months later Cat was born. Her reclusive mother raised her to hate the darker half of herself, encouraging her to actively hunt the undead as a way of atoning for the fact of her existence. Being the good egg that she is, Cat obeys her mother and spends her youth isolated and alone, always in pursuit of her next victim.
   
   Now 22 and about to start college, Cat firmly believes her mom's mantra: all vampires are evil and must be destroyed. Then one night a routine hunt goes bad when the vampire in question manages to take her prisoner, threatening to kill her unless she reveals who she is working for. Turns out this vampire, aka Bones, also kills other vampires for a living. And he suspects Cat of working for his enemy. The two strike up an uneasy alliance with Bones determined to train Cat as the ultimate vampire slayer and Cat determined to use the training to kill Bones the first chance she gets. Humor, mayhem, romance (not for the faint of heart...ahem), and lots and lots of slaying ensue. I really liked prickly Cat and the hilarious Bones. This book is funny and fun and the gangbusters ending left me very excited about book two, One Foot in the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 2).



5. Ugh! I really struggled through this book. The main character hates vampires, so it is understandable that she won't trust the vampire that decides to train her, but come on. 10 pages later she is talking about how how the vampire is and how much she wants him, yet she hates him. She really wants him, then she is scared of him. There is very little plot here, and entirely too much whining. Hard to believe that a vampire is going to fall in love with someone the first time he meets her also. It's just a little too out there and strange for me. However, stick through this book, because the next one is a bit better.

5 comments about The Darkest Night (Lords of the Underworld, Book 1).

1. I loved this book, it kept me going. I started on a friday and finished on sunday. I just could not put it down. If it were not for the need of sleep and my nephews I would have finished it saturday.



2. I have to say that at first I say the cover and thought that it would be just a cheesy romance novel, the kind I don't read. After looking at it for a while, I picked it up and read the back. Sounded interesting, girl with problem of hearing voices in her head meets guy with demons of his own. OK, I'll give it a try.
   
   Ashlyn has the ability to hear conversations from the past in whatever area they took place in if she is in that area. Maddox is an ancient warrior that opened Pandora's box and for his punishment, he has to carry around one of the demons from the box. Ashlyn learns of monks that may be able to help her so she goes and hunts down Maddox and the other warriors. In the mean time, the group that has set out to destroy all of the immortals is hunting them down and trying to find Pandora's Box, which disappeared after it was opened.
   
   It is a good read. The story flowed really well and made sense in that paranormal way. I would recommend it to anyone that like this type of book and say "Don't let the cover stop you from reading it."



3. I really liked The Darkest Night. Gena Showalter's writing keeps you hooked and the characters are likeable and interesting.
   The plot is interesting and the story is well written. I am interested in the other books in this series and will be reading them as well.



4. Ashlyn has been tormented all her life by hearing past conversations. Since she was five she has lived and worked for a paranormal network that appears to want to aid otherworldly beings. On her work trip to Budapest she hears a conversation about men that contain magical powers. Hoping they may be able to help her control the voices she travels to their supposed lair to seek their assistance.
   Maddox, and his group of friends, are immortal roman warriors that have been cursed by the gods for releasing the demons in Pandora's box and then slaying Pandora herself. Their punishment is possession by a demon and Maddox's demon is Violence, and there is no control when the demon wants to wreak havoc.
   As there has always been mystical creatures there are always groups of humans wanting to capture or kill them, so when Maddox realizes there is a human near his home he goes on the hunt. When he encounters Ashlyn her pleas for help stir something deep inside him, and his demon insists that she belongs to them. Can Maddox and Violence learn to coexist for the only woman to ever accept them both?
   
   ***I thought this book was a great start to a new and exciting series. The author paints a vivid picture of the world she has created with many unique characters. I do feel that at times there was too much going on in the story, almost as if Gena was trying to cram every single aspect of Maddox's world into this first story. I believe she would have done better to focus more on Maddox and Ashlyn, more of their world could have been revealed in the books to come. Despite this fact I do recommend this book and I am looking forward to the next in this series.



5. I'm gonna avoid comparisons to all the other popular dark paranormal romance book series that revolve around groups/families/packs/clans/covens of cursed/tortured/hunted supernatural men. Yes, this is that type of series. There are unavoidable similarities. But there are also lots of differences that make this series unique and refreshing.
   
   The mythology in this book is really cool. It's based on the Greek myth of Pandora's box. When the box was opened, the demons came out and possessed a group of immortal warriors. Each warrior was cursed with his own demon. Maddox happens to be cursed with the spirit of Violence. He also carries an even more terrible curse.
   
   Ashlyn hears voices from the past and present. She works for an agency that studies paranormal beings, and they send her to Budapest for research. While she's there, she decides to seek help from the group of strange beings in the secluded fortress. She meets Maddox first and realizes that he has a strange effect on her "gift". Together they discover some interesting secrets and fight some bad guys. Along the way, they fall in love.
   
   A lot of paranormal romance series are drifting further from romance territory and closer to urban fantasy territory. That is not the case with this book. The Darkest Night is definitely a true paranormal romance. It's dark and action packed and there are several side threads involving the other warriors, but there's no question that the relationship between Maddox and Ashlyn takes center stage. I've really missed that!
   
   The supporting characters in this book are every bit as interesting as the two protagonists, but they never hijack the story. I'm tired of first books that act as advertisements for the rest of the series, but this book isn't like that at all. Gena Showalter somehow managed to make me interested in the rest of the series without taking away from Maddox and Ashlyn's HEA at all.
   
   Maddox is a great hero. He's been through some awful things, but he's not a martyr. There's none of this "boo hoo, I'm so unworthy" stuff that we see in so many other books with tortured heroes. He's obviously a loving, gentle, and kind person. He just happens to be possessed with the spirit of Violence. It's very clear that he and his demon are two separate entities, and most of the time he has a pretty good handle on that. He remains accountable for his actions and never whines about being at the mercy of his beast. I love that about him.
   
   I only have two very minor complaints about this book: First, I would've liked to see a little deeper into the characters of Maddox and Ashlyn. There were times when I felt like a bit of an outsider. They're not flat or one-dimensional at all, just a little underdeveloped for my taste. I'd have liked more background and more insights into what made them tick. Second, the mythological and historical explanations at the beginning of the book are somewhat confusing and I felt like I had missed something. But, like I said, those are very minor complaints.
   
   The Darkest Night was a very satisfying read and I strongly recommend it to paranormal romance fans.

4 comments about Beyond the Shadows (The Night Angel Trilogy).

1. And so the end has come and gone. First off, I'd like to say that while I had some very personal gripes with the last two books, none of them actually detracted from the actual books themselves. Though, the reason they didn't receive five stars from me is because it was obviously clear, without a doubt, that although these books could technically stand alone, they should never be experienced as such. The Night Angel Trilogy is a triumph and these books shine when read one after the other.
   
   The politics are dumbfounding. Every race and every country has so much background and are overflowing with unique cultures, and all of it has a profound effect on the plot. Characters submit to their origins constantly, which makes many of the action scenes and battles have much more meaning than they would otherwise.
   
   The number of characters is also rather astounding, and each gets a turn in the spotlight and a hand in the conclusion--which was a great surprise.
   
   The story itself brings nearly every single plotline from the last two books to a logical, and emotional, conclusion. Fans of the series will find it all very satisfying. Try not to gasp collectively when the "Wheel" incident rolls around.
   
   SPOILER: If I had to say something about the final book that I was downright bewildered about, it would be the non-existent reunion between Durzo and his daughter, Uly. The girl, who was such a great character in the second book, doesn't appear once in the third. Even as Durzo, returned from the dead, is awaiting his daughter in this moment that has literally been coming together since the first book...it's not even shown. There was just way too much build up on that line to have it disappear, and I'm really just not sure what to make of that.
   
   Everything aside. My nit-picks from the first reviews, gripes, worries, hang-ups...Everything! This series should not be missed. People who love good, thick fantasy stories, great characters, and meaningful action scenes should be directed to Brent Weeks' trilogy. Even though the three-star ratings on the last books from me might be misleading, it was merely because a story of this size cannot be properly judged in thirds. Read all three books, because you'll be missing out if you don't!
   
   Can't wait to visit Midcyru again soon. Hope it's not too long of a wait. :D



2. Beyond the Shadows by Brent Weeks is the third and final novel in the Night Angel Trilogy. The first book in the trilogy is titled The Way of Shadows (The Night Angel Trilogy) and the second is titled Shadow's Edge (The Night Angel Trilogy). As I read this novel, I began to become more and more depressed; simply because I knew that with each page I turned I was that much closer to the end of such a wonderful trilogy. While Mr. Weeks may be a new author, there is nothing beginner about his writing or stories. Here are my thoughts on this novel.
   
   The plot of this novel feels different from the first two books. Where the first two books were more intimate in setting and scope, in this book the reader is really introduced to the world of Midcyru. Readers begin to understand the vast and storied history of the world and each region within the world. The one aspect that I liked above all others in regards to the plot was things that were hinted at, and briefly talked about during the first two novels rear their head and are explained in great detail in this book. Normally, in this section of my reviews I give a rather brief idea of what to expect in terms of plot. However, with this novel, I don't think that's really possible as so many things happen in this novel. What I can say is if you have read the first two books in this trilogy and can think of a plot line that has yet to be resolved; it is resolved in this book. Yet, not all plot lines are resolved in ways that readers would want, or expect, them to be resolved. Mr. Weeks holds true to his ability to drag his characters through hell and back, and not all of them come back. I was very pleased to finish this book and not have any loose ends not tied up from the previous books, just for the sake of teasing the reader about possible future novels. The ending fit the feeling and theme of the first two books perfectly.
   
   If you like a novel with rich and detailed characters, you will most certainly enjoy this book. There are numerous characters that not only receive face time, but also have their own significant character development. I can not recall reading a novel with this many characters who all get this amount of development, and not lose track of the story or another character. All of the characters that readers would expect return in this novel; Kylar, Logan, Dorian, Solon, Vi, Neph Dada, Terah Graesin, Sister Ariell, and many more. One thing that may get overlooked by some readers is that while there are many characters, each one comes across as a unique and different character. They all have their own motivations, specific ways they talk, they all have flaws. It's simply amazing that this level of character development could occur with each of these characters and still keep the story moving. Each character has a specific purpose for the story, there are no fluff characters in this book. You can be sure that if a character is in a scene, there is a specific reason for that scene and character being there. The back stories of the character are varied and interesting. It is so rewarding to a reader when a great plot is mixed with great characters, and that is exactly what has occurred in this book and trilogy.
   
   One minor criticism about this novel:
   
   Through the first two books, and parts of this book as well, the story moves at a frenetic pace and it makes the events feel dire and important. However, there are a couple times in this book where the pace slows dramatically as certain plot points and decisions are explained in great detail. The only reason I list this as a criticism is because when this occurs it feels out of place with the rest of the storyline.
   
   Some things I liked about this novel:
   
   1 - The depth of the story line. All of the sub plots, the main story arc, and how it all comes together at the end of the novel is fantastic. For a trilogy to cover as much as this trilogy does, and wrapping up most of it in the third book, is nice. It seems the growing trend in fantasy right now is to write multi-volume sagas. Here it is a simple trilogy that covers everything it takes other authors to cover in eight or none books.
   
   2 - The characters. I enjoyed how each character was a separate individual, there were very few clichés used in this novel and if they were they were not presented as the traditional cliché. Each character elicited some type of reaction, which is something I have rarely run into in a fantasy novel.
   
   3 - The amount of world building that went into this novel, and trilogy. It is never more evident than in this book how much history the world has. Each area has a different feeling to it as well as having its own separate history. I applaud Mr. Week's efforts in making this world come alive. There were several times where the world was almost another character.
   
   Rating this book as a single novel, it is a fantastic read. Rating this novel as part of a trilogy, it ranks up there as one of the best trilogies I have read in a very long time. Mr. weeks has not only made his mark on the fantasy genre, he has kicked in the doors and announced he is here to stay. The quality of these books, the world building, plot development, and character development makes reading Mr. Week's books a joy. Fans of the fantasy genre should not hesitate to pick up these books; there is something in these books that everyone will enjoy. People who are simply looking to dip their feet into the genre would also be well advised to dive into this trilogy. I will certainly be recommending this book, and trilogy, to anyone that will listen. I only hope that our wait to revisit Midcyru is short. I can not wait to see what Mr. Weeks has in store for readers. I have little doubt that he will have a long and successful career. This was simply a joy to read, well done Mr. Weeks!



3. I picked up the first book at random because the cover art caught my eye. That was about 2 weeks ago. I couldn't put down the book.
   
   I devoured book 2 in a couple of days.
   
   I went into book 3 with a bit of melancholy, knowing that this was going to be the conclusion of a great series who's characters I knew I was going to miss.
   
   Brent Weeks has created an amazing world with deep likable characters. Here he brought everything together to a wonderful conclusion. The plot-lines were all tied off in a very satisfying ending, but still left enough room to expand from there.
   
   I will definitely be following Weeks books closely and I have recommended this series to many friends and co-workers



4. The third book was the best in the series. I'm impressed. Go read it!