I was really sad to reach the end of this sixth, and last, book in this series.
This finale was nothing like I'd expected and, for me, that made it allI was really sad to reach the end of this sixth, and last, book in this series.
This finale was nothing like I'd expected and, for me, that made it all the better, especially considering how much violence is used, when Dwarves go to war!
Yes, I know! Lol
For far too many of us, being brought up with a Disney version of Dwarves, it could have been a shocker but, fortunately, I'm an avid - and fast - reader (if you hadn't guessed yet, by the amount of book reviews I write), and so I'd come across similar types of Dwarves before which, for me, seemed a far more likely breed and type, than Disney's version! Lol
Anyhoo.
This book is a great ending to this story - or is it?
To be honest, I feel that this story was left open just enough, that, if they felt like it, then Aaron and Michael could easily add to it - with, maybe, a son/daughter/nephew/miece/grandkids etc., becoming the focus of further adventures.
With the length of time that Dwarves - and Elves - live in this iteration, then anything's possible, right?
Well, I can but hope so, anyway! Lol
This whole series grabbed my attention from the very first page, and that stayed the case up until the very last page, too.
I love almost every single book I've chosen to read, out of the LMBPN stables but, for some reason - that I simply CAN'T explain - this series totally and utterly grabbed my heart.
I've been very much spoilt for choice, since I picked up the first of the LMBPN books, and it's been the best reading journey of my life, ever since!
Have there been any duds?
No.
But there were a few that, although I enjoyed reading them, they weren't really MY kind of story - and I imagine that will be the same for everyone, as we each have our OWN type of book, or favourite genre etc.
But there hasn't been even ONE book, that I could say that I didn't enjoy reading it which, considering the many thousands of books that I've read, since I was 3 years old, and my Mum taught me to read so I'd be kept entertained, when she was seeing to my other siblings, while I was in hospital, I could probably fill a library!
Well, maybe not a City Library - but, possibly, a School Library! Lol
Right now I'm, literally, spoilt for choice as to what series I should choose to read next but, as is always the case with me, when I find a new-to-me Author, that I've REALLY enjoyed, then I want to explore what other books they've written, whether on their own, or not (I always find good Authors who are partnered with Michael Anderle, and also with Craig Martelle! Lol).
So, having looked through the books that I've already bought, written by Aaron, I think that I'll go with his 'World's First Wizard Complete Series' first - which, quelle surpris, is Co-writren with Michael Anderle again!
Despite his Emperor Father giving him a 'pardon' for previous 'wrongs', Torbjon has been forgiven, and the 'Shabr'dwan' title removed from his name - Despite his Emperor Father giving him a 'pardon' for previous 'wrongs', Torbjon has been forgiven, and the 'Shabr'dwan' title removed from his name - well, by those who believe that his acts to remove even more problems for all Dwarves, was a 'Holy' act, rather than one deliberately done!
But, even being a legitimate Commander in his Father's Holt'dwan now, doesn't make him feel any safer than he used to be, and the reactions from his fellow Officers' ranged just as much between their belief in him being a total 'Traitor', or a new 'Hero'!
But Torbjon knows, deep in his guts, that his Father is only being expedient, due to the sheer percentage of their Forces' belief in his 'Holy blessing'.
So, when he decides to go back to being the Tweldwan of his 'Bad Badgers', whose numbers had grown with his popularity, he knew that it would be a very quick transition from being a celebrated Commander, to being a dead Tweldwan!
But even he was surprised at the choice the Emperor made, as the site of his demise, whether by natural attrition in Battle, or by deadly treachery!
I must admit, that I was surprised at just how quickly things were turned around, for Tweldwan himself, and for his, now extended, 'Bad Badgers'!
This book, while running along similar lines to the previous ones, did feel different, but only in the way that ALL of the Bad Badgers, could now hold their heads high, & by the sheer number in their Forces, who accepted them as such.
I must admit, I did expect a little of the negativity, by the ending of the book, so I'm now really looking forwards to reading the sixth, and final, book in this brilliantly written series.
This final Book: 'Earth Deep' will, I hope, resolve Tweldwan's place, both within the Holt'Dwan, but also within Dwarven hearts and minds.
He, and his Bad Badgers, have spent so long, and have suffered so grievously, due to their 'position', within Dwarven Society, and the person within me, who judges 'fairness' or 'compassion', in those whose lives I read about, will always hope for this, at the end of any series I read.
It's probably VERY naive of me, to 'hope for the best', after all these Dwarves, plus their occasional comrades of other Races, have been through - and that, from those who were supposed to be from their OWN side of these battles!
But, despite always looking on the grim side I always, deep inside me, where Hope still keeps that tiny flame burning, will wrap my hands gently around that spark of warmth, to keep it's flickering flame alive, somehow!
So, I'm off to read 'Earth Deep', expecting the worse, but always hoping for the best!
Once I've read this final book - and I'm VERY sad at reaching the end of this series, so quickly, I'll catch you on the flip side, to let you know just what our doughty Dwarves receive - whether reward, or punishment!
BAD BADGERS:-
TORBJON - Disgraced Son of Emperor Hral Dromson of Clan Cyniburg - Ruling Clan. Former Tweldwan: or Division Commander. Now Outcast Commander of the 'Bad Badgers'. Torbjon is now one of the Shabr'dwan: - the Condemned.
RAELON - Dwarf: died in the first mission of the book..
MORI - Dwarfess; died in the same battle as Raelon.
WAELON - Raelon's Brother. A strong fighter. Killed in 'Stone Cold'.
GROMIC - Older Dwarf. Former Fordwan: a Line Officer. Hard Fighter. Skilled.
HAEDA- Older Dwarfess. A strong fighter. Looks after the Sows who pull the Team Wagon.
TOMZA - Younger Dwarfess. Ascedwan: - Soldier with a special skill. She is a Healer/Witch. As she keeps using the powers taught to her by her Mother, her persona darkens.
OBER - Tomza's younger brother - inhabited by a Spirit. Dwan - lowest rank in the Army. Has finally come to a partnership with the Spirit....more
I started to read this fourth book of an excellent series and, before I knew it, dawn had arrived, & I had one chapter left to read.
I'm really going tI started to read this fourth book of an excellent series and, before I knew it, dawn had arrived, & I had one chapter left to read.
I'm really going to have to try and get some proper rest, soon, but I find this series so compelling to read, that I'm finding it hard to stop, and at least get a few hours of sleep, before finishing the book! lol
But, once again, and despite them becoming just a little bit more acceptable to their fellow Dwarves, the 'Bad Badgers' become more integrated within the whole Holt'Dwan - well, maybe, just for a while, anyway!
There were other losses in this story - but, then, when you are reading about all the dark vicissitudes of War, it would be a very strange thing NOT to lose any of them.
There were other losses, too, but I'll leave that for you, the potential reader, to discover who, how, and why - after all, that's the whole point of reading books, isn't it? Lol
Well, I'm going straight on to Book 5: 'Rock Hard', and, once I've read it, I'll catch you on the flip side, to let you know what I thought about it all!
LARDWAN KLAUS - Torbjon's Commander & old friend. He deals with Communications and Intelligence. Killed in 'Stone Cold'.
BAD BADGERS:-
TORBJON - Disgraced Son of Emperor Hral Dromson of Clan Cyniburg - Ruling Clan. Former Tweldwan: or Division Commander. Now Outcast Commander of the 'Bad Badgers'. Torbjon is now one of the Shabr'dwan: - the Condemned.
RAELON - Dwarf: died in the first mission of the book..
MORI - Dwarfess; died in the same battle as Raelon.
WAELON - Raelon's Brother. A strong fighter. Killed in 'Stone Cold'.
GROMIC - Older Dwarf. Former Fordwan: a Line Officer. Hard Fighter. Skilled.
HAEDA- Older Dwarfess. A strong fighter. Looks after the Sows who pull the Team Wagon.
TOMZA - Younger Dwarfess. Ascedwan: - Soldier with a special skill. She is a Healer/Witch. As she keeps using the powers taught to her by her Mother, her persona darkens.
OBER - Tomza's younger brother - inhabited by a Spirit. Dwan - lowest rank in the Army. Has finally come to a partnership with the Spirit....more
Despite or, maybe, because of the suffering felt by those wonderfully sturdy Dwarves, the 'Bad Badgers', despite this, wThis was a truly awesome read.
Despite or, maybe, because of the suffering felt by those wonderfully sturdy Dwarves, the 'Bad Badgers', despite this, were determined to keep face, once imprisoned in the Keep they had fought so hard to get to.
Finding that the very Superior Officer, who had sent them out to investigate what was happening with their enemies, was in the next Cell to them, wasn't much help, either!
The endurance of this little Band of Dwarves, is epic, and there have been times when I've had to stop reading, to internalise the brutality that they've had to go through - or had to use.
Despite this being fiction, as a girl brought up by an Army Brat, I know, from my Mother's stories of her Father, in the Army, during WW2, plus my own intense reading of those times that, what these Dwarves go through - and what they have to do themselves, to survive, and to get their reports back - isn't really unusual in War.
Despite their characters, and also because of them, I've grown to love reading these books, despite the gore that, if I had to see, or smell it, would have me running, Army Brat's daughter, or no! Lol
I'm going straight on to Book 4 of this series: 'Stone Cold', to rejoin these doughty Dwarves, as they prepare to fight, to the death, very probably, the enemies already almost at the Gate of their Keep!
Once I've finished reading, I'll catch you on the flip side, to let you know what I think of the next installment of this truly riveting read!...more
The second. book of this series was great and, to my real pleasure, had me just as hooked as the first, especially with each character having a part tThe second. book of this series was great and, to my real pleasure, had me just as hooked as the first, especially with each character having a part to play in their quest.
I love that, although the older dwarves can be quite curmudgeonly, they always manage, somehow, to realise when the two younger dwarves in their company, need a little extra support.
Considering the brother and sister had such shocking secrets to hide, it's no surprise they tried to keep them but, when it came to saving the lives of the whole team, they did what they had to, to save them all - even the pesky Elf hanging around with them!
I always try to give a general measure of each book I read, and I'm trying not to go into details, here, as it will spoil the surprising reactions from the members of this, far from normal, Dwarven team.
They are how I'd always imagined REAL Dwarves would be like. A bit Rough & Ready, due to working with stone all the time but, at the same time, with some, if not all of them, having the hearts of true artists - but Dwarven artists, NOT Human, so their art would be like them - made from the rock they believe that they sprang from.
But, even so, having those finer feelings we all like to feel that we're born with - and a real sense of family, when finding a human child on their travels and, despite her strange differences, protecting her as they would one of their own!
I'm really loving this series, so I'm now off to read Book 3: 'Dust Song', to see what else this amazing group will get up to!
Once I've finished it, I'll catch you on the flip side, to let you know what I think of this next Dwarven adventure!...more
Thea Muir had been through a lot, in her determination to bring a lasting peace between Humanity, and her own, rather more magical, people.
Having deniThea Muir had been through a lot, in her determination to bring a lasting peace between Humanity, and her own, rather more magical, people.
Having denied her own magic, while growing up, and going to School in the Human World, going back to her roots, accompanied by her ever-vigilant Protector, the Daemon, Phil, in her late teens, was something Thea knew that she needed to do, if she was to get both sides talking.
But, even though the dark Mage, Haiden, was dead, at Thea's hands, she discovered that there was still a small slice of his Darkness left inside her, from his final attack in their last battle, and the only way to remove it from her, was to die!
What happens when Thea goes ahead to get this done, is a story all of its own, and Thea goes through much, to make things right again!
The trouble is though, that, by the time Thea has managed to return back to her own life, it isn't the few weeks she had assumed it to be, but seven years had passed by!
The situation Thea finds herself in, is the start of yet more battles - but Thea has already gone through death once, and is determined that her sacrifice isn't going to be wasted!
So, with determination, and a group of her family and friends, who are, all of them, also determined to change the wrongs that had been happening in those seven years of Thea's absence, the group goes ahead, to fight with all their might, and to right the wrongs of the past seven years!
I thoroughly enjoyed this final book of this great trilogy, written by Michael Anderle, who has become one of my favourite writers today, which is no surprise, really, as I've yet to come across any book that he's written, or has had a hand in co-writing, that I haven't liked!
I'm sad to reach the end of this trilogy, as I loved every minute of it, despite it being written more for Young Adults, than the 60+ that I happen to be! Lol
But, I'm going on to read yet another of Michael's Series - but, this time, he's co-writing with another favourite author of mine, Renee Jagger. Their Series: 'Piercing the Veil', is another new-to-me one, and this starts with Book One: 'Dangerous Opportunities'!
So, now this review is done, I'll be off to read, and I'll catch you on the flip side, to let you know what I think about this next Series, and its first book!...more
I have to admit that I missed a lot of the Social Media thing.
40 years ago, I had moved 365 miles away from everything, & everyone, that I knew, & loI have to admit that I missed a lot of the Social Media thing.
40 years ago, I had moved 365 miles away from everything, & everyone, that I knew, & loved, to start a new life, with a 1-year-married new husband, & a newborn baby girl - my little miracle baby - to live out in the sticks, not seeing anyone else for days on end.
There wasn't a phone in our home for a few months, & mobile phones were still huge bricks, that we saw in US films for the first time that year.
It was about 10 years later, before I got my first Nokia - just a basic phone and camera. My daughter had been in school for around 6 years by then &, using it for a while, & listening to my daughter talk about her friends who had phones of their own, made me realise that I needed to bring my phone up to date, & sort something out for my daughter, when she started Senior School the following year. So I bought my first Smartphone - & it was a total revelation to me! Lol
I thoroughly enjoyed reading just how comfortable Thea is with modern tech. I'm still just a dabbler, but I do understand the sheer need to be at the center of your life, exploring it, & sharing that with the world - but that's not for me, really! Lol
I understand it, but will never be truly comfortable with that amount of sharing! Lol
But, despite that - or, maybe, even because of that, I thoroughly enjoyed this second book, and the way in which Thea joined in, and made friends, with all those around her.
Her gifts are unique enough to make them special, but I thoroughly enjoyed the way in which she discovered this, then used those gifts to defeat Haiden!
It's an eye-opener, seeing how Thea uses her phone, & modern tech, but I know I'll never be as into it as she, and my Daughter, who grew up with it all, are.
But that's fine, as kind, tech savvy, people have made so much of it easily available to use, without having to get a Computer Degree! Lol
With Book 3 of the Shameless Mage: 'Photos and Prophecies', I don't know what's lying ahead for Thea, after killing Haiden, but I'm sure it will be yet another exciting read.
So, I'm off to start reading it now and, once I reach the other side, I'll catch you on the flip side, where I'll write another Review on what I think of it so far!
I guess there'll be few, if any, surprises, there! Lol...more
Although this appears to have been written more with young adults in mind, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Thea Muir, brought up more in the HuAlthough this appears to have been written more with young adults in mind, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Thea Muir, brought up more in the Human World than her Parents World of Magic, intends to become an Internet success, with careful years building her presence on the internet.
But, when the World of Magic begins to interfere with her plans, Thea has to step up, and start taking her own real World seriously.
But, when her home is attacked, and her Father dies, Thea has to make a choice - either to go on with the slightly safer Human World, or to pick up learning much more about her true Magic abilities, to make life safer for everyone, both in the Human, and the Magical, World!
I really enjoyed reading this book, and found Thea's life as an Influencer really interesting. Not because it's something I'd enjoy, myself, but for the amount of power it can, apparently, give to someone, determined to be noticed!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading how much Thea changed over the time that I read this first book, and am very much looking forward to reading Book 2 of this new, to me, series: 'Texting and Monsters'!
The Shameless Mage is a trilogy - something more rare for me nowadays, as I indulge myself with ever larger Series, with anything up to 30 books at the most, so far, but I'm very much enjoying this more encapsulated story, for a change!
So, I'll go on to read Book 2, and I'll catch you on the flip side, to let you know if this 2nd, & middle, book of this trilogy, brings as much excitement to it, as Book 1 did, for me!...more