Shadow Gate by Kate Elliott

I quite enjoyed Shadow Gate. It suffered a little from middle-book-itus, but not too much. There was a lot going on and new characters to keep track of, along with the ones we got to know in Spirit Gate. I am very interested to see where the story goes next.

So… Keshad wasn’t super likable in the last book, but he’s even worse now. Bai’s a goddamn adult at this point, no longer the child you were attempting to rescue. Grow the fuck up, my dude. And then the plan to “rescue” Miravia after a single look at her and not even knowing her name… my dude. Keshad is just so very caught up in his own shit and apparently too serious to understand how a friendlier demeanor could be helpful.

I kind of like the world-building of “unknown thing/person/race = demons.” It amuses me, even if it kind of kills the curiosity of some characters and some discussions altogether. It does feel very human, though, which is part of why I like it. It also crosses pretty much all the cultures, which is, again, very human.

We finally officially meet the main antagonist. Such fun, one of those “order through oppression” types. Technically, I guess the logic is sound, but oppression is never the right answer when humans are involved. Definitely gonna speculate the dagger is Marit’s “staff.” I seriously doubt anything that comes out of that woman’s mouth so Marit’s staff being lost… gonna call bullshit on that one. I was wrong.

It was very nice getting Marit back. I enjoyed her character in the first part of Spirit Gate and was very glad to see her return here. Her journey from Reeve to Guardian has been an interesting one. Joss’ journey has also been interesting. Who would’ve known he was destined for such leadership.

I initially thought Kirit’s story was a rather long detour, as we know where she ends up. However, I think getting her backstory serves to explain her motivations and the reason her staff takes the form it does. Moving (being shoved violently, really) from a mostly peaceful, matriarchal society to a patriarchal one sown with violence of the worst kind was clearly traumatic… plus her treatment at Girish’s hands… this world really is quite small for all it feels so large.

So yeah… I mostly enjoyed Shadow Gate. It moved well and was decently entertaining. I can’t wait to see how this ends in the next one.

Spirit Gate by Kate Elliott

Spirit Gate was an interesting beginning. We’re dropped into a world that is not explained to us in a very straightforward way. The story is fairly character-driven and so we know no more than the characters do. I found it intriguing.

The Reeves and their eagles reminded me very much of the Heralds and Companions of Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar, though without the magic and speech they posses. Even the mistrust that is sown in regard to them reminded me of certain bits of Valdemar that distrust Heralds.

I’m interested in finding out more about the Guardians, through this trilogy, since that is (but of a spoiler) where this is apparently going. It seems quite strange to be so in the dark as to the overall aims of the antagonists. Just sowing darkness and apparent chaos feels a bit… meh as far as goals go.

I really liked how big the world is made out to be pretty immediately. The different customs and gods of the countries Mai, Shai, and Anji pass through are neat. It’s also nice to be reminded every so often that not a one of the characters are white. Not a single person of European-ish heritage to be found here. It’s also a little annoying to have pretty much all of the cultures be Patriarchies that would rather have their women completely hidden away than let them be part of the rest of society. It seems Mai is very lucky she ended up married to Anji and they landed in The Hundred, which seems more egalitarian than the rest.

I actually think it’s rather neat a different (at least from what I’ve been reading) to have the protagonists be rather disparate. There’s not the usual band of heroes here. The protagonists actually have very little to do with each other, even despite Mai and Shai being related. I also thought seeing the final battle of the book largely from outside the battle was novel. Usually readers are right in the thick of things.

So yeah… Spirit Gate was pretty good. I was fully engrossed in the world during my reading sessions. I largely liked the characters and how their individual stories overlapped to form the whole. Here’s hoping the rest of the trilogy is as engrossing.

And With That

I have smashed my Reading Goal for the year!

 

Valdemar Anthologies Batch 7

Moving Targets and Other Tales of Valdemar edited by Mercedes Lackey

My review is broken into pieces following each individual story in the order I read them in. I read 5 stories from this anthology.

“The Power of Three” by Brenda Cooper: Here we meet Rhiannon and Dionne, twins with different callings but a ridiculously strong bond between them. The story itself was alright, introduced the girls well and showed off some of their power. I’m vaguely more interested in the mage they rescued, but he’s not really the focus here.

“Moving Targets” by Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon: Took me a stupidly long time to figure out that this one’s “Scooby Doo.” Like, 20-ish pages. Much shrugging, otherwise.

“A Dream Deferred” by Kristin M. Schwengel: Cute little rescue the kyree story. I enjoyed it.

“Broken Bones” by Stephanie D. Shaver: So, this is the second kind of miniseries where the spelling of characters’ names is off between “installments.” Just thought I’s note it. Interesting little story. 

"I'm too young and precious to die." - Lelia

“Heart, Home, and Hearth” by Sarah A. Hoyt and Kate Paulk: Actually a fairly basic found-family story. It was alright.

 

Crossroads and Other Tales of Valdemar edited by Mercedes Lackey

My review is broken into pieces following each individual story in the order I read them in. I read 7 stories from this anthology.

“The Blue Coat” by Fiona Patton: Another story of a few people finding Valdemar and a new life therein. I guess it was alright.

"And life is always a pushy series of inevitable events for the shamans, old or young," Trey added.

“The Feast of the Children” by Nancy Asire: I really liked this one. Pretty sure Sunshine would be the first Fire Cat and, if not, at least the first mentioned in the series.

“Landscape of the Imagination” by Mercedes Lackey: I envisioned Nanca’s training space to be rather like the chessboard of Wonderland fame. It was interesting for a kind of holo-deck or Danger Room style place to exist here. Figures that sorcerers with enough time on their hands would do something like that. I kind of like Nanca and I was definitely amused by Warrl’s reaction to being given flight for a short while. Highly amused by his threat to Tarma afterward.

“War Cry” by Michael Longcor: Dunno why, but people pledging themselves to Valdemar makes me tear up. Might also be knowing Sendar’s fate and seeing him again… This one’s also really brutal.

“Safe and Sound” by Stephanie D. Shaver: Kinda cute and kinda heart-wrenching. I teared up.

“Strength and Honor” by Ben Ohlander: Tregaran has a firecat friend. I’m amused by this.

I’m not overly fond of the big ol’ battle in the middle of this, but either end of the story is alright.

"Folly, served judiciously, could be well employed." - Warmaster Cogern

“Horse of Air” by Rosemary Edghill: Alright, if a bit bittersweet.

“A Change of Heart” by Sarah A. Hoyt and Kate Paulk: Neat little look at a “hobgoblin” in The Empire. I enjoyed it.

 

Sun in Glory and Other Tales of Valdemar edited by Mercedes Lackey

My review is broken into pieces following each individual story in the order I read them in. I read four stories from this anthology.

“Errold’s Journey” by Catherine S. McMullen: I was not a fan of this one. It all seemed really rushed and Errold was just too… I dunno… blank but overly cheerful for my tastes. Master Thomas seemed like one of those pompous guys you just wanna smack… but hey, there are big green cats around now, I guess.

“Trance Tower Garrison” by Fiona Patton: This one was pretty enjoyable, if somewhat heartbreaking.

“Rebirth” by Judith Tarr: A small look at the Velgrath afterlife. Elysium-like. I enjoyed it.

“Sun in Glory” by Mercedes Lackey: The story of Talia’s investiture as a Priestess of Vkandis made me tear up a tad.