Tag Archives: Strong Women

Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Arrows of the Queen

Title: Arrows of the Queen
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Series: Heralds of Valdemar #1, Valdemar #23
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Daw fantasy
Year: 1987
5th sentence, 74th page: Bright Havens, child, he’s your Companion now; if you really wanted to, you could sleep in his stall!

Synopsis

A KINGDOM IMPERILED!

Chosen by the Companion Rolan, a mystical horse-like being with powers beyond imagining, Talia, once a runaway, has now become a trainee Herald, destined to become one of the Queen’s own elite guard. For Talia has certain awakening talents of the mind that only a Companion like Rolan can truly sense.

But as Talia struggles to master her unique abilities, time is running out. For conspiracy is brewing in Valdemar, a deadly treason which could destroy Queen and kingdom. Opposed by unknown enemies capable of both diabolical magic and treacherous assassination, the Queen must turn to Talia and the Heralds for aid in protecting the realm and insuring the future of the Queen’s heir, a child already in danger of becoming bespelled by the Queen’s own foes!

Thoughts

Words can’t even express how awesome I found this book. I’m reading it for the second time in a week as I wait for the next one in the series to arrive. I think I’ve found my new favourite author! A good heroine, a great fantasy world and a fantastic story line. What more could you ask for?

It’s rare that I find a heroine that isn’t sassy, sarcastic and has a major attitude problem that I can love and admire. But, Talia manages to mix humility and insecurities in a quiet, withdrawn persona with a backbone of steel. Talia’s journey from ignorant, abused border girl to a strong and powerful Herald in her own right underpinned her adventures and experiences throughout the story.

This book was a great introduction to the Valdemar universe and the Companions that create such a peaceful realm. If you like fantasy, then this is a highly recommended series – an oldie, but a goodie.

<- Take a ThiefArrow’s Flight ->

Image source: Amazon

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Bitten

Title: Bitten
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Orbit
Year: 2001
5th sentence, 74th page: You know more about them than any of us.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

‘I’ve been fighting it all night. I’m going to lose… Nature wins out. It always does.’

Elena Michaels didn’t know that her lover Clay was a werewolf until he bit her, changing her life for ever. Betrayed and furious, she cannot accept her transformation, and wants nothing to do with her Pack – a charismatic group of fellow werewolves who say they want to help.

But when a series of brutal murders threatens the Pack, Elena is forced to make an impossible choice. Abandon the only people who truly understand her new nature, or help them to save the lover who ruined her life, and who still wants her back at any cost.

Thoughts

I first heard of this through the TV series, Bitten and thought that I’d buy the book out of sheer curiosity. I’m honestly a little over all of the paranormal romances (Twilight ruined them for me). But I read this book in a day. It was well written, with a strong, feisty (if not a little damaged) heroine. Exactly the type of book I love. 🙂

I enjoyed discovering more about Elena’s story as the journey unfolded – at the beginning she is just a blonde with a past and a secret. Yet, as the story unfolds, you find out about the past and the conflicts between the characters.

Unlike many of the paranormal romances and stories I’ve recently read, this one was a little edgy, not only in the characterisation of the heroine, but also through challenges she faces.

I am truly in love with edgy and stubborn heroines and this in combination of being placed within an all-male world made me want to read this story again and again and again.

<- TerritorialGhosts ->

Image source: Amazon

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Throne of Glass

Title: Throne of Glass
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Romance, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: The assassin and the prince glanced at each other, their blue eyes reflecting the same intent.

Synopsis

MEET CELAENA SARDOTHIEN. BEAUTIFUL. DEADLY. DESTINED FOR GREATNESS.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake. She got caught.

Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament – fighting the most gifted theives and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?

Thoughts

I walked away from this book just saying “wow. Oh, wow.”
That response on it’s own is probably enough to tell you how amazing this book is. One of my favorites to read again and again. This was the perfect introduction to a new author, and I was hooked from the first word.

Maas uses the traditional idea of Cinderella, but weaves through a sassy dose of attitude, power and resilience. You can’t help but feel connected to Celaena and her fight to not only keep her independence, but also her life. Combined with the delightful mix of arrogance and insecurities, the heroine is someone I could truly relate to. Alright, I’m not a kick-ass assassin and I would never be able to fend for myself in Celaena’s world – but her need to be true to herself whilst also serving someone she truly despises (and thus breaking from herself) makes me think of all of the moments in life when I’ve acted against my better nature.

That’s not to mention the two wonderfully (and multi-faceted) men who will make any that-way-inclined readers’ hearts melt. Maas reminds us that not only does love exist, it’s not simple, but the journey is always interesting and worth it.

I wouldn’t recommend this book to anybody who needs to be productive and can’t afford to spend the day curled up reading. Because, believe me, once you start this book, and indeed, this series, you won’t want to put it down!

<- The Assassin and the EmpireCrown of Midnight ->

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