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Showing posts with label Kathryne Kennedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kathryne Kennedy. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Review: Enchanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy
Enchanting the Lady
Author: Kathryne Kennedy
Re-release Date: Aug. 1, 2012 (reissue)
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Relics of Merlin #1
ISBN: #978-1402269820
Genre: Historical Romance/Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (292 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Their magic lives within each one of them...
In a Victorian England with a rigid hierarchy of magic, lion shape-shifter Sir Terence Blackwell is at the bottom rung of society. Only Lady Felicity Seymour, who has no magic, no inheritance, and no prospects, may be willing to judge the man strictly on his own merits...
However deeply it may be hidden...
When family pressures push Lady Felicity into a terrible fate, she has only Sir Terence to turn to. As the two outcasts are propelled by circumstances beyond their control, they are forced to explore the unseen depths beneath society's facade. And what they discover about each other is more real and more beautiful than they ever could have imagined...
What G & U are talking about:
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Enchanting the Lady is the first book in the Relics of Merlin series. Although an interesting world and premise, the story fell a little flat for Gikany and Una. Based on the book description above, we just expected either something a little more or maybe something a little different.
A very good description would be this is fluffy romance mixed with loose magic. There are some very interesting elements; the hierarchy of the aristocracy based on their ability and depth of magic is one of them. Your level in society is more than just your bloodlines, but the quality that is produced – magically speaking. Felicity loses her birthright because she fails to perform the magical tasks that a lady of her caliber (and inheritance) should be able to perform. It is for this reason that she has no prospects combined with no dowry; her chance for marriage also seems bleak.
However, an interesting caveat to this hierarchy is the status of shapeshifters. They are immune to magic, and are able to shift into a singular animal. Our hero of Enchanting the Lady, Terrence, is a lion shifter. Since he is not only a shifter but also a successful spy for the Crown Prince, he is granted the position of Baronet. This entitles him to a high place in society, even though most of society shuns shifters. Gikany and Una found this juxtaposition very intriguing, although a tad bit black or white.
The story progresses quickly, albeit a bit predictably. There were a few surprises, but nothing that threw Gikany or Una for a loop. We were just left wanting more than what was delivered. Being that Enchanting the Lady is the debut novel of the Relics of Merlin series, we would be interested in reading the next book in this series. If you are looking for a blend of historical romance in a mythology of magic, something fluffy to while away a Sunday afternoon, you might like to give this series a try.
Their Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Purchase Info:
Labels:
Monday, February 6, 2012
Review: The Lord of Illusion
The Lord of Illusion
Author: Kathryne Kennedy
Release Date: Feb. 7, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks
The Elven Lords #3
ISBN: #978-1402236549
Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (448 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
|
He'll do anything to save her...
Rebel Lord Drystan Hawkes dreams of fighting for England's freedom. He gets his chance when he finds a clue to opening the magic portal to Elfhame, and he must race to find the slave girl who holds the key to the mystery. But even as Drystan rescues Camille Ashton from Dreamhame Palace, it becomes unclear exactly who is saving whom.
For the fate of humankind lies with Camille...
Enslaved for years in a realm where illusion and glamour reign, Camille has learned to trust nothing and no one. But she's truly spellbound when she meets Drystan--a man different from any she's ever known, and the force of their passion may yet be strong enough to banish the Elven Lords from this world forever.
What I’m talking about:
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The Elven Lord series chronicles the events when seven powerful Elven Lords crossed over from their land, Elfhame, into Georgian England and divided the country into seven sovereign territories. The Elven Lords, each specializing in a different type of magic, ruled without compassion, mating with and enslaving humans.
The Lord of Illusion takes place roughly 30 years after the conclusion of The Lady of the Storm, with that story’s heroes, Giles and Cecily Beaumont, still in Wales and caring for half-breeds hidden from the oppressive Elven Lords. Their foster son, Drystan Hawkes, has lived in Wales almost his entire life, afflicted by haunting visions and voices from the Elven Lords’ magical scepters. Drystan seeks out the mysterious woman from his visions - one that supposedly holds the key to unlocking the gateway to Elfhame and sending the Elven Lords home.
The story started very strong. I was immediately drawn into Drystan’s quest. I adored how much he loved Camille right from the start - he is a true gentleman with courage and desire. Although he needed Camille to help free England, his care for her wellbeing superseded his duties to his country. It was refreshing that they did not dwell on secrets, but rather embraced their love for one another.
I also enjoyed that Camille and Drystan were able to free themselves of the “evil Elven Lord” well before the end of the book - it wasn’t the climax of the story - steering clear of a more predicable storyline. It allowed them to be together and gave the story and uplifting feeling.
My biggest issue with this book is that it jumps so far ahead (from the second book), and skipped several important steps in the freedom fight. This series was initially set up where there would be one book per “lord,” however, in between books 2 and 3, two additional “lords/scepters” were secured for the Rebellion. I was confused - I searched the internet to see if I’d missed a novella or something. But no. This wouldn’t impact new comers to the series - and this book could be read as a stand alone.
However, not only did the book “skip” two stories in the 30 year gap between the two books, it then went on to conclude the entire story arc in the last third or so of the book. So in other words, what should have been 5 stories was condensed into this one book. I felt that this unnecessarily rushed what should have been a more dramatic conclusion to the story arc.
In addition, I was not overly happy with what happened to Camille after she helped the Rebellion send the Elven Lords home. Without giving spoilers, I feel that her strong-willed personality and efforts of courage were short-changed when she was left in a catatonic state. The reasons for her state and the cause of what pulled her out of this state were weak in my opinion.
All-in-all, the romance between Camille and Drystan was sexy and steamy. I was a bit overwhelmed with the number of names to keep straight. But I'm a sucker for fantasy and still enjoyed the book, especially since I had read the second story in the series.
My Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Books in the Series:
The Fire Lord's Lover (The Elven Lords 1)
The Lady of the Storm (Elven Lords 2)
The Lord of Illusion (Elven Lords 3)
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Review: The Lady of the Storm
The Lady of the Storm
Author: Kathryne Kennedy
Release Date: August 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks
The Elven Lords #2
ISBN: #978-1402236532
Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (416 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
| About the book: |
Giles is bound to protect her...
In a kingdom viciously ruled by warlike elven lords, village blacksmith Giles Beaumont reluctantly swears to protect the half-elf, half-human Cecily Sutton, never dreaming that he will fall under her enchanting spell.
But duty soon turns to desire...
When Cecily's father disappears, Cecily and Giles set out to find him. But, as their journey unfolds, duty is quickly replaced by desire--and the search for Cecily's father leads to a magical destiny that could end the rule of the elven lords forever ...
| What I’m talking about: |
I picked up this book because I absolutely enjoyed Ms. Kennedy’s Beneath the Thirteen Moons (review HERE), and I thought this was a follow up to that book. Well, my mistake, it’s the second book in a different series - The Elven Lords - but I still enjoyed reading it! And I’ll tell you right up front, you do NOT need to read the first book, The Fire Lord’s Lover, to enjoy The Lady of the Storm.
In the prologue, we learn that long ago seven elves opened the gate between Elfhame and the human world, divided England into seven sovereign territories, and treated the humans as their personal slaves. They mated with humans, creating hybrid humans with magical powers; however if a child showed any potential magic that could be used to defeat one of the elven lords, the child was destroyed. This brings us to our heroine, Cecily.
Cecily is the half-human daughter of Lord Breden of Dewhame, one of the elven lords, but she has been hidden from her father and protected by the Rebellion for her entire life. When Lord Breden’s armies attack Cecily’s village, she is forced to use her powerful water magic to defeat the soldiers.
Giles Beaumont has a bit of elven in him as well. He is a loyal member of the Rebellion who as played the village blacksmith for 9 years while secretly protecting Cecily. When she uses her powers, Giles reveals his true identity to Cecily, and they leave at once to find out what happened to Cecily’s adoptive father (and fellow Rebellion member).
Ms. Kennedy does a marvelous job generating a fanciful rewrite of Georgian England, integrating her own creations into this historical setting. The combination of the fae-based mythology and the English countryside made for a delightful read. Although a little predictable at times, the story was exciting and adventurous.
Cecily and Giles have great passion for one another, each hiding it from the other for many years. Due to circumstances, neither were willing to express his/her true desires until Giles thinks he has lost Cecily forever. Once this happens, their passion ignites and they are ready to marry and live happily ever after. I have to admit I was a bit put off by their sudden and immediate attitude changes, but I suppose since they had all those years of unrequited love, they were ready to explode.
Of course, things don’t go so smoothly and the pair have to deal with many hurdles to find peace. Giles “sacrifices” his love for Cecily when he feels her future is doomed with him... doing what he feels is best for her (even though she disagrees). I’m never a big fan of this type storyline; however, I like that although Cecily realizes what is going on, she continues on with her life rather than trying to continually change Giles’ mind.
The hero and heroine finally reconcile near the conclusion, and the story picks up pace to climax with a fairly exciting scene involving a dragon. As the story ended, I felt like there was unfinished business for both our main couple and a few minor characters that were introduced within the story. I hope that Giles and Cecily have a future helping the rebellion and would like to know what happens next. I look forward to read the next book in the series, The Lord of Illusion, coming February 2012.
| My Rating: |
Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Review: Beneath the Thirteen Moons
Beneath the Thirteen MoonsAuthor: Kathryne Kennedy
Release Date: Hardcover December 2003
re-release December 1, 2010
Publisher: Sourcebooks
ISBN: #978-1402236518
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Format(s): paperback (384 pgs), e-book
I received an ARC copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
He's a ruler in a divided world...
In a magical watery world of the Sea Forest, the divide between the rulers and the people is an uncrossable chasm. Handsome, arrogant prince Korl Com'nder has lived a life of luxury that is nothing more than a fantasy to the people he rules. Until the day he is accidentally kidnapped by a beautiful outlaw smuggler and is forced to open his eyes to the world outside his palace walls.
She's an outcast, but at least she has her independence...
Mahri Zin would stop at nothing to save her village, and when they needed a healer she didn't think twice about kidnapping one. But when she realizes that the healer she so impulsively stole is none other than the crown prince of Sea Forest, Mahri knows that she has a chance to change the fate of her people...
What I’m talking about:
The Sea Forest world is magical land that is completely covered in water, where massive trees grow up from the ocean floor to support an entire eco-system within their branches. There is no ground: only roots, branches, and channels. Dwellings are carved into these magnificent trees. In this world there are two classes of humans: the Royals and the Water-rats. The Royals control everything, including the sacred zabbaroot, which gives those with tolerance to its poison, special mental abilities.
Mahri is a Wilding, a non-Royal with an extremely high-tolerance of the zabbaroot, which gives her amazing Sight and abilities to control the movement of water and in some situations, human muscles. Wildings are hunted by the Royals because they are viewed as a threat to their control over the planet.
When Mahri’s village is threatened by a horrible disease, she kidnaps the first Healer she can locate, only to find out later that he is Korl, the crown prince of the Sea Forest. Each feel a strong and undeniable connection from the start. As the two make the long trip back to Mahri’s village, they learn more about each other and the culture in which they are trapped.
Ms. Kennedy has created an amazing and original mythology. The planet is lush, full of beautiful flora and fauna, unique creatures, and fascinating abilities. Mahri and Korl share a sexy and passionate bond. Both have faults - he is ignorant at times and completely arrogant, she is equally as willful and refuses to trust Korl - yet they both are genuine and likable. He is persistent in his demands for her body, mind, heart and soul. But Mahri doesn’t trust the Royal with her heart--thinking he only wants to control her. However, her physical attraction for Korl is undeniable, and when she eventually gives into her desires the sparks fly!
At times the descriptions of the world, actions and sensations were overwhelming and slightly confusing, but once I “got situated,” the story flowed beautifully. This story has the aura of the epic science fiction classic, DUNE by Frank Herbert - the division of classes, the secret natives, which may or may not have a direct hand in the joining of Korl and Mahri, control over the zabbaroot, and battle between ultimate power and perfect peace. It is full of wonder and excitement, but extremely personal throughout the story. The emotional connection between Mahri and Korl - their personal struggles for freedom and equality and for love and trust - make this a book worth reading. The characters climb in and out of their own darkness, which makes the conclusion a triumph of the heart. I truly enjoyed this entertaining tale.
My Rating:
Really enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
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